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    Aba

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Aba

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    Shawarma-Spiced Steak Frites
    Neal M.

    Elevated, clean cuisine that is becoming a Chicago classic. Food was fantastic. Dishes are elevated yet carry a rustic charm resembling what you would get from a mom-and-pop restaurant. No dish was too heavy with oils or grease or fats which left us feeling full and satisfied without the groggy food coma. Flavors sing Mediterranean, and truly can't pick a wrong item. If I had to make a recommendation, the mushroom hummus for vegetarians is devine!! For the beef lovers out there, I've been recommended the short rib hummus countless times and I'm certain it would hit the spot. Unfortunately not the best Mediterranean food I've had in town, but definitely a can't miss place when making your restaurant hit list. The ambiance is also elegant and fit for an upscale Mediterranean meal. The indoor section is beautiful but I hear outdoor section is just as great of an experience. Again, can't go wrong on where you choose to make your reservation. The service is where the restaurant falls a bit short. They get incredibly busy and as a result it took over an hour to receive our meal. Was it worth the wait? Definitely, but wish the service could have been a bit more attentive also. Rating: 4/5

    Crispy Short Rib Hummus
    Natalie K.

    Came for lunch on a Monday. There were only a few seats at the bar and the indoor/outdoor dining were completely full. I recommend a reservation if you decide to dine here. Service and concept were amazing. The atmosphere of this place is very picturesque. The decor, the plants, the seamless flow into the rooftop patio are all amazing. The food was meh. We ordered the short rib hummus, the crispy chicken thighs, the crispy Brussels, and the short rib entree. Can't say I left feeling like any of it was authentic Mediterranean food. The crispy short rib was more chewy that crispy. The Brussels sprouts didn't appear to be parboiled prior to crisping so it was quite a tough chew. The chicken thighs were not crispy at all. The saving grace was the pita bread. Glad we saw the place because we have always seen the place packed when we visit but I can't say I'll recommend or visit again

    Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
    Susan Z.

    Came back to Aba during their happy hour hours and got to try a spread of their hummus -- sooo delicious! The asparagus dish was phenomenal; it was a mix of flavors my partner and I had never expected to be a match made in heaven and i'd highly recommend! There was also a hot honey cheese offering from the HH menu and it was also amazing. The honey was strong and the spice wasn't too much; such an amazing pairing together. Aba never disappoints and I will always come back!

    Grilled Salmon Kebab
    Jimmy N.

    The vibes were great within the restaurant, the food was wow. Of everything we ordered, the only one I'd skip is the whipped feta, just lacking some oomph in flavor, but I love the simplicity of the spread. The things you MUST get: crispy short rib hummus, and the stick date cake (do not skip out on this, you ALWAYS have room for desserts). Service was quick, efficient and very friendly. Great spot overall

    Jorge P.

    I can't hype up this place enough... Aba Chicago is my Top 3 favorite food spot in the city. I've had such good experiences here that I actually took my entire cousins Wedding Party here to celebrate and they treated us beyond well. Took very good care of us. I've gone here for multiple birthdays, that's how much I've enjoyed my time here. Can never go wrong with the crispy Brussels sprouts or braised short beef rib... to die for. I could give compliments all day so I'll stop here. Also, wonderful customer service & vibes, top notch truly. Just know, if you've never been, I highly highly recommend. Even if you have to travel out of your way to go here. You'll fall in love, I guarantee it. Just look at my pictures and videos haha Personal Review: 9.4/10

    Leslie C.

    Wow!! Amazing food, excellent service, and beautiful ambiance! I'm so glad I took my boyfriend here for his birthday! The decor is beautiful! The romantic lighting and lovely trees all around really create a special atmosphere. Olivia took great care of us and made excellent recommendations. It's family style and it was suggested that we share around two dishes per person. We started with the wild mushroom hummus, and it was so creamy and delicious. The homemade bread with it was fantastic too. The Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak Frites dish was perfection! The steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and served with red wine jus, za'atar and feta, and the fries were well seasoned and crispy. We really enjoyed the green chili shrimp, with garlic, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs. The dish had a nice spice level and kick. The Brussels sprouts were a tasty side dish too. For dessert, the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte was phenomenal! The dark chocolate mousse was divine and the praline crunch was the best texture and flavor. The candied orange slices around the sides provided a really nice compliment to the dish. Olivia treated us to a frozen Greek yogurt for a birthday treat. It was so refreshing and such a lovely palate cleanser. Smooth cocktails too. I really enjoyed the Paper Plane. My boyfriend liked his Mediterranean Mule too. And we enjoyed a cappuccino and cortado to end our evening. It was a wonderful night!

