Last March we spent spring break in Ireland with four other couples from the northwest suburbs. We thought that it would be fun to get together again and revisit our Irish experience. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant with an Irish pub feel in the Chicago area?

Try www.cgp-chicago.org

There is Fado, in River North. Or you might check out the Irish-American Heritage Center, near Wilson Avenue and the expressway. They have live music and other events every weekend. The building looks intimidating (it's in an old school) but the people are as nice as can be. Free parking, too.

Since you're from the Northwest suburbs, presumably you already are familiar with Curragh Irish pub, near Woodfield mall. If you plan to stay in the suburbs, I would recommend Quigley's in downtown Naperville (although it tends to get very crowded on weekend nights). There also is an Irish pub called McNally's in St. Charles, and a relatively new place in Wheaton (Muldoon's?). I'd suggest that you take a look at metromix.com, where you can do a search for Irish bars.

If you're looking to head into the city, then there obviously are many choices. Although I never have been there, I have read many excellent reviews of a place called Chief O'Neill's on the Northwest side. For example, Chicago Tribune's Good Eating section gave it 4 forks. It apparently is an authentic Irish pub with very good food. I've also read that they have Irish musicians on Sunday afternoons. It's located at 3471 N. Elston.

went to the fado in atlanta. it's great!! very traditional irish.

I don't mean to insult any of the other posters, but Fado is more of a touristy, "Disney-esque" version of an Irish pub, similar to a Planet Hollywood with Irish decor and Guiness on tap. There obviously are much better options in a large city like Chicago, with a large Irish population.

Thought of another one - Tommy Nevin's in Evanston. Fun, casual place.

You might give Metromix a try, they've already got some info about St. Patrick's Day posted and I'm sure more will be coming as it approaches

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/holiday/stpatricks/

Thanks to all for your recommendations... Our date is set, now if we could only import some of that Irish green and a few daffodils.