So there we were.. strolling through Portage Park and thinking "wouldn't it be nice if we could find a French styled Steakhouse somewhere around here?" Yeah, so that's not exactly how it happened... Ok, our besties read about Community Tavern and we decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Lisa and I were with our foodie buds, Adam and Janet... and were determined to take advantage of the menu. The decor is a conglomeration of styles.. from industrial to French. But it works and will hold your interest.. well, at least.. it held mine. The service was top notch throughout the evening. For appetizers we shared the Short Rib and Oxtail Terrine (don't miss it! kind of a fancy meatloaf with an egg on top), King Crab Legs (small portion, but a taste for everyone) and the House Charcuterie Plate and because we just wanted to try them.. we ordered a side of the Breakfast Radishes as an appetizer too. One of the things we love about our friends is that if someone suggests something they are always like.. "sure, why not?" I'm the curmudgeon but they all put up with me anyway. We almost forgot to order the Cheddar Bacon muffin, fortunately, we recovered in time to have one before the meal was over. I had the bone in Berkshire Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked perfectly.. it was delicious.. in my opinion only eclipsed by Lisa's order of Braised Short Rib on Risotto (OMG!) which was not only delicious but surprisingly not at all fatty.. that's what I'll get next time. Or maybe I should get what Adam ordered.. the Steak Delmonico.. I didn't taste it, but it looked delicious and his discriminating palate thought it was pretty terrific. Or..maybe Janet's Dry Aged Rib eye....she loved that, so... All of the food was excellent! We were stuffed but shared a Brownie Sundae, just because.
(5)
Julia S.
Community Tavern has an incredible ambiance, with much better decor than its sister restaurant, The Portage (which is also an excellent spot!). The service was top notch as well. The staff was very personable, attentive, and knowledgable. For our food we split two appetizers and an entree. The king crab legs were wonderful, especially the dipping sauce that came with them. The beef tartare was delicious, but there were far too many capers on the dish compared to the amount of beef. We had dozens left on our plate at the end! We also got the whole fish, and the flavors were excellent! The garbanzo beans and sauce perfectly complimented the fish. We finished with a brownie sundae, which was good, but not mind blowing. I had a couple of bites and was okay with letting my husband finish the rest (which very rarely happens, trust me!). Overall an incredible experience. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Alexios T.
Amazing every time we go there. The service is terrific. The drinks are great. The food is incredible. A tad noisy when busy, but what do you expect from a hip and happenin' place like Community. If you are in the northwest side of Chicago in the 6-corners area, please please please go here. You won't regret it.
(5)
Rawlins R.
Community Tavern does traditional American food right. CT is new and I am glad that it brings great quality to the 6 corners neighborhood. There are many prime locations in this area and CT takes advantage of this opportunity. CT is a finer dining restaurant with the service and food to go with it. I had the chicken which was elegantly plated and tasted phenomenal. The wife and I shared the side of mashed potatoes at the suggestion of our server. The portion was enough for us to share. The wife also threw back a few glasses of a wine that she said was amazing, I think it was the Cline Ancient Vines Mouvedre. I had the (insert beer) which was also good. We spent a good amount of time here, had dessert, and enjoyed a pleasant evening. We look forward to coming back to try other menu items.
(4)
Don C.
Great time, great place, get food and great staff. Go there - you won't be disappointed! Nuff said!
(5)
Davis J.
We came here last night for apps and cocktails tonight and it was an excellent experience! While we were at the bar, we spoke with Jose, the bar manager. He is clearly invested in his craft--he personally created many of the cocktails on the drinks menu. The major winners of the night were: * the basil-infused vodka martini with a twist * the wedge salad * the french onion soup Overall, their menu is fantastic--you cannot go wrong!
(5)
Conor M.
Everything about our first experience at Community Tavern was top notch. The service was spot on. The staff treated us like we were VIPs when we're just a couple of folks from the neighborhood. We tried a couple of the house cocktails and were quite impressed. The "dark Manhattan" (using dark rum instead of whiskey) left a positive impression on my palette. My wife had the whiskey sour and it was one of the best sours I've had the pleasure to taste. My first cocktail was a lovely gin concoction whose name now escapes me. I could have had several of those if I wasn't driving that evening. The charcuterie plate is highly recommended. Community makes everything on the plate in-house, with the exception of the mustard (whole grain, delicious). I could seriously have had several servings of that plate and that would suit me for an evening. I tried the vegetable potage and was very pleased. The dish screamed "fresh!" I could have had a large bowl and been entirely satisfied. We had the 16oz ribeye and the tomahawk pork chop. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompaniments to each dish were expertly matched. I wish I had an extra two stomachs so I could eat more of Community's offerings. We were so full we weren't going to have any dessert, but Quay convinced us to give their banana cake a try. We were glad we did. Community is definitely on the pricey side, but for an upscale joint in Portage Park/Six Corners I highly recommend it. I'm in love with this place and will be back again and again.
(5)
Ide C.
Beautiful subtle ambience. Very comfortable, welcoming feeling. Quay did the decorating from the antique mirrors to the gorgeous lighting fixtures to the comfortable seating. Very well done. Staff was excellent, friendly and accommodating. David was our server and he was charming. If u get him, you will be well taken care of. We started with the steak tartare which was extremely tasty. Others had a wedge of lettuce and soup. My partner had the pork chop for his entree which he said was outstanding. Two others had steak and raved. I had cassoulet which I had never had before. It was a nice mixture of sausage, duck etc. I thought it was good. We ended sharing two desserts, one of which was a crispy brownie which was a great end to a lovely evening. The coffee was very good. I Wd go back to try something new.
(4)
Stephanie L.
We decided to come here because my boyfriend saw Community Tavern featured in an article about Chicago's best new restaurants. I thought the food was delicious! We had a party of 4, but none of us were particularly hungry so we ordered 3 entrees to share. We got the bouillabaisse, the braised short rib, and the bone marrow steak. Each entree really featured a different type of protein, and I thought they were all cooked perfectly! I would definitely go back! I only give it a 4 star only because I think the menu selection could be a little broader. I mean I had no problem picking out something I liked, but I know my mom had some trouble with it. But overall loved the restaurant! Taste: 10/10 Portion size: 6/10 Service: 4/10 Ambience: 7/10
(4)
Elizabeth H.
This place is amazing!!! The atmosphere is nice and they have a great long bar with cool wine holders. I had my first oysters here and I can't wait to eat them again. Servers were nice and knowledgeable on the menu. Great drinks, great food, great everything!
(5)
Jaime G.
Home run for Quay and team at this new gastropub. Incredible that he did it in this neighborhood and delivering a quality experience. Food, wine, beer, cocktails, all exceptional. We started with then foie gras butter with biscuits. Then tried the seafood tower with shrimp, crab legs, oysters, salmon ceviche, and tuna tartar. Did not disappoint. We had a nice Syrah with our entrees that included the duck confit special (with beans, andouille sausage, and pork belly), roasted chicken, steak and Frits, dry aged Ribeye, and double cheeseburger (kids had this and loved), and a selection of sides (kudos to the cauliflower mac and cheese like dish). Great service topped of the evening. Want to come back to try the specialty cocktails that we didn't have room for. Plus, it's just cool place to hang out at.
(5)
Catherine H.
The owner of Portage has done it again for Portage Park. This new addition to the community is sparking a revitalization to the eateries in the area. I went to Community opening night and the staff was well prepared. I've been back 3 more time since then. Everything is delish! Tried almost all the apps including their seafood towers...yum! Have had the fillet and cheeseburger, yes I said cheeseburger. It was melt in your mouth good! The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. The place does get busy on evenings and weekends so booking a reservation is recommended, which you can do online. Parking can be found in the parking lot a block over and even on Milwaukee. Also, there is one bathroom per gender.
(5)
Reda K.
Omg my double cheeseburger was so good the bun was toasted ..the owner is super cool. Every time we come he makes us feel welcome which is great Nice guy..
(5)
Ebby V.
My buddy and I sat at the bar for dinner. We had reservations but we didn't want to necessarily sit at the table they offered us. If you take a chance to look around you will see the faux bird cages surrounding the lighting. I found that unique. At the bar it was easy to notice that they were experts in making cocktails. They also have an excellent wine list. I don't know that I have any particular type of gem to share but I know this. They have the best french onion soup I ever had. It was sweet and salty. They use a manchego cheese. My buddy and I also ordered the beef tartare. If you like beef tartare it will hit the spot. It isn't anything special but they did it correctly. I am not sure the quail egg they added was entirely necessary but it presented well. My buddy ordered the steak delmonico which they told us was new to the menu if I understood them correctly. He had nothing but great things to say about this steak. It was perfectly done. They served the marrow in a large bone. I ordered the steak frites. It looks exactly as the picture shown on their website. They use a skirt steak. I ordered it medium rare. We shared a bottle of their 2004 bordeaux. I love this wine. After it was opened I tasted to check if it was corked. It was not but came off bitter. By the time we got the steak the wine became super mellow, very smooth, not bitter at all. To sum this visit up, it was home cooking at its best for what we ordered. We were very satisfied and happy to make the journey from the Gold Coast out to here. I think that this restaurant is perfectly named. I would have to visit multiple times to get through this menu. I am sure I would enjoy every visit too. Thank you to Community Tavern for the comfort food.
(4)
Ruby Q.
So I was a little cheezed off originally when I came here at 5:30 on a Saturday for a quick meal. The hostess working the front said that they were "fully committed"in a room that was half empty. She offered some seat that stares at the wall 12 inches away. We gave it another try early on a Thursday and I'd say that this is "just what Portage Park needs". The steaks were nicely done and "Get Together" cocktail was layered with great flavor. I did not care for the bone marrow, although I crave this from other places. The bread was greasy tasting. The wedge salad also left us wanting- it's not a wedge at all- and seemed a lil limp. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)
Margaret W.
This place is it for me. It has everything I love. The bar is on it's game with inventive and delicious cocktails. The wine list is wonderful. I think I have been here ten times since it's opening for dinner and once for a wine event. Dinner never disappoints! I have done the whole roasted fish, the bouillabaisse, the steak frites and several other things. The cassoulet on Thursday is simply divine! Like eating a warm hug. As far as the small plates go, I am pretty sure I have eaten all of them. Highlights are the escargot, the charcutterie (seriously incredible) and the trout salad. The atmosphere is sexy but still comfortable. Service has developed over the past few months and I feel like it is really hitting it's stride. This is my new special occasion and Thursday "just cause" restaurant! It can fulfill both roles. I just adore this restaurant!
(5)
Jim S.
Having already tried their sister restaurant, The Portage, my wife and I were excited for our anniversary dinner reservations here at Community. I can tell you that it did not disappoint at all. We started with the house charcuterie plate, which I happened to read about in a Crain's Chicago business article. All the meats were very good, and the berry jam was a nice touch as well. I had the 6 oz filet mignon, which came out absolutely perfect. I paired it with the mashed potatoes which were also great. We finished up with the cherry cobbler for dessert, which was mostly cherries and ice cream, very little crust/crumb. It didn't detract from the overall dessert, but just be aware if you're used to and expecting a cobbler in that style. To top it off, Quay was gracious enough to stop by and talk with us as we finished up. It's not too often you get to meet the person who puts it all together, and even more so, it's not too often you meet someone who is truly happy that you stepped through their door to stop and eat. Having just moved to the neighborhood from Andersonville a few months ago, I had talked myself into being OK with having to hop on the blue line to get any sort of good food. However, I'm so happy that we have The Portage and Community within blocks of each other. Not only are these two restaurants tops in the neighborhood, I would stack them against anything else in the city - regardless of neighborhood. We'll be back again!
(5)
Scott B.
We celebrated our first year anniversary here. Excellent choice. Atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner or small groups. Highest marks for short rib and oxtail terrine, lyonnaise and crab/avocado salads, porterhouse and filet. Perfect cooking and served absolutely hot. Drinks also excellent and unique. Service friendly, professional and not intrusive. They remembered it was our anniversary (we were provided a champagne). Superior in very way.
(5)
Robb S.
Fantastic spot! Still battling whether I like the portage or community better...leaning portage but it doesn't matter because they are both great. We had great drinks and a very good affordable wine. My drink was a whiskey sour and it was awesome! For meals the steak and pork chop and both cooked perfectly. The sauces that came with both were fantastic. Sides were mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Dessert was the cobbler and it was delicious Service was excellent. My only downside is that I don't get to come here every weekend
(5)
Noah W.
Delightful. A perfect balance of homey and trendy. The entire staff was warm, inviting and knowledgeable. And the owner, just as at The Portage, is as good as it gets. He could give lessons in this stuff. Our table was late getting ready, and while we didn't quite mind enjoying drinks at the bar, they gifted us with oysters as an apology as soon as we did sit down. Clear sign of folks that care. Four of us almost ran the table on all the appetizers. Such great variety of tastes and textures. Shared whole fish and Porterhouse for dinner. The homey/trendy balance flowed through the food with bold complex flavors punctuated by a keen eye to presentation and style. We will return.
(4)
Ed S.
Fantastic meal! What a great addition to this neighborhood. Should do very well and draw from a wide area. We will for sure be going back very soon!!
(5)
Kaley J.
From the service to the food, it was all fantastic. The ambiance is perfect for a cute night out. We were a party of two and ordered two filets then split the asparagus, roasted cauliflower, and mashed potatoes. Everything tasted delicious! By far, the best steak either of us had ever had. Our favorite side was the cauliflower though they all were great. Highly recommend! Date night perfection!
(5)
Kristine C.
We stopped here both Friday and Saturday night. It was our first time exploring Portage Park. Very happy we found Community Tavern (right next door to the Portage Theater), a relatively new place. Both nights we had a small group and they were able to accommodate us. However, to be safe you should make reservations. The place filled up fast. Both nights the service was great. Everyone was very friendly, had a great sense of humor and knowledgeable. They also have a well rounded beer menu. More Gastro Pub than steakhouse. It is upscale but laidback and not pretentious. Both nights we had the Crab and Avocado salad. It's a great portion half an avocado greens and lots of crab. On friend did not like the amount of onions present. We also enjoyed the side of Roasted Mushrooms. I could have had a few of these little cups of mushrooms. Our first night we tried the Tuna Crudo. The Tuna was great, the toppings of olives, peppers and some grapefruit was really strong for me. I brushed about half of it off and at one point all of it so I could enjoy the fish. We also had the Salmon. Wow, what a portion. Usually you get a small 6oz Salmon filet. They are very generous here. It was almost too much for me. The skin was crispy and flavorful and inside flaked apart. The Gnocchi underneath was warm and soft. I really just wanted the Gnocchi. Our second night, I paired the Alfredo with Beef Stroganoff with a side of the Roasted Mushrooms. It was the perfect amount of food for me. The Stroganoff is a smaller portion. The noodles are soft; the meat is tender with the juice as a perfect sauce that is not too thick. It was nice to have a non-creamy sauce on this type of dish. The food and ambiance are warm and inviting. You will not leave hungry. Come for a drink early, enjoy hearty food, grab a dessert and call it a great night!
(4)
nikole q.
I personally told the owner this today but the service from every single employee there was just amazing. ( and I grew up managing in the hospitality industry as well as serving and bartending myself). Everything was brought out with great timing and they were so efficient with changing and replacing silverware and offering refills of yummy wine. We had our four-year-old daughter with us and staff members took the time to give her attention and talk to her,The food was over-the-top amazing, ( very highly recommend the aged ribeye) , and even the ambience of the entire place was just so positive. A truly memorable and wonderful dining experience that will help us coming back again and again. Thank you!!
(5)
Rudra B.
As usual - not enough tiny toasts. But that didn't stop my wife and I from devouring the excellent Oxtail and Ribeye terrine. A highlight for sure. The steaks we got were lovely and paired with a minty mashed potato that I very much enjoyed. My wife is not a steak lover and likes her meat well-done. The staff was kind enough to cook it a little more without making her feel bad for her poor taste in steak doneness. I appreciated their kindness for her one character flaw.
(4)
Catherine D.
Home run. They fit my husband and me in last minute on a Saturday night, great table in the middle of the restaurant. My husband had the steak frites, which were very tasty, and I had the vegetable cocotte. Also very good. We had bread as an app and the brownie sundae for dessert. My husband had a cocktail, I forget what it was but he loved it, and I had a nice red. Overall, everything was perfect. The food, the service, the ambiance. Thrilled that this is in our neighborhood. We'll be regs.
(5)
Peg R.
It is hard to believe that Quay has 2 unbelievable restaurants in Portage Park. The food here is incredible. Such wonderful service from the staff at both places. Love both of these places. It is so great to see someone who is invested in Portage Park as Quay is. We need more people and businesses like him. Thanks Quay and staff for always making dining at either of the restaurants an unforgettable,joyous and delicious experience.
(5)
Abby S.
We had a wonderful dinner celebrating my husband's birthday. I had the steak frites and he had the short ribs. Both were out of the this world. So happy to have the restaurant in our neighborhood! Very friendly wait staff and loved the design of the restaurant.
(5)
Paul K.
The decor is casual and not pretentious. The inside is tight so if you are claustrophobic then this probably is not a place for you. The drinks are gin and bourbon forward. It would be nice to see them add some tequila drinks. I had the ribeye which was perfect. Just the right amount of fat for flavor and at $33for 16 oz. it's a perfect size. My wife had the bouillabaisse and she thought it was very good. We split the roasted cauliflower which was delicious. We had a party of ten and we were packed into a small area but made due. Everyone loved there food but thought it was too loud for a large party. Very difficult to hear everyone at the table. This is definite place for couples but not large parties!
(4)
Erika B.
Must go. The food was amazing and the staff just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. Steaks perfect, wine delicious. We arrived late near to closing time and they welcomed us in. Great experience.
(5)
Kelly N.
My husband and I just dined here and had absolutely delicious meals! Not only was the food great, the service was on point too! We love The Portage, and now we LOVE Community Tavern as well!!
(5)
Craig Y.
Yummy stake frites. Very good food and ambiance. Great cocktail selection. More of a Bucktown restaurant in Portage park. Excellent
(5)
Julia S.
This place is worth the drive west. A great place for a date. My husband and I split the bacon cheddar muffin, market fish, wedge salad, & brownie sundae. Everything was delicious. Our sever was excellent and had a good sense of humor. The owner Quay Toh was there managing the house and saying hi to guests. We will definitely go back for the ribeye.
(5)
Rick F.
I love supporting our neighborhood restaurants! It's my belief that Portage Park and Jefferson Park are the next hot areas of Chicago. After eating at another newly opened restaurant called Community Tavern, this evening we have added the next hottest steakhouse! David-our server, was amazing. Quay-the owner, is gracious and grateful to help bring great cuisine to the area. Everything was 1st Class. Our hats off to the Chef The french onion soup had depth and richness, the ribeye was cooked perfectly as requested. The tuna tartar was chilled perfectly and the chips were amazing i could not stop eating them.
(5)
Eric B.
I enjoy a good steak. And I cook a better one. Yet, I sometimes wish to go out for a steak, while avoiding the $300 price tag for the pleasure, a near inevitability for any refined couple in one of the downtown steakhouses. Whatsoever shall I do? How will I cope, you might ask? I'll tell you - I'll visit the newly opened Community Tavern. The steaks here are fantastic. Kelly ordered the filet and she enjoyed it very much. I ordered the dry aged ribeye - rare, and you'd be advised to do the same - and it had a rich, earthy, bloody flavor. The steaks are certainly acceptable alternatives to a trip downtown. The whipped potatoes side was light, creamy, and very buttery. Even the french fries are superb, and worth a trip to have at the bar. The appetizers were more of a mixed bag. The crab legs appetizer was superb - fresh, served cold, with a light lemon aioli. The miniature boule of bread was fine, but the butter was overly salty. The salad was a bit salty too. I was intrigued by the foie gras butter and biscuits, but I did not order them this time. However, I saw an order and it looked like the foie gras was baked in to the biscuit, which was not a selling point. You may wish to inquire for yourselves. The cocktail list is fine - Kelly enjoyed her gin drink, and I had a Bulliet Rye Manhattan. It was very well made. I would have liked a bigger glass, but we are just quibbling at the point. The wine list is predominantly American, and heavy on the Napa Valley cabernets. There was but one Bordeaux, but it was very affordable at $55 and a rich, earthy old world wine that matched perfectly with the steaks. Just one word of caution - the brownie dessert with the ice cream and caramel sauce - has pork belly the ice cream. Not bacon, but fatty hunks of pork belly. It was, to be kind, a greasy, extremely unpleasant discovery, and not listed anywhere in the description. If you are the sort who enjoys bacon in everything, then you might like this, but I think bacon needs a bit of decorum and needs to learn its place. Which, in my opinion, is nowhere near ice cream. In any event, you have been so advised. We were able to send the dessert back without incident or cost. We will definitely be back. Perhaps I'll see you there?
(4)
Sandra T.
My dinner date picked out another place to have dinner, while we were eating and I mentioned the new "cool looking" restaurant around the corner from me; so we decided to have an after dinner drink there and check it out. This new establishment is a high end Modern American eatery with a French touch. I really can't wait to try dinner here. My cocktail was very good and served elegantly.
(4)
Joe Henry G.
Food and the ambiance were superb...I had the fillet Mignon..out of this world..Definitely will be back..
(4)
Patricia R.
This spot is delicious!! We decided to try it on the spur of the moment - a parking spot right in front, so we said "Why not?" Wonderful from the get go. Host and hostess very welcoming and showed us to two spots at the bar. Bartender excellent - attentive but not intrusive. We had decided on apps and libations. First up was Wedge Salad - soooo good with thick cut bacon and tender grape tomatoes. French Onion Soup was delicious. Then we had a pork belly dish that was outstanding, escargot (little too lemony for our taste but still delicious), and creamed spinach. Now we love the creamed spinach at the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle but this creamed spinach took it to another level!! Divine and the cream part excellent soaked up with some bread from our escargot. A very nice experience all the way around!!
(5)
Sang K.
Portage Park has been graced with more options for dining. Walked in on a Friday with no reservations and the place was packed! I didn't have high expectations going into the place, but boy, was I wrong. We ordered the house charcuterie plate and I was hesitant since my wife is very picky with eating new types of food. However, she loved it and the fact it didn't leave a lingering taste of what some restaurants tend to do. For dinner I had the Ribeye and she had the Pork Chop, both were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and most of all the way the restaurant is setup, it has a very relax/chill feel to it.
(5)
Matt K.
Quay and Joey have done it once again with this Gem of a spot! The selection is spot on with a variety of Meat and Seafood exactly what the Portage Park area was missing. The wine list and cocktails are A+ Amazing! This is a great neighborhood spot and if your not from the area a destination spot that you for sure need to travel to!
(5)
C V.
I picked up this place for a special occasion. It is reflected as an upscale place but I realized it is more chill and casual ambiente after getting in. The initial greeting was OK, however, just because I changed my reservation time they seemed little panicked. I do not think that was necessary because I went there before the dinner hour to avoid the crowd. I tried two dishes. The double cheeseburger, definitely not a good burger. If I am paying a steakhouse price 16$ for a double cheeseburger, not even a gigantic one I would expect better quality. The fries aka fritas served with the burger was not good at all. Very greezy taste. I could not taste the potato or the seasoning at all. Honestly, way cheaper places makes better fries. The burger can not even compete with Stanley's or Epic Burger which is half price of this place. Filet Mignon - the quality of the meat was very good. Every place I went the steak is always served with a small side, even if it is a tiny side they put something. They just served the little meat just the meat on a huge plate. I had to order the spinach side by paying 8$ extra. Their peak hours are between 6:30pm to 8.00pm. The crowd is definitely not from the area. Giving one extra star for the cut of the filet mignon. That's it.
(2)
Logan K.
TL;DR - awesome food, expect service to improve as location matures, eat here if you want an awesome steak and some menu items you haven't had anywhere else. My roommates and I tried Community on a Friday night, which I think was only their second day of service! Our party of three got right in, luckily, since they are currently only accepting reservations for parties of 5 or more. The interior size is typical of a Chicago restaurant - quaint, dark, cool stuff on the walls. We started with 3 appetizers: roasted bone marrow, king crab leg, and escargot. All awesome. Cocktails were fantastic (bar was a bit backed up that night). Entrees were the ribeye (perfection) and fresh fish (salmon). Sides are a la carte (mushrooms, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots). Everything was fantastic! Desserts are all made in-house and I'm sure change frequently. Expect to pay a decent amount, but expect great food (our bill was about $70/person for appetizers, entrees, and drinks). As far as steaks go, not quite at the level of a Joe's or Chicago Cut, but definitely a great addition to the north side's Portage Park neighborhood.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Amazing, we've been looking forward to the opening and it was everything we expected and more!
(5)
Liz P.
As fans and loyal fans of The Portage, we were excited to see Community open. Beautiful space, excellent food, and warm and knowledgeable waitstaff. We'll be there many more times to come.
(5)
Katie D.
Community Tavern was a perfect spot for my husband and my anniversary. The ambiance is romantic and they had 2 glasses of champagne for us when we sat down. The waiter was so friendly and wished us a happy anniversary multiple times. The food is excellent. I had the steak frites and my husband had the pork chop (the small portion was huge!), and we had the mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach as sides. Loved every single thing. Love these hidden gems in our neighborhood.
(5)
Luis J E.
We came on an off night I guess.. Our muffins were dry and our steaks were over cooked. Finally, tried the avocado crab salad and it is out of this world. CT also doesn't skimp on the crab meat or avocado. Huge plus for me! Still in love with the lemon pound cake and the mash potatoes are always on point. First time our steaks were over cooked. Will come back again for the double chop and bone marrow. Wish they served cheesecake ice cream just like The Portage... However, I still love CT and will continue to recommend it because it is worth every penny.
(4)
Simone K.
Loved the food! Ambiance is amazing! Perfect date night or dinner with friends! Food is creative, unique and delicious. GO!
(5)
Marianne A.
We live right across the street in the condo building. So excited to have a new spot in the Portage Park area that we can walk to for a drink. Didn't get a chance to try the food but the menu looks impressive. New american meets "formal" bar food. Atmosphere is modern, casual and just about big enough for a neighborhood bar. Looking forward to going back and trying the food!
(5)
Andrus g.
Positives: Very Nice ambiance. The lighting fixtures are luxurious/classy but also warm and inviting. Very good menu. Plenty to choose from. Cocktail was spot on...I love a tender who takes pride in their creation. Bone In short rib is the best i have ever had. Period. The cauliflower side was cheesy goodness and borderline delectable. Needs a bit of work: (and i'm only saying this because at a $100 per couple dining experience...aren't we shooting for perfection?) The servers need to know the menu through and through..which they didn't. I asked for a description of the first cocktail on the menu and was met with a blank stare then some guesses. I doubt if they had ever tasted it before. Same for the seafood platter. The servers need to take a bit more time at the table and not be 2 steps away as you finalize your order...a few more seconds would make all the difference in the experience...it's called Community isn't it?! And I hate to say this last one because I do enjoy close quarter eating and a good density of guests....but the middle tables between the bar and the booths are very awkward to dine at. It's not that your close to other ppl or even that the servers almost knock items off your table as they go buy...it's that you're sitting so low and people's butt's are 6 inches away from your face when ppl get up from the bar or when ppl have to turn sideways to pass by. this may be alleviated by installing some coat hooks in strategic locations....this will buy you 6 inches on either side of the aisle. I will return!! Great to have an new upscale option in Portage Park!!
(4)
Sonia L.
This place is a cool, different location compared to other similar restaurants. The reviews I read about this place made it sound remarkable, and maybe that's why I have to give it 3 stars. The ambiance is great! It has the low lighting rustic vibe that all American New restaurants are going for. The service is wonderful. Waiters and hostess are extremely friendly - but the food...the food is just okay. We had the chicken and the ribeye. The trout salad was also just okay.
