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    Tapas Valencia

    4.0 (778 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    TAPAS VALENCIA ATMOSPHERE

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    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Tapas Valencia

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    Mule
    Christopher F.

    We had a later reservation for dinner on a Thursday night. It felt as if we might be the last table and therefore things were a little rushed. We ordered a vegetable and seafood paella. Neither of them were overly flavorful, and the rice was certainly not cooked correctly. The apps we shared were pretty good, but nothing stood out or was memorable. There was another group in the restaurant having a holiday party, so there is some excitement. But the rest of the experience was just how fast could they get us in and out.

    09.05.25 Lubina a la plancha without the lemon butter was great
    Chris V.

    We're drawn to the vibrant energy of the Miro and Picasso prints on the walls--they infuse the space with color and life. Adding to the ambiance is a roaming guitarist, whose live music brings a warm, dynamic touch to the experience. The bar service is excellent, with staff who are attentive and welcoming. While the prices lean toward the higher side and the entree portions are on the smaller end, the dishes feel lighter and healthier compared to other tapas spots in the city. It's a refined take on casual dining, with atmosphere to match.

    Shriya S.

    Came here to try their tapas. Was pleasantly surprised to learn they are by the same owners as Meson Sabika! The ambiance was very nice, slightly dimly lit but not too intimidatingly formal or casual - would be a safe place for a lot of different occasions. Service was really nice and they came by often. Tapas selections: - Patatas bravas - had enough manchego cheese but was a bit salty - Queso de Cabra - staple favorite, really flavorful! - Champiñones Rellenos - a bit oily but still stuffed well, you get a good portion (4 big sizes) - Alcachofas a la Mostaza - didn't exactly look like the website photo - didn't come with greens, was just artichokes and vinegar drizzle, was pretty sour and tough to eat, but the garlic made it easier! I would definitely return! I would just stick with my favorites only. If you're a vegetarian it can be tough to justify tapas unless it blows your socks off, and it unfortunately was more in mid range per my preferences and how plates were cooked.

    Overpriced shrimp portion
    Karina U.

    Came here at 1pm for lunch and 5 min later we put in our seafood paella order since we were so excited and it takes 45 min. I also put in an order for the shrimp in garlic sauce. Everyone else's food came out and I only had 5 small shrimp (for $17 mind you, and one had a noticeable undercooked texture to it) because I have to eat gluten free and was expecting the paella. We finished and he brought out the dessert menus... no paella. He forgot to put it in!!! When I inquired about it he said it would be another 20 min so we cut out losses and left. I ended up having to go somewhere else because I was starving. Oh and the non-alcoholic sangria is just fruit punch with no resemblance of sangria whatsoever so huge misnomer. This place was an incredibly overpriced disappointment and no manager ever came over to apologize or comp anything for the paella being completely missed other than just not charging us for it.

    DATILES CON TOCINO ($12.95)
    Kaitlyn C.

    I highly recommend coming here for tapas. They have a wide selection of tapas which I love. They had live music when I went which was on Friday. The service was a bit slow for my liking but the food was delicious! This is one of the better tapas place food wise. I loved the datiles con tocino, patatas bravas, and the and the Empanada de Buey, but everything else we ordered was declined as well. I would have loved to try more items on their menu but I was so full. Their sangrias are also delicious and reasonably priced as well. For happy hour, they have half off tapas which is a good deal as well. I wish I lived a bit closer even though I walked here but it was a very long walk. The walk was more so to feel better after eating so much but it was worth it.

    Sangria flight
    Denyce M.

