Took mi amor for her first time and she loved the atmosphere, food was delicious not one disappointment and as well the cocktails were just right. Not counting the cookie bar!! Plus, for us going st a packed time the service was just amazing, our waiter was up to date on the menu and checking on the two of us every so often. Will return soon read more

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this place we stumbled upon on fourth of july with a bigger group because they had last minute reservations online. we were very happy with the accommodation. this place was so cute on the inside & our server was great. he was bubbly & funny & jsut overall a great server. wish i remembered his name. the food was a hit or miss. fish & chips- no good but the pizza & the pasta... yummm ! drinks were also very delish! read more

Summer House Santa Monica - Rigatoni alla Vodka - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

we were able to snag a happy hour table by the bar on this tuesday evening. the happy hour deals were okay- we each got a drink and then we got the tavern style pizza and the truffle fries. the drinks were good. the pizza was just okay- it definitely wasn't the best pizza i've had. the fries were good too. the service was okay, at a couple points it was hard to get our server but towards the end, she was more attentive. this place is definitely very popular on an evening during happy hour. it's very well decorated and definitely has the california vibe to it, which makes sense. the drinks were good and the food was alright. i don't think id come back but i'm glad i got to experience this happy hour since i know this place is quite popular. read more

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The summer House has a great atmosphere. Light. Sunny. Even on a cloudy day it's got a great feel. The down side is the value of your spend. We just entertained 2 friends who are moving for Sunday Brunch for a total of 4 people. We ordered mimosas and entrees of eggs and bacon, salad, egg burrito and sandwich. Each plate was of course corporately manage portions so no extra. We had second round of mimosas. The total with tax and tip $350. Add $25 for valet. $375 for light lunch and breakfast food. The mimosas (8) were $170. It's simply way too expensive for what you get. We should have made brunch as there would have been more food and more drink for lot less. The place was packed with folks. Seems like i may be the only one who feels it was ridiculous money for what was served. read more

We had a lovely brunch at summer house! The restaurant itself looks like a large greenhouse in the center, lots of natural lighting and earthy light decor. Our waitress was kind and enthusiastic! I ordered the vegetable hash which was tasty, beets were a bit unexpected but good, portion size was just enough. Friends ordered the breakfast burrito with sweet potato fries and the roasted tomatoes poach eggs special (ordered toast later because the portion was small). Waitress brought us a few dips to go with the sweet potatoes fries and the truffle aioli was very good. read more

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My friend and I were looking for a dinner spot before a show at the Steppenwolf. This place was highly rated on Yelp so we decided to check them out. Summer House is an excellent spot! Definitely make a reservation for dinner. This place is located on a super busy street. The interior makes you feel like you are at a beach house. Our server was Mallory and she was excellent. She was super friendly and attentive. Margarita was refreshing. They have cocktails, limited beer list, mocktails, and wine. Chicken tacos were seasoned wonderfully. If you have room for dessert, get a cookie. They have a ton of choices. My friend and I shared an m and m as well as a sea salt chocolate chip. I believe they had 1 gluten free and 1 vegan option available. Checks are able to be split very conveniently with qr code at the table. Some street parking if you are patient. Otherwise, I recommend using park whiz for a nearby garage. read more

We visited Summer House for brunch on one of those rare, summery April days that feels almost too good to be true. The sunlight streaming through the roof set a beautiful tone, and the ambiance inside was warm and inviting. Exactly what a leisurely brunch calls for. We kicked things off with espresso martinis and mimosas, followed by cornbread and chips with guacamole. A solid start that had us settled in and happy. For mains, I opted for the spicy kale salad and the short rib hash. Both dishes were spot on: well-executed and full of flavor. The service matched the energy of the meal: prompt without feeling rushed. All in all, a brunch experience well worth repeating. read more

Summer House Santa Monica - short rib hash - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice atmosphere and service. Dishes were ok. The drink was amazing. Would love to go here for brunch as I've heard great things about that. The seafood underwhelmed me for how prominent it was on the menu. read more

