Games are fun. A nice hangout spot with friends. The beers…read morewere good and had a variety to choose from

I haven't been to a barcade where most of the games were free, so that was a really nice surprise…read more We originally just went to kick off a bar crawl, but they had trivia/Jeopardy going on, it was freezing outside (low 20s), and we ended up staying way longer than planned. It was actually a really fun time, and I'll definitely be back. The pizza looked really good too, but I didn't even see a kitchen so I'm very curious how they're making it.

I visited Chalet for their new Brunch After Dark experience and really enjoyed it. The atmosphere…read moreis perfect for a night out -- dim lighting, fun neon signs, great music, a beautiful bar, and plenty of cute photo opportunities throughout the restaurant. The food was also a hit. The fried chicken nachos were easily one of my favorites and something I would order again. We also tried the huge brunch board, which came loaded with pancakes, waffles, chicken, eggs, potatoes, bacon, fruit and more. It says it feeds up to three people, but the portions were VERY generous and could easily be shared with a group. We also had the smothered potatoes and several cocktails, and everything we tried was good. The drinks were well made and fit the whole Brunch After Dark vibe perfectly. Overall, I love the idea of being able to have a full brunch experience without having to squeeze it into Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing dining experience. The sausage and bacon were…read moreterrible--they tasted as if they had been microwaved rather than freshly prepared. The food overall was simply not good. What made the experience even worse was trying to eat while literally fighting off bees. We were just trying to enjoy our meal and each other's company, but it was nearly impossible to relax and enjoy ourselves with bees constantly around our table. We asked twice if the windows could be closed and received very little help from our waitress. Yet once the party of 11 seated next to us arrived and made the same request, the windows were finally closed. That was extremely frustrating considering we had already asked more than once. I will say the host did her best, and I appreciated her efforts. However, the waitress was not very helpful at all. She was more concerned with the next group coming in then whatbwe were experiencing. And given the poor quality of the food, the bee situation, and the fact that our repeated request was essentially ignored until another party complained, our meal should have been comped--or at the very least, some type of adjustment should have been offered. Instead, we paid $175.40 for a meal and an experience we couldn't even enjoy. I will not be returning.

If I were to pick one bar to go to every time I'm in Chicago it would be Arbella! Drinks were…read moreabsolutely phenomenal. Everyone enjoyed their drinks and they had a fun menu by the chef and we ordered off of both menus. Drinks were reasonably priced. Bartenders were great and explained what was going on. They were chill and the booths were comfortable. They had music on but not too loud so we could converse comfortably. Best bar I've been to in the city! Also wish I had taken picture of all the drinks.

October 1, 2026 TL;DR: Arbella was this close to a five-star…read moredate-night experience. The atmosphere was fantastic, our server struck the perfect balance between attentive and giving us space, and both cocktails I tried were creative and delicious. The truffle fries were pretty mediocre, but even that wouldn't have stopped me from giving Arbella five stars. What did? Discovering afterward that a 5% "service charge" had been added to the bill. I really dislike this growing practice of restaurants and bars adding percentage-based fees rather than simply pricing their menu accordingly, and it was enough to cost an otherwise excellent experience two stars. Ambiance: 5/5 Arbella absolutely nails the atmosphere. I came here on a date, and it was a great choice for that. The music was good, the lighting and decor created a really intimate vibe, and our booth was comfortable enough that we could settle in and actually enjoy the evening. There was energy in the room without it being so loud or overwhelming that we couldn't have a conversation. Even the menu design and presentation fit the experience. If you're looking for somewhere that feels elevated, interesting, and still comfortable for a date, Arbella definitely checks those boxes. Service: 5/5 Our server was fantastic. This was one of those rare occasions where someone found exactly the right balance between being attentive and not constantly interrupting our date. We never felt forgotten about, but we also had plenty of space to enjoy ourselves and talk. I especially appreciated the recommendations. Whenever we had a question or wanted guidance on what to order, our server was knowledgeable and genuinely helpful rather than simply pushing something on the menu. Excellent service from beginning to end. Drinks & Food: 4/5 The cocktails were easily the highlight. I tried the First You Take The Graham and the Trankilo Melon, and both were really good while also being different enough from what I would normally order to make the experience more memorable. This is exactly what I want from a cocktail bar: drinks that make me curious enough to try something new and then actually deliver. The truffle fries, however, were mid at best. They weren't terrible, but compared with how impressive everything else felt, they were forgettable. I'd absolutely come back for the cocktails, but I'd choose something different to eat next time. About That 5% Service Charge... This is unfortunately where Arbella lost me, and ultimately why I cannot give the experience five stars. I didn't notice until reviewing my bill afterward that a 5% service charge had been added. I strongly dislike this increasingly common practice of restaurants and bars adding percentage-based fees to the bill. If operating costs have increased, I would much rather an establishment incorporate those costs transparently into its menu prices so I know what I'm agreeing to pay when I order. Calling it a "service charge" also creates unnecessary confusion, particularly when customers are still expected to decide what to tip their server. At a cocktail-focused establishment, where you may be ordering multiple drinks throughout an evening rather than paying attention to every line of the check, I think fees like this need to be extremely clear and prominent before ordering, not something a customer discovers afterward. For me, it feels like an extra charge for simply using the establishment in exactly the way it was intended to be used. Overall: 4/5 The frustrating part is that without the service charge, this probably would have been a five-star review. Arbella gave us a genuinely great date night: beautiful atmosphere, excellent service, creative cocktails, and a space I otherwise would have happily recommended and returned to. Instead, that 5% fee left a sour final impression on what had been an excellent evening. It may seem small, but transparency around pricing matters to me. Arbella did so much right that I want to come back, but the service charge is significant enough that I would think twice before doing so.

