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LaMirage
Categories: Nightlife Dance Clubs Restaurants Russian Dance Clubs, Russian [Edit]
3223 Algonquin Rd(at Newport Dr)
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
(847) 222-1222
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
9 reviews for LaMirage
9 reviews in English
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Review from Ang R.
Chicago, IL
7/17/2010
Being as I have nothing to compare this to, I'm going to just go ahead and give it 4 stars. Russian techno banquet = AWESOME. There were a lot of food items I didn't like, though I'm certain it was mostly being unfamiliar with it. But the things that were very good were very good. I really, really liked the spicy pickled red cabbage. In fact, I really liked all the pickles, including the delicious, oddly textured mushroom pickles.
We ended up eating mostly the cold foods, because when we left at 9:40-ish, very few hot foods had trickled out of the kitchen. I understand that the idea is that you eat, dance, eat some more, dance, etc. But I had a pounding headache (and Russian techno isn't a cure for a headache), and he had to work, so we ducked out, having not drank or danced at all. (Not drinking at a Russian banquet is almost as bad as not dancing.)
We missed quite a bit, I'm sure. All the same, we greatly enjoyed the experience, and I'm not sure we'll ever get to do it again, but it will be fun if we do. -
Review from Marcel M.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2007
We attended Sunday brunch here with my wife's coworkers. From my observation, it's a happening place for Russian/Ukrainian folks. We sat at a huge table (20 seats) along with 300 other people in one big room. I was expecting a nice brunch banquet-style meal, but wow...
About an hour into the cold appetizers (good stuff from a Russian baba ganoush to smoked salmon wraps with capers), these curtains draw and a full band is behind it. Sunday brunch calls for soft Jazz music, but not at this joint. They start playing dance music. Russian techno almost, but guess what... the dance floor was packed. I'm nursing some sparkling water and borsch while I'm watching young and old gyrating on the floor. Nice! It was only 1PM!
The food wasn't the prioity, but there were some highlights to the menu. Five fish dishes, but I liked a chicken kiev-ish thing with mushrooms. Oh yeah, that baba ganoush thing was good since it had a mayo base to it. Different.
80% of my table was drunk since they consumed on the ever-flowing Georgian wine. It worked well since you'd drink, eat, and dance like nobody is watching. Everyone came back to the table sweating in their suits and dresses. This happened 4 more times.
We left at 4PM stuffed and danced out. Overall, I loved the culture shock, the range of dishes, and definitely the experience. -
Review from Jessica O.
Glenview, IL
6/6/2008
The one star is taken off, because although this place is now non-smoking by law, the mustiness of smoke will linger ever more... and the tackiness is funny... but appropriate.
As far as Russian places and banquet halls are concerned, La Mirage is definitely where it's at. La Mirage is definitely going to be a culture shock for most. They do have a restaurant/ bar area during the week where they serve dinner off of the menus. However, most of the action really happens on the weekends with the celebrations. If you aren't Russian, Marcel's description is pretty great, but the Friday and Saturday nights are even more intense than Brunch... I would consider starting with Brunch and then switching to the evenings to hang with the big boys.
Unless it is a wedding, usually there are multiple events in one room. Each group gets its own loooooong table that seats everyone... and everyone has a seat, eats a course or two, drinks a few more, and then gets up to shake their groove thang to some Russian music. Then you come back, eat some, drink more, and go dance. At the end, they bring out cakes for each table and the MC announces the occasion over the microphone.
It is definitely a cultural experience, and you will see more than your fair share of stiletto heels, leopard prints, and hot pink lipsticks with bright red hair dye... but as far as Russian fun is concerned... this is pretty much as good as it gets.Listed in: Russian Jew Soul Food
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Review from Andrea N.
Palatine, IL
4/8/2009
I've been here so many times for weddings and birzdays (as Alina says) and I've never felt out of place (I don't speak Russian). For some reason I always had a blast here and I've never seen old ladies drink and dance past 1AM until I came here!
The rack of lamb is astonishingly the best I've had at a restaurant in Chicago, not to mention a wedding. The food is top notch for a banquet hall.
The lounge area (with the outdoor courtyard) is really a romantic spot. I believe they closed it for renovation, but not sure if they will reopen that. -
Review from Natasha K.
Buffalo Grove, IL
2/16/2010
For those who would like to experience traditional provincial Eastern European life style, this palce is perfect. With faux French decor, rowdy Russian/Polish/Ukrainian/Lithuanian patrons which look like they might be either streetwalkers, Soviet grocery store workers, or mob bouncers, a hgue cover charge to get in, it screams "home" , the era of the 90,every time I am dragged there by a friend that hates the place herself.
On a positive side, the dancing is pretty fun, if you dont get hit on by a burly old cab driver. The live music, forgiving the tackyness, is pretty decent as well. The food is pretty good.
To get into this place, you need to be a part of a group, or maybe a president. One or the other. Otherwise, you will just walk into the lobby, and the staff will look at you like you just fell from Mars. -
Review from Alex K.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2008
Well it's a banquet hall. With everything including the ornate decor and rooms with fake ceilling.
There are different options for banquets. I've only been here for family gatherings. Yippee.
Lots of Russian food. You will not go hungry here. -
Review from Alina M.
Chicago, IL
6/3/2007
A familiar part of any Russian Chicagoins life. One of the few places that judges you if you are not drunk in the afternoon. An afternoon here is filled with drunken crying, laughing, chain smoking, vodka shots, and the russian version of "happy birzday" by the band- always fronted by a woman with a long blonde clip-in ponytail. So if you love to watch or participate in daytime drinking, fur coats, eurotrash, dancing, and awesome food.. then I think you will be able to embrace the tackiness and delight of La Mirage
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Review from Abigail D.
Chicago, IL
12/7/2008
I went for a party and the food was unstop able. Literally. I was full before the main course. The music was festive. I really enjoyed the culture.
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Review from Tony G.
Palatine, IL
6/30/2010
Love this restaurant!!!