    There was so much to like about Tapas Valencia and yet I don't feel I can give them more than 3 stars....possibly 3.5, but can't do 4 stars. This was another pick for Restaurant Week 2023, so this was my first time here. Let's start with the pros: interesting interior with a funky vibe. Great mosaic art on the back walls that was very pretty. The tables are of a nice size, so the four top we had was able to accommodate a fair number of dishes. I highly recommend the Sangria Flight. The Queen got this and you pick four flavors from a selection of Strawberry, Peach, Prickly Pear, Mango, Pomegranate or Watermelon. I sampled all four and they were delish. Have to say I was surprised by the size of the glasses that were use and in a pleasant way as it was a decent pour for each one. For dinner we went with the restaurant week menu. First course was Ibéricos de la Casa (Iberico cured meats served with Marcona almonds, Piparra peppers, olives, and tomato bread). Interesting that there was no cheese, but the tomato bread was amazing as well as the meats. For the second course, we had the Costilla Riojana (slow roasted beef short ribs served with white truffle oil infused purée potatoes, wild mushrooms, and a red wine sauce) and Branzino a la Plancha (grilled Mediterranean Sea bass served with sautéed kale, quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes and a lemon butter sauce). Both of these dishes were wonderful, with me sampling the fish dish and loving it. As a note, I am not a fish eater, so for me to say it was good is a compliment. In addition we got two additional small plates: Calamares a la Plancha (grilled squid with garlic olive oil and Albondigas con Almendras (lamb, beef, and pork meatballs served with spicy tomato sauce and toasted almonds). Absolutely delish! Dessert was Pastel de Bailey's (Bailey's infused cheesecake with chocolate chips on hazelnut crust, served with raspberry sauce) and Pastel de Tres Sabores (Tri-layered cake of chocolate sponge infused with grand Torres orange liqueur; cava infused chocolate mousse; and liquor 43 infused caramel mousse). Not really a cheesecake fan so I can't speak on it, but The Doctor and Queen loved it. I had the Pastel de Tres Sabores and that was lovely. Now for the cons: there were no prices on the menu online, so I was not able to get a read on the wine situation in terms of price. I took a bottle of Veuve Clicquot with me and had to pay a $25 corkage fee, which I feel is high. Once we sat down and got menus, I could see that they had pretty decent prices for cavas, with the most expensive one being $39. FYI, corkage fee is per bottle. Prices for some of the small plates is high based on the portion size. If you look at the grilled squid, this was almost a $20 dish, clocking in at $17.95. As great as it was, there was not that much there. Same for the meatballs, very good but small in size. For dinner, the menu clearly stated that I would be getting an entrée, not a small plate or tapas, but an entrée. As you can see from the photo, the short rib had just enough meat to possible put on a slider bun. For $42 I actually expect to eat an entrée, not a small plate. Now the fish dish was clearly closer to an entrée portion. Our server Victoria was wonderful and took good care of us. Now would I come back here, most definitely but probably to check out the $3 bar bites instead. I totally understand the concept of tapas as I have been to Spain and other great restaurants. And normally prices downtown don't bother me, but due to amount of food for some of what we got, I would not do dinner here. I really wanted to love this place and I will most likely go back and possibly revisit my review, but this is where I stand for now.

    Indoors!
    Dan W.

    Wow, what a spectacular meal! Came here for dinner after I'd heard great things about this restaurant from local South Loop friends. As indicated by the name, the specialty is tapas, small dishes meant to be shared between a group. Each tapas dish is sized like a small appetizer, so between 5 of us we ordered 7 dishes, plus the paella and dessert. Everything was delicious, but if I had to pick my favorites: 1) Pipirriana de Buey - skirt steak, potatoes, and onions smothered in cream sauce and blue cheese. 2) Empanada de Buey - a crispy puff pastry filled with seasoned ground beef. 3) Paella Valenciana - seafood paella with mussels, clams, and chicken (tip: it takes 45 minutes to make so order it first thing, especially if you are undecided on what else to order or you're waiting on guests). The service was excellent--our waiter was just the right amount of present and very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was great for a group, dimly lit and a great vibe for a casual group dinner or a romantic dinner for two as well! I'll definitely be coming back!

    Goat cheese and brucheta with salad. Walnuts encrusted and simply delicious.
    Damian P.

    Service was perfect. We sat outside, and the waiter was not only pleasant but extremely accommodating as well as attentive but not in a pushy way. He not only addressed our likes on food but also our tastebuds. He asked what we liked, and from there, it became easy street. Highly recommend the prickly pear sangria, and if you like fruit, this is the one. They have several to choose from, but this one was simply perfect. We had the calamari on potatoe tapas, and although it could be shared, it was only 3 pieces and maybe enough for 1. But it worked out for us. The paella was delicious but of course average for my taste. I've had better, but this one was delicious. The flan was seriously good. I would eat that again and again. Its texture was really velvety, and the slivhered almonds gave it the perfect balance. All in all, I would definitely recommend this Spanish restaurant, but parking is a hassle, and it can be pricey.

