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Categories: American (New), Wine Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: Humboldt ParkMon-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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This place was a little snobbier-feeling than the restaurants I usually visit. That said I really have nothing else negative to say. I went with some friends to celebrate a birthday. We ordered the olives w/ garlic and citrus (not as citrusy as we were hoping but still good), the prosciutto "crust" (yum), the lamb sausage, the pork shoulder, mussels, lamb sausage, bacon toffee, and the little cookies and cream dish. Everything was verrrrry good. We even asked for extra bread to soak up the creamy mussels broth and to sop up the little bit of carrot puree left over from the pork. I'm pretty sure there would have been some plate licking if it hadn't been for the bread. And the dessert... well, I'm not the biggest toffee fan, but that bacon toffee (if you are lucky enough to get some good-sized bacon bitsies) was pretty amazing. We ordered two of the cheaper bottles of red wine on the menu and enjoyed them both.
It was a lovely place to go for a birthday, and when the bill came I actually didn't feel robbed. While it was a little pricey, I felt as though I got my money's worth. Yum.
Dry, mealy mussels in an off-tasting broth. I should've known then, but my husband and I spent all night in bathroom paying for it.
Only two beers on tap, with a horribly boring bottle selection. There's better beer at Puerto Rico Mart, and it also comes in bottles but is much, much cheaper. Hmmm.
Oh right, the worst service I have ever received. It took the server 20 minutes to take our drink orders, at which point we also ordered spiced nuts. We never received the nuts, and she short-poured both of our beers- I know, we sat right in front of the taps and watched beer after beer after beer go out full to the top. My husband's bourbon county stout? Half full when he got it.
After 45 minutes of being completely ignored, except for two mediocre half-full beers, we asked for the check and the bartender literally threw our receipt toward us.
Seriously? I hate this place so much. I have never felt like less of a human being after eating at a place- twice, mind you.
Just you TRY to describe Rootstock without sounding like a ponce.
Delighful!
Exquisite!
Delicate flavors!
Sumptuous!
Highly refined!
Culinary delights abound!
Rather than do homework, laundry or anything vaguely productive/responsible - I spent the majority of my free time this week trawling Yelp for a good place to have a Friday night meal. This is procrastination/ attention deficit in its' finest hour. Based on my search criteria, Rootstock came to the top of the list.
Our evening started off on a particularly classy and sophisticated note when my friend and I jumped in one of the best cabs in existence. Dude had holy Icons taped to his dash and was playing a CD of Fauré's nocturnes. We all had a rather intellectual conversation about famous cellists. Rostropovich for the win, muthafuckas! All too quickly we arrived at Augusta and California and had to disembark. Sigh.
Rootstock is evocative of an upscale rumpus room. We were offered a choice of nice little tables and selected a circular one towards the back - complete with secret drawer! I immediately pounced on the squashy armchair and my friend was left to contend with the wooden desk chair (apologies).
The menu may not be particularly large or comprehensive but there's something to be said about doing a little very well instead of attempting to do a lot rather poorly. We selected a mushroom "crust" (poncey!) and the lamb sausage. Oh and on the weekends you can get a wee $2 amuse bouche just to inappropriately fondle your taste buds a bit. Mmmmmhmmm. Yeah, right there... just like that.
AHEM. Gross.
Not knowing shit about fuck in the world of grapes, we looked to our server to advise us when it came to selecting a bottle. She was happy to oblige and quickly pointed us to the Brooks Pinot Noir from Oregon. Sooo quaffable. I had to remember my manners to keep from chugging this stuff directly out of the bottle. This was a classy evening, remember?
The food arrived with a surprise appearance of the pork shoulder instead of the lamb sausage. Oh no, had we said the wrong thing? I can't remember! Shit! No worries, our server let us have the shoulder on the house (EXTRA TIP FOR YOU, MY DEAR) and the sausage arrived soon after. Good christ, everything was so delicious. So yummy in fact I'm annoyed with the mac 'n cheese I have to contend with for tonight's dinner. Why can't I have the patience and wherewithal to make reductions and marinade things!?
So please go here. They know how to play their hand. The only thing that would have made my evening any better would have been if the damn Clipper was open so I could have had a grasshopper or if cabs actually drove through the 'Boldt. I had to drag my stuffed ass down to Western. Tsk.
Rootstock, I like you. Alot. You were exactly what this girl needed the other night after a horrible day at work. I love that you are a bit of an oasis in an neighborhood that needs such a place.
It was too cold to sit outside the night we were there so my friend and I sat at the bar. The place is cute and cozy- mismatched furniture, little tables and chairs that lend a feeling of simple intimacy without being over the top.
The bartender, Jamie, was great offering up suggestions on wines I might like. And while I'm not usually a big Zinfandel drinker- on this cool night- that big red was just what I wanted. My friend started with one of their craft beers and later switched to what I was drinking. And while he's a bit hard to please- he actually ended up liking the place as well.
