I enjoyed my meal here very much! Couldn't decide between the roast 1/4 of duck or breaded pork…read moretenderloin so I had the combo meal! The pork was crispy, thin and delicious! Not sure what happened with other experiences because for us, the gravy was great! It was tasty and thick enough but definitely not gloppy. I was told the dumplings are homemade and you can tell! So light and fluffy! I didn't have the sauerkraut but instead had the cucumber salad. This was not a creamy salad as I'm used to but a light, sweet with just enough sour vinaigrette type sauce it was delightful! My friend had a similar meal but with no duck. She loved it. We started out with superb liver-dumpling soup and finished with a perfect and homemade kolacky! Washed it all down with a tasty Czech beer. It was a wonderful meal. I cannot forget out knowledgeable and doting server, Agnes. The busboy was around every few minutes to clear spent plates and drinks. In other words, service was top-notch. The ambiance is a perfect mix of old-world kitsch and 70's supper club. It was clean and inviting. The bar is an old, 70's winding island of a bar that welcomes customers with comfy, cushioned stools. I even walked out with my very own, "Last of The Bohemians" t-shirts! Perfect night.

McCook has great Eastern European food and a wide variety of libations. I started coming here with…read moremy husband and his softball crew that make it here on Monday nights. We have had many of the menu items that have all been outstanding, very traditional and very well done. Lynn is a great bartender and hostess to everyone who walks in - there's a bar in the front and a restaurant area in the back, nice cozy feel and off the beaten path.

DELICIOUS FOOD!!! My family and friends love eating here…read more The food is very authentic and delicious. Very clean and modern atmosphere. Out of all the Lithuanian places we eat at, this restaurant is our number 1 spot. Service is also always good for us, I think the people who leave negative reviews don't understand that Lithuanians have a different attitude when it comes to service, they don't tend to check up on your table every five minutes because they allow you to eat and enjoy your food. That's just our culture. But this place is fantastic. 10/10 stars!!!

The decor is a unique modern blend with very unusual (large) chairs…read more The food was excellent. It was just prior to closing time so waitress was slightly distracted, but very cordial. She was extremely helpful while we were making a "Raguolis" cake and other purchases from the bakery shop. Pricing tends to be slightly better than other Lithuanian offerings in the area.

Had any Serbian Food recently? This Serbian food was excellent and portion were bountiful and huge…read more( we took food home since potions were large.). Don't refuse the big portions of pita bread, when offered; the pita was warm and fluffy. The Serbian salad of tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and mild cheese , all ingredients marinated in a mild, clear sauce , was a meal that can be shared by two ( or more). My spouse had the marinated mushrooms with chicken , which was very flavorful; the accompanying fries were a joy to eat. I had the signature 'stew' , which went by a local name, with subliminal spices; also very good in quantity and quality. When the food is accompanied by a thoughtful waitress , the experience is really enjoyable: she made recommendations and ensured ou experience was engaging. Not much to see here in terms of decor, but if adventurous food and welcoming people is higher on your list, then please visit.

For starters, this was my first experience with Serbian cuisine. It won't be my last…read more How this even hit my radar - I was hanging out at a Brewery in another part of town and struck up a conversation with a couple who recommended it. Strongly. Said it's what they grew up with and they've not had better. The friend I was traveling with was on board so it's how we both ended up having Serbian in Chicago. Lots of parking. Small private lot. Street parking galore. It was a sleepy evening. There was only one party (of four) when we went in. I have to admit, I was skeptical. But the aroma wafting from the kitchen ... My friend and I shared everything. Generous portions. I stuffed myself beyond what I should have. But I couldn't get enough of the grilled meats and roasted vegetables. I could have eaten nothing but the lepinja and kajmak but putting them altogether was so tasty that I just kept eating and eating. The one woman show - she was awesome. Not much English but wasn't needed. She was so pleasant and welcoming and the barrier wasn't an issue - at least for me. As she was a one person team FOH, there were times I wondered if she was also in the back cooking as she would be gone here and there but would show up right when she was needed. I don't know of many Serbian restaurants here in SoCal but when I do (and remember that is), I'll definitely go and see if it compares. I just know it was an excellent meal on my last evening in Chicago for my summer road trip.

Lithuanian: Dar gyvenime tokio meslo neragavus. Salotos supuvusios, brangiai kainavo. Agurkeliu…read moreraugintu skonis, norisi apsivemt. Ana karta viskas buvo sviezu. Sitaip zmones gali susirgti! English: I have never in my life tasted such atrocities. The salad was completely moldy, expensive too. Pickles tasted awful and I wanted to throw up. Last time everything was fresh. People can get sick like this!!

