I don't want to echo everyone else's reviews... but I have to say it. Get the bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates! I've been back three times over the past two years and I haven't been disappointed once! SO. GOOD. Also, if you want to skip the long wait times to get seated, come here on a week night for an early dinner. I came here Tuesday night around 530PM and got seated immediately. By the time I left at 630, it was starting to get full. Will come back again... and again! read more

Avec - Chicago - bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love how they change up the menu and there's always chef specials. We got this whole roasted fish that was the special for the night...perfectly cooked and I'm pretty particular about my meat/seafood being cooked to tender. Presentation/plating was nice. This is more of a tapas/small plate type of place. If you're going with one other person, I would say get at least 2 small plates and maybe one entree! The place is smaller than a normal restaurant so when it's busy (which is always) it can be a little bit hard to navigate through the little space between tables and the bar seating. Nonetheless, it didn't change my opinion of this place's delicious food :) Definitely one of my favorite places in Chicago along with Blackbird which is it's neighbor (literally). By the way, the service was great. Staff was friendly! read more

Avec - Chicago - Olive oil cake with coconut ice cream on top :P - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We looked forward to eating at Avec from all we've heard. All the reviews sounded amazing and the pictures looked magnificent. We strolled in late at night around 9 pm. The place itself is pretty small with limited seating. We waited about 10 mins for our table. Based off yelp reviews and pictures, we had an idea of what we wanted to order. But when we sat down and looked over their menu, almost everything was different. Almost all the dishes we wanted they weren't serving anymore. We were already disappointed from the start. We decided to go with the medjool dates, the pork shoulder and the lamb neck. The medjool dates were pretty good and decent sized. I've never seen dates that big before. The dates were a bit too sweet for my liking but the chorizo was delicious and that marinara sauce they have in there went perfect with the bread. We saw pictures of the pork shoulder served with clams, but even their pork shoulder was different. The pork shoulder was very tender from the slow roasting, but the seasonings they had made it taste very herbal and earthy. The lamb neck was also super tender and peeled right off the bone with no effort. However, the lamb neck was extremely gamey. Some people don't like the gamey taste of lamb. I usually love lamb but the gaminess definitely caught me off guard. I did eat it though, but it was the gamiest lamb I've ever had. Overall, the food was just below average to me. The style and taste of the food was just not to my liking despite the fact that each dish was cooked perfectly. Our dishes were also pretty pricey. Disappointing because we paid quite a bit for dishes we ended up not liking and finishing. However, their service was great. Both the hostess and our waitress were very friendly and helpful. Our waters were constantly refilled and we were checked up on often. read more

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Small place but worth the hype. I was there on a Sunday evening and didn't have to wait for a table. Small plates are actually decent sized portions. We got the halloumi cheese, farm salad, Mexican prawn and grilled mackerel which was way more that a party of 2 could do justice to. Their cocktails are really good too, I tried the rosa acida and would easily go back just for the drink. read more

The food mostly was great, vey flavorful and nicely presented. Recommend the sepia and the starter steak. However the service was very slow. Ordered 5 dishes, flatbread came out half hour after the others, the pork shoulder came out too late and we had already finished the food and drinks. read more

My friends and I came here for early dinner and were sat immediately. It wasn't busy at all and plenty of seating available (communal style). But, not a lot of seating in general. I was a little peeved by our waiter. Although he was kind, he wasn't very attentive. When we were waiting to get our orders taken, he was talking to the host. But, maybe I was just peeved because I was hungry and wanted my order taken NOW! We ordered the olives, flatbread, cous cous salad, and hangar steak. All delicious, of course. I was a bit disappointed with the flatbread because menu said it had mussels and clams, but they were only on like..one small portion of the entire flatbread. You couldn't really taste it. We also got dessert. It was some sort of blueberry tart with lemon ice cream, I believe? It was nothing extraordinarily special, but it was delicious. The blueberries tasted fresh and delectable. Yum yum! I'll give it 3.5 stars. I'd go again to try the rest of the menu because everything sounded sooo good. read more