We ordered some food that was absolutely delicious. They have a charcuterie and cheese combo plate that allows you to combine 3 meats with three of their gourmet cheeses. If I were you- I'd let Jamie order the cheese as his choices were better than the one I chose but they all were good. This comes with warm bread and is a perfect accompaniment to the wine. We also ordered the mussels steamed in beer- fab as well and don't feel bad about asking for a little more bread to sop up all of that delicious liquid.
Our bill for dinner and all the wine we drank was about $100 which was certainly reasonable given the quality of the food and the wine.
Parking is plentiful around the place and free- and if you park on Augusta you will even have the police "watching" your car on those "blue light" cameras that dot the street (always a good place to park if you ask me!) Cabs are a bit scare so have the bartender call one for you and it will be there in about 10 minutes.
Rootstock is perfect to meet up with friends, meet a new date or even just to go alone and relax as you taste a new kind of wine. It's just that comfortable of a place to go. And for that alone, I will be back. Now Jamie- can you suggest another cheese for me to try, please?
For starters they can bring you a glass of vinegar. That's about where the skills stop. There is very little in terms of hello or other niceties. Sorry to bother by coming in. Figuring out that a burger and a salad ordered together are both entrees and should be served at the same time is beyond their skill too. So what happened was me watching my GF eat, then she got to watch me eat. Food is good, hence one star. Nothing else is even tolerable.
Stopped by for the first time. Had the pork shoulder. It was spectacular: perfectly prepared pork with a plum and carrot puree and balsamic (or red wine) reduction, garnished with leaves of red lettuce and garlic chips -- flash-fried chips of garlic. Heavenly. I asked Steven (the owner?) to recommend a glass of wine, but I don't remember what it was, though it complemented the dish well. I will be going back soon, and will probably order the exact same thing. (Though the mussels looked good too! Hmmm...)
2 words...BACON TOFFEE.
Are you kidding me? As my friend said, "this must be what heaven tastes like". Perfectly chewy, sweet, salty...all things delicious and nearly orgasmic.
Great cheese and salumi plates...the pate with pink peppercorms is amazing. Also tried the prosciutto crust with melon...absolutely perfect. Great, reasonable wine selection, friendly, attentive staff.
Neighborhood is not as sketchy as people say...pussies.
Rootstock's a food snob haven in the middle of a neighborhood that make where I live look like the North Shore. Yeah it was a little gnarly over there, complete with the blue box camera. Yep, I'm totally getting snarky comments because I said that. Oh well, it is what it is.
So on to more important things - the food and drink. The beer and wine list was outstanding, as was expected because it was owned by the people who own Webster's Wine Bar in Lincoln Park. Totally brought back memories of that dude who took me out for $500 bottles of Bordeaux last summer. Needless to say, I'm cheap and reasonable and most certainly didn't order anything nearly that expensive. The list was cheaper overall, and smaller, than Webster's - but by no means small or cheap. Just in comparison to Webster's it was.
If you want a limited production Rye Ale from Brooklyn Brewery, get over there NOW bc they have it on tap. It was good to try, but not my cup of tea. If you like malty beers thought that "taste like fall", run, don't walk, over. Our server recommended it. She may have been one of the owners. It seemed like everyone who worked there wasn't really working there, but actually had a stake in the place. For example, our server seemed super super knowledgeable to the point where she may have had a say or 2 to what was on the menu. The executive chef brought out the food (super cool).
Thing is, I wasn't terribly ecstatic about the food. I liked that they carefully selected EVERYTHING so the menu was small but well thought out. However, I just wasn't a fan of the onion rings (WAAAAY too greasy, to the point that they were dripping oil all over my clothes and kinda made me feel nauseous eating 'em) and the burger, despite being cooked perfectly, was so overloaded with "bacon-scallion aioli" (which didn't really taste like anything but creamy) that I couldn't taste anything but the aioli. A real shame. I knew I should've told em no aioli but I didn't want to disrespect ''em.
Next time I'll stick with just drinking. Unless they start having desserts (my other disappointment - I wanted dessert and they didn't have any).
A place where you would take a date
so that you could look at other couples.
Everything was very good. Everything included,
Amuse of sweet potato fritter wrapped in prosciutto. -good, the fritter is very...fritter -slightly sweet fried dough.
Boiled egg stuffed with salmon moose with vin cotto sauce. -Good, I felt that the moose was a little too subtle. That the fish wasn't rich enough, etc. The homemade vin cotto was great...of course I wanted a gallon more.
Lamb sausage with rainbow chard. -Good, the Chard was amazing.
Fried smelt. -Good. I needed a little salt.
Crust with prosciutto and arugula. -Good. May have been my favorite, but it's not a crust. It's more of a warm/grilled flatbread like a pita. The prosciutto with the bitter of the arugula, creaminess of a cheese underneath and the crunch of crushed pistachios really came together.
Cheese selection. -Loved the cheeses, but the serving was small.
I thought everything needed a little more 'ummphhff' (it's a technical term)
The atmosphere was romantic, but typical, winebar. -with low soft lighting, wood, and accompanying earthy colors. They play up the rustic-at-home feel. As odd (and ultimately to your experience, meaningless) as this sounds one of the stand out things in the decor was the flatware. Colorful, mix and match, antique-esc all-american style china.
