THE MALBECKONING…read more SixtyFour Wine Bar is a winning concept in downtown Naperville. Much like what Tapville Social does for beer, SixtyFour follows the concept of guests having the freedom to pour their own drinks. This place is on Water St in Naperville, near Vasili's and Blue Sushi Sake. Street parking isn't plentiful so the garage is your best bet, especially in the evening. You can build your own charcuterie, but use caution: everything is a la carte and without much effort that cute cheese platter can swell upwards of $40. This happened to us on our 1st visit, I thought "yeah sure, add a $4 honeycomb and seasonal jams, why not" to go with the $9 prosciutto, $7 manchego, and $5 cornichons. More recently, I got the restaurant week pre-fixe ($49) which included a starter, entrée, dessert, and glass of champagne. Each course separately would've added up to $55 (not counting the bubbly), so this option saved a few bucks. Both my wife and I got a pour-your-own wine card, that set us back about $20pp. The wifey got a mix of a dozen west coast & east coast oysters ($36) that came with cocktail sauce and a zippy pomegranate mignonette. The goat cheese bruschetta ($13) was incredible: goat cheese spread on several large pieces of grilled sourdough with roasted tomato and balsamic. We loved this and would get it again in a heartbeat. 5/5 The dates ($13) were a different story, however, as they came with cranberry goat cheese, orange honey, and crushed walnuts. I've been so used to savory dates (wrapped in bacon with a tomato sauce) that this much sweeter iteration caught me off guard. They weren't objectively bad, I just wouldn't order them again. 3/5 For my main course, I chose the short rib ($31) as I've done several times now: tender beef with mashed potatoes, braised carrots, crispy onions, and a red wine jus. This is a delicious entrée that I find myself steering towards every time I'm here, as it pairs perfectly with a Malbec or red blend. 5/5 The gnocchi ($33) were fairly pricey which I attribute to big chunks of lobster in a white sauce. But what SixtyFour did felt like a "bastardization" of gnocchi (my wife's words, not mine) by turning it into a homemade mac 'n' cheese of sorts, cooking it in a mini cast iron skillet topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Say what?! "Breadcrumbs" and "gnocchi" should never be used in the same sentence, unless it's "hey honey I did that grocery shopping, and I got beer, eggs, wine, gnocchi, ice cream, laundry detergent, kitty litter, AAA batteries and a box of breadcrumbs". It tasted fine, but there was absolutely no need to innovate here. 1.5/5 We reached a split decision on the dirty chai crème brûlée ($11). My wife thought it was different but lovely, whereas I found it strayed too far from vanilla custard and the flavor was overpowering, as if I just snorted tea leaves. It was REALLY strong, y'all! 3/5 Bread = 3.5 Circuses = 4.5 Our server Melissa was attentive and let us know about the wine tasting inside near the hostess' stand. We had a couple small pours (1-2oz) which equated to a free half glass, no complaints there. Restrooms were clean and the outside patio has a relaxing ambiance. The vibes are classy, romantic even. * TL;DR * It's fun sampling bold reds, sweet whites, and even rosé in 1oz, 3oz, and 6oz pours. I pity the fool who grabs a glass, sticks it underneath the first tap they see up front and presses 'POUR' without realizing they just selected a 2014 Chateau Haut-Brion ...... which retails for $500 a bottle! A half glass is nearly $75! I'll stick with a $7 Shiraz, thanks. As for the food, it's been mostly great with only a few exceptions. The gnocchi was whack, and the chai crème brûlée was polarizing. Due to the presence of delicate wine glasses literally everywhere, I would keep kids away from here. Leave the little ones at home and come here for date night. SixtyFour lists themselves as a wine bar first and kitchen second, which I agree with. If what you're seeking is a kitchen *and* wine bar, hit up a Coopers Hawk. Both places have solid wine selections, but being able to enjoy wine on-demand is a big plus. I'd happily recommend SixtyFour to friends and family.

