I have been excited about the addition of Bean Bar to our neighborhood in downtown Northbrook for a…read morewhile.  We finally had a chance to visit together before we went to the Art in the Park the Saturday of the Mother's Day weekend!  It totally justified all the hype! Given it was a Saturday, there was an annual art fair in the Village Green close by, and the Mother's Day weekend, we expected it to be very busy, and it was justifiable so.  There was a rather long line placing orders at the cashier, but it moved quickly.  There were many laminated menus for us to read while waiting in line.  The cashier was friendly, patient, and helpful in answering questions.  Our daughter ordered an Avocado Toast and a Berry Zen Refresher.  My husband and I found that a good idea, and each of us also ordered an Avocado Toast, although I had hoped that I got different types of dishes to photograph, lol.  Husband had a Cappuccino, and I had a large Iced Pistachio Latte (oat milk).  This simple brunch came up to $77.34 with tip, and it's worth it. All 3 Avocado Toasts were perfectly made.  All the ingredients were very fresh, although there wasn't a lot of seasoning, the taste of each ingredient worked well together to achieve a delicious dish.  I especially liked the over easy egg and the crispy edges of the warm toast.  My Iced Pistachio Latte was very good without being too sweet. Although the food and drinks were the star, the ambiance was so pleasing and relaxed that totally elevated the entire experience.  The dining room with high ceiling and chandeliers was spacious and beautiful.  There were many different types of seating for patrons -- big comfy couches, regular tables, high-tops, small booths, conference rooms with long table and chairs, small private rooms... not to mention about the large sheltered patio with many tables and seats!  As I have mentioned, we went at a busy time, there were not a lot of tables left for dining purposes, we opted for a high-top.  Even though the venue was almost filled to capacity, it still felt very airy and comfortable.  I could just chill there happily for half a day with my latte! However, there were small hiccups that fortunately did not ruin our first experience there.  My husband's and daughter's drink came out almost instantly after we sat down, but I had to chase down a staff (there's no servers except for the staff who delivered the dishes or cleaned tables) to tell him that my drink was missing.  I told him that it's supposed to be cold but with no ice.  He immediately got me a Pistachio Latte but with ice.  The cashier lady had specified no ice on when she placed the order for me, I talked to her about this and she offered to make me a new one, but I had already had a sip and didn't want to put the drink to waste, so I just kept it.  I later scooped out all the ice so that it did not dilute my drink, and it was good.  I must mention that the food came out in just 5 minutes even though the place was busy. Our high-top table wobbled when we used our knives and forks to cut the toasts, not a very big deal, but the restaurant could easily have that fixed as I am pointing it out now, It's one of the high-tops under the BB sign. This brunch kicked off a very happy Mother's Day weekend.  I was in a very good mood going to the art fair from Bean Bar.  We will definitely return to try the many other items on their menu.

This place is excellent. I work remote and you really cannot ask for a better place to work…read moreremotely l. The coffee is incredible, all the more so the ambiance. There's a wide selection of pastries and each one is more tempting than the last. This cafe really feels like it can be something out of a daydream. There's no doubt I'll be coming back

Love the wings and sandwiches The bowls are good but not…read morehuge servings Will absolutely eat there again

When we went to Vietnam for a 5-day side trip back in March, 2025, we were fortunate to have tasted…read moresome very good Vietnamese food, including a Michelin-starred dinner and a Michelin Gourmand lunch. Some of my very memorable foods include every bowl of beef pho that was offered to us. The beef was tender and flavorful, the pho (rice noodles) was thin and smooth. Tonight, we were having takeout from one of our favorite eateries, Basu, again. Since the first bowl of beef pho that did not totally meet our expectations, we had been ordering chicken pho from them. Their grilled chicken has always been smooth and cooked nicely. Their sweet soy glazed chicken wings are finger-licking good. We like their ground pork egg rolls with crunchy skin as well. This time I wanted to give their beef pho another chance, and see how it would compare to those that I had in Vietnam, and hope that they have made some improvement over two and a half years. Well, it is still the same. The beef was not tender, although not too chewy, it was kind of rough. The pho was not as smooth as I would like it to be. The broth still tasted good and not too salty, though. The chicken pho and egg roll were still good. (We remove the side bag of raw bean sprouts, lime, and basil from the order, as we don't eat them). It is a still a solid 4-star. Next time I will switch back to chicken pho again. I am still glad that we have this Vietnamese eatery close by!