    Paella
    Ellie G.

    Great food and service! We sat inside because it was so hot out today but the patio looked really nice. Nice decor and fun music inside. Usually with tapas I order WAY too much but our server was really helpful with guiding us on how much to get - it was the perfect amount. Very reasonably priced too for how much we got, including a pitcher of sangria.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent service and food! Tasty tapas and good mango sangria. Will definitely be back there next time I'm in the area

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    2 years ago

    Delicious and great service. Had the patatas, queso de cabra, albóndigas, cordero and paella. We loved it all.

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    3 years ago

    Delicious food! The service was amazing! Our waiter made our experience phenomenal. I will definitely be back.

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    3 years ago

    Food is usually good but this time it did not live up to what we expect. The food took too long to ge to us and it was not as good as usual.

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    Page 2 of 20

    Tapas Valencia Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tapas Valencia

    Is it kids friendly?

    I'd absolutely take kids there. Loud-ish, nice but casual, and small plates would be super for kids. Cheap but very good

    What days do you have flamenco music?

    Flamenco dancers and Spanish guitar players are at Tapas Valencia every Saturday night from 7-10pm. We hope to see you there.

    Has anyone used the free dessert with a Yelp check in? What did you get? How are the desserts?

    Yes we used it and got the Frutas con Mousse Blanco (white choc mouse with berries) and it was delicious. Loved the food, will be going back.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Ema - Salmon bab.

    Ema

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    2.1 miNear North Side
    $$

    The food is incredible here. The Lamb Ragu specifically is a must try!…read more The vibes are very fun as well. A great place to have drinks or a meal with friends. Very great visuals for pics of you want. The service was mid. That was the only drawback. I would go back for the food but it was if we were a bother to the server. We made a reservation and were seated at the bar area. Our server forgot our wine. It was just the worst service I had of any of the places visited while I was in town.

    We had a reservation at 1PM Sunday and were seated outside. I have always walked past Ema, so it…read morewas a delight to be able to try it for the first time. Our server was kind and great at showing recommendations. They suggested that each person has 2-3 plates since the menu was full of small-plate style food. And honestly, I think we could have gone away with 1-2 plates per person since we were very full by the time we finished eating The interior is absolutely gorgeous. Part of me wishes that we got the chance to sit down inside, but maybe that will be the excuse to come visit another time. The Blueberry Clafoutis was my favorite dish. The blueberries were sweet, and it was like eating a blueberry crepe/pancake. The sweetness level was not overpowering, which was what made this dish so enjoyable. The "Bhel" Hummus and Spicy Whipped Feta were both very tasty. I loved the fruitiness of the "Bhel" Hummus and loved how the Spicy Whipped Feta had its pomegranate bits. Each were so unique, and it was an adventure with each bite. Excellent service and food overall. It was a pleasant new experience.

    Photos
    Ema - Ema tables and bar

    Ema tables and bar

    Ema - Double chocolate.

    Double chocolate.

    Ema - Inside

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    Aba - Short rib

    Aba

    4.4(2k reviews)
    2.1 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    Aba Restaurant review -- Fulton Market, Chicago…read more This was my husband and I first time visiting Aba Restaurant, and we left impressed on every count. From the moment we arrived, the service stood out. We had an 8 PM reservation, but since we were in the area early, Chris B. kindly accommodated us for an earlier seating. We settled on the rooftop deck, which set the mood with a vibrant, buzzy vibe. The service was outstanding throughout. Our waiter greeted us promptly, with a trainee at the table. (My apologies for forgetting their names). Both were exceptionally pleasant. The trainee did a superb job walking us through the menu, explaining the concept of ordering. We decided on a variety of dishes, and Aba delivered: - Wild Mushroom Hummus: A smooth earthy dish with roasted mushrooms folded into a creamy hummus, finished with truffle oil and herbs. Yummy! - Tuna & Watermelon: A refreshing pairing of tender tuna balanced with juicy watermelon, cucumber, pomergrant seeds and mint. Loved it! - Green Chili Shrimp: Served in a metal dish used for escargo. The shrimp were covered by breadcrumbs and lots of butter with a slight kick to it. Great for dipping your bread in. It did not disappoint! - Pan Seared Halibut: A perfectly seared, delicate fillet, moist and flaky that highlighted the fish's clean, buttery profile. And from the cocktail menu, the Aloe? It's Me. It has a kick to it. Loved it too. Everything was excellent--the food was inventive and delicious, the service was great and the rooftop ambiance added a memorable layer to the evening. Highly recommended for a refined yet relaxed Chicago dining experience.

