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    Roka Akor - Chicago

    4.2 (1.6k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese, Steakhouses
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    ROKA AKOR - CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Loud
    Good for groups
    Dressy

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    happy hour menu
    Clarissa H.

    Roka Akor is probably one of the best happy hours in the city. They have a full food menu, tons of seating, and on Mondays it's all day happy hour. The waiters are super friendly and everything comes out quickly even when it's busy. I will keep coming back here!

    Miss A.

    Really beautiful upscale ambiance and a decent sized bar. Came with a friend and we both had the spicy house margaritas and sushi, one was a scallops the other crab with tuna. Bartender was courteous and greeted us promptly, food came out pretty quickly and there was plenty of seating. Only negative is the host seemed really clueless and not very welcoming. Please employ friendly front of house staff for such a nice establishment.

    Divya V.

    Roka Akor has consistently been one of my fav Japanese restaurants in the city. The ambiance is chic, classy and overall has a good vibe serving a perfect setting for dinners. On my recent visit, my friend and family enjoyed dinner with crispy fried eggplant, spicy tofu, veggie tempura sushi, and crispy cauliflower tempura. We enjoyed each and every dish a lot! We also ordered the japanese mushroom pot rice which honestly is my fav dish at the restaurant and I end up going back for it! My dad, friend and I also ordered a carafe of floral sake to accompany with the meal. The only reason I am deducting one star is because of the service being a bit slow. We had to wait for quite some time to get our drinks served and the server wasn't always available increasing the wait times. Do give this place a try if you like asian cuisine and are in the river north area!

    Hi No Onna
    Mark T.

    At these rates?! If I am paying all-around premium prices, I would hope to receive an all-around premium experience. It pains me to say this wasn't it, though there were some highlights! I ordered the Hi No Onna to drink. This was a perfect blend of earthy, tart, sweet, and acidic notes. Even though I am someone who typically doesn't like hibiscus (I find it too tart), in this cocktail it worked absolute wonders. It added a wonderful level of acidity that worked well with rather than fight the lime. The mezcal was quality stuff, too, smooth and adding a lovely booziness. Finally, points for the spiced salt on the exterior. I am not 100% sure what it is, but it added flavor without being straight sodium! I also greatly enjoyed the Flame Seared Salmon Nigiri. This is a case where something is executed such that it needs no additions (neither wasabi nor soy sauce). The fish was quality and seared to perfection. Meanwhile, the Yuzu Shallot topping added a new kind of dimension I haven't seen much in sushi/nigiri. While $14 for what is essentially two pieces of seared salmon is too high, in my opinion, this is also something I would order again. Life is like that sometimes, plus I am a sucker for properly seared fish. Where it comes to the Hamachi Serrano Chili Roll, this one missed the mark. I hate to say it, but this felt more like something one might get at a nice grocery store than a restaurant with "$$$$" attached to its name. It's not that it was bad, but that other than the wasabi aioli it was uninspired. The fish, rice, and veggies were all okay, the serrano slice added a little heat, and the aioli a few light savory wasabi notes. Again, if this were a 'classic' like salmon/avocado/cucumber, I wouldn't be complaining. However, something which is purported as both a "signature" roll *and* "signature" dish, it fell short of any and all expectations. Something that also fell short of expectations was the service. While I liked that the food came out quickly, and our water glasses were kept full, I found the service was otherwise inattentive. There was no check-in with us on how we were liking our items, nor did the server come by when we were done to offer us dessert or the bill; rather, we had to call them over. Finally, I want to award some points for the modern and sophisticated vibe. Now, while I can't fault them for being loud due to the many simultaneous conversations, I feel as though the music was just a smidge too loud and punchy for a place of this caliber. I tend to categorize sushi places that I patronize regularly in two categories. The first is one that makes simpler items for lower prices. Something you could call "everyman's sushi," like the aforementioned, tried-and-tested classic of salmon avo-cu. The second category is one that makes premium, interesting, inspired, heavenly rolls. They cost more, but you get your money's worth. As I experienced with Omakase recently, there is more art that goes into such pieces. Based on this experience, other than the nigiri, Roka Akor makes everyman sushi at art prices. The last thing I want is to feel ripped off when the bill arrives, and this was the case here. As such, I do not feel as though a return visit is in the future for me.

    Lychee martini
    Jessica M.

