From the moment you walk into Chemistry until the second you leave, the experience is immaculate. The hostesses are dressed to impress--absolutely stunning--and set the tone right away. We were seated promptly and greeted by our lovely host, who truly brought the "chemistry" to our table and woke up our entire vibe! Everything from the drink presentation to the final dessert was phenomenal. We tried the Patron flight, which I highly recommend. I ordered the stuffed salmon, perfectly seasoned, with rice and spinach that was incredibly flavorful. My sister had the lamb chops with garlic mashed potatoes speechless. And our birthday girl went with the jerk salmon and asparagus. She loved it so much she cleaned her plate and couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was. Overall, we had an unforgettable experience. The music, the food, the energy--everything was a 20/10. If you're in Chicago, this place is a must-visit. I made it there within 48 hours, so no excuses! read more

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We went for restaurant week and had a good dinner. I got the Caesar Salad, Stuffed Chicken, and Bananas Foster with a glass of Chardonnay. The food was good. We had good service and the ambiance is great. On Tuesdays they have live music and we got to sit on stage. I want to come back and try brunch sometime! read more

Where to begin....well, I work in the industry myself so I try to be understanding but this was not it. My date & I were sat at a table ON stage beside the piano player....on a slow night. While the musician was great, we could barely hear each other. We ordered a salad for an appetizer and it came out 5 minutes before EVERYTHING we ordered also came out? Oh but not our drinks. So we sat for 10 minutes without drinks. We came in for the restuarant week menu and I found it so odd that ALL of our food came at once. Yes, even the dessert? Why would anyone want fried Oreos to be cold? Those should come out relatively fresh IMO. The chef (who brought out our food) offered to take back the Oreos but I didn't want anymore mishaps honestly. Also, our (pregnant) server seemed to be very nauseous & we wondered why they give her the furthest table from the kitchen (with a step to get to our table.) We realized after we finished eating that the tables pop up into round tables, which would've been great to know when ALL of our food came at once. Also, only one dessert option was offered from the 2 listed online and didn't come with the vanilla cream that was listed. I'd hope for better but at least it was at a discounted price. read more

This place is magical, first when you walk in there is a beautiful wall display of flowers then you walk in and see romantic candles on tables with dim light. The ambiance is perfect if you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. Now let's talk about the music, LIVE MUSIC!!! When I was there it sounded like jazz, besides the house of blues, where in Chicago can you go and hear live music? (I'll wait) The service was exceptional, very kind and personable staff, very attentive and easy to talk to. The food was utterly delicious, I've never had a steak so good in my entire life, & I've had steak at RPM & STK Overall an amazing experience, I will definitely be coming back and telling everyone about it. Thank you so much for an amazing experience. read more

Went for Sunday Brunch and had a great time. The restaurant seated us even though we were 20 minutes late. Brunch is buffet style but there were many options to choose from and everything was hot. Lamb chops come standard with the buffet which made the $60 price tag not so steep. Drinks were pricey but potent. There is also a nice party room if you're there with a larger group. The owner stopped by our table and took the time to have a conversation with us. I would love to stop back for their R&B Wednesdays. read more

Chemistry - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was visiting Chicago for my birthday and decided to have my celebratory dinner there. Everything went amazing from the reservations to the Happy Birthday song. When we arrived we were seated immediately and was informed of all the popular items and drinks. I ordered the ribeye steak and it was cut and plated right at the table side. I would recommend this place over and over. read more

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Chemistry has the best energy on Saturday nights! If you want to have a great meal and party without having to stay out late, this is the spot. I wouldn't expect a quiet candlelit dinner though, at least not on a Saturday. For us, the service was quick and wonderful from start to finish. We did see a lot of people waiting for their tables when we left, so be aware of that. It's not their fault that they're popular, and rightfully so! I love the overall theme, it's well done. I personally found the metal/wire seats to be uncomfortable though and wasn't that impressed by the sliders (a bit cold). The jerk salmon, however, is incredible and same with the caesar salad and drinks. read more

