After years of driving by and seeing the hanging octopus I finally stopped in to celebrate a friends birthday!! A seafood birthday dinner has become her tradition, can't say I'm upset about this!! We started off with drinks! Two of us got the Floral Cloud and the other two got the salty air margarita! The salty foam (replacing the traditional salt rim) was perfection!! The presentation of the floral cloud was so cute! For starters we got the patatas bravas, 10/10 would recommend!! The sauce was delicious!! I personally got the poke bowl, it was love at first bite!! While it may not look like a huge portion I was only able to finish 3/4 of it. Shared with the after in an attempt to save room for dessert!! Two of my friends got the scallops and the other got the lobster roll. Scallops were delicious, they shared a bite with me! The lobster roll left me a bit unsatisfied. While it had plenty of meat it lacked lasting flavor!! Now let's talk about the MVP's of the night- Dessert! HIGHLY recommend the key lime pie if you're a fan! It also includes some of that salt foam! The sticky toffee was a huge hit at our table!! And the passion fruit in the flan was a very yummy add on!! Our server was the best!! She was so lovely and made excellent recommendations!! read more

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We loved this place! We initially thought we would be sitting looking at the river but it's a bit farther in and we couldn't see the river from our table but no big deal. The ambiance was beautiful, our waiter was so kind, and the service was great. The waiter misheard my order so I didn't get my right entree the first time but they were super kind, quick, and accommodating to bring out my correct order. The food was AMAZING! We shared the tuna tartar as an appetizer and it was one of the best things i've tried! The presentation was also so fun and pretty, served inside a coconut with plantain chips on the side. I ordered the lobster roll and it was so so so amazing, definitely best i've ever had. The bun was toasted and buttery and the lobster filled with flavor.. I could eat 5 of them!! They also had brought seasoned corn nuts to the table when we were seated and salted caramels for dessert, both fun and yummy. Would recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a nicer dinner in Chicago. We had a reservation on a Saturday night and it looked like the place was full, we were glad we had one and got seated right away. read more

Bar Mar - tuna tartar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great food, a clean and welcoming atmosphere, and beautiful decor. The service was absolutely amazing from start to finish, and the staff made us feel very well taken care of. This is a wonderful spot for a date night or a special evening out. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to coming back. read more

Bar Mar - Bar Mar inside - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were only in Chicago for 2 nights and we chose this restaurant for our first night. It was excellent. I had the short rib and it was one of the best I have ever had. We started with the salmon crudo and the potatoes Bravas which were both also excellent. My son had the crab stuffed skate and my other son had the pulled chicken. My husband had the sea bass. Nothing disappointed. If we make it back to Chicago, we would definitely go back! read more

My daughter and I recently purchased an apartment, and our realtor & her daughter treated us for dinner at Bar Mar to celebrate. We had a great time! We were busy talking, and asked our server to just bring some appetizers for the table. Everything she brought was excellent - the Himachi cones, Neptune's pillows, ceviche, and salmon crudo. These were great small plates to share while talking and drinking cocktails. For our meal, three of us had salads while one person chose the lobster roll. All were good, but honestly the appetizers stole the show. The restaurant was packed when we arrived, but service was excellent! read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bar Mar is a solid spot in Downtown Chicago. The interior decor and atmosphere was great for a nice dinner. Most of the food was tremendous. My favorites were the crab cake, Cobb salad, and short rib. The crab cake was very soft and had a nice texture to it. It was one of the best crab cakes I've eaten. The Cobb salad was also very light and shareable. The short rib main course was very tender, and it came with crispy potatoes as well. Some of the other items such as the Philly cheesesteak and Asian tacos were just ok. They were also both very small in quantity relative to their price. The desserts were magnificent as well, especially the deconstructed key lime pie and sticky toffee pudding. Both of them were phenomenal. The service throughout my meal was excellent. My waitress gave us some nice recommendations, and the staff came by often. I would definitely recommend to visit Bar Mar, and I look forward to coming back myself when I am in Chicago. read more

