4. Restaurants

Salero

621 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60661
  • (312) 466-1000
  • Store is closed

Salero Menu

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  • Jacob W.

    Came here for my 5-year anniversary and had an amazing meal. The menu was phenomenal and I love that they don't do small plates, but large plates just like Blackbird, next door. In fact I'm surprised this place did not get a Michelin star after their first year (last year) being open, the meal was just as good as the one I had at Blackbird for my 3-year anniversary. My girl and I ended up eating the pork jowl, the chorizo-stuffed quail, the seasonal softshell crab entree special (probably gone by now), and the famous grilled lobster. Everything was great, but the pork jowl especially was one of the best things we've ever eaten. The service was great too, since we shared everything they brought out each plate one at a time, even splitting the 2 entrees into perfect half plates for us, so it was like we had a 4-course dinner. (They also offer a real 5-course tasting menu, which was tempting, but we opted for a la carte so we could get the softshell crabs). The server also made great beverage suggestions and hooked it up with dessert to celebrate our anniversary... word to the wise: do not skip the queso fresco flan. So good! Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Palita S.

    Everything here was great but definitely had room for improvement. The staff was so happy to accommodate any of our needs and also wanted feedback, especially bc it was their first week. I really want to give this place four stars because their bartenders were so friendly. Also, they serve pinxos specifically in the bar space. My boyfriend and I got an appetizer and entree each. The menu is refreshingly different than other Spanish places. Having been to Spain, (and wanting to go back!) I was excited to try! Everything was delicious but lacked one flaw each dish. I wish the chorizo stuffed qual had a better sear, but the piquillo sauce, veggies, and overall flavor of the dish was fantastic. The mackeral crudo was amazing, but the plating could have been better. I got the seafood stew with grilled shrimp and mussels had amazing flavor, but the shrimp was over cooked and the scallops were soggy. My boyfriend got the flat iron steak with two sauces. The green sauce was out of this world, but the steak also lacked a solid sear and just seemed blah and limp. After three drinks total (sangria, beer, and cocktail), two apps, and two entrees our bill came out to $120 before tip. I think had the place been a bit cheaper my review would be more lenient, however this is more expensive than the restaurants nearby on restaurant row (ie: Avec and Girl & the Goat). I would love to come back to restaurant in a few months and see how they evolve over time.

    (3)

  • Caroline B.

    Everyone working there was incredibly friendly and helpful, the bartender especially! Food and wine were both exceptional. Both the shishito peppers pinxos and the braised beef short rib entree were amazing. Loved the decor. Will be going back for sure, it's a nice addition to the Randolph St. restaurants!

    (4)

  • Erick N.

    Had been hearing great buzz about Salero from friends; initially I was reticent to book a reservation as I had a somewhat mediocre experience at Chef Aubin's other venue (Wood) but eventually I took the plunge and booked. The evening started on a bit of a sour note, but fortunately quickly turned around. I arrived a bit early for my 7:30pm reservation but the restaurant was not even half full. My friend was arriving separately and had messaged me he was parking. The host informed me he could not seat me without the entire party being present but that I could order a drink at the bar. After letting him know my friend was minutes away and asking if I could just be seated (there is minimal standing room in the entrance) he indicated that he would see and then pretended to be busy in dramatic fashion until my friend arrived. Grouchy host aside the menu quickly put a smile on my face as so many items seemed enticing and involved many of my favorite foods. Salero (which translates to "salt shaker", "sex appeal" or "wit/charm" according to the Google) features "Modern Spanish" cuisine from the Basque region. Rather than tapas, the menu is divided into entradas (appetizers) and platos fuertes (strong plates or entrees for my non Spanish speaking readers). My friend and I split a trio of appetizers including the grilled octopus, chorizo stuffed quail and jamon serrano. All were delicious; octopus is one of my favorite foods but is always a risk as it is very easy to either overcook or undercook and the result of either is not pretty. Delicious char flavor from the grill and perfectly tender and flavorful; my only complaint is I would have liked a little larger portion of octopus. The quail had a beautiful presentation and was equally outstanding and we both enjoyed the jamon as well. We each ordered our own entree and I opted for the roasted venison. Flavor wise this was amazing and was a generous portion; the venison loin was cooked a perfect medium rare and the sauce smelled amazing and tasted exquisite. The accompaniments, especially the sunchokes and the sweet potato puree really enhanced the dish and the flavors played so well off one another. The only miscue was it was apparent the dish had sat a while in the kitchen before being brought out as it was barely warm. We decided to skip dessert as we both were comfortably full at this point and nothing seemed so appealing on the dessert menu to merit indulging; I also was still enjoying the fantastic aftertaste the venison had left behind. Beverage wise I ordered a pisco based cocktail that was fair; overall the cocktail menu did not really sing to me (all are priced $12 and many involve sherry as a component, a beverage I do not enjoy). The wines and beers seemed priced just a bit high so I just slowly sipped my cocktail. Service aside from the unhospitable host was adequate to good; two people seemed to tag team as our primary server and both were attentive and efficient though just a bit too impersonal style than I prefer at a restaurant of this caliber. The space is beautiful; I loved the dark wood floors and exposed brick wall but acoustics are a bit on the loud side and two tops on the small side. All in all the savories were clearly five star but the rest of the dining experience lagged a bit to merit an overall five star rating. Definitely would return here to try more of the cuisine (or even to repeat the octopus and venison), but not so much for the vibe.

    (4)

  • John G.

    This review has been edited to include the restaurant owner's feedback to my post. See below. I'll be honest, I only had two appetizers and a cocktail and the best was the cocktail. The food, although inventive and nicely presented didn't take me to Spain. It took me to an American-Mediterranean place. Not what I was expecting. I felt it lacked passion, punch, character, boldness, even olive oil, all things I think are synonyms with what Spain's diverse cuisine is. I might give it another try when im in town because the service was actually nice and friendly. However, the maitre d asked if I was enjoying everything and when my answer was a friendly 'so so' he took my bread plate and walked away. Maybe he knew what I meant and agreed with me. Franco G.'s (owner) comment on your review: I'm sorry that our cuisine didn't take you to Spain but if you're truly being honest you would mention that the maître d' offered to bring you something different and when you were completely done with your bill in front of you, then and only then did he ask if you would like to have the bread plate cleared. I appreciate your feedback but complete honesty is more appreciated rather than trying to make the maître d' seem like he didn't care. My reply to Franco's message You are correct, you did ask at the end of my meal to if it was ok to take the bread plate. So now let me clarify what happened the first time you approached me; you asked if I was enjoying everything or if I was enjoying my dinner, or smoothing to that effect, to which I responded 'not so much' and you said 'perhaps something else' which I took as if were asking if I was considering ordering another dish that I might enjoy. I answered 'no, I'm done' and you walked away.if you really cared to know why I didn't like the food and really were suggesting for me to order something else, then you should have asked me then what wasn't about it that i didn't like. You should have made the effort to show that you really cared and wanted to ensure I was having a good dining experience. But to me you didn't because you left without knowing or caring to know why I said 'no so much'. Instead you chose to walk away. Perhaps that is good service to you, one that shows that you cared but I don't agree. To me you didn't want to deal with it then but you are ok dealing with it here. You asked for the truth and you got it. Franco G.'s (owner) comment on your review: Thank you. I guess you misunderstood my offer and hope that you give us another chance to make your experience better the next time around.

    (2)

  • Frannie R.

    My husband and I had dinner here last Tuesday night. I had the chorizo stuffed quail (delicious!!!) and the braised short ribs (amazing!!) My husband had the grilled octopus (was delicious, but wished there was more octopus and less endive, we probably won't ordered this again) and the grilled lobster w Manila clams (wonderful!) Our waiter was very attentive and pleasant and gave us great recommendations for dinner and bottle of wine. I give 5 stars for our waiter and 4 stars overall for the food because of the octopus dish.

    (5)

  • Penelopejackdaniels ..

    I just submitted a new term to hopefully make the 2015 Oxford English Dictionary. It's a noun for the feeling which happens JUUUUST post-orgasm where every centimeter of your body is asking, "what just happened & can I have that again?!?" The term: Salero. Easily the best restaurant in Chicago. No, they're not gonna ask you to guess what their dessert is at the end of your eighteenth course (p.s. that'll be a liquefied Krispy Kreme donut in a shot glass), nor will there be the laboriousness of eighteen courses. You're gonna get amazing food, portions perfect to carry you through the evening, drinks & bartenders are unpretentiously inventive, and enough dining room to enjoy yourself & your company. Walk confidently by Avec and Blackbird like great former lovers who's time has passed and savor every bit of this new romance.

    (5)

  • Julieanne S.

    I came here for my birthday a month ago, and we received excellent service and the food was outstanding. They even put my name in the menu- such a delight! I went back last night and sat at the bar where we received the same great service and the food again did not disappoint. The lobster risotto and the lamb are exceptional entrées while the grilled calamari and the burrata were great starting choices. From the tapas menu, the anchovies were delightful (my first time!) and the Jamon, both the croquettes and the plate, took me back to Madrid where my love for Spanish cuisine began. This is the kind of place where the entire experience fits the bill. And to top it off? A Spaniard was sitting next to me, and she's a regular. With that being said, I think they have something there.

    (5)

  • Monica B.

