Has anyone been to Cafe La Cave?

I'm coming to Chicago next weekend and want to enjoy a nice romantic dinner with my boyfriend. Its a very special weekend for us and I would like it to be romantic. We will be staying near the Ohara Airport. I read the other romantic dining suggestions but wondered if the Cafe La Cave is recommended? Thanks everyone for your help!!

If you need to stay near the airport for your romantic dinner, than Cafe la Cave would do the trick. If I had a choice, I would go into the city to one of the other recommended places, though.

Thanks Steve, I'm at a loss being that I've never traveled to Chicago. We did plan to stay closeby to the airport. There seems to be many restaurants within the proximity but very hard to decide not knowing anything about them. Thanks for your help.

For the most part, the restaurants near the airport are geared toward conventioneers and the lowest common denominator of taste. I know that is a broad generization, but it's true in most cases. If you have a way to get into the city (excellent public transportation is nearby...less than $2.00 to get downtown via El), you'll be much happier checking out some of the recommended places (both high end and neighborhood favorites) that you can find by doing a search here on LTH Forum. Having said that, I'm somewhat partial to The Rosewood Restaurant as a white tablecloth place to eat near the airport. Not groundbreaking food, but good solid steakhouse stuff. Not as high end as Cafe la Cave.

Unless you have some reason for needing to stay near O'Hare I would strongly reconsider staying near the airport, as there's not a lot there-- I mean, there's malls and hotels and suburbs, but unless Ikea is the main reason you're coming to the area, you'd be happier staying somewhere within the heart of the city-- Mag Mile or Loop. If you stay near O'Hare you'll need a car, if you can get to a hotel in the city without a car you can do without a car the rest of the trip.

When forced to stay near O'Hare, I have always found Carlucci's and Nick's to be very good. Am I mistaken?

Tommy2dogs wrote:When forced to stay near O'Hare, I have always found Carlucci's and Nick's to be very good. Am I mistaken?

Carlucci's has goine severly downhill in the last year or so. My last meal at Nicks was overpriced, overcooked, dryed out fish, but I'll agree those places are among the best that are near the airport. That is not saying much.

I actually think that Carlucci's has been very good of late. It was down, but I think it's back up.

Harry Caray's in Rosemont is good. Not as atmospheric as downtown, but the food's the same. It's a check-tablecloth Italian steakhouse; not exactly romantic, but excellent steaks and chicken Vesuvio.

Maria's is a pleasant Mexican place tucked away in an industrial strip. The food is well made, though not out of the ordinary (spicy salsa, big margaritas, good standards like enchiladas de mole, excellent flan) and it's a bit atmospheric. On weekends, there is often a guitarist.

The Sofitel O'Hare has a very nice French restaurant called Le Cafe de Paris, where you can get a romantic dinner, and a decent bistro called Chez Colette. The Sunday brunch is worth checking out, too.

Harry Caray's
847/699-1200
www.harrycarays.com
Holiday Inn Select
10233 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont

Maria's Mexican Restaurant
773/992-2288
9440 W. Foster Ave., Chicago

Le Cafe de Paris
847/928-6950
Chez Colette
Sofitel Chicago O'Hare
847/678-4488
5550 N. River Road, Rosemont

For a delicious, romantic dinner, visit Emilio's Tapas, about ten minutes south of O'Hare at Mannheim and Roosevelt Road. I believe this is the original location of what has become a tapas-try of successful Emilio's Spanish-style restaurants. It's my go-to choice when friends and clients are staying in the O'Hare area. Soulful Spanish tapas and wonderful, earthy wines.

http://www.emiliostapas.com/hillside.htm#

If you're in a more Italian mood, don't forget that other LTH fave, also just a few minutes from the airport:

Ristorante Agostino
2817 N. Harlem Ave.
773-745-6464

You're sure to have a wonderful experience at either of these unique restaurants.

Nick's Fishmarket has become an expense account restaurant. They were good maybe 10 years ago. Overpriced for what you get. The last time my wife and I went there for a dressed-up romantic evening and we had a fair dinner, nothing special, but at the end the waiter became a pest in an effort to get us to pay up and leave instead of allowing us to linger over our after-dinner drinks. So we left never to come back after spending nearly $200.

Cave la Cave is an old stanby and probably your best bet for a classy place that is local. Took a lot of business people there when they were buying. Elegant, classy, and clean. Is it still the British chef? The food, while excellent, is not unique, mostly old standbys. But you're there for the romance right? If you underdress and show up without a reservation you will likely be seated in the "Cave" bar. That place got me hooked on a Tawny Port after dinner.

There's also a Morton's in Rosemont for steak lovers with big appetites.

The Black Ram Steakhouse in Des Plaines is more middel-of-the-road but they mix pretty stiff drinks.

That area is kind of a suburban wasteland. The Blue line into the city is a good option. You'll be downtown in 40-45 minutes.
http://www.cafelacaverestaurant.com/

Thanks Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!


I think I've got it narrowed down now!! Your all the best.


Always