Anniversary Dinner...food and atmosphere was the best! Our server was perfect. We received complimentary Prosecco and homemade Limoncello to add to the celebration. Truly an amazing evening! read more

Extraordinary food service and ambiance, and great selection of wine. Enjoyed it with the extended family.

Perfect spot for a birthday dinner. All of our food was stellar, and the service was both gracious and warm. We knew we wanted the octopus appetizer and decided to get the sausages as well when the waiter recommended them - best decision ever. My steak frites was some of the most tender beef I've ever had in the US, and their beet salad made me forget that I usually hate beets! They serve beers made right in Oak Park, and my partner tells me their Chicago Common was excellent. We are new to the area and came here for a birthday dinner without a reservation. They were able to seat us immediately (granted, it was early) and without fuss. Definitely coming back. read more

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Service and drinks are very nice. Quality of food has dropped drastically. Used to love the place, not sure if i want to come back. Sorry to see it happening to one of very few decent places in oak park. read more

Been here numerous times. As a local I've been supportive and cheered them on and been forgiving when the food wasn't executed at a high level. After a recent good experience, tried it again. Ugh. My halibut special was very overcooked. This place does not know how to prepare fish -- so often its overdone and mushy. My dining partners had better experiences but nothing exciting. Mediocre seems to be the theme. read more

When I searched cocktails this place did not show up.... this place is nothing but YUM. I had the Aperol These Years at first, then a bar tender fixed me a smokes rosemary lavender lemonade. SO GOOD. Top 3 cocktails I've ever had. All the bartenders here are fantastic. This place is cocktail heaven. Love. read more

My meal and waiter were great but the hostess on the morning of 9/17/23 should be mindful of seating black couples in the back while other more comfortable seating is available. read more

I've dined at Citrine twice, and both times have been a fantastic experience. I came here last night for dinner with one of my friends, and we both great meals. I got the Steak Diane, which was perfect, with a delicious sauce. The portions were just right and everything was full of flavor. The waitstaff was very attentive, and the owner came around to ask how our meal was, then gave my friend a free drink because it was his first time visiting. They change their menu seasonally, and sometimes have live music with dinner. We arrived fairly early on a Sunday night, so it was quiet, but filled up by the time we left. Everything was delicious and we stayed for almost 3 hours to really enjoy our meal and the nice atmosphere. read more

Excellent service and food. We were greeted by everyone. Food was on point. Good menu selections and price was on point. Waiting months to cross this one off my list. Indoor and outdoor seating and proper social distancing. Must go! read more

6/26/17 Update: The restaurant contacted me to clarify that they are not directly associated with Hemmingway's, and also to point out that they are completely refreshing their cocktail program. I will go back and some point and re-review. -- Citrine is a new restaurant, taking over the former location of some forgettable breakfast place at Oak Park Avenue and South Boulevard. Oak Parkers rave about this place, and I predict it will be a popular destination for a year or two before fickle local tastes move on to something different. The proprietors are better known for their locally famous Hemmingway's (sic) restaurant just down the street. [Note: Hemmingway's is famous for their whitefish, and I noticed that Citrine also serves whitefish. I'm curious if they are the same, and I will most likely return to Citrine to find out. Really good whitefish is difficult to find around the Chicago area.] Citrine has the appearance and menu of a gastropub concept, with occasional Mediterranean elements thrown in at random. I've seen restaurants like this before, where the backers agree ahead of time on a theme without necessarily having a lot of deep experience. At first glance this place looks like the real thing. The food isn't bad, but nothing stands out as exceptional. I had the Branzino, and was pleasantly surprised to have it served to me whole. But the flavor was nothing special. Presentation means nothing if you can't properly season a fish before broiling. My dining companion had the pork, which was not bad. Really, nothing tasted bad here. (The bread served to us before our food arrived was very good.) The cocktail list was interesting, even imaginative, but a little all over the place. The beer menu was sad, consisting of a few mostly mediocre taps. The beverage program here could use some refinement. (Bonus points for offering calvados. But the cocktail I had with Buffalo Trace and Absinthe was a bit much.) Our desert was baklava, served (confusingly) with pomegranate seeds and (extravagantly) topped with gelato. Overall, Citrine really isn't a bad place, and with some additional discipline with menu design and food preparation, and refinement of their beverage program could become something great. But for now I'd say this enterprise is more concept than execution. read more

