Are they set on those restaurants? Fhima is hit or miss, and Margeaux is... Good but you can get better elsewhere.
I'd recommend Jax Cafe as an alternative. The older crowd tends to be charmed by the atmosphere and service while the middle-aged set like us loves the food and cocktails. Get your reservations in now, though.
I agree with the others.... there are better choices for 80 yr olds.
In the same area-
Spoon and Stable is always good.
They may appreciate the nostalgia/Supper Club style of a place like J.D. Hoyts or Monte Carlo.
The restaurant at the Hewing Hotel could be an option too. It's called Tullibee.
If you are set on a Fhima restaurant, that's fine. I'd really just look at the menus. Maison Margaux leans more French, Fhima's is more Mediterranean. Choose whichever has better options based on what they like to eat.
I hate to ruin your plans but those are two of the worst value/quality restaurants in the city. 10 years ago David’s restaurants were some of the best in the city but now they are very average and not cheap at all. I mean look at vagabondo. I don’t think I’ve heard a single good thing about it. Nothing against David personally I just think the cities have elevated their dinning scene and he hasn’t gone along with that progression.
Do NOT, and I repeat, do not, go to Maison Margaux. The entire experience was underwhelming. Terrible service, terrible communication, food is baaaaarely mid, and some was just laughably bad. Entire components listed on the menu missing from dishes. Server didn’t know what I was talking about and then trying to gaslight me that the grapefruit supremes were actually on the plate when they clearly weren’t? Like…??? The highlight were the oysters, but our server had no idea what he was talking about when it came to both the oysters and the wine selection.
Jumping in to echo other people’s comments about food quality and service. I’ve previously had great meals and attentive servers at Fhima’s, but my last visit this fall was terrible. For a meal that was planned ahead with the restaurant and VERY expensive, it went quite poorly. Undercooked food, forgotten side orders, and a request that they delay our group’s private dinner service so they could serve people in the main dining room. I regret my restaurant choice for that meal.
If your parents are impressed by architecture, visit Fhima’s for a cocktail. Dining there isn’t worth it.
My suggestions instead (listed in no particular order): Murray’s, Tilia, Owamni, Diane’s Place.
Thanks everyone. We got into Bûcheron this summer and enjoyed it, but it’s booked for this visit. Chloe is closed on Sunday’s, and La Grolla is already an established favorite.
112 Eatery and Joan’s in the Park both look nice, and were not known by me. Thank you!
I love 112, but be aware that it can be very loud in there as tables are close and it's a relatively small space. Just FYI.
If you are venturing east, Gus Gus is a favorite (but sadly closed Sunday) and Estelle is nice and open Sunday. Meritage is another good French option.
GREAT info for this. My parents will not be able to hear.. I’ll keep it on the list for friends or my wife, but probably do Joan’s with my parents. Thanks again to everyone. Very nice helpful comments here by everyone
112 has a lot of variety in seating, the above side room is probably the best bet. I really don’t think the noise is that bad, especially when the above comment suggested Gus Gus which is much louder.
Agree with others about MM. Place was nearly empty when we went and we thought it was strange for what should be a busy bunch service day, but the food was not up our expectations.
Thanks to everyone so far. I think I will scratch these, and maybe my wife and I will come to Fhimas for a drink.
We’ve done Owmni, and my parents liked it. My mother loves French food, likes Italian food, is okay with American.. and that’s about the extent. I tried for reservations at Barbettes, Meritage and Bellecour and they’re all full for the night we’re looking at.
Any other suggestions for French or Italian I’m not seeing?
Chloe is a good option for French. Guessing you can’t get into Bucheron but that would be my top choice. Also a new one just opened at 50th and France, it’s called Therese
MM can be extremely loud—my older parents found it hard to hear the table conversation. Murray’s, Manny’s, Jax, Mancini’s (in STP) are good alternatives
Not to yuck your yum, but as steakhouses go, Pittsburgh Blue is massively overpriced for what you get. You can spend the same money at much better local steakhouses.
Are they set on those restaurants? Fhima is hit or miss, and Margeaux is... Good but you can get better elsewhere.
I'd recommend Jax Cafe as an alternative. The older crowd tends to be charmed by the atmosphere and service while the middle-aged set like us loves the food and cocktails. Get your reservations in now, though.
Thank you.. parents are semi-regular at Jax, so a good suggestion that’s appreciated, but won’t work for this.
Murray’s is also great for this type of crowd. Agree with others that MM is pretty mid.
No no no on Jax. Worst quality of food I’ve ever sold.
You work at the French Laundry or something? I mean, they're not Michelin star level but they've been quite good every time I've been there.
I agree with the others.... there are better choices for 80 yr olds.
In the same area-
Spoon and Stable is always good.
They may appreciate the nostalgia/Supper Club style of a place like J.D. Hoyts or Monte Carlo.
The restaurant at the Hewing Hotel could be an option too. It's called Tullibee.
If you are set on a Fhima restaurant, that's fine. I'd really just look at the menus. Maison Margaux leans more French, Fhima's is more Mediterranean. Choose whichever has better options based on what they like to eat.
Tullibee never disappoints imo. Also easier to get into than a lot of the high end restaurants
I hate to ruin your plans but those are two of the worst value/quality restaurants in the city. 10 years ago David’s restaurants were some of the best in the city but now they are very average and not cheap at all. I mean look at vagabondo. I don’t think I’ve heard a single good thing about it. Nothing against David personally I just think the cities have elevated their dinning scene and he hasn’t gone along with that progression.
Do NOT, and I repeat, do not, go to Maison Margaux. The entire experience was underwhelming. Terrible service, terrible communication, food is baaaaarely mid, and some was just laughably bad. Entire components listed on the menu missing from dishes. Server didn’t know what I was talking about and then trying to gaslight me that the grapefruit supremes were actually on the plate when they clearly weren’t? Like…??? The highlight were the oysters, but our server had no idea what he was talking about when it came to both the oysters and the wine selection.
Jumping in to echo other people’s comments about food quality and service. I’ve previously had great meals and attentive servers at Fhima’s, but my last visit this fall was terrible. For a meal that was planned ahead with the restaurant and VERY expensive, it went quite poorly. Undercooked food, forgotten side orders, and a request that they delay our group’s private dinner service so they could serve people in the main dining room. I regret my restaurant choice for that meal.
If your parents are impressed by architecture, visit Fhima’s for a cocktail. Dining there isn’t worth it.
My suggestions instead (listed in no particular order): Murray’s, Tilia, Owamni, Diane’s Place.
Thanks everyone. We got into Bûcheron this summer and enjoyed it, but it’s booked for this visit. Chloe is closed on Sunday’s, and La Grolla is already an established favorite.
112 Eatery and Joan’s in the Park both look nice, and were not known by me. Thank you!
I love 112, but be aware that it can be very loud in there as tables are close and it's a relatively small space. Just FYI.
If you are venturing east, Gus Gus is a favorite (but sadly closed Sunday) and Estelle is nice and open Sunday. Meritage is another good French option.
GREAT info for this. My parents will not be able to hear.. I’ll keep it on the list for friends or my wife, but probably do Joan’s with my parents. Thanks again to everyone. Very nice helpful comments here by everyone
112 has a lot of variety in seating, the above side room is probably the best bet. I really don’t think the noise is that bad, especially when the above comment suggested Gus Gus which is much louder.
Fhima’s has good drinks but extremely mediocre food and service - avoid
Neither. Go to Spoon & Stable.
Agree with others about MM. Place was nearly empty when we went and we thought it was strange for what should be a busy bunch service day, but the food was not up our expectations.
Thanks to everyone so far. I think I will scratch these, and maybe my wife and I will come to Fhimas for a drink.
We’ve done Owmni, and my parents liked it. My mother loves French food, likes Italian food, is okay with American.. and that’s about the extent. I tried for reservations at Barbettes, Meritage and Bellecour and they’re all full for the night we’re looking at.
Any other suggestions for French or Italian I’m not seeing?
Chloe is a good option for French. Guessing you can’t get into Bucheron but that would be my top choice. Also a new one just opened at 50th and France, it’s called Therese
Italian Eatery is a good option.
112 Eatery is always phenomenal.
Joan's in the Park would work well if you're willing to cross the river into St Paul. It is my favorite restaurant in the city right now.
Bucheron (French-ish) is incredible.
La Grolla maybe? Forepaughs?
Meritage is fabulous!
I’d recommend 112 Eatery. It’s been there all these years and still the best restaurant in the city in my opinion.
All good options listed but it sure is late in the game IMO to plan a Christmas dinner at a good restaurant. You may have to settle. Good luck!
MM can be extremely loud—my older parents found it hard to hear the table conversation. Murray’s, Manny’s, Jax, Mancini’s (in STP) are good alternatives
They go to Jax, so in N.E. .
Go to Sarna's. It is a fun, dinner club style bar, with great food.
Good luck.
Pittsburgh Blue in Galleria If steaks are not your style then Cōv in Galleria is good also
Not to yuck your yum, but as steakhouses go, Pittsburgh Blue is massively overpriced for what you get. You can spend the same money at much better local steakhouses.