We absolutely loved trying this place. It felt incredibly exclusive, almost like a hidden gem tucked away from everything else. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, the service was exceptional, attentive, welcoming, and seamless. The drinks were amazing, and every dish we had was truly exquisite. Calling it Michelin-star quality almost feels like an understatement. Everything was crafted with such care and precision. To top it all off, we even got to see the chef, who took a moment to say hello.. it made the experience feel even more special and personal. We'll definitely be back. read more

Bar Sótano - Menu - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped in on a Friday night and so happy we did! This place is hidden in the back through Frontera grill, down some stairs, but what a great find. We were lucky to come for happy hour and enjoyed every food option on the menu short list (yum croquettes, chicken and the chefs special taco!) as well as a strawberry margarita and Mezcal old fashioned. Flavors were fantastic and the margarita was not too sweet. Finished off with pulpo (what a fun, tender yet crunchy take!), bone marrow (so decadent and relatively large portion with crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside bread), and ceviche (I think it had sesame oil? What a delight). Not a surprise, since I've always loved chef Rick Bayless, and chef Jackie is great as well. Came with two kiddos and they were very accommodating with kids menu and coloring options. read more

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I love Rick Bayless and was fortunate to try two of his restaurants while in Chicago. The food here was absolutely delicious and packed with flavor -- exactly what you'd expect from him! The atmosphere had a cool speakeasy vibe, since the bar is tucked underneath his Frontera Grill. Service was good overall, though it could've been just a bit more attentive. Be prepared -- it can get very loud when the place is busy, so if you're not into that kind of energy, this might not be your spot. That said, the flavors, ambiance, and overall experience made it worth it. I'd definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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Don't worry if you cannot find the bar immediately. The entrance is in the alley behind the other Rick Bayless restaurants. It is down one flight of stairs in the basement (sótano) of the building. The atmosphere includes light music in Spanish, leather bound menus, booth and bar seating. The lights are dimmed, but not as dark as you'd expect for bars. I appreciated the lighting as I often find cocktail bars too dark and cannot even see my way to the bathroom. I came here at 5pm on a Wednesday and did not need a reservation but was seated at the bar area. I tried the bar's happy hour which featured alcoholic beverages and appetizers. read more

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The ambiance here was good, just a little dark and the noise level can get a little loud at some times. The tables are close to each other. The food was great we had the bone marrow and the shrimp taco. The oyster was good but we waited over half an hour for it as our server forgot about it. The drinks I can tell you is pretty strong. Overall it's great for happy hour. We went on a Wednesday which is happy hour all day. Didn't even realize it but it's a hidden gem as it's right next to three dots and dash and I didn't even realize it. It does get pretty crowded even on weekdays. read more

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Ate here with two friends for a fun weekend in Chicago. The space is nice, a bit of a speakeasy vibe coming down the stairs. The menu is a thick half-size three ring binder that holds a four page food menu and a 100+ page drink menu. Wait staff were friendly, though businesslike, not terribly warm. Food was good, tough not amazing. Drinks were creative, though again, not incredible. It was an overall really solid experience, but not memorable. We chose to go somewhere else for desert. It was expensive. read more

I'm surprised by the low ish reviews of this place. Certainly tucked away and speak-easy vibes which makes it a cool place to show friends visiting from out of town as it's down an alleyway in River North. We were lucky that they were able to seat us at a high top for 3 people without a reservation as Wednesdays get packed there considering it's an all day happy hour on those days. Our server was super sweet and was able to get out drinks to us quickly. She also asked if my friends needed to store some of their things since they had just come in from ORD prior to meeting here. That was a nice gesture for sure! Did not try the food, but would definitely come back for drinks! read more

