Dinner with friends in Bucktown/Wicker Park

[blondie60614]

Any suggestions? I've been to the obvious.. Feast, Northside, Meritage, Cafe Absinthe.

Looking for a new place I haven't been to. Thanks!

[ChristopherP]

Bluebird should be on your list, intersting menu and great beer list

[Eaterlover]

I think Bluebird is great for atmosphere and expensive beers (a pricey 750 ml can set you back $40 or more), but I have doubts about the food. I tried the much lauded braised rabbit and was hard pressed to find a single piece of rabbit in the overwhelming pasta dish. The lamb was definitely "meh," the kind of kefta kebab you can find at Sultan's Market.

As far as small plates go, I think People is much better choice (even if we're talking about a completely different genre of food).

[vrollings]

I would recommend Hot Chocolate. I had never been until recently - and now I've been twice in the past month. While the service can get slow (seemingly b/c the kitchen gets backed up), the food is great and the desserts are fantastic. The vibe is cool too. Just be sure to make a reservation. Lots of people try to walk-in there this time of year and are greeted with looong waits. Enjoy!

[amoncada]

Enoteca Roma in Wicker Park
2146 W. Division
http://www.enotecaroma.com/

Cozy atmosphere with great food, service, and wine pairing.

[ljero]

you should go try Takaski...had a great meal there recently.

other faves: Hot Chocolate and Francesca's Forno...

do not bother with between boutique...food was very average.

[ljero]

or...for mexican try Maiz (not exactly bucktown, but close enough as it is only 1.5 miles away)...

[jn2001]

I've been to Blu Coral with some friends who are not sushi purists, so I can only speak to the special maki. That said, we ordered several maki rolls that have funky ingredients, and the end result is huge rolls with the taste of any actual fish well-masked, so everyone was quite happy. We actually had trouble finishing the rolls we ordered, and that usually isn't an issue for us.

As for Between, from what I hear, I think they might have more off nights than on, so I personally wouldn't waste my time and money going there. Food was nothing special - after reading the other post, I do remember everything was heavier than I had wanted, and feeling bloated after a "small plates" meal kind of defeats the purpose of small plates, in my opinion. Food aside, I wouldn't even make it a destination for drinks because I found the service to be extra intrusive, down to the owner sitting with us because the place was completely empty when I went.

[leek]

Takashi is new

1952 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: [phone]

[nsxtasy]

I hear Takashi is tough to get reservations at, that they're mostly booked up. But it never hurts to try. They take reservations on opentable.com

[blondie60614]

Has anyone been to Il Covo, Blue Coral, Su-Ra, Rios d' Sudamerica or Between Boutique?

I really want to try a new place.. Thanks!

[nsxtasy]

Bin Wine Cafe? Cafe Matou? Hot Chocolate?

[lgolanty]

Recently went to Between with some friends on an off night. Meh. The food is almost all fried, a lot heavier than we were hoping for. Drinks were good, but I don't think I'll be back. PS, anyone who ends their answering machine message with "Thank you for being sexy, and for calling Betw..." isn't in it for the food.

[nsxtasy]

Spring.

[blondie60614]

Been there. I just saw Mas closed!! Oh no.. does anyone know why?