(3)
Paul S.
Everything about this place screams quality. The food is exceptional - especially the amazing pork chop with its spicy mustard glaze. and the bacon and cheddar muffins are heavenly. Whoever is making the cocktails is also extremely good at what they do. The only thing I'd say is to skip the cobbler for dessert. It needs less sugar and more crust. Other than that, everything was excellent. A welcome addition to a neighborhood sorely lacking in high end dining.
(5)
brad w.
The first thing I noticed was the vented smell of backed up sewerage lines. The second was the pleasant greeter at the door asking if we had a reservation, it was an empty restaurant. Third was the menu not my taste, and mixed with the smell I lost the hunger that I brought with me. I liked the onion soup more onions than I like but great taste. Salad was good steak and fries was tasty. Two drinks and food a bit pricey. The smell did bother me.
(3)
Raj P.
This is a great dinner spot in Portage Park! They have a great selection of wine, beer and cocktails. I had their muscles and oysters, both were excellent.
(5)
Madeleine M.
Some of the best food I've had. My boyfriend and I came here on Saturday and we loved all of it. We got the oysters which I don't really like in general, but he loved them. And I did like the tobasco that came with them! The Filet was so delicious and perfectly cooked. Crispy on the outside and perfectly medium rare on the inside. And the sauces on it. I'm not even sure what they were, but they were perfect. He got the Steak Frites which was a little too tough for me, but he loved it. Fries were incredible, too! And the sides. Oh man. The sides. We got the cauliflower and the mushrooms. Both were delicious and the mushrooms went really well with the steak. And we ate all of it. I think our waitress was genuinely impressed by how much two people could eat. Everyone should drop what they are doing and come here for dinner. One weird thing was our table was a little too big for two people, so I ended up sitting next to him instead of across from him. But then when all of our plates came it made sense that our table was a little oversized :)
(5)
Claire C.
What a wonderful discovery! Community Tavern is like a French brasserie and steakhouse, all in one!! We had the Steak Frites - the meat was done to perfection and DELICIOUS and the Charcuterie Platter, presented impeccably on a thick wood platter, was to die for. Great Wine list,too. And so many choices of appetizers and entrees that look wonderful...but we were full and could eat no more. This is a MUST to go back to. What a wonderful find. I love CT's sister restaurant The Portage, too. Community Tavern has the same service values as The Portage and their waitstaff was both personable, fun and friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
(5)
tia r.
Why trek from Portage Park to The Violet Hour in Wicker Park when Community Tavern has excellent cocktails, wonderful ambiance, and great food. Community Tavern is definitely one of my favorites! The mixologist at this place is outstanding. I ordered the Side Piece...AH-mazing!! #newfavoritecocktail
(5)
Naj S.
We will be back! The drinks: - Had the Get Together; it was delicious - Good beer and wine selections The food: - Rosemary Focaccia: fine, would order the petite boulet next time - French onion soup was the best I've ever had: it's all about the broth, 'bout the broth! - Kale and apple salad: perfectly dressed, clean flavors, very good (a welcome salad to balance out the richness of the other dishes) - Hand-Cut Fettuccine Beef Cheek Stroganoff: toothsome noodles, luscious sauce (maybe a scoche salty?) - Bone-In Short Rib: perfectly cooked and marinated, atop creamy (not heavy) risotto, with baby carrots. Decadent, delicious! - Roasted Cauliflower (side): good and bubbly hot - Brownie Sundae: We like our brownies dense and fudgy; this was more like batter. It was okay. The Service: Despite being a bit flaky, our server was nice and informed enough, hence the 4 stars. A bit more attentive and present, and this place would have been a 5 star. Look forward to another visit!
(4)
Rob K.
At last, tonight we made it to this latest lovely joint from the owner of The Portage and it was everything we hoped. I had a great ribeye, three helpings of a beautiful cocktail, the atmosphere is exceptional and just a lovely treat, all in all. It's an integral part of the Six Corners renaissance in Portage Park and it's everything we hoped. We will be back, more than once.
(5)
Susan G.
Love, Love, Loved our dinner! Our party had an amazing double cheeseburger with anchovy sauce, heavenly short ribs, and an amazing steak pommes frites. Will be back very very soon.
(5)
Chris R.
Everything about this place is first class. Great restaurant not only in just Portage Park/Jefferson Park but in the city.
(5)
Sarah L.
What a wonderful dining experience all around! We were warmly greeted when we walked in and had such a great time! We shared the crab legs as an appetizer and then chose the mussels and salmon for our entrees. I'm so happy that this restaurant has come to the neighborhood and highly recommend them for delicious food and drink and impeccable service.
(5)
Erik B.
Excellent ambiance, great food, knowledgeable servers! So glad to welcome Community Tavern to Portage Park. We will be back many times!
(5)
Chari A.
Love, love it. They take risks, I appreciate that. We had a smoked trout Caesar, beef tartar, chicken sausage and the seafood special. Excellent. The cocktails were original, interesting and unique. Great, great surprise and neighborhood gem. Highly recommended.
(5)
Lysa H.
This place is fabulous!!! Great spot for a date or for groups. Their rendition of Oysters Rockefeller was amazing - Very creative & delicious, not your ordinary Oysters Rockefeller. We also shared the porterhouse & short ribs which were both outstanding & you cannot pass up the roasted cheesy cauliflower - to die for!!! Great wine list, excellent & friendly service/staff. The owner was hosting so he sat & checked up on us occasionally. Highly highly recommend this place. Cannot wait to go back & try more entrees!
(5)
Susie B.
Community Tavern is the best! I've been a few times and I'm never disappointed...the staff is incredibly friendly, food is AMAZING and there is always a unique cocktail on the menu that I'm excited to try. The must haves on the food menu are Tuna Crudo, Charcuterie Plate, Wedge Salad, and the Short Rib. The menu is big enough that you can always try something new but not overwhelming. I can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere was fantastic! Food was delicious, drinks were just okay which why Community doesn't get 5 stars. I asked for several drinks including my go to french martini, there wasn't any chambord so I had to settle for a boring vodka with sprite.
(4)
Patrick F.
Wow! Sometimes I worry about being this positive, but the "secret" is already out. Quay Tao has done it again; bringing high quality food, and service, to Old Irving Park. We enjoy The Portage, and now we have a choice. We were in on a very busy Saturday night; we enjoyed our drinks at the bar; Community features an impressive beer and wine list. The menu is as good as any on Randolph St., as is the service. The food is excellent and even on a busy Saturday night, the food came out fast. Not rushed, just really nice. I enjoyed the steak fritte, my wife the crab and avocado salad; both were great. In fact, come for the fritte. The roasted cauliflower is great too. Community was very busy, the service and kitchen were easily up to the job. The food and service are both first rate. Save the cab fare, and the time it takes going downtown and enjoy an evening at Community Tavern
(5)
Ryan J.
Was really not expecting that. Excellent fresh seafood, steaks and cocktails. Nice build out. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Emily P.
Somewhat new addition to a neighborhood desperate for restaurants of the Community Tavern kind.... Initial impression was the atmosphere is excellent, the place is expertly designed, absolute gorgeous fixtures including lights, tables, and chairs. Our server was Dave (I think). Dave was ok, he named the kind of oysters we ordered, however, the server who brought them out named 2 completely different ones. When he brought our Charcuterie plate he mentioned the meats were all made by the chef "Matt" but didn't tell us Matt's last name. I personally thought that was a little sloppy. Dave also had a manner about him where he says "okay?" and "alright?" after almost every sentence. While this may be a nervous tick or just a habit, this could be misconstrued as condescending by someone. At one point toward the end of the meal I had a question to which Dave answered and followed with "okay?" Sensing I may have found his response off-putting and he quickly followed-up with "I'm not trying to sound condescending" so I have a feeling he may have been misinterpreted as condescending before. The drinks we ordered were allegedly a new addition to the menu "sloe ride": while cleverly named, it was very disappointing. The sugar was very grainy and the drink itself had a metallic taste and the color wasn't pleasing. Another issue was 1 of the 3 in our party had a different menu. The unfortunate element of this was the fettuccini was something this individual read about and wanted to try prior to this trip and while the fettuccini was included on their menu, this individual later found of their menu was old and must have somehow gotten slipped in. Another problem w having the old menu was this person had settled their mind on the $33 ribeye only to find out it is now $39 on the new menu. Lastly, our steaks were not cooked to the proper temperature. We shared the ribeye at medium well temp and the steak was very well done. The other person in our party ordered medium and her steak was rare. Overall I wasn't impressed. If the design wasn't as flawless as it was, I would have given this restaurant 2 stars.
(3)
Oscar M.
Exactly what the neighborhood needs, an excellent restaurant with a cozy ambiance that focuses on great dishes.
(5)
Terrel K.
continues to be a staple for the area.keep up the good work,will be there weekly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Elise W.
We love the Portage and have been looking forward to Community Tavern's opening. My husband and I went with friends and had a great experience. We felt the service was great, and the food was delicious! We are so excited that this restaurant is a new addition to the neighborhood and will definitely be back.
(5)
Ed D.
Love that this place is here - such a great addition to Six Corners. The couple next to us were long time Portage Park residents (we have been in the neighborhood for about 3 years now) and we agreed that this is the kind of restaurant our area deserves - great ambience, unbelievable food and fantastic service - a truly quality dining experience that you don't need to go downtown (or even Bucktown or Logan Square) to get. We started with a few of the house cocktails (legit Whiskey Sour with egg white and the Get Together were the standouts) and then a sampling of appetizers - the foie gras butter and biscuits, beef tartare, wedge salad and escargot were all spot on and as decadent as you want them to be. The olives in the tartare provided an unusual but perfect saltiness to that dish. For mains I had the scallop pasta special, my wife had the short rib, and the other couple we were with had the pork chop and ribeye. We all sampled widely because every dish was amazing and had to be tried. Side of creamed spinach was maybe the best I've ever had. Dessert (if you can believe we still had room for it) was carrot cake, which Quay, the owner, comped to us after stopping by and chatting about the neighborhood and the excitement of getting his second restaurant off the ground here. All in, we are thrilled to have Community Tavern and will be back (hopefully many times).
(5)
Di M.
I never thought I'd ever be inclined to go out for a nice dinner around this neighborhood (Portage Park). Alas, there's finally a nice restaurant in this area worthy of date night. I grew up around here and I used to make it a point to go to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, etc. whenever I wanted to go out. Needless to say this restaurant is on par with the restaurants in those neighborhoods. The food and ambiance here is awesome! Had the foie gras butter, roasted chicken, steak frites and brownie sundae for dessert. They also have a solid drink menu.
I have anxiously watched the construction of this fine establishment over several months and it does not disappoint! So far I've had their very fresh oysters (both East and West coast), wedge romaine salad and cheddar bacon muffin. I've also sampled their ox tail and short rib terrine and smoked trout ceasar. All at the gourmet level. I went there the second week they were open and I think they are still trying to figure out a few things when it comes to service. Service was quite friendly but somewhat disjointed. We did arrive just as big groups came in....so they were very busy. I think the price point is a bit high as well. Don't get me wrong the food is incredible, gourmet level and you would expect to pay for this quality.....we will see what happens as Community Tavern evolves and matures. I will be having dinner here just before seeing a show at the Filament Theatre across the street very soon! They open at 5PM. Entrees run from $16 to $43. Appetizers from $2-$15. They also have a very nice wine list, but limited Single Malt Scotch selection (sorry, I'm a Scotch snob!!). They have a "party room" in the back and are now taking reservations. I would suggest you call and make a reservation. Even though they have just now opened Community Tavern is very busy. The bottom line is to go to the Community Tavern with friends and family. Spend some time reviewing the menu and specials. Have a nice red wine. Sip a Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch. Enjoy. Enjoy.
(4)
Ellyn N.
So great to have another restaurant in the 6 corners area. We are OIP residents and love The Portage, so this was the obvious choice for us when we wanted to try a new restaurant. They are still working out some of the service kinks. Our waitress did not make recommendations, was not very familiar with the food and did not have any feedback on the cocktail menu. She did recommend a great glass of wine. They will get it right eventually. The food was all great, although my steak was a little overdone. We will be back!
We are thrilled that Quay has opened another phenomenal restaurant in the neighborhood!! Loved the decor and funky upbeat vibe. We tried the oysters - half were East Coast/half West Coast - outstanding with a Tabasco shallot sauce. The escargot was garlicky goodness and the smoked trout endive salad is a must. We split the short ribs - melt off the bone and the creamed spinach was the best I have had. I normally don't do cocktails but I would highly recommend doing so! A big shout out to our wait staff Jamie whose recs were right on. Can't wait to head back to sample the rest of the menu.
(5)
Julio K.
Great local place that doesn't disappoint after each visit. The service + staff has been quite excellent. The food is amazing and on point! Mix cocktails are pretty tasty. I highly recommend this place and look forward to trying everything on the menu! Pretty sweet establishment with an awesome atmosphere, even if you go there for drinks - tho you should share or hoard the cheddar bacon muffin(s)... =) Bone-in Short Rib over crescenza risotto, caper and balsamic reduction - wow! I wish for a little less of the reduction to showcase the risotto some more (the minor details), but damn was it tasty and ever so tender! Great dish will blow your mind! Fresh Oysters - get them, that's all you need to know! Cheddar bacon muffin will put a huge smile on your face! Roasted cauliflower - tasty. Short Rib + Oxtail Terrine - amazing!!! 10 stars!!! Steak Frites - tender + delicious! Crab + Avocado salad - yum! Airmail - awesome cocktail! 37th Chamber - awesome cocktail #2!
(5)
Joe J.
I wasn't sure what to expect, I hadn't read anything about it before we went. I guess I was expecting a sports bar type setting, instead it was much more elegant and tasteful. The food was perfect, We had 6 different items and they were all the "best we ever had". Yes, it is expensive for the area, the lowest price entre on the menu was a double cheeseburger for $16.00... But I am optimistic about this place hopefully changing the area for the better. This is an impressive restaurant you want to bring family and friends to, it's not a family restaurant that would be suitable for small children. We will absolutely go back when celebrating a special event or entertaining friends. My only recommendation would be to make the washrooms look as nice and tasteful as your restaurant.
Wow, absolutely amazing! Our server was super sweet and attentive, drinks were good, and food was fabulous! We had the burger, ribeye, creamed spinach (extra good).
(5)
Gregg C.
Cool place. Great food. Nice ambiance. Sat in the back dining area, so the noise wasn't bad, but up front it is a bustling place on a Friday night. Only issue is that service could be a bit more polished. They were definitely rushing us through our meal. The waiter was clearly in a hurry to get our order.He didn't give us much time to review the menu. .We had to ask him twice to give us more time. Also, we were asked if we were finished several times while we were still eating. Check was brought over while we were eating dessert. One other odd note: when the waiter brought out our steaks, he wouldn't leave the table until we cut into the steak and confirmed that it was cooked just right "so that we wouldn't finish the entire steak and then complain that it wasn't cooked properly". Despite the less than optimal service, I would go back.
Community did not disappoint. We stopped in early Sat night for drinks/apps at the bar before heading out to meet friends. The Get Together and Airmail were tasty, and the braised ribs appetizer was delicious. Service was attentive and the atmosphere was warm and stylish - overall a very welcome addition to the hood!
(5)
Tony M.
Came here for a birthday celebration. The menu is very meat-centric -- it's a steakhouse mainly. The appetizers and main course were excellent. Drinks were also good. The service was very good and extremely friendly. Because it was a birthday, one of the desserts was comped. Some issues: the wine list is quite pricey, the desserts aren't very strong, it's noisy, and seating is a bit tight. Not very conducive to a romantic birthday celebration, but it would be great for a big group.
(4)
Mike Y.
I like this place very much. The ribeye is outstanding. Everything is fresh and very tasty. You get a downtown steak for a neighborhood price. Good service. Interesting food items. I really enjoyed the Kale and Apple soup. foie gras butter and biscuits are amazing. A must try for foodies in and around Portage Park.
(5)
Hillary S.
Good atmosphere and decent food/drink, but poor service. We arrived for an 8:30 reservation, but were not seated until well after 9:15. They were out of one drink we ordered and the salad we ordered. They brought us the wrong drink and our food took longer than the tables around us, once seated. They were nice enough to comp us an appetizer and the mistaken drink, but overall I feel there are some service kinks to be worked out. Should be a nice spot once they get the logistics of timing and supply running smoothly.
(3)
City C.
It is very difficult to get here bc Milwaukee is so congested and only two lanes. It feels a bit rundown in the area even though this is a beautiful place. There was snow everywhere and impossible to traverse across sidewalks. Once inside, it is beautiful and upscale. The mixologist/bartender is knowlegable and has an array of interesting cocktails that are are unique and delicious. The food is good and not overly priced. We enjoyed ourselves and will try again if we can get there with the traffic.
(3)
Jim W.
EH. I'm a big fan of The Portage, and was excited to try The Community Tavern. The setting is modern and well done. The staff is friendly and professional. But, there was something wrong with everything I ordered: 1) they cleared my drink after one sip, wtf? 2) the salad was swimming in dressing, gross. 3) The frites in my steak frites were burned. 4) The coffee wasn't edible, it wasn't even warm. I'm retching thinking about it. The steak was well prepared, and the pound cake was good too. I will add my server did a good job. I did say something about taking my drink, and I only complained about the coffee. He comped me the dessert. That's why I gave 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)
Teresa W.
Great place. Better than any steakhouse in the city, but less expensive . Will defiantly go back!
(5)
Peg C.
So happy Quay has brought his magic to Milwaukee Ave. We are huge fans of The Portage and have been waiting for Community to open for months now. We went for Valentine's Day dinner. I had a great whiskey sour, my husband was able to indulge his sour beer tastes with a Destihl. We ordered oysters, which were fresh and delish, and the bone marrow which was served with a yummy shallot preserve. My husband had the ribeye, which was perfectly cooked and served with roasted shallots, which were an awesome accompaniment. I had the steak frites--the steak was also perfectly seasoned and cooked--and the fries came with garlic mayo, which I love. The highlight of the meal was the creamed spinach side--unlike most creamed spinach, this was whole leaf spinach, barely cooked, in a rich, garlicky, creamy, full flavored sauce--this is creamed spinach which has died and gone to heaven. Or maybe I did. I would happily eat that creamed spinach every day. Dessert was a New York cheesecake with a cherry compote--very good. Also of note--the beer list has many local choices, and I was pleased to find some very good Michigan wines on the wine list. We will definitely be back, can't wait to just wander over for a drink and some noshes, as well as dinner.
(5)
Jenifer K.
Visited Community Tavern last night for the first time with a group of friends. We reserved the back room for our group of 13 -- cozy but not tight. I loved all the food I tried last night! The crispy duck skin (normally bar snack only, shhh) was decadent! We shared some delicious fresh oysters, smoked trout salad and cheddar bacon muffins. The muffins alone are worthy of a trip. My friend had the roasted chicken which included a stellar chicken sausage. We ordered several servings of sides, both spinach and cauliflower, both fantastic. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Jim K.
While I love that an upscale restaurant is in Portage Park I just didn't feel our experience was that great. The good: my steak & my fiance chicken was superb & delicious. However, she had creme of cauliflower that was the blandest thing either of us have ever tasted & required a lot of salt to make it taste like anything. For a French place their French onion soup was pretty average as well. Timing was off the entire night, our soups came out quickly but our food was almost 25 minutes later (we even had to ask our server when it was going to come). Speaking of which I asked our server to bring me a glass of wine when dinner came & by the time she did my steak was half eaten. Lastly for dessert, we had the brownie & it wasn't even warm. We might try it again but I can't believe all these gushing reviews.
(3)
Marie M.
I loved the location and the atmosphere. The food was good but not awesome. They really need to work on the service however. When we sat down, the staff was there immediately. However after a few minutes to look at menus, you could have died of thirst before they returned and it was not crowded. Trying to get a second drink was worse. They took order and disappeared for about 15-20 minutes for a beer. When someone returned it was the wrong beer twice??? It was quite light for a dark stout, what they kept bringing looked more like a larger. I am hoping it gets better.
(3)
Terry L.
Stellar service. Food is great. Chef Joey Beato is cranking out some good eats on the northwest side. Space is beautiful, love the long bar. Fans of nearby The Portage restaurant will love it, as it's the same owners and chef. Owner Quay Tao is hands on, and always friendly and welcoming. I recently visited with a friend and we had drinks and a few items from the bar menu. We had Duck Cracklin's, which were awesome. Perfectly crisp, and almost dissolve in your mouth! We also shared the pork meatballs, which is made with a touch of jalapeno, and that puts them over the top. They were juicy too. Overall, the atmosphere was lively. Our bartender was attentive, and even offered us a sampling of another beer from Lake Effect that he thought we would like, and he did this after we paid our tab, which was gracious. They source local foods, and the beer list is from many of the local breweries, with the draft beer from Finch and Lake Effect Brewing, which are both local neighborhood brewers. They take the name Community and have put it to good use. A great addition to our community. Well done. I can't wait to come back for steak!
(5)
Paula B.
So excited about the new addition to the neighborhood! The waitstaff was very friendly, knowledgeable and not intrusive. The cozy atmosphere was perfect for a cold winter night and the food and drinks were great!
(5)
Mike C.
We have been fans of owner Quay Tao's other Portage Park restaurant, The Portage, for several years, and were anxious for Community Tavern to open. We couldn't make opening night, but just over a week later, we got in, and Quay, Chef Joey Beato, and bar manager Jose Cordon have done it again. Community Tavern offers stylish and classy tavern atmosphere with warmth and ambiance. Bouillabaisse, house-made breads, and oyster appetizers were fantastic. My dining companions also enjoyed their meals. Drinks are nicely paired and stand as works of art on their own. Service was organized and familiar with the dishes and drink pairings. The entire staff seems personally invested in ensuring your positive experience. Quay and team have done a fantastic job of getting up to speed in their first week of operation, and we are so glad to recommend the new venture.
(5)
Suzy J.
What a beautiful place! Great cocktails, delicious cuisine and friendly service. Try the shortrib app, steak and fries, creative salads. So much to love! Our new favorite spot. Easy drive and ample parking on Milwaukee.
(5)
Olivia H.
Went on a Friday night - frequent patron of The Portage. Ambiance is awesome! A little hard to talk across the table because it was packed...waiter was really new - did not explain specials like the waiter on the next table and was not good at circling back to make sure all was good. Ordered steak frites, which was cold and the presentation was not what I have come to expect at The Portage. Also ordered short-ribs, which was ok - again not the best. I think they are still going thru opening pains...definitely going back - during the week! Overall, a welcome destination in the 6 corners neighborhood!
(4)
Matt M.
Really. Really! Good!! Consider this place the slightly more upscale brother to the justly popular Portage restaurant. Community has one of the best menu's I've seen in awhile. A wide, yet cohesive range of delicious dishes, priced fairly and, at least at this first visit, all prepared perfectly. We had the foie gras biscuit, which was delicious and an even better ox tail terrine. For mains we had the whole fish and the salmon and both were some of the best fish we have had anywhere. The scene is one of casual elegance. Perfect for families or date night, young and old. Highly recommend! A fantastic addition to the neighborhood.
(5)
Erin D.
Had a chance to check out 6 Corner's newest gem of a restaurant last night, and was really impressed. The interior is beautiful and the food was absolutely delicious. We tried three different appetizers (the shortrib, the fois gras biscuits, and the rosemary focaccia) and they were all winners! The servers were attentive and friendly, despite being mired in the chaos of opening night. All in all it was a great experience, and we're excited to see Community Tavern breathing some much needed life into the area.
(5)
Loretta F.
We made reservations 5 days ahead for 4 people for a Friday night. They called to confirm our reservations and asked if there were any food allergies or issues they should know about. Three of us were drinking wine and decided to order a bottle, after consulting with Jeremy we ordered a bottle, but it was not what we were expecting. The waitress, Victoria, graciously offered to exchange it for a different bottle. We were so grateful for that. I ordered the short rib, and kale and apple salad. I couldn't get enough of the salad. The short rib was wonderful too, but it was a lot and now I have some for lunch today....I should have ordered another serving of the salad to go. The rest of my party ordered the salmon and 2 ordered the pork chop ...small serving was giant. No one was sharing...or even offering to...I think they liked it:) Service was terrific and we will definitely make this a regular stop.
(5)
Liz D.
I had a LOVELY evening at Community Tavern! We went on Sunday - day 4 - and our food and service were both top-notch. We shared a few appetizers and wine and I will definitely be back to try the entres. We had the frites (nice and skinny, with fresh herbs, maybe a touch underdone?, the tartare (I deny it's existence as I inhaled it that quickly), oysters (2 different kinds, perfectly shucked), king crab (tasty, on the smaller side - both portion & size-wise), and the kale & apple salad (seriously delicious for kale lovers). Everything was pretty much perfect, and I kept thinking "i'm eating oysters in portage park" which really couldn't make me any happier. The decor is really pretty, it's a nice size, welcoming & comfortable. I would come here to get away from kids, because I didn't feel like waiting in line anywhere in logan square, because the menu/wine list ROCKs and the food is good - I loved it!
(4)
Beebe G.
i'm not as impressed with this place yet as my fellow foodies. i agree it is fantastic they opened in six-corners area (welcome to the neighborhood!) and there are still a lot of kinks to work out and the ambiance is beautiful. also, the servers and the host are very nice. with all that said, the prices are extremely high. this is a special occasion place to dine once or twice a year. if this is the type of demographics they want to have so be it. service is a bit of a wait when we were here on a sunday night 6pm-ish. they need to staff up. it was a full house when we arrived probably b/c of the free movie (finding vivian maier) at the portage that night. the place was crowded and very loud and it was hard to have a conversation with my husband and daughter. they really need to add something to the room to offset the noise. i ordered the lake effect wit $8 (priced too high for this beer!) and the trout caesar salad. my daughter iced tea and french onion soup and my husband ordered one of the specialty drinks and the shriimp cocktail. all of the food and drinks were fabulous. i don't agree that a moderate bowl of french onion soup should be $8. that's a little steep for soup. my trout caesar salad albeit delicious was a tiny portion for $13. note_ this is not the caesar salad you would imagine it to be. just yummy smoked trout, grapes and 5 pieces of endive. also, this was not my original choice. the crab and avocado salad was my first choice but they ran out. at 630pm? not good. i will return in a few weeks after they finish tweaking and will order dinner and all the works. i hope by this time there would have been many improvements. keep on keeping on.
(2)
Mike C.
We have been fans of owner Quay Tao's other Portage Park restaurant, The Portage, for several years, and were anxious for Community Tavern to open. We couldn't make opening night, but just over a week later, we got in, and Quay, Chef Joey Beato, and bar manager Jose Cordon have done it again. Community Tavern offers stylish and classy tavern atmosphere with warmth and ambiance. Bouillabaisse, house-made breads, and oyster appetizers were fantastic. My dining companions also enjoyed their meals. Drinks are nicely paired and stand as works of art on their own. Service was organized and familiar with the dishes and drink pairings. The entire staff seems personally invested in ensuring your positive experience. Quay and team have done a fantastic job of getting up to speed in their first week of operation, and we are so glad to recommend the new venture.
(5)
Suzy J.
What a beautiful place! Great cocktails, delicious cuisine and friendly service. Try the shortrib app, steak and fries, creative salads. So much to love! Our new favorite spot. Easy drive and ample parking on Milwaukee.
(5)
Olivia H.
Went on a Friday night - frequent patron of The Portage. Ambiance is awesome! A little hard to talk across the table because it was packed...waiter was really new - did not explain specials like the waiter on the next table and was not good at circling back to make sure all was good. Ordered steak frites, which was cold and the presentation was not what I have come to expect at The Portage. Also ordered short-ribs, which was ok - again not the best. I think they are still going thru opening pains...definitely going back - during the week! Overall, a welcome destination in the 6 corners neighborhood!
