I decided to check out this place for a weekday dinner WITHOUT reservations. I knew that having…read morereservations would make dining easier but I didn't plan in advance. I arrived around 6PM for a table, I was told I could go to the bar for bar seating or get my name on the list and wait. So I went to the bar but surprisingly, there were couple other parties waiting at the bar for a seating too. We actually waited about 45 minutes at the bar for seating, and then I received a text an hour later that a table would be ready. Since I was already seated at the bar, I kept my bar seating and forgo the table. So you might be able to get a table seating if you get your name on the list for a weekday dinner. I have to admit this place felt very dim, it feels darker - I supposed that tis the ambiance of a nicer, upscale restaurant. However, I have to admit they are laxed on the dress code. I don't actually know if there's a dress code although a lot of people are in more business casual/dressy attire. I wasn't in anything dressy though and no one said anything. As for the food, I think it is delicious. So we ordered 2 different steak dishes - the bone in aged rib eye and the steak & frites. I love the pairing salt that comes with it, it really tops it off for the steaks. We also ordered sides -- sides do not come with the steaks, they are purchased separately. However, the creamed spinach and the truffle mac and cheese were amazingly delicious. I still remembered the deliciousness as I am writing this review. The sides definitely tops it off. I think they do an excellent job cooking the steak, I love that they already cut it perfectly for me. This is an excellent steak place, great sides. It can get a little busy/crowded, but service is also pretty good. I think the staff does a good job overall given the craziness of this place. It seems like it is always packed. I see people in their "work attire" come here for drinks too and possibly for a bite to eat. I would definitely recommend this place to others -- if you don't want to wait for a table, plan ahead and book a reservation ahead of time. But this place is "casual" enough for you to stop in to grab some food if you're willing to wait.

Came here for a weekend in Chicago, heard so many good things about it including my chicago local…read morefriends. It's a dark chicago pub looking place with dim lighting and mood lighting, making it look exactly like you'd imagine. We came for walk in at 4 and were told we could sit at the bar immediately or wait for a table. We chose to wait for a table because we weren't fully hungry yet, and got a callback at 5, perfect for us. We ordered the sourdough, crab avocado salad, dry aged ribeye, fried chicken, and mac and cheese. Sourdough: 10/10- ate the entire loaf before we even got the appetizers. Salad: 10/10- amazing flavor and unique. We usually never order salad but this sounded so unique and didn't disappoint - creamy, acidic, perfect appetizer. Fried Chicken: 8/10- above average fried chicken on mashed potatoes. Well spiced but nothing to write home about. Ribeye: 10/10- great steak and honestly not bad pricing. Great crust and flavor, would definitely recommend to split for 2 since it's big. Mac and Cheese: 4/10- pasta was not hot and was undercooked. I usually like al dente but this pasta was hard. It was barely cheesy and was like a alfredo sauce more than cheesy, and the crust on top was lukewarm and stagnant like it had been sitting there. Overall great experience but avoid the mac and cheese.

We wanted to finish our birthday weekend in Chicago at a nice place and this was the perfect…read morechoice. Our server, Pooya made this experience even better. The food and drinks were plentiful and excellent. The chat and seasoning on the steaks were perfect and the lobster was flavorful. Loved this place

Such a great experience from start to finish! The food was absolutely delicious, and the steaks…read morewere cooked perfectly. Everything we ordered was flavorful and beautifully presented, and the sides were just as impressive. The atmosphere was upscale but still warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a nice dinner or special occasion. The service was attentive, friendly, and made the entire evening feel effortless. Definitely one of those restaurants you leave already thinking about coming back to. Highly recommend!

Butcher and the Bear is such a great date night spot! We loved the dark, moody ambiance, and the…read moreservice was amazing. Our server took the time to explain each dish, which made the whole experience even better. We started with the rosemary focaccia and Wagyu tallow candle for dipping, which was so fun and something we'd never seen before. The steak tartare with potato skins was another favorite and such a cool twist. For our mains, we loved the black miso cod and New York strip, and the Brussels sprouts were the perfect side. We finished with the s'mores baked Alaska, which was such a fun way to end the meal. It was a whole show and tasted just as good as it looked! We had such a great time here and would definitely come back for another date night.