Really enjoyed our dinner at The Franklin Room! The downstairs setting gives the restaurant such a…read morecozy, intimate atmosphere, and I loved how the menu pulls inspiration from different cuisines. The lamb chops and chicken roulade with masala butter sauce were standouts for me, and the Summer Wanderer cocktail completely surprised me......I wasn't sure how I felt about carrot in a cocktail, but it was delicious! The whiskey bottle keep is also such a cool touch. Service was great throughout the evening, and we finished with the mango and coconut tart. Definitely a unique River North dinner spot that's easy to walk right past if you don't know it's there.

We had such a great dinner at The Franklin Room! The space has a cozy, moody atmosphere that makes…read moreit perfect for a date night or dinner and drinks in River North. We started with the Healthy Habit and Lychee Martini, and for food we tried the Wagyu burger, coconut-marinated steak, and charred broccolini. Everything was delicious, but the burger was definitely one of our favorites. We finished with the Opera Cake for dessert, which was the perfect way to end the meal. Such a great spot if you're looking for somewhere that feels a little tucked away from the busier parts of River North. We'd definitely come back!

If you're coming here for drinks, it's probably a great vibe, but if you're coming for food, I…read morewould recommend elsewhere. I want to preface my review with the positives, Londyn was our server & was truly so kind, thorough, and friendly. The restaurant itself is clean & all tables have clear views of the TVs on game days. Now for the room for improvement- the food was very underwhelming. Being from the Chicago area previously, I regularly advocate for the Chicago food scene, and this unfortunately did not meet those standards. We ordered the Brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower, wings, and sesame ginger salad: -Brussel sprouts: tasted like they weren't seasoned just air fried and drenched in balsamic dressing -Buffalo cauliflower: soggy, unseasoned, runny buffalo sauce -Wings: PERFECTLY CRISPY, but no flavor (we ordered lemon pepper & buffalo) -Sesame ginger salad: sloppy mix of vegetables tossed in an overly sweet sauce with no sesame or ginger flavor in sight If you're not going to eat, this is probably a great spot, but from a food standpoint, there is room for improvement.

Great place for late dinner (kitchen open until 11pm on weekdays). I was in the mood for some…read morechicken wings and yes, No Vacancy for the win. Good draft, liquor and can/bottle selection and great menu for food. Buffalo style wings were suberb!

This was my second visit to The Dearborn, and the food and service were both on point. We ordered…read morethe salmon tataki, fish and chips, Wellington burger, and Midwest fried chicken. Everything was well prepared, but the fried chicken was the standout, especially with the hot sauce adding another level of flavor. The staff stayed attentive throughout dinner and even replaced our plates between rounds, which was a level of service I wasn't expecting. I also respected seeing the owner personally making the rounds, stopping at every table to check on the guests and the food. Calm atmosphere, solid hospitality, and a kitchen that delivers.

OMG! Walk, run, sprint here to get the FISH N CHIPS THAT ACTUALLY BEAT BOBBY FLAY. The executive…read morechef and now chef partner, Aaron Cuschieri, is absolutely amazingly talented. I am used to really good fish and chips... I've never had better fish and chips than Tom Douglas's Mr. Fish in Seattle, UNTIL NOW!!!! Wow, wow wow wow! Do not pass GO, do not read the menu, just order the darn fish and chips! It might be a whole heart attack on a plate... But it doesn't matter... You can walk all of Chicago and burn it off. I decided to work out before I came here for this big splurge and I'm so glad I did. I can see that this is the theater district... And you could come here before a show fish and chips and have the best night of your entire life! I can't wait to try more of this chef's food! I'm BEYOND INSPIRED! ps great beers here toooooi!

I went to Beatrix on a first date recently, and it ended up being one of the best I've ever had…read more The atmosphere was great, the food was splendid and reasonably priced. But what really won me over was the service and how the people there took care of me. I made two big mistakes that could've tanked my evening, but the staff came through for me. I got there a little bit before my date arrived, only to realize that I'd forgotten to reserve a table. I felt like a total idiot. Thankfully, the hosts managed to get me a table for two, which couldn't have been easy on such short notice. Then the bigger problem came at the end of the night. Obviously, I wanted to make a good impression on my date by taking care of the bill, since I was the one who had asked her out, but there was a problem with my debit card for some inexplicable reason. I tried to get ahold of my bank to see if I could figure out what went wrong, but it was after hours and I couldn't get them on the phone. I tried to vail how much I was panicking on the inside, it was such an embarrassing moment at the end of what had otherwise been a great first date. The server who'd brought the bill was very kind the whole time, and she went to get the manager to see if there was a way we could sort out this situation. I don't think I've had a better experience with a manager at any institution than the one I had with the manager at Beatrix. He was so empathetic to my situation, and said he'd been in situations not unlike the found myself in. He had such a calming presence, which was exactly what I needed in that moment. He had very simple solution for me. I got ahold of a family member, and they sent him a link so that he could pay the bill remotely. I as able to reimburse them the next day after I'd sorted out the issue with my bank (it turned out to be a very stupid problem that took all of 5 minutes to fix). I'm never gonna forget the night I went on a date at Beatrix. It's clear that the people there truly care about their customers, and they do a great job at taking care of them. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a good night out. Just make sure you get a reservation beforehand!

