Ada Street is charming and cool....and a completely different dining experience in comparison to the typical restaurant of the moment. The restaurant is in the Municipal Building section of North and Elston. (Another plus, you can hit The Hideout after dinner!) When you arrive, you wait for your table in this charming, sultry vestibule. When you are taken to your table, you walk down a winding hallway that keeps unfolding...and ultimately opens up to a dining room with an open kitchen and a garage door that, I think, will open up to a patio in the summertime. Another favorite feature of the ambiance? The stacks of vintage records that guests are encouraged to peruse and give to the DJ to play. The night we were there, there was a lot of St. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band playing and it was AWESOME. The small plates menu was pretty terrific. The wilted escarole salad was memorable and delicious. The Denver Lamb ribs were life-changing....fatty, sweet, spicy...yum. The duck confit cavatelli was just enough indulgence without being overwhelmingly rich. Gary Sinese sitting two tables over from ours was among the more memorable moments of the evening... Ada Street!? Yes! Go! read more

This place... From the moment you walk in you feel like you're in some exclusive music video and Bey's going to pop out from around the corner. From the long winding hallways to the perfect amount of light/dark contrast, you instantly feel important and worthy of the table you're about to sit at. We went without reservations and were seated right way. I went with a group of three and started with a few of their drinks bottled in-house, the Smackwater Jack and a Devil's Haircut. AMAZING! We basically ordered everything available on the menu and added a few of the taco's that were on special Monday nights. We fell in love with it all about as quickly as I attach myself to a new Taylor Swift song. The Meatballs and the Wagyu Beef were the game changers that suddenly made everything in life seem irrelevant. Our service was impeccable and at times found myself wondering if the meal would have been as great if Sarah hadn't been there to guide us. I would give this place a second, third, fourth try...hell I would request an Ada St. assortment as my last meal on earth. Cheers! read more

An amazing discovery showed to me by a coworker: this place is so non discreet that you could drive by and think it is another tool/car shop in an industrial district. We reserved the party room which feels like a retooled garage, lined with heavily melted candles, rusty elevator shafts, and tin walls. Very industrial chic! The main restaurant is further back down a narrow dark hallway which reveals once of the coolest bars and small table restaurants, and a nice patio. Every turn gives you a surprise. And the menu is full of amazing small plates: I can't begin to describe it all since we basically tried everything on the menu: far too much but oh so worth it. Rich, meaty, flavorful, raw and refined all at once. Definitely a place to go back with a long evening and reservation! read more

I love trying out new restaurants and I do go out quite a bit. Unfortunately, I am not blown away by the food that often. So when people ask me what my favorite restaurant is, I am actually quite hesitant to answer. This is one of the few exceptions. Every time I come to Ada Street, I have a great, if not awesome, dinner. I have one word of advice, don't go by what your waiter suggests for how many dishes to order per person! It's ALWAYS wayyyy too much. Come check this place out, it will not disappoint. They also have a cool space and play good music. If I didn't have a weird tendency to try out as many new restaurants as possible and to not repeat restaurants, this would be my go-to joint.. ha. read more

I won a $500 gift card to DMK restaurants, so obviously we had to visit the most expensive DMK option. We snagged a reservation (they're only available for one hour each day, otherwise you show up and hope you make it in) for the moment they opened. The menu changes regularly, so we ordered eight separate items. My partner ate all the meat items and I ate the veggie. Almost everything was exceptional! We didn't much care for the chickpea fries, but the rest of the meal made up for it. When we told them it was our anniversary, they brought us free glasses of wine! So sweet! Service was excellent, you can choose records for them, and you can even tip the kitchen staff by buying them a six pack of beer! Great for date nights. read more

This is the place. Get off Randolph Street for a change and have a little adventure into the warehouse district at Elston & North Ave. Reminds me a bit of the old NYC meat packing experience where you would be slightly nervous about the area but walk into the space to find a rich dining experience. Approachable and well crafted this place is a cozy hideout in the winter and looks to be a blast in the summer as they have an outdoor gallery area that is enclosed on all sides. Will be back asap! read more

