Avec

Avec is a long, narrow room with communal cedar-wood tables, exposed beams, and a warmth that comes from both the wood-burning oven doing most of the cooking and the general density of people who are clearly happy to be there. It's been on West Randolph since 2003 and remains one of the best reasons to eat on Restaurant Row. The format is Mediterranean-leaning small plates and the philosophy is straightforward: very good ingredients, handled well, shared generously. The chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates are the dish that built this restaurant's reputation and they've been on the menu for twenty-plus years because nobody has figured out a reason to take them off. Fat dates stuffed with spicy-sweet chorizo, wrapped in bacon and crisped in the wood oven, served on a warm piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. They're salty and sweet and a little smoky all at once and the sauce underneath ties everything together with an acidity that makes the whole thing feel lighter than it has any right to. Order more than you think you need. We also had the potato and salted cod brandade, a creamy, garlicky spread served warm with crostini that could easily become the thing you return for on its own. The short rib hummus, braised short rib piled over good hummus, is the other dish that keeps showing up at every table. Between these three things and a couple of glasses from the strong wine list, a full and genuinely satisfying dinner assembles itself without any effort at all. Tuesday nights are half-price bottles, which is worth knowing. Service is fast and knowledgeable and doesn't waste time. The communal tables mean you're occasionally seated close to strangers, which some people love and others don't. Either way it's part of what gives the room its particular energy.

We've been purposely avoiding avec West Loop for over a year because of the seating situation but they have more private tables upstairs! The food was exactly as we heard about...fantastic! My gluten free partner had no problem finding dishes that fit her diet. Those chorizo-stuffed dates were outstanding and my favorite of the night. I can't wait to return.

My favorite restaurant in Chicago hands down. This place is so delicious, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s all so tasty!! Always get the chorizo stuffed dates, the lamb burger on brunch menu was delicious, we loved the breakfast pizza, and shakshuka.

We’ve been coming to Avec for about 14 years, and it’s still our favorite restaurant in Chicago. We had a wonderful dinner tonight with a great bottle of French wine. The branzino with fava beans was incredible, the best we’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot. The only branzino I can remember coming close was one I had in Hawaii. The handmade pita bread was fresh and delicious, and the Spanish extra virgin olive oil they use as a finish is fantastic. You can tell they pay attention to every detail. We finished with the olive oil cake, which was moist, flavorful, and the perfect ending to the meal. What I love most is that after all these years, the food is still consistently excellent, the service is always welcoming, and every visit feels like a treat. Chicago has no shortage of great restaurants, but Avec is the place we keep coming back to.