Chicago Other Cities

Welcome to Citysearch!

Find what you were looking for? (Hint: You can use the search box in the upper left-hand corner to track down anything you want. We're here to help, so click around.)
 | close

Best of Citysearch

Chicago Restaurants 2008

More

Vote Sponsored By

My Summary

Recently viewed

avec

615 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661-2203
Phone: (312) 377-2002
avec
Price:
$$
Cross Street:
Jefferson Street
Directions:
El: Green Line to Clinton
Best of Citysearch:
Trendy Scene 2007, People Watching 2006, Small Plates 2006
Hours:
Mon-Thu 3:30pm-12am, Fri-Sat 3:30pm-1am, Sun 3:30pm-10pm, bar open Mon-Sat till 2am, Sun till 12am

Editorial Review for avec – by J.P. Anderson

The Scene
If you like to keep your personal space personal, this long, tight wine bar from Blackbird guys Donnie Madia and Chef Paul Kahan may not be your thing. But if you don't mind rubbing elbows at long communal tables with your neighbors, avec is a real treat. The room is clean, modern and organic, with a naked cedar ceiling and walls, a boxy stainless-steel bar and a back display of emerald-green wine bottles.

The Food
The accomplished menu focuses on small and large sharing plates of rustic, Mediterranean "peasant foods," with many dishes cooked in a wood-burning oven and served in cast-iron pots. There are some real winners here: luscious house-marinated olives, chorizo-stuffed dates, thin-and-crispy focaccia with taleggio cheese and truffle oil. The real showstopper is simple roasted chicken thigh panzanella salad, a textural delight of crispy skin, tender meat, chewy panzanella and supple artichoke hearts, all zesty with preserved lemon.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.

Insider Tips

What to Drink

The 125-bottle wine list focuses on small growers in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, with three-fourths of the selections priced at about $30 per bottle. There are also 32 wines by the glass, served in a quarter-liter "caraffina," ideal for sharing.

Know Before You Go

Avec doesn't take reservations, so it's a good idea to get there early in the evening.

User Reviews for avec

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/28/2008 Posted by marykile

Best food in the city! Get the dates and the pizza. Wine selection is wonderful! The day we went we waited for about an hour for a table but it was well worth it!

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/29/2008 Posted by chilaw17

We heard this place was unreal - especially from reading the reviews on this website. The wine, cheeses and breads were excellent, but thats where it stopped. The food was just subpar. We ordered small plates and split a salmon dish and cauliflower crustini. The Salmon was undercooked and the crostini was unedible. The lamb small plate was pretty tasty. The waitstaff was excellent and the wine and beer menues extensive. But don't expect a good meai. We left starving!!!!

Pros: Great wines and beers

Cons: Subpar foods

Related Searches

Editor's Review

Rustic Mediterranean fare stars at this contemporary, communal wining and dining spot.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

What to Drink

The 125-bottle wine list focuses on small growers in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, with three-fourths of the selections priced at about $30 per bottle. There are also 32 wines by the glass, served in a quarter-liter "caraffina," ideal for sharing.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Smoking

  • No

Parking

  • Street
  • Valet

Hours

  • Mon-Thu 3:30pm-12am
  • Fri-Sat 3:30pm-1am
  • Sun 3:30pm-10pm
  • bar open Mon-Sat till 2am
  • Sun till 12am

Payment Types

  • Discover
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Cash
  • MasterCard
  • Diners Club

Cuisines

  • Eclectic & International
  • Italian
  • French
  • Spanish

Meal Price

  • $$

Amenities

  • Dine at the Bar
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Late Night Dining
  • Notable Wine List
  • Open 7 Days
  • Bar Scene
  • Valet Parking

Recognition for avec

2006 Editorial Winner - Small Plates
2007 Audience Winner - Trendy Scene
2006 Audience Winner - People Watching
2005 Audience Winner - People Watching

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2008 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: