Chicago and suburbs

[David K o l i n]

Thanks, Gents. I’ve enjoyed the dim sum there, but never thought of packing in.

[Corey N.]

Thanks, Gents. I’ve enjoyed the dim sum there, but never thought of packing in.

Most places in Chinatown will let you BYO.

We usually go to Tang’s Garden (where we went with Todd one evening) for dim sum, but Dolo is solid as is Triple Crown. Cai is probably my favorite but not a fan of the crowds. Have BYOd in all but Triple Crown (never tried).

[Corey N.]

Looks like I’ll be crossing Canto Regio off my list, which is a shame.

A post on Facebook, reported in eater, accuses the owner (himself an immigrant) of hiring illegal immigrants and then taking advantage of them because he knows that they would be afraid to make a report. Anyhow, the owner apparently beat up an employee and has been arrested.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/8/23/177 ... %20Beating

[John Danza]

Looks like I’ll be crossing Canto Regio off my list, which is a shame.

A post on Facebook, reported in eater, accuses the owner (himself an immigrant) of hiring illegal immigrants and then taking advantage of them because he knows that they would be afraid to make a report. Anyhow, the owner apparently beat up an employee and has been arrested.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/8/23/177 ... %20Beating

That really blows. The fact that he hires illegals is enough for me to scratch Canton Regio off my personal list. It's a federal crime. Now that it appears that he takes advantage of them to boot is doubly bad. Unfortunately, that's a very common treatment of illegals by employers.

[George Hejna]

If you don't want to eat in any restaurants that hire illegals then you should probably just stay at home.

George

[Corey N.]

If you don't want to eat in any restaurants that hire illegals then you should probably just stay at home.

George

I think it’s quite a bit more than that. The accusation was he took advantage of their immigration status and physically beat someone.

I won’t be going back.

[John Danza]

If you don't want to eat in any restaurants that hire illegals then you should probably just stay at home.

George

No, the business owners should go to jail.

[Keith A k e r s]

I have two new ones to add:

Duck Inn
2701 S Eleanor
Reidel O stems
$25 corkage
(312) 724-8811
website


Passerotto
5420 N Clark Ave
Reidel O Stems
$15 corkage
website

[Michael Klein]

I guess worth noting is Entente - I am going there tomorrow night, but spoke to them yesterday about corkage. $30/btl with a 2 btl limit.

[Paul Miller]

Need to remove Bistro Compagne from the list. They've been gone awhile.

[David K o l i n]

Need to remove Bistro Compagne from the list. They've been gone awhile.

Chef Michael died a while ago, but I'm pretty sure they are still open

[Paul Miller]

Need to remove Bistro Compagne from the list. They've been gone awhile.

Chef Michael died a while ago, but I'm pretty sure they are still open

Sorry. I was thinking of another restaurant. Brain fart.

[Mike Lindauer]

Need to remove Bistro Compagne from the list. They've been gone awhile.

Chef Michael died a while ago, but I'm pretty sure they are still open

Ate there a few months ago. I don't remember the corkage fee, but stems were good and our server was knowledgeable.

[John Danza]

I have two new ones to add:

Duck Inn
2701 S Eleanor
Reidel O stems
$25 corkage
(312) 724-8811
website


Passerotto
5420 N Clark Ave
Reidel O Stems
$15 corkage
website

Thanks Keith. I've put them on the list.

[Paul Miller]

Not really sure where to post this, but the place is kind of a BYOB, but has anybody heard of Birch Road Cellar? There is one on Armitage. Appears to be a "private club" where you can store some wine, and then go there and drink it.

https://www.birchroadcellar.com/

Wondering if anyone here in Chicago on this board have any experience with the place.

[Matt Fleming]

Not really sure where to post this, but the place is kind of a BYOB, but has anybody heard of Birch Road Cellar? There is one on Armitage. Appears to be a "private club" where you can store some wine, and then go there and drink it.

https://www.birchroadcellar.com/

Wondering if anyone here in Chicago on this board have any experience with the place.

Pretty sure that is where Kubrick filmed Sydney Pollack's scenes in Eyes Wide Shut.

[Phil Smith]

Not really sure where to post this, but the place is kind of a BYOB, but has anybody heard of Birch Road Cellar? There is one on Armitage. Appears to be a "private club" where you can store some wine, and then go there and drink it.

https://www.birchroadcellar.com/

Wondering if anyone here in Chicago on this board have any experience with the place.

