“Avec has been on my list for a while and I finally was able to stop in with a friend for brunch! After tasting, I regret that it took me this long. Avec is a quaint spot with family style seating so I do recommend making a reservation if possible. We made our reservation for a Saturday and we were seated immediately at our reservation time by an eager and inviting hostess. Our server greeted us immediately and walked us through their brunch menu. The server was friendly, and gave some solid suggestions which was helpful as Avec has so many great dishes for brunch. After careful consideration and server recommendation, we landed on: -Mimosas (its brunch, of course we did a round of mimosas.) -French toast: topped with ricotta and berry compote garnished with mint and almonds. I loved that it was not too sweet, it has great balance. -Pork Belly: OMG nice and fatty with the perfect tender texture (not too chewy) it was nicely glazed for a bold flavor. -Chorizo Stuffed Medjool Dates: Talk about the star of the show! Literally chorizo stuffed dates wrapped in bacon abbd a pepper tomato sauce. Sweet and savory perfect balance for brunch. To go I ordered their coffee cake as well as a iced coffee. Even the pastries were remarkable! I cannot wait to get back to Avec. For the service of course, but also for their dates!“
“This was an absolute treat. This was my first time trying Kurdish food and it did not disappoint. I started off with the Lamb Mardin Eggplant Stew. The savory and juicy lamb pieces over a bed of eggplant / veggie puree was satisfying and elegant. 1 dish was plenty! Ineeded time before dessert, so coffee it was. I cannot say it enough, but Kurdish Coffee is spectacular and a true treat. You may only get about 2 ounces - but it is worth it weigh in gold! It is aromatic - hints of cardamon (maybe cloves?), and tastes almost like a dessert. TRY IT! I promise, it won't disappoint. Then I moved on to the apricot rice pudding - it was good, nice balance of flavors, and a good way to close out this wonderful experience.“
“I ordered chicken kalamaki & lemon potatoes. I am picky eater and I was pleasantly surprised how amazing both items were. Tender juice chicken and garlicky lemon potatoes, mmmmm!!!! Ordered take out, but the restaurant was packed! I really loved the ambiance. I’m looking forward to dining in!“
“The food was absolutely delicious. Went with the green shakshuka and it was tremendous, as was the hummus and the house bacon. Our server was also an absolute gem of a human and took excellent care of us. A bit pricey but worth it. Would definitely recommend.“
“i couldn’t believe what an amazing tasting experience this was. hands down the best pasta in the city — their signature dish with the hand rolled pasta and the sausage sauce was incredible. i wanted to lick the bowl. they also have a famous appetizer that was like puffed fry bread topped with truffles and we did enjoy it, but it was too much to order with the tasting menu and we thought it was a little salty. the fish served with olives and — i believe fennel — was just sensational. our favorite was the pistachio dessert. and the wine pairings were perfect.“
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Medi Kitchen & Cocktail in Chicago, and it was truly a gastronomic adventure that exceeded all expectations. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience. To start, I ordered the Potato Borak as an appetizer, and it was a revelation in flavor. The crispy pastry wrapped around creamy mashed potatoes and herbs created an exquisite contrast in textures, and the accompanying dipping sauce added a delightful tangy kick. It was an ideal prelude to the culinary journey that awaited. The Fattoush Salad was a refreshing and colorful medley of fresh vegetables, toasted pita bread, and a zesty dressing that awakened the palate. The balance of flavors and textures in this dish was impeccable, making it a perfect palate cleanser before the main course. Speaking of the main course, the Beef Kabob and Shish Tawook were nothing short of spectacular. The Beef Kabob was tender and succulent, with a delightful smoky char that added depth to the taste. The Shish Tawook, featuring marinated chicken skewers, was incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection. Both dishes were served with fragrant saffron rice and a medley of grilled vegetables that complemented the proteins superbly. The crowning jewel of the meal, however, was the Fairouz drink. Each sip was a symphony of textures and flavors, a sweet crescendo to an already exceptional meal. What sets Medi Kitchen & Cocktail apart is not just the outstanding cuisine but also the impeccable service. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, offering recommendations and ensuring that every need was met. In conclusion, my dining experience at Medi was nothing short of extraordinary. The culinary artistry, attention to detail, and warm ambiance combined to create a memorable evening. I can confidently give this restaurant a resounding 5/5 rating, and I eagerly anticipate my next visit to savor more of their delectable offerings. If you're in Chicago and looking for a taste of Mediterranean cuisine at its finest, Medi Kitchen & Cocktail is an absolute must-visit.“
“My boyfriend and I came in for a last minute dinner without a reservation and the hostess was able to seat us on the patio which we appreciated. We ordered the cacio e pepe and the focaccia, and they were both delicious! The cacio e Pepe was a little smaller than what you would receive at other restaurants, but it was just enough for one person, but I would keep that in mind if looking to share dishes.“
“Amazing family run restaurant with fantastic ambiance. Great Egyptian food. Authentic koshary. The lemon mint drink is super refreshing. The Cairo platter is a wonderful sampler. Ful + baba ghanoush were awesome. Wrap it up with some mint tea and you’ve had a quick trip to Cairo.“
“Bought two chicken wraps and one gyro wrap to go after spending the day in the city. Was expecting shawarma type wrap, but it was more burrito style. It was great and huge portions, filled with delicious and fresh vegetables and marinated tender meat. Would love to go back and try more traditional Turkish dishes and be able to sit down and enjoy the ambiance. Highly recommend, service was great as well due to kind & friendly staff!“
“One of the best places in town. The fixed course menu is flexible and the wine pairings were a delight (and presented well by staff). We sat at the counter in full view of the kitchen (the cooks seemed unflappable). As soon as we left, we already started talking about when we might come back. It was my wife’s birthday so they sent us home with cookies and put a candle on dessert. A lot of little nice touches.“
“I love falafel , whenever I can I go to a different place, and this place has the best falafel sandwiches I've ever had, but unfortunately the service wasn't good, when I arrived there was only one other person waiting for the order, and they took a while It took a lot to prepare a simple sandwich where everything was already ready, so that left me a little disappointed.“
“My daughter who is living in Asia tracked down this place for me (well, actually she wanted to eat there vicariously)and it was a great find. She asked me how I would rate the food (1-10) and when I said 10, she was impressed since I am not a foodie. Food just doesn't do it for me well.. until this meal. It started with me picking up the meal. The family who own this gem are so generous, so welcoming that I stayed talking to them longer than my dogs, who were waiting outside, would have liked. When I arrived home, the lentil soup was stilling piping hot and wow, so delicious. I am not a lentil soup, or even soup, person but I am definitely returning for more. The sauteed spinach with bulgar was well-yeah, I would definitely eat bulgar all the time if it tasted like this. As it turns out, there was so much food that I have a second meal. Thank you for this great meal and the welcoming. I, and people I know, will be there.“
“Lovely new Turkish restaurant in the area. The bread is to die for. We tried adana kababs, pide , iskender, lentil soup and some of the eggplant appetizer. Each dish is delicious and flavorful - except for the lentil soup. Unfortunately, that was pretty bland.“
“Huda was my server for my birthday dinner here. She was very attentive and friendly. She recommended a Moroccan iced tea and it did not disappoint! The environment is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but so much fun! The food was delicious and the entertainment kept a smile on my face. Dancing with the staff was by far my favorite part! I will definitely be returning!“
“Sinya just catered the 175th anniversary celebration dinner for our church. They were extremely helpful in the ordering and preparing phase...reassuring us that the portions identified in the group menu were plentiful...and I must say they really were! The food arrived on time, still hot, and delicious! We couldn't have asked for a more. My husband and I order from Sinya regularly for ourselves but this experience prompts this review for folks looking to serve large numbers of people.“
“This was one of my best experiences dining in the city. Very kind and friendly owner who made our experience all that much better. Food was amazing I would recommend anyone who’s in the city or nearby to come and visit this place. MUST TRY!!!“
“The restaurant is small, but cozy. We had a falafel sandwich wrap, and a gyro. Both were very good. The Taziki sauce on the euro was outstanding. Also had some fries which had a great little spice chick, and a nice dipping sauce that comes with. The service was excellent too. They gave us plenty of options to customize our wraps. We will definitely be back.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free wraps that are delicious“
