Love love love the decor in here, really does feel like you're in Cali. However as others have noted, the food is pretty average. My friend had a Lettuce Entertain You gift card here or else it would have been pretty expensive average brunch. Friend got the classic eggs Benedict and I got the short rib hash Benedict with a side of candied bacon. Food was mediocre, server was friendly but we'd probably only come back for the Vitamin D room and people watching.
(3)
Laura K.
Finally a solid Lincoln Park casual restaurant! Perfect for meeting friends for dinner and drinks. The space is super open and bright (not romantic - if you want that vibe, head next door to Stella Barra). It is always packed, and the food is solid! Brunch and dinner are both very good. For dinner you must get the burrata and the biscuits, and the spicy calamari. None of the entrees are a must, but whatever you order will be good.
(4)
Debra L.
Summer House is lovely to look at, with the high open ceilings, the whitewashed wood, and the airy pastel colors. The staff was friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked in. We came for Sunday brunch and I'm so glad we had reservations because there were people being turned away due to wait-time. Note - make sure you make reservations! The food was fresh and delightful, with healthier choices reminiscent of the infamous California cuisine. My one criticism is that the it's rather pricey for what you get. I had the mission street burrito with tofu chorizo. It was delicious but for over ten bucks it would have been great to have some toast or hash browns. Come to Summer House to soak up the beachy vibe, and relax in the airy atmosphere. It's a great place for a relaxing meal, just overlook the fact that they're a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep that in mind and go anyway.
(4)
Mark A.
I've only had breakfast/brunch here, so my review is not appropriate for dinner. Summer House might have one of the coolest interiors of any Chicago restaurant, thanks to its courtyard/glass roof that lets in tons of natural light. It's kind of like Banana Republic does food. For breakfast, I had the Kale/Vodka drink, and it was pretty impressive. Who knew I could get my vitamins and buzz in one sip? Genius. I had the chicken and waffles -- they were good. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. Given the appearance of the place, I was expecting something a little more unique, but these were just basic chicken and waffles - no froo froo designer waffle pattern or plate presentation. (Again, they were good.) I'd go back to try the dinner, but I wouldn't expect anything super memorable other than good, quality food. And the nice atmosphere is a treat.
(3)
Kate T.
I have a very strict diet (allergic to garlic onions, lactose, gluten-free, high fructose corn syrup, etc). I had checked this place out online prior to going. Our server was very accomodating and I was able to watch in the kitchen that they made my meal with extra care. I had a mixture of greens, pumpkin seeds, unseasoned ahi tuna, and an amazing dressing of olive oil/fresh lemon. They also provided me with gluten-free bread topped with avocado and a poached egg. Did I mention their fries are delicious too? I requested the driest white wine possible and they let me test several to assist me in having the one lowest in sugar. I never once felt like a burden. The ambiance is amazing and this is definitely my new favorite go-to place in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Kat D.
10 stars for ambiance (love it) 5 stars for service 3 stars for pricing and quality I tried the sushi, cauliflower, ceviche and ahi tacos. We also had desert cookie/ice cream which deserves 5 stars. Overall, go here to for the sexiness and the drinks- not the standard fare.
(4)
Anthony M.
I had brunch at SH on Sunday with one other person. We had a 3:00 PM reservation and upon arriving, the host referred to me as "bro," which I thought was very odd. First off, I'm not your "bro," and second, this didn't seem like the type of place where the hosting staff would be so unpolished. We were seated soon after our arrival... at a table in the bar (after we asked to be seated in the restaurant), but we were seated nonetheless. We ordered a bottle of wine and two things to start. The burrata was good, the calamari wasn't... at all. It was doused in a creamy sauce that wasn't mentioned on the menu. There's nothing more annoying to me than ordering something that isn't properly described on the menu. Furthermore, our plates (empty plates, mind you) sat in front of us until the main course was brought out. Because the restaurant was busy and no one seemed to be moving quickly, I would say that the time elapsing between us finishing our first course and the time when our plates were cleared was a solid 30 minutes. The manager ended up bringing the next course and had to literally put it on the table behind us and clean our table. It was gross! There were plenty of people running around, but no one was interested in clearing our plates. I had the avocado toast and my partner had the grilled chicken sandwich. Both were fine... but that's about it. Upon trying to get our check from our server, it took almost fifteen minutes to get his attention and for him to bring it over. We did have two bottles of wine, so our bill was $150, but outside of the wine and the burrata, the experience and venue were entirely forgettable. Let's be honest, this place isn't the only place in town that you can get a bottle of wine and some cheese! I would have liked to enjoy this place more since it's close to our new home and we tend to dine out frequently (especially with larger groups), but unfortunately, it was pretty much a let down! Wah wah!!
