Avec Restaurant

(312) 258-8331

615 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661 41.8843 -87.6432

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Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Side

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Certified Green Restaurant(R)

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Outdoor Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Spanish, Eclectic & International, Persian, Mediterranean, French, Italian

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Avec Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Communal tables bring strangers closer together at this foodie institution, which looks more like a sauna than a restaurant. The gunshot space is all about clean lines, cedar walls and floors and a boxy stainless steel bar. Bright lights show off small and large plates of Mediterranean foods that ooze with rustic goodness. Chorizo-stuffed dates, roasted beets and duck rillettes with herbs de Provence and mustard please the palate. A daily selection of salumi, exotic cheeses and large dishes like curry-braised pork shoulder round out the offerings. Wine, and lots of it, fuels…

Editor's 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.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The communal dining was actually interesting as long as your neighbors are fun.”
  2. “Seems to be a notch down from Blackbird in terms of dressiness and age but is a great vibe and has a very comfortable feel.”
  3. “its very cozy but not too cramped, i loved the stylish modern setting (wall of emerald bottles).”
  4. “One of my favorite restaurants anywhere -- great place to take foodies and wanna be chefs -- service is superb and ambiance just great for y.”
  5. “It was fun, the wait was never that long, and I really like the food and wine, but, in my opinion, it's really gone down hill.”
  6. “Overall, Very,very, very fun, and a european wine list so we followed the recommendations of our waiter and loved doing by the glass.”
  7. “All said, it was still warm and cozy with excellent food, so be prepared to challenge the speed of you order and you will be satisfied.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Selection dessert cheeses: My daugher loved it but she is adventuresome and loves Goat cheese.”
drinks
98.03999900817871% positive
  1. “After a short wait (30 mins for 7:30pm on a Friday) I was seated at the bar with my girlfriend and greeted by a friendly bartender.”
  2. “He recommended (sucessfully) two reasonably priced unique wines.”
  3. “Also a fantastic wine list by the glass including a bunch of Spanish, Portuguese, and other wines you don't normally see but all are very good.”
  4. “It was fun, the wait was never that long, and I really like the food and wine, but, in my opinion, it's really gone down hill.”
  5. “Too bad, I first really like the place, but I can do without the attitude of the staff, and the ridiculously long waits for drinks, and a table.”
  6. “The wine, cheeses and breads were excellent, but thats where it stopped.”
  7. “The broad wine list complements the menu of small plates, which takes advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors.”
  8. “Avec really is what life should be all about: good food, good wine, good music, and people coming together.”
  9. “Our waiter was better, food ok, wine very good.”
  10. “The waitstaff was excellent and the wine and beer menues extensive.”
  11. “excellent food, good wine choices, fresh cheeses”
  12. “Overall, Very,very, very fun, and a european wine list so we followed the recommendations of our waiter and loved doing by the glass.”
  13. “If you like red wine, order the Castillo Perelada (#241 on the menu).”
  14. “also had a large glass of wine ended with a slice of Italian cheese (which was complimented really well with the olive oiled grape on the side) and a espresso that came with a flavorful biscotti.”
  15. “The cheeses and olives excellent and never had a bad glass of wine here.”
  16. “The wine that was ordered also made for a great experience.”
  17. “Inventive and tasty food, yet moderately priced, with a great wine list!”
food quality
89.58000183105469% positive
  1. “When I inquired about getting an item to go I was told 'our food must only be enjoyed here'-spare me!”
  2. “The chicken thigh panzanella salad is most amazing.”
  3. “will never return to this place (although I do love the food)”
  4. “Best food in town - creative, unbelievable taste, chic”
  5. “Some of the best food in Chicago”
  6. “Same owner as Blackbird (and next door), they use a lot of seasonal ingredients to create sometimes unique, sometimes creative, and sometimes just basic dishes with great flavors.”
  7. “Then the portions of mediocre food was laughable.”
  8. “Avec really is what life should be all about: good food, good wine, good music, and people coming together.”
  9. “The broad wine list complements the menu of small plates, which takes advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors.”
  10. “It was fun, the wait was never that long, and I really like the food and wine, but, in my opinion, it's really gone down hill.”
  11. “The olive oil for the bread was the most flavorful I have ever had.”
  12. “Each dish was perfect.”
  13. “We loved the fresh fish entree.”
  14. “The chorizo stuffed dates are amazing as was the pork loin.”
  15. “Bread is served, which is some of the best restaurant bread I?”
  16. “excellent food, good wine choices, fresh cheeses”
  17. “The selection of homemade sausages by Chef Koren Grieveson (we met her, because her parents were dining next to us) served with warm rustic bread and homemade mustard/& cornichons as well as”
  18. “much like the food.”
  19. “The lamb small plate was pretty tasty.”
  20. “All said, it was still warm and cozy with excellent food, so be prepared to challenge the speed of you order and you will be satisfied.”
  21. “Our waiter was better, food ok, wine very good.”
  22. “The food was very interesting with healthy choices of grains and ingredients.”
  23. “Inventive and tasty food, yet moderately priced, with a great wine list!”
