Limo to Lunch

My boss just informed me that as a thank you for reaching goals, he would like to take us out for an afternoon of celebrating.

Five of us will be taking a stretch limo from Downers Grove on a Wednesday. He thought Wrigleyville would be a fun neighborhood. We want to dress casually so we are looking for a comfortable, fun atmosphere.

He suggested Fernando's on N. Lincoln, but he has never eaten there.

How would you plan the afternoon? I have a couple of days to put this together. Thank you for your ideas

I don't know if Fernando's is a take a stretch limo to kind of place. The food there is just ok, and there isn't too much else around it if you're looking to get a drink after dinner (although I love Tiny Lounge on Addison & Lincoln under the brown line el). Fernando's does have a bar with stiff margaritas, but it is more of a local place than a destination place, plastic tablecothes, ok food, variable service, overall nothing special.

I would suggest you go to a more 'exciting' neighborhood, it will make the night seem more fun. What about going to Greektown, or actually into Wrigleyville (I don't want to get into a neighborhood boundary argument, but I think Fernanados is more Lakeview than Wrigleyville. It is a little over a mile away from Wrigley Field in a residential area). Tapas food is also fun with a group.

Hey janeyb,

could you tell us more about budget constraints and the tastes of the folks involved, and what they prefer to do in Chicago that they can't do in Downers Grove? If I had a limo available to take me somewhere for Mexican food and drinks I'd say "Frontera Grill, please!" (But is that too expensive? Also, they stop serving lunch at 2:30, I think.)

How about this: lunch at Coco Pazzo cafe or something similar in Streeterville, followed by drinks at the top of the Hancock Building; optional Michigan Ave shopping for those so inclined.

Amata

We are taking a limo for fun, not to be fancy. We'll probably wear jeans, horse around and share a few drinks on the way into town. We want a fun adventure, not just a good, quiet meal in Downers Grove. I wasn't given a budget, but I think if we pick a fun, casual place, we'll be fine.

We are going more for a late lunch than dinner. I think the tastes of some in the group are probably conservative, but Mexican, Greek or Italian would be fine. Thanks for coming up with your creative ideas.

I, too, would head to Frontera/Topo but they close at 2:30 after lunch and don't reopen for dinner until 5:30 - so it probably won't fit your desired schedule. Keefer's is a nice place that provides food options for pretty much any palate and is relaxed enough that you can feel comfortable in your jeans without any hassle. Before or after the meal the bar is a great place to drink and people-watch through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that make up the 'wall' to the outside.

Once upon a time I used to have lunch at Brasserie Jo but they don't appear to do lunch anymore.

There are some good options in Wrigleyville. You'll need to check to see who's open for lunch.

Pizano's for Pizza
Cafe Erwin for a bit more upscale casual dining (not sure about their lunch hours)
Fly Me to the Moon has an inexpensive Italian lunch buffet
Good bar food can be found at Irish Oak.
Just north of Wrigley is Chicago's best tThai at TAC.

There's always El Jardin on Clark for their legendary margaritas, although you've got to drink a few first to enjoy the food.

Thanks for the ideas. I checked Coco Pazzo's website and it said their 57th Ave. location was closed. Keefers and Frontera Grill look great. If anything else comes to mind, let me know.

janeyb wrote:Thanks for the ideas. I checked Coco Pazzo's website and it said their 57th Ave. location was closed. ...

I was puzzled by what you found out, and googled coco pazzo myself. I think that location which closed is in Vancouver, not here. (Coco Pazzo started in NYC, I believe.) As far as I know, their lower-priced cafe on St. Clair, just east of Michigan Ave, is open. Amazon has their menu on line (not sure how up to date it is), but here is their lunch menu.

Coco Pazzo Cafe
636 N St. Clair
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-2777

Amata, you are right. Thanks you for your help!!

Not the Cafe in Streeterville, but the Restaurant in River North:

Coco Pazzo

E.M.

I've read that CP in Chicago broke off whatever relationship it had with the NYC company, and that it is better than ever now. I can't vouch for any of that personally for lack of experience.

Vicker16 wrote:I don't know if Fernando's is a take a stretch limo to kind of place. The food there is just ok, and there isn't too much else around it if you're looking to get a drink after dinner (although I love Tiny Lounge on Addison & Lincoln under the brown line el). Fernando's does have a bar with stiff margaritas, but it is more of a local place than a destination place, plastic tablecothes, ok food, variable service, overall nothing special.

I agree that Fernando's is an unfancy neighborhood place. I disagree that it's nothing special. That this family-owned place is still in business, with the same ownership, after 21 years, attests to its special qualities.

The food is homestyle Mexican, as created by Carmen Gonzalez. Her husband, Fernando, and son, Mario, run the front of the house. I recommend the garlic soup, the mole, the chicken Oaxaca and the real-fruit margaritas.

However, they are not open for lunch -- they open at 3:30, which would make it a pretty late lunch.

Re Coco Pazzo and Coco Pazzo Cafe, they are both locally owned by Jack Weiss, who came here from New York to open them for Pino Luongo, and subsequently bought them. They're both good places serving Tuscan fare, though the menus are quite different. I don't know that I'd consider either of them a lively lunch spot, though, and I personally would not go to the Hubbard Street restaurant in jeans.

Bistro 110 might be a better choice if you want to take up Amata's suggestion of Mag Mile activities. It's easy-to-like French. Next door is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, across the street from Hershey's (not to mention Andersson's Chocolates, Ethel's Chocolate Lounge and Vosges Haut Chocolat, all in Westfield North Bridge), for a sweet afternoon.

Another suggestion would be to check out whether any local theaters have a Wednesday matinee.

Fernando's Tequila Bar & Restaurant
773/477-6930
3450 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657

Coco Pazzo
312/836-0900
www.cocopazzochicago.com
300 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago , IL 60610

Coco Pazzo Cafe
312/664-2777
www.cocopazzocafe.com
Red Roof Inn, 636 N. St. Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611

Bistro 110
312/266-3110
www.bistro110restaurant.com
110 E. Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611