I came here for a work dinner a couple of weeks ago and food didn't particularly stand out which was surprising because we've heard such great things. We ordered -Calamari -Wild prawns (best dish of the night) -Potato and salted cod brandade -Roasted asparagus -Grilled butcher steak with raddichio -Slow roasted pork shoulder (huge dollop of aioli on an already rich dish) -Pizza carbonora (delicious) -Roasted oyster mushroom hummus -Burnt honey profiterole -Layered crepe cake I was really looking forward to the variety of dishes, but everything just fell flat. Service-wise, after our entrees came out, our server stopped coming around so I had to ask someone else to bring us dessert menus, dessert and order food to go and pay for it. read more

Wowowowowow. This place was so incredible! There is a bit of a wait and rush during lunch time but rest assured it is well worth the wait. My dining mate and I split an order of chorizo stuffed dates after seeing our table mate's order. We probably could have easily eaten the entire order on our own but probably good for our stomachs that we shared which were two dates each. For the main, I got the farm salad and added chicken - this was so. Much. Salad. In the very best way possible! The almonds, berries, and amount of chicken they added were incredible and so filling! The lettuce and endive they used were also just perfection - I wonder how each leaf was pristinely crisp. Ended our lunch on a sweet note with the most perfect portion of nutter butter square. It was such a delightful treat that satisfies your sweet tooth but not make you feel grossly stuffed afterwards. I'm salivating now just thinking about this excellent lunch and will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago; hopefully for dinner! read more

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Avec in West Loop was amazing!! I can't believe that I forgot to take a picture of the chorizo wrapped dates. They really stole the show. However, it's clear we loved the focaccia too, since we didn't take a picture until many bites in. It was a really unique take on focaccia. It was super thin, kind of like a quesadilla, and came with honey on the side to drizzle over it. We also loved the scallops. The best part was that they paired garlic aioli and a banana pepper with them. That made each bite so flavorful!! Also, their cocktails were amazing. Can't wait to go back!! read more

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I had dinner at AVEC after a flight from the west coast. The food came out quick and the server was pleasant and helpful. The food here is rustic in a good way. Everything I had tasted great and had really rich and bold flavours. The real standouts were the dates stuffed with chorizo and the shrimp. The pita bread here is amazing and if you are hungry you should order extra so you can dip it in the sauces. Highly recommend the fish as well. Definitely will want to come back to try more of the menu the next time I am in town. read more

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I finally managed to get a reservation here after trying for years but I was delighted to see there were lots of spots for a Monday evening. I went with a couple of friends, and I was surprised at how small the space was, but it was a pleasant and intimate dining experience. The menu was pretty large, so we had a difficult time deciding what to eat, but we got two appetizers to share (chorizo dates and the roasted baby carrot hummus) and they were so good. The pita was pretty pricey at 2.5$ a piece, but they came out large and we were satisfied at the end. We each got our own plates rather than sharing, but I got the grilled butcher steak and the flavors were incredible. The grapes were not my favorite pairing, but the steak was so tender and juicy, and the sauce was delicious. Would definitely come back to try the other menu options! read more

Avec - Chicago - roasted carrot hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First off want to say S/O to Tim (waiter). Genuine guy who has a knack for providing exceptional service to all who visit. His overall attentiveness during the meal, and well thought out responses added an authentic twist. The food was really good. Went with the classic bacon wrapped chorizo dates that have been with the restaurant since '03(?). The pickle hummus I could eat everyday, the roasted chickpeas on top were a great touch. Lastly the jalapeño feta cream sauce on the sweet potatoes was top tier. We ended the night with the nutter butters. How do I find the recipe for these? Will definitely be coming back to try more food considering they consistently change their menu. Also had a happy hour special cocktail - a Negroni that was done to perfection. Cheers. read more

Avec - Chicago - Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates Winter Pickle Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Met up a friend for lunch here on a Saturday afternoon. The indoor seating is small and a bit awkward but they seem to be packed. If you order individual plates, then members of your party may not get their food at the same time as you. So your food may get cold and soggy while you wait on others to get their food. The menu is limited so I ordered a half order of French toast, but was not as impressed as I had hoped. Not certain I would like to go back again. read more