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Bar Mar is a definite must-visit for anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience! From the moment you walk in, the aesthetics are absolutely stunning - it's such a sexy and chic place, perfect for a special night out. The staff was truly amazing, providing service that was attentive and made us feel incredibly welcome. The food itself is pretty good, though I'd note that many dishes are quite sauce-heavy. I personally prefer a lighter touch with sauces to let the main ingredients shine, but that's just a personal preference. That being said, the crab cake was delicious, and the sea bass was a standout; both were excellently prepared. Unfortunately, the lobster roll had a bit too much sauce for my liking, which really overpowered the delicate flavor of the lobster. We also tried the mussels on special, which I had high hopes for given the seafood focus, but the cooking was inconsistent - some were perfectly done, while others were a bit off. Overall, Bar Mar excels in creating a beautiful ambiance with exceptional service. While some of the dishes might benefit from a lighter hand with the sauce, the highlights like the crab cake and sea bass are definitely worth trying. read more

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Exquisite service, food, bar and setting! Best dining experience we've had in a very long time. Pro tip: get the Neptune's Pillows! read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Honestly, no notes. From the service to the decor to the food! Perfection! I ordered the salt water margarita and it was as fresh as the sea. The seafood was delish! I can't wait to go back. read more

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I was very underwhelmed by Bar Mar. For how expensive this restaurant is, I was hoping the food was going to be drastically better than it was. I got a lobster roll and salad and the portion was tiny and my lobster roll was basically all bread. I was still hungry after I ate this and did not feel like it was worth the price. I will say that my drink was good and the atmosphere on this inside was really fun and cool. I would probably go back for drinks sometime but wouldn't order any food again read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bar Mar was so beautiful! We ordered a few things to share for the table, and all were so tasty. The server recommended a few of the most popular items and it didn't disappoint! Very happy we chose this restaurant! read more

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Really delicious and very happy we came for NYE! I decided to bring my sister outside and Baazar didn't disappoint. You can find the NYE visit on my socials @damnthosesteaktacos IG & TikTok. Service again was top tier! We received complimentary Cava and table bites as we decided on what to order! Last night we can with friends and again everything was a 20 out of 10! When you visit just show them my photos to order . When deciding what to wear, I recommend blues, yellows, whites, pinks, and greens for sure! Personal food: I highly recommend the Jose taco, coffee rubbed steak + Pisco Sour . read more

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I've been eyeing this spot for a while, so Restaurant Week 2025 felt like the perfect excuse to finally try it and wow, I'm so glad we did. We went for lunch and everything was so good. The decor is stunning, and the location is a perfect downtown Chicago corner. It wasn't crowded at all, which made the experience even better, and our waiter was excellent and attentive without being overbearing. We enjoyed every bit of it, and it was extra special since we were celebrating my friend's birthday. Highly recommend this place, and another great restaurant from José Andrés. read more

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Wonderful from start to finish. Stopped by the other day for lunch and was incredibly impressed with all aspects of Bar Mar. When you walk in, you're immediately greeted by friendly staff and exceptional ambience. I ordered the salmon crudo and poke bowl. Both were incredible and I'm definitely itching to come back. read more

Bar Mar - Poke bowl - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I found a cocktail that literally floats on a cloud, at tge stunning, high-ceilinged Bar Mar--the perfect high-energy pre-opera dine, where the massive white octopus sculpture sets a whimsical vibe. We're kicking things off with the Floral Cloud ($17), a gin-based masterpiece topped with a dreamy hibiscus-rose-orange blossom aromatic vapor that's pure theater, paired with a crisp Rosé ($16). For bites, Jose's Asian Taco ($16) is a decadent must-try, layering Ibérico ham and osetra caviar over cured hamachi, while Neptune's Pillows ($18) offer a spicy tuna punch with a kick of fresh wasabi. If you want comfort, the Lobster Bisque ($18) is silky smooth with brandy crema, and you can't skip their Caesar Salad ($14); adding the shrimp (+$8) is a total pro move to enjoy those 'air croutons' before we head to the Lyric. It's fresh, it's fast, and it's undeniably chic Floral Cloud $17 Fords Gin, lemon, Luxardo maraschino, creme de violette, hibiscus-rose-orange blossom aromatic cloud Rosé $16 Jose's Asian Taco* $16 Ibérico de bellota ham, cured hamachi, Korean seaweed, osetra caviar 2PC Neptune's Pillows* $18 sesame rocoto, spicy tuna, fresh wasabi Lobster Bisque $18 Maine lobster, brandy crema Caesar Salad $14 Add shrimp $8 gem lettuce, parmesan, boquerones, air croutons read more

