Came in for the spring menu pre-fixe event. Everything we tried was good, but I was a little disappointed. It was good but not earth shattering. Plating was pretty and the servers were super nice. Bar downstairs has a lounge-y feel. A lot of natural light in the dining room, at least the side we were sat in. read more

What can I say. Truly one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in recent memory. The atmosphere is so classy. Drinks downstairs. And then the waiter took us upstairs for dinner. Our waiter was the best. Knew our names the whole night. Made it feel like we were dining at a friend's house. The dirty martini is a one of a kind. Great start. All the apps were great. The choices for meats were - no lie - overwhelming. All were great. Sides were all well done and tasty. If you can snag a reservation, I highly recommend. Great date night. Night with good friends. Or a business dinner. Can't go wrong. read more

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step inside the historic flair house, where basque tradition meets river north sophistication at the iconic asador bastian. we're kicking things off with the summer in bordeaux, an incredibly bright mix of old tom gin and yuzu sake, and the el perfecto--a serious london dry and spanish vermut blend for the gin lovers. for the main event, you have to see this txuleton burger. it's an 8oz curated beef blend with mahon cheese on toasted brioche with a roasted garlic and piquillo pepper aioli--it's pure luxury. if you're here for the signature basque experience but want something manageable, the san miguel steak is the move; it's the perfect size for one or a quick share. we're rounding out the night with the rich old tom tonic, the smokey-meets-nutty cutting daisies with mezcal and pistachio, and finishing on a bright note with the citrus coupe. summer in bordeaux $22 old tom gin, yuzu sake, cocchi americano, benedictine el perfecto $21 london dry & navy strength gin, spanish vermut txuleton burger $22 harking back to the days of lavish parties in the original flair house, our txuleton burger is an 8oz blend of curated beef, topped with mahon cheese served on a toasted brioche bun brushed with roasted garlic & piquillo pepper aioli the san miguel steak $73 a smaller cut of our classic txuleton steaks. perfect for one person to enjoy or for two to share for a quick bite bone marrow potato puré $26 rich old tom 19 hayman's old tom gin, cocchi americano, angostura, fever tree tonic cutting daisies $18 la luna mezcal, genepy, pineapple cordial, pistachio citrus coupe $17 read more

I took my husband for his birthday. We had one of the first reservations for dinner and they quickly went through the steak options and didn't offer the seafood options. Our steak was extremely bland, appetizer was not good, and mashed potatoes had a very weird texture. Bavettes, Gibsons Italia, El Che all definitely way better food, experience, and ambience. read more

Asador Bastian - Spanish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The upstairs dining space was lovely but definitely gets loud. Our waiter was so helpful with a) describing the choices on the menu b) helping us decide how much to order. The descriptions did remind me a bit of a Portland episode (e.g., the pig being fed only acorns for 3 years, the 2.5 year old cow from XYZ, Kentucky that is only fed food grown on the same farm, etc. ). That said, I'm here for knowing how hard they work to source food from great farms. We had delicious cocktails: the Cutting Daisies and the Gingersnap Fizz. We would have had more if we weren't trying to keep the bill within reason . The real stars: the whiskey prawn, the spider crab arroz cremosa, and the tortilla española. The steak was great and all but I'm a sides girl. read more

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I had a wonderful experience dining as Asador Bastian. I've been dying to check this place out since it received "World's Best Steakhouse" honors. But reservations are difficult to snag, so I showed up when they open the doors (4pm) and was seated at the bar promptly. Surprisingly, there were a couple people waiting outside prior to 4, and by 445 the entire bar was packed! The food was excellent. I went with the tuna carpaccio for an appetizer and the dry aged steak for my main. I washed it all down with their scotch old fashioned and saved no room for dessert. The price is about what you'd expect - expensive. But the food, ambiance and service were top notch. And speaking of the service, I came away very impressed with the bar staff. Super knowledgeable; the server told me I really need to come back with a larger group so I can try more of their steak options. I highly recommend this spot read more