    10/10 I'll def be back. I'm a creature of habit and typically stick to some of my favorites when it comes to Sushi but my boyfriend insisted we try somewhere new. Roka Akor did not disappoint! David was our waiter and he was amazing. He gave us some suggestions after we shared with him that half of the table (me included) didn't favor raw sushi. We ordered the wagyu and kimchi dumplings, edamame, the seared salmon roll, scallop roll, lobster roll, crispy prawn roll, wagyu roll, and a California roll. Everything was delicious! The lobster roll was my favorite. But all the others tied for second. The California roll was super light in the best way. It wasn't dowsed in mayo. And of course with got it without the roe. For drinks us ladies ordered a lychee martini. Also great! Very fresh. The ambiance makes this for a perfect date night spot or cool place to come with friends!

    Happy hour menu - extensive and reasonably priced especially for the portion size
    Ann L.

    This is currently one of my top happy hour finds for our summer in Chicago. It is also the most expensive, due to the variety and quality of their wine selection and dinner options. Actually to be fair, if you stick to the happy hour food and drink selection, other guests could walk away with reasonable prices for very good food, drink, and service. The outdoor patio as well as the bar area was very inviting and comfortable. The happy hour menu is actually quite extensive with most of the food at $10 or less. They have varied alcohol on the happy hour menu, sake, shots, beer, wine, and cocktails. Unlike some other happy hour places we have visited this summer, the portion on the happy hour menu is not smaller than what they offer on the regular menu. So the prices on the happy hour menu are real deals and my rating reflected that I appreciated that. We ordered a Hamachi Serrano roll, assorted sashimi taco, prime beef skewer, Robata grilled pork belly, Saki Steamed mussels, escolar tataki and wagyu & kimchi dumpling. All were very good. My favorite of the night was the Robata grilled pork belly, which was excellent. My husband loved both the pork belly and the assorted sashimi taco. The escolar tataki was our least favorite since the fish didn't have the Lucious mouth feel as others I have eaten in other restaurants. Although we already ordered ALOT of appetizers, we loved the Robata grilled pork belly appetizer so much we wanted to try the Robata grilled prime filet. It was slightly charred on the outside and the inside was melt in your mouth soft filet. It was so tasty that I even forgot to take a picture. . This was my husband's favorite of the night. The grilled prime filet went very well with my second glass of red wine. Jordon Cabernet is one of my favorite red wines but cost $29 per glass. This is the reason that our bill was high compared to other restaurants. I could have kept our happy hour bill more reasonable if I had ordered any of the drink selections on happy hour menu. Even with all the appetizers and dinner, we had to try dessert here. The server suggested to try the Ube pot de crème, since it's using an ingredient that is not used a lot in other restaurants. The dessert had the purple coloring of the fruit, and was very creamy. Great choice to end a very good night. The server was very attentive and provided great recommendations. He did not rush us throughout our meal even though we have been there for quite awhile enjoying the food, and the ambiance of the outdoor patio.

    Ai H.

    Been here several times and had a great experience each time. The servers are phenomenal as they are friendly and helpful. The food itself is what speaks for the restaurant. I really enjoy the black miso cod, so I was excited to hear they had it for Chicago restaurant week.

    Japanese Shishito Peppers
    Christina W.

    All day happy hour on Monday including food, yes please! Came here asking for a table for 1 since I missed my team dinner after a late flight arrival (and being stuck on the tarmac for 1.5 hours T_T) and best believe I maximized my dinner - Treat Yo'Self! But also, I was staying down the street from Roka Akor and the reviews looked solid, especially since Chicago's known for amazing eats (probably better than SF imo, there I said it!!!) I ordered the Modern Nigiri Selection (7 pieces) and the fish tasted very fresh. Honestly, I'm always down for omakase, but I'm terrible at remembering any of the names for the types of fish and cannot be bothered to write them down unless they're explicitly named on the menu. The seared salmon nigiri was also very good, and you can't go wrong with the shishito peppers or crispy eggplant. Service was quick and attentive, I do wish the lighting inside was a bit brighter for dinner (note the dark photos).

    Charisma H.

    We went there for their all day Monday happy hour. If you do go for that, just make sure you tell the host before they seat you because otherwise they will move you to the bar. The happy hour items are well priced. I enjoyed my white wine (which I think was a riesling). The tuna roll was utterly forgettable and tasted just slightly better than grocery store sushi. The chicken teriyaki was underseasoned. However, the escolar tataki was really unique and excellent. The wagyu dumplings were solid as well. May come again for happy hour but still undecided about a full meal.