First morning in town, this was near our hotel, and not busy at 8am on a Saturday. (By the time we…read moreleft around nine it was pretty full.) Bright, open, lots of windows, comfy seating. Varied menu. We started with drinks: Sweetie said the coffee was good, Kid K got strawberry milk (made in house, maybe with fresh strawberries from the taste.) I got root beer milk. I've had it before in a bottle from a store, but never seen it on a menu. Not made in-house, they use Monin coffee syrup, but still good. I wasn't very hungry so I just got brown sugar bacon (very good, but not the best I've had.) And shared with K and Sweetie. Sweetie got hash browns and a fruit cup. Big fruit cup, with fresh berries and a little melon. Kid K got Belgian waffles, with strawberries, vanilla whipped cream, and maple syrup. She ate about half, liked it but it's a big portion for a little kid. I tried some and they were very good. Great music- '80s and '90s hits. Great service, start to finish. Pleasant atmosphere. Good location. I'd go back.

I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

Mixed feelings on this place. Really pretty decor and nice vibe, but portions have greatly…read moredecreased in the last few years. The food is good, but I don't like that the portions have gotten smaller with the price staying the same. I've added pictures to show the difference. Their spicy hummus is probably my favorite hummus I've gotten from a restaurant, but it isn't always on the menu. The Kefta kabob is always good.

Coming here for brunch has become a weekend routine. I've tried everything on the menu at this…read morepoint and have enjoyed everything! Reservations aren't required, but recommended, especially for dinner, as slots fill up way in advance.

I really wanted to like Girl & the Goat, but unfortunately the food felt incredibly repetitive. If…read moreyou like sesame seeds, soy sauce, oil, jalapeños, and lots of nuts, you'll probably enjoy it because those ingredients seemed to make an appearance in almost everything we ordered. The same flavors showed up on the steak, the beets, the cornbread, and even the aguachile. There were also so many nuts incorporated throughout the dishes that it became difficult to appreciate the individual ingredients. To be fair, it's not that these flavor combinations were necessarily bad. The problem was that they were used so heavily that they completely overshadowed the actual food. If I order steak, I want to taste the steak. If I order beets, I want to taste the beets. Instead, everything seemed to be competing with the same strong combination of salty, oily, spicy, nutty, and sesame-forward flavors. I can appreciate creativity, but when every dish has such similar toppings and seasonings, the meal starts to feel one-note. Given the reputation of the restaurant, I expected the individual ingredients to shine a lot more.

Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. The…read moreatmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service. Our server, Miguel, was phenomenal. She was attentive, fast, and gave us some spot-on recommendations. Per her advice, we ordered the deviled eggs with jalapeño, hands down the highlight of the table. The deviled eggs with paired with that subtle jalapeño kick was absolutely perfect. For the mains, the chicken and waffles were good, carrying that solid comfort food flavor you expect. The waffles were a bit soft for my taste. To drink, the sidecar was mixed perfectly, well-balanced, crisp, and hit the exact right note. Giving it 4 stars only because while the mains were good, the starters and the outstanding service from Miguel were what truly stole the show. I'll definitely be back to hang out at the bar again nest time I am in town!

Visiting Chicago and decided to try Yardbird since we frequent Yardbird Miami. We drove from by the…read moreairport ( an hour ride) for mediocre food and lackluster customer service. The biscuits were the only thing that were very good. We ordered the fried chicken which was lukewarm and dry. We asked if we could have hot chicken that was just dropped. Our server said sure, it will take a minute to cook. We said okay, no problem. Two minutes later, I assume a manager(since he did not introduce himself), brings dark greasy chicken on a plate with mashed potatoes and salad. He condescendingly said, let's see this is hot enough. Our server comes backed shocked that the chicken is there already. The chicken appeared to have been old chicken sitting under a warmer that they dropped in grease. It tasted burnt. Another manager came to inquire as he saw we weren't eating the chicken. We asked him to remove the chicken and we'll eat the sides only. He offered to try again. We said no thanks. Why should it take 3 times to get fresh, hot, almost $40 fried chicken? The bill came with the chicken till on it even thought we sent it back. We politely asked him to remove that charge. The manager had the audacity to say "come back next time so we can get it right". Really? We're is the customer service? Our dinner was ruined, No gift card to come back? We have frequented this restaurant for years. This is not Yardbird Quality. Shame on you Chicago