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Asador Bastian was a great restaurant to celebrate with some friends. We were able to get a reservation for a Sunday evening for a table of six. My husband and I started in the bar with some drinks, and once the whole party arrived, we were quickly seated at our table upstairs. The bar almost felt like an airport bar and the upstairs felt like a cozy/modern cabin. We ordered a few cocktails, the crab/uni butter risotto, the melody of vegetables, two steaks (Spain and Australia), the potatoes, fried rice, peppers, and two desserts -- the citrus and the swan. We also ordered a bottle of wine. I will say the meal was quite expensive (~$400 a couple), but I think that's to be expected based on the restaurant's price point. The best dishes of the night were the risotto, the Australian wagyu, and the melody of vegetables. The table also really enjoyed the Moscow mules. Overall, the flat fish was a little blander than I'd prefer and the potatoes were mediocre. The fried rice was a little too hard for my preference. But the service was consistent, and the servers were well attentive and helpful, especially in the food and wine selection. read more

I will say the service was spectacular and they selection was nice but overall for the price, the meal did not live up to the hype. I've had a better steak and sides for half the cost in Chicago. We went with the X steak, tarrow potatoes, artichokes, and Jamon Spanish omelette. Honestly the omelette was the star item. I would come for that and a drink! Haha the steak was fine but I don't like that you have to buy the full steak for $100+ instead of each of being able to order a cut we prefer and try two things. My husband's portion had gristle and once you removed the bone and excessive fat, it really wasn't that much meat. The artichokes were some of the best I've had and the potatoes were good but again, for the price I could have a better steak meal. Sorry! read more

Asador Bastian - Steak - Spanish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025! Restaurant: 40/50 Month tried: July Favorite dish: Spider Crab Arroz Cremoso (crab fried rice) Prefacing this review with the fact that I do not eat beef! So although Asador Bastian was just named one of the best steakhouses in the world, I was not able to have that experience. Asador Bastian was good. Insanely expensive. Probably would not go back, as I am not a beef eater and therefore could not even try what they do best. But, I did enjoy the sardines, and the crab fried rice was outstanding. The beef eaters did give rave reviews. But I don't think any of us are willing to pay what we did for the amount of food we got. This is maybe a one-time experience for true steakhouse lovers, but not a place to return. The space itself with the dark ambiance is awesome, and the service was incredible. Our server was awesome, attentive, and always addressed us by name. Felt very cared for! read more

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Great place to go if you feel like throwing a lot of money around! But actually, I went here with my family, and the food was excellent. The restaurant is very unassuming and in an old townhouse type building from the 1800s. Everyone who has been here in the city always says they love it and so I was excited to check it out. Service was excellent and they are definitely on it at all times. This is one of those special occasion places that doesn't feel super fancy inside and it's really nice but not over the top. I tried the grapefruit, gin and tonic, which was very good and a nice serving for a cocktail. For food, we had the Spanish tortilla (incredible), Spanish salad (fine), Warm vegetable (for sure skip), Grilled artichokes (favorite tbh so good with a lovely lemon flavor and I want to remake them), bone marrow mashed potatoes (Really rich and really good), Spanish rice (Great flavor with the ham) and two steaks. Now I'm not a crazy meat eater, but the steaks were wonderfully flavored and super memorable. They were a bit too rare for me, but I guess that's how people enjoy them. We finished off by trying the Basque cheesecake which I loved. Super light and fluffy. Overall, the food was really good! A lot of people say it's one of their favorite restaurants in the city and I understand why but the price point is a bit crazy! If you feel like spending a lot of money on meat then this is the place to go. It's definitely not your typical Chicago steakhouse at all but it's a unique dining experience. read more

