avec Restaurant in Chicago - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Food was incredible! Arguably one of the best spots in Chicago. Servers were knowledgeable and guided us through the menu with great recommendations.

Love it here. Such a fun place for a big group to share plates. Always such great, attentive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff ♥️

excellent phone service. deserving of 5 stars for that alone

Delicious small plates. Cozy environment. Unique spot that's open unusually late for a restaurant this good. One of the best foodie restaurants in Chicago.

Wonderful service, excellent food, and great vibe! My only suggestion is that they need to update their ventilation/air conditioning. It was extremely warm in the restaurant and they had the front door open on a significantly warm evening. Highly recommend!

The food was amazing, some of the best I've had in the city, and the service top notch. My only complaint was the temp inside. Granted it was very hot outside the restaurant was uncomfortably hot. That said, the calamari, stuffed dates, chicken shawarma, and cheese trio were fabulous. Will definitely be back.

We went with 3 people. Expensive restaurant, but with good food. The tables are very close together and the atmosphere is not very charming.

The food was incredible, as was the service. Highly recommend the cheese trio and accompaniments, chorizo stuffed dates, calamari, and chicken shawarma. Our only complaint was the temperature as it was incredibly hot in the restaurant.

I genuinely do not understand the hype behind avec. We got the short rib hummus and half an order of bacon wrapped dates and left disappointed without ordering anything else. The hummus came on a quite big plate with two big chunks of short rib on it. However, the taste was extremely mediocre for the $34 price tag. The hummus itself had a nice smooth texture but completely lacked any complexity in flavors. No hint of nuttiness from the tahini, no refreshing tartness from the lemon, and absolutely no notes of any seasoning. The short rib was oily, chewy, and slightly too sweet. The only redeeming factor was the pita: warm and very soft. The bread that came with the dates was a big chunk with no cuts, making it an awkward experience trying to split it amongst diners. Communal seating at both the bar and tables were quite cramped and uncomfortable. Service was slow, aloof, and frankly awkward at times.

Visited on Aug 24, 90 degrees day in downtown Chicago, they turned off the a/c :(, sweating during the dinner. Food and service were good.

Was treated to an incredible birthday dinner at Avec a week ago and enjoyed it so much. We sat at the bar, by choice, so we could observe the chefs hard at work preparing so many amazing plates of food. My companion and I are both light eaters so we thought we'd share some small plates and perhaps an entree. This was a little ambitious of us, we soon found out, because the "small" plates are anything but small. We started with the stuffed dates and the prawns, both of which included a side of bread, which came in handy for sopping up the delicious sauces. My favorite were the prawns which were prepared in a cast iron dish. The prawns were huge and swimming in a sauce that was smooth, silky and smoky. I would enjoy that sauce on anything, to be honest. It was just delicious. We also decided to get the small plate steak dish that included an almond puree. Every morsel was perfectly executed and it's easily apparent that a lot of thought and intention went into creating these super unique flavor profiles. Not wanting to skip dessert on my birthday we were going to try the crepe cake, but at that late hour it was sold out, so we "settled" (haha!) On the nutter butter squares. From the presentation to the flavors, every dish we experienced was impeccably prepared. We savored the entire meal and were the last patrons to leave. Not once did we feel rushed or hurried by the staff, all of whom went out of their way to give us a perfect dining experience. All questions were expertly answered and we so appreciated the staff's patience and care. As the daughter of a chef who spent enough time hanging out in my father's restaurants as a kid, I understand what excellent hospitality looks like and Avec nails it, while making it look completely effortless. Can't wait to go back!

I had a nice little happy hour here. The quality of the food and drink you get for the price was a wonderful introduction to menu. The olives and stuffed dates were spectacular. I can't wait to come back for a full meal. Emily and Joe were both very hospitable and knowledgeable. Ambience was perfect for a relaxing late afternoon but I look forward to nice evening dinner here.

