Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Chicago

“There are steakhouses in Chicago that feel like business dinners with good lighting, and then there's Bavette's, which feels like something altogether different. You walk down into this low-lit basement room with leather booths, exposed brick, a sultry jazz soundtrack rolling through the whole place, and you immediately understand why it's been nearly impossible to get into since it opened in 2012. The energy in the room is hard to pin down, somewhere between a 1920s speakeasy and a very good dream. We had a reservation and still almost didn't get one, they release them online 21 days in advance and they go fast. The steak frites showed up first and I want to say clearly that the bearnaise sauce on the side is reason enough to come here alone. It's buttery and tarragon-forward and makes the perfectly broiled frites feel like they were destined for it. The dry-aged ribeye was next, 22 ounces, crust on the outside, the kind of pink center that arrives exactly as requested. We also went for the crab cakes with remoulade, which were fresher and more delicate than expected from a steakhouse, and the short rib stroganoff with hand-cut pasta was the kind of dish that surprises you at a place called a steakhouse. It shouldn't be that good and yet. The wedge salad with its thick-cut bacon made a strong case for itself as a starter. Cocktails are classic and well-executed, the bourbon list is serious, and the wine list has depth without being punishing. Service is sharp without being stiff. Come for a birthday, an anniversary, or just because you've been thinking about a great steak.”

“Bavette’s absolutely lives up to the reputation. Reservations need to be made well in advance and the restaurant was completely packed, but after the first bite of the ribeye steak, it became immediately obvious why this place is so sought after. The steak was cooked perfectly medium rare with a deeply caramelised, almost charcoal-like crust on the outside while remaining beautifully juicy and tender inside. Rich, flavourful and confidently seasoned without unnecessary theatrics. The atmosphere also deserves mention. Dim lighting, dark wood interiors and an old-school steakhouse feel that somehow manages to feel lively and intimate at the same time. Desserts were equally memorable, especially the Chocolate Cream Pie, which was both sizeable and genuinely excellent rather than an afterthought after the mains. One of those rare restaurants that fully justifies the difficulty of getting a reservation.”

“This was our first time visiting from California and everything about this restaurant was amazing!! The food, the service and the vibe were all on point. We had the crab cakes which was cooked perfectly. The branzino was delicious as was hubby's burger. We also had a baked potato which was amazing as well. Our server was very accommodating when asked about what kind of oils were used for cooking. Highly recommend!!”

“Best steakhouse in Chicago hands down. One of my favorite restaurants ever. Nothing is ever worse than a 9/10! I dream about the bone in filet and Brussels sprouts. Service and ambiance are top tier. My go to restaurant for a special occasion. Only con is the difficultly of securing a reservation.”

“Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner at Bavette’s. This is bar none, the best atmosphere at a steakhouse I’ve ever been in. We were sat downstairs in this cozy room. The service was top notch. The wait staff made sure we were well taken care of. Now on to the food. All the the appetizers were AMAZING. Salads are big enough to share with 2 people. Shrimp and garlic bread was fantastic. Mashed potatoes were delicious. The only thing I wasn’t blown away by was my steak. The crust on it was cooked too much for my own personal taste. The steak on the inside was cooked perfectly however. I had a ribeye and my fiancé has the filet which she loved, and I also liked it more than my steak. Reservations here are difficult, but not impossible and if you get an opportunity to go, do it.”