The wine list is divided red and white, country to country, which doesn't make it the most drunken consumer friendly. We had three bottles of wine; the one that really stood out was the Italian Bonarda. Exotic, sour, lush.
This is definitely in the Websters, Bluebird camp.
The service was kind and attentive. In a packed place, they were constantly checking to make sure we were okay.
I'll be there drinking again. :)
Probably the best and most interesting cheese plate I've had in the city. And wild mushroom crust with a light white cheese sauce that I still think about. Great job by the staff as well.
The eclectic furniture concept could use a little work. It looks good but chairs at different levels at the same table can be a little awkward. I'd also like to go back next spring for some outdoor seating.
Oh, Rootstock, I heart thee.
My recent (2nd) visit was even more fabulous than the previous: scrumptious salads, crusts, pork shoulder (my fav!!) and a fried variety (fries, onion rings, and smelt) shared amongst friends and bottles of Cava and excellent beers being poured generously by the super friendly and attentive staff throughout the night. We must've been there for 2+ hours on a busy Saturday night --- without an ounce of feeling rushed by the staff.
Can't wait for the 3rd!
Excellent food, wine/beer list, and ambiance. The banh mi pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth good… Read more »
Utterly fantastic.
I've been about a half dozen times now and the knowledgeable staff alone is enough to keep you coming back if you're a fan of wine and beer.
The caviar on fingerling potatoes are pretty solid if not a bit overly salty, which i suppose is expected. The fried smelt was not my thing (just can't get around the bones, no matter how tiny they may be) but all of their flatbreads are sensational.
Next up, those mussels everyone is on about.
This place is pretty much the real deal replete w. great wine selection, tasty small plates and,… Read more »
this place is a gem. very different from anywhere i've been before. cozy atmosphere, VERY attentive friendly service, fabulous selection of booze. matilda on draft. do i need to continue?
yes.
because they redefine the graze. we ordered
-stuffed eggs w/ tuna mousse, balsamic onion & vin cotta
-fried smelt, crispy lemon, chimichurri & aioli
-warm cider braised barley, glazed beets, toasted pumpkin seeds, scallion & creamed blue cheese
-braised fennel & buttered leeks, oven dried grape tomato, pesto cheddar & citronette mezclun green
and if that was not enough, we continued with the seriously impressive charcuterie & cheese plate combo that had GENEROUS portions of meats, delicious made-in-house liver pate with pink peppercorns (!!!) dotted with really awesome hot pickled carrots (spicy delish), radishes, pink lady apple jelly & tart current jelly that went SO well with the cheese.
we finished with the bacon toffee, a dessert wine & a grappa.
all this for about $100.
a very good birthday dinner!
i had 2 glasses of the staff fave sparkling rose Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina.
wow.
my partner had rader blonde ale from belgium. it had juniper berries in it. it's his new favorite beer.
be afraid. be very afraid. rootstock is FAB!
A rootstock is a plant, and sometimes just the stump, which already has an established, healthy root system, used for grafting a cutting or budding from another plant.
I just straight up copied that from Wikipedia.
Rootstock. Wow. Where do I begin?
I would like to continue to borrow other people's words by quoting my dining companion after he took his first bite of their burger "this place has some seriously grown up flavors!"
And he's right.
The menu is small. Bar plates (spiced nuts, frites, assorted cheeses and cured meats), crusts (pizza? flatbread? i didn't ask.) A smattering of entree's (mussels, burgers, lamb sausage-- i am guessing this changes seasonally).
Everything we ordered was fantastic, and well thought out.
To start I ordered the German speck and a buttery goat cheese (that the waiter recommended). This came with a few thick slices of baguette and some incredible peach vanilla compote, a balsamic berry jam, and spicy mustard. Fantastic, especially the peach vanilla compote.
Because we did not find this place, but went upon recommendation-- we both ordered the appropriately hyped burger. which comes with a bacon chive aioli, a fancy cheddar, and greens-- on a perfectly toasted bun.
Neither of us had a drink (although the beer/wine list was impressive. Many many pages!) so the bill was about $30 and change.
Four stars because there was no dessert on my menu. Booface.
Will definitely return. In conclusion, it was really hard to write this without making root puns.
i was craving them belgium mussels and per the fantastic review from the yelp community, i found this place and was very excited to get the little sea creatures in my mouth. i kept thinking about them all day.. like an annoying song stuck in my head.
boy. i was very disappointed. the mussels were so tiny and the sauce wasn't that great. perhaps it's not mussel season? maybe fellow yelpers hyped it up too much?? maybe seafood here isn't as good as it is in california? who knows.
the other stuff were decent. onion rings were yum! very thin with crispy batter and a dipping sauce, lamb sausage paired with swiss chard were delightful explosions in my mouth, and the braised fennel & buttered leek crust was a-ok. nothing too spectacular.
i would come back here again but not eat the mussels.. unless someone else ordered them. maybe. there's tons of other places in chicago to try.
the ambiance is very dark, which i like. the paintings of a nude on the walls were eh.... art is so subjective...