Amazing ambiance. Amazing food. Amazing cocktails. Kind of a bizarre location - but everything about it was above expectations. The gnocchi is a MUST! read more

We just went again for probably our 5th or 6th visit last night. This time we enjoyed sitting on their beautiful patio! The menu has changed with some fun updates and everything was amazing. The sauces are all so on point here. All the staff is super friendly, excited and smart. Some of our favorites from last night... CHICKEN WINGS - duck fat confited sweet & spicy with a marinated cucumber salad GOAT CHEESE & SHALLOT BRUSCHETTA, herb salad, spring peas LINGUINE - housemade with bacon lardons, garlic cream, grilled rapini pesto DIVER SCALLOPS - fried plaintains, pineapple & bacon jam, romesco PRIME RIBEYE - spring ramp chimichurri We finished with their amazing current bread pudding selection... PB&J BREAD PUDDING - concord grape jam, peanut butter whipped cream Such a unique, awesome, hidden gem! You won't be disappointed. read more

This place is a gem. It's small and cozy and tucked away from the insanity of some Chicago neighborhood hubs like a little treasure you get to discover. They have a lovely little collection of records you can choose from and hand to the bar tender to hear a few desired tunes. In general the atmosphere is cosy and a little dark like a speakeasy. The food is great, the wine list is fantastic. Some of the highlights: the lamb ribs, the octopus, the spaghetti squash salad, the fried brussels sprouts and the strip loin. But basically anything I've had here has been pretty solid. Everything is tapas or small plates style so its a great place to do a little sharing and caring with your dinner mates. Only draw back is they don't take reservations, you can however call ahead and get on the list before arriving which is nice. And despite it's popularity on the weekend eves, I've never waiting more than 30 mins once there. read more

I've been here a few times and every experience has been phenomenal! The small plate menu changes out seasonally. Of all the dishes I have tried, I've absolutely loved every one. All very unique, flavorful, well balanced and expertly prepared. The cocktails are also amazing! My husband and I usually sit at the bar which is really fun. The staff is very knowledgeable and professional, and also seem to be having a good time which adds to the overall atmosphere. You can tell chef Zoe is not only an extremely talented chef, but also treats her employees well. She's also very friendly and often comes out to say hello to customers and make sure they're enjoying their meal. The room has a very cool vibe with a speakeasy style entrance that leads you down a dimly candle lit corridor and opens up into the open dining room/bar. They have a collection of vinyl that you can look through and bring up to the bartender to play. The sound system is very good too, played loud enough to appreciate that it's coming from sweet magical vinyl, but not so loud that you can't have a conversation. My only complaint is that they stopped serving brunch :( Probably for my bank account this is a good thing. Even the coffee was ridiculously good. I was so obsessed with this coffee that I hunted down where they got it from, Sparrow Coffee Roastersin Chicago. They did a special blend for Ada St that's probably the best coffee I've ever had. Unfortunately, Sparrow only sells to local restaurants, no retail. read more

Fantastic. Food, drinks, service...all were great. We were celebrating my friends birthday here, he picked out the menu with the head chef. They kept the food coming and it was amazing. Escargot was perfect. Charred broccoli and tahini was one of my favorites, I could have eaten the whole thing all night. Roasted brussell sprouts were perfect. The steak was the best of the night. Cooked perfectly, seasoned nicely, and with the spaghetti squash, it just melted away and made the night great. The Chocolate Ganache was incredible, and I could eat the whole panna cotta. Great atmosphere too. You can pick out some vinyl from their huge collection, give it to the bar and they will spin it all the way through. Cocktails are truly expertly crafted. We let them pick some for us and it did not disappoint. read more

Feels like you got let in on a secret when you walk through the doors and wind your way through the hallway, past the teeny tiny kitchen and walk into the dining and bar area. Ada St. has a level of understated sophistication that you viscerally feel from the moment your server greets you. The menu, albeit small has an array of exceptionally tasty and savory options to choose from. My wife and I were celebrating a special occasion and felt as thought this establishment hit the nail on the head. We started with a few carefully concocted cocktials and moved into the grilled kale, the octopus and the the beef tenderloin. Each dish was exceptional. The kale had a hint of lemon, the octopus texture was spot on Andre tenderloin was a perfect medium rare delight. This is definitely a pricey spot but the overall experience merits the bill and the service was exceptional. read more

