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Tala House

4.7 (109 reviews)
Open • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tala House Photos

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TALA HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Tala House

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Reviews With Photos

Sandra M.

Ambiance was 10/10 - quaint and cozy. The patio was a great spot. Food was great and lots of gluten free options.

Cheers! Elegant cocktails await!
Lisa N.

Oh my I typically add pictures to all of my reviews. The only thing I could include in this review was the a picture of our drinks. Trust me it's simply because when the food came out it was so delicious and the presentation was exceptional that I lost my mind ... gobbled everything up and then realized I didn't take a pic. So moral of the story, go lose your mind on this place! It's well worth it. Your taste bud will thank you!!! I promise. YUM!

Desert - pudding
Lisa E.

Carlos our waiter was outstanding and the food was delicious. Will definitely return!

Denyce M.

Another great selection for Restaurant Week 2025. Let me get this off my chest before I dive into the food and service. This space use to be the Bongo Room. I was not a fan of the front room and this has not changed. There is a lovely bar area and in the main window is a table that seats 10 people, then two four top tables in the space. The problem with this set up is the addition of two four top tables in this small space. I will not speak for the folks at the other table, but our table was not ideal. Tala should really consider not having a table next to the bar. The table itself was a nice size to accommodate our dishes, which is important for me. The placement of the table is what knocked this review down to four stars. As you can see from one of the photos, we were in direct line with the front door opening and closing. While there was a small heater next to our table, the door closing and opening created a wind tunnel directed at us. As there is no space for people to wait after checking in at the hostess stand (which is literally a small desk at the door as you walk in), we had people standing near and around our table. At one point I had to gently push a woman away from the wine stand as she was about to tip it over as she was moving back to speak to someone in her party. Thanks goodness the food and the service was on point because the seating arrangement sort of put a damper on our experience, although The Doctor went to the back and stated next time we will request to sit back there. Now on to the food. I started with the mussels in a lovely chipotle cream sauce. That sauce was crazy good and great for dunking the bread into. I have never had steamed mussels in a cream sauce and I would do that again. The sauce had a lovely flavor profile that was weirdly flavorable, but did not overpower the taste of the mussels. My BFF #1 got the Homemade labneh and shishito peppers and left no crumbs behind. That plate was clean. The Doctor got the Roasted cauliflower with fresno peppers and a salsa macha; again no crumbs were left behind. For dinner, I got the Allen Brothers Prime steak with potatoes. If you are not familiar with Allen Brothers meat, you are in for a treat. This was prepared well and at the temperature I requested. The dish itself was simple, but well executed. The potatoes were nicely seasoned and the sauce that came with it was a nice complement. My BFF got the filet mignon with green beans and said that it was cooked to the correct temperature that he ordered. I tried some of the green beans and they were very good, fresh and had a nice crisp to them. The Doctor got the Ahi Tuna. There was a mix up as his plate came out with Tuna but nothing else. It was sent back and the issue was rectified. The Doctor said that the tuna was well prepared and tasty, and that the rice it came with was very good. Dessert was pretty standard as far as that goes. Other than the mix up with the tuna, the service was great. At one point I went to the ladies room and ran into one of the servers, who complimented me on my outfit for the night and proceeded to show me to the ladies room. We chatted for a bit and by the time I got back to the table, we had glasses of tequila, the good kind, sent to us. That was a lovely touch. This could have been a better experience for us, and we were all in agreement, that Tala needs to reconsider having no dining tables beyond the large one in the window, in that main room. People coming in need to be able to stand somewhere to wait to be seated, just not in the face of people dining. I could see having small bistro tables in that room to allow people to sit and have a drink while waiting to be seated. There could be a larger hostess stand where our table was, to allow people to come inside and check in. Just some suggestions to consider

Karim D.

Been here twice so far one for brunch and once for dinner. Wonderful place friendly service very nice outdoor garden and great food The brunch is amazing! Very flavorful and delicious mid eastern touch that you can't find elsewhere in the city like hallpumi with pesto and home made labneh and the omelette is super delicious- Dinner was excellent too with of great seafood and steak! Wish they would add a mid eastern main dish too The rice pudding is amazing! Will come back!

Chimichuri (sp?) style shrimp and potatoes over the most buttery mashed potatoes!
Heather P.