First time there. Thought it was a dine in cafe affiliated with Duke's across the street. If it…read morewas, it has changed. Front of store is a souvenir shop. Back of store had canned goods, dry goods and a small amount of prepared food. Hard core Lithuanian foodies might love it - just not for me. No reason to go back.

HOW THIS PLACE ISN'T ON A BEST BURGERS LIST SOMEWHERE IS INSANE…read more Get the sharska burger, with beef soup as a side. Get some bread and dunk it in there. Get a double shot of espresso before you leave, else there is no way you'll be productive the rest of the day after that big, hearty meal. But I regret nothing. The staff are friendly. Ask them what they think is best, and they will not lead you astray. Just real, down to earth people who you can just tell love love love food.

We try to visit Babba Grill every time we are in town. For Balkan food, especially…read moreMacedonia-centric dishes, no one in the area tops Babba Grill. It's awkwardly positioned in a small strip and the parking is terrible, but worth the inconvenience! Three of our group shared the mixed grill, selecting the beans and fries as their side. They thoroughly enjoyed it and even had a small bit leftover to take home. It's a generous platter of various grilled meats including the signature favorite Macedonian kebapi, as well as a few types of sausage, pork and chicken. The bread provided was the perfect texture for nestling these cuts to form the perfect bite. I decided to go with the Sharska Burger and the classic (and nostalgic) presentation with the fries inside the burger. Even though the burger was a bit overdone for my liking, I suppose it has to be cooked to a higher level of doneness to ensure the cheese filling is thoroughly melted. The fries were hot, crispy, and fresh but I had to get through a lot of them before I could access my burger. Not a bad thing, but I think I would get them on the side next time for convenience. We actually started with an appetizer of a few pieces of burek to share- one meat and one cheese. We found the meat version to be better than the cheese, which was on the dry side. The burek, when ordered by the piece, is just okay. I suspect it's possibly reheated in the microwave which makes the exterior a bit soft, less crispy. We've never had that issue when ordering a whole burek- it's always been flaky, crispy, and delicious. I would skip the individual pieces next time and order the whole, because any leftovers can be easily reheated and crisped up in the oven, avoiding any sogginess. Service is always good and attentive. An employee was celebrating a birthday when we were there, and staff kindly shared pieces of birthday cake with the diners in the restaurant. Thank you! The only off-putting thing was a table of several men who sat along the back window tables, shifting from one table to the next repeatedly. They finished their meals as we arrived but proceeded to linger there for the duration of our visit and were still there when we left. They seemed to be in the trucking business, as it sounded like they were interviewing at least one person and talking about trucking. People came in to see them and left repeatedly, as if the space was their own office. Many restaurants place a 90-minute limit on a table, which is what I personally think should be done in situations like these, especially when seating inside Babba Grill is already limited, and these individuals don't see the inappropriateness of treating it as their personal office. Disrespectful of the staff's time and the restaurant's space, imo, and affects the ambiance. Hopefully this type of thing doesn't happen to them often. We are already planning for some pastrmajlija on our next trip and we can't wait!

Enjoyed all the food! I was excited to try some of the Lithuanian dishes. I ordered the make your…read moreown combo with stuffed cabbage, Siberian dumplings, and pork schnitzel and ordered a side of Kugelis which was like a cheesy soft potato cake with bacon bits and sour cream. It was like nice home style comfort food!! I also had the Paris coffee which was delicious it has grand mariner, kaulua whipped cream and coffee!! My friends ordered salmon, vareniki and the beet salad. I liked the pelmeni better than the vareniki also the salad was really nice with berries and blue cheese

We had a group of 25 for a live performance. Amazing. Beautiful. Service was flawless (thank you,…read moreDavid), food was amazing, Andres the busser was on top of it and all of our drinks were just spot on. I can't wait to come back! Again, thank you David, for handling our large and annoying party. Everything was so great.

Walked into the restaurant for the very first time-arrived 30 minutes after their open time - no…read moreother customers except for me- woman behind the bar looked at me...no hello, welcome to Skadarliya - nothing - after that she turned her back to me. A man came from around the corner -not sure if he was mesmerized by my beauty but he stared and said nothing! Finally I asked "do you have to wait to be seated?" Finally opened his mouth and said - "someone will come and seat you" - waited for about 30 seconds - my spidey senses said leave so I did- maybe just an off day????? Good food? Not sure but customer service needs work!

