Blackbirdnice one!I went to Blackbird with another friend of mine. We ordered from their lunch menu, not the fixed price menu. It was a pleasant experience overall.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcelent!!Fantastic restaurant, great service and incredibly inventive food, very enjoyable for modern american food lovers!!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience again.Blackbird offers a simple, elegant and refined food. It has been consistent over time and it's always a great experience.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional Dining ExperienceRestraint, focus on flavor, and devotion to service. Really delicious. Can't wait to return. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMHaving dined abt everywhereHaving dined abt everywhere in chicago prior to making it to blackbird (idk why?) I can say they more than exceeded my expectations. The best food I've had this year, and i can't imagine me not going back frequently.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently one of our favoritesConsistently one of our favorites for more than 13 years - marvelous restaurant- they keep pushing the envelope and it works.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightful!Had lunch with my family; we all enjoyed our entrees. The sturgeon was cooked to perfection as were the clams and mussels in the bouillabaisse! The spring pea soup was also notable; it was light and delicately flavored. Amazing food!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMOur server was extremely knowledgeaOur server was extremely knowledgeable about the dishes on the menu and ably answered a number of questions about the selections.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb!We had a wonderful time! No complaints whatsoever! One of the best dining experiences we've had in a long time!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing place!Definitely one of the best! Inventive, new, real fusion of flavours, fresh and friendly athmosphere.
If you need to discover the real new American cuisine, this is the place.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBlackbird TastingWe both enjoyed the tasting menu paired with the wine selections very much. Our server was flexible as to enabling us trying several things we found interesting on the regular menu. I will definitely return.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerWe went on a Monday night for our anniversary and had a great time. Good ambiance and great food. We ordered 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, and a desert and were happy with everything we had. I would definitely recommend Blackbird if you are looking for excellent food.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBlackbird provides a totalBlackbird provides a total experience...outstanding food prep, excellent service, welcoming staff. I brought two friends who were I new to Blackbird. They were as enthusiastic about our dining experience as I always have been. No detail is overlooked.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMTruly Special ServiceWith Open Table, I was able to leave "Special Requests" at the tail end of making my reservation. It was a birthday celebration for my wife, and while I couldn't come up with any particular requests, I let them know about the birthday, and that we were looking forward to dining with them.
It was almost as if we were treated to the Tasting Menu - gratis bonus plates! - as we were treated to flavorful snacks and small delicacies between our ordered items. And of course, a supplemental small-plate dessert (a deconstructed birthday cake...?!) with a candle waxed to the plate was given to my dear wife, who loved every minute of the experience (and she cannot recommend the Pablo's Daughter highly enough as a cocktail of choice).4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery thoughtful, rememberingVery thoughtful, remembering details about the event specified on opentable. The server brought out a birthday cake with a candle at the end of our meal. Relaxed yet professional service. I would go back and would recommend it!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMEnergy!The vibe of this place is awesome and the food is incredible. Highly recommend it.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurantGreat restaurant! Very creative and well-executed dishes. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic!Amazing experience. We had an absolutely delicious meal, presentation was lovely, flavors were interesting & complex without being to heavy overpowering. The portions were small, but not insufficient - they were small enough that you could eat every morsel of every course without feeling stuffed. We cleaned our plates at every course, including dessert! (Goat cheese cheesecake was incredible). The service was excellent as well, and very knowledgeable, and attentive to allergies4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat all round. ServiceGreat all round. Service is good but not in your face. I love not getting the faux intro, " hi, I'm _____ and we're best friends now."
Food presentation great.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was very good.Everything was very good. I ordered the halibut which was amazing. My friend ordered a braised beef dish which on some parts of it were a tad dry but all in all, between the service, food & ambiance all was very good.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMStill serving some of theStill serving some of the most interesting food in Chicago, and the cocktails are to die for!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had à great evening! WeWe had à great evening!
We did the tasting menu and both loved it: delicious!
Tables very close, so no privacy. Service was excellent.
