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    Virtue Restaurant

    4.5 (1.2k reviews)
    PriceySouthern, American
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Virtue Restaurant Photos

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    VIRTUE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Virtue Restaurant

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    Lemon drop with elderflower
    Ashley M.

    I have seen so many great reviews about Virtue, so I had to come check it out myself! I arrived without a reservation and it was an hour wait for the bar. I came back and was immediately greeted and given an intro about the menu, which was very helpful. I went with the fried green tomatoes and short rib. The tomatoes weren't my favorite but the shrimp and remoulade was good. The short rib was the star of the show! The meat was tender and seasoned. The potatoes, gravy, and spinach were a perfect complement! The bartenders were very kind and helpful even though it was busy!

    Biscuits & Pimento Cheese, Gumbo
    Sarah B.

    Overall, I had a really great experience at Virtue! Our waiter was lovely and the ambiance is great. Although some of the tables are slightly too close together for my liking, but no one sat next to us for most of our meal so that was nice. My other complaint is that our appetizers came out before our drinks which I didn't love. However, the appetizers were so good I was distracted from the fact that I didn't have a drink until the drink actually showed up! For an appetizer, we had the gumbo and the biscuits with pimento cheese. Both of these options were delicious. The biscuits were buttery and the gumbo was flavorful and was served piping hot. Next, we had the short rib with the mac and cheese and the collared greens. The short rib was very good but was perhaps a tad dry. But when eaten together with the potatoes and spinach, it was perfect. The mac and cheese was slightly too salty for my taste which was a disappointment because I typically love every mac and cheese I come across. I don't think i'd get it again. The collared greens were tasty but I wish there was more turkey. The turkey was delicious.

    Alexis H.

    I can see why Virtue is a highly rated spot in Chicago. The food and service were extremely good. I didn't try a specialty cocktail but I did my go to of a side car and it was made just right. If you're thinking about going to Virtue think no further. I would try happy hour so you can try more things and get a better bang for your buck! The ambiance is also very nice. Almost like you're in a family members home.

    Etouffe
    Amber L.

    Ok the vibe, the service, the drinks, the food, all 100!!!! The catfish is soooo good. The only bummer is that they're only open for dinner! I wish they had a lunch. One of the truly good southern cuisine places in Chicago.

    Trice T.

    This place is outstanding! First time here but won't be my last. This black owned gem is in the heart of Hyde park and it is absolutely top die for. The food was amazing we had Mac and cheese, greens, cornbread and fish. The service was impeccable and the staff was amazing.. the ambiance is lovely, great for couples and groups. I will be back. We meet Lou the manager on the way out and he was so gracious...truly a wonderful experience

    Kristen M.

    Holy guacamole. If you haven't been to virtue, you definitely are missing out! Top notch service. Excellent food. Ive come here twice now and each time has been great. The drinks are yummy. It is definitely a social atmosphere so dont expect intimate and quiet. I'm a tequila drinker but that Uncle Honey was IT!!

    Katherine K.

    Yelp Top 100 nailed this one!! What a delicious meal! We were sat at the bar since the place was justifiably packed. Our bartender/server was great throughout the night. We enjoyed both of our drinks: Apple Jack and Southern Flower. Neither was too sweet and both were good enough to get again. It was hard to decide what to eat, but we settled on the Blackened Catfish and Short Rib with a side of Mac & Cheese. I honestly can't pick which main dish was the better of the two because both were just perfect and satisfying. The mac & cheese was also really good, but we wished they had a smaller side dish because it was a lot on top of everything else. It had such a nice crust to it though! This place did not disappoint at all! This is a must stop if you are in the area and I highly recommend everything I tried. You'll be happy you did!

    Millie's Puddin'
    Leeza S.

    I went on Easter Sunday with friends. From coming in to leaving, every staff member was amazing, welcoming and a special shoutout to our server Lenny. Lenny was so knowledgeable about the menu and was able to answer any questions I had as a first time guest. The flavors reminded me of a home cooked meal in my great grandmother's kitchen in northern Louisiana, or my great aunt in South Carolina. I come from a family with deep southern roots, so I appreciated the flavors rooted in Black Americana culture. It was like I was experiencing food and history. There's so many wonderful things I could say about Virtue. I am looking forward to coming back the next time I'm in town. Thank you for bringing this gem to Hyde Park.

    Beef Short Ribs, Collards & Smoked Turkey, and mashed potatoes
    Martina W.

    I absolutely will be back to Virtue. The short ribs were so tender you can cut it with a fork. Literally, everything I had drinks included (Uncle Honey & Peach Tree Fizz) was good. My Mom was going nuts about how good the fried green tomatoes are. The greens tasted like my Granny made them in the back. Yes, it might be pricey..but treat yourself cause it's sooo worth it!!

    Courtney B.