I'm a member, though not a particularly active one. There's one in Roscoe Village as well, and you pretty much have it right. Think of it as a BYO bar with small (~18-20 bottle) lockers for whatever booze you keep on site. They have mixers and such available. I wouldn't say it's so wine-centric... I'm at least as likely to see people with beers or cocktails there, and get the feeling that a lot of people use it (and particularly the larger Lincoln Park location) as more of a meeting/co-working space in addition to entertaining. They do have some events and tasting groups and such.

Happy to answer any questions or arrange an introduction to the owners if you're at all interested.

[Paul Miller]

Butcher & The Burger
(it's a high-end burger joint)
1021 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 697-3735
BYOB. No corkage; but lousy glassware.
butcherandtheburger.com/

[John Danza]

Butcher & The Burger
(it's a high-end burger joint)
1021 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 697-3735
BYOB. No corkage; but lousy glassware.
butcherandtheburger.com/

Thanks Paul. The photos look yummy. I've added it to the list.

[Doug Sher]

I've been to Jade Court three times in the last month and have really enjoyed it. The two course service of Peking Duck is very good. I have also enjoyed the beef in XO, pork belly over pickled greens, whole pike and a number of other dishes. The stems are borderline acceptable (I still bring my own) and corkage is free. Dishes probably cost a bit more than some other Chinese places but overall are worth it.

I'll be back soon.

Jade Court
626 S. Racine
Chicago, IL. 60607
312-929-4828

[John Danza]

I've been to Jade Court three times in the last month and have really enjoyed it. The two course service of Peking Duck is very good. I have also enjoyed the beef in XO, pork belly over pickled greens, whole pike and a number of other dishes. The stems are borderline acceptable (I still bring my own) and corkage is free. Dishes probably cost a bit more than some other Chinese places but overall are worth it.

I'll be back soon.

Jade Court
626 S. Racine
Chicago, IL. 60607
312-929-4828

Added to the list.

[Robert Pollard-Smith]

I've been to Jade Court three times in the last month and have really enjoyed it. The two course service of Peking Duck is very good. I have also enjoyed the beef in XO, pork belly over pickled greens, whole pike and a number of other dishes. The stems are borderline acceptable (I still bring my own) and corkage is free. Dishes probably cost a bit more than some other Chinese places but overall are worth it.

I'll be back soon.

Jade Court
626 S. Racine
Chicago, IL. 60607
312-929-4828

Sounds like an off-line is in the cards.

[John Danza]

I just added Mordecai in the Hotel Zachary to the list. It's across from Wrigley Field. I wouldn't normally list a place with $25 corkage as a BYOB place, but the food is excellent and they were really accommodating, so I wanted to make you aware of it.

I think they're accommodating because the wine list is so anemic (under 15 selections total) and generally filled with crap that it almost seems like an afterthought. They're really a cocktail and sports place. But the stems are excellent, and when I asked about a limitation on number of bottles, they said "no, bring a case if you want".

[Michael_H]

Hi John, I'm new to the forum but love that you have such an extensive list. Can you add Bavette's? Also, please remove Boarding House. Sadly, the restaurant closed this past summer.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Corkage fee is sharing 1 glass per bottle with a table of your choice
Nice stems
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
bavettessteakhouse.com

[John Danza]

Hi John, I'm new to the forum but love that you have such an extensive list. Can you add Bavette's? Also, please remove Boarding House. Sadly, the restaurant closed this past summer.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Corkage fee is sharing 1 glass per bottle with a table of your choice
Nice stems
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
bavettessteakhouse.com

Welcome to the board Michael! I've made both updates. Thanks for the info.

[Keith A k e r s]

I wanted to add in an update on Cellar Door Provisions. They are now $20 corkage generally and $10 if you bring in a wine from Diversey Wine a few doors down

[John Danza]

I wanted to add in an update on Cellar Door Provisions. They are now $20 corkage generally and $10 if you bring in a wine from Diversey Wine a few doors down

I've updated the entry Keith. Seems pretty steep for a place with such a limited menu. How is the food?