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Tried this place for the first time when I was in Chicago for St. Patrick's day, and I couldn't recommend it more. We were there on a busy Friday night, and easily had the best seat in the house. We started with espresso martinis and moved on to spritz for the second round. Incredible espresso martini!!! The Parmesan fries were a 10/10 girl dinner snack. I don't love deviled eggs but these ones were SO good? Absolutely amazing. I split the vodka pasta (which they split for me and my partner!) and a burrata pizza. We FEASTED. Had such a great experience for our entire meal and then we collected a few cookies on our way out. So delicious, will definitely be back. read more

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Returned for a late lunch. Had the social kick burger and Wife had the turkey sandwich again. Huge portions with amazing thin perfectly fried up fries. Service was fast and friendly. They really have the front and back of the house well oiled. The Atrium lighting was so nice on this cloudy day. A totally pleasant day. read more

We decided to go out for dinner last minute on Valentines Day. We had no reservations anywhere but knew Summer House would be our best option because their space is gigantic with seating everywhere. Plus it has a delicious menu. We instantly found a spot to sit at by the bar. We shared the Spicy Kale Caesar and Prime Cheeseburger. We hadn't stopped talking about the Spicy Kale Caesar since the first time we ordered it a few months ago because it was delicious. This time was no different, best salad I've ever had. The Prime Cheeseburger came on a crispy brioche and was cooked perfectly. Our food came out already portioned to be shared so we didn't need to ask for extra plates. Although it was busy, our food came out very quickly. Our server was very attentive even though it was very busy and he was also bartending. Summer House never dissapoints! read more

Summer House Santa Monica - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday. It is a beautiful space, but I was disappointed to see that the table we were sat at had crumbs and one of our chairs had food on it (pics included). We started with a White Chocolate Raspberry latte ($5.50). It was really lacking in flavor at first, but once we stirred it up, we realized that the syrup had just settled to the bottom. We had the Mexican Hash Browns ($15.95) and the Poblano Chilaquiles ($19.95) - both were very flavorful dishes. I love that they had the Cookie Bar at the front of the restaurant as well. read more

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Summer House Santa Monica looks like a great brunch spot from the outside, and it definitely delivers in its looks. The atmosphere, ambiance, and decor were all really nice, and the service was great throughout. Unfortunately, the food itself was kind of disappointing. The deviled eggs were easily the best thing we ordered and my favorite item overall. They were super creamy and really well flavored. The jalapeño cornbread was also really delicious. I'm a big cornbread fan, and this one didn't disappoint. It was cooked really well and had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The marinated pineapples were super disappointing, but that one's honestly on me - not sure why I expected anything more than pineapple with some sugar. I also tried the prime cheeseburger, which was fine. Nothing particularly notable about it, but I wasn't disappointed either. Overall, this place has a lot of potential. But it really feels like they focus heavily on the ambiance, without the food quality to match. It's a really good vibe to hangout but don't expect to be blown away by the food. read more

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Came here again for dinner and had a great time! Everything we ordered from the apps to the mains was delicious. The jalapeño cornbread and Parmesan truffle fries were a great starter. The vodka pasta was also good but the margherita pizza was just okay. We also stopped by the pastry counter on our way out and got some cookies to go. Highly recommend the lemon and the snickerdoodle cookies! read more

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We're from out of town (TX & NYC) and was highly impressed with the overall experience. We went on a Saturday afternoon where it was packed, but not overwhelmingly noisy. We ordered and was expecting food to come out in 20 minutes given the amount of people in the restaurant. Food came out in about 7 minutes and tasted amazing! Of course we ended off with a sweet treat from the cookie bar in the front. The cookies are HUGE, we split the stuffed snickerdoodle. I wish they warmed up the cookies, this would make the cookies 10/10! Bonus; my friend who doesn't typically like sweet potato fries said there's was amazing! Her eyes literally lit up when she took a bite of mine. read more

Summer House Santa Monica - Deviled eggs + breakfast tostada Not shown: sweet potato fries - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came in for Saturday brunch and while the restaurant was gorgeous, they were hosting a private event and were clearly overwhelmed. Our entire order took close to 3.5 hours and when the food arrived one of my eggs were overcooked and I had to wait for that to be fixed. Our waiter was amazing and did his best to keep us comfortable which I appreciated, but I don't know if I would go back after this experience. read more

With an upscale yet casual vibe, classy decor, and delicious food/drink, this is a great spot for any occasion! At 6:00pm on a weekday, it was pretty packed so I definitely recommend making a reservation. The staff was very friendly and provided great recommendations. I opted for the sunset boulevard to start, which was refreshing and mild-flavored. For the main event, I ordered the herbed chicken breast paillard, which was far from being the "healthy but boring" dish. The chicken was pounded extremely thin and cooked perfectly, with an extra crispy char revealing a super tender interior. It was generously seasoned with spices and the bright citrus flavor was a slap in the face of zesty goodness. The arugula salad was also very good with a spicy and flavorful dressing. I will 100% be back to try more of the menu and highly recommend paying a visit! read more

Summer House Santa Monica - Chicken Paillard - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I must have come to SHSM at least a dozen times now and I every time it's a solid experience! And pro tip up front. Do NOT pull the I'm too full to get dessert excuse. Save room. GET THE COOKIES. Aside from that the interior decor in the glass roof, especially on a sunny or snowy day is absolutely gorgeous. The service has always been good for me. Prompt, courteous, full of information. Recommendations of the food is always great and it really decently generous portion. I always feel like I'm getting a really good value for what I'm spending from their sandwiches to their salads, everything has always been super tasty and well prepared. You gotta go and don't forget to get the cookies. read more

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I had high hopes but I wasn't blown away. This place is cute for the aesthetics. However, the food was just OK. We had a bit of a wait so we got a cookie to start with. The guy behind the counter had recommended the snickerdoodle which was a bit more battery than I had hoped.For the food we got salmon poke nachos, shrimp spaghetti limone pasta, and the shaved mushroom pizza to share. Again, it felt like your basic Italian food and nothing that special. I also think that they overcooked the pizza as it was a bit burnt on the crust and the bottom. The price is here are really high and I understand it's Chicago, but I think there are a ton of other places to try. The ambience is nice for a date night or girls night out, but I was not that impressed with the food. Usually, the staff comes around to ask how the food is, but they were busy and didn't really come around once the food was set down. They probably should have seen the pizza and taken it back or asked about it. You could also tell from the poke nachos that they were really soggy and not flavorful because we left so much of it still there. For the prices since it had seafood, I was expecting much better for a nicer restaurant. I did stop by a few weeks later to try another cookie since I was in the area. And had the Dubai chocolate cookie, which was actually really good so I wonder now if each cookie is a little different in texture and flavor. I didn't know what to expect with the first one, but the second one was better. The drinks were refreshing so I feel like I would probably come here for a happy hour to have some drinks and the dessert but skip for dinner. read more

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First time here and I must shoutout Ron for his wonderful service! The restaurant is decorated soooo beautifully - definitely living up to its name and I can only imagine it in the summer. I came here with a girlfriend and we were seated at a nice booth. I did accidentally book for more than what came but the host was super kind about it and told me not to worry! I enjoyed their seasonal spritzer - it was just what I was looking for in flavor. Her & I shared the shaved mushroom pizza & truffle fries. I'd give the fries an 7.5/10 just cause of the thinness of them but the taste was there & they didn't skimp on the truffle at all. The pizza I'd give a 7/10 - just lacked something. I'd come back to try some of their other food, but for warning that they are a bit on the pricey side. read more