  24. “My friend and I had a great experience at Avec Saturday night for our first meal in Chicago.”
  25. “Interior is unique and the food was great.”
  26. “Great food in the West Loop”
  27. “The food was just subpar.”
  28. “We've been going since we moved here, and have *never* had a bad meal.”
  29. “After reading the only bad review, I was affraid this is a trendy restaurant where only cool-wanna-be young people who don't know much about international cuisine would rave about (like Miyagi in L.A.).”
  30. “Great food, good portion sizes, but noisy and service can be very slow!”
  31. “The food was equally great.”
  32. “The food is consistently excellent, with simple flavors thoughtfully put together in amazing ways.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The broad wine list complements the menu of small plates, which takes advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors.”
  2. “If you like red wine, order the Castillo Perelada (#241 on the menu).”
  3. “The food was very interesting with healthy choices of grains and ingredients.”
  4. “excellent food, good wine choices, fresh cheeses”
  5. “The only thing that's good about this place is that it has an interesting menu.”
  6. “The selection of homemade sausages by Chef Koren Grieveson (we met her, because her parents were dining next to us) served with warm rustic bread and homemade mustard/& cornichons as well as”
  7. “The waitstaff was excellent and the wine and beer menues extensive.”
  8. “We began with a cheese plate with a number of great options that all were perfect.”
overall
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “One of my favorite restaurants anywhere -- great place to take foodies and wanna be chefs -- service is superb and ambiance just great for y.”
  2. “Downsides include the inability to get in (no reservations and almost always a wait) and the communal seating throughout the restaurant so it may not be a great date place.”
  3. “In the end, Avec has become our favorite trendy restaurant in Chicago and will probably stay that way for awhile, given they don?”
  4. “Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago”
  5. “The only thing that's good about this place is that it has an interesting menu.”
  6. “a great place to go with friends or on a date.”
  7. “Bread is served, which is some of the best restaurant bread I?”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “had a great time for a very affordable price and will definitely be back!”
  2. “will never return to this place (although I do love the food)”
service
77.82999992370605% positive
  1. “have met some amazing people this way and if you haven't dined this way it simply is the best.”
  2. “Avec really is what life should be all about: good food, good wine, good music, and people coming together.”
  3. “Service was friendly, but SLOW.”
  4. “The service is impeccable, and as a first timer, don't be ashamed to ask questions on how to order and what they recommend - the wait staff is more than helpful and generous with their time.”
  5. “The hostess is just rude.”
  6. “Great food, good portion sizes, but noisy and service can be very slow!”
  7. “The staff was extremely rude and pretentious.”
  8. “The hostess with the cropped dark hair at the door was extremely pleasant and accomadating, without any hint of stuffiness, and we had two bartenders who were excellent in their pairings.”
  9. “avec has good service and is a very busy restaurant.”
  10. “After a short wait (30 mins for 7:30pm on a Friday) I was seated at the bar with my girlfriend and greeted by a friendly bartender.”
  11. “We ordered what the waiter recommended, and loved everything.”
  12. “the waiter was very cool and 'hip'.”
  13. “One of my favorite restaurants anywhere -- great place to take foodies and wanna be chefs -- service is superb and ambiance just great for y.”
  14. “Our waiter was better, food ok, wine very good.”
  15. “had never had bad service here before - I can excuse mediocre service, but I can not excuse rude staff and manager (who after stepping on my jacket to me to move it since I posed a liability risk to his customers - that was just the beginning of a bad e”
  16. “Too bad, I first really like the place, but I can do without the attitude of the staff, and the ridiculously long waits for drinks, and a table.”
  17. “After reading the only bad review, I was affraid this is a trendy restaurant where only cool-wanna-be young people who don't know much about international cuisine would rave about (like Miyagi in L.A.).”
  18. “Unlike most people, I enjoy a restaurant with smaller more reasonable portion sizes.”
  19. “AWFUL service”
  20. “Overall, Very,very, very fun, and a european wine list so we followed the recommendations of our waiter and loved doing by the glass.”
value
75.0% positive
  1. “Then the portions of mediocre food was laughable.”
  2. “The service is impeccable, and as a first timer, don't be ashamed to ask questions on how to order and what they recommend - the wait staff is more than helpful and generous with their time.”
  3. “Don't waste your time and money at Avec-Chicago has too many excellent establishments to allow this one to leave you disappointed.”
  4. “had a great time for a very affordable price and will definitely be back!”
wait time
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “After a short wait (30 mins for 7:30pm on a Friday) I was seated at the bar with my girlfriend and greeted by a friendly bartender.”
  2. “Great food, good portion sizes, but noisy and service can be very slow!”
  3. “Too bad, I first really like the place, but I can do without the attitude of the staff, and the ridiculously long waits for drinks, and a table.”
  4. “Avec I'm sure will continue on as long as its patrons accept inferior treatment.”
  5. “It was fun, the wait was never that long, and I really like the food and wine, but, in my opinion, it's really gone down hill.”
  6. “The communal dining was actually interesting as long as your neighbors are fun.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/18/09

