The Windy City is packed with amazing restaurants and iconic locations for wedding showers, birthday parties, and corporate gatherings. If you are planning a special event, searching for the perfect spot in Chicago can be a little daunting. I know I was in awe of the dizzying array of Chicago choices when my husband, Tony and I were recently planning a wedding shower for my fabulous sister-in-law, Sam and her awesome finance Jason.
If you are like me, you might google “best restaurants for a wedding shower in Chicago” or “best private event spaces in Chicago.” Chances are you would then scan the lists and pour over pictures and potential menus. I narrowed options down to three places and chatted with the bride. Sam was so easy going and said she trusted me with whatever I thought was best. All I knew was that I wanted the shower to be a joyful event in a place that was different and could help us create some special memories for the wedding couple.
If you are like me, you might google “best restaurants for a wedding shower in Chicago” or “best private event spaces in Chicago.” Chances are you would then scan the lists and pour over pictures and potential menus. I narrowed options down to three places and chatted with the bride. Sam was so easy going and said she trusted me with whatever I thought was best. All I knew was that I wanted the shower to be a joyful event in a place that was different and could help us create some special memories for the wedding couple.
If you are looking to create a similar type of event, no matter the occasion, we know where you need to go – Little Goat Diner! Here are four reasons why we love Little Goat Diner and their private event space on the second floor!
1. The Food
I have been to many wedding and baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and tons of corporate events over the years. While the food was great at many of the events, it does tend to blur together. Stephanie Izard is the incredible executive chef and mastermind of Little Goat Diner, Girl and the Goat and Duck Duck Goat. OMG – the food was epic for the wedding shower!
I have been to many wedding and baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and tons of corporate events over the years. While the food was great at many of the events, it does tend to blur together. Stephanie Izard is the incredible executive chef and mastermind of Little Goat Diner, Girl and the Goat and Duck Duck Goat. OMG – the food was epic for the wedding shower!
My sister-in-law, Holly and I went to Little Goat Diner as I was planning the shower. We wanted to try some of the brunch options and check out the special event space. We tried out the spiced apple pancakes and the little piggy went to china biscuit sandwiches – so incredible! Holly is such a good friend and a party planner whiz. She helped me select the menu. I was going back and forth on the sides on if we should do the pork belly home fries or the LG mac n' cheese. Holly smiled at me and said, “Meg, this is Stephanie Izard’s restaurant – the LG mac n' cheese is incredible! With her recipes you know it will be amazing. There is no option on that one.” I had to agree with her and Holly shared that it is a favorite of my niece Eleanora. I also liked that the adults and kids would like this pick! Holly was right - the LG mac n' cheese was amazing!
We loved the brunch menu options and had so many choices. Little Goat created so cute personalized menu cards for each place setting that showcased the wedding couple and the incredible food. Sam watched Stephanie on Bravo’s Top Chef and is a fan of her cooking which made the shower even sweeter. We all loved the food and everyone raved about each plate that was passed. Each item was so fabulous that it is hard to pick our very top favorites but if you are planning a brunch go for the spiced apple pancakes, the pork cemita sliders, the LG mac n' cheese and you simply must get the little piggy went to china biscuit sandwiches! Add on the fruit as well! This spectacular brunch will be something we definitely will remember for many years to come!
2. The Venue
I’ve been to a lot of work functions over the years and when I was looking at options for Sam and Jason’s shower I really wanted to find a space that felt special and different from dark wood paneled rooms. When I found the Little Goat special events page I immediately adored the space. I adored Stephanie’s message on the event page even more. She talked about how she invited people to buy tickets with the proceeds going to charity for a dinner in her home. She shared how she spent the evening in her living room and kitchen eating and drinking and having fun with her guests. This sounded special and like the feel I was looking for our shower. Stephanie went on to talk about how she created the Little Goat private dining to be that same kind of space that feels like home. It does feel like home! You feel like you are in Stephanie’s kitchen and dining room with her friends taking care of you.
I’ve been to a lot of work functions over the years and when I was looking at options for Sam and Jason’s shower I really wanted to find a space that felt special and different from dark wood paneled rooms. When I found the Little Goat special events page I immediately adored the space. I adored Stephanie’s message on the event page even more. She talked about how she invited people to buy tickets with the proceeds going to charity for a dinner in her home. She shared how she spent the evening in her living room and kitchen eating and drinking and having fun with her guests. This sounded special and like the feel I was looking for our shower. Stephanie went on to talk about how she created the Little Goat private dining to be that same kind of space that feels like home. It does feel like home! You feel like you are in Stephanie’s kitchen and dining room with her friends taking care of you.