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Asador Bastian is described as a chophouse with Basque influences - We came here to celebrate a birthday, and after being promptly seated, we started off with some shareable apps: +the Osetra Caviar Churros - the churros didn't have a crisp exterior, and, and the Osetra Caviar was served lukewarm; an order came with 2 pieces +the Anchovy "Matrimonio" - be sure to order at least a couple if you're an anchovy fan, as it came with 3 pieces +the Lobster, Corn & Foie Gras - a nice one-bite app; be sure to order at least a couple, as it came with 3 pieces +and, the Spider Crab Arroz Cremoso - also comes in a half portion; this was served tableside, and it was more like a risotto that was more dense; an interesting presentation, as it had the spider crab shell on top For our mains, we focused on the Txuleton steaks: +the 100% Akushi - had a buttery and sweet notes to it +the Dry Aged Holstein - this was nice and tender, prepared and cooked well +and, The San Miguel - this was a hand-cut, bone-in steak; this was juicy and tender +a side of Iberico Fried Rice +a side of Tallow Fried Potatoes - these were interesting, as they were shaped like thick French toast sticks; a little bit too greasy for us +a side of Nico's Piquillos - we felt that this side dish wasn't worth it, as they were just thinly-sliced peppers +and, a side of Crisp Artichokes - these were really tasty, and could have been an app! We couldn't pass up on the desserts, so we tried the Raspberry Mil Hojas (Napoleon-style), The Swan (I was excited for this - an espresso ice cream, spun-to-order, with vanilla chantilly and cafe amaro chocolate sauce; loved the presentation!), the Citrus Coupe (our favorite out of the desserts; very refreshing), and the Burnt Basque Cheesecake (your usual basque cheesecake). The staff and service were both friendly and attentive. The restaurant is located in the 'Flair House', a historic townhouse that has been around since 1883; the space is dim-lit with a nice wooden decor. Located in the River North area, there's metered street parking available. +the Anchovy "Matrimonio" +Crisp Artichokes +Txuleton steaks +The Swan +friendly staff & service +metered street parking in the area read more

Amazing food, steaks, potato purée with bone marrow, one of the best restaurants in Chicago. It's hard to get a reservation but keep pursuing, it's expensive but truly worth it for the food and experience. read more

Asador Bastian may be the best steakhouse experience we have ever had. Everything from the moment we walked in to the moment we left was exceptional. The service was attentive warm and truly knowledgeable and the townhouse setting added a charm and intimacy that elevated the entire evening. The drinks and wine were outstanding and paired beautifully with every course. We started with the pintxos which were genuinely delicious and full of flavor. The sardines were perfectly prepared and the Iberico fried rice was incredible and something we are still talking about. One of the highlights was the steak display they bring out and take the time to explain each cut. It made the experience feel special and helped build anticipation for what was to come. The steaks themselves were among the best we have ever had the flavors rich and nuanced and each bite memorable. We could not recommend Asador Bastian more highly. If you are looking for an unforgettable steakhouse meal with exceptional food service and atmosphere this is the place to go. read more

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INFLATION? The more we thought. makes us all feel Robbed from believing that there is still an honest restauranter operating today. The charges were/are exorbitant. Charging $129 for a piece of sea bream, butterflied open and served overcooked with bones in a pool of either EVOO or a mix of butter is outrageous for our industry. Then without explanation after a pre-charged non-refundable deposit to drop an automatic 20% into the check is close to dishonest. Bonne Chance. What always goes around comes around. read more

Wonderful experience. I loved our server Juan. Very knowledgeable and very friendly! When they bring out those trays of seafood and steaks it's wild. Started with the caviar churros so good. Get these for sure! Spider crab table side was pretty awesome too like a rich risotto great recommendation. Next we ordered two different steaks. The Holstein with like a popcorn dry age and a traditional style NY Bronx dry aged steak as well, that one wasn't on the menu. Both were top notch! Can't even decide which I liked better. Both equally amazing and for different reasons. Lastly, the bone marrow mashed potatoes were insane. I can eat those every day! Don't snooze on those. We had a couple G&T's with grapefruit, and a couple nice glasses of wine! No room for dessert. Everything was perfection. Will definitely return. Thank you for the hospitality, Asador Bastian! I think it's important to mention we were sat almost immediately, and the place was very busy. It's dialed in there and I love the clean Design. Noise level is perfect - not too loud not too quiet. Met a great table beside us celebrating a birthday. We all had a phenomenal evening. Cheers to the entire staff! It definitely lives up to what everyone is talking about. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! read more

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Downstairs, not up! It's subtle and feels a little like I imagine an old time speakeasy entry- where you might doubt or question whether or not you're in the right place. Wonderful place to go for Thanksgiving dinner. Staff was outstanding, and even with pared down menu, loved all the flavors presented to us. Even though it's an upscale place, it didn't feel overly stuffy. Love the intimacy of the venue. Getting a full tour of the place was another nice touch. Highly recommend read more