Food wise, this restaurant was near spectacular. Creations like their Short Rib hummus, slow roasted pork shoulder, and potato and salted cod had me really excited to eat here. Unfortunately, we came into major kitchen screw ups that sadly sour the whole experience. Having to wait nearly 40minutes, just for our first small plate ( we believe our order was never initially fired) and receiving a Squsah Blossom Pizza that was nothing close to as advertised or reviewed by others was very disappointing; what we received, was a glorified $28 flatbread with all the cheese only on one slice… I want to speak so highly of everything else, after copious apologies from staff, free round of drinks, and a random delicious on the house halibut displayed that the staff cared. Their compensations are greatly appreciated but the kitchen dropped the ball too much to rate this 5 Star.

Simply delicious. I was irritated that our server recommended the most expensive cocktail, but it turned out to be worth it. Everything was bursting with flavor

Food: The food here is always really good!! I usually go with a group of friends because it’s definitely a place you’ll want to do tapas. I’m pescatarian, and there’s not too many choices for me, but what I do try is pretty stellar. The tomato’s are AMAZING. Service: The staff is always super nice and friendly. They’ll really help with the menu choices. Seating: the outdoor patio is my favorite place to sit. The inside gets a little loud, but still a fun ambiance. Overall: 9/10 :)

We ordered pizza and Shwarma and the quality was day and night. Pizza was quite good: nice combination of simple tastes, crispy base, and well cooked. Contrastingly, what they call shwarma is a pure joke. It is roasted chicken and is not even worth half the price they are charging. Go to a charcoal chicken store (e.g., charcoal kingdom in Sidney where I live) and get this at "MUCH" higher quality at half this price.

The smoked salmon tartine was delicious!

Get the potato and salted cod brandade - just stunning

Incredible staff! Water was never empty, incredibly attentive and caring. The food was even better. The hummus w/ spare rib, pizza, and pork shoulder were HIGHLIGHTS. Dessert was also amazing. Cannot wait to come back

Always excellent with dishes full of flavor and textural contrasts, topped with fresh herbs. Get the dates. Try a seasonal dish, like the heirloom tomatoes or the winter squash. Bread and pita are served warm. The patio is nice and not as cramped as the indoor tables can sometimes be.

Delicious as always!! We ordered a few dishes to for the table share. The food is bursting with flavor and very unique combinations. The chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with bacon are a staple every time I go!!

Visited the Avec in West Loop, which is a smaller space. Very lively ambiance, and feels like you're eating as one big happy family 😄😄 So you'll either love it or hate it. It was definitely a little bit loud for my liking, but that's part of the lively atmosphere. Food and service was amazing!! The staff is really great and friendly. Everything we ordered (Mexican prawns, focaccia, and the short rib hummus) was so flavorful and delicious. Definitely a place I would come back to! Highly recommend. UPDATE: Came here for Lunch and again, the food was absolutely phenomenal!! Tried their mushroom hummus, their tomato and dill salad and also the roasted chicken. 10/10. This place is a must try!

Delicious, adventurous, and great vibes. Food was amazing and the portion was generous. Really liked the chorizo bacon wrapped date. Would definitely go back again!

One of my favourite restaurants in Chicago. Great food and service and super cool ambience. The bacon wrapped dates are a must.

Truly the best dining experience in Chicago! The food is creative and always 10/10. I’ve learned to love things I never thought I’d enjoy (like cabbage). The wine program is wonderful and the staff are very knowledgeable. The manager Claire has suggested some wines that have become my all time favorites, and it’s just a joy to see how passionate she is about hospitality. The vibes at avec are always good and the communal setup can lead to some fun dinner chats. This is my fav place to bring out of town guests. Don’t skip the turnips, they are delish!!!

Everyone loves this place. It's a busy lively but still intimate atmosphere, and staff are attentive. I'm not sure why, but i don't love it like everyone else does. The flavors are unique, maybe a little sweet for my taste. I would still recommend trying it for yourself! I do like the beets and hummus.

Super accommodating with allergies. They handled my allergies better than any other upscale restaurant I’ve been to. All the food I could eat was kept entirely separate from everything else, making sharing food possible. All of the food was fantastic, the service was friendly and personal, and the people working were unafraid to show their personalities while also being super nice, helpful and professional. Fantastic service. They were also very accommodating with letting us sit outside even though there was a chance of rain. Fantastic experience overall, but obviously pricey.