Have been dying to try this place.....it met and exceeded all of my expectations! Extra Yummy....Extra Yay!!
Food:
Fried Smelt w/ Crispy Lemon & Chimichurri & Aioli Dipping Sauce: Fantastic.....like the best fish sans chips you've ever had! The smelt was lightly battered and perfectly cooked.....nice crispy texture without any greasy heaviness.....lemons were also crispy and yum! I liked the chimichurri & aioli sauce....and it certainly added to the dish.....but it kept separating in the ramekin....so that made it hard to dip the smelt and get both flavors....I resorted to using a spoon to drizzle. Generous portion size and great for a group to share.
Salad w/Zucchini Ribbons, Arugula, Heirloom Tomatoes, Red Onion, Kalamata Olives, Grilled Tuscan Bread & Goat Cheese: Loved this! Fresh & light but hearty....could be an entree. Good flavor combinations.....the goat cheese was sublime.....the grilled tuscan bread was delicious......I felt healthy and decadent all at the same time!
Crust w/ Bourbon Glazed Mushrooms, Vivace Cheese & Purple Market Beans: Like a piled high flat bread.....it came in about 6 pieces.....and they were not stingy with the toppings. The glazed mushrooms were their own thick layer.....and wow.....that flavor combined with the Vivace cheese was phenomenal! The beans were a nice touch.....they added a bit of crunch and brightness....but I would have been content without them. Loved that it was filling without being heavy.
Service:
Service was stellar......super friendly & knowledgeable.....everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there.....which made me happy to be there. No rushing....no hard selling.....relaxed but attentive.....5 star service!!
Ambiance:
Small room..... felt cozy & warm.....mix and match chairs.....dark and woody. I absolutely fell in love with the paintings they have up.....gorgeous pieces and certainly gave the room a kind of dark but sexy vibe.
Overall:
I have found my new home.....if only it was closer to mine : ( If I lived in the hood....I would seriously be here at least 3 times a week....delicious food....and I stress the delicious.....at a reasonable price....great beer and wine selection.....cozy cool space.....and fantastic service.....what more could you want??
Decided to try this place after all the great reviews, and it did not disappoint. Our group ordered practically everything on the menu, and the only thing we weren't that fond of was the fried smelt. When the waitress came to clear the table, she noticed the smelt had barely been touched and asked us very politely if we didn't like it. We all blushed with guilt, but it was pretty obvious since we practically licked the plates of everything else. We admitted it wasn't our fave, but complimented the other dishes. When the bill came, she had taken off the smelt! Love that kind of customer service.
P.S. REALLY good burger here.
What a great addition to humboldt !! This neighborhood is really coming around !!! I just moved back to Chicago after a 3 year stay in Norway and could not belive this great little place was here. Love it!! I got SWEET - CHEAP apt. near Kedzie and Division and I just walk across the beautiful park to my new favorite hangout. LOTS of changes to this neighborhood and its great to have creative people open places where you are not bombarded with d-bag Lincoln park types. I give this place big time kudos and Dont let anyone say that Humboldt is scary , they either have not been here in a while or are just parrotting opinions from years ago. LOVE IT!!!
A-ok. Yup, that pretty much describes this place.
I was there on a WEDNESDAY night around 8:30 and every table was taken. That means either: (1) this place really is the sh*t and I just didn't see it, or --more likely, I think-- (2) this cozy little wine bar is a welcome addition to California, for those nearby who are sick of the Clipper and don't wanna shell out moolah at the Continental when it's too early to drunkenly make out with someone. In other words: a second drinking-establisment oasis in humboldt.
My friend and I tried about 4 different wines between the 2 of us, and neither of us was too impressed. Tiny menu that I wish had a few more veggie options (less mushroom, I'm a crazy veggie who hates mushroom! but whatever, maybe that's my own picky little thing).
Reasonable prices for a wine bar, but then again, I thought it was just a regular wine bar. If I'd paid more, that would have been a disappointment. Anyhoo, we wandered over to the Clipper after, so yeah, check this place out--and there's always another option next door if you feel like I do at the end of your rootstock eve.
randomly found this place on yelp. i was looking for a fun but chill place to go on friday night with max and came across rootstock. it got great reviews and seemed like just what we were looking for.
so after reading a few reviews we headed over around 930 on friday.
the place is so cute. pretty small. but we were still able to be seated immediately. it was nicely busy. not too packed, but definitely had a happenin vibe.
it's the kind of place you could go totally casual or dress for the night. there was a wide variety in the crowd.
now on to the important part. the food and drink.
for appetizers, we had the stuffed eggs with tuna mousse. these were great. perfect consistency and a lot of flavor.
we also had the frites with garlic aioli. these were good, but nothing too special. i would probably skip them the next time.
for our meals, max and i shared the mussels and the pork shoulder.
both were great. the mussels were some of the best mussels i've had. the flavor was amazing and they were cooked in matilda. which made me very happy. would definitely recommend.
the pork shoulder was also great. we finished it all.
overall, a great place to go, no matter what the occasion. i'll be back soon for sure.