Bar Mar is a magical restaurant sitting in between the Loop and West Loop, it's worth your while in paying them a visit. From their open patio dining space in the summer, to their bedazzling golden aquatic interior in the colder months, you'd surely impress a crowd in here. My experiences have alway been very pleasant. My waitress, Jessica, was especially a sweetheart in helping me celebrate a birthday dinner. I will always remember her kindness and warmth. The stars of my meals have been the seafood dishes such as the octopus, scallops, and even the burger on a soft bun were all delicious! The ambiance of Bar Mar is upbeat and will surely put you in a good mood if you weren't already in one. read more

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I had high hopes for everything and it was mostly met. The octopus was very yummy and I really enjoyed the sauce, the crisp of the skin on the octopus was enjoyable. The oysters were so fresh and the brine was impressive on both. With that the hamachi cone was very tasty and I could have had a few more. Now the burger was a little disappointing. It was over cooked and that kinda sucked. The service was great and the ambiance is amazing. We sat at the bar so the huge fixture that is above it was very cool to sit under. read more

Bar Mar - Oysters, octopus, and a hamachi cone - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Located in the loop, more of a business lunch place, and met a friend on her lunch hour. It's a nice menu, lots of choices. I had the tuna tartare roll with chips. The roll was buttery but a little crisp, a nice foil to the tender tuna. My friends had the smash burger. Two patties, with lots of cheese, but not too much. Definitely worth a try if you are looking for a nice lunch in the area. read more

Finally made it in to check this place out, you can see the decor from the street. Lucky for me they had a special going on, only for the weekend for mussels in a white wine sauce. Comes with fries that are meant to be dipped in the sauce, so flavorful! I also had the seasonal sangria with brandy, which I'm not usually into cinnamon infused drinks, it wasn't overpowering at all. We had the meat plated as an appetizer, not bad probably wouldn't get it again. The pulled chicken needed just a hint more seasoning comes with a gravy that helps. I'll be back in and trying out their stable seafood items. read more

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Wonderful service and creative cocktails! Fun inside decor. We had a large group and got to try a lot of different dishes. I tried the poke bowl which I loved the presentation of! So pretty and colorful! I thought the scallops were pricy for the portion. Toffee pudding was amazing! read more

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Came with reservations at 630 on a Thursday night and it was packed! The entrance tables looked like it was being used for a corporate event as most of the finger food appetizers, but the rest of the restaurant was packed. The center has a bar that had people consistently coming in and out of. The service was great and they were always checking up on us. Burger: a solid burger! the fries and aioli were the star of the show for me. just crispy enough and the aioli complimented the salty fries well. The burger had hot peppers which gave it a chicago feel. the burger was seasoned well and had a good crisp for being a smash burger. 8.6/10 Scallop: cooked well. some sort of red sauce that wasn't overpowering. the onions were a bit strong. wish there was more. 7.1/10 Octopus: the charred part of the octopus was great! my fav dish. the sauce reminded me of cheese wiz. 8.9/10 Cauliflower: 3.5/10 i don't like cauliflower in general but this was good for what it was! would not order for myself lobster bisque: a very strong umami flavored soup! ok size lobster. i did enjoy the flavor initially, but was tougher to eat overtime bc how overwhelming it became. 7.7/10 read more

