06/09/09

Always There For Me

by ClassyBA

Rodan Is a great place to start or end your night. I hang out at events on Miwaukee a few times a week. I typically try to pregame here; but if one of those events doesn't live up to expectation - I head back over to Rodan.

I'll plan to spend my night at Rodan if I am going out with only one or two people. The perfect place to grab food, chill, talk and catch up.

Rodan is the only constant on that street. Always there for me.

• Pros: Good Food, Chill Crowd, Drink Specials
• Cons: Not A Place To Make New Friends

05/10/09

wrong place to be

by mssvattk

i remember people saying how cool this place was .. it had a vibe. fun, wih no look-down-your-nose attitude. I imagine those were the good ol' days.

Now its like a ti*&#y bar without the "class." - or the service. an also-ran with a lot stronger competition just down the block, in either direction. it had no flair except for the nice woodwork - must be their signature.

The clientele was identical to most of the crappier lincoln park bars I had the displeasure to find myself in.

the music was tired and the server seemed annoyed. (maybe with the music, too? - we never found out since we barely saw her again..)

like poe said: "never more.."

• Pros: in wicker park (?) or is it really lincoln park..
• Cons: EVERYTHING down to wanna-be-cool bathrooms..

10/20/08

Rodan's the place for after work drinks or Sunday brunch

by JacobBlair

Rodan is the place I go after work, the place I'd take someone on a first date, the place I'd go for brunch on Sunday, the place I'd go to relax on a Monday night, and the place I'd go to get rowdy on the weekend.

Such good food (from the wasabi-battered fish&chips to the sesame-tofu crepes to the empanadas to the sushi), not to mention awesome service (Jamie, Nandini, Rolan- you rock). The interior- ambiant blue lighting w/sleek wood paneling througout and projections on the back wall as well as the line waiting for the bathroom. And those trick effects mirrors above the sinks- ingenious!

The crowd can get a little uppity on the weekends, but during the week its a regular artist hangout all the way. Go on Sunday/Monday for the $3 Lychee Champagnes! Also cheap specials during the week as well.

• Pros: Cool atmosphere & good food/service
• Cons: Not much in the way of parking

04/21/08

see and be seen

by edward1171

Way too hipster friendly for my taste.

The women where beautiful, the sake was even better, the bathroom monitor was super cool (would be a problem if I had too much to drink).

I think we had a new server, she was cute but a little clueless.

The seating was uncomfortable.

overall a good spot, just make sure you have skinny jeans, a mustache and a handkerchief around your neck and you're all set.

Definitely pay a lot of attention to your outfit so you don't feel under-dressed.

03/11/07

Incredible culinary experience. You won't be disappointed in the food!

by mybelle29

We came to Rodan based on Citysearch's high review and it really did not disappoint! The food was such a wonderful infusion of flavors. I ordered a vegetarian meal and by no means missed the meat (which is saying something!) I ordered the Orange Sesame Tofu Crepes, which was a multi-leveled taste experience - ginger, soy, sesame, orange...as well as the textured of the crepes (like dumplings or rice noodles) with the firm tofu. It was wonderful! My husband slurped up every bit of his Chicken Quinoa Stew, that had interesting ingredients, like green papaya, walnuts, cranberries and rice noodles. The Cioppino appetizer was also great. The Mojito ice cream tasted of fresh mint! Our server was attentive and our drinks were great. The only hard thing for us would be getting used to smoke, as Seattle now is non-smoking, but we actually acclimatized. Funky and artsy lounge with surprisingly wonderful food!

• Pros: Culinary attention to detail that is obvious in the flavors; cool lounge
• Cons: Smoke

01/22/07

Nice place to people watch...

by goldcoastbrian

this place was really a surprise, not a place to bring the in-laws, but a hip place with really good asian food, the wasabi fries were very good, room is kinda dark but still recommend.

• Pros: great place to be a wall flower....

09/18/06

They think they remember but they don't

by mariannebat

I used to love this place, but then they started to fall off. The servers should really start writing down people's orders cuz they never remember them and always manage to get something wrong. Not a recommended brunch spot...it's too dim for the daytime and service was horrible. The girl who served us was kind of an airhead and forgot our order (maybe cuz she didn't write it down and was too busy sitting down and socializing with her friends sitting next to us. I do, however, like the dinner menu (if they get my order right). I highly recommend the Salmon Curry as an entree and the plantains for dessert.

Overall...exellent dinner food and appetizers, poor service, good bartenders, great place to meet friends for drinks.

01/07/06

Wicker Park Upscale

by alisonwndrlnd

I love this place. There is always good people watching, and it's an upscalish bar in wicker park, which makes it stand out in that area. There food is good, I love bringing visitors from out of town here!

• Pros: atmosphere, location, music
• Cons: pricey, sometimes crowded, service when crowded

09/12/05

Trip out in the bathroom

by zephyr

One of the coolest bathrooms in Chicago....just starring at the mirror reminded me of tripping.

• Pros: Cool Bathroom, Good Food

03/17/05

Great food

by jlr_1974

At night, Rodan turns into a lounge scene, but if you make it for dinner, you won't be disappointed. The South Asian-Peruvian fusion may seem like a weird culinary marriage, but it really works, particularly with dishes such as the wasabi fries and the spicy bao. They also have a ginger-infused cocktail that's a bit pricey, but tasty. The interior is sleek and minimalist and service is generally solid.