    Gabriel H.

    Fantastic experience. Aba is a MUST go. Date or group of friends, add this to your list. Best hummus I think I've ever had. Bartender custom made my drinks to balance the palette of the cuisine I ordered. The pictures speak for themselves. Thank you Aba!

    Smoky Garlic Hummus
    Rebecca B.

    Aba is in Fulton market and has outdoor and indoor seating! The restaurant is open and bright. I loved the olive trees that made the room feel like I was outside! The plates are shareable so this is great because you can share a few dishes! I tried the smoked garlic hummus (comes with pita bread), short rib Shakshouka, crispy potatoes, and the beef and lamb kofta! This was for two people and we had left overs. The hummus was fantastic! I highly recommend getting the crispy potatoes as well! I have never tried shakshouka with meat in it before and didn't love the texture. However, the flavor was sweet and savory! The only thing that was not ideal was that an optional surcharge was on the receipt, when we tried to get our server to help remove it per instructions on the receipt no one was to be found. That was disappointing and potentially strategic? I would have rather just tipped. I'm not sure how others feel about the surcharge?

    Chicken Kefta Burger. GET THIS BURGER!
    Tyga M.

    This lives up to the hype and more. I've visited this restaurant twice in a month, and I leave wanting more. My first visit, my table split the short rib hummus, and my sole critique is that I had to share the appetizer. The unique spins on what could be considered standard dishes is so impressive. Another example of that is the chicken kefta burger. It's so moist, packs a ton of flavor, and is so filling that I didn't even need the accompanying fries. Lastly, the restaurant is stunning inside and out - I didn't see a bad seat in the place, and there's a partially (?) covered patio to sit on for the nice days. All in all, a great place to take visitors if you want to impress them with Chicago eats!

    Oasis g&t
    Katrina V.

    I stopped by Aba's after work hoping it was OK to simply walk in. I arrived at the restaurant around 5:45pm and saw that the place was already super busy. That said, I had no problem snagging a spot at the bar, which was first come first serve. I can totally see why Aba was a trendy spot. The restaurant was quite stunning, and the impressive menu matched the aesthetic. The bartenders were awesome. There were 2 gentlemen in charge of the bar, and they were both very friendly and helpful. Loved chatting with them, hearing their food recommendations at Aba and advice on the local scene. Food came out lightening fast. I felt that as soon as they placed an order, the dish came out in 5 minutes. I enjoyed everything I had. I started off with their Oasis G&T, which was a "tropical" spin on a gin and tonic. The cocktail paired perfectly with the Hamachi & Charred Avocado, which had coconut cream and lychee. This dish was so light, cool (thanks to the mint), and refreshing. Last but not least, I got the chocolate hazelnut torte that one of the bartenders raved about. It was clearly a popular opinion as the server who delivered it to me also confirmed that it was their best dessert off the menu. The torte was fantastic. The chocolate mousse was silky, and the praline crunch broke up the texture in a good way.

    Main dining area
    Ahad D.

    I couldn't have dreamt up a better combination of international cuisines. This was a Mediterranean menu elevated by world class pallets. I was completely blown away by the appetizers and the entrées, which we ordered as a table. We pretty much had everything that was recommended and it was out of this world. I could tell by the number of famous people that this was a sought after culinary experience and I'm really glad that I happen to visit while on vacation. Thank you for putting me on it Yelpers!

    Green Falafel
    Katrina M.

    Phenomenal as always! This time my friend and I got bar seating and I tried the chili green shrimp which was so flavorful and delicious! I really loved the ume martini. We were also given the garlic hummus which was even better than expected and the pita I could eat 20 of.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Meagan M.

    Great food and awesome atmosphere. Went for lunch and also had great lunch drinks. The spreads are always phenomenal. We got the whipped feta and the crispy short rib humus. Steak frites was a highlight, we paired this with the brussel sprouts. Honestly mixing things with the spreads was the best part. We will be back!

    truffled baked orzo

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    Aba Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Aba

    Is your meat Halal?

    Hi Shiva! Our meat is not halal. We hope to welcome you in soon!

    Can I walk in? How long I wait on average?

