Affordable Ideas for Graduation Dinner with large group of Family/Friends? (Chicago: house, neighborhood)

[JL1585]

Hey guys,

I'm about to graduate with my doctoral degree next week and I have tons of family and friends coming in from out of town. Since I've been a broke student for the past 4 years I don't know too many nice restaurants that would fit the occasion for a graduation since I've always been on a budget.

What I'd like to get ideas for is a restaurant that is semi-formal/formal (and if not at least nice) that can fit about 20 people for dinner or even better, a banquet room where the restaurant might have catered food to serve us.. this would be optimal! Any suggestions? Unfortunately I don't have a price range b/c I'm not paying for it, but I wouldn't complain if overall everything was about $15-18 per person. Preferably in the city too! Thanks so much!

[Vlajos]

La Creperie

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

La Creperie

That place is good..and not that expensive either..they have more space in back or something right?

[jonnynonos]

$15-$18 per head... I take it your party won't be drinking?

[Attrill]

We did a party for 30-40 for my wife at Semiramis a couple years ago, I think it was $20/person and we worked with them on setting the menu. It's BYOB, so you save a lot that way. They were really easy to work with and the food was great. We had a number of guests who managed to cover the entire gamut of dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, and soy and wheat allergies). Everything is served family style and the food just keeps coming and coming. We were there for quite awhile and didn't feel any pressure to leave. The kabobs there are awesome.

[jonnynonos]

Yeah, BYOB is the way to go if you are watching dollars; you can cut your bill in half, or as is the case with my friends, into a third or possibly a fifth.

Not sure how many white table-cloth BYOs I can think of, though. Most of them tend to be ethnic food. Probably the closest that would fit what you're talking about would be Mio Caro or Mythos. The food at the latter is one of the best restaurants in Chicago IMO, but not sure if you're looking for Greek, and I certainly wouldn't describe either of them as 'formal.'

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Yeah, BYOB is the way to go if you are watching dollars; you can cut your bill in half, or as is the case with my friends, into a third or possibly a fifth.

Not sure how many white table-cloth BYOs I can think of, though. Most of them tend to be ethnic food. Probably the closest that would fit what you're talking about would be Mio Caro or Mythos. The food at the latter is one of the best restaurants in Chicago IMO, but not sure if you're looking for Greek, and I certainly wouldn't describe either of them as 'formal.'

"Formal" will tough on this budget. Mythos is good, mio caro is ok, but byo helps.

Bonsoiree and goosefoot are two excellent byos that are upper end. Neither will work with budget though.

Back to la creperie, it's priced right, tasty and has a space for parties and an outdoor patio.

[jonnynonos]

Ruxbin, Chillum Balam, HB ktichen and Han202 also come to mind as "nice" BYOBs. If you kept it to one entree per person w/ no apps it wouldn't fall too much over your budget excluding alcohol. But I don't know if a table for 20 would be possible at any of them; Han would be your best shot I think. Also, while all great restaurants (or with great reps, at least, I haven't been to them all) they are not really 'formal.' I would say 'nice' but not really 'formal.' Han approaches 'formal.'

I don't think you're going to find like a cheap, neighborhood version of Chez Peree or anything. On that budget with (and probably without) alcohol I don't think it exists.

La Creperie is super charming and would be good for the occassion. Might be a great suggestion. But if you are drinking there I don't think that budget would work. But then again I've never negotiated with a restaurant owner for a party for 20 so maybe you could get some kind of deal on the house wine etc.

[Jandur]

$15-18/head for semi formal or formal is a bit of a stretch I think. Orso's in old town does have some options for large groups though I'm not sure what the overall cost is offhand. It's generally a pretty affordable overall though.

[linicx]

Something else to consider is the tip. Don't be surprised to see a 10-20% "gratuity for service " added after taxes. It is not uncommon to assign two staff to a table of 20 or larger once guests are seated. .