Carnivale

★★★★☆ 3.9 (2616) • $$$

"What an experience we've had at Carnivale! I haven't been back for years and never had dinner just drinks but let me tell you this place is such a vibe! A live show about every 20 minutes which makes the experience even better. The ambience is colorful and very inviting. To start order yourself a mojito, made with perfection that's sweet but not overpowering.Now let me get to the best part,the food ! For appetizers we had, ropa vieja which was like a braised beef that had pickled onions and this queso fresco with some aioli but let me tell you that was 10/10. Don't hesitate and order it. You will thank me later . We also had chicken empanadas and mushroom croquettes , the chicken empanadas weren't like the regular empanadas you get but overall I probably wouldn't order it again not saying they were bad just didn't wow me like the other two appetizers.However the mushroom croquettes I was loving it up! It does come with black truffle so to each its own taste buds but this was right up my alley . Dinner we had the Brazilian Churasco that comes with yuca fritas that's fries. The Oxtail Paella omg was so delish !!! I almost wanted to change my plates. Braised Oxtail had mushrooms carrots rice forgot what else but all the best combos . I wish I knew what my friends steak name was but it's the video where the waiters putting on my friends plate . She said she loved every single bite. After dinner we obviously had to order some desserts, we did the carnival cotton candy that comes with popcorn, the ice cream with 3 flavors, pistachio, passion fruit, and raspberry and the 19 layer cake. The cake was the winner . Great experience and would dine again when I'm in Chicago ."

Pierogi Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (47) • $$

"I've been on a Yelp hiatus, but my recent trip to Chicago forced me out of retirement to review some EXCELLENT establishments including Pierogi Kitchen. I was in town for a Conference, and had a free morning and afternoon downtown. I was on a mission to find some really good Polish food. It's been 7 years since I lived in Poland I've missed authentic dishes like Zurek and Bigos. Both of which I was able to find a Pierogi Kitchen and I was so happy!Upon arrival, I was greeted warmly by the server. I sat at the bar since I was dining by myself. I started things off with a walk down memory lane with a glass of Zywiec with raspberry syrup. Ahh the nostalgia. I ordered zurek and bigos because they are hard to come by in my hometown. Both were served in a cute little crock with some toasted rye on the side. Everything was sour and salty and perfectly delicious! I enjoyed the added micro greens as a garnish giving these tranditional dishes a little bit of modern flare. The ambiance of the restraunt is similar - like a little staropolska chata, but with a modern twist. It's easy to get to too - just a short ride on the blue line to Daemen and a short walk. The neighborhood is alive and filled with shops and restaurants and people. I could see this becoming a regular haunt if I lived in the area."

Del Toro

★★★★☆ 4 (483) • $$

"Yum! I came here after a work event with some colleagues and we were seated right away despite not having a reservation, which is always a pleasant surprise! The patio is large and super spacious, so it made a great option for a place to come with a big group. The drinks are everything of a margarita lovers dream. There are SO many margarita options, and even some traditional Mexican beverage options too like sangria, horchata, jalisco old fashion. I went with the jalapeño margarita and I loved it, but buckle up; she's spicy! It comes with half a jalapeño atop it, if you want to make it even spicer. We shared some chips, salsa and guac to start and loved all three. The guac was so fresh! I ordered the carne asada and pollo adobado tacos. Both were flavorful, but the carne asada was my favorite! The tacos are decently sized, but I would probably get one more. Overall great time here and I would absolutely come back to hang on the patio and try some more drinks!"

LIVA at Chicago Winery

★★★★☆ 4 (64)

"The place is beautiful and nice for an elegant dinner; however the food isn't really worth the prices. I would just come here for the wine and drinks next time! We ordered a variety of dishes and drinks and were a big group though, so I appreciated the service trying to keep up with us. We had the burrata and croquettes to start- really nothing special. I liked the burrata and would definitely not get the small tasteless croquettes again. For our entrees, I shared the little gem salad and roasted chicken cavatelli with a friend. The salad was a nice fresh dish and portion. The pasta was okay and nothing special, though better than the sweet potato gnocchi that I tried as well. I liked my cocktail- the luchador love song was a fresh fruity take on a spicy margarita in a cool cup. It was quite popular in our group."

