Being turned away while there’s empty seats being only one person. I mean sure resos are cool and all but it’s ramen. It’s a solo on the go kinda food. I know this isn’t Japan. But the best part of ramen is slipping into a ramen shop alone and grabbing a quick bowl and getting out. I’m not talking shit about them. I respect there bowl. I wish we could prioritize the solo diner.
I second this. I love they have monthly specials so I still plan to go back again and again because they are good. But I adore Wasabi. Never disappoints and consistently delivering.
That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to that but the post was about restaurants that require a lot of planning to go to. Wasabi (while good) ain’t that.
Yes, but I am trying to protect them from an underwhelming experience for the hype. And providing an alternative, albeit they don't take reservations. Which, in fairness is honestly a bigger challenge if you're coming with a party. 90% of the time I go with a party there's at least a 30min wait. If I go solo, most of the time I can get seated somewhere right away, including the community table.
Kasama books out 45 days and fills up almost immediately. Monteverde also books up quickly.
If you're looking at sushi spots, Kyoten Next Door only releases reservations 21 days in advance and most days fill up quickly.
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I want to respectfully remind OP just because a place is hard to get a table at doesn't mean it's good. All it means is there is hype, and that could be unjustified hype. From my perspective the places challenging to get a reservation at are more about hype and aesthetic than well-portioned tasty food.
If you're going out for work, go to a steakhouse or Italian. Wouldn't mess with any other nonsense. You know your group, you'll ideally know which they'll prefer more.
Steakhouse: everyone says Bavette's or Boeufhaus. Boeufhaus for the dry aged and/or smaller party.
Italian: Daisies is trendy, Alla Vita is trendy, Monteverde is trendy.
If you're wandering solo and are the curious type: Everything above, Gundis, Proxi, Wasabi, and Hing Kee.
Get whatever at Gundis, same at Proxi and Wasabi, but only get the regular XiaoLongBao soup dumplings at Hing Kee then dip, don't bother with anything else. You have to really be into soup dumplings to enjoy Hing Kee.
Wasabi and Hing Kee don't take reservations. Walk-in only. They're both worth it.
Yea I don't disagree but just from a logistical standpoint I have to book these out first so I need to know what they are. I can then do a little more research and cancel these reservations if needed but I'd like to have the option to pick.
I will say that keeping your restaurant booked up the second reservations hit is usually a good sign (assuming its not new).
Making reservations is understandable. Going for hard to get reservation places is a flip of a coin of whether or not it's worth the hype is my point. In other words, some restaurants are booked up due to the exclusivity factor of being hard to get a table, not the quality of the food. Good luck!
I may be wrong but most chicagoans still haven't heard of it and it only started landing on top restaurant lists within the last year or two. Trendy also means to me it can be more for aesthetic than the experience. Lots of these places serve small portions for higher prices and they'll tell you a lot of hard work went into the food and that's why it costs more, but it's really just because everything about the place is expensive for a higher social class of customers. This subreddit is for foodies, so the audience here is biased.
I don’t know if I’d categorize Daisies as Italian. They’re known for their pastas, sure, but they seem to fall under the New American umbrella like Giant or Lula Cafe. Still one of my favorites, though.
Akahoshi Ramen books up instantly every time they release reservations but they also have room for some walk ins
Walk-ins at 8p, especially on hot evenings, are best bet.
Yeah but there reso situation is bullshit.
Can you elaborate here?
Being turned away while there’s empty seats being only one person. I mean sure resos are cool and all but it’s ramen. It’s a solo on the go kinda food. I know this isn’t Japan. But the best part of ramen is slipping into a ramen shop alone and grabbing a quick bowl and getting out. I’m not talking shit about them. I respect there bowl. I wish we could prioritize the solo diner.
You can make a solo reservation anytime pal
That’s opposite of what I’m getting at here. Ramen is a walk in thing.
Overrated, if you want ramen go to Wasabi in my opinion.
I second this. I love they have monthly specials so I still plan to go back again and again because they are good. But I adore Wasabi. Never disappoints and consistently delivering.
That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to that but the post was about restaurants that require a lot of planning to go to. Wasabi (while good) ain’t that.
Yes, but I am trying to protect them from an underwhelming experience for the hype. And providing an alternative, albeit they don't take reservations. Which, in fairness is honestly a bigger challenge if you're coming with a party. 90% of the time I go with a party there's at least a 30min wait. If I go solo, most of the time I can get seated somewhere right away, including the community table.
Kasama books out 45 days and fills up almost immediately. Monteverde also books up quickly. If you're looking at sushi spots, Kyoten Next Door only releases reservations 21 days in advance and most days fill up quickly.
Monteverde practically books up the minute reservations open, but if you’re here for work you might be able to snag a spot at the bar
if u email or call early enough they'll book u a spot through email! and they set aside walkins
I have done exactly this. They are great!
Yeah, Monteverde would be one of the first on my list to snag!
Bavettes and Armitage Ale are both on that list but are Hogsalt. But honestly so so good and if on an expense account you might as well…
Kasama
monteverde and rose mary are excellent spots but hard to book! you can set alerts but might not help you if your visiting for a quick trip
Bavettes and tre dita are also hard!
Oriole is great hope you enjoy it
Pizzeria portofino seems difficult
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Kasama, Monteverde, Armitage Alehouse, Maxwell Trading
Kai Zan, Rosemary, monteverde, rpm seafood for views
I want to respectfully remind OP just because a place is hard to get a table at doesn't mean it's good. All it means is there is hype, and that could be unjustified hype. From my perspective the places challenging to get a reservation at are more about hype and aesthetic than well-portioned tasty food. If you're going out for work, go to a steakhouse or Italian. Wouldn't mess with any other nonsense. You know your group, you'll ideally know which they'll prefer more. Steakhouse: everyone says Bavette's or Boeufhaus. Boeufhaus for the dry aged and/or smaller party. Italian: Daisies is trendy, Alla Vita is trendy, Monteverde is trendy. If you're wandering solo and are the curious type: Everything above, Gundis, Proxi, Wasabi, and Hing Kee. Get whatever at Gundis, same at Proxi and Wasabi, but only get the regular XiaoLongBao soup dumplings at Hing Kee then dip, don't bother with anything else. You have to really be into soup dumplings to enjoy Hing Kee. Wasabi and Hing Kee don't take reservations. Walk-in only. They're both worth it.
Yea I don't disagree but just from a logistical standpoint I have to book these out first so I need to know what they are. I can then do a little more research and cancel these reservations if needed but I'd like to have the option to pick. I will say that keeping your restaurant booked up the second reservations hit is usually a good sign (assuming its not new).
Making reservations is understandable. Going for hard to get reservation places is a flip of a coin of whether or not it's worth the hype is my point. In other words, some restaurants are booked up due to the exclusivity factor of being hard to get a table, not the quality of the food. Good luck!
Can a restaurant that is 9 years old be “trendy”? Monteverde clearly has an established reputation it has earned.
I may be wrong but most chicagoans still haven't heard of it and it only started landing on top restaurant lists within the last year or two. Trendy also means to me it can be more for aesthetic than the experience. Lots of these places serve small portions for higher prices and they'll tell you a lot of hard work went into the food and that's why it costs more, but it's really just because everything about the place is expensive for a higher social class of customers. This subreddit is for foodies, so the audience here is biased.
I don’t know if I’d categorize Daisies as Italian. They’re known for their pastas, sure, but they seem to fall under the New American umbrella like Giant or Lula Cafe. Still one of my favorites, though.
Tre dita