One of the best meals we had in Chicago. Excellent all around…read more The arancini were rich but also somehow light, the gnocchi were pillowy and soft. The gelato was creamy and delicious. Service was attentive but not smothering. (And as a vegetarian, I was glad to see they even marked their desert menu with dietary notations. It really increases my trust that a restaurant is run by people who know what they're doing when they know pana cotta isn't vegetarian.)

The restaurant is not that far from the Art museum and Cloud Gate (aka The Bean)…read more We had reservations and were seated right away. They light a new candle on your table and it was fun guessing how many hours it takes for the candle to melt all the way down. We came during dinner time and sat inside. We shared the Arancini, usually comes in 3 and they made 4 for us, since there were 4 of us. Very delicious and we all just took our time savoring the flavor. So good and it is also GF made with rice flour. Next I had the Umbricelli con Sugo d'Anatra. House made spaghetti with duck meat. Noodles were firm and didn't twirl on the fork easily. But it was really good. There were plenty of duck meat shredded and chunks. The cherry tomatoes were a bit tart to me, so I didn't eat them all. For dessert we shared the Tortino al Cioccolato Valhrona, like a chocolate lava cake. Very soft and rich chocolate. Had orange pieces throughout. Came with coffee gelato. Also shared the Vanilla bean panna cotta. Smooth creamy and light, reminds me of crème brulee. Had lots of cherries with crumbles of cookies. Both desserts are GF. I actually like the chocolate more... couldn't resist. They cleanup and give you a new plate and or silverware after each course. They are very good at keeping your glass of water refilled. Very friendly staff.

We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

Good Funk was the kind of unexpected gem that completely transforms an ordinary night--exactly what…read moreI needed while on a business trip in Chicago, the night before my birthday. I wanted nothing more than to ring in year 45 with a great glass of natural wine... and I walked out having had a 7-glass flight and one of the most memorable evenings of the trip. The bartenders deserve their own star. They weren't just knowledgeable--they were genuinely fun to talk to, the kind of people who make you feel like you've been coming there for years. We went from discussing funky wine profiles to diving deep into '80s horror films, which is absolutely my idea of a perfect tangent. Their enthusiasm and curiosity made the whole experience feel personal and spontaneous. As for the wine: unique, surprising, and delicious, even the pours I didn't expect to enjoy. Good Funk leans into exploration in the best way--nothing feels generic or predictable. Every glass had its own personality, and the flight felt like a curated adventure rather than a lineup. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, stylish without being pretentious, and perfect for either a solo wind-down or a lively night out. It's the kind of place that encourages you to linger, taste one more thing, have one more conversation. Good Funk turned what could've been a quiet, forgettable evening into an unforgettable birthday-eve celebration. If you're in Chicago and love natural wine--or just love a spot with genuine heart--don't miss this place.

This was my second visit to The Dearborn, and the food and service were both on point. We ordered…read morethe salmon tataki, fish and chips, Wellington burger, and Midwest fried chicken. Everything was well prepared, but the fried chicken was the standout, especially with the hot sauce adding another level of flavor. The staff stayed attentive throughout dinner and even replaced our plates between rounds, which was a level of service I wasn't expecting. I also respected seeing the owner personally making the rounds, stopping at every table to check on the guests and the food. Calm atmosphere, solid hospitality, and a kitchen that delivers.

OMG! Walk, run, sprint here to get the FISH N CHIPS THAT ACTUALLY BEAT BOBBY FLAY. The executive…read morechef and now chef partner, Aaron Cuschieri, is absolutely amazingly talented. I am used to really good fish and chips... I've never had better fish and chips than Tom Douglas's Mr. Fish in Seattle, UNTIL NOW!!!! Wow, wow wow wow! Do not pass GO, do not read the menu, just order the darn fish and chips! It might be a whole heart attack on a plate... But it doesn't matter... You can walk all of Chicago and burn it off. I decided to work out before I came here for this big splurge and I'm so glad I did. I can see that this is the theater district... And you could come here before a show fish and chips and have the best night of your entire life! I can't wait to try more of this chef's food! I'm BEYOND INSPIRED! ps great beers here toooooi!

