These three restaurants, each a short cab ride from McCormick Place, offer private dining and a variety of ethnic cuisines.
1. Located approximately two miles south of McCormick Place, Mexican restaurant Zapatista offers family-style dining for groups of 25 to 70. Two private rooms—the Star Room and Abuelo's Room—each seat 35, while the main dining room seats 142. Available for full buyout, Zapatista can host events for as many as 300, and the venue will provide floral arrangements, linens, and specialty audiovisual equipment upon request. Menu highlights include fresh guacamole, Chipotle chicken enchiladas, and chocolate tamales.
2. At upscale Chinese restaurant Opera, seven curtained-off spaces known as Vaults offer intimate settings for groups of four, while a private dining room tucked behind a large oil painting seats 14. The restaurant's family-style banquet menu offers a selection of Eastern fare such as Mongolian sticky ribs, Shanghai shrimp dumplings and Singapore noodles with prawns and lump crab. Planners can bring in their own audiovisual equipment, or opt to have the venue rent any necessary items. Situated about two miles south of McCormick Place, Opera is available for full buyouts and can seat 200 guests or hold 300 for cocktails.
3. Located roughly a mile from McCormick Place, Cuatro's bright colors and eight-foot tall tropical fish tank are meant to channel Latin America and the Caribbean. The restaurant's main dining room can seat 100 and host receptions for 280, while its back room, which features a private bar and a pull-down projection screen, can seat 40 or hold 65. Private dining packages include passed hors d'oeuvres such as empanadas and mini crab cakes. Planners can also opt for buffet stations or plated dinners, where entrees range from chimichurri-crusted filet mignon to bone-in chicken breast stuffed with red peppers and cheese.
