We've heard very good things about Patina and we're excited to try it tonight. As soon as we…read morewalked in the staff was very kind and attentive. We love the ambiance of the restaurant. It's very peaceful, romantic and a calm atmosphere. All of the food was delicious. The plating is so attractive! The dishes have great flavor but are healthier options. The portion sizes were perfect for what we desired. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the best branzino I've ever had. The skin was crunchy and delicious. But the fish was not dry at all! There's nothing better than a juicy branzino fish and chef Jose nailed it! Matching with the sauce and beans was so much better than any other veggies or starch. The octopus was also cooked to perfection. The flavor and temperature was just right. Not too hot and such a great texture. We don't always order desserts but we had to see every course of the menu. We decided to go with a lava cake and it did not disappoint. It had that perfect contrast of hot and cold but it's served with gelato which gives it a nice touch of texture compared to standard ice cream. Chef Jose came out and introduced himself. We came in because we were enticed by a beef tartare that was on their menu in the past. We're hoping he brings it back on a special sometime soon. He said to give him a call and he'll try to accommodate whenever possible to make his customers happy. What an amazing restaurant. We cannot wait to come back and see what's new. Thank you for an amazing dinner and night!

Revisited after the full kitchen moved here from their other location. A superb experience! Our…read moreserver was incredibly attentive and friendly. The vibe here definitely meets a park ridge niche that nothing else does - intimate but elevated, a great date night place. Excellent cocktails and decent portions. Tuna tower was a fun app and we ordered lamb chops and a pasta for our mains. My only wish is that they had a slightly larger menu. I hope they add to it or do seasonal offerings because the selection is not too large and we pretty much maxed out what we'd be interested in trying in one visit. But they did it well and we enjoyed the Valentine's Day touched around the restaurant!

This was our first time here, and we came to celebrate a birthday. We had noted it in the…read morereservation and also had a conversation about it with our server. We were a little surprised when nothing was done for it, which isn't a big deal, but I'll be honest it was disappointing since we did come specifically to celebrate and had talked about it w our server. 3/5 Arancini - Very salty. None of us really enjoyed them because of that. They also came out lukewarm instead of hot. Would have been excellent if it was less salty and came out hot and crispy. 5/5 Fig & Mushroom (subbed for prosciutto) - The menu doesn't specify how the fig is served. Turned out to be fig jam rather than fresh fig, which wasn't what we expected. A little too sweet for me but overall still very much enjoyed it. Their pizza was cooked perfectly with enough toppings and cheese. Very good pizza! 5/5 Braised Short Rib + Polenta - so good! The short rib was excellent, just slightly salty. The polenta was perfect, and it came with a generous portion of wild mushrooms. 2/5 White Wine Cake (recommended as "unique") by our server - This was the most disappointing meal item. Our waitress told us it was special, but it was very bland and didn't match the description or image on their website. Their website showed a cake with a large scoop of ice cream on top, fair amount of whipped cream and raspberry sauce. Ours came with maybe a quarter of the size of that ice cream scoop, a little teaspoon dollop of whipped cream that you eat in one bite and the raspberry sauce was a tiny smear on bottom for decor but there wasn't enough to actually eat it. The cake itself was moist but lacked flavor. It took a really long time to come out, we thought perhaps they forgot, then forgetting we were celebrating a birthday on top of that was disappointing. Atmosphere - Beautiful space, very well done. The only issue is how close the tables are, you can't pull your chair back without hitting someone, and getting to the bathroom requires asking others to move because of how tight the layout is. Overall, we really enjoyed it and would return. While there were a few dishes we wouldn't order again, and others we would. Would love to try the wild mushroom pizza next time! The only thing was that since we had come to celebrate a birthday and didn't end up doing that, the night felt a little less special than we had expected--but still a nice experience overall.