Can't say enough about Ada Street. Every time I come, it's such a treat! My husband and I sat at the bar this past weekend to enjoy a leisurely casual anniversary dinner. The bartender was amazing - started us off with the Fashionable (sage + bubbles = great for summer) and the Fistful of Dollars (dark + whiskeytastic = fond memories of a winter hearth fire) and then we moved into probably my favorite drink of the season, the Only Son of a Ladies Man (let's talk about fresh basil mashed into some peaty Laphraoig and finished with peach -- what a stunner). We ate a ton, too - honestly, some of the reliables (black eyed peas, shishito peppers) weren't as stellar, but the meatballs (good Lord, the meatballs!), the octopus and the whitefish toast were the real show stoppers. At some point I may or may not have been belting out Meat Loaf classics and making besties with all of the bartenders. This is one of Chicago's gems -- not to be missed! read more

Ambience, drinks, and food...And you can buy the kitchen staff a six pack so they can make your food with a lil extra lovin. Don't forget to order the chocolate dessert with the toast. Oh, and I ordered the Whiskey Smash as my cocktail. I wish I could wake up and drink one every damn day. read more

The restaurant is nice, the ambiance too. The food is delicious. But the service is not at the same level. The waitresses walk in the room without paying attention to customers. Awkwardly apologizing when they bump them. I even observed 3 waitresses spend a side of the jacket of a client who was on the ground. By 3 times, never stopping and picking up the jacket, until a new customer did it. Unbelievable. Never ever, I have seen such a lack of etiquette, service and responsibility in my entire life. read more

Best experience ever at Ada Street this weekend! Yes, the location is a little different, and not near anything at all, but that was part of the charm. At 39 weeks pregnant, my husband and I were excited to venture out for one last date night and were truly made to feel at home by every member of the staff. It was a feeling you rarely experience in Chicago, and will keep us coming back. Sonja, our server, could not have been sweeter, making me a mocktail and bringing over a delicious complimentary dessert. And Zoe, the amazing chef, made a point of welcoming us and checking in to make sure we were content. The food we had was delicious: We'd highly recommend the cavatelli with duck, the donuts, the tuna tartare and according to my husband, the Moscow Mule. I hope to be back again soon and can attest to that claim post-baby. Five plus plus plus stars to Ada Street - Can't wait to come back! read more

I LOVE this place. Ada Street is the quintessential low key hot spot of Chicago. Tucked away near the industrial part of town off north avenue resides one of Chicago's most unique watering holes I've encountered in my time living in Chicago. I'm reviewing Ada St. on my second visit, which in my opinion definitely rivaled my first time. Nonetheless, both times were very memorable hence me writing this review. I came here this past Tuesday with my friend for industry night. The hostess was so nice and engaging. Really made us feel welcome. We got seated at a good table, which was nice compared to the last time I had to sit at the bar. We started off with two old fashions, which Ada St. perfects down to a tee. When I think of a cocktail I imagine their old fashion. The drinks did take a little long to come out, but Chef Zoe personally brought them out and made small talk for a bit which was a really nice touch and made me forget about the wait. We ordered the polenta fries, the yellow fin tuna tartare and the goat cheese. The tartare is a must. Served with this awesome avocado crème and house made tortilla chips. Excellent and light on the palate. I would have done without the polenta fries. They were good, but underwhelming for sure. We followed our bites with a nightcap "No sugar tonight" which had intelligentsia coffee, rum, and orange zest and the buttermilk panna cotta with strawberry puree and lemon shortbread crumble. Probably the highlight of the meal. Everything you want from a dessert but not overly rich. overall, this place kicks ass and affirms my hope in the future of the Chicago bar scene. They are very very good to industry people so take advantage of it if you can make it out on Tuesdays. read more

I found this place totally by accident, it's one of the absolute nicest small plates places I've ever been too.

