Cindy's is so so good!!! I will be recommending to all of my friends who visit Chicago! the view…read morewas amazing and our bartender, Fatima, was EVEN BETTER!!!! Such a fun time!

Late night dinner and sips after the ghost gangster tour around Chicago! We picked Cindy's…read morerooftop at the Chicago Athletic Association on the 13th floor for stunning skyline views which was the perfect spot to just unwind from the busy day. Though we couldn't see much of Lake Michigan, we knew it was just right there. We enjoyed the fresh Caesar salad, creamy Rigatoni alla Vodka, and warm bread with herbed butter. , and an espresso martini and a glass of prosecco. For dessert, we ordered the baked Alaska (So good), and coffees which ended the night with perfection. Service: Cheers to Anthony for the wonderful service and great menu suggestions!

This is hands/down one of our favorite restaurants in the U.S. ! You heard that right! IN. THE…read more UNITED STATES! Chef Stephanie Izard is a food genius! The winner of Season 4 of Top Chef and the first female winner in the show's history, she has built a restaurant that continues to impress us every single time we visit Chicagoat. Be sure to make your reservation in advance because you will not be seated without one due to its popularity among both locals and tourists. We come here every time we visit Chicagoat. The food is absolutely amazing. We had the following dishes: 1. Roasted Pig Face Straw fries topped with roasted pork face, a sunny egg, and a collection of magical sauces that somehow transform into pure comfort when mixed together. I don't even know exactly what's in the sauce, but I don't need to know. This dish is divine and an absolute must-order. The crispy fries, rich and tender pork that practically melts apart, silky egg yolk, and savory sauce create a dish that is indulgent, comforting, and ridiculously delicious 2. Green Beans Not featured in the photo because we ate them too fast. Enough said. Get them. 3. Goat Mousse The menu changes periodically, so this was a new dish for us. The goat mousse was creamy, rich, and surprisingly light, served with sweet jam, crumpets, crackers, pickles, and giardiniera. The contrast of sweet, tangy, creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors creates a little flavor party in your mouth. Every bite can be customized differently, which made this dish especially fun to share. 4. Pork Belly & Watermelon Perfectly cooked pork belly with a crisp exterior and rich, savory flavor, balanced beautifully by refreshing watermelon cubes and fresh greens. I don't know how healthy it is, but we aren't here for health. We're here for flavor. We're here for comfort. We're here to be punched in the soul with food that we will never forget! The sweet, juicy watermelon cuts through the richness of the pork belly and creates a combination that sounds unusual but works incredibly well. 5. Halibut with Thai Sprouts A beautifully cooked piece of halibut served with Thai sprouts, miso marcona butter, and blueberry fish sauce. Yes, blueberry fish sauce. And yes, it works. The fish was flaky, buttery, and perfectly cooked. The savory umami from the miso butter paired with the subtle sweetness and acidity from the fish sauce created a combination that was balanced, and memorable yet surprising to me. The restaurant itself has a dark, energetic atmosphere and is always packed. The tables are definitely close together, but given how popular the restaurant is, I understand why they maximize the space. Absolutely recommend coming here. Your tummies won't regret it.

I had a splendid dinner at Girl & The Goat. Was seated promptly when I arrived for my dinner…read morereservation and my seat had a view of the kitchen. It was so fun to chat with the chefs and watch them prepare dishes. I ordered the roasted "pig face" potatoes and the famous sautéed green beans. While waiting for my food, the chef surprised me with complimentary chickpea fritters to try. All of the dishes tasted incredibly delicious and this was the best restaurant I ate at during my trip. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. I would definitely dine here again the next time I am in Chicago.

Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. The…read moreatmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service. Our server, Miguel, was phenomenal. She was attentive, fast, and gave us some spot-on recommendations. Per her advice, we ordered the deviled eggs with jalapeño, hands down the highlight of the table. The deviled eggs with paired with that subtle jalapeño kick was absolutely perfect. For the mains, the chicken and waffles were good, carrying that solid comfort food flavor you expect. The waffles were a bit soft for my taste. To drink, the sidecar was mixed perfectly, well-balanced, crisp, and hit the exact right note. Giving it 4 stars only because while the mains were good, the starters and the outstanding service from Miguel were what truly stole the show. I'll definitely be back to hang out at the bar again nest time I am in town!