I'm glad I finally got to check this place out, as I've been curious about it for some time. This…read moreplace is swanky and sophisticated, and a nice addition to the Park Ridge restaurant scene. I came to meet some folks and we sat at the bar. They have an extensive beverage program here, including mocktails, and that's what I settled on. I got one called Strawberry-Basil something, and it was so good. The strawberry-basil shrub was a key ingredient, and I don't get to a lot of places that use a shrub in their drinks. There was definitely a STRONG vinegar taste but for me, that was great. I also ordered a pasta dish, orecchiette and sausage with peas and a sweet, creamy sauce. Orecchiette and sausage are such a classic combo and I hadn't had this sauce before; it was a pleasant dish and was perfectly al dente. Service was good for the bar area. There's parking around, both in the lot right outside and the public parking lot below. And then of course there's the lots by the library and whatnot, so you should be able to find something.

Great food, great service, from wait staff to delivery and buss people. Place was full for Saturday…read moremorning brunch/ lunch.

Cozy spot to enjoy some French cuisine in Edison Park. During my visit, the spot was quite popular…read moreso it was difficult to enjoy a casual, quiet meal -- though the decor, service, and overall ambiance do lend itself to a more unique experience if the restaurant were a bit less busy. The service was surprisingly reasonable despite the amount of patrons inside, friendly and the waitress stopped by periodically to check on us. Menu is not as adventurous as I've seen at some French restaurants, a bit different from still mostly familiar -- which can be good to appeal to a wider set of diners. I tried several different items including the Touche Toast, Cinnamon Apple Pancakes, and Gaufres Au Poulet Frite. I found in each of these, the textures were alright and the flavors were not too different from what I would expect from other brunch restaurants. Portion sizes were alright, as the meal wasn't overly expensive. If I had ordered items with more French influence, this may have been a better gauge of the food here. With that said, the uniqueness of the offerings here make me interested in a return visit. Overall, neat spot if you're looking for French style cuisine at reasonable prices.

After multiple visits, the one question that comes to mind is: why isn't Off the Walk busier? They…read moretruly deserve all the business! I'm a sucker for a good coffee shop with fun flavored lattes. I'm also a sucker for cute atmospheres. So when you pair a great coffee shop with a board game cafe, how can you go wrong? Off the Wall is a cute storefront that is a branch off their establishment next door serving craft beer. I would often go to Off the Wall mid day throughout the week, and each time I go I'm shocked that it's not filled with remote workers and families. The staff are all pleasant and more than happy to provide recommendations if you feel stuck deciding what you want to order. With a variety of beverages, food, and even gluten free pastries (a win in my book!) you really can't go wrong with any choice. I always opted for coffee, and I really loved their specialty flavor this month featuring banana and caramel. The flavors aren't overpowering and aren't overly sweet, so for a coffee lover that actually likes the taste of coffee this is perfect. Their board game selection is vast and the interior of here is so cozy, I could stay for hours. Did I also mention they're wheelchair accessible? That's right - there's a wheelchair ramp and wide spacing to ensure everyone can enjoy their experience here. Can't wait to try their next fun coffee flavor!

Off the Wall Cafe is a tiny, low-ceilinged and dim-lightingish but definitely cozy neighborhood…read morebreakfast restaurant that can double as a coffee spot for catch-ups and get-togethers. It's intimate without a lot of privacy and they have excellent coffee creations (lots of lattes), super friendly staff, and a fun board-game vibe (featuring a wall sized bookcase of board games) that makes it easy to linger and relax. Their seasonal lattes, tasty pastries, breakfast sandwiches and welcoming atmosphere make it an easy place to hang out plus it's right across the train tracks from the Park Ridge Metra train station.

This is a fantastic place. They have so many drinks to choose from and it's really fun to browse…read moretheir selection. The shop has a lively and fun atmosphere and it's a great place to socialize. That being said, I thought being charged $4 per person to sit down and drink at the shop was a bit much. However, I really enjoyed my time here and will be back.

Stopped in here before a dinner down the street. I've heard good things about Beer on the Wall and…read moreI can understand why! The bartenders here are very welcoming and helpful. I enjoyed the few beers I had while here and they have a great selection of drafts, cold cans and to go packs. Very nice bottle shop/bar vibe with plenty of tables and comfortable sofas. I'll be back!

It's a wide open concept with lots of seating…read more The waitress and staff are very attentive. Baked Clams - we nicely breaded taste good Pino Puffs - Shredded zucchini and 3 cheeses formed into a light puffy ball, served with besciamella sauce- was good Potatoe Sausage Soup - ok...it wasn't as creamy as I thought it should be. It was ok Beet Salad, too much dressing. It was ok. Country Rigatoni- Tomato cream sauce with grilled chicken, sliced Italian sausage, peas & fresh mozzarella - nothing to rave about. Basic pasta with sauce Tiramisu - ok. Needed a little more flavor Bread Pudding - ok too Nothing really stuck out. It was ok food, I can't say it was great.

This place has been on my list of places to go to as im in the area. Our server was pleasant and…read morefriendly, and place gave a nice old school Chicago italian pasta and pizza vibe. Food was extremely delectable and prices were excellent compared to other locations. An excellent neighborhood restaurant.

Christian was a great server, he served us with vigor and delight. His vibe was mojo, we loved his…read moremojo. I can't imagine a server with more mojo than Christian. We will be back for more. -mojobrey &miamojo

FOOD POISONING / STAY AWAY --- UPDATE (2026): Almost ten…read moreyears later, I still stand by what happened here. After my original review and after providing my contact information to the email address given by Bar Louie's representative, I never received a single call or email. Not once. What bothered me then--and still bothers me now--is not just getting sick, but the gap between what was said publicly and what was done privately. Posting "we hold ourselves to the highest standards" and "we are incredibly concerned" looks good online, but it means nothing if there is zero follow-up with the guest who reported a serious health issue. Mistakes can happen in any restaurant. What defines a business is how they respond when something goes wrong. In this case, the response was purely performative. I still tell friends about this experience, as my very first food poisoning in my life (and in United States as it was not just the only one, unfortunately), not out of spite, but as a cautionary story: pay attention not only to what businesses say publicly, but what they actually do when there's a real issue.

It was a welcome cozy atmosphere on a cold and windy night. The food and wine was very good, and…read morethe staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. The manager was very gracious when helping us with a gift card snafu. I will definitely come back!

How did we get here... Harry Caray's, Rosemont…read more One of those places you don't expect to find this close to the airport... but somehow it feels like a destination on its own. Tucked near ORD, Harry Caray's delivers more than just a meal -- it's an experience that blends Chicago history, great food, and a lively atmosphere all in one. The space has a classic, energetic feel with just the right balance of upscale and welcoming. I arrived at lunchtime and went with the Italian wedding soup and garlic bread, and both hit exactly the way you want them to -- warm, flavorful, and comforting in the best way. well-executed dishes with bold flavor strong drinks that hit the mark an atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer It's the kind of spot that works whether you're passing through or looking for a place that feels like a local favorite. Some places are easy to find... and others feel like a hidden gem. How did we get here?

Stopped at a Route 66 diner in Pontiac, IL for lunch, The Log Cabin. It was established in 1926…read moreand they are celebrating their 100th anniversary in May 2026. The Yelp reviews were mostly five stars, and it was touted to be a locals' favorite, so we decided to give it a try. We both chose the patty melt with a cup of vegetable soup. The soup sounded like an excellent choice on this cold cloudy day. The food, the service and the ambience were all wonderful. We finished off the meal sharing a slice of hot peach pie with vanilla bean ice cream. It was all fantastic.

Sports bar with good Polish food and the vibe of a tiki bar mixed with a pirate bar with multiple…read morebocce alleys out back. This place is a little slice of heaven. Established (as the wall told me) in 1936, I expected "Polish" to be in menu alone...and I was wrong. The gal behind the bar had an accent. Halfway through the Bears game, I started hearing folks concerning and cheering in Polish. I felt like I had slipped into a cool little club to which I would never have otherwise been invited. Loud (but not too loud) and boisterous. I read some other reviews talking about rude regulars: rubbish. Chicago is loud and direct. If you don't like that vibe, the shoulders in this city may just be a little too broad for you. The pierogi and the pyzy were great, both served with sour cream. The beers, while not draft, had a wide, Euro-leaning selection but still respected some local favorites (Old Style). Good food. Good folks. Confusingly brilliant ambiance. You're missing out if you skip The Log Cabin.