Had dinner with my friend in this small but cozy restaurant. The decor was mainly wood-based, making me feel as if I was dining in a forest. We tried the pork shoulder entree, the tabbouleh salad starter and the pizza which was on their special menu. The tabbouleh salad was a creative and delicious mixture of cauliflower, herbs, walnuts, grapes, etc., but the farro inside was a bit too hard. The burrata and pesto on the pizza was also fantastic. However, the pork shoulder was a true hit!! It was a huge portion of pork meat, some sauce mixed with lentil, and topped with some warm yogurt. The meat was crispy outside and tender inside. The sauce was thick, flavorful. It tasted even better when I mixed the lentil and yogurt with the meat. Service was not bad either. It was very quick, and the stuff offered to help me hang my backpack. Downside is cleanliness. The stuff did not wear gloves when cooking food. I also saw one stuff putting a flower petal to a glass of alcohol using her unwashed hand. So in general the food was of high quality but we were worried about the cleanliness. Not sure if we will come back to try other dishes. read more

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I haven't been in Avec for ages! It is still going strong, and still busy, and not too conducive for business meals. Just too cramped in a small space. The service was quite friendly and cheerful, as well as knowledgeable.. We had social/business lunch, and enjoyed it. The prix fixe cost was quite reasonable too. Well, it is not quite 5 star experience. The food didn't shine, so to speak. It just didn't impress my sufficiently. Possible it had to do with my specific order: chorizo filled dates, and whitefish tartines. I should've ordered lamb, I think. Anyway, to recap, still worth visiting, but could be better. read more

It's restaurant week! How did Avec fair during this busy time? This is my experience with Avec: Ambience Walking into Avec is slightly strange but the front does a great job in making sure you arrive at the restaurant. Those of you who don't know, upon going in, there is a door immediately to the right, which you can miss if not paying attention, since upon entering from the outside you are greeted with a door and stairwell in front of you. There are 2 options for sitting: 1) at the bar or 2) communal table. The decor felt very pleasant with a homey feel. The table and seating were wood and the atmosphere, though busy, had a relaxed feel to it. Slightly sitting in a log cabin at the hearth. Service The wait staff was very pleasant and friendly. Each dish was explained to us as they came in and they kept up with filling our water glasses. Food Marinated Olives with a Hearth-baked pita - I enjoy olives, so I liked the dish in general. I am guessing the pita is to soak up the oil in the olive plate. Overall a nice dish to start off. The pita had a nice flavor with a slight char flavor (not burnt). Slightly sad it did not come with 2... Shaved Brussels Sprout fattoush with beet muhammara. - I don't know what a fattoush is but this is a salad. It had a nice citrus flavor which masked some of the Brussels sprout flavor and gave a nice light a refreshing taste to it. There were pieces of a cracker in the dish which gave it a nice crunchy texture. Roasted sweet potato with avocado, za'satar buttermilk, pickled lemon and bulgar - roasting the sweet potato was a nice touch since it gave a little bitterness to the dish which the sweet potato and avocado could take over. I am not sure if I tasted the bulgar... Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma with pickled peppers, charred lemon, fermented chili sauce and garlic toum - this is a well cooked and juicy chicken. The pepper add a nice touch, giving a briny/kick which helps refresh the taste buds. I was told the sauces were to simulate a hot sauce and ranch. The hot sauce just tasted like tomato sauce to me. I am not a big ranch person but the garlic toum was nice. All in all, I think the chicken can be eaten without the sauces. Chorizo-stuffed dates with bacon and piquillo pepper tomato sauce. - I am not sure about this one. I understand the components of the dish just kind of hard to do it justice when describing it. The date is stuffed with chorizo but it felt crumbly similar to a over worked meatloaf. The date gave it a hint of sweetness but I don't really know it I tasted the chorizo itself. With the sauce, the meat inside kind of lost it's identity for me. The sauce had a hint of briny-ness with a slight salty/smoky taste. They have us some bread which we got to mop the sauce up. Fried semolina donuts with saffron and orange blossom syrup and pistachios - the donut had a nice creaminess to them, similar to a bread pudding. The syrup was a very well balanced and had the perfect sweet for me. The pistachios also played a nice part, busy giving the dish another textural contrast. Overall Avec is a very nice place to go to. I really enjoyed the experience going there. The staff was very friendly and else never felt rushed. My girlfriend got the wine pairing for the restaurant week menu which was a nice compliment. Would I go back? I would, because I a curious to try the other foods they have to offer. -disclaimer- This is my own opinion and write these reviews for fun. Your experience and opinion will be different then mine, but that is the fun of goin out and experiencing restaurant like Avec. I hope this review helps entice you to go an experience these restaurants and the hard work they put in to making them work. Thank your reading my review and have a wonderful day! read more