Very first time visiting Yardbird's while visiting Chicago since it was on our to- try list. We…read moredidn't have a reservation but were able to be sat immediately. We were greeted by the host in which I believe to be the manager. He was pleasant and welcome. The restaurant itself is aesthetically appealing and it gives an upscale vibe. We sat and didn't have to wait too long for the waitress. She was nice and assisted up accordingly! I ordered the bottle of champagne for mimosas with pineapple and orange juice and was pleasantly surprised by the $35 price since we're used to paying twice that back home. The food came out pretty quick and was hot and ready to eat. All of our food was good well and we all enjoyed our dishes. My only takeaway would be if guests ordered bottled water and/or champagne, the waitress should poor them into the glasses for you. From my experience, this is something that I thought was a norm. Overall, great place to eat!

This was one of the best food experiences I have had in my life. I'm so glad I was able to reserve…read moretwo seats at the bar. Walking to the location, my friend and I discussed the various dishes we would like to try. In hindsight, I'm grateful for the walk because it helped make room for the dishes we would try. When we entered, we immediately were seated and greeted by Omar. His knowledge of the menu helped us focus on our dishes. We ended up ordering: squid ink chitarra, agnolotti, salt- roasted beets, pork belly, and gelato. Each dish was better than the next. The brown butter and red wine jus used for the agnolotti was addictive and the squid ink was delectable. Who knew salt- roasted beets could taste out of this world? Not me. We ended with a glass of limoncello and champagne to accompany our vanilla gelato. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Awesome food!!! Fancy Environment!!!! And Friendly Staff!!!!…read more Yay! Wonderful experience here, I was just visiting and after I finally found parking, I asked to be seated but did not have a reservation, the hostess said if I could be about an hour she could squeeze us in. So I was thankful for that, we were not looking to stay for a long time just wanted to try the place out. Once seated we were waited on and served fast. The food was mind blowing, we loved everything!!! My favorite was the duck appetizer puffs, wow they were good. Everything though was elevated and delicious. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Thank you for the wonderful experience to add to our trip to Chicago!

The food was exceptional! The short rib was everything you hope for--fork-tender, incredibly…read moreflavorful, and served atop a bed of creamy spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, all finished with a rich, savory gravy. We started with the fried green tomatoes topped with a shrimp roulade, and from that first bite, we knew we were in for a wonderful dining experience. The Tilefish was fried perfectly. The service was impeccable. I don't think I've ever had my water poured with such elegance--it felt like I was being served a fine glass of champagne. The Uncle Honey was delectable. A well balanced elixir that Leone floaty and aligned with the flow of the evening. From the hostess to the server, every member of the staff was a true professional, delivering top-tier hospitality from beginning to end. The key lime pie was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. And the music? Absolutely flawless. The playlist flowed seamlessly from one great song to the next, creating an atmosphere that had me wanting to sing along and celebrate the entire time. This is a place you simply must visit when you're in Chicago.

Every time I come here it's always the same, amazing food and amazing service. For it to be late,…read morethey were packed! I had a 930 reservation, and they closed at 10. Service was great as usual. They were very attentive. The ambiance is beautiful and inviting. I ordered the short rib which was amazing as always! I also got the cornbread and Mac n cheese. Loved both as usual lol. My friend ordered the ny strip, and it was delicious too! That was my first time trying it, and it was seasoned so well! I was very impressed by it because I don't hear people talk about the steak often when they go there. For dessert, I got the carrot cake which was good as well. Overall I enjoyed my experience, and I'll continue returning.

I got the strawberry Negroni drink and loved it! Very smooth and flavorful. They have good non…read morealcoholic options as well. I enjoyed all the food we received, it was tasty, warm, fast, and you get a good portion. The lobster roll was good, the lamb was good and the zucchini was as well! We got Brussel sprouts for the app and those were my favorite. The dessert was also very delicious and I would get again! They validate parking if you park in the north parking garage for $13. Make sure to bring your ticket with you! More details are on their website. The service was great and the place was clean. I loved the aesthetic!

We've been to The Gage many times over the years since it's one of our top sit-down spots near…read moreSymphony Center before or after concert. Our favorite dish is definitely the PEI mussels. The broth is the kind you want to keep dipping bread into and practically lick off your fingers afterward -- flavorful, savory, and a little briny without being the heavy creamy type of sauce that some places do. Very comforting but not overly rich. Honestly, I don't even remember all the other dishes we've ordered over the years, but our experiences have consistently been good. Service is polished, the space feels classic Chicago, and it's a great place to relax before or after a performance downtown.