    Hi there! We accept walk-ins based on availability and our bar is first come, first served and full service!

    Does the restaurant add an additional service fee on the check?

    Yes, I think they add a 4% service fee to offset rising operational costs. The fee is optimal and you can request to remove it and they will!

    When making a reservation, what is the difference between the Outside patio lounge and Outside patio table options? Also, is the outside patio different from the rooftop?

    Lounge is couches and low tables

    Hi, I just booked a reservation for outside seating on Oct 20 in the late evening. Is the outside seating going to be okay if it is cold? Do you have an enclosure or heaters or something?

    Hi Roger! We have heaters installed on the patio and have blankets available upon request, and suggest dressing for the weather. We look forward to welcoming you!

    High top seating?

    They have a few

    I was wondering what time does the kitchen usually close? Looking to make a late night reservation but not sure how much time we would have to dine. (ex. 9:45pm reservation, but you close at 10pm)

    Hi Dominick! As long as you are seated for your reservation within our open hours, you will be able to order from the kitchen and enjoy our full menu. Our close time is when we stop seating for the evening. We hope to welcome you in soon!

    Do you take walk in's?

    Hi Daniel! Yes, we do take walk-ins based on availability and our bar is full service and first come, first served. We do suggest making a reservation to shorten wait times. We look forward to welcoming you!… Read more

    What is the dress code for men?

    Hi Daniel! We do not have a fixed dress code at Aba - please dress as you please. We look forward to welcoming you!

    How do you get reservations. It's really tough?

    Hi Karan! Reservations are released 30 days out from your desired reservation date at midnight. We encourage checking https://www.exploretock.com/aba for availability!

    Anyone knows why there aren't reservations available between 1:15 - 6:45pm on Saturdays? Do they close during that time?

    Hi Lorena! We are open for brunch from 10:00AM-3:00PM, and open for dinner from 3:00PM-11:00PM, on Saturdays. If you don't see the time you'd like, we are likely fully committed at that time. Please feel free to give our host stand a call at… Read more

    Menu looks amazing! But we have one in our party allergic to olives/olive oil...anything on the menu for him?

    I would recommend calling the restaurant. I cannot say much was made without olive oil, but the staff would know. It will be limited for sure. Good luck.

    Does Aba take walk-ins for dinner?

    Hi Carolyn! Yes, we do seat walk-ins based on availability, however we strongly encourage making a reservation to minimize wait times. Additionally, the bar is first-come, first-serve and full service. You can make a reservation by visiting… Read more

    What are the dairy free options for here? Do they accommodate severe allergies?

    Hi Janna! Yes, Aba has a strict allergy procedure in place. Upon your visit, please inform your server of your dietary restrictions and they will be able to suggest which dishes are safe, or can be modified. We hope to see you in soon!

    Hi, can customers bring outside cake? I am a vegan asking for a birthday.

    Hi Anastasia! Yes, you are welcome to bring your own cake. Please note there is a $3.50 per person cutting fee that will be applied to the final check. We look forward to celebrating with you!

    I absolutely love the scent in the lobby before coming upstairs. Do you know what it is? Is it a spray?

    Hi Manika! Thank you, we're so happy to hear that. It is Moroccan Fig by ScentAir, made exclusively for Aba.

    Can you BYOB here? We have friends coming in town and want to bring a nice bottle of wine we have.

    Hi Ky! You are welcome to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine, with a $40 corkage fee per bottle. We look forward to having you in soon!

    If we plan to walk in and sit at the bar this Saturday what time frame would you recommend before it typically gets busy? I know you cannot guarantee but was just curious based on your experience. Thanks

    They open at 3 on Saturday for dinner. I would recommend arriving at 3 or 4 as it fills up quickly with reservations. Brunch begins at 11, but not sure how that works and such

    Can you eat dinner outside?

    Hi Alice! Yes, full service is offered on the patio. You can make a reservation to dine with us on the patio through https://www.exploretock.com/Aba/, or by calling us directly at 773-645-1400.

    Hi there, do you not offer the bagel anymore? It was my favorite dish from your menu :(

    Hi Morgan! We absolutely still are offering our Jerusalem Bagel - it is available during weekend brunch from 11:00am-3:00pm. We look forward to having you in.

