You could give Lulu's a try - they're on Davis Street in downtown Evanston (just west of Chicago Avenue). They have kind of a fusion of Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. And the prices are VERY reasonable ($6-$8 per entree, methinks). I don't know about the atmosphere you're looking for - Lulu's is a little hectic on weekend nights, but kind of young and artsy (it's walking distance from the NU campus, after all). Still, it's not all students by a long shot - there are plenty of townies and families and such. About half of their menu is vegetarian, but they have lots of chicken and beef dishes. I get the grilled steak salad every time (they have a chicken version as well) with fried wonton, cilantro, fresh vegies, and a creamy ginger dressing. I understand the pork medallions are great, and the Bi Bim Bop and Yake Soba noodles have been talked up to me as well. I have no business relations with Lulu's at all, except for the fact that you COULD say that I've invested in their future by ordering from there more than I probably can afford. I can't call it authentic anything, but I like it. And any restaurant that has green tea ice cream gets my vote (they get theirs from Al Gelato, so it's particularly good). Also, Lucky Platter on Main Street in Evanston (just EAST of Chicago Avenue) is very good. A little more expensive (I think $8-$12 per entree), but they have "hearty" food. Very good mashed potatoes and gravy, and a very eclectic menu. I haven't been there recently enough to make any menu recommendations, but if memory serves, it's all pretty good. I think both of these restaurants are non-smoking, if that's an issue for you. Good luck! Tom David K. wrote: > > Meeting friends for dinner on Friday near Skokie, and need some suggestions. > > Here are the restrictions: one couple doesn't eat red meat, but not > otherwise veggie. No Indian (as a Southsider, I've been looking for an > excuse to follow those Devon recommendations, but not this time). > > That leaves a lot of room! Other ethnic/innovative is good. Price range > should be low to moderate. > > Thanks in advance. > > David > -- > David W. Kleeman, Executive Director > American Center for Children's Television > 1400 East Touhy, Suite 260, Des Plaines, IL 60018-3305 > 847-390-6499 (phone) 847-390-9435 (fax) [email removed]
Chicago, IL
Suggestions near Skokie
Laura M. wrote: > > Two suggestions: > 1. Pita Inn. It is very inexpensive, casual Mideastern food. Very > good though. It is on the northside of Demster between McCormick > and Crawford. The do have a few vegetarian choices. > > 2. Annam Express. Vietnamese food. I don't know specifically > what the vegetarian choices are there but the menu is quite large so I'm > sure they have stuff to choose from. The servings are large > and fairly inexpensive. It isn't as casual as Pita Inn and you > would probably be more comfortable sitting around talking. Pita > Inn is good but fast. FYI, Annam Express was BYOB last time I was > there. It is located just west of McCormick on the north side > of Dempster. > > Good Luck finding a place. Hope this helps. > Laura > > David K. wrote: > > > > Meeting friends for dinner on Friday near Skokie, and need some suggestions. > > > > Here are the restrictions: one couple doesn't eat red meat, but not > > otherwise veggie. No Indian (as a Southsider, I've been looking for an > > excuse to follow those Devon recommendations, but not this time). > > > > That leaves a lot of room! Other ethnic/innovative is good. Price range > > should be low to moderate. > > Renga Tei, Japanese restaurant, northeast corner of Crawford and Touhy; closed Tuesdays.
David K. wrote: > > Meeting friends for dinner on Friday near Skokie, and need some suggestions. > > Here are the restrictions: one couple doesn't eat red meat, but not > otherwise veggie. No Indian (as a Southsider, I've been looking for an > excuse to follow those Devon recommendations, but not this time). > > That leaves a lot of room! Other ethnic/innovative is good. Price range > should be low to moderate. > > Thanks in advance. > > David > -- > David W. Kleeman, Executive Director > American Center for Children's Television > 1400 East Touhy, Suite 260, Des Plaines, IL 60018-3305 > 847-390-6499 (phone) 847-390-9435 (fax) [email removed] If you don't mind an all-veggie experience, check out the Blind Faith Cafe and Restaurant in Evanston. It has terrific food and has very quaint atmostphere. It is on Dempster St just a 1/2 block east of Chicago Avenue. not far at all from Skokie.
Hi- Just to confuse you a little further, might I suggest: 1) Akai Hana at 3223 W. Lake (across from Borders) is reasonable but excellent Japanese, and very easy to reach from Skokie Blvd. The eda mame (steamed soybeans) is a great appetizer (be sure to get at least two orders - inexpensive and fun to eat), and the sushi is reasonable and very fresh - the fish market in the plaza supplies them every day. 2) In Evanston, Siam Square (622 Davis) has a lovely atmosphere, and is some of the best Thai I've found in Chicago. I have found the food far more consistent than at Lulu's (which is next door). The chicken with cashew nut sauce is excellent, and they have a wide variety of seafood and veggie dishes, and a large range of curries. Have fun!
