DOC Wine Bar

02/26/09

Best wine bar by far!!!

by winejunky76 at Citysearch

I've been to almost all the wine bars in chicago and this one is the best by far!!!! The wine list is very extensive and reasonably priced, they have a full menu until 10 or 11 to have a great dinner with a date or friends, and the atmosphere and space are amazing. (High lofted ceilings 2 fire places and one of the best music selections in the city.) Contrary to what other posts have said, the service has been top-notch every one of the several times I've been. One of the biggest differences I see with the D.O.C. as compared with other places is that it's not a snobby place only about wine. They have a great beer list and a full bar so you see a variety of different people all having a good time even if they didn't come for the fantastic wine selection. 6 Stars!!!!

• Pros: Wine, Food, Service, Music
• Cons: Only fits 100 people

Wine novices and aficionados alike can find vinos to their taste and budget at this relaxing Lincoln Park wine bar.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
A jumble of geometric design elements--large porthole windows, a high pitched lumber ceiling, a shiny metal semicircular back bar and an original skylight--create a comfortable space for sampling reasonably priced wines from around the globe. Sit at the bar, on couches surrounding the fireplace or at banquettes lining the wall. For deep conversation, try the intimate, scarlet-drenched neo-Victorian back room.

The Draw
With so many wines to choose from, flights are a good option: three two-ounce pours grouped according to country, like the Italian whites, or whimsy, like the Sexy Reds, a taste of merlot, syrah and zinfandel. Hot and cold plate choices include cheeses, sashimi tuna, pizzas and a charcuterie platter. D.O.C.--or Denominazione di Origine Controllata, a regional Italian wine designation--is proving popular with couples and girlfriends who just want to drink and chat without accompanying audio/video overload. Servers are attentive and knowledgeable without being snobby.

04/12/07

Great Atmosphere and Fabulous Wine Selection

by carebear16 at Citysearch

I love this place, it is great to take a date or hang out with the girls. I went on Saturday night with my fiance around 9pm. We were able to find seats and were greeted my some one immediately. We had a bottle of Riesling and the cheese tray. Only down fall was the wine we originally order wasn't chilled and the particular cheese we wanted they didn't have available. That was a little bit disappointing but the people and the atmosphere made up for it. It is defintely a great place to people watch. We will back soon.

• Pros: Wine List, Atmosphere, People Watching
• Cons: Service, Parking

09/15/06

cool space, ABNOXIOUS serverS

by burgundyboi at Citysearch

The wine selection was good and the prices were reasonable. The glassware was quality but the service was not. I collect wine and have a fairly decent knowledge and appreciation for wine. When I had a question about a bottle, the server was short and condescending to me. After meeting my group there we moved from the bar to the sofas. The waitress came over and told us that we needed to close out out bill at the bar before she would serve us. I decided to go up and pay and the barista made me pay in cash when I had politely asked him to charge my Visa which was already in their possession. He would not void the transaction and was very rude.

Even though my servers were, well nasty, I managed to enjoy the friends' company but ended up having to leave because the A/C was not working at I believe it may have been nearly 80 in the bar. Nothing like a boiling hot bar and a good intense Bordeaux at the same temp. to make ya feel sick!

Cheers!

• Pros: good wine and atmosphere
• Cons: ABNOXIOUS service and nearly 80 degrees in the bar

01/30/06

I could live here!

by lantzgr at Citysearch

D.O.C. is great. The wine list is extensive, but relatively affordable for the city. Try the flights... they are a great way to expose your palate to the subtle differences in various wines. The food is all excellent, except the grilled artichoke, it sucks. The cheese plate is my favorite. It's a great place to chill and catch up with your friends or a date, not too quiet, not too loud. Great for a Wednesday/Thurs. night when you aren't looking to get hammered, but enjoy great food and wine.

• Pros: affordable, wine list, atmosphere
• Cons: service - hit or miss