One of the best meals I had in chicago! We came on a weekday night and lucked out and got seated right away. The waiter and service was really good and he made some solid recommendations. I would've given this place 4 stars bc one of the dishes we got was super bad but the other 2 dishes were so good this restaurant easily became a highlight. FOOD: - pepperoni pizza - guys this pizza WAS AMAZING. It literally was so good. The ricotta cheese and Chile honey were the perfect compliments. Literally the best thing I had. Highly highly recommend -medjool dates - totally lived up to the hype. Soo good and the pepper tomato sauce was the perfect compliment -yellowtail crudo - this was not good at all. So disappointed and the amount of yellowtail was little to none. The whole dish was lacking and missing something and the fact that this little dish was $22 hurts my soul. Tldr: avoid the yellowtail, get the pizza and medjool dates like every single person in these reviews has already stated lmao. read more

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After watching the show The Bear, I was dying to try Avec during my visit to Chicago last week. We made a brunch reservation at the West loop location originally but it just so happened that a car decided to crash through the storefront! The staff was quick to address the situation and set me up with another reservation at the River North location instead. To accommodate for the inconvenience, the staff also comped me of the reservation deposit amount from my total bill. Even before walking into their establishment, I already had an idea of how superb their customer service is! This last minute change of plans ended up being a blessing in disguise because the River North location is much larger and spacious than the West Loop spot. We were sat immediately and they even took our coats that were soaked from the storm. Our server was attentive and very polite. He performed in all the ways I think every server should - filling up our waters promptly, asking for dietary restrictions, providing personal recommendations from the menu, and having a genuine conversation with our party but not pestering us too much. Now, onto the good stuff - the food exceeded my expectations for the most part. We ordered the chorizo stuffed dates (an obligatory item here at Avec), the focaccia (ask your server to drizzle honey on it and thank me later), the shakshuka, the carbonara pizza, the maple sausage cocotte, and the hummus platter. Among all the items we ate, the chorizo stuffed dates and the focaccia stole the show. The chorizo stuffed dates are so juicy and flavorful, especially with the bacon wrapped around it and roasted to perfection. The focaccia is filled with the perfect amount of ricotta and cheese. If you decide to add honey on top, it adds this delicate sweetness that truly balances each bite. Although everything else was good, it was not mind blowing. Unfortunately I have to say that the most underwhelming dish was the shakshuka. I'm not sure if we ate it incorrectly but after mixing it all together and eating it, it felt like a tomato mush that was lacking texture. I know that traditional shakshuka is served with bread to dip which I think would've been a better alternative to pair with the acidic saucy tomatoes but the couscous got lost in the dish. The total bill splitting 6-7 items with 8 people ended up costing each of us $18 a head. Not too shabby if I do say so myself! Overall, I would absolutely come back to Avec to try their lunch and dinner service. This type of restaurant is uncommon to stumble upon - unique and delicious menu, beautiful ambience, and exceptional service. And if you're visiting Chicago in search of amazing food, Avec is a must! read more

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I have been obsessed with The Bear and wanted to try some of the spots that Sydney goes to in that iconic food tour episode. AVEC was delicious and everything from the service, the interior decor, to the food was incredible. I really enjoyed the ORRECHIETTE pesto pasta, but my favorites were the DATES and the FOCACCIA. The dates were such a great combination of salty and sweet, and the focaccia was unlike anything I've had before. The bread was crunchy and flavorful, while the filling inside added a good balance. This was such a fun meal, and I would definitely love to come here again and try the other dishes. read more

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The staff is amazing!!! 10000/10 service every time. Everyone is kind, funny, and attentive. Makes for a great meal no matter the time of day. also plz bring back the mortadella pizza read more

The food was fantastic! The hummus with the short ribs was to die for. I don't think you can go qrong with a single dish. The lighting and music was perfect for our date night. read more

RW 2022 TLDR - worth it. $55 for four courses. Sadly, Yelp won't let me upload videos of the paella or chorizo stuffed dates. Take my word for it that those are delicious and make the experience worth it. Pros: -Paella is on the RN menu, did not see it online for their West Loop location -Drinks are good and not super pricey ($15ish for a drink) -Portions are moderate - we took home leftover paella Cons: -Not enough bread to food ratio (I'm feeling quite puffy from the olives and date course) Definitely would check out their Sunday - Thursday deal (pizza, wine, gelato for 2 for $50?). read more

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We had a reservation on a Friday night, and we were able to be seated immediately. The main room of avec is designed well and has an upscale but relaxed vibe. We sat in the private dining room overflow area, and it was quite warm. The menu has a lot of options, and the waiter suggested we order 5 dishes for 4 people, as the portions are generous. I would tend to agree! We most liked the salad and the cornmeal crusted jalapeños and scallions, but all the dishes were good. Giving 4 stars because the food was good but not mind blowing, and because of how warm it was in the room and read more

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Service was significant lacking. We couldn't find our waiter most of the time - it was baffling.