Sometimes the pictures can be a little misleading. Incorrectly presumed that the atmosphere was a bit more intimate and romantic based on their photos. More akin to a lunch hour cafe IMO. Service was decent, no complaints there. Food on the other hand was a bit disappointing, lacking any personality. There were four in our party, and none of us found any aspect of our meals memorable. Nothing bad to say per se, just “meh”

Despite my love for Avec, I found it unacceptable to wait for an hour to receive my food during weekday lunchtime. And Jo didn't really care.

I’m torn about this review. The food was excellent but there was a disconnect between what I thought I was ordering and what came to the table. First was the potato and cod brandade. It was delicious but not what I expected. Admittedly, I didn’t know what a brandade is (I should have googled), but Avec being a Mediterranean restaurant, I thought I’d be getting pieces of cod with pieces of potato, perhaps in a deconstructed potato salad style, with a squeeze of lemon, maybe capers, maybe red onion. But what it is reads more like a fondue. A brandade is an emulsion of cod, potato and olive oil, served with crostini. Except a hot fondue like dish just seems wintery for a hot July night, and the crostini was actually slices of bread. Lovely bread, but crostini it was not. It was a delicious dish but something more suited for a fall or wintertime meal. They kindly took it off my bill. Then there was the rotisserie chicken shawarma. Again, the chicken was delicious and moist/juicy, with skin covered in a beautiful crust of spices. But chicken shwarma it was not. It’s more aptly described as rotisserie chicken with pita - four generous pieces of chicken, but not sliced up or shredded in the shawarma style, served with two piping hot pitas. With little plate real estate to carve a rotisserie chicken, and no fixings for a shwarma except for picked peppers and two sauces, it fell far short of the shawarma I expected. The Greek wine I ordered was excellent (the wine list is extensive). The cherry and beet salad on smoked yogurt I had was a perfect high-summer dish - it was lovely. The service was attentive and gracious. But sadly, I was disappointed overall by the meal. Again, the food is all excellent but just fell short of what I expected I was getting when i ordered. One selection was partly my oversight, but the shawarma was not. And I had great anticipation for Avec. You should go. It’s really worth a visit. Just give your selection a critical eye, and maybe ask some questions.

The communal seating is a bit uncomfortable and limited since the restaurant is so small. The service was good but the food options were limited and very unique. It was tapas style so it's better if you order multiple items and share. Overall, it was a nice place to have dinner. The bacon wrapped dates here are heavenly!!

I was a bit disappointed with the food at avec during our visit to Chicago. We had a party of four and ordered quite a few dishes and none of them really stood out to us and we had much better food for the same price during the rest of our trip to the city / country.

I had a great first visit to this place and would return if I lived in Chicago. It's a small place, but they have a couple of outdoor tables. The amiable staff ensures you have the best experience during your visit. Their menu isn't extensive, but that's actually appreciated as it can be overwhelming to decide what to eat. The kitchen specializes in what they offer, and you can taste the quality and flavors in every bite. While the dishes aren't overly complex, the flavors and quality of the ingredients definitely shine through.

Dropped in for some lunch shawarma, which was excellent. Service was good, but I came at a slow-ish time - it really got hopping by the time I left, so I can't speak to the "normal" quality. I imagine the combination of the acoustics, busy-ness, and seating arrangements could be a turn-off for a fair amount of people.

Emanuel was a doll, and the food was delish!!

A really great experience with excellent food and service.

Absolutely stunning. Chorizo stuffed dates were to die for. The prawns were unrealllll. The beets? Insane. 12/10 recommend Avec - the staff was lovely and the vibes were immaculate.

