Al Dente

My date and I made reservations for Valentine's Day, and had a really wonderful time. We got the shrimp appetizer, which was a perfect preface to the stake and veal we ordered, both of which were absolutely perfect.  Order the steak rare, it melts in your mouth and is divinely seasoned!
Also, try the frites with Chef Javier's sauce, it has an excellent kick to it, but isn't overpowering.  Overall a truly delightful night, we'll go back often to this place :)

since this place is pretty much a hop, skip and a jump from our place, i wanted to love it. and i DID love what i ordered (on the server's reco, btw), which was a pistachio- and pepita-crusted tilapia w/vanilla bean nage. also came with lovely crisp-tender green beans, roasted sweet peppers & tomatoes, soft red onions. DELICIOUS. didn't know what to expect from the nage. i was nervous it would amount to an herb-y, melted vanilla ice cream. boy was i wrong. while the vanilla flavor couldn't be ignored, the smooth cream possessed an acidity that perfectly complemented the fish, whose mild flavor itself was heightened with the crunch of the pepitas and pistachios--neither of which i care for terribly. but it was all a pretty harmonious bite. i question the necessity of the tomatoes, but since i generally like tomatoes, i was ok with them. their flavor might be a bit strong for the nage's subtle, yet deft, symphony. the fish may also have been a tad over for my taste, but both (minor) sins easily forgiven.

our boy was very pleased with his mac & cheese/chicken tender combo. mac was definitely a more sophisticated iteration, and the chicken was, well, tender and flavorful. no complaints there.

husband's ravioli, however--a different story. cheese filling was unremarkable, almost unnoticeable, in fact. pasta itself was unevenly cooked, with a fair amount bordering on the unpleasantly chewy. but i'd say the main offense was the tomato sauce--a complex, but unpleasant, sort of eggplant-y flavor that lingered beyond the meal.

service was pleasant. no qualms with the decor--it's fine enough. all things considered, i think pricing was on the high side for what we received, even despite the disappointing noodles.

I dine out in Chicago all the time, from bottom of the barrel to fine dining.  You honestly are not going to find better food in Chicago.  The new menu is delicious.  Tonight our party had the mac and cheese, the tartar and the mushrooms for apps. So good.  I had the cataplana. It was the most flavorful seafood  broth I have tasted in my life. My friend had similar experiences with the tilapia and salmon.  The desserts were on point too.  Don't even hesitate if you read this review.  Go and see how terrific the food is.  The chef is to be commended.