    I've seen this location turnover so many times, and I can foresee Salero sticking around for a while. It was bustling on Friday night, so our table wasn't ready until 10-15 minutes after our reservation. We started with one of the brandy cocktails. It was tasty, but I eventually opted for a dirty martini for my second drink as I wasn't in the mood for sweet cocktails. For food, we shared: -- Jamon and Serrano Plate: tasty charcuterie plate -- loved the pears and almonds -- Hamachi Crudo: this was a delicious and light starter, but not the best in the city. -- Lobster Entree with Rice: my favorite dish of the night. The aioli was unnecessary (mostly since I hate mayo), but the lobster and other seafood delights married perfectly with the rice. -- Venison: very good. I typically don't like gamey meats, but this was a close second to the lobster entree. -- Churros: perfect dessert to end our meal. The chocolate salted mousse was delish, but I feel like a warm chocolate sauce to dip in would've been better. Overall: cute space, good food and great service. Hopefully, Salero can keep up with the tight competition down the street.

    (3)

  • Punkaj G.

    Takes reservations! Octopus - foam on top. Pretty good. Beer and shallot salad - really yummy! So impressed by the fact that they split the lobster for my hubby and I and did a non-chorizo option for me and with chorizo for him! Chocolate for dessert...yum!! Wine by the glass prices ridiculous and small selection.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    My wife and I recently celebrated our 2 year anniversary at Salero, and had a great time. The decor is very trendy and hip, with a nice sized bar at the front, and seating behind . The only challenge was that the space has high ceilings and it was a busy Saturday evening, which made it difficult to hear each other at times, but you adapt to it. The menu showcases a great assortment of Spanish style meats, fish and poultry. The wine list is equally as extensive, and the staff did an awesome job of recommending great pairings. There is also a very cool cocktail list however we did not try as we wanted to stick with wine. I highly recommend the Grilled Octopus app and Grilled Strip Steak Dinner. Overall, Salero is a great place, with an awesome menu, even better wine list, very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Perfect spot to kick back at the end of a long week!

    (4)

  • Maggie T.

    Decided to check out Salero after seeing it in the Chicago Eater December 2014 heatmap, so we came in for a somewhat late (7:45 pm) dinner on a Tuesday night. The Space: Salero is right next to Avec and Blackbird on Randolph Street. The bar area is in the front when you walk in and the actual dining room is in the back. The space is not too big, but can seat quite a few tables. The restaurant gave off a rustic vibe with wooden panels and a long shelf of candles on one side. It was also really loud considering that it was a weeknight. Maybe the walls don't absorb sound very well, I don't know. The Service: This is why I ended up giving this place a low rating. After we were seated, we had to wait a long time for our waiter to come by to take our order. For dinner, we decided to order a couple small plates to start and an entree to share. We waited more than 30 minutes after the small plates for our entree. The wait was ridiculous! I don't think the slow service was just our table either. I looked around and most of the people around us were also waiting for their food. The Food: We ordered the grilled octopus, chorizo stuffed quail, veal sweetbreads, and vennison. The food was just okay, nothing special. Disclaimer -- I'm not a huge fan of gamey food and their menu is pretty gamey, so I might be biased. The veal sweetbreads were a little too 'heavy' for my liking and I did not like the sweet potato puree with the vennison. The puree overpowered everything else on the plate and did not mix well with the vennison. Overall: Don't come in if you're in a rush. Service will most likely be slow. You can probably find better food for the price elsewhere on Randolph Street.

    (3)

  • Raymond R.

    We were visiting city for the weekend and the Dining Out magazine in our hotel room had Salero on the cover so we thought we would try it out We got there at 9:00 pm and were seated right away. We had their olives and Serrano which were very good. Then we had the chorizo stuffed quail which was super. For our main we split the roasted venison. It was excellent and the version-sage sausage was out of the park. Staff was super and portions were very nice. We would recommend this to anyone. Manager topped off my wife's Cava and everyone went out of their way to see that we had a great time. Kudos to all. Call ahead to reserve and they said Monday's were great.

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    We went here recently for a happy hour and the service was atrocious. Initially there were four of us and we ordered three wines and a beer. Nothing that needed to be mixed and there were only 3-4 other people in the entire place. And we waited... After 10-15 minutes we had three more of our party arrive, asked for three more wines plus our original drinks. After a couple minutes the bartender brought over 2 glasses of wine and that's it. We had to repeat the rest of our order again. After another 5-10 minutes we finally got our drinks. At that point we decided to just pay for the one round and leave. All-in-all it was embarrassingly slow service, which no one apologized for, bad enough where no one wanted to stick around or try the food (we also ordered an appetizer that never came). And all of this would have been even semi-acceptable if the place was busy, we ordered complicated drinks, they had to run to restock, or someone came around to apologize at any point, etc., but none of that was the case. And to top it off while we sat there mostly drink-less for the better part of 30 minutes, the bartender spent most of that time at the other end of the bar completely ignoring us.

    (1)

  • Bella P.

    Welcome to the West Loop Salero! Great first impression for a newbie within an arena filled with exquisite dining. Started with Cloud 9, which is perhaps one of the best cocktails I've had in Chicago. Refreshing and light. The bartenders add to the ambiance, as they are well-versed, cocktail creators with inviting attitudes and generous pouring hands. The grilled octopus and veal sweetbread appetizers were prepared flawlessly. The portion was perfect as well, split between two persons. The Zarzuela de Mariscos is what really stole the show, as it was filled with muscles, scallops and cod, all which danced with joy in my belly after consuming it. The churro and chocolate is crispy, light and perfect for a meal closer. An clutch player in this all star line up.

    (4)

  • Stephanie B.

    Popped in for cocktails while waiting for a table at Avec on a Saturday night. The restaurant wasn't as busy as I had expected it to be, which was fine with us! While we didn't eat, the food we saw going past us looked great. I think this restaurant is a good addition to Randolph--it definitely has it's own unique feel that stands out among its counterparts!

    (4)

  • D L.

    Do not go here. We walked in on a Tuesday night. They had about 10people inside the restaurant and thats including 4 people at the bar. No one welcomed us, so we decided to sit at the bar. Bartender never even asked us if we wanted to drink anything. 5minutes later still no water was offered. We asked for the menu and never even gave us one. We walked out and now I am writing this review. Service sucks!!!

    (1)

  • Betty B.

    Been here twice. Once for drinks, tonight for dinner. Cloud 9 is amazing. So light and fresh. Croquettes off the bar bites menu are to die for. Don't skip the lobster, salad, short rib or churros. So good. It's a new top 5 favorites in chicago. Small cozy place great for a a few people to enjoy a night out.

    (5)

  • Jake F.

    I came here with a group of four people to celebrate a birthday. It's only their second week or so in business and if the food is this promising early on, there is a ton of potential. We ordered four first courses to start: the grilled octopus, terrine, jamon Serrano and chorizo stuffed quail. We loved all the first courses. But, we had to wait quite a while for our drinks to arrive even after several people checked on us. The cocktails arrived ahead of a bottle of wine, which left everybody waiting for 8 or so minutes for the wine to come so everybody had a drink. There was legitimately no reason for the gap in drink delivery. And this brings me to our biggest gripe: the restaurant, while still new, needs to focus on the timing and delivery of the service. It's not enough to stop and check on the table. When people are ordering drinks or wine it shouldn't take 10 minutes to get a wine list. And then another ten to get the wine once it's ordered. Our main courses were superb. Everybody was thrilled. But we kept coming back to the service. It's a shame we kept dwelling on the disappointing service staff who had good intentions with their attentiveness, but ultimately failed to deliver in a timely manner. When spending $400 on dinner I don't want the service to be a factor in my experience. It should just work. And tonight, unfortunately, the service didn't live up to the quality of the food. If Salero can work out the kinks in the service side of the house, I have no doubt they'll be successful well into the future. The food was superb, but they have a long way to go when it come to the front of the house management and operations.

    (3)

  • Valerie K.

    Absolutely loved this place: food, service and the overall ambiance! Food: -we started with pinchos - the croquetas were amazing! - ordered a mix of entrees & appetizers - all to share - pulpo and glazed pork belly were absolutely superb! I recommend ordering different entrees and appetizers for the table, since the food is really good and this way everyone can try everything. Staff was super friendly - just the right amount - not always in your face, but checking in on you. One only comment that i have: the music did not seem too appropriate for a Spanish place, I'd reconsider the music selection. But that is just one remark - the experience i had there was great!

    (5)

  • David C.

    Food 4/5 - The food is great but the portions are bit small for the price charged. Service 2/5 - We were here a week after they opened. The front of the house seemed to be stressed the whole time servicing the customers which did little to promote a sense of relaxation and enjoyment. He spent 50% of the time working and 50% of the time apologizing to patrons that he's too busy to take their order. They really need to tighten up their service if the want to play ball with the rest of the Randolph St establishments.

    (3)

  • Sam C.

    very solid spanish food along randolph. everything was very good, although a little overpriced. most of their cocktails are fantastic, the pisco is a little small compared to the others. decent wine selection lobster, potatoes a la plancha were delicious, shared apps and entrees although our waitress reminded us that the plates were not meant to be shared. would come back, delicious food and great space

    (4)

  • Albert H.

