Bavette's definitely deserves more than 5 stars. You can never go wrong with anything you order and…read morethe service is phenomenal. I think of Bavette's ALL the time, ever since I tried it, I feel like I can't find another restaurant like it. Reservations are definitely hard to book, but it is worth the trouble. We went here for my partner's birthday and everything about it was perfect. The steak, the sides, and even the dessert were lovely. The restaurant is beautifully lit with intimate seating. We definitely feel very special for this very special occasion. The server (forgot his name) was so kind, he made sure we understood the menu and gave us his personal recommendations. Would love to come here again, perhaps for another special occasion. I will always think of Bavette's P.S. The food was so good that I forgot to take photos of the other dishes we had. Bavette's had the best mashed potatoes ever

The restaurant had a comfortable, intimate atmosphere with soft, low lighting…read more The service was seamless, explained the menu well, help made decisions and suggestions. Everything ordered was given its proper time to enjoy. Started off with the small portion of the sourdough bread. Fresh and hot! Next was the mixed greens and apple salad. Simple, fresh lite dressing and crispy. This was also shared. Next was the short rib stroganoff, the short rib was very tender, perfectly cooked. Great flavor. Finished the dinner with 6 oz filet mignon. Medium, cooked perfectly , tender meat. Highly recommend. Along with the brussel sprouts and the sweet potatoes. Both had great flavors and are easy shareable. The thick cut bacon was mouthwatering . The desserts were good. The chocolate pie and the crème brûlée. If you were to skip on dessert you wouldn't be missing out. The cocktails were delicious. I recommend the bees knees and the Lillet Rosé.

This "sniffs in" at 4.5 stars…read more.. Per our local friend this is a classic Chicago steakhouse. LOADED WEDGE SALAD w/BACON, TOMATO & BLUE CHEESE: -- appropriate amount of tasty creamy dressing -- very large but great for 3 people needing some greens with their beef -- I stirred it up well and very tasty -- good or better balance of ingredients RATING = A 22 OUNCE CHICAGO CUT: -- ribeye type cut -- medium-rare -- pre-cut per our request (I prefer not as steak stays hotter when served) -- nice edge bark -- nicely cooked -- best beef of the night -- the rib bone piece was legit but did adhere to the bone a lot RATING = A FILET MIGNON (14 ounce): -- cooked rare plus -- definitely rare -- pre-cut again -- cuts easily but maybe not like butter -- very good steak but I still feel like a recent Mastro's petit filet cooked rare + was better) -- served with Bernaise sauce RATING = A- JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE w/thousand island sauce?: -- big fat delish cake -- lightly breaded -- tender and fresh RATING = A+ CARROT CAKE: The MOOSE is loose!!! -- this slice of cake is the size of our head -- it appears to be a 1/4 cut of a gigantic carrot cake -- there are three cake layers w/thick layer of cream cheese on top of each layer -- it could be better with black walnut throughout the cake -- there are walnuts pressed into the backside of it which is nice -- the golden raisins are not ideal but forgivable compared with regular raisins ("squishy" is not needed in carrot cake) -- very moist even days later stored in their plastic to-go container RATING = A The dining room is super active with staff and very noisy so it may not be the ideal choice for a romantic dinner or true catchup with friends you have not seen in a long time. But there is no denying the STAFF are fun and excellent as is the chowder.

My wife and I had one of the best dining experiences we've ever had here last night. (Living in…read moreChicago for 30 years, I like to think that's saying something.) For whatever reason, we've been stuck in our North Side routine -- and, hey, there are a lot of nice places around Lakeview, so not a bad routine -- but we got out to one of the classics downtown to shake things up. And, holy cow, we're glad we did. Every moment in Gibsons, from the host to the service to the food, was a joy. Our server, Avery, was excellent. He knew the menu. He made us feel comfortable and, above all else, welcome. He was funny. He saw we were getting tipsy and rolled with it. MY WIFE and I took our time a little bit, enjoyed the wine, perused the menu. We each picked the perfect entrees. MY WIFE is pretty small and short but she loved the skirt steak so much she ate the whole thing. I've never seen her do that before. And we still had a ton to take home. Just a great night for us. Thanks to everyone at Gibsons who helped make it so. We're definitely coming back, and we're not waiting five years to do so. The patio they have there is calling my name.

Yes, this place hits all the marks very well: service is astounding, food was amazing, ambiance was…read morereally fun (i.e., dark, romantic, lounge-like). I took my wife here for her birthday. She absolutely fell in love with the place and said she was having a great birthday. She wasn't planting seeds, I swear, but our server, ever the professional, said he'd take care of us. And he did, punctuating our dinner with a wonderful dessert with a birthday candle. Speaking of candles, the focaccia appetizer came out with a lit candle that melts a tasty, buttery dipping sauce. I had work done at the dentist earlier, so I had a hard time eating. Every bite was painful, but I heated up our leftovers and fell in love with my rigatoni with vodka sauce all over again. Yum. The only drawback is the prices. We're not rich, but we love a great experience. We understand that an experience like that comes with a price, so we'll be back as much as we can.