Came here for our first wedding anniversary (and first time in) we were asked when making the reservation if it was a special occasion, but we were never asked about it or congratulated or anything during our visit which was a tad disappointing. Why ask about it when booking if it clearly does not matter. The food was great! Absolutely loved the calamari! Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. Our plates were cleared and reset before our large plates arrived and we were always good on drinks. Our service was great, server was just okay. Loved our desserts as well!

my favorite thing abt avec is that they’re not afraid of flavor, but it can be a double-edged sword: their signature stuffed dates are delicious but can start to feel too rich after the first; the initial slices of their deluxe focaccia are sublime and then the heaviness starts to set in. still, the food is delicious and this just reinforces that the ‘best’ way to do avec is with a group where you can split the splendor before it becomes overwhelming (and get the side of honey w/ the focaccia) the only disappointing food I’ve had here is the shakshuka, which often features overcooked eggs and is more one note than you’d hope

The food at Avec is amazing. You'll never get anything like it anywhere else in Chicago, or America. The service leaves much to be desired. The last time my Girlfriend and I ate there we sat at the bar, and our server was pretty cold and arrogant to us. Like he knows people will come there even if he acts like a pretentious thirteen year old to everyone. Every question I asked him was answered with a snide retort mumbled under his unshaven, probably hungover breath. He seemed to be annoyed that I had him repeat himself a couple times because it was really loud in the restaurant. When you're paying that much money to eat in a crowded little closet, the least the server can do is pretend to be nice. I honestly probably won't eat there again because the experience made us feel, less than. Just because your restaurant was on a popular TV show doesn't give the wait staff license to abuse their customers.

Disappointing service. Had drinks and food at their upstairs location and the food tasted old, wine was hot (yes, warmer than room temperature) and the server was rude and not attentive. She treated us like we were a burden on her.

We loved our meal at avec. Carefully crafted menu that all looked delicious we loved everything we had. Did order carefully to avoid leftovers, as we were visiting and in a hotel.

I am usually pretty good on all the particulars of my trips , but on this short trip I was a bit surprised with the distance of the airport from the centrally located hotel; so I was concerned after a delayed arrival that my daughter and I might not be able to make our early dinner reservation – a call to the restaurant gave us some extension but not much, and we didn’t know if we would be dressed appropriately but our concierge assured us we were and we dropped bags off and took off- thank goodness we did because this is a restaurant not to be missed. We took an outside seating (careful of the sun; all are not shaded). We enjoy small plates for sharing and cautiously accepted the server’s recommendation of a half serving of the signature dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce- wow! Loved it- followed by the Grilled prawns, the Spanish mackerel and smoked salmon hummus and completed with the prickly pear & mango sorbet and gingerbread caramel swirl – nothing disappointed. The staff was personable, attentive and helpful, the ambiance relaxing after a short but stressful travel journey. I highly recommend this restaurant and wish there was one close by my home. Please Go!

Good ambiance and some unique foods. I am giving 4 stars for food only because the cabbage was burnt.

The food was amazing! Organized group dinner and we loved everything we ordered. The pork shoulder, the prawns, the calamari, the focaccia, are all super delicious. Hard to pick a favorite. Cocktails are amazing too. Highly recommend it!

Maybe my favorite restaurant in the world.

Stuffed dates are amazing, but be warned they are rich!

We ate at Avec on May 11, 2024, with three generations together to celebrate Mother's Day. The food was great, the drinks were good, and it had a fun atmosphere. Sadly our server was arrogant, dismissive, and inattentive. At first, we laughed it off, but after taking our order, he never came back to our table. We wanted to order more drinks and food but eventually gave up. By that point we were pretty irritated but still hungry so decided to order dessert. After getting our nice busser to help us, our server came back to get a dessert order but then forgot to put it in. It took 1 1/2 hours from the time we finished dinner until we got our dessert. As a business owner myself, I would want to know if a customer had a bad experience, so I wrote an email to the manager rather than writing a poor review. I never heard back so decided to write this.

