I never write reviews, but my experience was so bad that I thought I should share. This was my second time at the willow room. The first was with a large group and it seemed like it was ok, so I suggested it to my husband as an evening out during the pandemic. This time though it was terrible, The food was ok, it wasn't very fresh and overall was over cooked and over salted. the fact that the food may having been sitting for a while makes me nervous, especially during the pandemic. Further more, the waiter wasn't wearing a mask properly (it kept falling off his nose) and I asked him to correct it, he rolled his eyes at me. I asked to speak with his manager regarding my experience and a guy named Anthony came over and defended the food and waiter completely disregarding my experience. Overall very bad and dishonest service. Its a shame because the atmosphere is nice and they need the business during Covid. read more

I have been here twice since it opened and both times I was equally impressed with the food and service. I was with my girlfriends the first time and we all ordered different items to share. For apps we ordered the warm lyonnaise salad and crab cocktail. The salad was to die for. The entrees we ordered were Rainbow Trout, Steak and Chicken. I'm not normally a fan of fish, but I loved the rainbow trout, it was so good, I would order it again. The steak was cooked perfectly and the potatoes that were served with it were so addicting. The chicken was so juicy I was able to cut it with a fork. They have a great selection of wine and cocktails, the bee's knees was a fan favorite. The ambiance is very chic and swanky. We loved the basement and having cocktails down there before dinner. It's the perfect place for a date night or end of the night cocktail. Will definitely be back. read more

This place always has great ambiance and has a cozy atmosphere. Our waiter was very nice. Giving it two stars for a few reasons. 1. The wine list is not great and overpriced. 2. The food. The steak was asked medium-rare and brought out very rare and the mushrooms and potatoes were cold. The gnocchi had good flavor but was soggy. The strawberry sauce in the burrata appetizer tasted like runny Smuckers strawberry jam. The toast was toasted but also not crunchy. The beet salad was alright but not original. The orange glazed ricotta donuts were good the flourless chocolate cake looked like it was from Kroger. Dry. And the same strawberry sauce lopped on top with a squirt of canned whip cream. For a restaurant that's in this price point, the whip should at least be fresh and the food should be hot when it comes out. The menu doesn't cater very well to dietary restrictions. Another Chicago restaurant that serves American fare tried to be European and fails and serves their desserts with canned whip cream. Somethings just not right. read more

We had brunch here on NYE day. Decent enough but I wouldn't make a special trip. Bloody Mary wasn't strong enough lol. Avocado toast was decent. read more

My family of four came on a Monday night and did two 3 course meals at $36 a piece. The food was just enough for all four of us. The steak was cooked well and the ricotta was rich; the s'mores dessert was wonderful. The service was prompt and friendly. This place fills up by about 7 pm so a reservation is a good idea! Great liquor selection as well! read more

Nice interior, great food (menu could have a little more choice) really enjoyed the place. Lovely bar downstairs. Well worth going there. Wine selection reasonable. Waiters were excellent, possibly best we have had anywhere in a long time. Location excellent, uber cars close by at end of evening. read more

While the food was good as well as our table service, we weren't actually seating until 35-40 min. after our reservation. The manger did claim to comp. our first glasses of wine while we were waiting, when we got the bill at the end, the wine was still on the bill. Overall, semi-okay experience - was hoping for much more from this spot. read more

Frenchish hipster bar and restaurant. Small menu for Sunday brunch. Doing very well since October '16 open so hurry up or you'll never get the chance. read more

Food is great. Service sucks. Waiter didn't come by a single time during our meal and then actually started complaining about us to the hostess because he got in trouble from his boss. read more

Really nice place, we had some small dishes and some wine. Really liked it. Nice paintings on the wall...

A go-to place for my wife and I. The food is always very good -- personal favs are any of the salads, the steak, the chicken, and the scallops. When they have their version of the s'mores dessert, we always get it. Nice wine list and friendly staff. We love sitting at the bar. Good cocktails. read more

This is a great date spot with excellent dinner, cocktails, and desert. I would highly recommend it! The music is on point too!

