This medieval themed bar is very fun! They have huge dripping candles, a throne, and even tarot…read morereadings!! While the space isn't huge, after about 10 minutes two seats opened up so if you're patient, you can probably find a seat. The cocktails were very good and had a lot of variety. For all the ones with a fire next to them, they literally light them on fire! And not just a little either. It's very fun!

My friends and I did not want our night to end, so we went to King of Cups. This was my first time…read morehere, personally. Upon opening the door, the bar was crowded and seemed daunting. We were able to get a table outside, which was perfect. The dark vibes inside are personally not my favorite, but I appreciate the intimacy of the space. We did not order food, and just had some white wine. It was the perfect spot to end our fun night filled with good times, good wine, and laughs while I was visiting Chicago.

Step off the streets of Chicago into a beautifully dimly lit fondue experience is so cozy inside…read morewith the music of a live Spanish guitar that really create a private magical experience. All the premier dinners come with salad, cheese, fondue, and the chocolate fondue - You are just choosing what protein you would like. The Prince Geja combination has a little bit of everything. However, we most liked the seafood which includes lobster and the scallops were to die for! Also the beef also cooks well. Favorite dipping sauce included the pimento mayo, chimichurri, and garlic butter. The cheese fondue is quite rich and the bread is quite filling so maybe get as much cheese as you can on each piece of bread. The chocolate fondue, I think is actually the best course as the Belgium chocolate melts so well and has a decadent but not overly sweet flavor. It pairs well with all that is provided for dipping, which includes poundcake, rice Krispies, strawberries. They also have some liquor that they light on fire at first so you can roast the marshmallows. It is such a well thought out experience. Service flows very well from two waiters who take your order set up your fondue pots for each course, but be prepared to spend at least 2 hours on this experience. Check out the Groupon but also I read a review that they just tack on the extra $50 so it's not really too much of a savings. Not sure if this is true.

Had a fantastic evening at this classic spot!…read more Food was super tasty and fresh! The seafood was probably my favorite! The full dinner with chocolate and cheese was perfect! Also appreciated that they were accommodating for the vegetarian in our party. Everything except the cheese course can be made vegan friendly as well. The service was top notch! Appreciated that they called me ahead of time to confirm our reservation and ask about food allergies. All the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive. They were quick to refill items and answer any questions we had. The location is classic fondue restaurant, cozy and romantic. However, also perfect for catching up with a friend. I love the history in this place and really enjoyed the mood lighting. Pricing was fantastic for the quality of service, food, and drinks! Look forward to many happy returns!

Back Again - Gemini Pt 2, but this time for brunch!…read more I enjoyed my first dinner experience here so much last week that we had to come right back to try their weekend brunch. From the start, the hostesses were inviting and lovely. The restaurant is very pretty, warmly blending a modern style with a touch of classic French bistro elegance. I'm mostly so impressed with how versatile the restaurant actually can be, shifting seamlessly from an elegant, upscale dinner setting with its beautiful U-shaped marble bar to a bright, whimsical, and enchantingly airy brunch setting. The fully opened bifold windows are adjacent to the pergola-topped patio, letting a glorious, cascading breeze drift through the space to create a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and a lively weekend energy. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered: Super Green Vegetable Salad: The kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, and peas were crisp and fresh. We loved this so much during our first dinner visit last week that we had to order it again for brunch! Spectacular! Nova Lox Platter: The wild salmon topped with diced red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg crumble, served with an everything bagel and a side of chive cream cheese, was excellent. French Onion Frittata: The rich gruyère and caramelized onions were wonderful. If you're a French onion soup lover like me, this is a can't-miss!! Definitely will be reordered and often. Fantastic! Daily Omelette: Ordered from the special menu, featuring black truffle salsa, mascarpone, and Calabrian chile honey. It was absolutely phenomenal, perfectly cooked, and the flavor combination was incredible. Our server, Sarah, was excellent and made the experience even better - we even share the same name! The management team was also incredibly warm and attentive, stopping by our table to welcome us back. Returning twice in one week says it all. This restaurant has made it into my regular rotation and is hands down one of my new favorites!

Not too shabby. I…read morelike this place for an impromptu early dinner. I've been twice and always sit outside in the patio area. The restaurant itself is pretty as is the outdoor dining area if aesthetics are important to you. Service is also great. Food wise...good portions overall. However, all I want is a little bit more: a little more butter for the delicious bread, a little more time in the oven for the Brussel sprouts to soften them up, and a little more cream to accompany the carrots. Also, a few more croutons in the Caesar salad! All that being said, the steak was well seasoned and who can ever object to a tasty side of fries? Dining here, you're getting a healthier experience as opposed to heavy seasoning, butter, sauce, etc, but it's good overall.