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Avec has been on my list for a while and I finally was able to stop in with a friend for brunch! After tasting, I regret that it took me this long. Avec is a quaint spot with family style seating so I do recommend making a reservation if possible. We made our reservation for a Saturday and we were seated immediately at our reservation time by an eager and inviting hostess. Our server greeted us immediately and walked us through their brunch menu. The server was friendly, and gave some solid suggestions which was helpful as Avec has so many great dishes for brunch. After careful consideration and server recommendation, we landed on: -Mimosas (its brunch, of course we did a round of mimosas.) -French toast: topped with ricotta and berry compote garnished with mint and almonds. I loved that it was not too sweet, it has great balance. -Pork Belly: OMG nice and fatty with the perfect tender texture (not too chewy) it was nicely glazed for a bold flavor. -Chorizo Stuffed Medjool Dates: Talk about the star of the show! Literally chorizo stuffed dates wrapped in bacon abbd a pepper tomato sauce. Sweet and savory perfect balance for brunch. To go I ordered their coffee cake as well as a iced coffee. Even the pastries were remarkable! I cannot wait to get back to Avec. For the service of course, but also for their dates! read more

A disappointing lunch with dishes difficult to eat. Clearly, Avec is a popular spot, but if you feel the reputation is past its prime, you're not alone. In my recent lunch the endive and apple salad's dressing was screaming-sharp. Both the grilled butcher steak & chorizo-stuffed medjool dates flavors were submerged under searing hot spices. Sure, bold flavors are popular, but these dishes were beyond bold, they were garish. For this self-described wine-focused spot, the overt acidity & spiciness killed our wine choices. Attentive service. read more

They change the menu often so there are some items that are still there and others that have left. The chorizo stuffed dates is a crowd pleaser so it'll always stay on the menu. The dates are really good so that's a 5/5. The whole roasted fish I actually preferred a past version of it vs the one they have now. I'm not a fan of kidney beans. Food quality is pretty decent depending on the dish. Service was fantastic. We actually sat outside so I never saw the inside. read more

Avec - Chicago - Chorizo - stuffed Medjool Dates - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A must-try if you're visiting Chicago! The ambience was great and reservation is definitely recommend for a Friday night dinner. My top dishes were below: - the Brussel Sprouts salad? Not sure of the exact name, but it had a crispy texture paired with a creamy dressing - Duck Agnolotti - Slow-roasted pork shoulder: the meat was Smokey and perfectly cooked paired with collard greens, fresh herbs, and a rich stew. If you like Aba, I would definitely give this place a try as well! read more

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This should be up there with everyone's favorite spot in Chicago this was my third trip over 3 years. It's a small space but still fits a group I'd for sure recommend a reservation as it fills quick. The service is fantastic and they even have a small happy hour menu which really can allow you enjoy some delicious dishes like the chorizo stuffed dates for ~half price. We got the bartenders choice happy hour drink with hummus with carrots and the dates to start. The carrots were charred adding extra flavor with a smooth creamy hummus and amazing pita. I will say they don't give you enough and they make it seem like another piece is a nice offering but they do charge $2.50 just so you realize. The dates are an absolute must they are a great balance of flavors, salt, little spice and sweet plus they come with some delicious bread. We had a Brussel sprout salad (not pictured) because Brussel sprout salads are just a great thing when done well and the was. We finished with the rotisserie chicken shawarma which was juicy with a ton of flavor cooked in. Perfect meal and looking forward to another trip in the future. read more

