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    The Kitchen American Bistro

    3.9 (899 reviews)
    PriceyBars, American

    The Kitchen American Bistro Photos

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    THE KITCHEN AMERICAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Lamb kofta
    Lisa S.

    Stopped by The Kitchen American Bistro on a sunny Saturday and couldn't have picked a better spot. You can sit right next to the river and watch boats pass by while you eat. It's such a relaxing, scenic way to enjoy a meal in the city. I had the lamb kofta and garlic fries, and both were so good -- full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Even better, they offer happy hour on Saturdays, which is a rare and awesome find! Between the great food, unbeatable views, and chill vibe, it made for a perfect day in this beautiful city. Highly recommend for a laid-back but elevated riverfront dining experience.

    Crab fried rice
    Trina K.

    The views are to die for, the selection has led me to return a second time within six weeks and the service each visit is better than the last. I had the pleasure of being served by Conner during my last visit and he was very personable and extremely attentive. Add to that I stepped in without a reservation and dining alone, and the hostess, was extremely accommodating and placed me at a table with an absolutely breathtaking view. I have the carrots which were served with feta and pistachio. And I also had the crab fried rice and dessert. I'd order all three again and even had a little to take home as leftovers.

    Baby Lettuce Salad
    Sydney H.

    The food at The Kitchen was overall really good. The Park House Rolls are a MUST. Hands down some of the best rolls I've ever had. The inside of them was sooooo soft and flaky and buttery. They were like if a croissant and traditional dinner roll had a baby - perfection!!!!! The gnocchetti was amazing too. Very small, but very rich. It was also very soft and pillowy and came in a creamy pesto sauce. The salad was just okay, I wouldn't recommend. Although the food here was great, the service was absolutely horrible. We came in around 4:30/5 on a Saturday and it wasn't busy at all. There were plenty of open tables outside, but when we asked to sit out there they said there was a wait even though the restaurant was basically empty. There was 1 person in front of us at the host stand and it still took 20 minutes to be seated AND the host was rude when we asked her about sitting outside.

    Menu
    Candace W.

    Walked in here for lunch and my party was seated and served promptly. You can't see the river from the indoor seating, but that's ok the inside of the restaurant is nice. Wish the river was part of the view though. I had the southern fried chicken sandwich and it was very crunchy with a good sauce and yummy fries. My sister got the black kale caesar salad, and it includes smoked trout and the whole salad tasted a little smokey. We liked that, but beware it's not everyone's taste. Overall: positive lunch experience, a little pricey because of location but the food is decent.

    Shrimp A La Plancha
    Angel A.

    Had dinner here for New Year's Eve and it was definitely a great way to close out the year. The cocktails are incredible and do a fantastic job of complimenting the delicious food. Highly recommend the Ahi Tuna Crudo and Shrimp A La Plancha.

    Margarita & old fashioned
    Sarah M.

    This place was great! Perfectly situated on the river, close to lots of the action. We came at an "off time" on a Friday for their happy hour and small bites which is from 3-5. They only offer a few small plate food items during this time which was actually perfect for us to snack while we grabbed a few cocktails. For drinks we tried their happy hour margarita and old fashioned. Both were fresh and delicious! Then we ordered x2 espresso martinis (not on happy hour but worth ordering!) these espresso martinis were one of the best I have had! They use REAL, freshly brewed espresso!! Highly recommend. Our bartender was so pleasant and nice (I feel bad I don't remember his name). Ambiance is classy but cozy. Highly recommend! The fries came with this delicious sauce! Sliders were yummy. The lolipop wings were not my favorite, very fatty. Wouldn't order those again.

    Salad
    Matt J.

    The ambiance was great. We went with a group of 6 and felt the service was attentive. The burger was quite amazing. Food was better than expected and the location was in a good part of the city. Had reservations due to the under 4 star rating on yelp but felt it was much better than expected.

    Lunch time
    Sada N.

    This place was a HIT! The Kitchen American Bistro was such an astounding VIBE! Views of the riverfront, beautiful skyscrapers, while the tourists sightseeing the beautiful historical buildings and their architecture on boat tours. People just plainly out and about enjoying their gorgeous Friday afternoon. Typically, just an another beautiful day in downtown Chicago! Reservations are highly encouraged but not required. Although, for the patio seating with the great view, I will most definitely make reservations for a secured seat. Parking was also valet which I love the convenience. A little spoiled in that terrible manner. Lol!! I was immediately acknowledged by the staff with her gracious hospitality didn't catch her name. I checked in and was given my complimentary water as I walked to my reserved patio seating. I ordered the lobster roll, and their homemade focaccia along with my tasty Raspberry Beret margarita. Everything was delicious. Menu was simple for lunch and my order had a zero wait time! Couldn't been more happier! Portions and prices were decent for lunch. I just really enjoyed myself. The weather was great, in the presence of good company, great drinks, delicious food with a phenomenal view, YOU just can't beat that! Check em out!!