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I ended up here twice in one weekend- once for Happy Hour and again for Sunday brunch. Just about every table was celebrating a birthday. They bring out sparklers and give complimentary shots to the birthday person. Some my favorites menu items were the strawberry lemon drop, French toast, lamb chops seasoned to perfection and I like that they offered beef bacon. The host and DJ were top tier. Everyone was enjoying themselves even the waiters/ waitresses. It's probably one of the few Instagrammable places where both the food and decor are good. This restaurant came recommended and I'd definitely recommend it as well. read more

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I will start with the main pro by saying the food was truly good and we even met the chefs after and they were wonderful! We explained our experience and they invited us back for brunch and even joined in our little birthday bingo game. Cons: The woman security gate at the front was very rude. No greeting just barking orders and that would definitely put someone off when we expect to enter a more high end/luxury experience as advertised. Our reservation was for 10pm and we weren't seated until about 10:40. Also they did not compensate at all for the wait. We had to pay $20 per person just to make a reservation as a "deposit" and that deposit was not even added to the bill until we asked and upon other reviews, it looks like a common occurrence. Not a con but just a note: there is a dress code. The idea of a dress code is stated on the website; however, there are no specifics. We had a group member with a slightly see through lace top and she was required to wear my shawl to enter. So I just feel if you are turning people around at the door, you should be clear of all rules. The price point was on the more high end side but I wouldn't necessarily call it a high end experience. Def an instagram place though. There was a dj playing a lot of R Kelly (that's how I found out he was from Chicago lol) and we were each charged a 5% entertainment fee for it which is kind of interesting. The uniforms were very cute with the little lab coats like a chemistry lab. Overall I would try again but if I am spending the money, I'd prefer a more refined experience. read more

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I highly recommend for date night, anniversaries, or b-day parties. The food, service, and ambiance was top tier. Price was a little high but there are other places in the city for the same price with less quality. read more

Chemistry - Chicken truffle Alfredo pasta - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was okay, I would return for takeout on some of the appetizers but the overall cost did not match up with the food experience. There was an over use of sweet chili sauce on several items. I'm a fan of sweet chili sauce but not on everything with the price points, I'm expecting more creative food preparation. The lamb chops were okay, I made the mistake of having parmesan added. I did not ask but assumed it would be a light garnishment on top but it was a thick layer. My husband had the vegan steak and really enjoyed it. We were excited because it's often hard for us to go to a steak restaurant together due to no vegan options outside of sides. Extra star for that! The environment was nice but something changed when it went from live music to the DJ. I wasn't ready for the switch to ratchet music in a fine dining. We were a bit older than some of the other patrons so I can tell this time of the evening wasn't for our demographic. I would have appreciated some R&B or neo soul, but that's just my preference. But, the staff was very friendly and welcoming. Everyone that serviced our table had great energy. Also note, they require a deposit of $20 per person to make a reservation but when you receive the bill, YOU must remind them of their deposit policy to have it applied to the bill. This was a deduction of a star because that is bad business. Because this is your policy, it should automatically be applied without me reminding you and having to flag the chemist down to come back after I notice it's missing. read more

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Chemistry Chicago Restaurant Review 1. Overall Experience: 8/10 2. Service: 10/10 3. Ambiance: 8/10 (sensory overload but still a vibe 4. Salmon Bits: 7.5/10 5. Lamb Chops: 10/10 6. Mocktails: 8/10 Full review and videos on my various platforms: CocoaAlmondJoy or CocoasJoy read more

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This was my first time discovering this amazing establishment in the heart of Hyde park! I have to give tremendous kudos to the owner of this business who clearly put so much thought and care into curating this space and ensuring all of the staff here provide a tremendously pleasurable experience! From the moment you enter this place, the flower filled entryway is like a portal into good vibes, great food, and a smiling warm staff! I brought my sister here who is visiting from Toronto really not knowing anything about this place. I saw that it is Black owned and I enjoy supporting Black owned establishments so thought we'd give it a try. I'm so glad we did! Live music on a Monday night! Where do they do that? At Chemistry! (I'm honestly not sure if this is an everyday thing or not but it was wonderful). The entire place had a beautiful "Love themed" ambiance, with the menu organized on that theme and even conversation cards on each table! We barely could move past the first item on the menu which was honey glazed salmon strips- what kind of heavenly appetizer is that?! And it did not disappoint! It was perfectly cooked and flavorful! (This was the theme for the night) I ordered the truffle Alfredo with chicken and my sister had the blacken salmon with fried rice and brussel sprouts. Pure perfection! The band playing was wonderful, playing soulful covers all night. And when they took a break, r&b from the 90s was the perfect backdrop. The staff was super attentive and I believe the chef came out personally to serve the meals. There were some fancy happenings with things being lit on fire, and dry ice on tables..it is a whole vibe! You have to just go experience it! And if you're celebrating your birthday, they will make you feel like royalty! This is a true gem! So happy to know of it now and will definitely be back! read more