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We got there half an hour early, which is what happens when you don't understand how tightly a restaurant can pack itself. Avec was already buzzing on a Tuesday, brimming with people. Instead of shaming us for our premature arrival, the staff offered to pour us something to dull our sense of timing. We asked for a bottle of Rioja and tried not to loiter too obviously near the entrance. The only place not in the way was outside in the adjacent alley, which had all the ambiance of a loading dock with better service. Chairs were brought. At one point, I thought they might start offering throw pillows. I prepared myself for a raccoon sommelier to arrive with cheese pairings. Just as we got comfortable leaning into the romance of drinking wine next to a dumpster, we were summoned inside. It was loud in the way that makes you feel part of something but not so loud that you have to communicate your order through mime. We started with hummus and freshly baked pita, pillowy, blistered, frankly indecent. I found myself wondering if I'd ever eaten anything that good while still technically dressed. The fire-roasted cabbage and prawns arrived, and by the end I had placed the restaurant in my all-time top three. Their food is now etched into my long-term memory for being unapologetically bold, absurdly good, and the kind of thing you think about weeks later. What truly distinguishes this place is the care threaded through every interaction. From the moment you show up, not quite knowing where to stand, until the moment you walk out full and slightly stunned, they treat you like a cherished regular. It wasn't just good service. It was hospitality with a memory. read more

OMG the chorizo stuffed dates! Heaven! We wandered over here on a Sunday morning and found two seats at the bar- rose sangria and bottomless mimosas on a rainy morning- We should've ordered another dish of the dates- they're unbelievable Also loved the roasted summer squash. This location is 'shotgun'- very long and narrow- reservations suggested read more

Avec - Chicago - Half order of chorizo stuffed dates- to die for! Should've had a full order - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A gem located at West Loop!! Highly recommend trying out this Mediterranean restaurant!! We went for brunch & all the food item were flavourful. The reason I gave 4/5 stars is cause this spot has too many dairy items which doesn't allow me to enjoy and try all the dishes. The grilled shrimp was really scrumptious with the merguez butter which literally melts in your mouth! Definitely try this out!! The french toast was indeed unique as it came right out from the wood over & had a different flavour than a regular french toast. For dessert, we had the nut butter squares. Omg omg!! It was out of the world! Why ? Cause it had a combination of rice crisps + peanut butter!! If you're a fan of peanut butter, please do get this :) Do check out this restaurant when in West Loop! Tip : Heard their dinner is more popular though read more

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Great place for a solo dinner out - half the diners sit at the bar. The restaurant is somewhat loud, but not overwhelming. Food is creative and excellent. My only complaint is the waiter recommended too much food for one person, so I leave with a bag containing one entire dish. read more

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Unfortunately was let down by their food despite the good reviews. The rotisserie chicken was dry and bland and the rice that comes with it was overpowered with saffron. There was too much spices in the chorizo dish that you didn't quite understand what was going on. The only food we enjoyed was the fresh made pita bread. Their dishes seemed to have too many flavors and spices in them that nothing stood out. read more

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Twenty years in and Avec still rocks. Birthday dinner for our 23 year old who is a budding foodie, and he chose Avec. Didn't disappoint. The room is kind of stark, and lives up to the name (Avec being French for "with" -- so the tables are communal and you may find yourself seated next to another party...which we did...and I have every time I've been to this Chicago classic spot). Nice cocktail menu and super interesting wine list. I have been here several times for drinks and apps, and they have creative approaches to a variety of classics. My Black Manhattan (amaro instead of vermouth) and a mezcal margarita-ish drink for the birthday boy were super. Variety of wines through the meal, all recommended by our server who was knowledgable and outstanding. To that point, we asked for her recommendations and took virtually every one of them...and loved every bite. Prawn appetizer was SICK -- so much so that we were all grabbing spoons and forks and left over pita to mop up the sauce in the very hot skillet in which it was served. The chorizo stuffed dates were equally awesome, if a tiny bit spicy for one of our party (who is a notorious wimp on spicy food -- these were only about a 4-5 on a ten scale, and absolutely delicious). The variety of hummus options was tempting; we opted for the short rib version (bascially all the same hummus served with a different addition -- carrots, short rib, and smoked salmon were the options when we were there). Delicious, creamy hummos; for me the short rib was a little dry... For mains we split two, the foccacia and the pork shoulder. The foccacia was delicate and delicious with a hint of truffle oil...a little less interesting for me (but not the rest, who loved it) than the pork shoulder, which was INSANE. Beautiful presentation of colors with collard greens, red peppers, smoked yogurt, black eyed peas...and a delicious braised pork shoulder beneath. Again, our delicate palette diner didn't love the peppers...but the rest of us devoured this specialty that came (and should come) highly recommended. Dessert was baklava (which was good but not life changing) and their nutter butter squares, which, while probably a trademark violation, were unique and oustanding. Whether it's for a casual shared plates dinner (not a super fancy dress up place necessarily) or a big occasion, Avec should definitely be on your rotation for must-go Chicago restaurants. read more

