Most of our meals were of the run-and-gun type, so we figured we should make time for at least one…read moreclassic brunch. We'd heard good things about Lula Cafe, so we decided to pop over on a Saturday morning. It was just after 9:00 but the place was already hopping. After a short wait, we were shown to bar-type seating near the back of the restaurant. It was perfect. I can never say no to a breakfast burrito, so we decided to share their Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito ("avocado, tomato, potato, cheddar, green chile soffritto, and soft scrambled eggs") and holy moly was it ever good. Every ingredient was above average and placed with care, and I was impressed by the perfectly-cooked eggs. (There was nothing bouncy about these eggs, that's for sure.) Because we're pigs, we decided to also share the Lox Toast ("house cured organic salmon, gribiche, lula seeded rye") and it too was very, very good. Finally, we each got the Fruit Cup and somehow it was also amazing. The fruits were cut really well and there wasn't a bad bite to be had. Yeah, I can see why Lula Cafe is doing so well. It's a really cool place.

This is my third time eating at Lula Cafe. The first time was for brunch a few years ago and the…read moresecond time was just for drinks and dessert when we were in the area. This most recent time we came for brunch. Every experience has been pretty average to me, and this most recent time the service was lacking a little. Their pastries and desserts are always really unique and tasty though! We came on a Sunday around 11:45am and were told it would be a two hour wait, but the bar is first come first serve so we ended up sitting at the bar. Our food was taking a long time, while it seemed like everyone else at the bar was getting their food about 10 minutes after ordering since breakfast food is typically quick. After about 35 minutes of waiting, the server eventually noticed we never got our food and went to the kitchen. About 5 minutes later, our food came out. She told us it was because the kitchen lost our ticket and I appreciate the communication, but overall, the servers at the bar seemed pretty distracted the entire time, so part of me thinks our order never even got entered. I also felt like our seats at the end of the bar were easily forgotten about/ignored, and the servers tended to stay more towards the other end. I'm grateful we were offered a free dessert or pastry to make up for the wait. We chose the carrot cake to-go and it was delicious! I ordered the seasonal latte, the french toast off the April 2026 menu, and side of breakfast potatoes. The french toast featured superkhana chai dulce de leche, orange curd, whipped cream cheese, and parle-g crumble. If you like orange and citrusy flavors, you would probably love this french toast. The person I was with got the "royale" breakfast sandwich and loved it. The breakfast potatoes were smaller portion than I expected, but they were good.

Went to Chicago a few weeks ago and a friend of mine made a lunch reservation here. I knew nothing…read moregoing into it, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. Our server was attentive and kind, giving thoughtful insight into our wine pairing and food choices. This food is clearly handcrafted by some incredible chefs, bakers, and pasta makers. All of the pasta is made in house and it shows. We started with the Burrata e Ham (we did a half order since it was just the two of us, which was the perfect size). It was a stand out dish all on its own, particularly the tigelle (bread), of course the burrata, and you MUST add the prosciutto butter!! I recommend cutting the tigelle in half long ways (like an English muffin) so you can make a mini sandwich with all the ingredients. Next, we had the Braised Rabbit Ravioli and Cacio Whey Pepe. Both pasta dishes were carefully crafted and surprisingly filling, given the portion sizes. The rabbit was my favorite of the two! We finished on the tiramisu which was large and amazing. Decadent and the perfect finish. This place was absolutely packed for lunch, so a reservation is definitely needed no matter the time. The vibes are immaculate! I hope to return sooner than later to this absolute gem in Chicago!

I got a few items and these were my thoughts: * 'Nduja…read morearancini: This tasted like a pepperoni pizza ball (1 star off). I was expecting more rice grains typically found in arancini. * Asparagus salad: This was probably my favorite dish of the evening. The mixture of frisée, green asparagus, and white asparagus really brought out spring. The salad was a tad salty, but vibrant. * Rabbit ravioli: I liked the fresh hand-cut pasta, but the sauce was very salty (1 star off). * Gnochetti with pesto: I liked how the pesto dollops intertwined with ricotta dollops. The suggestion from the chef was not to mix everything together, and I definitely agree. Note: Monteverde adds 4% *optional* surcharge for no reason. Well, they say it's to offset the costs...so why not just add 4% to the menu prices? It's like they want to sneak that surcharge in for those who don't pay attention to the bill or presbyopic enough not to read the bill clearly enough in their dim lighting. Overall, I appreciated their creativity in making fresh pastas, but couple items were salty for me. I came here at 5PM on a weeknight and this restaurant was busy, so enough others like this place.