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I've been wanting to try chemistry for a while now and boy am I glad I had the opportunity. My bestie and a couple friends did brunch. And Of course we had unlimited mimosas. The food was divine. So tasty! I've had shrimp and grits before, but never salmon and grits! And the potatoes chefs kiss! The lamb chops delicious! (Not better then my moms tho). And to top it off they had the juiciest grapes/fruit & a table full of mouth watering sweets. The server, fine asl. Really attentive. I do feel like the bussers could've cleared the plates from the table a bit quicker though. Really dope ambiance. Definitely a place to throw on a cute fit. Great DJ & a dope guy who walks around with a mic getting the crowd involved/hyped. Nice LED backgrounds and flower wall photo ops read more

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This was a awesome place was jumping food was delicious service was good. We celebrated out here. It was packed and everyone was enjoying themselves. Great place for brunch read more

Sunday Brunch-overrated. The buffet was basic. I'm not a fan of Lamb Chops but I guess they were the star of the buffet-you receive 2 coupons which render 1 per coupon. Other items: Grits/Salmon bites/party wings/bacon/sausage links/eggs/french toast Drinks:Not top shelf! Small flight about 3oz. Table minimum time 60 mins. Basic service-no real attention. Ambiance: Well, it is loud music with the "entertainment" a male and female walking around with a mic singing/rapping the songs and engaging the audience as you try to eat within g your 60 mins. It was expensive and I was not impressed or satisfied for the cost. read more

Chemistry - Entrance - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm sure I won't be back. The food is overpriced while I can see what they were trying to conceptualize. It is a miss. The band that was performing did not have a great vocalist the food was OK but nothing that really grabs your attention. Our waiter informed us that it was a steakhouse, but the steak options are pretty limited. We had the tomahawk with mashed potatoes, Caesar salad and wings. for drinks we had the margarita flight which was more juice and sweet than anything. You'll pay for the aesthetics not good food. read more

Chemistry - Margarita flight - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Do i recommend yes yes!! I'm from N.O. so when I visited for brunch it was amazing! I'm not a fan of buffet style but hear me out..this buffet was pressure!! The food was so damn good, you didnt need nothing else..well the grits needed a lil more salt for me but nothing else..then you get lamb chops with the buffet..im like wait this comes with it! Fell in love ya hear me! Then they have flights. I had some type of flight with fruit on top and she had a mimosa flight. The DJ was rolling & the drinks were top tier..I do apologize I don't remember my server name but he was a tall black male. The hostesses she was so sweet when I went to check in. She said "where you from bc I can hear it". The restaurant was so clean even the restrooms. Also i know the idea of them dressed like Chemist. If you ever in Chicago this is a must..we went there on a Sunday. Don't take my word just go to Chicago and try em out! read more

Chemistry - Flight - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Reservations required, parking is tricky and hidden and but once you in the door a time is had, music is non-stop and nostalgic hip hop and R&B with drinks that steam and sizzle. Food is pricey, but flavorful and customizable. Try a strawberry lemon drop with a steak and sit back and enjoy yourself with family, friends or your significant other. If you want to splurge by a bottle and get your name in the birthday walk around sign. read more