Fantastic service and great selection of snacks. I got the fried mushrooms and they were so good…read more It's super pretty and I love the color scheme of the place. Great place for cocktails either way a more upscale feel but not too fancy

Came in today with a group of eight friends over an hour after cocktail lounge opened (slower…read morehours). I'll begin by mentioning the drinks tasted great & the ambiance/overall esthetic and setup of this space is really wonderful. Unfortunately, my low review is because of the obvious distastefulness of some staff who are serving & bartending here. My guests visiting from out of state wanted a stiff drink in the afternoon & from the website photos + reviews, Vol 39 seemed like an awesome place that could accommodate our party with the large sofa seating. I even called ahead to ask about walk-ins of our size to be extra considerate. We received shocking dagger glares from a few staff members which made all eight of us immediately uncomfortable before even being sat. Like we were committing a major crime for thinking we could step foot in here. Empty stack of glasses slammed on the table with a water pitcher placed beside them; "I'll be right back." In a sharp tone. Ok. But not if we're paying $20 per person per cocktail. We were rushed and this attitude persisted, it is lazy.. especially given it was extremely slow.. super surprising for such an elevated establishment. Then, after a long while, we were all asked what we wanted to drink, like a fast casual burger joint. No, "any questions about our selections" or, "may I give some suggestions?" Never came by to check on us once despite the three other two tops inside. We wrapped it up fast since we definitely could choose another location with more attentiveness & basic kindness. We paid, a hefty gratuity in small print on the check which.. you guessed it.. was automatically included but no mention of this tidbit by the server. Maybe this is why we revived all this mean girl energy from the jump? Because they'll still get paid really well regardless? All eight of us have been a part of the service industry and this one stuck out extra frustrating & annoying. Never leave a low review, I'm writing today to management because they will ruin your repeat clientele, seriously. People can find another fabulous cocktail with way better service & vibes in the city. Overall, it was a shame my friends experienced this gross behavior today in the fabulous city of Chicago. Hope the staff does better in the future and works on improving their outlook.

Good food, eclectic environment but too small to be comfortable. A lot of patrons jammed in to a…read morerelatively small dining area. Usually long lines and some wait time.

We had an awesome experience at The Purple Pig!…read more Ambiance is lovely - chic yet causal and service was attentive and kind. Wine list was excellent! The wines but the glass were nice but the bottles were amazing. Roasted Beet with pistachio butter and goat cheese was the highlight of the dinner! Literally one of the best dishes we've both ever had! My halibut was cooked to perfection and my Gnocchi with shredded pork was super delicious. We highly recommend The Purple Pig and can't wait to go back! 5-stars!

From the second we sat down at the bar we were greeted by Gustavo, who had such a great presence…read morebehind the bar. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and gave us fabulous recommendations. Jose made me my first spicy margarita and it was delicious, then for my second he added strawberry to it and it was just as good!! My mom was between two wines, and Gustavo recommended the Pinot Noir and she absolutely loved it!! We ordered the Brussel sprouts and burrata toast after Gustavo's description and it was everything we could have asked for and more!! For our first time in Chicago, we are so happy we stopped at the Gage and that we had such great service from Gustavo and Jose! They made the experience 10/10, as if the atmosphere, food and drinks weren't already a 10!! Next time I visit Chicago I will 1000% be stopping at the Gage to hopefully get a bar seat in Gustavo and Jose's section!!

I ordered soup and salad - both were really good. But the burgers? Delicious. I should've ordered…read moreone of those. Fries to die for too. Was reluctant to order dessert but the pavlova and chocolate mousse were both outstanding. Glad we stayed. Server was excellent. Really cool vibes here.

Love a glass of wine overlooking the riverwalk. Lots of tables and can also order at bar and sit on…read moresteps overlooking the river. Great fun seasonal cocktails and a decent selection of CW wine. Nice spot for a date or girls night!

I don't know what we were thinking other than the weather was good and it seemed easy to grab lunch…read morehere. Food was mediocre and super expensive. Service was ambivalent, but okay when we waved them over. Food came out at very different times. Ambiance was great until another table started screaming while watching sports on their phones. Give it a pass. $78 plus tax and tip for two lunch entrees and zero drinks.

I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

Love the atmosphere and selection. Great view of the par…read more Love the atmosphere and selection. Great view of the par

The Drunken Bean was highly recommended from the concierge at my hotel. They must get their name…read morefrom the employees, who seem like they are drunk and lost at sea. Very nice, but no clue what's going on. The person at the register could not recommend any favorite items which is ok because she stated she was brand new, but in asking 4/5 questions about popular or staple items still could not suggest anything. Same with drinks, had no recommendations on any specialties the place is known for. I settled at a chicken pita and an almond milk dirty chai latte. They did me dirty for sure. The iced dirty chai was made with real milk and tasted like watered down milk with a splash of chai dust. They were very nice and fixed the mistake only to make an equally terrible and watered down latte. The chicken pita was soulless and flavorless. The pita was like chewing on what i could imagine being an old rubber band. This place stinks. The name is cool, the concept is cool, the location is great, ambiance could be cool but completely misses the mark. So much potential, on a scale from 1-Anthony Volpe, it's an Anthony Volpe. Oh and it's very humid and muggy inside. The drunken bean lives up to its name in every worst way possible.

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

Brando's was a good time. Drinks were solid. There's two main areas split by the bathrooms -- one…read morefocused on karaoke and the other for conversation (with bartenders available in both areas). When we arrived karaoke seemed pretty paired down but an hour or two in, it was lively with a long queue for singing.