OMG this is some of the best eating in Chicago. I love this place. The ambience is very sexy and the service is even sexier. Gabe served us and he did an excellent job. Gabe was so kind and friendly. We loved him! The food tho!!!! Again, OMG...Amazing food. We had several appetizers. I can't name them all but all 4 we had were delicious!! The wine selection is fantastic!' This is a wonderful experience and I'm so glad we came. Yum. Thank you. read more

Beautiful decor, attentive and friendly staff, inspired menu. Would come again especially because the menu changes with the seasons / availability of ingredients! Food (5/5) - Dates are of course the must-get. Delightfully sweet and bacon on the outside was not too overdone. Crispy, sopped up the sauce very well. Nothing bad to say about these. Could probably have had more if my stomach allowed. Pork shoulder - this was pretty phenomenal also. Good broth, the sour cream drizzle adds a nice enhancer to the otherwise very flavourful, decently salty dish. The meat was melt in your mouth. Little gem salad - this was nothing too special but the dressing was light and it was a good complement to the rest of our meal. Fresh shaved cheese is always a welcome, nice touch. Price (4/5) - It is on the pricier side especially for Chicago, but worth it once in a while for this experience. Feels like an NYC-level dinner ($30-40 pax). This is pre-drinks. Ambiance (5/5) - Well decorated, high ceilings. Not too loud, not too bright, but could easily read the menu still. Was also pretty easy to get a reservation, nice low-key dinner spot. Service (5/5) - attentive, friendly, but a little short-staffed. Took us a little to flag down someone for water and to take our order. read more

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Delicious food, great service and a nice atmosphere! I would recommend sharing the dishes so you can try several. The dishes were unique and different for Mediterranean food! They have an awesome rooftop with a great view of the city that I can't wait to check out this summer. read more

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Really bummed to be writing this review but Amy L at Avec River North made my last dinner in Chicago a disappointing experience. She was a rude/inattentive server. She even snatched (yes, snatched) up my friend's card while we were calculating how to split the bill and plugged it into her device despite me telling her that we weren't ready yet multiple times. She was so snarky. As a result, we left a 15% tip on our meal (food and two bottles of wine). She proceeds to tells me "that's like 12%" even when I'd calculated it properly (tip was $120 and the bill was $800). She then comes back again to the table to argue with us. Then proceeds to say "fine." I have never had a server argue with me about the amount of tip I've left before (although I do tip much more generously when service is good). What a bummer. read more

The menu is all over the place. A lot of Indian spices, Arab food, and then a few Italian dishes. Overall everything tastes great and I would return but it's not Mediterranean food. This place is better in small groups. read more

Was excited to try out this location as the west loop one was all booked but tables here are much more abundant! This location was interesting, mix of great and mediocre food. Obviously had to get the dates, perfect and the same! The Octopus was my favorite fish by far, flavor was balanced and surprisingly crispy as well! However the pasta mediocre, still good but nothing spectacular, truffle flavor was lacking. The paella was the only thing I wasn't a fan of, the citrus mayo was my favorite part, the upsetting part was the chicken was dry and over charred. Thought js pretty hard to get dry but they somehow did it. Overall, still a solid restaurant and would comeback. read more

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This place deserves all the 5 stars it's receiving. Fantastic brunch but, to me, It was the little things that really stood out - butter, whipped feta and non-alcoholic spritzer. 1. Bread basket - I certainly didn't need a huge $12 bread plate for myself but glad I got it. Yes, the bread was yummy but the best part was the large mound of the softest butter with sea salt on top! 2. Tomato and spinach cocotte with eggs - So tasty and the eggs were perfect BUT I'm still thinking about the whipped feta that was creamy and warm right under the eggs Why don't more restaurants do this instead of cold crumbled feta on the top!? 3. Honey crisp spritz - These are my new, favorite types of drinks. I asked what the ingredients were so I could try making it, but who am I kidding? I'm just going to leave it to the professionals. If I lived in Chicago this would definitely be a regular spot for me. read more

