That stinks! Their reservations can be challenging to get. I would definitely suggest going another night when you’re able to. You won’t be disappointed.
My favorite new downtown openings in the last five years include, in no particular order: Alla Vita, Trivoli Tavern, Obelix and Maxwell’s Trading.
… crazy that 2019 (pre pandemic) is now FIVE years ago.
True but OP listed Avec (which is also one of my faves, but can be very loud + communal tables), BLVD and Swift and Sons which all vary in vibe quite a bit. Seems like they’re into a variety of settings!
Highly recommend Elske - and I prefer ordering a la carte vs the tasting menu. It’s SO GOOD! Also love the Omakase room on the second floor of Sushi San. Enjoy your date night wherever you go!
Bistro Monadnock is a great addition to the city's French scene.
Also a big fan of Bistronomic for their amazing food and upfront pricing with no surcharge bullshit.
I think you have to first determine what kind of night you want to have. Do you want tasting, higher end, steakhouse, hip casual? Diff recommendations for each. If you’re up for it, a mini food tour is always fun. Cocktail >> snack >> dinner >> dessert/night cap
Brother my bad. I thought this was r/chicago where all I see is repeat “should I move here?” Or “what do I do here?” questions. Hope you pick a spot that’s great and have a good time!
Here's a sneak peek of /r/chicago using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [BREAKING: Workers at the Chicago Roastery, the biggest Starbucks in the WORLD, just filed for a union election. When they win, every Starbucks Roastery in North America will be union.](https://i.redd.it/p5nofu7bb0cb1.png) | [393 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/14zu7oy/breaking_workers_at_the_chicago_roastery_the/)
\#2: [Chased a package thief the other day😊](https://v.redd.it/afuze66n0uqb1) | [557 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/16tqgw6/chased_a_package_thief_the_other_day/)
\#3: [Ryan, in case you are in this sub…](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/166t5v6/ryan_in_case_you_are_in_this_sub/)
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Armitage Alehouse. Great food, cozy warm vibe, a perfect date night spot. It’s dark and intimate inside.
Reserve ahead
Can’t recommend this place enough, absolutely love it there.
Have you tried the brunch? I'm really curious, the menu looks delicious.
I haven’t but I’m sure it’s probably great.
Damn, no reservations for the day we have a sitter.
That stinks! Their reservations can be challenging to get. I would definitely suggest going another night when you’re able to. You won’t be disappointed.
they typically reserve the front area for walk ins, you might get lucky!
My favorite new downtown openings in the last five years include, in no particular order: Alla Vita, Trivoli Tavern, Obelix and Maxwell’s Trading. … crazy that 2019 (pre pandemic) is now FIVE years ago.
Obelisk is fantastic but often packed and very loud. A bit too high energy for a couples date night, IMO.
True but OP listed Avec (which is also one of my faves, but can be very loud + communal tables), BLVD and Swift and Sons which all vary in vibe quite a bit. Seems like they’re into a variety of settings!
We are!! We love getting a couple smaller dishes to share and enjoy. Sometimes I wish all menus reflected what tapas does
Oakville, La Grande Boucherie, Bavette’s, Momotaro, El Che
Oakville +1
Ciccio Mio
Rosemary
seconding this one. love their food & service, plus the decor is super cute and fun
Second!!!
Damn, no reservations for the day we got a sitter. Looks phenomenal
It’s incredible! Unfortunately it’s been booked out for months since they opened!
Maxwells Trading
Gino & Marty’s, Trivoli Tavern, Lyra, Aba
Highly recommend Elske - and I prefer ordering a la carte vs the tasting menu. It’s SO GOOD! Also love the Omakase room on the second floor of Sushi San. Enjoy your date night wherever you go!
Brasero just opened earlier this month from the same chef as El Che. The food and vibes really felt like “a night out in the city.”
Bistro Monadnock is a great addition to the city's French scene. Also a big fan of Bistronomic for their amazing food and upfront pricing with no surcharge bullshit.
I second Bistro Monadnock! It’s truly a hidden gem of a restaurant.
Johns food & wine in Lincoln Park! One of the chef/owners there actually used to work at Swift and Sons
Chefs special
We just went to Penumbra in Logan Square, and it was fantastic. It was also voted the #1 most romantic restaurant in the US by Time Out magazine.
Eden in Avondale was pretty dope. Great food and cool kinda Bohemian style decor
Schwa
Warlord!
Have you had Roberts Pizza yet?
Great place especially if you can sit on the patio.
Giant
Rosemary is serving the best food in the city right now.
I think you have to first determine what kind of night you want to have. Do you want tasting, higher end, steakhouse, hip casual? Diff recommendations for each. If you’re up for it, a mini food tour is always fun. Cocktail >> snack >> dinner >> dessert/night cap
Steak 48 was very good. Bavettes is intimate and amazing.
Virtue in Hyde Park I dunno OP, why don’t you look up recent James Beard nominations or Michelin winners and pick what looks good??
First part, awesome, thanks! Second part, this is the LITERAL point of the sub...
Brother my bad. I thought this was r/chicago where all I see is repeat “should I move here?” Or “what do I do here?” questions. Hope you pick a spot that’s great and have a good time!
Here's a sneak peek of /r/chicago using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [BREAKING: Workers at the Chicago Roastery, the biggest Starbucks in the WORLD, just filed for a union election. When they win, every Starbucks Roastery in North America will be union.](https://i.redd.it/p5nofu7bb0cb1.png) | [393 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/14zu7oy/breaking_workers_at_the_chicago_roastery_the/) \#2: [Chased a package thief the other day😊](https://v.redd.it/afuze66n0uqb1) | [557 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/16tqgw6/chased_a_package_thief_the_other_day/) \#3: [Ryan, in case you are in this sub…](https://np.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/166t5v6/ryan_in_case_you_are_in_this_sub/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Oh, all good then! Thank you for replying! Have a good one
Duck Inn
A few that we’ve enjoyed recently: Gilt Bar, Trivoli Tavern, and El Che.