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I was at work this morning when a car crashed through the wall, narrowly avoiding killing or gravely injuring me. To celebrate this stay of execution, we're going out to dinner tonight. Possibly a steak-based affair (though we can't think of anything aside from Cy's, which, I'd rather not) but anyway, something that is wonderful and life-affirming and may make me forget that I spent the first few hours of my day a bit hysterical. Cuisine type totally open. Chicago area (northsideish).

Someplace with alot of liquor. Yoshi's has good food and mixes up fine "girl drinks".

I've already been enjoying the fine Celtic whiskies on offer chez Creamcheese, so liquor is not a must. But it never hurts.

I can't believe you have the wherewithal to post here and think about dinner. I'd be in the psych ward subsisting on a diet of antipsychotic drugs. That's just me. For you, get thee to David Burke's.

What an excellent reason to go out and eat a steak!

Why not Smith & Wollensky or David Burke's? Or is that too obvious? These aren't low-cost places, but, you know, you're alive so maybe a few more bucks won't seem to matter so much...

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

As I mentioned last week the VI family went to Vie after we got some incredible (medical) news. We had to celebrate. Especially, with the farmers markets now in starting, I cannot think of a better place to visit this time of year. Excuses or not.

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Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.

The Local Beet's very big list of 2013 Farmer's Markets

My quick Whitepages search turned up nothing for David Burke's! Where is it? I don't suppose reservations would be a challenge on Wednesday (thank goodness the old lady didn't crash on a Friday!)

David Burke's Steakhouse
616 N Rush
312.660.6000

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

Here's a lengthy thread about Burke's.

Their website is http://www.davidburke.com. Click on "David Burke’s Primehouse", which is the precise name of the Chicago restaurant. I can think of some other choices, though, ones that I consider a bit more celebratory...

Signature Room at the 95th (even if only for a drink) - for the great view from the top of the Hancock Center

Everest - for the great view and the great food

Alinea - the ultimate fine dining experience, what better occasion to celebrate?

Carnivale, DeLaCosta, Cuatro - nothing says "A la vida!" better than fun and loud music and Latin cuisine

Santorini or Greek Islands - get your hair singed by the saganaki so you can look the part

Sweets and Savories - Paul and David will share your joy with you

Well, that would be a peak experience...assuming you're still ready to celebrate being alive 45-60 days from now (I don't think they start taking reservations for July until June 1).

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

Suzy,

Congratulations on still being alive!

My first thought, as you mention a steak-based affair was David Burke's Primehouse, as has been suggested.

Second thought, go to Sam's Wine and Spirits buy a few bottles of nice champagne, Regis Fliniaux, Egly-Ouriet or Pierre Peters to name three, and take them to a favorite restaurant. For me that would be 'Little' Three Happiness. Champagne goes well with Thai food as well, I'm thinking crispy en choy at TAC would be killer with a bottle of really nice champagne.

Enjoy,
Gary

David Burke’s Primehouse
606 North Rush
Chicago, IL
312-660-6000

'Little' Three Happiness
209 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60616
312-842-1964

Tac Quick
3930 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60613
773-327-5253

Sam's
1720 North Marcey Street
Chicago, IL 60614
312-664-4394

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Sauce on the side, always, implied, axiomatic..........never a doubt, BBQ sauce without.

Low & Slow

I meant, call and see if they got a last-minute cancellation! It never hurts to ask!

Aside from Alinea, you might be surprised to know that you can get last-minute reservations at some of the best places in Chicago, especially during the week. For example, right now opentable.com is showing openings for a table for four this evening between 6:30 and 8:30 at Everest, NoMi, and Spiaggia. All of which are wonderful restaurants, with outstanding food and exquisite service, and sufficiently and appropriately celebratory for the occasion.

On the topic of Alinea, I've been meaning to post about my experience there a few weeks ago. It was...interesting, and I've been holding off on writing anything as discussions of late have been taking a somewhat negative (which is not to say unjustifed) turn (e.g., Arun's, Primehouse and, of course, the now infamous Coal Fire exchange), and I don't want to turn in yet another cranky post...but, at some point, I probably will...

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

Suzy-

I hope your life celebrating dinner was all you wanted it to be. Where did you end up?

-The GP (Mary)

How's the driver of the car ?

Go to Nine, order a porterhouse and a whole lobster!



440 W Randolph St

Either way, steak seems the appropriate celebration of life in this case...

So, where did you end up going? And how was it?

In a sad, and doubly-ironic twist,
I heard she choked Mama Cass-style
on a big celebratory bite of steak
after concluding that the meal was...
"meh...not life-changing".

Honestly, that's not very funny.

And the Mama Cass thing is an urban legend.

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Joe G.

"Whatever may be wrong with the world, at least it has some good things to eat." -- Cowboy Jack Clement

I thought it was funny. Clearly a joke.

We were unable to decide between all of our options, so we ended up going to Ras Dashen, where Maritu comped me a glass of tej to aid me in forgetting the day.

However, we have a friend coming in from Memphis tomorrow, and so we decided the Celebration of Being Alive dinner could be combined with the Celebration of I'm Not in Memphis Right Now dinner for something truly spectacular.

Oh, and the driver is fine. Her car is in great shape too. Next time, I'm buying a Honda for sure.

Do you work at Kiss My K9?

For a drink, I'd go for a Harvey Wallbanger

Why, how did you guess? Was it the charming new all-plywood front?

The Evanston Review (Pioneer Press) story is here.

I didn't even see that. Hm.

A lot of people have been coming in and to ooh and ah about it and ask questions. Which is natural I suppose, though really I am still rather wrenched about it and jumping at every noise, so I kind of wish they wouldn't go on about how cool it is.

When I have a special occasion to celebrate, and I want to stick to Evanston, there is one "go to" place where I can count on having incredible food that will blow me away every time: Oceanique. It's the best, most "truly spectacular" place to celebrate in Evanston.