The food was excellent when I went. But, there’s also stuff that hasn’t hit Reddit that exists in service industry groups that go into wayyyyyy more detail on how abusive he is.
The main money people are complicit in this behavior and he should’ve been removed as a chef. It’s not as bad as what Bickelhaupt did (which WOULD be difficult to top), but yea.
I can’t fault anyone for choosing to go there, but I do feel t necessary for people to be aware of it if coming to Chicago. It’s a little out of the way and you have to want to go there. So I’m treating this as a PSA for Berserkers that may not be aware of him.
^this. I was extremely impressed when I went in March of 24. The real fun with “the list” is finding out from their Somms what they have left that is like 1 or 2 bottles and aren’t advertised on the list. It’s easily on my to-do list when I’m next in Chicago
I feel like I always have the same restaurants I go to in Chicago, which are all very good. I will probably reevaluate my fine dining evening though because I won’t go back to Oriole after last year, though, maybe we’ll go back to smyth.
Heading to Chicago tomorrow for an overnight. We have a reservation booked at Sapori that appears to offer $25 corkage and looks to be pretty good.
Has anyone found a respectable wine bar in Chicago of late? I have not found anything I consider interesting since Randolph St Wines closed several years ago.
I am really only interested in Burg, Rhone, Champagne, Piedmont and to a lesser extent, Tuscany and Bordeaux. Am I missing anyplace?
Sapori is excellent. Been around forever and always doing great authentic Italian.
for wine bars, check out Grand Cru on Grand Ave. should align to your taste and the owners are great. Le Midi in Wicker Park is also worth a stop. If you want a totally different scene, head up to Logan Square for Easy Does It and ask for the full bottle list. Some gems in there beyond the natural wine that typically dominates the by the glass program.
Not sure about what you like but I really enjoyed Easy Does It. Younger crowd. A natural wine leaning list. Lots of good German selections. This list looks out of date but you get a feel for the types of wine they have.
Easy Does it is great. Websters not getting a mention from other Chicagoans is criminal. Bar Parisette also while not a wine bar has a great list, as does Table Donkey and Stick.
Coming to town next month, getting in a little late on a Friday, looking for a 9 or 9:30 dinner reservation, something special but not a tasting menu at that hour. Staying at Nobu Hotel in West Loop.