This is one that is worth the hype. Well loved for good reason. There were no misses! We tried the…read morecrab tartlet, French onion soup, mussels, rabbit pot pie, duck l'orange for two, and the delicious maple crème brûlée. Every bite was scrumptious and we absolutely will be back! And the staff were all lovely. It is a really small space but that's part of the charm of being a traditional little French restaurant!

Le Bouchon is an excellent example of the idea one *can* have too much of a good thing. Alas, there…read morewere more things that went a little south with the experience. I ordered the Escargot and the French Onion Soup. There was also free baguette included at the start of the meal. I loved that the baguette had a substantial crust, for it was an absolute delight to butter it up (though not the best butter in the world), and dip it into the herbaceous escargot butter. However, the inside, despite its temperature, was still gooey/doughy. Too much crust or some other technical issue? I'll let those with baking experience sound off. Whatever the case, the last thing I want to do with fresh baguette is ripping out the innards and rolling it into a ball of silly putty. Now, for the escargot... ah snails, an old favorite, for I don't really love fast food (ha!) These were mostly good, save for two things: First, the texture was still just a little slimy, reminiscent of an oyster. 30 seconds more cook time is all they needed, a minute would be too much! Second, the sauce didn't do them any favors. I've had escargot in a rich, buttery, garlicky, slightly herbed sauce that was beyond divine. This dish went triple-overboard, if not more, on the greens - making it resemble a chimichurri rather than something turning snails into decadence. Now, we arrive at the French Onion Soup. The sheer amount of cheese was so excessive that I recoiled even though I have a line item in my budget for cheese. I fished what remained out, and consumed it only out of spite. Now, while I appreciate the use of crusty bread that didn't turn into soggy croutons, the size of the pieces was too large. I'm one who orders prepared food with the understanding that it is prepared and should require minimal additional work. Steaks that need slicing are exempt, soup is not. Unfortunately, there was one more undoing: while I can understand a less sweet soup may be normal variation in the recipe, one of the spoonfuls had something very sour, as if it was a large wad of sour cream (though none was present). This made were otherwise rich and flavorful broth less than enjoyable. When it comes to the service, this had some good and bad. It was friendly, attentive, and the food came out fast. However, an item of note is that finished plates were not cleared in due course. This applies not only to myself but also the stranger sitting next to me. Final verdict: I wanted to love Le Bouchon, really I did. I was even hoping, at first, to try more of the menu on a return visit. However, the poor execution across the board does not provide the confidence needed for a return visit.

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.

I get The Trib every day for the last four years (I've lived in Chicago), the same with Chicago…read moreMagazine, Chicago Infatuation, Chicago Eater and ten more news feeds concerning food, restaurants and provisions. So how the hell did Table, Donkey and Stick slip under my radar for such a long time? How could a restaurant this good, not be upfront and personal in a city touting its restaurant scene? Leave it to my son and his fiance to lure me and my wife to a restaurant like Table, Donkey and Stick with cuisine this sophisticated; wow is all I can say. There is nothing fancy or complicated going on here and that's fine by me. For me it's always about my experience in a restaurant and T.D.S. passed my criterion by a mile! The menu here is not definable as it has cuisines from everywhere, but I'm feeling "Austrian" here: * The Trout Rillettes had shallots, dill and lemon that were sensational * The Coppa was dried cured-pork, fennel and garlic - crazy good * The Rabbit & Bacon Terrine had black truffles, garlic and pastis that just knocked me out * Duck Fat Potato Galette with yukon gold, sweet potato, cauliflower, thyme and parmesan shortbread - phenomenal * Lamb Meatballs - made the completely right way * Apple / Turnip Salad - Fantastic * Pork Schnitzel - was the "Kicker" that made me feel like I was in Vienna * Pappardelle - with rabbit ragu - beyond good * Desserts we had Sticky Pudding and a Cranberry Tart that was an unparalleled finish to a championship dinner! Their bar kept the level of this restaurant so elevated that I can't put anymore distinction than I have (oh wait - yes I can) except for the service that was equally wonderful. A "shocker" this grand happens very seldomly; but when it does happen, it takes a chisel to knock the smile off of my face!

