Beautiful restaurant located inside the Hoxton Hotel in Chicago, and the space itself sets the tone right away. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, perfect for a date night or a special dinner without feeling stuffy or overly formal. Service was great - attentive without being intrusive, and our server checked in just enough to make sure everything was going well. Hummus: 9/10 Not much to say other than it was incredible. Smooth and flavourful Falafel: 9/10 Perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It was paired with pickled ginger and carrots, which complemented the saltiness of the falafel beautifully and added a nice brightness. Lamb Kofta: 9/10 So much depth of flavor with a great texture. Somewhat firm but not dry with a nice bounciness that made it really enjoyable to eat. Pistachio Ravioli: 10/10 my favourite dish of the night. The ravioli was cooked al dente with just the right amount of filling and paired with an orange blossom sauce that surprisingly worked perfectly with the nuttiness of the pistachio. Steak Skewers: 8.5/10 Cooked to perfection and incredibly tender. The beans served alongside were amazing as well. My only complaint is that the steak was slightly lacking in flavour, it could have used a sauce to elevate it but it was still excellent on its own. Lamb Chops: 9/10 Perfectly cooked and packed with flavour. Came with a lamb sausage spanakopita that was delicious. My only disappointment was that there were just two small chops. Rice Pudding Brulee: 7/10 Not bad. I'm not a big dessert person in general, but this was decent. Not too sweet, and the texture of the rice was really well done. Salted Tahini Ice Cream: 7.5/10 A mild, nutty flavor that was unique and interesting. read more

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Went to grab brunch. Enjoyed the experience. I just didnt like the number of dogs I saw at the front area. I had the cream cheese stuffed blintzes, maple sausage, and emperor elixir. I enjoyed it. Cute spot. Service was good. read more

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Wow, Cira Truly Missed The Mark With Their Restaurant Week Menu. I've Been Here For Lunch And Absolutely Loved It, So I Was Especially Disappointed With The Restaurant Week Dinner Experience. The First Course Offered No Choice It Was A Vegetable Plate They Attempted To Elevate, But Overall It Just Wasn't Good. My Second Course, The Artichoke Ricotta Ravioli, Lacked Flavor And Was Underwhelming. For My Main Course, I Had The Eggplant, Which Was Just Okay, But I Was Expecting Much More Depth Of Flavor. To Finish, I Had The Pistachio Dessert, Which Again Lacked Flavor; The Pastry On Top Was Rock Hard And Unpleasant. Others In My Party Ordered The Tuna Appetizer, Which Was Pretty Good, As Well As The Salmon And Beef, Both Of Which Were Good But Nothing Particularly Stood Out. Overall, The Experience Was Disappointing, Especially Compared To How Much I Usually Enjoy Cira. read more

Honestly was very disappointed in this restaurant. The place is beautiful, however food lacks flavor and authenticity. The hummus was the best thing I ordered and it was just decent. The rice was bland, read more

Came here for breakfast! Coffee was pretty decent but loved the avocado toast! Probably one of the best I've had in a while and the potatoes were perfection. Had some bacon on the side too but it's pretty standard. The space is so open and very much giving West Loop vibes. read more

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This place gets really busy on a Friday or Saturday night. It takes a while to order at the bar and I wouldn't blame the bartenders but some of them just plainly ignore you and go to the person who come after us. The drinks were alright got their tequila sunrise and it was so bad. Ambiance and music is Great and it seems like it's first come first serve for seats after a certain time. There's a photo booth around the corner and lazy bird right downstairs. read more

Cira - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We dined here recently as a group of eight for a milestone birthday celebration. It was a very good meal in a lively but noisy atmosphere. Since we were a larger party with a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions, we had the opportunity to try a broad range of their offerings. There were some hits and a few misses, but in the end everyone came away quite happy. Appetizers: Hummus - fairly standard, topped with a pumpkin seed relish and served with pita. Baba ganoush - flavor was a little understated, could have used a little more spice. Seared octopus - tender and flavorful with a delicious za'atar relish; one of the favorites of the evening Mushroom skewer - I didn't personally try this (the vegetarians among us finished this off), but it was well-liked by those who ate it Pastas: Squash mezzaluna - cooked in brown butter and served with an agrodolce sauce, this was really excellent. Good thing we got two orders of this. Pistachio ravioli - orange butter saffron sauce topped with garlic bread crumbs, this was another favorite of the table. Mains: Grilled dorade - cooked with the skin on and topped with panzanella and a caper relish, this was one of my favorites but it was less well-received by others. The fish was well-prepared and moist. Chicken confit - prepared with a pepper and mushroom cacciatore, this was a miss for most of us. The tomato-based sauce just didn't seem to work, and it was hard to get the chicken off the bones in a clean manner. Tuscan steak skewers - we asked for medium rare but they came out medium, but it was still tender and flavorful. This was served on a bed of beans that looked odd but worked well. Desserts: Apple mille-feuille cake - caramel and mascarpone and thinly sliced apples; really very good Baklava with berry compote - it seemed like a good idea, but in the end it just didn't work. The baklava rolls were a little dry and hard to cut as well. Service was excellent. It is very loud in here and it's hard to have a conversation with anyone who isn't seated right next to you. The restaurant has also bought into the trend of keeping the lights at a very low level, which I guess is done for ambience but sometimes it would be nice to be able to see your food a little better. read more