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Absolutely amazing experience. I say experience because it is more than a meal. Greeted by name and consistently checked on to make sure everything is a 10/10 makes one feel like royalty. Beautiful interior and decor. Staff was friendly and so very inquisitive to find the perfect selection to make our night remarkable. Nothing happens without a purpose and that purpose is to make you king and queen for the night. The Bone Marrow Potato Puree is a must. Steak was so simple and we decadent it melts in your mouth. The small bit trip was amazing, make sure to get the crab risotto (not the name of it but they will tell you what is is based on that name) and the dessert ....an omg moment with the raspberry layered treat. Been to many a top tier restaurant and A.B. Takes the gold. Special thanks to our server Usef. He was gracious always smiling and so helpful picking our meal items. read more

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Delicious, rich and pricey. Service is amazing and each dish was special. Presentation is great.

Asador Bastian is a wonderful place for high quality steaks with a Basque styling. All the steaks are very good, but if you get a chance to try the Kagoshima wagyu (a special) it will be a momd blowing experience. But more than the steaks, you'll enjoy the great appetizers, desserts and drinks. The restaurant is dimly lit but if you can get the chef's table (note this is just a larger table near the kitchen) you'll have a great opportunity to see the steaks being beautifully prepared. Across the three times I've been the service has ranged from excellent to good, depending on who's helping you - with some variety in how the meats are presented and the level of friendliness. read more

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Sat at the bar. The tortillas was completely raw. Throughout. Potatoes were hard. Only thing eatable was the jamon However that's not the worse. When the main course came. They sent out the wrong sides. Would not let me mix the bone marrow. Steak was burnt and chewy. Asked for a different glass of wine. The bartender said he got me then completely forgot about it. Has he have checked up on us.. these issues would have been resolved. However the only check up he gave was the check itself. Pretty ridiculous as he only had 4 covers. read more

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What an incredible dining experience! We ordered at least half of the menu items and somehow each dish managed to outdo the last - every bite was exceptional. The meat was butter and cooked to sheer perfection, and even the NA drinks were beautifully crafted and full of flavor. read more

Asador Bastian - Spanish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely the best dinner I've ever had! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The steak gave the most delicious juicy, melt in your mouth feeling. And the dessert also didn't miss! The service was amazing! Our server introduced himself to every single person in the party, and also remembered everyone's name. He was very knowledgeable about all the dishes on the menu, and an absolute pleasure to talk with. If you're looking for a place to impress some folks, take them here! read more

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Man... This place is good as advertised. The setting is really nice. Intimate setting. I sat at the bar (Not Intimate lol). The menu is interesting. I'll explain the steak options. Basically they have 3 types. The Galiciana, Holstein, and Akuashi. Their sold by the pound varying prices. You can order the San Miguel which is less than a pound, flat price and you can choose between the Galiciana and Holstein. I went with the Galencia Medium Well. It was phenomenal and stilll pretty pink imo. Great char and flavor. I also ordered 2 sides Nico Piquillos, it was OK, but it's a little pepper sliced and it's $15 hard pass. However the Bone Marrow Potato Puree $24 is amazing, about the best mashed potatoes I've ever had. These are most buy. Service was good but i would definitely recommend a reservation for a party bigger than 1. And reserve maybe a week in advance. read more

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Came for hubby's birthday, The ambience and service were excellent (Christian was just wonderful)! The two standouts were the Spider Crab Arroz Cremosa (we will be coming back for this meal just alone), and the Bone Marrow Potato Purée was delectable. The drinks were delicious and incredibly well priced for such a high end establishment. I had the Sole Amandine which was delicious, but not worth $103 (I'm told they price it for the import fees from Spain), though having the best Seafood in Seattle and home town Santa Barbara, I don't think I'll be back for any of the mains. My husband had the True Galiciana which was cooked to perfection and had complex flavors and taste, but it was so incredibly chewy and the fat was almost inedible, and we are gristle loving people. The overall result was disappointing. Not a fault of the chef, perhaps just the particular type of Steak? Also incredibly expensive for just an okay cut of steak (we're assuming the import prices are involved here too)? Husband wishes he had ordered the Holstein, which we hope would have been able to boast the claim of being one of the best steak places in the world. I have family from Spain (Asturias/Oviedo/Aviles) and we will most definitely be going to check out Asador Extebarri when we visit Spain next year. I wish I had also ordered a steak so that we could have had at least a range and comparison of their signature steak options (I was just so tempted by the Sole). Not sure if we'll be back for steak again, as the prices make the gamble for having a better experience a bit higher, but we'll definitely be back for a number of their other offerings! read more

