Gilt Bar
| Address: | 230 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA |
| Phone: | +1 312-464-9544 |
| Site: | giltbarchicago.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 4:45–11:30PM 4:45–11:30PM 4:45–11:30PM 4:45–11:30PM 4:45PM–12:30AM 4:45PM–12:30AM 4:45–10:30PM |
Location
Photos 1
Reviews 6
TI
Tim Giles
The one that started it all for restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff still packs them in week after week. The formula is simple. And it works. Make people feel like they’re at a happening spot (i.e. make the place feel full without being crowded). Mood lighting, check. Soundtrack; all those songs you love whose names you can’t name (from Daft Punk to old-school hip hop). Check. Well crafted cocktails. A casual chic scene and consistent food make for a spot you could visit twice in a week and still feel comfortable. Of course it’s tough to get a reservation on weekends, but if you’re willing to come later, or have a drink at the small bar area, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wait if you’re a walk-in. You can always take a peek downstairs at the revamped Library lounge downstairs while you wait (look for the curtains on the right when you see the ATM). If there’s any gripe, it’s that the menu doesn’t change very often, but why would it when the dishes are this good, and consistent. Go for the seafood or grilled entrees, or opt like I often do and put together a solid meal of smaller dishes on toast along with some salad, veggies, and pasta. My favorites, the truffle pasta or ricotta gnocchi with fennel & apple salad. After dinner, head back downstairs to The Library for a nightcap. The Library actually serves the full Gilt Bar menu (unlike its predecessor, Curio), but it’s much smaller and harder to get into than Gilt Bar itself at times. This place is definitely a good spot for girls night out,, but the food and atmosphere (along with a very strong, if limited, craft beer list) will make guys feel comfortable (and want to) stop in on their own.
A
A Private User
Last night my husband and I headed over to Gilt Bar for dinner. We visit Chicago every other month and enjoy dining at all the newest restaurants. We had read about Gilt Bar in Chicago magazine and the food had also been recommended to us by a patron of the Four Seasons bar the evening before. We sat down at the bar, which is where we almost always dine, and I asked the bartender if he had Grey Goose vodka, as I like to have one on the rocks prior to ordering a bottle of wine. He replied that Gilt Bar only has Deaths Door Vodka. I then asked for a wine list, and he refused to give it to me, instead saying, "If you can tell me the difference between Ketel One and Grey Goose then Ill let you see the list of wines." Well, this bartender didnt know anything about me. He didnt know that we are from Wisconsin and that I had already tried Deaths Door, which has an interesting back story and obviously a wonderful salesman, because everyone is carrying it now. He assumes that we knew nothing about his craft-type cocktail business and instead chose to try to make me feel small with his know-it-all attitude. My husband and I looked at one another and stood up and left. We instead enjoyed a delicious repeat dinner at the bar at Graham Eliot, where the sweetbread hushpuppies are out of this world. We had a chance to glance at the menu and thought it looked pedestrian in our opinion, so perhaps its a good thing the bartender was so completely rude.
BE
Benhur Calaguas
As a 30 year old male, I have come to terms with my life. No I will never be as cool as the Fonz or Ryan Gosling from Crazy, Stupid, Love. Nope, never! But one can pretend right! Thats why I like Gilt Bar, as its the perfect place for me excuse myself from my day to day ritual of video games and comics, and for a mear moment feel like a "cool guy." Yes, I put on my best pleated pants and crisp, conservative collared shirt... And its on like Donkey Kong. Needless, to say, I do bring first dates to this place, as I do want to give the slight impression that I am man about town. But as always that usually fails after I make the slightest mention for my passion for action figures with more than 20 points articulation and transforming robots. Which honestly, they go hand in hand. To save myself, Ill usually order a Templeton Rye Manhattan, which the bartenders of this establishment do a fine job. Use their expertise to your advantage, especially if you dont know what beverages your date enjoy. Or you could ask for a sparkling water as it shows you know the difference between 7-up and tap water. After drinks, the appetite must be addressed. I suggest an order of the bone marrow on toast, which puts butter on regular Wonder bread to shame... sorry Mom, you do make a mean butter sandwich, but Id gladly renounce my relation to you just so I could eat such immaculate conception everyday of my life.
AV
Avery Ma
This place. This awesome place that feels like reimagined modernized antiquity has the drinks and eat-cred to stand out on its own. Drinks are expectedly pretentious in the right areas but the food is a whole different breed of indulgent villainy. Cant have guilt without the U. Do yourself a favor, order a drink that matches your mood and get the chicken dish. It has made me a better person... probably. While I love me some chicken, its not something I have ever been able to justify ordering when out; I can make it at home. So it is with complete surrender that I French-ly declare this to be asinine of me. Its fan-fracking-tastic. Server began an overkill description of preparation and the rundown of the specific chickens curriculum vitae from the ag industry in Indiana. I glossed over most of it but she had my tongue wagging at "bone marrow butter". My party and I ate 3 of these damn things in one night and Im still drooling. If you dont like chicken, or you subscribe to my previously debunked statement on ordering it in public, then you too are an obstinate idiot. But for an alternate food pick, the tartare is solid as well as the truffle pasta and spicy pork orecchietti. The food is tip top. Eat and drink here.
ER
Erica Williams
Loved it. Gilt Bar is swanky, sexy, and trendy. Great place for a date, happy hour, great place to take co-workers - very nice. The decor is dark and mysterious with an urban feel. The food and drinks are fantastic. I had a champagne cocktail with St. Germain, and it was very tasty. The cheese with the toast dish was divine - I wrote it down - Its called Triple cheese delice de Bourgogne. Creamy and delicious. I need to have someone hunt that cheese down for me because it WILL be served at my next party...I digress... The pasta dishes were outstanding. The Gnocchi was the best Ive ever had - very flavorful. The fries were perfectly crispy on the outside with just enough softness on the inside, served with a wonderful garlic dipping sauce. The brussels sprouts were grilled and served with cheese. The beet salad had a bright citrus vinaigrette, which was really an exciting flavor profile. And the dessert. Can I say brown butter apple caramel cake with vanilla ice cream? It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Im still stuffed right now as I write this review.
MI
Mike Deaton
Many reasons that I love this place... I usually travel to Chicago alone but always manage to find a bar spot here, my longest wait for someone to get up was about 5 min, even on a busy weekend night. Bartenders are pros and do justice to classics, Martinis, Manhattans, Cosmo, whatever. Food is always outstanding, although a la carte is not my favorite... Its not about cost, Id just rather leave pairing of sides to the professionals. I wish theyd correct that. But the attraction is the ambiance... dark, hip, cool, and even a bit romantic making me regret traveling alone. So many great restaurants in Chicago but Gilt is always a must for me. Always leave wanting to tell someone about it, so... there you have it.