We did the tasting menu, which is in a separate location from the diner. I will say up front that the food was awesome. But there were three issues: 1) timing, 2) wine pairing, 3) it was freezing. 1) Our reservation was at 6:30 and we did not receive our first bite of food until at least 7:30. And it took 45 minutes to get drinks. After that it was 20-30 minutes between courses in a 7-course meal. We did not receive our last course until 9:30 pm. We were basically starving for 2.5 hours until we received the last few courses which were the first substantial ones beyond just a bite of something. I know that with a tasting menu you are signing up for a longer experience, but this timing was not typical/ideal and the kitchen seemed really backed up and scrambling. 2) The wine pairing was not a pairing at all--it was just seven different wine servings with no coordination whatsoever with the food dishes, and in fact were not even served at the same time as the food. And two of the seven were the same wines because it seemed they ran out of one? 3) The restaurant was freezing. This was not helped by tons of people constantly walking in/out the front door, who were confused about which Bayan Ko location they were supposed to be at. Again, the food was amazing and it's worth trying, but be prepared to not eat much for 3 hours after your reservation time!
Jessica
Would 100% recommend to others. The dining experience was very intimate, as the dining area is small. Our server was one of the co-owners and she was so lovely. The chef was kind enough to alter my tasting experience due to a seafood allergy to be a mix of the regular menu and the vegetarian menu, his email exchanges beforehand were accommodating and kind. Great food, great staff. The wine pairing was lovely.
Kathy Valentine
Amazing! Creative and full of flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Valentine
Holy moly the food here was good! The Filipino-Cuban combination was unexpected but delicious. Get here before they earn a Michelin star. Thanks to Alfredo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leah Tabor
wonderful ambiance and absolutely yummy food - even the vegetarian options!! the drinks were also soo pretty and delicious!! great for a date night or intimate girls night.
we got: drinks: cafe con leche, the beautiful yellow drink (I don’t remember the nameee!) food: mushroom empanadas (warm, flaky, crusty, flavorful), Ginataang gulay (like a veggie curry) - we added chicken on the side (it was seared well and had good flavor too), and we finished w/ the saffron cream cheese flan (basically the thickest cheesecake ever - yum)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julia
All the dishes were super flavorful and I was quite full by the end of the 7 courses! One of my favorite tasting menus in Chicago, standouts for me were definitely the lobster + octopus!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vic Ambo
Wow! Just mouth watering. Delicious food ! great drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Marfice
This was one of my favorite tasting menus I've had! Every dish was delicious, but the standouts for me were the pork collar and the forbidden rice with poached lobster. The wine pairing was a great value with generous pours. The wines were unique and excellently paired with each course. Service was warm and friendly, pacing of the courses was perfect, and we felt the servings were extremely generous for the cost. Overall, 10/10, and a must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erin Larkin
My son ( a Chicago resident who works in the restaurant industry), and my patents and I ate at Bayan Ko on recommendation of my son. A lovely cozy atmosphere and absolutely amazing food!!!
We visited during our trip to Chicago and the food was phenomenal! The 7 course tasting menu had great flavors and original dishes, with some nice wines to go with them. The owners are lovely and service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jesus Ramirez
Wonderful experience, the chef showcases his skill with every dish
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vincent Mayo
An incredible tasting menu full of memorable flavors. Left feeling full, but I could have eaten a second serving of everything! Service was informative and friendly, food was unique but full of familiar family flair. A gem of a place in a neighborhood filled with great food.
Christopher Ruiz
Nice little cozy atmosphere. Food was tremendous as well as the cocktails. Service was kind and welcoming. Also for a tasting menu it was affordable and you certainly won’t leave hungry (if I have any critique it’s that maybe there is one too many courses - I was uncomfortably stuffed by the end, maybe that’s on me though since I couldn’t stop eating!). Will certainly be back.
