Norman&#x27;s Bistro

We had Sunday brunch and were seated quickly. The…read moreatmosphere was warm, staff were quite busy but attentive. We split 2 meals between 4 of us because we k ew portion sizes would be just the right amount.

I went to lunch here solo & was very underwhelmed by the food & experience. I got the…read morePeruvian-Style Ceviche & the Fish & Chips. The ceviche was bland to me & didn't taste that great to be honest. The fish & chips which comes with fries actually surprised me at the giant size of the serving and the fries were hot, fresh, and delicious. The fish itself although hot and fresh had no flavor at all. Very filling, but tasteless. Overhyped & I could not recommend. I also originally ordered a root beer which the waitress confirmed upon repeating my order back to me, but I never recieved. It seemed as though service since I was dining solo was also very slow as well as I watched my waitress go to other tables and not mine when I kept looking to ask where was my drink. Overall, food severely lacked flavor and there's too many other places that can you dine at for better of taste/service.

$12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

New Spring Menu

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Spring desserts

Cindy's Rooftop

4.1(2.8k reviews)

4.6 mi•The Loop

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!

Egregious misconduct by a management employee in response to an incident caused by their staff is…read morethe sole reason for this rating. While our server and the general manager handled the situation perfectly, having a goon that is sent out to attempt to intimidate diners is entirely inappropriate. He was called a manager but seemed to be some kind of shadow security or bouncer. Who knew? Spectacular view, satisfying but not special food, usually great service but the experience today was absolutely atrocious and inappropriate No longer can recommend. There are other rooftops.

5.2 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Espresso martini also #basic but also good.

Pink Moon Oysters* (Half Dozen)

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Heritage Brick Chicken

Girl & The Goat

4.4(10.7k reviews)

Finally got to check off my bucket list!! Want to start off by saying overall this experience was…read moreOUTSTANDING. Would give it 4.5 stars due to a couple minor things, but the food and drinks were AMAZING Watched the head chef Stephanie I. on Top Chef and loved her! After trip to Chicago for a work trip brought me to the Windy City I was able to finally go! Started off by ordering drinks. LOVE LOVE the creative drink names. (You can see on picture of menu later the full list) We ordered 2 different drinks. First (the shorter Yellow-colored drink) was called the *mai chai-A rum drink with fenugreek almond, orgeat, turmeric, lime and plum bitters. VERY unique and great flavor. Also ordered the *i don't want no shrubs- Vodka, basil-berry shrub, Cocchi Americano Cardamaro, lemon and transatlantic bitters. (this smelled like a fresh strawberry in a cup) Smooth and fresh! For our first course we order the Goat Empanadas (Pictures on cutting board) The crisp on the outside paired with the mouthwatering and melt in your mouth tenderness of the goat was so tasty. They came on a bed of spring onion pesto and pickled spring onion queso fresco. Perfect size for two to share for an appetizer and was simple yet heartwarming and absolutely delicious. We also shared the **sauteed green beans with a creamy fish sauce vinaigrette and warm cashews. The were cooked perfectly, tender yet with a lite bite. Although delicious was our least favorite of the three items (Which isn't saying much since these were also good!) And lastly the Sticky Glazed Pork Shank. WOW! Cannot say enough about this dish. The ABSOLUTE BEST PORK i have ever eaten. It fell apart with a fork and butter knife with hardly any effort. It came with a cucumber chili crunch salad, a strawberry herby chili, and hoisin may and a hot mustard mayo with lettuce and homemade pita. The hot mustard was the favorite aside from the sticky glaze. Now for the bad part. We weren't even 2 bites into dinner when we were interrupted by the server delivering out dessert menus and telling us what we should order. When I'm not even close to finishing eating this just feels like I was being told to hurry up and leave which is why I would've preferred to leave 4.5 stars vs. 5. Either way this place did not disappoint and would HIGHLY recommend. The restaurant was warm and stylish while also have a bit of the modern.

Finally got to try Girl & the Goat, and it lived up to the hype. The atmosphere is chic and rustic,…read moreand the place was packed on a Tuesday night. They also have outdoor seating, which is a nice option, but sat inside bc it was too cold out, in May if you could believe that. The menu is unique and wanted to try it all, so we shared a few plates. The poke was fresh and tasty, but the green beans were the star. I have no idea how they make them, but they were absolutely delicious and there's a reason they're one of the most popular dishes. We also had the bass and the shank. The bass was good, but the shank was incredible. It was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, and the flavor was amazing. If you're going here, I highly recommend ordering it. The only downside was that the shank came out last. By then we were already pretty full from the other dishes, and this was actually one of the larger plates, it could easily count as two dishes by itself. Looking back, I wish we had ordered only three plates. Our waitress was attentive and recommended we stick to four plates, which we appreciated. Overall, a great experience and it's easy to see why this is one of Chicago's must-visit restaurants!!!

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Yardbird Table & Bar

3.8(449 reviews)

5.4 mi•Near North Side

Full bar

Gluten-free friendly

Early dinner reservations. Seated immediately…read more Chill vibe, great decor, low lighting for more intimate dining experience. Servers and staff were all friendly. Food was yummy expect the dirty rice. I'm from Louisiana/Texas so my version of dirty rice was far off from what Yardbird considers. It wasn't for me but I suggest you try it.