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This place is amazing. I come to Chicago 4 times a year on business's. Sometimes more. Citrine is always on my to go to list. Rebecca Graham is amazing. Along with her gifted chef husband tim. Both have a string background form where I first met at publican and Avec I have eatin at citrine 3 times. Never once disappointed. Lamb shank, chicken, short rib are amazing. But apps are killer. One really awesome thing. Kid friendly. Love that. read more

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Fine dining meals served in a casual atmosphere that is great for a romantic first date and/or the family. Shared plates concept. CHARRED OCTOPUS ($15) -- wonderful flavor combination. Serves 2, but...you need 2-3 more dishes to fill up a hungry tummy. Wonderful COCKTAIL LIST priced at $11. I like the citrus taste but a tad bitter for my taste. SERVICE was impeccable that CITRINE offered us a seat in the middle of their pow wow session. A norm in fine dining that all staff knows and have same info. Since I was just here for a snack and a drink, I look forward to enjoying future dinner. read more

Citrine Cafe - Sample Cocktail Menu (11.2016) - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

This was really one of the most disappointing meals I've attempted to eat in my life. I came by for a Sunday brunch, and it was an unmitigated disaster. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich. When it arrived it was very dark in color, but I thought maybe it was just from the spice mix. Nope, it was burned to a crisp. I took one bite and could barely get through that. I declined to order a replacement as it was that bad. The friends I was with were able to eat their food, but they were hardly more satisfied than I was. The potatoes were mushy and bland, and the mimosa was laughably small. Overall very bad experience. read more

Great flavors but minor flaws in execution. Seasonal menu with an Italian emphasis. Pork falafel bites were interesting but oddly textured. Spring onion soup was great and truly local. Lamb was the biggest disappointment because medium rare came out rare and was cut askew and rather small portion of two ribs for over $30. Parsnip and carrots sides were fantastic though. Risotto was not very creamy and rice a little under cooked. Cocktails solid with again emphasis on Italy--so amari are splendidly prevalent. read more

Citrine Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

What a wonderful restaurant, the atmosphere is so chic and vibey. We are visiting from out of town and didn't know what to expect, but were so pleasantly surprised by this place. Delicious food, and great service! Our server Benny was great and he admitted that he was even new! Make sure you try the complementary bread and butter as well. Trust me! The food was bomb. read more

We booked reservations to celebrate a family member's graduation, and had requested an accommodation for an older family member. The staff was completely on top of it, and we enjoyed a great meal and with wonderful service. read more

Citrine continues to impress and remains my favorite restaurant in Oak Park. Every few months my wife and I stop in and sit at the bar, ordering a few apps and drinks. This last weekend we made it back in and were blown away once more. Ricky and Pat at the bar are literal wizards when it comes to cocktails. Keep it up, Citrine. read more

Citrine Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

To start off with a positive the staff was great, the service was very attentive and the drinks were strong, But unfortunately not strong enough to cover for bland flavor & Amish chicken that looked poached instead of baked with a crispy skin brown skin. The shrimp and grits were left untouched by my date who planned this outing for my birthday. They did remove the entree from my bill. The wait staff is the main reason I will give this establishment 2 stars. read more

Ambiance: beautiful. Very well done. Simple chic. Good bar area Service: (Restaurant was not crowded). Took a long time to order drinks. Took long time for her to bring them. Rum n coke was missing rum. Terrible flow. Food showed up right after we ordered. Food: Just ok. Nothing to rave about. Not worth the price. Way too expensive. read more

Always enjoy the food and the service here. Conveniently close to the Green line station

Food was great, was first time. Portions were a little below other places. The service was not that great. We waited a little longer than expected. Waiter was a little on the slow side. Ambitious was very plain and simple. I think we might try this cafe again. Very nice for special occasions!! read more