Machine Engineered Dining & Drink

★★★★☆ 4 (762) • $$

"This joint was recommended to me by my Yelp sis Latrice A. We went here for brunch meeting to catch up and I am glad we did. Machine is a great addition to my brunch outing.The space itself is adorable. Latrice and I sat at a two top table under a gorgeous fall tree. The wall behind us was lined with while flowers and lights, while there was marble all over the place. The space is divided into a dining area and a separate dining and bar area. There is also outside dining that looks great, but too cold right now to experience it. There was a woman walking around with a flower cart. At the time I did not know what this was about, but discovered that this was a regular part of the experience. They have certified Florists who will make a floral arrangement for you at your table. Back to brunch. For my entrée, I got the Glazed Pork and Potato Hash (Korean glaze, caramelized kimchi, sautéed spinach, garlic aioli, and sunny side up eggs) and the Strawberry Shortcake French Toast (Brown Sugar Strawberries, Amaretti Crusted Honey Custard Brioche, Coriander-Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting, Strawberry Syrup and Orange Zest). Both of these dishes were very good and warmed up nicely the next day as leftovers. To wash it all down, I got a Rose Prosecco called Tullia from Veneto, Italy. That was very nice and I definitely would (and did!) do it again.I had such a good time there that I took The Doctor and The Queen there for their Happy Hour. Machine only does Happy hour on Fridays from 4-6 pm. The menu is limited in terms of food choices: three choices of a Tofu Volcano, Mediterranean Bowl and Cacio Pepe (Bucatini Pasta, Hook's Parmesan and a Pepper Blend). You can get protein added to any of these dishes. We went with the pasta dish and it was good. The pasta is $10 on its own, with an extra charge for the protein of your choice.Machine also has a selection of Communal Cocktails that serves 2-4. Prices are on the high side if you are thinking of just one person getting a drink, but since you can share them, the cost goes down. For Happy Hour, the prices are cut in half. I am not much of a cocktail person, but I did have this Breakfast at Tiffany's (tenjaku gin, watermelon, berry and lemon) and I absolutely loved that! The presentation was lovely, with the drink being served in this lovely cut glass decanter with a flower in the neck of the decanter.Nice thing about Happy Hour is you can make a reservation to sit in the dining room and still order from the happy hour menu for eats and get the half off price drinks. A lot of places require you to sit in the bar area for these deals, but here you don't have to worry about rushing to get a space to enjoy.Service was good. Both times there, the servers were very nice and attentive. For the second visit, The Queen got a small bouquet made. Flowers are on the pricey side but they did look beautiful and lasted for several days when we got home. The Florist was nice and helpful in making recommendations and getting everything wrapped up to take home.All in all, we had a great time at Machine and definitely will be back again."

Game Room

★★★★☆ 4.1 (226) • $$

"This place is like a fancy Dave & Busters! Excellent food and drinks. The service was great. Would go back again and again. 10/10"

Shanghai Terrace

★★★★☆ 4.2 (420) • $$$

"Peninsula fan all the way... this restaurant really embodies the quality of these hotels. Big Pfan and why we went for a birthday lunch. Service was top-notch and they were always on top of making sure the table was cleared and ready for the next course... the ambiance is lovely and serene, so nice of a garden vibe being up in the middle of the Mag Mile.Food, for the most part, was okay, but nothing you can't get in Chinatown for 1/3 the price... Some dim sum and wontons, corn crab chowder, beef noodles, prawns, and sea bass (only exceptional entree), and 6 drinks were enough to make us hit 400ish with tax and tip for 3 people.Nice place, recommend parking at the NW lot, and walking over to Water Tower for shopping and playing tourists. Nice day to be in the city."

Drawing Room

★★★★☆ 4.3 (107) • $$

"Coming back down from Cindy's Rooftop, I stumbled upon this jaw-dropping floor. I asked one of the employees if it was okay to take pictures and look around. He then gave me a quick tour and showed me into the Game Room. Truly one unforgettable experience!"

