If you are looking for a dining experience that feels like a celebratory event, Chama Gaúcha…read moreBrazilian Steakhouse is a masterclass in the art of churrasco. It manages to strike that rare balance between upscale sophistication and the high-energy "service at the speed of light" that defines a world-class steakhouse. ​Here is a breakdown of what makes it a magnificent choice. ​1. The Meats: A Carnivore's Symphony ​The star of the show is, without question, the Picanha. This prime cut of top sirloin is seasoned simply with sea salt and roasted to perfection. When the gaúchos carve it tableside, the outer layer is beautifully seared while the center remains incredibly succulent. ​Diversity of Cuts: From the garlic-heavy Cordeiro (lamb) to the tender Filet Mignon and the smoky Costela (beef ribs) that fall off the bone with the slightest nudge of a fork. ​The "Green Means Go" System: The service is relentless (in the best way). As long as your card is green side up, a parade of skewers will arrive, ensuring your plate is never empty. ​2. The Gourmet Salad Bar ​Calling it a "salad bar" feels like an understatement. It is an architectural display of fresh, high-end ingredients that could easily stand as a meal on its own. ​Highlights: Huge wheels of aged cheeses (like Grana Padano), smoked salmon, marinated artichokes, giant grilled asparagus, and traditional Brazilian feijoada (black bean stew). ​Freshness: Everything is crisp, vibrant, and replenished so frequently it feels like you're the first person to plate a serving. ​3. Atmosphere & Service ​The ambiance is warm, dimly lit, and refined, making it perfect for anything from a high-stakes business dinner to an anniversary. ​Authentic Hospitality: The staff are knowledgeable and move with a choreographed precision. They don't just serve food; they share the culture of the Rio Grande do Sul. ​The Sides: Don't overlook the warm pão de queijo (cheese bread) or the caramelized bananas, which serve as the perfect palate cleanser between savory bites. ​4. The Final Verdict ​Chama Gaúcha isn't just a meal; it's an investment in indulgence. You don't go there for a quick bite; you go there to be treated like royalty while exploring the very best of Southern Brazilian grilling. ​Pro Tip: Save a little room for the Papaya Cream dessert. It's light, refreshing, and topped with a swirl of Crème de Cassis to perfectly round out a heavy meal. 5 star

This was a busy place. Similar to the other Brazilian steakhouses. This place was busy. Glad we…read moremade reservations. The beef was all tasty. There was some of the meats that were a bit spiced but tolerable. Nice place but far drive from the city.

Overall the experience was ok. Given that it was Mother's day it was crowded and loud. Which was…read moreto be expected. The only problem I had was a toddler that was sitting at the table next to us, was crying the whole time we were there. It kinda ruined the experience, I didn't get to enjoy my meal. As far as the food it was also ok. They gave us a small spoonful of mashed potatoes for 2 people, which was ridiculous for as much as it cost. The portion would have suited a child. Some of the cuts of meat were dry. I would not recommend going on a mother's day, father's day or any holiday. I'm not sure how it's like otherwise. It was my first time probably won't go back

It's my first time and OMg it's unbelievable sooo delicious so tasty the service top notch…read more I'll review more Ok now that the holidays have slowed down I can finally give my full review. We were greeted by the lovely host and then we were taken to our table as reserved. Any table there is worth it, cozy in any spot. We had many servers waiters bc there they don't assign one to a table all servers are there to help any table. We had Eber who helped and he was fantastic and helped us with drinks. Then we had Carlos help us he was a delight and told me I can get a free desert bc it was my birthday which we didn't know so that was a big plus, and omg that crème brûlée cheesecake was out of this world phenomenal it was magic in my soul. Top notch best ever ever ever!! The salad bar was another spectacular view and they had everything I wanted in a salad I felt like I e died and gone to salad heaven. Lastly we had Marco who I feel was the manager bc he was so admirable with us and his proper demeanor was very nice and calm and inviting. We loved all the service. We felt like royalty there.

