Joel "Downtown (but confusingly doesn't go downtown)" S.'s Profile

In my opinion, this box has superior programming and offerings compared to other Crossfit gyms in the area.  The programming does not neglect strength training, which underpins so much of Crossfit's (and life's) movements.  Some examples of their other offerings which set them apart: Olympic weightlifting classes, kids programs 3x a week (as of this writing, 1/10/10), open gym on Sundays and time to work on skills or make up a workout on Thursdays.  

The coaches are great and knowledgeable - the owner is CF Level II certified, which is a higher standard than what's required to just open a CF gym, and he and another coach are also certified by USAW.  

The community of members is supportive and awesome, though they are at various stages of their training from untrained and just starting all the way to world-class athletes.  

If you're serious about training or just want to make a serious improvement in your training, check it out.  If you're interested in one of the best Crossfit boxes not just in Chicago, but anywhere, this is the place.

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?

This place feels like a chain... chain, chain I know your name.  

And that name is Cooper's Hawk.  The entry has an upscale Cracker Barrel/Cheesecake Factory vibe to it, where you can shop for gifts, wine, cheesecake lollipops and whatnot.  At the table they try to sell you on their wine club, which I think is tacky.  Our waiter annoyed me in general, actually - his folksy charm didn't jive with the atmosphere at all, and I just thought he sounded dumb and uneducated about food and wine in general (which is normally fine, I'm no expert either but if you don't know what you're talking about then don't give your opinion over and over to make it obvious).  

Otherwise the food was ok, but didn't really stand out and took quite a while to come out.  There's just nothing special about this place.  Maybe if you've never had good wine or been to a winery before, then the novelty of wine tasting could be worth it.  Otherwise, skip it.

Customer service as good as the pizza... they told us we'd have to wait, we waited and said no problem, and then they kept apologizing for the wait, with a smile we said no problem again, and they gave us a small free dessert!  Cool, thanks!

As far as the pizza goes, it ranks up there with the best Chicago has to offer at its other thin-crust joints.  I won't attempt to rank it among all the great options we have here, but if I'm in the mood for pizza and hitting up something in this area, you can bet I'll be back to Coalfire.