Finally came here to eat last night. Top notch drinks. The food is DELICIOUS! We ordered about 10 dishes and they were all wonderful so I you really can't go wrong. I highly recommend: - Whole Shrimp - smokey heaven! - Leeks - Lamb ribs My only complaint is that I spent about $30 on food and I felt like I only ate a salad so I had to go somewhere else afterwards for another meal. read more

Loved this place! Loved the yummy-drinks, lip-smacking food, cozy-atmosphere, low mood-lighting, and supreme-service... Feels like a secret hide-away. We went for my friends birthday with a group of 6 lovely ladies. Sarah our waitress took great care of us. She recommended 2-3 plates per person since portions are small. Here's a bit of what we sampled (aka devoured): - Palenta Fries with chipotle puree - Braised Lamb Flatbread - Humboldt's Fog Goat Cheese - Roasted Acorn Squash - Cauliflower Gratin - Salmon Tartare with bacon - Strip Loin with aged balsamic, brown butter - Brioche Donuts, port wine caramel - Chocolate, olive oil, sea salt, toast What can I say, were were hungry and downing the specialty drinks like it was our job. Another fun note: They have a respectable vinyl collection that patrons can peruse and ask to be played. Kind of cool. It is a little in the middle of no where, but totally worth it! I will be going back, next time with a hot date. read more

Ada Street was amazing! I didn't know what to expect and was really pleased with the experience. I knew it was hidden away in sort of a random little street, didn't realize it was more or less across from the Home Depot on North Avenue. We had early Friday reservations and were seated at prime seats at the bar. At first I didn't think I'd like sitting at the bar and it probably would have been cramped if some folks sat next to us - thankfully it was all clear during our meal which made the dinner more comfy. We had steak tartare (the best! we liked it so much we ordered another one at the end of our meal), trout with beets and creme fraiche (surprisingly disappointing although still a decent dish), fried artichokes with lemon aioli (nice appetizer) and cavatelli and white beans with duck confit (heavier side, decent portion size). I ordered a tequila gimlet which was just ok. Served in a martini glass was a bit weird but it wasn't one of their specialities. There's lots of free parking in the area and very conveniently located. It's very cavernous and dark when you walk in but once you're in the back room it's a beautiful light filled space that reminds me a little of avec. I loved it and hope to be back soon. read more

WOW. Ada Street, if I could afford it (and wasn't on a wedding diet), I would come every single day. The location is so random, but when you walk into the place, you understand what a true speakeasy is. The wine library is awesome, and the main dining room is beautiful. Even the bar is awesome. And you get to pick records from the wall to play music! They seriously win some major points for ambiance. Our server was an absolute doll. She had great suggestions and knew the menu inside and out. I just really liked her. The chef, (Eva?), delivered our drink and then took our order. She asked if she could course it out for us (umm, of COURSE). The food was out of control amazing. We couldn't stop smiling and enjoyed it so much. As a bonus, they sent out an extra dish to try. I loved everything about this meal. I didn't want it to end!!!! We will certainly be back. read more

The dishes here are a bit hit or miss. I've had a couple meals where everything has been awesome, and I've had a few where I left feeling a bit underwhelmed. But it's always a good dining experience. The staff is really friendly and ridiculously good with names and faces. It's an intimate space with nice ambiance - yay vinyl records! It's a great place to go with a date or small group of friends. And when it's warm, the patio is awesome for bigger groups! read more

This is a very fun restaurant. Great time out. They take reservations during a certain time on Fridays, so call ahead. We got there just ahead of some 4-tops, so us, a party of three, had to wait about 30 minutes. We had some drinks and chatted; they added the drinks to your table bill later, which was nice and easy. We sat at the corner of the bar, which actually worked out perfectly. The walk to the actual restaurant in back is something very different and cool. The space is really different; I love all the record. It's an old garage. Our server/bartender was very nice and helpful. We ordered six dishes: the polenta fries, short ribs, steak tartare, goat cheese, pork empanadas, and brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious. Even for tapas, I thought the portions were very small, especially for the price. I was done wanting more, but my wife and her friend thought it was enough. I love the pork empanadas; the hot sauce was great. The short ribs were very tender and tasty. The steak tartare was some of the best I've had. The drink menu was great. I will most likely come back with another couple because I'd like to try some more things on the menu. read more