First, the food and servers were amazing! Our server recommended a really tasty orange wine that paired well with our stuffed dates—so delicious!—focaccia—light, crispy, and extra good with a little honey—asparagus salad—the most flavorful and delicious salad I can remember eating—and short rib hummus—what a fantastic combination! Bit second, the restaurant is small, long, and narrow. While nicely decorated, it is uncomfortable. Seating is at several communal tables with a bench on one side and short stools on the other. Behind the stool side, patrons and servers bustle behind, which is unsettling. We were elbow to elbow with our neighbors, which was fine but awkward. It’s a good thing neither one needed to use the restroom and that we finished eating at about the same time to avoid a seat-shuffle situation. The close proximity of diners meant that there was almost no chance of conversation. People were talking at the tops of voices to be heard in the restaurant ruckus. I go to biergartens and wineries with communal tables all the time and enjoy the camaraderie of sharing a good time with new people, but Avec’s vibe is just uncomfortable. So it’s a 5 for food and service and 1 for atmosphere for me.

I had made reservations far in advance as I was going to Chicago on vacation. I was so excited to be back in Chi as I had previously lived there for a couple of years. The host that took my info was so kind and excited to see us. The wait staff was incredible. The food was some of the best food I've ever had in my life. We went for dinner. Highly recommend. Such a great memory.

Holy cow this lives up to the hype, basically everything we ordered here was spot on, packed with flavor and in novel combinations. The classic date chorizo was utterly rich and decadent, and the steak was a surprising hit. Focaccia was also lovely with the wood fired aroma. Great wine selection with some natural leaning bottles from around the Mediterranean. Really good for the price as well.

Delicious food and great location. Be prepared to sit next to other people as there are a few large tables with many people sitting at them. Not really any privacy. Nice outdoor area to sit in on a nice day. Great smaller plates to share. Definitely get the chorizo bacon wrapped dates! They are the best

Beet salad and bacon-wrapped dates really hit the spot. Short-rib hummus was good. Swordfish and pork shoulders were disappointing. We strongly felt that sauces and ingredients were fine, but both proteins were not in line with the overall flavors. We appreciated their honesty about running out of ingredients. The timing for each dish was way too slow. Had a nice time and hope to return to try more smaller dishes.

Food was incredible, service was attentive and efficient, and drinks were great (had a cocktail, some wine, and iced tea). The portion sizes are generous and we felt like we really got value for the quality of the meal. Had the beets and asparagus (both new, interesting, and delicious preparations for us of ingredients that can get kind of boring), and shared the chicken shawarma with hummus (SO good - everything was well seasoned, the hummus was light, and the fresh made pita - YUM!). Had the sorbet and a nutter butter square for dessert (don't leave without a nutter butter). Will definitely be back.

Amazing restaurant! Great staff from our server Tim all the way to the Chef Rey who brought out our final meal. All of the food we had was delicious, and I had plenty of Gluten Free options with no cross contamination. Can not wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

Can get little loud but the food and the service was incredible. The chicken shawarma and the stuffed dates were amazing.

Rather creative menu, with unique takes on dishes like hummus or olive dip. I need to come give it a second try but my first was closer to "interesting, good, but given the priceI, I was expecting a bit more choice". I was needing a vegan dish that night, and I had two options total. Usually, I have more at at a Mediterranean place. I will try again when I can have anything on the menu.

I expected the food to taste better for a restaurant of this style. It wasn't bad, but not remarkable in any way either. Service was great though!

Had dinner in one of the upstairs private event rooms for about 20 people on 04/30/2024. Food was excellent and the service was so exceptional I was motivated to write a review. We were served by a female and a male waiter (can’t remember their names) but they deserve recognition as they really do an excellent job. There were nearby throughout the evening and made sure that every single person in our larger party was taken care of with food and drinks. Despite our large group they took the time to explain in detail the drink menu multiple times to each guest and did the same for the menu. They were polite and competent. I rarely experience service this top notch and I think they deserve to know they are doing an exceptional job at their craft. Highly recommend Avec in general but in particular for larger group events for the above reasons.

Cozy place with modern rustic vibe, delicious food, and kind staff.

Hosted a party and everything was wonderful. Great service from their events staff, superb attention throughout the meal and, of course, amazing food & drink - all while supporting a range of dietary restrictions.

Always flawless. The ever changing menu kept me on my toes and did not disappoint. Delightful small plates, the wine was fantastic and the service charming and warm. Thank you team Avec

I arrived very late, they were kind enough to accommodate me. I had the shakshouka and sausage. So yummy!!! My server was very kind and helped guide me with the area- planning a move. I look forward to returning and sharing with friends!