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I wanted to rate this as 3 stars, but it was better than ok so 4 stars it is! So I was visiting Chicago for my bachelorette and we came to this establishment for our first dinner of the trip. This was definitely the priciest place we visited partially because our server didn't correctly explain a detail about the main dish and sides. Typically when you order an entree and are asked about what sides you would like, you are informed that the swap will be an additional charge (typically the difference between a premium side and a regular side) which is what I was agreeing to and can say that was the line our server gave. However when I received my plate, I was served the main entree with sides (mashed potatoes & asparagus) and additional sides of Brussel sprouts and mac & cheese, these two sides were an additional $14 a piece. The place was nice, decor lovely, service by everyone we interacted with was good but the prices are a bit much. It is noted on the website but there is an entertainment fee of 5% included when they have live music. As well as the added gratuity. I will say that all of the food that I tasted was very good, and the portions were sized well. Drinks were good, a friend and I split a tequila flight. I would return to this restaurant of course with a different way of ordering. read more

I would never eat here again. Their food is saturated in grease depending on what you get. I got the Alfredo and it was swimming in it, then we brought our food home and there it was a nicely season oily roach, I support my Black own businesses all over Chicago land and I hate to do this to chemistry, but I'm tired of seeing them advertising their food like it is the bomb Diggity, but people keep in mind when you go to these restaurants with the lights dim down who eats in the dark like that other than when you're home Just think about it, they got them lights down for a reason. You cannot see what's crawling in your plate. Get a clue people think about it. The lights are down and dim for a reason. read more

Chemistry - i went her for my bday , brought my food home , look close what else I brought home, - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had a reservation & was seated immediately. The chef came right to our table pleasant & explained everything. The photographer took pictures of us but what blew me is they put every single photo in a frame & presented them to us. I was impressed. The food was delicious the live singer & band was off the chain. The selection of music when the band took a break was great. They sung happy birthday to my brother in law w/enthusiasm. The place was pretty. I was a little shocked the dress code wasn't enforced based on the website. Only paid $2 after parking ticket was validated. And for some reason my sister in law was given a 20% discount. Definitely would go back & recommend. read more

Chemistry - Us - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Definitely a 5 star experience! From the moment we walked in until the time we left, we felt comfortable and well taken care of. The live band was amazing! The private room that we had was super cool. It was enough space for the entire party (it was 11 of us). There are also many photo opps, space for navigating around, and more! We started with water and cocktail order. The drinks made it to us pretty quickly. They came back and took our food order. I tried the lemon drop flight and it was amazing. The food was even more delicious! I had Australian marinated Lamb Chops with demi glaze on a bed of garlic mash potatoes. The meat was super tender and juicy. Each bite was filled with flavor. The potatoes were buttery and whipped to perfection. It is very filling and worth every dime spent. Overall, this was a nice eating experience. I love how they made everyone that was celebrating a birthday feel special. They do have a photographer as well that comes in and take photos that you can purchase at the end of your visit. I would definitely say this is a must try if you are visiting the Chicago area! read more

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I went for my birthday and had an amazing time. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The presentation on the drinks was impressive and added to the celebration. Our server along with the rest of the staff were very attentive. The band was excellent and our server even grabbed the mic to sing. And the decor was perfect for pics. I would definitely recommend it. read more

Chemistry - Drinks - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was our first time at this establishment and our party consisted of 2 people. We decided to try the prix fixe menu for restaurant week. Every food item was delicious! The reason for 3 stars for the bill. An automatic 20% gratuity was added along with an entertainment charge. We advised we were not staying to hear the singer and we were told you still have to pay the entertainment charge. That is absolutely ridiculous It's so sad to see how businesses are adding so many charges. If this was promoted as a dinner show would be one thing but to charge for entertainment that the restaurant chose to provide is absolutely insane. Another money grab at the expense of the customer. read more

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Just had a work dinner for 8 in the private room and the food and service was great! The salmon strips and Sea Bass were so good! My coworkers had the Hawaiian prime steak and the presentation and food were amazing! Would definitely come again! read more

Chemistry - Steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday. From the moment we arrived (at 450, they opened at 5. We had reservations), we were greeted by the friendly hostess and several other workers. Upon seating, Gerald would be our 'chemist'. He explained the menu and took our drink orders. He told us EVERYTHING was good, so we wouldn't go wrong with anything we ordered, haha. He was RIGHT! Our drinks, food, service and the ambience was great! The band was really good as well!! Will I return?? Most definitely!! Should you go??? U still reading this...... GO! LOL read more