I came to Table, Donkey and Stick with some friends back during Restaurant Week to try it out. My…read moreoverall experience was just OK, although maybe I just didn't order the right stuff. When I walked in, the environment was lively even though the space itself was quite tight. It did feel very cozy, like being in a Swiss cabin. To start, our table got some meat and cheese with baguette. The baguette was delightfully crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, a perfect accompaniment for the charcuterie! We also added some other dishes to try, such as the potato latkes and the scallop carpaccio. The latkes are good, but start getting old pretty fast. The scallops were fresh and I enjoyed them. Next, I got some beef on skewers, which were a bit overcooked for me. I also didn't like the pickled veggies on top. Finally, for the main course I got the duck confit which was WAY too salty. The duck confit itself was salty, the cured pork belly that came with the dish was salty, and the wild rice was salty. I honestly struggled to take more than a few bites of it. For the price point of this restaurant, I expected better quality control over salt levels. Most of the dishes were actually pretty decent, but the main course was a disaster for me. I might come back one day for the charcuterie since that was great and perhaps what they're more known for, but for now I'm still trying to erase the memory of that salt from my head. Food: 2.5/5 Price: 3.5/5 Service: 3.5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Overall: 3.25/5

Very warm ambiance tucked away in the Waldorf! Setting was amazing with a beautiful dining room…read moreand bar area. Staff was very attentive and knowledgable about the menu. The food was perfect for brunch, highly recommend! Pro Tip: try the brunch smoothie before settling into a cocktail

The ambiance was great for a little date night. The staff was super friendly and very…read moreaccommodating. The drinks were well made. Caviar was not directly on the menu, but the staff still arranged it, which was a really nice touch.

With restaurant week 2026 off and running, Bistronomic set the bar very high as my first stop!…read more It was not too busy during lunchtime, so the ambience was peaceful and the staff warm and attentive. The interior is also very beautifully decorated, balancing classy with welcoming vibes. Their restaurant week deals are some of the greatest values in the city, so be sure to stop by while you can! The $30 lunch special came with 3 courses with several options for each. I opted for the chioggia & baby yellow beet salad, the salmon aux lentilles, and griotte cherry diplomate. All were outstanding. The beet salad was refreshing and the complex flavors came together so well- I really enjoyed the hazelnuts coupled with the ginger vinaigrette. The salmon was cooked perfectly with an extra crispy skin atop juicy, tender meat. The roasted garlic puree complemented the fish very well without covering up its flavor. The lentil and root vegetable hash was filling with a subtle dijon vinaigrette. My favorite part of the meal however, was the griotte. It was extremely fluffy, piping hot, and the most perfect combination of a custard and cake. I love the stewed cherries and that it was not too sweet. Will be thinking about this one for awhile! Wonderful experience all around- I will absolutely be back and highly recommend paying this spot a visit!

Cozy dining room, not too loud…read more A classic French bistro menu, all executed well. The steak at poivre was cooked perfectly. The veal medallion special was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try some more.

Gaoku was fun! Was in recently to catch up with a friend who spent the last couple of weeks in…read moreJapan. Another great addition to the Humboldt Park neighborhood, their take on hand rolls was really unqiue and interesting. They treat hand rolls like seaweed wrapped tacos, and the flavor of the spicy tuna and tempura shrimp were notable standouts. The hamachi was one I was less crazy about just due to flavor profile, but also I was feeling adventourous when I visited. But before that, we got an order of Oysters and Sakura Pork which were quite dressed up and the Pork serving as a clear favorite! We also ordered a round of miso soups for the table which were excellent! Lastly, I will absolutely be back for some more of the cocktails on the menu as I did have the humboldt afternoon, which is MALORT-based and so tasty. One funny thing was our server who told us that she was five shots in, which was idk kind of weird. Lastly, the inside is really sexy and dark and an absolute for date night!

We went for the Thursday night hand roll deals. Everything tasted so fresh and flavorful. Very cozy…read morevibe inside, and no wait. The service was also quick and attentive.

This spot has a small counter seating area up front, with additional seating at the bar in the…read moreback. It is a pretty casual setup, but the concept is interesting with its Polish and Korean fusion. The food came out pretty quickly, which was nice. Flavor wise, everything we tried was really good, but the portions felt a bit small for the price. The pricing is more in line with a sit down restaurant, even though the experience itself is very casual. The short rib noodz was my favorite dish. It was rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, with a generous amount of tender short rib. Definitely the standout for me. We also ordered the pork belly bowl, which was excellent. The pork belly was super crispy and smoky, and the flavors worked really well together. I especially loved the pickled cucumber that came with it, which added a nice balance. Lastly, the dressed fries were a hit. They were extremely crispy and well seasoned, and the chili crisp oil and nori on top took them to another level.

This is the kind of mom and pops shop that every neighborhood needs! Providing an exceptional…read morefusion of Korean and Polish cuisine, Kimski is a bold reminder of Chicago's beauty as a true melting pot. Kimski is coupled with Maria's bar next door, and the two have a stellar operation going. Because there are only a few counter stools, most folks will order at the Kimski counter and head over to Maria's to eat their food alongside a delicious drink. The entire menu looked incredible! I opted for the pork belly bowl and it was fabulous. The pork was melt-in-the-mouth tender, and was so smoky and flavorful. The pickled vegetables and sauce were quite spicy, with fluffy rice soaking up the leftover goodness. I paired it with a seasonal cocktail from Maria's, which was very unique and tasty. A heads up that it can get a bit loud at times, but the extra chatter and music only adds to the fun. It's safe to say I will be back in a heartbeat to try more of the menu, and encourage everyone to do the same!

Mon Ami Gabi delivers a classic French dining experience done right. The ambiance is beautiful -…read moreelegant yet welcoming-and the wine list is thoughtfully curated with great options to complement the menu. The standout dish is the Roast Chicken à la Mère. Perfectly crisp, golden skin on the outside with incredibly juicy, tender meat inside-simple, comforting, and executed flawlessly. It's one of those dishes that reminds you why French classics never go out of style. Service was excellent throughout the meal: attentive, professional, and genuinely warm without feeling rushed.

Visited Mon Ami Gabi with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day, and the service truly stood out…read more After being seated, I switched sides of the booth to sit next to him, and a staff member who wasn't even our server immediately noticed and reset the silverware on my new side. Throughout the evening, multiple team members checked on us (not just our server) which gave the experience a very polished, almost Michelin level feel. The ambiance is classic French bistro meets old money elegance: dim lighting, romantic, and perfect for date night. Food & Drinks: * Sidecar cocktail: Excellent. * French onion soup: The highlight of my meal. Rich, cheesy, perfectly oniony, and honestly one of the best French onion soups I've had. * Steak: My boyfriend enjoyed it, but I found it slightly chewy and under seasoned. The creamy sauce served with it, however, was delicious. * Mussels: Large portion with great garlic butter sauce and bread for dipping. The challenge was that most of the sauce sat at the bottom of the deep pot, making the mussels taste a bit bland at first. Interestingly, the leftovers the next day were amazing once everything had soaked in the sauce...flavorful and delicious. Overall: A charming French restaurant ideal for date night with standout service and a cozy atmosphere. I'd absolutely return and would love to explore more of the menu next time.

Great service, great beer and good desserts! Everyone is so nice and the inside is very pretty!read more

Food rating: 3.4/5. Ambiance rating: 4.3/5…read more The food was mediocre. I would not come back here for the food, but I would 100% come back for a drink. Great vibes in the pub. Tons of memorabilia. Red Lion Pub has a great energy to it.

My friend (shoutout to Hunter) has been grilling me to check this place out, and now I totally get…read morethe hype. The service was genuinely friendly, and the ambiance gives off such a welcoming, cozy vibe. There's even a fireplace you can sit by during cold Chicago winters, which is a really nice touch. I sat at the bar, and the bartenders -- honestly, the entire staff -- were super personable. You can crack jokes and they'll play right along with you, which makes the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. I ordered the pulled pork skillet and it did not miss. They make your eggs however you want (within reason), and everything came out perfectly. While not the cheapest in town, the value is absolutely there given the quality of the beers and food -- prices feel totally reasonable for River North. Shoutout to Tessa, Tony, and the whole crew -- they really make you feel like a regular. As Tessa would say: Go Birds!

Still waiting on part of our party, but it's got potential! Dinner should be fish & chips!…read moreIt was, and it was perfect!