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    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    4.3
    (5.2k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    This place slaps nothing more to say. I am picky about tapas and I think this place is excellent…read more We made a resy for a Sunday night and glad we did because they were quite busy! We sat out on their covered patio area which super cute and ordered a sangria pitcher to share. Great sangria! We got a bunch to share of course but the first thing was the olives (YUM) and the brussel sprout salad which was surprisingly so yummy! We also tried croquetas which were great, the chicken and chorizo skewers, patatas bravas, the tortilla (which I have had authentic one and this one is great) and same goes for the pulpo which was so good. I really don't think we went wrong with anything we ordered even the chickpea stew was great. My take on the paella is get the seafood one if you can. I didn't tried but we had to get the chicken one because a lot of our table doesn't eat seafood and it was okay to me! Huge serving though so save room post the tapas! And of course we have to get the dessert so we had the cheesecake the chocolate cake and both were fab. Such a cutie place and I will be thinking about these tapas for a while!

    Never got around to writing a review for this place after 5+ years of going here but just gotta say…read morethis is my favorite restaurant of all time. I no longer live in Chicago but when I did, I'd frequent here at least once every other week. And when I'm in town, I always make it a mission to come here at least once. Dined here this past Monday and had the best service thanks to our waiter Santiago! My favorites to try are: Patatas Pravas Brussel Sprouts Salad Hanger Steak Chicken/Beef empanadas Goat Cheese and Bread The paella is amazing as well, however it's quite filling so I'd recommend getting that if you're not going to get too many tapas plates. Can't wait till I'm back next! Also FYI they sell merch too and it's pretty fire!

    Photos
    Tapas for dinner.
    Tapas for dinner.
    Butternut squash soup, Spanish Meatballs "Al Jerez", Deviled Egg with Crispy Serrano Ham
    Butternut squash soup, Spanish Meatballs "Al Jerez", Deviled Egg with Crispy Serrano Ham
    It looks like a mini corn dog

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    It looks like a mini corn dog
    Arbella

    Arbella

    4.4
    (697 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    (Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

    Photos
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    Crab rangoon
    Crab rangoon
    Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned
    The Purple Pig

    The Purple Pig

    4.3
    (9k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    Awesome food!!! Fancy Environment!!!! And Friendly Staff!!!!…read more Yay! Wonderful experience here, I was just visiting and after I finally found parking, I asked to be seated but did not have a reservation, the hostess said if I could be about an hour she could squeeze us in. So I was thankful for that, we were not looking to stay for a long time just wanted to try the place out. Once seated we were waited on and served fast. The food was mind blowing, we loved everything!!! My favorite was the duck appetizer puffs, wow they were good. Everything though was elevated and delicious. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Thank you for the wonderful experience to add to our trip to Chicago!

    Terrible. I am honestly not sure how people are recommending this place. I was excited to come here…read moreand had very high expectations, but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing. Let's start from the beginning: the bone marrow. What on earth was going on? Why would you cover bone marrow with fig, bacon, and so much cilantro? Bone marrow is a delicate dish. You are supposed to taste the richness and subtle flavor of the marrow itself. The cilantro completely overpowered it, and the fig and bacon made it even worse. Chef, where did you train? This dish made no sense. Then came the agnolotti. I have no words. Just look at the photo: full of oil. I mean completely swimming in oil. Then the chitarra with seafood. Horrible. Spicy for no reason. Again, why are you trying to cover the ingredients instead of letting them speak for themselves? Also, the fish tasted frozen, not fresh. The pork belly, supposedly the signature dish, was another disappointment. Again, so much sauce that the actual flavor of the pork belly was completely lost. The staff were nice, the ambiance was okay, and the wine selection was good. But please, stop covering the taste of the food you cook. If you need to hide the ingredients under excessive sauce, spice, cilantro, oil, bacon, or sweetness, the only explanation is that the ingredients are not good enough on their own. I will not be coming back. Not even for free. Sorry. PS. Why so much bread on each dish? So much buttery horrible bread that you will trash, because it's impossible to eat all of it.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chicago style hot dog
    Chicago style hot dog
    Squid Ink Chitarra

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    Figo Wine Bar

    Figo Wine Bar

    4.2
    (329 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    In an area packed with casual food spots, Figo is spicing things up! It's upscale but not…read morepretentious- perfect for meeting up with friends when you want to feel a little fancy without going through hoops getting ready. The staff was super attentive and kind, checking on us frequently. My friend and I stopped by for happy hour, and this should absolutely make it onto the list of the best in town. They have delicious wine, cocktails, and bites for nearly half of the regular price. I opted for the happy hour prosecco to drink, which was light-bodied and not too sweet. We split the meatballs and dates for bites and both were outstanding. I was super impressed with how tender the meatballs were, and they did not skimp on the flavorful marinara and cheese! The dates, which were topped with a white wine cheese sauce, were mouth-wateringly delicious and a must order. There was also complimentary focaccia with olive oil, which was greatly appreciated. With sea salt on top and a crispy exterior, I could easily have eaten a whole loaf. The only note I have is that the portions are small, so if you don't come during happy hour the prices are a bit steep for what you get. Will 100% be back soon to try more of the menu and highly recommend making the trek over here!