    Happy Hour salad. Huge.
    Jeff K.

    We went here twice on recent trip as we were staying up the street. First time for happy hour at bar. Cold beers and ordered salad w strawberries & assorted goodies and an order of their drenched chicken wings. Salad was dressed w amazing lemon zest vinaigrette and a happy hour portion was enough for 2 to share. Wings are in a chili type sauce and equally amazing. We went back 2 days later and sat outside overlooking the river. Split the salad and a small gnocchi dish. Bartenders were awesome and gave us their dive bar food and drink reqs.

    Crab Fried Rice (gf)
    Bonny L.

    I went here for some lunch with my sister the other day and we got the crab rice and the burger with fries. Food was pretty good. The rice has a big portion so we had some leftover. Server was also very friendly and nice. Inside is very unique looking and modern too. I definitely recommend if you go to Chicago, seems like a great place to grab drinks as well!

    Wine room
    Anthony R.

    In town for some doctor visits and Thanksgiving and looking for a fun new place to try and a Kimbal Musk restaurant was the definite move. The restaurant website lets you choose a day and time. It even asks of any special occasions and/or dietary restrictions. I marked down my restrictions and that it was my birthday and they were well versed. I really appreciated that they actually read what I submitted ahead of time. You walk in to the restaurant and it is so spacious and open. We had a high top by a window looking out over the river. Awesome view! The menu was so descriptive with the main ingredients and the dietary restrictions. We got a couple appetizers and WOW! I'm glad we got the Crispy Cauliflower. Excellent flavor. Definite crispness. The broccolini had a fun garlic flavor to it, a pleasant surprise! Then our entrees came and wow!! My mom really likes crab and the fried rice had a wonderful flavor blend with crab. She enjoyed it just as much on day two! And my roasted chicken came. At first glance, could be seen as underwhelming. I take a bite and wow; I am someone who has ketchup or Barbeque sauce with chicken. It didn't need it. It was great on It's own. Again, on day two, did not lose any tenderness or flavor. The fries were the same. A high quality potato, no extras necessary. The non alcoholic drink I had was good. A bit heavy on the non alcoholic spirits for my liking. I will definitely be back!! Bringing family, friends and the like. Kimbal and his team are amazing.

    The view from the patio
    Garnier A.

    Carrots entry is just amazing. Very good service, wonderful view of you get the patio.

    Mocktails
    Rahima J.

    The inside is really cute and they were able to accommodate a larger party for brunch. It's also on the river, which is really nice! But the food itself was very bland with very few options, especially for meat substitutes - which there were none. The food and drinks are both a bit pricey for the food quality.

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    Page 1 of 23

    The Kitchen American Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Kitchen American Bistro

    Would the patio accommodate party of 6?

    Is there a patio?

    Hi there! We do have a patio located on the Riverwalk. It is primarily two person table tops with one 4 person table at the end. The patio is first comer first serve, however you can let us know if you would like outside seating on the patio and we… 

    Do they have Brunch menu or is this place good for brunch? Also, how is the noise level here and is it lively or cozy?

    Yes, there is a brunch menu. It is noisy even when its not full. If noisy means lively to you then yes. There are no quiet spots.

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    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4
    (9.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Burgers were awesome. But Antonio was perfect, and went above and beyond making our dinner special…read more It was my first time in the restaurant and asked if the fries of hash was better, he recommended the fries but later surprised us with the hash comped. But that's not all-- he also came with a sunday "just to celebrate" it wasn't anyone's birthday or anniversary but we definitely were in the mood to celebrate after a night talking with him. Thanks for great service and great food, give Antonio a raise he is AWESOME

    Arrived before having to wait more than 30 minutes as others after me had to. I waited no more than…read more20 minutes for a seat. I got sat at the bar area where you can see all the action of the kitchen. The place is busy and full and I think it's awesome that it's an open kitchen cause you can see the magic happening. My waitress was super friendly and seems like she's used to everyone coming in to try the burger lol I heard her repeat the spiel many times. A single patty is 2 and a double is 3z I went with a double but honestly should have done a single. Food came out quick and the burger is super juicy. Fries were hot and delicious and even though it was the simplest burger I've ever had in my life I would say it's one of my top three favorite burgers I've ever had. Can't wait to come back.