Let me start by saying that this space used to be The Bongo Room and was one of my favs so I wasn't super thrilled to give a new establishment in the same space a real open minded chance. Well, as luck would have it, I was lured there by a friend and I'm so glad I was. The second I had my first sip of the spicy mezcal cucumber concoction Edgar, the bartender made for me, I was hooked! We sat at the bar which was absolutely charming. The staff was extremely warm and hospitable. We ordered the shosito peppers and they were a delightful charred treat and there was a cracker bread served with it that blew me away. Next up was a tuna tostada. Sounds okay, right. It was spectacular. The flavors were just beyond. Last and possibly my favorite was this chimichuri style shrimp served over these buttermilk potatoes that was so soulful and special, I wanted to lick the plate. We had a fig rimmed margarita as well as a traditional margarita and all of them were exceptional. I was really pleasantly surprised and can't wait to go back. Do yourself a favor and stop in so you too can get over your grudge over the bongo room's departure. It's a new day in a new place and I'm here for it!

Lesley Anne Y.

Such an amazing place and I will definiteky be back! The Mixologist Edgar is amazing with the drinks!!! He made me different mocktails and they were so good I can drink em all night! I ordered the Skirt steak it was seasoned and cooked perfectly as requested. My friend ordered the Seabass and i fell inlove and Im still thinking abt it. I would need to go back to and get it soon! The Tuna Crudo Tostada was a surprise coz i steer clear of raw but i would have this again. .the place has a patio and it seems small when u walk in but its really spacious at the back. Servers were all amazing and took care of us. Must try place!

Elote appetizer
Becca D.

Wow! They have only been open two months and are already knocking it out of the park. We were so lucky to visit on a perfect summer evening. The patio is intimate and creates a beautiful backdrop to enjoy the food that is to come. I especially loved the garden fixed to the walls behind the tables. It was so hard to order because everything sounded amazing. We ended up going with the elote to start and a margarita. For my main I had the filet mignon which was perfectly cooked. The food came out quickly. Random other positives: - I especially loved that we never felt rushed. -Parking was easy to find. -The prices were very reasonable given the quality It would have been fun to learn a little more about the restaurant/menu when we sat down. I knew very little about the place/chef before coming (just that the food would be great). .

Filet mignon
Courtney C.

Came for the fish. Left with the filet mignon. Lordy... it was perfect. I got a side of potatoes. You could taste the red wine reduction but not in a bad way in a ... they made this to order. I ate every single bite and did not feel stuffed.

Buratta with beets ( excellent )
Genna G.

Beautiful patio ( be warned patio seating on a first come first serve basis only so you can't make a reservation out there ). Service was good, food was very good. Restaurant was LOUD. Not sure exactly what the acoustic issue was , but it was hard to hear my dining partners in the dining room. Our group of 6 started with the Halloumi ( delicious), beet salad ( also delicious) and cauliflower ( yep, also delicious again ) Was very happy with my Cesar salad made light with Greek yogurt dressing and grilled chicken .Husband really enjoyed the sea bass but portion was quite small . Loved the BYOB ( this policy could change soon as restaurant is quite new). Prices were reasonable and fair. Would go back if I could snag a patio spot ....

Roasted cauliflower

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5 months ago

The food, service, and ambiance at Tala House are outstanding; it is one of our favorite restaurants.

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1 year ago

Everything was amazing!! The service was impeccable and the food amazing. Highly recommended.

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Wonderful flavorful food, first rate. Comfortable atmosphere, very good and friendly service.

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7 months ago

Excellent restaurant delicious food great staff great service five stars. One of the best restaurants in the Chicago area.

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7 months ago

Amazing experience and amazing food/drinks! Recommend this spot 10/10! Their drinks were insanely good!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

We returned to Tala with a group of friends and the service was great! Highly recommend!

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Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar

Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.4
(205 reviews)
0.7 mi
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Sometimes I forget how much I like wine…read more Three of us went to Uvae for restaurant week and loved everything. For an extra $15, it made sense to order the prix fixe menu with the wine pairings. A cocktail likely would have cost more. The soup and salad were delicious and paired perfectly with great wines. We all loved our entrees, although I suspect I loved my short rib wellington a little harder. I'm not a huge desert person but I can't stop thinking about that Nutella creme brulee. Also paired with a great dessert wine-- possibly the only dessert wine I have ever really liked! Yes the portions are a little smaller for restaurant week, but with four courses I was happy to not feel like a glutton at the end. Incredibly thoughtful and knowledgeable service made this a great choice for dinner. The space is well laid out too. We didn't feel like we were sitting on top of people, and it was easy to have a conversation even when the room was pretty full.