    Fantastic food, beautiful space, enthusiastic and expert staff. I felt like the expediter could open his own place. Get in now before it gets 2 Michelin stars. Franco Gianni has done it again. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    Amazing food and perfect addition to restaurant row! We decided to come here after enjoying several experiences at Wood in Boystown. We were pleasantly surprised by a great experience and even an upgrade in quality over their Michelin Bib Gourmand award winning Wood restaurant. My wife and I each ordered an appetizer. I had the sweet breads and my wife choose the shrimp. The sweet breads were incredible too the point that my wife ate every bite of her shrimp and then stole portions of my sweet breads. Perfectly cooked and accompanied well with well prepared local seasonal vegetables. The entrees we choose were the duck breast and the Zarzuela. The crispy duck skin was exceptional and the salt cod in the Zarzuela was delicate and beautifully cooked. We finished the evening with a Flan de queso and a Churro. My wife typically doesn't like sweet foods so the flan was perfect for her and I can never pass up a churro. The sauces with the churro each provided a new experience, but worked well with one another. The wine list is a nice compilation with a variety that introduced us to some different varietals as well as some different vineyards. The cocktails were well crafted and fit the season perfectly. We couldn't be happier about are experience and can't wait to come back. It is definitely on par with Avec, Girl and the Goat, and Publican, but provides a different experience as it focuses on escalating Spanish cuisine.

    (5)

  • Marnie R.

    We really enjoyed Salero. The smokiness from the wood grill in our dishes was outstanding. The lobster and the short ribs I will be dreaming about. Service was excellent especially the host. Can't wait to return. Oh try their homemade tonics. Yum.

    (5)

  • George A.

    Eh. Overall food quality was good, but service was lackluster. A few notes: -Apparently bread and Spanish olive oil isn't a thing here. That would have been a nice touch. -The manchego cheese was OK, it could have been nuttier. -The flat iron steak was good, slightly under cooked at medium rare. -Most wines by the glass are $15+. That's a bad business model if you are trying to get people to try something on your wine list. -I ordered a doppio macchiato and the server confirmed that this drink could be made. Then she brought out a simple double espresso. For $5 a pop, come on... 4 stars for decor and music. This place has the potential to be special with some improvements.

    (2)

  • Martin R.

    Another decent spanish/tapas place in the west loop. Had the scallops for lunch, which were nice, but not outstanding. Atmosphere is nice and service is pretty good.

    (3)

  • Marlee H.

    My husband and I went here to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. It was truly a memorable amazing experience. Everything and everyone from the hostess to every server and chef could not have been nicer. The food was impeccably presented and very refined. It was authentic Spanish cuisine. The ambience is very romantic and minimalist . It is clear a lot of thought and planning went into Salero. All the ingredients were very fresh and carefully prepared. The service was flawless. It's a restaurant that fits perfectly in Chicago and truly a one of a kind. It was like being on vacation.

    (5)

  • Andi F.

    My husband and I went to Salero on its opening night and we were not disappointed! Every single dish we ate was heavenly. I can honestly say that Salero has some of the best food in all of Chicago--and I have dined out a lot at the best places! Some highlights of our meal included the Sweetbreads and the Potatoes a la Plancha with Truffles and Mushrooms. We loved everything we ate, though! Salero has the type of menu where you can't really order wrong because it appears that everything is going to taste amazing. Something to note about the impeccable service we observed at Salero (and on opening night, which is often very rare!)--we ordered a bottle of wine that we really did not like upon our first few sips. We kindly asked if they could bring us something different and they seemed more than willing to do so. I really appreciated this kindness, because the wine was really not what we were looking for at all. In fact--to management reading this--I think that Garnacha should not be on your menu. It almost tasted like it had gone bad. :-/ Our next bottle, a Rioja, was lovely and a perfectly balanced and full bodied Spanish red. There are a few reasons why I am giving this restaurant 4 instead of 5 stars and I really hope management will read this and consider making some changes: 1) The wine is extraordinarily overpriced. The aforementioned garnacha above that was not good at all was $48. The next bottle that we loved was $60. There should be some great wines on the wine list that are at more accessible prices. At other great Chicago restaurants, my husband and I can find fantastic wine in the $30-50 price range. If this is not possible, perhaps the restaurant could consider implementing a BYOB policy. 2) The food is also overpriced. I hate to say this since like I mentioned above, everything we ate was SO DELICIOUS! But considering the sizes of the main dishes (they are small for entrees), the price is way too high. I think each dish would benefit from being $4 below its initial price. We may not come back here for a while simply because the prices were way too high and we would need to save this restaurant for a special occasion. I would like to come here frequently, though, and I feel like this restaurant could prosper with lower price points.

    (4)

  • Charmin W.

    Salero is a great addition to restaurant row! The food is spectacular! The wine list is impressive, and the service is top notch.

    (5)

  • Michael E.

    They just opened tonite. Things seem to be going well. We just stopped by for a cocktail before dinner. Great space and good drinks. Good luck!

    (5)

  • Lewis D.

    Service was slow to start, but then she was warm and attentive. Food was fantastic. I had the duck with asparagus, charred scallions, a rice cake and foie gras. The wine list was also excellent with many good Spanish selections. The interior was beautifully appointed in muted grays. I will go back.

    (4)

  • David K.

    We really enjoyed our dining experience during Salero's opening week. The menu was refreshingly different then any other spanish restaurant we'd dined at before; straying away from the traditional tapas menu. We ended up sharing 4 apps and 4 entree's between 4 people in our party, which was a perfect amount of food. Some highlights were the Blue Headed Prawns with Sweet Corn Soup, Chorizo Stuffed Quail, and the Confit Potatoes a la Plancha. The restaurant itself had a great vibe and energetic staff. We will be back!

    (4)

  • April F.

    First, let me start by saying that the majority of the menu was not my style (i.e. I ordered the burger, plain, and didn't even eat the potato side because they were dunked in some unidentifiable sauce). I didn't choose the location. Thus, I won't comment on the food. The place is lovely and comfortable. The staff were all very personable. But during a jam-packed lunch hour, it seemed they only had one server for the entire place (around 30? people). We arrived around noon, but didn't receive entrees until around 1:20. Most of my party did order a first course, but it was just an excessive wait time. i had to ask twice for a Coke - at the initial drink order, and again after our appetizer had been cleared - which finally came about five minutes before our entree. Our server was pleasant, but clearly stretched too thin. And while a nice, leisurely dinner is great - most of us can't take two hours for lunch. Luckily I was with my boss!

    (2)

  • Nisha X.

    Amazing service amazing food amazing romantic atmosphere! Great place for date night or quite girls night out.

    (5)

  • Alison H.

    I went here for lunch with a couple of co-workers. We had a great meal! Our server was knowledgable, attentive, and very friendly. We got a couple of pintxos to start, the jamon croquetas and the salmon crostini were both great. For my entree, I got the scallops which were also delicious. They came with cauliflower and 2 flavorful sauces. The only thing I'd say about the scallop entree is that it is pretty small (2 scallops with just a few florets of cauliflower) so I'd definitely recommend getting some apps/pintxos to start. Though I went for lunch, I think it'd be great for a happy hour/pre-dinner spot.

    (5)

  • Belkis M.

    We live in the neighborhood and frequent Avec and Blackbird on a regular basis. We were so excited to hear about new Spanish restaurant next to Blackbird and awaited its opening with a lot of anticipation. We made reservations for October 10 and reading their website should have been a red flag when they plainly state they are NOT a tapas restaurant. What exactly were they trying to convey? From the minute we arrived there was attitude and more attitude from the hostess, bartender and server. We could not find one person that had a smile on their face. The bartender seemed annoyed he was busy! Yikes. When we finally got around to placing our order for dinner the server made it a point to tell us that the STARTERS are not meant for sharing. Excuse me, but I will decide if I want to share my food or not. We had four different appetizers and the best was the head on shrimp. The rest were mediocre at best. Lots of presentation but little taste/flavor. The octopus was so disappointing. The best part of the starters was the delicious warm bread and olive oil. As far as dinners, the lamb and flat iron dishes were good. The zarzuela de mariscos lacked flavor and was served lukewarm, although the fish and seafood was very fresh and tender. Overall so bland and unimpressive. Desserts again mediocre. Beautiful presentation but lacking in flavor. The flan was way too runny. The cheese plate was probably the best of desserts. In fairness to the server, he knew his wines and champagnes and did not steer us wrong, but please drop the attitude. We will not be going back.

    (1)

  • Dinesh J.

    Overall, I was very impressed. This location has changed tenants a few times over the last few years, but I truly believe Salero is here to stay. We arrived about 15 minutes prior to our reservation so my wife and I had a few drinks at the bar. I think they focus on quality over quantity when it comes to selection. Either way, there's a cocktail, wine, or beer that you'll love. What impressed me the most was that the bartender introduced himself and told me let him know if I needed anything. The food is what blew it out the park for me. The waiter recommended that each person order one starter and main. It actually was the perfect amount of food. I tried the quail, steak, potato & egg, and hamachi dishes... They were all excellent. We had the churo dessert to end the night, it was good but not great... Overall great food and service, I will be going back.

    (5)

  • Cy C.