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I arrived early for my 5:15pm reservation and got seated immediately after checking in. We were served water right away but waited 15minutes before given menus to browse while waiting for our server. The table next to us came in 10mins after us but was immediately given menus as they were being seated. Ambiance is really nice but it does get loud if too many people are having conversations all at once. The server eventually came over to introduce himself and gave us menus to look over while we waited for him to come back to take our drink orders. After taking drink orders, he decided to give us and the table next to us the seafood/steak presentation that every table gets before ordering. Although efficient (since he could give the presentation to us and our neighboring table at the same time), it felt somewhat impersonal and disingenuous. After his presentation, we put in our food orders. We decided to do the spider crab cremoso, melody of veggies, 100% Akaushi, and crisp artichokes. The crab cremoso blew my mind. The richness of the crab after taking the first bite surprised me! Probably one of the best seafood risotto like I've ever had in the states cause I can't compare it to Italy. The melody veggies were just a bunch of blanched veggies with a celery sauce at the bottom. It's cute looking but would never order again. The crisp artichokes were decent and you can taste a bit of lemon on some bites which made it super refreshing. The steak is really what we came for especially reading reviews/news how people are talking about how good this place is at cooking their steaks. The server said the Akaushi is basically wagyu so I am supposed be able to taste the buttery sweet of it but unfortunately I did not. We did medium rare for the steak and I really liked how they made the steak very crispy along the side. But every bite of the steak, I felt like it didn't melt in my mouth like Wagyu or butter. Some part were a bit tender so I was bit thrown off. The raspberry dessert was absolutely amazing! I would for sure recommend people ordering this if they come here. Overall, the crab cremoso was the star of the night and the raspberry dessert. I think I've had better steaks elsewhere for half the price. We did come here for a celebration so I'm not gonna complain much about the price cause I knew what I was getting myself into. My partner and I walked out feeling a bit disappointed since reservations are hard to get here and it didn't hit the spot for us. We're always looking for good steakhouses in Chicago whenever we do fancy date nights or celebrations. read more

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Spectacular business dinner. impeccable chef's choice preparation of seafood and steaks. I was a guest so I can't comment on the expense. Appetizers: steak tartar, caviar bite, shrimp ceviche bite were amazing. For entrees we tried: prawns, brown butter sole, seafood paella, and selection of steaks. One was from Pennsylvania and the other was from Austin. The suckling pig was roasted to perfection. Tender, moist meat with crispy skin. The chocolate hazelnut cake, cheesecake and Spanish layered dessert were the perfect finishers. read more

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We ordered: 100% Akaushi Tortilla Española with Jamon Hongos Y Huevo Raspberry Mil Hojas Lobster, Corn & Foie Gras Roasted Beets with Black Truffles Little Gem Lettuce with Shaved Fall Vegetables Burnt Basque Cheesecake Akaushi steak had a perfect crust and was tender, seasoned, and flavorful. Tortilla espanola was cold but the jamon was fantastic. Lobster, corn, and foie gras was tasty but for the price point, I don't need to get it again. Between the beets and gem salad, I loved the balanced, deep flavor combination of the beets salad. Gem salad was overwhelmingly sour for my palate but the veggies were all fresh. We loved the Raspberry Mil Hojas with the crunchy layers and different layers of sweets in-between. Basque Cheesecake was textbook but could use an additional element to complete it. Our waiter, Christian, provided excellent, professional service. Seating and ambience was all very nice. read more