My cousin and I chose Sixty Four for our birthday celebration lunch. We sat outside along the river…read moresince it was a beautiful day. Chris was our server and provided great service and went above and beyond. My cousin and I decided to share the grilled oysters and the charcuterie. Chris noted my reservation said no nuts and seeds and he said that the charcuterie came with seeded lavish. He went through the lavish and only chose the ones without the seeds. Now that's service! The grilled oysters were amazing! Only four came on the plate and I wanted to eat all of them and not share. I will definitely get those again - and all to myself. The charcuterie was your typical charcuterie. You can choose your own cheeses and meats on the board which is nice. The only disappointing thing is no complimentary dessert for our birthdays. Lots of restaurants do that, but I guess not at this one. Get those grilled oysters, you won't be sorry.

We had dinner there last night and enjoyed it but a few things might lead us to go elsewhere for…read morepizza/wine. Enjoyed our wine and our food. We tried two different wines we had not had before and while good - the 9 oz pours were a little pricy - given that a bottle in the store cost less than a single glass. They both paired well with our starter shrimp dish - which was nice and grilled. My husband thought it was a tad too salty - but I didn't notice the extra salt. We shared the Pizza Pollo pizza - definitely enough to share between two people. I enjoyed it more than my husband - more so b/c I liked the toppings more. But both agreeed that the crust was nicely done. As I write this review and look at my bill - I do see a 3% hospitality fee added on - which I find unpleasant and didn't notice last night.

I'd do a 3.5 if I could. The online ordering doesn't work. And the Margarita pizza is listed under…read moretheir "red" side for pizza, but there was no sauce, only olive oil, cheese and tomato, and not even the fresh mozzarella that the picture shows, so essentially a cheese pizza with no sauce. The crust is good though.

I came in a day where a wedding was being hosted but they were kind enough to still seat me for two…read morecocktails. I arrived around 5:30 pm with an opening time of 5 pm. There was plenty of seating for myself but if are coming with 4 or more people, make a reservation. The servers were very nice and accommodating. The bar was playing Generation C music--not too loud nor soft. I love this bar! I would definitely come here again. I spent about $35 for two cocktails but I order a stronger reserve cocktail. They do have good but it is more of snacks than a meal so come full! 5/5

Amazing! Staff is fantastic and it is beautiful in there. The drinks are fantastic, so so so good…read more We had a great time.

It's awesome! A French bistro right by the Metra tracks…read more Rainy Wed night and the place was packed - it's a little tight in the front as you have to pass, but the dining room is nice size and comfortable. Excellent service and the steak frites was unbelievable- awesome sauce! Great cocktail a d wonderful, lively place to have a drink and a meal (my date LOVED the French 75)

Let's change up the menu a bit ! I was looking forward to the pork belly frisée salad but they were…read moreout of. I wish the waiter would have told us that in the beginning. Ended up going with the shrimp n grits again and the salad . Very good . I think cycle menu would do great here

My husband and I have been to The Turf Room North Aurora, IL a handful of times and have never been…read moredisappointed. We went there yesterday for dinner and continue to be delighted with the staff as well as the restaurant as a whole. I am always pleased with the staff. Our sever, Deven was on her game. She was quite knowledgeable and knew her menu well. She started us off with the Waygu Wellington Poptarts. The flaky crust that covered the melt in your mouth beef was extraordinaire. For my entree, I had the Blackened Salmon on arugula. This was combined with shaved almonds, strawberries, avocado, and blue cheese! Ever hear someone get excited about a salad? Yes it was that good. Husband had the Sous Vide half chicken with his coveted homemade mashed potatoes and carrots. My husband, the chef was not disappointed. And no meal is complete in his book without dessert. We had the Flourless Chocolate Torte. Quite heavenly. But what meal is complete without dessert? As always look forward to our next visit there!

Aye man, every time I go to the Fox Valley I find another solid place. This was no exception. Turf…read moreroom, more like "Tuff" Room , amirite? We sat at the bar and I asked the server to switch my Alma maters game on and to my surprise they did it! Now the restaurant itself is dark, wood walls, very stable like interior. Very cozy. Great menu from steaks to fresh pasta. We had the short rib, a pasta and very large shrimp cocktail. Great beer menu. I had a saison that they brew in house. Everything was great. Service was great. Would definitely come back!