Delectable food with unique flavors and spices. The cocktails were so different and delicious. The food was perfect for groups who enjoy shared plates, tapa style. Chef Zoe, hats off to you! read more

Ada Street - A little tucked away - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yum! Ada street has some of the best food that I have had in a really long time. The food is definitely a bit pricey but everything that we had was absolutely delicious! This is what we ordered - Polenta fries! Super tasty! Started to get a bit bored with them after two however. I was not the biggest fan of the dipping sauce that came on the side Bahn 'Mietballs' These were very very good! I loved the sauce that came with it and the meatballs were super flavorful Gnocchi! Definitely the highlight of our entire meal. I could've continued eating these forever! Perfectly pillowy and fluffy Scallops - perfectly cooked with just the right amount of seasoning The meh part - I came here with my boyfriend for my birthday. He mentioned to them when he made the reservation that it was for my birthday but we got absolutely no acknowledgement of that. Normally I would be like meh, who cares. But they specifically asked him on the phone if it was for a birthday... WHY would you ask someone if it's for a special occasion and then just do nothing? It makes no sense. Even if they told me happy birthday I would've been like yay! Thanks! read more

My girl friends and I visited this place -- AMAZING! Granted, I'm torn on whether to keep talking about this place or keep it to myself. But, in all honesty, I want this place to succeed so knock yourselves out! The value of the food is a crap-shoot. Everything is made to share (small plates) and some items are decently priced and there are some things you kind of do a double-take on the menu and realize that you probably paid for twice the amount of food that you got. Nevertheless, their food is DELICIOUS. My friends and I tried the steak tartare (a decent portion, delicious, ask for toast because they will serve it as is), octopus (YUM!), polenta fries (maybe good for two people to share), cheese plate (YUMMY!), a few other things and even got dessert (again, not enough toast to go with my ganache). We also had drinks (wine - always a good go-to; signature cocktails, and ginger beer) - the drinks a little pricey but delicious nevertheless. The place is small but the atmosphere is great. It's in a very unassuming area in the city and you will be very happy you went. I am already planning my next trip to Ada Street! read more

super cool new spot, tucked away but very easy to get to. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Cocktails are on point and made with precision. Small plates were all solid as well. The octopus was cooked perfectly, the squid dish was thoughtful and light. The beer tartare had a nice acidic quality to cut through the richness and the salmon tartare was butter and delicious. Great new spot and it's a really cool dar interior with a nice courtyard. May it's lack of a perpendicular sign and small black door keep it a relative secret as long as possible. read more

My wife and I went to Ada St as part of their New Year's Eve package dinner which was $60/person (not incl drinks) to sit at the bar - well worth it. We choose both the vegetarian and meat options to share and each of the 5 courses was fantastic. Perfectly portioned, not too rich and certainly not bland. I normally don't like eating out much because I can make most things at home to a close degree. This place had some very interesting options which make it worth going to. I cannot comment on the waitstaff, as we sat at the bar, however our bartender was very attentive and the other bartenders were friendly to strike up conversations. Drinks were very well mixed and they have a wide selection of premium liquor/wine/beer. The atmosphere was unique, similar to a speakeasy with a patio which opened form a transparent garage door in the west end. The kitchen is open and it's entertaining to watch the cooks prepare you meal if you have a decent view, which isn't hard to get. The place is cozy but not crowded. Ada St is not hard to find, in fact its the only restaurant on the street, which is in the middle of an industrial area just off Elston. Parking in plentiful at night because those spaces normally go to machinists, welders or whoever else works in the area during the day. I definitely plan to go back in the summer! read more