Another patron would probably give 5 stars, having chosen the same items. So, take my review with a…read moregrain of salt. We had the inkling to go to a great Italian restaurant, but it turns out the night before the marathon, everyone has the same inkling. So, we picked. Prob not fair to Butcher & the Bear that I was in the mood for raviolis. The ambiance is like a speakeasy. They have valet parking. I'd recommend a reservation for dinner--intimate and romantic. This is a steakhouse and while they have other options on the menu, this is the primary reason for my 4-Star review. I don't eat red meat (someone else gifted us the reservation). However, my husband would give 5 stars. I ordered a dirty martini, which was perfect and the blue cheese in the olive was probably the best I've had. The hubs ordered the Negroni because when in Chicago...we started with the focaccia which comes with beef tallow candle--a cool touch but then again, red meat. I had the delicious butter with herbs. Put anything in butter and I'm game! The hubs ordered the filet and I'm certain it was fantastic based upon his reaction. And he loved the beef tallow on it. I ordered the black cod, a favorite of mine. Now, I'm vegetarian adjacent, mostly because meat kinda grosses me out. The less like meat it is, the better. (This is why you take me with a grain of salt if you love a good steakhouse.) the fish was on the underdone side of my doneness continuum. Just a little slimy for me. Flavor of the miso sauce was good and I liked the grilled bok choy. But I had to choke down the fish. (At $47 I wasn't going to leave it.) I hope you'll try this restaurant if you love meat!

Amazing Experience at Penumbra Wine Bar!…read more Penumbra Wine Bar is such a great spot! The atmosphere is romantic, intimate, and perfect for a date night or a special night out. The food, drinks, and overall vibe make the experience feel extra special. If you're looking for a cozy, elevated dining experience in Chicago, this place is definitely worth checking out. Easy street parking as well!

We live out of state but we try our best to book a minimum of two reservations per year at…read morePenumbra. If we lived closer we would eat there more often. We love the excellent food consistency and quality. We also love how they treat us there every time! Our favorite romantic hidden gem.

Perilla Korean Steakhouse -- Chicago…read more We had a very successful brunch at Perilla. The Kimchi Bloody Mary was definitely one of the highlights. Being from New Orleans, I personally like my Bloody Mary a little spicier and with a little more of that NOLA kick, but this was still a really good option and a fun Korean twist on a classic brunch drink. The food was excellent and gave us plenty of variety. The Korean tray was a great choice, along with the bibimbap and avocado toast. Everything came together really well, and there was enough variety that everyone could find something they enjoyed. Overall, it was a great brunch experience with good food, interesting drinks, and a nice atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different from the typical Chicago brunch. We were looking forward to the Korean donuts unfortunately they sell out early sometimes so if that's something you're getting for For, you might want to get there earlier in the day. We had reservations at 12:30 pm and they were sold out. The service was good.

This was a fun experience. Sitting at the table in front of the kitchen gives you a little view at…read morethe magic behind the meal. The servers and staff are so attentive and helpful. Everything was tasty with great range of textures and full of flavor. I'm sure anything you get will be good here. What we got: Soondubu - This was so good. Comforting, rich and buttery, but not heavy. Also not too spicy. The mushrooms in it were cooked so well--they're plump and bouncy, so it feels like they're sauteed separately or something to give it extra flavor. The tofu is super silky. Really enjoyed this. Scallop - The yuzu with this is chef's kiss! I loved the bright citrus it added to the sweetness of the scallop. Sweet potatoes and bone barrow - This was probably the least standout, but the mustard green kimchi topping is really delicious. The bone marrow is in a butter but that might be the least interesting component compared to how good the mustard greens are and how well the potatoes are cooked.

We went again last night - the 5 star review remains in place - still amazing, and still really…read moreexpensive. We love it - had one of their fired seafood towers last night and it was incredible (and the touch of adding the pasta at the end was a step above). Their did kill the free house made chips and caviar - but I think they needed to because of the influencers that come there just to have one drink and take pictures of themselves.