We had two long tables with darling place settings and sweet (included) flowers on the table. There was plenty of space to add our personal decorations and the gifts table. A few days before our shower they had just finished installing gorgeous new wallpaper and paint. The space looks straight out of Pinterest!
We loved the great bar and it was so fun that you could walk over to the kitchen space and talk with the amazing team while they were creating our spectacular brunch.
But wait, there is more! Little Goat has a fabulous roof top deck that you can use during your special event. We were thrilled that our day was sunny! While a bit chilly we still went out on the deck for drinks and some fabulous pictures! It was so fun to be in this special space and to be able to talk with the chef and the talented team while they cooked our incredible food.
3. The People
The people you work with are a key ingredient to a special, memorable event. How Stephanie talks about creating a private event space that feels like you are in her home hints at how she has fostered a work culture that feels like you are with your family and friends. From my first e-mail with Tiffany, the private events and catering coordinator I knew I was looking at someplace special. From phone calls, to e-mails, to visiting the Little Goat Diner, Tiffany was so helpful and provided great insights on this unique space. Her quick work, passion for Little Goat and Stephanie's restaurants, and attention to details was fantastic! She made the planning process a breeze!
The people you work with are a key ingredient to a special, memorable event. How Stephanie talks about creating a private event space that feels like you are in her home hints at how she has fostered a work culture that feels like you are with your family and friends. From my first e-mail with Tiffany, the private events and catering coordinator I knew I was looking at someplace special. From phone calls, to e-mails, to visiting the Little Goat Diner, Tiffany was so helpful and provided great insights on this unique space. Her quick work, passion for Little Goat and Stephanie's restaurants, and attention to details was fantastic! She made the planning process a breeze!
The day of the shower we had the opportunity to work with Erik and Mike who were awesome! They took such great care of our event and were fabulous to work with. Erik was fantastic as we set-up for the shower and constantly checked in with me. We also had the opportunity to chat with our chef Chrissy and her teammates Fabian and Eli during the shower. It was very cool to see them prep and cook our delicious brunch. You could feel their pride in being a part of the Little Goat family and their talent is insane!
4. The Cake
When you are planning a special event, whatever the occasion, I know it can be tough when working through your budget. You think about what your priorities are and where you want to spend your money. For Little Goat, we loved that flowers were included, that we could use the outdoor space, and how they approach the bar. Little cookies were included but I also wanted a special cake. Little did I know that the Little Goat cake would be epic! Words cannot even describe this amazing cake! Not only was the buttermilk cake with seasonal jam and buttercream icing huge, it was sooooo good. Once again you knew you were in a Stephanie Izard restaurant. You must order a cake! The cakes are reasonable in the realm of specialty cakes and there are so many amazing flavors!
When you are planning a special event, whatever the occasion, I know it can be tough when working through your budget. You think about what your priorities are and where you want to spend your money. For Little Goat, we loved that flowers were included, that we could use the outdoor space, and how they approach the bar. Little cookies were included but I also wanted a special cake. Little did I know that the Little Goat cake would be epic! Words cannot even describe this amazing cake! Not only was the buttermilk cake with seasonal jam and buttercream icing huge, it was sooooo good. Once again you knew you were in a Stephanie Izard restaurant. You must order a cake! The cakes are reasonable in the realm of specialty cakes and there are so many amazing flavors!
Sam and Jason loved the cake! And, the gorgeous cake was one of my favorite things from the wedding shower!
Check out Little Goat Diner and Stephanie's new cookbook!
From wedding showers, to birthday parties, to anniversary celebrations, to work gatherings and everything in between, you should go to Little Goat Diner for your special event! Check out the private event details on the Little Goat Diner website and email Tiffany today! Tell Tiffany Meg said hi!
But wait, there is more! Stephanie Izard has a new cookbook out! The other day I was working on my laptop in the kitchen and had the Today show on. I looked up and saw Carson and Stephanie Izard making chicken which looked delicious! And then, Stephanie shared that she has a new cookbook, Gather & Graze: 120 Favorite Recipes for Tasty Good Times! This is so exciting and I can't wait to have friends over to gather and graze on some new dishes! Oder your Gather & Graze cookbook today!
Thanks to Stephanie, Tiffany and the team at Little Goat for helping create a very special shower for Sam and Jason and our family and friends. Thanks to Sam and Jason for being such an amazing couple! You inspire us and we can't wait for your wedding day!
Meg
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