Avec River North - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here a few times, but came here to rave about how good the Easter brunch was!!! SUCH a good value, all the food was hot, flavorful, and plentiful, it was efficient and elevated too. Omg I could have had 5 plates. So very awesome. Great service too. Well done to the team - I already want to come next year! read more

Avec River North - Easter brunch buffet! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went to Avec as our only dinner in Chicago (visiting for a wedding!). We were so excited to go as we saw it featured on The Bear on hulu. We went to the river north location as it was close to our hotel. The atmosphere was pretty and the waiter was super nice. The drinks were very good (not very strong though for being so expensive). It took an extremely long time to get our food. We had to ask for bread or something as were were so hungry. They apologized and brought us the olive appetizer. This was a nice gesture. The carrot hummus was AMAZING. We are big fans of hummus and this was definitely one of the best we've ever had. It was so good. All the other dishes were good but not great. We got the prawns and the farfalle pasta dish. Next time would just get the hummus for takeout! Overall, the restaurant was nice. Not sure if it is Michelin star good, but it was good. It is definitely overpriced for what it is. Side note: the table next to us got the scallops and for $36 you get ONLY TWO! We thought that was ridiculous. read more

Avec River North - mexican prawns - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went on a Monday night for an early dinner, and the interior of the restaurant was so beautiful! I loved the ambiance and the service was very attentive. Now onto the food: For a group of 3, we ordered the stuffed dates, focaccia, and pork shoulder. This was PLENTY of food for the three of us and we left very full. The dates are an absolute must and were the highlight of the meal. The focaccia was so crispy and rich, but the truffle scent was a little too strong for my taste. I was slightly disappointed by the pork shoulder. Though it was very tender, I found it to have a porky smell which put me off the dish. I've heard the short rib hummus is better, so I might try this instead next time! read more

Avec River North - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

10/10 on of my favorite meals. Our server was wonderful and the vibe within the restaurant was upscale relaxed without being too much. I dream about this focaccia each night as I go to sleep. When ordering the hummus (we got the short rib, super delicious) ask for extra pita. The calamari was nice and spicy. Drinks were delicious, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic options. read more

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If you're here for the culinary experience and can overlook the sub par service, you're in for a treat. Apps and entrees were magnificent, but it took them forever to get our orders and barely checked in on us. Had to grab their attention multiple times to order our drinks, extra sides and dessert. In this economy, I'd be more inclined to take my business to some place where the service matches the quality of food. Oof. read more

I've been wanting to dine at Avec on Randolph but was able to snag a last minute reservation at this location. The interior decor and ambience was modern and cozy. We tried several dishes, and everything was beautifully executed. Each dish was had varying flavors but somehow went so well together. Little Gem Salad, Medjool Dates, Orecchiette, Focaccia, Whole Roasted Fish, and Pork Shoulder. Great balance of textures, both light and rich/savory. Would definitely enjoy coming back to try other items. read more

Avec River North - orecchiette, while roasted fish (leftovers) - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Avec never disappoints Whether it be bar or restaurant brunch or lunch Lentil soup is so satisfying and light with lemon and turmeric notes. Brunch food is amazing especially the avocado toast with dill, and texture of sunflower seeds. Hubby loves Shakshuka All their breads are so good as well as special pastries. Drinks !!! Bloody Mary and kale drink tasty! read more

Sunday was great! Everything was fast. Good service,good quality,and nice managers very very good food! Thank you guys and I'll be coming again! Thank you read more

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I wish I could give this restaurant 4.5 stars because it was incredible! Everything we ordered was delectable. The chorizo stuffed medjool dates wrapped in bacon were perfect, as was the hummus with short rib. The portions are great except the up-charge on the extra pita was slightly annoying since it only comes with one piece. The cheese plate only had two slices of cheese, but the honeycomb and spiced nuts were phenomenal. Highly recommend the rigatoni, perfectly cooked and incredible flavors with the shiitake mushrooms. The potato and salted cod brandade was also a hit! I loved the cab franc on the menu, but the speciality drinks were average. read more