It was my first time coming here. Considering it was after noon on a Thursday; I was expecting it…read moreto be super busy. I was happy it wasn't b/c we didn't have a reservation. We got seated right away. The restaurant was clean, the service was exceptional, and the food was delicious. I ordered the hot honey grilled wings and fries with a blueberry bourbon lemonade, which was very good. Love the location and next time I'm in town, I will be back. I totally recommended.

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The Purple Pig

4.3(9k reviews)

5.2 mi•Near North Side

The place was packed on a Wednesday night, but it was well worth it, very cute decor inside! We…read moreshared a few plates, starting with the cheese board, which was honestly one of the best I've had. The waiter was so friendly! Every single item on it was delicious and had me excited for the rest of the meal. We also had the gnocchi, which was surprisingly great since I'm not usually a gnocchi person. The duck was the star for me - perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. It was also a generous portion and definitely filling. Highly recommend if you're in Chicago. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in town!

Encore 9 years later, and I enjoyed it a lot. Since the time, it had moved to a new location which…read moreI found to be more favorable due to better space. I chose a seat at the bar, and without much trigger got into a nice conversation with other patrons. But why was I there again? Oh yes, the food. OMG, it was delicious: a winter salad, half a duck and an affogato. The portions were not shabby at all, and I am glad that the server warned me from another initial consideration which would definitely have been too much. I enjoyed every bite of all items, flavorful, tender and juicy, and simply on point. Will definitively come back when I return to Chicago. PREVIOUS REVIEW Very popular place and hence rather hard to get in. But the wait for once is worth it. The menu items, which come in small portions (tapas size), are very special and not to be found anywhere else. As surprising as some of the items may sound, they all looked great (even the once on other people's plates), and the ones I could get to taste were very special, interesting flavors, and very good. No specific recommendations but would suggest to leave some space for lemon panna cotta. Casual and trendy atmosphere on the Magnificent Mile. Definitely will go back again when in Chicago.

Inside

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Virtue Restaurant

4.5(1.2k reviews)

1.3 mi•Hyde Park

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.

Interior!

Biscuits & Pimento Cheese, Gumbo

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Southern flower

The Gage

4.2(3.7k reviews)

4.6 mi•The Loop

I had a wonderful dinner at The Gage, and what stood out most was the consistency. Nothing I had…read morewas trying to be revolutionary, but the quality was there in every bite, which is honestly what I want from a polished Loop dinner. I started with the beet salad, which had that clean sweet/bright balance you want from beets without getting heavy. The Cheeseburger Royale was the kind of burger that makes sense at a refined gastropub: rich, well-built, satisfying, and clearly made with better ingredients than the average restaurant burger. Dessert was the spring pavlova with strawberry and rhubarb, and it was a strong finish -- light, crisp, fresh, and just sweet enough with coffee. This is a great pick near Millennium Park if you want something dependable, comfortable, and well-executed. I left full and happy.

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!

5.3 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Ambiance in dining room. Outside seating available

Guinness Braised Short Rib ($42) - colcannon potatoes, pearl onions, roasted carrots, Guinness gravy

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Blueberry French toast

Au Cheval

4.4(9.5k reviews)

I think im no longer a fan of burgers so I cant review based on the burger alone but it was cooked…read morewell. Both the bone marrow and rootbeer were fantastic and the savory salty slightly acidic jam really elevated the dish.

Au Cheval is a rusty diner that serves a good burger. What makes their burgers unique is the…read morepeppered bacon: it's hand-cut in-house and is as thick as their burger patties. Their "single" cheeseburger is actually a double cheeseburger, and their "double" cheeseburger is actually a triple -- makes no sense, but that is their naming convention. Bacon is extra. Fried egg is extra. Even fries is extra. I got a "double" cheeseburger + bacon + fries and it ended up being $40, which is a lot for burger and fries (1 star off). I enjoyed my bacon burger, but probably would hit another delicious and heart attack-inducing burger joint next time given the hefty price tag here. Need to save enough money for that cardiac bypass.

The cooks were very attentive!

Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

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Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

Giant

4.3(769 reviews)

8.8 mi•Logan Square

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.

5.4 mi•River North, Near North Side

Interior. The only downfall is that the tables are too close together. You can join in on your neighbors conversations lol

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No Vacancy

4.6(168 reviews)

Really loved this little bar! Great food! We didn't realize we were there for Happy Hour or we…read morewould've honestly ordered way more. I loved the cider I ordered and I would go back just for that. We loved the other people we talked to there. The ambiance was incredible. The only outlier was the bartender seemed to be having an off night, she just wasn't super attentive with guests. But it wasn't so terrible that it tainted an otherwise great experience. I would definitely return to this place!

We stopped in for a night cap and a snack on a Friday evening! We sat at the bar and I liked how…read morebig and comfy the chairs are. We also had front row seats to watch March madness, and more importantly the beer filling mechanism that fills glasses from the bottom! Kinda fun to watch. The bar also has purse hooks, which I am always grateful for. The food came out pretty quickly and was super fresh and delicious. The bartender was sooo sweet, very attentive and quick, and made sure my soda was always topped off. I loved the vibe and the moody lighting! The menu is definitely River North prices -- nothing terribly surprising bht on par for the neighborhood. At the time of our visit, cocktails were $15+ and the fry basket was $10. Again, not terrible but definitely paying to be in River North. If you're in the neighborhood, definitely worth it!