My parents and I passed this place looking for a restaurant last Wednesday. It looked so inviting we had to stop in. The bar is gorgeous and the table settings are quite intimate. The wait staff were so courteous and attentive, you really felt taken care of. The owner personally went around when your food came and asked for feedback. They have a decent wine and beer selection, and food was delicious! We tried a bunch of dishes so here's a rundown: Charred Octopus - cooked perfectly with a lemon dressing and a sautéed-like salad. About one medium size tentacle. Grilled Heirloom Carrots - very tasty! Risotto Cacio E Pepe - chessey goodness!!! Simple yet very delectable! Mediterranean Branzino - debone dishes that was grilled and really delicious. It says it's served with arugula but seemed more like sprouts. 14 oz Sirloin - the winner of the evening! This steak was perfection - we ordered it medium and it was so great and a hefty portion that all three of us got to try! Definitely coming back for this! Go here! You'll love it! read more

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I have been here twice-once for dessert and cocktails with my husband and once for a full dinner with a friend. It is a great addition to Oak Park, and the food and drinks are fantastic. The octopus appetizer (recommended by several staff members) was one of the best versions I have ever had, and the fish special of the day (a halibut) was creatively prepared and delicious. The decor is pleasant, and I like that you can see into the kitchen. Also, the bar is pleasant and spacious for those just wanting drinks. Our appetizer plates were not cleared before our entrees arrived for dinner, and rather than a staff member coming to assist the person serving, we had to clear our own appetizer plates and hold them while the server put our dinners on the table. Not good. Otherwise, cannot wait to return!!! read more

Citrine Cafe - Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

A new addition in the neighborhood. The restaurant is beautiful and contemporary with a great outdoor patio. Come early to be seated before the rush. The food was good and was served fairly quickly. The service was pretty good and our waiter was attentive. I'll want to visit again in the future after a few months have passed. With any new restaurant there are somethings to be worked out. I thought the pricing was a bit high. I'll be curious to see what others think. If you haven't checked them out, stop in and give them a try! read more

Citrine Cafe - 3 Sausages - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Absolutely remarkable place with a great service and amazing food! The grilled octopus was delicious and very tender. I would also recommend to try their steaks. The wine card is quite rich, we ended up ordering Bosnian red wine that was really good! The overall atmosphere was nice and relaxing! Highly recommended restaurant. read more

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We were very disappointed with our experience! The food was average at best. Some of our normal favorites seemed like they were missing ingredients and/or spices. My husband once thought the steak here was the best in Oak Park, but tonight, after looking forward all day to the steak he has always loved, he was extremely disappointed. They no longer put the peppercorn sauce with whole peppercorns on the steak, which is one of things that he loved and made this steak stick out so favorably. They now give just a little side of the sauce, no peppercorns, to pour on top of the steak. It wasn't cooked wi the sauce like before. He said it just wasn't the same at all, and was very disappointed! In the past I felt like Citrine had some of the best cocktails in Oak Park. Tonight, though, they seemed like they were missing ingredients, and it seemed like an amateur was making them. Finally, the service was subpar. Again it has always been pretty good in the past. Tonight, though, with it being half as busy as I've seen it in the past, we waited at least ten minutes with empty drinks without an asking if we wanted another. Our water was empty half the time. And while we were waiting to get our waiter's attention on several occasions, he was just standing around joking with other restaurant employees. Tonight's experience was so disappointing that I don't think my husband and I will go back for a long time, if ever. Again very sad, because this was always one of our favorite places to eat and drink in Oak Park. read more

Really delicious! Really good, refreshing cocktails, and a decent wine list. For eats, we had the grilled octopus appetizer and the filet and short rib entrees. Everything was cooked well (as in good technique...what's the point of eating filet if you're going to cook it to well done???) and tasted good. We stayed for dessert, but I would skip it next time (we had the baklava) but the coffee was good and mine was even decaf, so there's that. Service was great- in fact, I wish they came around to fill up my water a little less than they did, but I suppose I can say I was well-hydrated by the end of the night! All in all, a really great meal, and I would definitely return and recommend it to friends. read more

