Food Mafia

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BRETTER's Reviews

Next

953 W. Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: 312-226-0858
Neighborhood: Fulton Market
Style: International
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1144

  • 13 Reviews
  • 19 Favorite
  • 1 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 8 Vault

"Totally. Worth. The. Effort."

  • Food: paris 1906 based menu, French-inspired molecular gastronomy
  • Decor: Sleek, tasteful, intimate, yet energetic
  • Service: Impeccable. Attentive, quirky, funny, interesting, passionate, approachable, almost as if putting on a performance...
  • Cost: $$$$
  • Wine / Cocktails: Wine pairings were varied, unique, special, and truly complementary...

Overview:

To give some background, I actually hated this restaurant before ever seeing it. I was completely offended by the difficulty in obtaining tickets. I was unable to get a log-in on the website for weeks... only to find that tickets were NEVER available and after finally logging in, I realized that the site was utterly worthless and nothing more than a tease for me to refresh all day to no avail...

That said, I managed to score a 4-person table after incessantly harassing Next's email and social networking channels.

The experience was like nothing else I've ever been a part of... service was spectacular, in fact entertaining; it was surprisingly unpretentious, and the wine pairings (standard) were unique and truly enjoyable to complete the experience.

A personal note on the cost. The meal cost $100pp, plus $48pp for wine pairings. Period. Done and done. Our servers would not take tip, which is apparently built into the overall price, along with the tax. Therefore, we did not receive a bill. The ticket, as promised, enabled the complete experience. Want coffee or tea? Also part of the experience... (I still grumble at the ticket process, but after sitting through this heavenly gastronomic experience, admittedly, it's a small price to pay...)

Special Dishes:

There's no point in recommending dishes, because the meal is fixed and you should try EVERYTHING... but, my personal favorites were the quail egg topped with anchovy, the Louisiana snapping turtle based soup, and without question, the best dish was the duck!


De Cero

814 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: 312-455-8114
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Style: Mexican / Southwestern
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451

  • 2 Reviews
  • 2 Favorite
  • 5 Recommend
  • 11 Been There
  • 1 Vault

"Taco sampling? Need I say
more..."

  • Food: Classic, delicious, like a classic Mexican taco bar
  • Decor: Casual, comfortable, large wooden tables, open
  • Service: Friendly, attentive, extremely nice
  • Cost: $$
  • Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

While relatively simple, serving classic Mexican food, De Cero is a personal favorite of mine. With over a dozen types of tacos from which to choose, served a la carte, how can you possibly go wrong? To be fair, I'll admit that I've never ordered anything aside from guacamole, salsa, chips, and tacos (of which I've tasted every single one). The margaritas are very nice. The key with De Cero is fresh ingredients in a comfortable atmosphere. It's great for groups. It can get noisy, but the atmosphere is lively and fun...

Special Dishes:

Duck confit, big-eye tuna (hot), skirt steak and tilapia tacos are all a must-try. Guava and hibiscus margaritas


Blackbird

619 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 312-715-0708
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Style: American
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1546

  • 6 Reviews
  • 19 Favorite
  • 13 Recommend
  • 9 Been There
  • 6 Vault

"Delicious American fine
dining..."

  • Food: Contemporary American, excellent seafood and meats selection, fresh vegetables
  • Decor: Clean, simple, elegant, modern
  • Service: Very-knowledgeable, professional, friendly
  • Cost: $$$$
  • Wine / Cocktails: Eclectic, high-quality wine selection to complement well

Overview:

After numerous visits, I find it difficult to imagine a negative experience at Blackbird. The food is impeccable, service is excellent, and the environment is very classy.

Special Dishes:

Wood-grilled sturgeon is unquestionably the best dish, simply outstanding... also, elk strip loin, mussel soup, diver scallops.


Girl & The Goat

809 W. Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: 312-492-6262
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Style: American
Website Link


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2557

  • 19 Reviews
  • 55 Favorite
  • 24 Recommend
  • 6 Been There
  • 10 Vault

"Exceptionally unique,
unquestionably delicious."