Outside of the language barrier, my experience at Brazil Legal is always so heart warming. Somehow…read moreI am able to order each time and wait patiently at a table to bring it out. The food is homey and comforting if you have not been yet. The shop/cafe is small but cozy and inviting. We usually come on the weekends to get feijoda along with coxinha and the pao de quejo. Sometimes we pick up a few groceries and/or sweets. We are soo happy for this grocery store / cafe as we can introduce our girls to Brazilian food - where their dad was born.

Great service, food is delicious, authentic Brazilian food. Got some picanha and coxinha must buy…read moreFarofa & pacoquita

I cannot recommend this restaurant enough!! The story behind it and the woman who runs it was so…read moresweet. She is a social-worker turned chef, and it feels like she has really opened her home for guests. We went for a charity event where for the price of your ticket you got unlimited apps, fun drinks (nonalcoholic too! like hibiscus!), wine making explanation, participating in grape cutting, dinner, wine, dessert. I was so full by the end! We started with appetizers on the first floor, which was very cozy with couches - very much like a living room. I'm not even sure what the appetizers were but they were really good. There was also hibiscus tea and a lime drink (I can't remember the name). After that, we spent some time in the backyard which honestly didn't even feel like Chicago. It was a warm night, there are fairy lights all over, and the entire place is covered in grape vines! The grapes grown here are used to make their very own Sinha wine! We brought scissors and got to experience the process of wine making. I was worried that there might not be a ton of options for me as a vegetarian but I was so wrong! There were beans without pork, rice, greens, corn, plantains, okra, cheese bread balls, marinated mushrooms, beets, and more! They use in season veggies a lot, and everything was seasoned well. It was a serve yourself buffet and then we sat at long tables, which was a really good opportunity to get to meet new people. This was probably one of the best dining experiences I have had in Chicago. I can't recommend it enough!

The parking, ambiance, service, and MEAL !!! OMG! Everything…read moreon point, you will Enjoy!!

We went to Brasero tonight to celebrate my pre birthday tonight and wow, what an amazing meal. I…read morehadn't even heard of Brasero until today and now I can't wait to be back. The restaurant itself if lively yet romantic for date night but non descript from the outside. It's a Brazilian inspired menu since the chef spent time in Brazil and there is a lot of seafood on the menu. We sat at the bar and the HH menu was still on so we tried the grilled oysters, head on shrimp, crispy papas and their signature 'noodle' dish. Everything was amazing and we can't wait to get back and try the branzino. Our bartender Abraham was so nice since he got us seats at the bar, gave us some background on the chef, made excellent recommendations including the Noodles and got us some Guava/Lychee gelato on the house. Excellent service!

Highly recommended by a longtime Chi~City local, and let me tell you, Brasero doesn't disappoint…read more Let's get into it. Cuisine: 5/5. Crispy Papas (Happy Hour and super good), Broccolini (crispy and hella flavorful, possibly best ever), Steak Frites (Ordered Medium, it's Bomb AF, and the Chimichurri is on point). Nothing disappointing. All hella flavorful and delicious. Maggie's Brownie for Dessert - hell yes with the caramel peanut butter mouse. Beverages: 4/5. Rum Old Fashioned. Nice, but I prefer it with Bourbon or Mezcal. Service: 5/5. Hella attentive and on it. Water refills on point. Respect. Ambiance: 5/5. Beautiful interior. Nothing to dislike.

Absolutely love this place! I stumbled across it by accident and have been addicted since. Every…read morebaked good is baked fresh daily by the same people. Lattes are on point and the coffee is delicious! Quaint inside but plenty of tables for a morning sit. They also offer a to go window for those strolling around downtown or on their way to the train. I'm here almost every other week GIVE THEM A TRY!