The service was really good. We came in and there was nobody else there, so the bartender was very attentive (I believe she is also one of the co-owners). The food was perfect for our appetite, snacky, it's definitely more of a bar than a restaurant.
We had an interesting bottle of rose. Very delicious, but have not been able to find it anywhere in a store :/
I'm not sure if I would come back, the food was pretty good. Similar to portions you would find at the Violet Hour. But certainly not the purpose of coming here, more to compliment whatever you are drinking.
The service was kind of crappy when we went, but I think it was that there was not enough staff on that day. I'm going to give it another chance on day, but I'm in no hurry to go back.
Finally got my butt over to the highly Yelp-acclaimed Rootstock and so very glad I did!! Joined by a lovely (and mighty sexy) crew of fellow wine and small bite enthusiasts, we readily snapped up the task of being dutifully self-assigned the opportunity to work that wine list like a runway while methodically annihilating the food selections. Tough job? Somebodies gotta do it.
I utterly adore the menu descriptions of Rootstock's wines... written by a true vino buff after my own heart you find you're drawn to selections you'd never thought of trying based on alluring words like 'sassy, spicy, layered, dark, elevating, and elegant....' whether we're talking hot women or complex wine I'll take the sexy summer red and call it a day. Actually, make that two!! Loved the fiery, Italian Foradori Teroldego Rotaliano almost as much as my newly discovered paramour, the bright and citrusy Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina. Like the most refreshing, crisp summer breeze, it has just a touch of bubbly sparkle that will make your tongue dance with glee.
Food was slightly hit or miss unfortunately for this starving squad. While we went gaga crazy for the salad of chilled asparagus, friseé w/ house orange zest ricotta, poached farm egg and radish greens the "banh mi" pork belly served on dry, undressed bread was entirely uninspired and ::yawns::, boring.
Charcuterie + Cheese was tasty, but left me slightly miffed when a food runner performed the dreaded 'dump and run' leaving a platter with a selection of 3 meats, 3 cheeses and assorted accompaniments to sit without any explanation of what was what. We picked our way through guessing on each item (with an astounding record of 4 for 6, baby!), and sure, it was slightly amusing but you know what we found? There is positively ZERO distinction between the prosciutto and the spec - even our server had no clue once asked. So there's your RS tip 'o the day... do one pork meat, not both, perhaps even add in an extra cheese selection instead? May I suggest the smooth and amazingly creamy, bloomy rind Kunik? It tastes so magical I literally had a spiritual experience in my chair. Praise Jeebus!
Ambiance was charming, almost homey... especially enjoyed the lower, muted lighting as the evening went on. Romancey! I'll surely be back for another schooling in wines that elevate and cheeses that exorcise. Put good wine, great company and maybe even a famed Rootstock Crust (like the fig/proscuitto/lavender combo) on your next 'to do' list, I highly recommend it.
Rootstock is a great addition to Humboldt Park for a night of adventurous wines, locally farmed appetizers, and good conversation. And what a wine list! It almost takes a sommelier-in-training to wade through the extensive list with descriptions worthy of the O. Henry Prize for Short Story of the year! Floral, varietal, terroir, tannins, hints of white pepper...Where does one start?!
The Foradori Teroldego Rotaliano was an interesting red from Italy, with a commitment by the maker to bring the land back to its original varietal. It was light and fruity enough for summer, which our server approved of, and also recommended for colder weather. (Like this past June, perhaps?)
The food menu was almost as ambitious, and certainly deserves a return visit to try everything that glitters. Yet everything that glitters is not gold, as our "Banh Mi" pork belly seemed uninspired. Opting for the three Charcuterie/ three Cheese special, our cheeses were simply amazing! Although we had to do some detective work to decipher which cheese/meat was which, due to the server disappearing without a simple "this is the Brewleggio with cherries". Our main server took up the task, and also noticed a mistake and quickly rectified it. Service for the night was attentive but not overbearing, and quick to respond to issues we didn't even think needed responding to. The owners are taking great pride in their product and their commitment shows.
With only four charcuterie, it was hard to choose three without seeming redundant. The German Speck tasted no different than the Prosciutto. Not a big fan of the waxy Copa, I think I'll steer clear of the charcuterie altogether on future visits.
What I will revisit is the incredible chilled asparagus friseé w/ house orange zest ricotta, and poached egg! Also On Deck for next time is one of their seductive crusts, such as the La Quercia Proscuitto, figs in lavender honey, arugula & minted house ricotta. And since the right company can bring out the adventurer in me, I might even try the Mussels!
The decor at Rootstock is rustic wood tables and chairs with lots of character. I almost fell off my little "knitting chair" and felt better moving to a high backed chair. The larger tables are for groups of six, or communal dining.
Rootstock is a great place to bring a date with champagne tastes, and also down to earth as well. Perfect for small groups or getting to know someone, and it's lively but not loud. The longer we stayed, the lower the lights got...Perfect for switching it up to a crisp wine or a refreshing beer like Lagunitas IPA!