Great food and friendly staff. They were very helpful with the questions I had as a vegetarian and…read morehelped me navigate the menu as it's been about 10 years since I was in Serbia, Croatia, and the surrounding area.

Had a casual dinner here over a weekend Drinks were on…read morepoint and boozy The bread was phenomenal The pastas are fresh in house and all of the food was great Overall would recommend to anyone - veggie friendly as well

Once again discovered a restaurant in Chicago that I know I'll be returning to. Apolonia was a…read moredelightful meal with a curated menu at a great price. The calm, bright Mediterranean interior welcomes you into what feels like a cool summer day. Started with the black truffle puff bread -- felt like eating a cheese pizza with anchovies, deep and umami and honestly some of the best bread I've ever had. Would come back just for that alone. The tasting menu delivered from start to finish. The Manchego cracker came out crispy with a light creamy interior from the cheese and a hint of saltiness from the ham on top. The roasted mussel toast was next abundant mussels paired with Calabrian chili butter that took it over the edge, one of my favorites from the meal. The pasta was fresh and light with a deeply flavored sausage that complemented it well. The prime picanha closed out the savory courses perfectly tender, juicy, and the romesco sauce alongside brought a nice lightly sweet and smoky balance. Dessert was the pistachio which I don't typically gravitate toward but this one was well balanced and a nice finish to a great tasting menu. Shoutout to my server Peter who doubled as the bartender exceptional service throughout. -Mr.

Everything went well last night for dinner. It was a friend's selection for our monthly girls…read moredinner, and bonus it was La Grange Restaurant Week. The menu was phenomenal, the server had a great wine selection and the ambiance was so cozy and inviting with beautifully lit tables and a peach color rose bud on every table. Table service was also on point with the server keeping our wine glasses filled and the busboy making sure our flatware was replaced and fresh dishes were added. We each ordered from the RW menu, we got the pistachio crusted lamb, blackberry sage coulis duck breast and halibut and gulf shrimp in a coconut lime sauce. Can't wait to go back to this great find again.

We enjoyed the restaurant, but not sure it would entice me to go again. The inside was very nice…read moreand our service was quite good. The bar had a very nice selection of cocktails and we got the pisco sours - which were mixed well. For starters - we got the grilled spanish octopus. Any place there is octopus, we order it. Marco's octopus was definitely a shining star. We thoroughly enjoyed it and despite not being eggplant fans, it was a great pairing. We also got the grilled romaine salad and Soubise soup (french onion) and while I loved the soup (especially on a cold day) - my husband thought the salad was just okay - nothing that would entice him to order it again. For entrees - I got the filet gorgonzola and he got one of the seafood specials - I think it was salmon. Both entrees were fine - and my filet reheated nicely the next day - but nothing outstanding. Overall - a good restaurant - but again - nothing outstanding.

The food was really good. It hit the spot. Both types of sausage really resonated with me. The…read morestuffed cabbage rolls were really good. Mashed potatoes, gravy. I didn't really have much of the salad bar with coleslaw and whatnot. It looked decent. The bread is on the top of one of the sections. A couple of people I was with missed those pieces of bread, but I'm glad they said something because we were able to point them to it. The chicken, the sauerkraut, the pierogies were all good. We had the lunch menu, so it's a little bit different than the dinner menu, but everything was tasty and tasted fresh. The desserts were absolutely out of this world. I didn't know what everything was. I asked my waitress or server, who was picking up our plates and whatnot, and she told me. I have to say it was a revelation to know that they actually make all of their desserts as well. Absolutely fantastic. Good flavor. Our server was really excellent. I'm sorry I didn't get her name. She gave us some good information about meat pierogies being available or other types of pierogies if they're not on the lunch bar, which was really cool. For a lot of people, the place may be a little difficult to get into with a walk and whatnot. I wasn't really aware of all the entrances, but one thing to note is it is on the more dimly lit side. Not so much so as to be annoying, it actually sets a nice vibe. I absolutely love that the staff has a sign up there to discourage unattended children from running rampant by the food bar, which I think is very fair and nicely stated. That made me feel good, too, that we had quality control in effect versus other cafes that I've been to where I know the places try, but they don't do a really good job of monitoring the situation. No such issue with Sawa. They did a great job on that front. One issue I did have was with the bathroom. It seemed like a stall. The door opens up really wide into the area where we've been washing our hands, but everything was well maintained and well kept. That made me feel good. Overall, I will say I enjoyed the experience, and I'm looking forward to going back. I specifically want to check out the dinner options because I really enjoyed the lunch, but I want to try out a few other things that they have for the dinner menu. My pictures did not turn out with the lighting, so I'm not going to post them, but needless to say, the food was very good, and I'm definitely looking forward to going back, as I mentioned. The service was excellent, and I think the price was pretty fair for all the food I just ate, so I was definitely pleased.