(4)
Matt M.
Really. Really! Good!! Consider this place the slightly more upscale brother to the justly popular Portage restaurant. Community has one of the best menu's I've seen in awhile. A wide, yet cohesive range of delicious dishes, priced fairly and, at least at this first visit, all prepared perfectly. We had the foie gras biscuit, which was delicious and an even better ox tail terrine. For mains we had the whole fish and the salmon and both were some of the best fish we have had anywhere. The scene is one of casual elegance. Perfect for families or date night, young and old. Highly recommend! A fantastic addition to the neighborhood.
(5)
Erin D.
Had a chance to check out 6 Corner's newest gem of a restaurant last night, and was really impressed. The interior is beautiful and the food was absolutely delicious. We tried three different appetizers (the shortrib, the fois gras biscuits, and the rosemary focaccia) and they were all winners! The servers were attentive and friendly, despite being mired in the chaos of opening night. All in all it was a great experience, and we're excited to see Community Tavern breathing some much needed life into the area.
(5)
Liz D.
I had a LOVELY evening at Community Tavern! We went on Sunday - day 4 - and our food and service were both top-notch. We shared a few appetizers and wine and I will definitely be back to try the entres. We had the frites (nice and skinny, with fresh herbs, maybe a touch underdone?, the tartare (I deny it's existence as I inhaled it that quickly), oysters (2 different kinds, perfectly shucked), king crab (tasty, on the smaller side - both portion & size-wise), and the kale & apple salad (seriously delicious for kale lovers). Everything was pretty much perfect, and I kept thinking "i'm eating oysters in portage park" which really couldn't make me any happier. The decor is really pretty, it's a nice size, welcoming & comfortable. I would come here to get away from kids, because I didn't feel like waiting in line anywhere in logan square, because the menu/wine list ROCKs and the food is good - I loved it!
(4)
Loretta F.
We made reservations 5 days ahead for 4 people for a Friday night. They called to confirm our reservations and asked if there were any food allergies or issues they should know about. Three of us were drinking wine and decided to order a bottle, after consulting with Jeremy we ordered a bottle, but it was not what we were expecting. The waitress, Victoria, graciously offered to exchange it for a different bottle. We were so grateful for that. I ordered the short rib, and kale and apple salad. I couldn't get enough of the salad. The short rib was wonderful too, but it was a lot and now I have some for lunch today....I should have ordered another serving of the salad to go. The rest of my party ordered the salmon and 2 ordered the pork chop ...small serving was giant. No one was sharing...or even offering to...I think they liked it:) Service was terrific and we will definitely make this a regular stop.
(5)
Beebe G.
i'm not as impressed with this place yet as my fellow foodies. i agree it is fantastic they opened in six-corners area (welcome to the neighborhood!) and there are still a lot of kinks to work out and the ambiance is beautiful. also, the servers and the host are very nice. with all that said, the prices are extremely high. this is a special occasion place to dine once or twice a year. if this is the type of demographics they want to have so be it. service is a bit of a wait when we were here on a sunday night 6pm-ish. they need to staff up. it was a full house when we arrived probably b/c of the free movie (finding vivian maier) at the portage that night. the place was crowded and very loud and it was hard to have a conversation with my husband and daughter. they really need to add something to the room to offset the noise. i ordered the lake effect wit $8 (priced too high for this beer!) and the trout caesar salad. my daughter iced tea and french onion soup and my husband ordered one of the specialty drinks and the shriimp cocktail. all of the food and drinks were fabulous. i don't agree that a moderate bowl of french onion soup should be $8. that's a little steep for soup. my trout caesar salad albeit delicious was a tiny portion for $13. note_ this is not the caesar salad you would imagine it to be. just yummy smoked trout, grapes and 5 pieces of endive. also, this was not my original choice. the crab and avocado salad was my first choice but they ran out. at 630pm? not good. i will return in a few weeks after they finish tweaking and will order dinner and all the works. i hope by this time there would have been many improvements. keep on keeping on.
(2)
Rawlins R.
Here to upgrade from my original review. All things still hold from the first review but after a few more visits I am completely sold on this experience. It is truly a breathe of fresh air to have such an establishment in the Portage Irving area. The attention to detail and genuine care shown by owner and staff here is more than apparent. They must do some type of staff rotation because from "bus boy", to waiter, to hostess, they all know their stuff. Menu items are hand crafted and phenomenal. Since my first visit, I've had the salmon, the burger, the potatoes and vegetables, the oysters, and beef tartare. All great! So happy for CT and this is no doubt a guaranteed good experience.
(5)
Julia S.
Community Tavern has an incredible ambiance, with much better decor than its sister restaurant, The Portage (which is also an excellent spot!). The service was top notch as well. The staff was very personable, attentive, and knowledgable. For our food we split two appetizers and an entree. The king crab legs were wonderful, especially the dipping sauce that came with them. The beef tartare was delicious, but there were far too many capers on the dish compared to the amount of beef. We had dozens left on our plate at the end! We also got the whole fish, and the flavors were excellent! The garbanzo beans and sauce perfectly complimented the fish. We finished with a brownie sundae, which was good, but not mind blowing. I had a couple of bites and was okay with letting my husband finish the rest (which very rarely happens, trust me!). Overall an incredible experience. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Angus W.
So there we were.. strolling through Portage Park and thinking "wouldn't it be nice if we could find a French styled Steakhouse somewhere around here?" Yeah, so that's not exactly how it happened... Ok, our besties read about Community Tavern and we decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Lisa and I were with our foodie buds, Adam and Janet... and were determined to take advantage of the menu. The decor is a conglomeration of styles.. from industrial to French. But it works and will hold your interest.. well, at least.. it held mine. The service was top notch throughout the evening. For appetizers we shared the Short Rib and Oxtail Terrine (don't miss it! kind of a fancy meatloaf with an egg on top), King Crab Legs (small portion, but a taste for everyone) and the House Charcuterie Plate and because we just wanted to try them.. we ordered a side of the Breakfast Radishes as an appetizer too. One of the things we love about our friends is that if someone suggests something they are always like.. "sure, why not?" I'm the curmudgeon but they all put up with me anyway. We almost forgot to order the Cheddar Bacon muffin, fortunately, we recovered in time to have one before the meal was over. I had the bone in Berkshire Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked perfectly.. it was delicious.. in my opinion only eclipsed by Lisa's order of Braised Short Rib on Risotto (OMG!) which was not only delicious but surprisingly not at all fatty.. that's what I'll get next time. Or maybe I should get what Adam ordered.. the Steak Delmonico.. I didn't taste it, but it looked delicious and his discriminating palate thought it was pretty terrific. Or..maybe Janet's Dry Aged Rib eye....she loved that, so... All of the food was excellent! We were stuffed but shared a Brownie Sundae, just because.
(5)
Davis J.
We came here last night for apps and cocktails tonight and it was an excellent experience! While we were at the bar, we spoke with Jose, the bar manager. He is clearly invested in his craft--he personally created many of the cocktails on the drinks menu. The major winners of the night were: * the basil-infused vodka martini with a twist * the wedge salad * the french onion soup Overall, their menu is fantastic--you cannot go wrong!
(5)
Ruby Q.
So I was a little cheezed off originally when I came here at 5:30 on a Saturday for a quick meal. The hostess working the front said that they were "fully committed"in a room that was half empty. She offered some seat that stares at the wall 12 inches away. We gave it another try early on a Thursday and I'd say that this is "just what Portage Park needs". The steaks were nicely done and "Get Together" cocktail was layered with great flavor. I did not care for the bone marrow, although I crave this from other places. The bread was greasy tasting. The wedge salad also left us wanting- it's not a wedge at all- and seemed a lil limp. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)
Conor M.
Everything about our first experience at Community Tavern was top notch. The service was spot on. The staff treated us like we were VIPs when we're just a couple of folks from the neighborhood. We tried a couple of the house cocktails and were quite impressed. The "dark Manhattan" (using dark rum instead of whiskey) left a positive impression on my palette. My wife had the whiskey sour and it was one of the best sours I've had the pleasure to taste. My first cocktail was a lovely gin concoction whose name now escapes me. I could have had several of those if I wasn't driving that evening. The charcuterie plate is highly recommended. Community makes everything on the plate in-house, with the exception of the mustard (whole grain, delicious). I could seriously have had several servings of that plate and that would suit me for an evening. I tried the vegetable potage and was very pleased. The dish screamed "fresh!" I could have had a large bowl and been entirely satisfied. We had the 16oz ribeye and the tomahawk pork chop. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompaniments to each dish were expertly matched. I wish I had an extra two stomachs so I could eat more of Community's offerings. We were so full we weren't going to have any dessert, but Quay convinced us to give their banana cake a try. We were glad we did. Community is definitely on the pricey side, but for an upscale joint in Portage Park/Six Corners I highly recommend it. I'm in love with this place and will be back again and again.
(5)
Don C.
Great time, great place, get food and great staff. Go there - you won't be disappointed! Nuff said!
(5)
Ide C.
Beautiful subtle ambience. Very comfortable, welcoming feeling. Quay did the decorating from the antique mirrors to the gorgeous lighting fixtures to the comfortable seating. Very well done. Staff was excellent, friendly and accommodating. David was our server and he was charming. If u get him, you will be well taken care of. We started with the steak tartare which was extremely tasty. Others had a wedge of lettuce and soup. My partner had the pork chop for his entree which he said was outstanding. Two others had steak and raved. I had cassoulet which I had never had before. It was a nice mixture of sausage, duck etc. I thought it was good. We ended sharing two desserts, one of which was a crispy brownie which was a great end to a lovely evening. The coffee was very good. I Wd go back to try something new.
(4)
Alexios T.
Amazing every time we go there. The service is terrific. The drinks are great. The food is incredible. A tad noisy when busy, but what do you expect from a hip and happenin' place like Community. If you are in the northwest side of Chicago in the 6-corners area, please please please go here. You won't regret it.
(5)
Stephanie L.
We decided to come here because my boyfriend saw Community Tavern featured in an article about Chicago's best new restaurants. I thought the food was delicious! We had a party of 4, but none of us were particularly hungry so we ordered 3 entrees to share. We got the bouillabaisse, the braised short rib, and the bone marrow steak. Each entree really featured a different type of protein, and I thought they were all cooked perfectly! I would definitely go back! I only give it a 4 star only because I think the menu selection could be a little broader. I mean I had no problem picking out something I liked, but I know my mom had some trouble with it. But overall loved the restaurant! Taste: 10/10 Portion size: 6/10 Service: 4/10 Ambience: 7/10
(4)
Jaime G.
Home run for Quay and team at this new gastropub. Incredible that he did it in this neighborhood and delivering a quality experience. Food, wine, beer, cocktails, all exceptional. We started with then foie gras butter with biscuits. Then tried the seafood tower with shrimp, crab legs, oysters, salmon ceviche, and tuna tartar. Did not disappoint. We had a nice Syrah with our entrees that included the duck confit special (with beans, andouille sausage, and pork belly), roasted chicken, steak and Frits, dry aged Ribeye, and double cheeseburger (kids had this and loved), and a selection of sides (kudos to the cauliflower mac and cheese like dish). Great service topped of the evening. Want to come back to try the specialty cocktails that we didn't have room for. Plus, it's just cool place to hang out at.
(5)
Elizabeth H.
This place is amazing!!! The atmosphere is nice and they have a great long bar with cool wine holders. I had my first oysters here and I can't wait to eat them again. Servers were nice and knowledgeable on the menu. Great drinks, great food, great everything!
(5)
Reda K.
Omg my double cheeseburger was so good the bun was toasted ..the owner is super cool. Every time we come he makes us feel welcome which is great Nice guy..
(5)
Catherine H.
The owner of Portage has done it again for Portage Park. This new addition to the community is sparking a revitalization to the eateries in the area. I went to Community opening night and the staff was well prepared. I've been back 3 more time since then. Everything is delish! Tried almost all the apps including their seafood towers...yum! Have had the fillet and cheeseburger, yes I said cheeseburger. It was melt in your mouth good! The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. The place does get busy on evenings and weekends so booking a reservation is recommended, which you can do online. Parking can be found in the parking lot a block over and even on Milwaukee. Also, there is one bathroom per gender.
(5)
Ebby V.
My buddy and I sat at the bar for dinner. We had reservations but we didn't want to necessarily sit at the table they offered us. If you take a chance to look around you will see the faux bird cages surrounding the lighting. I found that unique. At the bar it was easy to notice that they were experts in making cocktails. They also have an excellent wine list. I don't know that I have any particular type of gem to share but I know this. They have the best french onion soup I ever had. It was sweet and salty. They use a manchego cheese. My buddy and I also ordered the beef tartare. If you like beef tartare it will hit the spot. It isn't anything special but they did it correctly. I am not sure the quail egg they added was entirely necessary but it presented well. My buddy ordered the steak delmonico which they told us was new to the menu if I understood them correctly. He had nothing but great things to say about this steak. It was perfectly done. They served the marrow in a large bone. I ordered the steak frites. It looks exactly as the picture shown on their website. They use a skirt steak. I ordered it medium rare. We shared a bottle of their 2004 bordeaux. I love this wine. After it was opened I tasted to check if it was corked. It was not but came off bitter. By the time we got the steak the wine became super mellow, very smooth, not bitter at all. To sum this visit up, it was home cooking at its best for what we ordered. We were very satisfied and happy to make the journey from the Gold Coast out to here. I think that this restaurant is perfectly named. I would have to visit multiple times to get through this menu. I am sure I would enjoy every visit too. Thank you to Community Tavern for the comfort food.
(4)
Margaret W.
This place is it for me. It has everything I love. The bar is on it's game with inventive and delicious cocktails. The wine list is wonderful. I think I have been here ten times since it's opening for dinner and once for a wine event. Dinner never disappoints! I have done the whole roasted fish, the bouillabaisse, the steak frites and several other things. The cassoulet on Thursday is simply divine! Like eating a warm hug. As far as the small plates go, I am pretty sure I have eaten all of them. Highlights are the escargot, the charcutterie (seriously incredible) and the trout salad. The atmosphere is sexy but still comfortable. Service has developed over the past few months and I feel like it is really hitting it's stride. This is my new special occasion and Thursday "just cause" restaurant! It can fulfill both roles. I just adore this restaurant!
(5)
Kaley J.
From the service to the food, it was all fantastic. The ambiance is perfect for a cute night out. We were a party of two and ordered two filets then split the asparagus, roasted cauliflower, and mashed potatoes. Everything tasted delicious! By far, the best steak either of us had ever had. Our favorite side was the cauliflower though they all were great. Highly recommend! Date night perfection!
(5)
Jim S.
Having already tried their sister restaurant, The Portage, my wife and I were excited for our anniversary dinner reservations here at Community. I can tell you that it did not disappoint at all. We started with the house charcuterie plate, which I happened to read about in a Crain's Chicago business article. All the meats were very good, and the berry jam was a nice touch as well. I had the 6 oz filet mignon, which came out absolutely perfect. I paired it with the mashed potatoes which were also great. We finished up with the cherry cobbler for dessert, which was mostly cherries and ice cream, very little crust/crumb. It didn't detract from the overall dessert, but just be aware if you're used to and expecting a cobbler in that style. To top it off, Quay was gracious enough to stop by and talk with us as we finished up. It's not too often you get to meet the person who puts it all together, and even more so, it's not too often you meet someone who is truly happy that you stepped through their door to stop and eat. Having just moved to the neighborhood from Andersonville a few months ago, I had talked myself into being OK with having to hop on the blue line to get any sort of good food. However, I'm so happy that we have The Portage and Community within blocks of each other. Not only are these two restaurants tops in the neighborhood, I would stack them against anything else in the city - regardless of neighborhood. We'll be back again!
(5)
Scott B.
We celebrated our first year anniversary here. Excellent choice. Atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner or small groups. Highest marks for short rib and oxtail terrine, lyonnaise and crab/avocado salads, porterhouse and filet. Perfect cooking and served absolutely hot. Drinks also excellent and unique. Service friendly, professional and not intrusive. They remembered it was our anniversary (we were provided a champagne). Superior in very way.
(5)
Robb S.
Fantastic spot! Still battling whether I like the portage or community better...leaning portage but it doesn't matter because they are both great. We had great drinks and a very good affordable wine. My drink was a whiskey sour and it was awesome! For meals the steak and pork chop and both cooked perfectly. The sauces that came with both were fantastic. Sides were mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Dessert was the cobbler and it was delicious Service was excellent. My only downside is that I don't get to come here every weekend
(5)
Noah W.
Delightful. A perfect balance of homey and trendy. The entire staff was warm, inviting and knowledgeable. And the owner, just as at The Portage, is as good as it gets. He could give lessons in this stuff. Our table was late getting ready, and while we didn't quite mind enjoying drinks at the bar, they gifted us with oysters as an apology as soon as we did sit down. Clear sign of folks that care. Four of us almost ran the table on all the appetizers. Such great variety of tastes and textures. Shared whole fish and Porterhouse for dinner. The homey/trendy balance flowed through the food with bold complex flavors punctuated by a keen eye to presentation and style. We will return.
(4)
Ed S.
Fantastic meal! What a great addition to this neighborhood. Should do very well and draw from a wide area. We will for sure be going back very soon!!
(5)
Kristine C.
We stopped here both Friday and Saturday night. It was our first time exploring Portage Park. Very happy we found Community Tavern (right next door to the Portage Theater), a relatively new place. Both nights we had a small group and they were able to accommodate us. However, to be safe you should make reservations. The place filled up fast. Both nights the service was great. Everyone was very friendly, had a great sense of humor and knowledgeable. They also have a well rounded beer menu. More Gastro Pub than steakhouse. It is upscale but laidback and not pretentious. Both nights we had the Crab and Avocado salad. It's a great portion half an avocado greens and lots of crab. On friend did not like the amount of onions present. We also enjoyed the side of Roasted Mushrooms. I could have had a few of these little cups of mushrooms. Our first night we tried the Tuna Crudo. The Tuna was great, the toppings of olives, peppers and some grapefruit was really strong for me. I brushed about half of it off and at one point all of it so I could enjoy the fish. We also had the Salmon. Wow, what a portion. Usually you get a small 6oz Salmon filet. They are very generous here. It was almost too much for me. The skin was crispy and flavorful and inside flaked apart. The Gnocchi underneath was warm and soft. I really just wanted the Gnocchi. Our second night, I paired the Alfredo with Beef Stroganoff with a side of the Roasted Mushrooms. It was the perfect amount of food for me. The Stroganoff is a smaller portion. The noodles are soft; the meat is tender with the juice as a perfect sauce that is not too thick. It was nice to have a non-creamy sauce on this type of dish. The food and ambiance are warm and inviting. You will not leave hungry. Come for a drink early, enjoy hearty food, grab a dessert and call it a great night!
(4)
nikole q.
I personally told the owner this today but the service from every single employee there was just amazing. ( and I grew up managing in the hospitality industry as well as serving and bartending myself). Everything was brought out with great timing and they were so efficient with changing and replacing silverware and offering refills of yummy wine. We had our four-year-old daughter with us and staff members took the time to give her attention and talk to her,The food was over-the-top amazing, ( very highly recommend the aged ribeye) , and even the ambience of the entire place was just so positive. A truly memorable and wonderful dining experience that will help us coming back again and again. Thank you!!
(5)
Rudra B.
As usual - not enough tiny toasts. But that didn't stop my wife and I from devouring the excellent Oxtail and Ribeye terrine. A highlight for sure. The steaks we got were lovely and paired with a minty mashed potato that I very much enjoyed. My wife is not a steak lover and likes her meat well-done. The staff was kind enough to cook it a little more without making her feel bad for her poor taste in steak doneness. I appreciated their kindness for her one character flaw.
(4)
Catherine D.
Home run. They fit my husband and me in last minute on a Saturday night, great table in the middle of the restaurant. My husband had the steak frites, which were very tasty, and I had the vegetable cocotte. Also very good. We had bread as an app and the brownie sundae for dessert. My husband had a cocktail, I forget what it was but he loved it, and I had a nice red. Overall, everything was perfect. The food, the service, the ambiance. Thrilled that this is in our neighborhood. We'll be regs.
(5)
Paul K.
The decor is casual and not pretentious. The inside is tight so if you are claustrophobic then this probably is not a place for you. The drinks are gin and bourbon forward. It would be nice to see them add some tequila drinks. I had the ribeye which was perfect. Just the right amount of fat for flavor and at $33for 16 oz. it's a perfect size. My wife had the bouillabaisse and she thought it was very good. We split the roasted cauliflower which was delicious. We had a party of ten and we were packed into a small area but made due. Everyone loved there food but thought it was too loud for a large party. Very difficult to hear everyone at the table. This is definite place for couples but not large parties!
(4)
Peg R.
It is hard to believe that Quay has 2 unbelievable restaurants in Portage Park. The food here is incredible. Such wonderful service from the staff at both places. Love both of these places. It is so great to see someone who is invested in Portage Park as Quay is. We need more people and businesses like him. Thanks Quay and staff for always making dining at either of the restaurants an unforgettable,joyous and delicious experience.
(5)
Abby S.
We had a wonderful dinner celebrating my husband's birthday. I had the steak frites and he had the short ribs. Both were out of the this world. So happy to have the restaurant in our neighborhood! Very friendly wait staff and loved the design of the restaurant.
(5)
Erika B.
Must go. The food was amazing and the staff just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. Steaks perfect, wine delicious. We arrived late near to closing time and they welcomed us in. Great experience.
(5)
Craig Y.
Yummy stake frites. Very good food and ambiance. Great cocktail selection. More of a Bucktown restaurant in Portage park. Excellent
(5)
Kelly N.
My husband and I just dined here and had absolutely delicious meals! Not only was the food great, the service was on point too! We love The Portage, and now we LOVE Community Tavern as well!!
(5)
Julia S.
This place is worth the drive west. A great place for a date. My husband and I split the bacon cheddar muffin, market fish, wedge salad, & brownie sundae. Everything was delicious. Our sever was excellent and had a good sense of humor. The owner Quay Toh was there managing the house and saying hi to guests. We will definitely go back for the ribeye.
(5)
Rick F.
I love supporting our neighborhood restaurants! It's my belief that Portage Park and Jefferson Park are the next hot areas of Chicago. After eating at another newly opened restaurant called Community Tavern, this evening we have added the next hottest steakhouse! David-our server, was amazing. Quay-the owner, is gracious and grateful to help bring great cuisine to the area. Everything was 1st Class. Our hats off to the Chef The french onion soup had depth and richness, the ribeye was cooked perfectly as requested. The tuna tartar was chilled perfectly and the chips were amazing i could not stop eating them.
(5)
Eric B.
I enjoy a good steak. And I cook a better one. Yet, I sometimes wish to go out for a steak, while avoiding the $300 price tag for the pleasure, a near inevitability for any refined couple in one of the downtown steakhouses. Whatsoever shall I do? How will I cope, you might ask? I'll tell you - I'll visit the newly opened Community Tavern. The steaks here are fantastic. Kelly ordered the filet and she enjoyed it very much. I ordered the dry aged ribeye - rare, and you'd be advised to do the same - and it had a rich, earthy, bloody flavor. The steaks are certainly acceptable alternatives to a trip downtown. The whipped potatoes side was light, creamy, and very buttery. Even the french fries are superb, and worth a trip to have at the bar. The appetizers were more of a mixed bag. The crab legs appetizer was superb - fresh, served cold, with a light lemon aioli. The miniature boule of bread was fine, but the butter was overly salty. The salad was a bit salty too. I was intrigued by the foie gras butter and biscuits, but I did not order them this time. However, I saw an order and it looked like the foie gras was baked in to the biscuit, which was not a selling point. You may wish to inquire for yourselves. The cocktail list is fine - Kelly enjoyed her gin drink, and I had a Bulliet Rye Manhattan. It was very well made. I would have liked a bigger glass, but we are just quibbling at the point. The wine list is predominantly American, and heavy on the Napa Valley cabernets. There was but one Bordeaux, but it was very affordable at $55 and a rich, earthy old world wine that matched perfectly with the steaks. Just one word of caution - the brownie dessert with the ice cream and caramel sauce - has pork belly the ice cream. Not bacon, but fatty hunks of pork belly. It was, to be kind, a greasy, extremely unpleasant discovery, and not listed anywhere in the description. If you are the sort who enjoys bacon in everything, then you might like this, but I think bacon needs a bit of decorum and needs to learn its place. Which, in my opinion, is nowhere near ice cream. In any event, you have been so advised. We were able to send the dessert back without incident or cost. We will definitely be back. Perhaps I'll see you there?
(4)
Sandra T.
My dinner date picked out another place to have dinner, while we were eating and I mentioned the new "cool looking" restaurant around the corner from me; so we decided to have an after dinner drink there and check it out. This new establishment is a high end Modern American eatery with a French touch. I really can't wait to try dinner here. My cocktail was very good and served elegantly.
(4)
Matt K.
Quay and Joey have done it once again with this Gem of a spot! The selection is spot on with a variety of Meat and Seafood exactly what the Portage Park area was missing. The wine list and cocktails are A+ Amazing! This is a great neighborhood spot and if your not from the area a destination spot that you for sure need to travel to!
(5)
Joe Henry G.
Food and the ambiance were superb...I had the fillet Mignon..out of this world..Definitely will be back..
(4)
Patricia R.
This spot is delicious!! We decided to try it on the spur of the moment - a parking spot right in front, so we said "Why not?" Wonderful from the get go. Host and hostess very welcoming and showed us to two spots at the bar. Bartender excellent - attentive but not intrusive. We had decided on apps and libations. First up was Wedge Salad - soooo good with thick cut bacon and tender grape tomatoes. French Onion Soup was delicious. Then we had a pork belly dish that was outstanding, escargot (little too lemony for our taste but still delicious), and creamed spinach. Now we love the creamed spinach at the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle but this creamed spinach took it to another level!! Divine and the cream part excellent soaked up with some bread from our escargot. A very nice experience all the way around!!
(5)
C V.
I picked up this place for a special occasion. It is reflected as an upscale place but I realized it is more chill and casual ambiente after getting in. The initial greeting was OK, however, just because I changed my reservation time they seemed little panicked. I do not think that was necessary because I went there before the dinner hour to avoid the crowd. I tried two dishes. The double cheeseburger, definitely not a good burger. If I am paying a steakhouse price 16$ for a double cheeseburger, not even a gigantic one I would expect better quality. The fries aka fritas served with the burger was not good at all. Very greezy taste. I could not taste the potato or the seasoning at all. Honestly, way cheaper places makes better fries. The burger can not even compete with Stanley's or Epic Burger which is half price of this place. Filet Mignon - the quality of the meat was very good. Every place I went the steak is always served with a small side, even if it is a tiny side they put something. They just served the little meat just the meat on a huge plate. I had to order the spinach side by paying 8$ extra. Their peak hours are between 6:30pm to 8.00pm. The crowd is definitely not from the area. Giving one extra star for the cut of the filet mignon. That's it.
(2)
Sang K.
Portage Park has been graced with more options for dining. Walked in on a Friday with no reservations and the place was packed! I didn't have high expectations going into the place, but boy, was I wrong. We ordered the house charcuterie plate and I was hesitant since my wife is very picky with eating new types of food. However, she loved it and the fact it didn't leave a lingering taste of what some restaurants tend to do. For dinner I had the Ribeye and she had the Pork Chop, both were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and most of all the way the restaurant is setup, it has a very relax/chill feel to it.
(5)
Luis J E.
We came on an off night I guess.. Our muffins were dry and our steaks were over cooked. Finally, tried the avocado crab salad and it is out of this world. CT also doesn't skimp on the crab meat or avocado. Huge plus for me! Still in love with the lemon pound cake and the mash potatoes are always on point. First time our steaks were over cooked. Will come back again for the double chop and bone marrow. Wish they served cheesecake ice cream just like The Portage... However, I still love CT and will continue to recommend it because it is worth every penny.