I'm happy to call Humboldt Park my new neighborhood, and excited to have Rootstock nearby to make it feel like home.
An interesting location--I felt as though I was infringing on the neighborhood a little, sipping my moderately expensive wine while regular neighborhood residents passed by with raised eyebrows. All the same, the corner of Augusta and California is scenic and city and very pleasant.
My companion and I sat outside. I enjoyed one of the crisper, cleaner and more mineraly roses I've ever had. Then I had the cannelini bean "crust," which paired nicely since it had those sort of southern french/northern italian ingredients.
Later I had that white Basque wine others have talked about, which was truly unusual. I would recommend starting your evening out with this wine, because it's so ridiculously light and delicious that you might wash it down without noticing. Trust me, you want to notice it.
Here's my one question: what am I paying for with this wine? The wine list is undeniably good, but I noted that the stemware was by Stolzle, which is effin expensive. I would be happy to sip a few more ounces (the glasses are 5 oz pours) out of slightly less elegant stemware. I know this place isn't looking to be a "good bang for your buck," and nor should it be... Just sayin.
Great place to chat and sip on a week night. Service was friendly if a little too relaxed. All in all, the California bus dumps me right in front of this place, and I will probably be back.
We stopped in last night to visit with friends and have a glass of wine. I love what they've done with the space here - it's warm and inviting.
The wine menu was lovely, although I will admit that I was hoping for more choices in the by-the-glass category. (The wedding diet does not allow me to down bottles at breakneck speed anymore.) Service was fast and friendly, and they didn't complain too much that we were congregating near an already-full table. ;)
I didn't get a chance to try the food, but I definitely will on a future visit. A glass of wine and a cheese plate 4 blocks from my house? Heaven, I tell you.
Really great selection of beers & wines. Not huge, but all really good choices. Somebody's got some decent taste buds here.
Staff is pretty 'hipster', so be prepared for a dash of attitude as well as a level of service that doesn't meet up to the quality of the food.
The food is worth worth coming here, but I wouldn't make this a first date or "big group night out". When it's busy it's loud, and it doesn't take that many people to get busy. Big groups (5+) are probably gonna have to wait a while here.
My advice? Try it on a weeknight when it's a little more low key with your sig. other, then decide whether or not you want to come back or invite others along...
I like this place alot. First of all, where in Humboldt Park are you going to find a place that strikes the perfect balance between class and comfort. The interior has very soft lighting that accentuates it's rustic antique decor; but it certainly feels modern at the same time.
The menu is full of very simple, affordable, and hearty foods; that perfectly complement the vibe of the place. The bar isn't terribly big; but that wasn't what they were going for. But on weekends expect the tables to fill up very quickly.
The beer selection there is quite good with some choice selections from Two Floyds, Great Lakes, and Goose Island along with many other breweries from the Midwest and more. The wine selection is very comprehensive with many obscure wines that you wouldn't typically find on a wine list someplace else. Plus you'll be paying less since they don't have to sacrifice an arm and a leg for the rent.
Ambiance: Cozy, comfortable, and classy
Food: Local, affordable, rustic
Drinks: Great selection of both beer and wine...Win-Win
If you're in the area, you have to check it out.
What a great place on the California corridor...finally a small bar to enjoy and bonus and outdoor space... The staff were friendly and helpful... the wine selections were very nice ... and the foods were delicious... I want to come back... everyday....
We had some great wines and can never ever remember what i drink ..but tasty...
Food yumm i think we tried so much cheese and meats... crusts with mushrooms ...oh so good and the mussels... oh my oh so good ...
the only draw back is there was never enough bread in any of the servings... and water just small glass to cleanse the palate...
i really like this place and only wish them the best of luck...
*Sigh*
Really, don't believe anything I write here.
Don't believe how great, relaxed the atmosphere is here and how much fun I had here with five others, (Dave, Erin P, Aurore L, Rueben H, Laurel P), just don't.
Forget the really nice wine list, the fun beer, the great list of food we sampled.... a lot. I mean when you have a server who gave us samples just for us to try just for the hell of it, because he liked it, this rose, this beer. Then as we oooooooh'ed and ahhhhhhh'ed over this cheese, this copa, these mussels, (so perfectly cooked), this flatbread with prosciutto, lavender honey, arugula, that made my eyes want to roll in the back of my head. Or the grilled haloumi cheese and watermelon that did make one member of our table pretty much make her eyes roll in the back of her head out of pure sensational ecstasy. Just stop reading this review.
See these mismatched china plates, how quirky? Those chairs? Don't go together at all... yet it all fits together so well? Yeah, those thoughts... just throw them out the window.
I don't want to share this secret place. I am trying to keep the noise down. This place? Is for my friends and me. Okay. For that girl over there too. But no more! Not one.
Okay.... her friend too.