Read that this place has happy hour all day Wed so my friends and I popped in after we landed and got settled in. Tried a few food options on the happy hour menu and my fave was the Jackie taco...without the spicy sauce. Most of the food from the happy hour items we ordered were spicy. If you're into spice, then this place is for you! If not, I'd let them know and I'm sure they can make accommodations. We also ordered drinks. I ordered an, off the menu, espresso martini. It came made with a mezcal and was blended perfectly. My friends loved their drinks as well. read more

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I really love the fact that they have $1 all day oysters and $8 all day mezcal/tequila happy hours on Wednesdays. But not a huge fan of the crowd and the automatic 20% tip... hmmm the happy hour dishes were tiny compared to the regular size . I have mixed feelings about this place. No surcharge though! read more

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Bar Sótano is the latest Rick Bayless addition to the Chicago landscape. It's a dark, fun, and vibey "New" Mexican restaurant located next to three dots and a dash and his other establishment Xoco. It's most similar to Pigtail, the Spanish speakeasy from Jose Andres that closed earlier this year (not a good sign). Overall it's is great for vibes, okay for food, and bad for price. I'd recommend it for a quick catch-up, drinks or group gathering - not a memorable meal. Atmosphere is dark and fun. You descend through a narrow hallway into a lively dim lit basement with bar and table seating. It's clearly aimed at younger audiences with modern colors, woods, pops of colors, and a speakeasy feel. Music that adds to atmosphere in a fun way while being low enough to hear and talk. However, despite the contemporary atmosphere, it attracts the older Rick Bayless audience. The problem with the Bar Sótano is the menu. While the food is good, the menu is clearly designed for the mainstream audience of River North with tiny portions, and the same price tags of much better restaurants in the area. The menu is flour tortillas, simple crowd pleasing combinations like chicken wings with sweet glaze, lamb tacos with a BBQ like sauce, a burger, and more. The silver lining is that is impossible not to find something you'd like on the menu and everything is good but nothing is exceptional. We liked and would order again... The Fried Chicken Thighs in sweet glaze The Quesabirria The Croquets We were underwhelmed by... The Lamb tacos - We were disappointed, as was the table next to us. $10 for a tiny mediocre taco feels like robbery. And the BBQ like sauce is good but doesn't feel like it belongs on a taco. The Carne Asada Entree - Very tiny and not particularly good or memorable. read more

Delicious Food, Thoughtful Service, and a Great Vibe Bar Sótano completely impressed me! From start to finish, this was a memorable dining experience. We started with the aguachiles -- fresh, tangy, and full of flavor. For my main, I had the quesa birria tacos, which I was surprised (in a good way) to find were made with goat instead of the typical beef. The meat was tender, rich, and incredibly well-seasoned -- definitely a standout! We also ordered the paella, which took a bit longer than expected, but the kitchen made up for it in the best way -- the chef sent over complimentary shots to our table as a gesture. It was such a thoughtful touch that showed how much they care about the guest experience. When the paella finally arrived, it was totally worth the wait -- bursting with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The food was amazing across the board, and the service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. Bar Sótano is the kind of place where you can tell the staff and kitchen take real pride in what they do. Can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu! read more

Bar Sótano - Outside área - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I recently tried Bar Sótano with my friends on a Friday night and it what a great experience! I never noticed this bar until a friend recently recommended. It is located right next to Three Dots and a Dash! The checkin process was easy and the overall process was pretty smooth. We ordered a Oaxacan drinking snacks platter to share along with our drinks. My friends and I tried Mezcal Martini, Mango Chamoy and 3 Chile Bourbon. Mango Chamoy was our favorite and it is usually served in a small cute bag! They have a limited vegan/ vegetarian menu but the hostess mentioned that a lot of their dishes can be customized. I tried Memelas le tinga tacos as I love mushrooms and it was really good! My friend ordered one dish from their happy hour menu which is Squash Blossom Tlayudita. It was pretyy good as well. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this cute speakeasy bar and I'll definitely recommend it to people to try authentic Oaxacan dishes and drinks! read more