(4)
Logan K.
TL;DR - awesome food, expect service to improve as location matures, eat here if you want an awesome steak and some menu items you haven't had anywhere else. My roommates and I tried Community on a Friday night, which I think was only their second day of service! Our party of three got right in, luckily, since they are currently only accepting reservations for parties of 5 or more. The interior size is typical of a Chicago restaurant - quaint, dark, cool stuff on the walls. We started with 3 appetizers: roasted bone marrow, king crab leg, and escargot. All awesome. Cocktails were fantastic (bar was a bit backed up that night). Entrees were the ribeye (perfection) and fresh fish (salmon). Sides are a la carte (mushrooms, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots). Everything was fantastic! Desserts are all made in-house and I'm sure change frequently. Expect to pay a decent amount, but expect great food (our bill was about $70/person for appetizers, entrees, and drinks). As far as steaks go, not quite at the level of a Joe's or Chicago Cut, but definitely a great addition to the north side's Portage Park neighborhood.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Amazing, we've been looking forward to the opening and it was everything we expected and more!
(5)
Liz P.
As fans and loyal fans of The Portage, we were excited to see Community open. Beautiful space, excellent food, and warm and knowledgeable waitstaff. We'll be there many more times to come.
(5)
Katie D.
Community Tavern was a perfect spot for my husband and my anniversary. The ambiance is romantic and they had 2 glasses of champagne for us when we sat down. The waiter was so friendly and wished us a happy anniversary multiple times. The food is excellent. I had the steak frites and my husband had the pork chop (the small portion was huge!), and we had the mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach as sides. Loved every single thing. Love these hidden gems in our neighborhood.
(5)
Susie B.
Community Tavern is the best! I've been a few times and I'm never disappointed...the staff is incredibly friendly, food is AMAZING and there is always a unique cocktail on the menu that I'm excited to try. The must haves on the food menu are Tuna Crudo, Charcuterie Plate, Wedge Salad, and the Short Rib. The menu is big enough that you can always try something new but not overwhelming. I can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere was fantastic! Food was delicious, drinks were just okay which why Community doesn't get 5 stars. I asked for several drinks including my go to french martini, there wasn't any chambord so I had to settle for a boring vodka with sprite.
(4)
Andrus g.
Positives: Very Nice ambiance. The lighting fixtures are luxurious/classy but also warm and inviting. Very good menu. Plenty to choose from. Cocktail was spot on...I love a tender who takes pride in their creation. Bone In short rib is the best i have ever had. Period. The cauliflower side was cheesy goodness and borderline delectable. Needs a bit of work: (and i'm only saying this because at a $100 per couple dining experience...aren't we shooting for perfection?) The servers need to know the menu through and through..which they didn't. I asked for a description of the first cocktail on the menu and was met with a blank stare then some guesses. I doubt if they had ever tasted it before. Same for the seafood platter. The servers need to take a bit more time at the table and not be 2 steps away as you finalize your order...a few more seconds would make all the difference in the experience...it's called Community isn't it?! And I hate to say this last one because I do enjoy close quarter eating and a good density of guests....but the middle tables between the bar and the booths are very awkward to dine at. It's not that your close to other ppl or even that the servers almost knock items off your table as they go buy...it's that you're sitting so low and people's butt's are 6 inches away from your face when ppl get up from the bar or when ppl have to turn sideways to pass by. this may be alleviated by installing some coat hooks in strategic locations....this will buy you 6 inches on either side of the aisle. I will return!! Great to have an new upscale option in Portage Park!!
(4)
Sonia L.
This place is a cool, different location compared to other similar restaurants. The reviews I read about this place made it sound remarkable, and maybe that's why I have to give it 3 stars. The ambiance is great! It has the low lighting rustic vibe that all American New restaurants are going for. The service is wonderful. Waiters and hostess are extremely friendly - but the food...the food is just okay. We had the chicken and the ribeye. The trout salad was also just okay.
(3)
Paul S.
Everything about this place screams quality. The food is exceptional - especially the amazing pork chop with its spicy mustard glaze. and the bacon and cheddar muffins are heavenly. Whoever is making the cocktails is also extremely good at what they do. The only thing I'd say is to skip the cobbler for dessert. It needs less sugar and more crust. Other than that, everything was excellent. A welcome addition to a neighborhood sorely lacking in high end dining.
(5)
brad w.
The first thing I noticed was the vented smell of backed up sewerage lines. The second was the pleasant greeter at the door asking if we had a reservation, it was an empty restaurant. Third was the menu not my taste, and mixed with the smell I lost the hunger that I brought with me. I liked the onion soup more onions than I like but great taste. Salad was good steak and fries was tasty. Two drinks and food a bit pricey. The smell did bother me.
(3)
Madeleine M.
Some of the best food I've had. My boyfriend and I came here on Saturday and we loved all of it. We got the oysters which I don't really like in general, but he loved them. And I did like the tobasco that came with them! The Filet was so delicious and perfectly cooked. Crispy on the outside and perfectly medium rare on the inside. And the sauces on it. I'm not even sure what they were, but they were perfect. He got the Steak Frites which was a little too tough for me, but he loved it. Fries were incredible, too! And the sides. Oh man. The sides. We got the cauliflower and the mushrooms. Both were delicious and the mushrooms went really well with the steak. And we ate all of it. I think our waitress was genuinely impressed by how much two people could eat. Everyone should drop what they are doing and come here for dinner. One weird thing was our table was a little too big for two people, so I ended up sitting next to him instead of across from him. But then when all of our plates came it made sense that our table was a little oversized :)
(5)
Marianne A.
We live right across the street in the condo building. So excited to have a new spot in the Portage Park area that we can walk to for a drink. Didn't get a chance to try the food but the menu looks impressive. New american meets "formal" bar food. Atmosphere is modern, casual and just about big enough for a neighborhood bar. Looking forward to going back and trying the food!
(5)
Raj P.
This is a great dinner spot in Portage Park! They have a great selection of wine, beer and cocktails. I had their muscles and oysters, both were excellent.
(5)
Simone K.
Loved the food! Ambiance is amazing! Perfect date night or dinner with friends! Food is creative, unique and delicious. GO!
(5)
tia r.
Why trek from Portage Park to The Violet Hour in Wicker Park when Community Tavern has excellent cocktails, wonderful ambiance, and great food. Community Tavern is definitely one of my favorites! The mixologist at this place is outstanding. I ordered the Side Piece...AH-mazing!! #newfavoritecocktail
(5)
Claire C.
What a wonderful discovery! Community Tavern is like a French brasserie and steakhouse, all in one!! We had the Steak Frites - the meat was done to perfection and DELICIOUS and the Charcuterie Platter, presented impeccably on a thick wood platter, was to die for. Great Wine list,too. And so many choices of appetizers and entrees that look wonderful...but we were full and could eat no more. This is a MUST to go back to. What a wonderful find. I love CT's sister restaurant The Portage, too. Community Tavern has the same service values as The Portage and their waitstaff was both personable, fun and friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
(5)
Naj S.
We will be back! The drinks: - Had the Get Together; it was delicious - Good beer and wine selections The food: - Rosemary Focaccia: fine, would order the petite boulet next time - French onion soup was the best I've ever had: it's all about the broth, 'bout the broth! - Kale and apple salad: perfectly dressed, clean flavors, very good (a welcome salad to balance out the richness of the other dishes) - Hand-Cut Fettuccine Beef Cheek Stroganoff: toothsome noodles, luscious sauce (maybe a scoche salty?) - Bone-In Short Rib: perfectly cooked and marinated, atop creamy (not heavy) risotto, with baby carrots. Decadent, delicious! - Roasted Cauliflower (side): good and bubbly hot - Brownie Sundae: We like our brownies dense and fudgy; this was more like batter. It was okay. The Service: Despite being a bit flaky, our server was nice and informed enough, hence the 4 stars. A bit more attentive and present, and this place would have been a 5 star. Look forward to another visit!
(4)
Rob K.
At last, tonight we made it to this latest lovely joint from the owner of The Portage and it was everything we hoped. I had a great ribeye, three helpings of a beautiful cocktail, the atmosphere is exceptional and just a lovely treat, all in all. It's an integral part of the Six Corners renaissance in Portage Park and it's everything we hoped. We will be back, more than once.
(5)
Susan G.
Love, Love, Loved our dinner! Our party had an amazing double cheeseburger with anchovy sauce, heavenly short ribs, and an amazing steak pommes frites. Will be back very very soon.
(5)
Erik B.
Excellent ambiance, great food, knowledgeable servers! So glad to welcome Community Tavern to Portage Park. We will be back many times!
(5)
Chris R.
Everything about this place is first class. Great restaurant not only in just Portage Park/Jefferson Park but in the city.
(5)
Sarah L.
What a wonderful dining experience all around! We were warmly greeted when we walked in and had such a great time! We shared the crab legs as an appetizer and then chose the mussels and salmon for our entrees. I'm so happy that this restaurant has come to the neighborhood and highly recommend them for delicious food and drink and impeccable service.
(5)
Lysa H.
This place is fabulous!!! Great spot for a date or for groups. Their rendition of Oysters Rockefeller was amazing - Very creative & delicious, not your ordinary Oysters Rockefeller. We also shared the porterhouse & short ribs which were both outstanding & you cannot pass up the roasted cheesy cauliflower - to die for!!! Great wine list, excellent & friendly service/staff. The owner was hosting so he sat & checked up on us occasionally. Highly highly recommend this place. Cannot wait to go back & try more entrees!
(5)
Chari A.
Love, love it. They take risks, I appreciate that. We had a smoked trout Caesar, beef tartar, chicken sausage and the seafood special. Excellent. The cocktails were original, interesting and unique. Great, great surprise and neighborhood gem. Highly recommended.
(5)
Patrick F.
Wow! Sometimes I worry about being this positive, but the "secret" is already out. Quay Tao has done it again; bringing high quality food, and service, to Old Irving Park. We enjoy The Portage, and now we have a choice. We were in on a very busy Saturday night; we enjoyed our drinks at the bar; Community features an impressive beer and wine list. The menu is as good as any on Randolph St., as is the service. The food is excellent and even on a busy Saturday night, the food came out fast. Not rushed, just really nice. I enjoyed the steak fritte, my wife the crab and avocado salad; both were great. In fact, come for the fritte. The roasted cauliflower is great too. Community was very busy, the service and kitchen were easily up to the job. The food and service are both first rate. Save the cab fare, and the time it takes going downtown and enjoy an evening at Community Tavern
(5)
Ryan J.
Was really not expecting that. Excellent fresh seafood, steaks and cocktails. Nice build out. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Emily P.
Somewhat new addition to a neighborhood desperate for restaurants of the Community Tavern kind.... Initial impression was the atmosphere is excellent, the place is expertly designed, absolute gorgeous fixtures including lights, tables, and chairs. Our server was Dave (I think). Dave was ok, he named the kind of oysters we ordered, however, the server who brought them out named 2 completely different ones. When he brought our Charcuterie plate he mentioned the meats were all made by the chef "Matt" but didn't tell us Matt's last name. I personally thought that was a little sloppy. Dave also had a manner about him where he says "okay?" and "alright?" after almost every sentence. While this may be a nervous tick or just a habit, this could be misconstrued as condescending by someone. At one point toward the end of the meal I had a question to which Dave answered and followed with "okay?" Sensing I may have found his response off-putting and he quickly followed-up with "I'm not trying to sound condescending" so I have a feeling he may have been misinterpreted as condescending before. The drinks we ordered were allegedly a new addition to the menu "sloe ride": while cleverly named, it was very disappointing. The sugar was very grainy and the drink itself had a metallic taste and the color wasn't pleasing. Another issue was 1 of the 3 in our party had a different menu. The unfortunate element of this was the fettuccini was something this individual read about and wanted to try prior to this trip and while the fettuccini was included on their menu, this individual later found of their menu was old and must have somehow gotten slipped in. Another problem w having the old menu was this person had settled their mind on the $33 ribeye only to find out it is now $39 on the new menu. Lastly, our steaks were not cooked to the proper temperature. We shared the ribeye at medium well temp and the steak was very well done. The other person in our party ordered medium and her steak was rare. Overall I wasn't impressed. If the design wasn't as flawless as it was, I would have given this restaurant 2 stars.
(3)
Oscar M.
Exactly what the neighborhood needs, an excellent restaurant with a cozy ambiance that focuses on great dishes.
(5)
Terrel K.
continues to be a staple for the area.keep up the good work,will be there weekly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Elise W.
We love the Portage and have been looking forward to Community Tavern's opening. My husband and I went with friends and had a great experience. We felt the service was great, and the food was delicious! We are so excited that this restaurant is a new addition to the neighborhood and will definitely be back.
(5)
Ed D.
Love that this place is here - such a great addition to Six Corners. The couple next to us were long time Portage Park residents (we have been in the neighborhood for about 3 years now) and we agreed that this is the kind of restaurant our area deserves - great ambience, unbelievable food and fantastic service - a truly quality dining experience that you don't need to go downtown (or even Bucktown or Logan Square) to get. We started with a few of the house cocktails (legit Whiskey Sour with egg white and the Get Together were the standouts) and then a sampling of appetizers - the foie gras butter and biscuits, beef tartare, wedge salad and escargot were all spot on and as decadent as you want them to be. The olives in the tartare provided an unusual but perfect saltiness to that dish. For mains I had the scallop pasta special, my wife had the short rib, and the other couple we were with had the pork chop and ribeye. We all sampled widely because every dish was amazing and had to be tried. Side of creamed spinach was maybe the best I've ever had. Dessert (if you can believe we still had room for it) was carrot cake, which Quay, the owner, comped to us after stopping by and chatting about the neighborhood and the excitement of getting his second restaurant off the ground here. All in, we are thrilled to have Community Tavern and will be back (hopefully many times).
(5)
Di M.
I never thought I'd ever be inclined to go out for a nice dinner around this neighborhood (Portage Park). Alas, there's finally a nice restaurant in this area worthy of date night. I grew up around here and I used to make it a point to go to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, etc. whenever I wanted to go out. Needless to say this restaurant is on par with the restaurants in those neighborhoods. The food and ambiance here is awesome! Had the foie gras butter, roasted chicken, steak frites and brownie sundae for dessert. They also have a solid drink menu.
I have anxiously watched the construction of this fine establishment over several months and it does not disappoint! So far I've had their very fresh oysters (both East and West coast), wedge romaine salad and cheddar bacon muffin. I've also sampled their ox tail and short rib terrine and smoked trout ceasar. All at the gourmet level. I went there the second week they were open and I think they are still trying to figure out a few things when it comes to service. Service was quite friendly but somewhat disjointed. We did arrive just as big groups came in....so they were very busy. I think the price point is a bit high as well. Don't get me wrong the food is incredible, gourmet level and you would expect to pay for this quality.....we will see what happens as Community Tavern evolves and matures. I will be having dinner here just before seeing a show at the Filament Theatre across the street very soon! They open at 5PM. Entrees run from $16 to $43. Appetizers from $2-$15. They also have a very nice wine list, but limited Single Malt Scotch selection (sorry, I'm a Scotch snob!!). They have a "party room" in the back and are now taking reservations. I would suggest you call and make a reservation. Even though they have just now opened Community Tavern is very busy. The bottom line is to go to the Community Tavern with friends and family. Spend some time reviewing the menu and specials. Have a nice red wine. Sip a Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch. Enjoy. Enjoy.
(4)
Ellyn N.
So great to have another restaurant in the 6 corners area. We are OIP residents and love The Portage, so this was the obvious choice for us when we wanted to try a new restaurant. They are still working out some of the service kinks. Our waitress did not make recommendations, was not very familiar with the food and did not have any feedback on the cocktail menu. She did recommend a great glass of wine. They will get it right eventually. The food was all great, although my steak was a little overdone. We will be back!
(4)
Kristin M.
We are thrilled that Quay has opened another phenomenal restaurant in the neighborhood!! Loved the decor and funky upbeat vibe. We tried the oysters - half were East Coast/half West Coast - outstanding with a Tabasco shallot sauce. The escargot was garlicky goodness and the smoked trout endive salad is a must. We split the short ribs - melt off the bone and the creamed spinach was the best I have had. I normally don't do cocktails but I would highly recommend doing so! A big shout out to our wait staff Jamie whose recs were right on. Can't wait to head back to sample the rest of the menu.
Great local place that doesn't disappoint after each visit. The service + staff has been quite excellent. The food is amazing and on point! Mix cocktails are pretty tasty. I highly recommend this place and look forward to trying everything on the menu! Pretty sweet establishment with an awesome atmosphere, even if you go there for drinks - tho you should share or hoard the cheddar bacon muffin(s)... =) Bone-in Short Rib over crescenza risotto, caper and balsamic reduction - wow! I wish for a little less of the reduction to showcase the risotto some more (the minor details), but damn was it tasty and ever so tender! Great dish will blow your mind! Fresh Oysters - get them, that's all you need to know! Cheddar bacon muffin will put a huge smile on your face! Roasted cauliflower - tasty. Short Rib + Oxtail Terrine - amazing!!! 10 stars!!! Steak Frites - tender + delicious! Crab + Avocado salad - yum! Airmail - awesome cocktail! 37th Chamber - awesome cocktail #2!
(5)
Joe J.
I wasn't sure what to expect, I hadn't read anything about it before we went. I guess I was expecting a sports bar type setting, instead it was much more elegant and tasteful. The food was perfect, We had 6 different items and they were all the "best we ever had". Yes, it is expensive for the area, the lowest price entre on the menu was a double cheeseburger for $16.00... But I am optimistic about this place hopefully changing the area for the better. This is an impressive restaurant you want to bring family and friends to, it's not a family restaurant that would be suitable for small children. We will absolutely go back when celebrating a special event or entertaining friends. My only recommendation would be to make the washrooms look as nice and tasteful as your restaurant.
Wow, absolutely amazing! Our server was super sweet and attentive, drinks were good, and food was fabulous! We had the burger, ribeye, creamed spinach (extra good).
Cool place. Great food. Nice ambiance. Sat in the back dining area, so the noise wasn't bad, but up front it is a bustling place on a Friday night. Only issue is that service could be a bit more polished. They were definitely rushing us through our meal. The waiter was clearly in a hurry to get our order.He didn't give us much time to review the menu. .We had to ask him twice to give us more time. Also, we were asked if we were finished several times while we were still eating. Check was brought over while we were eating dessert. One other odd note: when the waiter brought out our steaks, he wouldn't leave the table until we cut into the steak and confirmed that it was cooked just right "so that we wouldn't finish the entire steak and then complain that it wasn't cooked properly". Despite the less than optimal service, I would go back.
(4)
John C.
Community did not disappoint. We stopped in early Sat night for drinks/apps at the bar before heading out to meet friends. The Get Together and Airmail were tasty, and the braised ribs appetizer was delicious. Service was attentive and the atmosphere was warm and stylish - overall a very welcome addition to the hood!
(5)
Tony M.
Came here for a birthday celebration. The menu is very meat-centric -- it's a steakhouse mainly. The appetizers and main course were excellent. Drinks were also good. The service was very good and extremely friendly. Because it was a birthday, one of the desserts was comped. Some issues: the wine list is quite pricey, the desserts aren't very strong, it's noisy, and seating is a bit tight. Not very conducive to a romantic birthday celebration, but it would be great for a big group.
(4)
Mike Y.
I like this place very much. The ribeye is outstanding. Everything is fresh and very tasty. You get a downtown steak for a neighborhood price. Good service. Interesting food items. I really enjoyed the Kale and Apple soup. foie gras butter and biscuits are amazing. A must try for foodies in and around Portage Park.
(5)
Hillary S.
Good atmosphere and decent food/drink, but poor service. We arrived for an 8:30 reservation, but were not seated until well after 9:15. They were out of one drink we ordered and the salad we ordered. They brought us the wrong drink and our food took longer than the tables around us, once seated. They were nice enough to comp us an appetizer and the mistaken drink, but overall I feel there are some service kinks to be worked out. Should be a nice spot once they get the logistics of timing and supply running smoothly.
(3)
City C.
It is very difficult to get here bc Milwaukee is so congested and only two lanes. It feels a bit rundown in the area even though this is a beautiful place. There was snow everywhere and impossible to traverse across sidewalks. Once inside, it is beautiful and upscale. The mixologist/bartender is knowlegable and has an array of interesting cocktails that are are unique and delicious. The food is good and not overly priced. We enjoyed ourselves and will try again if we can get there with the traffic.
(3)
Jim W.
EH. I'm a big fan of The Portage, and was excited to try The Community Tavern. The setting is modern and well done. The staff is friendly and professional. But, there was something wrong with everything I ordered: 1) they cleared my drink after one sip, wtf? 2) the salad was swimming in dressing, gross. 3) The frites in my steak frites were burned. 4) The coffee wasn't edible, it wasn't even warm. I'm retching thinking about it. The steak was well prepared, and the pound cake was good too. I will add my server did a good job. I did say something about taking my drink, and I only complained about the coffee. He comped me the dessert. That's why I gave 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)
Peg C.
So happy Quay has brought his magic to Milwaukee Ave. We are huge fans of The Portage and have been waiting for Community to open for months now. We went for Valentine's Day dinner. I had a great whiskey sour, my husband was able to indulge his sour beer tastes with a Destihl. We ordered oysters, which were fresh and delish, and the bone marrow which was served with a yummy shallot preserve. My husband had the ribeye, which was perfectly cooked and served with roasted shallots, which were an awesome accompaniment. I had the steak frites--the steak was also perfectly seasoned and cooked--and the fries came with garlic mayo, which I love. The highlight of the meal was the creamed spinach side--unlike most creamed spinach, this was whole leaf spinach, barely cooked, in a rich, garlicky, creamy, full flavored sauce--this is creamed spinach which has died and gone to heaven. Or maybe I did. I would happily eat that creamed spinach every day. Dessert was a New York cheesecake with a cherry compote--very good. Also of note--the beer list has many local choices, and I was pleased to find some very good Michigan wines on the wine list. We will definitely be back, can't wait to just wander over for a drink and some noshes, as well as dinner.
(5)
Teresa W.
Great place. Better than any steakhouse in the city, but less expensive . Will defiantly go back!
(5)
Jenifer K.
Visited Community Tavern last night for the first time with a group of friends. We reserved the back room for our group of 13 -- cozy but not tight. I loved all the food I tried last night! The crispy duck skin (normally bar snack only, shhh) was decadent! We shared some delicious fresh oysters, smoked trout salad and cheddar bacon muffins. The muffins alone are worthy of a trip. My friend had the roasted chicken which included a stellar chicken sausage. We ordered several servings of sides, both spinach and cauliflower, both fantastic. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Jim K.
While I love that an upscale restaurant is in Portage Park I just didn't feel our experience was that great. The good: my steak & my fiance chicken was superb & delicious. However, she had creme of cauliflower that was the blandest thing either of us have ever tasted & required a lot of salt to make it taste like anything. For a French place their French onion soup was pretty average as well. Timing was off the entire night, our soups came out quickly but our food was almost 25 minutes later (we even had to ask our server when it was going to come). Speaking of which I asked our server to bring me a glass of wine when dinner came & by the time she did my steak was half eaten. Lastly for dessert, we had the brownie & it wasn't even warm. We might try it again but I can't believe all these gushing reviews.
(3)
Marie M.
I loved the location and the atmosphere. The food was good but not awesome. They really need to work on the service however. When we sat down, the staff was there immediately. However after a few minutes to look at menus, you could have died of thirst before they returned and it was not crowded. Trying to get a second drink was worse. They took order and disappeared for about 15-20 minutes for a beer. When someone returned it was the wrong beer twice??? It was quite light for a dark stout, what they kept bringing looked more like a larger. I am hoping it gets better.
(3)
Terry L.
Stellar service. Food is great. Chef Joey Beato is cranking out some good eats on the northwest side. Space is beautiful, love the long bar. Fans of nearby The Portage restaurant will love it, as it's the same owners and chef. Owner Quay Tao is hands on, and always friendly and welcoming. I recently visited with a friend and we had drinks and a few items from the bar menu. We had Duck Cracklin's, which were awesome. Perfectly crisp, and almost dissolve in your mouth! We also shared the pork meatballs, which is made with a touch of jalapeno, and that puts them over the top. They were juicy too. Overall, the atmosphere was lively. Our bartender was attentive, and even offered us a sampling of another beer from Lake Effect that he thought we would like, and he did this after we paid our tab, which was gracious. They source local foods, and the beer list is from many of the local breweries, with the draft beer from Finch and Lake Effect Brewing, which are both local neighborhood brewers. They take the name Community and have put it to good use. A great addition to our community. Well done. I can't wait to come back for steak!
(5)
Paula B.
So excited about the new addition to the neighborhood! The waitstaff was very friendly, knowledgeable and not intrusive. The cozy atmosphere was perfect for a cold winter night and the food and drinks were great!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Angus W.
So there we were.. strolling through Portage Park and thinking "wouldn't it be nice if we could find a French styled Steakhouse somewhere around here?" Yeah, so that's not exactly how it happened... Ok, our besties read about Community Tavern and we decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Lisa and I were with our foodie buds, Adam and Janet... and were determined to take advantage of the menu. The decor is a conglomeration of styles.. from industrial to French. But it works and will hold your interest.. well, at least.. it held mine. The service was top notch throughout the evening. For appetizers we shared the Short Rib and Oxtail Terrine (don't miss it! kind of a fancy meatloaf with an egg on top), King Crab Legs (small portion, but a taste for everyone) and the House Charcuterie Plate and because we just wanted to try them.. we ordered a side of the Breakfast Radishes as an appetizer too. One of the things we love about our friends is that if someone suggests something they are always like.. "sure, why not?" I'm the curmudgeon but they all put up with me anyway. We almost forgot to order the Cheddar Bacon muffin, fortunately, we recovered in time to have one before the meal was over. I had the bone in Berkshire Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked perfectly.. it was delicious.. in my opinion only eclipsed by Lisa's order of Braised Short Rib on Risotto (OMG!) which was not only delicious but surprisingly not at all fatty.. that's what I'll get next time. Or maybe I should get what Adam ordered.. the Steak Delmonico.. I didn't taste it, but it looked delicious and his discriminating palate thought it was pretty terrific. Or..maybe Janet's Dry Aged Rib eye....she loved that, so... All of the food was excellent! We were stuffed but shared a Brownie Sundae, just because.
(5)Julia S.
Community Tavern has an incredible ambiance, with much better decor than its sister restaurant, The Portage (which is also an excellent spot!). The service was top notch as well. The staff was very personable, attentive, and knowledgable. For our food we split two appetizers and an entree. The king crab legs were wonderful, especially the dipping sauce that came with them. The beef tartare was delicious, but there were far too many capers on the dish compared to the amount of beef. We had dozens left on our plate at the end! We also got the whole fish, and the flavors were excellent! The garbanzo beans and sauce perfectly complimented the fish. We finished with a brownie sundae, which was good, but not mind blowing. I had a couple of bites and was okay with letting my husband finish the rest (which very rarely happens, trust me!). Overall an incredible experience. I will definitely be back!
(4)Alexios T.
Amazing every time we go there. The service is terrific. The drinks are great. The food is incredible. A tad noisy when busy, but what do you expect from a hip and happenin' place like Community. If you are in the northwest side of Chicago in the 6-corners area, please please please go here. You won't regret it.
(5)Rawlins R.
