Some organizational issues but still had a great time…read more 1. No point in doing timed entry if the timed entry rules are the thing making everyone clump up and enter at once. Totally illogical. 2. No kids should be allowed at an adults event. They run the show every other day, give us a break from them. 3. Jazz band should have been outside. Sad that we barely heard any music the entire night. As usual the animals were amazing! Jubilee drink was yummy. Sunset was gorgeous.

The music and ambiance were both fantastic…read more Bumping down a star because there wasn't enough seating outside particularly as people were hogging seats in keeping their stuff on it. They would disappear for long periods of time but keep stuff unattended. There should be some paid seating that can be reserved. Or some active management of chairs so no one hogs tables. One of the most picturesque aquarium locations I've visited. Also, nice exhibits. The food was actually priced reasonably and good as well. It was a nice family friendly atmosphere to experience a jazz event. Particularly as most Chicago jazz venues appear to be 21+.

Walked over to Buttercup after checking into my hotel in Chicago to grab a coffee and fire up the…read moreold laptop and get some work done. Though usually one for a hot coffee, it was steamy hot out so I went for an iced vanilla latte with oat milk and was wildly impressed. I was going to sit for a bit so had the latte for there and it was icy cold and the vanilla flavoring was brilliantly paired to the really good espresso notes within the latte. I also went for a Financier, which is a gluten-free banana bread sort of loaf and this was downright silly how good it was. It had a rich banana and sort of caramel flavor to it and as a gluten-free pastry option was one of the finest that I have had. Love that the coffee shop had just about every seat full with people doing work, studying, reading and catching up and the spot was a true neighborhood gem sort of location. Awesome spot!

Such a cute and cozy cafe! It's a great spot to get some work done, and the service was super nice…read more You order at the counter, and the server helping us was really patient. The Pistachio Mocha (8.5/10) had a great mocha flavor and the espresso strength was perfect. Not too strong or too light. Loved this one. The Lavender Sea Salt Latte (8/10) had a nice lavender flavor, and I liked that I could actually taste the espresso without it being overpowering. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich (7/10) is only available Saturday and Sunday. The egg was soft, the bacon was crispy, and the brioche bun was nice and soft. The mayo-based sauce was flavorful, but there was almost a little too much for me. I liked how the sandwich wasn't dry though.

I arrived around 21:00 for dessert/nightcap on a Monday evening before heading back to my hotel…read morenear convention center. I had been enjoying the city after a day of shopping and dinner at Joe's. A friend recommended this lovely bar/lounge. We are not from these parts of the U.S. and love to explore. This lounge is on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building. Part of the Hyatt chain. I was warmly greeted by host and placed next to an old fireplace in front of the bar area. I was seated facing the entire lobby. I was enjoying the Gothic architecture. It was dark and a soothing atmosphere. I appreciated the appropriate music playing as well. It was a perfect way to end my day. I had a glass of champagne and my server recommended the Basque cheesecake. Which was perfect cause I recently visited San Sebastian, Spain. The Basque region makes a great cheesecake. The burned caramelized top complimented my champagne well. There is a room/bar in the back room of where I was. A great bar with games and TVs for sports. After enjoying my nightcap, I walked downstairs and was able to order a ride-share and wait in the warm entry of the building. This hotel is directly across the famous Bean which is in the beautiful Millennium Park. During the day, I highly recommend checking that park out.

