Recommendation for sharing appetizers?

Hi,

First post on this forum! I'm a transplanted NY'er, just starting to get into the Chicago restaurant scene.

Can anyone recommend a place that offers a wide variety of great appetizers to share for a group of friends? In NY, Turkish restaurants often fit that bill. There was a great place called Maia on the lower East side that served wonderful meze in a great atmosphere. Sharing multiple appetizers is fun and a great way to taste a variety of different flavors and textures.

A funky atmosphere and street scene would be a big plus, too. I passed by A La Turka the other night, but Lincoln Ave on Friday night up there seemed dead as a doornail.

Maza on Lincoln would likely fit the bill. Lebanese cuisine served as appetizers, i.e. "maza." There is some thing where you get 15 dishes and I think it's $20 a person or something like that. I remember it being pretty reasonable and good overall. However, I haven't been there in over a year, so you might want to read up on it.

Maza Restaurant
(773) 929-9600
(773) 929-9394 (Fax)
2748 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

I always think Greek restaurants are ideal for this; that's something Chicago does very well. Searches for "Greek Islands" or "Santorini" on this board will bring up the major players.

Last night, the one of the few 'small plate' places that had availability was Meztiso in River North. It was pretty good, but the portions were really rather small.

Everything else was packed: Iberico, Emilio's, Ba-Ba-Reeba, 1492. I hadn't looked the Greek or Turkish options.

Thanks for the Greek and Lebanese suggestions. How's the atmosphere in these places?