Trattoria No. 10
10 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL
(312) 984-1718
Cuisine:
Italian
September 15, 2006
Great place to bring a date
I went here with a group of friends for my birthday last year. The food is tasty though a little pricey. The restaurant has a romantic ambience, perfect for taking a date out to. If you’re out with a few friends like I was, though, be sure to try the dessert platter at the end for a sampling of the restaurant’s finest.
Pick Me Up Cafe
3408 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
(773) 248-6613
Cuisine:
Diner, Vegan, American
September 27, 2006
Trendy 24-hour coffee shop Clark
Got the late-night munchies in the city? Need a “pick me up” to study? This is the place to go. It’s open 24 hours and is by Wrigleyville. You can get there pretty easily from the Red line. They serve awesome capuccinos, waffles, french toasts, and a variety of other things. It has a very trendy vibe to it, and you’ll find students hanging out playing cards and studying here.
Peacock India
700 N Milwaukee Ave Ste 130
Vernon Hills, IL
(847) 816-3100
Cuisine:
Indian
September 27, 2006
Pricey but good Indian food in the suburbs
If you’re craving for tandoori chicken or chicken makhani with a South Indian flare, try this restaurant out in Vernon Hills. Their lunch buffet is a good value for the money, but if you’re going there for dinner, be prepared to spend about $60 for 2 people with 2-3 entrees and drinks. Environment is business casual.
Dishes I tried:
tandoori chicken
Pretty flavorful…comes sizzling from a clay oven.
Chicken makhani
A little sour with it’s South Indian interpretation and portions are small for the price, but tasty.
Green Dolphin Street
2200 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL
(773) 395-0066
Cuisine:
American, American (New), Fine Dining
September 23, 2006
Jazz it up
Jazz it up at Green Dolphin Street. You won’t miss this place on Ashland with it’s big bright green neon sign outside. In the summer time, tented outdoor seating is available right by the Chicago river. Beautiful jazz music plays in the background, giving the place a sultry feel. I had the halibut,which was absolutely scrumptious. The dishes are pretty pricey, but if you’re in the mood for some good jazz and great upscale food, it’s worth it.
See their menu on their website: http://www.jazzitup.com/
Bandera Restaurant
535 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
(312) 644-3524
Cuisine:
Romantic, American, Sandwiches
September 23, 2006
Romantic Hotspot on beautiful Michigan Avenue
Want to impress your date? Take em here. The mood is very romantic and on certain nights, there’s live jazz. Make reservations as this place can get busy, and try to get the window seats overlooking Michigan avenue if possible. The restaurant serves pan-American dishes that are tasty and well-portioned.
Reza's Restaurant
432 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL
(312) 664-4500
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Buffet, Persian
September 23, 2006
Good persian food in a good location
In the mood for some high-class persian food? Reza’s is the place to go. This place serves chock fulls of meat: beef, chicken, lamb, and seafood. The portions are big, the food very flavorful. Their meat dishes could do with more veggie side-dishes, though. Service was GREAT, and the environment is posh. The restaurant is also in a good location on Ontario street where finding parking is not too bad.
Dishes I tried:
Lamb kabob
Very flavorful and tender. Not enough veggies on the side though. For something different, try the dill rice.
babieh
Crispy and sweet. Not the best dessert I’ve ever had, but not bad for $1.95.
Tasty Thai Restaurant
276 Hawthorn Village Commons
Vernon Hills, IL
(847) 367-1980
Cuisine:
Thai
September 15, 2006
Good, tasty thai in the suburbs
I love this place. I come here often with my boyfriend and friends. I’ve tried all their noodle dishes, which are all full of flavor and nicely portioned. The chicken eggplant there is good, too, for something different. Good place to go if you’re out by CMS and need to fill your tummy with some good thai food after exams or something. Also, they have an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, but I’ve never tried it…
Opa Estiatorio
950 Lakeview Pkwy
Vernon Hills, IL
(847) 968-4300
Cuisine:
Greek, Family Fare
September 15, 2006
No opa! for me
I came here twice. Once I sat outside next to the pond, and the second time I sat inside with a huge group of friends. Having never had Greek food, I thought it was time to give it a try. The first time, I was not a fan….the second time, still not a fan. I think I just don’t like Greek food. But if you feel in the mood for whetting your appetite, the portions are good, the restaurant has a nice airy mediterannean feel, and yes, they Opa! there.
Vivere
71 W Monroe St
Chicago, IL
(312) 332-4040
Cuisine:
Romantic, Italian, Fine Dining
September 15, 2006
Upscale italian restaurant with small portions
So here’s another romantic place to take a date out to, but be prepared to shell out the cash! The food is good…too bad they don’t give you more. The restaurant is beautiful and so are many of the diners. Come here if you want to feel like one of the elite but not if you want to satisfy your hunger.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL
(312) 755-9339
Cuisine:
American, Brewery, Casual dining
September 27, 2006
Good beer, decent American food
This is a good place to get together with friends. Their beer is produced at their onsite brewery, which is pretty good. The food is nothing spectacular, but if you’re up for some decent burgers and other American food, go here. Great for birthday parties with large groups.


tulips500
09/29/2006yeah, i might’ve eaten here more often if it weren’t so darn $$$$.