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Gilt Bar Chicago Reviews
Great service, great food and great drinks! On street
Great service, great food and great drinks! On street parking was easy but they do have valet as well.
Very Cool
Great atmosphere. Very cool vibes. Try to reserve a table in “The Library.” Relaxing. Solid food. Great drinks. This is how it’s done.
Majestic
I had my wedding reception here. I talked thoroughly with Ann and Allie. They answered all of my questions tirelessly. Everyone spoke so highly of the food and service. I couldn't ask for me. I am so appreciative of them for everything. I wished the photobooth was working, but that is such a small thing. Thank you so much to everyone who worked to make a magical night. The food and the cocktails were divine.
Great food and excellent table service! The mussels were
Great food and excellent table service! The mussels were especially good! We sat outside, which was fun. The interior of the restaurant looked beautiful and there was a cool speakeasy style bar in the basement!
I had my wedding reception here.
I talked thoroughly with Ann and Allie. They answered all of my questions tirelessly. Everyone spoke so highly of the food and service. I couldn't ask for me. I am so appreciative of them for everything. I wished the photobooth was working, but that is such a small thing. Thank you so much to everyone who worked to make a magical night. The food and the cocktails were divine.
Nestled in River North, Gilt Bar is a little culinary gem
Nestled in River North, Gilt Bar is a little culinary gem that stole our hearts, especially during Happy Hour. Let me tell you, the value here is unbeatable. First off, the Happy Hour prices are light, but the flavors? They're off the charts. The bone marrow? Unbelievable. And those mussels in that epic broth? *Chef's kiss*. It's clear they take their flavors seriously. We also got the onion rings and stuffed mushrooms. The service at the bar (shout out to Jacob) was top-notch too--friendly, approachable, attentive, and those pours? They were not messing around! Honestly, part of me doesn't want to share this review because I don't want everyone else to discover this hidden secret. But hey, good things are meant to be shared, right? If you're looking for a spot that combines amazing food, great value, and a welcoming vibe, Gilt Bar is where it's at. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Great place to come with coworkers or friends for dinner.
The food is great and the restaurant ambience is really cool. I haven't been back as I personally think there are better Italian restaurants in the city but if you find yourself in the area I'd recommend!
All the appetizers were delicious.
Our table had the king salmon and he chicken piccata, both large enough to share and prepared perfectly. The asparagus was seasoned so well. The service was so good and the place looks like an old speak easy. So great. If you haven't gone you should try it out.
The service at the restaurant was exceptional, creating a
The service at the restaurant was exceptional, creating a pleasant dining experience. The ambiance was relaxed and cool, setting a nice tone for the evening. However, despite the tasty flavors of the food, it left me feeling unwell. I experienced stomach issues throughout the night, even vomiting a bit, and felt sick the next day. While the taste was good, I couldn't fully enjoy it, possibly due to it being too heavy for me.
Gilt bar was my favorite restaurant on my trip to chicago.
Walking in, the ambiance is instantly upscale fancy. really dim lighting, everyone is dressed really nice. great for date night or a special occasion. we ordered the vodka riggotini and the salmon ceaser salad and they were both delicious. i can't wait to go back! the service was also amazing. make sure to go downstairs and take a picture in their photo booth!
Downstairs Library added another unique element to an Exception Restaurant
Gilt Bar is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The food and service is always top notch and very unique. We were seated downstairs in the Library/Speakeasy area. This was such a unique experience. It felt like we were in a secret club house at times. The Mozz sticks are the best I've ever had an the spicy vodka rigatoni and Chicken Piccata never disappoint. We got engaged shortly before dinner and the staff went above and beyond to help us celebrate. Thank you Gilt Bar for giving us a great first dinner in the city and an unforgettable experience.
Had such a lovely anniversary dinner here during a recent
Had such a lovely anniversary dinner here during a recent trip to Chicago. Reserved a table in the Library - cozy, romantic, and ambient. The bartenders offered us two complimentary champagne flutes. Dinner was fantastic, especially the Brussel sprouts and vodka rigatoni. The table wine carafes are a great deal imo. And the vintage-y Photo Booth was a nice touch!
Umm insanely obsessed with the place.
Also going to the bathroom provided a whole new experience and other option for drinks ??? great service - although I really wanted the burger and the server said they sold out but 3 tables around us got burgers ? Besides that I was happy with what I ordered and my friends have the dirty martinis a 10/10.
