Upscale, classic, warm old world style Italian restaurant off Michigan avenue. Indoor ambiance…read moreGIVES off a cozy wine lounge appeal with its crimson wood style and soft lighting. The outdoor space is also plentiful with heated seating that makes the snowfall dinner such a romantic experience. The food was also very good. Here's what we tried. 1. Fusilli: Squid ink fusilli pasta with generous amount of seafood assortment including lobster, scallops, and shrimp. Seasoned to perfection with chili, tomatoes, and garlic. 2. Filet mignon: perfect cut filet cooked to a medium rare with sis of parsnip pree, shallots, and bone marrow butter. Superb 3. Roasted pistachio and Amaretto Coppa: roasted pistachio gelato with amaretto cherries, an crushed amaretto. Love it! Paired it with mint tea. Overall perfect winter night out. Can't wait to come back during the warmer months to enjoy the park scenery along with dinner

Went for a date night with the girlfriend on a Tuesday night. No issue with last minute booking…read morefor two on Open Table yet still decent crowd for a fairly small setting without the patio on a cold Chicago evening. Service was friendly and top notch as expected from a nice Chicago restaurant. Props to the serving assistant/"busboy" who kept our waters full and table clean and set as we ate. As a former buss boy and server, I really appreciated his effort and attentiveness. Food was excellent! I got the chicken picatta with rigatoni added and both were on point. Homemade pasta and succulent chicken were really fantastic for an otherwise "boring" choice by me. We shared a side of the cauliflower that was seasoned impeccably with toasted almonds and white raisins. It might have been the best part of our entire meal which is saying a lot. Girlfriend got the lobster stuffed pasta which was excellent as well per her report and my opinion after tasting. Would Highly recommend this place for business, date, or dinner with a few friends. Very reasonable price as we are for less than $100 pre tax although we did not get any drinks. Tipped in cash because the service and atmosphere were soo good.

We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

My friend rented this out a few weeks ago to celebrate her 45th. It was the perfect spot for about…read more30 women to mingle, drink cocktails and eat delicious food (compliments of Beaknik). I helped her choose the menu using both Yelp and some help from my bestie chatgpt and came up with the following: 7 Passed Apps: * Mini Truffle Beef Wellington (black truffle aioli) * Short Rib & Brie Slider (Aleppo BBQ, arugula, tomato jam) * Chicken Kebab (harissa-marinated chicken, tahini labneh) * Salmon Taco (avocado, mojo rojo, cilantro) * Mushroom Croquette (black truffle aioli) * Halloumi Skewer (tomato & quince jam, za'atar) * Mini Crab Cake (lemon aioli, herb salad) 1 Stationary Grazing Item: * Mezze Trio (tahini hummus, beet tahini w/ goat cheese, tzatziki, grilled pita & crudité) ---- It ended up being the perfect amount of food- heavy enough to fill us for dinner, but also light enough that we didn't get too full and could stay out late and dance (at the request of the bday gal). They passed the appetizers, but once they passed them around a few times they put them on the bar which became one big grazing station. The drinks were great as well and they even did a signature cocktail in honor of my friend, which was quite strong (hello tequila). The bartender and other staff were super friendly and knew many of us by name after a few hours. It was the perfect cozy spot for this amount of people and I'd love to look into using it again for a similar type of party...or just stopping in for a cocktail!

Being a California boy (born and raised) my only way to get a Fish & Chip meal was at a fast food…read morefranchise called H. Salts Fish & Chips; and it was fairly good. Several golf trips to the U.K. (Britain, Scotland, Wales) I got my fair share of excellent Fish & Chips; the best being in Ullapool, Scotland at The Seafood Shack I have never had better! But, leave it to Chicago to deliver some of the best fish and chips I've ever had in the USA, here at The Dearborn restaurant in the Chicago loop. Everything about The Dearborn's signature dish just worked in every way: The fish was fried perfectly The fish itself was moist and delicious The chips (fries) were excellent The coleslaw was the perfect side dish The tartar sauce was scrumptious My Krobacher Pilsner paired perfectly with my dinner The service was spot on And sitting at the bar watching the NBA playoffs didn't hurt either. I did have a scoop of delicious salted caramel gelato that finished this meal perfectly. Having such delicious fish & chips a few blocks away from where I live is certainly better than flying "over the pond" (a British term for the Atlantic Ocean).