Ko-ze is a quant wine bar in Downtown Glen Ellyn. The inside has a large bar counter, banquet…read moreseating, and tables by the front window. They specialize in offering wines from vineyards they know personally and are organic or natural. Prices are by the glass as well as bottle. In addition to wine, they have beer, cocktails, and bites. When I visited, I tried the Espresso Martini. I liked that theirs had no caffeine in it but still tasted just as delicious! My dad tried the Old Fashioned and liked it but wished they had listed the spirit used on menu. Our server was very kind, made all cocktails fresh, and gave us space to mingle. This was a great stop and I would come back for a glass of wine or keep an eye out for their next tasting event!

Koze is a great location for those learning about wine or simply visiting friends. They have a…read morehuge, ever changing wine list, a few beers and cocktails, and a number of snacks. Their service is strong on education and always offers a smile. Matt's Fliggt School program will always help you better understand the wine world. It can be loud if they are busy, but never so much that you can't talk with a friend.

Each time we come to Le Cochen we love it. This time we came for happy hour (1/2 price glasses of…read morewine and discounted appetizers). We sat on the patio, they have shaded or sun and lots of tables. I had the Chardonnay and it was really good! We had the smoked salmon appetizer and the potato skewers. I'm not a fan of salmon, but with the sauce they provide, it was doable. The potatoes were so good, crispy on the outside, but they explode into creaminess when you bite them. We didn't have them this time, but the calamari appetizer is my favorite! We were having such a good time, we decided to stay for dinner. I had the Coq au vin and loved it. I usually get the Beef bourguignon because that is also really good. My husband had that and it did not disappoint. Service was great, as always! One of the best restaurants in Geneva.

Time was (in the not-too-distant past) you had to go downtown to have an upscale or…read moreoff-the-beaten-path dinner. You know, when parking was less than a car payment? It took a number of years but enterprising restauranteurs laid claim to appropriate buildings and neighborhoods opening places where you could actually get something interesting to eat. Hell, even BERWYN has a fine-dining joint (or 2)! The "3rd Street" corridor in Batavia is prima facie evidence this crusade is thriving, as there are a BUNCH of great places on that Rue to stuff your face in style, (and drink accordingly.) We've been working our way down the street; as I have been in the mood for French, Le Cochon was high on the list. It was late afternoon when I and a foodie pal of mine visited. The rooms were at once light, open and airy, yet personal. The bar was adjacent and it looked heroically stocked. The waiter was personable and pleasant. The menu shouted "Bistro", and actually was sort of irritating, 'cos even after poring over it online before, everything looked so good I couldn't make up my mind! But rules are rules, and I have mine. When I go into a place for the first time, I always try to get the specialty of the house. As this is a "bistro" I finally swung with the Escargot and Steak Frites. Cliche'd, I know, but c'est le cuisine. My pal bucked tradition and went with a Burger. I should say here the house is known for a Pork Belly dish, but Belly of Pork (unless it's cured into Bacon) is a protein I will not eat. There's not much I won't stuff down my gullet, but Pork Belly is one. I just don't like that much fat. The good news? More for YOU! But I digress... The 'Scargots were classic in prep and top-notch in quality. As expected there was a lagniappe course in sopping pieces of the excellent baguette provided from the bread service in the garlicky butter remaining after munching the snails. It was a Hanger Steak wot arrived on my plate replete with an herb-y compound butter. I ordered the steak "Rare-Bleu", and it was the perfect temp, even with serious char marking. The steak was chunk-cut when served. I blessed the chef for seasoning the steak deftly. The Frites came with ketchup and aioli, they were great. There was nothing out of the ordinary about my pals burger, but he IS a knowledgeable foodie and reported it was delicious. Burgers are pretty easy to do, but to get one of championship quality takes skill. Notable were the two rashers of excellent, thick Bacon hanging over the sides of the sandwich. The chef here hit the mark! The Predominantly French WineList is dizzying expensive for bottles. My pal is an experienced oenophile and says the list shows care, but Oy! the prices! He's a very successful businessman, and even HE thought the prices were high. In contrast, the "per glass" prices were normal. LeCochon IS in a posh neighborhood, after all. I had a glass of Rhône blend which was hand-in-glove with my steak. Flavors outasite! Fine coffee and a classic Crème Brûlée for afters. I know somewhere behind the bar they prolly had a Calvados, which would have topped the meal off with a gold ribbon, but I was driving, and there are many miles between LeCochon and Stately Breakwind Manor. A wonderful feed, and a surprisingly good value considering the high quality. I'll bet that "light and airy" vibe turns quite romantic after dark; but know the tables are actually quite cozy together. There are a few booths available-try to snarf one of those if you're on a date. Throwing 5 for this super boîte. Eat here soon!