Mordecai

★★★★☆ 4 (141) • $$

"Surprisingly solid HH cocktail option in Wrigleyville. Right across the street from the park, Mordecai offers an elegant space to drink and dine. There are plenty of unique bottles lined up along the wall, partially covered by a moving screen. I believe it is part of the hotel, a modern and fancy looking space, but still approachable.There were a couple of ready made, draft cocktails and we sampled a couple of them. They were all really good. There are also a couple of food HH items listed. Overall, an enjoyable experience and a nice option in the area."

LH Rooftop

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (551) • $$

"Entering the wonderland was a treat! The view was stunning and the decor was charming. We were seated promptly without any issues. As we savored espresso martinis and truffle fries, we soaked in the breathtaking view of Chicago.The espresso martinis were delightful with a robust coffee flavor, and while the liquor was subtle, it packed a punch!The truffle fries made for a perfect appetizer to share, ideal for 3-4 people. The black truffle dipping sauce was particularly delicious!Tip: Visit during quieter hours to avoid the rush, especially around 5pm when it gets very busy!"

Broken Shaker at Freehand Chicago

★★★★☆ 4.1 (453) • $$

"Narrative: Work Trip to Chicago in June. I had a craving for a good burger and cocktail and this place was close to my hotel. Food: So I was intrigued by their Happiest Meal special. If you asked me to find a burger that represented what a typical American burger should be, this burger would be it. It was like a Big Mac, if a Big Mac tasted absolutely amazing. I still think about that burger. So good. Drinks: This place gives off high end tiki bar vibes but doesn't fully embrace the kitsch of one. Basically, you can get some very unique drinks while also falling back on the mainstays of any classy bar if orgeat and falernum make you nervous. They utilized a lot of house-made bitters and syrups which elevated the drinks. Aesthetic: This place was unique. It looked like visiting my grandparents house if they never updated it since 1960. Definitely a walk back into a different time. Cozy, spacious, and lots of corners to enjoy a good drink and conversations. Service: Hit or miss. The guy in the back bar had no clue about the drink of the day or food specials that the website talked about. I was about to walk out but then asked at the front bar. The lady their was much more knowledgeable about what I was looking for and served me. Price: The Happiest Meal Burger is a happy hour special and comes at a very good price, especially being found in downtown Chicago. Drinks are standard to what you will find at other bars downtown Why You Should Go: That amazing burger!!!"

Pancho's Rooftop Cantina

★★★★☆ 3.7 (31)

"The re-brand this place needed! What a fun atmosphere and restaurant. It's perfect for a happy hour with coworkers or friends, or affordable drinks and food with whoever you're with. Their pulled chicken nachos and carne asada fries were to die for. I loved all their drinks - I recommend the Mexican mule, frozen margs, or margs on the rocks. I especially liked their mango and strawberry margaritas. The bathrooms are downstairs so you have to go down 1-2 flights of stairs to access their 2-stall bathroom. Our servers were soooo awesome and personable. I'd totally come here again if I'm looking for a happy hour in the loop!"

Watershed

★★★★☆ 4.1 (424) • $$

"I'm always looking for a good speakeasy and I found another one! Watershed is a perfectly dark, swanky, comfortable night spot located in the basement below Pops For Champagne, on the corner of State and Ohio. We were greeted and escorted downstairs by cheerful staff and met with the question, "chess or scrabble"? Well...scrabble of course! We were led to a lush leather seating area surrounding a large swivel scrabble board! How fun and unexpected! The cocktail menu was fun and features seasonal drinks, classics, beer and wine that our group thoroughly enjoyed! What a great little find! Oh....and I won Scrabble"

Ludlow Liquors

★★★★☆ 4.2 (66)

"The place: feels immediately familiar. Great neighborhood bar. Seats about 30 inside. The outdoors is a great space with good vibes when the weather is pleasant. We've probably been at least half a dozen times since we moved to Avondale 8 months ago.The taste: love that they recently expanded their menu. Most recently we shared the hai and low burger - super tasty. The fries are always a good call. They even have some snacks if a bag of chips or Pocky is all you need (strawberry or cookies and cream). My face: a good mix of NA drinks and cocktails (and beer if you're into that), so it's usually a smile. $4 old styles. $8-$14 cocktails. $12 burgers. On our most recent visit, final tab was $85 for 2 cocktails, 2 beers, 1 burger, 1 order of onion rings, 1 pocky."