Gilded
Hard to get a prime time reservation. I was able to change it at the last minute to a later time. It was bustling at 8pm on a Saturday night. Its a attractive dark dining room with mirrors, leather chairs and wood ceilings and panels. The waitress offered to surprise me when I could not decide which cocktail to have. She brought me a paper plane which was solid. I asked them to bring just a little bread and they brought 4 slides of crusty country. The butter was salty (which I like) however. The pasta was the perfect size and was delicious (sausage with rabe and Orecchiette). I almost wished I had kept the bread to soak up the sauce. The music fit the place: dark but modern, energetic and slightly upbeat. If I lived in Chicago I think it would be a good place for date night.
Great time!
Food, service and atmosphere were excellent. The speakeasy downstairs was beautiful. We ordered many sharable and the food came out nicely in courses.
Beautiful.
Such a beautiful place - both floors, you can't go wrong. The reservations process (there is a hold fee and apparently some tables are held for walk-ins) and the "speakeasy" vs restaurant left us a bit confused, and we almost didn't bother going. We showed up, put in a request and held up a wall by the bar, not knowing whether we'd be waiting 15 minutes or an hour. But once we were led to our table the service and attention that our waitress gave us was unbelievable! Not too much, not too little, always right there when you had a request or question. I believe she was in charge of taking care of the entire "speakeasy" crowd. Amazing. The cocktails were great. I barely remember the food. Ah, but the atmosphere!! Well worth the wait.
Best rigatoni alla vodka EVER (imo)
i’m not exaggerating when I say that Gilt Bar has the best vodka sauce. it is so rich and creamy and full of flavor. The truffle pasta & other creamy pasta (with peas) were amazing as well. I always bring people here when in town & everyone has loved it. Cute photo booth in the basement on the way to the bathroom & the aesthetic in the whole place is amazing. I could not recommend this place enough. Definitely need a reservation if you come on the weekend as it is super busy but I have been once with out one and just waited. They also do take out i and yes it is just as good!
Mediocrity at its Best Combined with Food Poisoning
Visiting Chicago, we had to experience Gilt Bar after all of the rave reviews only to leave feeling rushed and disappointed save for the exceptional energetic ambiance. Ordering the tenderloin steak Tartare was obviously a mistake in an establishment of this nature, as food poisoning persevered shortly after its consumption and having eaten nowhere else that day. I am unfamiliar with this restaurant's preparation methodology of said dish, but it surprisingly arrived at our table in under two minutes from ordering leading the writer to believe that it may have been sitting out on the counter for a while awaiting an order?!? With respect to the pastas, they were really middling bridging on the inedible given the extremely heavy amount of sauce the noodles were swimming in. On the positive side of the equation, the cocktails were exceptional as was the house salad. I do believe that based on the spirited environment that this establishment is worthy of a return engagement with a focus on a more cautious and casual bar fare type food selection such as a burger avoiding like the plague any cuisine that requires a skilled preparation.
good food - little expensive
the food was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice - but i felt it was tooexpensive for the food.
The best dinner!
Had dinner here with my family while on holiday from the UK. Reviews looked good but surpassed my expectations and was the best food we had on our trip. I am coeliac so needed gluten free options which can often mean you are quite limited but plenty of options here and they understood all the cross contamination risks etc. I had the branzino fish which was cooked to perfection. My 18 year old son had the wagyu burger which he said was the best burger he had ever had. We all had fries and they were perfect with a good crunch! Lovely vibe and good service too!
Unhappy Happy Hour
We chose this restaurant based on reviews and being a Michelin restaurant. We were very disappointed in the food and portions. We ordered a chicken slider,meatball slider, onion rings, beer, and wine. The sliders were tiny. For example, one meatball on a bun with no sauce. It was$6.99 and probably cost them 50 cents to make. The onion rings were fine. Overall, the food would get a C- The house wine seemed watered down, and the beer was maybe 10 ounces. We expected a pint. On a positive note, the service was good. We look to try new places, but we won’t return to this one.
Great Martini! Good food.