    Very cute spot right off the Belmont stop. We were able to take advantage of happy hour deals and…read moresat right at the bar. However, the bartender was not very nice, and we saw her stick her hand in someone's glass to get something out before serving it... Other than that though the hh glass of red, complementary bread with olive oil, and hh Brussels were all great!

    Photos
    A quick look at our wine cellar for private parties.
    A quick look at our wine cellar for private parties.
    Grilled Octopus
    Grilled Octopus
    Dates

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    Dates
    Royal Highness Zhu 朱椿

    Royal Highness Zhu 朱椿

    4.3
    (92 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    This restaurant presents as fast casual …read more It' was my first time trying chengdu Chinese street food .Food was decent over all albeit a little too oily for my liking . All things we ordered were dripping in a chile oil which I guess I'm just not used to . We enjoyed the spicy root noodles and the peanut noodles as well as the beef hotpot . The chicken as served cold ( by design) and we didn't care for it . Service was efficient . Ambiance super casual. Loved the water they served which had fresh lemon and cucumber in it. Overall, it was a fun culinary adventure. Likely won't be back , but worth a try if you like chengdu style street food . Pricing was fair . Easy metered parking in front of the restaurant

    As I am preparing to study abroad in Beijing and Taipai this summer, I have decided to try as many…read moreAsian inspired dishes that I can. I found this little spot while visiting campus. As I walked in, I noticed how quiet and clean the restaurant is. There was only one set of customers in the building so it was quiet. I was immediately seated (of course) and taken to a table in a comfy corner. The menu is a QR code hidden in a little box on the table. I thought this was cool and a good way to decrease wasted paper. The entire ordering process is digital and immediate. I knew exactly when they received my order. I ordered the traditional chicken noodle soup and was a bit surprised upon seeing the bowl. It had about 6 pieces of shredded chicken, but the presentation was nice. The taste of the chicken noodle was disappointing. I immediately ordered something different. The tomato infused noodle soup was amazing!!! I wished I had a Jamaican dumpling to dip in the broth! It was fantastic!! I loved the broth so much that I put my dumplings in the broth as well . The dumplings were delicious by themselves! Lastly, when the manager saw that I ordered another soup, he asked "was this one too plain for you?" I stated yes. He did not take it off of my tab....that was a huge no no. I purchased another soup, so removing this one should have been a no brainer. I didn't make a fuss and paid my tab, but I will not go back anytime soon.

    Photos
    Royal Highness Zhu 朱椿
    Heart-Broken Bean Jelly (ChengDu)
    Heart-Broken Bean Jelly (ChengDu)
    Chengdu Sausage Fried Rice

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    Chengdu Sausage Fried Rice
    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4
    (10.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I had a splendid dinner at Girl & The Goat. Was seated promptly when I arrived for my dinner…read morereservation and my seat had a view of the kitchen. It was so fun to chat with the chefs and watch them prepare dishes. I ordered the roasted "pig face" potatoes and the famous sautéed green beans. While waiting for my food, the chef surprised me with complimentary chickpea fritters to try. All of the dishes tasted incredibly delicious and this was the best restaurant I ate at during my trip. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. I would definitely dine here again the next time I am in Chicago.

