LEYE certificate

I think this might have been discussed earlier, but which LEYE restaurants are most worth cashing in a $50 gift certificate? My friends and want to go out for a "nice," though not break-the-bank, dinner and thought we may as well use the certificate that one of us has.

We were thinking of Mon Ami Gabi, but the reviews I've read have been only mediocre to good (but not really great).

Any other suggestions? (I think we prefer some place NOT Italian, though that would seem to rule out half the options) or any additional info on Mon Ami Gabi?

If you're thinking Bistro-y, I'd recommend Brasserie Jo instead. I feel the food is a notch or two higher, but that's just me.

Brasserie Jo
59 W. Hubbard
Chicago, IL
312-595-0800

i've had some fantastic meals at nacional 27. it's no more pricey than mon ami gabi. if you're there on the right night, you can even get'cha groove on.

If you and your friends like seafood, especially oysters, consider Shaw's Crab House. If they're interested in music, and don't mind the informality, the Blue Crab Lounge at Shaw's is also a good choice.

Janet,

Mon Ami Gabi fits your description perfectly for a LEYE restaurant that is mid-priced but very nice. I was at the Mon Ami Gabi on Lincoln Park West last Friday. It is a typical French brasserie similar to ones I've been to in Paris. They have a limited and nice variety of choices prepared in a French style. I think you can check out their menu on the LEYE web site. Members of my group had trout grenobloise, pork tenderloin, grilled lamb paillard, and chicken. All were priced as entrees from 15.95 to 17.95. They also have oysters and mussels. I recommend the country style pate for an appetizer, reasonably priced at 6.95. Their onion soup is also excellant. I also recommend the ratatouille. They also have a daily special which is a little different but good. I like the MAG in Lincoln Park better than the one in Oakbrook.

Other LEYE's mentioned above are good too. National 27 is a good Latin
restaurant with excellant ceviche choices. Cafe ba-ba-reeba on Halsted is fun for tapas and paella. Wildfire and Maggiano's are less unique -- Wildfire is traditional American and Maggiano's is OK Italian. A step up in price are Shaw's, Joe's Stone Crab and Petterino's. A further step up are Ambia, Everst and Tru.

You can't go wrong with Mon Ami Gabi for atmosphere, food, and price.
Enjoy wherever you go,
Jesper

Janet C. wrote:I think this might have been discussed earlier, but which LEYE restaurants are most worth cashing in a $50 gift certificate?

Janet,

Ellen and I had an enjoyable meal at Osteria Via Stato last evening, which is a new(ish) LEYE restaurant. First course wise, I particularly enjoyed house cured gravlox style salmon, marinated mozzarella and rings of nicely caramelized onion.

Pasta course was forgettable, though there were two and they offered, twice, to bring additional pasta, as they do with all of the courses. Reminded me of the JeffB joke asking "but how were the portions?" when someone mentions a mediocre meal. <smile>

Overcooked pasta aside, the Florentine porterhouse, $8 upcharge, I split with my wife was quite good and the small taste I had of one our other dining companions braised short rib was tender and flavorful. The fourth person had cod, but I did not sample.

My wife, who has been before, raved about the Brussels sprouts, but last night was not-so-good cauliflower, soft as mush with an overdone balsamic reduction. Roasted potatoes were very good, but might not be to everyones liking as they were roasted to quite a crisp state.

I am forgetting a few courses/offerings, a first course of salami which, of course, was referred to as Saaaalumi, for one. Service was excellent, in a slightly Disneyesque fashion, slightly over the top and way (way) too happy, but I may be a bit jaded.

I will say they are trying very hard, for example, when I asked for olive oil and coarse salt to dress my steak Florentine I was brought a small dish of sea salt and a bottle of very nice olive oil.

Forgettable pasta aside, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the meal, part of it may have been the company, but there were winners food wise and unflappable service.

Base price is $35.95, wine, dessert and the occasional menu special are additional.

A past LTHForum thread, when Osteria first opened, may be found Here

Enjoy,
Gary

Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions and great descriptions. I was glad to read Jesper's post in praise of Mon Ami Gabi, as their's is kind of the price range/atmosphere we're looking for.

But I'll offer up some of the other suggestions to my friends, too, to see which they'd be more interested in.

Osteria does sound good, though I think my friend wanted something not Italian. I've been Nacional 27 before and thought it not too bad. Just looking for something new this time.

Looks like our dinner's been postponed till March. I'll be sure to report back on it...

Dined at Osteria this past Saturday in celebration of Valentine's day and it was a very busy night as you can imagine. As indicated before, the tables are communal with the only seperating factor be a 4 inch tall divider in between parties. It wasn't really an issue for us.

Like GWiv, we enjoyed the fresh mozz resting atop some tasty olive oil. In fact, we asked for seconds of this. Also good was the caramelized onion and the olives were a nice precursor to the other antipastas. The salami was passable

The pasta, we found, to be quite tasty. Not sure what Gwiv had but the offerings included a delicious pappardelle which was laced with italian sausage, beef, and mushrooms. The other was a lighter basil rigatoni which we enjoyed as well.

Our entrees were average, I was recommended the chicken mario when i was told that the pescadore (sp) was unavailable. It was buttery and had a nice taste to it although I was expecting more since it was highly regarded by the waitstaff and manager. She had the cod, I believe, but I wasn't able to taste since I was very satiated by that point.

The only thing disparaging about the experience was the timing of the courses. We waited maybe 20 minutes between the first round of antipastas and another 25 minutes before our entrees arrived. This could be attributed to the occasion itself and our waiter seemed farily new to the job. He did. however, offer to buy our entire table dessert which was admirable. We had to decline since I had a flourless chocolate cake from Bittersweet waiting for us at home.

All in all, a value for tha variety of food that you are able to taste. I would return but not on a night as busy as this past weekend.

Has anyone that has eaten at Osteria Via Stato ever dined at any of Mario Batali's restaurants in NYC, specifically his Osteria (Lupa)? I am just curious if cooking style and ingredient quality is similar.