    Aba is in Fulton market and has outdoor and indoor seating! The restaurant is open and bright. I…read moreloved the olive trees that made the room feel like I was outside! The plates are shareable so this is great because you can share a few dishes! I tried the smoked garlic hummus (comes with pita bread), short rib Shakshouka, crispy potatoes, and the beef and lamb kofta! This was for two people and we had left overs. The hummus was fantastic! I highly recommend getting the crispy potatoes as well! I have never tried shakshouka with meat in it before and didn't love the texture. However, the flavor was sweet and savory! The only thing that was not ideal was that an optional surcharge was on the receipt, when we tried to get our server to help remove it per instructions on the receipt no one was to be found. That was disappointing and potentially strategic? I would have rather just tipped. I'm not sure how others feel about the surcharge?

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    Aba - Interior

    Interior

    Aba - Frozen Greek yogurt

    Frozen Greek yogurt

    Aba - Green Falafel

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    Green Falafel

    Arbella - Whipped feta was sooooo good!

    Arbella

    4.4(697 reviews)
    2.1 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    (Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

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    Arbella - DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house

    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house

    Arbella - Crab rangoon

    Crab rangoon

    Arbella - Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned

    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4(10.7k reviews)
    1.9 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    Girl & the Goat is a must go in Chicago. Between the reputation, the awards, and the fame of chef…read moreStephanie Izard, my expectations were high. I made this reservation more than a month in advance and was genuinely excited when I finally snagged a table. Thankfully, the meal delivered. The space itself is exactly what I hoped for--minimal, chic, and effortlessly cool. Nothing feels overdesigned or trendy for the sake of being trendy. The menu is also refreshingly approachable. It's creative without being overwhelming, and there's enough variety that everyone can find something they'll love. Before I even get into the food, I have to give a huge shoutout to our server, Kona. She was absolutely incredible and deserves a raise. Attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great experience. Service like that elevates an entire meal. The drinks were fantastic too. Strong, well-balanced, and with enough variety that there's truly something for everyone. I had both a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned, and neither disappointed. The Manhattan was bold and spirit-forward, while the Old Fashioned was exactly what I wanted--strong, slightly sweet, and the perfect companion to dessert. To start, we ordered the Pita & Dips, and thank goodness we did. The pita itself is enormous, warm, and beautifully prepared. The dips were fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor. It's one of those dishes that seems simple on paper but ends up being one of the most satisfying things on the table. The famous Green Beans absolutely lived up to the hype. Kona came by and suggested pairing them with the halibut, which is exactly the kind of thoughtful service that makes a difference. She didn't have to do that, but she did, and she was right. The green beans were incredible--crunchy, savory, addictive, and somehow far more exciting than green beans have any right to be. I'd honestly come back just for this dish. The Pan-Roasted Halibut was another standout. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. The acidity cut through the richness of the fish while the subtle sweetness tied everything together. It felt bright and refined without losing comfort-factor. The Goat Empanadas were exactly what fried food should be. Crispy, flavorful, and impossible to stop eating. Sometimes restaurants try to overcomplicate things, but this dish succeeded because it simply executed the fundamentals perfectly. Then came the Roasted Pig Face, which might have been the most fun dish of the night. Mixing everything together transformed the plate into something completely different from its individual parts. The textures were fantastic, and the potatoes added an element I wasn't expecting but thoroughly enjoyed. It's playful, creative, and a perfect example of why Girl & the Goat became famous in the first place. And then dessert happened. We ordered the Popcorn Situation, and I now understand why people talk about it. The combination of sweetness, saltiness, creaminess, and crunch somehow works perfectly. That cake, the cheese component, the salty notes - everything came together in a way that sounds unusual on paper but tastes absolutely incredible. Overall, Girl & the Goat lives up to its hype. I'll 100% be back

    Love that they have a vegan menu! We sat outside on a sunny day. There was plenty of indoor and…read moreoutdoor seating. Service was great. As a group of 3, we ordered both vegan and non vegan dishes. For the chickpea fritters, they were able to make a half portion vegan and the other half as is. My friends ordered the chicken skewers and goat empanadas and loved them! I got the maitake mushroom dish. The mushrooms were very flavorful and paired well with the wrap and fresh strawberry cucumber salad. My favorite part was the vegan dessert "vacation, please!" - pineapple cake with passion fruit sorbet

    Photos
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat

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    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Seafood Paella

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    4.3(5.2k reviews)
    4.1 miLincoln Park, DePaul
    $$

    First time coming to Chicago and all my friends told me I had to check this place out! Located in…read moreLincoln Park, it is away from the hub-bub of downtown Chicago. The menu features a variety of Spanish tapas, pintxos, small plates, and Paella. You are meant to order plates to share with table. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba really prides themselves in serving authentic Spanish food and providing guests with a unique experience. The restaurant itself is very cute and has a fun vibe about it. There are plenty of seating options and a gorgeous bar as well. Service was wonderful! Our server did an excellent job checking in on us, refilling waters, and just making sure we were satisfied with everything. We did get a reservation via OpenTable, this is always necessary, but I would recommend doing this, especially on the weekends. We ordered a couple plates to start and the ended up ordering more throughout our meal. I really love that you can do this, it paces the food and allows you to enjoy the experience more. We put in orders for 2 of the goat cheese baked in tomato sauce, a patatas bravas, Spanish olives, and Spanish meatballs (Al Jerez). The food came out in a timely manner and was served made to order. We dove right in! The goat cheese was luscious and perfect on that cold afternoon. It's baked in their old world Spanish oven and served with house garlic bread. This dish was super creamy, with a nice tang from the tomatoes, and just phenomenal. The patatas bravas were just divine! The spicy potato's were cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and yet soft on the inside. They paired perfectly with sun-dried tomato aioli they were served with as well. The Spanish Meatball were decent as well. They had great texture and I really enjoyed the sherry tomato sauce they were served in. For our next round, we had to order more patatas bravas because they were just that good! We also got some calamari and extra bread for the remaining baked goat cheese. The fried calamari comes with tomato crudo and a jalapeño aioli. It was nice and crispy, nothing too special but still hit the spot nonetheless. Overall, I was so happy my friends and I came here! The food was amazing all around, no complaints at all. The service was great as well. They are very accommodating and do a great job taking care of guests. Loved the interior of the restaurant, it was super cozy! I will definitely have to return next time I'm in the area to try more tapas. Highly recommend!

    House marinated olives - 3/5 too salty…read more Sangria flight 3/5 Fruity flavors were not very strong. Catalan style crystal bread 4/5 Yum! Fried shishito peppers 3.5/5 Could use more flavor Gazpacho 5/5 Delicious. Moroccan chickpea stew 3/5 Sweet and flavor was strong. Needs to go with rice to balance it out. Service was okay. Servers just plopped the plates on the table and left without saying anything.

    Photos
    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Tapas for dinner.

    Tapas for dinner.

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Butternut squash soup, Spanish Meatballs "Al Jerez", Deviled Egg with Crispy Serrano Ham

    Butternut squash soup, Spanish Meatballs "Al Jerez", Deviled Egg with Crispy Serrano Ham

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - It looks like a mini corn dog

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    It looks like a mini corn dog

    Figo Wine Bar - Meatballs

    Figo Wine Bar

    4.2(329 reviews)
    5.6 miLakeview
    $$

    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!