We visited Butcher & The Bear and had a disappointing experience in terms of food, service, and…read moreambiance. Especially not a good dinner option despite being excited for it for our Valentine's Day dinner. Food- really liked Caesar salad and Mac n cheese. However, this is a steak house. We ordered ribeye in medium and NY strip in medium rare. However, ribeye was medium rare and ny strip was cooked medium well. I considered telling our waiter but he never appeared at our table to ask about how our food was. He showed up half an hour later to ask if we wanted dessert. I didn't eat my ny strip because it was so dry and my husband had a few bites. Service- as mentioned above, the server barely showed up. Also our food arrived later than everyone next to us. The couple next to us got sat down after we put in our entree order and get they received their entree before we did. No apologies or context given on the delay. Also, I know they offer half orders for certain dishes like salad for takeouts and deliveries and saw older TikTok videos that mentioned getting half portions too. We asked if they do half portions so we can try more items in the menu, we simply got a "NO" without any kindness or explanation given. It was said as if we were asking them something stupid. Ambiance- I think the bar area is nice looking, but we were sat in the basement. It was crammed, the tables were small, and because it was a small room, you can really hear other tables conversations. For casual restaurants I don't mind that type of ambiance but if we are dropping more than $300 for 2 of us, I am going to compare it to comparable places in that price range: Bavettes, Gibsons, maple and ash, swift and sons, Alston, etc. this is significantly lacking compared to all of those "nice steakhouses". Theres not even a coat check. Also our leftover was packed in a cheap black plastic bag. Once again, not matching with the price point. We are locals and were very excited to try this place not far from us, but sadly, it was a truly disappointing experience and if anyone asked me if I'd recommend this place, I would say look elsewhere.

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

This is by far the best restaurant I've been to that was attached to the hotel I was staying at…read morewhich is L7 Chicago by Lotte. I ordered the small ceaser, Korean fried chicken, and smashed burger + beer combo. Everything was perfect. The salad was refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful. Light but filling. The Korean chicken had a tinge of sweetness/spiciness with perfect fried skin. Also, very juicy. Burger tasted like a really elevated Big Mac which is great, and fries were solid too. The bartender who I think was Andrew did a great job serving us too. He was a one man show having to deal with everyone at the bar. So glad we were able to try the food from here. The ambiance is also nice and elevated, definitely a good date spot.

Had dinner here for our anniversary. I was excited to eat here as the menu and pictures online…read morelooked amazing. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The entire is well done and has an amazing vibe The food was amazing and it didn't disappoint. We did the rice cake and Korean fried chicken from the small plate section. I had the Waygu ribeye which had the best marinade . It's cooked at your table by the staff an melts in your mouth. I also had the Brussel sprout side-which was also very good. My partner had the steak fritas with 2 Sunnyside eggs.

Love the atmosphere!!! First timer at your red and feel in love i recommend you guys before I even…read moregot back on my flight home!!! 100 out of 10 easily!!! I will return.

amazing service, Emily was extremely attentive and friendly. thank you for making our experience…read morewonderfu!!!

Service, from Sarah, was wonderful! A member of our group had an allergy, and the staff were on top…read moreof it making sure she had a great experience. The food was outstanding. Best calamari I have ever had. Highly recommend the chocolate fudge pie. It was to die for! It is a very cool place. I will definitely make another stop when I'm in Chicago.

There are so many amazing restaurants in Chicago and I love trying the newest ones, but if you want…read moreto guarantee a good meal book a reservation at Joe's. From someone who grew up in Miami i can let you know that it's no Miami Joe's, but it's nice to be able to make a reservation here AND get seated right away...and it's almost as good as back home. My dad's 70th bday is coming up so we took him for dinner here last night to celebrate and my brother even drove in from Michigan to surprise him for the occasion. I think half the appeal was that my brother also wasn't missing a stellar meal at Joe's. We had 6:15pm reservations for our party of 6 and were seated by 6:30pm. Michael was our waiter who had been at Joe's for only about 7 months, but definitely knew his stuff. I'm a stone crab girl and can't imagine getting anything but that at Joe's. My dad followed in my lead. The rest of the family went the steak or other route. No matter what anyone got (steak, shrimp pasta, crab cake, etc) everyone agreed it was a near perfect meal. And of course all the appetizers (cesar salad, oysters) and sides (mashed potatoes, creamed spinach) were pretty tasty too. 2 of my kids ordered off the kids menu, which I thought was a pretty good deal for $20. My 13 year old was worried the 4 oz steak wouldn't be enough for him, but between all the sides and appetizers (and ice cream sundae that came with it) he had plenty to eat. And of course you can't go to Joe's without a slice of key lime pie. Dinner for 6 at Joe's is $$$, but if you're going to spend that type of money on one meal at least you know you'll have a good one here. On the way out my son let me know that this is his favorite restaurant in Chicago and I think I have to agree.