    Bravo Salero!!! I've been here more than a dozen times and have loved my experience each time! The room is magnificent - beautifully designed, warm and comfortable. The service is excellent, as are the libations! Their sherry selection is off the chain! The food is AMAZING! I've eaten basically everything on the menu, so I'll give you some of my faves: The Chorizo Stuffed Quail is a dish dreams are made of. It is always perfectly cooked, and each aspect of the plate blends together to form a delicious, well-balanced dish. The Grilled Head-On 'Wild Shrimp a la Plancha' is simple yet so so wonderful. The Crispy Veal Sweetbreads (I LOVE SWEETBREADS) is by far the best sweetbread dish I have had in my life. Any entree you choose, I think you will love. My favorite is the Duck Breast - it is crispy skinned, unctuous meat, with a creative dolma-type grape leaf filled with duck confit. I also love the Grilled Whole Maine Lobster with chorizo, fideos, clams. The flavors are just so spot on. For that area, you get very substantial, high quality dishes at Salero at a very affordable price. I love this place and take all of my friends there...which is probably why I've eaten there more than a dozen times! lol They are also open for lunch! If I worked in the area, I would definitely be eating lunch there everyday. Tip: They recently received 3 stars from Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune, so I suggest you make a reservation. :D

    (5)

  • Jennie C.

    Basque cuisine?! I was quite excited when I heard about this place, and the fact that it's not as busy as Avec is a plus in my book. We started with the sherry-cured Spanish mackerel, which was absolutely spectacular. I'd love to have 5 dishes of this. The fish was crispy on the outside and oh-so-juicy inside. Paired with the slightly charred grapefruit, the flavors were just amazing. The beet salad was so-so though, I'm not a huge fan of the strong goat cheese they put in this dish. For entree we split the seafood stew, which was split for us in the kitchen, a nice touch. The broth was a bit too sweet, and the scallops were very salty. Was it intentional? I don't know. But didn't quite balance things out for me. The mussels were overcooked and slightly fishy. Given how good of a deal Avec is next door, this place feels a tad too pricey for what they have to offer, even by Randolph St. standards.

    (3)

  • Liz J.

    Just went for first time after hearing about it from a friend who enjoyed it. I would def recommend this place for a date night, it's more intimate than a lot of traditional tapas restaurants, which I feel are better for big groups. Food was great and the quality was perfect of everything we ate. We took advantage of restaurant week special they were offering which served a lot of food. We also ordered other items on menu which were great and very unique, but best dish was for sure the octopus..Some reviews complain about portion and price , I kind of agree but tapas are small and at a trendy spot Randolph it's kinda expected to not be cheap. I'm sure me and my dates dinner was more than I would spend on a typical night out w a girlfriend .

    (4)

  • Veil B.

    One of the most fun nights ever!! My girlfriends and I came in at 9:30pm on Sunday, Memorial weekend for a bachelorette dinner. Since the kitchen closes at 10pm and we're all in the industry, we knew that there was a chance we could get a huge eyeroll upon coming in. Things could not have been more opposite. We were greeted so warmly by Randy, and immediately felt comfortable in the beautiful space. Our server, Zack was fun, helpful and kept things moving at a great pace. Food was delicious, the Iberico ham was incredible. Thank you guys for giving us such a delightful, memorable evening. We love you!

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Finally, a Spanish restaurant that doesn't focus on overdone, cliche tapas, but rather full portion entrees. We have been here twice now and the food has wowed us both times. It's high-end Spanish cuisine, something I've longed to see in this city for a long time. The Sherry menu, while not as extensive as that of Vera (another great Spanish spot), it has much more to offer than a lot of other places. Ask your waiter to help you pair some of the sherries with your meal. In all, a great spot!

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    Stopped in last night for a drink after work. Posted up at the bar and grabbed the last two seats, which oddly enough were on the same side as where the bartenders stand. I quickly realized these were awful seats because the wait staff has to go directly behind you to enter orders into the computer and directly behind the seats are hundreds of glasses. So every time they tried to squeeze by me, I had to get out of my chair and physically move in fear 100 wine glasses would come crashing down. They should get rid of those seats. Moving on to our bartender. Came over to take our drink orders and immediately told us how tired he was and that he had worked a 10 hour day. I am familiar with that scenario so cut him some slack. We started asking about the cocktail menu and he wasn't very informative. And when we'd ask about one, he'd give us his opinion and then say, "I'm not recommending that one because I am tired, its actually hard to make." Um...ok...enough about how tired you are. So he takes my friends drink order, then mine. Then immediately looks at my friend again and asks her to remind him what she ordered (5 seconds ago). 5 min go by, 10, 15, no drinks, nada. The bartender then walks over to us almost 20 min later and asks what we would like to drink and looks at us like he has never seen us before. We then had no choice but to leave. I didn't feel like waiting another 20 minutes nor dealing with his crappy demeanor. Drugs, bad memory, crappy day. Who knows -- worst bartender in a while, most definitely. Never. Again.

    (1)

  • Cynthia F.

    We had a lovely meal at Salero, albeit we dined a bit early for my tastes (that's when we could get in) and the meal went relatively quickly, in and out in an hour. We started with the scallop appetizer, which was... ok. I don't know that I'd order it again, although the scallops were perfectly done. For the mains my husband had the flat iron steak, which he thought was nice; I had the pheasant (which we were told would soon be coming off the menu), and it was phenomenal. I'm generally hesitant to order pheasant as it can be quite gamey, but this was just perfect--light flavor, a bit more than chicken but not gamey, and great texture. The dark meat had been made into a croquette which was unbelievably delicious. And it all sat on a bed of grits, which generally I don't particularly like, but these grits were creamy and had just the right amount of flavor. My husband was disappointed he didn't order my dish. For dessert we had the churros, which were probably the best I've ever had (admittedly never having been to Spain)--they flaked apart at a touch, and that's a good thing. Overall a very nice dinner, just wish it had moved a bit more slowly.

    (4)

  • Sharmila V.

    Went on a Saturday night. Food was excellent, not your typical Spanish. Service was excellent as well! Definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Lorraine F.

    Awesome waiter with great service and food. I wouldn't advertise this as tapas, bu the food was outstanding and wine selection equally great. Great presentation, also. Cocktails tasty and unusual, and recommendations were spot on.

    (4)

  • Galina M.

    Generally unimpressed. Should note that I am a vegetarian/pescatarian. Some places just don't do vegetarian or don't do it well. This might be one of those places. Had the octopus dish - was chewy. My cousin had the pork confit appetizer - but the pork she said was unimpressive as well and really fatty. Jamon Serrano, my cousin said was good - I had the cheese from that plate - it was pretty decent - but I guess it's hard to screw up a cold plate of meats/cheeses. We also shared the blue shrimp appetizer - which was very good. Also noting here that the dishes are extremely SMALL so that made for a very LARGE bill! The grapefruit and lime gin and tonic is a MUST here. Very refreshing and extremely low calorie/not sweet. I really enjoyed the drinks there more than the food - they also have a cute bar area, where they have an entirely different menu of food, mostly pintxos (smaller, tapas like dishes). Overall, it was decent. I personally would not come back though - there are far too many places in Chicago to indulge in! The service at Salero was impeccable and the environment/decor are both welcoming and trendy! Love the location as well - West Loop is really bumping! :)

    (3)

  • George P.

    Unbelievable food with superb service! Franco is a great owner and host! Will definitely come back again! Great place to come for a date or with a group!!

    (5)

  • Sarv C.

    The food is good, decor is really nice, it has a chilled, old yet modern feel to it. The staff are really helpful - we sat at the bar to have a drink before we were directed to our table. The bartender - Kyle - was super attentive although he was busy he made sure we were helped. Once we sat on our table, we realized the bar menu is different to the seated menu and you can not really order the bar food items if you are not seated on the bar. The bar menu is actually better than the food menu - still overpriced for sure but more recommended. The main items are really small portion, over priced and not really something you want to go back for. Alexis was really helpful however since we had no idea about the menus being different, she made and exception and severed some of the items on the bar menu which we were interested in. She surely made a difference as it was our first time and we were interested to try different dishes. We will go back but next time surely will be sitting by the bar and enjoy some drinks and bar menu. Try our the peppers for sure! very similar to what you get in Spain.

    (4)

  • Marissa J.

    My girlfriend and I went in for drinks and we were not disappointed . Try the "comeback" ....very awesome cocktail. My only negative is that it smelled terrible in there .

    (4)

  • Jim S.

    The food looks better than it tastes. While the appetizers were solid (I ate the Jamon Serrano dish and my wife got the Crudo) the venison main course was chewy and not what I was hoping for. My wife had the steak and it was salty and over-cooked. Further, the service left much to be desired as the waitress seemed like she was doing us a favor when checking in...overall I was disappointed as the reviews looked solid online.

    (2)

  • Matthew L.

    This is one of the finest meals my wife and I have had in the past 18 months in Chicago. Both the pork and lamb were delicious, the drinks were inventive, and the service crisp. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Fern R.

    4 of us met on 12/24, expecting tapas and other scrumptious delicacies. Didn't happen. Don't believe the hype. This place was such a disappointment. No tapas, just a few starters and then entrees. No problem there, just surprised. They brought out the wrong appetizers for 2 of our party. To their credit, they left them gratis. My draw was the pork belly. I don't know what they served but it looked and tasted like a hunk of corned beef. Couldn't eat it, didn't want it, paid anyway and will never go back.

