Solo Dinner Late Sunday Night

[cajeska]

I’m flying into O’Hare from California at 8:30 pm on Sunday 5/8. I will be staying in Schaumburg as I have a meeting there Monday morning. But I think I’d like to venture out and have a late dinner in Chicago. I’ll have a car, so transportation won't be a problem. Since I’ll be by myself, I’m looking for casual places where I won’t need a reservation and/or could eat at the bar. Unique Chicago experiences would be a plus, but I’m open to any good food. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[nsxtasy]

Here are the places I would consider for a late Sunday dinner; which one depends primarily on what kind of food you'd prefer:

Quartino (Italian small plates) - www.quartinochicago.com
The Purple Pig (pork, charcuterie, cheese) - www.thepurplepigchicago.com
The Girl and the Goat (contemporary American) - www.girlandthegoat.com
Cafe Iberico (tapas) - www.cafeiberico.com
Sunda (pan-Asian, sushi) - www.sundachicago.com
GT Fish and Oyster (seafood) - www.gtoyster.com
Hugo's Frog Bar (seafood) - www.hugosfrogbar.com
Miller's Pub (steaks, pub fare) - www.millerspub.com
Avec (Mediterranean) - www.avecrestaurant.com
Luxbar (comfort food) - www.luxbar.com
Mercadito (Mexican) - www.mercaditochicago.com
Chicago Cut Steakhouse (steakhouse) - www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com
Mastro's (steakhouse) - www.mastrosrestaurants.com
Smith & Wollensky (steakhouse) - www.smithandwollensky.com

Depending on the promptness of your arrival, how long it takes you to pick up the rental car, and traffic, you might get downtown any time between 9:00 and 10:00 (or later). All of these seat people past 10 pm on Sundays. You can eat at the bar at all of these. Still, it wouldn't hurt to make a reservation (and request the bar when doing so if you like). You can make a reservation at all of the above (including on Opentable) except Purple Pig, Cafe Iberico, and Avec. You might not be able to get a reservation at Girl and the Goat, but they do take walk-ins as well. Waiting times to be seated at the hottest places (Purple Pig, Girl and the Goat) may still be lengthy at 9:00 but are probably starting to wind down by 10:00 on Sundays.

If you change your mind when you get here and decide not to take the extra time to drive downtown for dinner, the Rosemont location of Gibson's Steakhouse (near the airport) is open late including Sunday nights.

HTH

[danimalarkey]

If you didn't want to head all the way into the city, you might consider Longman & Eagle, located in the city's Logan Square neighborhood (and just off the expressway). They're open until 2am on Sundays (though I would call to find out if the complete menu is available that late). They don't take reservations but I sincerely doubt you would have an issue finding a seat at their bar late in the evening on a Sunday. They have a menu online, though who knows if its the current menu - should give you a good idea of the options available and if they are appealing to you.

http://longmanandeagle.com/wp-content...

[cajeska]

This is why I love Chowhound! Thank you both for your thoughtful and detailed replies. I'll probably come up with a couple options depending how timely my flight and post-flight activities are. Lots of great suggestions. Thanks!

[cajeska]

Thank you both for your recommendations. My flight arrived on time, so I decided to head downtown to Miller’s Pub and found easy metered parking right across the street. It was just what I was looking for – a unique establishment with character (being right under the “L” adds to the experience). It was fairly full for 10:00 on a Sunday, but there was a spot at the bar and I pulled up a stool. I ordered the specialty ribs and a local Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale which made for the perfect late night meal.