NightwoodFabulous!What a great place. Wonderful food, great service, creative yet approachable. Delicious!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSomething new for the taste budsThe menu is new and diversified. The pigeon-dungeoness crab appetizer included a small taste of several items I'd never had, like walleye liver. It was delicious with a touch of orange syrup. The ravioini also had rave reviews and although I love butter sauce, I believe the fermented beef fat is better in its indefinable richness. The duck breast was seared to a perfect medium rare and was tender enough to cut with a fork. The spaghetti with veal meatballs had rave reviews from friends and the cheesburger was in a class of its own because of the excellent sauce and fries. Five of us had to restrain ourselves from a feeding frenzy. Marscapone cheesecake with rhubarb sorbet was my favorite dessert.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service, unique dishesI loved the ambiance of the space, the very attentive service, and the unique presentation of the dishes. My favorite part was the open kitchen - there was bar style seating right in front of it to watch the food preparation (though my group of 6 didn't sit there). The waiter was very helpful in explaining the dishes: our favorites were the polenta with wild mushrooms and veal sweetbreads. The grilled scallops with ramps were delicious but were served in a puddle of a very oily sauce, which didn't add to the dish at all. Too bad there were only 2 mid-size scallops - they really couldn't give 3? The french wine we ordered was excellent. Overall I enjoyed dinner and would come back, especially because the menu changes often.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMall selections were outstanding.all selections were outstanding. very different menu with lots of innovative choices.
would definitley return and recommend to anyone coming to Chicago.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMNoghtwood never fails to impress.Noghtwood never fails to impress. Creativity combined with res.pe.ct for the food is their winning combinitation.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMthis is my third vist to thisthis is my third vist to this charming neighborhood restaurant. I was pleased with the taste our orders but hesitate to give our food the highest rating due to the fact that both my friend and i both concluded that the food was a bit too rich, lacked some of the "let the favor of the food itself come through" rather then cover it with a rich ingredient ( the chicken and two pasta dishes we ordered) as opposed to the last time we visit and had a killer salad that as good as it gets .4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything about the foodEverything about the food and service was excellent. However, it took a very long time for a taxi to arrive in response to a call, which made our colleagues late for a meeting. I'd go again for a personal visit, but would not take business contacts again because of the difficulty in getting back to the city.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have only been to NightwoodWe have only been to Nightwood for brunch, but that's because it's so good! My husband always gets the burger, regardless of the time, and it's so delicious! The bacon butterscotch donut is also a must-have for brunch.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMBusy for brunch but beautifulBusy for brunch but beautiful and delicious. Sweet staff and wonderful doughnuts!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMInnovative menu, but expansiveInnovative menu, but expansive enough for any diner to find something they would like. Portion sizes are reasonable and not skimpy. Our waiter was knowledgeable, patient and helpful. The wine list is reasonably priced, much more so than other restaurants serving the same quality of food fit for foodies. The overall vibe is youthful and upbeat, and the food is serious and attractive. The country fried sweetbreads were excellent; and the duck breast was tender and succulent. This is not a once-a-week neighborhood place, but once a month would be just fine if your budget can tolerate a somewhat pricey selection of excellent food.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways looking forward toAlways looking forward to their inventive weekly menu. We find that the service itself can be a bit hit or miss - sometimes a bit of inattentiveness or lack of enthusiasm to just plain miscommunication, but the food is well worth it and while I initially would always get the same items, now I always try to get something new.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Amazing!!!Food is excellent. Brunch menu changes every week. Scones are always a treat!
Whatever you order make sure to get a taste of the has browns. Those things are very very good. Never seen anything like it anywhere (which is pretty much what you can say about everything).
Even the granola is something to be amazed by!!!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGo for brunchBrunch was fantastic. The cornmeal pancakes with an egg and pigeon mole was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. The bloody mary was one of the better ones you'll find in Chicago. The bartender, Mark, is outstanding.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMNext time I want to sit atNext time I want to sit at the open kitchen bar. And get the bread pudding for dessert. It was unbelievable!!!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMChef Justin and his team areChef Justin and his team are a marvel to watch from the Kitchen Counter seating. Pastry Chef Sara delivered a lovely chocolate 'bomb!' Great staff and worth their recent Food and Wine Award. Thanks.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Brunch ExperienceBrunch
I ordered the Torta which was quite tasty and messy but in a fun way. The raspberry doughnut which was amazing. Both doughnut variations were amazing, I still can't decide which I prefer so we took both for the road.