This little place, where cabs seem never to go, where a throttle of a really loud muffler and engine combine for "Mr. Cool" over there to send his greetings to us outside dwellers. You barely even notice. You are too entranced by this Spanish white that was poured for you about two and a half feet away from the glass so it can aerate and the flavors can develop. Those subtle magical flavors.
Amazement dwells in this place.
Seriously.. you might fall in love with this place on first sip. So best be warned, just don't start. Don't even venture over. Drive on by. Be blissfully ignorant.
Anyone believe me? Dang!
Okay... okay... seriously. This place rocks. Getting a cab here sucks, but other wise if you like a good glass of wine or a good beer that isn't Miller Lite, then you might want to stop by...
Can you seriously say to a stranger in the street that you love him, and not be part of a cheesy deodorant commercial?!?!
Yes.
As evidenced tonight - if the stranger's name is Daniel, if he has been an amazing waiter and impeccable beverage guide during the previous two and half hours and if the street in question is limited to the patio of Rootstock.
He might even respond that he loves you too.
(in that case you may blush)
Seriously - that night was just perfect for our extended date (of six). Lots of great wine (white, rose and red - you go all the way or you don't. I especially recommend the Txakolina from Spain - amazingly refreshing and spectacularly poured - Basque style - by the aforementioned Daniel), one of the most amazing brews I have had (Cuvee de Cordoz from Brooklyn Brewery....on tap NOW - don't miss it) and a wonderful selection of food: cheese, jams, cured hams, mussels, lamb sausage, prosciutto/figs in lavender honey crust, skewers of watermelon and grilled halloumi cheese....
Hallelujah!!!
Perfect night with perfect friends at a perfect place. We drank, ate, laughed and talked in Latin. You know you are jealous.
But just go there, sit down, grab Daniel from behind the stove (he usually works in the kitchen poor sweetie) and you will have your own little slice of heaven.
On California. Almost as cool as 'in'.
And oh - Daniel....we LOVE you!!
I almost shouldn't write a review as I came here on antibiotics and couldn't drink. That said, I had a lovely time hanging out with Naomi L. from Tipsy Cake down the street. The space is gorgeous! I love it. I cannot wait to head back for a few drinks... and I plan to do so, very soon!
I have a new lover. His name is Rootstock.
Where else in Humboldt Park can you get affordable, delicious wines from all over the world served up by cute owners/bartenders in a sexy, dark, cozy little venue? Um, my guess is nowhere else. Rootstock delivers what this neighborhood needs: Delicious wine and food in a classy, comfortable environment.
First and foremost, Rootstock is a bar, so of course the booze delivers. I sampled a white from France and a Spanish rose that were equally crisp, cool and refreshing. No creepy, buttery Chardonnays for me! I was happy to see some interesting bubbles on the list and when winter comes, I'll be lined up to dive into the extensive list of red wine. I've never been so excited for cold weather!
And the food? Ahhh-mazing. The frites with garlic aoli were perfect, although I sincerely doubt I'd want to smooch anyone after eating them. The cheddar plate, while small, was delish. Served with baguette, port soaked cherries and honeyed walnuts, it was gorgeous! And my personal favorite was the crust with cannellini beans, oven dried grape tomatoes, oil poached tuna, spring greens & orange-balsamic reduction. I'm still fantasizing about it, it was that good.
Going on a date? Take your guy or gal to Rootstock. The place oozes the feeling of going somewhere nice without trying too hard. You can cozy up to the bar or tuck away in one of the dark wood tables. Since Rootstock is small and intimate, you can actually carry on a conversation with your special someone. And great wine always helps the cause, eh?
Here's the best part: Everything seemed really affordable! Wines ran about $8 per glass and the nibbles were well under $10 each. Wallet-friendly AND upscale? Yes, please!
Ok, close your eyes.
Now, imagine someone told you about this new place that opened up called "Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar". You would not expect a place that touts itself as a "Wine & Beer Bar" to have awesome food, right? Au contraire!
My fiancée and I stopped in at Rootstock this past Sunday at around 10 PM for a late dinner (+1 for having a kitchen that closes at 1 AM 7 days a week!). We were both pretty hungry and decided to sample a variety of their small plates (called "Bar Plates") and larger plates (called "More Plates" ... or maybe it just falls under the "More Plates" category ... whatever ... you know what I'm getting at). My $0.02 on what we ordered:
* Frites ($5) - Fries were crispy and the aioli was tasty. Would've expected more food for $5 but it was still reasonable.
* Fried smelt ($5) - The smelt was fried perfectly and the chimichurri mixed with the aioli made for a terrific combo. Delicious if you're a fan of smelt, which I totally am.
* Belgian style mussels ($10) - The mussels were fresh and the portions were plentiful. The broth was creamy; I just wish they gave us more bread to sop it all up. Absolutely wonderful.
* "Banh Mi" pork belly with house pate ($8) - The pork belly was phenomenal, on par with what the pork belly I had at Blackbird (yes, it was THAT good). Juicy, fatty, full of flavor - just like how pork belly should taste. The pickled vegetables that came with it complimented the pork belly well.