Community Tavern does traditional American food right. CT is new and I am glad that it brings great quality to the 6 corners neighborhood. There are many prime locations in this area and CT takes advantage of this opportunity. CT is a finer dining restaurant with the service and food to go with it. I had the chicken which was elegantly plated and tasted phenomenal. The wife and I shared the side of mashed potatoes at the suggestion of our server. The portion was enough for us to share. The wife also threw back a few glasses of a wine that she said was amazing, I think it was the Cline Ancient Vines Mouvedre. I had the (insert beer) which was also good. We spent a good amount of time here, had dessert, and enjoyed a pleasant evening. We look forward to coming back to try other menu items.
(4)Don C.
Great time, great place, get food and great staff. Go there - you won't be disappointed! Nuff said!
(5)Davis J.
We came here last night for apps and cocktails tonight and it was an excellent experience! While we were at the bar, we spoke with Jose, the bar manager. He is clearly invested in his craft--he personally created many of the cocktails on the drinks menu. The major winners of the night were: * the basil-infused vodka martini with a twist * the wedge salad * the french onion soup Overall, their menu is fantastic--you cannot go wrong!
(5)Conor M.
Everything about our first experience at Community Tavern was top notch. The service was spot on. The staff treated us like we were VIPs when we're just a couple of folks from the neighborhood. We tried a couple of the house cocktails and were quite impressed. The "dark Manhattan" (using dark rum instead of whiskey) left a positive impression on my palette. My wife had the whiskey sour and it was one of the best sours I've had the pleasure to taste. My first cocktail was a lovely gin concoction whose name now escapes me. I could have had several of those if I wasn't driving that evening. The charcuterie plate is highly recommended. Community makes everything on the plate in-house, with the exception of the mustard (whole grain, delicious). I could seriously have had several servings of that plate and that would suit me for an evening. I tried the vegetable potage and was very pleased. The dish screamed "fresh!" I could have had a large bowl and been entirely satisfied. We had the 16oz ribeye and the tomahawk pork chop. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompaniments to each dish were expertly matched. I wish I had an extra two stomachs so I could eat more of Community's offerings. We were so full we weren't going to have any dessert, but Quay convinced us to give their banana cake a try. We were glad we did. Community is definitely on the pricey side, but for an upscale joint in Portage Park/Six Corners I highly recommend it. I'm in love with this place and will be back again and again.
(5)Ide C.
Beautiful subtle ambience. Very comfortable, welcoming feeling. Quay did the decorating from the antique mirrors to the gorgeous lighting fixtures to the comfortable seating. Very well done. Staff was excellent, friendly and accommodating. David was our server and he was charming. If u get him, you will be well taken care of. We started with the steak tartare which was extremely tasty. Others had a wedge of lettuce and soup. My partner had the pork chop for his entree which he said was outstanding. Two others had steak and raved. I had cassoulet which I had never had before. It was a nice mixture of sausage, duck etc. I thought it was good. We ended sharing two desserts, one of which was a crispy brownie which was a great end to a lovely evening. The coffee was very good. I Wd go back to try something new.
(4)Stephanie L.
We decided to come here because my boyfriend saw Community Tavern featured in an article about Chicago's best new restaurants. I thought the food was delicious! We had a party of 4, but none of us were particularly hungry so we ordered 3 entrees to share. We got the bouillabaisse, the braised short rib, and the bone marrow steak. Each entree really featured a different type of protein, and I thought they were all cooked perfectly! I would definitely go back! I only give it a 4 star only because I think the menu selection could be a little broader. I mean I had no problem picking out something I liked, but I know my mom had some trouble with it. But overall loved the restaurant! Taste: 10/10 Portion size: 6/10 Service: 4/10 Ambience: 7/10
(4)Elizabeth H.
This place is amazing!!! The atmosphere is nice and they have a great long bar with cool wine holders. I had my first oysters here and I can't wait to eat them again. Servers were nice and knowledgeable on the menu. Great drinks, great food, great everything!
(5)Jaime G.
Home run for Quay and team at this new gastropub. Incredible that he did it in this neighborhood and delivering a quality experience. Food, wine, beer, cocktails, all exceptional. We started with then foie gras butter with biscuits. Then tried the seafood tower with shrimp, crab legs, oysters, salmon ceviche, and tuna tartar. Did not disappoint. We had a nice Syrah with our entrees that included the duck confit special (with beans, andouille sausage, and pork belly), roasted chicken, steak and Frits, dry aged Ribeye, and double cheeseburger (kids had this and loved), and a selection of sides (kudos to the cauliflower mac and cheese like dish). Great service topped of the evening. Want to come back to try the specialty cocktails that we didn't have room for. Plus, it's just cool place to hang out at.
(5)Catherine H.
The owner of Portage has done it again for Portage Park. This new addition to the community is sparking a revitalization to the eateries in the area. I went to Community opening night and the staff was well prepared. I've been back 3 more time since then. Everything is delish! Tried almost all the apps including their seafood towers...yum! Have had the fillet and cheeseburger, yes I said cheeseburger. It was melt in your mouth good! The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. The place does get busy on evenings and weekends so booking a reservation is recommended, which you can do online. Parking can be found in the parking lot a block over and even on Milwaukee. Also, there is one bathroom per gender.
(5)Reda K.
Omg my double cheeseburger was so good the bun was toasted ..the owner is super cool. Every time we come he makes us feel welcome which is great Nice guy..
(5)Ebby V.
My buddy and I sat at the bar for dinner. We had reservations but we didn't want to necessarily sit at the table they offered us. If you take a chance to look around you will see the faux bird cages surrounding the lighting. I found that unique. At the bar it was easy to notice that they were experts in making cocktails. They also have an excellent wine list. I don't know that I have any particular type of gem to share but I know this. They have the best french onion soup I ever had. It was sweet and salty. They use a manchego cheese. My buddy and I also ordered the beef tartare. If you like beef tartare it will hit the spot. It isn't anything special but they did it correctly. I am not sure the quail egg they added was entirely necessary but it presented well. My buddy ordered the steak delmonico which they told us was new to the menu if I understood them correctly. He had nothing but great things to say about this steak. It was perfectly done. They served the marrow in a large bone. I ordered the steak frites. It looks exactly as the picture shown on their website. They use a skirt steak. I ordered it medium rare. We shared a bottle of their 2004 bordeaux. I love this wine. After it was opened I tasted to check if it was corked. It was not but came off bitter. By the time we got the steak the wine became super mellow, very smooth, not bitter at all. To sum this visit up, it was home cooking at its best for what we ordered. We were very satisfied and happy to make the journey from the Gold Coast out to here. I think that this restaurant is perfectly named. I would have to visit multiple times to get through this menu. I am sure I would enjoy every visit too. Thank you to Community Tavern for the comfort food.
(4)Ruby Q.
So I was a little cheezed off originally when I came here at 5:30 on a Saturday for a quick meal. The hostess working the front said that they were "fully committed"in a room that was half empty. She offered some seat that stares at the wall 12 inches away. We gave it another try early on a Thursday and I'd say that this is "just what Portage Park needs". The steaks were nicely done and "Get Together" cocktail was layered with great flavor. I did not care for the bone marrow, although I crave this from other places. The bread was greasy tasting. The wedge salad also left us wanting- it's not a wedge at all- and seemed a lil limp. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)Margaret W.
This place is it for me. It has everything I love. The bar is on it's game with inventive and delicious cocktails. The wine list is wonderful. I think I have been here ten times since it's opening for dinner and once for a wine event. Dinner never disappoints! I have done the whole roasted fish, the bouillabaisse, the steak frites and several other things. The cassoulet on Thursday is simply divine! Like eating a warm hug. As far as the small plates go, I am pretty sure I have eaten all of them. Highlights are the escargot, the charcutterie (seriously incredible) and the trout salad. The atmosphere is sexy but still comfortable. Service has developed over the past few months and I feel like it is really hitting it's stride. This is my new special occasion and Thursday "just cause" restaurant! It can fulfill both roles. I just adore this restaurant!
(5)Jim S.
Having already tried their sister restaurant, The Portage, my wife and I were excited for our anniversary dinner reservations here at Community. I can tell you that it did not disappoint at all. We started with the house charcuterie plate, which I happened to read about in a Crain's Chicago business article. All the meats were very good, and the berry jam was a nice touch as well. I had the 6 oz filet mignon, which came out absolutely perfect. I paired it with the mashed potatoes which were also great. We finished up with the cherry cobbler for dessert, which was mostly cherries and ice cream, very little crust/crumb. It didn't detract from the overall dessert, but just be aware if you're used to and expecting a cobbler in that style. To top it off, Quay was gracious enough to stop by and talk with us as we finished up. It's not too often you get to meet the person who puts it all together, and even more so, it's not too often you meet someone who is truly happy that you stepped through their door to stop and eat. Having just moved to the neighborhood from Andersonville a few months ago, I had talked myself into being OK with having to hop on the blue line to get any sort of good food. However, I'm so happy that we have The Portage and Community within blocks of each other. Not only are these two restaurants tops in the neighborhood, I would stack them against anything else in the city - regardless of neighborhood. We'll be back again!
(5)Scott B.
We celebrated our first year anniversary here. Excellent choice. Atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner or small groups. Highest marks for short rib and oxtail terrine, lyonnaise and crab/avocado salads, porterhouse and filet. Perfect cooking and served absolutely hot. Drinks also excellent and unique. Service friendly, professional and not intrusive. They remembered it was our anniversary (we were provided a champagne). Superior in very way.
(5)Robb S.
Fantastic spot! Still battling whether I like the portage or community better...leaning portage but it doesn't matter because they are both great. We had great drinks and a very good affordable wine. My drink was a whiskey sour and it was awesome! For meals the steak and pork chop and both cooked perfectly. The sauces that came with both were fantastic. Sides were mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Dessert was the cobbler and it was delicious Service was excellent. My only downside is that I don't get to come here every weekend
(5)Noah W.
Delightful. A perfect balance of homey and trendy. The entire staff was warm, inviting and knowledgeable. And the owner, just as at The Portage, is as good as it gets. He could give lessons in this stuff. Our table was late getting ready, and while we didn't quite mind enjoying drinks at the bar, they gifted us with oysters as an apology as soon as we did sit down. Clear sign of folks that care. Four of us almost ran the table on all the appetizers. Such great variety of tastes and textures. Shared whole fish and Porterhouse for dinner. The homey/trendy balance flowed through the food with bold complex flavors punctuated by a keen eye to presentation and style. We will return.
(4)Ed S.
Fantastic meal! What a great addition to this neighborhood. Should do very well and draw from a wide area. We will for sure be going back very soon!!
(5)Kaley J.
From the service to the food, it was all fantastic. The ambiance is perfect for a cute night out. We were a party of two and ordered two filets then split the asparagus, roasted cauliflower, and mashed potatoes. Everything tasted delicious! By far, the best steak either of us had ever had. Our favorite side was the cauliflower though they all were great. Highly recommend! Date night perfection!
(5)Kristine C.
We stopped here both Friday and Saturday night. It was our first time exploring Portage Park. Very happy we found Community Tavern (right next door to the Portage Theater), a relatively new place. Both nights we had a small group and they were able to accommodate us. However, to be safe you should make reservations. The place filled up fast. Both nights the service was great. Everyone was very friendly, had a great sense of humor and knowledgeable. They also have a well rounded beer menu. More Gastro Pub than steakhouse. It is upscale but laidback and not pretentious. Both nights we had the Crab and Avocado salad. It's a great portion half an avocado greens and lots of crab. On friend did not like the amount of onions present. We also enjoyed the side of Roasted Mushrooms. I could have had a few of these little cups of mushrooms. Our first night we tried the Tuna Crudo. The Tuna was great, the toppings of olives, peppers and some grapefruit was really strong for me. I brushed about half of it off and at one point all of it so I could enjoy the fish. We also had the Salmon. Wow, what a portion. Usually you get a small 6oz Salmon filet. They are very generous here. It was almost too much for me. The skin was crispy and flavorful and inside flaked apart. The Gnocchi underneath was warm and soft. I really just wanted the Gnocchi. Our second night, I paired the Alfredo with Beef Stroganoff with a side of the Roasted Mushrooms. It was the perfect amount of food for me. The Stroganoff is a smaller portion. The noodles are soft; the meat is tender with the juice as a perfect sauce that is not too thick. It was nice to have a non-creamy sauce on this type of dish. The food and ambiance are warm and inviting. You will not leave hungry. Come for a drink early, enjoy hearty food, grab a dessert and call it a great night!
(4)nikole q.
I personally told the owner this today but the service from every single employee there was just amazing. ( and I grew up managing in the hospitality industry as well as serving and bartending myself). Everything was brought out with great timing and they were so efficient with changing and replacing silverware and offering refills of yummy wine. We had our four-year-old daughter with us and staff members took the time to give her attention and talk to her,The food was over-the-top amazing, ( very highly recommend the aged ribeye) , and even the ambience of the entire place was just so positive. A truly memorable and wonderful dining experience that will help us coming back again and again. Thank you!!
(5)Rudra B.
As usual - not enough tiny toasts. But that didn't stop my wife and I from devouring the excellent Oxtail and Ribeye terrine. A highlight for sure. The steaks we got were lovely and paired with a minty mashed potato that I very much enjoyed. My wife is not a steak lover and likes her meat well-done. The staff was kind enough to cook it a little more without making her feel bad for her poor taste in steak doneness. I appreciated their kindness for her one character flaw.
(4)Catherine D.
Home run. They fit my husband and me in last minute on a Saturday night, great table in the middle of the restaurant. My husband had the steak frites, which were very tasty, and I had the vegetable cocotte. Also very good. We had bread as an app and the brownie sundae for dessert. My husband had a cocktail, I forget what it was but he loved it, and I had a nice red. Overall, everything was perfect. The food, the service, the ambiance. Thrilled that this is in our neighborhood. We'll be regs.
(5)Peg R.
It is hard to believe that Quay has 2 unbelievable restaurants in Portage Park. The food here is incredible. Such wonderful service from the staff at both places. Love both of these places. It is so great to see someone who is invested in Portage Park as Quay is. We need more people and businesses like him. Thanks Quay and staff for always making dining at either of the restaurants an unforgettable,joyous and delicious experience.
(5)Abby S.
We had a wonderful dinner celebrating my husband's birthday. I had the steak frites and he had the short ribs. Both were out of the this world. So happy to have the restaurant in our neighborhood! Very friendly wait staff and loved the design of the restaurant.
(5)Paul K.
The decor is casual and not pretentious. The inside is tight so if you are claustrophobic then this probably is not a place for you. The drinks are gin and bourbon forward. It would be nice to see them add some tequila drinks. I had the ribeye which was perfect. Just the right amount of fat for flavor and at $33for 16 oz. it's a perfect size. My wife had the bouillabaisse and she thought it was very good. We split the roasted cauliflower which was delicious. We had a party of ten and we were packed into a small area but made due. Everyone loved there food but thought it was too loud for a large party. Very difficult to hear everyone at the table. This is definite place for couples but not large parties!
(4)Erika B.
Must go. The food was amazing and the staff just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. Steaks perfect, wine delicious. We arrived late near to closing time and they welcomed us in. Great experience.
(5)Kelly N.
My husband and I just dined here and had absolutely delicious meals! Not only was the food great, the service was on point too! We love The Portage, and now we LOVE Community Tavern as well!!
(5)Craig Y.
Yummy stake frites. Very good food and ambiance. Great cocktail selection. More of a Bucktown restaurant in Portage park. Excellent
(5)Julia S.
This place is worth the drive west. A great place for a date. My husband and I split the bacon cheddar muffin, market fish, wedge salad, & brownie sundae. Everything was delicious. Our sever was excellent and had a good sense of humor. The owner Quay Toh was there managing the house and saying hi to guests. We will definitely go back for the ribeye.
(5)Rick F.
I love supporting our neighborhood restaurants! It's my belief that Portage Park and Jefferson Park are the next hot areas of Chicago. After eating at another newly opened restaurant called Community Tavern, this evening we have added the next hottest steakhouse! David-our server, was amazing. Quay-the owner, is gracious and grateful to help bring great cuisine to the area. Everything was 1st Class. Our hats off to the Chef The french onion soup had depth and richness, the ribeye was cooked perfectly as requested. The tuna tartar was chilled perfectly and the chips were amazing i could not stop eating them.
(5)Eric B.
I enjoy a good steak. And I cook a better one. Yet, I sometimes wish to go out for a steak, while avoiding the $300 price tag for the pleasure, a near inevitability for any refined couple in one of the downtown steakhouses. Whatsoever shall I do? How will I cope, you might ask? I'll tell you - I'll visit the newly opened Community Tavern. The steaks here are fantastic. Kelly ordered the filet and she enjoyed it very much. I ordered the dry aged ribeye - rare, and you'd be advised to do the same - and it had a rich, earthy, bloody flavor. The steaks are certainly acceptable alternatives to a trip downtown. The whipped potatoes side was light, creamy, and very buttery. Even the french fries are superb, and worth a trip to have at the bar. The appetizers were more of a mixed bag. The crab legs appetizer was superb - fresh, served cold, with a light lemon aioli. The miniature boule of bread was fine, but the butter was overly salty. The salad was a bit salty too. I was intrigued by the foie gras butter and biscuits, but I did not order them this time. However, I saw an order and it looked like the foie gras was baked in to the biscuit, which was not a selling point. You may wish to inquire for yourselves. The cocktail list is fine - Kelly enjoyed her gin drink, and I had a Bulliet Rye Manhattan. It was very well made. I would have liked a bigger glass, but we are just quibbling at the point. The wine list is predominantly American, and heavy on the Napa Valley cabernets. There was but one Bordeaux, but it was very affordable at $55 and a rich, earthy old world wine that matched perfectly with the steaks. Just one word of caution - the brownie dessert with the ice cream and caramel sauce - has pork belly the ice cream. Not bacon, but fatty hunks of pork belly. It was, to be kind, a greasy, extremely unpleasant discovery, and not listed anywhere in the description. If you are the sort who enjoys bacon in everything, then you might like this, but I think bacon needs a bit of decorum and needs to learn its place. Which, in my opinion, is nowhere near ice cream. In any event, you have been so advised. We were able to send the dessert back without incident or cost. We will definitely be back. Perhaps I'll see you there?
(4)Sandra T.
My dinner date picked out another place to have dinner, while we were eating and I mentioned the new "cool looking" restaurant around the corner from me; so we decided to have an after dinner drink there and check it out. This new establishment is a high end Modern American eatery with a French touch. I really can't wait to try dinner here. My cocktail was very good and served elegantly.
(4)Joe Henry G.
Food and the ambiance were superb...I had the fillet Mignon..out of this world..Definitely will be back..
(4)Patricia R.
This spot is delicious!! We decided to try it on the spur of the moment - a parking spot right in front, so we said "Why not?" Wonderful from the get go. Host and hostess very welcoming and showed us to two spots at the bar. Bartender excellent - attentive but not intrusive. We had decided on apps and libations. First up was Wedge Salad - soooo good with thick cut bacon and tender grape tomatoes. French Onion Soup was delicious. Then we had a pork belly dish that was outstanding, escargot (little too lemony for our taste but still delicious), and creamed spinach. Now we love the creamed spinach at the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle but this creamed spinach took it to another level!! Divine and the cream part excellent soaked up with some bread from our escargot. A very nice experience all the way around!!
(5)Sang K.
Portage Park has been graced with more options for dining. Walked in on a Friday with no reservations and the place was packed! I didn't have high expectations going into the place, but boy, was I wrong. We ordered the house charcuterie plate and I was hesitant since my wife is very picky with eating new types of food. However, she loved it and the fact it didn't leave a lingering taste of what some restaurants tend to do. For dinner I had the Ribeye and she had the Pork Chop, both were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and most of all the way the restaurant is setup, it has a very relax/chill feel to it.
(5)Matt K.
Quay and Joey have done it once again with this Gem of a spot! The selection is spot on with a variety of Meat and Seafood exactly what the Portage Park area was missing. The wine list and cocktails are A+ Amazing! This is a great neighborhood spot and if your not from the area a destination spot that you for sure need to travel to!
(5)C V.
I picked up this place for a special occasion. It is reflected as an upscale place but I realized it is more chill and casual ambiente after getting in. The initial greeting was OK, however, just because I changed my reservation time they seemed little panicked. I do not think that was necessary because I went there before the dinner hour to avoid the crowd. I tried two dishes. The double cheeseburger, definitely not a good burger. If I am paying a steakhouse price 16$ for a double cheeseburger, not even a gigantic one I would expect better quality. The fries aka fritas served with the burger was not good at all. Very greezy taste. I could not taste the potato or the seasoning at all. Honestly, way cheaper places makes better fries. The burger can not even compete with Stanley's or Epic Burger which is half price of this place. Filet Mignon - the quality of the meat was very good. Every place I went the steak is always served with a small side, even if it is a tiny side they put something. They just served the little meat just the meat on a huge plate. I had to order the spinach side by paying 8$ extra. Their peak hours are between 6:30pm to 8.00pm. The crowd is definitely not from the area. Giving one extra star for the cut of the filet mignon. That's it.
(2)Logan K.
TL;DR - awesome food, expect service to improve as location matures, eat here if you want an awesome steak and some menu items you haven't had anywhere else. My roommates and I tried Community on a Friday night, which I think was only their second day of service! Our party of three got right in, luckily, since they are currently only accepting reservations for parties of 5 or more. The interior size is typical of a Chicago restaurant - quaint, dark, cool stuff on the walls. We started with 3 appetizers: roasted bone marrow, king crab leg, and escargot. All awesome. Cocktails were fantastic (bar was a bit backed up that night). Entrees were the ribeye (perfection) and fresh fish (salmon). Sides are a la carte (mushrooms, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots). Everything was fantastic! Desserts are all made in-house and I'm sure change frequently. Expect to pay a decent amount, but expect great food (our bill was about $70/person for appetizers, entrees, and drinks). As far as steaks go, not quite at the level of a Joe's or Chicago Cut, but definitely a great addition to the north side's Portage Park neighborhood.
(5)Jennifer L.
Amazing, we've been looking forward to the opening and it was everything we expected and more!
(5)Liz P.
As fans and loyal fans of The Portage, we were excited to see Community open. Beautiful space, excellent food, and warm and knowledgeable waitstaff. We'll be there many more times to come.
(5)Katie D.
Community Tavern was a perfect spot for my husband and my anniversary. The ambiance is romantic and they had 2 glasses of champagne for us when we sat down. The waiter was so friendly and wished us a happy anniversary multiple times. The food is excellent. I had the steak frites and my husband had the pork chop (the small portion was huge!), and we had the mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach as sides. Loved every single thing. Love these hidden gems in our neighborhood.
(5)Luis J E.
We came on an off night I guess.. Our muffins were dry and our steaks were over cooked. Finally, tried the avocado crab salad and it is out of this world. CT also doesn't skimp on the crab meat or avocado. Huge plus for me! Still in love with the lemon pound cake and the mash potatoes are always on point. First time our steaks were over cooked. Will come back again for the double chop and bone marrow. Wish they served cheesecake ice cream just like The Portage... However, I still love CT and will continue to recommend it because it is worth every penny.
(4)Simone K.
Loved the food! Ambiance is amazing! Perfect date night or dinner with friends! Food is creative, unique and delicious. GO!
(5)Marianne A.
We live right across the street in the condo building. So excited to have a new spot in the Portage Park area that we can walk to for a drink. Didn't get a chance to try the food but the menu looks impressive. New american meets "formal" bar food. Atmosphere is modern, casual and just about big enough for a neighborhood bar. Looking forward to going back and trying the food!
(5)Andrus g.
Positives: Very Nice ambiance. The lighting fixtures are luxurious/classy but also warm and inviting. Very good menu. Plenty to choose from. Cocktail was spot on...I love a tender who takes pride in their creation. Bone In short rib is the best i have ever had. Period. The cauliflower side was cheesy goodness and borderline delectable. Needs a bit of work: (and i'm only saying this because at a $100 per couple dining experience...aren't we shooting for perfection?) The servers need to know the menu through and through..which they didn't. I asked for a description of the first cocktail on the menu and was met with a blank stare then some guesses. I doubt if they had ever tasted it before. Same for the seafood platter. The servers need to take a bit more time at the table and not be 2 steps away as you finalize your order...a few more seconds would make all the difference in the experience...it's called Community isn't it?! And I hate to say this last one because I do enjoy close quarter eating and a good density of guests....but the middle tables between the bar and the booths are very awkward to dine at. It's not that your close to other ppl or even that the servers almost knock items off your table as they go buy...it's that you're sitting so low and people's butt's are 6 inches away from your face when ppl get up from the bar or when ppl have to turn sideways to pass by. this may be alleviated by installing some coat hooks in strategic locations....this will buy you 6 inches on either side of the aisle. I will return!! Great to have an new upscale option in Portage Park!!
(4)Sonia L.
This place is a cool, different location compared to other similar restaurants. The reviews I read about this place made it sound remarkable, and maybe that's why I have to give it 3 stars. The ambiance is great! It has the low lighting rustic vibe that all American New restaurants are going for. The service is wonderful. Waiters and hostess are extremely friendly - but the food...the food is just okay. We had the chicken and the ribeye. The trout salad was also just okay.
(3)Paul S.
Everything about this place screams quality. The food is exceptional - especially the amazing pork chop with its spicy mustard glaze. and the bacon and cheddar muffins are heavenly. Whoever is making the cocktails is also extremely good at what they do. The only thing I'd say is to skip the cobbler for dessert. It needs less sugar and more crust. Other than that, everything was excellent. A welcome addition to a neighborhood sorely lacking in high end dining.
(5)brad w.
The first thing I noticed was the vented smell of backed up sewerage lines. The second was the pleasant greeter at the door asking if we had a reservation, it was an empty restaurant. Third was the menu not my taste, and mixed with the smell I lost the hunger that I brought with me. I liked the onion soup more onions than I like but great taste. Salad was good steak and fries was tasty. Two drinks and food a bit pricey. The smell did bother me.
(3)Raj P.
This is a great dinner spot in Portage Park! They have a great selection of wine, beer and cocktails. I had their muscles and oysters, both were excellent.
(5)Madeleine M.
Some of the best food I've had. My boyfriend and I came here on Saturday and we loved all of it. We got the oysters which I don't really like in general, but he loved them. And I did like the tobasco that came with them! The Filet was so delicious and perfectly cooked. Crispy on the outside and perfectly medium rare on the inside. And the sauces on it. I'm not even sure what they were, but they were perfect. He got the Steak Frites which was a little too tough for me, but he loved it. Fries were incredible, too! And the sides. Oh man. The sides. We got the cauliflower and the mushrooms. Both were delicious and the mushrooms went really well with the steak. And we ate all of it. I think our waitress was genuinely impressed by how much two people could eat. Everyone should drop what they are doing and come here for dinner. One weird thing was our table was a little too big for two people, so I ended up sitting next to him instead of across from him. But then when all of our plates came it made sense that our table was a little oversized :)
(5)Claire C.
What a wonderful discovery! Community Tavern is like a French brasserie and steakhouse, all in one!! We had the Steak Frites - the meat was done to perfection and DELICIOUS and the Charcuterie Platter, presented impeccably on a thick wood platter, was to die for. Great Wine list,too. And so many choices of appetizers and entrees that look wonderful...but we were full and could eat no more. This is a MUST to go back to. What a wonderful find. I love CT's sister restaurant The Portage, too. Community Tavern has the same service values as The Portage and their waitstaff was both personable, fun and friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
(5)tia r.
Why trek from Portage Park to The Violet Hour in Wicker Park when Community Tavern has excellent cocktails, wonderful ambiance, and great food. Community Tavern is definitely one of my favorites! The mixologist at this place is outstanding. I ordered the Side Piece...AH-mazing!! #newfavoritecocktail
(5)Naj S.
