Avec
615 W. Randolph, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-377-2002
Date of Review: August, 2009
I really, really like Avec. There is a lot to like about it. In fact, there is so much to be fond of at this restaurant, I may as well just tell you what I like the most:
· It was recommended to me by Anthony Bourdain (via his book) whose life I
am very envious of
· Avec’s chef has been on the Food Network’s Iron Chef program
· The design of the restaurant (long and narrow) which has impressive wood
walls and strategically placed, high windows
· The barrels out front that you can stand around and enjoy a glass of wine at
while you wait for your table under some heating lamps if it is a bit chilly
· The reasonably priced menu, the bar which is made to dine at, the people and
most importantly the food and wine.
After eating at Avec, I am not sure I have much need or desire to frequent other tapas style restaurants. The food is just too good here. It is a foodies dream. All you have to do is take one look through the menu, close your eyes and pick and you can be pretty sure that you will be satisfied, if not blown away. During my 2 visits to Avec, I eagerly surveyed the menu and read the descriptions of the dishes and then told my guests to pick whatever they wanted as everything on this evolving menu sounds fantastic. They have an excellent wine list as this place is as much about wine as it is food. They even serve the wine in casual tumbler style wine glasses that suit the atmosphere at Avec. To me Avec is about innovation, fresh ingredients, reasonable prices and gourmet food in a popular, yet casual setting. While the owner may also own Blackbird and Publican, this restaurant has its own unique identity.
They have a great open kitchen with an oven that looks like a kiln with a huge torch blowing fire directly into it. This is where they roast and cook everything, including the excellent mini loaves of bread. You will get lots of those too as they are served with everything. Make sure to use them to soak up every bit of the wonderful sauces that are a part of every dish!
They have a small plate menu and a large plate menu but all plates are meant to share. The chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon in a pepper-tomato sauce is my favorite thing on the menu and one of the best dishes I have had in any restaurant in Chicago. The sauce is a slightly spicy pimiento based sauce and is perfect for dipping. The menu changes frequently with only a few items (including the dates and truffle filled focaccia bread) available all the time. The dishes I have had here range from coffee braised short ribs to pheasant to cheese, salami and olives to an outstanding pasta dish served with blood sausage, baby squid, bacon and grilled radicchio. Everything I have eaten here has been at least solid, if not outstanding.
The servers are cool and full of suggestions regarding every aspect of the menu. One of the great things about Avec is that you can blow a fortune at this place and order a 70-100$ bottle of wine or you can eat and drink economically by ordering a $30 bottle of wine and feasting on an assortment of dishes ranging from $5 to $20 that are meant to share. A few additional things worth noting are that Avec does not take reservations and seating is either at the bar or at large rectangular communal table where smaller parties sit next to other patrons. Avec is very popular and while the tables do turn rather quickly, you should expect a long wait if you arrive after 7 PM.
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