A nice stop for their unique donuts! I like the classic ones dusted with sugar. A nice little…read morewindow that we ordered from. Unfortunately now closed.

This place was so so so good! These shakes were thick and creamy and dreamy!!!…read more The staff- oh these ladies were on it! Honey they are all of that and then some!!! Super heavy on the helpful and so sweet just like our treats! We ordered some treats to go... so all set and need nothing else sweet, we're going to have cavities from how tasty and sweet this place is (the staff... omg... my teeth were showing in the best ways!) Very cool spot super busy location and the hype is well worth it and love the space. Outside and inside!!

I bought two boxes of their delicious English toffee on 12/19/25, but the candy was terrible. Hard…read moreto bite into and so sticky I thought it would pull my fillings out. Completely unacceptable! I sent an email complaining, but didn't hear back. I went to the store and an employee took my info and said the owner would get back to me, but he didn't. So, bad customer service and occasionally awful chocolate.

Dropped by this long time standard for the first time today and got some great treats!…read more Tried the ice cream and truffles. Both were delicious! I really appreciated that the truffles were homemade. They were small, but had a ton of flavor. The ice cream was also pretty tasty! Their menu offerings were impressive. Surely, most people can find something to enjoy! The location is truly vintage. I like the antique feel and classic clam shell bowls the ice cream was served in. The shop is small, so be prepared to pack in close. I did notice they have some nice outdoor seating for warmer weather as well. The service was great once we got inside. The staff was helpful and attentive. I also truly appreciate that they tried to help accommodate my senior mother who uses a walker. However, on that note, I would advise caution to people with assistive devices. I understand the location is a landmark and am glad it is there. I would like to see them make accessibility accommodations. There is only one door and it is revolving. We had to try and struggle with my mom's walker to get in. The staff was helpful with the door when we left. I think they would benefit from a bell at the door for people who need help.

We came to Nonnina for dinner before attending a show in the Loop…read more For our starter, we went with the octopus which was fantastic. It had a little bit of a kick and the peppers were a nice touch. For my main, I went with the lasagna. It was delicious and a good portion size as well. My girlfriend got the gluten-free short rib pasta. I had a bite of it when she got too full and it was absolutely fantastic. The staff were very accommodating of her celiac and able to ensure she enjoyed a safe and delicious meal. I also got a couple espresso martinis which really hit the spot and made sure I could stay awake for the entire show.

With only a few hours left before heading to the airport, we stopped into Nonnina on N Clark St.,…read moreand it ended up being the perfect send-off to our Chicago trip. From the moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt warm and inviting, with beautiful decor that struck a nice balance between cozy and polished. We kept it classic with a Caesar salad, carbonara, and penne alla vodka, and every dish delivered. The Caesar was crisp and well balanced, the carbonara was rich and comforting without feeling too heavy, and the penne alla vodka was easily a standout. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The location is also a big plus, especially if you're exploring downtown or squeezing in one last meal before heading out. Overall, Nonnina felt like one of those reliable spots that still manages to feel special. A great final stop and one I'd absolutely come back to.

Delicious girls brunch! From our lattes, to the lavender ricotta shareable, to each of our entrees,…read moreand finally dessert- every bite was full of fresh flavor. The service was the cherry on top. Special thank you to the sweetest gentlemen, Louis, who made us feel warm and welcome. We can't wait to come back!

We had a toddler date with a friend and her son here at the cafe at the Peninsula. They had some…read morelimited-time St. Patrick's Day specials that caught my friend's eye, including the Pot of Gold, a special dessert only available for the weekend. The food was really excellent, as was the service. But it was ridiculously priced. The reuben sandwich was $28. It was a great sandwich, very lean, but you could get a sandwich as good for half the cost elsewhere. They only have a couple of kid's items, but my friend requested buttered noodles for her kid rather than the cheesy noodles. I got the hibiscus drink and lavender lemonade, both non-alcoholic, and they were very good. My little one especially liked the hibiscus. And we ordered the appetizer of whipped ricotta and honey; my daughter liked this more than anything else we ordered. We didn't have dessert at the restaurant, but ordered to go. The pot of gold was really good. There were little "gold nuggets" on it and that was my daughter's favorite part; good thing since I didn't realize it had a layer with Bailey's in it. It was very rich, and the cauldron was really thick chocolate (and actually was a struggle to get into, a bit!). The restaurant is small but it didn't feel crowded. We never felt rushed or unwelcome, and we were there for a couple hours (longer than I realized; it took an unusually long time to make two reuben sandwiches). Their pastries are really nice but somewhat expensive, like the rest of the menu. It was a nice, sophisticated experience.