    (1)

  • Jane G.

    Worst bartender ever, seemed mad the entire time I sat at the bar, if you don't like what you do don't do it or at least don't show that anger during service it was really noticeable. It made me angry, I wanted to eat but with that fkn attitude from the bartender I just had a drink and left. whent to sepia and the exceptional bartender was busy but with a great fun smile and positive attitude and I had a great meal at sepia which was not on my plans, salero was.. Thanks bartender..

    (1)

  • Jaime R.

    Everything we ordered was delicious. Our waiter Rex was great and we had a wonderful night. Highly recommend the duck!!

    (5)

  • Julia K.

    Not a good experience. Waitress was rude and food just ok and very overpriced for what you get. Will not be back.

    (1)

  • Virginia K.

    We had a group of 5 come here on Saturday night. We were seated immediately by the maitre d' in the front table by the bar. The place was not overcrowded as some reviewers complained and we were content with the hightop table. That said, we were not approached for over 10 minutes by anyone, nor did the maitre d' come by to see if we needed drinks (he was about 10 feet from the table at the host stand). During my brief stint as a waitress, the one thing I recalled is ALWAYS approach a table within 2min of getting sat. Once we ordered drinks (only though we were ready for food as well), they came out quickly as the bar was directly behind us. The waiter came back to get our food order and appetizers followed shortly. We had the grilled octopus paired with bitter greens. I've had better octopus at many places in the city so I wasn't too impressed but the accompaniment was fantastic! Perfectly pickled bitter greens that were the star of the dish. We opted for the patatas bravas from the bar menu as well (provided by one of the food runners) which were mediocre. Cafe Babareeba knocks this dish out of the park and these in comparison were a bit bland. The aioli was very flavorful but there wasn't enough of it to bring flavor to the potatoes. The chorizo-stuffed quail, however, was the best appetizer we had and we were thankful that our waiter recommended it. I'm not a big cheese eater so I did not try the burrata, but my companions were indifferent about it. I did have a bite of morcilla which lacked a bit of depth, but was otherwise good. Now for the meal- after appetizers, it took a very, very long time to get our entrees. We asked for our waiter multiple times as all 5 of us had empty drink glasses for some time. Finally, an attentive waiter in the adjacent section came over and asked if we needed drinks. The maitre d' then took our order with our waiter nowhere in sight. My friends got the steak, lamb, and short rib dishes which they all enjoyed. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. I was getting to full to try any of these so I cannot fully comment. I got the lobster which had the most delicious and perfectly al dente cooked rice as a base. The lobster tail, however, was under-cooked and i could have used a steak knife to saw through it. I love slightly rare seafood though this was a bit much. The lobster claws, however, were perfectly cooked. I think more care should be taken when ordering a $36 entree. Though I am at fault as I did not ask to have it sent back. After finishing, we sat with dirty plates for another long while before asking a busser to please clear them. I could tell our waiter sense our annoyance though none of us voiced complaints as we were having a great time in each other's company and did not want to spoil the atmosphere. He did bring out three complimentary desserts with a glass of spanish liquer for the each of us. The chocolate dessert was perfectly decadent and the praline crunch was addicting. The flan de queso was light and the blood orange gel was a nice pairing. The churros were good though the sides of whipped-salted chocolate and espresso pudding were the stand outs. I haven't completely cross this place off my list, but my first experience left something to be desired. I usually get disappointed by food quality first, though this service experience was a stand out. We left with a hefty bill so would have expected some more attention throughout. The food was good, but I'm not sure if it's outstanding enough to overcome the service. Hope they figure out the staffing situation so all patrons get adequate attention (not sure if we were forgotten because we were sat in the bar area).

    (2)

  • Courtney A.

    Very good. The atmosphere is modern but comfortable, the food is delicious and the service is excellent. Had the shrimp appetizer and the potato/egg entree. Both were very good. I will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Megan B.

    Went for the first time last night and it was not great. When we asked if we could possibly sit outside (we had a res) we were told quite rudely that we could not. The menu for the dining area is fine but we wanted to see the menu with smaller appetizers for sharing and were told this was for the bar only but as a special favor we could see it and maybe order from it. This menu was much better than the dining menu. Then we got several incorrect appetizers. The wine by the glass was an extremely small pour. Then two of us ordered the tuna and, after specifically asking and getting confirmation that it was seared rare, it came completely cooked through. We sent it back and it came back better but still overdone. They did try to make it up to us with free desserts (although I would have rather had another glass of wine while I waited another 20 minutes for a new dish). Food took FOREVER and it was way too loud and too hot. Won't be going back.

    (1)

  • Dani B.

    My fiancé and I live extremely close to the restaurant and after passing night after night we didn't see much business. However, tonight we were very pleased to see that the restaurant was very crowded for a weekday. From the hostess booth throughout the remainder of the night, it went downhill from there. When we arrived we waited at the hostess stand for a bit of time (understandable because they were crowded) however, when we were approached by wait staff we were asked if we had reservations (which we did not because we live very close and didn't feel necessary after continual passes by the restaurant and it was empty). However, when we said we did not have any, the waitress then said "oh, then you'll have to wait for so and so, we didn't even catch his name, and she walked away from us. When we were finally seated, drinks took forever. Soon after, drinks ran dry and owner had to ask if we needed another drink. We were impressed by this however, he then forgot about the drinks he asked us if we wanted. To top it off, food took entirely too long to wait on, for simple plates as starters. Additionally, five things we tried to order conveniently "just ran out of". This included both food and wine. When food came, it wasn't that great and not worth the wait. Lastly, just when we were about to give up, dessert was offered. We ordered one dessert. We were pleased to see the owner bring out two desserts, which I was again impressed and figured it was to make up for the lousy service we were given and inconveniences, however when we received the bill, we were actually charged for both desserts and our waiter got the order wrong. Oh and the bartender should learn a true pour of a glass of wine. My fiancé had about 4 sips and that was their $14 glass of wine. Will not go back, no matter how close they are to us. Really disappointed because we were hoping for a great local place to go to regularly.

    (1)

  • Jennifer K.

    Very good service and atmosphere, if a little loud. Decent wine list - not too extensive, but solid choices. We had Jamon y Queso and the Octopus small plates, both of which were tasty. I had pheasant for dinner and it was enjoyable, although having never ordered pheasant out before, I didn't have much to compare it to. Overall, I think I would go back.

    (3)

  • Neal M.

    Epic food, dessert is to die for, and atmosphere is poppin'. Great date spot or place to bring a small group of friends. Loved the flat iron steak and the churros with chocolate. Service was spot on! Franco is the best !!!

    (5)

  • Lo S.

    I don't know where to begin. We started the evening with these delicious gin & tonics. Sounds simple but it was quite a creation. And then on to dinner. Chef Ashlee Aubin is no less than amazing. The king crab, hake a la plancha, flat iron steak, flan with blood orange and caramel...there aren't words to express the festival of flavors. And I Ioved the atmosphere. Needless to say, it's my new favorite place. Can't wait to go back. Maybe next time we'll just try the gin & tonics in the bar area with the pintxos...

    (5)

  • Katherine G.

    I love a great Spanish restaurant & this lived up to the hype. The location is a bit out of the way from the other West Loop restaurants, but once you get inside, it's a cozy little spot, nice bar to wait for friends and great ambiance. The food was spectacular and authentic, there was a great wine list & the waiter made great recommendations. I highly recommend the octopus and shrimp with heads, I split these with two others, and then split an entree which was delicious and well sized for the three of us. It's a bit pricier, but worth it for the quality.

    (5)

  • D F.

    This is my wife's favorite restaurant. I agree with her that this is an awesome place. Chef is clearly very talented and food selections are absolutely spectacular. I've never had a bad dish here yet and we've been in 5-6 times. Wine list is awesome and servers are extremely friendly, helpful, and not all over you like some places can be. For dessert you must order the churros and glass of PX. Best pairing ever.

    (5)

  • John G.

    First of all the food was wonderfully prepared, however, the spices were on the edge of my comfort zone. The octopus was a favorite with a nice char over a delicious salad. The sepia was out of my taste zone but others loved it. The shrimp with heads was also quite good. We split the Lubina, which was perfectly cooked but had that taste of spices that kept throwing me throughout the meal. The deserts really shined. The flan with blood orange was outstanding and the churro were light as air. Drew did a great job of explaining our meal and made good suggestions. They had a nice selection of Spanish whites and our favorite was the Eidos.

    (4)

  • Mehran F.

    (edited Sept. 6, 2015 another dumb message from the same idiot associated with the restaurant. Somehow they don't understand it is better to listen to customers, accept a 3 star feedback, rather than put customers down and get lower rating). (edited on Sep 2, 2015 my original review as below was a 3 star review but yesterday i received a bit of rude sarcastic message from someone who seemed to be associated with the restaurant...so i'm now making it one star. This person only has one review in their profile and it is a rude response to a reviewer of this restaurant...so if you're gonna be jerk about it, ....) *********** original review ******** OK food, a bit confused (not me). Chorizo stuffed quail 2/5. When i see quail or chorizo, i jump on it. This was nothing memorable. Tripes: description was great. Result 1/5. Scallop: 3.5/5 Lobster: 3/5. but its risotto was bad...mainly tasted the canned tomato sauce like bad wet Mexican rice. Green salad: I did not try it but one of my friends did. It looked real good. Olives. Nice Olive cake: I have a weakness for it but this was 2/5 mainly because of good presentation, fruit and no powder sugar. Flan: 2/5. too sweet. Chocolate mousse/brownies/whatever it was: 2/5 Service by Christopher: very good, non-obtrusive, professional. All staff were good and kind. Our friends/company: 5/5 and made it a real fun and pleasant evening, even though i did not think food was anything to write home about. Hence a 3/5 for the restaurant, else would have been a 2/5. While there, a bus load of people came for dinner. I reckon this place is more for such crowds not real foodies.