Avec - Chicago - Wood-fired flatbread with P.E.I. mussels, clams, smoked corn and fennel - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went here on a weeknight with a couple of friends, according to them there wasn't a long wait. We had the following: Chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. It looks to be the most recommended dish here, and actually, it was not my favorite. I thought it was quite salty. My favorite dish was Focaccia with taleggio cheese, truffle oil and fresh herbs. It looks like a square pizza and it was drippingly good, we killed the entire thing. Our eyes were a bit big and we ordered - over-ordered - for three people. I think that maybe 1 starter and 2 - 3 entrees were good, but we went for 2 starters and 3 entrees. We also had the housemade bratwurst (tasty), roasted half chicken - very very moist, large portion, and the roasted pork shoulder. All the food was made well and comforting, but I think that we were so stuffed near the end that we didn't keep track of what it tastes like. Wait staff was hilariously attentive but sometimes wanted to remove dishes before we were ready - we made a joke out of it. If you are a fan of sister restaurant Publican you will definitely like Avec as well. read more

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The space is tight, but the food is worth it. I've been to Avec several times for dinner and brunch, and I've yet to meet a dish I didn't like. The dishes are served as they're ready in a tapas-like manner; they're meant to be shared and sampled. The waiters are knowledgeable, and it's worth seeking their input before you order. In fact, one of the waiters talked me into ordering what is now my favorite item on Avec's brunch menu: coddled eggs (probably the best brunch food I've ever had). If you're going for dinner, I recommend the chorizo-stuffed dates, werp farm greens and whole roasted fish (the texture is like butter, and I mean that in the best way possible). Don't miss the nutter butters for dessert. If you're going for brunch, try a latte, the coddled eggs and the French toast. The eggs are silky and savory with an earthy quality from the mushrooms; they're everything you could want in a brunch dish. If you arrive right around 10, you'll minimize your wait time (they don't take reservations). Avec never lets me down. It's my favorite place to enjoy a relaxed meal with friends. read more

Avec - Chicago - Coddled eggs with roasted mushrooms, taleggio fonduta, bitter greens and garlic crostini - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love coming to Avec. I've been here twice and both times the food and the service is awesome. I'm not a huge wino or wine person so I usually ask the bartender for their suggestions. Both times the bottles of wine that were suggested were not only great tasting, it paired well with the food and reasonably priced. They even offer get you another bottle of their recommendation does not fit your taste. Btw the wine list here is HUGE so you shouldn't have any problems finding something you like. As for the food we always get the bacon wrapped chorizo dates every time, they are just so good. The sweet dates combined with the savory-ness of the bacon and chorizo is delicious and also pretty filling because they come in sets of four with bread. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed, it has that simple modern high end Swedish Ikea feel to it. Everything is made of the same beautiful wood throughout the place. read more

Avec - Chicago - Bacon wrapped dates are a must here! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got the paella, bacon dates and salad. Highly recommend all three. Honestly could've eaten rocks and been happy because I went on a bumble date and the guy turned out to be a real catch (even though he originally wanted to take me to portillos.) Claims to be a foodie and really proved it. Pulled the "this was where my parents first ate when they moved here" card and it worked- heart strings pulled. Go here and you won't regret it! read more

My friend and I had lunch here a few years ago. I remembered it being good so I took my partner here for small bites and drinks. I ordered sixteen candles cocktail and wanted more. We shared smoked whitefish taramasalata, grilled mackerel and rhubarb crisp. The food was good but not much for the price. The smoked whitefish was mainly a smoked sauce. The grilled mackerel was sitting in oil. It's odd that there wasn't any bread for these dishes so we took the fish out of the oil and ate it with smoked sauce. Tasted better. What we had were just apps. I don't think 2 small plates per person would be enough. read more