Food was unique and delicious. Room was perfect for our group and service was fantastic.

All of our dishes were delicious. The flavors were inspired, and textures on point. I highly recommend ordering the oyster mushroom hummus, btw. They also offer a good assortment of zero proof cocktails. The service was warm, inviting, prompt and attentive, atmosphere was lively and fun.

I took my client and co-workers to dinner at this Chicago restaurant and the food was amazingly delicious.  The chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with bacon and slow-roasted pork shoulder with braised collard greens, smoked yogurt and black-eyed peas were to die for!!!  The drinks were on point!  The staff were gracious and polite, the restaurant was spacious and vibrant. This restaurant will be my "go-to" when dining with clients, family, and friends!

Chorizo stuffed dates have a little kick but are absolutely amazing.

Had dinner here with friends - service was timely without being overbearing, and food was delicious and plentiful. Menu has a wide array of selections, though mint shows up in seemingly all of them so be wary of that if you’re sensitive. I recommend the winter squash (small plates) and the pork shoulder (large plates).

Delicious and friendly staff! Definitely recommend the roasted carrot hummus and butcher steak. We enjoyed the shawarma but it honestly was too much food by that point. For two people, maybe two-three small plates or a small and a large plate. Two smalls and a large was way too much.

Warm, welcoming, kind and efficient staff. Entree and dessert was excellent, very tasty perfect. The main fell short;the ribs felt stringy, dry, not nice. The accompanying pita bread and hummus was perfect, though.

When I die, the pork shoulder served here will be a part of my heaven. Awesome Chicago institution.

Always exceptional, if you want to experience a restaurant over and over for almost two decades, that offers truly seasonal ingredients and finds new creative ways to continue delivering a fantastic menu Avec is the place to go. Never dull! can't never-ending get surpising, Pablo is an amazing bartender, make sure to request him.

Extremely delicious, the food has so much flavor and the place is extremely eccentric! Can’t wait to come back!

Store was neat but felt a little loud and the food was a bit sweet/oily for me personally. We had the prawns, steak, short rib hummus, and chorizo. The short rib hummus was my favorite. I would revisit but not so frequently.

Came here while visiting Chicago. The atmosphere was neat with the communal tables, and the food was fun. I wouldn't say the food was crazy good, especially considering the price, but I still really enjoyed it. I was a little enjoyed that the server dissuaded us from the wine we picked, and recommended something else, and then the recommendation wasn't all that good. But that sounds a little pretentious, so really not that big of a deal. I'd still recommend this place to others visiting Chicago, but I didn't like it enough to feel like I had to come back on my next visit to the city.

If you want to sit in a table shoulder to shoulder and elbow by elbow, and overhearing the conversation of your neighbor dinners during the entire meal, this is the right place. Two of us were led to an end of a table, with a table space not even allowing placing two small plates. We had to place our drinks in front of other dinners. Worst of dinning experience.

@lydieats 💕 It says a lot when a restaurant has been around for 20 years. Means even more when that neighborhood is the West Loop 😉 Avec is a Mediterranean spot that’s been doing the shared plate & communal table combo long before it was cool. The first floor gets very crowded and is a bit noisy (but you’ll recognize the interior from The Bear!!) Ask to be seated on the second floor if you prefer a more relaxed meal and separated tables. The winter squash was our FAV!! Roasted squash surrounded by labneh drizzled with pickled mango, rose, & petita. Loved how it was sweet and savory with a kick of spice. We scooped the plate clean with our extra pita 💯 Medjool dates have been on their menu for twenty years so it’s a must try. Bacon wrapped & chorizo ​​stuffed for a sweet, salty, and spicy bite. A whole lot of flavor and the tomato sauce adds that extra bit of acidity to elevate the dish from basic to special 🙆‍♀️ 💕 roasted winter squash $20* 💕 baby carrot hummus $26 💕 extra pita $2.50* 💕 medjool dates $20 💕 minced lamb flatbread $28 💕 pavlova $12 Avec has maintained its position for 20 years among Werup restaurants that change with each season! If you go during peak times, there are a lot of people, so reservations are essential. The first floor has a noisy atmosphere centered around communal tables, so if you want a quieter meal, ask for the second floor ☺️ Signature medjool dates that have been on the menu since opening. Requirement order is required. Jujubes with chorizo ​​are wrapped in bacon, allowing you to taste sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. It's the ultimate bite. The rest are also not bad~ If you go to Chicago, Churai