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The ambiance at Chemistry is great--from the host to the wait staff. I went on a Sunday for brunch with some girlfriends to celebrate a birthday, and the DJ kept the energy high. However, the food was mediocre and didn't feel worth the price. read more

Nice Black-Owned restaurant with good vibes & pretty tasty food. I have been to Chemistry twice over the past two -ish years. I really like the ambience or vibe of this restaurant. I think it puts you in the mood to celebrate something (whether that's a birthday, anniversary, a promotion, etc.). During my first visit, I came with my boyfriend for a date night. We got the truffle Alfredo fries, the butter cake, the grilled salmon, and vegetarian steak and potatoes. Overall, we enjoyed our food and the live music that was happening that night. A few weeks ago, I came with some friends to celebrate someone's birthday. We were able to get a pretty large table and appreciated the sparkler birthday service that the staff did. This time around, I ordered several items and split them with friends. We got the Wagyu sliders, the chicken wings, and the Alfredo (added in steak). The food was pretty good and was the perfect amount to share between three people. read more

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We celebrated my birthday dinner here with 8 friends, and the Surf & Turf platter? Literally enough protein to feed the entire table! From the Cowboy steak to the salmon, everything was seasoned to perfection. Our favorite sides? The potatoes and creamed corn--definitely not your average sides. The vibe leans more club/lounge than traditional restaurant, so come dressed and ready for a full experience. That said, we did have to wait a while despite our prepaid reservation, and unfortunately, we were seated in a tucked-away corner with no view of the entertainment--even though we paid an entertainment fee. Still, the food and atmosphere made it a memorable night, and I'd absolutely go back with the right expectations. read more

Everything went well. The food i ordered the steak. I thought the cook was just bring it out. This man cut up my steak with extra butter , lit it up for more charred taste it was great. The creme corn potatoes all where great. They had a band. The ambiance the decor. I was very impressed. It was my friend bday they came around singing happy birthday & gave her a big ass card with her name & it made her day. Also the drinks were great. The staff was professionally dressed & I just saw the staff payed attention to detail. A lady was leaving with her food& the staff immediately gave her a rake out bag. Just very impressed. I it is very demure in there& I like it. Best of luck to chemistry. Please go you will enjoy. read more

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My husband and I came here for a date night to celebrate our anniversary. We had a 10:00 reservation and had to wait 20 mins or so to still be seated. The decor and ambiance was a great vibe upon entering with a live DJ playing all types of music for hype which is a plus Once we were seated, our table was already set with empty glasses, plate setting, and conversation cards. Our server was not that great as it took more than 15 minutes to get us water and greet us. Once we knew what we want, we still didn't get our order placed for another 30 minutes as our server was doing a lot of other things. ( Running around at other tables, celebrating birthday shoutouts, and more) We were finally able to order and I will say the food came out very fast! Everything was delicious and plated beautifully as I seen mixed reviews about the taste of food. I just wish the server for our table was better and more interactive. Besides the quality of the food, our first experience could have been better! read more

Pierre made our girls' night out very special! We were from out of town and had a blast! His food recommendations made our night as well!! We'll be back!! read more

Chemistry - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let me tell you.. that cheesy garlic bread... OMGGGGG. The food was so good that I took my leftovers on the plane with me. The vibe and music options was fun (went from live music to a turn up). I would definitely go back! Service was nice and prompt. read more

Chemistry - Cheesy Garlic Bread - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Let me start by saying I was genuinely impressed by how quickly we received our food after placing our order for a party of four. Everything was hot, fresh, and clearly made to order, which I really appreciated. We visited on a Thursday evening around 9:30 p.m. The ambience was decent and shows real potential. It feels like the original design aimed for a upscale vibe, but somewhere along the way, that vision got a bit lost. Few tweaks could really elevate the atmosphere. The on-site DJ played a great mix of R|&B, which added energy to the space. However, the volume was overwhelmingly loud. We couldn't carry on a conversation without raising our voices, and even our waiter had to shout just to communicate. In an age where more people are sensitive to noise and overstimulation, this is definitely something worth rethinking. I absolutely loved the idea of the question cards on the tables, they're such a fun and thoughtful touch, perfect for sparking conversation with your date or group. Unfortunately, the loud music made it nearly impossible to enjoy them. Overall, the food and service were good, but the experience would be greatly improved with a better balance between energy and comfort. I look forward to seeing how it evolves during my next visit to Chicago. read more