Drinks-wise, Rootstock has a pretty extensive wine list with roughly 20 choices by the glass. On the beer side, they have a lot of hard-to-find bottled beers from around the world that sound pretty damn good but only two beers on tap (Goose Island Matilda and a pale ale from Brooklyn Brewery). Prices for the wines and beers are on the higher end but on par with what you'd expect considering the selection.
Service is friendly and the atmosphere is definitely on the chill, unpretentious side (I love the non-matching chairs and tables). The place is not very big so I can see this place getting pretty crowded on a Friday or Saturday night. One more thing: I love is that the place is in Humboldt Park, which will hopefully keep the place from getting too crowded due to certain folks not daring to venture to any place west of Damen. Oh well -- their loss is your gain!
I only give four stars instead of five at this point because I can't comment on the food, yet. However, the interior is warm and inviting. The ambiance is excellent. The noise doesn't get overbearing. The neighborhood needs it. The beer and wine list is comprehensive. The prices are reasonable. The staff is attentive and pleasant. The owners seem to always be there. All good things...
Oh, and I left my sunglasses there. I called in about a week later. They still had them. I know I'm partial but these are friggin cool sunglasses. Honesty in business = good.
Thanks, Tanya!
I would give 4.5 stars if I could... I'm only subtracting b/c the by-the-glass wine list is limited. And as much as I enjoy sharing a bottle with the gang, if I'm part of party of 2, I'd much rather sample a few different glasses....
But otherwise I'm a fan of this off-the-beaten-path little gem in Humboldt Park. Cozy communal tables, eclectic art on the walls, and friendly people. A simple menu with interesting tastes great for a late dinner. Good job Rootstock! A perfect addition to the area!
Rootstock is just like all of my ex-boyfriends. I love it and then it hurts me (in this case, just the morning after).
I went out to Rootstock for a simple dinner with my companion on a work night, thinking a glass of wine would be the perfect way to mellow out after a long day in the office. The next day, sitting at my desk: I'm mega hungover and in pain but good lord was it worth it.
First, the food. We tried the cheese selection, the mussels, and the deconstructed pork belly sandwich. It was a lot of food. I'd say the cheese selection was the highlight, with the honeyed walnuts, sour cherries, incredible jams and other delights that I don't remember (though the haze of red wine). The cheeses were all excellent and complimented each other well. I can't remember the name of the one I loved so much, but I'll definitely be back to try more. The mussels were solid, if nothing out of this world. They almost suffer from being too ordinary in such a lovely setting and next to such incredible food. But, they were well worth the price and an excellent addition to our meal. The deconstructed PBLT was very interesting and very tasty - I'll just say so try it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I loved it.
The wine we were recommended was superb as well. We had a Rioja who's name I certainly can't remember and a recommended champagne. Both were excellent but I felt the red was better. But that's like comparing orange juice to sparking water, so it's not really relevant.
The decor was adorable and the service impeccable. Its very much like being in someone's home. I'd say its definitely worth the trip to such an out of the way locale.
First of all Folks "This place Rocks!!!!" Horrraaaaay for Rootstock....Being a local business owner (Adams & Son Gardens) i love to see new business opening up in the area....
Tanyia had shopped at my store and suggest we came and tried them out and i'm glad we did...My girlfriend and I came here this past week for the first time & had such a great experience...
The set up is very welcoming...the service is superb and the modern art is a great conversation piece....i liked the dimmed lights scene and the seating which included uneven tables...a couple sofa-like seats and a full bar....very cool inside...
We had a bottle of Red Wine from Spain...i forget the name....but it was tasty not dry and not too sweet....As an appetizer we ordered a flat bread with (i cant recall exactly) Figs included....delicious...and for dinner we each had organic burgers with Bacon...mmmmmm simply delicious!
This place rocks....if ur in the area stop in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This could be one of my new favourite bars. laid back atmosphere and great food. My friend said the Rootstock burger is one of the best he has had. Nice wine and beer selection, and i love that they let you purchase half-glasses so you can try a variety of different items.
Websters and the bluebird were always my go-tos, but rootstock might be the next one.
One thing thats keeping this from a five-star review at the moment: the service We went on Friday the 3rd of July and it wasn't very busy (people had a lot of other things to do that night). Our server was sooooo unenthusiastic about us being there, i felt like we were intruding. We werent greeted at our table for about the first 5-10 minutes.. finally he comes over and.. i dunno. we felt kind of like we were burdening him. maybe it was because he had to work on the beautiful fireworks night but He said it was his first day. he didnt smile once. not once! And it was his first day!!
there were four of us and we spent about $220 (it was worth it). I kind of wish they had a bigger by the glass list (we went thru all the reds and were still hungry for more). I will definitly be back to try the rest of the list and other bites (or mostly just to see if the server smiles next time).
Best thing to happen to Humboldt Park lately!!
Beer and wine list are phenomenal. Great small plate items with lots of local ingredients. The owners put their heart and souls into this place, and it shows. If you are looking for a rowdy night out, keep on walking. But if you are looking for an intimate evening out with friends, this is the place to go!
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