Stop by Geja's anytime after 5, put your name on the list, and tell us when you'd like to come back for dinner.  Then leave, take in a film or whatever, and check back with us afterward.  We'll reactivate your party's name and get you seated shortly.  Area theatres include Piper's Alley, Three Penny and Webster Place.

If you can't commit to a 5:00pm seating, but can arrive early, come on in and get on the list.  Often, a number of the 5:00pm reservations cancel and we'll have a few tables at 5:15 or so.  And, even if you arrive a bit too late for that, the first tables start to empty between 6:30 and 7:00, so it's the shortest wait on the weekend and the bar is often less crowded. When the weather is nice, you may enjoy drinks on our lovely patio while you wait.

Another alternative is to come for a late dinner after 9pm.  On Saturday, our kitchen is open until midnight and the wait usually drops dramatically after 10:00.

Consider Sunday; reservations are accepted for the entire evening, so the waiting is virtually eliminated.  And, it's less hectic, so your experience is more relaxed.  Plus, we open a 1/2 hour earlier on Sunday at 4:30pm.

On Fridays we do accept reservations for 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00.  Fridays are usually not as crowded later, so if there is a wait it usually will be short.

SOME NOSTALGIA FROM GEJA'S PROPRIETOR...

Over the years we've recognized that it was important to regularly schedule special events such as wine festivals to keep our name in front of the public and to sustain the interest of our patrons and our staff.  These promotional events began shortly after we first opened on Wells Street in Chicago's Old Town district in 1965 and continue at our present Lincoln Park location.

From the beginning we always had fun and even managed to get our name in the papers when an event was of interest to the press.  Our very first tasting featured wines from France's Beaujolais district.  For $2 guests could sip a dozen of the better Grand-Cru Beaujolais wines, nibble on some cheese and learn a little bit about the Beaujolais area and its products.  It wasn't a bad way to spend an evening, especially for two bucks.

That tasting was followed by an assortment of other festivals featuring wines from the most important wine producing areas of the world, although, I wasn't especially elated with our "Wines of the Middle East" festival.  Never-the-less, we were always doing something or other to keep up the enthusiasm.  At our German tasting, we were lucky to obtain the appearance of the King and Queen of a local German festival whose colorful costumes added some zing to the evening.

One time we featured the wines of Gerald Asher, currently the esteemed wine writer for Gourmet Magazine.  At the time he was a beginning wine merchant operating out of England.  His wines were delicious, and good values, though obscure.  Come to think of it, the wines are still obscure, though Asher is certainly among the greatest English language wine writers.

In looking back over the articles that were written about us, I think it's with some pride that I note Geja's was called:  "The Duffy's Tavern for the young winebibbers," "The little Old Town wine shop," and "The funny little saloon in Old Town."  Despite that high praise we continue to go about scheduling our wine events and hope that our patrons enjoy them as much as we do.  Cheers,

John D. Davis

GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ANY OCCASION

No matter what the occasion, giving a gift certificate to Geja's Cafe is the perfect way to show that you care.  Upcoming birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and other special occasions are great opportunities to indulge a friend or relative in a Geja's dinner.  Gift certificates may be purchased at the restaurant, by mail or by phone (773-281-9101)with a major credit card.