Wonderful service, food out of this world, Ambiance and atmosphere was great, they bring the main…read morecourses to your table and cut the meat off the large portions

Once in a while, you get the courage to splurge on a family dinner. My family and I decided to do…read morejust that on July 4th at Fogo in downtown Chicago. Seven people, $700 all in, and so much regret. Service: 3/5 I'll start with the positive: the customer service was overall pretty good. It was raining hard, so after walking a few miles and exhausting other indoor options, we popped in 30 minutes early to see if they could seat us. They could, and they got us in quickly. So far, so good. I'm only giving this three stars because, at the start of our meal, servers poured out of the kitchen all at once. Normally, that would be great--better to be overwhelmed with food than wondering where it is--but the situation resembled chaos more than efficiency. They were in and out so quickly that I barely knew what I was being served. That said, I'll give them credit where it's due: they checked on us several times and kept our drinks full and the table stocked with bread. Food: 1/5 It was just bad. No amount of good service can make up for bad food. The salad bar was "meh." A decent assortment of options, but nothing to write home about. The meat--which is the whole point of the experience--was honestly terrible. It had no flavor, none. Somehow, even the fattier cuts were bland; I wondered if they forgot to season them entirely. It didn't help that almost every piece of meat we received, regardless of what we requested, was well-done and bone-dry. I tried so hard to enjoy it, but every bite was just a reminder that I was out $700 for food you'd usually have to pay me to eat. It was my birthday, and while I was surprised when the staff brought out a lava cake and ice cream, it was a bit odd that half the ice cream was already melted all over the plate by the time it reached the table. Atmosphere: 3/5 It was fine--nothing to brag about, but about what you'd expect from Fogo. My one critique is the smell; it was a lot better outside than inside. There was this weird, clinical scent--I don't even know how to describe it--that permeated the dining room. Otherwise, it was acceptable. Cost: 1/5 Way overpriced considering what we actually got. It really stings to waste our "once-a-year" expensive family dinner on such awful food. We're done with Fogo, unfortunately.

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

My college friend was visiting from out of town and I made reservations to Sinha Elegant Brazilian…read moreCuisine for Sunday brunch. Sunday Brunch has 2 seatings: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Brunch is also BYOB, no corkage fee. Parking: a private parking lot on side of the house. When one arrives, establishment sign states ring the bell. We were welcomed with a warm smile and a huge welcome! I felt like welcomed with the beautiful colors and smells. Appetizers were already available on the main floor along with hibiscus tea and water. When all the guests arrive, the owner welcomed us and shared her menu along with explaining how she prepared the food. And oh so much food! Steak, beans and rice, shrimp, salad, vegetables plus options for vegetarians and gluten free. Dessert was red velvet cake with flan. Brazilian and Indian decor was beautiful! Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Small parties and large parties are welcomed. All guests chose to eat out back in patio area. It was a beautiful Chicago day to enjoy such a wonderful meal. We had a wonderful time and an incredible experience! Cheers!~

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!

amazing dining experience! the food was so good, we got 8 different items…read more my 3 favorites: 1. heirloom tomato salad 2. linz black angus steak frites 3. grilled prawn

Lovely ambience, great food, great people. Great experience…read more A delightful South American culinary.

So good. Everyone is so nice and the food is so good. The cafe is clean and it has water and great…read morestuff. It is so good.

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 had a pleasant dinner on a Sunday evening out on the patio. Luckily it's covered so the little…read morebit of rain we had did not bother us. They had a very nice bread server with four individual oval French loaves with very tasty butter. We tried the provoleta with peppers because we like that a lot in Argentina, but this was nothing like it and I guess that was to be expected. There they have a bunch of drier version of provolone and they grill it directly on the grill grates and it doesn't really melt too much. This tasted like standard provolone cheese and it was melted in a bowl. It was tasty, and unfortunately they probably can't get the Argentinian version of the cheese they would need to do it correctly. Our friends got the beef brochette with asparagus and the outside skirt steak and both were fabulous. Well seasoned and grilled and tender. My husband and I got the 2 pound stuffed fillet! It supposedly had ham in the filling but I couldn't taste it or see it anywhere. Unfortunately it had a really strongly flavored sauce along with the portobello mushrooms. We expected something with fewer herbs, which kind of overpowered the beef. It's a shame because the way they described it on the menu is not what came out. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't what we were expecting and unfortunately, the beef flavor was hard to discern because of all of the herbs in the dark brown sauce. We brought our own wine and they didn't even have a corkage fee, which was amazing! We saw other plates go by with copious amounts of tomatoes and onions on salads and the filet mignon platter, it seemed like it was three or four pieces of fillet it had to be nearly a pound for one serving. The prices are pretty steep for the beef and they do charge $10 for sharing, however it might be worth just getting one of the larger plates and spending the 10 bucks to share as opposed to getting an entrée each and taking home lots of food which we did.

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.