    Very cute spot right off the Belmont stop. We were able to take advantage of happy hour deals and…read moresat right at the bar. However, the bartender was not very nice, and we saw her stick her hand in someone's glass to get something out before serving it... Other than that though the hh glass of red, complementary bread with olive oil, and hh Brussels were all great!

    Photos
    Figo Wine Bar - A quick look at our wine cellar for private parties.

    A quick look at our wine cellar for private parties.

    Figo Wine Bar - Grilled Octopus

    Grilled Octopus

    Figo Wine Bar - Dates

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    Dates

    Forbidden Root - Sorbet

    Forbidden Root

    4.3(649 reviews)
    3.3 miUkrainian Village, West Town
    $$

    If you like beer, you should be able to find one you like here. There are plenty to choose from…read moreand the descriptions are accurate. My beverage/beer order was the Night Moth Oak-Conditioned Hazy IPA | 7.2% | 12oz/8 - 5oz/4. I recommend this if you are a fan of Hazy IPA's. My food order was the Beer braised, short rib with roasted root vegetables, polenta, swiss chard, and sweety drops. Tender and tasty short ribs. I will be craving the sweety drops for sure. Bar seating, regular tables and high top tables available here.

    Wish I could give a 3.5 stars. I applaud the true creativity. But every order was a mixed bag…read more Fried chicken sandwich - 3.5/5. Pickles are the star. Cut through heaviness. Magical first few bites. But chicken gets boring. Crispy Brussels sprouts - 3.5/5. Solid fry level. Cheesy bites are delicious. But quickly bland. Raisins is an unexpected addition but unsuccessful in my view. Kids grilled cheese - 4/5. Tasty and simple, though my kid wasn't willing to try. Duck and dumpling - 3.5/5. I can see how this is someone's favorite dish. Lovely rich broth. Crispy skin. But there was a heaviness that didn't totally work for me, especially with the bigger duck chunks. Definitely better fresh than leftover. Chocolate beer cake - 3.5/5. Slightly dense cake. Nice frosting. Beer aroma and flavor definitely comes through. Hazelnuts a nice crunch. Fun and glad to have tried, but not reaching for the next bite.

    Photos
    Forbidden Root - Back of the restaurant

    Back of the restaurant

    Forbidden Root - Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Forbidden Root - Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

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    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

    LIA

    LIA

    4.1(35 reviews)
    2.0 miNear North Side

    TL; DR: $30 girl dinner Tuesday-Thursday…read more Great deal for girl dinner that is both filling and fun. I went in on a Tuesday with a group and 90% of the tables were all girl groups, so the vibes were girly through and through. Whoo hoo! I would love to go back to try different combos with drinks and entrees

    Ok so here's the thing my group of 5 friends had a reservation at 7:15pm on a Thursday night. We…read morearrived at 7:13pm, we go in and the hostess tells us our table isn't ready and that she'll text when it is. We head back outside for another 15 minutes, no text. At about 7:35pm we head back inside to ask again, and they tell us it will be another 10 mins. (Remember reservation time was for 7:15). Then they offer us 5 seats at the bar, we just awkwardly sat there because obviously we were there for girl dinner and didn't want this to count as our one drink. I however needed a martini asap so ordered that for full price. We wait another 15 minutes at the bar. At around 7:55pm the hostess (maybe manager) came to get us to bring us to our table. She mentioned once about comped drinks (never came) and another about free dessert (which did come!) She took our drink order as we were sitting down, after about 10 more minutes (8:05) our actual server comes over only to realize the other woman had gotten our drinks and he just walked away. The food itself was okay but nothing to write home about and the service was below average once seated. Also random- we asked for boxes at one point, I had gotten a small personal sized pizza. I asked the server for a box and I kid you not he brought a XL pizza box. We couldn't help but laugh because common sense should've told you that was ridiculous, given the size of the pizza in front of me but damn was it funny. I wanted to like this place and the concept of girl dinner is a fun, but good lord remember who your audience is, chatty girls here for dinner! Plan accordingly! Probably won't be back

    Photos
    LIA - Panoramic of the bar area

    Panoramic of the bar area

    LIA
    LIA

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    Tapas Valencia - spanish - Updated June 2026

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