One of the best meals we had in Chicago. Excellent all around…read more The arancini were rich but also somehow light, the gnocchi were pillowy and soft. The gelato was creamy and delicious. Service was attentive but not smothering. (And as a vegetarian, I was glad to see they even marked their desert menu with dietary notations. It really increases my trust that a restaurant is run by people who know what they're doing when they know pana cotta isn't vegetarian.)

The restaurant is not that far from the Art museum and Cloud Gate (aka The Bean)…read more We had reservations and were seated right away. They light a new candle on your table and it was fun guessing how many hours it takes for the candle to melt all the way down. We came during dinner time and sat inside. We shared the Arancini, usually comes in 3 and they made 4 for us, since there were 4 of us. Very delicious and we all just took our time savoring the flavor. So good and it is also GF made with rice flour. Next I had the Umbricelli con Sugo d'Anatra. House made spaghetti with duck meat. Noodles were firm and didn't twirl on the fork easily. But it was really good. There were plenty of duck meat shredded and chunks. The cherry tomatoes were a bit tart to me, so I didn't eat them all. For dessert we shared the Tortino al Cioccolato Valhrona, like a chocolate lava cake. Very soft and rich chocolate. Had orange pieces throughout. Came with coffee gelato. Also shared the Vanilla bean panna cotta. Smooth creamy and light, reminds me of crème brulee. Had lots of cherries with crumbles of cookies. Both desserts are GF. I actually like the chocolate more... couldn't resist. They cleanup and give you a new plate and or silverware after each course. They are very good at keeping your glass of water refilled. Very friendly staff.

We ducked in here for a drink and were very pleased with our experience. The bar staff were…read morefriendly and very attentive. Great selection of wines here - and a natural wine is really something to be tried if you have never had it. The look and the feel of the place reminds you of something you would find overseas. They also offer beer and cocktails, but their wines are the highlight. Highly recommend.

Good Funk was the kind of unexpected gem that completely transforms an ordinary night--exactly what…read moreI needed while on a business trip in Chicago, the night before my birthday. I wanted nothing more than to ring in year 45 with a great glass of natural wine... and I walked out having had a 7-glass flight and one of the most memorable evenings of the trip. The bartenders deserve their own star. They weren't just knowledgeable--they were genuinely fun to talk to, the kind of people who make you feel like you've been coming there for years. We went from discussing funky wine profiles to diving deep into '80s horror films, which is absolutely my idea of a perfect tangent. Their enthusiasm and curiosity made the whole experience feel personal and spontaneous. As for the wine: unique, surprising, and delicious, even the pours I didn't expect to enjoy. Good Funk leans into exploration in the best way--nothing feels generic or predictable. Every glass had its own personality, and the flight felt like a curated adventure rather than a lineup. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, stylish without being pretentious, and perfect for either a solo wind-down or a lively night out. It's the kind of place that encourages you to linger, taste one more thing, have one more conversation. Good Funk turned what could've been a quiet, forgettable evening into an unforgettable birthday-eve celebration. If you're in Chicago and love natural wine--or just love a spot with genuine heart--don't miss this place.

A quality - quality establishment through and through. Vibe is very much, tavern meets upscale…read moremodern American dining experience. Service was great. Attentive, explained the menu well. Lunch - we all got burgers and we all thought they were absolutely fantastic. It wouldn't be fair to compare to another well known for their burger establishment in town wink wink; but the Dearborn burger was very very respectable and...came with fries which were perfectly fried and salted. My son loved them. The burger, cooked incredibly well for a medium. Still juicy. The bread, pickles, sunny side up egg and bacon all lent itself to a well balanced burger. Does it reach the heights of some other spots? Not as much - BUT This would be the best burger in most large American cities. Would highly recommend for a good lunch. The basque cheesecake was also solid!

The Dearborn has a great atmosphere, and most of our food was very good. My son really enjoyed his…read moresoup appetizer, though my fried chicken appetizer wasn't quite as strong. My gnocchi entree, however, was excellent, the rolls are very good, and everyone in our party enjoyed their craft cocktails. The only strange moment of the night occurred when our server snapped at my teenage son while he was ordering. It's a loud restaurant, and she abruptly yelled at him that she couldn't hear him and needed him to speak up. My wife immediately called it out, saying, 'That's very rude,' which seemed to snap the server back to reality. The rest of the meal was completely uneventful, and despite that momentary lapse, I would still go back.

Vol 39 is the hotel bar at the Kimpton Gray. The ambiance is modern library meets old money - dark…read morewoods, bold colors, warm lighting. It was a very busy night for them since Boleo was closed for a wedding. We were able to get our complimentary glass of wine and also tried a few of their cocktails. They accidentally bought out espresso martinis instead of espresso Negronis but didn't charge us for the mistake. Both were delicious. Our burger took a very long time and a quick explanation of items on the charcuterie board would have been nice. Vol 39 is a good place for a pre-dinner snack and drinks.