Had a wonderful experience here. The food is very fresh and there is a variety of options. The staff is extremely helpful and inviting. Brunch is amazing at this place... bottomless mimosas!! Dinner is candle lit and get music. Perfect place for date night or fun out with friends. read more

This is a great addition to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. I was disappointed when Black Duck shut down, but now I'm okay with it. The drinks were good and the food is outstanding. The cauliflower appetizer was amazing. We will definitely be back. read more

Did not honor our reservation. Had an 8:15 reservation. They told us it would be a 30 min wait. They then invited us to wait at the bar downstairs where there was only one open seat avaliable meaning one of us would have to stand while we waited for our table. We left shortly after that to go to another restaurant. I will not make plans to eat here again. read more

I live near by Willow Room and had not gotten myself in until this past week, it was AMAZING. The food, service, and atmosphere were all 5 stars. Highly recommend. read more

Our office had a dinner party for 17 last week in the downstairs space and it was a huge success. Matt (behind the bar) and the entire wait staff did a great job. Drinks, apps (mussels, cauliflower, burratta, crab dip) and mains were all awesome. Highly recommended for large parties. read more

I am writing a review not as a customer but as a potential customer who was denied a table with two friends and this experience has prevented me from returning. The context is that two friends of mine and I decided to go there for lunch. Upon arriving and asking the girl at the front if they could seat 3, we were told, "Reservations are still like coming in so I'm afraid we cant seat you.". The restaurant obviously had open tables and could have sat us but decided not to. Her explanation of "having reservations still coming in" made no sense as the app OpenTable is what they use for reservations aside from calling and on both platforms, they reservation is either clearly set or it isn't. Being denied for no real reason or maybe because we are college students and may have appeared too young to also purchase alcohol with our meal. The way she looked at us, spoke to us, and then denied us really took my enjoyment out of this restaurant and disheartened me about the treatment by the staff. Overall not a good experience. read more

Awesome brunch. The avo toast was full of flavor. The corned hash was too. Will definitely be back again! Excited to have this restau in the neighborhood. read more

Tried this last night. Best burger in Chicago, even though the place doesn't seem like it would be known for a burger. It was incredible. A bit high priced, but they have a deal on Wednesday nights for it, that makes it extra worth it. Would highly recommend, you won't be disappointed. read more

An exceptional restaurant with great dishes and great service. We sat outside, and we were always attended to and cared for. Would definitely go again. read more

This is an awesome new place for Lincoln Park. First, the atmosphere and decor is very cool. They have a cozy little basement bar that would be a great place for a date night. The cocktails and food that I tried were delicious. I would definitely recommend the mussels and the tagliolini! The Brussels and smoked potatos sides were also amazing. Lastly, I can't say enough about the great service! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating. I will definitely be back! read more

The very definition of meh. We came here with high expectations that were certainly not met. The space is very nice as was the bar and cocktails. The food, however, was just so-so. We started with brussels sprouts (the best thing we had) and beet salad (which was small and unmemorable). My bolognese pasta was tasty but not served very warm (from what I could tell they do not warm the plates here, which I think is a big no-no for a restaurant like this). My partner had salmon that was also lukewarm and of airline business class quality. Not terrible but not great. I doubt we will return. read more

Was hoping for more. When Willow Room opened, I was very excited to have a fun new restaurant in the neighborhood however after trying it this past weekend I don't think we will be back. NEGATIVES: Timing issues & service was slow. Appetizer came out before our drinks (a HUGE pep-peeve of mine) also our entrees came out 5 mins before the side dish. The menu is slightly over priced for portion/quality. Entrees (Rainbow Trout) was poorly seasoned. POSITIVES: The oyster appetizer was excellent. The smoked potatoes side dish was also delicious (worth the wait). Staff was kind and apologetic, they were willing to provide a complimentary dessert to make up for the slow side dish, however based on the slow service provided for apps and entrees, we did not a accept. read more

Stopped for a nice dinner during a weekend trip with friends. Good ambience. Great cocktails. Creative menu. Excellent excellent service. Definitely get the meat and cheese board to share! read more

The food here is pretty dang good, and the atmosphere is so cute. Only quick thing - the grapefruit with the brûlée on top came with a fork? How do you eat grapefruit with fork? Otherwise delicious! read more

Food was amazing but the hostess was incredibly rude. First impressions are critical and the only reason I'm giving this place a poor score. There are plenty of great restaurants in Chicago where you aren't tested poorly when you walk in the door. read more