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Wow. This place is absolutely amazing. I came here off a friend's recommendation and I am so glad I took her advice. The restaurant is a Mediterranean-style, wine bar kind of place and has a very cool, modern vibe. You can also eat outside at these wooden standing tables, which was also pretty cool. The service was great, and I got a salad which was very good. But the most amazing part was by far the dessert. I ordered a Turkish Float (lemon gelato + strawberry malt soda) and chocolate sesame truffles, and both changed my life!!! They also have a wide selection of international fine wines and cheeses, but I didn't order those (unfortunately). I would feel safe assuming they're just as awesome as the items I did order. I cannot wait to come back to Avec the next time I am in Chicago, it really was awesome. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Avec - Chicago - Dessert! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good food and great atmosphere. Seating is done using long tables so you may share with another group. I would highly recommend the bacon wrapped dates and the brussel sprout salad! I would order 2-3 plates per person since it is a tapas restaurant meant for sharing. Parking is always really hard around this part of the West Loop so I recommend taking the pink line (and it's a short walk from Ogilvie). read more

Avec - Chicago - Bacon wrapped dates - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went with 3 co-workers on a Saturday night. We shared greens, the grape leaves, lamb neck, and steak. Ordered olives as well but server forgot and brought them after our meal (should have been complimentary). We had an odd Spanish red to accompany the meal. Utterly bizarre wine list, but why not try something new eh ? Space has a total Scandinavian feel but it is marketed as a Mediterranean restaurant. For those of us with large appetites you will leave disappointed. Overall a good time was had. read more

My husband and I have had another great dining experience at Avec. Despite the fact that we live 4 hours away and can only come here a few times a year, people remember us and are always friendly. Of course, my husband and I are a middle aged couple without kids that always travels with small stuffed animals, so we're probably pretty memorable. In addition to everything I have mentioned before, I have a few more tips: Get the PIZZA. Whatever flavor is on the menu for the evening, just get it. You won't be sorry. Perhaps the best pizza I've ever had, better than those I've had in Italy. The TIRAMISU is similarly outstanding, light yet flavorful and delicious. Easily tops any of the other tiramisus I have had in my life. read more

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Small place, good music, communal dining. No reservations allowed. Get bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates and the focaccia. read more

I consider myself to be a foodie, so I feel like I am supposed to love Avec. I don't though. It is good, but not great and I do not plan to return. I went with three work friends for a restaurant week lunch. The kitchen was pretty backed up so lunch ended up lasting almost two hours (that wasn't quite the plan). Three of us had the roasted carrot soup: it looked and smelled wonderful so I very excited to try it. The excitement wasn't quite warranted. The soup tasted pretty good but I was expecting more from the flavors. One person had the quinoa tabbouleh, and she made a strange face after tasting it. I'm guessing that meant she was not a fan. The lamb burger was my entree and it was good, but I have had better elsewhere. The pita with hummus also was good, but not special. Finally, dessert was the panna cotta with poached pear and gingerbread crumbs. Dessert was nice. I give Avec credit for appropriate lunch portions, as we left full but not overstuffed. read more

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After visiting Avec two more times after my initial review, I had the opportunity to try more dishes from their menu, which were divine.

I came in with a good friend, my accomplished confidante, and world class chef - you all know her as Stephanie Izard. I was yet again blown away by the highest standard of service they hold but what was better than that was the food and company. And my good friend Michael, our server, exceeded our expectations as usual. From the moment you step in you feel the warmth of their welcoming smiles to when it's unfortunately time to part ways - exquisite. Impeccable. Perfezione. Here's to 100 more future visits. read more

Went here for brunch on my first trip back to Chicago in 4 years and this place does not disappoint! Brioche donuts, hummus and shakshuka were all delicious. My only disappointment was I was too from for affogato. read more

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After a long long day sightseeing chicago on a rainy cold night we took a cab to Avec a small bar bistro which had more people waiting outside for a table. Persistent me insisted we eat no where else and we had almost finished half bottle of wine while waitingby the rain when we got bar side seats. Out order: Chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce Pan-fried lake trout with pain perdu, lemon aioli, cornichons and watercress "Deluxe" focaccia with Taleggio cheese, truffle oil and fresh herbs THe food was delicious and perfectly portioned for me. But I wish they'd have a bigger place or maybe take reservations coz after waiting for 30 mins in rain you really dont get to enjoy the food as much and we definitely felt rushed. Avec is only open for Dinner they have a decent wine and cheese menu. with a tiny place and even tiny kitchen they do an amazing job on the food. read more