    After so many incredible lunches and dinners while visiting Chicago, dinner at Girl & The Goat…read morestole the entire show. Every single dish was so good, cocktails were incredible, our waiter was a delight... this review is about to be a rave if you couldn't already tell. We were searching frantically for a patio we could have dinner on because the weather was too perfect to be inside and somehow, Girl & The Goat had space available last minute. After a quick wait, we were seated with menus in no time. We started off with the tropic like it's hot cocktail which was the most refreshing and delicious cocktail I've ever had. Dangerously delicious but also weirdly felt like I was drinking a healthy green juice. For dinner, two of us split a bunch of different plates like the roasted asparagus, salmon poke, shrimp salad, and kohlrabi salad. Each dish they brought out was more incredible than the last, and those four dishes were plenty of food. We left perfectly full but the food was so fresh and light, we didn't feel too weighed down. From the list, I honestly can't even say what my favorites were, but our server recommended all of them so we have him to thank. The salmon poke was delicious and so fresh and honestly such a solid choice. If you only get one thing (don't. get like 2 plates per person prob) that is the one. Only thing to note is that the patio is on a kind of busy street and if you go on a weekend night it can get crazy loud when those weird quad bikes drive past blasting music at an absurd volume. Go here, you will love it. Get all of the amazing food and at least one cocktail bc they are delicious.

    Photos
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat

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    Forbidden Root

    Forbidden Root

    4.3
    (649 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    If you like beer, you should be able to find one you like here. There are plenty to choose from…read moreand the descriptions are accurate. My beverage/beer order was the Night Moth Oak-Conditioned Hazy IPA | 7.2% | 12oz/8 - 5oz/4. I recommend this if you are a fan of Hazy IPA's. My food order was the Beer braised, short rib with roasted root vegetables, polenta, swiss chard, and sweety drops. Tender and tasty short ribs. I will be craving the sweety drops for sure. Bar seating, regular tables and high top tables available here.

    Wish I could give a 3.5 stars. I applaud the true creativity. But every order was a mixed bag…read more Fried chicken sandwich - 3.5/5. Pickles are the star. Cut through heaviness. Magical first few bites. But chicken gets boring. Crispy Brussels sprouts - 3.5/5. Solid fry level. Cheesy bites are delicious. But quickly bland. Raisins is an unexpected addition but unsuccessful in my view. Kids grilled cheese - 4/5. Tasty and simple, though my kid wasn't willing to try. Duck and dumpling - 3.5/5. I can see how this is someone's favorite dish. Lovely rich broth. Crispy skin. But there was a heaviness that didn't totally work for me, especially with the bigger duck chunks. Definitely better fresh than leftover. Chocolate beer cake - 3.5/5. Slightly dense cake. Nice frosting. Beer aroma and flavor definitely comes through. Hazelnuts a nice crunch. Fun and glad to have tried, but not reaching for the next bite.

    Photos
    Back of the restaurant
    Back of the restaurant
    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.
    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.
    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

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    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup
    Avec - Chicago

    Avec - Chicago

    4.3
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Overall experience was great! Made a reservation online and sat at a shared table. Went for a…read moremid-week lunch date, which was a really nice and easygoing experience. The entry door is a little fun, just push where the pig is. The hummus is an absolute must. We got an extra pita (one per person) and I would recommend getting the extra. For the lunch menu -- the prix-fixe is a really great option. It's only about $26 for the stuffed date, sandwich & chips, and rolled baklava. Service was great, our server was amazing (thank you Marlee)! Waters were consistently refilled, timing was great, atmosphere was enjoyable. Will be going back!

    I went to Avec for my birthday and from food, service, and ambiance the entire experience was a…read moredisappointment. The endive salad was warm and not cohesive at all. Nothing really went together and it was warm, which didn't make sense and made it worse. The steak was cooked how I asked, but the sauce was extremely oily and had this strange burnt flavor which likely was from the onions? The onions were extremely burnt, nothing like a typical caramelized delish onion. The chicken had the same issue, everything had that same burnt tasting oil and the chilies sitting in it just made it more intense. It was honestly just edible and nothing I would come back for or recommend. I love middle eastern food and know that even with a midwestern there are some considerations to take with the flavor profile but the burnt onions, burnt spicy oil in the chicken, and a warm salad are all indications for poor execution. As for the actual ambiance and experience it was my birthday and there was no acknowledgment at all not even someone to check in on whether the food was okay. I did not want to order a dessert after the salad, steak, and shawarma all missing the mark. The seating was very uncomfortable. It is cramped and communal and at this price point I expected a much better experience. Will admit I should have looked into the actual dining set up before booking a late night reservation but even still there are so many better places in Chicago where you can get better food and actually feel comfortable. Overall it just was not worth it. I would not return or recommend this spot.

    Photos
    Restaurant view from bar
    Restaurant view from bar
    Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh
    Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh
    Whole roasted branzino

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    Whole roasted branzino

    Aba - mediterranean - Updated June 2026

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