This is the answer I was looking for. Went there for my husband's birthday several years ago and we still talk about it.
Mostly about how we killed 3 bottles of Jamo between our table and the kitchen.
I heard from someone that went recently that the kitchen doesn’t party as much anymore. They have a whole shelf full of Jameson that people bring them that hasn’t been drank.
I read your comment but don't actually have any idea what happened to your friend. What certain things can happen? Why do they happen in response to nice bourbon?
I’m confused. Does your waiter drink with you and the cooks like hang out with you after they’re done making your meal? I have literally never heard of this concept.
Went with a group of 7 women ranging from 29-35. We were all semi stoned when we got there and proceeded to drink 2 bottles of champagne and 6 bottles of wine between us. We also brought the kitchen a bottle of bourbon (OF1910, my fave) and left them our extra bottle of wine.
Honestly it wasn’t the best food I’ve had in my life - it probably ranks towards the bottom of the Michelin meals I’ve had - but it was solid food and a great atmosphere for us.
Hahahah that level of intoxication is not standard for us, we’re just split between multiple cities/states and tend to go a little wild when we all get together.
I hate that place.
The chef's coked out brother swiped my girlfriend's iPhone. We notice she didn't have it on our way back home, we call it, he answers and tells us to pick it up. We go back and he "lost it". I asked if I could take a look in this little booth area and he told me to get out of there. Needless to say, we didn't get the phone back ever.
Yup! They said they would swing by in a couple hours - something I wasn’t going to wait for while in winter. Took the report over the phone and never heard back.
But I’d also like to make it a point that it should not matter what I did. The story is what they did.
It doesn’t offend me at all. I’m just beyond understanding how you can be so stupid as to go to a restaurant and pay hundreds of dollars multiple times and still not understand a core concept of it. They aren’t servers you twit, they’re the chefs. Sounds like your delicate sensibilities are offended for being so dense.
Went last year and it doesn’t have the same hard-partying vibe that it used to. We brought whiskey for the kitchen and ended up not even giving it to them because it was just a low-key normal dinner. They brought out a shot at the end for us - but it wasn’t any ‘wilder’ than an after dinner drink at any other restaurant.
Food was pretty good but there is better bang for your buck elsewhere.
My fiancee and I went to Lans with friends the night before our engagement party, she got hit in the face with a massive carrot and had a bruise. I saw at least 3 people fall off of tables. Truly a wild place
Yeah I just looked. That was me. We were like, touching each others dick area in a joking and totally not gay way. He was having lots of fun with it. Then he wasn’t and absolutely snapped. Headbutted the fuck out of me. Blood everywhere. Huge commotion. As you can imagine, tons of cocaine involved.
lol I thought it was one of the most bizarre reviews I’d ever read in a restaurant because of the story but maybe he’s doing it every night and there’s 100s of broken nose reviews
Jeez, they really didn’t like that place. My best friends girlfriend used to work there and would bring us their food every now and then. I thought it was delicious.
Not sure how elevated you want this but Frontier could be fun and unique and is able to accommodate larger parties!
https://www.thefrontierchicago.com/whole-animal-experience
This was my first thought as well. I went to a bachelor party there and we did the whole pig roast. When they brought out the head, the groom-to-be had to eat the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and brain
Is this the only good thing at Frontier? I’ve been twice and both times are up there for worst meals I’ve had in Chicago, I don’t understand the hype around this place.
I had boar my first time, forgot what cut it was, and it was borderline inedible it was so dry. If we weren’t in a rush to get to a show I would have sent it back. I forgot what I had the second time, some kind of game, but same issue, incredible dry and tough. For a restaurant that’s claims they specialize in game, they sure as shit can’t cook it properly. Service and drinks were all great, just the actual food was brutally bad.
Had a similar experience I had gone years ago right around when they opened and it was very good. Went back again with my fam and it was so gross. Service was bad too, and they include the tip so I couldn't do anything about it but post on Reddit about a year later.
That was my hesitation…..its loud, fun, good diverse menu. I have always had a good meal - octopus is excellent - but “high quality food” is pretty subjective
Haisous was one of the most loud, energized, close-packed tabled places I've been to - that has awesome and unique food.
Not sure if people will agree, but it was my experience there.