[Doug Sher]

Hi John, I'm new to the forum but love that you have such an extensive list. Can you add Bavette's? Also, please remove Boarding House. Sadly, the restaurant closed this past summer.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Corkage fee is sharing 1 glass per bottle with a table of your choice
Nice stems
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
bavettessteakhouse.com

I believe there is a limit of 1 bottle for every two people at your table, for what it's worth.

[Michael_H]

Hi John, I'm new to the forum but love that you have such an extensive list. Can you add Bavette's? Also, please remove Boarding House. Sadly, the restaurant closed this past summer.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Corkage fee is sharing 1 glass per bottle with a table of your choice
Nice stems
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
bavettessteakhouse.com

I believe there is a limit of 1 bottle for every two people at your table, for what it's worth.

Doug, that sounds right to me. I've always just gone with my wife and a single bottle. They have fantastic cocktails that we typically start and end the meal with so 1 bottle has always been enough for us.

[Keith A k e r s]

I wanted to add in an update on Cellar Door Provisions. They are now $20 corkage generally and $10 if you bring in a wine from Diversey Wine a few doors down

I've updated the entry Keith. Seems pretty steep for a place with such a limited menu. How is the food?

I thought the food was fantastic. This was a more root veg-heavy menu, so that wasn't entirely my thing, but I was still really impressed with what they had

[John Danza]

Hi John, I'm new to the forum but love that you have such an extensive list. Can you add Bavette's? Also, please remove Boarding House. Sadly, the restaurant closed this past summer.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Corkage fee is sharing 1 glass per bottle with a table of your choice
Nice stems
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
bavettessteakhouse.com

I believe there is a limit of 1 bottle for every two people at your table, for what it's worth.

Hmmm... one bottle per two people, and you have to give up a glass to another table. Really cuts down what you have to drink.

[J. D'Antonio]

Did that change at Bavette's recently? I've been there several times over the years and not had the bottle limit. It has been about 1.5 years since I've been there, however.

[Keith A k e r s]

Did that change at Bavette's recently? I've been there several times over the years and not had the bottle limit. It has been about 1.5 years since I've been there, however.

It's been that way at all Hogsalt restaurants for a while. It was maybe 2013 or 2014 when some friends and I went into Maude's to do a dinner and we were informed about the policy change. I think it's up to the discretion of the server, but I haven't spent much time in a Hogsalt spot since then sadly

[J. D'Antonio]

Good to know, thanks. Maybe sharing with the server as well got them to look the other way!

[John Danza]

Good to know, thanks. Maybe sharing with the server as well got them to look the other way!

Or just go somewhere else without a crazy policy like that.

[J. D'Antonio]

Trust me, I have. So many fantastic places to eat in your city.

[Paul Miller]

We went to Old Town Folk School the other night to see Isabella Rossellini. Up the street, and across is Luella's Southern Kitchen. It's southern/creole, and it's BYOB. Simple place, but great food, and relatively cheap. It made the Michelin Guide. They have some simple, stemless wine glasses and a corkscrew. Again, good food and BYOB if you're up in that area.

Above is a Pimento-Cheese Hamburger (with an egg), fries, mac-n-cheese (OMG), and a bowl of Gumbo. Brought a 2012 Rivers-Marie Pinot, Kanzler Vnyd.


Luella's Southern Kitchen
4609 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 961-8196
BYOB. No corkage. Generic, stemless wine glasses.
http://luellassouthernkitchen.com/

[Paul Miller]

Another place I'm surprised is not in our list, is Sun Wah BBQ, Chinese restaurant. Another Michelin guide place. Popular with foodies and wine geeks. Known for their Peking Duck. HUGE menu. Went with two other couples. Ordered ONE order of the Peking Duck, and it is a HUGE serving. First they bring the duck, chop if up, and it includes buns. Then they take away the carcass, and come back with soup and duck-fried rice. The Peking Duck is a must, just understand it's a lot of food, so great to share, or more than enough food for a couple. We also ordered a few other items that were all good.

It's technically not BYOB, although everyone talks like it is. They do have a bar, but you can bring wine. $10/bottle corkage. Them seemed aggravated we did not bring a corkscrew. Glasses were generic.

Highly recommend the place. With duck, corkage, and extra food, it was still only about $50/couple. Definitely call well ahead for reservations, as it can get slammed.