This place is amazing! It's a tapas place, as it seems with everything else in Chicago, so everything is shareable. The small plates are pricey (but still good!). The large plates are all really good deals (because they are double the size, great portions but pretty much the same price). The pork shoulder was cooked perfectly and is probably my favorite thing on the menu. Also really liked the lamb tartare, and the mussels. If you want to get something that is filling and delicious but won't break the bank, I would get the pizza. The wait is not that bad (barely any wait for 4 people on a weekday), and there's sort of a patio-like area where you can chill and order drinks while you wait. Oh, and it's a Pokestop. read more

Avec had been on my list to try for a while so was pleasantly surprised to find no wait when I walked by on a cold and rainy Friday evening ( thanks crappy Chicago summer!). The seating is a little claustrophobic, wouldn't be so bad if the wall side didn't require customers tapping fellow diners on the shoulder to let them in/out Food: - Had the medjool dates but forgot to ask for the half order (no indication on the menu that this is an option) but they were quite good so we *somehow* managed to finish the order (and wiped the bowl clean with the delicious warm bread) - the charred octopus was perfectly prepped and cooked, the beans and citrus added depth and lightness to the dish I really liked - the deluxe focaccia was delish, but super rich (ricotta+truffle oil+butter tends to do that) and large so probably better shared as an app with a group of 3-4 - the tiramisu was good but nothing special A little on the pricey side but has been added to the return list so I can continue making my way through the menu... read more

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Avec did not disappoint. In fact, it beat my expectations. We were aware of the long wait (grabbed a glass of wine at Meiji which seemed to be the waiting room) and they called just around the time they said we would be sat. We had a party of four and wait was just under 2 hours on a Saturday. Our service was excellent; the food phenomenal. We picked 3 small plates and 2 big plates for the four of us. I can still taste the truffle and taleggio focaccia and the chorizo stuffed dates were amazing. I think you are a liar if you didn't like them. We also ordered the bucatini w/ squid and marinated hangar steak -- the candied grapefruit made the dish! We did notice that our dishes were coming out a tad more quickly than the couple next to us. We didn't feel rushed, but certainly noted that they had a little more time between courses than we did. I wonder if our larger party size had something to do with timing? Not a huge factor, but the only thing I can find to pick apart. All in all, it was the little touches such as the hostess coming over to our table when we were done and asking the lady next to me to let me out, give it the fifth star from my review. They recognize it is a different dining experience and accommodate for potential awkward situations where Americans are sitting together so closely, not like we're used to. I will *absolutely* go back and want to try the rainbow trout and whipped brandade. read more

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I've waited too long to write this review for one reason alone: I don't think I can recreate my night at Avec. Forget reading the reviews--just go, and go early (within 30 mins, Avec went from empty to full with a line out the door). I've been eyeing Avec for a while, but the no reservations policy kept me from going (that and living in NY). If there's anything I hate more than slow moving crowds, it's long waits for food*. BUT! After braving the walk-in at Girl and the Goat the week before, I felt like a pro. Portions are a good size... except for the cheese. Seriously Chef Kahan, you must be rolling around in money from the cheese sale alone. Your cheese to focaccia ratio was ridiculous. Aside from that... I'm very happy with my meal, which consisted of: -bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates -hangar steak with melted bone marrow, fennel, capers, orange and spinach -roasted squid with tomatoes, guanciale, fideo and fennel aioli -hazelnut crumb cake and affogato I'd like to go back at some point in the future... I see new items in the menu, YES! *food crankiness seems to run in the family... and it sneaks up on us! read more

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Food here is reliably good, some dishes were outstanding. As many reviewers note - the chorizo stuffed dates are excellent. I also really enjoyed the charred grapes which came with the grilled mackerel dish. I recommend coming here with a group of 2-4, the servers are friendly and very prompt. A minor thing : the restaurant has long wooden tables which are split between smaller groups. We found the noise level to be a bit high because we were sandwiches between two larger groups and sometimes bumped elbows. Otherwise the restaurant has a very lively energy and makes good use of the space. read more

