Just marked my calendar for May 6th, Chicago.
Being a resident of Chicago, as I may have mentioned once or twice before, I suppose I could try to make this event.
another reason for my making the effort, smog!
Oh my, Clary! It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I'm glad to see you again, and I hope that all is well with you. If you're willing to make the effort to travel from whatever far off land you happen to be in now, I guess I can make the effort to travel uptown or downtown or crosstown or ... aroundtown(?).
I should hope so! As a fearful flyer, I enquired about sea journeys to the US - possible, but $6600 +
So if I can conquer my fears and strain the bank balance to get to Chicago, you can certainly bust a gut to get crosstown!!!
But a round trip for me on the CTA would cost at least 4, perhaps even 6, and--dare I say--maybe as much as 8 dollars! (Probably only 4.) And that's per event!! I could end up spending nearly 16 dollars that weekend on travel costs alone.
OOOOOooooooooooooooooooh er!
joefromchicago wrote: Just as all devout Muslims must make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca, I suppose all devout libertarians must make at least one pilgrimage to the University of Chicago economics department.
An excellent point. Unfortunately, neither Friedman nor Stigler is in Chicago anymore. But if you could arrange an appointment with Richard Posner, that would be nice. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, but I would imagine that lunch with Posner might be interesting enough to merit some expense. We could invite Mortalgato too.
smog wrote:Being a resident of Chicago, as I may have mentioned once or twice before, I suppose I could try to make this event.
You are?!?!?! I wish I'd known that last month when we were trying to put a local meet together.
The legendary smog lives right here in Chicago?
I need some feedback on what price range we need for the central gathering. The Park Grille sent me all of their pricing. Here's lunch/brunch
Quote:SIGNATURE LUNCH MENU
A Three Course Menu featuring Signature Items & Guest Favorites
$30. Per Person - Choose One First Course, Two Entrees, One Dessert
$35. Per Person - Choose Two First Courses, Three Entrees, Two Desserts
Additional Selections Add $5. per person
FIRST COURSE
HOUSE SALAD - mixed greens with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes & balsamic vinaigrette
CAESAR SALAD - hearts of romaine, classic Caesar dressing, oven-dried tomatoes & basil
BEET SALAD - roasted beets with watercress, spiced walnuts, Vermont goat cheese & sherry vinaigrette
ASPARAGUS SALAD- chilled & served with citrus, shaved onions & garlic herb crouton
POACHED PEAR SALAD- red wine poached pear, Amish bleu cheese & spiced walnuts
PUMPKIN SOUP - a natural puree with maple crème fraiche
PARK GRILL CHICKEN SOUP - queso fresco, cilantro & tortilla strips
BAKED FRENCH ONION SOUP - toasted garlic crouton & Gruyere cheese
ENTRÉE
ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST- whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, grilled asparagus & Madeira reduction
HALIBUT- sautéed Alaskan halibut with cherry tomatoes, asparagus & lemon vinaigrette
SALMON - woodland mushrooms, fresh corn & red wine sauce
PETITE FILET- roasted potatoes & french green beans ($5. upcharge)
PENNE PASTA- olive oil stewed Roma tomatoes, shaved Parmesan & basil
DESSERT
CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE - warm liquid center & vanilla ice cream
THE GRILL'S VANILLA CRÈME BRULEE - with seasonal berries
LAYERED CARROT CAKE - cream cheese icing & caramel sauce
WARMED APPLE TART - caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE - pumpkin seed raisin compote & pumpkin anglaise
DESSERT SAMPLER - petite versions of the chocolate soufflé cake, apple tart, pumpkin cheesecake &
vanilla crème brulee
SIGNATURE LUNCHEON MENU
A Three Course Menu featuring Signature Items & Guest Favorites
$25. Per Person - Choose One First Course, One Entree, One Dessert
Additional Selections Add $5. per person
FIRST COURSE
HOUSE SALAD - mixed greens with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes & balsamic vinaigrette
CAESAR SALAD - hearts of romaine, classic Caesar dressing, oven-dried tomatoes & basil
PUMPKIN SOUP - a natural puree with maple crème fraiche
PARK GRILL CHICKEN SOUP - queso fresco, cilantro & tortilla strips
ENTRÉE
SIGNATURE CHOPPED SALAD - hearts of palm, bell peppers, onions, cucumbers & artichoke hearts with applewood smoked bacon & thousand island dressing
(Add Grilled Chicken $3. upcharge / Add Grilled Shrimp $6. upcharge)
ASIAN CHICKEN SALAD - cabbage & romaine with orange, mango, toasted peanuts, rice noodles & sesame ginger vinaigrette
GREEK SALAD - romaine & watercress with artichoke hearts, olives, cucumbers, feta cheese & oregano
(Add Grilled Chicken $3. upcharge / Add Grilled Shrimp $6. upcharge)
CAJUN SPICED CHICKEN BREAST SANDWICH- with cheddar cheese, balsamic grilled onions & honey mustard mayo
GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH - granny smith apples, coleslaw, muenster cheese
& raspberry mustard
TURKEY CLUB - pastrami turkey with alfalfa sprouts, avocado & applewood smoked bacon
on cracked wheat bread
DESSERT
CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE - warm liquid center & vanilla ice cream
THE GRILL'S VANILLA CRÈME BRULEE - with seasonal berries
LAYERED CARROT CAKE - cream cheese icing & caramel sauce
WARMED APPLE TART - caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE - pumpkin seed raisin compote & pumpkin anglaise
DESSERT SAMPLER - petite versions of the chocolate soufflé cake, apple tart, pumpkin cheesecake &
vanilla crème brulee
for a smaller reception. A beverage service can be added or left out as a cash bar.