We will be back! The drinks: - Had the Get Together; it was delicious - Good beer and wine selections The food: - Rosemary Focaccia: fine, would order the petite boulet next time - French onion soup was the best I've ever had: it's all about the broth, 'bout the broth! - Kale and apple salad: perfectly dressed, clean flavors, very good (a welcome salad to balance out the richness of the other dishes) - Hand-Cut Fettuccine Beef Cheek Stroganoff: toothsome noodles, luscious sauce (maybe a scoche salty?) - Bone-In Short Rib: perfectly cooked and marinated, atop creamy (not heavy) risotto, with baby carrots. Decadent, delicious! - Roasted Cauliflower (side): good and bubbly hot - Brownie Sundae: We like our brownies dense and fudgy; this was more like batter. It was okay. The Service: Despite being a bit flaky, our server was nice and informed enough, hence the 4 stars. A bit more attentive and present, and this place would have been a 5 star. Look forward to another visit!
(4)Rob K.
At last, tonight we made it to this latest lovely joint from the owner of The Portage and it was everything we hoped. I had a great ribeye, three helpings of a beautiful cocktail, the atmosphere is exceptional and just a lovely treat, all in all. It's an integral part of the Six Corners renaissance in Portage Park and it's everything we hoped. We will be back, more than once.
(5)Susan G.
Love, Love, Loved our dinner! Our party had an amazing double cheeseburger with anchovy sauce, heavenly short ribs, and an amazing steak pommes frites. Will be back very very soon.
(5)Chris R.
Everything about this place is first class. Great restaurant not only in just Portage Park/Jefferson Park but in the city.
(5)Sarah L.
What a wonderful dining experience all around! We were warmly greeted when we walked in and had such a great time! We shared the crab legs as an appetizer and then chose the mussels and salmon for our entrees. I'm so happy that this restaurant has come to the neighborhood and highly recommend them for delicious food and drink and impeccable service.
(5)Erik B.
Excellent ambiance, great food, knowledgeable servers! So glad to welcome Community Tavern to Portage Park. We will be back many times!
(5)Chari A.
Love, love it. They take risks, I appreciate that. We had a smoked trout Caesar, beef tartar, chicken sausage and the seafood special. Excellent. The cocktails were original, interesting and unique. Great, great surprise and neighborhood gem. Highly recommended.
(5)Lysa H.
This place is fabulous!!! Great spot for a date or for groups. Their rendition of Oysters Rockefeller was amazing - Very creative & delicious, not your ordinary Oysters Rockefeller. We also shared the porterhouse & short ribs which were both outstanding & you cannot pass up the roasted cheesy cauliflower - to die for!!! Great wine list, excellent & friendly service/staff. The owner was hosting so he sat & checked up on us occasionally. Highly highly recommend this place. Cannot wait to go back & try more entrees!
(5)Susie B.
Community Tavern is the best! I've been a few times and I'm never disappointed...the staff is incredibly friendly, food is AMAZING and there is always a unique cocktail on the menu that I'm excited to try. The must haves on the food menu are Tuna Crudo, Charcuterie Plate, Wedge Salad, and the Short Rib. The menu is big enough that you can always try something new but not overwhelming. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Donna W.
Bacon cheddar muffin delish! Baked onion soup was not bubbling with cheese-disappointed. Arugula/avocado salad superb but way too small for the price. Only RC products...yuck! Nice addition to the hood but save your pennies. One appetizer, one bread , one soup, one salad, one vegetable, and one entrée. No alcohol and one ice tea. No dessert 80.00....Oooh wait I forgot, I ordered two bacon cheddar muffins to go , yes they were that good!
(4)Lorena F.
Atmosphere was fantastic! Food was delicious, drinks were just okay which why Community doesn't get 5 stars. I asked for several drinks including my go to french martini, there wasn't any chambord so I had to settle for a boring vodka with sprite.
(4)Patrick F.
Wow! Sometimes I worry about being this positive, but the "secret" is already out. Quay Tao has done it again; bringing high quality food, and service, to Old Irving Park. We enjoy The Portage, and now we have a choice. We were in on a very busy Saturday night; we enjoyed our drinks at the bar; Community features an impressive beer and wine list. The menu is as good as any on Randolph St., as is the service. The food is excellent and even on a busy Saturday night, the food came out fast. Not rushed, just really nice. I enjoyed the steak fritte, my wife the crab and avocado salad; both were great. In fact, come for the fritte. The roasted cauliflower is great too. Community was very busy, the service and kitchen were easily up to the job. The food and service are both first rate. Save the cab fare, and the time it takes going downtown and enjoy an evening at Community Tavern
(5)Ryan J.
Was really not expecting that. Excellent fresh seafood, steaks and cocktails. Nice build out. I will definitely be back.
(5)Emily P.
Somewhat new addition to a neighborhood desperate for restaurants of the Community Tavern kind.... Initial impression was the atmosphere is excellent, the place is expertly designed, absolute gorgeous fixtures including lights, tables, and chairs. Our server was Dave (I think). Dave was ok, he named the kind of oysters we ordered, however, the server who brought them out named 2 completely different ones. When he brought our Charcuterie plate he mentioned the meats were all made by the chef "Matt" but didn't tell us Matt's last name. I personally thought that was a little sloppy. Dave also had a manner about him where he says "okay?" and "alright?" after almost every sentence. While this may be a nervous tick or just a habit, this could be misconstrued as condescending by someone. At one point toward the end of the meal I had a question to which Dave answered and followed with "okay?" Sensing I may have found his response off-putting and he quickly followed-up with "I'm not trying to sound condescending" so I have a feeling he may have been misinterpreted as condescending before. The drinks we ordered were allegedly a new addition to the menu "sloe ride": while cleverly named, it was very disappointing. The sugar was very grainy and the drink itself had a metallic taste and the color wasn't pleasing. Another issue was 1 of the 3 in our party had a different menu. The unfortunate element of this was the fettuccini was something this individual read about and wanted to try prior to this trip and while the fettuccini was included on their menu, this individual later found of their menu was old and must have somehow gotten slipped in. Another problem w having the old menu was this person had settled their mind on the $33 ribeye only to find out it is now $39 on the new menu. Lastly, our steaks were not cooked to the proper temperature. We shared the ribeye at medium well temp and the steak was very well done. The other person in our party ordered medium and her steak was rare. Overall I wasn't impressed. If the design wasn't as flawless as it was, I would have given this restaurant 2 stars.
(3)Oscar M.
Exactly what the neighborhood needs, an excellent restaurant with a cozy ambiance that focuses on great dishes.
(5)Terrel K.
continues to be a staple for the area.keep up the good work,will be there weekly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Elise W.
We love the Portage and have been looking forward to Community Tavern's opening. My husband and I went with friends and had a great experience. We felt the service was great, and the food was delicious! We are so excited that this restaurant is a new addition to the neighborhood and will definitely be back.
(5)Ed D.
Love that this place is here - such a great addition to Six Corners. The couple next to us were long time Portage Park residents (we have been in the neighborhood for about 3 years now) and we agreed that this is the kind of restaurant our area deserves - great ambience, unbelievable food and fantastic service - a truly quality dining experience that you don't need to go downtown (or even Bucktown or Logan Square) to get. We started with a few of the house cocktails (legit Whiskey Sour with egg white and the Get Together were the standouts) and then a sampling of appetizers - the foie gras butter and biscuits, beef tartare, wedge salad and escargot were all spot on and as decadent as you want them to be. The olives in the tartare provided an unusual but perfect saltiness to that dish. For mains I had the scallop pasta special, my wife had the short rib, and the other couple we were with had the pork chop and ribeye. We all sampled widely because every dish was amazing and had to be tried. Side of creamed spinach was maybe the best I've ever had. Dessert (if you can believe we still had room for it) was carrot cake, which Quay, the owner, comped to us after stopping by and chatting about the neighborhood and the excitement of getting his second restaurant off the ground here. All in, we are thrilled to have Community Tavern and will be back (hopefully many times).
(5)Di M.
I never thought I'd ever be inclined to go out for a nice dinner around this neighborhood (Portage Park). Alas, there's finally a nice restaurant in this area worthy of date night. I grew up around here and I used to make it a point to go to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, etc. whenever I wanted to go out. Needless to say this restaurant is on par with the restaurants in those neighborhoods. The food and ambiance here is awesome! Had the foie gras butter, roasted chicken, steak frites and brownie sundae for dessert. They also have a solid drink menu.
(5)Susan F.
Many reasons to get to Community Tavern and try it out yourself: Quay, Chic Décor, Local, Great Bacon Muffin, Breadth of the Menu + Bar Snacks, Gourmet Entrees, and more. Still working out a few service kinks but I was there in first two weeks so I'm sure those will get worked out. A few dishes were too salty - Chef, please read. I love salt and cook with it generously, but two things had by our table of eight were too salty. Loved my cocktails and vegetarian entrée - would order it again in a minute. Mini meatballs on bar menu were really tasty bites. Will be going back soon to try more.
(4)Dominick M.
I have anxiously watched the construction of this fine establishment over several months and it does not disappoint! So far I've had their very fresh oysters (both East and West coast), wedge romaine salad and cheddar bacon muffin. I've also sampled their ox tail and short rib terrine and smoked trout ceasar. All at the gourmet level. I went there the second week they were open and I think they are still trying to figure out a few things when it comes to service. Service was quite friendly but somewhat disjointed. We did arrive just as big groups came in....so they were very busy. I think the price point is a bit high as well. Don't get me wrong the food is incredible, gourmet level and you would expect to pay for this quality.....we will see what happens as Community Tavern evolves and matures. I will be having dinner here just before seeing a show at the Filament Theatre across the street very soon! They open at 5PM. Entrees run from $16 to $43. Appetizers from $2-$15. They also have a very nice wine list, but limited Single Malt Scotch selection (sorry, I'm a Scotch snob!!). They have a "party room" in the back and are now taking reservations. I would suggest you call and make a reservation. Even though they have just now opened Community Tavern is very busy. The bottom line is to go to the Community Tavern with friends and family. Spend some time reviewing the menu and specials. Have a nice red wine. Sip a Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch. Enjoy. Enjoy.
(4)Ellyn N.
So great to have another restaurant in the 6 corners area. We are OIP residents and love The Portage, so this was the obvious choice for us when we wanted to try a new restaurant. They are still working out some of the service kinks. Our waitress did not make recommendations, was not very familiar with the food and did not have any feedback on the cocktail menu. She did recommend a great glass of wine. They will get it right eventually. The food was all great, although my steak was a little overdone. We will be back!
(4)Lisa M.
Just visited last night to celebrate a birthday with brother. Had been to the Portage (and LOVED) but was quite disappointed with this sister restaurant. The atmosphere and décor are both wonderful, but it's some of the food items we had that fell short (the bacon cheddar muffin was dry, the Steak Frites skirt steak was soooooo chewy and undercooked I couldn't eat it, which to their credit they credited back. The salads and frites were very good and desserts were good, but not great). Our waitress was nice, but was giving more attention to the table next to us. Had hopes of giving a really good review when we walked in, but walking out I knew that was impossible...I won't be going back.
(3)Kristin M.
We are thrilled that Quay has opened another phenomenal restaurant in the neighborhood!! Loved the decor and funky upbeat vibe. We tried the oysters - half were East Coast/half West Coast - outstanding with a Tabasco shallot sauce. The escargot was garlicky goodness and the smoked trout endive salad is a must. We split the short ribs - melt off the bone and the creamed spinach was the best I have had. I normally don't do cocktails but I would highly recommend doing so! A big shout out to our wait staff Jamie whose recs were right on. Can't wait to head back to sample the rest of the menu.
(5)Julio K.
Great local place that doesn't disappoint after each visit. The service + staff has been quite excellent. The food is amazing and on point! Mix cocktails are pretty tasty. I highly recommend this place and look forward to trying everything on the menu! Pretty sweet establishment with an awesome atmosphere, even if you go there for drinks - tho you should share or hoard the cheddar bacon muffin(s)... =) Bone-in Short Rib over crescenza risotto, caper and balsamic reduction - wow! I wish for a little less of the reduction to showcase the risotto some more (the minor details), but damn was it tasty and ever so tender! Great dish will blow your mind! Fresh Oysters - get them, that's all you need to know! Cheddar bacon muffin will put a huge smile on your face! Roasted cauliflower - tasty. Short Rib + Oxtail Terrine - amazing!!! 10 stars!!! Steak Frites - tender + delicious! Crab + Avocado salad - yum! Airmail - awesome cocktail! 37th Chamber - awesome cocktail #2!
(5)Joe J.
I wasn't sure what to expect, I hadn't read anything about it before we went. I guess I was expecting a sports bar type setting, instead it was much more elegant and tasteful. The food was perfect, We had 6 different items and they were all the "best we ever had". Yes, it is expensive for the area, the lowest price entre on the menu was a double cheeseburger for $16.00... But I am optimistic about this place hopefully changing the area for the better. This is an impressive restaurant you want to bring family and friends to, it's not a family restaurant that would be suitable for small children. We will absolutely go back when celebrating a special event or entertaining friends. My only recommendation would be to make the washrooms look as nice and tasteful as your restaurant.
(4)B B.
We went Friday 2/6/15. We were really surprised with this restaurant overall. Wait time was going to be approx. 20 minutes at 8:00pm, not too bad. We were able to get 2 seats at the end of the bar while we waited for a table. After ordering a cocktails and watching the bartenders mix up some interesting drinks, we decided just eat at the bar. We started with the raw oysters and the prime beef tartar. Can't go wrong with east and west coast oysters. The tartar was outstanding; had to stop my self from getting another order. We also had the foie gras butter and biscuits. Again could have made a meal out of this as well. For the entrée we split the dry aged ribeye with a side of roasted mushroom. Ordered the ribeye rare and it came out perfect! The roasted mushroom we also good. Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes!
(5)Megan M.
Wow, absolutely amazing! Our server was super sweet and attentive, drinks were good, and food was fabulous! We had the burger, ribeye, creamed spinach (extra good).
(5)Gregg C.
Cool place. Great food. Nice ambiance. Sat in the back dining area, so the noise wasn't bad, but up front it is a bustling place on a Friday night. Only issue is that service could be a bit more polished. They were definitely rushing us through our meal. The waiter was clearly in a hurry to get our order.He didn't give us much time to review the menu. .We had to ask him twice to give us more time. Also, we were asked if we were finished several times while we were still eating. Check was brought over while we were eating dessert. One other odd note: when the waiter brought out our steaks, he wouldn't leave the table until we cut into the steak and confirmed that it was cooked just right "so that we wouldn't finish the entire steak and then complain that it wasn't cooked properly". Despite the less than optimal service, I would go back.
(4)Stefanie F.
My fiancé and I went this evening for Valentines Day and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We are huge fans of The Portage and were very excited to try Community Tavern. My fiancé ordered the oysters and the trout ceaser salad to start and the ribeye as his entree. He LOVED everything. I ordered the french onion soup to start and the filet mignon as my entrée and cauliflower as my side. I also loved everything I ate. Both steaks were cooked per our request of medium rare. We both agreed that this restaurant was the first in a very long time to cook our steaks right. We also loved the atmosphere and drink menu. The local beers are a huge plus for us. We'll definitely be back soon!
(5)John C.
Community did not disappoint. We stopped in early Sat night for drinks/apps at the bar before heading out to meet friends. The Get Together and Airmail were tasty, and the braised ribs appetizer was delicious. Service was attentive and the atmosphere was warm and stylish - overall a very welcome addition to the hood!
(5)Tony M.
Came here for a birthday celebration. The menu is very meat-centric -- it's a steakhouse mainly. The appetizers and main course were excellent. Drinks were also good. The service was very good and extremely friendly. Because it was a birthday, one of the desserts was comped. Some issues: the wine list is quite pricey, the desserts aren't very strong, it's noisy, and seating is a bit tight. Not very conducive to a romantic birthday celebration, but it would be great for a big group.
(4)Mike Y.
I like this place very much. The ribeye is outstanding. Everything is fresh and very tasty. You get a downtown steak for a neighborhood price. Good service. Interesting food items. I really enjoyed the Kale and Apple soup. foie gras butter and biscuits are amazing. A must try for foodies in and around Portage Park.
(5)Hillary S.
Good atmosphere and decent food/drink, but poor service. We arrived for an 8:30 reservation, but were not seated until well after 9:15. They were out of one drink we ordered and the salad we ordered. They brought us the wrong drink and our food took longer than the tables around us, once seated. They were nice enough to comp us an appetizer and the mistaken drink, but overall I feel there are some service kinks to be worked out. Should be a nice spot once they get the logistics of timing and supply running smoothly.
(3)City C.
It is very difficult to get here bc Milwaukee is so congested and only two lanes. It feels a bit rundown in the area even though this is a beautiful place. There was snow everywhere and impossible to traverse across sidewalks. Once inside, it is beautiful and upscale. The mixologist/bartender is knowlegable and has an array of interesting cocktails that are are unique and delicious. The food is good and not overly priced. We enjoyed ourselves and will try again if we can get there with the traffic.
(3)Jim W.
EH. I'm a big fan of The Portage, and was excited to try The Community Tavern. The setting is modern and well done. The staff is friendly and professional. But, there was something wrong with everything I ordered: 1) they cleared my drink after one sip, wtf? 2) the salad was swimming in dressing, gross. 3) The frites in my steak frites were burned. 4) The coffee wasn't edible, it wasn't even warm. I'm retching thinking about it. The steak was well prepared, and the pound cake was good too. I will add my server did a good job. I did say something about taking my drink, and I only complained about the coffee. He comped me the dessert. That's why I gave 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)Teresa W.
Great place. Better than any steakhouse in the city, but less expensive . Will defiantly go back!
(5)Peg C.
So happy Quay has brought his magic to Milwaukee Ave. We are huge fans of The Portage and have been waiting for Community to open for months now. We went for Valentine's Day dinner. I had a great whiskey sour, my husband was able to indulge his sour beer tastes with a Destihl. We ordered oysters, which were fresh and delish, and the bone marrow which was served with a yummy shallot preserve. My husband had the ribeye, which was perfectly cooked and served with roasted shallots, which were an awesome accompaniment. I had the steak frites--the steak was also perfectly seasoned and cooked--and the fries came with garlic mayo, which I love. The highlight of the meal was the creamed spinach side--unlike most creamed spinach, this was whole leaf spinach, barely cooked, in a rich, garlicky, creamy, full flavored sauce--this is creamed spinach which has died and gone to heaven. Or maybe I did. I would happily eat that creamed spinach every day. Dessert was a New York cheesecake with a cherry compote--very good. Also of note--the beer list has many local choices, and I was pleased to find some very good Michigan wines on the wine list. We will definitely be back, can't wait to just wander over for a drink and some noshes, as well as dinner.
(5)Jenifer K.
Visited Community Tavern last night for the first time with a group of friends. We reserved the back room for our group of 13 -- cozy but not tight. I loved all the food I tried last night! The crispy duck skin (normally bar snack only, shhh) was decadent! We shared some delicious fresh oysters, smoked trout salad and cheddar bacon muffins. The muffins alone are worthy of a trip. My friend had the roasted chicken which included a stellar chicken sausage. We ordered several servings of sides, both spinach and cauliflower, both fantastic. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jim K.
While I love that an upscale restaurant is in Portage Park I just didn't feel our experience was that great. The good: my steak & my fiance chicken was superb & delicious. However, she had creme of cauliflower that was the blandest thing either of us have ever tasted & required a lot of salt to make it taste like anything. For a French place their French onion soup was pretty average as well. Timing was off the entire night, our soups came out quickly but our food was almost 25 minutes later (we even had to ask our server when it was going to come). Speaking of which I asked our server to bring me a glass of wine when dinner came & by the time she did my steak was half eaten. Lastly for dessert, we had the brownie & it wasn't even warm. We might try it again but I can't believe all these gushing reviews.
(3)Marie M.
I loved the location and the atmosphere. The food was good but not awesome. They really need to work on the service however. When we sat down, the staff was there immediately. However after a few minutes to look at menus, you could have died of thirst before they returned and it was not crowded. Trying to get a second drink was worse. They took order and disappeared for about 15-20 minutes for a beer. When someone returned it was the wrong beer twice??? It was quite light for a dark stout, what they kept bringing looked more like a larger. I am hoping it gets better.
(3)Terry L.
Stellar service. Food is great. Chef Joey Beato is cranking out some good eats on the northwest side. Space is beautiful, love the long bar. Fans of nearby The Portage restaurant will love it, as it's the same owners and chef. Owner Quay Tao is hands on, and always friendly and welcoming. I recently visited with a friend and we had drinks and a few items from the bar menu. We had Duck Cracklin's, which were awesome. Perfectly crisp, and almost dissolve in your mouth! We also shared the pork meatballs, which is made with a touch of jalapeno, and that puts them over the top. They were juicy too. Overall, the atmosphere was lively. Our bartender was attentive, and even offered us a sampling of another beer from Lake Effect that he thought we would like, and he did this after we paid our tab, which was gracious. They source local foods, and the beer list is from many of the local breweries, with the draft beer from Finch and Lake Effect Brewing, which are both local neighborhood brewers. They take the name Community and have put it to good use. A great addition to our community. Well done. I can't wait to come back for steak!
(5)Paula B.
So excited about the new addition to the neighborhood! The waitstaff was very friendly, knowledgeable and not intrusive. The cozy atmosphere was perfect for a cold winter night and the food and drinks were great!
(5)Mike C.
We have been fans of owner Quay Tao's other Portage Park restaurant, The Portage, for several years, and were anxious for Community Tavern to open. We couldn't make opening night, but just over a week later, we got in, and Quay, Chef Joey Beato, and bar manager Jose Cordon have done it again. Community Tavern offers stylish and classy tavern atmosphere with warmth and ambiance. Bouillabaisse, house-made breads, and oyster appetizers were fantastic. My dining companions also enjoyed their meals. Drinks are nicely paired and stand as works of art on their own. Service was organized and familiar with the dishes and drink pairings. The entire staff seems personally invested in ensuring your positive experience. Quay and team have done a fantastic job of getting up to speed in their first week of operation, and we are so glad to recommend the new venture.
(5)Suzy J.
What a beautiful place! Great cocktails, delicious cuisine and friendly service. Try the shortrib app, steak and fries, creative salads. So much to love! Our new favorite spot. Easy drive and ample parking on Milwaukee.
(5)Olivia H.
Went on a Friday night - frequent patron of The Portage. Ambiance is awesome! A little hard to talk across the table because it was packed...waiter was really new - did not explain specials like the waiter on the next table and was not good at circling back to make sure all was good. Ordered steak frites, which was cold and the presentation was not what I have come to expect at The Portage. Also ordered short-ribs, which was ok - again not the best. I think they are still going thru opening pains...definitely going back - during the week! Overall, a welcome destination in the 6 corners neighborhood!
(4)Matt M.
Really. Really! Good!! Consider this place the slightly more upscale brother to the justly popular Portage restaurant. Community has one of the best menu's I've seen in awhile. A wide, yet cohesive range of delicious dishes, priced fairly and, at least at this first visit, all prepared perfectly. We had the foie gras biscuit, which was delicious and an even better ox tail terrine. For mains we had the whole fish and the salmon and both were some of the best fish we have had anywhere. The scene is one of casual elegance. Perfect for families or date night, young and old. Highly recommend! A fantastic addition to the neighborhood.
(5)Erin D.
Had a chance to check out 6 Corner's newest gem of a restaurant last night, and was really impressed. The interior is beautiful and the food was absolutely delicious. We tried three different appetizers (the shortrib, the fois gras biscuits, and the rosemary focaccia) and they were all winners! The servers were attentive and friendly, despite being mired in the chaos of opening night. All in all it was a great experience, and we're excited to see Community Tavern breathing some much needed life into the area.
(5)Loretta F.
We made reservations 5 days ahead for 4 people for a Friday night. They called to confirm our reservations and asked if there were any food allergies or issues they should know about. Three of us were drinking wine and decided to order a bottle, after consulting with Jeremy we ordered a bottle, but it was not what we were expecting. The waitress, Victoria, graciously offered to exchange it for a different bottle. We were so grateful for that. I ordered the short rib, and kale and apple salad. I couldn't get enough of the salad. The short rib was wonderful too, but it was a lot and now I have some for lunch today....I should have ordered another serving of the salad to go. The rest of my party ordered the salmon and 2 ordered the pork chop ...small serving was giant. No one was sharing...or even offering to...I think they liked it:) Service was terrific and we will definitely make this a regular stop.
(5)Liz D.
I had a LOVELY evening at Community Tavern! We went on Sunday - day 4 - and our food and service were both top-notch. We shared a few appetizers and wine and I will definitely be back to try the entres. We had the frites (nice and skinny, with fresh herbs, maybe a touch underdone?, the tartare (I deny it's existence as I inhaled it that quickly), oysters (2 different kinds, perfectly shucked), king crab (tasty, on the smaller side - both portion & size-wise), and the kale & apple salad (seriously delicious for kale lovers). Everything was pretty much perfect, and I kept thinking "i'm eating oysters in portage park" which really couldn't make me any happier. The decor is really pretty, it's a nice size, welcoming & comfortable. I would come here to get away from kids, because I didn't feel like waiting in line anywhere in logan square, because the menu/wine list ROCKs and the food is good - I loved it!
(4)Beebe G.
i'm not as impressed with this place yet as my fellow foodies. i agree it is fantastic they opened in six-corners area (welcome to the neighborhood!) and there are still a lot of kinks to work out and the ambiance is beautiful. also, the servers and the host are very nice. with all that said, the prices are extremely high. this is a special occasion place to dine once or twice a year. if this is the type of demographics they want to have so be it. service is a bit of a wait when we were here on a sunday night 6pm-ish. they need to staff up. it was a full house when we arrived probably b/c of the free movie (finding vivian maier) at the portage that night. the place was crowded and very loud and it was hard to have a conversation with my husband and daughter. they really need to add something to the room to offset the noise. i ordered the lake effect wit $8 (priced too high for this beer!) and the trout caesar salad. my daughter iced tea and french onion soup and my husband ordered one of the specialty drinks and the shriimp cocktail. all of the food and drinks were fabulous. i don't agree that a moderate bowl of french onion soup should be $8. that's a little steep for soup. my trout caesar salad albeit delicious was a tiny portion for $13. note_ this is not the caesar salad you would imagine it to be. just yummy smoked trout, grapes and 5 pieces of endive. also, this was not my original choice. the crab and avocado salad was my first choice but they ran out. at 630pm? not good. i will return in a few weeks after they finish tweaking and will order dinner and all the works. i hope by this time there would have been many improvements. keep on keeping on.
(2)Mike C.
We have been fans of owner Quay Tao's other Portage Park restaurant, The Portage, for several years, and were anxious for Community Tavern to open. We couldn't make opening night, but just over a week later, we got in, and Quay, Chef Joey Beato, and bar manager Jose Cordon have done it again. Community Tavern offers stylish and classy tavern atmosphere with warmth and ambiance. Bouillabaisse, house-made breads, and oyster appetizers were fantastic. My dining companions also enjoyed their meals. Drinks are nicely paired and stand as works of art on their own. Service was organized and familiar with the dishes and drink pairings. The entire staff seems personally invested in ensuring your positive experience. Quay and team have done a fantastic job of getting up to speed in their first week of operation, and we are so glad to recommend the new venture.
(5)Suzy J.
What a beautiful place! Great cocktails, delicious cuisine and friendly service. Try the shortrib app, steak and fries, creative salads. So much to love! Our new favorite spot. Easy drive and ample parking on Milwaukee.
(5)Olivia H.
Went on a Friday night - frequent patron of The Portage. Ambiance is awesome! A little hard to talk across the table because it was packed...waiter was really new - did not explain specials like the waiter on the next table and was not good at circling back to make sure all was good. Ordered steak frites, which was cold and the presentation was not what I have come to expect at The Portage. Also ordered short-ribs, which was ok - again not the best. I think they are still going thru opening pains...definitely going back - during the week! Overall, a welcome destination in the 6 corners neighborhood!
