Overall 4.5 stars for creativity + presentation Unexpected flavor/ingredient pairings tickles your mind and mouth alike. clam corn flatbread - impossibly/unexpectedly delicious combo despite initial skepticism, flatbread had great texture - light/chewy beet crostini - light, refreshing - perfectly tossed beet salad tops an unexpected single crostini (shareable size), might have been pan-fried whitefish - one of the best fish dishes I've ever ordered, perhaps a stroke of luck, but pan-fried to perfection, incredibly fresh fish brie foccacia - indulgent herbed brie sandwiched between savory flatbread milk-braised pork shoulder - mild, pleasing chorizo rigatoni - the only less-than-noteworthy dish, rigatoni was perfectly al dente, but flavors were less creative than other offerings less than full 5 stars due to auxiliary/non-cuisine reasons: no bar area (standing room only/30-seat resto = bar converts to dinner seating), limited bar service/no cocktail menu, outdoor space poorly utilized (no alfresco) read more

I loved the interior and the vibe but the food was just OK. The brandade is whipped fish and tastes fishy. Not my thing. The stuffed dates were pretty good. The chicken liver crostini is fantastic. If you like liver sausage you'll love this. The pork shoulder is weird tasting and the white meat is dried out, but you get a lot of it. I let four people next to us have it and after they tried it none of them wanted to finish it. At this price point, with this food, and with no reservations I give it three stars because I have no interest in returning. read more

There are so few times I've eaten at an establishment that just transcends the 1 - 5 Star Review system. As rare as this happens, it sometimes does - like tonight at Avec. Let me throw some adjectives out there; memorable, fantastic, complex, thoughtful, delicious, smart and a list of twenty more. Avec was a dining experience I've had only as many fingers (no toes) as I have or maybe less than that. So let's go through the dinner I just had: Tabbouleh Salad with so many things going on your palette was jumping like a frog. Chicken Liver on Crostini that was as smooth as silk and kicking with a lot of side flavors given by ingredients that I had no idea what they were. Let's just say IT WORKED! Chorizo with Dates that was as thoughtful as a dish I've ever had. This dish affected my mind more than my palette - Very Cool. A Pork Shoulder Casserole that made my Chef Wife's head buzz. She was blown away and I haven't seen that awed look on her face in years. Fideos with Squid and Ink - Wow - Unbelievable! Portokaloptia pudding with ice cream that was crazy good. Sure you have to wait an hour for your table at 9:00 on a Wednesday night, but let me say emphatically that it is totally worth it. The wine list is well constructed to fit the food. The service was very good. The price is surprisingly not much compared to similar dinners as memorable. I apologize if this glowing review sounds like my son owns this restaurant (which he doesn't) but I will not forget this evening anytime soon, and I say those words so seldom. read more

The striper bass was mine blowing - crispy skin in a couscous with artichoke and lemon zest tasted a little like an original cerveci except it was served pipping hot! For an appetizer I have cheeses a French cheese and Hillman American cheese that was very much like a Brie. These were served with bread, almonds, and thin slices of green apple. The chef is clearly a cut above - strongly recommended! read more

Avec - Chicago - Striped bass With cuscus and lemon zest and artichokes Tastes like a Brazilian cerveci Crispy skin was an added texture Mind-blowing!!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When you start to have that feeling that everyone else in the world is really living and that somehow you're missing out, take yourself to Avec. It will cure you. The place is perfectly democratic. They take no reservations and have communal seating. They serve family style. The dinning room is a long narrow space of tan wood, classy but not intrusive. The food, which is exquisite, is the main focus of the experience and it will bring you to a degree of bliss that you makes you feel lucky to be alive, in Chicago, at that exact moment time. They get the off-the-beaten path food you've never heard of before. I had an Italian beer there at their recommendation that I have not seen since. They must have imported it especially. Crisp and beautiful. You will order the asparagus. It is grilled and smokey. It makes you wonder why you don't buy it more often to cook at home. I had a whole Haoke, that week's special, prepared simply but delicious. I ended with an Illy coffee and a lemon cake. I wanted to shut out the rest of the diners so I could just eat it for a minute and think about how wonderful it tasted. Everything is just so at Avec and just right. They make these special meals that are deceptively simple. There is a set of palettes in the kitchen somewhere and they are choosing the best stuff in the world and doing simple straightforward preparations, getting out of the way of the ingredients, and producing some of the best meals you will ever eat. read more