Sun Wah BBQ (Chinese)
5039 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-1254
They do have a bar, but $10 corkage per bottle. Basic glasses.
http://sunwahbbq.com/

[John Danza]

Hello all,

I've removed HB Home Bistro from the list because I received an email from them last week stating that they were going to close at the end of the month. Also, I've got an email into the GM of the George Trois Group to get an updated policy since Restaurant Michael is no more and is replaced by George Trois (which already existed), Aboyer, and Silencieux.

Does anyone know of any other updated for the list?

[Paul Miller]

Dawali moved to the West Loop. Not sure if it’s still BYOB. Now out of my neighborhood.

[John Danza]

Dawali moved to the West Loop. Not sure if it’s still BYOB. Now out of my neighborhood.

The address on their website is the same that we have listed here. I'll leave them as is unless someone knows of a change in policy.

[Doug Sher]

I've had a number of fine meals at a newly reopened place called In-On Thai. They used to be in the 3800 block of North Broadway and their building was razed about three years ago. The food is excellent. The glasses are not very good, but I have a tendency to bring my own glassware. BYOB and much of the food can be on the spicy side, so I suggest champagne and white wines with at least a little RS. The curries are as good as any in town.

Last night we particularly enjoyed Crispy Fish with Jungle Salad, Tom Yum Milky Broth, Green Bean Salad, Marinated Pork Spare Ribs, In-On Thai Spicy Fish, Baked Shrimp with Clear Noodles, Stir Fry Bamboo Shoot and Panang Curry.

In-On Thai
4641 N. Broadway

[Ben J.]

Owen and Engine, the British-style gastropub next to Fat Willie's at Western & Schubert, now allows BYO with $25 corkage. Not sure of glassware situation as I just called to confirm this. Their less-traditional (in terms of pub fare) dishes have always been worth trying.

[Michael Klein]

Worth mentioning again - esp as bump - Daisies offers $15 corkage. Was our first proper post covid lockdown meal and we had a blast.

[Jack E]

Went to Gibson's Italia last night (Saturday) and was informed no outside bottles "due to COVID situation". No big deal, their wine list is ok, but are several reasonably priced bottles. I did ask to speak to the "som" and was informed he was not working, whatever that means. I previously went to RPM Italian and the soms are working and they were happy to open my bottles.

[jordan whitehead]

Went to Gibson's Italia last night (Saturday) and was informed no outside bottles "due to COVID situation". No big deal, their wine list is ok, but are several reasonably priced bottles. I did ask to speak to the "som" and was informed he was not working, whatever that means. I previously went to RPM Italian and the soms are working and they were happy to open my bottles.

many Chicago soms, some that I know personally, have been and still are furloughed.

considering those 2 restaurants are not under the same company umbrella, not sure what 1 experience has to do with the other

[John Danza]

I went to Chez Simo Bistro on Saturday. I hadn't been there since "the Rona" started. The food was good, as always. But like other small restaurants, they're hanging on by a thread. I recommend everyone get out to all these little places as much as possible. While they're still around.

[Mike Lindauer]

Yes we all need to support our favorite restaurants, or they won't exist by the time we can enjoy them fully. I've been in Chicago just one weekend since February (usually there at least once/month). Had Cafe Marbella take-away and it was fantastic!

[John Danza]

Yes we all need to support our favorite restaurants, or they won't exist by the time we can enjoy them fully. I've been in Chicago just one weekend since February (usually there at least once/month). Had Cafe Marbella take-away and it was fantastic!

That's great. I love Cafe Marbella.

However, many places couldn't or wouldn't do the take out dinners for one reason or another. It wasn't financially feasible for them. Now that they can have people in the restaurants, getting butts in seats is important for all the restaurants.

[Keith A k e r s]

Went to Gibson's Italia last night (Saturday) and was informed no outside bottles "due to COVID situation". No big deal, their wine list is ok, but are several reasonably priced bottles. I did ask to speak to the "som" and was informed he was not working, whatever that means. I previously went to RPM Italian and the soms are working and they were happy to open my bottles.

just saw this and what Jordan said is spot on. As I know several people that are part of the somm team at Lettuce, your take isn't entirely correct as to whom is or isn't working. I'd also say that Gibson's Italia was never a spot where bringing in your own was to be encouraged whereas lettuce can and does allow it.



John,

thanks for reminding me about Chez Simo. I'll need to do takeout from them soon to hopefully do my part in keeping them around.