10/12/07

Cheap Beer, Bad Food

by willcapellaro

Just don't pay for the food (Friday happy hour has free snack bar) and you'll be fine. Or just be ready to send a plate back immediately if it isn't up to snuff. This place is worth the $1 PBRs and not much else.

08/04/07

"average"

by mabstb

we chose this place because it seemed casual and would feed our 1 and 5 year olds without cloth tablecloths and having to scour the menu for something they'd eat. and also a place we could have a drink and just relax. in all of those respects we succeeded. located in what seemed like a peculiar area - within a newish commercial building on the river, but only a block from serious-ghetto - the place was empty save a few people at the bar on a thursday night, how it stays in business is a mystery! the kids were happy - usual kids' fare - our food was mediocre at best. we took the server's suggestions - i ordered the chicken marsala and my wife the stroghenoff. comfort food, maybe, but my chicken tasted microwaved and my wife's beef had a gag-reflex "wang" to it. $4 mojitos (and starvation) made the meal bearable. kids meals are like $5 with "real" meals in the 10-12 range. with the plethora of places in chicago, we would not likely return as a family. however, $1 pabst is a tough "no go" in any argument when feeding the kids isnt the primary goal....

• Pros: kid friendly, hip retro atmosphere
• Cons: mediocre food

03/11/07

Yummy Brunch!

by pjs2780

A group of us had Saturday brunch here recently and really enjoyed it! We were seated immediately and had fun playing with the Etch-A-Sketch on our table. The food was great as well -- I had the coconut crusted French toast, which was crunchy and flavorful; the strawberry puree syrup was a nice touch. My husband had the Green Eggs and Ham, which were incredible tasty; I would highly recommend this dish! The remainder of the group had the Phat Jacks with chocolate chips, BBQ Chicken omelette, and the Cobb salad. All were very pleased with their choices. Prices were reasonable and service was good. Intelligensia coffee was the perfect beverage for the meal. We'll definitely be back. The only downside -- we parked in the wrong garage because the sign letting us know where to park was too small to see from the east side of Larabee, so we had to pay for parking. We'll know better next time :)

09/26/06

Coolest place for dinner and drinks!

by coojoo

I went to Kitsch'n with a few friends after work for a couple of drinks last week and we ended up staying for dinner. The atmosphere is unlike anything else around and the service was prompt and friendly. I had the meatloaf (a fantastic upscale rendition of the old favorite) and my friend had this chicken potpie which she loved. Everyone really liked the food and the mojitos were outta sight. This place was so cool--the music was awesome, the decor was hip, and the food was fantastic but didn't break the bank. We're definitely coming back for more.

• Pros: Food, atmosphere, drink menu
• Cons: None

09/07/06

The old Roscoe Village comfort-food spot glams it up with super-slick furnishings at a second outpost in River North.

by Valerie Moloney

The Scene
The usual '70s tchotchkes, Formica counters and vinyl chairs remain staples at this brunch fave, but this definitely isn't your grandmother's dining room. Flat-screen TVs, exposed pipes and mod seating give this 4,300-square-foot space in the former Montgomery Ward building an industrial feel, with separate lounge areas that might look at home in an Ikea showroom.

The Food
The stroller set, 20-somethings and seniors don't mind trekking downtown for tasty, filling brunch items like Phat-Jacks, three fluffy pancakes served with powdered sugar and whipped cream, and Eggs in a Basket Deluxe, eggs cooked inside Texas toast. New to the Kitsch'n concept? Expect to spend some time reading the menu, as some dishes like the Kitsch'n Sink Omelette, Asian Happy Salad and Green Eggs & Ham ... Sam, don't scream any obvious ingredients. Kids love Jonny's Lunch Box, which comes in--what else--a metal retro lunch box.

07/13/06

Not good.

by dieselman8

This is probably the worst restaurant I've been to in Chicago in the last 2 years I've been living here.

The food is ridiculously poor quality for the money. I work in the building so I've had the chance to sample alot, and none of it has been good. Unfortunately, there isn't much choice around here, either.

Example: I ordred a banana smoothie and after 15 minutes, it was hastily put together using artificial banana syrup and ice. Needless to say. it was absolutely terrible and I tossed it. The turkey avocado wrap, and a cucumber hummus wrap are 80% wrap and 20% filling. Although, on Mondays, the wraps are particularly well stuffed. But my guess is that it's because they need to get rid of last week's batch of hummus, which might explain why I feel queesy every monday afternoon after I've eaten a hummus wrap there. To make matters worse, they're more expensive than panera or cosi. I know I'm not alone when I say they're terrible. (I hear it in the elevators all the time.) I'm almost certain this place is not going to be around much longer (and gladfully so).

• Pros: Not crowded (although their may be a reason for that)
• Cons: overpriced, poor quality.

02/08/06

Great Place!

by ea100

We had a great time. Met a small group for drinks and happy-hour apps after work, stayed for dinner and hung out in the big lounge. Cool looking place with good food and friendly staff. Very casual and seventies-ish, not too crowded. Kinda like sitting in your living room. Try it out!

• Pros: Great Lounge, Good Food, Friendly Staff

05/22/05

still crawling and not ready to run

by styleplus

What a disappointment. The place was not crowded and the service was super slow. They were out of a lot of food on the menu. You would think they would be better stocked on a Friday. When we finally got our food and drinks , we were shocked how bad the food was. They played morbid classical music and when we asked the host about the music he said he was sick of 70's tunes. Is that not the theme of Kitsch'n ?

We feel we should have tried the original Kitsch'n because this new place was just not a good experience.

• Cons: service, food, ambiance

03/14/05

better than ever

by joel11

had to wait as well, but they informed us that during the period after they opened they were putting guests on a wait with the restaurant not yet full intentionally. The thought was to get the place used to working together so it could handle the crowds on weekends!

I thought the food, atmostsphere, and service was great. The attitude is disarmingly profesional and unusually accomidating. Now that they have thier bar up and rolling things are hopping at nights too.

• Pros: food, service, scene

02/28/05

Waiting for them to get it all together

by jules1477

Went to Kitch'n for a late brunch and was told there would be a 30 minute wait, although about 3/4 of the restaurant was empty. Went to check after having a cup of coffee how much longer (in case we had moved up like you do) the hostess said that since we got there 20 minutes ago there were 10 minutes left--as if we were waiting for an alarm to ding not for a table to open. The food was great and the ambience was so much fun, I just wish that the host service had been a bit more accomodating.

• Pros: Tasty Food, Travolta on TV
• Cons: Wait, Empty Tables