    Lobster Roll
    Eileen K.

    Food - delicious Presentation - on point Service - impeccable Vibe - on point Loved this place!!! Sushi was fresh and creative. Server was fantastic with great recommendations! I'll be back!!

    Bell T.

    The food is AMAZING! A bit pricey but definitely worth every penny. 100% recommend going even if it's just for drinks and dessert. The Ube pot de creme is out of this world. It's not too sweet and the texture is like creme brûlée without the brûlée. Note that the wagyu is priced by the oz and it's a 3 oz min. This was by far the priciest item we got off the menu. It was a bit salty to my liking but the texture is extremely soft and melts in your mouth.

    Claire W.

    I've been here several times for happy hour, and the lounge has a really nice vibe. The food and drinks are tasty as well, and the happy hour menu has a lot of different options included. It is a bit pricey for a happy hour deal though, at $12 per cocktail. Many other happy hours in the area are closer to $8-$10 per drink

    Athena B.

    Love that the sashimi here comes with real wasabi. The butterfish tataki was so light and summery. Our server was telling us about the Roka happy hour so we will definitely be back soon to try it out!

    Robata Grilled Octopus

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    Page 1 of 40

    Roka Akor - Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Roka Akor - Chicago

    Can anyone give an estimate for how long the omakase would be?

    Hi Claudia, I would say give yourself 1-1/2 to 2 hours to enjoy the experience properly.

    Do they serve Halal beef steaks?

    Hi There - All of our Prime Steaks, Lamb and Chicken Teriyaki are certified Halal.

    Do you still offer happy hour?

    Unfortunately there is not a happy hour offered at this time. Please email me at ekoss@rokaakor.com if there is anything else I can assist with.

    What is Dress code?

    I recommend going on the dressier side.

    Is the outdoor dining away from the street? Is there heating if it gets cold?

    Yes they have outdoor seating and heaters are used during the cold weather.

    Is there valet parking?

    We chose to walk there. Do believe there was Valet Parking. Great place. Great

    Is there a dress code,? Would I feel out of place if I wear jeans,flats and a nice top or should I make more of an effort?

    No dress code but always try to make an effort :)

    Headed there tonight. Khakis shorts and a polo ok? Or pants needed??? It is HOT out!

    Jon, Khakis shorts & a polo will be just fine. We totally understand on days like today!… Read more

    View All 11 Questions

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

    4.5
    (3.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$$

    I hate that I loved this place so much! I live in Michigan and was determined to get a reservation…read more So when I finally got it I was elated. First the service, now the host stand can be a little flat but I think they get so busy and it's so in demand they have to be stern but all the staff was amazing. I never needed a thing. They were so nice and checked on us constantly. The food... omg the fooddddd! Healthy portions! You could definitely share if you wanted to be more waist or budget friendly lol. My favorite had to be the shrimp and the steak. The steak was cooked perfectly and the au poivre was a great accompaniment. Dessert was also amazing. Healthy portions for sure shareable. I would definitely make that drove from Michigan to come back! Perfect start to my 30th birthday!!

    The most hyped restaurant on the Internet for Chicago absolutely lives up to the hype…read more Reservations are posted 21 days in advance on Resy at 9am Central Standard Time. These reservations literally don't last 5 seconds. My sister and I were online trying to get reservations and luckily she was able to get 9pm. The best I could do on fastest finger was 10pm. When arriving at the restaurant it looks like a speakeasy inside. There is a hostess stand immediately to the right, and then another right. However, there is a second hostess that is standing in the doorway when you walk in with an iPad that can also check you in. After being checked in we waited about 10 minutes for our table to be ready. Once it was ready the hostess walked us through the restaurant all the way to the back, and then down the stairs into the parlor. It is super dark down there. So dark you are going to need your phone to see the menu and things around you. Shout out to our server Zane as he was a top tier A+ server! All of his recommendations from not ordering a full loaf of bread to steaks to sides were spot on. Up first was the worst item of the night, the $17.95 Mezcal Corpse Reviver cocktail. I wanted a cocktail with mezcal as I like the burnt smoky taste, but this one wasn't it. I really enjoyed my $14 Corazon Cocktail (Dirty Martini). They served it with the 3 blue cheese olives just how I like it. Up first, we had the $6.49 Hand-Made Sourdough bread. This was spot on perfect. We got the smaller order and it was plenty big enough for 2 people, unless you plan on ruining your dinner. Then, we got a $13.99 1/2 wedge salad. Perfectly made wedge salad. I got the $15.99 brussels sprouts and they were exquisite. If they were slightly more charred they would have been perfect. The taste, glaze, and toppings were perfect. I also got an order of the $15.99 button mushrooms. They were very very good as well. For the main course, I had the $89.99 bone in filet mignon. I am a tough steak critic, and this was one of the best steaks I've ever had anywhere. A little plain, and lightly salted, but it was a perfect juicy medium. For dessert we had the $15.99 carrot cake. I did not like this carrot cake as well as Flemings or J Alexanders, but it was certainly very good. The entire meal was over $350, but it was a dang good meal. This is clearly a restaurant you come to on a special occasion. The staff, the experience, and the food certainly were very special. If you want to spend a bunch of money on top tier food in Chicago, then this is your spot.

