Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar

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(773) 235-6434

2118 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 41.9201 -87.6778

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Neighborhoods: Bucktown, North Side

Hours:

Mon-Wed 5:30pm-9pm

Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm

Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm

Make a reservation

View the menu»

Price:

$$

Parking:

Street; Valet

Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar

Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar

What People Are Saying About Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar

The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene – This cozy, contemporary restaurant doesn't get much press--which is just the way its fans like it. The front room has a casual wine-bar feel, with tight tables, textured sage and exposed-brick walls and a beckoning blond-wood bar. Outside, an all-weather patio offers some of the city's best alfresco dining. – – The Food – The alluring American fare is bold and delicious, with lovely presentations and beautifully mingled flavors. Caramelized onion and blue cheese tart gets sauced with huckleberry coulis. Signature ahi poki, a succulent pile of diced tuna,…

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/13/07

creative food, great service

by melindika

We had a great experience at Meritage. Our server was very helpful and recommended the perfect wine to compliment our dinners. I had grilled pork with some sort of wine/berry/honey sauce that was amazing. Desert was even better -- carmelized bananas in a cannoli shell with homemade caramel ice cream! A little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

  • Pros: unique dishes, ambience, service
  • Cons: parking, price
3 Star Rating: Average

11/07/06

Really annoyed...

by pixeleater

Firstly, the reason I write this is because I love the food here, and would like to dine here more often but the last two times I've tried I was turned back by an apparently lazy staff more interested in going home early than in doing business. Both times were very similar circumstances. The first time was on a Sunday at brunch time. My girlfriend and I arrived at about 1:45 and the host turned us away, even though brunch is listed as being served until 2:30. The second time was just last Sunday night. After driving around the neighborhood for 20 minutes and finally finding parking, we arrived at 9:15pm, with presumably 45 minutes before closing, and the host says "We are done seating!" I was infuriated, and perhaps should have said something, but then I thought, why should I even have to? Either change the time you list as your closing time or change your staff! This kind of thing strikes me as the height of unprofessionalism and is unbecoming of a restaurant of this caliber. Other than these two negative experiences I think this place is wonderful.

  • Pros: wonderful food
  • Cons: parking, lazy hosts
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/25/06

Not the best place

by nlahare

They seem relaxed about reservations but if you are late, the hostess can be extremely rude and snooty. Because of the weather, we had several of our party late by 30 minutes and I apologized several times and thanked them for holding our table. There was not even anyone in the restaurant! The food was good but overpriced. Our waiter was very nice and attentive and was the only redeeming quality. When we left, the hostess, again was snooty and short with us. Not a good way to bring people back

The Details on Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar

Where to Sit:

Meritage's attached alfresco cafe is open-air during the warmer months, and enclosed, carpeted and heated in the fall and winter.

What to Drink:

Meritage's extensive wine list offers a moderately priced selection of California varietals (many $30-$40), including about 25 wines available by the glass or as a three-ounce tasting.

The Extras:

The restaurant has several rooms available for private parties, including the main dining room and the alfresco cafe, for functions of up to 200.

When to Go:

Sunday brunch goes from 11am to 2:30pm.

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

New American, Traditional American

Smoking Permitted:

No

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