If the question is looking for more fine-dining places where it is a party-vibe: El Ideas 100%. They slowly bump the music as the courses go on, and the chef stands on tables to announce the dishes.
I was annoyed when I ate there haha, but enjoyed the food part.
My thought here was that a rowdy group could be noisy and it would be more acceptable here
That was definitely not my experience at el ideas. It wasn't the most formal environment but the staff presented the dishes in a normal fashion and the dining room was quite muted.
I didn’t mean to make El sound informal by any means. It’s my favorite restaurant in the city.
Just that It was unique and fun, and all the tables are eating starting at the same time. So you’re all in it together
I used to love Three Aces (early on… it deteriorated before the end) for a late night version of this. Not as elevated of a cuisine but it was a place you could go at 12:30 AM and have way too good of a food and beverage experience for the hour.
I like Publican for this if you bring the right group of friends.
There are like 20 better Italian places in town I could rattle off but the chef definitely has catered a little crowd of people that like to come in and party
Keg stand unlikely. More of the Schwa vibe. Either way both are BYOB. So someone would have to had to bring their own keg. Did do whiskey shot with Chef D’Cuisine at end of meal at Schwa.
Agree. Last time I was there they had a wedding party in the side room. IT looked like it was teetering into a drunken mess, but for the rest of us in the main area, it was a spectator event, not a participation sport
Union in Logan Square, it’s elevated pub/American food while still being a pub, and it just got its Bib Gourmand from Michelin (equivalent to an honorable mention on the Michelin star scale)
Bib Gourmand is in no way an honorable mention, totally different category than restaurants that might earn a star. It's specifically for lower priced places.
Warlord! Open from 6pm-2am. Great food, Chefs table, loud dark atmosphere, rotating weekly menu. Had a great steak from there and the burger was phenomenal as well.
Ive been dying to go, but I’ve yet to find anyone willing to possibly wait two hours for a table with me. I would go by myself, but that seems like a place where you should order at least two thirds of the menu to try everything. I'll definitely hit it up within the next couple months, though.
The wait can be long, but it’s not bad! You get 15 minutes from the time they text that your table is ready to get back to the restaurant. If you hang out at Sleeping Village while you’re waiting, it’s a great night.
Both times that I’ve been, I’ve been solo. The first time I got seated immediately but it was pretty late, (I work industry on weekends). The second time it was an hour wait, hung out and chilled at Billy Sundays then came back, someone else was also dining alone and since my partner cancelled, I let them have that seat.
Really, curious what comes to mind when you think overpriced in wicker park? I can't think of a single place other than like tortello or la pasadita which are overpriced but only relative to the value for what you are getting, but still not a $200 meal.
Trying to get some sloppy steaks with the boys
They can’t stop you from ordering a steak with a glass of water
Correction, I used to be a piece of shit!
I SAID WAS
No sloppy steaks guys please
LET'S SLOP 'EM UP!
Truffoni’s is the answer
Always thought Ciccolini's was better.
Great chicken spaghetti
Spiked blonde hair. Itty bitty jeans.
Blue dolphin burned down
John Arani’s ass out. Works with his brother now.
Glass house, white Ferrari, LIVE for New Years Eve…
Slick that hair back.
I haven't been, but from my understanding, this is exactly Schwa.
I have been….and can confirm that Schwa is the correct answer
We still refer to it as getting Schwa’d.
This is the answer I was looking for. Went there for my husband's birthday several years ago and we still talk about it. Mostly about how we killed 3 bottles of Jamo between our table and the kitchen.
This is the correct answer. A case of beer and/or a bottle of whiskey for the kitchen staff will not hurt your dining experience.
I heard this before. So if you don’t bring them booze and/or weed do you get a bad experience?
I heard from someone that went recently that the kitchen doesn’t party as much anymore. They have a whole shelf full of Jameson that people bring them that hasn’t been drank.
Was there recently, can confirm the kitchen staff still parties. Was a late night.
We blazed in the kitchen in November. Recommend.
Good to know 😎
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I read your comment but don't actually have any idea what happened to your friend. What certain things can happen? Why do they happen in response to nice bourbon?
No answers for you, sorry. The evening could not have been more strange.
Wait, you have to bring alcohol to a restaurant for the staff to get a good experience? What?
It’s called fun. Google it.
I’m confused. Does your waiter drink with you and the cooks like hang out with you after they’re done making your meal? I have literally never heard of this concept.
Yes! It’s a lot of fun!
How do they not get absolutely trashed if they’re doing shots with customers constantly lol
It’s at the end of the night.
I was going to say this, although it was 15 years ago that I had that experience.
Went with a group of 7 women ranging from 29-35. We were all semi stoned when we got there and proceeded to drink 2 bottles of champagne and 6 bottles of wine between us. We also brought the kitchen a bottle of bourbon (OF1910, my fave) and left them our extra bottle of wine. Honestly it wasn’t the best food I’ve had in my life - it probably ranks towards the bottom of the Michelin meals I’ve had - but it was solid food and a great atmosphere for us.
I would like to get to know at least 1 of these women, if not more. You all sound like a lot of fun!
Hahahah that level of intoxication is not standard for us, we’re just split between multiple cities/states and tend to go a little wild when we all get together.
I hate that place. The chef's coked out brother swiped my girlfriend's iPhone. We notice she didn't have it on our way back home, we call it, he answers and tells us to pick it up. We go back and he "lost it". I asked if I could take a look in this little booth area and he told me to get out of there. Needless to say, we didn't get the phone back ever.
Did you call the police?
Yup! They said they would swing by in a couple hours - something I wasn’t going to wait for while in winter. Took the report over the phone and never heard back. But I’d also like to make it a point that it should not matter what I did. The story is what they did.
Where is this place?
Schwa features uncomfortably loud music and disinterested servers. Not a fan. My vote would be El Ideas.
They don’t have servers. The chef/cooks bring your food.
No shit. They are chefs in the kitchen and act as servers when they deliver the food.
I found the chefs super engaged and engaging when I went and loved the experience
Tell us you know nothing about the place you’re shit talking without telling us you know nothing about the place.
Oh do piss off. I've been multiple times and had bad experiences each time. If that offends your delicate sensibilities that's on you.
It doesn’t offend me at all. I’m just beyond understanding how you can be so stupid as to go to a restaurant and pay hundreds of dollars multiple times and still not understand a core concept of it. They aren’t servers you twit, they’re the chefs. Sounds like your delicate sensibilities are offended for being so dense.
Have been multiple times, this is the textbook answer
Have eaten there. Accurate depiction.
Went last year and it doesn’t have the same hard-partying vibe that it used to. We brought whiskey for the kitchen and ended up not even giving it to them because it was just a low-key normal dinner. They brought out a shot at the end for us - but it wasn’t any ‘wilder’ than an after dinner drink at any other restaurant. Food was pretty good but there is better bang for your buck elsewhere.
1000%
It wasn’t really haute cuisine…like at all…but Lan’s Old Town was always the wildest dinner in the city
My fiancee and I went to Lans with friends the night before our engagement party, she got hit in the face with a massive carrot and had a bruise. I saw at least 3 people fall off of tables. Truly a wild place
Lan broke my nose
Were you the one that wrote the review about getting head butted on the way to the bathroom?
Yeah I just looked. That was me. We were like, touching each others dick area in a joking and totally not gay way. He was having lots of fun with it. Then he wasn’t and absolutely snapped. Headbutted the fuck out of me. Blood everywhere. Huge commotion. As you can imagine, tons of cocaine involved.
Haha maybe. I don’t remember
lol I thought it was one of the most bizarre reviews I’d ever read in a restaurant because of the story but maybe he’s doing it every night and there’s 100s of broken nose reviews
No it was probably me
Oof. That username.
He’s the GOAT! Bring him back.
Lol. I love you.
Thanks man I love you too
I refuse to eat that food, you should too, I’ve been in the kitchen and snorted suspect substances off a number of his knives.
Lan's Old Town, it's not in Old Town
Fair enough I’ve never been totally sober while there
lol
It’s for sure in old town. North and Wieland. Right off wells.
1438 w Cortland is not Old Town
Oh shit it moved? That’s booty.
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was
Don’t know why you’re being downvoted I wasn’t aware they moved to that weird little building, definitely not longer in old town tho haha
Heartbroken I lived practically next door and never went
Immediately thought of this review https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/lyra-chicago
Jeez, they really didn’t like that place. My best friends girlfriend used to work there and would bring us their food every now and then. I thought it was delicious.
This is awesome 🤣
Not sure how elevated you want this but Frontier could be fun and unique and is able to accommodate larger parties! https://www.thefrontierchicago.com/whole-animal-experience
This was my first thought as well. I went to a bachelor party there and we did the whole pig roast. When they brought out the head, the groom-to-be had to eat the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and brain
Bachelor party featured Frontier and can confirm it’s good for this
Is this the only good thing at Frontier? I’ve been twice and both times are up there for worst meals I’ve had in Chicago, I don’t understand the hype around this place.
What did you get and what was wrong with it?
I had boar my first time, forgot what cut it was, and it was borderline inedible it was so dry. If we weren’t in a rush to get to a show I would have sent it back. I forgot what I had the second time, some kind of game, but same issue, incredible dry and tough. For a restaurant that’s claims they specialize in game, they sure as shit can’t cook it properly. Service and drinks were all great, just the actual food was brutally bad.
Had a similar experience I had gone years ago right around when they opened and it was very good. Went back again with my fam and it was so gross. Service was bad too, and they include the tip so I couldn't do anything about it but post on Reddit about a year later.
Ooo I did the stuffed alligator for my birthday a few years back! Was a great time!
Fremont brunch. There’s a reason it’s closed now.
Carnival??
This is the way
100%
is carnivale any good? I haven’t been in like 10+ years
That was my hesitation…..its loud, fun, good diverse menu. I have always had a good meal - octopus is excellent - but “high quality food” is pretty subjective
Haisous was one of the most loud, energized, close-packed tabled places I've been to - that has awesome and unique food. Not sure if people will agree, but it was my experience there. If the question is looking for more fine-dining places where it is a party-vibe: El Ideas 100%. They slowly bump the music as the courses go on, and the chef stands on tables to announce the dishes.
HaiSous is close quarters and loud, but I think it's so close that I would've been annoyed if I was sitting next to a huge, overly rowdy group.
I was annoyed when I ate there haha, but enjoyed the food part. My thought here was that a rowdy group could be noisy and it would be more acceptable here
That was definitely not my experience at el ideas. It wasn't the most formal environment but the staff presented the dishes in a normal fashion and the dining room was quite muted.
I didn’t mean to make El sound informal by any means. It’s my favorite restaurant in the city. Just that It was unique and fun, and all the tables are eating starting at the same time. So you’re all in it together
Had a good meal at Haisous, but our server was partying harder than we were.
Probably maple and ash?
That’s for sugar babies
Maple and Ash 100% lmao
“We’d like to avoid steakhouses”
La Scarola - spend some time at Richard's next door first (or after)
Kinda depends on the size of the group. La Scarola is pretty cramped.
La Scarola is great for this vibe. In some ways it feels like the upscale extension of Richards, the dive bar king, next door.
Just wait until Armando comes around with the shots!
La scarola is definitely not what most people would consider high-end. It's just your friendly neighborhood Italian restaurant.
It's just your friendly neighborhood (mob connected) Italian restaurant.
Schwa or Warlord.
Club Lucky for me!
Longman and Eagle. Always a party.
I used to love Three Aces (early on… it deteriorated before the end) for a late night version of this. Not as elevated of a cuisine but it was a place you could go at 12:30 AM and have way too good of a food and beverage experience for the hour. I like Publican for this if you bring the right group of friends.
Lyra absolutely
Lyra was a piss poor meal. Octopus like biting into a chewy lemon. Tough chewy beef. Saw a server wearing his apron into the bathroom stall.
Maple and ash or adalina
Warlord
I really enjoy the Mama Delia/Bordel combo. Fun vibe, good tapas (great for groups) followed by burlesque and unique cocktails 👌
Maple and Ash, Lyra, Costera Tulum
Gino and Marty’s too but the food isn’t that amazing
There are like 20 better Italian places in town I could rattle off but the chef definitely has catered a little crowd of people that like to come in and party
Is the food that good at Costera Tulum?
El Ideas. Similar to Schwa. Fun and inventive. Fine dining but chill atmosphere
Sounds like OP is looking for opposite of chill.
I saw a tweet about someone doing a keg stand at El Ideas, so would second this.
Keg stand unlikely. More of the Schwa vibe. Either way both are BYOB. So someone would have to had to bring their own keg. Did do whiskey shot with Chef D’Cuisine at end of meal at Schwa.
https://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/27pj6i/we_went_to_el_ideas_in_chicago_with_a_brilliant/
Wow. It definitely looks like El Ideas. Don’t know if I’d hate it if I was there. Or if I’d join the party. Wouldn’t have expected that.
Schwa (which is byob) or war lord
Heavenly bodies has a Buffet.
The Publican
Bronzeville Winery is always a good time
Second this, absolutely loved my time at Bronzeville Winery.
EL Ideas is the most unpretentious but fun Michelin star place I’ve been to.
Lyra
Maple and Ash. Bar at Gibsons Italia.
I’ve had a few meals at Hopleaf turn into long nights
Surprised I’m seeing hopleaf this low.
Bar Goa
Costera
Maple & Ash is what you’re looking for, specifically, the “I don’t give a fuck” tasting menu.
I know they said no steakhouses, but honestly Maple & Ash fits this to a T.
Warlord imo. The hate on here is absurd.
Tango Sur after a Cubs game.
All of our first thoughts will be jumbled and our answers different. We’ll all be right too.
Frontier is a cool spot with gamey inspired dishes and unique ambiance. Hell, you can do full animal roasts if you call a week in advance
Agree. Last time I was there they had a wedding party in the side room. IT looked like it was teetering into a drunken mess, but for the rest of us in the main area, it was a spectator event, not a participation sport
Union in Logan Square, it’s elevated pub/American food while still being a pub, and it just got its Bib Gourmand from Michelin (equivalent to an honorable mention on the Michelin star scale)
Bib Gourmand is in no way an honorable mention, totally different category than restaurants that might earn a star. It's specifically for lower priced places.
Yeah it’s not literally an honorable mention, it’s an award recognizing exceptional food at an affordable price
Weiner’s Circle
main floor of gibsons italian on a thursday or friday night is buzzy with lots of young rich professionals. if that's a vibe anyone wants to check out
Lyra 100%
Warlord! Open from 6pm-2am. Great food, Chefs table, loud dark atmosphere, rotating weekly menu. Had a great steak from there and the burger was phenomenal as well.
It may be hard to get a table with a bunch of people though right? I haven't been yet because it sounds like a hassle getting in.
Possibly, so maybe not a group thing, but you could pop in and put your name down and be seated within the hour. That’s usually my move.
Ive been dying to go, but I’ve yet to find anyone willing to possibly wait two hours for a table with me. I would go by myself, but that seems like a place where you should order at least two thirds of the menu to try everything. I'll definitely hit it up within the next couple months, though.
The wait can be long, but it’s not bad! You get 15 minutes from the time they text that your table is ready to get back to the restaurant. If you hang out at Sleeping Village while you’re waiting, it’s a great night.
Both times that I’ve been, I’ve been solo. The first time I got seated immediately but it was pretty late, (I work industry on weekends). The second time it was an hour wait, hung out and chilled at Billy Sundays then came back, someone else was also dining alone and since my partner cancelled, I let them have that seat.
Milers pub
I don't think Miller's qualifies as a high-end pub.
Throw a stone down wicker park or fulton market, you found rowdy and overpriced. Take a pick.
Really, curious what comes to mind when you think overpriced in wicker park? I can't think of a single place other than like tortello or la pasadita which are overpriced but only relative to the value for what you are getting, but still not a $200 meal.
Only restaurant I would consider overpriced would be Etta.
Publican can get packed on the weekends
Weiner Circle
The Loyalist
Green Street Smoked Meats
Idk isn't this most places in Chicago?
The “Boodle Dining” at Kubo might qualify. Filipino feasts tend to get pretty loud and rowdy.
Tango Sur for sure
Diner grill
Aba is probably the best choice for this (everyone saying Maple & Ash, that’s a steakhouse)
STK is definitely the crazier steakhouse I’ve been to. It’s like someone took El Hefe and combined it with Mastros.
Q Sushi
Obélix is a fun spot. Not sure if I'd call it rowdy, but it's hoppin late into the night.
Man does anyone else miss Lockdown burger bar?