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5 Stars for a beautiful dining area and lounge, fantastic breakfast, and kind service. We arrived for brunch (without a reservation) on a Saturday and were excited to see they had room. The hostess took us over to the main dining area (there's also a lounge area closer to the entrance that looks like a lovely place to hand for drinks and bites). Shah was our server and he helped us pick the fluffy pancakes, the shakshuka, and crispy breakfast potatoes. All three were perfect. The shakshuka had a bold, rich, and deep flavor. The spices in this really shone and we were grateful for the crusty toast served alongside. The pancakes were such a delight!! Fluffy and almost like little soufflés! The compote and syrup gave us a perfect tangy/sweet combo and the side of crispy potatoes gave me the crunch and salt I desired. We were thankful for Shah's guidance and loved chatting with the chef who also stopped by. Overall, a definite repeat-worthy spot! read more

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Super impressed with this spot. The ambience was an EASY 5 stars: massive restaurant and beautiful decor and natural lighting. We came for dinner after drinks at lazy bird downstairs. We ordered wine, which was excellent and falafel and bruschetta to start. Very fresh and good flavor. We ordered gnocchi for the main and it was pretty good but not the star of the show. Would def come back to try more of their well balanced menu!! read more

Cira - Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta Crispy Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The restaurant is in the lobby of a hotel. I believe it is also a coworking space, but it's a pretty great spot to grab brunch. This time I ordered: - Cold Brew - Breakfast Burger The burger was great, a little on the tall side which made it a little messy when trying to eat it. The fries were nice, but it seems like a few were stuck together during the frying process so a little chewier. read more

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Came here after a failed attempt at thanksgiving dinner elsewhere. Flavors were bland, overpriced & despite it being the food holiday of the year there were no special incentives. Fireplace is aesthetically pleasing but that's where the compliments stop. read more

Cira - Their version of kids buttered pasta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Opted to have a last minute brunch at Cira while walking around the neighborhood with friends earlier this fall. I had never been before, so was a blank slate in terms of expectations. As others have noted, the restaurant is situated in the Hoxton Hotel lobby. There were a number of people hanging out with laptops when we visited, and not so many patrons focused on social dining, which left the vibes pretty flat. Along those lines, the service also felt a little disengaged. Acknowledging it can be tough when a group is being social to know how much to intrude, it still felt like there were moments where we were definitely left waiting for some time, namely to place our order and get our check. We ordered the mezze platter to start, and it was very colorful and enjoyable. The pita it came with was good, but did not go far, so I would consider ordering an extra piece depending on your group size. I was feeling something fresh, so I went with the Grain Bowl Tabbouleh. The description emphasized quinoa and kale, so I had figured some heft, but ultimately what jumped out was the cucumbers and tomatoes, neither mentioned in the description, and the feta. The kale was very scant. I added an extra falafel as I was hungry, which proved to be fine, but it wasn't terribly interesting (a little undercooked in the center and overdark on the exterior), compared to a standard mediterranean plate of the same. A friend of mine got the Gem Caesar, which was more vegetable forward, and another the smoked salmon and hashbrown dish, which was pretty and composed, but not out of the ordinary. I certainly wouldn't say anything was problematic, but given the price point and the other takes online, I did feel like brunch was definitely a more middle of the road experience. read more

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I ordered the short rib benedict which was a bit dry, but I did enjoy the hash browns that came with the dish. The service was quick, but not as attentive as you would hope. I asked for something and it took the server a reminder to remember to bring it to be me even though it wasn't that busy. You definitely are paying for the ambiance though, which is classy and elevated. read more

