Location: Siboney, 2165 North Western Ave., (773) 276-8776
Chooser: Seamus
When: Friday, February 3, 7:00
Cuisine: Cuban
Price Range: $$

Says Seamus: “So I’ve actually been to Cuba, and I was distinctly impressed with three things – the cars, the rum and the food (yes, I know the cigars are supposed to be awesome, but I’m just not a fan of them in general).  Since I can’t figure out a way to get a car off the island and the rum isn’t sold anywhere in the United States because of the trade embargo, the only way I can kinda-sorta relive the trip here in Chicago is to find a halfway decent Cuban restaurant in the city.  This place has been around for about a year and I figure it’s time to give it a shot.  Google advises that there may be a live DJ on Friday nights, but I suspect it may not start until after we’re done.  Please be forewarned that the website is a good example of how to annoy me on the Internet, what with its poor navigation and automatic music and all.

Location: Gyu-Kaku, 210 East Ohio St., (312) 266-8929
Chooser: Miyuki
When: Friday, January 27, 7:00
Cuisine: Japanese
Price Range: $$$

Says Miyuki: “Here is this week’s RC. It’s pretty well known Izakaya in Japan. And It’s now in Chicago! Hope you can join us!  Please let me know by Thursday 3PM.”

Location: LM Restaurant, 4539 North Lincoln Ave., (773) 942-7585
Chooser: Blake
When: Friday, January 20, 7:00
Cuisine: French
Price Range: $$$

Says Blake: “Why? I thought French food sounded great. This address has been home to two previous RCs, Soiree and She She. Why not check this place out before it, too, goes out of business? Please let me know by noon Thursday if you’re planning to attend. Thanks!”

Location: Three Aces, 1321 West Taylor St., (312) 243-1577
Chooser: Sam O.
When: Friday, January 13, 7:00
Cuisine: Italian
Price Range: $$

Says Sam: “Please consider that this is my first time choosing for RC as you make your decision to join or bail. I’m excited to take you to this place in the Taylor Street/Little Italy neighborhood where the menu imitates the style of Lisa’s bank vault RC (wish I could have joined her there) but I wager the ambience is a bit more punk. They have some crazy signature cocktails, lots of beer choices, and what I thought was some pretty excellent food. I found street parking nearby pretty easily on a Wednesday night. I’ll make a reservation for our party Thursday pm around 3 so please RSVP before then, if possible.”

Location: The Bedford, 1612 West Division St., (773) 235-8800
Chooser: Lisa
When: Friday, January 6, 7:00
Cuisine: American Contemporary
Price Range: $$

Says Lisa: “Hey folks, my pick for this week is The Bedford. Really I’m kind of intrigued by the giant bank vault. Let me know Thursday by noon if you can make it.”

Location: Ruk Sushi and Thai, 4431 North Milwaukee Ave., (773) 286-1900
Chooser: M. Calvert
When: Friday, December 30, 7:00
Cuisine: Sushi/Thai
Price Range: $$

Says me: “One of the things Miyuki and I missed most after moving to Jefferson Park was a good, local sushi place. We spotted Ruk on a drive down Milwaukee recently and have ordered delivery from them twice. Both the sushi and Thai are pretty good. It’s not that far from the Montrose blue line stop an it’s BYOB with no corkage fee. Please RSVP by noon on Thursday.”

Location: Perennial Virant, 1800 North Lincoln Ave., (312) 981-7070
Chooser: Matt P.
When: Friday, December 23, 6:00
Cuisine: American Contemporary
Price Range: $$$

Says Matt: “Thanks for the input everyone; we are officially going to Perennial Virant this Friday. But when it came to making a reservation, 6:00 PM was the latest available time and eight, the largest available party size. So please make a note of that. Here is the final roster, followed by the details. If anyone would like to do Drunk Club at Stanley’s (details below) and/or hang out afterwards with Morgan & Beatriz (!), give us a holler.”

Location: Cantina Laredo, 508 North State St., (312) 955-0014
Chooser: Tosh
When: Friday, December 16, 7:00
Cuisine: Mexican
Price Range: $$

Says Tosh: “Blake suggested this one for me (apparently a coworker of his ate here and liked it). He’s such a nice guy. Please RSVP by Thursday at noon.”

Location: bopNgrill, 6604 North Sheridan Rd., (773) 654-3224
Chooser: Audra
When: Friday, December 9, 7:00
Cuisine: Burgers, Korean
Price Range: $

Says Audra: “So Dan and I got burgers from this place a few weeks ago and they were DE-LISH!! Yummy! And that was after they sat in the oven warming for 30 minutes while we got Amelie to bed.  It’s a casual counter joint, yet they have burgers with gouda and truffle oil on them. For an added twist they are listed as a korean restaurant by metromix, although the take out menu I have doesn’t have an extensive list of korean fare on it.  Yes, there is a burger with  kimchi on it. I guess this location is number two in their chain, the first being in Evanston. Again, Metromix also says they take reservations, but it’s counter service and everything is packaged to go. Is that necessary? If there are a lot of us, I’ll try to go a lil’ early and see if I can get some tables together. I guess they have seating for about 40, so it isn’t huge. I honestly have no idea how busy eat in will be.

“Let me know if you think you’ll join us!”

Location: Hop Haus, 7545 North Clark St., (773) 262-3783
Chooser: Seamus
When: Friday, December 2, 7:00
Cuisine: Bar Food
Price Range: $$

Says Seamus: “I said a Hop, Haus, a hoppie, a hoppie,
To the hip Hop Haus, and ya don’t stop,
The rock it to the bang bang boogie, say up jump the boogie,
The boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.