Chicago - cool restaurant for small team dinner, but not over the top?

Hi all --
Our team of 3 colleagues is visiting Chicago for 1 day, and hoping to end our project with a team dinner -- looking for something memorable (or just nice), but not over the top like a 4 hour dinner or something. Cost not a huge concern, but no need to go out of our way to be ridiculous...

Do you have any recommendations? I recall that we once had a similar event at Japonais, which is about the right kind of vibe, energy that I'm envisioning...

No particular restrictions on cuisine -- your favorite suggestions welcome!

Thanks!

Hi,

Can you share a few more details with us?
* Budgeted cost per person
* Neighborhood where they'll be staying/working & distance they're willing to travel?
* Any other must-haves or don't-wants other than the time restriction?
* What timeframe are we talking about?

Without knowing the answers to those questions...
* If you're planning far enough in advance, Girl & the Goat is worth considering because it has the celeb-chef vibe (their friends may be impressed) and good food, too.
* Charlie Trotter's was once the Ground Zero of fine dining in Chicago. A little of the luster has worn off, but he's closing this year after 20+ years. It is a bit more quiet of an atmosphere and can be a long'ish dinner (though not 4 hours), but would still probably be a fantastic celebratory meal.

Both G&TG and CT would qualify as "cool" in the sense that the chefs are high profile.

One of the biggest dining trends these days is the gastropub/small-plates wine bar. The Purple Pig and Avec are fantastic examples of the small plate wine bars, but neither takes reservations. :( (If they did, I'd eat there every day.) Publican is a great gastropub--fabulous food & drink--but it's largely communal seating. There are a limited number of booths, but I'm not sure whether you can guarantee one when making a reservation. Definitely qualifies as cool vibe & fabulous food.

Check out The Bristol in Bucktown.

I avoid Publican and Girl and the Goat. Both are way overhyped. Publican's menu is very very heavily pork and beer focused. GitG has been incredibly salty all 3 times I was there. Neither is what I would call "light". And I walked away from both wondering what the fuss was about.

Avec and Purple Pig would be great if you can get a table.

The Gage might be a good idea - kind of like an Irish pub that grew up and went to culinary school.

De Cero (in the west loop) is a great Mexican place.

Trattoria No 10 (downtown) is a good place for a nice, but not too fancy, business dinner.

Hi,

Can you share a few more details with us?
* Budgeted cost per person
* Neighborhood where they'll be staying/working & distance they're willing to travel?
* Any other must-haves or don't-wants other than the time restriction?
* What timeframe are we talking about?


Thanks to you both for your replies! I will check out these places. Just to answer your questions:

-- we're thinking ~up to $100 per person
-- we'll all be staying in downtown loop, but arriving from airport
-- Dinner is tomorrow... last minute planning as always for our group, so probably too late for the super fancy places...

Given the short notice & that we're in the midst of restaurant week, your options are limited...but not that limited. I just jumped on Opentable to see what's available for 4 tomorrow night and there are some great places. You should browse through OpenTable yourself, but I'd suggest you consider:
Balsan
Bin 36
David Burke's Primehouse
The Florentine
Graham Elliot
iNG
Le Colonial
Mercat a la Plancha
Nightwood
Paris Club
Topolombampo

We ended up going to Japonais, and had a great time -- thanks for your suggestions, all!