Summer House Santa Monica - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I am going back again here! It was white and golden looked like I am part of selling sunset group. :) For food we ordered fish tacos and guacamole and my colleague ordered some sandwich . I feel fish tacos were good battered one, but I was expecting you know more meat.. with the drinks I feel my drinks were pretty standard. The old-fashioned was made good I drank in the afternoon so I was in a good mood and the mood remained good at the end of the meal as well. So the service was good. The place was very loud if you ask me, but you could talk. read more

Summer House Santa Monica - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You have to navigate lines at the bakery to get to the host stand, but everything there looked delicious. The space is open with lots of light and has a real summertime feel. Lots of fun looking cocktails, and the bar staff were very friendly. The hamachi sashimi was very good. Light and refreshing over sliced cucumber with a citrusy dressing. The meatballs were very good, light and flavorful. The chicken paillard was delicious. Pounded thin and flavorful with a light arugula salad on the side. You can add the chicken paillard to their salads, which sounds delicious. Overall a fun experience, definitely worth a try. read more

You walk in and you're greeted by a California San Diego open concept with the skylight shining into the middle of the dining room. Plants and hipster signs line the ceilings and the walls - you seriously feel like you're in a California beach house. The place was PACKED and bursting at the seams, and they seemed just a tad understaffed. The waiters were still trying their best and were so efficient! We started with the Parmesan truffle fries, which were honestly a bit too overcooked, thin, and a bit shriveled and hard. The truffle aioli itself was delicious though! The shaved mushroom pizza was actually delicious - the Gruyère, onion, truffle, parm cream, and parsley melted together so well, and it was a nice change to the usual red sauce pizza. It's a super thin crust. We also tried the Mexican hashbrowns, which was quite delicious with the tomato salsa, mostly crispy hash brown, poached eggs, and avocado. One egg was perfectly poached, and the other was hardened, but I don't mind. Overall, I still rate this high because it's just such a cute spot for a brunch with friends!! Note that they don't have the lunch menu before 3pm on weekends, just the brunch menu! read more

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Beautiful restaurant with a lot of great food options but steeeep prices. My froze cocktail was really yummy but tasted pretty light on liquor. I got the poke nachos which were yummy and pretty big. I loved all the fixings that came with it and the fish was decent and there was a good amount. The servers were all really nice and attentive and the restaurant is very cute. The only weird thing was the water tasted really bad to us, maybe a bad tap? Overall we loved our food but do wish it was more affordable as every meal was easily $25+ just for a plate. read more

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Shout out to Ron our server! Wonderful guy. I've previously dined at Summer House for brunch in the summer and it was nice. Very classy establishment. It gives summer in Italy on the water type vibes. Always bustling with people. I came for dinner in the Fall and it was nice. My friend was I shared a mushroom pizza with a side of truffle fries. I love mushrooms so trust that I'm bias when I say I loved the pizza. Not too cheesy, bready or greasy. Perfect amounts in all areas. You get a decent amount of slices for $20 and the size of the pie is nice. The fries were skinny like Steak 'n Shake but the flavor was on par. They did not skimp on the truffle. Also appreciative of their take home dessert section. The chocolate chip cookies are always amazing! read more

Summer House Santa Monica - Shaved Mushroom Pizza with a side of Truffle Fries - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Consistently great execution with elite level cookies. But concepts weren't as great as prior times. Still a place I'd be happy to return to if I'm in the neighborhood, but not "#1 brunch in Chicago" level anymore. Warm Cinnamon Roll - 3.5/5. Good croissant texture. But I'd have 25% more cinnamon and 2x more cream cheese frosting. Burrata - 4/5. Lovely combo of bread, strong burrata, hazelnut crunch and fig chunks. But the squash felt in a different direction. (special) Pumpkin waffle - 4/5. Amazing waffle base. Sweet cream cheese drizzle. Decent pumpkin. Snickerdoodle - 3/5. Still excellent texture and bake, but a cross that was the worst of snickerdoodle and chocolate chip. Wild thai banana - 5/5. As incredible as I remembered. Lovely textures and sweetness. Mint chocolate - 5/5. Lovely chocolate. Great mint level. read more