    Photos
    The cooks were very attentive!
    The cooks were very attentive!
    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash
    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash
    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

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    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)
    Bar Siena

    Bar Siena

    4.2
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    We recently took a large party from work for lunch at Bar Siena. Beautiful restaurant, fantastic…read moreservice, great food. There is indoor and outdoor seating and both are elegant. Outside, vibrant with hanging flowers and tasteful covers. Inside is bright with stark woods and black accents creating a classy but casual atmosphere. We had a table of 8, and our waiter was on point, making great suggestions, was charismatic and did a great job. Every time service came, there was help to expedite the service. We ordered the calamari and meatballs for appetizers. Both were exceptional. They went quickly. I couldn't get pictures. I had the focaccia with prosciutto which was a suggestion and it was the perfect blend of savory and sweet...fantastic. Likewise, my rigatoni was exceptional. Most of the table had their signature burger and they raved about it. If you're in Chicago looking for really solid Italian food, I highly recommend Bar Sienna.

    Bar Siena is such a hidden gem! My husband and I stopped by for drinks, and it ended up being one…read moreof the highlights of our evening. The ambiance is cozy, intimate, and perfect for date night, but it's also a great place to pop in for a quick cocktail if you're out enjoying the city. Their handcrafted drinks were delicious, and I loved that they offer a full wine selection as well. We were able to grab seats at the bar with no problem, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere. If you're looking for a chic, laid-back place to connect over great drinks, I definitely recommend Bar Siena.

    Photos
    Industrial bar
    Industrial bar
    Parmesan Potato Skins appetizer
    Parmesan Potato Skins appetizer
    This  N 24 was so delicious! I love mezcal so much  and it was the perfect birthday drink

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    This N 24 was so delicious! I love mezcal so much and it was the perfect birthday drink
    HIDE+SEEK

    HIDE+SEEK

    4.0
    (386 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Hide+Seek was pretty good! Came here for dinner on a work trip and had the Parisian Gnocchi ($27)…read morewhich has lobster in it. The portion size isn't huge but there's a LOT of fat in this so it will make you feel full! I had had a drink beforehand too so I wasn't "starving," and I left pretty comfortably full. I was seated upstairs at the bar (there's an up and a downstairs bar) and the bartender was very nice, they served me pretty quick. I didn't hang about long but there were several couples clearly on dates, and I would say it's a nice spot for that -- not the fanciest, but certainly more upscale than casual. Bathrooms were immaculate too! Of note, I didn't have a car but saw metered parking directly out front and along the whole street there in shopping area. It was VERY packed but there was a lot of turnover so I imagine if you drove you wouldn't have to circle too long before finding a spot.

    Great night! John sat us at a great table on the main level. We were 7 people, but sat in curved…read morebooth which was perfect because the conversation was great. Gigi was an our server and she was attentive and informative. For food we ordered a variety, cucumber salad, the burrata, fried artichoke, French onion bread, octopus, hamachi, rib eye, filet and ravioli. Everything was amazing!!!! It is a small menu, but so many amazing options, you can't go wrong. We then went to the night club. Gina was our server and she was amazing also. Everyone had a blast Venue is beautiful, food is great, staff and vibe made the whole night!

    Photos
    Immaculate bathrooms!
    Immaculate bathrooms!
    HIDE+SEEK
    The Dutchess