(4)Matt M.
Really. Really! Good!! Consider this place the slightly more upscale brother to the justly popular Portage restaurant. Community has one of the best menu's I've seen in awhile. A wide, yet cohesive range of delicious dishes, priced fairly and, at least at this first visit, all prepared perfectly. We had the foie gras biscuit, which was delicious and an even better ox tail terrine. For mains we had the whole fish and the salmon and both were some of the best fish we have had anywhere. The scene is one of casual elegance. Perfect for families or date night, young and old. Highly recommend! A fantastic addition to the neighborhood.
(5)Erin D.
Had a chance to check out 6 Corner's newest gem of a restaurant last night, and was really impressed. The interior is beautiful and the food was absolutely delicious. We tried three different appetizers (the shortrib, the fois gras biscuits, and the rosemary focaccia) and they were all winners! The servers were attentive and friendly, despite being mired in the chaos of opening night. All in all it was a great experience, and we're excited to see Community Tavern breathing some much needed life into the area.
(5)Liz D.
I had a LOVELY evening at Community Tavern! We went on Sunday - day 4 - and our food and service were both top-notch. We shared a few appetizers and wine and I will definitely be back to try the entres. We had the frites (nice and skinny, with fresh herbs, maybe a touch underdone?, the tartare (I deny it's existence as I inhaled it that quickly), oysters (2 different kinds, perfectly shucked), king crab (tasty, on the smaller side - both portion & size-wise), and the kale & apple salad (seriously delicious for kale lovers). Everything was pretty much perfect, and I kept thinking "i'm eating oysters in portage park" which really couldn't make me any happier. The decor is really pretty, it's a nice size, welcoming & comfortable. I would come here to get away from kids, because I didn't feel like waiting in line anywhere in logan square, because the menu/wine list ROCKs and the food is good - I loved it!
(4)Loretta F.
We made reservations 5 days ahead for 4 people for a Friday night. They called to confirm our reservations and asked if there were any food allergies or issues they should know about. Three of us were drinking wine and decided to order a bottle, after consulting with Jeremy we ordered a bottle, but it was not what we were expecting. The waitress, Victoria, graciously offered to exchange it for a different bottle. We were so grateful for that. I ordered the short rib, and kale and apple salad. I couldn't get enough of the salad. The short rib was wonderful too, but it was a lot and now I have some for lunch today....I should have ordered another serving of the salad to go. The rest of my party ordered the salmon and 2 ordered the pork chop ...small serving was giant. No one was sharing...or even offering to...I think they liked it:) Service was terrific and we will definitely make this a regular stop.
(5)Beebe G.
i'm not as impressed with this place yet as my fellow foodies. i agree it is fantastic they opened in six-corners area (welcome to the neighborhood!) and there are still a lot of kinks to work out and the ambiance is beautiful. also, the servers and the host are very nice. with all that said, the prices are extremely high. this is a special occasion place to dine once or twice a year. if this is the type of demographics they want to have so be it. service is a bit of a wait when we were here on a sunday night 6pm-ish. they need to staff up. it was a full house when we arrived probably b/c of the free movie (finding vivian maier) at the portage that night. the place was crowded and very loud and it was hard to have a conversation with my husband and daughter. they really need to add something to the room to offset the noise. i ordered the lake effect wit $8 (priced too high for this beer!) and the trout caesar salad. my daughter iced tea and french onion soup and my husband ordered one of the specialty drinks and the shriimp cocktail. all of the food and drinks were fabulous. i don't agree that a moderate bowl of french onion soup should be $8. that's a little steep for soup. my trout caesar salad albeit delicious was a tiny portion for $13. note_ this is not the caesar salad you would imagine it to be. just yummy smoked trout, grapes and 5 pieces of endive. also, this was not my original choice. the crab and avocado salad was my first choice but they ran out. at 630pm? not good. i will return in a few weeks after they finish tweaking and will order dinner and all the works. i hope by this time there would have been many improvements. keep on keeping on.
(2)Rawlins R.
Here to upgrade from my original review. All things still hold from the first review but after a few more visits I am completely sold on this experience. It is truly a breathe of fresh air to have such an establishment in the Portage Irving area. The attention to detail and genuine care shown by owner and staff here is more than apparent. They must do some type of staff rotation because from "bus boy", to waiter, to hostess, they all know their stuff. Menu items are hand crafted and phenomenal. Since my first visit, I've had the salmon, the burger, the potatoes and vegetables, the oysters, and beef tartare. All great! So happy for CT and this is no doubt a guaranteed good experience.
(5)Julia S.
Community Tavern has an incredible ambiance, with much better decor than its sister restaurant, The Portage (which is also an excellent spot!). The service was top notch as well. The staff was very personable, attentive, and knowledgable. For our food we split two appetizers and an entree. The king crab legs were wonderful, especially the dipping sauce that came with them. The beef tartare was delicious, but there were far too many capers on the dish compared to the amount of beef. We had dozens left on our plate at the end! We also got the whole fish, and the flavors were excellent! The garbanzo beans and sauce perfectly complimented the fish. We finished with a brownie sundae, which was good, but not mind blowing. I had a couple of bites and was okay with letting my husband finish the rest (which very rarely happens, trust me!). Overall an incredible experience. I will definitely be back!
(4)Angus W.
So there we were.. strolling through Portage Park and thinking "wouldn't it be nice if we could find a French styled Steakhouse somewhere around here?" Yeah, so that's not exactly how it happened... Ok, our besties read about Community Tavern and we decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Lisa and I were with our foodie buds, Adam and Janet... and were determined to take advantage of the menu. The decor is a conglomeration of styles.. from industrial to French. But it works and will hold your interest.. well, at least.. it held mine. The service was top notch throughout the evening. For appetizers we shared the Short Rib and Oxtail Terrine (don't miss it! kind of a fancy meatloaf with an egg on top), King Crab Legs (small portion, but a taste for everyone) and the House Charcuterie Plate and because we just wanted to try them.. we ordered a side of the Breakfast Radishes as an appetizer too. One of the things we love about our friends is that if someone suggests something they are always like.. "sure, why not?" I'm the curmudgeon but they all put up with me anyway. We almost forgot to order the Cheddar Bacon muffin, fortunately, we recovered in time to have one before the meal was over. I had the bone in Berkshire Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked perfectly.. it was delicious.. in my opinion only eclipsed by Lisa's order of Braised Short Rib on Risotto (OMG!) which was not only delicious but surprisingly not at all fatty.. that's what I'll get next time. Or maybe I should get what Adam ordered.. the Steak Delmonico.. I didn't taste it, but it looked delicious and his discriminating palate thought it was pretty terrific. Or..maybe Janet's Dry Aged Rib eye....she loved that, so... All of the food was excellent! We were stuffed but shared a Brownie Sundae, just because.
(5)Davis J.
We came here last night for apps and cocktails tonight and it was an excellent experience! While we were at the bar, we spoke with Jose, the bar manager. He is clearly invested in his craft--he personally created many of the cocktails on the drinks menu. The major winners of the night were: * the basil-infused vodka martini with a twist * the wedge salad * the french onion soup Overall, their menu is fantastic--you cannot go wrong!
(5)Ruby Q.
So I was a little cheezed off originally when I came here at 5:30 on a Saturday for a quick meal. The hostess working the front said that they were "fully committed"in a room that was half empty. She offered some seat that stares at the wall 12 inches away. We gave it another try early on a Thursday and I'd say that this is "just what Portage Park needs". The steaks were nicely done and "Get Together" cocktail was layered with great flavor. I did not care for the bone marrow, although I crave this from other places. The bread was greasy tasting. The wedge salad also left us wanting- it's not a wedge at all- and seemed a lil limp. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)Conor M.
Everything about our first experience at Community Tavern was top notch. The service was spot on. The staff treated us like we were VIPs when we're just a couple of folks from the neighborhood. We tried a couple of the house cocktails and were quite impressed. The "dark Manhattan" (using dark rum instead of whiskey) left a positive impression on my palette. My wife had the whiskey sour and it was one of the best sours I've had the pleasure to taste. My first cocktail was a lovely gin concoction whose name now escapes me. I could have had several of those if I wasn't driving that evening. The charcuterie plate is highly recommended. Community makes everything on the plate in-house, with the exception of the mustard (whole grain, delicious). I could seriously have had several servings of that plate and that would suit me for an evening. I tried the vegetable potage and was very pleased. The dish screamed "fresh!" I could have had a large bowl and been entirely satisfied. We had the 16oz ribeye and the tomahawk pork chop. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompaniments to each dish were expertly matched. I wish I had an extra two stomachs so I could eat more of Community's offerings. We were so full we weren't going to have any dessert, but Quay convinced us to give their banana cake a try. We were glad we did. Community is definitely on the pricey side, but for an upscale joint in Portage Park/Six Corners I highly recommend it. I'm in love with this place and will be back again and again.
(5)Don C.
Great time, great place, get food and great staff. Go there - you won't be disappointed! Nuff said!
(5)Ide C.
Beautiful subtle ambience. Very comfortable, welcoming feeling. Quay did the decorating from the antique mirrors to the gorgeous lighting fixtures to the comfortable seating. Very well done. Staff was excellent, friendly and accommodating. David was our server and he was charming. If u get him, you will be well taken care of. We started with the steak tartare which was extremely tasty. Others had a wedge of lettuce and soup. My partner had the pork chop for his entree which he said was outstanding. Two others had steak and raved. I had cassoulet which I had never had before. It was a nice mixture of sausage, duck etc. I thought it was good. We ended sharing two desserts, one of which was a crispy brownie which was a great end to a lovely evening. The coffee was very good. I Wd go back to try something new.
(4)Alexios T.
Amazing every time we go there. The service is terrific. The drinks are great. The food is incredible. A tad noisy when busy, but what do you expect from a hip and happenin' place like Community. If you are in the northwest side of Chicago in the 6-corners area, please please please go here. You won't regret it.
(5)Stephanie L.
We decided to come here because my boyfriend saw Community Tavern featured in an article about Chicago's best new restaurants. I thought the food was delicious! We had a party of 4, but none of us were particularly hungry so we ordered 3 entrees to share. We got the bouillabaisse, the braised short rib, and the bone marrow steak. Each entree really featured a different type of protein, and I thought they were all cooked perfectly! I would definitely go back! I only give it a 4 star only because I think the menu selection could be a little broader. I mean I had no problem picking out something I liked, but I know my mom had some trouble with it. But overall loved the restaurant! Taste: 10/10 Portion size: 6/10 Service: 4/10 Ambience: 7/10
(4)Jaime G.
Home run for Quay and team at this new gastropub. Incredible that he did it in this neighborhood and delivering a quality experience. Food, wine, beer, cocktails, all exceptional. We started with then foie gras butter with biscuits. Then tried the seafood tower with shrimp, crab legs, oysters, salmon ceviche, and tuna tartar. Did not disappoint. We had a nice Syrah with our entrees that included the duck confit special (with beans, andouille sausage, and pork belly), roasted chicken, steak and Frits, dry aged Ribeye, and double cheeseburger (kids had this and loved), and a selection of sides (kudos to the cauliflower mac and cheese like dish). Great service topped of the evening. Want to come back to try the specialty cocktails that we didn't have room for. Plus, it's just cool place to hang out at.
(5)Elizabeth H.
This place is amazing!!! The atmosphere is nice and they have a great long bar with cool wine holders. I had my first oysters here and I can't wait to eat them again. Servers were nice and knowledgeable on the menu. Great drinks, great food, great everything!
(5)Reda K.
Omg my double cheeseburger was so good the bun was toasted ..the owner is super cool. Every time we come he makes us feel welcome which is great Nice guy..
(5)Catherine H.
The owner of Portage has done it again for Portage Park. This new addition to the community is sparking a revitalization to the eateries in the area. I went to Community opening night and the staff was well prepared. I've been back 3 more time since then. Everything is delish! Tried almost all the apps including their seafood towers...yum! Have had the fillet and cheeseburger, yes I said cheeseburger. It was melt in your mouth good! The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. The place does get busy on evenings and weekends so booking a reservation is recommended, which you can do online. Parking can be found in the parking lot a block over and even on Milwaukee. Also, there is one bathroom per gender.
(5)Ebby V.
My buddy and I sat at the bar for dinner. We had reservations but we didn't want to necessarily sit at the table they offered us. If you take a chance to look around you will see the faux bird cages surrounding the lighting. I found that unique. At the bar it was easy to notice that they were experts in making cocktails. They also have an excellent wine list. I don't know that I have any particular type of gem to share but I know this. They have the best french onion soup I ever had. It was sweet and salty. They use a manchego cheese. My buddy and I also ordered the beef tartare. If you like beef tartare it will hit the spot. It isn't anything special but they did it correctly. I am not sure the quail egg they added was entirely necessary but it presented well. My buddy ordered the steak delmonico which they told us was new to the menu if I understood them correctly. He had nothing but great things to say about this steak. It was perfectly done. They served the marrow in a large bone. I ordered the steak frites. It looks exactly as the picture shown on their website. They use a skirt steak. I ordered it medium rare. We shared a bottle of their 2004 bordeaux. I love this wine. After it was opened I tasted to check if it was corked. It was not but came off bitter. By the time we got the steak the wine became super mellow, very smooth, not bitter at all. To sum this visit up, it was home cooking at its best for what we ordered. We were very satisfied and happy to make the journey from the Gold Coast out to here. I think that this restaurant is perfectly named. I would have to visit multiple times to get through this menu. I am sure I would enjoy every visit too. Thank you to Community Tavern for the comfort food.
(4)Margaret W.
This place is it for me. It has everything I love. The bar is on it's game with inventive and delicious cocktails. The wine list is wonderful. I think I have been here ten times since it's opening for dinner and once for a wine event. Dinner never disappoints! I have done the whole roasted fish, the bouillabaisse, the steak frites and several other things. The cassoulet on Thursday is simply divine! Like eating a warm hug. As far as the small plates go, I am pretty sure I have eaten all of them. Highlights are the escargot, the charcutterie (seriously incredible) and the trout salad. The atmosphere is sexy but still comfortable. Service has developed over the past few months and I feel like it is really hitting it's stride. This is my new special occasion and Thursday "just cause" restaurant! It can fulfill both roles. I just adore this restaurant!
(5)Kaley J.
From the service to the food, it was all fantastic. The ambiance is perfect for a cute night out. We were a party of two and ordered two filets then split the asparagus, roasted cauliflower, and mashed potatoes. Everything tasted delicious! By far, the best steak either of us had ever had. Our favorite side was the cauliflower though they all were great. Highly recommend! Date night perfection!
(5)Jim S.
Having already tried their sister restaurant, The Portage, my wife and I were excited for our anniversary dinner reservations here at Community. I can tell you that it did not disappoint at all. We started with the house charcuterie plate, which I happened to read about in a Crain's Chicago business article. All the meats were very good, and the berry jam was a nice touch as well. I had the 6 oz filet mignon, which came out absolutely perfect. I paired it with the mashed potatoes which were also great. We finished up with the cherry cobbler for dessert, which was mostly cherries and ice cream, very little crust/crumb. It didn't detract from the overall dessert, but just be aware if you're used to and expecting a cobbler in that style. To top it off, Quay was gracious enough to stop by and talk with us as we finished up. It's not too often you get to meet the person who puts it all together, and even more so, it's not too often you meet someone who is truly happy that you stepped through their door to stop and eat. Having just moved to the neighborhood from Andersonville a few months ago, I had talked myself into being OK with having to hop on the blue line to get any sort of good food. However, I'm so happy that we have The Portage and Community within blocks of each other. Not only are these two restaurants tops in the neighborhood, I would stack them against anything else in the city - regardless of neighborhood. We'll be back again!
(5)Scott B.
We celebrated our first year anniversary here. Excellent choice. Atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner or small groups. Highest marks for short rib and oxtail terrine, lyonnaise and crab/avocado salads, porterhouse and filet. Perfect cooking and served absolutely hot. Drinks also excellent and unique. Service friendly, professional and not intrusive. They remembered it was our anniversary (we were provided a champagne). Superior in very way.
(5)Robb S.
Fantastic spot! Still battling whether I like the portage or community better...leaning portage but it doesn't matter because they are both great. We had great drinks and a very good affordable wine. My drink was a whiskey sour and it was awesome! For meals the steak and pork chop and both cooked perfectly. The sauces that came with both were fantastic. Sides were mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Dessert was the cobbler and it was delicious Service was excellent. My only downside is that I don't get to come here every weekend
(5)Noah W.
Delightful. A perfect balance of homey and trendy. The entire staff was warm, inviting and knowledgeable. And the owner, just as at The Portage, is as good as it gets. He could give lessons in this stuff. Our table was late getting ready, and while we didn't quite mind enjoying drinks at the bar, they gifted us with oysters as an apology as soon as we did sit down. Clear sign of folks that care. Four of us almost ran the table on all the appetizers. Such great variety of tastes and textures. Shared whole fish and Porterhouse for dinner. The homey/trendy balance flowed through the food with bold complex flavors punctuated by a keen eye to presentation and style. We will return.
(4)Ed S.
Fantastic meal! What a great addition to this neighborhood. Should do very well and draw from a wide area. We will for sure be going back very soon!!
(5)Kristine C.
We stopped here both Friday and Saturday night. It was our first time exploring Portage Park. Very happy we found Community Tavern (right next door to the Portage Theater), a relatively new place. Both nights we had a small group and they were able to accommodate us. However, to be safe you should make reservations. The place filled up fast. Both nights the service was great. Everyone was very friendly, had a great sense of humor and knowledgeable. They also have a well rounded beer menu. More Gastro Pub than steakhouse. It is upscale but laidback and not pretentious. Both nights we had the Crab and Avocado salad. It's a great portion half an avocado greens and lots of crab. On friend did not like the amount of onions present. We also enjoyed the side of Roasted Mushrooms. I could have had a few of these little cups of mushrooms. Our first night we tried the Tuna Crudo. The Tuna was great, the toppings of olives, peppers and some grapefruit was really strong for me. I brushed about half of it off and at one point all of it so I could enjoy the fish. We also had the Salmon. Wow, what a portion. Usually you get a small 6oz Salmon filet. They are very generous here. It was almost too much for me. The skin was crispy and flavorful and inside flaked apart. The Gnocchi underneath was warm and soft. I really just wanted the Gnocchi. Our second night, I paired the Alfredo with Beef Stroganoff with a side of the Roasted Mushrooms. It was the perfect amount of food for me. The Stroganoff is a smaller portion. The noodles are soft; the meat is tender with the juice as a perfect sauce that is not too thick. It was nice to have a non-creamy sauce on this type of dish. The food and ambiance are warm and inviting. You will not leave hungry. Come for a drink early, enjoy hearty food, grab a dessert and call it a great night!
(4)nikole q.
I personally told the owner this today but the service from every single employee there was just amazing. ( and I grew up managing in the hospitality industry as well as serving and bartending myself). Everything was brought out with great timing and they were so efficient with changing and replacing silverware and offering refills of yummy wine. We had our four-year-old daughter with us and staff members took the time to give her attention and talk to her,The food was over-the-top amazing, ( very highly recommend the aged ribeye) , and even the ambience of the entire place was just so positive. A truly memorable and wonderful dining experience that will help us coming back again and again. Thank you!!
(5)Rudra B.
As usual - not enough tiny toasts. But that didn't stop my wife and I from devouring the excellent Oxtail and Ribeye terrine. A highlight for sure. The steaks we got were lovely and paired with a minty mashed potato that I very much enjoyed. My wife is not a steak lover and likes her meat well-done. The staff was kind enough to cook it a little more without making her feel bad for her poor taste in steak doneness. I appreciated their kindness for her one character flaw.
(4)Catherine D.
Home run. They fit my husband and me in last minute on a Saturday night, great table in the middle of the restaurant. My husband had the steak frites, which were very tasty, and I had the vegetable cocotte. Also very good. We had bread as an app and the brownie sundae for dessert. My husband had a cocktail, I forget what it was but he loved it, and I had a nice red. Overall, everything was perfect. The food, the service, the ambiance. Thrilled that this is in our neighborhood. We'll be regs.
(5)Paul K.
The decor is casual and not pretentious. The inside is tight so if you are claustrophobic then this probably is not a place for you. The drinks are gin and bourbon forward. It would be nice to see them add some tequila drinks. I had the ribeye which was perfect. Just the right amount of fat for flavor and at $33for 16 oz. it's a perfect size. My wife had the bouillabaisse and she thought it was very good. We split the roasted cauliflower which was delicious. We had a party of ten and we were packed into a small area but made due. Everyone loved there food but thought it was too loud for a large party. Very difficult to hear everyone at the table. This is definite place for couples but not large parties!
(4)Peg R.
It is hard to believe that Quay has 2 unbelievable restaurants in Portage Park. The food here is incredible. Such wonderful service from the staff at both places. Love both of these places. It is so great to see someone who is invested in Portage Park as Quay is. We need more people and businesses like him. Thanks Quay and staff for always making dining at either of the restaurants an unforgettable,joyous and delicious experience.
(5)Abby S.
We had a wonderful dinner celebrating my husband's birthday. I had the steak frites and he had the short ribs. Both were out of the this world. So happy to have the restaurant in our neighborhood! Very friendly wait staff and loved the design of the restaurant.
(5)Erika B.
Must go. The food was amazing and the staff just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. Steaks perfect, wine delicious. We arrived late near to closing time and they welcomed us in. Great experience.
(5)Craig Y.
Yummy stake frites. Very good food and ambiance. Great cocktail selection. More of a Bucktown restaurant in Portage park. Excellent
(5)Kelly N.
My husband and I just dined here and had absolutely delicious meals! Not only was the food great, the service was on point too! We love The Portage, and now we LOVE Community Tavern as well!!
(5)Julia S.
This place is worth the drive west. A great place for a date. My husband and I split the bacon cheddar muffin, market fish, wedge salad, & brownie sundae. Everything was delicious. Our sever was excellent and had a good sense of humor. The owner Quay Toh was there managing the house and saying hi to guests. We will definitely go back for the ribeye.
(5)Rick F.
I love supporting our neighborhood restaurants! It's my belief that Portage Park and Jefferson Park are the next hot areas of Chicago. After eating at another newly opened restaurant called Community Tavern, this evening we have added the next hottest steakhouse! David-our server, was amazing. Quay-the owner, is gracious and grateful to help bring great cuisine to the area. Everything was 1st Class. Our hats off to the Chef The french onion soup had depth and richness, the ribeye was cooked perfectly as requested. The tuna tartar was chilled perfectly and the chips were amazing i could not stop eating them.
(5)Eric B.
I enjoy a good steak. And I cook a better one. Yet, I sometimes wish to go out for a steak, while avoiding the $300 price tag for the pleasure, a near inevitability for any refined couple in one of the downtown steakhouses. Whatsoever shall I do? How will I cope, you might ask? I'll tell you - I'll visit the newly opened Community Tavern. The steaks here are fantastic. Kelly ordered the filet and she enjoyed it very much. I ordered the dry aged ribeye - rare, and you'd be advised to do the same - and it had a rich, earthy, bloody flavor. The steaks are certainly acceptable alternatives to a trip downtown. The whipped potatoes side was light, creamy, and very buttery. Even the french fries are superb, and worth a trip to have at the bar. The appetizers were more of a mixed bag. The crab legs appetizer was superb - fresh, served cold, with a light lemon aioli. The miniature boule of bread was fine, but the butter was overly salty. The salad was a bit salty too. I was intrigued by the foie gras butter and biscuits, but I did not order them this time. However, I saw an order and it looked like the foie gras was baked in to the biscuit, which was not a selling point. You may wish to inquire for yourselves. The cocktail list is fine - Kelly enjoyed her gin drink, and I had a Bulliet Rye Manhattan. It was very well made. I would have liked a bigger glass, but we are just quibbling at the point. The wine list is predominantly American, and heavy on the Napa Valley cabernets. There was but one Bordeaux, but it was very affordable at $55 and a rich, earthy old world wine that matched perfectly with the steaks. Just one word of caution - the brownie dessert with the ice cream and caramel sauce - has pork belly the ice cream. Not bacon, but fatty hunks of pork belly. It was, to be kind, a greasy, extremely unpleasant discovery, and not listed anywhere in the description. If you are the sort who enjoys bacon in everything, then you might like this, but I think bacon needs a bit of decorum and needs to learn its place. Which, in my opinion, is nowhere near ice cream. In any event, you have been so advised. We were able to send the dessert back without incident or cost. We will definitely be back. Perhaps I'll see you there?
(4)Sandra T.
My dinner date picked out another place to have dinner, while we were eating and I mentioned the new "cool looking" restaurant around the corner from me; so we decided to have an after dinner drink there and check it out. This new establishment is a high end Modern American eatery with a French touch. I really can't wait to try dinner here. My cocktail was very good and served elegantly.
(4)Matt K.
Quay and Joey have done it once again with this Gem of a spot! The selection is spot on with a variety of Meat and Seafood exactly what the Portage Park area was missing. The wine list and cocktails are A+ Amazing! This is a great neighborhood spot and if your not from the area a destination spot that you for sure need to travel to!
(5)Joe Henry G.
Food and the ambiance were superb...I had the fillet Mignon..out of this world..Definitely will be back..
(4)Patricia R.
This spot is delicious!! We decided to try it on the spur of the moment - a parking spot right in front, so we said "Why not?" Wonderful from the get go. Host and hostess very welcoming and showed us to two spots at the bar. Bartender excellent - attentive but not intrusive. We had decided on apps and libations. First up was Wedge Salad - soooo good with thick cut bacon and tender grape tomatoes. French Onion Soup was delicious. Then we had a pork belly dish that was outstanding, escargot (little too lemony for our taste but still delicious), and creamed spinach. Now we love the creamed spinach at the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle but this creamed spinach took it to another level!! Divine and the cream part excellent soaked up with some bread from our escargot. A very nice experience all the way around!!
(5)C V.
I picked up this place for a special occasion. It is reflected as an upscale place but I realized it is more chill and casual ambiente after getting in. The initial greeting was OK, however, just because I changed my reservation time they seemed little panicked. I do not think that was necessary because I went there before the dinner hour to avoid the crowd. I tried two dishes. The double cheeseburger, definitely not a good burger. If I am paying a steakhouse price 16$ for a double cheeseburger, not even a gigantic one I would expect better quality. The fries aka fritas served with the burger was not good at all. Very greezy taste. I could not taste the potato or the seasoning at all. Honestly, way cheaper places makes better fries. The burger can not even compete with Stanley's or Epic Burger which is half price of this place. Filet Mignon - the quality of the meat was very good. Every place I went the steak is always served with a small side, even if it is a tiny side they put something. They just served the little meat just the meat on a huge plate. I had to order the spinach side by paying 8$ extra. Their peak hours are between 6:30pm to 8.00pm. The crowd is definitely not from the area. Giving one extra star for the cut of the filet mignon. That's it.
(2)Sang K.
Portage Park has been graced with more options for dining. Walked in on a Friday with no reservations and the place was packed! I didn't have high expectations going into the place, but boy, was I wrong. We ordered the house charcuterie plate and I was hesitant since my wife is very picky with eating new types of food. However, she loved it and the fact it didn't leave a lingering taste of what some restaurants tend to do. For dinner I had the Ribeye and she had the Pork Chop, both were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and most of all the way the restaurant is setup, it has a very relax/chill feel to it.
(5)Luis J E.
We came on an off night I guess.. Our muffins were dry and our steaks were over cooked. Finally, tried the avocado crab salad and it is out of this world. CT also doesn't skimp on the crab meat or avocado. Huge plus for me! Still in love with the lemon pound cake and the mash potatoes are always on point. First time our steaks were over cooked. Will come back again for the double chop and bone marrow. Wish they served cheesecake ice cream just like The Portage... However, I still love CT and will continue to recommend it because it is worth every penny.