Parlay Lincoln Park

★★★★☆ 3.7 (30)

"Great new sports bar in Lincoln Park. The selection of signature mules is awesome and the drinks are very good. Food worth trying are the wings and pizza. Service is good. Our bartender was very nice and took her time to explain what's in some of the drinks. Follow on IG table42chicago for reel about this place"

Sapori Trattoria

★★★★☆ 4.4 (2885) • $$$

"This is a really good restaurant! The service is kind and the ambiance is pleasant and comfortable, nice but family friendly. My husband, baby, and I came to eat here for an early dinner when we were in town. They were kind about our running late and let us keep our baby in his stroller so we could eat. The octopus is perfectly cooked and comes with a really good green sauce. The clam dish comes with a great red sauce I highly recommend getting more bread for to enjoy. The pesto gnocchi are wonderfully seasoned. The German Riesling was a pleasant surprise, since a lot of Italian restaurants stick to Italian wine. My husband really enjoyed his old fashioned. Great restaurant! Highly recommend."

The Violet Hour

★★★★☆ 4.2 (2377) • $$$

"Very discrete and hidden entrance. If you didn't know that it was there you would easily walk by without even realizing it was a business. Very dim lit and moody inside which was awesome! The seating was unique with very large chairs so even though the tables are relatively close it feels very intimate at your own table.The cocktails were both very delicious and very spirit heavy which I personally enjoy! We decided to snack on a little dessert and got a cookie which was a nice little treat!I can't wait go back and try some more cocktails in the future!"

Gretel

★★★★★ 4.6 (321) • $$

"We chose Gretel to celebrate our anniversary last month. The food and ambiance are worth the five-star review because all around, there was hardly anything that we felt was a let down. It's a bar but it's a swanky one at that serving food where you can have a nice dinner with family or friends for celebrations.The bar wall is impressive with hundreds of spirits on display. We made a reservation a few weeks in advance and were seated in the basement lounge of the restaurant. The entire space, whether you are on the main floor or downstairs, is chic and private. Our server was awesome and the food was spot on. Every dish ordered was solid and our absolute favorites were the:*Gretel burger*The king-sized prime rib with horseradish, au jus with Yorkshire pudding*Wagyu beef tartare*Mac and CheeseWe also ordered the blistered shishito peppers as an appetizer versus a side however it would've been better had they halved the current portion size because there was plenty left over afterwards. In fact, we found the pepper portion size was too much. The cocktails are amazing. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Service was superb and our server was prompt, timing everything just right. Parking is metered and street side only. We were able to find a spot about a block and a half away."

TAK Korean Bistro & Karaoke

★★★★☆ 4.2 (50)

"Came here on a Tuesday night at 10pm and ordered the japchae, Korean fried chicken wings, and seafood pancake. They were all SO good. I highly recommend and the service was really awesome! It's a fun vibe inside and they played K-pop music videos when we were there. Just an FYI it's a little difficult to find the place because there's no sign outside. Just a paper on a door that looks like you're walking into an apartment lobby. Overall would recommend and come back!!"

River North Bistro

★★★★★ 4.5 (26)

"Came here for brunch, stayed for the bottomless mimosas. At $22 a pop, this is a very good deal for a downtown location. I was happy that they allowed you to select the juice of your choice (OJ, cranberry or pineapple). Food was good, Lake Benedict (smoked salmon, poached eggs, béarnaise, house made biscuit). This also came with potatoes, which were nicely seasoned. Biscuit was nice and tender and the béarnaise sauce was very good. I also got a "side" of pancake, which was one....should have gotten a full order as it was very good and my daughter dipped into it. The cake was nice and fluffy and the coloring was great. I am picky about pancakes and like a certain brown coloring for them and this one was perfect.My hubby go the steak and eggs and said it was nicely prepared. My daughter got the Truffle and Wild Mushroom scramble with potatoes (scrambled eggs, truffle oil, sautéed wild mushrooms, sautéed leeks). She cleaned her plate, so you can say she enjoyed it :-) She said that the flavors were light and the dish itself was just the right amount of food.Service was great, with the server being attentive. He kept those carafes of mimosas coming. The time limit for mimosas was 1.5 hours, but we were not rushed or stopped from our quest to get hydrated. We also met the GM, Tomas, who was also very nice and helpful, doing things in and outside of the restaurant.There is a lovely covered outdoor seating area. Would have sat out there as it looked inviting but the wind was too crazy that day. We will definitely be back as they offer a Happy Hour from 4-6 pm, Sun-Thurs. Happy Hour on a Sunday? Count me in."

