I just spotted this thread. On a personal note, I used to have a business located in the East Van Buren area, and wouldn't recommend anything between 12 st and 36th st. They're not horrible, really, but the nightlife can get a bit interesting.

In fact, if you wait outside the Bill Johnson's, you're likely to spot a number of entrepreneurial ladies strolling past. Well, most of them look like ladies anyway.

Put me down as a maybe. Bill Johnson's is on my own "no fly list", but I might make an exception for this case. If there is a restaurant for Friday night, let me know, and maybe I'll do that one instead.