Bit pricy but well worth it!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFlawless, as always.Blackbird is one of Chicago's oldest and most celebrated fine dining establishments not just because of its amazingly creative and well thought out food, its outstanding wine program, and impeccable service, but also because of its unrelenting desire to continue to innovate and push the envelope. Our request to add a course to the tasting menu was accommodated without fuss by our outstanding server. Each and every course brought on so much flavor, nuance, and intrigue. It goes without saying that the cocktails were fantastic and well balanced, the wine incredible, and, keeping up with Blackbird tradition, new pastry chef Dana Cree's desserts were absolutely mind blowing (Chocolate and cumin? YES).4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWent on a weekday for lunchWent on a weekday for lunch around 12:30. The food was fantastic, the service was attentive and thoughtful, and it was not crowded at all. Loved the presentation of the prix fixe selections. We'll be back for sure!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe three good friends metWe three good friends met for an early (5PM) dinner. I arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes before opening, but was made to feel comfortable at the bar with a glass of water and friendly smiles from all. Our waiter was quite attentive and helpful in choosing wine and selecting entrees. We were treated to an amuse to enjoy before our dinner was served, we enjoyed our meals enormously and, when we couldn't find room for dessert, were served sweet candy treats, just perfect with our coffee. We will all recommend this to anyone looking for a special evening out.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFood, drinks, and dining experienceFood, drinks, and dining experience were excellent. I was able to sit next to the window which was a couple feet from the table next to us. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been as comfortable because the tables are so close that you're sure to hear your neighbor's conversation.
The menu seemed heavy on the fish side (I can't eat fish) but the short ribs were delicious as well as the duck breast. Great flavors and cooked perfectly.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMImpromptu Wednesday EveningMy wife and I had an impromptu dinner here on a wednesday. Usually cant get in, but that night we could. The service was abrupt but professional. The only complaint that I have is that I enjoy it when there is a thoughtful explanation of my dish as it is presented. It was pretty much just plated and served. Thats a small complaint. The rest of the evening was very social, fun, and exciting as we ended up sharing wines with the tables around us and had a very fun evening. Thanks again for a great Wednesday!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. Wonderful service.What is there to say? It's one of the most inventive meals we've ever had. Approachable, yet it pushes you to a new level. It's not your typical fancy meal. They staff is wonderful. The attention to detail is great. The creativity in the kitchen is top notch. Their execution is amazing. Even the smallest detail has a role on your plate. If you're willing to actually pay attention you'll notice things like using a kumquat to add a twinge of sour to their greens. Overall, I have to say I was most impressed with the way they prepared their cod fish and octopus. Cooked perfectly. It's a great spot. No pretense required. Just smart food with a lot of flair. The spring
Menu was great.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous! Definitely deservesFabulous! Definitely deserves its Michelin star. The fois gras was perfect, seared to perfection, light and tender. We wanted to try the hamachi tartare too and the waitress suggested we split the dish (we were ordering one each). She was right. It was perfect, but a full plate would have been a lot (we're not big volume eaters). The Black cod and octopus main was melt in your mouth delicious. We brought our own wine ($25 corkage) but their wine list was good - lots of french choices that you don't see a lot of places.
We'll be back :-)3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMUnbelievable food, great wine,Unbelievable food, great wine, interesting crowd.
Foie gras was out of this world.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMI had an amazing experienceI had an amazing experience at Blackbird. The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. We tried the tasting menu which I am going to highly recommend to our guests at my hotel. My favorite dish was the cod with octopus. Everything was excellent and I will not forget my experience.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWest Randolph food perfection!The staff were very friendly and professional. They made us feel very comfortable and were attentive. The food was beautiful and delicious. Great use of fresh ingredients and combinations of ingredients. We would definitely come back!!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our favorite restaurants,One of our favorite restaurants, if not our most favorite restaurant ever. We try to visit on every or every other visit to Chicago (we live out of state.) We have dined at Blackbird for 15+ years and we have never had a bad experience. It is a great place to push the boundaries of your cuisine "limits." We always love to try something new and different, and Blackbird is the perfect place to explore. The service is courteous, helpful and unobtrusive. The wine list will provide whatever your taste requires, without being overwhelming. We also support Blackbird's penchant for local sourcing ingredients.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful evening - almostA wonderful evening - almost perfect - just a little loud.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThe tasting menu with wineThe tasting menu with wine pairing was spectacular! Every course was spot on and the service was great. It was a memorable experience. Id rate it a perfect 10 out of 10 !!!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMSmall portions, but deliciousSmall portions, but delicious and different choices. It was a great deal for Chef's Week.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSo delicious! The qualitySo delicious! The quality of the ingredients really comes though and makes your meal even more memorable. I had a simple mixed green salad and I am obsessed with the dressing. My husband had an endive salad with a paoched egg which was not only delicious but had a beautiful presentation. Then I had sturgeon which was so yummy, I wish the portion had been slightly larger because I enjoyed it so much. My husband had a large bowl of Bouillabaisse and the broth was mouth watering. We shared a chocolate hazlenut dessert which I am dreaming of having again. The service was great and non intrusive. I will definitely return for lunch again.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOUr food was fabulous andOUr food was fabulous and I appreciated the reasonable portions for lunch so I didn't go back to the office needing a nap, but feeling satisfied and relaxed.