Amaru

★★★★★ 4.7 (431) • $$$

"Cute place to grab dinner. Came on a Saturday evening with some girlfriends. Reservation was made in advance for our party of three. Paid parking located on North. Started out with a shot of Mamajuana which is a spiced alcoholic beverage made by infusing a mixture of rum, red wine, and honey with tree bark and herbs. Thanks for the birthday shot!!! Remind me of my trip to Punta Cana. For drinks we ordered three very different cocktails. I had the passion fruit caprihina which was good. The best cocktail was the Pina Colada. It was a very refreshing take on a drink I usually associate with the pool. The good here is served family style tapas and available in small, medium or large. I enjoyed the jerk chicken and the oxtail special. All in all a cute spot. Left slightly hungry which always happens with tapas."

Lalo's

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (513) • $$

"I have been coming to Lalo's for at least 10 years. Yikes, am I old? Anyway, Lalo's became a staple for a friend and I to catch up over margaritas (particularly the frozen mango variety). Back in our youth, we could split a pitcher but we're a a lot less ambitious these days. While the menu has changed over the years, I have enjoyed my meals (usually fajitas or the occasional taco) and have consistently had good service. As long as the margaritas are strong, I'll be back.Also, parking at the nearby lot is some of the cheapest you'll find in the city - a rare find!"

Coquette

★★★★☆ 4.3 (45)

"Easiest 5 stars of my life, and honestly, I'd give them 6 if I could! Coquette really goes the extra mile, and they deserve to be recognized for that.Upon entry, you will be struck by the retro-barbie-core decor. It's funky, but modern- a perfect date spot or girls night spot. The happy hour specials are not to be missed. 12 oysters for $12! Unbeatable. My friend and I ordered 2 dozen and they were accompanied by the most delicious dipping sauce (possibly a shallot vinaigrette?). The dining experience was elevated by a complimentary bread service. Freshly baked rolls and a shallot butter. DELICIOUS! For our meal, we tried: Bavette (10 day aged steak) (tender and cooked to our liking with delicious accompanying shallot sauce), Sea Bass (paired with roasted veggies- so good), and Pomme Purée (which our server, Brendan described as 60% butter, 40% potatoes- and o.m.g. so worth it). To end the meal, we had a chocolate tarte. Lots of layers of varying chocolates, and topped with gold leaf! To drink, Brendan suggested Chenin Blanc because they were out of sauv blac, and I can say that I am now a Chenin Blanc girly. He also offered us an after dinner bev made from apple brandy and bubbles- loved it!!Next time, I want to try: Artichoke Carpaccio, Parisian Gnocchi, Steak Tartare, the Saint Jacques (scallops), and Entremet Cake for dessert. Overall, I LOVED this place. The decor and Instagram influencers brought me in, but the excellent staff and delicious food will make me a forever fan!"

Nobody's Darling

★★★★★ 4.5 (80) • $$

"Two enterprising entrepreneurs have established a popular and stylish bar in the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Andersonville. The fact that Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes are black lesbians only adds to the unique personality of their bar. Away from the commercial Clark Street corridor on residential Balmoral Avenue, this spot has a stylish vibe dedicated to black and lesbian icons.Jamie W. and I took the bus from Lakeview and was immediately struck by the distinctive artwork and modern retro-vintage decor. The main bar was fully occupied, so we sat ourselves at the second bar in the adjacent area where intimate tables were set up. Jamie went for the $13 Kahlo Margarita, which had a distinctively spicy-sweet kick with its use of passionfruit liqueur and habanero bitters (photo: https://yelp.to/9iBy2Ze0ZI).I ordered the $13 Bessie Smith, a sassy cocktail made with peach and orange vodka, peach, walnut, orgeat, rosemary, and orange (photo: https://yelp.to/qDfjQN5zyG). I could see her downing a couple of these before launching into a lively take on "Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do". So if I need libations inspired by the likes of Langston Hughes or the Harlem Renaissance, here I shall be...'cause if I should take the notion to jump in to the ocean, tain't nobody's business if I do.COCKTAILS - 4 stars...creative craft cocktails with personalityAMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...stylish vintage with Afro-inspired artSERVICE - 4 stars...responsive mixologists with flairTOTAL - 4 stars...the two ladies have a good thing going in AndersonvilleRELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO"