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Was in Chicago for the week and was recommended this spot so grabbed a weekday dinner here. Came in a little before our reservation but got seated right away which we appreciated. Our waiter was very friendly, prompt, and engaging. A few check ins here and there but not over bearing. We ordered the sea bass and lobster roll. the lobster roll was pretty good and the sea bass as well though i had some bones in mine and bone fragments here and there which wasn't the most pleasant. Aside from that though, food flavors overall. The restaurant itself has a great ambiance and was busy. Enjoyed the energy there and for the most part, had a good meal. Recommended if you're in the area. read more

Bar Mar - sea bass - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Whether it's a special occasion or just date night BarMar is always a hit. The drinks, sea salt foam margaritas, were absolutely delicious and artistic a the same time. We started with caviar cones, oysters and Paletilla Ibérica de Bellota. Entrees, Mediterranean sea bass and short rib and frites, were artistically served but equally delicious. Service was excellent as well. Can't wait to get back! read more

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This restaurant has a beautiful modern design, a vibrant atmosphere, and is located right next to the Chicago river. Our family is a fan of chef José Andrés' creations and this experience did not disappoint. Food and drinks were delicious and crafted with thoughtful details. My favorites were the hamachi and caviar cones, neptune pillows, and the Salt Air margarita. Our server, Shab, went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for us. She brought out bubly to celebrate my sister's birthday and our anniversary, and made sure that those who initially did not order alcohol got the non-alcoholic version. I was truly impressed with her attention to detail. Overall, I can't rave about that night enough. Looking forward to our return! read more

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I visited BarMar after a Sunday afternoon at the Lyric Opera. My friend and I sat at the bar. We had drink and split a lobster roll and side salad. The lobster in the roll was generous and tasted great. The salad was a perfect compliment to the lobster roll. Service was friendly, quick and efficient. I would come back again and try for full service. read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing food great service from Trippy and nice ambiance . This is a really great experience ! read more

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We really like this place. Food has so much flavor, the space is beautiful, and the staff is so kind. We had more food that was not pictured- the must gets: Neptune's pillows, lobster bisque, and caviar cones. But the pictured was what is new to us. Everything was delicious and flavorful. The shrimp was a bit overcooked, I liked that it was firmer, but some preferred it to be just slightly more tender. The scallops were a little gritty, but cooked perfectly. Loved the pan de crystal! Baby loved the lobster bisque. read more

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Good food, but slow service in downtown Chicago. Went for a work lunch - was a pretty looking place, with some interesting decorations. Had some meat and bruschetta type of appetizers - both pretty good. Also had a good fish dish - not heavy at all despite the cream type sauce. The service at the table was incredibly slow however - felt like it took a good 30 minutes to take our order and another 30 to get our appetizers. Not sure I'd come back - maybe for happy hour where timing and momentum of a meal isn't as big of a deal. read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had our monthly dinning club meetup here and we had a reservation of 11 people. It was a very cold day and the coat check was a great touch. We got there early and got seated and our waiter was exceptional. We got some drinks while we waited and as the group started arriving the waiter kept coming by to get drinks for the people that arrived. We order a bunch of appetizers and everything was delicious. We ended up even wanting to share some sides and the waiter offered to split the items. We couldn't decide on the dessert and we opted to get all three. The experience from coming in, the wiater, the atmospher, everything was amazing. read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance and atmosphere here is lovely. Loved how dimly lit it was, the drinks here were good. The lobster rolls were a little cold, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be served lukewarm but other than that, we loved visiting Bar Mar. Service here was fast, I'd come back but try something else from the menu instead of the lobster rolls. read more

Bar Mar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place! Everything about it screams the 3 Fs: Fun Food Faces. Let me explain, the vibe is is electric, energetic and Fun. The Food is delicious. I can eat twenty of the cones! You'll know what I'm talking about once you bite into one. Faces: there are lots of good looking hot people here at least the night we came on a Saturday night with a snow storm that happened to blow in. The space is massive and they still manage to make the place full of partying diners. Can't forget to mention the ginormous octopus chandelier! Wow. Forgot to mention the service was spot on tonight too. Our server Melissa was busy but she handled all her tables with professionalism, efficiency and friendliness. The GM Kristie came by to say hi and welcome us too. Nice touch I must say. If you haven't been, you better go! Now! read more