This a a very good restaurant with tasty food and a nice atmosphere. The menu variety is not as large as you might find at some places, but what they do have is interesting and tasty. Even their burger is delicious. read more

Let me first start by saying that the atmosphere is phenomenal, greeted with a smile and promptly seated, quickly attended too by later me finding out was one of the owners, the wine suggestion was great, the appetizers, smoked mots and jam, was something that I took as a suggestion from the server and certainly glad because it was fabulous. I am allergy friendly, but the server quickly assured me of a proper dish and suggested the arctic Char, I asked was it ok to lick the plate,afterward, it was one of the best fish dishes I hav ever had. The cross between the flakey, soft, buttery flavor and crisp skin was a phenomenal dish !! But to top all this off was the last suggestion for dessert, I am not a dessert person myself, the suggestion by the server of the Pop Corn Penecata was if not the most over the top flavor pairing I have ever tasted ! Please don't leave without trying it ! If there were more stars to give I would. read more

Excellent! I had the croque madame. It was made a little different...but worth the wait

I've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for breakfast, and my stars, I love this place a lot!! Brunch: We got the eggs benedict, which includes the most tender braised pork imaginable that you wouldn't even know your benedict was missing, smoked green tomato, and the most decadent hollandaise. It's so good I can hardly handle it. Other standouts include the lyonnaise, the waffles (excellent use of lavender!), and the croque monsieur. Seriously, this place taught me that my brunch game has been seriously lacking for want of french lunch dishes. Fantastic. Also note that the coffee is incredible, and the variety of mimosas is v impressive. All so good. Dinner: We started out with a cheese/meat board and told our waiter to surprise us. Oh man, did he deliver! It was paired perfectly with our wine and I could have called it quits here and been happy. The veneta and the sheep's milk cheese were my standouts. Was made even more happy by the polenta and tagliatelle, where the flavors and texture were just complete perfection. And finishing it up with pie??? God, I'm a convert for life. I'll eat whatever you give me. Highly recommend this place. Food is great, staff is helpful and has great taste, drinks are perfectly made and priced, and the ambiance is exactly what I'd like to bottle up with me and make my living room. Great job, guys! read more

Love this place! The atmosphere is great, dimly lit but not one of those places where you need a flashlight to look at the menu lol. The burger is sooo good, love the beet salad, really good drinks, etc. I've also been here for brunch and was equally as impressed as I was for dinner! read more

Attractive Modern Open Space on the Main Level with a Cool Lower-Level Lounge. Menu offers Many Unique Options, as well as Familiar Favorites, All Executed Expertly. Friendly Attentive Staff. Laid Back Sophisticated Vibe. Great Place for Dinner and Drinks, especially if you are going to the Theater. read more

Nice new option near Steppenwolf. Good food, small portions, high prices... But not much higher than other places in the vicinity. I had the trout filet, it was done just right, tasted great and came with rice... it needed a vegetable side. My wife had the chicken, she enjoyed it and it did come with a vegetable... But small portion for the price as well. Dessert was pecan pie, could have use a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream. All-in-all a nice addition to the Halstead strip... A bit noisy though... The music was too loud so the patrons had to yell to be heard... Raising the ambient noise level to a bit much. read more

Awesome place had a great time with the bartender Tuesday night. Mussels and chicken were fantastic. Old Fashioned was one of the best I've had and I drink them everywhere I go and I travel weekly. Highly recommend very friendly and amusing staff! read more

Terrible service, didn't have anything available on the lunch menu, and it took forever for our food to come out... The only salad that was available on the menu which I ended up getting killed my stomach after. Never eating here again. read more

Great place for drinks and drinks. May be one of the cutest restaurants in Chicago. I had the burger and it was amazing. Have never had a bad drink. Cheers! read more

Absolutely delicious! This afternoon was my first time here and I'm already thinking about my next visit! Great deal on mimosas ($5) and the food was delicious! I had the winter willow mimosa and just the eggs over easy ... but it honestly was great! The sourdough bread is worth mentioning, as well! Can't wait to return! New favorite brunch spot! read more

The decor is absolutely beautiful. Other than decor and ambiance, the food and cocktails were average and expensive. Good service and nice patio for warm weather. Would pop in for a glass of wine to sit at the bar, but probably wouldn't eat again there. read more

Amazing - would highly recommend. Split two amazing entrees: chicken and spicy pork sausage pasta.