    (1)

  • Tracy X.

    Food was ok, and it was pretty over-priced, so overall I'm not that impressed. I like the decor and the ambience. It was definitely nice, but also pretty casual. Appetizer: We shared the octopus. It was very sweet of them to just split it into 2 plates for us so it was very easy and clean to share. I wasn't thrilled about the food itself as it I found it pretty lacking in flavor. Entree: - Pork Collar - it was a very tender and well roasted piece of pork indeed. Not a fan of the dead looking vegetables on the side. - Lamb shoulder - same thing. The actual chunk of meat was cooked to perfection. The lentils that came with it? I think not. Normally I think the side things a main dish is served with should bring out the best of the dish, but here somehow they achieved the opposite effect? Dessert: Olive oil cake! It was decent, nice and spongy and not too sweet, topped with some cream and rasberries for a contrast in flavor. Didn't blow my mind though. At the end we each had a drink, shared the appetizer, each had an entree, then shared a dessert. Nothing was spectacular. The bill came out to be $120 before tip. I'm all about shelling out for food, but at that price I can have a lot more bang for my buck elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Christina D.

    The restaurant has a contemporary modern feel, dimly lit with intimate surroundings. We shared the jambon with tomato garlic bread, it was delicate yet full of flavor. Then we had the duck with fois gras and crispy rice. This dish was excellent ! It was a rich dish but not over powering. The duck was perfectly prepared. I prefer the duck dish at Salero than I do at Blackbird. It was birthday and they very kindly offered a glass of champagne on the house! Our waiter was very knowledgable about the food and it's origin. He was also friendly and welcoming. We had a great night! I will definitely be returning.

    (5)

  • Kevin T.

    After recent visits to other highly touted restaurants that failed to meet my expectations (looking mainly at you, Parachute), my expectations heading into this place were cautiously optimistic at best. Once our appetizers arrived, all doubts about the place melted away. Every dish I tried was delicious and presented beautifully. For myself, I had ordered the grilled pork jowl and it may have taken the spotlight from even the entrees. Amazingly tender with the perfect balance of flavors. I'm drooling just remembering it (I shouldn't be typing reviews just before lunchtime...) The other dishes I managed a taste of were the serrano, the scallops, and the tripe. For my maincourse, I had the whole lobster over rice. The lobster was a bit overcooked for my liking, but only slightly. The flavor of the dish overall, however, was phenomenal. My dish may have been slightly overshadowed by my friend's duck dish. The duck was perfectly cooked and the foie gras was maybe one of the best I've ever had in this city! Overall, Salero has found a place in the heart of my belly. Recently, there has been a lack of restaurants I've tried that I would want to revisit again so soon, but Salero seems to have bucked that trend.

    (5)

  • svetlana k.

    Cozy Spanish restaurant, great date spot. A bit expensive. For two drinks, two appetizers, and two entrees= $122 without tip. The food also did not stand up to the prices. The cocktails were reasonably priced at $12 and were probably the best part of dinner. Started off with grilled octopus ($14) and sweetbreads ($17). The grilled octopus was served with foam on top. I hate foam, it looks like spit and the texture is awful and it has NO place on an octopus. Definitely not visually appealing. The octopus didn't have that grilled crisp skin or that charred flavor that I love. It was a bit too soft in texture but at least not rubbery. It was served with flash cooked quinoa, actually really good much better than the octopus itself. The sweetbreads dish was tiny, especially for $17. Sweetbreads is the cheapest portion of "meat" you can purchase, for that price there should definitely be more served. The sweetbreads themselves were fine, nothing out of this world. The carrot purée it was served with was delicious. I would have rather ate the carrot purée and I do really like sweetbreads in general. For entrees, my friend and I ordered pork belly ($25) and a seafood stew ($33). It wasn't a typical pork belly, more like an actual piece of pork meat, not very fatty at all. Unfortunately, it wasn't falling off the fork kind. Had to actually use the knife and chew through it, wasn't melting in my mouth, had better pork bellies elsewhere in the city. The seafood stew was pretty large, came with scallops, fish fillet, mussels, and some fingerling potatoes. The seafood itself was cooked perfectly but not much flavor. There wasn't much soup happening in the dish. Overall, it was a tasty dish but nothing to write home about. It left me begging for more flavor. It would have been better if served with bread to soak up some of the liquid. This restaurant left me begging for more flavor. I can't say I was impressed or that I will be rushing back to come back and tell all my friends about, unfortunately. I will come back for a drink at the bar as it is super cozy and they offer bar bites. But I would recommend skipping the dinner itself.

    (3)

  • Rich M.

    Food 5 stars Service 2 stars I write this review to hopefully help this potentially amazing restaurant. Salero is at a cross roads and can either continue to soar or drop off Chicago's crowded restaurant scene. This place has everything it needs to succeed, great atmosphere, good location and amazing food. The one thing it seems to lack is front of the house management and service. We went for dinner and ending up leaving after a few starters even though the food was delicious! The service was friendly but lacked training. The bar was out of several drinks and we tried to order something off the food menu and the server came back and the kitchen was out of that. The women's bathroom was a mess. The server comped some drinks even though we never complained. It was appaernet that the service was not properly trained and we actually just felt bad and left. I really hope they get on the right track because I would love to go back and try more of the flavorful and inventive dishes. Good luck Salero:)

    (3)

  • Meatdowntown C.

    Undoubtedly, the best Spanish recipes ever! The duck a la plancha is phenomenal. You can also never go wrong with the scallops. When it comes to drinks, I have not tried the Sangria because they have such a good selection of wines that keep changing when I come here. Also, the "churros" are a MUST try and they are not very big so don't worry about your calories so much.They are simply delicious. Great food must be always paired with good wine and most importantly GREAT service. I must confess that Salero has the three elements well dominated: excellent dishes, great wine and five star customer service!

    (5)

  • Jackie M.

    I went there for the prefix lunch - 3course for $25. Ov Here is the combo: Jamon Serrano with manchego cheese and marcona almonds - Grilled pork belly with braised kale, hazelnut -Ver Flan de queso fresco with fresh cheese infused custard with blood orange gel and Sopa de Ajo- garlic soup with poached egg and toasted bread Scallops with roasted califlower, pepita pesto, rains, and roasted squash romesco churro with milk jam and espresso pudding Overall, it was good, fast, and attentive service. For a spanish cuisine, the flavor was light and not full of spice. The food presentation was beautiful. The pork belly was very lean and not fatty at all. The flan was very smooth and flavorful. It's one of the better flan I've ever had. The garlic soup is more of a french onion soup, except the base and the flavor is lighter and not salty. For the scallop, it came with 2 jumbo scallop made medium and just right. It taste like regular seared scallop where you can order from any better seafood restaurant, (except here for a better price) where the flavor was accented by the pesto sauce. The churro was fried fresh which it took awhile to prepare. Otherwise it was a very enjoyable lunch.

    (4)

  • Paul W.

    Quality service and exemplary food. We were delighted by our first visit to Salero. Cocktails and wine selection were interesting and good. Even the salad was distinctive. Nuts, blue cheese slices, and freshness that is not to be taken for granted. The trio of rabbit made an intriguing entree, including a homemade sausage, a fricase of the leg, and a tender breast. Delicious vegetables and a beautiful presentation. Our server was professional and friendly, too. She offered advice without steering.

    (4)

  • Katie P.

    I am a small person, but I eat a lot of food. This was not the place for me.

    (3)

  • Emily S.

    Went to Salero to try out a new restaurant in the city. The food wasn't bad...but the overall experience and service of the restaurant was pretty strange. It took us about 15 minutes after getting seated to get any type of order taken...Then, upon receiving our food, we noticed some ingredients missing and were told that because some ingredients are seasonal, they were left off (would have been good to know). When we tried to order an additional glass of wine, we were told that they have run out and that they had also run out of some of the main dishes. We also had to consistently wave down the staff to try and place orders...when the restaurant wasn't even crowded. After eating, we requested some coffees...The waiter brought us some lukewarm coffees and when we had asked if we could get some hot coffee, the response was, "Yeah, the coffee is cold...right??" Probably won't be coming back. The first impression of poor service, running out both wine and food will keep me away and prevent any recommendations. The quail was good?

    (1)

  • Paola A.

    We had the tasting menu ($65pp) and they brought us plenty of food, appetizers, seafood course, beef course, dessert. Everything we ate was delicious and the service was great as well.

    (4)

  • Lindsay M.

