H B Restaurant

04/20/09

My new favorite boystown restaurant

by suredeal at Citysearch

After being rained out of the cubs game we stumbled into this byob gem! We were soaked and not dressed to par, but we were greeted with smiles and warmth. Dinner was wonderful, the photography and decor is just gorgeous. I can't remember the last restaurant I was at where EVERYONE was so friendly and accommodating. I look forward to going back.

• Pros: The great food, ambience and waitstaff
• Cons: I don't live closer

06/25/08

A neighborhood favorite

by chgofoody at Citysearch

Had many meals at HB and always look forward to the next. The menu selections are limited but the specials are creative and always pleasing. Favorite starters include the baked Haloumi cheese, chicken liver and hazelnut pate, and catfish nuggets (special). The almond stuffed dates are sweet, but always good. The sometimes featured soft-shell crab main course is good, but a lot of messy work. Fish special is a favorite. Moroccan spiced lentil dish a disappointment. Mussels and broth lacked flavor last time. Desserts sometimes miss the target, however the maple bread pudding was scrumptious. Cozy, appealing atmosphere, can get loud. Service friendly, efficient and accomodating. Been to brunch once, great twists on some classics. BYOB a plus. Prices and portions reasonable.

• Pros: creative specials, fun atmosphere, Sunday brunch, byob
• Cons: sometimes inconsistant quality

04/24/08

This Sunday Brunch will make you forget your lousy weekend!

by urbanbushwoman at Citysearch

HB is the Best place for brunch with friends.

You want savory and sweet!

Decadent and light!

home made and simple, with a gourmet twist...meet your friends for an early Sunday brunch at HB.

Service is friendly, attentive, and forgetful. Just like Mom.

Their truffle fries are To DIE 4!!! Better than anything that I've had at Tru, moto, or Trotter.

Snack on them or beignets (Sp?) served with chocolate, carmel, and powder sugar. ..before your breakfast. Hang overs disappear. Friday heartbreak - who cares? Don't count calories, just eat! And at the price, order both.

Only problem- they stay packed after 12, and people refuse to give up their tables. If you don't get in early, you're out of luck. They'll stop taking names at 2...but there's always dinner.

• Pros: Delicious with fun service
• Cons: very small and often busy for brunch

10/01/07

SHUT UP and GET YOURSELF TO HB NOW!...Consistently OUTSTANDING!

by devinship at Citysearch

I visited the HB on my one of my last nights in Chicago (moved back to Houston) on April 26, 2008 with my neighbor once again. This time we got to sit in the dining room away from the front windows and it was really even more comfortable! The staff continues to be the BEST! They are passionate about their food and attention to guests and it really makes the dining experience at HB a treat. Kudos to HB! Now for the goodies?Yes, we had the baked Halloumi again, and this time it was changed up a bit with an orange marmalade glaze...ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! I am still blown away with HB?screativity with this superb cheese. And, of course, the presentation right on perfect! We also ordered the Artichoke and Edamame fritters with roasted garlic aioli...Holy Mother of Mary they are beyond AMAZING! I was in the mood to be really impressed and HB smacked me right on the head, and we are just talking about the appetizers. I decided to have my entree selected by the staff just like last time. The recommendation, a lamb kefta topped with a garlic potato mash and with an elegantly fluffed layered pastry crown. The dish was PERFECTLY BALANCED and absolutely SAVORY DELICIOUS!!! I almost did not share with my neighbor, but I wanted to try her Stripped Bass, and WOW this was EXPERTLY PREPARED SUCCULENT fish! My neighbor treated our meal to two wonderful bottles of French wine (red). Both wines paired so very well with the meal, I almost cried, since I knew that Jon Carl had noticed our wine and based his recommendations on them. I truly extend the highest compliments and thanks to Jon Carl and the awesome staff at Home Bistro. Again, my experience was a FLAVOR EXPLOSION and a BEAUTIFUL TIME. I personally rank this restaurant as A MUST VISIT, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and SHUT UP...GET YOURSELF IN HERE SOON AS POSSIBLE. I know that every time I visit Chicago, I am coming back!

• Pros: Food, atmosphere and the wonderful staff!
• Cons: none

08/07/07

Amazing!

by trm012400 at Citysearch

This place was awesome! We went for dinner at 5:30 because we were going to see The Blue Man Group at 7:00. So it was extremely quiet when we walked in. The atmosphere was cute and cozy. Exposed brick walls, and earthy colors. It's a small space but not too cramped. We had a table for four in the window and it was the best place to people watch but also have a great view of the entire restaurant. Our waiter was awesome and very attentive. The food was amazing! I had the pasta with pesto, my husband had the lamb, one person had the tilapia and the other had the sausage. All of it was incredible! The prices per entree were about $18.00 and well worth it! Oh and don't forget it's a BYOB...which makes it even better!Didn't have room for dessert but the dessert menu looked really tasty! We'll definitely be back. You should go!

• Pros: BYOB
• Cons: none

The TV star owners may have left, but this Boys Town restaurant is still home to twists on New American classics.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Though no longer the Hearty Boys' baby, chef Joncarl Lachman remains true to the distinctly American menu and cozy decor. A streetside window entertains people watchers on a raised seating area up front, while dark wood two- and four-tops fill the rest of the room. Quotes from famous women painted above funky mirrors are morsels to digest during dinner, fare that favors earthy flavors like pork loin served atop apple and roasted fennel.

01/16/07

delightful everything!

by tlight4u at Citysearch

what a fantastic meal!!! first off the byob deal is a great one, there was no corkage fee (very nice). the atmosphere was perfect, it was a small intimate dining room with perfect lighting and a really comfortable vibe. the service was excellent and very personal (not at all rehearsed) and there was only one server which didnt make the service slow at all, he was definately on top of his game. the meal was incredible, everything was delicious- coming from two graduates of the culinary institute of america and true food fanatics. all the food was outstanding! the prices were very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. the chef even came out and spoke with us a bit, he was very friendly and warm to match the ambiance. a truly delightful dining experience, i have zero complaints and will surely be going back soon!

01/04/07

best value in the city

by lovesfood02 at Citysearch

HB is the best value in the city. Not only is every menu item delicious, it is affordable. It's BYOB policy is great. You can get great food and choose bring your own bottle of wine. I am never disappointed with the quality of the food or the service. The menu rotation is great and the specials are always very adventurous and tempting. I have tried many foods I would not normally eat at HB because I know the preparation and presenations will be great. I could eat at HB at least once I week. It is the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or a fun group of 12. And, they have the best pomme frittes ever!

09/25/06

Fun dining experience

by acf251 at Citysearch

I went to HB with a group of 12, and we all had a great experience. The service was excellent in my opinion. We were seated immediately, and before I knew it our wine bottles were open and served, we had appetizers on the table, and the water and wine never ran out. To be honest, not everyone was thrilled with their entrees (one person's pork was dry), but the catfish was delicious as were the salmon and lamb. Be sure to call ahead for reservations if you have a larger party as it is a small restaurant, and enjoy!

04/03/06

HB = Hardly Bearable

by siouxthomas at Citysearch

Server was cheerfully inept but just shy of entertaining and the food wasn't even cheery. I understand that given the region (Boystown) the focus is on presentation over substance and the local competition is less than daunting, however I was expecting more from people who have a TV cooking show.