Bonjour Avec, je suis enchante! Ecoutez bien, Avec c'est super chouette! Yes that's right, this French place has knocked off Girl & the Goat as my favorite Chicago restaurant... Sorry Ms. Izard, I am for real. From the first shared small plate to the last excessive bite of dessert, I felt a certain je ne sais quoi. Here's the detailed recap: -barbequed octopus - I can safely say I've never had octopus this way, but from now on, that's how I always want it served. The soft polenta gave this dish an unreal level of creaminess. The slaw-like accouterments added a delicious contrasting crunch. -chorizo stuffed dates - this was delicious, but after all the hype on yelp, I was slightly underwhelmed. The flavors were great, but lacked the depth of the octopus. -pqm 'nduja fatunta - this was a spreadable salami served on sourdough. The parsnip mostarda added a beautifully contrasting sweetness to accompany the savory. -whipped brandade - technically we didn't order this, but the garcon next to us did and he overheard us drooling over it. He was super nice and shared a few bites with us gluttonous little piggies. Brandade is an emulsion of salt cod and olive oil and spreads deliciously on a baguette. Definitely try this. -wood oven roasted pig shoulder - the flavors and the broth in this dish, mon dieu! By the time we got this we were both uncomfortably full, but we couldn't help stuffing our faces regardless. This is the best prep of pork I've had, bar none. Way better than the pork on the Next Sicily menu. Yup, I went there. -toasted ricotta poundcake - because there's always room for dessert. The blueberry gelato complemented the poundcake perfectly. The slight tartness acted as a perfect digestif. This place is LOUD. Don't be surprised if you're a little hoarse from screaming at your dinner companion that the food is amazing all night. What? AMAZING? YEAH, I KNOW! The communal seating means it's not too long of wait if you've got a small party. Make friends with your neighbors and maybe you'll get to try a few extras. read more

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Came here on a Friday night, got seated right away but the service was horrible. Our waitress was working all the tables in the restaurant and we had to ask for our drink orders to be taken. The food was over spiced and the middle of our pizza wasn't cooked well. I would have hoped for a better experience but unfortunately it wasn't the best. The wine menu is nice and the signature stuffed dates lived up to expectations read more

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Avec had long been on my list ever since hearing it was one of Chef Stephanie Izard's favorite spots. While the atmosphere was great and the staff very welcoming, the dishes were collectively only average to above-average. With lunch menus in hand, my colleague and I went with a bunch of small plates along with a large one to share. The egg-topped avocado toast was fantastic and the easy star - the hot, toasty bread was the perfect canvas for the mix of creaminess, acidity, fresh greens and EVOO. For the lamb burger, the patty itself was rich and gamey with the cool yogurt, cucumber and mint cutting the fattiness nicely. However, the bun was entirely forgettable and honestly looked like it could've come from McDonald's. Suffice it to say, the entire presentation was surprisingly plain and underwhelming. Thereafter, the butcher steak with a fried egg was pretty good, just that nothing about the flavors stood out. For the large plate, our slow roasted pork shoulder was very warming and super generously portioned, yet the flavors lacked complexity and bored the palate after a few bites. On top of that, the shoulder meat wasn't the most tender and the dish really needed the fat from the sausage and feta to balance that out. Finally, the char and sumac glaze on the slabs of pork belly was brimming with sweet and savory notes. Like the shoulder though, the meat itself was fairly dry and once again needed the glaze and fat for balance. On the upside, the wines by the glass were very well curated as we both thoroughly enjoyed our picks from France and Spain. read more

Great quality food and drink - friendly and efficient service and casual atmosphere. Only negatives are that it's rather small.