This is an excellent spot for a special occasion! I visited recently with a large group for brunch…read moreand we had a great experience all around. Regardless of the time of day and especially during peak hours, I would definitely recommend making a reservation to air on the safe side. The staff prepared our table super quickly and was very attentive- they really went above and beyond throughout the meal. I do not recommend skipping the drinks! I ordered the seasonal Si Se Puede, Tia mezcal cocktail, which was quite spicy and perfectly sweet. For appetizers, we shared the parkerhouse rolls. The rolls were soft and buttery with a delicious whipped butter spread. For the main dish, I ordered the Dearborn Burger. It was solid overall and the portion size was very generous. I tried the fish and chips as well which were excellent. Would definitely order this next time! For dessert, we tried the sticky toffee date cake. I liked that it was not too heavy, and the Heath bar crumbles added a nice crunch. My only wishlist would be to have more of that delicious sauce to scoop up! We left with ample leftovers and in high spirits. Definitely looking forward to visiting again and trying more of the menu!

Came in today with a group of eight friends over an hour after cocktail lounge opened (slower…read morehours). I'll begin by mentioning the drinks tasted great & the ambiance/overall esthetic and setup of this space is really wonderful. Unfortunately, my low review is because of the obvious distastefulness of some staff who are serving & bartending here. My guests visiting from out of state wanted a stiff drink in the afternoon & from the website photos + reviews, Vol 39 seemed like an awesome place that could accommodate our party with the large sofa seating. I even called ahead to ask about walk-ins of our size to be extra considerate. We received shocking dagger glares from a few staff members which made all eight of us immediately uncomfortable before even being sat. Like we were committing a major crime for thinking we could step foot in here. Empty stack of glasses slammed on the table with a water pitcher placed beside them; "I'll be right back." In a sharp tone. Ok. But not if we're paying $20 per person per cocktail. We were rushed and this attitude persisted, it is lazy.. especially given it was extremely slow.. super surprising for such an elevated establishment. Then, after a long while, we were all asked what we wanted to drink, like a fast casual burger joint. No, "any questions about our selections" or, "may I give some suggestions?" Never came by to check on us once despite the three other two tops inside. We wrapped it up fast since we definitely could choose another location with more attentiveness & basic kindness. We paid, a hefty gratuity in small print on the check which.. you guessed it.. was automatically included but no mention of this tidbit by the server. Maybe this is why we revived all this mean girl energy from the jump? Because they'll still get paid really well regardless? All eight of us have been a part of the service industry and this one stuck out extra frustrating & annoying. Never leave a low review, I'm writing today to management because they will ruin your repeat clientele, seriously. People can find another fabulous cocktail with way better service & vibes in the city. Overall, it was a shame my friends experienced this gross behavior today in the fabulous city of Chicago. Hope the staff does better in the future and works on improving their outlook.

Really nice cocktail lounge in the Kimpton Gray Hotel…read more Upscale, modern look with an antique library theme Cocktails on par with other lounges/bars, ~$20 per drink. Quieter spot to grab a drink or two with friends and intimate enough for a date too Old fashioned was very good, also they stamp the ice cube which is a nice touch

Just an amazing experience all around!! The tuna tartare was exceptional as well as the sorbet with…read moreBailey's. A little tight on seating but no complaints!!

This is my 2nd sniff in at the Pigster…read more.. Today "sniffed in" at 4.5 stars... BREAD: -- great texture -- LOVE that it is NOT sourdough -- oily, buttery -- fantastic for dipping into our residual sauce on the plates RATING = A+ SPANISH OCTOPUS: -- ultra-tender -- perfectly cooked -- marbled potatoes, jalapeno, sambuca, chimichurri, Spanish chorizo -- visually stunning and colorful -- amazing flavor RATING = A+ AGNOLOTTI: -- I do not eat this pasta often, almost never but WOW! -- thin sheet pasta brilliance on display here -- beef short rib, creamy bone marrow, brown butter and wine au just RATING = A+ PORK BELLY: -- I did not love the ginger glaze, but I am sometimes not a fan of the use of ginger -- I found this dish too sweet and too sour and the combo and boldness of each did not work for me on the nose or palate RATING = B STAFF are exceptional and the dining space is pleasing. Not pretentious or fancy but beyond casual. This establishment is consistently legit per our friend, wife and me. We love staying at nearby hotels so this will always be on our list.