(1)
Allie Q.
Lively ambience, well decorated, bright and airy California feel to the place. Service was excellent, attentive and knowledgeable. Delicious cocktails and food. Highly recommend the oysters, pricey but well worth it. Enjoyed the ceviche and the ahi tuna tacos. Great for groups, girls nights or date night.
(4)
Holly B.
5 stars for ambiance 5 stars for service - Rob S was amazing!! So friendly and professional 5 for desserts - OMG!! Definitely worth the calories. Definitely!! The s'mores bar, blondie and rice crispy treats are THE BEST. The cookies are just ok. 3 for price ($24 for fish tacos was a little pricey) 3 for food quality. Everything was just meh. We had Brussels sprouts, the fish taco and a burger.
(4)
svetlana k.
Good spot. The food is good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance and the restaurant is beautiful. Perfect spot for a girls brunch spot or nothing out, even a bachelorette brunch. The staff is nice. The drinks are reasonable. If you live in the area, why not? But plenty more options in river north/downtown area to go to. The food look a little overpriced for Lincoln park area and the portions were fairly small for entree sized. The couple next to us were clearly disappointed with a bite size salmon entree which cost $25 or the surfer style tacos that you have to make yourself also $25. Ps. If you check in on yelp, you get a free cookie skillet.
(3)
Maria J.
Everything was delicious. I went with my family for brunch and I definitely recommend it for anyone since its accommodating to all ages, etc. Also, the service was great and so is the decor. The vibes in the restaurant are awesome and ill definitely be back for a visit again.
(5)
Elizabeth R.
Such a beautiful restaurant, so light and clean, it make you feel like you've been transported to Malibu. Great and attentive service. The quinoa salad was so delicious. I can't recommend it enough - yum!
(5)
Sue T.
Grabbed a bite here recently with family. The atmosphere was great - very open and light. Definitely a place I would prefer to go to on a sunny spring or summer day. The food was ok and a bit over-priced. I got the fish tacos and I thought they were a bit bland. I got the cookie with ice cream for dessert and that was delicious. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just had bad luck. The service was friendly and quick. Overall, I would give Summer House another try at some point but I'm not rushing to get back.
(3)
Jennifer G.
We tried Summer House a few weeks back, and while I tried for a sidewalk table, we had to eat in the Atrium. Best decision ever. It is absolutely beautiful in the atrium and that's where I would recommending sitting each time. What Summer House accomplished with that atmosphere is really spectacular. Another positive about the restaurant was the wine selection. I had a blended Zinfandel and my husband had the Pinot Gris - both were really fabulous wines that I would recommend. Unfortunately, our food selections didn't live up to the other aspects of our experience. We started with the crab cake - which was okay. We did really like the summer vegetable spread that accompanied it. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta and my husband had the mahi mahi tacos. He thought the tacos were good, but my pasta dish was way too salty and I actually ended up leaving quite a bit of it. For dessert, we had cookies and ice cream - yum! Warmed cookies a la mode. They were delicious and something I would definitely come back for.
(3)
P P.
Food is yummy. Atmosphere is nice. The service is not very good. We waited a half hour before the server even came to our table. We hd to ask for a server and someone saw us looking around which is why they approached us and asked if we have been helped. Finally she shows up and apologizes that she didn't know we were her table. After we ate we wanted coffee and dessert and she didn't even ask us if we wanted anything and just gave us our bill. We asked her of she wanted us to close out or had to go somewhere or were we able to get some coffee. Also, our table was near/behind their pastry bar and perhaps they shouldn't have a seat here because every time they took a drink cart by they asked me to move my chair. I couldn't just scoot in, I actually had to get up and move the chair completely for them to roll a cart by. This happened 2 times during our meal. Perhaps a better placement of the table would work as it is not really nice to make me get up while I am eating twice to move my chair. Very disappointed in the service!
(3)
Erin R.