Fantastic service and great selection of snacks. I got the fried mushrooms and they were so good…read more It's super pretty and I love the color scheme of the place. Great place for cocktails either way a more upscale feel but not too fancy

I headed out to the North Side today for a bit of exploration, and despite the lively Friday…read morebustle, stepping into The Purple Pig was a remarkably grand experience. The restaurant commands a sense of scale and elegance that immediately impresses. The interior is impeccably designed and spotlessly clean, featuring sophisticated private seating areas, beautifully arranged tables, and an extraordinary collection of fine wines lining the walls. The hospitality was top-tier from the moment I arrived attentive, polished, and effortlessly gracious. To start, I ordered the "Fire and Smoke" cocktail, which arrived artfully crafted, perfectly balanced, and thoroughly sensational. For my main course, I selected one of my absolute favorites: the Spanish Octopus. When the dish was served, the aroma alone was divine, and the execution proved to be an absolute culinary triumph tender, exquisitely seasoned, and full of rich, sophisticated flavor. Between the immaculate environment, vibrant atmosphere, superb libations, and flawless service, The Purple Pig earns full marks from me. A quintessential destination I shall most certainly be returning

This was a very mixed experience, which surprised me given the overwhelmingly positive reviews that…read morebrought us here. To start, the hostess was rude. It took her a while to acknowledge me standing there, and when she finally asked how she could help, I mentioned I had a reservation and began giving my name. She cut me off with, 'Please wait, I'm very busy.' After another five minutes, she finally took my name and asked my family and me to step fully outside, saying someone would come get us. We were finally seated fifteen minutes later--only after watching another party of three walk in without a reservation and get seated immediately. The appetizers and entrees were good, and our waiter was attentive, even apologizing for the rough start at the host stand. Things seemed to be turning around until we tried to order dessert. Despite being more than forty minutes from closing, our waiter returned to tell us, 'The chef refuses to make any more desserts.' This was that rare restaurant visit where the food itself was solid, but we won't be back. The service made it abundantly clear that our presence was an inconvenience.

Wedge salad was really good but the steak au poi-whatever was really, really mid. It was so dry and…read moreall that for $72 was not worth, do not recommend that one. But the appetizers (not pictured) sweet corn cake dip was so good and truffle fries were also very good. It was a good one-time experience

The staff is super attentive. We go here every time we're in town. Food is great and I like the…read moredecor and dim lighting.

Our second full day in Chicago found us walking through the Loop, and I planned for us to stop at…read moreCity Winery on the Riverwalk for lunch before continuing north of the river. It was a good decision. We sat on the outdoor patio with gorgeous views of the Chicago River, surrounded by skyscrapers in different architectural styles. Enjoying a drink on the river in the summertime is glorious, with views of the metropolis and plenty of people-watching. And their food is pretty solid. The Chicken and Bacon Panini with pasta salad was good, and I paired it well with the City Bubbles Cava. Service was also fairly prompt and on point, as our server was friendly. They don't have many gluten-free options, but my wife enjoyed a Greek Salad, and she dug the rosé she ordered. But keep in mind, there aren't as many options for those who are gluten-sensitive or celiac. That said, City Winery is a solid spot to enjoy on the river, whether you're visiting, living nearby, or working in the Loop.

I don't know what we were thinking other than the weather was good and it seemed easy to grab lunch…read morehere. Food was mediocre and super expensive. Service was ambivalent, but okay when we waved them over. Food came out at very different times. Ambiance was great until another table started screaming while watching sports on their phones. Give it a pass. $78 plus tax and tip for two lunch entrees and zero drinks.

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!

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!

The Drunken Bean was highly recommended from the concierge at my hotel. They must get their name…read morefrom the employees, who seem like they are drunk and lost at sea. Very nice, but no clue what's going on. The person at the register could not recommend any favorite items which is ok because she stated she was brand new, but in asking 4/5 questions about popular or staple items still could not suggest anything. Same with drinks, had no recommendations on any specialties the place is known for. I settled at a chicken pita and an almond milk dirty chai latte. They did me dirty for sure. The iced dirty chai was made with real milk and tasted like watered down milk with a splash of chai dust. They were very nice and fixed the mistake only to make an equally terrible and watered down latte. The chicken pita was soulless and flavorless. The pita was like chewing on what i could imagine being an old rubber band. This place stinks. The name is cool, the concept is cool, the location is great, ambiance could be cool but completely misses the mark. So much potential, on a scale from 1-Anthony Volpe, it's an Anthony Volpe. Oh and it's very humid and muggy inside. The drunken bean lives up to its name in every worst way possible.

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!

Brando's Speakeasy is my go-to karaoke bar!…read more I always find myself at Brando's Speakeasy after happy hour in the area. Brando's has a later happy hour (4p-7p) that has solid offerings. I love Moscow Mules and they sell them for $5 during happy hour! They have a variety of other drink options for the same price and some bites as well. Every time I've visited the bartenders have been personable and made the drinks fast. Brando's has ample tables available. I've gone during a busy Friday night and I've been able to secure a table throughout the night. I love Brando's even more because people actually participate in karaoke. Everyone is normally singing along to someone else's song and they don't leave people hanging. Depending on the night I've turned into a background dancer for someone! The karaoke sign-up is pretty straightforward. It's digital so you can track your place in line from your phone along with take your time selecting a song.

Brando is such a great place after work and it opens a little later during a work week. We came in…read morethere was karaoke and the vibe was amazing. We didn't get any food because it was late but next time we will. There was seating around us or you can go up near the karaoke stand. Had an absolute blast on a Wednesday night and people were singing their hearts out at karaoke.