Wow! So happy I finally got to come here. They have recently started accepting some reservations…read moreand I was lucky enough to get one. I understand why they are famous for their burgers. I had the single cheeseburger and it lived up to the hype. I learned that the single burger is actually a double and the double is actually a triple. I was recommended to add an egg and bacon to the burger and I'm glad I did. Each bite was a glorious burst of flavor. The bacon is epic. Thick juicy slices. The cheeseburger was perfect. I didn't need additional condiments and that never happens for me. The fries were good too and came with a delicious aioli. For beverages, I loved my Arnold Palmer. I also tried a cocktail--the Long Island Iced Coffee. It was pretty strong. I added a shot of bourbon cream to it and that sweetened it up and made it perfect for me. Unfortunately, I didn't have room for dessert. Cute restaurant. Cozy inside. They have an outdoor patio as well. If you don't have a reservation, be prepared to wait. Excellent food. Excellent service. Jennifer took great care of me and made great suggestions. It's pricy but it's worth it.

Often recognized as having the most recognizable and hyped burger in Chicago, Au Cheval is a…read moreGilded-Age inspired diner (opening in 2012), serving up thick freshly made burgers along with a good selection of drinks. The process of getting seated through a busy period, and the service throughout was excellent. But as often happens with me, the food didn't live up to the hype. My wife and I were picking up my brother and his son from O'Hare at around 10 am on a Saturday. We had dinner plans with our uncle, but had not planned anything in between. The flight came in on time, and once confirmed we all had the time, my brother suggested going to Chicago to try Au Cheval. He knew about their location LV, but none of us had tried their original location in Chicago. So we drove into Chicago, arriving at the restaurant at 11 (it opens at 10am). There was a check-in stand set-up outside, where someone was taking names/phone numbers to put on the waiting list. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, and got the text to hurry back after about 30 minutes. There was a line to put your name down on the list, so we skipped that by going right in. The friendly hostess seated us in a booth, with a nice view of the kitchen where they were making the burgers in mass. The waitress explained that a single burger meant two patties (each patty is 4 oz, so basically a half pound burger), and a double meaning three. My brother and his son both ordered a double cheeseburger ($19.99 each), and I got a single with added sunny side up egg ($21.48). I wanted my wife to be able to take a bite, so asked for everything to be on the side (sauce, dill pickle slices, and grilled onion bits). We also ordered french fries ($8.99), cooked in duck fat. In the meanwhile, followed a fellow yelpers suggestion and got two Allagash Whites ($9 each) for me and my nephew. It's a really good beer that I've had many times during happy hour, and goes great with rich, greasy food. My wife got something else: the General Janes Chicken, which is their version of Korean Fried Chicken ($24.98). She enjoyed it (the coating was still crispy, and the sauce had that pronounced kochujang flavor that we like). Everything is a la carte here (except for the complementary pickle spear with burgers), so she shared in the ordered fries. Food came out together and was served hot. There is a mandatory 3.25% surcharge, and payment is taken at the table. As mentioned, service was excellent throughout. To be honest, I'm not the right person to judge a burger like this (I like it backyard style, with a lot of lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles...and mayo/ketchup). But my brother and nephew are (they have tried many, many burgers all across the world, and don't like too much toppings on their burger), and they said the burger was just OK for them. I liked the frites (cooked in duck fat)...very light in color, but still crispy on the outside. However, nobody else really ate them, saying they weren't great. It's unusual for me to be the least critical after dining, but I'm sure it had something to do with the observation that I didn't have to pay for it (since it was my brother's treat).

Giant's food is truly off the charts. Love the shared plates family style eating so you can try…read moremultiple things from the menu. Very small restaurant, close quarters. You are eating with your neighbors. Service is very attentive. Be warned, on top of tax and tip there is an extra charge for employee health insurance on bills. Food ratings are as followed Jalapeño biscuit: 4.8/5 (butter paired with it is amazing) Lamb rib: 5/5 (love the sauce it comes with) Tagliatelle: 4/5 Eggplant: 3/5 Drunken beef: 4.2/5 Microwave cake: 5/5 (such a unique dessert, great special!)

We're big fans of Chef Special, so when we heard GIANT was their sister spot, we booked a table on…read moreResy. It's a small, tight space, but the food more than makes up for it. We started with a bottle of red and our server suggested 4-6 plates for two, since it's tapas-style with small plates, some big plates, and weekly Test Kitchen specials. The menu's super unique. Baked clams and the jalapeño biscuit were delicious. My personal favorite was the SORTALINI -- "sort of tortellini" cheese-filled pasta rings. Light texture, smoky umami flavor, with smoked tomatoes, guanciale, and pine nuts. Another winner is the zucchini with shaved goat cheese. We also had the drunken beef with chicken fat. I am already planning our next visit to try other items on the menu.