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What a great experience we had for a mid week dinner! The staff is very knowledgeable about the food and wine, each dish comes with a story of where the food came from and the inspiration. We loved the restaurant, the low light vibe and very homey feeling. The dinner itself took about 3 hours and was expensive but the quality of food and service was excellent read more

Asador Bastian - Spanish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recently came here for my fiancés birthday. We were a party of 6 as we were with his family. We arrived at 6:55 for our 7pm reservation. They first took us to a table that already had people at it. (Very unprofessional) They then said our table was not ready. We did not get seated until 7:30. We put a down payment on this reservation, why did we have to wait so long? They were not nice about it until I went up a third time to complain. The manager offered to bring out complimentary apps. Sadly those were not even taken off the bill at the end, we had to ask. It felt as if this was on purpose. Also, we had to ask for clean dinner plates after eating appetizers. To be at such a nice restaurant and pay so much for the food and have them "pretend to be all fancy" they did not quite have the proper etiquette down. They did not even clear dirty dishes off the table. It was kinda gross in my opinion. Our server put down one of the desserts we got and almost knocked a knife on one of our laps. Needless to say, the steaks were good. The bone marrow potato purée was excellent. However, if I am going to such an upscale and expensive restaurant I expect, food, service and ambiance to be a 10/10 and sadly that was not my experience. read more

Food was incredible. The presentation and quality were on point. Excellent service. I love this little hidden gem. We had such a good time enjoying the food. This is a spot where you really want to enjoy the experience and company over taking pictures so many pics are missing from this post. Definitely coming back. read more

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Only had one opportunity for a nice meal my last trip out to Chicago and chose asador bastian and was impressed with the food. My favorite of the night was either the sardine appetizer - wow this dish packed so much flavor into each bite. The other favorite was the carabineros prawn. This thing was huge! The risotto was great and the flavors were delicious but for two people it is a bit heavy. As some other reviewers have mentioned, the seats are a bit close together and unfortunately since the word got out with NYT and other write ups, the clientele can be annoying and loud- think marketing bro types that talk way too loud after a few drinks. If you can tune out the noise, the food is worth it. read more

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Was really disappointed with my experience at Asador Bastian. I booked this for my birthday after hearing all the hype about it being the "best steakhouse in North America," but it fell far short. We had a dining room reservation but were seated at the bar and then completely ignored for over 25 minutes. I had to go back to the host stand myself just to get it fixed. After being moved upstairs, service improved slightly, but nothing close to what you'd expect at this price point. The biggest red flag: the restroom was filthy--there was vomit on the floor, and it wasn't cleaned even after we checked twice over the course of the meal. Completely unacceptable for a restaurant positioning itself at this level. For a $300+ bill, the food and overall experience simply did not justify the cost. There are far better steakhouse options in Chicago--try Bavette's Bar & Boeuf or El Che Steakhouse & Bar instead. Not worth it. read more

Way overhyped. Definitely not a top steakhouse in the United States, even Chicago is a huge stretch. The food is advertised as shareable, every morsel of food was laughably small. The food was average, but when you're shelling out this much money for food, you expect it to be much better. The most confusing part of the experience is that all steak sizes are bigger than 1 person can eat, but way too small for 2 people to share. Makes absolutely zero sense. The waitress recommended our table ordered 2 steaks for 3 people... that's $400! Zero idea how the restaurant received its accolades. There are better ways to spend money, I think lighting my money on fire would've been a better use. read more

Following my review on March 8 regarding our dinner at Asador Bastian, I would like to provide an update. While we had an excellent dining experience with unique dishes and exceptional table service, we also encountered an unfortunate experience with the host both upon arrival and when leaving the restaurant. As a result, we requested a full refund due to the treatment we received. We would like to note that Mr. Luise Aguilar promptly reached out and handled the matter in a highly professional manner, ultimately issuing a full refund. We sincerely appreciate the prompt response and understanding. Best regards, read more

Absolutely delicious. I could harp on about the food all day, but the service is where this restaurant shines. Our sommelier and server were so funny and sweet. They made dining an experience- telling us how to plan and eat our meal in order for it to taste the best. Also when my boyfriend ordered a cocktail with his steak (oh boy), the sommelier insisted he had a glass of red for free! Overall amazing experience that was only made better by the wonderful food. read more