I'm not entirely sure why Gilt Bar is on the Michelin "Bib Gourmand" list, for whatever that's worth. Still, the food, mostly Italian standards, was very good. The house salad, at $17 is pricey, but we shared it and still had some left to take along. The lettuce was tender and actually clean -- not always a given these days -- with lots of olives and salami tossed in. My wife had the "spicy orecchiette" which was very tasty, albeit a bit greasy. I enjoyed my bucatini with truffles even thought it could have been a bit "trufflier". I will give Gilt props for serving up one of the best martinis I've had in a restaurant in several years. Perfectly dry and chilled and lapping the rim of the glass. Service, overall, was excellent. But they really don't need to be texting you if you're running two minutes late for your reservation. Wait until someone is five or ten minutes behind.
Food and vibes
We came here for dinner and drinks during th Memorial Day weekend. We were seated in a booth by the bar which was great for people watching. I had the mussels, they were phenomenal! The mozzarella sticks were good too especially with their marinara sauce. The service was outstanding, with multiple staff members on the floor ready to assist. Overall, a great experience… don’t forget to check out their speakeasy bar downstairs.
Absolutely Perfect
Was able to snag a spot at the bar in the library downstairs. It's dark, moody, and intimate down there and so incredibly cool (well hot as f, but...). The bartender/server was awesome. Started with a delicious salad, was recommended the Orecchiette, and finished with an amazing chocolate cake. Pretty much a perfect meal all around.
Most amazing food and cocktails!
We selected The Gilt Bar because it is an alternative location to get the famous Wagyu Burgers from Au Cheval without the long wait. You do have to make reservations for busy times, and even though ours were not received by the restaurant (we used the link on the Gilt Bar Website), we were able to get seated right away on a Monday night at 8 PM. If youuse their website, you may want to call and confirm the reservation. The ambience is cozy and dimly lit, reminiscent of earlier days. Staff was helpful getting us to our table. The Menu is short but sufficiently varied to give everyone something they might like. We started with cocktails - they have 8 signature cocktails - I had the "100 Year Old Cigar" which was an amazing rich smoky mix of rum, Ceynar and Scotch Whiskey - highly recommend it! My partner had the Hemmingway Daiquiri - lemony and strong but tasty. Their signature appetizer is sirloin tartar, and it was heavenly! Perfectly seasoned, delicate, with a perfect custard egg yolk (cooked just long enough to not be runny, without being cooked...) on top, and the most amazing crusty bread to put it on. My partner had the Burata plate, which was also very good. We had ordered our main courses (burgers) at the same time as the appetizers, and I was a bit disappointed that the Burgers came out before I had a chance to finish my appetizer, so I felt a bit rushed on the last bites of my tartar. So - the Burgers. Heavenly!!! Probably the best burger I have ever had! It comes with cheese and couple of thin pickle sliced on it, and that is right so. It is so juicy and buttery in flavor, slightly crisp on the outside (almost like it was fried - which it is not, but just that hint of crisp...), caramelized meat on the outside - perfect medium rare on the inside (they do not ask how you want it cooked - they bring it the way it should be). The fries with aioli that come with it are a perfect complement - no ketchup or other sauces to detract or cut the buttery flavor of the meat - well presented. And between the appetizer and the burger, we were both too full for desert. And here the second negative - the waitstaff did not ask if we wanted a coffee, digestif, or anything - once we said no to the desert, they swept away the dishes and dropped the check at the table - again, made us feel a bit rushed - and they were not even busy as there were still open tables. For a high-end restaurant like The Gilt Bar I would have expected a bit more patience with their customers.
I had such high hopes for Gilt Bar, as Ciccio Mio is one of
I had such high hopes for Gilt Bar, as Ciccio Mio is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, but the service really fell flat for me. Right off the bat, the waitress seemed to expect our drink order before we had even sat down/taken our coats off. Then our burrata app was cleared with almost half the cheese remaining. We spoke up to tell them we weren't finished, but at the same time, our app plates and utensils were cleared, so we had nothing to finish it with. I felt as though we were being pushed out from the second we sat down. I will say that the food was delicious, and the ambiance was fun, so it was worth the night out with sun-par service. The vodka rigatoni and truffle bucatini are MUST orders!
Gilt Bar never disappoints! This restaurant has wonderful
Gilt Bar never disappoints! This restaurant has wonderful and friendly service. Our waiter was very knowledgeable on the dishes and offered great recommendations. He was very attentive and checked on us just the right amount. The ambiance of this restaurant is really unique and like no other. There's beautiful decor and dim lighting that allows for a romantic and intimate dinner but also somewhere great for friends or a work gathering. I also love that they offer a happy hour menu during the week! As for food... I've been here a few times and have sampled lots of different things on the menu. There have been new and exciting dishes to try each time, but they consistently have a great selection of pasta and meat/seafood entrees. We went with the burrata appetizer and couldn't be happier with this dish. Such a simple starter but packed with so much flavor! We also chose the swordfish and the Paccheri allá Norma pasta dish (forgot to take a picture). The swordfish was a really great portion size and great flavor. Our waiter did warn us that this item is on the saltier side. I definitely appreciate the heads up and thought this was a delicious dish but I would avoid if you're not a fan of salt. I would also recommend pairing with something else to balance out the flavors. On that note, I think this dish went really well with the pasta dish we ordered! This was by far my favorite pasta dish that I've tried here. Wonderful balance between the Smokey eggplant and sweet tomatoes. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant! Also recommend trying the speakeasy downstairs if you're able to get a reservation!
Food: 5/5 This was by far one of the best restaurants I
Food: 5/5 This was by far one of the best restaurants I have eaten at in Chicago. We started off with the truffle mozzarella sticks which were to die for. The marinara dipping sauce was excellent and there was the perfect amount of truffle, not too overwhelming. All three of us ordered the vodka rigatoni and it was probably the best I have ever had. The fresh pasta was cooked al dante and the sauce was amazing. All three of us were part of the clean platers club that night. Service: 5/5 Our server was nothing crazy but he was nice and attentive. The food and drinks came out really quickly.Ambiance: 6/5 The ambiance at Gilt Bar was my favorite out of all the restaurants I have been to. We sat in the basement which was like a library speakeasy type of vibe. They had dim low lighting which was perfect for a weekend dinner. Make sure to go down to the photo booth to take a picture as well!Drinks: 5/5 We all had espresso martinis and they were delicious, no complaints about them. They weren't the best I have ever had but lived up to typical standards I will FOR SURE being coming back here again
I visited Gilt Bar during happy hour with a friend and had
I visited Gilt Bar during happy hour with a friend and had a great experience!First of all, let me start by saying that the ambiance of the restaurant was absolutely fantastic. The decor was elegant and stylish, with dim lighting that created a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The music was just the right volume, and it added to the overall experience without being too loud or distracting.Now, on to the drinks. I ordered an Espresso martini and an old fashioned, and both were expertly crafted. The Espresso martini was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of caffeine kick, while the old fashioned was smooth and well-balanced, with a perfect blend of sweetness and bitterness. The bartender clearly knew their craft and took the time to ensure that each drink was made to perfection.As for the snacks, they were just what you needed to complement your drinks. The selection was varied, and you appreciated the fact that the menu offered both sweet and savory options. The portions were appropriate, and the presentation was lovely. I ordered fries and stuffed mushroom.Overall, your experience at Gilt Bar was outstanding. From the ambiance to the drinks to the snacks, everything was top-notch. You highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a chic and sophisticated spot to enjoy a drink.
Came on a weekday dinner at 5:45pm and we just missed their
Came on a weekday dinner at 5:45pm and we just missed their happy hour (from 3-5PM). We were still seated right away which was great. Service was amazing - Gavin M was attentive, engaging, and friendly the entire time we were there. Thank you Gavin!We came during restaurant week with a $59 set menu of Tartare, Mussels, and their famous Chocolate Cake. They serve their full portions on this menu and Gavin was kind enough for us to share one RW tasting and then add on one more dish. We added on the Caesar Salad and substituted the salmon for their bacon. Perfectly dressed, crunchy romaine, and the bacon was savory, yet crispy. Really great caesar. Beef Tartare - really solid dish. The beef was smooth but the ingredients all had a freshness to it. Loved combining all the sauces together and the hot sauce was delicious. The accompanied bread was crispy, but not overly hard which was great. Note for ordering mussels: you cannot pack the leftovers to go for sanitation safety. Wish we knew that ahead of time cause we were feeling full and couldn't finish it (very unlike me). Chocolate cake: sooo decadent! If you love chocolate, get this. This was a great meal and I recommend coming here!
Unbelievably fantastic vibe.
Loved being there. Food was excellent. Bar staff was very attentive and the drinks were perfect.
5/5 experience.
The service, food and ambiance was incredible. Got sat in the downstairs speakeasy area, and the vibes were immaculate for the 5 of us girls. The lighting was dim which I really liked as well and it was cozy down there.We started with a bottle of wine (pinot) which was tasty. For my entree I got the truffle bucatini and it was show stopping. Soooo good and the portion was the perfect size as well which I loved while getting drinks. Our server was so sweet and attentive! Overall just a fantastic experience here.
Our experience was great.
Their happy hour goes so hard. Ashlyn took great care of us. The service was top knotch and the vibes were great. 10/10
Great food and service by Joe.
Simply amazing. From the start we were greeted joyously and quick. Sat down and instantly Joe showed up and made all the right recommendations. Thanks
One of the best happy hours in the city along with the
One of the best happy hours in the city along with the ambiance it is easily the best date night in the city.Additionally, the hidden gem on the basement level adds to the Speakeasy vibe.The Smoked Salmon Cesar is big enough for 3 people to share as an appetizer.The quality of food and service makes Gilt stand alone in a category of Italian restaurants throughout the city.
Been there one time for the happy hour.
amazing ambiance (romantic semi-dark) and lovely music.The hostess stuff were very nice but the bartender kinda rude.The old fashion was 6$ (plus taxes) for the happy hour ,he charged us 8$ (plus taxes) was weird cuz by curiosity we checked the official website and it was write the same price that we knew 6$ since my friend was there many times.I'll go back there for the drinks and want to try also the food because it's the kind of place that I like and next time definitely I'll book a table to not have this kind of experience.:)
As my husband said, "I'd give them 6 stars if I could"BTW
As my husband said, "I'd give them 6 stars if I could"BTW we normally do not give out 5 stars...We had a 4pm seating for Valentine's so we caught Happy Hour, fabulous drink and snack choices here for the magic hour!! Our server gave us fabulous service and great food recommendations along the way.I'm pretty sure my husband enjoyed all 5 courses of his meal because he had NO leftovers we ended dinner with their carrot cake ( seriously the best ever) and free ice cream! I say best Valentine's dinner ever!!
Romantic ambience! Service was great and the food was
Romantic ambience! Service was great and the food was DELICIOUS. I got a dirty martini and the truffle bucatini and I wish I could go back to eat it every day
The interior at gilt bar is dark and moody, which was a
The interior at gilt bar is dark and moody, which was a nice atmosphere for our galentines dinner. We always love doing family style to try as many dishes as we can and enjoyed everything that we shared. The steamed mussels were extremely tender, steak was cooked perfectly, and we especially loved the asparagus side. I can see this being an ideal date night spot. Glad to have tried it!
Crazy salty food...bad
Went here recently with my daughter due to their gluten-free options. Everything was crazy salty, except for the bread, which was completely unsalted. We had pasta dishes, a chip appetizer, and my entree came with fries, all not just salty, but grossly so. Wines were great, atmosphere was great, but the food was disgustingly salty, and the overall experience was expensive, $300 for 4 people with 7 drinks, one appetizer and four normal entrees. Would absolutely not go here again.
Amazing atmosphere, food, and drinks
Went here for dinner with my wife on a weekend trip for some time alone together. Went here for dinner hearing that it had a speakeasy. Even though we did not get a table in the "speakeasy portion" although we did stumble into it on the way to the restroom, our dinner here was spectacular. The atmosphere is really amazing and food and drinks also did not disappoint. Also must say the chocolate cake was decadent as well. If looking for a place to spend with your wife or a group of friends you definitely could do a lot worse than this location.
The restaurant equivalent of the Emperor's New Clothes
I don't understand the hype here. The food was meh, bordering on ohhh-kay. I didn't even finish my meal. The service was the absolute pits. I don't think I've ever had someone slide a plate across the table to me. Our waiter was dismissive and unhelpful and looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. And yet previous reviews are all consistently great? Hmm. I wonder if people are measuring the quality of the restaurant by how hard it is to get a reservation. Hard pass on this place.
Great Atmosphere for dinner or date
Great atmosphere and tasty food- went as a date night but could go with work colleagues as well. Everything was very nice
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