Came here on a Thursday with my family (three of us). We came around 5pm…read more It was pretty empty, and we were able to get a table outside. I got a sparkling wine, and my partner got a tea. We got my child a lemonada soda (although we had to ask again to get it). We also got sparkling water for the table and the server accidentally filled our glasses while walking by with still water. Not too big of a deal but it was gross when they mixed. We got the hummus crudité, it came with 2 largely cut pieces of French bread and a couple radish slices and a 2 cucumber slices. Overall it was fine, nothing special. Service was average.

Recently went for the first time & it was lovely! We ordered a bottle with guidance from our…read moreserver, who was very attentive & knowledgeable. We also ordered the cheese board, which was delicious, but we felt the portion size for the price was a bit deceptive. It's small but cozy in there (as long as you have a table along the booth), I'd definitely recommend making a reservation. Overall lovely experience & I can't wait to go back!

Cute-enough spot with small plates and cocktails. However, when we visited last night, we waited 15…read moreminutes for our one wine and one cocktail, despite the restaurant being less than a quarter full. We watched our waitress make multiple attempts to pick up my husband's drink from the bar, spill, set it down, pick it back up and spill more, and finally give up and run it to us. As she set down this sticky, wet, under-filled mess, I asked her exactly how much of my husband's $16 cocktail she had just spilled. She said, "Yeah, the bartender over-poured," and walked off. We then watched her do the exact same thing to every mixed drink she ran. Way, way too expensive to be delivering messy, dripping, quarter-empty cocktails. Skip Clara and go to Le Midi, where the service, ambience, and wine list were perfect.

Such a lovely spot to grab a cocktail (or three!) with friends or a date. Great, diverse menu,…read moreincluding the option to have the bartender make a custom drink if you're feeling adventurous! All the servers are friendly and know the menu well. It can get a little loud with the love music, so sit in the back if you are worried about that -- it helps a little.

If you like cute and trendy wine bars, you have to go to Outside Voices. This was my first spot on…read moremy Chicago trip visiting my best friend. We met up here. I walked from the Blue Line and felt extremely safe. It's in such a pretty part of town. There are plenty of seating spaces both inside and outside. When you arrive, you find a table you like and then go up to the counter to order. They have QR codes everywhere so you can see the menu online. If you like natural wines this is the place for you. The people who work here are absolutely incredible. I came straight from the airport so had my suitcase and one of the bartenders offered to take my bag to the back which I adored. My friend also took a really long time to get there from work so I just hung out for a while and they didn't make me feel too weird about it. One of them even gave me a generous pour of the wine I got. I also ordered us a meat and cheese board which was simple, but nice. Do know that the prices are a bit high here. If you want to get a full bottle of wine the average price is about $60 for a bottle. The aesthetics of this bar are A+. It is really loud inside. The name says it all, you will be using outside voices. While we adored this place, the music was a bit loud so it was a little hard to catch up. That being said, we made the most of it. It also was the spot that I asked her to be my bridesmaid so it'll forever have a special place in my heart. If you're looking for a cute and trendy place, with fun music blasting, and a great vibe, this is it. I highly recommend Outside Voices.

Went for happy hour on a Friday and it was very cute! The place was a bit dead when we got there…read moreinitially but soon enough pretty much all tables were taken. They have plenty of board games and a disco diner vibe going on. Would recommend for a girls night out. Fav on the menu - dry rosé cider, fries with garlic aioli

Welcome to le mistral! This speakeasy is amazingly simple, sexy and delivers! It's dimly lit…read moreatmosphere creates a sultry place to enjoy a smooth glass of red wine and enjoy their cornbread Madelyn's. They are little pieces of heaven with corn. This was a highlight and an amazing surprise to find. Shout out to the bartenders and the service that makes you feel welcome and sexy.

Loved this place! Such a cool speakeasy vibe in a cave. They walk you through the kitchen to get to…read moreit which is a fun aspect & every worker greets you and welcomes you in. Great service & fun drinks! Definitely perfect for a date night spot out.

First time at Verve and went for their Burgers and Burgundy night. Wasn't really sure what to…read moreexpect here. The menu had a few more items than expected so we each got the Ilixr burger and split some Gruyère fries. The burger was decent, but a little pricey for a pretty basic à la carte burger. I also wasn't a huge fan of the sauce and probably should've asked for no pickles. The Gruyère fries were also nothing special. Luckily we got the giardiniera on the side because it was pretty spicy. There were 4-5 wines to choose from and we both really liked the ones we picked! Would go back next time for just the wine and maybe to buy something or go to an event to learn more about wine.

My bestie and I came here just on a whim, this is a cool establishment, complimentary tasting on…read moreSunday. We had champagne and Chianti.

This is one of the best spots in the city. Came here last week on a date and it was basically…read moreperfect -- has a cool ambiance, relaxed vibe, good music and at the right volume, excellent wine and small plate selection, and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I didn't get a chance to go to the patio outside, but I will definitely try it out next time. Special shoutout to the staff who recommended some amazing wines I would have otherwise never heard of.

Stopped into this wine bar on a rainy Sunday right when they opened with five of my friends. They…read morewere able to seat us immediately in the spacious corner booth. The ambiance is really nice without feeling too "stuffy". Bar was gorgeous and service was friendly and helpful, allowing my boyfriend to sample some wines before going in on some bottles. Prices were what you'd expect for a trendy natural wine bar. The complimentary corn nuts in the antique dish were a cute touch. The charcuterie board with mixed meat and cheese was really small though. Only three pieces of cheese for five people... it made it feel like an awkward fight over who'd get to try some. The gluten free crackers were appreciated though. We ended up ordering more food including the "party tray" which I would describe more as charcuterie nachos. We didn't really know what to expect with this one so we got the canned mussels but it really would've tasted better with the prosciutto instead. It included a whipped cheese, olives, and cornichons piled onto potato chips. Less of a tray and more of a nacho-style dish. If we return next time we're in town, I'd skip the food and focus more on the wine. Beyond that, it was a fun time!

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

Great wine selection imported from around the world. Staff was very nice and accommodating, even…read moremoved us to a better table once it became available. Cute and cozy for a date spot. Will be back soon

I really like this place! The vibe is very cozy, especially on a winters day. They have little…read morefireplaces in the back that are nice to sit next to. The wait staff was also incredibly nice. I really enjoyed our charcuterie board, especially the two meats. The cheese we chose was good as well. I look forward to coming back!

In an area packed with casual food spots, Figo is spicing things up! It's upscale but not…read morepretentious- perfect for meeting up with friends when you want to feel a little fancy without going through hoops getting ready. The staff was super attentive and kind, checking on us frequently. My friend and I stopped by for happy hour, and this should absolutely make it onto the list of the best in town. They have delicious wine, cocktails, and bites for nearly half of the regular price. I opted for the happy hour prosecco to drink, which was light-bodied and not too sweet. We split the meatballs and dates for bites and both were outstanding. I was super impressed with how tender the meatballs were, and they did not skimp on the flavorful marinara and cheese! The dates, which were topped with a white wine cheese sauce, were mouth-wateringly delicious and a must order. There was also complimentary focaccia with olive oil, which was greatly appreciated. With sea salt on top and a crispy exterior, I could easily have eaten a whole loaf. The only note I have is that the portions are small, so if you don't come during happy hour the prices are a bit steep for what you get. Will 100% be back soon to try more of the menu and highly recommend making the trek over here!

My roommate and I came to Figo to celebrate our first week of work and it did not disappoint! We…read moreordered two glasses of white wine, an order of two types of cheese (hard and soft), the burrata, the meatballs, and the tuna crudo. Our waitress was very sweet and made our experience amazing. Will definitely be back because the atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect for a nice dinner

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!