Service was excellent. It is a little noisy, but3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent menu (out of theExcellent menu (out of the ordinary combinations that are fantastic) and wonderful service! Can't wait to go back3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMService is excellent, Food is goodWas very excited to go here as it received a James Beard award. I must say the service is top notch, the food was good. We thought our waiter a bit "quirky" as when we asked him to describe the Red Car Pinot Noir Rose, his answer was "pink" duh! And when asked about the sirloin and short ribs--he said "comfort food." I should have taken this as a clue to get a 2nd opinion when I asked him for details about the pork and striped bass. He said the pork was more flavorful, but again, his answers were commentary versus descriptive. Personally, my pork was fatty, and yes, fat does lend a dish to more flavor, but had I known that was the reason why, I never would have ordered it. We're glad we went, and wonder how one wins a James Beard award.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMLives up to all the greatLives up to all the great reviews I've heard. A truly wonderful meal. We were sat right by the kitchen, which we loved! I was surprised that after three courses we got up from the table just about an hour after we sat down. They are quick and efficient, but not to a detriment of the dining experience. Monte Blanche dessert is a must!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMloved everything about it!loved everything about it! Food was excellent; the desserts were exquisite! Save room!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAn amazing experience, fromAn amazing experience, from cocktails to the cab door being held at our departure. Each course was delicious and beautifully presented.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMI love this restaurant andI love this restaurant and come often. I haven't been in almost a year but it's great to be back to the restaurant I sat at the bar and had great time with my bartender Ryan. He was very attentive even though the bar was busy. The food was excellent and the drinks I had paired well with each of my courses.
I highly recommend blackbird and will be back soon3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, get the tastingExcellent food, get the tasting menu, it's a great experience!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is our second visit toThis is our second visit to Blackbird and it was wonderful--again! The service was wonderful and the food is so different but fabulous.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBlackbird is always amazingBlackbird is always amazing - lunch or dinner. They make the experience special for every diner and the food is delicious and innovative without being overly fussy!12/31/2012 12:00:00 AMPerfect dinnerI forgot just how amazing Blackbird is. The banquettes can be crowded and the restaurant gets pretty noisy later in the evening. I was here early though, first ones in the restaurant, and had a perfect dinner before a show. What a great meal to close out the year. Everything, from bread service with honey sea salt butter to the last mignardises, was delicious. My lamb tartare starter with cranberry yogurt, maitake mushrooms and chestnuts was the best tartare I've ever had. I don't even like fernet branca, but loved its application with pistachios and celery in the roasted bass. The mont blanc dessert wasn't quite at good as the concorde cake with chocolate mousse, but still tasty. I hope to be back soon.12/30/2012 12:00:00 AMStill great!Blackbird is an award-winning restaurant with a James Beard winning chef. It did not disappoint!11/29/2012 12:00:00 AMVery, very good but not memorableExpectations were high for this first visit, but I found myself a little disapointed. The most memorable dish of the evening was the chocolate dessert with intense concord grape flavor. The atmosphere felt somewhat sterile. Though this is clearly an exceptional "fit for foodies" restaurant, I'm not sure I will have a great desire to come back.11/27/2012 12:00:00 AM