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    The Dutchess
    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4
    (10.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Recently, my husband and I celebrated the anniversary of the day we met. We don't always mark the…read moreoccasion, but this year it was a milestone worth celebrating. We chose to dine at Girl & the Goat in Chicago, a restaurant we had never visited before. The acclaimed restaurant by renowned chef Stephanie Izard truly lived up to its stellar reputation! One of the first things we appreciated was the convenience of the restaurant's valet parking, located right by the front patio. At $22 for up to four hours and $26 for four to eight hours, the rates were quite reasonable for the area. As soon as the three of us stepped inside Girl & the Goat (we had made a reservation for 6:30 pm on a Friday), we were warmly greeted by one of the two friendly hostesses, and were promptly led to a comfortable four-top table with a banquette and two chairs along the wall. We felt fortunate to have one of the better tables in the dining room, as some of the others were positioned very close together. The nearby two-top tables, in particular, were quite small and placed only a short distance from ours. The restaurant's rustic-industrial décor was dark but trendy and stylish, the lively and vibrant vibe was warm and welcoming. However, I have to mention that it was really loud in the dining room, as guests seemed to be enjoying themselves and talked loudly.  It was hard to hear our server and the staff who delivered and explained the dishes to us.  Our server, Yazmin, was extremely friendly and attentive.  It was very sweet of her to wish us a happy anniversary both in the beginning  and at the end of the meal.  She also checked in on us several times during the evening.  Now, on to the food and drinks. I started with a glass of the NA Sparkling Rosé ($17), which was light, crisp, and quite refreshing. My husband ordered a glass of Le Colture Prosecco ($18), while our daughter chose the Sun Kid ($18). She enjoyed her drink, although she felt the portion was a bit small, as the glass was filled with a lot of ice that took up much of the space. Since the restaurant offers small to medium plates which are shareable, Yazmin advised us to get 5 to 6 dishes for 3 people to share.  We decided to get 5 savory dishes and 3 desserts to share: Savory dishes: - Chickpea Fritters ($20), goat yogurt, green chutney, sev spice crunch, pickled rhubarb. - Pan Roasted Halibut ($37), miso-Marcona almond butter, spring onion blueberry nuoc cham. - Roasted Pig Face ($28), sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro, red wine-maple, potato stix. - Goat Empanadas ($24), smoked tomato-corn salsa, roasted poblano crema queso fresco. - Confit Goat Belly ($38), strawberry goat braise, smoked yogurt drizzle, pickled strawberries. Desserts: - Vacation, Please! ($16), toasted coconut crunch, lemon passion fruit sorbet, rum-soaked pineapple cake. - Berry Yummy Par-tea ($16), earl grey soaked sponge cake, yuzu curd, spiced blackberries. - Chocolate Basil Brownie Bash ($16), olive oil semifreddo, chocolate fennel crunch, basil granita. The meal was just phenomenal!  All the savory dishes were cooked perfectly with bold flavors; the meats were tender and full of flavors.  There were dishes that we normally would not have ordered if we saw them on menus of other restaurants.  Here, we tried them and were delighted that we did!  Our consensus is that Roasted Pig Face is our most favorite! It is everything we love in a comfort dish -- crispy on the outside, meltingly tender inside, and packed with rich, balanced flavor.  We will definitely order this again!  The Confit Goat Belly is a close second, with buttery, fall-apart meat and just the right balance of richness, acidity, and crunch. For dessert, "Vacation, Please!" is the one that we will always come back for. The toasted coconut crunch adds texture, the lemon passion fruit sorbet brings a refreshing tang, and the rum-soaked pineapple cake ties it all together with just the right amount of sweetness.  The other two desserts that we ordered were also very good.  The staff even brought out a scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream on the house, with two lit candles to celebrate our anniversary - a thoughtful touch that made the evening even more memorable.  This dessert spread was the perfect ending to an incredible meal. I'd like to mention that the restaurant added a 4% surcharge to the bill, which the customer may request to have the surcharge remove if you choose.  We let them keep it. We spent about two hours at the restaurant. The savory dishes came out very quickly, the pace probably was even a tad too fast, but the desserts made up for it by taking a longer time.  We did not mind as we were still full, and had time to enjoy the ambiance more.  I would say it is a restaurant great for group gathering and celebratory functions, but not so much for intimate romantic date night.  All in all, it was a wonderful dinner, we look forward to returning again.

    I was there the other week (I've been here at least five times before), and a busser--not our…read morewaiter--started clearing both of our plates before we were finished eating. We each only had a couple of bites left, but it definitely gave off an "okay, you're done now" vibe. Then he went to take the green beans (arguably the cult classic on the menu), and we still had more than half of them left. I had to stop him and say, "Yeah, we're not done with those. We paid for them. Can you put them in a to-go box instead?" For context, it was about 20 minutes before closing, but we ordered with plenty of time and were already eating with a "get in, eat, and get out" mindset. I've just never had someone at a restaurant start clearing plates while we were still actively eating--without asking, "Are you finished?" "Can I clear this?" or "Would you like a to-go box?" It was just... "You're done, these are leaving now." We were there for less than 45 minutes, left about 15 minutes before closing, and spent over $200 (not including the tip). With so many options in Chicago, I don't see myself coming back here.

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

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    The Kitchen American Bistro - bars - Updated July 2026

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