Such an amazing dining experience. Located in Andersonville is this unassuming restaurant . The…read morespace is divided between a cozy, warm , tastefully decorated wine bar restaurant and a tasting room. We were fortunate to be seated in the restaurant portion. Staff were so kind and willingly shared recommendations and explanations to us. They have a happy hour on the weekend. We ordered small plates - shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, pimento cheese with homemade chips and flatbread. It was more than enough food , but I would like to return to try their cheeses, and larger portions. I am not a fan of most chips, but these were so good, and the pimento cheese was savory , spreadable and very good. The prosciutto flatbread was a mixture of sweet cream and savory. The salt from the prosciutto and the sweetness from the figs was perfect. Our waiter overheard us mentioning an upcoming special occasion and treated us to a slice of cheesecake topped with berry sauce. The cheesecake was so fluffy and the chevre cheese was creamy and had a touch of goat flavor. Uvae lived up to my expectations and we will return.

Photos
Dining area
Dining area
Oysters and a few chilled shrimp during $2 oyster and shrimp happy hour!
Oysters and a few chilled shrimp during $2 oyster and shrimp happy hour!
Outside Seating UVAE

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The Good Wolf

The Good Wolf

4.2
(50 reviews)
0.7 mi

We are semi-frequent visitors to the Little Bad Wolf. However, it is often busy. As a result, we…read moredecided to try out The Good Wolf. We loved our experience and will definitely be back! The ambiance is chic, warm, and welcoming. It is also a spacious building with a bit more seating than Little Bad Wolf, so that is nice. We went from a 1.5 hour wait at Little Bad Wolf to almost an immediate seating at the Good Wolf's bar. You can't beat that! The bartender/waiter, Zach, was great! He took good care of us, making us feel welcomed and answering any questions we had as first timers! I got the charred boulevardier cocktail and my spouse got a local IPA beer on tap. We both loved our beverages and were very happy! To eat, we started with the brown butter broccolini side. It was so delicious, decadent, and flavorful. We will definitely get this again! For entrees, I got the duck gnocchi and it was divine. Perfectly filling, delightfully flavorful, and high quality! My spouse got the fish and chips and loved it! I tried a bite and loved how crisp the fish was! And the giardiniera aioli was scrumptious! Prices were reasonable for such a high quality meals. And the space was clean and welcoming. We loved it! We can't wait to go back. We are thrilled to have another great dinner spot in the Andersonville neighborhood!

One thing was missing: top down lighting; otherwise a fantastic experience!…read more I'm a big fan of Little Bad Wolf next door, and finally made it a point to stop in and visit the neighbor. It's not flashy, it is less busy, and if you don't know... sneeze and you'll miss it. The vibe is dark and moody, with notes of brown and dark blue. The art also fits the overall atmosphere well. I question, however, the large TV screen that seemingly only shows their name. It's not intrusive, just a bit weird. However, it was so dark that seeing the menu was more challenging than it needed to be. I can light it up with my phone, though I do (and did) so at the risk of being 'that guy'. Top-down lighting folks, I see the lamps up there, too! I ordered: - Oysters (4 as-is, 4 with mignonette on the side) - Duck Gnocchi - Sticky Toffee Pudding The oysters were medium-sized and excellent quality! They were delightfully briny and without a hint of cartilage or sand. The first order came with mignonette, and while enjoyable, being a bit of a purist, I put on a second order with mignonette on the side. Sure enough, I found myself adding it of my own accord. All the more evidence the kitchen knows what it's doing! Further proof? The Duck Gnocchi - the gnocchi themselves were soft and pillowy, more so than I've experienced up to this point. The duck in the dish was tender and soft as can be. The veggies (mirepoix) were sliced and cooked perfectly, adding texture, freshness and bulk (fiber?) without overpowering anything. To top it all off, breadcrumbs for a little crunch, and a mild sauce that tied everything together in perfect harmony. For the most important course, dessert, we have the Sticky Toffee pudding. A well cooked, well sauced helping of pudding, topped with a large scoop of ice cream that slowly melted, transforming the flavor as you go. For drinks, I ordered the Charred Boulevardier and the Burnout. The Boulevardier was rich, sweet and savory, in contrast the Burnout was brighter and fresher, and still boozy. While neither drink was a smack to the face with alcohol, after getting up, I could feel the effects. In terms of their service, it was polite and attentive, and all items came out fast! The prices are okay, though if you love oysters, keep in mind they will set you back $4/each! Final verdict: There is nothing at The Good Wolf that I wouldn't happily order again. It is hard to choose a standout when everything was of a high caliber. I look forward to working my way through their menu, and continuing to feed the good wolf (props is you know the story of the Two Wolves).