    Photos
    Inside Upstairs
    Inside Upstairs
    Bone Marrow
    Bone Marrow
    Waiting area and first floor dining

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    Waiting area and first floor dining
    Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

    Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

    4.1
    (2.9k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Short Review: A staple in Chicago in the middle of the…read moreViagra Triangle neighborhood. Friendly staff and patrons. Easy to make friends at the bar. Food is outstanding. Long Review: Met a friend for dinner while in Chicago and he said Gibson's was a must. We went on a Thursday night and the place was absolutely packed. Barely any walking room when you entered the bar / check-in area. We ordered drinks in the bar while waiting for our table and it was a scene - a good one. Very vibrant and really friendly people all around. Piano bar vibes with the live playing at your request. Bartenders are attentive and try to get to everyone quickly. Just to give you a sense of how friendly this place is, I accidentally knocked over my glass of wine while reaching for the bill. Caught it though...phew. But not before I spilled it all over the back of the woman sitting next to me, the man to the right of me, and of course all over myself! Within two seconds, a waitress came over with napkins to help clean up the mess, the guy sitting next to me got on the floor and wiped it all up, and the woman whom I spilled the drink all over was like "Don't even worry about! At least you caught the wine glass!" Wow! I was stunned at how cool everyone was, and it set the tone for the evening. We finally got our table and split the Gipson's ribeye, lobster, sweet potato and brussel sprouts. Seriously one of the best steakhouse meals I've ever had. The waitress was so friendly and very knowledgeable about the food. She was perfect. Folks, I highly recommend this place. Tell 'em the girl who caught the glass sent you!

    I so wanted to like this place more!…read more The positive: the location is awesome in the heart of shopping and it has amazing history that's fun the look at. They also had a wonderful person working in the men's bathroom and he was a gem. Our daughter spilled a bit on her shirt and one of the servers had a Tide pen. The negative: for a restaurant where you going to spend over $100 a person, we had to ask twice for water refills, in fact one time we asked the manager and he had to track down our servers. The seating is just ok, it's pretty loud as your on top of each other really. The steak was above average but not great. They seems to char the outside see pictures and it was fairly bland, got the filet. Salad was drowned with dressing and had virtually nothing other than 2 average cheap grape tomatoes. The sides were just ok. I wanted to be blown away as Chicago is "known" for their steaks, the waiter even said they had their own rating. Meh... After eating twice in Vegas this month and getting wagyu I guess I'm spoiled. Go once to get the experience.

    Photos
    Upstairs Bar
    Upstairs Bar
    Carrot Cake & Chocolate Mousse Pie
    Carrot Cake & Chocolate Mousse Pie
    Bookbinders soup

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    Bookbinders soup
    Butcher & The Bear

    Butcher & The Bear

    4.4
    (181 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$$

    Yes, this place hits all the marks very well: service is astounding, food was amazing, ambiance was…read morereally fun (i.e., dark, romantic, lounge-like). I took my wife here for her birthday. She absolutely fell in love with the place and said she was having a great birthday. She wasn't planting seeds, I swear, but our server, ever the professional, said he'd take care of us. And he did, punctuating our dinner with a wonderful dessert with a birthday candle. Speaking of candles, the focaccia appetizer came out with a lit candle that melts a tasty, buttery dipping sauce. I had work done at the dentist earlier, so I had a hard time eating. Every bite was painful, but I heated up our leftovers and fell in love with my rigatoni with vodka sauce all over again. Yum. The only drawback is the prices. We're not rich, but we love a great experience. We understand that an experience like that comes with a price, so we'll be back as much as we can.