A group of 3 went after they reopened the patio seating. I would have to say AVEC has done everything possibly they can to avoid the spread of COVID - they offered each of us a paper bag to put out mask in; huge bottle of alcohol for cleaning at the table, staff wearing masks and gloves. Great job! Food and drinks are as good as usual. You will need to make reservation and order the dishes in advance, but again that made us feel safe to eat out. Will definitely come back for more soon read more

Avec has been on my list of restaurants for a long time, and finally I couldn't resist the siren call of their famous chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates. Hello! It's me. I loved them... seriously juicy to bite into, with thick cut perfectly done bacon and the chorizo is almost unnecessary but adds an interesting spice component. They also have this red pepper sauce that is yummy on bread, on the dates, on practically everything I would imagine. I also got the caldo verde off the lunch menu - this I would skip next time. The fish was delicious, but overly salted and the stew was served on top of the bread. I prefer it on the side so it doesn't get so soggy. Pro tip: you're seated pretty close to your neighbors. So don't come here if you've just gotten into a fight. And expect to rub some elbows! read more

Avec - Chicago - Caldo verde: fish and shellfish stew with green chili, braised greens, sunchokes and charred bread (lunch only) - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ask for Marcus he made perfect recommendations and was very knowledgeable. Excellent service. We tried many things and I highly recommend the prawns on the small plates and the fish under the big plates. read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Avec is one of my go-to places every time I visit Chicago. I first went to Avec based on the recommendations of several of my friends and I was not disappointed. Although the crowds might be off-putting for some, I found the family dining enjoyable. The food was ABSOLUTELY amazing! The chorizo-stuffed figs are to die for, and all of the other dishes we tried (the monkfish, the flatbread, and the skirt steak) were all excellent. The most amazing part was that three of us ate, shared a bottle of wine, and split a bill that was barely over $100. The only downside is the lack of reservations--the last time I was in town the wait was almost two hours. read more

Had a great dinner here on a Sunday night. It was busy but not packed, making for a comfortable environment. For the record, you literally are sitting at a table with other people. With a couple to one side of us and a group of women to the other side, I felt like I was constantly leaning over the table as far as I could to talk with my date, but it was fine. The waiter gave me the most perfect wine recommendation and I highly recommend it, as well. It was a glass of the Statti, so rich and smooth. Definitely set the tone for a great meal. We ordered: the roasted cauliflower tabbouleh, the sausage, and the chorizo-stuffed dates. Chocolate bread pudding for dessert. The roasted cauliflower tabbouleh was my FAVORITE, it was so delicious. My date's favorite dish was the dates, though they were a bit too spicy for me. We both agreed we could have done without the sausage, it wasn't anything special. Dessert was good, not much more to say about it. My date wanted the chocolate crisps; he has had them on a previous visit to Avec and said they're great. We will have to try those next time. Still, we had a great dinner and we will most certainly be back! read more

Avec is a restaurant I've wanted to try for a while now, so what better time than my birthday, right? Unfortunately, everything there was just okay - nothing really stuck out as memorable. Given the lack of a reservation system, we got there about 5:30 on a beautiful Saturday a few weeks ago. We were seated right away. It's definitely not a large place, and there is no outside seating. What they have outside are more like high tables for a drink while waiting for a table inside. We started with the sangria - which was typical sangria. We had the chorizo stuffed dates - which given all the rave reviews, I was expecting much much better. We also had the whipped brandade - which even though I am not a big fish fan, I went for. It was a spread that you put on large pieces of garlic bread. It was pretty good. The bread is very filling, however. Keep that in mind. For our main dish, we got the pork shoulder - which neither my husband nor myself really cared for. The smoked yogurt on it was really good, but certainly not enough of it. We ended with the warm raspberry bread pudding - which seemed to be a very popular dish, but again - nothing that was great. The creme fraiche sort of ruined it for me. In the end, I'm glad I went, but it's not some place I would be back. read more