My husband and I bought the chef counter experience through HowAboutWe (I recommend you check that site out, too!) and were elated! We had dietary restrictions but the chefs were very accommodating and had created a 5 course meal tailored to us. 1) spaghetti squash salad with roasted chestnuts- incredible. Absolutely fresh and tangy with the perfect amount of crunch. 2) tuna with avocado creme- my vegetarian husband called this a gateway drug to steak. It was thick pieces of raw tuna with mustard and wasabi micro greens and some brilliant whipped avocado sauce. 3) carrot and parsnip soup- fabulous. Very creamy. Considered licking the bowl. 4) mushroom risotto- I mean, you see the pattern right? Everything was amazing and my taste buds died. This in particular was as good as the risotto I ate in Italy. 5) poached pear penne cotta- yes. That is all. Just: yes. We had a great time with the chefs at the counter and I'd recommend the chefs dining experience to all foodies!! read more

Got a chance to sit at the bar this weekend as they were slowly working their way to closing time. We got a few drinks and a bar snack in, but are already planning a return trip to explore the menu more fully! The space is beautiful, a perfect balance of chic and industrial. We were there pretty late and the hostess station was empty, so we got to wind through the maze to the bar ourselves. It was a bit like an obstacle course that ends in booze... like all obstacle courses ought to. At the bar, we got a chance to chat up the head bartender Tim, who was lovely and patient as I explained that I really do like to taste the whiskey in my whiskey. He was kind enough to make me a re-jiggered cocktail from their menu to satisfy my rye cravings. When we tried to order food, we found out that we missed last call on food by just a few minutes. But the kitchen, just like everyone else there, was super nice and threw together our ricotta cheese snack anyway. And it was amazing. Maybe they're just laying it on thick while they're new and fresh, but whatever, it worked. Everyone we interacted with was amazing and I can't wait to go back. read more

I like Ada St, they have really cool events (Monday night movies, backgammon tournaments, etc.) and I appreciate having a food spot so near to the Hideout. Also, their outside space in the summer is really inviting - brick walls and you look up to the open ski with white lights strung across. What I don't like - their food is good (not amazing) and their portions are small for the price. We had 2 drinks and 5 plates to share, and were still hungry. We figured we could order more and bump up the bill another $40 or cut our losses and keep the total under $100. Also, had a reservation, yet got sat in their 'wine library'. Excellent euphemism for the hallway, where people are constantly walking through. Overall a-ok, definitely not off the chain. read more

It's refreshing to see more restaurant establishments coming into the area which has mainly consisted of warehouses and manufacturing. If you're not careful it's easy to miss because it's off the main drag of North Avenue. Love the location, love the ambiance, although real grass or wood could be a better option in the patio area, but it doesn't retract from the ambiance. You can choose a record to play on the house sounds which is cool. They have a private dining area for larger groups and the building is just charming. Ada St. is great for a small bite or cocktails but I wouldn't consider it for a main dinner option. It's not a restaurant where you are going to get a few choices for a main entree with sides. It's great pub food. It's small plates to share but more along the lines of appetizers although they lump the menu into three or four categories. I believe the Sirloin was a full portion. With so many small portions I think they can do a better job of offering better options for bread than your average French bread crouton. Maybe the bruschetta you had a better choice but we didn't order it. Chicken liver mouse you can skip. Just lacked flavor and to be honest, needed more chicken liver. I've had some great mouse at Maude's Liquor Bar. This just wasn't as flavorful. Albacore tuna and the steak tar tare were fantastic. Albacore tuna came with a guacamole cream addition that was quite delightful. It was just what the tuna needed to make it rich and creamy. The steak was well seasoned and was accompanied by a quail egg I believe. Cornichons and mustard didn't take away from the superstar which was the steak. Capers were also a mixture within the steak tar tare and didn't steal the show. I'm a little biased on the lamb ribs because I cook meats low and slow here at home and I felt the ribs were well over cooked. You have to be careful with lamb ribs and how you prepare them. They don't have as much connective tissue and fat in some cases like you would find on pork ribs. The taste and texture is quite different and the meat on these ribs had shrunk back too far and was dry. Even the agave and habanero sauce that lay underneath the four stacked ribs couldn't save them. I think the Chef does a great job at combing contemporary technique with classical dishes. I felt there was some Latin influences in some of the dishes, however, some of the items just fell short. Fried Gouda cheese was just okay. However, the fried black-eye peas were killer. But it's a snack. Can't go wrong with these guys, they are a great snack with a nice IPA or Pilsner. I would recommend Ada to anyone if you are going out with a group of friends or really want some great cocktails but if you are looking for this to be your main dinner option, you might want to go somewhere else. Ada has charm, shit you can buy the kitchen a six pack to show them your appreciation. read more