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Let me just say: the food was GREAT. Delicious and interesting. Heed everyone's advice and get the stuffed dates. They are incredible! No one asked about allergies, which is odd in this day and age, so we couldn't eat the bread that came along with them but it looked/smelled incredible. For a place that prides itself on their wine list, they couldn't find the first bottle we ordered and then were out of the second bottle. Third time was the charm though! The design of this space is seriously lacking. Don't come with an odd-numbered group or you WILL get stuck with someone at the end of the table and that person will have to get up at least twice to let other people in and out if the communal table. It's not a table that invites you to linger so don't expect to be there long. read more

My beau and I went to Avec on a Friday night--we showed up around 8:45 and only had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. Diners were dressed a lot more casually than I expected to see here. Like others have mentioned, if you enjoy personal space while dining, Avec may not be the place for you--communal dining in a very small restaurant may make some uncomfortable. We ordered 2 small plates and 2 large plates (and dessert)--no regrets! We left feeling very satisfied. The squid ink pasta arrived first, which I wish had come later in the meal. I'm a huge fan of squid ink pasta, and this did not disappoint. The sardines added a nice saltiness while the fennel and lemon provided a nice balance to the dish. The textures were also perfect together. Next, we received the charred octopus. This dish was another hit! It included 2 large pieces of octopus, which were perfect since this was defined as a small plate. The octopus was cooked great, too. The char mixed great with the "sauce" it came with. Deluxe focaccia was next in the lineup--this is a must try! I was apprehensive to order something as plain as focaccia at dinner, but I'm happy I was convinced otherwise. I'd also suggest asking for honey with this dish. The sweetness of the honey balances the saltiness of the bread and cheese. The chorizo stuffed dates were our final course. Just like everyone has said, you must try them! The dates were much larger than I expected, but you definitely get a good amount of food for your money! We also ordered Avec's take on Nutter Butters for dessert--they were so cheap and a perfect end to the meal! I think they were $3 or $4, and we recieved 4 little squares of what tasted exactly like a Nutter Butter. If you're looking for a sweet bite to end your meal, this is a great option. Our bill was a lot cheaper than I expected--we also got a bottle of wine in addition to the above and spent about $125 before tip! read more

Avec - Chicago - Charred octopus with white beans, endive, mint, persimmons, hazelnut, and preserved lemon - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recently came here for a date night and the tapas were amazing! Our waitress was incredible giving us true recommendations and portion sizes. For 2 people we ordered the medjool dates, butcher's steak, pork shoulder, deluxe focaccia, affogato with the liquer. Our waitress was right we ordered a tad too much but everything was too good to resist! The focaccia bread is good but rather huge so if you don't want to fill up quickly I would skip that. The affogato is delicious but that liquer is a bit too strong. Everything was delicious the dates are truly a must here and all the meat was cooked perfectly. Loved the environment my only negative was we were the first ones there and plenty of larger groups filed in after us and our food (similar orders) came out much slower than the other groups. But we enjoyed the time there! read more

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Small, intimate setting. You'll sit close to your neighbors, which I thought was fun/different for Chicago. Menu is fantastic. Try the chorizo bacon wrapped dates. Soft egg hummus was tasty as well! read more

Really cool, finely prepared, fresh and French (for the most part) One of the great unsung and probably unheard of places that make dining in Chicago a treat GO!!! read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Thank you, Yelp, for reminding me that I need to visit Avec more than once every 10 years! The focaccia is even better than I remembered. And a new favorite is the sweet potatoes with smoked yogurt. Flavors were out of control good! Note: they take reservations now! read more