Toko Oshio
Delicious, unpretentious but an incredible attention to detail, immediately one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Each dish is so different yet it all works together perfectly, including cocktails.
We did the tasting menu, which is in a separate location from the diner. I will say up front that the food was awesome. But there were three issues: 1) timing, 2) wine pairing, 3) it was freezing. 1) Our reservation was at 6:30 and we did not receive our first bite of food until at least 7:30. And it took 45 minutes to get drinks. After that it was 20-30 minutes between courses in a 7-course meal. We did not receive our last course until 9:30 pm. We were basically starving for 2.5 hours until we received the last few courses which were the first substantial ones beyond just a bite of something. I know that with a tasting menu you are signing up for a longer experience, but this timing was not typical/ideal and the kitchen seemed really backed up and scrambling. 2) The wine pairing was not a pairing at all--it was just seven different wine servings with no coordination whatsoever with the food dishes, and in fact were not even served at the same time as the food. And two of the seven were the same wines because it seemed they ran out of one? 3) The restaurant was freezing. This was not helped by tons of people constantly walking in/out the front door, who were confused about which Bayan Ko location they were supposed to be at. Again, the food was amazing and it's worth trying, but be prepared to not eat much for 3 hours after your reservation time!
Would 100% recommend to others. The dining experience was very intimate, as the dining area is small. Our server was one of the co-owners and she was so lovely. The chef was kind enough to alter my tasting experience due to a seafood allergy to be a mix of the regular menu and the vegetarian menu, his email exchanges beforehand were accommodating and kind. Great food, great staff. The wine pairing was lovely.
Amazing! Creative and full of flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Holy moly the food here was good! The Filipino-Cuban combination was unexpected but delicious. Get here before they earn a Michelin star. Thanks to Alfredo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
wonderful ambiance and absolutely yummy food - even the vegetarian options!! the drinks were also soo pretty and delicious!! great for a date night or intimate girls night.
we got:
drinks: cafe con leche, the beautiful yellow drink (I don’t remember the nameee!)
food: mushroom empanadas (warm, flaky, crusty, flavorful), Ginataang gulay (like a veggie curry) - we added chicken on the side (it was seared well and had good flavor too), and we finished w/ the saffron cream cheese flan (basically the thickest cheesecake ever - yum)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All the dishes were super flavorful and I was quite full by the end of the 7 courses! One of my favorite tasting menus in Chicago, standouts for me were definitely the lobster + octopus!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! Just mouth watering. Delicious food ! great drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was one of my favorite tasting menus I've had! Every dish was delicious, but the standouts for me were the pork collar and the forbidden rice with poached lobster. The wine pairing was a great value with generous pours. The wines were unique and excellently paired with each course. Service was warm and friendly, pacing of the courses was perfect, and we felt the servings were extremely generous for the cost. Overall, 10/10, and a must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My son ( a Chicago resident who works in the restaurant industry), and my patents and I ate at Bayan Ko on recommendation of my son. A lovely cozy atmosphere and absolutely amazing food!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of Chicago’s best kept secrets.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We visited during our trip to Chicago and the food was phenomenal! The 7 course tasting menu had great flavors and original dishes, with some nice wines to go with them. The owners are lovely and service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful experience, the chef showcases his skill with every dish
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An incredible tasting menu full of memorable flavors. Left feeling full, but I could have eaten a second serving of everything! Service was informative and friendly, food was unique but full of familiar family flair. A gem of a place in a neighborhood filled with great food.
Nice little cozy atmosphere. Food was tremendous as well as the cocktails. Service was kind and welcoming. Also for a tasting menu it was affordable and you certainly won’t leave hungry (if I have any critique it’s that maybe there is one too many courses - I was uncomfortably stuffed by the end, maybe that’s on me though since I couldn’t stop eating!). Will certainly be back.
Delicious, unpretentious but an incredible attention to detail, immediately one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Each dish is so different yet it all works together perfectly, including cocktails.
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