Quote:RECEPTION HORS D'OEUVRES
Tray Passed or Buffet Style
Price Per Person
$15. - Select Four
$20. - Select Six
$25. - Select Eight
COLD
VEGETARIAN CALIFORNIA ROLLS with sweet soy dipping sauce
CHARRED BEEF CARPACCIO on brioche with arugula, shaved Parmesan, white truffle oil
CURED TOMATO CROSTINI with goat cheese and basil
PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA on Parmesan tuille with arugula
SMOKED SALMON CALIFORNIA ROLLS with sweet soy dipping sauce
BRUSCHETTA with wild mushroom tapenade and basil
SMOKED DUCK BREAST with red onion marmalade
HOUSE SMOKED SALMON on brioche
YUKON GOLD CHIPS with caviar and crème fraiche
JONAH CRAB AND APPLE SALAD on rosemary tuille
VEGETABLE RICE PAPER ROLL with spicy Asian dipping sauce
SALMON TARTAR on wonton crisp
BRIE AND STRAWBERRY on lavosh
HOT
SPICY SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS with sweet soy dipping sauce
MINI LOBSTER PIZZA with goat cheese, sweet corn and roasted peppers
TANDORI CHICKEN SKEWERS with yogurt dipping sauce
CHIPOTLE DRY RUB BEEF BROCHETTES with rosemary pineapple salsa
STEAMED SHRIMP DUMPLINGS with spicy soy dipping sauce
GOAT CHEESE AND SUNDRIED TOMATO TARTLET
WILD MUSHROOM AND CORN TARTLET
ARTICHOKE FRITTERS with balsamic béarnaise
BEEF YAKATORI with teriyaki sauce
MINI CRAB CAKES with charred pepper aioli
MINI CHEESE BURGERS with mini malted vanilla shake
SHRIMP TEMPURA with Ponzu dipping sauce
CHIVE AND POTATO BLINI with crème fraiche and caviar
VEGETABLE YAKATORI with teriyaki sauce
BBQ CHICKEN WINGS with blue cheese dipping sauce
CLASSIC DISPLAYS
Each Serves 25 Guests
DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED CHEESES, served with dried and fresh fruits and artisan breads
$125.
SEASONAL SLICED FRUITS AND BERRIES
$100.
SEASONAL FRESH VEGETABLE CRUDITE, served with blue cheese and yogurt dips
$75.
Quote:BEVERAGE PACKAGES
The Perfect Beverage Selection to Accompany your Menu
Beverages can be charged on a consumption basis. We offer a full bar and an extensive seasonal wine list.
Hosted Bar
$14. Per Person First Hour
$11. Per Person Each Additional Hour
Includes all liquors from the well bar, plus:
Absolut Vodka
Tanqueray Gin
Bacardi Rum
Jim Beam Bourbon
Seagram's 7 Whiskey
Dewars Scotch
Cuervo Gold Tequila
Choice of Four Bottled or Draught Beers
Two House White Wines & Two House Red Wines
Juices & Sodas
Premium Hosted Bar
$17. Per Person First Hour
$14. Per Person Each Additional Hour
Includes all liquors from the well bar, plus:
Ketel One Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Captain Morgan Ru
Maker's Mark Bourbon
Dewars Scotch
Glenlivet Scotch
Sauza Commemorativo Tequila
Choice of Five Bottled or Draught Beers
Two House White Wines & Two House Red Wines
Juices & Sodas
Is there any additional pricing for making reservations? As in, if we chose the $25 option, would it be $25 per person for the food and ensuring that there is enough room for ____ people? And if so, how high does the "____" number get? (As in, I'm sure 10 would be OK, but 30, 50, 100?)
(People continue to trickle in and find this [Hi, Smog!!], so not sure yet what kind of numbers we're looking at.)
(Thanks again for doing this research!!)
joefromchicago wrote:I think it's much funnier that Goethe Street, named for the famous German writer, is pronounced "Go-thee" Street by the natives.