Great time at this location and loved it as much as the other. We dined late and had excellent service, cocktails and food. We split everything. Roasted baby carrot hummus is amazing. We also had the squash and focaccia, both delicious. The staff is so engaging and the vibe is upbeat and relaxed. Can't wait to return. read more

Avec - Chicago - carrot hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

To die for. That's it. Just kidding. We managed to snag 5pm reservations at Avec and despite not being very hungry, we couldn't give the reso up. It was a bit hard to find how to get in as from the front the sliding doors do not open. Go through the left, not the right like us! It took us to the service area where we got giggles for getting lost and getting in that way. Food was incredible. The spicy shrimp was delicious and juicy. But the star of the show was the fish which was topped on a bed of delicious saffron rice. To die for. That is all. I cannot wait to go back. read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Heirloom Tomato ($18): Best tomatoes I've ever had. It actually wasn't the tomato itself that stood out, but the tomatoes were definitely fresh and served as a great base for the flavor. The creativity in this dish is amazing. I liked the crunch of the bulgur wheat and the fat of the buttermilk combined with the sharp tones from the red onion. Market Fish (Thai red snapper, $19): This dish was not too expensive for what you get, which is a whole fish. The fish was pretty good, but definitely not as creative as the heirloom tomato. It's a standard dish of fish + mayo, which is pretty good but doesn't stand out. Medjool Dates ($20 for 4 or $6 each): I like that they let you order individual dates. We just ordered 2. I've had bacon-wrapped dates at a lot of tapas restaurants, and they've all been good. Same goes for this one. These are one of the signature dishes of the restaurant, however I thought the tomato was better. Comes with sourdough. Focaccia ($22): This was my second favorite dish. The focaccia is baked to perfection, and I really liked the cheesy filling and the truffle oil. They give you honey to pour on top. A really decadent dish! Nutter Butter Squares: These kind of sound like a joke... but they were pretty good. Do they actually use real nutter butters in this...? Fantastic service. The waiters explained each dish in detail and gave us great recommendations. Another Mediterranean restaurant in Boston called Sarma is better than this one, but they're both pretty darn good. read more

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Came here for brunch and I'd say the menu is more lunch vs brunch forward. We sat at the bar and service was kind of haphazard, I think she was pretty hungover. We had to prompt her when we were ready to order, ready for the check and that we needed boxes. She wasn't clear with the menu and half vs full orders so we over ordered but they were nice leftovers. What we ordered: - donuts - these are HUGE and very doughy. We had the full order not realizing we would have been fine with a half order (1 donut to share) - bacon wrapped dates - so flavorful and delicious but very savory. Again, could have done half vs full order - French toast - pretty heavy and doughy. Again, could have done half vs full order - lamb burger. Added an egg to make it more brunchy... good flavor and very savory - Bloody Mary - nice and spicy as requested The food was good if not more than we should have ordered. read more

We don't get to Chicago that often, but when we do Avec is always a must-do. This was maybe our 4th overall visit and everything food to ambience was spot on as usual. Of course the dates and lamb burger hit well, but sitting at the counter and soaking in the casual lunch vibe just solidifies how great the Avec experience is. It may not be anytime soon, but we will always be back. read more

Price: $$-$$$ Favorites: chorizo stuffed dates, brioche donuts with Baharat Tips: Several dishes (including the dates) are available as a half order! Avec is a Chicago staple, and when you walk into its cozy, modern space, you'll understand why. My friend (vegetarian) and I wanted to treat ourselves to brunch, but I've heard good things about Avec for all meals. The charm of the setting, plating, food, service, and brunch-exclusive items was overwhelming and provided the perfect sendoff as I caught the blue line to ORD that day. If you have any doubts, get the dates. They're worth it. Get all four, get them with an egg, and lick the delicious piquillo pepper sauce off the pan if you must. They are spicy, sweet, peppery, and packed with flavor. The donuts are easy to share and have a lovely Mediterranean spice blend, demonstrating Avec's inventive commitment to cultural fusion. The French toast was creamy, and the tabbouleh was fresh, so they're also good options depending on what you're feeling. The service was kind, if a little slow. I enjoyed chatting about my visit with the staff at the bar. If I'm ever in Chicago again, I'll definitely be back to try Avec. Although I would love to come for dinner and try their other delights, the charming fusion brunch may win me over time and time again. read more

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Amazing. The only reservation that we could get was at 5pm but I'm glad we did because we got to try their happy hour! We ordered three small plates and one large plate for the two of us and it was way too much food, so next time we would do two small and one large or maybe even three small plates because the bread that comes with it fills you up a lot. We also got the happy hour cocktail which was great as well. We got everything off the happy hour menu: 1. chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce 2. potato and salted cod brandade with garlic crostini and chives 3. hummus with hearth baked pita and roasted delicata squash, urfa and pine nuts And one large dish from the regular menu: 4. slow roasted pork shoulder with braised lentils, grilled olives, sesame yogurt and baharat My favorite was #1, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates. It was savory, sweet, and even a tiny bit spicy as well. I would 100% recommend this to everyone. #2 was amazing as well, although I found it too salty. Regardless, we still finished the whole plate which says a lot. I hope they can adjust the saltiness in the future. #3, the hummus, was probably the best hummus I've ever had and was a good neutralizing compliment to everything else that was packed flavor. #4, the pork shoulder, was perfectly seasoned and super tender, but we found it a bit gamey. The sesame yogurt surprisingly went perfectly with the dish! Overall, we had an amazing experience and highly recommend this place! read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants on planet earth. The wild prawns is a dish I think of often. The vibes are immaculate and the staff is wonderful. read more

If you love unique fusion dishes inspired by Mediterranean flavors, I would highly recommend Avec. My husband and I came for weekend brunch. There are 2 locations and it seemed like there was some confusion from people who made reservations for the other location, which is about a 20 minute drive away. We were lucky enough to get a seat as we didn't have reservations and this place filled up pretty quickly. This is a tapas/family style Mediterranean inspired restaurant. Papas bravas - 10/10 These were fried to perfection and the aioli and pepper sauce that came along with it were such delicious additions. Lamb burger - 6.5/10 Unique flavors with mint and tomato sauce as burger components but it was little too wet for my liking. They used a brioche style bun and I think a heartier more crusty bread would have been better to soak up all of the sauce. Grilled shrimp with merguez butter and polenta - 7/10 This dish had such big and juicy shrimp that were very well cooked. I did wish that there were more textural elements in the dish or some acid to break up the heaviness. Snow pea tabbouleh - 10/10 This was my favorite dish that we got. It was super fresh and had a bunch of textural elements that made every bite interesting and unique. Service- 7/10 The wait for our food was a little longer than what I would've liked. They also had a couple of times where they brought out the wrong dishes and seemed confused when we said we didn't order it. Service was also a bit slow with a decent amount of waiting time in between each of the dishes. Overall, we had a great dining experience at Avec and would love to come back to try their dinner menu. read more