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It's been on my list for a while to check out and finally did last night. The entrance is actually in the back alley and down a flight of stairs. When I arrived, there was nobody at the door so I just took my chance going down a dark little stairwell not knowing if this was truly the right place to enter despite signage overhead. Turns out it was and the vibe felt like a well hidden speakeasy with dim lighting, low ceiling height, brick walls and minimalist modern design. I was promptly greeted by a tall slender guy with a man bun who offered me a seat at the chef's counter or the regular bar. I always love watching professional cooks prep and plate all the food so the Chef's counter was the logical choice for me. They have an extensive list of cocktails and top shelf tequilas. I took a full pass but asked for a refreshing mocktail which they gladly whipped up (they're not listed in the menu but obviously they have this ability if asked) then the host proceeded to highlight the popular food items on the menu. I should probably mention this is right below River North's popular Topalabompo and Fronterra Grill, also affiliated with Rick Bayless restaurants. The chef's counter gave me a nice preview to everything on the menu and I could tell portion size was pretty small, like tapas. A lot of attention to detail was paid to make each dish look artful. I ordered the daily Chef Jackie's MP special which was a shrimp and steak taco ($11) and quesoburrias ($17). Basically three little 3" street tacos filled up. For most people, this would not be much food but this was just going to hold me over for meeting a group out a bit later. Overall I'd say the quality and presentation was nice, but a bit overpriced for what it was, especially since there are other taco spots on literally every corner of Clark street. I think you are paying for the "Rick Bayless" branding. IMHO the quesoburrias were super salty and should have been more full of meat. The MP taco was my favorite of what I ordered. The service kinda fell flat once my order was in unfortunately. Had they been more attentive I may have ordered another item. The chef's didn't really interact with anyone at the counter which was a bummer! I've been places where they do and it's a blast. The ceviche looked very fresh and in hindsight I should have ordered it instead of the quesoburrias. Plates went out with a crispy chicken that seemed popular but I just wasn't feeling like anything fried at the moment. The flank steak on a cutting board and seafood paella platters I watched get prepared were more sizable but definitely meant for sharing. When the check came, a preset 20% gratuity was automatically added. Not a fan of that. Shouid be only applied to larger groups. I still believe tips should be earned not forced on guests dining in. Ambiance: 9/10 Service: 6/10 Value: 5/10 read more

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Came here for my birthday on Jan 31. Let me just say the food is delicious. I would definitely come back to try other food. The drinks are fantastic. The server very friendly and our food came out very quick. read more

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Chicago has a dearth of great restaurants. Here's one, a new one opened by a Chicago restaurant maven, Bar Sótano (by Rick Bayless). But when I walked downstairs to the restaurant, I was curious as to who the chef that is cooking because Rick Bayless was at the counter dining with his wife. If the owner is dining in his own restaurant, it must be because the food is good, he doesn't need to make money. He's already very successful with his three other restaurants. Lol. I found out the chef's name is, Jackie Hernandez chef at Sótano has worked for Rick Bayless for over 6 years. And now she is on her own here with Rick as her patron. And Oh man!, you are really good Jackie. The mole was a cut above, not anything I've had in california it had layers of mushrooms and peloncillo. The oysters were covered in delicious ceviche. The duck was out of this world (not pictured, I had 4 margaritas LOL). Our plates here reminded me of a famous modern resto in Mexico City with a touch of home flavors. Service was attentive but mixed. I got the sense the wait staff need more practice listening to guests. But not worried , it was still a very good experience. In love with Bar Sótano and will come back. EOY! read more

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Wednesday all day happy hour and $1 oysters!! The mushroom taco was unique with a crispy pita instead of a taco shell, but it worked and was super tasty. Nice little speakeasy spot! read more

Bar Sótano - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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5 stars alone for the amazing $1 oyster Wednesday and all day happy hour!! Service is great and the hot sauce is awesome! So so good. Moody and cozy vibe makes for a speakeasy type energy and fun for time with friends or after work! Consistently in my happy hour rotation. read more

