Joel S.'s Profile

Amazing beer list... I daresay it competes with any beer list in the Chicago area, and I don't say that lightly. The German food is also authentic and delicious. It's a can't miss in my book.

Wow, I was very unimpressed with this J.C. Licht. An older, slim grey haired gentleman just glowered at my family and I the entire time we were in there last week. When we asked if he had a specific product (and colors), he gruffly said "yeah, we have it over there" and pointed to a corner... where what we were looking for was out of stock and not in fact there... umm, thanks?  

He also gave a legitimately mean look to my daughter when we were leaving. I guess some people are just grumpy and hate kids, but guess what? People with families buy houses. Houses need to be painted. I'm sure you don't care about the thousand dollars or whatever that I will not spend at your store, but if you don't like customer service or people then don't take a customer service job.

I'd advise going elsewhere for your paint.

Stephanie made a great arrangement with the flowers and colors I requested on short notice.  She also was very friendly and helpful.  I'd recommend anyone in the area who's looking for a florist to use her shop.

This is probably actually a 3.5 star review.  

The apps really outshined the entrees at Pacific Time.  There was a very very short (maybe 6 selections) main course menu, but the small plates made up for the small selection.  The wine our table ordered was great.  

The popcorn shrimp appetizer was delicious... in fact, all of the apps shined.  We also had a play on "fish and chips" and a tuna tartare.  Excellent and fresh, all around.  

Our service was good, but the timing of the kitchen was poor... everything took quote a while to come out, and when it did my grouper was just barely warm.  We could see the dishes being plated, as the kitchen was viewable from the dining area.  Some items just sat.  And sat, and sat.  This didn't make much sense, as we were there on a pretty slow evening.  

The desserts were ok, nothing spectacular.  Overall a good time, but I'd prefer elsewhere if I were looking for a really standout meal.

The food here was excellent.

Guacamole - super fresh and tasty.  They brought more (also fresh) chips for us without our even asking.  

We had a couple of other small plates, whose names unfortunately escape me - also great.

I tried the braised short rib and it was prepared perfectly and was really fresh.  

My only complains are that there was a super fat guy who appeared to be friends with some of the staff hovering about 6 to 12 inches from our table about half of the meal.  I am not a big complainer and it didn't seem like there was anywhere else for him to go, so I didn't complain.  But it really sucked, and almost ruined the meal.  The space is just too small, I guess.  Good luck if you plan on going here in the winter!  I don't know what you would do, or where you'd wait.  

Another small issue... we ordered a lot of food, and were in and out of there in about 30 minutes!  I was hoping there would be a little more time between courses to relax, but there wasn't.

Food was great though!  I'll be back if I'm looking for a really quick meal at an off time where I know there won't be a wait.

Honestly I came into this place not knowing whether I'd like it or not, but everything here really blew me away. with just a couple of small exceptions.  

The space is really nice - feels relaxed and cool.  They played music that could have been from my own playlists... this is always a plus.  

The idea of the popcorn at the beginning was cutesy, but it was very tasty.

The desconstructed Italian beef was tasty, but I didn't care for the bun.  Luckily, this would be the only think the whole meal that I didn't like.  My second app, a creamy (squash?  sweet potato?) soup was awesome... ginger infused marshmallow that melted for the cream?  Awesome!  Spicy jam to mix in?  Awesome!

My only small complaint, which I realize at about this point of the meal, is that they are going to elaborate on every dish in a really monotone, bored manner.  Either don't elaborate on every ingredient, or don't act like it pains you to do so.  Easy enough!

My pork belly entree was pretty good as well, but was quickly overshadowed by the best flourless chocolate cake ever.  Damn, that was a tasty meal.

Meh I should have paid attention to the "get food elsewhere and dessert here" posts.  Brunch was underwhelming.

We felt jammed in next to the register/server station... one of those tables that just shouldn't be there.  

Sandwiches took forever to come out and were just ok.  

And nittiest of nit-picks:  French presses are awesome for coffee, I get it.  And I use a french press at home, but apparently whoever designed the idea here doesn't, because coffee should be poured out of a french press when it's brewed, not left to sit... I poured one very small cup of coffee, and the rest of the coffee in the french press, that they just leave sitting on your table, was ruined.  Jeeze, I have turned into such a snob!  Oh well.

Everyone has pretty much covered most everything about this place, but I can't emphasize enough how awesome it is to get the bill here.  Having just enjoyed a super nice bottle of wine (that we brought ourselves, BYO obv) and enjoyed all the steak you can possibly eat, leaving for around $50 just makes you feel awesome.

Oh yeah, delicious food and great ambiance too.  But the bill... great for cheapskates like me.

And... they are out of business.  Wonderful, awesome 5-star pizza with horrible customer service.  Wins every time.  Sigh... they will be missed.

I ordered one $4 beer and 2 glasses of water that came in plastic cups.  

I paid with a $10.  I got $2 back and the bartender walked away.  

Using the principles of detection, I have arrived at the following conclusion:  they charged me $2/ea for cups of water that I watched them pour from pitchers that they filled from the tap.  Even though I also got a drink.

To spite the system, or because of shock and being a good tipper, I left the $2, but

WTF?