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Avec has been a West Loop hot spot for two decades now. And given the high quality of the dishes they offer, it's no wonder that Avec has maintained their reputation of being one of the best restaurants in Chicago. The space isn't that big and features a modern interior with communal seating. You might wind up feeling a little cramped on a busy night, but since we decided to dine in for brunch on Super Bowl Sunday, there weren't too many customers and we had a large table to ourselves. Our server came by to take our order and she was friendly and very helpful as far as the info she provided on their food. We decided to order the papas bravas, publican quality meats breakfast sausage and two dishes that Avec is known for. Those are the deluxe focaccia and the chorizo stuffed dates. Everything we ordered was absolutely stellar. Each plate they brought out just got better and better. The sausage was some of the best I've ever had and the papas bravas was by far the best I've eaten. It was truly surprising how good they were. And the focaccia and dates were incredible and probably some of the finest food you can have in this city. Just high quality and delicious. I was stuffed after this meal. Unless you're willing to drop some serious cash it takes a lot to leave a restaurant of this caliber full. The food here isn't exactly cheap, but at the same time you're paying for a high quality meal. I've had the privilege to eat at some of the best restaurants Chicago has to offer and Avec has cemented itself as one of my favorites. It is most definitely in my top 3. I am dying to come back and eat a multitude of items on their menus. So stop by this establishment to experience fantastic food and fantastic service. A+ read more

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Catching up on Yelp reviews as I visited Avec back in November. I've heard very good things about Avec and it has been on my list for a while. I had a reservation for 12:30pm for 3 and it was crowded. Ambiance was contemporary and well-lit with natural lighting. It reminded me of the same decor as Ramen-san, oddly enough. Me and another buddy of mine had an issue with finding the door. You walked into an apartment doorway and there was a hidden door to the right. I walked back outside and saw that there was a door to the right, which was hard to see while inside the apartment complex doorway as it was dark. Anyways, just stupidity on our part... We ordered the medjool dates to start as our server recommended it. Can't argue with chorizo and bacon! These were very good and I loved the sauce. Extremely flavorful! Bun had decent texture and it held together well. Lamb burger patty was juicy and slightly crispy. Lots of flavor. Toppings were spectacular! They were light and flavorful and I really loved the tahini yogurt/cucumber mint. It was very light and the mint was not overwhelming. Berbere spiced tomato jam was meh and didn't have much flavor. Bun: 6 Burger: 7 Toppings: 9 Overall: 7.67 Overall, I think that Avec lived up to the hype! The food was very good and I would love to come back and try some more dishes. Service was good and prices were fair for Chicago. Water cups were filled up regularly. Definitely check out Avec, it you are looking to try something different that is extremely flavorful! read more

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I was visiting with my family from CA and I wasn't sure how they would feel about the food, but after trying the Mexican prawns, marinated cucumbers, steak with anchovy butter (my fave), the short rib hummus, and bread board with all the yummy dips, we all left super blown away with how good everything was. Definitely a highlight meal of our trip. The service was amazing too. One of the servers recommended a beer which my dad really enjoyed and they were attentive to our needs. Definitely one of the best dining experiences. Thanks to everyone who works at this location! read more

Likes - great service - they offered to let me order a single chorizo date bc my friend can't eat bacon - really liked the bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed date - fresh bread and hot pita Dislikes - pricey for the portion size - I didn't like the brussel sprout dish as much as I thought I would. I think the sauce was a little tart read more

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Such a great restaurant and the staff was incredibly friendly. Sometimes eating out alone can feel isolating but I sat at the bar and chatted with the staff. Food was absolutely delicious, the dates were INCREDIBLE. Drinks were yummy and inside is a somewhat casual but not your average wear whatever vibe. If I had another person to eat with I would have got the whole menu I swear read more

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The food was healthy and delicious, service was excellent, and light & alive atmosphere - we had a great time, will go back, highly recommended read more

We came for a weekday dinner and the restaurant was bustling around 6 pm. The vibe was warm and intimate with the communal tables and bar seating. Our server was amazingly attentive. Although service got quite busy later that night, he took great care of us and was very helpful in explaining the menu. Among the dishes we ordered, there were some hits and misses: -Brussels sprouts: this one looked so appealing on paper and in real life. However, while expecting something fresh as a starter, we found the fattoush portion of the dish a bit too salty. -Chorizo stuffed medjool dates: delicious chorizo and flavorful bacon but wished the dates had more presence to balance out the savory elements. The acidity from the tomato sauce helped but overall a pretty rich dish. -Prawns: the tomato sauce with rose petal shatta was amazing! The prawns were also well-cooked, but I'd order again just for the sauce and the warm, fluffy pita bread. -Brandade: this one surprised us as our favorite of the night. It was a creamy, buttery dip, not overly fishy at all. The cod flavor was on the subtler side and blended in very well. Not to mention the garlic crostini, so warm, fragrant, and garlicy. -Dessert was another highlight. The honey vinegar ice cream that came with the cake was mind-blowingly good, and the apple cider sorbet, which the restaurant kindly offered as a birthday gift, had a wonderful smooth texture and tasted just like spiced apple cider! read more

