Hi Howard,
I lived in Chicago many years ago, so I will *try* and see if I can come up with some recommendations for you. The biggest problem with Chicago restaurants is they are ALL very noisey...even the very high end. I would have recommended Ambria...but as you see from my other post they have closed down
.
Anyway, here are some options that would fit your criteria of not overly expensive, with good food, and not TOO noisey...I hope some resident Midwesterners can give some better suggestions:
Adobo Grill
(312) 266-7999 Make a Reservation
http://www.adobogrill.com
1610 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614
Fantastic higher end Mexican. Will be somewhat noisey though.
MK
868 N Franklin St
Chicago, IL 60610
312-482-9179 - map & directions
http://www.mkchicago.com
Good Contemporary American food, decent prices, on the quieter side (especially if you dine upstairs). Decent lighting as well (if you are trying to show him papers, it's not too dark)
One Sixtyblue
160 N. Loomis St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-850-0303 - map & directions
http://www.onesixtyblue.com
Great seafood, on the quieter side, a little dark inside
Le Colonial
937 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-255-0088 - map & directions
http://www.lecolonialchicago.com
This has a Thai French fusion kind of menu. Food is pretty good. Not too noisey, can be a bit dark in some areas of the restaurant.
Grace
623 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60661
312-928-9200 - map & directions
This restaurant specializes in game. It's a little small and is on the noiser side. Is also not very bright inside.
Mon Ami Gabi
Oak Brook Center
Chicago, IL
630-472-1900 - map & directions
http://www.leye.com
This is a decent French Bistro...it's a Lettuce Entertain you restaurant. The food is good and so is the lighting. It's smaller though.
There is always Ruth Chris' or Nick's Fish Market as well.
If I had to choose one place from this list, I would pick MK, since it's somewhat upscale, good service and lighting, larger, and not too noisey. Again, Howard, please take my suggestions with a grain of salt, since I haven't lived in Chicago for over 7 yrs! But, I have included the websites of these places, and hopefully, someone else can give you some suggestions as well. GL! I hope the meeting goes great. KUP on where you go.
"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance" -Benjamin Franklin