We needed somewhere quick to grab a bite to eat and a drink before a show at House of Blues and stumbled upon this cute little basement bar in the alley! It is right next door to Three Dots and a Dash, and you have to enter through the alley (don't try the street). We didn't have a reservation but were still able to get a table for two. I ordered the habanero orange mango cocktail and it was really good! The mango puree made it slightly thick and sweet, but the sharp kick from the jalapeno balanced it out well. For food, I was SO excited to see they had a lion's mane mushroom taco on the menu! I rarely see that offered in restaurants. It had a great crispy exterior but was still light compared to meat. The tacos are very expensive and small. I would need at least 3 for a meal. But lion's mane is a bit more rare for an ingredient so I think it was worth trying! read more

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Came here for Happy Hour with a girlfriend and I'd say that the drinks beat the food for sure. I enjoyed our hibiscus drink thoroughly. It was mixed very well and was tasty and hit nicely. Now their food options on HH wasn't really a deal so we just opted to share an order of their birria tacos on their regular menu. As you can see it came with 2 small tacos. We left hungry but it's okay. Now, we did get 1 thing off their HH for food which was 2 oysters because my friend hadn't ever tried one so we decided to do it then. Safe to say she probably won't be ordering oysters again lol. The Bar itself is so cute and intimate. The service was just okay.. she gave people at the table next to us shots, but not us, so not sure why that was. read more

Bar Sótano - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I thought this was a great dining experience. First off, the ambiance is great. Small, welcoming, but not too loud. Great service. Pollo Rostizado was very flavorful. Ceviche was fresh and satisfying. And the Tres leche was perfect finish. read more

Bar Sótano - Tres Leche - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Another great establishment by Rick Bayless. Bar Sótano is located in the basement of Mr. Bayless' string of restaurants along N Clark St. Its entrance is along the back alley, next to Three Dots and a Dash. You can also enter via Frontera Grill. The interior is lively, colorfully decorated in shades of blue and green. When we went on a Saturday evening, the bar and tables were all filled; overall it was not too loud, and the layout of the bar doesn't seem to lend itself to becoming too rowdy, which is nice for old souls looking for a culinary experience. We sat the bar, and were immediately attended to by the bartender. Got some great recommendations and we chose the Aguachile con Camerones to go with our drinks. The food was fantastic; the shrimps (raw) were super fresh and had a sweetness to them without any upsetting fishy flavors. Drinks were divided into three types: greatest hits, a seasonal section, and a rotating "marketplace". We chose two drinks from the seasonal section, which was oriented towards using Mexican herbs in the drinks. They were both solid and refreshing, pairing very nicely with the food. Overall, Bar Sótano is an intriguing establishment within Rick Bayless' restaurant row. I'll definitely be returning for the all-day Wednesday happy hour to try some of those selections. read more

Decided to check this place out for happy hour with my coworker and was absolutely disappointed. I really wanted to love this place and was hoping it would be a great go-to happy hour. However, the service was not the best and the food/drinks just weren't worth it. To begin, the host was not the friendliest. Our server was also not the best. I had to remind him THREE times about our jalapeño taco order before he entered it (about 40min later). The happy hour menu had tacos priced at $6-$8 each, which are exactly the same as the regular menu. The happy hour drinks also had a VERY limited menu with cocktails you would order as a fresh 21yr old (with the exception of the old fashioned). The only thing on the happy hour I would recommend is the mezcal old fashioned which was decent for the price. We also tried the chefs taco, albóndigas, and the cheese option. The jalapeño tacos were good but they are not in the happy hour menu. We also tried a mezcal based cocktail outside of the happy hour menu which was ok as well. Regardless, would not recommend and would not consider coming back. read more