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Came for a late brunch around 1 and really needed some meat after a long walk. Our dish hit the spot and the pork belly was well crisped. The menu had a lot of interesting mediterranean brunch items that I would want to try next time. read more

Avec - Chicago - breakfast spread with potato, pork belly, sausage and egg - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I happened to visit this place before I saw it on The bear. The setting provides a hip, retro vibe with its distressed wood panels. It's casual without feeling too divey. I went for brunch when the atmosphere was buzzing but not overly crowded. Seeded Cracker with Summer Squash Baba Ganoush, Avocado Hummus and Beet Muhammara This platter of dips paired beautifully with both the crackers and the fresh house-made pita breads(ordered separately). The baba ganoush stood out with its smoky eggplant flavor and luscious creamy texture. The beet muhammara was also a winner, with a nice gentle heat and earthy sweetness from the roasted beets. The avocado hummus was fine but didn't leave much of an impression compared to the other more complex dips. Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Braised Lentils, Grilled Olives, Sesame Yogurt and Baharat Falling apart tender pork soaked up the Middle Eastern spices in the baharat rub. The protein played well off the protein-packed lentil accompaniment. I wasn't a fan of the tangy yogurt paired with the pork, but others may enjoy that contrast. Fresh House-Made Mini Pita Bread These pillowy pitas arrived straight from the oven, warm and ready to scoop up every last bit of the flavorful dips. The soft interior with a lightly crisp outer layer was the perfect vehicle for the dips. And paired amazingly well with the pork and lentil combo. While simple, the dishes we tried allowed the quality of ingredients and balance of flavors to shine through. I look forward to returning to try more of their scratch-made food and to soak up the hip, laidback ambience. read more

Avec - Chicago - Seeded cracker with summer squash baba ganoush, avocado hummus and beet muhammara - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Avec has been on my list for a while now however the menu never really spoke to me. Nonetheless, with all the talk about avec all the time, we decided to try it for our anniversary dinner. Upon walking in, the restaurant reminded us of Rose Mary and daisies with a SoCal vibe. Usually, we plan everything we will order but we went in with an open mind. While we were looking through the menu, we were gifted a glass of rosé which was super nice! We had a little bit of a dilemma with ordering because nothing from the pasta, pizza/foccacia, or large plates section seemed appetizing. I wish there were more options for steak that isn't the porterhouse. We ended up ordering the potato and salted cod brandade, half order of the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates, chickpea hummus w short rib, and rigatoni w spring onion. The brandad was undoubtedly one of the best dishes I've had in the city. It was super creamy and not fishy at all. It is like a mashed potato with pieces of cod. Spread on delicious sourdough bread is chef's kiss. I think my only thought is maybe some lemon would bring out the flavors more and make it more dimensional. I wasn't too sure about the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped date because I wasn't really a fan of it at ba ba Reeba since it was so oily. However, I was pleasantly surprised by avec's version! The chorizo had a nice kick to it and the marinara gave it that Italian meatball feel. Ah the bacon was also so fatty (but not oily) and worked so well with the date. The short rib hummus was a bit of a let down for us because the hummus was bitter. There was also not a lot of flavor without the short rib. The meat itself was really tender but overall when compared to Aba's short rib hummus, it just wasn't up to par. By this point, we are incredibly full as our waiter guessed but we did want to try a pasta. The spring onion was too bitter for me but the rigatoni itself was cooked perfectly for my taste at least. A little bit over Al dente. I can't comment on the flavor because the spring onion just was too overwhelming. Overall, enjoyed our anniversary dinner here and definitely will be back for brunch! read more

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