Larry's

★★★★☆ 4.3 (55) • $$

"The vibes here are perfect - elevated and classy cocktail bar meets dive bar meets library coffee shop. Probably could sit in this building all day. The lobby atrium space has so many great seating options for working and I noticed the cute coffee bar as well. Would be such a great spot for working from home!Larry's itself was classy, dimly lit, and timeless, open to the atrium so you could hear the live jazz band playing beautifully in the background. And the cocktail menu was soooo good! I only got red wine but the names of the drinks and the presentation was immaculate. This is a hidden gem that I would go out of my way to come back to!"

501 Local

★★★★☆ 4.3 (137)

"Such a cute restaurant! I came by for lunch with a friend on a Monday. The restaurant is sort of tucked away on the street if you are not looking for it you may drive right past it. There is plenty of street parking outside and a parking lot across the way. Upon arrival to the restaurant they had so many doors it was hard to tell which one was the one to enter but once you get inside it's like a totally calming and warm environment. We were quickly say with a beautiful view of the outside. Looking through the menu, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for a yummy taco, or a burger, or even a salad. I opted for their cobb salad with salmon. It was delicious. The portioning was great, and everyone around us was beaming with excitement of how great the food was. I was also excited to see that they had a lavish mocktail menu as well. I got the Strawberry martini drink and it was refreshing for a spring day.All in all, we had a great experience. I am looking forward to coming back soon, maybe for happy hour, or even dinner!"

NADC Burger

★★★★☆ 4.1 (45)

"My friend and I really wanted a burger on a Saturday night, and apparently so did the rest of Chicago. After many tries, we landed in the drop in. I walked in and managed to get the only 2 available seats in the whole placeBar is pretty small/narrow. Our seat faced the kitchen so we watched their burger making process. Everything moved pretty quick. I had a pornstar martini, the burger and beast mode fries. They take their burger very serious, no changes are made. It was a delicious burger and. Not over priced."

Golden Teardrops

★★★★☆ 4 (26)

"Great place, good drinks, small menu.Golden Teardrops is located under Lonesome Rose. You'll have to go outside, turn onto Henry Street, go to​ the alley and down some stairs. Then you're there!The drink menu is small but mighty. The bar is also on the small side but has delicious drinks and is a great place for a first date or date night. We ordered several different drinks.I don't remember the drink names, but the bar offers drinks made with different liquors​. I loved the Mezcal drink; I wish I remembered the name.​I love Land and Sea Dept. and their other business and this fits in seamlessly into their MO (cool spots, great drinks, see and be seen ambiance). As others have said, it's sexy at Golden Teardrops.Tip- If you are on the waitlist for Lonesome Rose you can come down and have a drink at the bar. Thankfully, if you're called up, you can bring your cocktail upstairs."

Willow Room

★★★★☆ 4.1 (379) • $$

"This place is super underrated! It's such a cute little spot off the ever-so-popular Halsted strip. A friend and I went here for dinner before a show at Joe's on Weed and enjoyed splitting a bunch of dishes.Some of the highlights were the burrata - which was served kind of deconstructed, making it fun to build your own, pick and choose what you want and you can spread it all in bread or eat it all separate. It came with cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, and balsamic.Another delish dish was the arancini - it crispier than expected (maybe they use panko?) and we loved it! The flavors really pop, there was some spice, some tang, and a very creamy texture inside paired so well with crispy outside.We enjoyed some cocktails with our dinner and service was prompt. The inside is so cute -- this would be a great date night spot!"

Sparrow

★★★★☆ 4.3 (310) • $$

"I'm so glad places like this still exist in a world where everything starts to look the same. Beautiful space - old school yet fresh and classic. Larger than it looks from the outside, yet full of intimate nooks and crannies. Professional, friendly barstaff and nicely presented, well balanced drinks. What a gem."