Bar Sótano - Jalapeño tacos - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Not so hidden gem in River North, great for happy hour! We went on a Wednesday for their $1 oyster special and happy hour that starts at 5pm. We had a reservation for 5, which I'd when the open and we were immediately seated. There were maybe two tables occupied and ours. That very quickly changed. Our first oyster order was 3 dozen, by the time we put in our second order they were limiting the amount you could place at a time. The place isn't too big, so our server was always around and we never had an empty glass of water. It's dim, kinda romantic but not quiet. I definitely recommend going for the oyster happy hour! read more

Bar Sótano - Oyster happy hour - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Swung by Bar Sotano for the Happy hour. Loved how the entrance is hidden and the actual bar is downstairs. Gives a true speakeasy experience. It might be hard for some people to find the entrance of this place though. We tried the cocktail de dia which was a spicy berry margarita. It was sooooooo good. We also tried a couple tequila blanco shots and they went down smooth. We ordered the chips platter that had peanuts, guac, chips, salsa and some fried crickets. The fried crickets were interesting but I am not a fan. The chips were so earthy and crunchy and the guac was really fresh. I also tried a mezcal margarita and loved it. The server was very friendly and sweet too. Such a great bar! I will definitely visit again. read more

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Went for happy hour and they have great deals! $1 shucked oysters and yummy drinks for $4-10. Highly recommend for delicious food at great prices. Kitchen was open so you could see the chefs at work. And service was lovely. 10/10! read more

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Wondered in here after trying to go to three dots and a dash without a reservation on a Friday night (dumb, I know). The security guard at three dots and a dash recommended it to us and we were so happy! We were pleasantly surprised with how delicious the food was! Walking in, knowing nothing about the history of the restaurant or the owner made it all the better. I can definitely see why this restaurant is on the map. I took off a star because of how small the portions were and their preset service charge. We ordered an entree from the larger side and it was still relatively small. I get it, nicer food usually comes in smaller portions. But, we were still kinda hungry leaving after a salad, larger entree, and a dozen oysters. They also added on a 20% service charge for two people. I get it - the wait staff needs to be paid fairly. But, I will tip on my own. Don't put it on my bill when I sat at the bar. My subtotal was $129. Total after service charge and tax was $173. Yikes. We also had two of the signature drinks. They were very good and the staff obviously knew what they were doing. It was a very nice touch to be able to watch the chef work from our seat. It's a cool vibe for sure. Great option for a first date if I say so myself. read more

Bar Sótano - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place has a a very cute ambiance! Perfect for a date night. I went during happy hour and their food and drinks were very reasonably priced. The waitresses were very friendly and accommodating. I would definitely come back. read more

Bar Sótano - Jalapeño fire fried chicken - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been wanting to try this hidden restaurant's happy hour, but ended up not loving the items offered on the happy hour menu. The cocktail of the day was an agave wine spritz, which didn't sound very appealing compared to the array of tequila and mezcal drinks on the regular menu. We also couldn't get oysters off the hh menu since it wasn't Wednesday. So we started with some regular cocktails - to be honest the descriptions all sounded too extravagant, but the drinks ended up tasting perfectly fine. The fried chicken and croquettes off the hh menu were delicious but teeny of course, as was the theme of the rest of the dishes. We also ordered the aquachile, which was LAUGHABLY small and thin. Like for marcel the shell. Tasty but could I even taste something that small and only 3 slices total? Not sure. The octopus was also a 'larger dish' definitely not meant to feed 2 people - this appetizer sized plate was half filled. We also got a second drink- the jalapeño grapefruit- which was so spicy our noses were running. The service was difficult to flag down at times overall too. Just an overall not worth the money experience. Everything was on the pricier side for a place that just wasn't worth it in my opinion. read more

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For starters, I need to check my own bias because I love downstairs bars. However, this place is objectively awesome. The atmosphere is absolutely incredible. The music was really hitting that night with a heavy mix of Latino artists. Sadly, I only stopped here for a drink, but I'll be heading back as soon as I can. Their food menu looked outstanding and their staff raved about the Mexican Paella, which added to my sadness because I had just eaten prior to this visit and I love paella. And yet, their drinks were fantastic! The Mango, Chamoy was a favorite because it was served in a plastic sandwich bag with a straw. Absolutely loved it! El Sótano was their infamous namesake mezcal cocktail and it was amazing. read more

Bar Sótano - Bar/dining area - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here on a Wednesday - which is the move since it's Happy Hour all day. I had their HH old fashioned with mezcal & the tequila - both quite delicious & very well balanced, though I preferred the mezcal version because it was slightly less sweet.Their $1 oysters (from the Gulf) were surprisingly divine. They were served with salsa negra (5/5) & an orange mignonette, also 5/5. I continued on to their dry-aged albóndigas - slight spice, but nothing crazy, again, magnificent. Their taco of the day was so good we had 3 of them. Fried chicken from the HH menu was so tasty. Mushroom taco 4/5. We finished it all off with the Mexican Paella - 5/5. Ambience was casual - dark lighting, great music & solid service for being how busy it was. I heard great things about Bar Sótano but my experience was better than I anticipated. Try to make reservations beforehand because seating can be limited read more

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Ambiance was vibrant and lively with a semi exposed kitchen. Service was great and the staff were friendly. The food was above average. My favorite dish was the chilaquiles. Packed with lots of flavor read more

We enjoyed all of the selections we made. The lamb tacos were unbelievable good. The selection of Tequilas and Mezcal was amazing. We love restaurants with the lights turned down low and this one was perfect with a nice selection of music (Santana!). We highly recommend! read more

A vibrant, intimate space that serves good cocktails -- the mango chamoy was my favorite -- and good food. I recommend the happy hour oysters as well as the sótano ceviche and pulpo. Everything was quick and staff was friendly. read more

Bar Sotano is absolutely worth a visit or ten. Great atmosphere and decor. The specialty is the choices of mezcal which I love. Cocktails are great here (although I'd say the one in the bag is a tad overrated) and a must do! Food is fabulous. Service is friendly but can be a bit spotty. Maybe because they're busy tho. No parking. You won't need to be driving anyway because you've got the try the drinks! read more

We had a lovely evening at Bar Sotano last night. The bar entrance may be hard to find--it is located in the alley behind Frontera, next to the entrance to Three Dots and a Dash. The restaurant is in a nice cozy space in the basement (what a great way to use real estate!). My visit was a two-parter... I had worked late and was in the area, so decided to just hang out at the bar until the birthday dinner. Mezcal is the thing here and the cocktail menu had some pretty interesting choices. I started with the "Taco al Pastor" cocktail, which is a chorizo infused mezcal with roasted pineapple, lime and achiote bitters. It was good but I could taste the "fattiness" of the chorizo in the drink. This is nicely balanced with the sweetness of the pineapple. I had time for a second cocktail, and decided to go with a tequila cocktail, the "Fruit Stand, Ripe and Delicious" (tequila, prickly pear, aperol, fresh lime and orange bitters)--I liked this cocktail much better. I closed out my tab and joined my friends for dinner. We ordered a bunch of items and shared. We started with the bar bites ensemble, tacos, and some other hand held bites. All were really tasty, with the chicken taco being my favorite. The tempura green bean taco was also very interesting and good. The main features were the two paellas. We got the squid ink paella special plus the normal one on the menu. Both were delicious! I would come back here just for the paella. As we were celebrating my friend's birthday, he got a complimentary dessert and mezcal shot! He said the dessert was really good and that the mezcal was a great pairing. All in all, a very fun evening was had. I would come back again to try some of the other food items. PSA- I think I understand some of the negative comments about the "surcharge". When the bill came, it is clearly noted that the service charge of 20% was included. There is also a space to include an additional tip, which is nice but not necessary. The additional line for tip can cause confusion and perhaps the anger some reviewers experienced. read more