This place was ok. I love the live music.. that's the best part for me. They have questions on the table to help with conversations. That's a nice touch. Staff were all nice and helped each other out. A dj came in later to play music and the music was great. It was just too loud. My guy and I had to keep repeating ourselves as we set right next to one another. Appetizers were good. Main course I had steak and it was cooked perfectly and it was delicious! read more

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I'd seen Instagram videos of Chemistry a couple years back, and knew I had to go!! It was dubbed as the only black owned steakhouse in Chicago and perfect for date night. There are cards that act as conversation starters on each table. That was unique, so I had to go! Fast forward to a few weeks ago, my friends and I confirming that none of us had been and we'd like to go. I made a reservation on Open Table, a deposit isn't required, which is great. I'd looked at the menu beforehand, as well as Yelp. Many reviewers mentioned the 5% entertainment charge for live music. Ehh, I figured not a big deal if there was a singer or musician playing on the night of our reservation. The menu didn't scream steakhouse, as there are only 4 cuts of steak on the menu and only one size per cut. When we arrived, I saw neon lights, faux flowers, gold Amazon chairs with no cushion, tables with no tablecloths, and the concrete floor. For the price point they are asking, the ambience nor clientele gives upscale steakhouse vibes -- moreso overpriced black restaurant. I truly thought that I would have an experience similar to BLVD, or Maple & Ash, or even STK. That did not happen. I ordered the petit filet, which comes with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I was able to sub my asparagus for creamed corn. I also got a side of mac, which I asked to start with. My food all came out at once. My steak was unseasoned, and just not good for $50+. My creamed corn on the other hand was amazing! That was the best dish that we had the entire meal. My friend ordered the lamb chops, and she was unimpressed. The Mac and cheese for $14 tasted like Stouffer's and had a bit too much cheese for my preference. I prefer creamier mac than cheesier, but again that's just my preference. One of the highlights that we all came for were the conversation starter cards. Our cards were dirty, like people with greasy hands kept touching them, but they staff hadn't wiped them down between guests. There is a large projector at the front of the restaurant, which played a basketball game. There was a DJ for the first hour of our meal (from 9-10pm). The music was R&B and hip hop, but the volume was entirely too loud to have a conversation with people at your own table. I thought the entertainment fee was just for live music, but I guess the DJ is considered live music, so the 5% + 20% gratuity fee was included on our bill. Would not recommend and won't be back. Chemistry is just not for me, and that's okay. Other parties seemed to enjoy themselves, but this was not the level of service or quality I was expecting. read more

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Everything was perfect thanks to our Chemist Jarrod C He was the truth from helping with drinks entree down to the deserts. I had very spectacular evening the staff was ready to serve you and the food was delish I mean soon as I placed my order the food was at the table no more than 10 min I opted for the lambs Cho's mashed and mac n cheese and the lemon drop flight which was amazing and Smokey the ambiance here is the bomb def a place for a wonderful celebration I say come in enjoy some live music great food and cool people read more

Went for restaurant week. The cocktails were good, but pricey. The "wagyu" sliders tasted like 70/30 ground beef. The stuffed chicken was filled with unseasoned cream cheese over a bed of undercooked rice. The "bananas foster" was just hard and cold bananas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Waste of money! Go elsewhere. read more

It was okay, and that's being nice. I went for a friend's birthday and it was just average. The plates were dirty, once I found a decent one the food was pretty good (that's why they get one out of those 2 stars). For the price I could've done about a million other things with my $145 dollars. The prices, fees, and surcharges are outrageous. Oh the DJ was amazing (hence the second star) but the music volume was WAAAAAAYYYYY TO HIGH! Do better Chemistry. ‍ read more

Chemistry - Champagne flight was fair but soooooo expensive with all the additional fees. - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois