What is better than an owner living above his restaurant? That is acting locally. Money spent there stays in the neighborhood!! This is the classic sustainable economic model of yesterday, that our car culture and flight to the 'burbs has forgotten. So get to the point you say. Well Blackie's at the corner of Clark and Polk, is such a restaurant in our neighborhood. I am sure there are more - let's get a list going. Keep your money in the neighborhood as much as you can by supporting local businesses. And their patio on a Saturday morning is hard to beat with Eggs Florentine and a bloody Mary~ And I hear their burgers are great too.
I agree...Eleven City Diner needs some new management...the owner is ridiculous...is he a New Yorker, I am a transplant from the East Coast and this guys grinds my gears...
Chef Luciano's rules! I eat there everyday and love the Naan bread with the special oil the chef uses! Try it out today at the corner of Wabash and Cermak!
I know those comments about Eleven Diner are old but I just discovered this site! The food at Eleven is decent, but they are soooo over-priced. I am from the East Coast too, (New York) and am not sure if the owner is from the East Coast, but has clearly tried modeling his diner after an NYC diner. Just wondering what kind of diner closes at 9pm- not one in NY. They also charged me .50 for mustard...really??? Their staff could be better too!
I’m all about supporting businesses in the South Loop and would hate to see another empty store front so I really hope that A'Cappella Bistro will at some point have great food and service like the previous poster mentioned. Sadly, I don’t think that will ever be the case though. I’ve tried A’Cappella Bistro twice now, once for dinner and once for breakfast, and I would describe their service as friendly, but below average. They just don’t really seem to know how to run a restaurant and the whole dining experience is kind of strange from the décor to the service. And the food, while edible, is probably the worst food I have ever had at a restaurant. It is on par with store bought pastries and canned fruit for breakfast (and I’m talking about Jewel store bought pastries, not Fox and Obel) and microwave meals for dinner.
In all fairness to A’Capella Bistro, it has been awhile since I have been there and they may have improved on these things, but I just find that hard to believe. I live right next door and have yet to hear somebody say something good about it and based on how empty they are everyday, I can’t imagine that they are getting much repeat business. If somebody has been their recently and has had a better experience I would love to hear about it, because if they truly do have great food and service now I’d be willing to give them another try.
I think Little Branch Cafe deserves a mention. I've been there several times for lunch and dinner. I think this place is probably a better brunch/lunch place, but the cocktails and beer options are really good, which keeps me coming back for dinner, too.
18 comments:
Manny's Restaurant, hands down. The quality of the food is second to none. Just ask Mayor Daley and President Obama.
I love me some Manny's! Chicago Firehouse also has some bomb steak if you're willing to pay the price.
My fave = Gioco
What is better than an owner living above his restaurant? That is acting locally. Money spent there stays in the neighborhood!! This is the classic sustainable economic model of yesterday, that our car culture and flight to the 'burbs has forgotten. So get to the point you say. Well Blackie's at the corner of Clark and Polk, is such a restaurant in our neighborhood. I am sure there are more - let's get a list going. Keep your money in the neighborhood as much as you can by supporting local businesses. And their patio on a Saturday morning is hard to beat with Eggs Florentine and a bloody Mary~
And I hear their burgers are great too.
I'll tell you what the "Best Restaurant" in the area isn't: Eleven City Diner!
This joint (and it's owner) needs a reality check and a reboot.
Too pricey . . . too much douchebaggery.
I agree...Eleven City Diner needs some new management...the owner is ridiculous...is he a New Yorker, I am a transplant from the East Coast and this guys grinds my gears...
Eleven City is laughably rude and condescending...who would pay to be abuse?
Panozzo's (13th & Michigan) has the best beef sandwichs, and lots of other ready to eat items. I also love the pretzel and ice cream sandwich.
Yolk. I'm a breakfast fan. So is my girlfriend. We love Yolk. Michigan and 11th st.
http://culinaryguydavid.blogspot.com/
Chef Luciano's rules! I eat there everyday and love the Naan bread with the special oil the chef uses! Try it out today at the corner of Wabash and Cermak!
tapas valencia on State - amazing!
I know those comments about Eleven Diner are old but I just discovered this site! The food at Eleven is decent, but they are soooo over-priced. I am from the East Coast too, (New York) and am not sure if the owner is from the East Coast, but has clearly tried modeling his diner after an NYC diner. Just wondering what kind of diner closes at 9pm- not one in NY. They also charged me .50 for mustard...really??? Their staff could be better too!
Manny's, Chef Luciano's, Panozzo's, Zapatista's, La Cantina Grill, and Cafe Society are some of my favorite's.
La Cantina has great food and even better mojitos!
A'Cappella Bistro -- food and service are great! BYOB!
I’m all about supporting businesses in the South Loop and would hate to see another empty store front so I really hope that A'Cappella Bistro will at some point have great food and service like the previous poster mentioned. Sadly, I don’t think that will ever be the case though. I’ve tried A’Cappella Bistro twice now, once for dinner and once for breakfast, and I would describe their service as friendly, but below average. They just don’t really seem to know how to run a restaurant and the whole dining experience is kind of strange from the décor to the service. And the food, while edible, is probably the worst food I have ever had at a restaurant. It is on par with store bought pastries and canned fruit for breakfast (and I’m talking about Jewel store bought pastries, not Fox and Obel) and microwave meals for dinner.
In all fairness to A’Capella Bistro, it has been awhile since I have been there and they may have improved on these things, but I just find that hard to believe. I live right next door and have yet to hear somebody say something good about it and based on how empty they are everyday, I can’t imagine that they are getting much repeat business. If somebody has been their recently and has had a better experience I would love to hear about it, because if they truly do have great food and service now I’d be willing to give them another try.
I think Little Branch Cafe deserves a mention. I've been there several times for lunch and dinner. I think this place is probably a better brunch/lunch place, but the cocktails and beer options are really good, which keeps me coming back for dinner, too.
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