The Gage has been a staple on Michigan Ave since 2007 and there's good reason for that. Consistency…read moreis the key to success in this part of town. The clientele is a balance of tourists visiting Millennium Park, businessmen grabbing lunch or taking a client out to dinner and/or weekenders hanging downtown looking for a nice meal out in a contemporary setting. Folks visiting The Gage will not settle for okay food and average service. And they're willing to pay for quality because it's either an "occasion" or the tab is being picked up with a company card. We visited on a Saturday morning for brunch, and everything about the visit was on point. The service was friendly and prompt. She knew the menu and made fantastic recommendations. The space itself is clean and inviting - nice enough for a business dinner, but casual enough for jeans and a hoodie. The food and drinks were all delicious, and the price point was exactly where it should be for a sit-down, table service restaurant in the heart of the city. It gets crowded here, so reservations are a good idea. Usually there's a reason if a restaurant has been around for a while and you constantly need to make a reservation. The Gage checks all the boxes.

I know this restaurant is often full of tourists, but hear me out. It's really decent food and the…read moreprices could be higher. I've been coming here after visiting the art institute or before the symphony for the last 14 yrs. I've had brunch, lunch, and dinner and I've never had a meal to complain about. My kids love the fish n chips and I love the curry poutine. After not finding a single poutine I liked in Quebec, I just figured I disliked poutine. Turns out, the only one I like is at the Gage. The last time I was here, my daughter asked for her egg on the side of her avocado toast. It mistakenly arrived on the toast. She said it was fine and didn't want to make a fuss, but our waiter still offered free dessert for the mixup. Great service. Great fried pickles. Nice ambiance. And price points I don't complain too loudly about. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not outrageous

Hanging on the Riverwalk, having a kale salad, however, the dressing is way over the top sweet. Big…read moresugar spike for sure. I'll have to hack off those carbs with a brisk walk. The Russian river Pinot Noir is excellent, nice spicy notes fruit forward. The vibe of the Riverwalk on and on lots of peeps peeps everywhere ip and down the amazing river. It is indoor or outdoor dining with a view of the river and windy city skyscrapers.

A cute little stop along the riverwalk for a quick bite or drink. I was on a mom trip to Chicago…read moreso was able to take my time, have a drink, and relax without having to worry about my kids falling into the river. I walked up to the bar and had 2 rounds, an aperol spritz and a sparkling rose. I sat on the outdoor patio bar facing the river and enjoyed my drinks and view.

I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

My favorite hidden spot! Great in the morning or evening! Such a good happy hour. We got some wine…read morea flatbread and a pasta, and they were all DIVINE. Really couldn't beat the price. It is a small place, but that's part of the charm. We stayed for the free comedy night on Wednesday and had a grant time. Really enjoyed the overall experience and love that's it's located right next to the prettiest park!

A cute spot! I like the all day evergy of the place and the service is so friendly! You can tell…read moreits a spot that people in the neighborhood hang out at which is sweet! The food is more simple but flavorful! Definitely come for the breakfast burrito!!

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

Stopped in with friends and ended up having a much better night than we expected. The place has…read morethis fun mix of old-school charm and lively energy, and it really comes alive once the crowd settles in. What surprised me most was how welcoming the atmosphere felt -- people were cheering each other on during karaoke, and it created this upbeat, easygoing vibe that made the night even better. Drinks were well-made, the music kept the room energized, and there was always something going on that pulled everyone into the moment. Even with the place getting busier later in the night, the staff stayed attentive and kept everything running smoothly without making anyone feel rushed. I also loved how organized the karaoke setup was. Being able to add songs without waiting around made the experience feel seamless, and it helped keep the energy flowing. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind, have a laugh, grab something tasty, and forget about your week for a while. All in all, it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly great nights out. I'd absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxed place to hang out and enjoy some good music and good company.