I took advantage of their prixe fix lunch deal. I had the French onion soup and the chicken…read morepaillard. The soup was very tasty and was a huge portion. The chicken paillard was very tasty but it seemed odd that the chicken and salad were both served on the same very hot plate. Luckily the salad didn't get warm enough to wilt the greens. My server was Michelle and she was wonderful. Very helpful, very cheerful, and just a joy to interact with.

Came here last night for dinner with another couple for the first time. While the food was good,…read morethe service was not so I don't think I'll be back. For starters, we had a reservation which I would recommend. We were seated right away and while the place is large inside, I'm not sure what walk-in availability is like. The food: we really enjoyed the octopus, escargot, I had the Filet Mignon Au Poivre, and the banana/coconut entremet. The octopus was tender and flavorful; octopus cooked right (especially in smaller pieces) is hard to find so I was impressed. The escargot was nice and buttery/garlicky, and piping hot. I LOVED my Filet with the green peppercorn cream sauce! It was delicious and my husband was surprised I ate so much of it. It was cooked exactly as I asked, the meat had good flavor, and the sauce was delicious and well balanced + the right consistency. Lastly, the banana and coconut dessert was a pleasant surprise. The banana flavor was fresh (not artificial) and had the right balance of coconut. It was creamy, not too sweet, and had the right balance of textures with the outer coating and the crumble underneath - if you like banana or coconut at all I'd say it's a must order! The creme brulee was just okay. My issue was the service - the table next to ours LIT ON FIRE because a menu was over the top of a candle. After burning half the menu and the fire was getting larger, our partners ran over and put it out with their napkins. They yelled and there was NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT from the staff at all - at least 2 staff saw and one waiters eyes got big for a minute and she turned away. Not even a thank you from anyone to our partners for putting it out, and they had to ask for new napkins because theirs had black char on them. We were in the middle of enjoying our appetizers and my friend was just digging into her French onion soup from our first round and the staff kept trying to take our plates away. My friend had to tell them 3 times to please leave the soup at the table, and overall made us feel very rushed. We weren't taking a long time to eat at all so felt very weird? When the entrees were dropped on the table, my friend got a steak and they kept trying to give her a butter knife. It took multiple attempts to get the correct knife. Then once we were done eating it took a while to get our plates and old glasses cleared away. Overall service timing was off and their aggressiveness in the beginning of trying to take our plates away + the lack of response to A FIRE in the restaurant was pretty alarming. While I enjoyed the food there, the service was pretty bad and I feel unsafe with the lack of response to a fire in the restaurant so I don't think we'll return.

It wouldn't be a visit to Chicago without a visit to the Dearborn! Truly my favorite restaurant in…read moreChicago. Service always on point and friendly. The best fish in chips you will likely ever have. The Creole Shrimp and Grits were otherworldly. Shrimp cooked perfectly, not a millisecond over or under cooked. The sauce...the grits... amazing. Until my next visit...rock on Dearborn. You're the best!!!!

Being a California boy (born and raised) my only way to get a Fish & Chip meal was at a fast food…read morefranchise called H. Salts Fish & Chips; and it was fairly good. Several golf trips to the U.K. (Britain, Scotland, Wales) I got my fair share of excellent Fish & Chips; the best being in Ullapool, Scotland at The Seafood Shack I have never had better! But, leave it to Chicago to deliver some of the best fish and chips I've ever had in the USA, here at The Dearborn restaurant in the Chicago loop. Everything about The Dearborn's signature dish just worked in every way: The fish was fried perfectly The fish itself was moist and delicious The chips (fries) were excellent The coleslaw was the perfect side dish The tartar sauce was scrumptious My Krobacher Pilsner paired perfectly with my dinner The service was spot on And sitting at the bar watching the NBA playoffs didn't hurt either. I did have a scoop of delicious salted caramel gelato that finished this meal perfectly. Having such delicious fish & chips a few blocks away from where I live is certainly better than flying "over the pond" (a British term for the Atlantic Ocean).

We had a beautiful luncheon on Easter across from the Cathedral, at Sophia's steakhouse. I just…read morehave to say how wonderful our waiter Brent was. He was incredibly efficient, attentive without ever hovering, and had such a natural sense of humor that made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The food was excellent! It's rare to find someone who balances professionalism with warmth so effortlessly. He truly added something special to our afternoon, and we left feeling very well taken care of.

Wow!!! The best service we have had In a hot minute!!!! Had the pleasure of sitting in Nina's…read moresection tonight and she was such a delight! So helpful with the suggestions, so attentive and so kind and personable!!! Off of her amazing recommendations we got the tuna tartare, hamachi crudo, miso salmon , skirt steak and bread pudding !!! I would order every single item again! The skirt steak specifically was cooked perfectly and the chimichurri was absolutely phenomenal!!! I will be thinking about it for a while! The blueberry spritz was so good I had three lol! I love that every day they have specific specials so Monday night was steak frites. The tartare was perfect to share and lasted a lot longer than we thought! Who I think was the manager came by a few times to make sure all was well which just felt so nice for a Monday night. This place is perfect for GNO, Business Dinner, or a Third+ date! I have nothing but positive things to say!! AMAZING place