Too close for my comfort

by lincix at Citysearch

The only thing that's good about this place is that it has an interesting menu. But it stops at that. Their version of communal dinning is outrageous. The table we were sat at would normally fit 6 people. However there was 10 of us and a child in a high-chair squished in there together. I have no problem sharing a table with others, however I would at least like enough room to move my arms around so I could cut up my food. During most of my dinner, I was actually touching elbows with a complete stranger. Also, the waiter suggested that we order several small plates to try out different things. But there was no room where to put the food, so they just brought out one plate at a time. Even though I was hoping to get out of there as soon as possible, it took over 2 hours just to get 4 small appetizer plates and one glass of wine. Don't go there!!!

  • Pros: Interesting Menu
  • Cons: Seating
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/05/09

My favorite place!!!

by happy2009 at Citysearch

I totally love this place!! the atmosphere + food combined = mmmmm..... best place to get together with your girlfriends, or boyfriends )))) single? might be a nice idea to stop by.... you might be sitted next to a single girl/guy )))) Bon Appetit

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/28/08

I love this place!

by marykile at Citysearch

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

03/29/08

Didn't Live Up to the Hype.....

by chilaw17 at Citysearch

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
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/03/08

Good Mix of People, Fresh Take on Traditional Dishes

by nolachitown at Citysearch

I've only been here once, and I went as I saw it received rave reviews on Chicago Metromix. Earlier reviews are dead on when they say that you have to come prepared to wait, or, arrive relatively early. I came to dinner on a Sunday night at 7, was seated immediately, but I can tell you that not even ten minutes after we arrived, there was a mass of people waiting to be seated. The atmosphere is high energy, boisterous but contrary to what City Search says, it doesn't allow for "first date conversation". Well, unless you guys are seated next to each other. As for the service, I can assure you that whatever kinks they had in the very beginning, they've been worked out since. The service is impeccable, and as a first timer, don't be ashamed to ask questions on how to order and what they recommend - the wait staff is more than helpful and generous with their time. The chorizo stuffed dates are amazing as was the pork loin. I will definitely come back.

  • Pros: great wine list, great service, cute chefs in the kitchen, great ambience
  • Cons: loud, young professionals who want to be heard sitting next to my party

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on Avec Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • mediocre service
  • love place
  • like red wine
  • favorite trendy restaurant
  • wonderful experience
  • sometimes creative dishes
  • great avec
  • helpful wait staff
  • very cool waiter
  • amazing coolwannabe young people
  • incredible distinguishable flavors
  • just subpar great food
  • just rude hostess
  • loved fresh fish entree
  • good portion sizes
  • recommended highly
  • quite good crispy duck
  • bad meal
  • pretty tasty lamb small plate
  • recommended priced unique wines
  • great party
  • great introduction
  • excellent cheeses
  • excellent bartender
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