The food at Avec is awesome, service is okay, and ambiance is awful. The chorizo dates were my favorite dish: much spicier than I had anticipated, but I love spicy food so that was fine. Our server and the hostess were both kind of...gruff. I was also irritated because I made a point of telling our waitress that we needed to be out of the restaurant by a certain time to catch a show, and she totally blanked on that so I had to flag her down frantically after we'd finished our meal. My biggest issue with this place is the space. Yes, it's super cramped, and you dine at long tables smooshed up next to total strangers, which is not my thing at all, HOWEVER that is not my biggest issue. The tables/benches/chairs are AWFUL. The chairs are super tiny, basically little wooden squares with backs that are approximately one inch tall (that is not an exaggeration). I am a pretty small person and I could barely even cross my legs under the table, which was built for Smurfs. Also, my friend and I both had issues with the super mutant and pretentious wooden front door to the restaurant. What a terrible atmosphere. For this reason, I won't be back again, which is a shame because the food was very good and decently priced. read more

Really cute shared plate restaurant with delicious flavors. A good friend of mine suggested we try this restaurant and we were not disappointed! Make sure you make reservations as this place gets booked up pretty fast and the location is small. While the location is small, it does not feel small and cramped. The service was great and our waiter was very helpful in helping us select our dishes and what wine we should have with our meal. The bacon wrapped dates we had were awesome! I have had them at some places where the dates were too small or the bacon was overdone - these were cooked just right. If you come here with a group, I strongly recommend getting a paella to share. The paella was cooked perfectly unlike some places that serve it on the dry side. Already can't wait to go back! read more

Avec, how I adore your chorizo stuffed dates! It was the first dish served and it was love at first sight. However, your other dishes did not follow suit. CHORIZO STUFFED MEDJOOL DATES A masterful melding of savory sweet spiciness! Came with a side of bread, upon which my dining companion and I tried sopping up every bit of the sauce. FOCACCIA Despite all of the rave reviews, I thought it was a little bland. Perhaps it was the fact that we previously had the dates, which completely overpowered the subtleties of the talleggio and truffle oil. SQUID Very salty with powerful punches of tomato. For someone uncomfortable with squid, this may have been the dish, since the squid was covertly hidden along with the fideo, I couldn't quite appreciate it without feeling overwhelmed. CRISPY DUCK The only crispy part was probably the squash and mustard greens. Very simple and refreshing. Although I'd wished that the duck was emphasized more within the dish. The meal felt like a rollercoaster between high intensity flavors to the mute and subtle. As many have noted, the seating is a bit awkward. Fortunately or unfortunately, we were seated at the end. I don't mind community seating, but it takes away from the experience when I have to get up every so often when someone wants to get in or out. I would come back, but only for the medjool dates. read more

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Excellent dining experience: * Familial and cozy atmosphere * Attentive and helpful service * Warm and balanced food read more

It's as good as everyone says it is. Maybe better. I was in town visiting a friend and we went here for a late dinner and drinks. The waitstaff was ridiculously friendly and so informative. Loved chatting with our waitress about bones. :) The chorizo-stuffed dates are insane. The foccacia flatbread is ridiculous. And the hanger steak was out of this world. Don't even get me started on the homemade nutella crepe. Go here. And then go again. read more

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Love love love!! First, the ambiance of the restaurant has Europe meets New York vibe. Small inside, but they don't take reservations so try to go early when they open or later after prime dinner time. Started off with some red wine from their wine list varied by regions. Ordered their popular Chorizo Stuffed Dates- soooo delicious!!! Sweetness from the dates pairs well with the salty bacon and the chorizo and the tomato sauce brings a nice creamy texture and acidity to the dish. The foccacia bread with cheese and truffle oil is a must! the nice crunch with cheese that oozes out in the center makes it addicting to eat and the truffle oil with every bite is a nice touch. The pork shoulder is so tender and juicy and for some reason the white beans goes well with the dish! The shaved Brussels sprouts is a nice refreshing salad-like dish. The Parmesan cheese on top gives it a good flavor. Already want to go back especially for the chorizo stuffed dates!! read more