This place is so good, the coffee is great and gives a calm feeling, not a care in the world. The…read moreLemon Cookies and Chocolate Chip are yummy too. A relaxed day always when I indulge. Dara, Brianna are so fun, I run into get something, my husband sometimes comes in with me(not always, he doesn't do any of that. I get back in car about 20 minutes later, the ladies and I talk. It is a HAPPY PLACE!!!!!! EK from Northbrook

Just a quick update on what's good here... We've had the…read morebrownies, the infused drinks specifically the Berry Knight, German chocolate cake & chocolate chip cookies . Whatever you choose you won't go wrong. I promise you .

A lovely local coffee shop! I stopped by today and picked up an iced chai latte and a chocolate…read morecroissant. The iced chai was strong and was so refreshing on a warm day. The croissant was so fresh and tasted delicious. I am not a coffee drinker so I love that they offer some tea options. I met the owner Kaye who is so kind and welcoming. I will definitely be back! I can't wait to try the breakfast sandwiches.

I've been in the station connected to this spot more times then I can count, but I'm usually later…read morein the day and always miss my shot. Today Is new years eve and I was nearby on errands when I saw people inside finally! Yes, it's coffee time. First of all, this place is an oasis. Way too cute and perfect to be connected to the grime and cold of the metra station. If your waiting for a train, do yourself a favor and come in here! Better smells, better temperature, better people. Find me waiting for my trains in here whenever they're open. The professionalism here is on full display, you can tell from the obvious thought in the decor, the look of the coffee machines being used, and the excellent and friendly service. I just had a quick mocha today, I needed to warm up and this drink improved my mood right away. Made in front of me (before paying... that's respect) by a sweet lady who also hooked me up with a punch card, it was very nice. Not overly rich from the chocolate and just the right temperature. I see they make they're own pastries and have some fancy cold options for summer! I can't wait to come back and try more. I'll definitely be filling up that punch card in the coming months!

Absolutely amazing bakery with great hot and cold drink option that will not disappoint! I love the…read moreservice and the ambiance for a bakery! I would highly recommend it!

We had a very nice visit to Tour Les Jours in Glenview, IL yesterday. We arrived about 3:30 PM on…read moreJanuary 1, 2026 and it was crowded. There was a bit of a line to order and most of the seats were taken. We did find a table for four (there were five of us). They have extra seats stacked up by the trash bin so were able to seat all of us at the table. The extra chairs are a nice touch. We ordered a variety of drinks and pastries. (Sorry - I didn't take any pictures this time.) Since you select your pastries from display cases, we didn't have to wait for them. For our drinks, there was only a short wait - surprising since they were so crowded. Everything was delicious. When the location is full it can get pretty loud. We stayed for about 90 minutes and the place cleared out some by the time we left. The noise level dropped as people left. Tous Les Jours is very consistent across locations. This was our first visit to the Glenview store and we were very pleased.

I just recently discovered this place. I work in Lincolnwood. It has a great ambiance to talk with…read morefriends, co-workers, or just chill by yourself and sip on coffee. More than enough seating and outlets to do work. My go-to drink is the iced café latte with whole milk. The coffee quality is far superior to Starbucks. Also, I love the gauva empanada with cream cheese! Also its good to know you are supporting a local business. Happy to know 5% of their proceeds go to charity. Overall highly recommend!

Such a warm and cozy cafe. Grab something to go or stay awhile, this place is IT. They have…read morecoffees, teas, and specialty lattes. I went with an iced peppermint tea and it was very refreshing. I also tried the guava and cream cheese pastry and my goodness this was insanely delicious. The pastry dough is crispy, flakey and fluffy. The guava jam and cream cheese was sweet and not overly sweet. I stopped in on a weekend morning and throughout my time here there was a constant flow of customers coming and going. Staff members were able to keep up with the influx of weekend customers. Within 5 minutes of placing my order my items were ready to be picked up at the front counter.

I would give Matari 4.5 out of 5 stars, so I'm rounding to 5 based on service and ambiance! I heard…read moreabout their fruit mousse cakes online, so we knew we had to stop by to check it out. The cafe is immaculate and service was very friendly. The person who took our order was patient as he explained the different pastries in the case. I wish they had signs explaining what each pastry was so I could have decided while waiting in line. We ended up sharing an iced pistachio latte (delicious and 10/10!), the pistachio cheesecake (10/10!), and the strawberry mousse cake (7/10 - a subtle sweetness, great texture, but needed more cake or crust inside as it was mostly whipped cream and the shell). The mousse cake was $12.00, which felt steep considering it was mostly whipped cream, even though it was obviously beautiful. We would definitely come back for the coffee and to try more menu items! Check this place out!

I wanted to like it. I did. But after a few visits, it's just not for me…read more The first trip, I tried the Matari Tea: Green tea, Himalayan pink salt, milk, and spices, topped with roasted pistachios. Sounds good, right? Alas, it could not have been blander. I couldn't taste any "spices" or even the hint of salt. The profile was that of very watered-down tea mixed with milk, and a ton of pistachios floating on top. Like, barely crushed pistachios. Huge pieces, covering the top of the drink, bobbed around like tiny icebergs, and even they somehow had a toned-down flavor. The drink was definitely a swing and a miss. Fast forward two weeks, and I tried Matari again. This time with a simple cortado. I sat at the table right by the door, and the espresso was pretty good. Solid body, not too bitter. It was on the pricy side ($7+), but I was ok with that. But then, I'm hanging out, sipping my coffee, and I catch a burst of perfume-like scent. I'm shocked, but whatever, I figured someone in heavy perfume walked by, no big deal. A few minutes later, wham, I'm hit in the nose with another burst of perfume. Then, I see it. A slight haze around me. So, not a heavily perfumed woman after all, but an automated air-freshener. After further inspection, I see the unit plugged in on the ground right behind my chair, which sprays up and out on a timer. That's right, an air freshener right next to a table where people consume food and beverages, shooting a mist into the air that slowly rains down onto my head and table, and into my coffee. I ended up tossing the last few sips of my cortado, as I could taste the scented whatever-it-was in my cup. I'd have gone to the counter and asked for a new one, but I was so over my visit by then, I just opted to get out. The staff aren't very friendly. Not rude, but they don't give off a welcoming aura, and I didn't feel like trying to explain the issue. Lastly, can we talk about their little "your order is up" beepers? We've all seen them. The little electronic things that blink and make a noise when your order is ready, so you can go snag it from the counter. When I think of a coffee shop, I think quiet and peaceful, or perhaps a bit louder, with bustling people and well-paired music. At Matari, it's an insane BEEP BEEP BEEP that goes off every few minutes when an order is up. I get it, you don't want to bring the food out to your customers. But does it really need to feel like an airport Chili's? It's a bummer, because Matari is beautiful inside. It's clean, it's chic, and its location is at a notable crossroads in Skokie with plenty of parking, leaving it extremely convenient. They've even got an easy-to-use website, which so many coffee shops simply do not have. There aren't a lot of coffee shops in this particular part of town, which is why I so, so very much wanted to love Matari. But subpar drinks? Air freshener spray intrusions? Frequent and obnoxious beeping? I tried. I'm sorry. I just can't.

Cute spot to stop by if you have that "need something sweet" fix. My friend and I had a taste for…read morebingsoo after dinner so we stopped by. It was kind of late, but we came in....employees were probably also not expecting many people if anything, because it was snowing too. Although there were quite a few different crowds that came in after my friend and I did. The bingsoo was okay. My friend and I shared a cup since we were still pretty full from dinner. I wish there was a little more to it. Sweet enough to get that "sweet fix" and call it a night. I also ordered the almond milk tea and it was good. It was a nice balance. The menu also has other items to offer like shakes, coffee, ramen, sandwiches, etc.

Tried a few drinks here and everything hit…read more The Java Chip was the star for me it tasted exactly like the old McDonald's chocolate chip frappe that got discontinued. Super nostalgic, perfectly blended, not too sweet, and really satisfying. The taro was smooth and creamy with a nice authentic flavor, not overly sugary or artificial. The strawberry milkshake was also solid fresh, classic, and refreshing. Cute café vibes, lots of drink options, and a great spot to chill with friends. Definitely coming back to work my way through more of the menu.

Driving from Chicago to Minneapolis I made an impromptu stop at a random roaster and so glad it was…read moreTala! The shop itself is adorable with tons of natural light, brick walls, some plants, the works. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The baked goods looked great but I didn't get any. Music is a bit loud but that's to be expected; I was still able to get some work done with headphones. The espresso itself was fantastic. Really smooth and flavorful. Plus they do it right and serve with sparkling water and a small nib of extra dark chocolate. If I lived in the are this would 100% be my go-to working cafe and I recommend stopping in if you get the chance.

Super super good…read more Miel is better hot I think. Still good iced. Orange you glad - espresso with milk and cream and orange juice. Holy cow! So good! Cold brew with a little bourbon vanilla - nice. Chocolate muffin was alright. Blueberry donut was delicious.

When in the area, we had to make a stop by one of our local faves. We stopped by because I was in…read moreneed of matcha and absolutely love their strawberry matcha. My husband came with and saw croffles and it was a no brainer. We waited a few minutes for the croffle to come out, and it was so good. My little even devoured the strawberries, it was the perfect snack and treat for all! Can't wait to come back soon, we saw they had other flavors, and some fun new drinks.

Cute, cozy space with great drinks!! It's quite a hidden gem and I would recommend to everyone, I…read moregot a delicious matcha.