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This place is overpriced and doesn't deliver. Staff are rude and transactional. $25 a margarita. Went to the bathroom and all six soaps were out... I let the host know. Over an hour later I went back to the bathroom and the soaps were still empty... I told a kitchen staff and they informed me the entire property is out of soap! There's a target just down the row... completely ridiculous and unsanitary to be out of soap with no excuse.... Are they soaps out of dish soap? Laundry detergent? I mean absolutely disgusting do not eat here! read more

Loved this place! It's spacious, yet welcoming! Almost feel like a library. We ordered an assortment of dishes. Highlights include the octopus, broccoli, and grilled chicken. The star of the show was the blueberry baklava. Just get it, trust me! The drinks were very very good too. Well made. I want to return and go to the downstairs area? I believe it's a go-to spot in the evening. I'll be back for sure! read more

Cira - Seared Octopus and Lamb Kofta - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Second time dining in this restaurant. Main dish was good, service was disappointing. I ordered the "Green" salad and Sea Trout. Salad had very little asparagus inside -- only several thin slices. The trout was grilled to perfection -- very crispy skin, and very juicy, meaty flesh. What interested me most was, however, the sprouted lentil side served with the trout, where they put pickled beets, sprouted lentils and a light hint of sauce. It had an earthy, slightly sour flavor. Paired greatly with the fish. Service, however, was disappointing. The server gave me a salad with dressing for the first time (I asked dressing on the side). But what really annoyed me was that lots of people came to my side to order drinks as if they did not notice that I was dining at the bar. Someone even touched my plates! The servers and bartenders just overlooked it; no one informed the customers to be careful. In fact, they should have asked them order the drinks at the side of the bar. read more

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This place is so beautiful and the restaurant itself is massive. Very dim lighting and absolutely delicious food. I hate pistachios and hate dates but the pistachio ravioli was probably my favorite dish of the night. I usually like falafel but didn't like this one; it felt like there were too many pickled veggies that were overpowering the falafel and the falafel didn't really taste like your usual. Overall, I thought the food was excellent but the portions are way too small. I think even for an upscale restaurant, the portions are very unreasonable given the prices. read more

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I have been to Cira a couple of times in the past, this time I tried their restaurant week menu for dinner. The experience was great! So if you are choosing a restaurant week menu, the entire table needs to participate in it. For appetizers we tried the mezze platter, which was family size sharable. Although my friend complained that there weren't enough pita breads served along with it, however our server was kind enough to give extra pitas when requested. The pita is served with three dips - eggplant hummus, green pea hummus and a creamy dip. Everything tasted great! For main course I tried to Pistachios ravioli and my friend ordered the Tuscan Lamb Kebab. The ravioli was soo good, it surely melted in my mouth with every bite, yum! For deserts we tried the hazelnut cake and tiramisu brownie. I don't have a sweet tooth but still appreciated both the deserts a lot. For drinks we tried tequila based drinks - old fashioned with tequila and rags to riches. I felt rags to riches had a weird sugary syrup which made the drink too sweet but wasn't bad at all! We were celebrating a birthday so our server even offered cute chocolate balls with happy birthday decorated on a plate. It was a sweet gesture! Try this place for a good dining experience, they offer great Turkish food! read more

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Their food portions are really good and they have a really good wine collection as well. I think Cira is as beautiful in the day as moody it is at night! Definitely a great brunch spot if you're looking for a Mediterranean cuisine in west loop! read more

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Great restaurant to share dishes! The bar is usually pretty busy and loud but the general seating area of the restaurant is cozy and easy to have a conversation. Our server was great with recommendations! My favorites were the pistachio ravioli and the goat cheese stuffed dates. The steak skewers were also fabulous. Definitely Mediterranean but some unique flares from other restaurants in the city. Would come back for the vibes! read more

Cira is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. They have a DJ playing in the bar area during the weekend which is so fun but most recently I noticed even with the DJ playing the dining area was pretty quiet / less lively than before. Still a fun time nonetheless. Our server literally read our minds, gave great recs, and was super accommodating with one of our guests who has a gluten allergy, bringing over GF bread for all the dips while he brought over pita for everyone else. Would rec'd for a fun & delicious night out!! read more

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Came for brunch recently with friends and we all enjoyed it! We started with a trio of pastries including the cinnamon roll, pumpkin bread and cherry cheese danish. The cinnamon roll was my fave of the three. To drink I ordered the lavender mint tea, but the flavor wasn't very strong. The entrees were great. I ordered the shakshuka and it was so good! The flavors were amazing. It came with two eggs in a tomato sauce with chickpeas, feta and shishito peppers along with sourdough bread. Delicious. Love the vibe of the restaurant too! They have a dining area toward the back with the lounge area up front and a DJ on the weekends, but it's not too crazy of an atmosphere. Highly recommend visiting! read more