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We counted down the days until Valentine's Day, because we had decided it was the day we would finally go to Avec. Per other reviewers' recommendations, we got there exactly at 4 pm and it was already PACKED. This was a V-Day anomaly, I believe. Either way, we decided to wait until a bar seat down by the kitchen opened up, which was definitely the right call. The hostesses, who were a bit stressed by the earlier-than-usual flood of people, were perfectly happy to accommodate us and we got the two specialty cocktails while we waited. Note that though there are only 3 cocktails listed on their menu, Avec will happily make you whatever you want. Our waiter made my boyfriend two unique and yummy whiskey cocktails, so just ask. If you're flying solo or with only one other person, I highly suggest waiting for a bar seat. At the tables, you'll be up close and personal with your fellow diners, but at the bar you'll have a bit more privacy and it'll be easier to hear one another. But, I should probably note that the bar has only backless stools (which is the reason my boyfriend's boss says she's "too old" for this place). ` Once we were seated, we ordered the octopus and OF COURSE the bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates. These were easily the most tasty dishes we ordered. Even writing about them 3 days later makes my mouth water. Did I mention that I don't eat meat? Well, at Avec I did. These are two must-have dishes--I don't care if you're vegan. Next we ordered Avec's famous focaccia and the half-plate paella with clams and confit chicken. Yes, you can do the half serving of paella even though it is not explicitly stated on the menu. The focaccia is massive but was a tad too salty for my taste. We ended up taking half of it home and, per our waiter's recommendation, ate it for breakfast topped with egg. We decided we probably should have skipped the focaccia for a whole order of paella, which was incredible. The chicken and seafood were perfectly cooked, the rice was moist and sticky, and we literally sat there scrapping the final bits out. However, if you're into salt, crunch, and truffle oil, then by all means, get the focaccia. Then was dessert. Though the bread pudding sounding incredible, we were stuffed so our waiter, the hero, suggested we get the homemade nutter butters. We also ordered the date gelato which was the special for the night. The nutter butters were the perfect little sweet thing for those who like chocolate, peanut butter, and crunch but who are stuffed, as you should be after eating at Avec. The gelato ended up being the most memorable dish of the night--creamy and sweet in your mouth and spicy in the back of your throat. It was a work of culinary art. Simple, interesting, beautiful, and deserving of every positive adjective in the English dictionary. If you haven't already been able to tell, our waiter was fantastic. Looking like an ex-frontman of an indie rock band, he was around when we needed him and not around when we didn't (which is great because I cannot stand hover waiters, especially when I'm trying to savor my meal i.e. eat really slowly) and all of his suggestions were on point. Avec was truly a one-of-a-kind experience only deserving of 5 stars. I cannot wait to go back from brunch and lunch and dinner and to bring the whole family. read more

Avec - Chicago - Squid ink pasta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here for lunch on my short trip. What really got me is Anthony Bourdain saying this is a spot he liked in an interview i saw. Kinda tricky to enter...either that or I'm just kinda dumb. I tried to push the glass door open but it only opens from the inside. The main entrance is actually to the side of the open doors. Its kinda cramped in there. Imagine one long space with Just bar seating on one side and community seating bench tables on the other side. Cool decor though. Menu. Their lunch menu is pretty limited. Mainly consist of salads and sandwiches. I wish there were more options since I'm from out of town, but I'm not their target market. Lots of things i wanted to try, but prob are served during dinner. They do have outside seating for nice days. Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo in a red sauce...DELICIOUS. i really enjoyed this appetizer. Comes with a ciabatta bread and dipping the bread in the sauce...it was really good. Steak Pita wrap sandwich. The flavors were really good. I love cilantro and red onions with that vinaigrette dressing. came with a small lentil salad that paired really well with the dish. I did ask the waiter if i can get half salad and half chips for my side...never got my chips. Service was mediocre. We sat at the bar and the our waiter was just whatever. Just ad a whatever attitude. Maybe it wasn't his day. read more

Avec - Chicago - Steak pita wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I hate to say it it's just not that good at all... super bland I mean Atleast salt? Drenched in olive oil, limited drink options, we just weren't fan and we got quite few things! The staff was friendly but from drinks to apps, and main dishes, dessert everything was sub par at best. read more

Good Mediterranean food with Mediterranean cooking styles. Communal tables and dishes to share. A lot of hearty Ingredients and whole fish down to the bones read more

Fresh delicious food. One of the best wine programs in the city; quality, honestly-priced selection. Great service. Don't miss.