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Man were we so hyped to try this spot. My girl sold me on one of the top ten steakhouses in the US thing. We walked in and it was moody, dark and sexy. It's located inside a beautiful brownstone type building, but in the lower level. We sat at the bar while we waited and opted to eat there, the food wasn't bad or awful, simply not worth the steep price. We paid close to $350 for the meal. Ordered some $100 cut of steak (which had too much fat), the drinks weren't really yummy--the mashed potatoes are the only thing to write home about, but $350 for mashed potatoes--no thanks. Go to your local steakhouse and have a killer meal with the whole family for less than the cost of Asador Bastian. read more

a great steakhouse, with a heavy focus on sourcing. the menu is long and is best with a larger group to try as many dishes as possible. the food is simple but done well, allowing the ingredients to shine. it does get pricey though, and there are many off menu specials that the servers walk you through in painstaking detail - I can appreciate a few stories about the ingredients/sourcing, but a daily special menu card would make it a lot easier and quicker to decide on your order overall, food is very good, but only a few real standouts for our meal. started with cocktails which were ok but a touch unbalanced and for a $20 cocktail in chicago I expect perfection. For food, the highlights were the carabineros prawns ($50 each, recommended 1 per person), which were large and had great meat and flavor. The txuleta of course (we opted for galician 7 year aged beef, about 2lb for $180), which had great flavor and fat. And the spider crab arroz cremoso ($68) - creamy and delicious. oh and the artichokes which were nice and bright, a good balance for the fatty steak. The other dishes were alright - caviar churros ($16 each) - the churro is served room temp and the texture was not crisp, bone marrow pomme purée ($24) - good for a bite but extremely rich it was difficult to finish, a special corn tortellini with truffle (around $50), and dessert was a large portion and skewed sweet and we couldn't finish (the caramelized raspberry chocolate napoleon thing). read more

I visited Chicago over St Patrick's Day Weekend to visit my college friend who lives in the nearby Flair Tower. On Friday the 13th, as we were walking to dinner, I stumbled inside Asador Bastian where I met Paige, the hostess. She and her team greeted my friend and I as if she'd known us our whole lives with a smile and excited energy. Absolutely nailed it. I told her and her greeting team that I was from Clemson, SC and I, like them, worked in restaurants/hotels/hospitality but that I'd been fangirling over Asador Bastian since they've opened and begun such a prominent reign in the world of steakhouses. We already had dinner plans but thought to myself and said to my friend, "Let's just see if they'll let us take a peak. I just want to see what the hype is all about." That's where the magic began. Expecting to be turned away due to not having a reservation and knowing how busy they are on a Friday night of a holiday weekend, Paige offered to take my friend and I on a full tour of the restaurant. That's when she handed us off to David, who mentioned he'd been serving in the restaurant for 2.5 years. He explained the cuts of steak, processes of cutting to precise preference, and relationships with vendors as if he'd opened the restaurant himself. He knew it all. We were able to see the fish offerings that they get flown in from Barcelona weekly. The vibe and energy in the restaurant gave traditional steakhouse elegance while having a modern-style service delivery. Nailed it yet again. My mouth is still watering over the Olive Fed Japanese Wagyu cut he pointed out to us. All that said, I can count on one hand the greatest hospitality experiences I've ever had, and this was one of them. Crazy part? I didn't even taste the food... but I will next time I'm in Chicago, that's for sure. Paige & David, I hope your team knows how lucky they are to have you two as teammates. Ya'll absolutely nailed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. - Charlie Metcalfe, a fellow Hospitalitarian. read more

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It's alright... the shell fish was under cooked. Service was amazing. Really cool place. Idk how I feel about it yet

A return visit to Asador Bastian and it DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT!! As always the staff is polished, knowledgeable, warm and gracious. It's the food and the concept though that keep patrons coming back. Inside the inviting, paneled dining room is served a feast of fresh fish, interesting cuts of beef, creative cocktails and desserts you won't have room for but are compelled to order because you don't want to miss something that spectacular. The bill is not for the faint-hearted but the quality and attention to detail makes the cost well worth it. read more

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