When my friend and I recently stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association, we made three…read morereservations for the Drawing Room (using Open Table), two for breakfast and one for dinner. The Drawing Room is in the lobby of the hotel. The first day at the hotel, my friend and I had a breakfast reservation (which we're thankful we did, as it was quite busy) and we sat at a table where the chairs were comfortable but it was too low to comfortably eat at the table. I felt like I was almost stretching and standing when eating. We requested a different type of table the next day when we can back for breakfast. We both ordered the Classic Breakfast consisting of two eggs, Nueske's bacon, breakfast sausage, breakfast potatoes, and sourdough toast. There were options available for gluten free toast and egg white though we didn't opt for that. I did ask for all bacon. The next day, I ordered a Breakfast Sandwich, regularly including chicken breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, American cheese, house-made english muffin, and green salad (with gluten free toast option). I chose bacon instead of sausage and cheddar instead of American cheese. Both breakfasts were rather good. Unfortunately the dinner wasn't as delightful as a meal as the breakfasts. The chairs were fine and the place wasn't too busy (and we had a reservation) though when we sat down, it was as if we were forgotten as no one came to our table for quite some time. We then realized we weren't too excited about the menu, so we instead when to the nearby Game Room for a bite while watching a basketball game on TV. We were given welcome beverage certificates good for free bubbly at the Game Room though those were also honored at the Game Room. The Drawing Room lobby spaces are open 24 hours daily though guests can order breakfast daily from 7 AM to 11 AM, Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 12 Midnight (though the kitchen closes at 11 PM), and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. You can visit the Drawing Room website at https://www.drawingroomchicago.com, where you can find menus, private event information, reservations, social media links, and more. You can also sign up for restaurant updates at the bottom of the page. While I wouldn't discourage anyone to go to the Drawing Room, it wasn't among our favorite restaurants at the Chicago Athletic Association or nearby the hotel.

Had Aunt Angie's stuffed shells and 8 Finger cavatelli. Amazing, real Italian food. Jojo as our…read moreserver was great also. Highly recommend!

Hidden gem in South Loop. something for everyone on the…read moremenu. feels like home. great service!

Fantastic service and great selection of snacks. I got the fried mushrooms and they were so good…read more It's super pretty and I love the color scheme of the place. Great place for cocktails either way a more upscale feel but not too fancy

Came in today with a group of eight friends over an hour after cocktail lounge opened (slower…read morehours). I'll begin by mentioning the drinks tasted great & the ambiance/overall esthetic and setup of this space is really wonderful. Unfortunately, my low review is because of the obvious distastefulness of some staff who are serving & bartending here. My guests visiting from out of state wanted a stiff drink in the afternoon & from the website photos + reviews, Vol 39 seemed like an awesome place that could accommodate our party with the large sofa seating. I even called ahead to ask about walk-ins of our size to be extra considerate. We received shocking dagger glares from a few staff members which made all eight of us immediately uncomfortable before even being sat. Like we were committing a major crime for thinking we could step foot in here. Empty stack of glasses slammed on the table with a water pitcher placed beside them; "I'll be right back." In a sharp tone. Ok. But not if we're paying $20 per person per cocktail. We were rushed and this attitude persisted, it is lazy.. especially given it was extremely slow.. super surprising for such an elevated establishment. Then, after a long while, we were all asked what we wanted to drink, like a fast casual burger joint. No, "any questions about our selections" or, "may I give some suggestions?" Never came by to check on us once despite the three other two tops inside. We wrapped it up fast since we definitely could choose another location with more attentiveness & basic kindness. We paid, a hefty gratuity in small print on the check which.. you guessed it.. was automatically included but no mention of this tidbit by the server. Maybe this is why we revived all this mean girl energy from the jump? Because they'll still get paid really well regardless? All eight of us have been a part of the service industry and this one stuck out extra frustrating & annoying. Never leave a low review, I'm writing today to management because they will ruin your repeat clientele, seriously. People can find another fabulous cocktail with way better service & vibes in the city. Overall, it was a shame my friends experienced this gross behavior today in the fabulous city of Chicago. Hope the staff does better in the future and works on improving their outlook.

just about the most generous fish portions in poke i've ever seen (and the thickest, fattiest…read moresalmon cuts)... and their macaroni salad is my favorite!!! the virgin lychee frozen daiquiri was great, not too sweet huge menu, but the server was very sweet in helping us navigate everything. and did i mention the interior... just made me so happy sitting in such a beautifully built and decorated place!!