My bestie suggested for us to visit Bacuri Bakery since she lives 5 minutes away and it was…read moreprobably one of the best decisions we've made on a restaurant in a long time. I had one of the best experience. From the adorable location of the Bakery, to the wonderful service and lets not forget the super delicious food! Inside of the place consist of about 4 tables and some high tops. It's in a cute little house with a rustic feel of wood that I love. A IG worthy name wall and super clean! Which is very important to me. The gentleman behind the counter was soooo nice, friendly, knowledgeable and I wonder if he's the owner but I am all about supporting local small businesses. I would come back for the service alone! I don't eat meat so I ordered the Portobello, red pepper and havarti cheese sandwich. My bestie ordered the ham and cheese and both was amazing!!! Mine wasn't overly salty, cheese was gooey, mushrooms and peppers was deliciously seasoned and best of all, the sandwich was crispy to the bite! Free parking right outside of the restaurant and free water for your convenience. I already have a coffee but we both took some pulled pork, chicken and spinach empanadas to go and everything was amazing! 10/10 on everything! Can't wait to bring my family to try the sweets and other stuff like acai bowl, cookies, cake jar and much much more!!! Please stop in and try it for yourself! You will fall in love! I know I did! Thank you Bacuri Bakery! I will be back!

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

I went here with my best friend and my hubby to celebrate my birthday with a great birthday dinner…read more We were in the Chi already visiting Atlas Stationary as a self-proclaimed station and fountain pen freak so we figured why not?!? I had heard great things about Carnivale prior to so please note that prior reservations were already made but regardless, it was all our first times there and we were stoked to finally try this place out. When we first got there, the outside was very unassuming. Some awesome graffiti on the wall (yes, angel wings included) and lots of color which made me so happy! As we entered, we were greeted by lots of colored flora on the walls and the floor. It led to a beautiful lounge where we checked in. The hostess was quite kind and they escorted us to another room that had multiple floors, two I believe. We were sitting in the main dining area where dining tables were set up and the ceiling lights and decorations were super-duper colorful. It was brightly lit and festive. Seriously, the colors alone could make anyone happy and do a serious dopamine overload which was fine with me. We sat down, was introduced to our server, Oscar and then given menu's. I genuinely thought that this place was pretty small initially because it looked small from the outside but boy was I wrong! This place was MASSIVE. But! I digress, now that we had our menu's-- Let the party begin!! We started with the ceviche tasting which included four types of ceviche; shrimp, Yucatan style hamachi, salmon and tuna. All were really good with their own really distinct flavors but our top favorites were the salmon and the tuna. The salmon had a kick while the tuna had a great balance of heat and sweetness. Great way to start of this dinner! My bestie ordered coconut shrimp and smoked mushroom croquettes for her main meal. My hubs ordered the carne asado while I ordered the lechon asada. I also want to add that we ordered Mexican street corn on the side alongside mashed potatoes and Peruvian Jalea. Ah and before I forget, we also ordered our drinks which consisted of a: sangria, margarita, Cotton Candy Cosmo and Salva Honduran Pilsner. All were spectacular and made the night that more enjoyable as well! When we received our food. We were all really enjoyed it as we all shared our bites amongst one another. The coconut shrimp was well breaded and you tasted the coconut as well. The shrimps were large and juicy. The smoked mushroom croquettes were good with a smokey flavor and good breading, however, the breading may have a been a little thick because you couldn't really taste the mushroom,m unfortunately. The carne asado was the star of the show. Well seasoned steak, cooked medium rare which was juicy and succulent. The lechon asado was good. Although I'm not used to eating lechon asado that is covered in sauce, the sauce was super tasty so I didn't mind the tender, juicy pork that was covered in it. I really enjoyed it. I think the only thing that I wish was different with regards to my lechon asado is that I wish it were hotter because it was luke warm when I received it. Other than that, it was....*chef's kiss*. The Mexican street corn was alright, it honestly just tasted like regular corn with mayonaise in it with some cheese. Didn't add anything significant to the meal. The mashed potatoes were soft but not too soft and buttery. They were really good and then the Purvian Jalea was another favorite, super good! The calamari, fish and shrimp with the Purvian Jalea were absolutely delicious; fresh, tasty and well breaded. It was absolutely yummalicious. To top the night off, they gave me a little birthday treat of cotton candy and carmel popcorn. We also had some tres leches which was so yummy because the fruit was fresh and you could taste the milk in the tender cake and then we had the chocolate cigar. The chocolate cigar was also really good, everything except the label was edible, It was smokey, chocolately and delectable. It's presentation was also so creative. We all loved it. Overall, this restaurant is SUPER PRICY but SUPER WORTH IT. I am so glad that I was able to go there to celebrate a special occasion because it would not be a place that I could go to on a regular basis but as much as I wish I was, ya girl ain't rich like that. The service was superb, the employees were kind, the food was fire and drinks were scrumptious. If you're looking for a fun, Latin cuisine inspired, creative, yummy way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion with a fun Latin twist--look no further, that is it! Check it out and you won't be disappointed. Now, I'm sorry for my novel and you may now go back to your normal programming schedule. If you do end up coming here and loving it -- i told ya so ;)