    Get your reservation early! I've been wanting to try this place for a while and glad a landed a reservation. The food was absolutely delicious. Started off with the gumbo which had an incredibly rich roux. It was a little too spicy for my liking but SO good! Ordered a steak, short rib, both very tender. We got greens, Mac, and cornbread which were all very delicious. Loved the crunchiness of the outside of the cornbread, but the inner cake-like texture, very moist and buttery. Got the banana pudding which was more pudding than banana, but was alright. Service was fantastic from the hostess to the servers. I would definitely come back!

    Strawberry crumb cake
    Harden K.

    Virtue in Hyde Park delivers an elevated take on Southern cuisine with moments that truly shine. The biscuits were a standout -- light, fluffy, and savory, paired perfectly with local honey and a pimento cheese spread that's absolutely worth trying. The salmon was another highlight, served with red field peas, turnip chow chow, and cornbread crumble over toast, bringing a subtle sweetness and balanced flavor to the dish. The extra ration of cornbread was cooked beautifully, though the honey butter leaned a bit too heavy. While the meal had strong highs, a few sides missed the mark. The mac & cheese lacked the soulful Southern depth I was hoping for -- overly cheesy with very little texture from the noodles. The collard greens with smoked turkey were unfortunately too acidic and fell flat in flavor. Still, Virtue's warm atmosphere, polished service, and standout mains make it a restaurant worth experiencing in Chicago's dining scene.

    Carrot Cake
    Joe M.

    I've been wanting to try this place for several years. The dish that was really luring me in was the Carrot Cake. I've seen every season of Top Chef and this Carrot Cake won Chef Demarr Brown a challenge. It was pretty spectacular. My only complaint was give me a bigger portion and some more of that carrot caramel sauce. Also had the gumbo which was also delicious. I look forward to returning for a full meal and another piece of that cake.

    Cornbread & Honey Butter
    Felicia D.

    Our server Joe was great and the hostess was welcoming, great service! The short rib was outstanding. The meat was fork tender, spinach was creamy and I loved the sauce at the bottom of the plate. We also had the cornbread, which could have been larger but it was pretty deep so it's not as small as it looks. The interior is colorful and classy. I highly recommend.

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    Thank you so much for you gracious and detailed review!

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    Virtue Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Virtue Restaurant

    How do I make a reservation for January 20 for 6 people at 6 pm?

    Contact the restaurant directly at 5pm when they open, their staff is very helpful.

    Is the reservation fee refundable if the party shows up?

    The reservation fee is applied to the final bill.

    How far in advance do reservations open up?

    Hi Erika, We take reservations 30 days in advance.

    Do you need reservations?

    It's always best to make one. Most nights it's packed, especially around university events like graduations. But who knows, maybe you'll be lucky and someone cancels. Odds of getting something without a reservation are better on the early side of… Read more

    What is the attire? We are from out of town and will be sightseeing all day before dining, hence dressed down. Have tried calling the restaurant multiple times but haven't been able to get through...

    Whatever you are wearing for sightseeing will be fine.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, but mostly if you are a carnivore! There's greens and turkey, vegetables, rice, meat, and desserts like ice cream, but check the season.

    Does Virtue still do brunch on the weekends?

    What is recommended attire? Dressy or casual?

    Dinner casual not run to the store casual.

    Is there a more up to date phone number? When I called during business hours it says phone number is no longer available

    Hi Cecilia, that number is our accurate number. You might have caught us during a busy time. You can also try 773-947-8832.… Read more

    Do they offer catering options?

    They only offer catering during the holidays.

    Have they stopped doing brunch?

    Yes that's what it looks like

    Is it reservation only or do they take walk-ins as well?

    I think reservation only

    Is the prepaid reservation fee ($10 each person) applied towards the final dinner bill?

    Yes it is

    Are there any gluten free/dairy free options for dinner?

    Great question!! Truth is I do not personally know. . You should ask by calling. I have problems with gluten. I know to stay away from certain foods. So I had no problem with anything I ate. Good Luck. Oh. I do hope you get a chance to go. It… Read more

    Do they have valet?

    Yes. It is actually at the boutique Hyatt around the corner on Harper, but there are plenty of signs to guide you.

    What are the actual dining hours? The hours displayed in the window indicate you open at 430p however the manager stated the kitchen doesn't open until 5p?

    Yes, the doors open at 4:30, kitchen is still prepping at that time. I usually go to the bar for a bit, at 5 you can either be seated in the dining area or order food from the bar area. They are still relatively, new however, just by seeing the… Read more

    What brand whiskey/bourbon does the bar carry?

    They have a plethora of Bourbons and Whiskeys. I'm sure you'll find something that fits your fancy. Try the Hyde Park Sezerac!

    Are there any desserts besides banana pudding?

    Hi Judith, In addition to the banana pudding we also have a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse,… Read more

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