As it's Chef Stephanie Izard's favorite restaurant in Chicago, I thought it'd be appropriate to come here for dinner after work at Girl & the Goat. I came on a Monday night around 9PM after my friend got us reservations here! Sometimes, I recommend to not look up a restaurant on Yelp or Google and just go through straight word-of-mouth as I'd rather trust a friend's word over a stranger's. I'm not a stranger though, I'm your friend!! So trust me when I give the following review. Impressions - Interior: it's pretty small with a narrow, long seating area. The bar is on the left and is pretty small with a pretty big wine choice selections along with the usual choice of drinks at a regular bar. The right side consists of the tables for the guests and it can be either communal or private seatings. Perfect for small parties of close friends and/or family, as well as that date you've always to go on with that crush from the coffee shop or a special anniversary. Overall, it's a nice, cozy restaurant with wood finishes and soft lighting! Food: Oh my gosh, right off the bat, the food was amazing. We ordered the Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. It comes with a toasted sourdough French bread. At first impression, I was like okay, it looks like it's cooked right, but to be honest, looks like regular meatballs. It came with 4 dates. The chorizo filling was juicy and has a barbeque flavor while the bacon was crispy, chewy, smokey, and the fatty texture gave the chorizo filling a nice boost of savoriness. The pepper-tomato sauce had a spicy kick to it which gradually builds up, but not overwhelming which balances out the fattiness from the bacon itself. The dates were grilled with a nice charred exterior which made it sweet. The sourdough bread was toasted nice and I used it to scoop up the tomato sauce. This dish had the elements of sweet, salty, and umami. Awesome. Next was the Roasted Butcher's Steak (hanger steak) with charred leeks, black garlic romesco, and Spanish peanuts. The steak was cooked to a medium-rare. (If you can't eat medium-rare, make sure to tell the waiter how you like it done!) It was seasoned nicely and tender which is to be expected from a tender cut of meat. The leeks were charred which brought out the sweetness of the vegetable and gave it a nice charred-crunch. The black garlic romesco was a nice sauce to pair with the steak as it was savory and bitter. The peanuts gave the dish a natural saltiness while also giving a nice crunchy texture. Overall, a nice dish. Not the best though. Finally, the whole roasted fish (Porgy fish which comes from the Bass family) with poached shrimp, fingerling potatoes, radish, dill and lait fermenté. The Porgy had a somewhat strong fish taste for a bass and was seasoned nicely where the skin was crispy and salty. The lait fermenté balanced out the saltiness with its light, creamy sauce while the earthy flavor of the dill was a classic pairing with the fish. The radish and endives gave it a nice crunchy texture, as well as a freshness and the natural bitterness of the radish and endives, cut through the fattiness of the sauce and fish. The acidity of the bite-sized pickles also balanced out the fattiness of the sauce and fish while bringing out the umami of the fish and dill. Pretty solid as it hits major palate points in your mouth! Overall, the experience at Avec was pleasant as the vibes were chill and mellow, but had a sort of uplifted spirit in the room. I'd definitely come again just for the dates! They were literally to die for. read more

My 2nd time here, both were amazing! The chicken was quite large, delicious, and good presentation. Server recommended the dates wrapped in bacon dish as an appetizer, but I thought that was OK... maybe I'm just not a huge fan of bacon. Service was good, and I love that they open late! read more

Avec - Chicago - Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Well, we showed up after 5:30pm on a Friday and of course, no wait when it's that early. The medjool dates w/ sausage wrapped in bacon in spicy tomato sauce... PHENOMENAL! Great combination of sweet, savory and spicy. Brussel sprout salad was good and so was the brandade (which I thought would have been a bit more salty but wasn't). I'd skip the pork ribs. Prompt service as they make their $$ with high turnover. Friendly service. read more

Oh wow. Best meal I've ever had. A lot better than AOC in LA. Everything was fantastic. But the dates and the trout is a must for first timers. We ordered the: Chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce Pan-fried lake trout with pain perdu, lemon aioli, cornichons and watercress Marinated hanger steak with spigarello, guanciale, celery, tomato and strawberry salsa Coffee braised pork ribs with radish, napa cabbage, kohlrabi and horseradish vinaigrette Shaved Brussels sprouts with fennel, dill, Parmesan, red onion and brown butter vinaigrette for dessert we had the a sorbet (it tasted like pina colada) read more

