Need advice re: really nice Evanston, IL restaurant

Hi,

I live in New Mexico, and would like to get a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Evanston, IL as a thank-you present for an elderly lady who was my 1st grade teacher at Noyes Elementary School many years ago.

I%26#39;d like to find a beautiful, stylish place with wonderful food that will offer her and a friend a special night out while not being too stuffy or snotty (a bit chi-chi is OK as long as they%26#39;ll treat her very well). She%26#39;s 82 and doesn%26#39;t get around like she used to, so it has to be right in Evanston-proper, with good parking. Any suggestions and descriptions would be most appreciated.

(And for anyone else who had a great teacher whom they still remember with fondness, do give a call or write. It will make your day to hear how happy he or she is that you remembered.)

Thanks for your help, nabq

Need advice re: really nice Evanston, IL restaurant

Jilly%26#39;s Cafe, or Campagnola are nice Evanston sites. Parking is generally a bit of a problem in Evanston, but she can ask where to park when she makes her reservations (Jilly%26#39;s has an arrangement with the tire place nearby.)

A hidden gem in downtown Skokie, the next town, is Papillon. It is on a side street with sufficient parking. It%26#39;s a tiny French place where the owner does all the cooking.

See metromix.com for details; Pappillon was just reviewed on WTTW%26#39;s show, Check Please.

Need advice re: really nice Evanston, IL restaurant

Oceanique

http://www.oceanique.com/

Seafood, VERY GOOD. Favorite in Evanston

Va Pensiero (no website..)

Best Italian IMO in Evanston

Campagnola

http://www.campagnolarestaurant.com/

Italian, not as good as Va Pensiero, but less stuffy.

Narra

http://www.narrarestaurant.com/

American, good steaks and seafood...

Jacky%26#39;s Bistro

http://www.jackysbistro.com/

Good french restaurant, great food/atmos

I second Papillon, although it%26#39;s been a couple of years since eating there, and changes seemed to be in the works.

Papillion was just on ';Check Please';, it%26#39;s goingto be a mad house there for the next couple of months.

Wow, thank you! There are such great people on TripAdvisor. From reading your postings, I guess I%26#39;m leaning toward Oceanique or Papillon (I%26#39;ll keep in mind the heads-up about Papillon being packed). Va Pensiero sounds good, too. I have until Nov 22 or so to decide, so I%26#39;ll be sure to check back in here periodically until then to see if any further suggestions or comments are posted. Thanks again, nabq

Trio is the only 5-star restaurant right in Evanston. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It may be a little spendier than anticipated. It is about 1/2 a block from the city%26#39;s only major retirement home on Hinman, so if that%26#39;s where she lives, then it may be about as close as you can get.

http://www.dineme.com/restaurant-Trio-15.html

Less formal environments would include Davis Street Fish Market (across the street from the retirement home on Hinman).

Trio has closed. There is a new restaurant called Quince opening soon in that space. If she lives at the North Shore, it would certainly be very close by.

I%26#39;m inviting 10 professional women to dinner in Evanston. Jacky%26#39;s place and Pappillon still a good choice? the guest will be from E, Skokie, Willmette, etc..

What type(s) of cuisine/budget do you have in mind?

$40 per person. Doesn%26#39;t have to be fancy or upscale but someplace that would be worth going out on a Wednesday night for a dinner. Also I want to pick another place for Thursday night between Naperville (where I%26#39;ll be during the day) and Evanston (where I have more guests) What areas would you recommend?

I prefer local owned restaurants, not chains.