So confused by the hype here. Service was amazing, our waitress was so fun and attentive. But the food was meh. We got restaurant week brunch. Shrimp and grits was the best, but the lamb burger and shakshuka were both way off in taste and texture. Brioche donuts had the perfect texture but weird savory seasoning, and the focaccia was too truffly and kind of mushy? Glad to have tried it but I don’t think I would come back.

Came here for a restaurant week. Food was ok. I really liked polenta with shrimps even though it’s very spicy. The lamb burger was interesting and delicious. But service was strange in a bad way. Not sure that the amount of people working there helps. One person is taking your order, other is bringing the dishes, another one is taking care of your drinks, and so on so on. That’s why when you ask the wrong person to take your dishes away you need to wait for another 10 minutes to take care of it.

Fantastic lunch for restaurant week. Would gladly have paid more for delicious dates, chicken pita and nutter butter dessert.

Came here for Chicago Restaurant Week brunch, could not be more happy with our experience! We had amazing coffee, coffee cake, roasted carrot hummus, and to die for french toast. The staff were accommodating to our vegetarian dietary restrictions and even let us do an item swap on the menu to make sure we had the best experience possible. They were incredibly sweet and attentive. Will definitely be coming back!

Just finished dining on their 2024 Restaurant Week dinner menu. We ordered the short rib hummus in addition to this and I am stuffed! We had leftovers we took to-go. It was just two of us but I’d say the menu is definitely enough for 3-4 people. Off the RW menu, my favorite was the stuffed dates, while the rest was good to try but not anything I’d necessarily go back for. The short rib hummus, on the other hand, is probably one of the best dishes I’ve had in Chicago. As far as service, it didn’t start off great - the two young men who “greeted” us at the door were rather tactless. Unfortunate first impression. However, the rest of the staff were great and made up for it. Some people might not like being in such close quarters to other diners, but I actually liked that atmosphere. Overall a good experience, so long as you’re willing to drop some money! (p.s. Also was just cool, as I’m a fan of The Bear)

Great brunch spot with a tasty menu. Get the French Toast they are delicious! We also had the Pork Shoulder which was very good along with great Colombian coffee. The expresso Martini was very good. Last but not least the candied almond and rose gelato git the spot. Make sure you make a reservation!

Let's start with the fact that I may have had the best salad of my life here. To nail something that's usually a forgotten aspect of a meal speaks to the quality of the food you're getting. I tried their CHI Restaurant Week menu and was blown away at how they took simple dishes to a whole other level. I found myself closing my eyes several times while eating just to savor each meal. Everything was fresh, the chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender, and I was exposed to a plethora of new flavors. Sontra, my waitress who's been there for 19 years, not only knew the menu like the back of her hand, but she gave me back story on the dishes and wines, as well, which I always love. Thank you, Avec, for exceeding my expectations!

Wow, still amazing. The food was simply superb and I love the setting. Small yet great wine list. It is suposed to be Mediterranean, but it is definitely his take on that kind of food, not what you would eat a typical Mediterranean restaurant. I think it is still a must in Chicago if you’re visiting

Food was really really really delicious! Squash salad, apple kale salad, lamb with pita most delicious dishes.

"Ce restaurant offre une ambiance exceptionnelle et une cuisine orientale remarquable. Dès l'entrée, on est accueilli par un cadre chaleureux qui invite à la détente. Les plats, riches en saveurs et en épices, transportent directement au cœur du Moyen-Orient. Chaque bouchée est une découverte, un mélange subtil d'ingrédients frais et d'arômes envoûtants. Le service est attentionné, contribuant à une expérience culinaire mémorable. Ce lieu est une véritable pépite pour les amateurs de cuisine gourmande."