    First off, what you're getting for your money just doesn't gel…read more I dont mind paying an exuberant amount for food if the food matches the price but sadly it doesn't here.... The good: Salad was amazing with bits of nicely cooked pork belly mixed in and the salad dressing is to die for Focaccia bread was very good but nothing special but the bone tarrow butter was fantastic and carried this bread. Brussel sprouts were flavorful but greasy and overcooked... Beef cheek ragu noodle dish was heavy yet tasty.. Rib eye steak done medium rare was fatty and very very chewy so this was a complete fail, but seasoned very well...extra 10 bucks for some dipping sauce for the steak but worth getting to elevate the steak...Definitely don't do any steak under medium here... Lemon sorbet was the true winner of the night...Delicious without being too tart..... Overall like I said, not worth the $250 price tag before tip...._

    Photos
    Butcher & The Bear
    Mac n Cheese
    Mac n Cheese
    Beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and potatoes

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    Beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and potatoes
    Penumbra

    Penumbra

    4.8
    (1k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$$

    I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

    **Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

    Photos
    Penumbra
    Penumbra
    Quesadilla

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    Quesadilla
    Perilla korean steakhouse

    Perilla korean steakhouse

    4.2
    (208 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    We had no intention of eating here, it just happened by accident because we found two seats at the…read morebar and wanted a drink. Perilla is a tastefully decorated restaurant, both loungey and rich, but still makes you feel like the joint is all for you. You know, 5 star service is such a lost art, it makes you forget how much you miss it when all of a sudden it happens to be right in front of you. Ricardo, our bartender, what a gem. Forget about the perfectly made drinks that were served to us. Ricardo made us feel right at home with his kind disposition and friendly demeanor. But it doesn't just stop at Ricardo. Everyone was absolutely fantastic. We could have been served 7-11 sushi at this point and I still would have left 5 stars. Food time. The kimchi pork dumplings were an absolute flavor bomb and that parmesan broth gave the dumplings a little extra kick that took it to the next level. Plus, I love when the dumpling wrapper has a little chew to it and isn't this soft mush that dissolves in your mouth. The beef fat frites were a nice treat as well. They were not extra or over the top in anyway. But you can tell when something is done well and correctly, just like these fries were. The Premium Steakhouse Set, in my opinion, is all two people need to enjoy this very special experience. All the accompanying condiments were exceptional on their own and could have functioned as their own course. The Japchae glass noodles were a stunner. The real sleeper was the chopped lettuce greens tossed in their chili vinaigrette. Could have eaten 20 bowls of those lettuce greens. Sadly, I forgot the name of our server who cooked and cut our meat for us. She really added to the experience. She expertly prepared our food while maintaining a fun and pleasant conversation with us. The meat itself, my goodness, tender, smoky, quality-forward, and perfect served with the condiments. What a spectacular meal and overall experience.

    We came for the Perilla x Pop Up Bagels breakfast sandwich pop-up and left pretty disappointed with…read morethe overall experience. We arrived about 20 minutes before opening, expecting a wait, which is totally normal for a popular pop-up. What wasn't normal was that once they opened, they started pulling people out of the line if they wanted full service and planned to eat inside. This created a confusing system where people who arrived much later than us were able to order, eat, and leave before we had even placed our order. I understand that pop-ups can be busy, but the line moved painfully slowly. We ended up waiting about an hour and a half, which felt excessive, especially given how the line was being managed. There were also some smaller issues that added to the frustration. The menu advertised everything bagels, but that's not what we received. The sandwich was around $20, which is pretty steep for a breakfast sandwich. When we ordered, we specifically asked if the sandwich came cut in half and were told, "Yes, it would be way too messy if they weren't pre-cut." Then the sandwich arrived uncut. As for the food itself, it was fine. Not bad, but definitely not memorable enough to justify the long wait, confusing organization, and price point. Overall, the sandwich was okay, but the experience was frustrating and ultimately not worth the time we spent waiting.