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Mixed thoughts on my visit to Bar Sótano today. I loved that they had patio seating, but I felt like the food was a bit overpriced considering the portion size (each dish in the pictures was $7). While the dishes were tasty, nothing really jumped out at me enough to justify their price tags. For drinks, I got to try the Oaxacan Pasilla Old Fashioned. It was a good happy hour deal, but didn't offer much on top of that. It may have just been this trip to Bar Sótano that fell flat, because I remember having such an all around enjoyable experience when I visited last year. Overall, the food was good enough, but I won't be scrambling to come back any time soon. read more

Bar Sótano - Chef Jackie's Taco (chicken, poblano pepper sauce, black beans) - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was there last Thursday the place was super quiet only 3 tables and a couple on the bar I was surprised the food took too long, I paid my bill and left without food read more

My partner and I sat at the bar, where they have an open kitchen, and we watched them prepare all the food while we drank, incredible! The cooks and chef were so thoughtful explaining all the dishes, would highly recommend . Thank you Bar Sótano read more

True to form for Chef Bayless' restaurants, we had an enjoyable and unique dinner on Bar Sotano's patio on a lovely summer evening. From the attentive and friendly staff to the delicious food with top notch ingredients, all was delightful. My only wish was for more non-agave-based cocktails on what's otherwise a creative drink menu. The patio is in the alley leading up to the main entrance, and they have done a thoughtful job creating a comfortable and fun atmosphere where there really isn't any. Cheery bright pink chairs, tables shaded with umbrellas, lots of greenery, and piped music make it festive and cool in the summer heat. There's not as much people watching to be had as out front on closed Clark Street, but I still thought it was pleasant. Service for us was top notch. We felt cared for throughout our meal, beginning with our cheery hostess and a gentleman who appeared to be the manager who welcomed us as well. Our server Josh was friendly and helpful throughout the meal, giving great recommendations. And COVID-wise, it all felt safe, with tables well-spaced and all staff wearing good quality masks properly. Now for the food. Brilliant! I love huitlacoche but don't see it on many menus, so I had to order the sopes. They were wonderfully savory and complex, with a little smoke and a little heat. For our main we shared the paella negra, which was sized for 3-4. Gorgeous and delicious, with perfectly cooked octopus and shrimp, peas, and finely chopped pickled onions that together with some lime gave it the acid it needed. I only wish there were a couple more pieces of seafood. To finish we shared the coconut custard, which was plenty for two and a great way to end the meal. Between the decadent custard and the topping of toasted merengue and vanilla ice cream was a layer of seasonal fruit (apricot for us) that gave added sweetness and texture to a wonderful dessert. My only disappointment was the cocktail menu. I'm not a fan of tequila or mezcal, so I went with the gin cocktail on the menu, the raspberry bramble. It ended up being very smoky, too much for my taste. My bad for not asking, but it also would have been nice to see more diversity of spirits in the cocktail menu, at least one or two more without tequila, mezcal, or a related agave derivative. That aside, I'm already dreaming of a return visit when I can try more of Bar Sotano's delicious menu and feel at home with their wonderful staff. I wouldn't hesitate to return! read more

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Horrible service and 20% automatic service charge. Complete insanity. Our waitress was incompetent. It took her 15 minutes to realize we were at the table. We had to chase her down to order drinks. We then had to chase her down to order food. As soon as we ordered, she did not return to the table. She didn't stop at the table unless we flagged her. We dined here for restaurant week. The food was a complete disappointment. The scallop and shrimp aguachile was fishy. The entrees were inedible. My mussels arrived with a cold broth that was very watery. The tacos árabes were also cold and floating in grease. The entrees were barely touched and the waitress either didn't notice or didn't care because she didn't ask for any feedback. The deserts were good. We did enjoy the mezcal and tequila drinks. The busboy was really attentive. Overall, this was a huge fail. read more