Cira - Shakshuka - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

TLDR: Yet another Bib worth going to! Firstly, the cocktail selections are interesting... I personally didn't think I'd like any of them, but I'm glad I got the First Date. It was pretty sweet (which I'm not a fan of as an Asian person lol) but there was depth in the combination of flavors and a hint of banana which was kinda nice! The Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates were bomb. It was so creamy with a hint of sweetness. Definitely a lot of goaty flavors so if you don't like gamy cheese, this isn't for you. The Brown Butter Hummus was lovely but I personally thought the warm pita was better than the hummus itself. I love my carbs though, so... I just didn't taste anything special in the hummus. It was tasty--but it tasted like hummus, not brown butter. The Pistachio Ravioli was surprisingly delicious. The roasted nuts adds to the mouthfeel (which some people hate) and gives the otherwise subtle pasta some great toasted flavors. The Piri Piri Chicken was the best dish overall, though. A touch of heat with some nice charred flavors! It almost tastes like a blend of tandoori chicken and Piri Piri chicken. The grilled carrots were undercooked and were a little too hard to eat. Good flavors but needed another 10 min of grilling. Service was spot on and we had a lovely time! read more

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Stayed at the Hoxton and loved the convenience of having Cira right in the lobby -- super easy and a great vibe for grabbing a bite. I had the little gem chicken Caesar salad one day and while the dressing wasn't your typical Caesar, I wasn't mad about it. Fresh, flavorful, and a nice twist on a classic. Came back for breakfast another morning and went with the Classic American -- the fresh raspberry jam alone is reason enough to return. I would have happily taken a jar home! One regret: we didn't order the garlic fries, but literally every table around us did. The smell alone had me ready to flag down the server. Definitely feel like I missed out. Solid spot whether you're staying at the hotel or just in the area! read more

Cira - Classic American - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cira has officially stolen my brunch heart. I'd been here for dinner before (which was great in its own right), but yesterday's bridal brunch sealed the deal -- I love this spot so much more for daytime dining. We kicked things off with a mezze platter that set the tone perfectly -- fresh, flavorful, and the kind of spread where you can happily linger with friends. I ordered a caramel latte, and it came out silky and just sweet enough. To our surprise, the staff brought over complimentary champagne, which felt like the perfect celebratory touch. Big points for thoughtfulness! For mains, we shared the grain bowl and shakshouka -- both were hearty, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. The shakshouka especially hit all the right notes: rich, cozy, and exactly what you want in the middle of a long brunch with friends. The sweetest surprise came at the end: the team brought out chocolate fudge truffles with "Congratulations" written in white chocolate on the plate. Not only adorable, but absolutely delicious. It made the whole experience feel extra special. Service was warm, attentive, and never rushed us, even with a big group. The whole vibe made it easy to relax and celebrate. If you've only been to Cira for dinner, do yourself a favor and try brunch -- it's a whole different level of awesome. I'll definitely be back (with or without an excuse to celebrate). read more

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Great Mains and would 100% come again. We tried the Shakshuka, Challah French Toast, a cinnamon roll and one other pastry (don't remember). Both main dishes were filling and tasted heavily spiced. The Shakshuka is a must order for us in the future as the egg was super creamy and mixed well with the tomato based stew and bread. The orange marmalade for the French toast was quite strong which was very surprising but not bad at all! The pastries were ok upon being served, but we took it home and heated them up a little and it was amazing warm. Will try other items in the future. Interesting layout and seating ~ the restaurant itself is seated in a hotel lobby and is not really separated from it. We were confused at first until someone came to help us get seated but nothing too crazy. read more

Cira - Challah French Toast - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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* My review is only for BREAKFAST* Came to have breakfast after a night shift. Lots of open space! The vibe gave off sophistication and I definitely could see myself going here alot if I worked in the area or had a job in business. I got the shakshuka for myself and shared the french toast with my friend. The shakshuka was delicious - very flavorful and fragrant. Needs 4 pieces of bread because 2 is simply not enough for that dish. I got a bite of the breakfast sandwich and the pesto really pulls the sandwich together! The star of the show was the french toast! Very high quality french toast! So good and highly recommend. Not soggy at all. read more

Cira - Mortadella Breakfast Sandwich + Challah French Toast + Shakshuka - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Highly recommend the buttery and delicious Pistachio Ravioli and Lemon Poppyseed Tart with Olive Oil Ice Cream. The ambience was nice and personable. The service was at a medium speed--there were times in between where the server(s) needed to be waved down. read more