Hands down, this was the best meal our group had while on a visit to Chicago over Memorial Day weekend. One word, three syllabales made this meal fantastic: chorizo. When stuffed in Medjool dates, wrapped with smoked bacon then covered in a piquillo pepper-tomato sauce, it is a combination anyone can appreciate. Considering our group consisted of three Muslims and a Jew, we dubbed this pork-laden dish "Sinner's Delight." I was really impressed by avec's space. The feel of the place was fantastic. I loved how understated, yet beautiful the restaurant was. The buzzing energy of the place, the excellent beer and wine selection, and the amazing food made our visit very memorable. Yes, the wait is long, but so what? If it's a nice evening, grab a drink and have a nice time outside. The experience is totally worth waiting for. This is counter to the typical steakhouse/giant entree experience; get a bunch of small plates and go to town. We ate so much we all felt sick, and at the end of the night, we had a case of reverse sticker shock...our meal turned out to be less than $50 each! This place is just too good to pass up. In a city like Chicago where there are so many dining options, avec really shines bright and stands out of the crowd. read more

must eat at for Chicago, without a doubt. Very welcoming atmosphere and hosts, amazing decor and even more amazing tasting food. Prices are avarage, well worth what you get. The Chorizo stuffed dates as well as the pork shoulder are must try items. read more

I had the opportunity to fly out to Chicago from LA for a whopping $70, thanks to Groupon. But honestly, I would pay the full roundtrip flight just to go back to Avec. Yes, my dining experience was just THAT good. The restaurant is definitely smaller than most. It got a little cramped when we were waiting for our table. However, they worked with the space that they had. The decor and the ambiance really complimented the restaurant. We were seated at a communal table and I've noticed that communal tables are on the rise. I don't really know how I feel about this situation just because I like my breathing room (only child syndrome). But, I guess, it does save a lot of space and it's a plus if you have cool neighbors. On the other hand, it can be disastrous if your neighbors are staring you down with confusion because all you can do is nod and moan simultaneously to your friends, pointing at the dish that just changed your life. Luckily, our pretentious neighbors left and I was back in my zone, just eating. And nodding. Don't judge me, you know you do the same. Holler back. What what. Of course, we ordered everything we desired on the menu. We started off with the small plates: the signature chorizo stuffed dates and the wood-fired squid dish. The tastes of the charred smoky bacon with the sweet dates go hand in hand and I was thoroughly impressed with the fusion of flavors. The squid dish was my absolute favorite small dish. The squid was cooked to perfection, the tomatoes were fresh, and the fennel was crunchy but not too crunchy. Everything went perfectly together. On to the big plates that we ordered: the whole roasted fish with fennel seed, wood-oven roasted pork shoulder, wood-fire flatbread with tuna, and half chicken roasted with pomegranate and asparagus. My favorite main dish was definitely the whole roasted fish. I died. The skin of the fish was crunchy and slightly salty. The fish itself was extremely moist. The pork shoulder was tender and the beans added flavor to the dish. The flatbread was mediocre. It was not my favorite for the mere fact that the taste of the tuna was extremely prominent. Lastly, the half chicken plate was absolutely great. The chicken was moist and the pomegranate went so well with the dish. The combination was to die for. You didn't think we stopped there did you? Of course not. I would never walk out of a restaurant without cleaning my palette with something sweet, even if I was dying from being overstuffed. There is always a compartment for desserts. Therefore, I ordered the cappuccino paired with the hazelnut crumb cake and the housemade chocolate crisps. Everything was divine. The crumb cake was not too sweet and the hazelnuts were the icing on the cake, literally. The crisps were thin and just delightful. Even though I eat out pretty frequently, I haven't had a great dining experience like this in a while. There isn't a surprise factor in most restaurants I go to. Avec pleasantly surprised my taste buds and I hope that it will do the same for you. read more

Avec is delicious. Bacon wrapped dates. Gigantic pieces of goodness, even to my friends who don't even enjoy dates. Pasta and Mussels - Thought this dish would be bigger and better, but it was a relatively small dish with lots of butter and garlic. Hot Link: Good sausage with pickled veggies Pork Shoulder, Pork Shoulder, PORK SHOULDER. Must get this dish. Worth going to the restaurant just for this dish. Slagel Farm 55 day dry aged ribeye with bone marrow butter and fennel-preserved lemon gremolata: This is the description from the menu. It's just as good as it sounds. However, I believe the price was $93, so beware if you're on a budget. But holy cow. Walk-ins welcome! read more