Oh u know I'd be back soon. Thanks mucho to owners Betty and Duane! Had to order usuals cuz so dang…read moregood: crispy hot egg rolls, perfect spam musubi & steamed fish. New to us is the oh so yummy japchae! Bro & I enjoyed our "appetizer cocktails ": lychee martini and lemon vodka thingy. Our lovely waitresses always make our dining extra special. Thank you ladies!

Great food!! We stopped in for a late lunch the other day and we were very satisfied with our meal!…read moreI ordered the turkey bacon club it was very good! My bf had the bagels and lox and was very happy too!!

I don't like this place anymore. I've tried more than half of their cocktails and never had one yet…read morethat was balanced. Always too sweet, too much sour mix, too spicy, etc. Service has fallen off a cliff as well. Their cheeseburger is still decent but there are many others as good or better within walking distance. Been coming here for years since it was Blackie's but I think I'm finally done.

Gorgeous classy new martini lounge with live dj music. Narrow yet plenty of seating. Professional…read morefriendly staff. Fresh EFFECTIVE cocktails. Street meter parking.

Let me set the scene. It's Saturday, and my friends and I have officially started the shenanigans…read more We're looking to loosen up a little more and figure a local watering hole might do the trick. Well, we heard that M Lounge had been resurrected from the closed and was serving customers again, so naturally, we fleet-footed right on over to see what all the hubbub was about. Okay, first off, whoever decorated this place deserves a gold medal. It looks amazing. The mix of old and new, the gold accents, and the lighting all come together perfectly. It has everything visually that you would want from a neighborhood bar you could eventually call your Cheers. The music was just right, and the vibe was definitely vibing. But wait. I only gave this place three stars. How Sway? Well... let me tell you. You don't just go to a bar for the vibe. You go to a bar for the drinks, and as much as I loved the atmosphere, the drinks left me wanting. And it wasn't just me. Everyone in our group was a little confused. How can a place look this good, feel this good, and then have drinks that are just... so-so? And I take my drinks seriously. So when I say so-so, I mean SO-SO. Hell, the Old Fashioned wasn't even an Old Fashioned. It was some sort of sweet abomination. Was it a bourbon drink? Absolutely. Was it an Old Fashioned? Absolutely not. For now, I'm going to chalk it up to growing pains because there's way too much I like about this place to write it off after one visit. The atmosphere is there. The music is there. The neighborhood-bar potential is definitely there. So yes, I'll be back. But M Lounge, I'm asking you nicely. Please make me a proper Old Fashioned next time. Otherwise, I might have to cancel my subscription to the Martini Lounge.

I loved Oliver's!!! The front seating area is super bright, lit with tons of natural light & has a…read morebeautiful bar. There is also a huge back dining area as well. We loved everything we ate! I don't think you can go wrong. The salad was super flavorful and I loved the stracciatella toast. I recommended making a reservation but I don't think you need to do it that far in advance. We came before a concert at solider field and it was about a 25 walk to the venue so great place to come before going to solider field!

I came here for a birthday outing last weekend, and while the food was outstanding, the service was…read moreseverely disappointing, especially at this price point. My group was made to feel like an inconvenience - we felt rushed even though we didn't take long to order, or linger after paying, and we were polite while ordering plenty of dishes and drinks. A number of people in our party also work in the service industry, so we try to be mindful of all of these factors. We didn't receive one of the ordered sides, and this was obviously not the server's fault, but a number of items we attempted to order were unavailable (oysters, saturn cocktail, milk & cookies dessert) and it wasn't really acknowledged. Again, this was a birthday reservation and we were brought the check without being asked if we would like to order dessert. Then, when we did order dessert, there was no candle. I understand some restaurants don't provide candles...but a table next to us was given a candle. A disappointing experience - I had been looking forward to trying Oliver's since they opened.

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

The spot I would end up at on many nights. It can get really busy here, especially on the weekends,…read morehowever even if you're not singing you can still enjoy in the crowd. People here are lively and always here for a good time. Bartenders are kind and keep things moving even when it's crazy in there.