I expected a professional, high-quality dining experience, but unfortunately, this was extremely…read moredisappointing. After receiving the wrong order and waiting an excessive amount of time for our food, we ordered the seafood baller which we were told would accommodate six people. That was absolutely not true. The platter came with maybe three shrimp, barely any scallops, and mussels that were mostly empty shells with no meat inside. It was essentially a large platter of shells and nowhere near enough food for six people. When we asked to speak with the manager, he came to the table while I was in the restroom. Although six other people were sitting there and available to explain the problem, he chose to leave and never returned. Without speaking to us or offering to replace the meal, he took it upon himself to remove the seafood baller from our bill. We weren't looking for free food we wanted the meal we had ordered so we could eat. After sitting there for hours, we still left hungry and somehow had a nearly $700 bill for a couple of sides, two steaks, and drinks. Our server was amazing and did the best he could, but the management and overall level of professionalism were unacceptable. When a guest's order is wrong, management should communicate with the table and make an effort to resolve the problem not simply remove the food without discussing it. We absolutely will not be returning. The experience was nowhere near worth the money.

Amazing time here on Monday night w my work colleagues. Server was super friendly, great…read morelively/upscale ambieance and the food was incredible. We ordered the shrimp app (best one) crab cakes, calamari for apps and then we all got steaks. I got the 12 ounce filet and it was cooked to perfection. Would 10000 % come back, great place for dinner or just a cocktail in a nice atmosphere.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab was a highlight of my time in Chicago. I started with East…read moreand West Coast oysters, then had the filet mignon and lobster tail. Both were fantastic: the filet had a beautiful sear and rich flavor, while the tender, sweet lobster was perfectly cooked, especially with butter. The service was top-notch. Everyone was welcoming and attentive without being overbearing, and our knowledgeable server offered great recommendations. The staff made the meal feel special. Joe's also delivers a classic Chicago steakhouse atmosphere: dark, polished, and lively, with families, business diners, and couples. It's a confident, established spot for more than just steak; a proper night out with polished service and timeless ambiance. Great food and exceptional hospitality made this an experience I'll remember. I'd gladly return on my next visit to Chicago.

This is my opinion about Steak Tartare only. Interior is very nice, service was excellent but dish…read morewas forgettable. No flavor at all and I could not taste any of the ingredients listed on the menu. As a big fan of Steak Tartare it was a big disappointment.

First, I am writing this review to recognize the exceptional level of service provided by our…read moreserver, Bane. His menu suggestions were spot on and he has the gift of being attentive without hovering over the dining experience. so, 5 stars for Bane. Separately, I think for the price, a side should be included in the meal. The food is expensive and while the dinner was good, it was not memorable. Gorgeous restaurant interior and quite lovely to have a table next to the window.

Staff took such good care of us and actually got us moved to a much better window booth where we…read moreenjoyed some fantastic fish and chips

The Dearborn was the perfect first meal on my first day in Chicago. I love that they're open for…read morelunch, since a lot of spots in the Loop only get going at dinner. We grabbed seats at the bar, and the cocktail list is a highlight, with a nice mix of classic and seasonal drinks. The 4 cheese tavern pizza was fantastic: super thin crust, cut into squares, and perfectly crisp. The ham and cheese croquettes were also very tasty and a great starter to share. My friend ordered the fish and chips, one of their signature dishes, which famously beat Bobby Flay on his show (a rare feat!). Based on how quickly it disappeared, it lives up to the hype. The only downside is that the bar seats are pretty uncomfortable, so you may want a table if you plan to linger. Still, the food and drinks more than make up for it. Highly recommend!

Sophia Steak was a fantastic experience. Our server, Jonathan, did a great job walking us through…read morethe menu and recommending his favorite items. We settled on the oysters, potatoes and caviar, Lake Superior white fish, ribeye, ginger rice, and the chocolate cake. The portion sizes were nice and everything was delicious. The delmonico ribeye was the star of the night. We appreciated that the restaurant was spacious and didn't feel as if you were sitting on top of another guest or easedropping on their conversation. We will be back soon!

Our absolute favorite anniversary and special occasion spot!…read moreSophia Steak never misses. The food, service, and atmosphere are consistently top-notch. They even print personalized menus with your names for special occasions to take home as a keepsake, which is such a thoughtful touch. The crab cake is a must-order every single time. It is packed with real, sweet lump crab meat without all the heavy breading and flour filler you usually find elsewhere. The calamari appetizer was decent, though compared to the rest of the meal, it was slightly less memorable. For the entrees, the scallops were cooked to perfection with a rich, buttery, melt in your mouth texture. The roasted chicken was also incredible, super juicy and tender on the inside with perfectly crispy, seasoned skin. Since we were celebrating a birthday, they even surprised us with a complimentary dessert to finish the night. Everything was truly flawless from start to finish. Highly recommend for any date night or celebration!