So as a first-timer, I was absolutely delighted that Raphael, the maître d' (well that's a bit of a…read moreformality that's honestly inapplicable in this instance, but humor me), held our table though we were late--very late due to Spot Hero getting us locked inside a garage, but that's a different review! The rocky start continued when our waitress, Martha, was far less than attentive and when arriving at our table 5-10 minutes after we were seated advised that BOTH of the entrées we wanted were sold out--at 6PM! After I thought about it perhaps that's a testament to how good those selections must be--Lamb Chops and Baja Mariscada (fire-roasted shrimp, mussels and maine lobster, smoked and lemongrass infused with lime zest, herbs). I'll return and revisit a review of those dishes. However, "Leña Brava -- 'ferocious firewood'- celebrates Mexican dishes cooked over hardwood fire," is spot on in accurately describing the restaurant, its warm friendly vibe and its remarkably delicious food! (Okay so it took a minute but just wait--your mouth will water in anticipation of dining here). The appetizers and entrées alike were incredible. I suggest that you must have the Leña Guacamole which comes with wood-roasted tomatillos, serranos, and salsa macha. I had BOTH the Chilled Oysters (appetizer) and Roasted Oysters (small plate) and urge you to order both if you're a fan of oysters. Finally, the Fire-Roasted Plantains with crema and queso fresco was the best I've eaten in Chicago. The Bone In Pork Chops had a char on them that I could eat in-perpetuity and the medium-rare Steak & Frites (crispy fries perfectly seasoned) had us sharing plates the presentation was so divine! But the star dish of the night was the Coal-Fired Tacos Gobernador -- "lobster, shrimp, Chihuahua cheese, avocado-habanero salsa, flour tortillas, Oaxacan pasilla butter." Really outstanding and reasonably priced cocktails and wine -- list of offerings pictured with this review -- including an incredibly unique offering called "Papi Diablo:" real del valle tequila, jalapeño, elderflower, ginger, hibiscus and lemon. The 2022 Palafox Pionero Chenin Blanc and 2023 Henry Lurton Sauvignon Blanc, both from Baja, California were well balanced and flavorful. The willingness to make not on the menu mocktails - "Not a Margarita" and "Spicy Fruit Cart" - was a welcomed accommodation, but PLEASE adjust the price when you cut the alcohol guys--otherwise you're just price gouging your customers! The most pleasant surprise was from the "Nightcap Menu" ESPRESSO MARTINI / vodka (or tequila which I don't think constitutes a martini but what do I know), espresso, and coffee liquor. This was a star cocktail despite the fact that they don't sell coffee here!!!!! A BIG NO NO for a quality dining establishment. Finishing with one of the best desserts I've ever eaten saved this restaurant's fifth star!!!! The Tiramisu Tres Leches was moist, sweet, balanced and clearly freshly made in-house. TO DIE FOR!

My experience at Lena Brava was lack luster and quite confusing overall…read more Randolph street is already packed and takes a valiant effort and wallet to participate in. For instance- after looking around my mother was the oldest young lady in the restaurant. There were booths open ... why sit older women in the high tops and not the open booth - only to eventually sit two men at the booth and we're a party of four. Not the bet decision. Then one of the biggest faux paus happened which was a steak at the incorrect temperature. What was even more disappointing was being asked did my guest want to throw it back on the grill with the chimichurri sauce already on. Mind you the bill is easily at 300 for four people with no tax or tip yall. Then knowing that you can see if the steak was cooked correctly before it gets to the table and you still sit it down is wild- and only more so because this is not a budget dinner. Of course the timing threw the dinner and temperature off for everyone and there was another horribly late dish - corn lol smh. Our waitress was kind and inattentive. The most interesting aspect was being asked if we needed anything and the whole table stared at her for 30-45 secs with a bunch of empty plates and I had to ask "ummm hey can we have these removed". She should've been the one to offer instead of me asking. Everything else was cooked properly but my fingerling potatoes were tastier than the octopus that sat on top. I can't say I'm up at night craving any particular flavor from here Last but not least after messing up the steak and removing it from the bill.. late corn , lackluster service ... there was an additional 3.25 % restaurant surcharge I had to asked to be removed. I understand bad nights. But there was literally nothing to hold on to here. Other than it's a cute spot.

I read about Tzuco on either Eater or Infatuation and booked it because it was within walking…read moredistance of our hotel near Water Tower, had an interesting-sounding upscale Mexican menu, and had Michelin recognition. Plus they open early-ish for dinner, 4 pm. Tzuco is a well-decorated restaurant with a main dining room, bar/lounge and patio. We reserved at the kitchen counter, 8 stools with views into the kitchen. The restrooms are attractive as well, with a communal sink area. The host was a bit aloof, but our server was friendly. We focused first on our entrees of interest, then our server walked us through which starters to go with, since our entrees were on the large side. Note the dishes are in Spanish, so one may require assistance with descriptions. Here's what we ordered: 1) Heirloom tomatoes. Refreshing and beautifully plated, with huitlacoche (a fungus that infects corn yet is considered a delicacy--"Mexican truffle") fondue, pickled peaches and basil oil. Delish. 2) Esquites. A pretty classic but well-done execution. Corn, epazote, chili powder, cheese and lime. 3) Couscous chile relleno. This is an entree, but we split it as a starter. A poblano pepper stuffed with cauliflower, guajillo and Gruyere cheese with a couscous salad alongside. Unique and delish. 4) Pink risotto. This was on the special October menu celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a journey through Jalisco, Mexico. The risotto had goat cheese and short rib, tinged pink with pickled onion, radish and beets. Nice. 5) Costillas de res. A HUGE whole short rib braised and served on the bone, topped with tomato, onion, charred avocado, Brussels sprouts and chiles. Served with flour tortillas, Could really serve two. The meat was very tender and the toppings were pushed up a notch from the ordinary. The tortillas seemed housemade. Took some home. 6) Maiz. Dessert. Charred corn ice cream actually shaped like a corn cob, with caramel, toffee, orange puree, honey gelee and caramel popcorn. Also unique and delish. Overall a unique and tasty meal. Many other dishes I'd like to try. Their Happy Hour menu also looks decent. The experience reminded me somewhat of a restaurant in our LA hometown called Damian, which also has an upscale Mexican menu.

Everything is still delicious! I'd absolutely come back AGAIN, and we rarely revisit the same spot…read moretwice, so that says a lot. Lobster Tostada 7.5/10: A pretty standard tortilla tostada topped with nice pieces of lobster and a yummy, creamy sauce. The peas added a nice texture. Mejillones 8/10: Loved the vinegary, tangy sauce, especially for dipping the perfectly butter-toasted sourdough. The mussels themselves were fine, but the dried chorizo and pickled jalapeños really elevated the dish. Cochinita Pibil 7/10: The pork shank was bordering on dry, but for the most part, it was still tender and soft. Loved the black bean purée and sauce underneath! The habanero salsa wasn't really my thing and felt unnecessary since everything was already so flavorful. Cacao 7.5/10: Satisfying, but not as good as Maiz. There wasn't a hard chocolate shell. Instead, it was a chocolate-almond mousse with coffee cake underneath that tasted almost like a brownie. The chocolate flakes added a nice crunch, and I appreciated that it wasn't overly sweet. Service 6/10: Service was more hands-off this time around. We didn't get our second appetizer until about 45 minutes into the reservation, so the food came out pretty slowly. We also didn't get as many check-ins or water refills as we did during our last visit. Despite the slower service, the food is still really good, and we'd happily come back to try more of the menu!

So happy that I finally tried Bar Mar. I came on a weekday for dinner and the place was busy…read more Definitely mostly people coming together after work! The food was incredible and the service was attentive and considerate. They definitely take pride in serving fresh and delicious food and making the guests feel comfortable. The vibe was very energetic and bustling! People were having a nice time but it was a bit loud so keep that in mind. The menu is definitely seafood-forward, but the short rib entree was recommended so I went with that and it was delicious! The meat was so tender. I also tried the sea bass and it was very yummy.

Bottom Line Up Front: Good food, below average service, nice atmosphere/ambiance…read more After a lot of research, I decided on Bar Mar specifically to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. I shared that in the reservation as well. We ordered oysters and a couple Hamachi cones to start. For our mains, we had a tuna tartare roll and scallops. Everything was very good in both presentation and taste. What you'd expect at a high end establishment. Service though was another story. Instead of feeling like a special occasion, it felt like we were on an assembly line, going through the motions. I discreetly mentioned my girlfriend's birthday to our server and astonishingly he immediately wishes her happy birthday and asks if she's turning 21 as a joke. That was the extent of the birthday celebration at Bar Mar...nice. The goal was to make my girl feel special on her birthday and the restaurant did nothing to promote that. Compare that to my review of Cindy's Rooftop the next day and you'll see a huge difference in care and hospitality.

You wouldn't think that someone from Southern California would find a taco spot outside of the home…read moreturf that's good. This place is it! From the service to the food to the drinks, this is definitely the spot. We for a few different tacos. You really can't go wrong. Kids killed the fish taco. My favorite was the carne asada. Each had toppings specific to the type of taco. Wasn't all the same like a lot of places. This made all the difference. Fresh ingredients as well. Of course we tried the margaritas. Super refreshing and flavorful. Coming on from the wild summer rain, a margarita did not seem like the right drink but it absolutely always is. Service was super friendly. The server was joking around with my kids a lot. I always appreciate when they acknowledge the kids and engage with them. Many establishments just ignore them for whatever reason. Definitely need to try if you're around. I would definitely come back.

Fun fact of the day: Mexican Radio is a song by rock band Wall of Voodoo. This was news to me when…read moreI met a friend here for a recent happy hour, who informed me of this fact. Much like the song, Mexican Radio the restaurant brings bold flavors and vibrant energy to the Loop. The eating establishments in this space have been through multiple incarnations. This recently revamped restaurant/bar is located adjacent to the Hyatt Centric Hotel. I have been here for happy hour on two occasions and can recommend the regular margarita and the spicy margarita. At times the bar seating can get packed, and other times not so much, so I recommend getting here early to snag a preferred seat. Prices are reasonable, especially for downtown Chicago. There is also an outdoor patio to soak up the last days of summer and early autumn.

Amazing food! And even better service! Juan Carlos made the experience amazing y guapísimos el staffread more

this is a top tier place. Chica Morada, ceviche, they know how to do it like a true Peruvian!…read more I loved every bite of everything. They balanced these items perfectly and it really was one of the highlights of my trip. I loved the selection of Pisco! The truffle balls, the guacamole, the tacos, all of it down to the dessert was a 10/10 bite. I would highly recommend this place.

Boka was a special dining experience. The restaurant offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere, and the…read morestaff were wonderful. They were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful with their recommendations. We opted in for the vegetarian tasting menu. Each course was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Nothing felt like an afterthought, and the menu offered an impressive variety of flavors and textures. We were super full at the end. The restaurant also prepared a special birthday menu with all the great dishes the chef made for us that day. Some of our favorites included the Cherry Tomato Tart, Smoked Turnip, Chestnut Ravioli, and Roasted Maitake Mushroom with Meyer lemon and black truffle. The Chocolate Tart and Elderflower Panna Cotta were the perfect finishing touches along with the birthday ice cream popsicle. Overall, Boka felt intimate, elevated, and impeccably executed. It was clear that tremendous thought went into every dish. This was a truly memorable meal, and we will be back :).

I got a bar seat reservation for the missus and I (two) at 7:15pm on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The…read morefront desk was courteous - they give you a key for your bags (looks like an ancient key) as part of bag check, and led us to our table at the leftmost side of the bar. The bar seating itself wasn't super crowded - but every booth and table looked like it was taken, so that was interesting. On my way to the bathroom I saw their numerous michelin years of guide and stars. It's noticeably missing 2026 - and after having dined here, I kind of get why. For a drink I got the local Eris Pedestrian cider. We debated getting the chef menu ($195/each) , but we ended up ordering a la carte: chicken liver mousse ($9/each, we ordered two), roasted veal sweetbreads ($30), black truffle chicken ($43), and roasted dry aged pork loin ($51). We later ordered a financiers for dessert (forgot the price). We were full after eating everything that we ordered, but given the lack of quality of the cuts of meat, the small portion sizes, and the extremely high cost, it's hard for me to recommend this place. If this is what Michelin star-quality food tastes like (at least in Chicago), the Michelin evaluators here have either no actual taste buds, or are awarding stars for "vibes" only. The vibes are fine - don't get me wrong - but the food here isn't anything worth writing home about. Dish by dish: mousse was decent, the veal was kinda dry, the chicken was very dry, and the pork loin, while decent, wasn't as special as we thought it'd be. Financiers was kinda sweet but it was actually the only part of the meal I truly enjoyed the bites of. The post-meal truffle thing was too sweet for the missus so I ate both. The cider was... Pedestrian, as the name implies. Definitely the most fitting name for the drink. The bathrooms are down the stairs - so it's terrible for those in wheelchairs or that are mobility challenged. The bathrooms themselves are high-quality - which is part of the experience, but idk if it's "worthy" of adding stars to a mediocre food experience.

Above and beyond our expectations. Friendly service and the food is phenomenal. Thank you for an…read moreexceptional experience.

Rose Mary blends Italian and Croatian influences, and after eating here, I'd love to come back with…read morea larger group so we could try even more of the menu, especially the extensive list of starters. We had a tight time limit before heading to the airport, and our server, Jess, did a great job managing the pacing without ever making us feel rushed. We started with the Tuna Crudo. Super fresh, beautifully presented and one of the highlights of the meal. Next was the Watermelon with prosciutto, pecorino, candied pecans and chili oil. An unusual combination that delivered a nice mix of sweet and heat. We split the Radiatore "Cacio e Pepe" with pecorino romano and black pepper. It's very rich, so splitting it worked perfectly. Both the Tuna Crudo and Cacio e Pepe are signature dishes, and I can understand why. We finished with the Toffee Zelten, served with cinnamon-roasted nuts, bourbon whipped panna cotta, oranges and vanilla gelato. Another great dessert to finish a terrific meal. I also loved the airy, contemporary interior, and there's outdoor seating as well. Great food, great service and a restaurant I'd absolutely visit again.

Service was very attentive and speedy! The entire experience was just under 25 minutes…read more Despite of being early evening, the atmosphere was a little bit dim inside with the lighting. The happy hour menu have a lot of great hits, but I came for the oysters specifically; and they did not disappoint. The guava habanero salsa, and something that brought it all together and something I would eat all by itself. I started with a half dozen to get a taste for it and immediately knew I would be ordering a second one shortly after. One of my favorite oyster happy hours so far on my quest to find the best oyster happy hour!! it is important to me that an oyster can stand alone by itself, but it is truly elevated with the salsa. What a steal for only a dollar and oyster , and again you can't beat a dozen under 25 minutes. Staff was wonderful.

And it went back down to 1 star…read more Came in for dinner. Service was slow. The burger we ordered was very plain and bland. The meze we ordered, which comes with 5 spreads was brought out with one order of the veggies and chips. This is what one spread usually comes with so it was not the appropriate amount for 5 spreads. I ordered a red wine and it was served warm. Not room temp, WARM. This place is way too inconsistent and we will not be returning.