Delicious food. The short rib hummus was our favorite and the nutter butter and gelato were great small bites to finish the meal! The space is small, and wish the seating was more comfortable. We will be back so we can try the chicken shawarma, it looked amazing!

Went on NYE. Ordered the chorizo stuffed dates, short rib hummus, grilled butchers steak, and the coconut semolina cake. All were beautifully plated & delicious although I personally didn’t care for how crumbly the cake was — wouldn’t order that again. The steak was good but paled in comparison to the short rib hummus for me. Very intimate dining area. Not a lot of room to move around & the seating is communal. Might make some uncomfortable but I enjoyed it and the staff were friendly & responsive. Everything worked like a well oiled machine.

Each dish left us speechless as it was presented one by one so lavishly.

The pork shoulder tastes disgusting, but server removed the charge of the dish from the bill which is a good thing. :)

Avec was OK for me. The food is good, not something super special, but the hummus short rib was really tasty! It's a big place, so sometimes you feel a bit lost. The staff could be more attentive, they seemed a bit busy or not noticing much. But overall, it's a decent place to go for a meal. If you try the hummus short rib, you'll probably enjoy it.

The food is very good, but often mixes one too many ingredients into a single dish. If you like to be surprised by taste combinations, this is your place. The portions are generous. The service was impeccable. Friendly, polite, and attentive staff. This restaurant is clearly managed by someone who cares to give you a flawless experience. It's not big, mostly with communal tables, and therefore cozy. If you don't like to sit right next to a stranger, this is not for you. The wood paneling makes it quite loud. When we went, around 8 pm, the noise level was fine. There were no loud parties, and the place wasn't packed any longer. The seating is flat wood. I don't have a lot of padding... The benches have backs, the chairs do not. I could sit there for 60 to 90 minutes. But I wouldn't want to go for a longer meal. If you need cushy seating to be comfortable, this is not your place. Overall: lovely meal. I'll go back.

Visited for brunch. Nice menu with a selection of snacks, small plates, and large plates. Mediterranean focus. Nice vibe...long bar and long communal table. Service was very casual (probably a little too casual for the price point) but reasonably attentive. Food was good, but not great. A Brussels Sprout salad was delicious, as were the dates. A focaccia with smoked salmon didn't hit the mark, with droopy, thin bread and blandnesss. Certainly would return.

One of the best fresh salads I ever had! Nice interior design and great drinks!!

Really enjoy this space more than the river north location. The decor, setup and vibe is much more intimate and unique. Food and drink was very good as expected and lots of vegetarian options too. Even though the place was super packed the service was very good and attentive. Honestly at this price point I’m not sure there’s a place in the city doing it better.

Just a truly wonderful restaurant.

This is a glowing review for Avec in the west loop. They’ve earned a lot of reviews like this. I had such a good meal there - delicata squash, bacon wrapped dates, hummus, and branzino fish. Everything tasted exquisite! Seriously, how do they make little bits of squash SO flavorful? Not sure how I slept on this place for 20 years. I hope they enjoy 20 more.

Wonderful experience. Incredible food and drink for the price. We got brussel sprouts, scallops, and pork shoulder. Which were excellent. The sorbets and gelato for dessert were wonderful as well. All for less than $250! On top of all that the service was amazing.

Avec has some good flavors, don't get me wrong, but they have leaned so far into rich and savory there's no escape on the menu. The recommendation of 2 small plates, 1 side, and 1 entree per person is truly excessive portioning as well, for 2 people that eat plenty we ordered 2 small plates, 2 sides and an entree and had the whole entree and half a side untouched at the end. Now for the menu itself, this menu needs the equivalent of a flavor cut, where acidity is needed so is freshness. There are very limited choices for fresh flavors on the menu, it is all very heavy and dense which can be good, and some of those (not all) we're well executed. But you should have a journey in a menu, not a destination - being - only savory, rich, umami. Service was attentive and our waters were refilled often.