    After reading about Salero in a local publication, my husband and I quickly made dinner reservations. We have a love for all things Spanish, and we were thrilled to hear that Salero focused on a particular region (Basque Country) within Spain. Simply put, this meal ranks in a 'top 10 to 20' of our lives. The depth of flavor throughout the entire meal was incredible, and the each dish was appropriately artistic to match. The sangria was (no joke) the best I've ever had. I have a penchant for a classic sangria - nothing too sugary, and Salero did a stellar job ... the peach pureed ice cube certainly pushed me over the edge in love! This meal was one that you stop to savor throughout, as we couldn't get over the flavor profiles of each dish. A must visit!

    (5)

  • Sofia J.

    Just the fact that their dinner menu is far superior to lunch menu takes away a star (based on my lunch experience I wouldn't come back or recommend, but having looked at the dinner menu I'm very eager to return). Garlic soup - tastes more like an onion/vinegar soup Anchovies (gilda & boqueron pintxo)- gave anchovies another try, still turned off, too salty, especially when paired with salty/sour condiments. If you order this, ask for bread. Cabeza croqueta - delicious Burrata - great combination w/sweet blood orange preserves, buttery endive, & morcilla- just wish it wasn't on toast - the bread was too crusty, biting through the incredibly soft toppings and creating a mess/ripping apart your upper palate is undesirable. Halibut - enjoyable light dish (great use of fresh spring vegetables), but not something I would order again in a restaurant, too simple for my taste. Flan de Queso Fresco - outstanding, GET THIS. Blood orange, caramel, and fresh cheese flavor and texture bomb. Best part of our meal. On a service note - lunch took too long. The first few dishes came out quickly and then we waited a while before the entree came out (acceptable for dinner, not for a weekday lunch). Our busser kept forgetting to bring silverware with the food, adding to the wait time (I would rather wait 5 extra seconds but get the utensils required to eat the meal with). LOVE the decor!

    (3)

  • Lorenzo L.

    The food we ordered was nicely prepared, and beautifully served. And in all honesty, I really enjoy a place where I can eat an awesome dinner, and go dressed in jeans. But the service at Salero was not commensurate with the prices. There is a certain modicum of service most of us expect when a la carte entrees range from the mid $20-$30 and the wines by the glass are from $14-$23. ( I'm just saying...OK?) Granted, we dined here on a Saturday night. I call it amateur night, because if a place has any flaws, they will always creep out on a busy night . That exact scenario played itself out on our visit, I phoned to let the house know that we were running a "few" minutes late, and was queried abruptly as to "how many minutes?". When we arrived, the host at the door had the same imperious attitude . It must have been the same person I spoke with on the phone a few minutes prior. Our server came to the table within 3 minutes, and asked if we were ready to order dinner. We hadn't even seen the wine list yet or ordered a cocktail! I had to flag him down to get his attention after we had perused the menu and made some decisions. Between the abrupt host and the frenetic server, I have no hesitation in saying that Salero has some issues with the front of the house that need addressing. The kitchen has it together.

    (3)

  • Nancy W.

    The food, service, coffee, wine and ambience was amazing! I have no idea why this place has 3 1/2 stars.

    (5)

  • Adrian J.

    We had a chance to try this place out on a Friday night. I'll be pretty short about it. The dishes are good but the portions are pretty small for how much you're paying. The service, as has been mentioned it previous reviews, needs improvement. Our waitress walked up and filled our water glasses without saying anything then launched into a greeting . A bit awkward. She was professional but just didn't seem friendly or happy to be there. My drink was empty for a good 15 min before she noticed it and asked if I wanted another. In addition she just assumed we wanted to see a dessert menu without asking us. This place has some potential but for the price they're charging it's not living up service wise. Seeing as there's lots of other places within walking distance I probably won't be coming back for a second chance.

    (3)

  • Ani L.

    We popped in expecting nothing and got everything and so much more! We enjoyed some white sangrias and ordered the tasting menu. Our dinner was a plethora of tapas, seafood, oxtail, pork, and dessert (cheese, honey, CHURROS and hot chocolate). All very good and well proportioned. Stop in. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    (4)

  • Jennie M.

    We had a myriad of dishes and everything that came out was delightful. If you live in Chicago, make it a regular event. If you are visiting, take the time to enjoy a meal or three here.

    (5)

  • Sebastian S.

    Great, tastefull and creative food. Cocktails and Gintonics are good as well. Service was very friendly, and very attentive! Some music would help to improve atmosphere a bit, but would definitely come back anytime!

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    My friend and I went to Salero last night and had one best meals and evenings I've had in awhile! Rex, our server, was very attentive and we had no unmet needs. He was fabulous and funny. We both choose to go with $75 tasting menu. At first, I was nervous it would not be enough food - boy was I wrong! I should say this because my last outing with this friend we went to Boka, where each plate was a mere 2-3 bites. I'm happy to report, this was not the case at Salero. Each course was full of beautifully prepared proteins (very well portioned) and memorable flavors. I think we high-fived one another a few times during the meal because the food and drink (and of course, we were truly enjoy the company and beautiful spring day on the patio) were just that good! My favorite course(s) was the mackerel and steak - immensely flavorful and beautiful to the eye.

    (5)

  • Mark A.

    It would be in poor form to start off this review and not compliment the service. We had a fantastic waitress who knew the menu and drink list, and I always appreciate front of house staff who demonstrate they are familiar with each plate/glass. So Salero has a good PR buzz going on right now, and what made me book a reservation was its inclusion in Eater's "must eat right now" spots in Chicago. Some reviews have said this is the "King of Spanish Cuisine." And on the Salero FB page, it calls itself a Spanish Restaurant. My friends, Salero is a contemporary American restaurant with some Spanish touches. It is far from being a Spanish restaurant. (And there's absolutely nothing wrong with this, but I don't appreciate the "lie" -- if it quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, then it's a duck.) The menu has small plates/starters and main courses sections. And each dish tends to have something Spanish about it, whether that be saffron, sherry, manchego, or chorizo. But they're not necessarily Spanish dishes, if that makes sense? Ok, I'll stop whining about the bait and switch. Let me talk about the food: - Olives = fine. - Morcilla/Foie Gras = good; deconstructed so it was challenging to get all the flavors in one bite (which is what makes the dish good) - Scallop crudo = smelled horrible but tasted fine; good flavors - Chorizo stuffed quail = looks great on paper, just average in person - Duck Breast = cooked to my liking (rare), skin was soggy (if I'm going to eat fatty duck skin, I like it crispy), croquette was boring as was the mushroom preparation - Txuri = average; it wasn't bad, but nothing I'd ever crave - Zarzuela = again -- average, somewhat bland, but if that's what you want in a dish, it's probably ok Again, I need to reiterate the service was very good. But even if I know the nicest waiter in the world, if he/she works at a restaurant I don't like, then I probably won't be seeing them much. The food was ok (also, I'm a Wood fan), but I fail to see how this could be in the same category as Iberico/Mercat/Vera as a Spanish competitor. I won't be rushing back and probably won't recommend it since there are much better places in Chicago.

    (3)

  • Brit N.

    A little disappointed at this place. It was in some food article on top chicago places to eat and I don't agree at all. Yes, the food was delicious (4 stars), but the service was horrendous! It took us 40 minutes to get WATER and finally order our cocktails. Then another 15 minutes on top of that before the waitress came back and explained the menu. She was not attentive at all. They screwed up our order and said I ordered the veal sweet bread (which I didn't do). So they took it back, but they she charged us twice on our bill for the veal sweet bread (an additional $30). She asked if we wanted dessert and when we said no she literally ROLLED her eyes and said she would go get the check. Seriously?? I'm sure the dessert was good but we had enough of the service and just wanted to leave. I've seen a few comments below about how bad the service was and I wish I would have checked yelp before I went there. Not sure if we are all talking about the same waitress or if your service sucks all around. Either way, figure it out or that place won't stay in business. Also - there was no music in there which was awkward. Just a ton of people talking. Maybe add sounds barriers and some music to help with the overall atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Ben K.

    Wow. Every bit of the night was amazing. The cocktails before dinner were delicious without being overpowering. The bar appetizers were phenomenal especially the Jamon croquettes. So delicious. The rest of the dinner continued to be above expectations. The small plates were terrific and I really loved the scallops. My favorite large plate was the rabbit though it's perhaps discontinued. The salmon was also tremendous. The three desserts we had were amazing. If you're looking for a great dinner in a relaxed environment you should check this out. Great for a romantic dinner or for a group outing. It's really perfect.

    (5)

  • Olivia B.