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Tried Avec completely on a whim with a group of 12 people. So, first of all, shout out to the staff for accommodating 12 of us and for doing it with a smile! I highly recommend coming with a group. Because there were so many people, we really just told the waitress to bring out what she likes. Best idea ever! I tried so many new things that I wouldn't have normally. Some favorites: - House olives - Charred carrots (GET THEM!!) - Hamachi Crudo (my favorite item!) - Potato and cod brandade (very unique item you can't find anywhere else, yummy) - Chorizo-stuffed medjool dates in pepper-tomato sauce - Orecchiette with broccolini, jalapeño, and pesto (pasta was homemade and so yummy) - Paella-type entrée with chicken, sausage, and rice I know we got so much more than that, but that's what I remember most. The only thing that we didn't finish and lick the plate clean was the focaccia with truffle oil - it wasn't actually focaccia but a thin flatbread type crust, and it was SO salty. A couple of bites were good but didn't need more beyond that. Again, this experience offered excellent service and fantastic food. I will definitely be back! read more

Avec River North - Paella with sausage and chicken - amazing! - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friend and I have a great time at Avec! It's been on my wishlist for a long time, and it lived up to its reputation. The staff was very friendly and d informed on the menu. I loved the rigatoni. I would absolutely go back! The vibe was great as well. read more

Avec River North - Rigatoni - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's Avec with the big open concept we all wanted and without being on top of each other. I love that we have two options and can get the intimate cozy ambiance on Randolph and or the large space now here in River North if you have a bigger party. Same chef so the dishes are consistent and what you would expect at Avec. Of course their staple stuffed dates is the highlight. Surprising dish of the night was their thin n'duja sausage pizza. The SAUCE and the honey combination with the sausage just made this pizza elevate to another level. So simple but delicious. Their Tagliolini pasta with pancetta and smoked clams was simple and a good portion size to share a couple of bites or not overwhelming for one person to have. The pancetta might have overpowered the clams but still a delicious dish. Dessert- tried the chocolate baklava...it was okay. nothing to fawn over. I'll definitely have to try to basque cheesecake next time. Really enjoyed the night at Avec- simply made dishes that are elevated by highlighting the right ingredients from each dish. Service was friendly and quick with a two hour limit, But you don't feel rushed. It's a nice new dinner spot to grab a cocktail and a couple of plates to share in River North. read more

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The brunch today was great! Food, service, ambiance was awesome! I loved the shakshuka and the papas fritas. Great vegetarian options.

Love the small plates! 4 of us made a meal of them, starting with our favorite, the medjool dates. You use all the bread to soak up the sauce. The cheese plate is a delight and the special of the night was scallop crude. I used bread for that juice too. The short rib hummus was perfect with short ribs that cut like butter. The Mexican prawns were equally outstanding. We ended with the wood roasted cabbage in a tomato based sauce. Outstanding! Eric was a terrific server and helped us pick out some wine. read more

What a treat while in town for a convention. We shared many dishes. The cabbage was amazing as was the shrimp. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave great direction. They were friendly and engaging. Looking forward to a return visit soon. read more

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Very disappointing. Octopus was overcooked and tasteless. Calamari was small cheap frozen variety. Chorizo in bacon was too spicy and fell apart to the touch. Only good thing was the hummus and the bread. Atmosphere and service was also very good but that didn't make up for the bad food. read more

Food, drinks, service, and ambiance were all stellar. An elevated dining experience all around. Went on a Friday night, made a reservation beforehand, took our time, everything was lovely. Mal B was our server. We got the radish hummus, apple salad, orecchiette, mortadella pizza, and a few drinks. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

First time to Avec river north, it's definitely more spacious than it's west loop counterpart, but that's where the differences end. Just like it's sister restaurant food is a fun delicious adventure! The bacon wrapped dates were humongous and were a nice sweet and spicy combo. The kale salad is such a wonderful unique combo of flavors. Our favorite dish was the squash pizza, but watch out - it's got a spicy kick! We had 4 plates and that was plenty for 2 people. We got the prawns, but that was our least favorite dish, it was difficult to eat and the other dishes outshined it. Atmosphere was bubbly but not too loud on a Monday. Service was fab! read more

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A perfect experience! A quiet Monday lunch was the highlight of our city day. Excited to walk it off