I'm not sure how long it was when I first visited Cranivale but it was definitely before yelp…read morereviews and it definitely wasn't this big so fast forward to maybe 20 years it's definitely more beautiful. Very nice and what a great entrance it has. The rooms and the different feeling each one gives is pretty awesome. The upstairs is where we were invited to attend the party bc of the invite and it was very lounging and nice. There's a Latin room where we wanted to go but next time we will. Then there a bigger room with lots of dinner tables and another upstairs.

We love a BYOB with no corkage fee. Also, warm table bread!! Pretty easy to call in and get a res…read morefor a Sunday night. The warm table bread and butter was pretty good so it was an effort to keep from eating too much and ruining our appetite. We split a chicken empanada to start which was really good, especially with the chimichurri sauce. For mains, we split the parillada para dos - a large meat platter meant for two. It was came with a little house salad and was a super good deal with all the meat they gave you (we ended up with lunch the next day, too!) The best part of the dish was the short ribs. Super soft and sort of fatty tasting, but not in a gross way, in a really yummy way. We also really liked the chorizo sausage. The flap tastes good, but was a little tougher than the other meat. The beef sweetbread and blood sausage were different, a little bit of an odd texture, but still good.

Came on a Thursday evening with reservations. Its an intimate steakhouse with mostly candle…read morelighting to create a moody atmosphere. For appetizers I got 2 spinach&cheese empanadas and the provoleta. The empanadas were loaded and packed with flavor. The chimichurri sauce they came with was refreshing! The provoleta is roasted cheese so its really hard to go wrong there. The red pepper was a nice touch. I got a ensalada Tango Sur and the ingredients were fresh topped with a tasty vinaigrette. For my entree I got the Vacio. Wow I have not had such tender flap meat! The caper-white win vesuvio sauce really complimented the steak with such a deep flavor. My steak was cooked to my liking well also. The sweet potatoes that came with it melted in my mouth and were loaded with the caper sauce. I will say if you are particular about salt, this dish was on the saltier side but for me it was just right. The staff was friendly and helpful with the different options they offered. This is a great place for a date night, special occasion or just wonderful steak!

Sunday afternoon, late lunch for two before going to a show nearby. What a nice find. Had the…read morepicana plate and shrimp plate. Very tasty. Platanos were perfectly fried and empanadas were great too. Also tried the cheese bread puffs. So good. Service was friendly. Food was hot n fresh without a long wait. Sorry no pics as we were preoccupied enjoying the yumminess! Would definitely recommend. Thanks guys!

I recommend this spot to anyone who wants a smoothie or chicken bowl. The chicken bowls are fresh…read moreand tender, the rice is cooked perfectly. The acai bowls are well portioned, and the cooks are quite generous with the toppings! They offer snacks to purchase at the counter as well and the employees make sure that you are well taken care of with your order. Pictured: acai bowl with granola, strawberries, and a honey drizzle.