It was a Sunday at 10pm, and we already had a full diner at Sunda and after dinner drinks and snacks at Publican. Were we really ready to wait for a table, even this late, and eat even more? Our foodie friends in from California were, but I wasn't so sure. I even tried starting with a dessert wine (the "Fragelino", a delicious strawberry moscato) to try to convince myself I shouldn't eat anymore. Good thing I trusted my friends and not my stomach - Avec was pure awesome. I was anticipating just having some drinks and being able to say we came to Avec. The interior was simple but super classy. Wood paneling everywhere that pulled your attention toward the back wall, comprised of empty green wine bottles. We were seated near there, which also gave us a clear view of the kitchen, right over the bar. We only got a couple dishes to split among us six, but they were more than enough. First the infamous chorizo-stuffed dates which were large, meaty, savory, and my new favorite way of enjoying Mexican sausage. What? We also accidentally ordered the wrong flatbread, but it was a happy mistake. Fresh apples, speck (aka ham), arugula and morbier cheese - it made me forget that I was terribly full and putting any more food in me was a bad idea. Even though it was so late by this point, the freshness in the flatbread woke me up. Avec reaffirmed that I live to eat, and not the other way around. Can't wait to come back hungry! read more

YUMSTERS. You will not regret getting the bacon wrapped and chorizo stuffed dates. Those things are little bundles of magic. What a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and spicy. The seared trout was also very good as was the focaccia, which was overflowing with the decadent flavor of truffle oil. I also highly recommend the butterscotch budino for dessert; twas phenomenal! The wine list is out of this world. We tried so many wonderful wines, definitely left the place feel VERY happy. My favorites were the black moscatel, which was a fantastic sweet red moscato, and a grapefruit infused gewurztraminer that our waitress recommended (but was not on the menu for whatever reason) called Meadowsweet. Gracious, that Meadowsweet is insanely fragrant! I've never been blown away by Rose wines, but this one, my friends, deserves recognition. What a great discovery! Service was wonderful. Our awesome waitress, Christine, gave us second helpings of the Meadowsweet wine on the house after we we kept drunk ranting about how amazing it was through the dinner. The ruby port is also very good--quite strong for a dessert wine. The wait IS long though, so be prepared. Though you can open a tab and order a drink...or two...while you wait. Also does not come cheap, but boy do you get what you pay for here! read more

It is always fun to have tapas with a group of friends, especially when traveling. There were so many exotic things on the menu. We tried about almost all we could stomach and left feeling happy so this place is really worth the try. Worth the wait? Um, I dunno. This place is teeny tiny. Super small. My apartment is bigger than this little popular joint. But with all small and great places, the demand becomes bigger and boom you have a successful tapas restaurant. Service is great. Although we waited outside for our party of 4 table, they did offer us to drink in their waiting area. The man dressed like Mr. Belvedere got our orders and was very accommodating. Once our table was ready, we had a feast. The highlight to our dining experience was the Chicken Liver Crostini. I hate liver. I can't do it. HOWEVER, I will eat an Avec Chicken Liver Crostini any day, without hesitation. We were all fighting for the last bites. The pork shoulder got better and better the deeper in the pot you got in. Everything else was not as memorable. All in all, I do appreciate Avec and will come back for more Chicken Liver. Service was top notch and I definitely recommend dining here. read more

Oh My Goodness... I'm in love! I came to Chicago on business and wanted to venture out to eat some delicious food! I came to the right place when I walked into Avec. Although they don't take reservation, and it was about a 2 hour wait for 1, I decided to have a seat at the bar, enjoy a glass of wine, and wait to get my eat on! I ordered their chorizo stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and their wood-oven roasted squid. OMG! I was in heaven. First of all, I don't even like sweet meat, so I was really leaning against the dates. But all the reviews talked about it, so I had to do it! I'm glad I did. Such a delicate flavor that isn't overwhelming, and even had a bit of a spice kick to it! Their squid dish was indescribable.. I want to say it's like a casserole, but it's not! I really can't describe it.. all I know is, typically I don't like squid as it always gets overcooked or too chewy.. and this place has me craving for it! Avec- I'll be back in 1 week! I can't wait to eat more of your delicious creations! read more

Avec - Chicago - Wood-oven roasted squid! So different! So delicious - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Anne Burrell was here and I turned into a little school girl - all giddy, asking for photos and telling her how big of a fan i was. After the shaky hands we got the Dates, Crispy duck, pork shoulder, and the pasta dish. Skip the crispy duck and pasta. They were terrible. The rest was pretty good. read more

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WoW! This place rocks! I was lucky to be seated at the chef's counter. I have to say this is probably THE best seat in the house. You get to see the chefs in action and even chat with Chef Grieveson. We started with the focaccia with taleggio cheese, ricotta, truffle oil and fresh herbs. It was amazing! This is a must order. Great to share with a group of friends. Then we had the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon and picuillo-pepper tomato sauce. It came with a warm ciabatta-like bread. Warning...this dish has a kick to it and I LOVE it. The dish comes with 4 dates. They are pretty filling. Just writing about this makes me want to return to Chicago. Our last dish was the wood-oven roasted pork shoulder with roasted carrots and black rice. The pork was super tender and packed with flavor. Another must order. During this entire dining experience, we had the best service. Everyone was friendly and attentive, even the chef. She asked us a few times how things were while we watched her cook like a mad woman. She was very pleasant. Chef Grieveson took the time to tell us a little about her dishes and a little about my hometown, San Francisco. She worked under Michael Mina! That is incredible. We complemented her, not just on her food and service but her amazing selection of rock music! read more

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My final meal in Chicago was at avec and boy, am I glad we ended on a high note! My friends and I were able to make a reservation during brunch time on Sunday through Open Table (MAKE RESERVATIONS!) and were promptly seated upon arrival. The ambiance was great and the decor was simple yet warm and homey. We ordered the following: - chorizo-stuffed medjule dates: amazing! Perfect combination of sweet and savory, this is a must!! - baked eggs with prosciutto: I was a little confused at first but this was filling and delicious. Bottom layer of baked beans, topped with poached eggs and lots of savory prosciutto! YUMMM - French toast: perhaps my least favorite of the three. The bread itself was really dense, I prefer my French toast fluffier and chewy. The flavors were also really rich but I liked the pear jam/reduction on top. We were going to order more (among 3 girls) but our waitress said that it might be too much food. Glad we took her advice because we had food leftover and were stuffed!! Service was great, it's located in a cute area in Chicago, and food was overall amazing! Can't wait to come back and try other seasonal dishes. read more

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Went to Avec for an impromptu lunch and didn't have much time to read the reviews about the place or the food. So we decided to order the famous bacon wrapped dates and get both the entrees on the menu - paella and mussels. The dates were mind-blowing. You could tell that the the chef understood flavors and combinations really well - salty, sweet, juicy, tangy, bland... you name it and the flavor was in there! I like mussels in general so this was an easy win for my palate. Perhaps, my previous choices in paella haven't been that great because I've always ended up with loads of rice and less meat/fish. But not this time... the portions were accurate. The meat was a sizable chunk of the meal and well-cooked. In place of rice there was vermicelli that paired well with the rest of the dish. Overall, I had an amazing experience and will definitely visit again! read more

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The food was excellent however, fair warning, you may wait a while for your food. We went in for happy hour, and it was fantastic but when we ordered our small plates, the medium rare steak took 30 minutes longer than the rest of them to come out. Additionally it looked more medium than medium rare but I digress. We ended up asking the manager to comp the small plate, which he did. We will definitely be back for happy hour, but will be going elsewhere for dinner. read more

We came here for Restaurant Week to check out the place for the first time. We made a reservation for 5pm, and good thing we did because the place became immediately packed! The restaurant is communal seating, so if you're looking for a private, intimate setting, this is not it. Since we sat in the middle, we made friends with both groups on either side of us, and it made for a very enjoyable environment! We opted for one order of the Restaurant Week menu, then also ordered: -Bottle of Mano a Mano, Tempranillo: very drinkable red wine -"Delux" foccacia: we decided the "inside" pieces of the dish had more flavor, but it was overall very good and great to eat with the olives! -Sticky pudding: YUM YUM YUM. The yogurt sauce on top gave an interesting tang to the dish. My friend didn't like it, but I thought it was a nice compliment. Everything was delicious, besides the paella (on the Restaurant Week menu). We were told this isn't something on the normal menu and it only comes out for special occasions, so we had very high hopes for it! It ended up being pretty bland, and between the two of us, we hardly finished half. Although I took the chicken home and my dog thoroughly enjoyed the chicken! The rest of the Restaurant Week menu was great! -Olives: olives are olives, but my friend doesnt like them, so I polished the entire dish off throughout the evening -Brussel sprout panzanella: the onion gave a nice tang to the dish, but overall refreshing -Chorizo stuffed dates: this came with a pepper-tomato sauce which was interesting at first, but I learned to love it by the end. You also get a piece of bread to soak up the sauce! -Dark chocolate creameux: think of a rich, dark chocolate pudding. it was so delicious! I would definitely come back here again! read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There is nothing on this menu that is not MAGNIFICENT - paired with an excellent selection of wine. Its gourmet simplicity is impeccable. There are three dishes on the menu I die for, dream of, etc. 1. "deluxe" focaccia with taleggio cheese, ricotta, truffle oil and fresh herbs (heavy herbs) 2. chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce (a bit spicy) 3. squid ink pasta alla chitarra with steamed mussels, chili, basil and sea urchin butter (insatiably excellent). Those three dishes = happy foodie camper. I love you Avec, if only I didn't have to wait so long (: XOXOX read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My mom and I came here for lunch today. We came at 11:30 and there wasn't a wait so we were seated promptly. We took a look at the menu and both went for the prix fixe option (24 for a snack, small plate, and dessert). My mom has the charred cauliflower, steak with strawberry tzatziki, and affogato. I had the seed cracker with walnut and beet dip, steak with tzatziki, and affogato as well. We got a small order of the bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates (2 large dates for 9 dollars). The dates were so delicious and the bread that came with them was perfect. We used it to dip up every last drop of the sauce. The charred cauliflower with grapes was also refreshing and has tons of nice fresh green herbs so it's light and tasty. The beet and walnut dip was nice but not amazing. We both enjoyed our steak and the portion was pretty generous. We actually were both feeling kind of full by the time dessert arrived. The affogato came with a chocolate shortbread cookie and then they poured a small cup of espresso over the most delicious ice cream. Such a wonderful meal and affordable for the quality and variety! My mom is a tough critic and she loved it too. We will be back. read more

Avec - Chicago - Charred cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Attentive service. Good ambiance. Amazing food! This spot is a gem. It's like a shot-gun style restaurant that fits at most 50 guests. We grabbed two seats at the bar/kitchen/back of the house area. Liberally, they are very efficient in real estate. Their coffee bar was in the restroom area! Very different, but it works. We came for lunch and had cobbled eggs, Moroccan wings and pancakes, aioli potatoes, and the best chicken Confit chicken paella.... Ever. I would suggest getting the half portion paella so that you can try other bites. Everything was delicious!! read more

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Great food, but why did my waiter look and act like he hates his job? And why did he try to up sell us into getting dishes we didn't want? We ordered too much food and he was actively encouraging us to get even more food and said that we could just take it to go $_$. Service was definitely subpar for a restaurant of this quality. We only waited ten mins at 615 pm on a Friday night. Good food though. Now, on the food. The pork shoulder is huge and you could easily split that . The waiter recommended one big plate or two small plates each. I recommend one pork shoulder and one small plate and maybe a dessert. Trust me, that's enough food. We got the pork shoulder, the dates, and some bread thing and we could barely finish our meal. Didn't have any room for is to try desserts. read more

Avec - Chicago - Pork shoulder. $24. Enough food for two. - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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