unique, fun atmosphere, especially the vinyl album collection! You walk in a hallway with dim lights and displays of wine on either side, like you are sneaking a glance at some royalties wine cellar. entertaining and friendly wait staff. we let our waitress pick our a series of small plates for sharing - resulting in great variety & all extremely tasty and unique. my favorites were the scallops. Lively & plenty of noise, but not so overwhelming - we were able to carry on a conversation thru dinner. read more

I came here on a Sunday evening for a quiet romantic dinner, it was a great location tucked away in an industrial district. The inside of the restaurant is well decorated and a welcoming environment. We loved the elote and the chocolate ganache dessert! read more

A hidden gem. You couldn't possibly see this place and casually stop in... it's off the beaten track. But it's definitely worth the stop. There's attentive service, great drinks, incredible food, desserts and one of the most amazing patios in the city. A must see if you're a foodie in Chicago. read more

Great place to for small plates! The Duck Confit is the best I have ever ate. The Steak Tartare was delicious and my Whisky Smash cocktail was well balanced and tasty. The location in the Elston Corridor industrial district added to the atmosphere, which is classy and trendy, but VERY welcoming. We arrived before our table was ready so we chatted with a very friendly hostess. I also enjoyed that they play full albums on vinyl; we heard Springsteen - Darkness on The Edge Of Town and My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves. We will be back. read more

Easily one of the best restaurants I've been to in Chicago - food, atmosphere, and service were all fantastic. Don't be discouraged when you feel lost trying to find it, smell the city's lingering trash, and then finally decide to try that one door that may indeed be the restaurant only to be greeted by a pitch black hallway. There are friendly hostesses at the end of that hallway! We went several months ago so I don't remember everything we ordered. We definitely had the fried black eyed peas, the meatballs, the soft shell crab (seasonal), the sliders, and the pretzel bread pudding. Best meatballs I've ever had in my life, and I could've eaten a tub of that bread pudding. Cocktails were tasty too. The back patio is probably the coolest part of the place. It's bright and cheery and the BBQ/grill man is back there too. I'm guessing it's an old loading dock or something and has this nice modern industrial feel that matches the modern twist on a lot of the otherwise typical dishes. Our server, Kat, was great too. She was a little sassy and goofy but also a huge help when it came to menu items and drink choices. read more

AWESOME food and service!! My boyfriend and I came here on a Saturday night with reservations (definitely a great idea to make reservations, they take them until 6:30pm). We were a little unsure of the restaurant's location (off North Avenue just west of the river) but it is a true hidden gem. Our server was great, attentive and constantly refiled our water glasses. For dinner we ordered: duck egg rolls, mushroom bruschetta, polenta fries, spring salad, hanger steak and the chocolate ball with sea salt and toast for dessert. The perfect amount for two people. My favorite dishes were the hanger steak and chocolate ball; great flavor texture and over all presentation. The carrot puree was right on point with the hanger steak. My least favorite dish (which was still tasty) were the polenta fries. They had great flavor and the chipotle sauce was great to dip them in, but at the end of the day they were just fries and next time we're there, we'll order something more adventurous. Another interesting detail to point out: the kitchen opens right into the restaurant and you can see the chef cooking all the plates, which is really fun to watch and entertaining. Already want to go back and sit outside :) read more

Classy without feeling pretentious. The food and drink are both excellent. We had the polenta fries, "Mexican meatballs" (so good), linguine with spicy clam sauce (also very, very good), and panna cotta for dessert (bam!). I also got two cocktails, the Fistful of Dollars and the Only Son of a Ladies man - the latter of which is one of the best cocktails I've had in the city. It's very simple, described on the menu as "Basil-infused Laphroaig, Pigs Nose, peach liqueur, lemon." Holy cow I'd come back just for that. Staff was very nice (we sat at the bar) and the space is very cool. One of the best first-time dining experiences I've had. read more