    Photos
    Custom built-in table side grilling
    Custom built-in table side grilling
    Whipped Bone Marrow Set
    Whipped Bone Marrow Set
    Perilla korean steakhouse

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.4
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$$

    The vibes were great and felt like a true old-school steakhouse. Lots of families, business…read moredinners, and longtime regulars. Not a trendy spot, but that's part of the charm. The wood shelving, classic decor, and lively atmosphere made it feel timeless. The service was easily one of the best parts of the experience. Since it was our first visit, David walked us through the restaurant's history, constantly refilled waters, and somehow managed to clear plates within seconds of us finishing. They also made us an anniversary card, gave us complimentary sparkling water, and surprised us with a slice of key lime pie. The hospitality was incredible and made us feel genuinely celebrated. The stone crab was super fresh and the mustard sauce was the perfect pairing. The crab bisque was rich and creamy. The filet was cooked perfectly with a great sear, while the stuffed lobster tail was warm, flavorful, and topped with a parmesan crust. The lobster roll was solid with a perfectly toasted brioche bun. The sweet corn was sweet, buttery, and smoky. For dessert, the blueberry pie was so comforting. The filling had a chewy texture, wasn't overly sweet, and the crust was perfectly crisp. The key lime pie was a nice surprise from the restaurant and had a great graham cracker crust. Overall, every dish was delicious and executed well but nothing really wowed me flavor wise. If you love classic steakhouse food and seafood, this is the spot. The service alone makes it a fantastic spot for celebrations. Thank you David & Joe's Seafood for the incredible night.

    Some maître d's are good at hospitality. Jeff W. is operating on another level. Remembering a…read moresurname is one thing; recognizing you early, out of context, before you even formally check in, and greeting you with confidence -- that's a genuine talent. People like him have almost a "super‑recognizer" ability: they store faces, mannerisms, and micro‑details the way others remember song lyrics. It's rare, and when you encounter it, it feels almost uncanny in the best way. And the fact that he consistently recognizes you over the years tells you it's not luck. It's intentional, it's skill, and it's part of why the place feels special before you even sit down. Pair that with a meal that exceeded expectations -- that's the kind of night that reminds you why you've been a loyal patron for so long. Great food is memorable, but great hospitality is what makes a restaurant feel like a second home.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Creamed Corn
    Creamed Corn
    Beef Tenderloin Slider

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    Beef Tenderloin Slider
    La Grande Boucherie

    La Grande Boucherie

    4.3
    (625 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    For my boyfriend and I's first sit down meal in Chicago, I chose to indulge in brunch at La Grande…read moreBoucherie. I had seen it previously advertised on TikTok and decided it looked like a nice, upscale dining experience and the perfect mimosa-filled brunch opportunity. Upon coming in at 11 when the location opened, I was already impressed by the beautiful cafe inspired French interior. The warm lighting and refined Parisian details were so beautiful and elegant, and I especially loved the look of the bar, which is a central statement of this restaurant. I chose the French toast breakfast and my boyfriend got the steak and eggs, and we both had mimosas as well! My French toast was light, fluffy, and delicious, definitely a solid choice. My boyfriend was super impressed by the steak and eggs and said it was the best breakfast he had our entire trip! The food itself was great and I would love to come back and try their dinner menu at some point. The service, however, is what truly stood out to me in our experience. Our servers were very helpful, knowledgeable about the menu, and speedy. We truly felt taken care of. Fernando was the sweetest and most welcoming, and he immediately made my boyfriend and I feel so welcomed and at home in Chicago. We greatly enjoyed our conversation with him and he even gifted me a coffee table book detailing the history and menu of La Grande Boucherie, which was so kind and such an amazing gesture. Fernando set our experience apart from any other dining experience in Chicago and he made this meal one of our favorites!

    We booked a table for 8 to celebrate an 80th birthday. The service was fine as was the ambiance,…read morebut we found the food to be mediocre and overpriced. We ordered the $195.00 seafood tower, only to find that it barely included any seafood, 1/2 of a lobster, 4 shrimp and about a dozen oysters. I understand that Chicago is not a coastal city, but to not even include an entire lobster for a tower that cost $195.00?! Yikes! The drinks are also very expensive, and we found the steaks to be tough and dry. The Niçoise salad was awful, and not at all what we expected. It was drowning in dressing and the combination of anchovies and tuna did not work. It was also quite obvious that the tuna was not seared properly. I did think the roast chicken was good, and the fries were by far the best part of the meal. We went to several fine restaurants over the past few days to celebrate a milestone birthday, and La Grande Boucherie was the absolute worst in terms of value and quality of food. They were also the only establishment that didn't give the celebrant a small desert with a candle to mark the occasion. Just disappointing all around.

    Photos
    Inside during Christmas
    Inside during Christmas
    La Grande Boucherie Chicago
    La Grande Boucherie Chicago
    La Grande Boucherie Chicago

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    La Grande Boucherie Chicago
    The Dearborn

    The Dearborn

    4.4
    (2.8k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Last night my wife and I stepped into The Dearborn and had an amazing dinning experience. It was an…read moreatmosphere of comfort and charm. The service was outstanding. Our dinner guide, Nicholas, was superb. Very knowledgeable about the menu and suggested two perfect spirits from the bar. My wife had the Irish old fashion which was excellent. I had a vodka Gimlet, which also was superb. Palate pleasing! The meal was absolutely enjoyable. I enjoyed the Curry Chicken. The thigh meat was tender and succulent. The curry was sweet and creamy. It came with pita bread which added to the dinning experience. Just wonderfully enjoyable. My wife enjoyed the Fish and Chips which beat Bobby Flay. True words from the menu. Wife said if was the best fish and chips she has ever had. Then came the dessert. Now I asked Nicolas and he suggested Pavlova and Blood Orange. Which lead me to survey Margaret and she suggested Sticky toffee date cake. After a friendly jostling back and forth of desert knowledge Greg the Maitre-d made also suggested the Sticky toffee. Both came and to be honest both were outstanding. Excellent choices. All and all this was a great dinning experience from beginning to end. We will return next time we are in Chicago.

    Absolutely delicious! I went with friends to celebrate my birthday and had a wonderful time. We had…read morean assortment of appetizers, drinks, meals and desserts and everything exceed our expectations. Everyone was beyond friendly and the food...sooo good. I shall dream about their chocolate cake. Definitely recommend you give this restaurant a try- you won't regret it!

    Photos
    $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays
    $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays
    New Spring Menu
    New Spring Menu
    Spring desserts

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    Spring desserts
    Sophia Steak - Chicago

    Sophia Steak - Chicago

    4.3
    (113 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    My partner made this reservation to celebrate my birthday! We are big steak people so we are always…read moreexcited to try a new steak restaurant. Sophia did not disappoint! Ambiance and decor is top notch! This is SUCH a pretty spot! Very IG-worthy, with different details and moods on different walls. The bar was especially stunning. Service was impeccable. From the minute we walked in, the host and manager were friendly and personable. Our server was the right amount of conversational to make it feel personal but not overwhelmingly so. He was also very knowledgeable about the menu and had great recs. When I asked about "Sophia style" he had great descriptions and recommended it as his personal go-to. The bus staff was also incredibly attentive and wiped down the table between courses (a detail of fine dining that I think makes a huge difference!) Now the FOOD! Wow the truffle fries were some of the best fries I've ever had in my life. Weird item to lock in on, I know, but a good fry tells you everything else will be amazing too. It was crispy on the outside and the perfect pillowy texture on the inside. The steaks and bacon were incredible. It was cooked exactly as I like (I like mine medium well and run into a lot of places undercooking it. I know, it's unpopular but I am also paying for what I want. So I appreciate the perfection from Sophia on this one!) and I really enjoyed it Sophia Style. I love that all steaks already come with the house steak sauce and steak salt at bare minimum. The chocolate cake was AMAZING. it's gigantic, they literally served it with a steak knife lol. It's hazelnut and chocolate so it has a very rich deep flavor. They brought it out with a candle for my birthday which was a nice touch! Sophia Steak made my birthday dinner feel very special and we cannot recommend it enough for your special occasion!

    As soon as you walk in, the place sets the vibe, if you've looking for a romantic dinner,…read morecelebratory diner or any kind of special occasion, this is the place! The food was delicious! I got the prime delmonico ribeye and it was perfectly cooked for me!! service was absolutely amazing! our server was the best! and everyone else as well! Writing only good things about this place!! ill be coming back for sure! thank you for reading. have a good day :)

    Photos
    Bathroom hallway upstairs
    Bathroom hallway upstairs
    Whipped potatoes and spinach
    Whipped potatoes and spinach
    Apres Ski Display

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    Apres Ski Display

    Roka Akor - Chicago - sushi - Updated July 2026

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