Albi
Middle Eastern · Navy Yard · $$$
Middle Eastern · River North, Chicago, IL · $$
Meticulously researched, planned and executed by the team led by Chef Sahil Sethi, and mentored by none other than Chef Sujan Sarkar, SIFR is a refreshingly different story of Middle Eastern cuisine seen through a whole new lens of creativity. SIFR’s dishes are mostly cooked over a charcoal and wood-fired hearth, offering Mezze and larger plates, best shared family-style, as is common in Middle Eastern culture.
“Great staff, there wasn’t an outdoor table available when we arrived and the hostess said she’d try to move us when one opened up- I though she was humoring us but she remembered and moved us to a beautiful spot on the patio when it became available. We did the tasting menu which includes the most incredible humus . All of the courses were delicious and their tasting menu seemed like really good value!”
“We did the 4 course and it was delicious. The hummus, angus beef kebab, and lamb shank were all highlights. The meat was incredibly flavorful, the lamb shank fell off the bone, and the beef was tender. The date pudding was also the perfect dessert Agustin C was our server and was incredible. Extremely attentive, personable, offered to take photos for us (we were celebrating a wedding anniversary), and gave insight to the menu options. An amazing server and made the experience even more enjoyable.”
“I recently went to Sifr and honestly, it was such a great experience. The food was really, really good. My favorite was Lamb shank. The lamb shank was super tender and full of flavor, and the kebabs were just mind-blowing. You can tell they’ve put a lot of thought into the menu—it’s Mediterranean but with a nice fusion twist, so everything feels a bit different in a good way. The warm pita bread and hummus were honestly amazing too—simple but done perfectly. There are lot of options for vegetarians and I loved the batata harra and eggplant. Don’t miss the Pistachio dessert. The ambience is nice and cozy, it felt personalized and special. What stood out the most was how friendly everyone was. The staff made us feel really comfortable, and even the chef came by to check on us, which was a really nice touch. Service was quick, and the portions are pretty generous—we ended up sharing dishes and it was more than enough for two people. Also, parking was easy since there’s paid parking right across the street. Overall, definitely a must-visit if you’re in Chicago and want to try something a little different.”
“LOVED my time at SIFR! Got the tasting menu which was plenty of food and tasted amazing. Every single item was spectacular. The lamb shank was definitely a highlight. Oh and the date pudding with salted caramel ice cream, literally AMAZING!! Our waiter Edgar especially made our night so great, he was so attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. He made great suggestions about what to order. He is amazing!! Would definitely come back soon!”
“During Chicago Restaurant Week, Sifr delivered a dining experience that was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we sat down, the evening unfolded like a culinary celebration. The meal began with their hummus, a silken and perfectly seasoned spread, paired with warm, fresh pita. So good we had to order an extra. Our appetizer of mushroom and chicken kebabs was a savory delight—juicy, aromatic, and beautifully grilled, offering a medley of flavors in each bite. The star of the evening, however, was the lamb shank with pilaf rice. The lamb was fall-off-the-bone tender, infused with deep, comforting spices that paired exquisitely with the fragrant, perfectly cooked pilaf. Each bite was rich and soulful, showcasing mastery in both technique and taste. And then came dessert: the date syrup sticky toffee pudding with ice cream. It was indulgent, luscious, and layered with flavor. Overall, the food made this one of the most memorable dinners in Chicago. Without hesitation, 10/10.”
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