Gabe’s

Fine Dining $20 and Up

“9”, Chicago

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On a recent visit to this Steak Restaurant I ordered the Black Miso Cod, a dish which was the best I’ve had. Unfortunately, this last visit was not to my liking. Can’t anyone in this town make a decent “Tom Collins”? The fish was so fishy tasting, could not eat it. The service was good but I found the noise level very loud. It was not the best visit, but I would still recommend this restaurant with some reservation.

Agostino’s Ristorante, Chicago

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This is THE Italian Restaurant by which I judge all others. It has the best Italian cuisine in Chicago. The service is also good and the ambience has improved greatly.

Café le Coq, Oak Park

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This French Restaurant is a great find in Oak Park. The food is great and the service is excellent. They even made me a special entrée, very classy. Most highly recommended.

Capri, Northlake

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This Italian Restaurant has very good food and fine service. The drawback to this place is the warehouse quality of its dining room. It is a huge open room that is decorated in an old world Tuscan style. Unfortunately it is too large and open. You feel like you are eating in a cafeteria, not a fine dining restaurant. I still highly recommend it.

Cucina Paradiso, Oak Park

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This Italian Restaurant is a good find but it is off the beaten path. The pasta is fresh and delicious and the salads are tasty. It is a great place to go for an intimate dinner.

Fogo de Chão, Chicago

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An excellent Brazilian Barbeque Restaurant. When they say all you can eat, they mean it. A great variety and excellent service make for a very enjoyable experience.

Kevil’s, Forest Park

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This is a Steak House. The food is good and the owners are friendly. It is a nice place to eat. The only drawback is that the menu is so limited you cannot eat there too often.

La Bella, Oak Park

This Italian Restaurant has recently closed until they move to their new location.

La Sardine, Chicago

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A very good French Restaurant. Some-times it’s hard to get a seat with out a reservation. Tuesday specials are great and a good value. Overall, this restaurant has fine food and good service. The big draw back for me was that the bar will not carry sour mix, which most of the cocktails I like are made with. You must try the dessert soufflés, they are to die for.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

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This Steak House has very good prime rib. Overall a pleasant experience with good service.

Marion Street Grill, Oak Park

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This American Bistro has good food, especially the pork loin and the fish. Friendly service, nice atmosphere.

P.F. Chang, Lombard

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An excellent Chinese Bistro. The best I’ve had. Everything was great. If you plan to go, you need reservations. Give it a try.

Philander’s , Oak Park

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This Seafood Restaurant is very good. The food was great and the service was too. I asked if they could prepare tilapia like the salmon on the menu (I do not like salmon) and they were more than happy to oblige me.

The Hemingway, Oak Park

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This French Restaurant was one of my favorites. The atmosphere is quaint but the service is usually slow. The food is awesome. Located in the Wright Inn, it is a little hard to find. They really need to hire more wait staff, the service has really suffered recently.

The Italian Village, Chicago

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This Italian Restaurant, located in downtown Chicago, is a great place to bring people for a nice meal. The food is good as well as the service. The décor is something to see, you feel like you are eating in Tuscany. Give it a try.

The Khyber Pass, Oak Park

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This Indian Restaurant is a true find. The buffet is wonderful. The service is prompt and friendly, a great place if your in the mood for something different.

Tsukasa of Tokyo, Vernon Hills

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This Japanese Restaurant has THE best Sushi around. It’s a bit of a drive from the city but the food is the best. I’ve liked everything I’ve eaten there. The service is also good.

Sushi Bar, Bloomingdale

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This Japanese Restaurant has great Sushi. The service is always good and the atmosphere is friendly and homey. A great find!

Vivaldi’s, Oak Park - Closed

This restaurant recently closed and is now a steak restaurant. Too bad, it was good.

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Casual Dining under $20

The Ale House, Oak Park

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This restaurant has a bar like atmosphere, decent food and it is reasonably priced.

Al’s Grill, Oak Park

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Only open for breakfast and lunch, good food at a good price.

Emilio’s Restaurant, Hillside

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A very fine place for good tapas. The food is great and the ambience is like being in Spain. Worth a trip to hillside. I especially like the Pollo al Curry, Yummm!

Fuji Grill, Forest Park

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This Japanese Restaurant is a great place to go for sushi or soba. The service is efficient and friendly. The soba is especially good.

Fuego Loco, Oak Park

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This Mexican Restaurant seems to be a popular spot to bring the kids. There are always families dining there. The drinks are good and so is the food. I especially recommend the tortilla soup.

Giordono’s Pizzeria, Oak Park

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This place has very good pizza, one of the best Chicago style stuffed pizza around.

Grandma Sally’s

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A great place for breakfast. Good food and service very reasonably priced.

Heaven on Seven, Naperville

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If you enjoy Cajun food, you’ll love this place. Everything I tasted was delicious. A very casual atmosphere made for an enjoyable evening. I would strongly suggest reservations; it’s a very popular place.

Jimmy’s Place, Forest Park

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Good food in a friendly bar like atmosphere. The pasta is good, so is the bread.

La Majada, Oak Park

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This Mexican Restaurant is very good and well established. I’ve enjoyed every meal I’ve eaten there and I especially liked the enchiladas with mole. The drinks are also good.

Lotus, Elmwood Park

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This is a very good Chinese Restaurant, especially the Empress Chicken, and it has very good service.

Luo’s Peking House, Oak Park

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This is a very good Chinese Restaurant. I often order delivery from here and I’m never disappointed.

Mama Thai, Oak Park

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This is the best Thai Restaurant in the area. Every dish I’ve tried so far has been a delight. You can’t beat this food and the service is always attentive. Even people who don’t especially care for Thai food will love this place.

The Maple Tree, Oak Park

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This downtown Oak Park restaurant is a great place for pancakes anytime. Fast friendly service.

Poor Phil’s, Oak Park

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This place has a bar like atmosphere, decent food and reasonably priced. Free popcorn while you wait.

Portillo’s, Chicagoland

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Great burgers, always a decent meal.

Russell’s Barbeque, Elmwood Park

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Great pork sandwiches. A family atmosphere.

Sushi Para II, Chicago

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I went to this Japanese Restaurant with friends for the all-you-can-eat sushi. I must say my expectations were very low. Much to my surprise, however, the sushi was terrific and very reasonable. You can order as much as you like, but they do charge extra for unfinished portions. A great find.

Winberies, Oak Park

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A great casual place to dine with friends. The food is good, although the menu is limited. The service is good too.

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Chicago Area Restaurants I would not recommend

2 or less stars

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Gibson Steak House, Rosemont

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This very pricey restaurant was a total disaster. The wait was incredibly long only to be followed by cold food not cooked to order. Every thing on the menu was a la carte. With a $24 and up entrée cost, you’d think they would throw in the potato, salad and/or vegetables, wrong! $5 for fries? I don’t think so. When the food costs as much as this place charges, I expect a lot more than was given. It was a very bad experience. Again, I felt sorry for the waiter. The only saving grace was the manager tried to make good, which was appreciated.

Rooster’s Barn & Grill, Bloomingdale

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This restaurant utterly sucked! I have never had food this bad at a restaurant before. The meatloaf was terrible, the potatoes were instant, etc.. There was not one redeeming this about the meal. Do not waste your time or money. I felt sorry for the waitress who knew we did not like it. When she asked if we wanted a box, we said yes, and a shovel.

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These are only a few of my reviews, please check for future updates.

Let me know what you think.

gdault@fenwickfriars.com