I lived at Wells and Goethe many years ago and NEVER knew how to pronounce that name. Is it "Gear-tay"?
sozobe wrote:Is there any additional pricing for making reservations? As in, if we chose the $25 option, would it be $25 per person for the food and ensuring that there is enough room for ____ people? And if so, how high does the "____" number get? (As in, I'm sure 10 would be OK, but 30, 50, 100?)
(People continue to trickle in and find this [Hi, Smog!!], so not sure yet what kind of numbers we're looking at.)
(Thanks again for doing this research!!)
No specified minimum. If we want indoor seating they will put us in 'adjoining areas' meaning we will get the Founder's room for 40 plus the area of the adjoining public area closest to the Founder's room. If we are less than 40 we will be put in one area of the public room, hence semi-private.
Quote:EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS BEGIN HERE.
Host your next celebration at The Park Grill at Millennium Park. We have created unique accommodations, perfect for gatherings as intimate as 10 or as large as 1,000. Of course, it's all here for you. A place both familiar and unlike anywhere else.
Millennium Park is the ideal destination location for your next event. Our signature menus and seasonal entertainment make it an experience unlike any other. Sample menus are provided to assist you in planning your event. We are happy to make recommendations or design a customized menu for your group. Our special events department is available to coordinate audio-visual equipment, live entertainment, or anything else that will make your event a success.
SEATING CAPACITY FOR PRIVATE DINING
IN THE FOUNDER'S ROOM
40 guests
SEMI-PRIVATE DINING AVAILABLE FOR LARGER GROUPS
Accommodating 25 to 1,000 guests
Options are available for larger groups
Food and Beverage Minimums do apply for Private & Semi-Private Events
Food and beverage minimums are not inclusive of tax and gratuity.
DEPOSIT
$500.
* Unless Specified Otherwise
GUARANTEE
48 hour advance guarantee for the number of guests in your party.
PAYMENT
Full payment is required at the end of the event
unless prior arrangements have been made.
20% gratuity and 10.25% sales tax will be added to each bill.
Set up fees may also apply.
Oooh, $500 deposit.
48 hour advance guarantee is good. (We'll know a lot more 48 hours in advance than we will 4 months in advance.)
20% gratuity and 10.25% tax means total bill for everyone would be $33.08 each.
Still, sounds promising to me. I'd be willing to pay that. The Founder's room, seating 40, sounds good. Let's see what other people think...
This is the text of the e-mail sent along with the menus:
Quote:Thank you for your interest in The Park Grill. I look forward to the opportunity to assist with any future needs for your group. Below, I have outlined information regarding our Indoor and Outdoor Private & Semi-Private Dining for your review.
Attached you will find our event menu information for private parties, our selection of tray pass hors d'oeuvres and our beverage packages. Each person receives a customized menu at no additional charge. You also have the option to choose a host bar for your beverage options in which you are charged on a consumption basis. I have also included some of the Station options we have offered. We have the opportunity to customize a menu for your event with our Executive Chef based on what you are looking to offer.
There are no room charges required to reserve our private or semi- private dining spaces on Saturday May 6th, 2006. There is simply a food and beverage minimum required to reserve the space that best suits your needs. I have outlined those approximate costs for your review below.
Option 1: Seated brunch / lunch from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Accommodated in The Founders Room with the adjacent Main Dining Room section (indoor)
Accommodates a Maximum of 90 people seated
Food and Beverage Minimum required: $2,800.00 (not including tax or gratuity)
Accommodated on the Outdoor Patio (directly outside the restaurant)
Accommodates a Maximum of 75 people seated
Food and Beverage Minimum required: $3,000.00 (not including tax or gratuity)
Option 2: Early Evening Dinner from 5pm-7pm
Accommodated inside the Park Grill OR Outside on The Patio
Food and Beverage Minimum required for either space: $3,600.00 (not including tax or gratuity)
Option 3: Dinner from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Accommodates inside the Park Grill OR Outside on The Patio
Food and Beverage Minimum required: $4,500.00 (not including tax or gratuity)
A completed Special Events Contract along with a $500.00 deposit is all that we require to reserve the space for you. This deposit will be applied to the final bill the day of your event. We will charge the card of your choice at the completion of your event.
We do not require parties to pre-select wines, but it allows us to ensure that we have availability (and enough quantity) for your event.
I'm not totally clear on what she meant by, "Each person receives a customized menu at no additional charge." I take that to mean we don't need to pre-order, but I'm not sure. I would like some feedback on the acceptability of the price-range before I go any further. Or, if you want to take it from here Soz, that's fine with me, I'll pm you the contact info. If it turns out to be an unacceptable option I can continue to look for other venues.
Either way is fine with me.
The minimums worry me a bit. Doesn't seem to be an option for just Founder's room + 40 people listed. (Maybe just an oversight.)