Came here on Valentine's day for dinner with my boyfriend. We didn't make a reservation, since we hadn't anticipated seeing each other that day because of other personal plans that ended up changing and we figured we may as well go out locally just for the heck of it. We saw that the restaurant wasn't entirely packed yet, so we were able to get seated at their bar. There were two main issues with our experience: the wait time and the staff. We got there around 6:45 and probably got our dinner and finished around 9:15PM. Despite being industry professionals, my boyfriend and I are relatively young, and we definitely look it. Our order was taken after a couple that was seated at least a half hour after us. It looked like there were 3 bartenders staffing the bar that night, which was more than enough, seeing that most couples were taking it slow with wine or light cocktails. And yet, despite being overstaffed at the bar, and having us wait two hours, they barely engaged with us that evening, and I can't help but feel like it was due to our younger appearance. Food: Lamb sausage: Average taste, but disappointing considering the wait. Grilled Octopus: Really generous piece of octopus. It was incredibly tender. Branzino: It's impressive that it is served whole, cooked well, and nearly entirely de-boned. The presentation could have been a bit better. The quality of the fish itself was really delicious. However, as a whole, the dish was lackluster. Any sort of white fish has a pretty mild flavor, so I expected a lot of seasoning either on the exterior, as a sauce, or from the sides. I understand that Valentine's day is a busy day. Obviously, with their Valentine's day menu and all, they had prepared for it. So with that expectation, I would also have expected if they understood their capacity and capabilities. I heard one of the waitresses say, at the point when the restaurant was full, that this was what a typical weekend was like. I don't think so. With the pace at which they made everything, it seemed very unlikely that they were accustomed to this type of crowd. I would also have accepted the wait time had I received food that was exceptional, that was equivalently proportional in terms of taste to the time I had waited. The food was average and good, but not great. Quite honestly, I would have rather been turned away by a half-empty restaurant that could admit its limitations rather than accepted by such a large restaurant that could not even provide a good-enough service experience to compromise for an unforgiving wait time. read more

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I gotta say the OP area has got a lock on some of my fav restaurants of late, esp when speaking of 1st impressions....other outstanding notables include Pappaspiros, La Bella, Axcan, Bodhi Thai, Caffe De Luca, Piggy Back BBQ. All worthy of repeat visits. But let's talk a yellow quartz that promotes imagination and creativity, sometimes called the self-confidence crystal....I mean, let's talk Citrine (of the Cafe variety). Came here on one of the last Summer evenings of '16, weather was stunningly beautiful, seemed to set up perfect for Citrine and its awesome outdoor patio. Fittingly, Citrine's interior reflects the "yellow Quartz" mentioned above, well executed. Seated straight away at one of the last tables outside, there's seating for about 20+ total. Live guitarist with a wealth of talent was playing and Citrine seemed to have all the elements in line for a great dining experience. Water and Bread service came within minutes, the latter was accompanied with Olive Oil w herbs that was dynamite, so good. It took a while for our waiter to show up and drop (almost lits) menu, said he'd brb for drinks. No prob, but we waited....and waited. During that time he was pouring drinks and bussing tables - Rut row, where's this going:/ - esp when there were bus boys around doing the same...couldn't tell what the deal was, maybe they just didn't have their shit together, dunno? Came back, answered our questions effectively and put in drink order. Again, a wait, not egregious but a theme certainly developing. When the drinks finally came they were delivered by what I could tell was the floor Manager...we still hadn't put our order in and it was about 30 minutes in. Shortly after, our server arrives and explained the two specials. We were set on one entree and splitting a few apps and sides to get a feel for the place. After letting him know the plan and giving him our Entree options he expertly guided us through some great recommendations. Meal went thusly: Buratta & Baby Squash - Polenta Toast, Basil, Avocado (3/5) Charred Octopus - Grilled Escarole, Crispy Potato, Blue Lake Beans, Green Olive Lemon Vinaigrette (5/5, very well done!) Great Lakes Whitefish - Toasted Fregola, Charred Tomatoes And Mushrooms, Spinach Pistou (5/5, best dish of the night, just edging out the Octopus!) Flourless Chocolate Cake- Cocoa Honey Caramel, Raspberry, White Chocolate Bark (3/5, standard) All things considered, with the few hiccups/slowish service, the food and atmo took the main stage and really trumped any negative from Citrine. [X] Will be back, definitely! read more

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Cute restaurant in Oak Park, great vibes and it's family owned. Ordered the whole Branzino and it was AMAZING. I would 100% order again. Decently filling too. Would recommend for date night !!! read more

