Basil Leaf Cafe
| Address: | 2465 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA |
| Phone: | +1 773-348-7243 |
| Site: | basilleaf.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 11
A
A Private User
Okay, I wont bash too much but the tomato basil soup reminded me of the brand from Costco that comes in a plastic tub. Both are good, but I prefer to have food prepared from scratch if I go to a restaurant and spend over a $100. Lets move on to the greek salad...again tasty but with "canned" black olives??? Canned, two blocks up the road, there is an artesian Cheese shop which sells real Kalamata Olives. I tried my friends ravioli and the round cut and taste reminded me again of a brand from Costco. The sauce was so gluey that you could hold the plate vertically and the food would not slide. My pork chop was a nice cut, but again reminded me of the cuts at Costco...which is no big deal as the meat at Costco comes from an organic farm. Unfortunately, the chef (or should I say the guy running the stove) dipped the chop in a bag of bread crumbs and overcooked it till it was reminiscent of a chicken fried steak from the Golden Nugget but at 3 times the price. Now I could continue with the female Maitre De (should I say Owner) who scolded my friend for returning his pasta which was swimming in oil...."we are not going to change our recipes for you," was her response to my friends polite return of the dish. Again, the food was prepackaged/frozen which I could have done at home for under $30. This place is a joke and it needs to be redefined by a proper chef and the owner should go home as she does not understand Italian Cooking. Olive garden with a fancy facade. Will never go back. I can see why some people like it, it is a nice place to clink your champaigne glasses together and have a drink but I would bypass the food unless you are drunk and do not mind spending money on mediocre fare. The Five Faces on Division would be a better place to get "drunk food" from. Sorry, so harsh but what a let down.
SA
Samuel Tan
We were looking for an affordable place to have dinner along Clark St, and even though there were a plethora of choices, we settled on Basil Leaf Cafe, with one of the deciding factors being that it was really close to the bus stop and we didnt feel like walking too much that day :) I had the Linguine Meatballs and it was superb both in terms of quality and quantity. The meatballs were quite big by normal standards, plus they were really well done. The meat was tender and juicy, not overcooked. The outside was slightly crispy and the inside moist. The linguine was also nicely done, not overdone so that it tasted mushy, but cooked just right so that it had a full body of flavor and texture. I asked whether they made their own pasta but unfortunately, they did not. Nonetheless, they did a good job of cooking it. The atmosphere is perfect for a quiet conversation, or a romantic night out. Its cosy, with warm lighting and wasnt too crowded when we were there. The service was also quite prompt, with my requests attended to quickly. I personally liked the bread that they served as starters as well, coupled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, it was a great start to the meal. The bread was warm, freshly baked, just the way I like it. If youre looking for some affordable Italian fare along Clark St, this should be one of your options.
A
A Private User
The food was average at best... when we got it! We ordered the special and it never came. The server kept apologizing but still it didnt come. We cancelled it and guess what we got... the fish special! But of course the server was again apologetic. I feel for servers who have problems with the kitchen, but their jobs are to expedite our meals. This didnt happen. The food we did get was average. If getting a small "hot out of the oven" heated from frozen bread roll makes it all nice and cozy, then this is the restaurant for you. My advice, go across the street to the Pasta Bowl. No pretenses. Lots of really good food and a lot of choice.
KO
Koorosh Daneshgar
My wife and I have been there many times, and we liked it so much, we decided to go back for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant brought us complimentary cake and coffee, surpassing our expectations. The service is top-of-the-line, the quality of food is amazing, taste is spectacular, and the atmosphere and employees are so friendly. The cooking time is a bit longer than usual, but it is worth it because the food is fresh and prepared specifically for each order. I definitely recommend this place, and will surely be long-term customers.
MA
Madeline Stewart
Amazing service, food, and prices! Im from out of town and came here randomly as I was walking by. The staff is so nice and friendly and really takes care of you. The water is really good too because its infused with stuff. The food was delicious and was reasonably priced, especially for the location, and there was plenty left over. One person in my party has some dietary restrictions and the server was very kind and assured us that it was no problem to change anything about her entree. Definitely worth a visit!!!
LI
Liz Kelly
Im not in Lincoln Park often, but when I am, I make it a point to go to the Basil Leaf Cafe. The decor is charming without being overwhelming, the service is decent, and the food is deliciously light and fresh. Im an especially big fan of the salmon Caesar salad. The fish is crispy and perfectly cooked every time I order it. If youre in the area and you have a craving for some simple, no-frills Italian, this is the place.
JA
James Borkman
Unfortunately, I cannot in good conscious recommend this place for Brunch. While may reviews suggest the Brunch is $19.95, they charged $40 per person, and that didnt include drinks. Whats more, the food is nothing special - some eggs, a vegetable pasta, and some carved meats (pork and beef). There are many places for Brunch in Chicago - DO NOT wast your time and/or money here.
MA
Mary Y
Basil Leaf Cafe is one of best places to dine on spectacular Italian food, at an affordable price. I ordered the Shrimp and Scallops, and it was divine. Scallops are extremely easy to to over-cook, but this were cooked to perfection. The best scallops I have had yet. Marvelously large serving sizes, and outstanding service. If you are ever in Chicago you must stop by this gem!
SA
Sasha Wiesen
My family and I have been coming here for years. Very friendly service and really good, healthy-option food. Nice ombiance and never super crowded. Their sandwiches are really good, and Ive never ordered something here that I didnt like. Small outdoor seating option on nice weather days. No breakfast options, which Ive been telling them they should do for years.
NI
Nicholas Apostal
Consistently great food and excellent food make this neighborhood spot a must stop destination. My friends and family with food issues love how accommodating the kitchen is to gluten free and vegan concerns. Love the chicken salad sandwiches, tomato badillo soup, lamb chop lollipop appetizer and penne pasta with sausage and peppers. Great for parties too.
KE
Kelcy Hale
The Basil Leaf if a not-so-hidden gem of an Italian restaurant, just north of Clark and Fullerton. Its great for a quiet meal, first date or to sit at the bar and have a glass of wine and cheese with your mom (oh, too specific?). The staff is friendly and theres a wide enough array of menu options to go back time after time and find something new to enjoy.
