My brothers and sisters and I are trying to plan a retirement party for my mom this July. One of my sisters lives in Highland Park, and we are trying to find a place in her area to have this party. My sister sent me an e-mail today with the suggestion of White Nights.
Have any of you tried this place? It sounds really cool and from the description of the place, it seems like we’d have a great time. I just thought I’d check with my Chicago Dopers to see if any of you have an informed opinion.
BTW, the party is going to be a surprise so DON’T TELL MY MOM!
Been there, done that. It’s a truly post-Soviet experience; the kind of place where immigrants from the former Soviet Union have their life-cyle celebrations (birthdays, wedding receptions, etc.) Personally, I think it’s the kind of thing I don’t mind having done once, just for the experience (I’m a major Russophile), but I don’t think my mom would appreciate it. There’s a floor show with cheezy, scantily clad dancers, a cheezy band of the “cheezy post-Soviet wedding band” type, and LOTS of food of a type I’m not particularly fond of (lots of mayo-laden cold salads and fried things, although I am a big fan of smoked fish). I don’t know your mom, but if she doesn’t speak Russian, she won’t understand a damn thing during the floor show. And LOTS of alcohol is consumed there. (Plus it’s on the expensive side; I think we paid about $50 a person, and you can have a really nice meal for that in a lot of places.)
If you want yummier Russian food without the rest of the hoopla, try Russian Tea Time on Adams, about 1/2 block from the Art Institute. But the best Russian food is made by Russians in their own homes. If your mom isn’t a big Russophile, I would recommend taking her somewhere else.
Wow, thanks Luna. That’s some good information. Just to add some more information, my mom is not actually from Russia (or Russian, for that matter). Her mother is Slovak, and her father is Austrian. I think my sister just liked the party atmosphere and ethnic stuff that White Nights has to offer.
I’ll second this suggestion, although I don’t know if they cater to large parties and it can be on the expensive side.
Monster, I am familiar with the area your sister lives in. Are you looking for Russian couisine specifically? Or do you have other options? Are you planning for many guests? Have you considered looking into the Highland Park country club? It’s a nice facility, park district owned and has party room rentals with full catering available.
Some other HP or nearby fun dining spots with party facilities:
Walker Brothers (pancakes for supper? you bet)
Michael’s Red Hots (Chicago magazine’s best pick)
Carson’s Ribs (you get to wear a bib)
Rosebud (bring extra $$$, better yet, bring your paycheck)
Fuddrucker’s (make your own burger)
Are you offering a finder’s fee? 
Thanks upperdeckfan. We are not specifically looking for Russian cuisine. We are only having the family there. That would be my mom, her 5 kids with 2 spouses and 3 grandchildren attending. <counting fingers> That makes 11 people.
I will make the country club suggestion to my sister. We are just looking for a nice place to have a surprise party for my mom. A private dining section would be a bonus. Fuddrucker’s is definity NOT the type of place we are looking at. We’d like to stay in the $30-$40 price range for dinner, not including drinks.
And, no, on the finder’s fee. However, you can meet us at the party and I’ll buy you a beer.
I third the motion for Russian Tea Time, then. Classy atmosphere (lots of pre-symphony diners go there, as it’s aroud the corner), red velvet curtains, yummy food, attentive service. Not huge, but a party of 11 should be no problem, and the same goes for your budget if you don’t go crazy with the appetizers. Lots of ethnicities represented, too; it’s not just Russian food, but covers the entire former Soviet Union, so the Georgians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, and others are also represented. There is a smaller room in the back; you might be able to talk them into reserving it for your party, although I’m not sure how many people it holds.