In the same meal, I had probably one of my favorite all-time dishes, and I also had an inedible dish. Regardless, this is really good place in worth the try. The ambience is trendy hipster. All the staff are well trained, and frankly, I would call hipster. Extremely friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Overall excellent service. They have a very impressive array of rare and hard to find bourbons. Surprisingly, very reasonably priced. They have a sommelier that really knew his stuff and recommended very well for what we were eating. This is a tapas/small plates kind of place. We went with our waiter's recommendations on almost everything. The best dish hands-down was a candied short rip with hummus. I know it doesn't sound all that great but it was probably one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. We also had the Bronzino, which was very good and a great sauce. However, the pasta dish with olives was not good. The pasta was clearly handmade and was cooked perfectly. However, the olives were extremely overpowering, and made the dish inedible. Dessert was kind of a swing and miss as well. Overall, this was a very enjoyable dining experience, and I would happily return. read more

Solid mediterranean food with a bit of fusion. It's not your standard Mediterranean but I can't put a finger on what fusion cuisine it is ?middle eastern? Regardless, solid flavors. I normally dislike dates but saw a lot of yelp photos for their medjool dates dish. Get it! Like myself, you won't regret trying it. It's mostly a meat dish and the dates offering a very slight sweet flavor. Presentation for the mussel and swordfish tangine was great with a giant lavash on top of cast iron skillet. I was worried the swordfish would be overcooked, but both the fish and mussels were tender and cooked perfectly. We got a mutton rigatoni which tasted amazing. My only qualm is I had toddlers with me and I got this specifically for them, asked for it to not be spicy, and of course it was spicy. Also wish they'd give more bread as the sauce to every dish was excellent and we had to order more pita to enjoy all the sauces. The only weak point was dessert. I forgot what we ordered, something chocolate, but it wasn't good and my party of 4 couldn't even finish it. My star rating legend: 5: A+ Worth a special journey (ie. I would go out of my way, maybe even take a flight somewhere just for this; exceptionally amazing) 4: A excellent, a must try, solid place 3: B good; nothing extraordinary, but would definitely go again 2: C personally would never go again (unless invited by someone and I didn't get to pick the place), but I can see how others might find something appealing 1: Fail. I would never return and recommend no on else goes either. read more

I've been here twice for brunch and each time I've had a great experience. The Food is very good. The Lamb burger is something that I will definitely be going back to get again. I will say I wished that it came with a side like fries or a salad. They probably have one of the best bottomless options in river north fro brunch. The servers are very attentive and gave great recommendations. When I do decided to dine here, I always forget that I am in the middle of the city. It's peaceful and have a open/airy feeling, which is refreshing. read more

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Innovative takes on familiar Mediterranean mainstays. The chorizo-stuffed dates had a pleasantly surprising kick/heat to them that worked well with the sweetness of the date. The apple and endive salad was a refreshing "palette cleanser" amongst the mostly heavier and rich dishes. The real star was the pork shoulder - I wouldn't have chosen this dish on my own, but I was quickly addicted to the saffron and melt-in-your-mouth pork. The campanelle was light and fresh yet still packed with flavor. I was really looking forward to the focaccia with cheese and truffle oil, but the other dishes packed such a punch that this one didn't really stand out as much (although the truffle honey was delicious!). I really enjoyed the innovative flavors, but felt many of the dishes bordered on being too rich and heavy (which might have just been a result of what we ordered). read more

AVEC restaurant is undeniably trendy, with its modern vibe and Middle Eastern influenced menu. While it may not capture the authenticity of a traditional Middle Eastern, Greek, or Mediterranean cuisine, it still offers a unique dining experience. When dining, keep in mind that the seating arrangement might not be everyones cup of tea and that you will be seated on bare wooden stools, low to the ground, with no cushion or backs. You may feel cramped and even a little uncomfortable to speak with your date considering that you will be sitting elbow-to-elbow with other diners, therefore you might want to save that private conversation for another time. Also, keep in mind that on summer days it can be quite warm inside, even with the air conditioning on, so dress accordingly. But don't let that deter you from trying the delightful food they have to offer. I had the roasted summer squash with labneh, and pistachio dukkah and my friend had the wild mexican prawns with baked pita bread. Everything was delicious! The staff was attentive and focused, ensuring a personalized dining experience. Their attention to detail and friendly demeanor made our evening all the more enjoyable. read more

Avec River North - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Its been several years since I was last at Avec. It had stayed in my memory as a great meal. Had some out of towners and we went to the River North location for lunch. Im so happy to re-live the good memory bc Everything we ordered was fantastic. The chorizo stuffed dates, the calamari, chickpea hummus, spicy sorppressata, and tabbouleh salad were all fantastic. So glad that Avec is still a favorite and reliable place. read more