(4)Logan K.
TL;DR - awesome food, expect service to improve as location matures, eat here if you want an awesome steak and some menu items you haven't had anywhere else. My roommates and I tried Community on a Friday night, which I think was only their second day of service! Our party of three got right in, luckily, since they are currently only accepting reservations for parties of 5 or more. The interior size is typical of a Chicago restaurant - quaint, dark, cool stuff on the walls. We started with 3 appetizers: roasted bone marrow, king crab leg, and escargot. All awesome. Cocktails were fantastic (bar was a bit backed up that night). Entrees were the ribeye (perfection) and fresh fish (salmon). Sides are a la carte (mushrooms, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots). Everything was fantastic! Desserts are all made in-house and I'm sure change frequently. Expect to pay a decent amount, but expect great food (our bill was about $70/person for appetizers, entrees, and drinks). As far as steaks go, not quite at the level of a Joe's or Chicago Cut, but definitely a great addition to the north side's Portage Park neighborhood.
(5)Jennifer L.
Amazing, we've been looking forward to the opening and it was everything we expected and more!
(5)Liz P.
As fans and loyal fans of The Portage, we were excited to see Community open. Beautiful space, excellent food, and warm and knowledgeable waitstaff. We'll be there many more times to come.
(5)Katie D.
Community Tavern was a perfect spot for my husband and my anniversary. The ambiance is romantic and they had 2 glasses of champagne for us when we sat down. The waiter was so friendly and wished us a happy anniversary multiple times. The food is excellent. I had the steak frites and my husband had the pork chop (the small portion was huge!), and we had the mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach as sides. Loved every single thing. Love these hidden gems in our neighborhood.
(5)Susie B.
Community Tavern is the best! I've been a few times and I'm never disappointed...the staff is incredibly friendly, food is AMAZING and there is always a unique cocktail on the menu that I'm excited to try. The must haves on the food menu are Tuna Crudo, Charcuterie Plate, Wedge Salad, and the Short Rib. The menu is big enough that you can always try something new but not overwhelming. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Donna W.
Bacon cheddar muffin delish! Baked onion soup was not bubbling with cheese-disappointed. Arugula/avocado salad superb but way too small for the price. Only RC products...yuck! Nice addition to the hood but save your pennies. One appetizer, one bread , one soup, one salad, one vegetable, and one entrée. No alcohol and one ice tea. No dessert 80.00....Oooh wait I forgot, I ordered two bacon cheddar muffins to go , yes they were that good!
(4)Lorena F.
Atmosphere was fantastic! Food was delicious, drinks were just okay which why Community doesn't get 5 stars. I asked for several drinks including my go to french martini, there wasn't any chambord so I had to settle for a boring vodka with sprite.
(4)Andrus g.
Positives: Very Nice ambiance. The lighting fixtures are luxurious/classy but also warm and inviting. Very good menu. Plenty to choose from. Cocktail was spot on...I love a tender who takes pride in their creation. Bone In short rib is the best i have ever had. Period. The cauliflower side was cheesy goodness and borderline delectable. Needs a bit of work: (and i'm only saying this because at a $100 per couple dining experience...aren't we shooting for perfection?) The servers need to know the menu through and through..which they didn't. I asked for a description of the first cocktail on the menu and was met with a blank stare then some guesses. I doubt if they had ever tasted it before. Same for the seafood platter. The servers need to take a bit more time at the table and not be 2 steps away as you finalize your order...a few more seconds would make all the difference in the experience...it's called Community isn't it?! And I hate to say this last one because I do enjoy close quarter eating and a good density of guests....but the middle tables between the bar and the booths are very awkward to dine at. It's not that your close to other ppl or even that the servers almost knock items off your table as they go buy...it's that you're sitting so low and people's butt's are 6 inches away from your face when ppl get up from the bar or when ppl have to turn sideways to pass by. this may be alleviated by installing some coat hooks in strategic locations....this will buy you 6 inches on either side of the aisle. I will return!! Great to have an new upscale option in Portage Park!!
(4)Sonia L.
This place is a cool, different location compared to other similar restaurants. The reviews I read about this place made it sound remarkable, and maybe that's why I have to give it 3 stars. The ambiance is great! It has the low lighting rustic vibe that all American New restaurants are going for. The service is wonderful. Waiters and hostess are extremely friendly - but the food...the food is just okay. We had the chicken and the ribeye. The trout salad was also just okay.
(3)Paul S.
Everything about this place screams quality. The food is exceptional - especially the amazing pork chop with its spicy mustard glaze. and the bacon and cheddar muffins are heavenly. Whoever is making the cocktails is also extremely good at what they do. The only thing I'd say is to skip the cobbler for dessert. It needs less sugar and more crust. Other than that, everything was excellent. A welcome addition to a neighborhood sorely lacking in high end dining.
(5)brad w.
The first thing I noticed was the vented smell of backed up sewerage lines. The second was the pleasant greeter at the door asking if we had a reservation, it was an empty restaurant. Third was the menu not my taste, and mixed with the smell I lost the hunger that I brought with me. I liked the onion soup more onions than I like but great taste. Salad was good steak and fries was tasty. Two drinks and food a bit pricey. The smell did bother me.
(3)Madeleine M.
Some of the best food I've had. My boyfriend and I came here on Saturday and we loved all of it. We got the oysters which I don't really like in general, but he loved them. And I did like the tobasco that came with them! The Filet was so delicious and perfectly cooked. Crispy on the outside and perfectly medium rare on the inside. And the sauces on it. I'm not even sure what they were, but they were perfect. He got the Steak Frites which was a little too tough for me, but he loved it. Fries were incredible, too! And the sides. Oh man. The sides. We got the cauliflower and the mushrooms. Both were delicious and the mushrooms went really well with the steak. And we ate all of it. I think our waitress was genuinely impressed by how much two people could eat. Everyone should drop what they are doing and come here for dinner. One weird thing was our table was a little too big for two people, so I ended up sitting next to him instead of across from him. But then when all of our plates came it made sense that our table was a little oversized :)
(5)Marianne A.
We live right across the street in the condo building. So excited to have a new spot in the Portage Park area that we can walk to for a drink. Didn't get a chance to try the food but the menu looks impressive. New american meets "formal" bar food. Atmosphere is modern, casual and just about big enough for a neighborhood bar. Looking forward to going back and trying the food!
(5)Raj P.
This is a great dinner spot in Portage Park! They have a great selection of wine, beer and cocktails. I had their muscles and oysters, both were excellent.
(5)Simone K.
Loved the food! Ambiance is amazing! Perfect date night or dinner with friends! Food is creative, unique and delicious. GO!
(5)tia r.
Why trek from Portage Park to The Violet Hour in Wicker Park when Community Tavern has excellent cocktails, wonderful ambiance, and great food. Community Tavern is definitely one of my favorites! The mixologist at this place is outstanding. I ordered the Side Piece...AH-mazing!! #newfavoritecocktail
(5)Claire C.
What a wonderful discovery! Community Tavern is like a French brasserie and steakhouse, all in one!! We had the Steak Frites - the meat was done to perfection and DELICIOUS and the Charcuterie Platter, presented impeccably on a thick wood platter, was to die for. Great Wine list,too. And so many choices of appetizers and entrees that look wonderful...but we were full and could eat no more. This is a MUST to go back to. What a wonderful find. I love CT's sister restaurant The Portage, too. Community Tavern has the same service values as The Portage and their waitstaff was both personable, fun and friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
(5)Naj S.
We will be back! The drinks: - Had the Get Together; it was delicious - Good beer and wine selections The food: - Rosemary Focaccia: fine, would order the petite boulet next time - French onion soup was the best I've ever had: it's all about the broth, 'bout the broth! - Kale and apple salad: perfectly dressed, clean flavors, very good (a welcome salad to balance out the richness of the other dishes) - Hand-Cut Fettuccine Beef Cheek Stroganoff: toothsome noodles, luscious sauce (maybe a scoche salty?) - Bone-In Short Rib: perfectly cooked and marinated, atop creamy (not heavy) risotto, with baby carrots. Decadent, delicious! - Roasted Cauliflower (side): good and bubbly hot - Brownie Sundae: We like our brownies dense and fudgy; this was more like batter. It was okay. The Service: Despite being a bit flaky, our server was nice and informed enough, hence the 4 stars. A bit more attentive and present, and this place would have been a 5 star. Look forward to another visit!
(4)Rob K.
At last, tonight we made it to this latest lovely joint from the owner of The Portage and it was everything we hoped. I had a great ribeye, three helpings of a beautiful cocktail, the atmosphere is exceptional and just a lovely treat, all in all. It's an integral part of the Six Corners renaissance in Portage Park and it's everything we hoped. We will be back, more than once.
(5)Susan G.
Love, Love, Loved our dinner! Our party had an amazing double cheeseburger with anchovy sauce, heavenly short ribs, and an amazing steak pommes frites. Will be back very very soon.
(5)Erik B.
Excellent ambiance, great food, knowledgeable servers! So glad to welcome Community Tavern to Portage Park. We will be back many times!
(5)Chris R.
Everything about this place is first class. Great restaurant not only in just Portage Park/Jefferson Park but in the city.
(5)Sarah L.
What a wonderful dining experience all around! We were warmly greeted when we walked in and had such a great time! We shared the crab legs as an appetizer and then chose the mussels and salmon for our entrees. I'm so happy that this restaurant has come to the neighborhood and highly recommend them for delicious food and drink and impeccable service.
(5)Lysa H.
This place is fabulous!!! Great spot for a date or for groups. Their rendition of Oysters Rockefeller was amazing - Very creative & delicious, not your ordinary Oysters Rockefeller. We also shared the porterhouse & short ribs which were both outstanding & you cannot pass up the roasted cheesy cauliflower - to die for!!! Great wine list, excellent & friendly service/staff. The owner was hosting so he sat & checked up on us occasionally. Highly highly recommend this place. Cannot wait to go back & try more entrees!
(5)Chari A.
Love, love it. They take risks, I appreciate that. We had a smoked trout Caesar, beef tartar, chicken sausage and the seafood special. Excellent. The cocktails were original, interesting and unique. Great, great surprise and neighborhood gem. Highly recommended.
(5)Patrick F.
Wow! Sometimes I worry about being this positive, but the "secret" is already out. Quay Tao has done it again; bringing high quality food, and service, to Old Irving Park. We enjoy The Portage, and now we have a choice. We were in on a very busy Saturday night; we enjoyed our drinks at the bar; Community features an impressive beer and wine list. The menu is as good as any on Randolph St., as is the service. The food is excellent and even on a busy Saturday night, the food came out fast. Not rushed, just really nice. I enjoyed the steak fritte, my wife the crab and avocado salad; both were great. In fact, come for the fritte. The roasted cauliflower is great too. Community was very busy, the service and kitchen were easily up to the job. The food and service are both first rate. Save the cab fare, and the time it takes going downtown and enjoy an evening at Community Tavern
(5)Ryan J.
Was really not expecting that. Excellent fresh seafood, steaks and cocktails. Nice build out. I will definitely be back.
(5)Emily P.
Somewhat new addition to a neighborhood desperate for restaurants of the Community Tavern kind.... Initial impression was the atmosphere is excellent, the place is expertly designed, absolute gorgeous fixtures including lights, tables, and chairs. Our server was Dave (I think). Dave was ok, he named the kind of oysters we ordered, however, the server who brought them out named 2 completely different ones. When he brought our Charcuterie plate he mentioned the meats were all made by the chef "Matt" but didn't tell us Matt's last name. I personally thought that was a little sloppy. Dave also had a manner about him where he says "okay?" and "alright?" after almost every sentence. While this may be a nervous tick or just a habit, this could be misconstrued as condescending by someone. At one point toward the end of the meal I had a question to which Dave answered and followed with "okay?" Sensing I may have found his response off-putting and he quickly followed-up with "I'm not trying to sound condescending" so I have a feeling he may have been misinterpreted as condescending before. The drinks we ordered were allegedly a new addition to the menu "sloe ride": while cleverly named, it was very disappointing. The sugar was very grainy and the drink itself had a metallic taste and the color wasn't pleasing. Another issue was 1 of the 3 in our party had a different menu. The unfortunate element of this was the fettuccini was something this individual read about and wanted to try prior to this trip and while the fettuccini was included on their menu, this individual later found of their menu was old and must have somehow gotten slipped in. Another problem w having the old menu was this person had settled their mind on the $33 ribeye only to find out it is now $39 on the new menu. Lastly, our steaks were not cooked to the proper temperature. We shared the ribeye at medium well temp and the steak was very well done. The other person in our party ordered medium and her steak was rare. Overall I wasn't impressed. If the design wasn't as flawless as it was, I would have given this restaurant 2 stars.
(3)Oscar M.
Exactly what the neighborhood needs, an excellent restaurant with a cozy ambiance that focuses on great dishes.
(5)Terrel K.
continues to be a staple for the area.keep up the good work,will be there weekly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Elise W.
We love the Portage and have been looking forward to Community Tavern's opening. My husband and I went with friends and had a great experience. We felt the service was great, and the food was delicious! We are so excited that this restaurant is a new addition to the neighborhood and will definitely be back.
(5)Ed D.
Love that this place is here - such a great addition to Six Corners. The couple next to us were long time Portage Park residents (we have been in the neighborhood for about 3 years now) and we agreed that this is the kind of restaurant our area deserves - great ambience, unbelievable food and fantastic service - a truly quality dining experience that you don't need to go downtown (or even Bucktown or Logan Square) to get. We started with a few of the house cocktails (legit Whiskey Sour with egg white and the Get Together were the standouts) and then a sampling of appetizers - the foie gras butter and biscuits, beef tartare, wedge salad and escargot were all spot on and as decadent as you want them to be. The olives in the tartare provided an unusual but perfect saltiness to that dish. For mains I had the scallop pasta special, my wife had the short rib, and the other couple we were with had the pork chop and ribeye. We all sampled widely because every dish was amazing and had to be tried. Side of creamed spinach was maybe the best I've ever had. Dessert (if you can believe we still had room for it) was carrot cake, which Quay, the owner, comped to us after stopping by and chatting about the neighborhood and the excitement of getting his second restaurant off the ground here. All in, we are thrilled to have Community Tavern and will be back (hopefully many times).
(5)Di M.
I never thought I'd ever be inclined to go out for a nice dinner around this neighborhood (Portage Park). Alas, there's finally a nice restaurant in this area worthy of date night. I grew up around here and I used to make it a point to go to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, etc. whenever I wanted to go out. Needless to say this restaurant is on par with the restaurants in those neighborhoods. The food and ambiance here is awesome! Had the foie gras butter, roasted chicken, steak frites and brownie sundae for dessert. They also have a solid drink menu.
(5)Susan F.
Many reasons to get to Community Tavern and try it out yourself: Quay, Chic Décor, Local, Great Bacon Muffin, Breadth of the Menu + Bar Snacks, Gourmet Entrees, and more. Still working out a few service kinks but I was there in first two weeks so I'm sure those will get worked out. A few dishes were too salty - Chef, please read. I love salt and cook with it generously, but two things had by our table of eight were too salty. Loved my cocktails and vegetarian entrée - would order it again in a minute. Mini meatballs on bar menu were really tasty bites. Will be going back soon to try more.
(4)Dominick M.
I have anxiously watched the construction of this fine establishment over several months and it does not disappoint! So far I've had their very fresh oysters (both East and West coast), wedge romaine salad and cheddar bacon muffin. I've also sampled their ox tail and short rib terrine and smoked trout ceasar. All at the gourmet level. I went there the second week they were open and I think they are still trying to figure out a few things when it comes to service. Service was quite friendly but somewhat disjointed. We did arrive just as big groups came in....so they were very busy. I think the price point is a bit high as well. Don't get me wrong the food is incredible, gourmet level and you would expect to pay for this quality.....we will see what happens as Community Tavern evolves and matures. I will be having dinner here just before seeing a show at the Filament Theatre across the street very soon! They open at 5PM. Entrees run from $16 to $43. Appetizers from $2-$15. They also have a very nice wine list, but limited Single Malt Scotch selection (sorry, I'm a Scotch snob!!). They have a "party room" in the back and are now taking reservations. I would suggest you call and make a reservation. Even though they have just now opened Community Tavern is very busy. The bottom line is to go to the Community Tavern with friends and family. Spend some time reviewing the menu and specials. Have a nice red wine. Sip a Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch. Enjoy. Enjoy.
(4)Ellyn N.
So great to have another restaurant in the 6 corners area. We are OIP residents and love The Portage, so this was the obvious choice for us when we wanted to try a new restaurant. They are still working out some of the service kinks. Our waitress did not make recommendations, was not very familiar with the food and did not have any feedback on the cocktail menu. She did recommend a great glass of wine. They will get it right eventually. The food was all great, although my steak was a little overdone. We will be back!
(4)Kristin M.
We are thrilled that Quay has opened another phenomenal restaurant in the neighborhood!! Loved the decor and funky upbeat vibe. We tried the oysters - half were East Coast/half West Coast - outstanding with a Tabasco shallot sauce. The escargot was garlicky goodness and the smoked trout endive salad is a must. We split the short ribs - melt off the bone and the creamed spinach was the best I have had. I normally don't do cocktails but I would highly recommend doing so! A big shout out to our wait staff Jamie whose recs were right on. Can't wait to head back to sample the rest of the menu.
(5)Lisa M.
Just visited last night to celebrate a birthday with brother. Had been to the Portage (and LOVED) but was quite disappointed with this sister restaurant. The atmosphere and décor are both wonderful, but it's some of the food items we had that fell short (the bacon cheddar muffin was dry, the Steak Frites skirt steak was soooooo chewy and undercooked I couldn't eat it, which to their credit they credited back. The salads and frites were very good and desserts were good, but not great). Our waitress was nice, but was giving more attention to the table next to us. Had hopes of giving a really good review when we walked in, but walking out I knew that was impossible...I won't be going back.
(3)Julio K.
Great local place that doesn't disappoint after each visit. The service + staff has been quite excellent. The food is amazing and on point! Mix cocktails are pretty tasty. I highly recommend this place and look forward to trying everything on the menu! Pretty sweet establishment with an awesome atmosphere, even if you go there for drinks - tho you should share or hoard the cheddar bacon muffin(s)... =) Bone-in Short Rib over crescenza risotto, caper and balsamic reduction - wow! I wish for a little less of the reduction to showcase the risotto some more (the minor details), but damn was it tasty and ever so tender! Great dish will blow your mind! Fresh Oysters - get them, that's all you need to know! Cheddar bacon muffin will put a huge smile on your face! Roasted cauliflower - tasty. Short Rib + Oxtail Terrine - amazing!!! 10 stars!!! Steak Frites - tender + delicious! Crab + Avocado salad - yum! Airmail - awesome cocktail! 37th Chamber - awesome cocktail #2!
(5)Joe J.
I wasn't sure what to expect, I hadn't read anything about it before we went. I guess I was expecting a sports bar type setting, instead it was much more elegant and tasteful. The food was perfect, We had 6 different items and they were all the "best we ever had". Yes, it is expensive for the area, the lowest price entre on the menu was a double cheeseburger for $16.00... But I am optimistic about this place hopefully changing the area for the better. This is an impressive restaurant you want to bring family and friends to, it's not a family restaurant that would be suitable for small children. We will absolutely go back when celebrating a special event or entertaining friends. My only recommendation would be to make the washrooms look as nice and tasteful as your restaurant.
(4)B B.
We went Friday 2/6/15. We were really surprised with this restaurant overall. Wait time was going to be approx. 20 minutes at 8:00pm, not too bad. We were able to get 2 seats at the end of the bar while we waited for a table. After ordering a cocktails and watching the bartenders mix up some interesting drinks, we decided just eat at the bar. We started with the raw oysters and the prime beef tartar. Can't go wrong with east and west coast oysters. The tartar was outstanding; had to stop my self from getting another order. We also had the foie gras butter and biscuits. Again could have made a meal out of this as well. For the entrée we split the dry aged ribeye with a side of roasted mushroom. Ordered the ribeye rare and it came out perfect! The roasted mushroom we also good. Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes!
(5)Megan M.
Wow, absolutely amazing! Our server was super sweet and attentive, drinks were good, and food was fabulous! We had the burger, ribeye, creamed spinach (extra good).
(5)Stefanie F.
My fiancé and I went this evening for Valentines Day and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We are huge fans of The Portage and were very excited to try Community Tavern. My fiancé ordered the oysters and the trout ceaser salad to start and the ribeye as his entree. He LOVED everything. I ordered the french onion soup to start and the filet mignon as my entrée and cauliflower as my side. I also loved everything I ate. Both steaks were cooked per our request of medium rare. We both agreed that this restaurant was the first in a very long time to cook our steaks right. We also loved the atmosphere and drink menu. The local beers are a huge plus for us. We'll definitely be back soon!
(5)Gregg C.
Cool place. Great food. Nice ambiance. Sat in the back dining area, so the noise wasn't bad, but up front it is a bustling place on a Friday night. Only issue is that service could be a bit more polished. They were definitely rushing us through our meal. The waiter was clearly in a hurry to get our order.He didn't give us much time to review the menu. .We had to ask him twice to give us more time. Also, we were asked if we were finished several times while we were still eating. Check was brought over while we were eating dessert. One other odd note: when the waiter brought out our steaks, he wouldn't leave the table until we cut into the steak and confirmed that it was cooked just right "so that we wouldn't finish the entire steak and then complain that it wasn't cooked properly". Despite the less than optimal service, I would go back.
(4)John C.
Community did not disappoint. We stopped in early Sat night for drinks/apps at the bar before heading out to meet friends. The Get Together and Airmail were tasty, and the braised ribs appetizer was delicious. Service was attentive and the atmosphere was warm and stylish - overall a very welcome addition to the hood!
(5)Tony M.
Came here for a birthday celebration. The menu is very meat-centric -- it's a steakhouse mainly. The appetizers and main course were excellent. Drinks were also good. The service was very good and extremely friendly. Because it was a birthday, one of the desserts was comped. Some issues: the wine list is quite pricey, the desserts aren't very strong, it's noisy, and seating is a bit tight. Not very conducive to a romantic birthday celebration, but it would be great for a big group.
(4)Mike Y.
I like this place very much. The ribeye is outstanding. Everything is fresh and very tasty. You get a downtown steak for a neighborhood price. Good service. Interesting food items. I really enjoyed the Kale and Apple soup. foie gras butter and biscuits are amazing. A must try for foodies in and around Portage Park.
(5)Hillary S.
Good atmosphere and decent food/drink, but poor service. We arrived for an 8:30 reservation, but were not seated until well after 9:15. They were out of one drink we ordered and the salad we ordered. They brought us the wrong drink and our food took longer than the tables around us, once seated. They were nice enough to comp us an appetizer and the mistaken drink, but overall I feel there are some service kinks to be worked out. Should be a nice spot once they get the logistics of timing and supply running smoothly.
(3)City C.
It is very difficult to get here bc Milwaukee is so congested and only two lanes. It feels a bit rundown in the area even though this is a beautiful place. There was snow everywhere and impossible to traverse across sidewalks. Once inside, it is beautiful and upscale. The mixologist/bartender is knowlegable and has an array of interesting cocktails that are are unique and delicious. The food is good and not overly priced. We enjoyed ourselves and will try again if we can get there with the traffic.
(3)Jim W.
EH. I'm a big fan of The Portage, and was excited to try The Community Tavern. The setting is modern and well done. The staff is friendly and professional. But, there was something wrong with everything I ordered: 1) they cleared my drink after one sip, wtf? 2) the salad was swimming in dressing, gross. 3) The frites in my steak frites were burned. 4) The coffee wasn't edible, it wasn't even warm. I'm retching thinking about it. The steak was well prepared, and the pound cake was good too. I will add my server did a good job. I did say something about taking my drink, and I only complained about the coffee. He comped me the dessert. That's why I gave 3 stars instead of 2.
(3)Peg C.
So happy Quay has brought his magic to Milwaukee Ave. We are huge fans of The Portage and have been waiting for Community to open for months now. We went for Valentine's Day dinner. I had a great whiskey sour, my husband was able to indulge his sour beer tastes with a Destihl. We ordered oysters, which were fresh and delish, and the bone marrow which was served with a yummy shallot preserve. My husband had the ribeye, which was perfectly cooked and served with roasted shallots, which were an awesome accompaniment. I had the steak frites--the steak was also perfectly seasoned and cooked--and the fries came with garlic mayo, which I love. The highlight of the meal was the creamed spinach side--unlike most creamed spinach, this was whole leaf spinach, barely cooked, in a rich, garlicky, creamy, full flavored sauce--this is creamed spinach which has died and gone to heaven. Or maybe I did. I would happily eat that creamed spinach every day. Dessert was a New York cheesecake with a cherry compote--very good. Also of note--the beer list has many local choices, and I was pleased to find some very good Michigan wines on the wine list. We will definitely be back, can't wait to just wander over for a drink and some noshes, as well as dinner.
(5)Teresa W.
Great place. Better than any steakhouse in the city, but less expensive . Will defiantly go back!
(5)Jenifer K.
Visited Community Tavern last night for the first time with a group of friends. We reserved the back room for our group of 13 -- cozy but not tight. I loved all the food I tried last night! The crispy duck skin (normally bar snack only, shhh) was decadent! We shared some delicious fresh oysters, smoked trout salad and cheddar bacon muffins. The muffins alone are worthy of a trip. My friend had the roasted chicken which included a stellar chicken sausage. We ordered several servings of sides, both spinach and cauliflower, both fantastic. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jim K.
While I love that an upscale restaurant is in Portage Park I just didn't feel our experience was that great. The good: my steak & my fiance chicken was superb & delicious. However, she had creme of cauliflower that was the blandest thing either of us have ever tasted & required a lot of salt to make it taste like anything. For a French place their French onion soup was pretty average as well. Timing was off the entire night, our soups came out quickly but our food was almost 25 minutes later (we even had to ask our server when it was going to come). Speaking of which I asked our server to bring me a glass of wine when dinner came & by the time she did my steak was half eaten. Lastly for dessert, we had the brownie & it wasn't even warm. We might try it again but I can't believe all these gushing reviews.
(3)Marie M.
I loved the location and the atmosphere. The food was good but not awesome. They really need to work on the service however. When we sat down, the staff was there immediately. However after a few minutes to look at menus, you could have died of thirst before they returned and it was not crowded. Trying to get a second drink was worse. They took order and disappeared for about 15-20 minutes for a beer. When someone returned it was the wrong beer twice??? It was quite light for a dark stout, what they kept bringing looked more like a larger. I am hoping it gets better.
(3)Terry L.
Stellar service. Food is great. Chef Joey Beato is cranking out some good eats on the northwest side. Space is beautiful, love the long bar. Fans of nearby The Portage restaurant will love it, as it's the same owners and chef. Owner Quay Tao is hands on, and always friendly and welcoming. I recently visited with a friend and we had drinks and a few items from the bar menu. We had Duck Cracklin's, which were awesome. Perfectly crisp, and almost dissolve in your mouth! We also shared the pork meatballs, which is made with a touch of jalapeno, and that puts them over the top. They were juicy too. Overall, the atmosphere was lively. Our bartender was attentive, and even offered us a sampling of another beer from Lake Effect that he thought we would like, and he did this after we paid our tab, which was gracious. They source local foods, and the beer list is from many of the local breweries, with the draft beer from Finch and Lake Effect Brewing, which are both local neighborhood brewers. They take the name Community and have put it to good use. A great addition to our community. Well done. I can't wait to come back for steak!
(5)Paula B.
So excited about the new addition to the neighborhood! The waitstaff was very friendly, knowledgeable and not intrusive. The cozy atmosphere was perfect for a cold winter night and the food and drinks were great!
(5)