KATURSI wrote: > <Has it been remodeled at all that you know of?> > > I haven't been inside Bones in a while....I use them mainly for carryout. > > <Is that the "main/original" Lou Malnati's or a > newer one.> > > I don't know if it's the original, but it's been there for at least 14 years > that I know of. Also, remember, it's pan-style pizza, not thin crust. Bones is a good restaurant, yet I think they have gone downhill in the past couple of years, it has kind of become an old folks hangout, but Lou Malnati's has always been a personal favorite on Chicago style pan pizza. If you're looking for something a little more hip, Grazziano's on Touhy near Lehigh (leaning tower YMCA) is an EXCELLENT choice. This has got be one of the most "Lincoln Park looking" restaurants in the suburbs. It's a sit down pizza place which specializes in thin crust exotic pizzas. It's kind of like California Pizza Kitchen, but I think it is much better. For sure the atmosphere is much better, and the pricing is more reasonable. Also, the salads and softdrinks have free refills (which is always a big perk for me)... broke college student... I highly suggest having dinner there, and don't forget to try the salad with their secret incredible dressing! I've heard about people trying to buy a bottle of dressing off of them, and they wouldn't do it... just a thought for you. Check it out. Andy -------------------------------------------- Andrew Fischoff Columbia College Chicago - Audio Engineering [email removed] http://pages.ripco.com/andy --------------------------------------------
Thanks to all of you who posted suggestions near Skokie. Lots of great ideas that we'll be using over time. We ended up heading for Evanston, where we'd intended to go to Flat Top Grill. When told it would be an hour and a half, we wandered down Church Street to a middle eastern spot (Olive Mount? something olive? something mount?), where we had a very nice dinner. Extremely generous entrees (the chicken dishes got especially strong reviews), and well done appetizers of all the typical middle eastern types (I especially liked the tabbouleh). Thanks again for your good ideas. David
Glad you found a nice place - The Olive Mountain is certainly the best Middle Eastern food this side of Howard! -Liz In article , [email removed] (David Kleeman) wrote: > Thanks to all of you who posted suggestions near Skokie. Lots of great > ideas that we'll be using over time. > > We ended up heading for Evanston, where we'd intended to go to Flat Top > Grill. When told it would be an hour and a half, we wandered down Church > Street to a middle eastern spot (Olive Mount? something olive? something > mount?), where we had a very nice dinner. Extremely generous entrees (the > chicken dishes got especially strong reviews), and well done appetizers of > all the typical middle eastern types (I especially liked the tabbouleh). > > Thanks again for your good ideas. > > David > -- > David W. Kleeman, Executive Director > American Center for Children's Television > 1400 East Touhy, Suite 260, Des Plaines, IL 60018-3305 > 847-390-6499 (phone) 847-390-9435 (fax) [email removed]
Thomas K. wrote about Olive Mountain in Evanston: : I can't agree enough - I went there last night (I've been meaning to try : it, and was reminded by this thread) and had a very tasty meal. I : particularly recommend the lentil soup (I don't know if it's a daily : special or if they have it all the time). I love this place too. They always have the lentil soup. I don't think they offer any daily alternatives, but the lentil is so good it doesn't matter. I like some of their chicken dishes, but IMHO their filet mignon cabob is too good to pass up. I'm sorry I didn't see this thread in time to respond to the original poster. The Evanston restaurant we enjoy the most was somehow omitted -- Dave's Italian Kitchen on Church street. (We call it Dave's House of Garlic, because you can smell the garlic clear across the street.) It's basically a pasta joint, all homemade and really good. And very inexpensive for the amount of food you get -- a lot of their entrees are under $7.
Someone wrote: > >I love this place too. They always have the lentil soup. I don't >think they offer any daily alternatives, but the lentil is so good it >doesn't matter. I like some of their chicken dishes, but IMHO their filet >mignon cabob is too good to pass up. > Olive Mountain is very good... haven't been there in a while, though. >I'm sorry I didn't see this thread in time to respond to the original >poster. The Evanston restaurant we enjoy the most was somehow omitted -- >Dave's Italian Kitchen on Church street. (We call it Dave's House of >Garlic, because you can smell the garlic clear across the street.) It's >basically a pasta joint, all homemade and really good. And very >inexpensive for the amount of food you get -- a lot of their entrees are >under $7. > A definite second on this place! Not 'fine' Italian food, but very good. Favorites include the Chichen Vesuvio and the Alfredo with chichen. Also, definitely DO NOT pass up the chocolate mousse, it is VERY good! (It is also real cheap with a dinner, something like $1.80 or so.) >-- >Mary Susan >