Chef’s Station

**** (4 stars)

I love the outdoor ambiance of this place on a nice evening, although inside is cozy and pleasant, too. Service is great: professional yet friendly. It’s a good sign when I see the same personnel year after year. The food is really top notch, and I feel under-appreciated, as this is a much better meal than at Oceanique, and it’s actually even more French than that place. One of the best upscale dining experiences in Evanston for sure.

Chef’s Station
915 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-9821
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chefs-station-evanston

Quince

**** (4 stars)

Quince is almost a great restaurant. The service is superb. The dining rooms are homey and a touch formal. And the food is good. There’s just no over the top dish to take it to the next level. A good reliable upscale meal in Evanston, better than Oceanique, not as good as Stained Glass.

Quince
1625 Hinman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-8400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quince-evanston-2

Siam Splendour

**** (4 stars)

A pretty decent Thai restaurant that has parking, quite the novelty in Evanston. The barbecued pork skewer appetizer and the Thai salads are the stand outs, and the Pad Thai is pretty good, too. The chive dumplings were doughy and undercooked. Extensive menu, so there’s lots to explore.

Siam Splendour
1125 Emerson St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/siam-splendour-evanston-2

Thai Sookdee Restaurant

*** (3 stars)

This is a completely mediocre Thai restaurant with one killer dish: Pad Thai. Their preparation of it isn’t even exactly traditional, but it is delicious, with medium dark noodles that really sop up the flavorful sauce. Unfortunately every thing else on the menu is quite forgettable. Our strategy is to order the Pad Thai delivered, and then add our own accompaniments.

Thai Sookdee Restaurant
1016 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-8012
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-sookdee-restaurant-evanston

Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak

**** (4 stars)

Pete Millers has that clubby feel I like in a steakhouse. The steaks aren’t particularly life-changing, but the ambiance is great, and there’s live entertainment that is pleasant without making conversation impossible. A good place for a business dinner.

Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak
1557 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-0399
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pete-millers-seafood-and-prime-steak-evanston

The Olive Mountain

**** (4 stars)

This place offers really authentic Middle Eastern food and at lunch the prices are crazy cheap. A great falafel sandwich, delicious side of hummus and a beverage is under $6. That’s nuts! PLus, it’s full table service, and the owner is always there to make sure things go right. Great restaurant.

The Olive Mountain
610 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-0380
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-mountain-evanston

Trattoria Demi

*** (3 stars)

There aren’t a lot of authentic Italian places in Evanston, so Trattoria Demi is probably as close as you’re going to come. They make a good Caesar salad, and the pizza is serviceable. There’s nothing about the place that will really fool you into thinking your in a Trattoria in Italy, but it’s a perfectly fine restaurant.

Trattoria Demi
1571 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 332-2330
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-demi-evanston