Only negative was that my girlfriend ordered the salmon plate, which was too dry. Even with her entree being well below satisfactory, the donuts made up for that setback.
The ambiance is energetic during brunch, its loud, but you can still hear your table-mates across from you. The service was excellent and welcoming. We will definitely be back to try the other menus.
Did I mention free street parking?4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food, service and ambianceThe food, service and ambiance was great. However, it was a bit too noisy to have a quiet conversation. I had to repeat myself a few times to be heard by the person accompanying me.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMNightwood is my favorite restaurantNightwood is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. It's the place I go when I don't want to take any chances. The food is just wonderful--fresh, locally sourced ingredients, beautifully done. They also have interesting cocktails and good desserts. I am always excited about the changing menu. But I also love the classics. Their cheeseburger and fries, for instance, is outstanding. But so is the duck and the chicken. So, whether you want something creative and new or something reliable and accessible, it's a great place. It's a bit hipster, but it's difficult to find good things in Chicago that aren't.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMService was attentive butService was attentive but discreet and professional. There were minimal vegetarian options but the particular dish I had was delicious, as was the complimentary foccacia and the two chocolate-based desserts I shared with my table. Atmosphere is warm and inviting.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFood always stands outVery accommodating. Service was excellent. Food is always great. Brunch every weekend is quickly becoming a tradition with this place. Anywhere else just leaves you wishing you went to Nightwood.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was outstanding butThe food was outstanding but a bit pricey, preparation was inventive and tasteful. I just wish they offered more heart-healthy and vegetarian options (you won't find much lowfat food here).3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome restaurant for anyAwesome restaurant for any nice occasion, or just going out on the town. Great location, fun, energetic. Amazing food, amazing wait staff. Definitely going to go back3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFriendly hosts and servers,Friendly hosts and servers, great food and drinks.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMpinot noir red wine optionspinot noir red wine options were not so great, but not terrible. food was incredible and service friendly and knowledgable.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMNot for vegetariansThe only thing thing that I was displeased with were the lack of vegetarian options. I went there for Chef's week and couldn't partake because there was only one non-vegetarian option menu. While what I had was delicious I believe it was the only vegetarian option that was offered.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAnytime... I'll go anytime...Food is excellent. Menu varies and always has new options. They do a great job of contrasting flavors to bring out the best in each bite.
A recent brunch example of this flavor pairing was the cranberry compote that came as a bit of sauce, with the Meyer lemon coffee cake. The cranberry was so tart that just a little bit on a piece of the coffee cake made the lemon taste so sweet and delicate. It was a totally different flavor profile than when the cake was eaten alone. Good stuff.
Only one time have I ever had an issue there. Even with that issue, the food was replaced and the chef came to the table to apologize for the mishap. One of my all time favorites in Chicago.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIt would be good to have aIt would be good to have a proper lunch menu. Not all clients want to have a brunch on a week end3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMVery noisy but very inventiveVery noisy but very inventive food. Service outstanding.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent local/sustainableExcellent local/sustainable unique American fare. The oyster mushrooms on garlic polenta are out of this world!!! Even the carnivores will love them.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing brunch! Cute spaceAmazing brunch! Cute space and wonderful service. Must try the donuts!12/16/2012 12:00:00 AMMaybe the Best in TownOutstanding in all respects. This is our current favorite in Chicago. We had the best service, from a great server, Josh. And by "best", I mean the best in years. The food is exquisite. The fried smelt appetizer was very tasty, as was my wife's spit-roasted duck breast. My spaghetti alla chitarra was amazing. The wine list is excellent, the drinks are well-executed, and the desserts sublime (try the sorbets). Highly, highly recommended.12/14/2012 12:00:00 AM