Citrine Cafe - Whole Branzino - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Last night, my wife and I shared a Thursday night dinner for two. Executive Chef Justin Gomes of Citrine outdid himself as the meal was amazingly delicious! Each dish - Short Ribs, sautéed kale, polenta, salad and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Each dish stood on its own and was even more delicious together. If you have not tried it already, call Citrine and try Chef Gomes menu for their Thursday night meal! We plan to order ours right away! read more

Outstanding meal! All four of us agreed that it was wonderful. Food and service were spectacular. I love it when the owner comes by and shakes hands. Don't you? Somewhat limited menu, but every item thoughtfully prepared with a unique take. Our server, Aleskandra and the owner sent over after dinner nite caps. Such a nice touch. 'Will go back again & again! read more

Nice atmosphere and trendy place. Service was attentive but felt items were over priced and it had a limited menu.

The Halibut special was great as was the service. I will definitely visit again with my partner to try a few things off the menu. read more

Citrine Cafe - Halibut - Mediterranean Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

From the minute we walked in, greeted as if they've known us for a long time, got a drink through to our departure, this place completely made our evening a fun, fulfilling one. The service was attentive without being overbearing. We began with comfy warm bread, followed by a pork belly appetizer that was...seriously...incredibly tasty and interesting. Dinner followed and we all enjoyed our selections immensely. Steak with blue cheese crust, short rib which melted, fish steamed in a bag--it was all superb. Along the way, drinks were refilled, more wine brought. Although we were full-to-the-brim, we managed to squeeze in the most perfectly sized cheesecake bites brought to us. The atmosphere was modern, but warm. Look forward to returning here. read more

We came back for brunch and it was super tasty! Food was great, waitstaff was super friendly and helpful. Great job at social distancing during the pandemic, reservations were required. Definitely will be back! read more

The food here is lovely. Judging by the exterior alone, I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get seats in such a fine dining establishment. The decor outside is all clean edges with a very sleek graphic of a citrus fruit next to the restaurant name. However, reservations were quite easy to make, and possibly unnecessary. There were plenty of seats inside for large parties. The restaurant has a bright, cheerful feeling accompanied by lemon sherbet colored curtains and warm-oak tables. Our servers were beyond attentive and had our waters and orders filled within seconds at a time. We ordered the southern chef's special that day and two types of pan-roasted fish-- salmon and halibut, I believe. Everything was exquisitely done and speedy at that. I especially enjoyed the pickled beets with my radish and the vibrant contrast it donned with the dressed, vibrantly green sauce the salmon was swimming in. The southern special was so huge, my father and brother were able to share with some to spare. I believe it was a pork loin with a side of collard greens (with bacon), roasted potatoes, and hush puppies. The meat especially was so succulent and melt-off-the-bone perfection. A shame it's not a permanent feature on the menu. However, the two fish dishes will definitely fit the bill for a classy and absolutely delicious choice for the fine-dining aficionado. How could I forget the appetizers and dessert? We ordered falafel and lamb, I believe. The entrees were also preceded by toasted bread served alongside a spiced olive oil pool. Yum! The lamb was seasoned to a delicate perfection, and I recommend you use the sauce on the falafel as well. The sauces included both tsatziki and what looked like a shakshuka --all tomatoes and simmering spices. I hold the strong belief that if you order anything on their menu, you will be stunned into a taste-filled dream. Bon apetit! read more

Had brunch with my wife and my sister. I had eggs Benedict. It was AMAZING. I was so impressed with the food and really enjoyed atmosphere. Definitely looking forward to dinner here! read more

The half-Amish chicken is an excellent and simple dish. It's got crispy skin and juicy meat!!

My husband and I literally just left this place and I couldn't wait to write the review. The hostess was so sweet and friendly and we were able to get seats on a walk in basis outside on this beautiful night. Unfortunately I didn't catch our servers name but he and his assistant were absolutely fantastic. They were watchful of our tables and made sure we were never low on water or drinks and suggested some amazing food. The beef tartar was excellent, the Halibut special that my husband had was very good and my rack of lamb was also great! They suggested the baklava for dessert with vanilla gelato and it was amazing! Margaritas were stellar as was the vodka shaken! Both drinks were so refreshing. We couldn't have asked for a better date night dinner. read more