*First Timer* I stopped by this location as a last resort before I headed to the airport. What a great choice. Great ambience with natural lighting coming through the roof. I chose the mushroom pizza as I was by myself. It was happy hour and they have plenty of options for you if you're so inclined. I definitely enjoyed the vibe there and also grab one of those great cookies on the way out. Great experience. Give it a try. read more

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Summer House Santa Monica on North Halsted feels like stepping straight into a California beach summer. The bright, all-white design and open, airy vibe make you forget you're in the middle of Chicago -- it honestly feels like being on the beach in California. The staff is welcoming, the atmosphere is perfect, and it's hands down one of the best spots for brunch in the city. And I have to highlight the bakery: the cookies are out of this world. Pistachio, raspberry lemonade, and so many other creative flavors -- fresh, soft, and absolutely delicious. Truly some of the best cookies I've ever had. If you're in Chicago and want a brunch that feels like a mini vacation, Summer House Santa Monica is the place read more

Summer House Santa Monica - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lilli was so sweet! Nicest waitress I've had in a while. She was patient and explained the menu well. The ambiance is chill...summer house like ;) a little tropical but peaceful. Now here's what you came here for! THE FOOD!! Let me just say the banana bread cookie was my ultimate favorite and I wish I could have them shipped to me. The cookie was a 10/10 and I didn't get a pic but a fav for sure. Wagyu meatballs 8/10: flavor was good and enjoyed the sauce. The portion size was good and could feed 2-3 people. 1 if you really love meatballs. Guacamole 8/10: I'm a lover of guacamole so I definitely enjoyed this. The chips were amazing. Pizza 7/10: I got a mixed pizza. Thought I'd like the mushrooms but I wasn't a fan. Lobster roll 8/10: great flavor but wasn't expecting it to be cold Froze 8/10: great flavor and really enjoyed it read more

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This is for the happy hour and cookie bar. Cookies are some of the best in Chicago, especially if you like soft cookies. The Thai banana chocolate chip is sooo good. Happy hour is an amazing deal - $5 wine and beer, $10 martinis, great food deals. Not sure how I've gone this long without trying their happy hour but it will be become a staple in rotation. Bartenders were friendly and easy to flag down/checked on us often. It does get busy so come on the earlier side to get a seat! read more

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I love Summer House, the vibes were super amazing and refreshing. They have a sun roof, it brightens up the place with natural sunlight which was just amazing. The food options were great. A perfect place for Sunday Brunch. Their specialty is Cookies, a must try. The service was great too, the server was super friendly. read more

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I'm a frequent patron of Summer House Santa Monica. This is a place I like to go when I have guests in town, or for a girly brunch/night out. The interior garden is beautiful with lots of natural light, I much prefer it to the bar area seating. The food is good, but leave some room for dessert because the cookie bar is extensive and they all look so enticing. Always a fan of the salads, which are large and bursting with varied flavors mixed in. Be sure to make a reservation because it can get busy. read more

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Summer House catering for a corporate yacht outing and was very pleased with the service, offerings, food quality and responsiveness. Niki was wonderful to work with in advance of the event and Megan was incredibly committed to ensuring a successful event - rain or shine! Thank you for your partnership and commitment to a great experience! read more

Easily one of the best interior settings in the Chicago restaurant business. This space is wide open from end-to-end, and emphasizes natural lighting. It would easily fit in Santa Monica, CA, as the name suggests. Chicago is lucky to have it! The menu is very special, and each dish has ingredients that elevate them to next level. There's wow factor, but also flavors that make them special. I had fun here. There's a cookie bar at the entrance that'll stop you dead in your tracks. This is also where you can get a look at what's in the dessert menu if you're waiting to sit down. Take some home. Or, you can return some other day and just get something from there if you don't have time for a complete meal. That Cookie bar is Cookie Monster Heaven! As you enter this reat read more