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The Good Wolf
Chicken and Peppers - Lemon Herbed Jus and Fries
Chicken and Peppers - Lemon Herbed Jus and Fries
Burnout

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Burnout
Hopleaf Bar

Hopleaf Bar

4.1
(2.4k reviews)
0.2 mi
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Hopleaf Bar is hands down one of our favorite spots for dinner and drink in all of Chicago!…read more One key to a successful dinning experience at Hopleaf is knowing the three different spaces to engage. When you first walk in, you have to show your ID since this is an adults-only bar establishment. (1) You can then choose to sit in the front bar area, if you want a full menu, but use the bar for ordering service. (2) If you keep walking through the front bar area, you reach the host stand at the top of the ramp. This is where you can put your name in to sit in the main dining room, upstairs, or outside. (3) However, you can also walk through to the left of the host stand to another bar area that has full menus, but bar service for ordering. This is our preferred spot because we can often find a seat and order with the bar. Do note that, during busy times, part of this bar area is managed by the host stand and will be labeled as such. The extensive beer menu is our favorite. We have our favorite food items, so all our decision making revolves around which beer we will get. They always have a bit of everything style-wise, from all over the world, but with a local-brewery focus. Seasonal emphasis is also taken into consideration when they curate the beer list. It is always rotating and we love it! Beers are served in the recommended glasses from the breweries. It's a great drinking experience from start to finish! Our food orders are eternally set: I get the Nueske Ham sandwich with fries and aioli. My husband gets the Reuben sandwich with fries and aioli. This meal is so perfect we'll probably never get anything different, despite the menu being delicious across the board. The wildest we get is sometimes splitting the two sandwiches. No reason to mess with a good thing! Other notable great things about Hopleaf: (1) Kind, knowledgeable, and professional staff. (2) Reasonable prices for high quality and great variety products. (3) Clean Belgian Bar decor/vibe with lots of space for folks to enjoy their time. (4) They are open late and serve food late. Thank you for being an amazing local spot, Hopleaf! We'll see you soon!

Fantastic beers and cocktails. I am not a beer drinker but found one I loved. The food is higher…read moreend but wow! So tasty!! Our waitress gave us a lot of attention, made recommendations and really listened to our likes and dislikes.

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New bar upstairs
New bar upstairs
Hopleaf Bar
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Beard & Belly

Beard & Belly

4.5
(286 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Had the chance to stop by again recently and B&B is every bit as good as I remembered! The staff is…read morealways kind and the vibe is a total pick-me-up. I doubt anyone leaves feeling less jolly than they did going in. On this visit, I started with the After Word to drink. It was light-bodied, not at all too sweet, and possibly went down *too* easily. We split the short rib poutine and I can't think of a better dish to get you through the winter. The meat absolutely melted in the mouth and the cheese was abundant and rich. Would order again in a heartbeat! We also tried the alligator bites as a seasonal special. I'd not had alligator before, but they were super crispy and spicy with an addictive gochujang sauce. It really does taste like chicken. If you've ever wanted to try alligator, this is the place to do it. For the main event, I opted for the red beans and rice hand pie. It came with a light, citrus salad and delicious hand cut fries with 3 dipping sauces, which were very fun to try. I loved the buttery pie crust but the filling tasty very tomato forward- I was missing the heat of a traditional red beans & rice and wished there was more seasoning. Still good. As usual, the portions were generous for the price and we left with leftovers. Absolutely recommend making the trek over here to give B&B a try, and will be back soon!

This is one of my "little treat" spots, as whenever I get paid or somehow find $20 in my wallet, I…read morelike to come here. Then I forget for a few months, find another $20, end up stumbling across this place again and going "why don't I come here more?" This has happened three times. The most important part though- it's real tasty. Always. I'd say all of it, but I'm still working my way through the menu, but the burgers and Mac never let me down. The servers are always really laid back, and nothing feels rushed. I think it's part of the charm; somewhere to go and relax and take your time to enjoy the vibe. And you know what would help the vibe even more? Including the bread pudding on the menu full time. Keeping that bad boy stocked for me at all times. (This time was my first time seeing it on the specials menu and listen, it WAS special. So special that you should upgrade it to mainstay is all.)

Photos
Interior
Interior
Short rib poutine. Two kinds of gravy. Exceeding 3 bites may trigger profound regret and/or a heart attack. Beware.
Short rib poutine. Two kinds of gravy. Exceeding 3 bites may trigger profound regret and/or a heart attack. Beware.
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The shrub

Tala House - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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