Very fun atmosphere it takes you back to your childhood. All the different candies from the 70s and…read more80s. Family atmosphere great customer service smells delicious prices are extremely reasonable.

I accidently stumbled here when I was walking around Edgewater. It was late and not quite 10pm…read more(they close) so I stopped in. Took me awhile to process the menu but it was pretty simple as there are only three steps but plenty of add-ons. Pick your custard base, pick your add-ons and size. I choose the store favorite "Mocha-madness" which is vanilla base custard and they add brew coffee and chocolate chip and blend. I like it as this was not too sweet and rich coffee flavors. $9 (medium). There are other favorites listed but I was not looking for anything crazy. The store has many candy items that you can buy which does not have to ice cream. There is a long bench in the back of the store where you can sit and enjoy the dessert. I like it and will come back for more.

Butterfinger concrete was stellar. Filling, flavorful and they did not skimp on the butterfinger…read moretoppings. Well prepared and fast service.

One of the best places in Chicago for ice cream/frozen custard. Highly recommend any of their…read morefrozen custards, sundaes, concretes, or parfaits (Italian ice served on top of vanilla frozen custard; only available in the summertime). Every day they have vanilla, chocolate, and a 3rd rotating frozen custard flavor, as well as a rotating concrete (think McFlurry or Blizzard). Each day during the summer, they also have 1 Italian ice flavor available. Expect a line, especially in the evenings on hot days. You can order inside or outside from the window on the side of the building. Indoor seating is very limited and can get quite crowded. Their hours are a bit limited, they're closed on Tuesdays, and they shut down completely sometime in the late Fall until early Spring, so make sure to check their website for hours of operation. Street parking only!

Yum. I live in the neighborhood and have always been meaning to come here. Busy on a Saturday night…read morebut staff moved people through well. Goat cheese cashew caramel was absolutely delicious, as was the espresso chip and the malted vanilla pretzel. Highly recommend!!

Honestly the best thing about this place is how nice their presentation is. Service was slow and…read morethe staff were rude. They were annoyed and short when explaining what some flavors were when I asked. There was a constant awkward and weird feeling while we were there. We got their Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel and Malted Vanilla Pretzel. The gelato is much prettier than it is tasty. The pretzel was the better of the two, but that doesn't say much. The texture was more like ice cream and it was not satisfying overall. Pricey considering the lack of quality and flavor.

I had a super special date at Margie's with my 2 year old, and we had the best time ever. What I…read morelove about Margie's is that it's frozen in time. It's pretty small inside, there are only a few tables. A server comes to your table to place your order, which I feel like never happens at ice cream shops anymore! The menu is huge! There were multiple sections to banana splits, sundaes, and shakes. We decided to go with something simple. My son ordered 2 scoops of cookies n cream ice cream (with sprinkles of course) and I got moose tracks! The ice cream is the real deal. Our server was super sweet, and we were in and out of there in probably 30-45 minutes. We had the best time and will definitely be back this summer.

We heard that Margie's Candies had some seriously good sundaes, so obviously we had to check the…read moreplace out. (The fact that the joint's been around for over 100 years doesn't hurt either.) It's a small restaurant but we managed to snag a cozy table near the back. We'd already spent most of the day eating, so we decided to share the Atomic Fudge Sundae. It's a fairly enormous concoction. I found it interesting that the hot fudge was served on the side, but it's actually pretty smart because you get control how much (or how little) sauce you get. The ice cream is the highlight. It's creamy and rich, and it's got a really nice flavor, too. The hot fudge was less impressive, but that might be because I had already eaten a Ghirardelli sundae earlier in the day and their hot fudge just can't be beat. The service was super friendly and the atmosphere was kitschy and fun. It's a cool place.