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Lokal
Categories: Music Venues, Modern European [Edit]
Neighborhood: Wicker Park1904 W North Ave
(between Elk Grove Ave & Wolcott Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622
- Nearest Transit:
-
Damen (Blue)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
2 reviews for Lokal
Lokal opened at 3:00 in the afternoon on Hallowe'en. That alone should tell you that the owners and workers are pretty confident in their restaurant and bar. And you know what? They're right. Lokal is very good. You should check it out tonight.
The menu is posted on the glass wall by the front door, but it's too dark there to read much of anything. And it's still a work in progress. Inside, the space is clean and cool, with white plastic tables and chairs and poured concrete floors. The wall behind the bar is exposed brick, and light wood accents here and there warm up the space. Overall, think about the space station lounge in Kubrick's 2001 with a slightly-too-loud electronica soundtrack and you've got the vibe of the place.
We dropped in on a quiet weeknight and were greeted by the bartender Thomas, who invited us to sit anywhere. He was also the waiter and busboy, and was both knowledgeable and effusive about the menu.
The booze menu is fairly priced and offers a wide enough selection for traditional and experimental pairings with the food. And they get bonus points for offering a few beers on tap in addition to bottled selections.
Now, the food. A bread basket arrived with cut baguette (uninteresting) and a couple of pieces of baked flatbread (very interesting). Butternut squash soup was good, a little cool, but had a velvety texture and a slow-developing sweetness. The puff pastry wrapped stuffed poblano was very good: densely stuffed with home made sausage (a little spicy and a little salty), bell peppers, and tiny diced potato.
Afterward, one of the owners stopped by to chat with us and offer us the brunch menu, which looks like it's worth a try. As is another dinner: prices are reasonable, service (on a slow Monday, anyway) is top notch, and the menu is creative.
My only concern is that the bar didn't get as much attention as the restaurant. Liquors are premium brands by way of advertising, which doesn't suggest an emphasis on good mixology. And I was disappointed that no local breweries were supported.
Lokal will be a good place for a date, dinner with friends, or an after work drink. They've got a great start, and I'm looking forward to my next visit.
You know what? You should go check out LOKaL. Seriously, go now before everyone finds out about it and you have to wait an hour for a table.
LOKaL opened recently and they seem to be filling a culinary gap in Chicago that I am surprised was not filled a long time ago. LOKaL is essentially upscale Polish/Eastern European fare. Think of it as classy comfort food.
The restaurant itself is sleek and loungey, inviting and comfortable. The environment is perfect for a date or dinner and drinks with a few friends.
The food was terrific! I had the cabbage cakes to start and the braised short rib as an entree. Both were delicious. The cabbage cakes were lightly battered and deep fried, served with a creamy chili dipping sauce. The braised short rib was flavorful and tender, served on top of potato pancakes and topped with a dollop of goat cheese creme fresh. Absolutely wonderful. My friend had the beet soup and braised short rib and thoroughly enjoyed both. I tried a bite of the beet soup and it was very good.
Considering the quality of both food and service, you would be hard-pressed to find high-end dining for this value anywhere else in the city, especially in the Bucktown / Wicker Park area.
Beet Soup: $6
Cabbage Cakes: $4
Braised Short Rib: $18, and the most expensive item on the menu by a few bucks
Red Wine: $6/Glass, $25/Bottle
Their menu is organized in such a way that you could easily make this a tapas-style meal and share a few small bites. There is plenty of flexibility here.
Toward the end of our meal, one of the co-owners stopped by our table to briefly introduce herself and check on us. She was very friendly and gracious. I appreciated that she took the time to say hi and it was clear that she was happy that we were happy with our experience.
I will definitely be back and would recommend LOKaL to anyone interested in a modern take on Polish cuisine, someone looking for a good value, or a nice date spot.