“The atmosphere is bright, clean, and welcoming. The owner and staff are great and the food is delicious! I love the picture of the owner's family on the walls. Her recipes are from her mother and grandmothers, and those women must have known how to cook and pass down tradition because the food here is fantastic!“
“This is one of our favorite places. We've been coming here for the nice atmosphere, friendly service and great meals for over 45 years. They make the best and most consistent hummus, tabbouleh, boereg and lentil soup on earth. We like to split the kabob combo dinner because we fill up on appetizers.6/12/21 They are closed now-hope they reopen.2024: They did reopen after a nice job of remodeling, and their food remains as wonderful as ever. So glad Armando is back!Our only suggestion is to lower the volume of the music (which now unfortunately includes some rap music).“
“The technician Dias came out in freezing weather and while it was snowing and replaced the locks and keys to my guy car. He came out on time. And it was at the best price out. Not one time did he complain about the cold. He did not stop during the whole process. He was very nice and made my guy feel very comfortable with his service. I will recommend his service to anyone.“
“Yum!! This was such a delicious meal! It shouldn’t be hard to find really good Persian restaurant but it is, well search no further! I thoroughly enjoyed the food, service (compliments to Katarina!!) and the ambiance! Cheers! We will be back“
“The hits at nettare were fantastic but the misses were also pretty bad. we did the tasting menu with the drink pairing and I would say it was very worth the price. it was a lot of food and they were incredibly generous with the alcohol. my favorites by far were the skate wing and the burnt ends. our server was very friendly and it was cool that all the alcohol came from Michigan. I thought the interior was really nice but some of my friends think it's too sterile.“
“I chose to celebrate my birthday at Ella Eli and my guests and I will be talking for months on what an excellent experience we had. Absolutely hands down one of the best dinners in Chicago. Paige, our server , was knowledgeable and attentive. The food was spectacular. The layers of flavor and texture kept you eager for the next bite! Holly as well was very kind to meet with my table and wish me a lovely birthday! She interested with my guests like they were old friends. Truly and genuine experience. Can’t wait to go back!“
“Trying Afghan food for first time…. and I love it. Roasted Eggplant with tomatoes & garlic yogurt . Tender not mushy & bitter, definitely for garlic lovers, then dumplings that reminded me of russian plemieni finally traditional Afghan rice with cinnamon & raisins ( not sweet at all) with veal. We finished with Afghan milk tea for dessert . Food in this place is delicious , but decor is minimalistic & basic. Very reasonably priced, friendly service. If you in area worth stopping by.“
“I wanted to come here for a while since I walk by this establishment all the time and also because I’m not very familiar with Greek food besides gyros, and this place didn’t disappoint at all!The establishment seems to be very busy during weekends specially on Friday, but after a 20 minute way we got a table for two.For starters the fried calamari was delicious, crunchy yet soft and with lemon wedges and a superb vinegar-y sauce.We also had this sort of lemon rice soup which was fantastic. For our mains I had the lamb chops, cooked to perfection. My gf had the plate with gyro meat and was also great.Our server was prompt, amicable and fast, I can’t ask for more, visit this place you won’t regret it!“
“Last night, we hosted a small Ramadan dinner here, which turned out to be a great success. I was impressed with the level of service and the quality of the food. Staff was extremely helpful and made you feel as if you were in Turkey.I look forward to returning in the future!“
“Overall Thoughts: Bina’s Place is a small family-owned restaurant serving up delicious Balkan food— truly some great quality grilled meats. The interior is decorated very simply with tables against the walls seating ~4 people each. When we came in at 6:30pm on Sunday, it was pretty empty and they were unfortunately out of most desserts (they stop serving them by 7pm). The server/owner was super sweet, and the food came out pretty quickly. The prices felt very reasonable for the quality. When I’m back in Rogers Park, I’d love to come back to try more of their menu!Food I tried:- Balkan Barbeque Plate (4.7/5): The meats were SO juicy, aromatic, flavorful, and beautifully grilled. The toasted pita was fluffy and chewy too. The chicken was a little drier than I would’ve liked but otherwise everything was so juicy, tender, and wonderful.- Spinach & Feta Burek (4.6/5): The burek’s texture was perfect— it’s light, buttery, and flaky, and slightly chewy when you bite into it. The flavors of the spinach / feta were mild (mostly just salty) but I liked it that way, as it really let the textures of the pastry shine through.—Price (relative to peers): 4.5/5Food: 4.6/5Ambience: 4.4/5Overall Value: 4.6/5“
“First time I ate those specialties from Uzbekistan and I was pleasantly surprised. Very good food, the typical soup is super good, puff pastry filled with meat and the homemade noodles have an unbeatable flavor. The attention of the working girls has been 10.Good price for two people with 3 dishes were less than $50“
“A beautiful new restaurant located in the Saint Clair hotel! The staff was so knowledgeable and helpful on what to order. Homemade pasta and the ravioli recipe was a speciality from the owners grandma - definitely recommend! Don’t skip the baklava sundae for dessert“
“This place is special in a way that would almost makes me want to keep it a well-guarded secret. You don't really get this experience anymore, it takes a confluence of passion and community that's hard to come by in any era, let alone the modern, distanced, impersonal world we occupy now.This is the quintessential Chicago Mom n' Pop experience. Great food at ridiculously good prices served up with a smile and a friendly familiarity that makes you feel like you're right at home.The decor matches the patrons: humble, comfortable, working-class Americana and unapologetically Chicagoan to the core. You can tell most of the customers here are patrons for life, and with good reason. You always feel like a person here, not an order. They aren't just trying to turn over your ticket, they want to make sure you're taken care of.I can't tell you the last time I had perfect fries before this, like too-hot-to-eat, immaculate golden brown fries. I definitely can't recall ever getting them with a whole burger for under $7. I fed two hungry adults here for less than $20. It felt absurd, almost, like I wanted to pay more because it felt unfair to them that I'd pay twice that much at a lot of places.Just a positively perfect experience every time and we always make it a point to stop here anytime we're remotely close by.“
“This is a newer spot near me that I recently discovered, it overs a different variety of food to the area. Will fulfill that middle eastern craving close to home and they offer other menu items for those not brave enough to venture. Have been here a few times and it doesn't disappoint.“
“Came across Mr Kabab on a foodie critic,, this surpassed my expectations! The atmosphere was clean, accommodating & price friendly! The Owner Sam, takes pride in his food and business. I enjoyed his friendliness and stance on his food methodology. The Gyro sandwich was the best I've had in the Chicagoland area. The Gyro was lean & tender not greasy. This sandwich wasn't heavy almost wanting you to have seconds!The owner takes pride in his business & quality in food. If he's reading this, thank you for an amazing experience!“
“Fabulous meal and date night here. Quick and easy service. The short wait was worth it. The steak was juicy and tender. The apps and desert were fast to add. Incredible, reasonably priced for the meal. Only ding was it’s quite loud, cash only, and FCFS on seating, but if you know all that going in, it’s amazing.“
“One of the best mediterranean restaurant in Chicago and one of the best restaurant in West Loop. I tried only two dishes, but they were great and not too salty and oily like other Americanized Food. For me, foods here are well-balanced and also dishes I tried have their own kick (such as apple in the pork belly).I think it's one of the best restaurants in the West Loop. I haven't tried the entire menu yet, but unlike other Americanized foreign foods (Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants in Yuen, etc.), the seasoning is not too strong and seems balanced and has character. I think I will come back and try other menu items.“
“Chicago is a great place, the food is really great and the restaurant is really high quality, but luckily the waiter was very cold towards us, his attitude towards us spoiled our appetite, we didn't understand what was going on, the waiter was mature enough to really cause such a thing to happen. Fortunately, my younger brother, Hamza, was really friendly and offered us tea, but I can definitely say that we felt very bad. We went with 3 friends, 3 tripe soups, 3 lahmacuns and 3 Iskender kebabs. There was only one couple except us, no one else was there, if it was busy. I would understand, but there is no table per person per waiter. Due to the waiter's attitude, we packed our Iskender kebab and left. We were sorry to experience such a thing, because we have been in tourism and restaurants for years, I would not want someone to leave my own restaurant like this. I am really sad to write this comment. How important is a comment in the internet industry right now? And I know personally that it is very difficult. Best regards“
“Decided to try this place since our usual place was closed. So glad we did! Excellent food, HUGE portions and good service. Love that the kabobs come with peppers and onions and not just the meat. It was a great surprise to find the chicken shawarma under the kabobs! (I just ordered two combination plates without really reading the menu.) Definitely trying more in the future.“
“I've become a lunch regular here - absolutely delicious and fresh food in generous portions with special deals that are hard to beat. Very friendly, hospitable service even in a casual space like this. $10 chicken and falafel lunch special featured in the pic!“
“This place is great! The service and atmosphere was perfect / clean. The beef shish kabob plate was amazing and the loaded fries were some of the best I've ever had as they weren't too heavy but definitely filling. Great spot for great value!“
“This place is amazing. This was my second time here and both times were exceptional. Chill atmosphere and very clean as well. Moe and Diar were both very welcoming and made sure we had a good experience. The food was fantastic and made to order so it was extremely fresh both times. Would recommend the fries with garlic sauce (most addicting combo) and the falafel. Can’t go wrong with schaorma here either.“
“Owners are great ,. food is prefect same authentic Balkan taste and quality,. It’s hard to find real and good food taste this days ,. but this place it’s real deal 5 stars and above ,. Number 1 dining place strongly recommended if you want to try Bosnian Kebap and Pleskavica ,.“
“Food is excellent and tastes homemade. Our favorites are all lamb - tagine, kebab, and merguez. Mint tea is a must. CASH ONLY so make sure you have some or get cash back at Walgreens at the corner. Parking is easy on side streets west and south. Hidden neighborhood gem.Dietary restrictions: They’re mindful if you have an allergy.“
“The food tastes very delicious and impressive.The atmosphere is filled with flowers.Along the river, beautifulExcellent serviceEasy to travel to, entrance to the shop, walk to the waterfront zone, mysterious, surprising. When coming out to the water's edgeClap your hands for me.“
“Love this place! Not exaggerating but the vibes plus the service was truly spot on. We sat at the bar for the night and Jacob recommended some really great dinner choices we were glad we followed his recommendations. Highly recommended this place for great drinks, service, and all of the above.“
“You know the place is good when you have to fight for a spot on a weekday. The place was packed but that did not stop them from providing amazing service and excellent quality food. The kabobs were juicy and very flavorful. I would definitely recommend Adas polo rice ?Can’t wait to go back and try more dishes.“
“Solid place! Just came by during my lunch break and got the gyro sandwich and Parmesan fries. Order was ready super quickly (5 min walk from my apartment) and staff was friendly. Food was great - super fresh. I got home and told my roommate and he was jealous. I feel bad that I did not bring him back any. I should be less selfish in the future. Great addition to the neighborhood I'm going to come back and try more things on the menu“
“Excellent value and quality Mediterranean food. The chicken shawarma came with generous portion and great flavor. The addition of four complimentary topping (I picked baba ghanouj, hummus, and grape leaves) also tasted amazing and very fresh.“
“This place rules. In a wasteland of overpriced fast food Oasis is a literal oasis. Hot, fresh, delicious, and so reasonably priced even a public servant can afford it. This is all not to mention the supreme charm of this gem of a lunch spot existing at the back of a jewler's shop. A fascinating symbiotic relationship and one we must protect. Places like Oasis are the heart and soul of the Chicago Loop.“
“Our experience at Ema was fantastic. They take allergies very seriously which was much appreciated for someone with celiac disease. Our waiter Enrique was extremely knowledgeable, and helpful. All of the food was amazing we loved the Greek salad, Brussels sprouts and potatoes the most!“
“I can’t express the joy I feel when I have life changing food!! I was brought to this restaurant and everything I ate and drank was divine, and most of it was very healthy! Refreshing, flavorful, unforgettable. We tried some new dishes that aren’t on the menu yet, met the owner of a fabulous tequila company, and enjoyed every moment. Please friends, do me and yourself a favor and come to Chicago to eat here.“
“Wow what an amazing dining experience! We were lucky enough to get spots at the bar in front of the kitchen on a packed Friday night and the show was impressive. Seeing this crew sling out amazing dish after another was a real treat. We tried the tuna tartare, dry aged pork and the duck. Everything was perfectly balanced and delicious. Portions were also very generous. My only regret is that we were way too full to grab dessert but hopefully we can return another time for that! Cocktails and service was also on point. This is an easy recommendation for those in the Chicago area.“