Rooftop At Nobu Hotel Chicago

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (100)

"Surprisingly a not-so-crowded spot on a weekend night. It's enclosed in the winter, but it was still a nice swanky spot for drinks and bites. The cocktails are excellent but expensive ($20). We tried a spicy salmon roll and taradito (sashimi in ponzu sauce). Both were delicious and perfect with our nightcap. It was cool how there was a chill dj as well!"

Bisous

★★★★★ 4.5 (27)

"Bisous is a wonderful, trendy bar in Fulton Market. Expect a bit of a line when going on a Friday night (around the 8pm time frame at least), but once you're inside the wait pays off: super friendly staff, very helpful in making your next drinks choice, and cosy interior bringing it all together. Their wine list is impressive and a tad funky, matching the vibe perfectly.A perfect spot to bring a date, catch up with a friend or meet new people."

Dog Haus

★★★★☆ 3.5 (27)

"I had really high hopes for Dog Haus. I was truly disappointed in the "Too Chi" hot dog and the tater tots. The food was just not good, and the Chicago Hot dog was a miss! The tater tots were over cooked and dry. The service at the Kitchen Mix (where the Dog Haus is located) was wonderful! They called my name as soon as the food was out, no complaints! The food court had a lot of selection, and the decor was very modern!"

Arbella

★★★★☆ 4.4 (630) • $$

"Came in around 10:30pm in a rainy cold day. Staff was extremely warm and friendly and comes up with their personal favorites and touch on some selections. After a few drinks, I preferred the more boozy ones:Chicago fire extinguisher - a very smoky cocktail, not only its smoky appearance but how the drink itself was able to contain all those smoky flavors. Would recommend to drink with some speed as the flavorful profile gets washed out by the melting ice but either way it was a very lovely drink.There's also a page dedicated to "traveling old fashioned" which I thought was extremely unique. The base remains the same with the liquor, bitters and syrup, but adds a regional twist based on the city you choose. Had a hard time deciding who to choose! I tried the Tokyo, which was iwai, toki, sake, plum bitters and goji berries. The taste is exactly what is described on the menu and gives you a hint of the city's vibe. Amazing experience!"

Eight Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (80) • $$

"Trying to think of a special place to have our small celebratory engagement dinner, I couldn't think of any other place that has raved reviews after raved reviews. I didn't realize the patio was a completely different menu, but we weren't disappointed either way.Roberto was our waiter and the staff was on point at all times. Some of the best service in Chicago, in my opinion. We got a custom menu to celebrate our engagement and Roberto was kind enough to treat us all to a glass of champagne for a toast. It was such a delightful touch. He also recommended a great bottle of wine that got us perfectly toasty for the cold night we visited on. The patio is completely covered and warm inside - warm enough to take your coat off just FYI.The food is really good and pricey - so be prepared. We absolutely loved everything we got (which I'll list below), but I think next time, we'll opt out of getting the steak. We'll never learn our lesson that steaks are just better cooked at home. But hey, that's just our opinion.Chopped salad (maple & ash wedge) - refreshing, light, flavorful, and crispy. The dressing isn't overpowering. It's big enough to share with 2-3. Dry aged Meatballs - a must! So good, cheesy, and flavorful. Comes with a side of bread and four meatballs. Topped with sauce, perfect for dipping. Don't skip!28oz bone-in Ribeye - I absolutely love fat. This one was perfectly medium rare and came on the bone. There was a little too much grizzle that made a few parts tough to chew. Like I said, I really like the fat so I was bummed to not get much out of this.Mashed potatoes - do not skip! I repeat, do not skip. This is also a just. A side large enough to split with 2-3 but honestly, you won't want to. It's a 50/50 mashed potatoes I believe. At least that's how it tasted. Completely smooth and creamy. Next time I'll be getting this and trying the Mac and cheese.Coconut cream pie - highly recommend, even if you're a chocolate lover. So light and refreshing. It was the first to go at a table full of chocolate lovers.Chocolate cake - it had a hazelnut topping that was crunchy and a the perfect texture complement. The rest was a little too dense for me. That doesn't mean it wasn't great. I just preferred the coconut cream pie.Next time I'll try the bone marrow and a few other items. I wasn't with the most explorative group of people that eat absolutely anything like myself haha."