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It's a little bit pricey and a little bit special so save this for the occasional stop in after work. For one, the salt foam they make for the margarita is next level and of course if they ask if I want it spicy, they already obviously know that I do! So 10 stars for the marg! We had 3 appetizers and while they were all yummy, some I loved more than others. The tartare on brioche is a buttery delectable bite, but it's basically just one bite if you're sharing with anyone, but a remarkable bite nonetheless. The octopus was good, but didn't blow me away. What did send me to another dimension were the Neptune heaven pillows. I don't know what they are piping in there, but I'll take it straight from the pastry bag! Really delicious! Service at the bar where I was sitting was outstanding. Very attentive, making suggestions, and checking in on us. Loved the vibe being lively, but not screaming loud, beautiful aesthetic to the space and a great diverse mix to the crowd! read more

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Was in Chicago for 4 days, came here twice, once for dinner and once for lunch. It was also restaurant week, and the deals in Chicago were awesome, including here. The caviar cones are so cue and fun, def more forward on the creme than the caviar, but recommend them. The Neptunes pillows are a hit, super tasty with a nice wasabi/citrus note. The lobster roll is delicious, warm and rich in flavor. The burger is also noteworthy with very good flavor in the addition of sweet peppers. The floral cloud cocktail is an experience, they pour a hibiscus 'cloud' over it and it is very aromatic and floral, in a good and refreshing way. Lastly, the chilled Maine salpicon lobster is a hit, refreshing and light. The staff were super friendly, although our 8pm dinner service did seem a bit delayed/scarce presence. The ambiance is great in evening, love the lighting and decor for a vibey night out or date night read more

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BarMar by José Andrés absolutely delivered from start to finish. Alex, my waiter, set the tone with attentive, friendly service that felt polished without being overbearing. I started with the salted margarita (10/10) the foam salt was incredible and added such a unique texture and flavor. Easily one of the most memorable margaritas I've had. They also had Moody Tongue beer, which was a plus and you know I had to have some of that. The oysters were amazing, fresh and clean, exactly what you want to kick things off. The lobster bisque had a great kick up front. Once you mix in the whipped cream it softens into a richer, more balanced flavor honestly delicious both ways. Bonus: real chunks of lobster throughout, not just flavoring. The lobster roll was fantastic. Perfect size, super fresh-tasting lobster, and the bread was spot on. The fries were equally impressive crispy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. Beyond the food, the ambiance really stands out. High ceilings make the space feel open and keep noise levels comfortable, while the all-glass surroundings flood the restaurant with beautiful natural light. The decor and lighting strike that ideal balance of upscale yet relaxed. Great service, excellent food, and a thoughtfully designed space. I'll absolutely be back read more

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Our second time eating at a Jose Andres restaurant in Chicago and again it was disappointing. Last time we ate at Jaleo and found it underwhelming but put it down to the fact that we had just returned from an amazing culinary trip to San Sebastian. We really admire Jose's philanthropic work and want to love his restaurants but truth be told, if you forget about the glitzy decor, the food is just average. We tried several appetizers; the Hamachi Cone, Caviar Cone, Asian Taco, Neptune's Pillows, Shrimp Cocktail and Iberico Jamon. We also shared a bottle of Cava. Everything was fine but to be frank the Shrimp Cocktail was the best thing we ate, simple and perfectly fresh. The service was pushy, when a server wants to take you order less than 3 minutes after sitting down, it feels like you're on a conveyor belt. We felt the prices were way out of line, with tip I spent almost $500 for a bottle of cava and appetizers for two people, for that, the food should have been more memorable. We spent the same amount for two off us to have the 12 course tasting menu at Atsumeru a couple of weeks ago and Bar Mar's food isn't in the same league. We will continue to financially support Jose's World Kitchen but not his restaurants. read more