This is easily the coolest speakeasy I've been to in Chicago so far!…read more From the moment we checked in for our reservation, we were treated with amazing service. The walk through the kitchen, being greeted by every employee was so sweet and a nice part of the experience. Once we made it to the actual location, it was a dark and sexy vibe. All of the drinks and food was delicious. A bit pricey, but thankfully my partner paid . This would be an amazing date night spot to surprise someone with. It was dark so I didn't get many photos, but just go, you have to experience it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! A great date night option. You get to go…read morethrough the kitchen for the whimsical entrance (and the back exit is also quite cute). Cocktails are delicious and the ambiance is very cozy and moody. I loved everything we tried (fries, croquettes and burger are not pictured but still really good) and it's a plus to be able to order from the SKY menu. It's truly the best of both worlds. The service was also very friendly and guided us through entrance, ordering and exit. I will definitely return.

Pretty awesome bar @ Steppenwolf Theater!…read more I get a chance to come here quite often as I am a member of the Steppenwolf Associates and we sometimes grab a drink or two here afters shows and meetings. Awesome service here from the men and women behind the bar. They definitely know how to whip up good manhattans and old fashioned drinks. The make a pretty good hot toddy as well! You will also see people here on laptops, students from Depaul studying with coffee and patrons waiting on a Steppenwolf show. Very cozy place to meet up with friends and grabbing a drink or few!

I ordered a curry Chicken salad sandwich at the coffee bar. It tasted like it was made last week…read moreand left in the refrigerator the whole time. I couldn't eat more than a few bites. Sooo disappointing.

Nice ambiance with good lighting and lots of space. The service is amazing, and the food is nuts…read more Technique, playful, tactile, delicious, beautiful, and interactive. This is one of the best meals I have had.

My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

Loved everything. Delicious really great foods. Group of four, zero complaints. The service was on…read morepoint. Nice wine pour. Bright fun atmosphere. I thought for the quality and portions and fair prices this is a really great choice. Looking forward to returning.

Chicago Restaurant week. I reviewed various dining options in search of a good place for dinner…read more Reddit gave me some ideas. I'd never been to Willow Room and liked that they had a four course dinner menu, with items I liked. I was able to make a reservation for a Saturday night at 8:15pm. PARKING Parking on Halsted on a Saturday night can be a nightmare, and it did take a minute to find street parking. North of the 1800 block is busier because there are several restaurants within a two block radius. Side streets are permit parking after 6pm. Meters on Halsted are $2.50/hr. ATMOSPHERE Willow Room was pretty packed. We had a reservation for 8:15pm and my party of two was seated right away. The restaurant features a full bar, dim lighting and is nice and roomy. They have banquette seating around the perimeter, in addition to tables in the middle. SERVICE Our server, who was very nice and accommodating during our dining experience, came by and gave us our menu's. I had already decided on the RW menu and after review, my friend was interested in the Beef Wellington (not on RW menu). Our server informed us that normally the whole table had to order off of the RW menu if one person does, but said she would check with the kitchen since this was the last day of RW. Luckily, we were able to proceed with ordering from different menu's. FOOD I ordered a raspberry Cosmopolitan. I'm a Riesling/Moscato girlie, but I tasted the Riesling and didn't like it. RW dinner was priced at $60. I ordered: First Course: Caesar Salad (Typical salad, was good) Second Course: Mussels (Tasted fine, came with a baguette) Third Course: Short Rib (Could've been slightly more tender and better seasoned. I've definitely had better. Wouldn't order again.) Fourth Course: Orange Ricotta Donuts (Donuts were very good. Three were served, a few more would have been more filling.) My friend ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and: Truffle Fries (Fries were very tasty. I would order again if I went back.) Beef Wellington (The breading was buttery and very good. The beef could've been more seasoned. I wouldn't order.) Key Lime Pie (Was not sweet and had no taste. When our server came back and saw it was uneaten, she offered to take it off the bill. It should be removed from the menu altogether.) The busboys and server were very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled. OVERALL The atmosphere was nice, our server was great. Of all the food we ordered, I would order the truffle fries and Cosmopolitan again. I did leave full and did take my leftover Short Rib to go. Main dishes needed more seasoning. I would dine here again and try a different menu (brunch/lunch), or Happy Hour if they offer it.

WOW Cant believe the new Saturday special buy a pitcher of beer and get a dog! Only Saturdays 12-2,…read morethey try to keep it lowkey, but one of the best dogs in the city

Reilly pup, & I Also like this dog friendly bar.. I hadn't been here since 1993 ish, and started…read morecoming back in 2025 with Reilly.. We both Love , Heather, who works there. Great service, friendly & good beer & cider..

A great drink, bar service and meat board…read more I was the first person in the door as it was an early stop for a longer evening, the bartender who was serving was helpful to a first timer and tastefully attentive afterwards. As more and more people came in, he was certain to keep me in his considerations and each old fashioned was as good as the first The charcuterie board had very good sourdough bread and the meats were very delicious. Overall a great start to my evening and will be returning

Visit & Wait Time *…read moreWe (group of 6) came here on a Saturday night. * It was a bit packed, so the staff recommended we come back in an hour. * We came back in an hour, and the staff sat us right away. Service * The servers and bartenders were friendly. * It took us some time to get the charcuterie board, but they had one server manning the area. She did her best. Ambiance * The ambiance is moody and vampy. Cleanliness * The bathrooms are clean. Overall Experience * I would come here again.