Cira - Hibiscus Mocktail - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

food: update - get the pistachio ravioli, good date night spot everything else same review read more

Cira - Brunch Mezze Platter, French Toast, Shakshuka** - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recently stopped by Cira to celebrate a friends birthday! This place is always great!! The restaurant truly transforms at night. Such chill vibes! Our server sent over complimentary bubbles, immediately yes!! We started off with the hummus and the tuna tartare! Both amazing! Then we opted to share a Caesar salad (highly recommended), the Fettuccelle Roman Pork Ragu and the Pistachio Ravioli! Everything was great!!! read more

Cira - A very dark photo Ahi Tuna Tartare - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a lovely space with high ceilings and pleasant lighting. I came for a quick drink but was disappointed by the scattered service. I wasn't able to order until almost half an hour went by. A lot of people seem to come here for work so I was tempted but couldn't sit for too long because the ambiance eventually got too lively. The music is overwhelmingly loud and almost inappropriate for the setting.. but if this was for a quick happy hour it could be fun. I'm willing to give this place another shot for food! read more

Cira is in such a beautiful location and our service was great. i had a lovely time here for dinner but im not 100% sure about their lunch menu. i got the gemellini pasta which was pretty lackluster and didn't have a ton of flavor. my friend got the piri piri chicken sandwich and he said it was really good though, so maybe i would come back to try some of the other menu options. read more

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DELICIOUS!! We had the most amazing server, Christina was incredibly helpful and fun and really made our experience. read more

Cira - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cira is an amazing spot to start off the night. It's located in the lobby of the Hoxton Hotel, which is one of the most stunning hotels in Chicago. The decor and ambiance are an absolute 10/10, and is easily one of my favorite places to spend a chilly fall or winter night. They've got fireplaces going, great music, and great atmosphere. The bar is big and stunning, and service is typically good. It can get very busy on weekend nights, so expect a bit of a wait when it's busy. The food at Cira is delicious, highly recommend the falafel, hummus, gnochetti & roasted potatoes. The cocktails are fabulous, the spicy & famous is one of my favorites in Chicago. This is a perfect date night spot, business dinner spot, or place to grab drinks and relax by the fire. read more

Great cocktails and beautiful bar overall. This is located in a hotel and a great place to stop before you go to Cabra upstairs.

AMAZING!!! The ambiance is so beautiful high ceiling and chandelier, people studying or working or just catching up, the staff are wonderful and attentive, and the food is unique! Pistachio ravioli - perfectly done, not too much sauce, unique slightly salty yet nutty flavor, I want to make these at home!! Pita - perfectly cooked, soft and fluffy, warm and tearable for dip Brown butter hummus - stir to get all greens and flavor, went perfectly with pita and tasted authentic I was truly blown away when I came here. I can't wait to return - perfect for date night!! read more

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Came here for lunch for Chicago Restaurant Week and twas a lovely experience! I ordered eggplant caponata, the Tunisian rice bowl with choice of salmon, and the strawberry pavlova. Everything was SO flavorful and the salmon was perfectly cooked. The pavlova had all sorts of fun textures, from the meringue to the creamy mousse to the pepita crunch. I was pleasantly surprised by the entire meal and also felt like everything was proportioned well. read more

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Fantastic customer service, ambiance is just amazing, and food is delicious! Great for an evening out with friends or a date night!

I came here on a whim and was able to get a table through OpenTable within minutes before walking in. We were immediately seated at a booth. Our food came out extremely fast and the service was great! We also had an awesome view of the train. It is loud so I don't recommend for a date night. Brown butter hummus: 5/10 average hummus lacked flavor and comes with pita. Pistachio ravioli: 10/10 al dente, full of nutty flavor and crunchy topping. Grilled carrots: 10/10 rich spices and depth. This was our favorite dish! Crispy falafel: 7/10 the seasonal pickles and yogurt were tasty however the falafel was a little dry for my liking. read more

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Everyone in our group had a different favorite dish, and that's how you know it was good! Our recs: the goat cheese dates, roasted carrots, and pistachio ravioli. We honestly ended up with too much food (1 starter, 2 dips, 2 pastas, 1 plate, 1 side) which isn't usually the case at tapas style/sharing places. Our server knew the menu well and was friendly without being overbearing. We had a reservation but were a bit early for it, so they seated us in the lounge. It was fine while it was still light out, and got very dark. A little weird that they wouldn't seat us at one of the multiple open tables in the main dining room, but not a big deal. read more

Cira - Pistachio Ravioli - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois