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    Prime Bar - Chicago

    4.3 (24 reviews)

    Prime Bar - Chicago Photos

    PRIME BAR - CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Prime Bar - Chicago

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    Prosciutto & Ricotta  Oysters
    Anna T.

    What a great spot! Came here for happy hour and loved it! Stunning interior, and service was great! I started with dealers choice drink and it was a daiquiri which was very refreshing. We then got oysters. These had a bunch of pieces of shells in them, I wouldn't recommend. The prosciutto caviar bite was amazing. The ricotta was sooo good. The gin and tonic cheese curds were my favorite. They tasted like Wisconsin cheese curds and had a mustard sauce under them. A must try! I need to come back to nisos for dinner!

    Prosciutto & Ricotta
    Sandeep C.

    So much effort and window dressing that yielded in sub par food and experience. Another trendy Mediterranean place?? Sign me up! Although Chicago has several flavors of this lately including Lyra and Aba, I am still here for it. Especially since this was really three places in one. Part lounge, bar and classic dining. So be sure to confirm exactly where you are making a reservation. The main difference in Nisos seemed to be their beef forward menu. I would essentially describe it as a Greek Steakhouse. However, the service was akin to your local strip mall chain and the food was average. Maybe they are still having growing pains? The staff seemed unprepared or untrained. We waited 30 mins after we had finished our appetizers. The steak frites just tasted off. The Wagyu burger could be beat by shake shack. However the shareable plates of arancini and prosciutto were really good. Not worth it and not sure I would want to come back to try Nisos Prime.

    Samantha P.

    Food 8/10. Vibes 10/10. My girl and I went out for happy hour and shared 2 dozen east coast oysters (they are $1 at all hours), the waygu smash burger and the truffle fries. In addition to each having an old fashion (strong but good). The vibes make you feel like you're on vacation and I would definitely go back. We left satisfied and full and paid $50 per person (with 20% tip included). Service was great as well.

    Birthday dessert
    Ambra R.

    I visited this restaurant over the weekend to celebrate my birthday with my partner. Upon arrival, the areas was busy but valet was quick, efficient, and affordable. We checked in about five minutes after our set reservation. We waited about 45 mins for our table and were given complimentary sparkling wine and lots of apologies. Once we were seated, we started off with the Wood Grilled Prawns and Crab Beignets. Phenomenal. The prawns were served with a warm butter drizzle and both appetizers were full of flavor. For dinner we enjoyed the Roasted Half Chicken and the Braised Short Ribs. The skin on the chicken could've been a tad more crispy. The short ribs were perfectly tender and the polenta was creamy. Both entrees were delightful. We finished dinner with the provided birthday dessert which was a chocolate cake. The cake was good and the entire presentation was beautiful. The management team accommodated us for the wait for the table and were very apologetic and friendly. Overrall, we enjoyed our experience and will be back.

    Bar
    Linda Y.

    I finally tried the Happy Hour at Prime Bar! I already love Prime Bar itself so I'm glad that there's a happy hour. During the warmer months, their patio alongside Randolph is great! The staff here are always kind and welcoming. One of the biggest highlights of the HH menu are the $1 oysters. On the day we went, the oysters were huge and not bad. It's also important to note that there is a minimum order of 4. We also got the crab beignets and these were incredible - lots of crab and topped with salmon roe which I loved! We also were given the gin and tonic cheese curds on accident, but our waiter let us keep them to try. They were super crispy and delicious but I felt like there wasn't any cheese involved in this one - I was eating more batter than actual cheese curds. For drinks I decided on Dealer's Choice which is whatever the mixologist decides to make. I ended up with a very yummy tequila cocktail with lots of citrus. I enjoyed it! Overall, a solid spot for HH and it isn't ever too difficult to get a seat even as a walk-in during HH

    Sacchettoni
    Zoe G.

    Fantastic happy hour! $1 oysters, how can you beat that?! Everyday from 4-6pm. Their truffle fries are also amazing. $7 wines and $9 spritz and dealers choice cocktail. Ashley our waitress was amazing and attentive, as well as the other food runners.

    Lemon Tart
    Ellie K.

    I've been meaning to try prime bar for a while and recently went. I think this revamped nisos is much better than the previous version and I was impressed. The first floor is prime bar and the menu was diverse and seemed interesting. We didn't go intending to get the restaurant week menu but the restaurant week menu was actually very well put together. So we gave it a try and it was great (we got Horiatiki, arancini, steak frites, lemon tart and panna cota- all good)! In terms of options, quality, and value, I think it's one of the best options for restaurant week. Service was overall good but there were some gaps. We wanted to box up our entree so we waited to get approached but no one came to our table for 30+ minutes. Also, I put in a note in my reservation that it's for a bday celebration and in the beginning the restaurant staff acknowledged it, but we didn't even get a little candle at the end of the night. A sad part was that a couple in the table next to us was also celebrating bday and they got a free ice cream with a little candle! We ordered dessert (as part of the restaurant week course) so we didn't want the free ice cream but I felt that putting a small candle on a dessert we ordered would've been a nice gesture- especially since they have it. Some places don't do such thing at all and that's totally fine but it was a bummer to see the table next to us get a candle but we don't )':

    Menu with happy hour
    Jasmine S.

    Went to enjoy a drink during happy hour Minday - Friday 4pm -6pm. While we did not have a reservation, we were sat promptly and brought water. The Smashberry cocktail for $9 was refreshing, but could be a little on the sweet side. They inside decor was beautiful. The lights were dim and soft music was playing. Perfect level to be able to have a conversation.

    Wood Grilled Prawns
    Tiffany K.

    Prime Bar is the first floor restaurant of Nisos Prime, the new multi-modal Mediterranean project sandwiched between West Loop giants Au Cheval and Lone Wolf. Nisos Prime is the rebirth of Nisos which opened in this Randolph location in 2022, but after what appeared to be difficulty in nailing their concept and the departure of the Greek chef of their founding team, the restaurant closed with plans to renew their efforts. Nisos Prime has 3 parts: Prime Bar (the 1st floor restaurant and bar), Nisos Prime (2nd floor steakhouse and dining room), and the Lounge (2nd floor speakeasy). Today we sat at Prime Bar which opened just this month with a revamped menu and something to prove. The space is absolutely gorgeous, giant wicker shades, wavy textured walls, warm romantic lighting, an alcove formed from twisting branches and twigs, smooth and rounded cement surfaces making up curves of seats and walls - it's truly bohemian, romantic, Mediterranean styling putting on it's best West Loop energy. The service is swift, professional, and dressed to impress, shout-out to our wonderful server Shane, who guided us through our choices, paced our meal well, and was always sure to check in on me and the gorls. I have the honor of being first on yelp to review Prime Bar so I'm going all in! Dinner: Kombu cured Hamachi Crudo - 3/5, could use more acidity, tomato was nice touch Wood Grilled Prawns - 5/5, prawns sliced in half so easy to eat, delicious, doused in calabrian chilli and garlic butter at the table, beautiful Nisos Prime Signature Cut Wood Grilled 22 oz Bone-in Ribeye - 5/5, temp on the meat was perfect, juicy, thick, perfectly complemented by roasted garlic, but expensive tbh and I want more meat than 22 oz Parppardelle Alla Portofino - 5/5, it hits! Love a very wide noodle Dessert: Lemon Tart - 4/5, presentation was fun, the phyllo pastry fried to this big fan, but then the scrunched up pastry was stiff and tough to break up to eat Crema Catalana - 4/5, almond orange creme brulee, yummy and in a cute mini crock that I would totally have taken home if I could, not really a wow Drinks: Out of Office - gin-based Fool's Gold - gin-based Pearachute - so happy to see non-alcoholic cocktail options!!!

    Andre M.

    Went for mother day brunch. Brunch menu looked okay but the regular menu is pretty good. Had the wagyu smash burger which was rich and buttery and overall delicious. Ambiance is very instagram worthy, but food and cocktails make it worth your time. Prices are very reasonable for the location. Service was a bit slow but not a deal breaker. One of my favorite spots in the west loop

    Sacchettoni
    Gabe R.

    Amazing happy hour here! Everyday 4-6pm. $1 oysters is such a great deal. The drinks are reasonably priced and the sacchettoni was really yummy as well. Would absolutely come back for happy hour here. Couldn't recommend it more!

    Truffle arancini
    Armani H.

    Came during happy hour and they have $9 select spirits and entrees. Inside ambiance is very hip and nice. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Drinks are really good and flavorful.

    Eggs in purgatory
    Honey L.

    My daughter and I took my mom and two of her friends her for a birthday brunch. I was excited about them having a brunch option on Friday. The food and drinks were delicious. The staff was so helpful. I will definitely return. I didn't get the manager and hostess name but these ladies went above and beyond. Our server and Porter both were named Luis. They were really good. This restaurant is good for an intimate dinner or a night out with friends.

    Lemon Tart

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    8 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Honestly, not impressed. Steak was overly seared, it had an okay flavor. Just nothing special at all unfortunately.

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    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!

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    Gemini - Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls

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    4.0(775 reviews)
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    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!

    Over all this place was okay, and when I say okay it was mediocre…read more How ever I would like to point out that the staff and I repeat the staff was very friendly not to mention very welcoming. I came here with three others and we all ordered different things from the brunch menu along with a few drinks. The atmosphere here is open, modern, and pretty eye catching, we all heard a few negative comments about brunch here and rather than just taking words of advice we came anyways. To be honest we should've went elsewhere, the only thing about the food that actually seemed to have any flavor was the fries and even they were a little salty like my wallet when we left LOL The Jumbo (not so much) Lump Crab Benedict at $25 was honestly boring lacking any flavor also it didn't even come with potatoes I ended up sharing my Lincoln Park Turkey Club that was good but even it was pretty basic at $21, the Burger at $21 literally looked like something off the kids menu the bun was bigger than the patty LOL and the Blackened Chicken Caesar at $19 was more like an appetizer size and the chicken at least it was juicy not dry. Other reviews about brunch here seem to be about the same and honestly I think it's funny they don't even try to elevate their food when so many say about the same things. I think the only reason why people come to this place is 1. It's located in Lincoln Park and 2. that makes it a trendy spot to eat. So why bother fixing anything when it's just trendy and flavorless Their brunch is mediocre but apparently dinner is where it's at. However after the experience with brunch I'm not even sure I would even go back. Come here for the staff eat at your own expense maybe your food will have flavor or not but honestly do what you want and keep it trendy

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    Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

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    4.3(348 reviews)
    1.6 mi•Near North Side
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    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.

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