    We came here after dinner on a Sunday night for some drinks. I will say 1 thing: GET THE CLOUD 9. That cocktail is AMAZING. Refreshing, a bit sweet, just so tasty. As the host warned me, they "go down like water." ;) Anyway, we ended up staying for a few rounds of drinks and the bartender, host, and servers were all very fun, kind, and chatted with us for a bit. We had a great time. Even though we had JUST had dinner down the street, we ordered a few plates: olives, sepia a la plancha, pan con tomate con jamon, and the croquettes. We enjoyed everything very much, and especially enjoyed their "pintxos" menu for our time at the bar. We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Wowser....this place was unexpectedly, amazingly, delicious food. Atmosphere was bustling on a Wednesday night. Slightly rustic...slightly crisp...kind of a great mix of both. GNO for my belated bday dinner. Service was good. We ordered in pieces and our server was a little busy when we wanted to order our main, but overall she was exceptional and knowledgable....not only about the food, but the yummy cocktails my friends ordered. Drinks were amaze! Gin, tonic, grapefruit like thing in a huge goblet wine glass....refreshing. Also another friend got a different drink...can't remember the name but she loved it. I think you can get your fill of wine or cocktails at this place....there was a book for da drinks. The smalls Mackerel was delish. Crisp, light with the right amount of zing. Octopus was cooked to perfection and again, the right amount of tart to savory. Beet and shallot salad was good...nothing amazing but you have to get a dose of veggies. Pork confit was my fav of the small plates. Savory and rich, but not too much. Fried up wonton-like potstickers were a great compliment. The big VENISON-do it, please...just do it. It was a generous portion. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It sliced like butter and melted in your mouth. Not gamey at all. One of the top pieces of meat I have ever put in my mouth...so good. Salivating while I'm thinking about it. Dessert CHURROS!!! Were the Heros! Soooo good. Came with an ice cream and cream sauce...a little salty, a little sweet, a little crunchy...it couldn't be beat. Damn, it was great. I was expecting really ok and I got my socks knocked off.

    (5)

  • Sam T.

    Would not return. Came here the other the night and was quite disappointed. The service was a real letdown. I'm not sure if the server was new, but he wasn't very friendly and did a fairly poor job at watching over our table. We had to flag him down for almost everything. Working in the restaurant industry, I know alot about prepping for service; this place just doesn't cut it. How do you run out of sangria at 8pm? It's clear that it's a good seller, and there's nothing in it that could potentially go bad, so why not have enough in house for it? The plates are obviously not thought about very much either. The creativity in presentation is nonexistent. For the price you pay, it's not worth it at all. I'd rather go to purple pig and spend the same amount for more food and better service if I want tapas. (Also, you should really make patrons aware that tapas are only served at the bar from the get go rather than after they are seated outside)

    (1)

  • Carol K.

    Checked out Salero the other night which is the newest restaurant to come from the same people who run Wood up in Boystown. This sleek, Spanish restaurant is in good keeping as it's neighboring restaurants are Avec and Blackbird. We went on a recent week night and were impressed with the service, food and ambiance. If you were here when the space was Alimentari Osteria, you will recognize nothing about the space as it has been totally redone. The bar area is now in the front serving great wines and pintxos and in the back in the actual restaurant area. The space is a bit stark with rustic tables and chairs. I loved the ambiance that the candles lining the east wall bring to the place (Hmm . . .wonder who has to light those each night?) We were on our way to the Opera and they did a great job of getting us in and out but never making us feel rushed. Our server was great and made sure we knew about the various specials and was quick to describe his favorites on the menu. We started with a couple of the special appetizers of the day, a Hamachi crudo which was delicious and then some percebes. What? You don't know what a percebe is? Well neither did we and since it is not often I get stumped at a restaurant, we just had to order these little Portuguese barnacles. They were as odd tasting as their name and I doubt I would order them again but fun given we didn't even know how the heck to eat them! For our entrees- I had the pork belly with crispy kale and my friend went with the lobster and risotto dish (his was the clear winner!) But both were quite good. Dinner for two with a couple of glasses of wine ran about $127 so not too bad for the quality of the food we received. And if you drive- know that there is valet parking out front shared with Avec and Blackbird. If there was a down side, it was that the space is a little loud as there is nothing to block the noise from reverberating in the space. There was a table of men who were obviously going to the hockey game sitting down from us and their conversation was pretty easy to hear. Check out this newest addition to the West Loop dining scene. Even if you just sit at the bar and enjoy a few little bites with a glass of wine, the experience is well worth it!

    (4)

  • Polishbadger D.

    This is an overdue review, so here we go. I have had drinks and pintxos twice here and each time the service, beverages and food were delectable. The location is clutch, near the el and tucked among other great places in the West Loop on Randolph Street. Between my two visits I ordered every pintxos that was on the menu (minus the anchovies, can't do it). Top 3 faves are the QUIMET & QUIMET, PAPAS BRAVAS and JAMON IBERICO. As for drinks, I stuck to my old stand by (dirty martini, vodka, up, olives), but others I dined with enjoyed a variety of the cocktails offered. After my first time here, I noticed that some people would go in a separate door and up a staircase. Of course, curiosity got the best of me, so I inquired what was going on over there. The lovely owner, Franco, came over and told us it is a private event space and offered to let us check it out. The timing was perfect, because I was looking for a smaller venue to hold a professional event for work. If you are looking for a unique, ideally located, versatile, but not too huge space to host an event, you must check this place out. The event coordinator, Ashley, is a cut above the rest when it comes to planning and making your event perfect down to the last detail. She is easy to get in touch with, has great ideas and in general is a fabulous person. Pricing is very reasonable, especially for the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Stacy N.

    My fiance and I went there to celebrate some minor life victories, so we were ready to spend some cash. It was a Thursday night and we had made a reservation so we were seated right away by the nice man at the door. The place was pretty busy for a Thursday. Love the decor and environment. Urban yet sophisticated. No complaints about the food!! Everything was delicious! We had olives and the Spanish mackerel to start then moved on to the duck breast and the lobster. The flavors and portions were perfect. Finished it off with the churro. Fried deliciousness. Out bottle of wine was really great as well. Ok, the service. That is my reason for 3 stars. I don't know if she was new or what, but she wasn't great. She wasn't super attentive or friendly and when we told her we needed just a few more minutes, she didn't come back for a good long while although we could see her at other tables. I had to set our menus out on the end of the table so she could get a clue to come back. I used to be a server myself so things like this really bother me. Another thing is that she hardly looked at me once. She spoke only to my fiance whenever she was at the table. RUDE. She even had her body facing away from me and towards him the entire time. I know he's cute, but COME ON. Every other person who worked there seemed extra friendly to us except for our server. I am definitely open to returning because the food and wine was stellar. Hopefully we will get another server.

    (3)

  • Zsiberian N.

    Helped me discover Sherry, which is a bit more fortified wine but not quite Port. Took amazing care of us and when they found out we've just made it official made a wedding cake for us out of their desserts! On the way out the owner was greeting a couple with "you're back again?" And then replying that yesterday wasn't enough. Look forward to being a regular. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Mark Tuna T.

    Incredible restauarant all around. Excellent food, impeccable service, lovely bar scene. The effort that comes from the kitchen staff is unmatched and it shows in the quality of the food that comes out of the kitchen. I've been a few times and never had sub par dish. Keep it up! Can't wait to be back.

    (5)

  • Mihir P.

    I had a wonderful lunch here at Salero. The decor is modernly rustic if that makes sense? Probably not. I really can recommend everything we ordered including the MARCONA ALMONDS, JAMON CROQUETAS (loved the smokey romesco sauce), and SCALLOPS A LA PLANCHA. My friend had the special short rib grilled cheese I think, and she loved it. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. They also have a nice bar area, so I'd come back.

    (5)

  • John S.

    OK, the food here was truly wonderful. Appetizers included the grilled octopus, jamon and the quail. It was very flavorful, nice presentation and good portions. For our main dish, we had the halibut and the whole lobster, all perfectly cooked and accompanied. The wine and cocktail menu was extensive, and the servers were very attentive. I look forward to returning someday soon!

    (4)

  • Aman S.

    Great Spanish tapas style place with good grilled octopus and lobster paella; good Sangria as well. More to try here for sure.

    (4)

  • A I.

    Very good food. The gin and tonic drinks are so good. Service could use a little lift, but otherwise great place.

    (4)

  • Caralyn O.

    This review is somewhat delayed. I took my sister here in late November to try Salero. The restaurant was still relatively new at this point, so perhaps they were working out the kinks, but the evening left much to be desired. We arrived a bit early for our reservation, but were not seated until nearly 45 minutes after the reservation time. The bar area was crowded, and there's actually a seating area at the bar for diners that further crushed us into the main entrance area. Many others, also waiting for their tables, congregating out of the cold and close to the booze made it difficult to order a glass of wine while we waited, and there was nowhere to stand without getting in the way of restaurant staff delivering delicious looking plates to tables seated around us. As the night went on and we got hungrier, I became more and more tempted to snag a shrimp as they whizzed by my face. When we finally placed our wine order at the bar, I witnessed the bartender dump what was left of one bottle into my glass (mostly sediment) and top it off with a new bottle, although it was presumably the same wine, this whole ritual threw me for a loop and the sediment was more than I bargained for. Fighting my way back to the bartender's attention through other hungry waiting patrons didn't seem worth it at the time. Once we were finally seated, it then took a long while before we were actually able to place our order. Our waitress was patient and happy to explain menu items/offer wine suggestions, but was otherwise difficult to locate. We split a three appetizers and the venison entree. I highly recommend the jamon - it was a simple but unexpectedly refreshing and tasty dish. Though the venison was prepared well, it was nothing to rave about. We planned to order dessert/another drink we could not find our waitress and eventually gave up as the restaurant was clearing out by the time it was all said and done. All in all, it felt we were somewhat of an afterthought from start to finish of our visit to Salero. The food was good, but overshadowed by the rest of our experience. I'd give the place a second try if someone else is picking the restaurant-- perhaps these were administrative issues still being worked out.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Salero

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