My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. Let's just say we have found our new…read moreFAVORITE restaurant! Our server Jason was phenomenal and recommend his favorite dishes. WOW wow wow!!! Everything was so good will be back every single chance we get!

When was the last time you had homemade pasta at a restaurant? Honestly, I don't even want to eat…read moreItalian anywhere else after coming to Vai's. Unless it's in Italy. Walked in with starving teenage boys on a Sunday after noon. The place was packed. Ordered a Margarita pizza with 6 slices for an app. We have high expectations of this one and we were all so busy eating it and looking up. Wondering is this really this amazing. Hell yes, it was. The sauce, the crust. The amount of sauce. Etc. all hit it just right. Second app was a plate of fresh cut fries. Once again this place does not cut corners. Perfectly fried with a crunch and sea salt on top. That was a busy plate getting gobbled up before our entrees showed up. For my entree, I got the mushroom parpadelle with shrimp. I had no clue until I started to eat it that it was homemade pasta. In my head I kept thinking there is no way this is not made in house. I asked the waiter and yes indeed he said they are making pasta all day long. With the amount of people in this restaurant. I can only imagine how busy that kitchen is creating this soft and fresh beautiful pasta. If you have ever made pasta. You know how much time and work it is. Sorry, back to my dish: the shrimp we cooked to a perfection. Quality high, the mushrooms were fresh and I could not wait to find more. If you want Italian. Skip the chains. You will not get this quality and love like this place.

We came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had an early-ish reservation at 5:30pm in the…read moremiddle of the week so it was on the quieter side, which we absolutely loved. Service was great! Everyone was friendly and prompt and wanted to make sure we had a great meal. This is what we ordered: * Nonna's Meatballs * Pear & Fennel Salad (walnuts on the side) * Focaccia di Recco (requested with prosciutto & arugula) * Linguine alle vongole I also ordered an Almafi Spritz (zero proof) which was wonderful and bright a slice of Italy to Chicago's suburbia. The food was fresh and delicious. I recalled a Davanti location in Chicago but never had the chance to check it out, so this was my first time and it was great! The atmosphere is chic and the food was excellent, but not in a flashy, overdone, complicated way, just real good, made in house, hearty Italian fare. The Focaccia Di Recco was AMAZING. Yes, all caps. We packed up half of it to take home and it was still great the next day (reheated and then toasted in our mini counter oven/fryer). If you order just one thing here, let it be this focaccia dish. I understand why it's popular and I blurted out loud several times while eating this in restaurant: "on my god" it was truly divine. As my husband said, "this food might be better than what we had in Italy..." and I don't disagree. The kitchen does not do split portions for pasta but they were able to bring out 2 plates for us to split ourselves. This is a great spot for date night, a ladies night out, or a solo wine & dine at the bar. I can't believe I didn't come sooner. Plus, it's located right next to a parking garage which made our night out really convenient! We can't wait to come back! Five shining stars.

It has been 2 years ...I hate bad reviews ...so my wife's polenta with braised pork should was very…read moregood. Although I thought the polenta was more like tasteless mash potatoes My linguini scampi Agli was very sad. cherry tomato sauce ...Where? I was told the reason there were no scallops because I went to an old Google site. if you knew that, why would you not take it down. honestly .. seriously a small amount of linguine, 6 shrimp, a tad undercooked and a few small tomato pieces, no bread no salad is not 34$ I could make this at home for 6$ ..tops. people are nice but comparing it to lil pops Angelis, Vais, Angelos, Biaggi is embarrassing. I feel bad for them and me. bill