  • Food: Contemporary, "farm-to-table" American
  • Decor: Warm, trendy, spacious
  • Service: Extremely knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic, engaging staff
  • Cost: $$$
  • Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

It sounds cliche to say that I loved Girl & the Goat, but I did, and I think that it's worth pointing out why... Each and every dish on this menu is a unique and perfectly matched combination of flavors that you will NEVER find somewhere else. It's very reasonably priced and the environment is very warm, energetic, with an unbelievable staff. I cannot review without mentioning the complementary quality of cocktails and hand-selected beers and wines to match. Overall, a great experience, highly recommended...

Special Dishes:

ALL are recommended, standouts include the wood oven-roasted pig face (mandatory that you try this), raw oysters, baby octopus, seared scallops, and pork ribs.


Chilam Balam

3023 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: 773-296-6901
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Style: Mexican
Website Link

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80

  • 1 Reviews
  • 0 Favorite
  • 4 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 2 Vault

"Delicious, "farm-to-table",
tapas-style Mexican"

  • Food: Tapas-style Mexican from very fresh ingredients
  • Decor: Cozy, warm, relaxing, comfortable environment
  • Service: Very enthusiastic, funny, incredibly friendly and engaging service
  • Cost: $$
  • Wine / Cocktails: BYOB

Overview:

Everything I tried was delicious. You can taste a variety of dishes, so it's great for small groups. The emphasis here is on fresh, local ingredients, which I really appreciate. I think the atmosphere was fantastic... it's brightly colored and well-decorated, the staff was exceptionally warm and inviting... the scene is very energetic.

Special Dishes:

Blue marlin ceviche, shiitake mushroom empanadas, jicama salad, smoked pork loin...


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Avec

Avec

615 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60661
United States

Phone: 312-377-2002
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Style: Fusion / Eclectic
Website Link


Only Local

  • 12 Reviews
  • 40 Favorite
  • 13 Recommend
  • 6 Been There
  • 9 Vault

2755

Next

953 W. Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
United States

Phone: 312-226-0858
Neighborhood: Fulton Market
Style: International
Website Link


Only Local

  • 13 Reviews
  • 19 Favorite
  • 1 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 8 Vault

1144

De Cero

814 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
United States

Phone: 312-455-8114
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Style: Mexican / Southwestern
Website Link


Only Local

  • 2 Reviews
  • 2 Favorite
  • 5 Recommend
  • 11 Been There
  • 1 Vault

451

Topolobampo

445 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60610
United States

Phone: 312-661-1434
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: Mexican / Southwestern
Website Link


Only Local

  • 4 Reviews
  • 6 Favorite
  • 8 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 8 Vault

598

The Gage Restaurant and Tavern

24 S.Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
United States

Phone: 312-372-4243
Neighborhood: The Loop
Style: American
Website Link


Only Local

  • 2 Reviews
  • 8 Favorite
  • 18 Recommend
  • 6 Been There
  • 1 Vault

902

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English

English

444 N. La Salle St.
Chicago, IL 60610
United States

Phone: 312-222-6200
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: American
Website Link


Only Local

  • 0 Reviews
  • 0 Favorite
  • 1 Recommend
  • 9 Been There
  • 0 Vault

97

District-Bar

170 W. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60654
United States

Phone: 312-337-3477
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: American
Website Link


Only Local

  • 0 Reviews
  • 0 Favorite
  • 0 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 0 Vault

Carmines

1043 N. Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Phone: 312-988-7676
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: Italian
Website Link


  • 0 Reviews
  • 0 Favorite
  • 4 Recommend
  • 7 Been There
  • 0 Vault

226

Tavern on Rush

1031 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Phone: 312-664-9600
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: Steak
Website Link


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  • 0 Reviews
  • 0 Favorite
  • 3 Recommend
  • 9 Been There
  • 0 Vault

129

Table fifty-two

52 W. Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610
United States

Phone: 312-573-4000
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: American, Southern
Website Link


Only Local

  • 1 Reviews
  • 2 Favorite
  • 9 Recommend
  • 4 Been There
  • 3 Vault

515

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Green Zebra

1460 W. Chicago
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Phone: 312-243-7100
Neighborhood: Noble Square
Style: Vegetarian
Website Link


Only Local

  • 5 Reviews
  • 3 Favorite
  • 5 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 1 Vault

153

GT Fish and Oyster

531 N Wells
Chicago, IL 60654
United States

Phone: 312-929-3501
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Style: Seafood
Website Link


Only Local

  • 11 Reviews
  • 18 Favorite
  • 11 Recommend
  • 3 Been There
  • 8 Vault

1404

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