17th and Cermak Rd has been part of my extended neighborhood for over 70 years, and I've driven…read morepast Sawa's here for all that time. Never stopped in. My dumb ass. Then again, the place is in a magnificent sort of decay (on the outside). Remove the cars in the lot, the steady stream of patrons, and the electricity to the signs and you'd swear the joint had been closed for awhile. Zero curb appeal. Yeah, that's what I'm blaming it on. Step inside, and as they say, it's a different bowl of Czarnina. It's OLD old school for sure, and, at least for me, that's a rousing and quite affirmative sign that good eats may be in store. And they were. The nearby Berwyn/Cicero neighborhoods were heavily Czech, and we all grew up eating that hearty, stick-to-your-ribs, pork-laden cuisine. A similar thread runs through German and Polish menus. Swap out the recipes for side dishes, and you're still in the same universe. My ancestry has Polish and German (along with the Italian and Jewish) components, so a lot of this food is familiar, much of it cooked by my Grandmothers; so I went in with a basic knowledge and expectation of the cuisine. Sawa's bills itself as a "Smorgasbord", which was a term still in wide use 60 or so years ago when Sawa's was established; it's a Danish word for "buffet". Back in the day, a resto yclept as such was considered "exotic", even when the fare presented therein was anything but. That Sawa's kept that describer is further evidence of OLD OLD school. (See my words about "old school" above.) Still, Never stopped in. My dumb ass. Inside, it's a bustling, warm and inviting room, if it were German, one would describe it as "gemutlich"-meaning very "home-like". The staff is very personable and cheerful. Some of the tables and chairs have seen better days, but they're all clean. The "Smorgasbord" doesn't have a HUGE selection, but what's there is very good. There's a salad station, de rigueur; which I passed over in favor of the selection of Polish Zakuski: cold appetizing bits like bean salad, pasta salad, cucumbers, etc.. I took a little bit of everything, all great! There were a few soups, but I made a beeline for the Mushroom Soup. I could have had 3 bowls of that with a few of the zakuski, a beer and call it a day! I can't remember what the other soups were- I wasn't interested once I saw "mushroom". Main course offerings included 2 types of Polish sausage-smoked and fresh. You KNOW those were yum! Gołąbki (pronounced go-WUUM-kee) or: Stuffed Cabbage in tomatoe sauce were proper. Pierogis of several different types, all, again delicious. Blintzes, Pork ribs, GREAT kraut, and Haluski, a cabbage/noodle dish my Polish grandmother used to make, which I have not had in almost 50 years. Almost got misty-eyed for this one. There were two anomalies: Fried chicken, which was terrific, And the only sort-of miss on the carte: roast beef which reminded me of Italian Beef, but not quite as highly spiced. Not bad, but not exactly something I'd order (or expect) in a Polish resto. I was there at the end of the Lunch service and saw the stuff they were bringing out for Dinner, including a rockin' big hunk of Roast Pork and a beautiful Whole Ham. The desserts offered were Polish-style Kolackys, very good! And a selection of petit-four type things. There was a ring-shaped dark cookie that was interesting. Close to a gingerbread, but not so ginger-y. Know going into it, Polish baked desserts are apparently not extremely sweet. Decent with coffee, but if you're looking for a sugar punch at the end of your meal, see if they have some non-savory blintzes on the board. There IS soft-serve ice cream available for a more traditional finale. The onliest disappointment was the bread, perched on top of the trad salad cart. It seemed like an afterthought. Even shmeared with butter, it tasted a bit stale and tired. A shame, 'cos good Polish Rye is a thing of beauty and a joy forever. An altogether gentle and most satisfying feed. I wish I had ordered a beer, which would have complimented the cuisine admirably; but didn't 'cos its a long drive home to Stately Breakwind Manor from deepest Broadview. Got to stay in the lane, you know. A Solid 4 stars. I'll be back for Dinner shortly, where I expect that 5th star will be added. Even sweeter 'cos the price is so reasonable. Why did I wait so long to dine at this EXCELLENT Smorgasbord? My dumb ass...