Best Restaurants for Anniversaries in Chicago

What a pleasure it is to have an experienced, mature wait staff that knows the menu and is constantly reading the room for what guests may need and when. Several people around us were celebrating special occasions (including us) whose meals were capped by a beautiful message in chocolate on a dessert plate of chocolate brownie with a candle. Every dish we had was special (other than the Veal Milanese, which had a dijon base that I didn't love.). The room is buzzy, cozy, handsome. A special note: the restaurant is closing for two weeks which left them without a couple of dishes on the menu. Guests who couldn't order what they wanted were treated very thoughtfully by the wait staff and management. Deft handling of an awkward situation.

It was our first time dining at Hawksmoor and the food and service did not disappoint. As soon as we checked in at FOH, we were warmly greeted by the staff. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our reservation and we were asked if we could sit at the bar for the time being while they make sure guests with earlier reservations were taken care of. We were shown to the bar & ordered drinks at the bar but about 5 minutes in, our table was ready so the bartender brought our drinks to us. Rachel & her colleague (whose name escapes me) took really good care of us. They were attentive during our time there and made sure we were comfortable and had what we needed. My husband and I both ordered the Sunday roast and it was delicious. At first, my husband was thinking it wasn't going to be enough food since there were 2 slices of the roast but in the end, it was the right amount. The beef was tender and flavorful especially when we smeared roasted garlic on. The gravy was delicious so much so that Rachel ended up giving us an extra helping of the gravy. The roasted carrots were tender and sweet, the roasted potatoes had this crispy exterior and creamy interior. The Yorkshire pudding was a good size and delicious. My husband ordered the sour cherry america(no) mocktail and it looked like an old fashioned, I had a sip (or two) of his drink and it was delicious. I ordered the Five Alive cocktail and it's one of my top favorite cocktails. For dessert, I ordered the hot chocolate tart with brown butter ice cream and my husband had the peanut butter Louis. He said his dessert was splendid. It appeared hard to cut but it was not. He said it was creamy and had the perfect level of sweetness. The hot chocolate tart was the same thing, perfectly baked and the sweetness was just right. Even the ice cream that went with each dessert complimented them perfectly. We will definitely be back to Hawksmoor.

The short rib hummus and the truffled salmon were unreal. Harissa Bloody Mary was very good. The Brussels sprouts and the steak and eggs were tasty but nothing extraordinary. The restaurant is so beautiful which really add to the experience. The patio being open in the winter is great, but it could’ve used an extra heater or two in the corners. Overall I am excited to go back and try more things.

I made my reservation in December for Valantine Day. I ask for a special table. I was told they would try to accommodate me. I had no problem with that. What I am mad about is that the sat us at the smallest table in the restaurant. I did say something and did not get a response from anyone. This is not a Lettuce type management deal. I top of that a table next to us kept increasing the volume of talking louder. The other table was fine. We eat at Lettuce restaurants all the time. Management and service always concerned about their client's well-being.

We go every year for Valentine’s Day and we always have a great experience. The service, atmosphere and food are all wonderful. It’s a cozy and romantic spot for couples and also a good time for friends.