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I love coming here when I'm in Chicago, this definitely feels like you're in California hence the name. The natural lighting makes it feel like you're outdoors when you're not, the seating is comfortable & always loose track of time when I'm here. The Baja tacos are always so good & crispy & paired with the fries & sauces 10/10. I love the cookie bar, the s'mores cookie & raspberry one are always so good. I love it here! The QR code system is efficient with the tab split option & the servers are always kind. read more

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The layout of the restaurant is open, bright, and plant friendly. The downside to that is that there are random birds inside. They're flying, swooping, and walking everywhere. Yes, they're sometimes on the tables and chairs, too! The food was good so that was a win. I loved the Wagyu meatballs. They were tender and filling. The jalapeño corn bread was a little dark on top but too soft inside. The honey butter was much needed. Service was good. Our waitress was attentive and quick to respond to needs. The restaurant itself is very big. They sell fresh baked cookies and have lots of flavors but I can't recommend them. We ordered Snickerdoodle cookies and specifically asked if they would be soft. The waitress said they are one of the softer cookies but boy were those things hard (not warmed up either). read more

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This continues to be one of my favorite, consistent restaurants in Lincoln Park to this day. I've been eating at Summer House for nearly 10 years now, and every time I absolutely love it. I still miss the split restaurant experience with Stella Barre, but thankfully they kept some of the Italian favorites on the Summer House menu. I came here with family most recently on a Friday night, and while we are typically fans of the meatballs, pizza, and pasta, we went a different route and ordered their chicken and fish tacos with a side of guac. The service was super fast, and our main server was incredibly kind and attentive during our time. A new addition to their dessert menu that I had not seen before was the mini espresso martini. This is an absolute game changer if you're looking for just a small taste and can't drink an entire cocktail. Their vibes continue to inspire an essence of summer even in the cold winters of Chicago. I will definitely be back at Summer House soon. Cheers! read more

*This review is solely based on take out* I am obsessed with their spicy kale salad and costa mesa salad. I have ordered take out with these two salad multiple times. The salads travel well and are consistently fresh. I add my own protein in since it's a little pricey. Spicy kale salad: the kale is not bitter whatsoever, the english muffin croutons are addicting, and the grilled avocado just adds a perfect smokey flavor Costa Mesa: all the flavors and ingredient are so perfect together. Just a very well made salad. One day I will dine in person and also try and grab a sweet treat from their sweet treat area. Pro Tip: they are a part of Lettuce Entertain You - so you can still rack up points for take out read more

Super cute restaurant. Make a reservations (they use Open Table). And good luck with street parking for Saturday brunch. They do offer valet for $20 though which is convenient. The vibes, the food, and service were all good. I was still a bit hungry after finishing my short rib hash but the flavor was delicious. You're also able to pay by scanning a QR code and when the server said it was easy to split the tab, he wasn't kidding. I've experienced some different apps for paying/splitting the tab but this one was the best I've experienced thus far! You're able to split the tab by item and tip easily too. It also takes you straight to a Google Review right after which I thought was pretty interesting. My only complaint about my experience was the bathroom. Yes, it was super clean and nice. I loved the thick paper towels with their branding on it. But the way the stall door opens in, the way the toilet paper was set up, and the little amount of space to squeeze in is a big pet peeve of mine. If you know, you know. Otherwise, great restaurant! I'd come again and try their other items. I forgot to take a picture of their cookies but they were THICK, there were many options and looked delicious! read more

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Your parents are in town? Go to summer house your friends want an easy birthday dinner? Go to summer house you are getting lunch with your mom before going to the spa? Go to summer house. This is my experience and I've been to summerhouse countless times over the years and it is always up too par. They are really good with food allergies have quality service and a wonderful atmosphere. That helps you feel like Chicago isn't always dreary. Over the years, they have definitely increased their prices and decreased their food servings, but such is the economy I suppose. It's just an easy mail because of that I always recommend it. I enjoy their salads and pizza the most. read more

Summer House Santa Monica - My family ! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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