Starters and shareables (jamón, salmon crudo, crab cake) were the star, lobster roll was fine. Sangria was good. read more

Bar Mar - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Everything here was excellent! The food and drinks are wonderful and delicious. The service was also amazing. We had lobster rolls, and they were perfect. Very flavorful. The fries are really good as well. We had some drinks and you can see from the photos how creative they are. We were deciding between flan or key lime pie for dessert when a nice manager stopped by to say hi. She offered to buy one dessert so we could try both. So wonderful. Both were really good. I'll definitely go back soon. read more

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Came here for a night out with the girls and to support the great work Chef Andrès is doing for the world. And so pleased that we did. Standouts were the seafood tower, charred octopus, and caviar cones. Entrees were good, but next time will focus on the larger seafood tower and that charred octopus. The lobster, shrimp and oysters were excellent. So good. Enjoyed the energy of the space--friendly servers, great pacing, fun deejay, and lovely decor. 4.5/5 read more

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Honestly, we had wanted to go to the Bazaar, but they were not open that day; so instead, we opted for Bar Mar. The main entrance is through a revolving glass door, dumping you into a well-lit area with high-ceilings and plenty of natural light. We were seated at a comfortable two top located between the two bars. One side had nice sofa cushioning and the other had a comfy chair. I noticed they did a good job of spacing out the dinner parties, rather than purposely placing you close to other occupied tables. As for the two bar areas---one is for beverages; the other is for seafood. One has the octopus above it; the other has some abstract circular lamps above it. If you're looking for the bathrooms, you'll need to exit using the door near the seafood bar, down the blue stairwell. Then turn right and head down the hallway to enter a modern bathroom. We perused the menu for a bit of time before deciding. I made a mistake of misjudging portion sizes and ended up ordering too much food for two people. They serve quite generous portion sizes. To begin, they serve you with those nicely spiced and seasoned corn nuts. We nibbled on those before deciding on: Embutidos -- Spanish and domestic cured meats platter, served with pan con tomate. Great, classic combo. Ceviche Clasico -- leche de tigre, sweet potato, red onion, corn nuts, cilantro, sweety drops. Savory, slight spice, and a mellowed sourness due to the sweet potato. A great combination of textures and flavor. Neptunes Pillows -- sesame rocoto, spicy tuna, fresh wasabi. This was a very fun, crunchy pillowly bite. The pillows themselves are constructed with two crackers which you can take apart. But the fun is actually popping one in your mouth, or simply taking a good bit out of one. Crunch from the cracker, soft from the tuna. Crab Cake -- sauce Louie, watercress, lemon. This was more of a flat-ish crab cake, not a lumpy one. It reminded me more of an omelette. The charred lemon was a nice touch. Octopus "a la Gallega" -- Galician-style octopus, potato, pimenton, saffron alioli. I love a good octopus. The texture was between tender and just slightly chewy. Mix all the ingredients into a single bite and you're good to go. Grilled Shrimp Salad -- little gems, confit tomato, cucumber radishes, Midnight Moon goat cheese green goddess. If salads are a comfort food, this could qualify, although I was a little confused by the confit tomato, which I suppose was there to reduce the tomato intensity. Short Rib & Frites -- Rioja braised short rib, herb frites. Tender, fall apart meat. Big frites. I though the frites were a tad underseasoned. It was a fun meal with too much food. As parking, I'm not really sure. We walked here. It's on Wacker. Service was great, the kind where the staff are keenly observant and anticipate if you might want to request something. Additionally, they were cognizant of food allergies and sensitivities, and pointed out what accommodations could be made for certain dishes. read more

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The openness of Bar Mar is extremely enjoyable. The food selection is delicious and filling with a price tag that is completely justified. The ONLY negative thing I have about Bar Mar is the speed in which the bartender gets drinks to the outlying tables. Mind you, every table was filled tonight, so it was busy. Thank you Bar Mar, we love this place!! read more

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