I spent an enjoyable evening at this restaurant. The California-feel was delightful... I love how light, airy and laid back the space is! We were seated right away and the server was pretty good. I was very satisfied with the quality of the food. The only reason for the 4 over 5 stars is due to the price - the cost is expensive for the amount of food. However, everything was delightful, fun for a girl's night out. I would go back for a special occasion.
(4)
Shamoon K.
I generally feel bad about giving a restaurant a bad review, but not here. I'd give this a zero if I could. I came here with two friends today for brunch at around 11:30. The wait was an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half. Ok no problem. My friends have been here before and wanted to show me how much like Santa Monica this place felt and how good the food and service were. We sat down on a couch they had there and killed time going over the menu, checked in on yelp, and getting pumped. After about two hours my friend asks the hostess if our table is ready and she said that it would be another ten minutes or so. Since we were already there for so long, we asked if we could sit in the main dining room, and wouldn't mind waiting longer for that table. The hostess said no problem, so we waited a bit longer. Thirty minutes go by and our friend checks a second time, and was told that they're cleaning the table now and it should be ready soon. We wait another two minutes, go back to the host stand, and proceed to our table. Except the table is next to the bar, not in the dining room. At this point we've been there for a little over two and a half hours and were disappointed that we didn't get the table we wanted. The biggest pull to this restaurant is the dining room. Everyone wants to sit in the sun and have a nice brunch. So we talked to the manager, and voiced our concerns. He was very courteous and said "I'm very sorry about that. Let me fix the first problem. I see a table opening up, we'll sit you guys there shortly." Excellent. This is how it should be done. Shortly after another manger comes to our table and says that this bar table, is our table. We proceed to tell her our frustrations and before we could even finish our first sentence, she cuts us off and raises her voice saying, "This is the only table I have for you. You can take it, or you can get out." She then says that when our friend went up to ask if our table was ready, we were not told "they're cleaning the table right now", instead we were allegedly told "your table is ready, get your party". So what they did then (because obviously we didn't think the table was ready and would be called) is they waited literally 2 minutes, and then gave our table to someone else. So lets just say it was our fault right? It was very loud in the restaurant so its definitely possible. Lets say that we misheard them. The smallest courtesy would be to look for us in the waiting room, and say "hey, your tables ready" or text us like you were supposed to in first place. You would think that would be the protocol. Not just give the table away because you're flustered. Anyways, so we try to plead our case to her and she gets more and more agitated. Cutting us off again and again. Raising her voice more and more. I'm serious here, we couldn't get two sentences in before she started cutting us off. She kept saying "Take the table, or leave. I have a thousand people in the waiting room." Yes, we know how many people are in the waiting room. We were just there. For hours. We decided to leave. The amount of disrespect that was shown to us was unfathomable. Before we left we asked for her name and she wrote it down for us. Stephanie Cook, to which after she said "I need you to leave. I need you to get out right now." After that we tried to talk to the first manager because he was very kind, but Ms. Cook would not allow it. Essentially, she kicked us out at that point. So if you're reading this Ms. Cook, what happened? Why did you treat us so poorly? I've been in the industry for 4 years, and I've never even heard of such disrespect. I'm even giving you the benefit of the doubt here, by saying we misheard you. Not the other way around. What I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt on is the complete disregard for the customer. You really made us feel unwelcome, unimportant, and unequal to the rest of the patrons at your restaurant. Don't you think that if we heard that our table was ready, that we'd jump at the sound of the first word? We were there for two and a half hours! Is the customer not always right? But that's not the real problem. The real problem was the way you handled the situation. You do not yell at the guest. If anything you're supposed to understand the situation and then try your best to rectify it. Not kick the guest out and make them feel like garbage. Yelp is basically an open letter. So I would love to hear a response from you on here. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe because the restaurant was so busy you got backed up a bit. Maybe we didn't hear right. These things all happen. But not what occurred after. Any kind of explanation would show me, and everyone else reading this, that you do indeed care about the guest experience. And that this is in no way a reflection of Summer House. We all look forward to your reply.
(1)
Lucas W.
Summer House was really a mixed bag. My recommendation, check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream because it'll be the best part of the meal - the cookies are absolutely fantastic. The night got off to a weird start, we had a reservation for 4 people at 6. Unfortunately 2 had to cancel so we showed up a bit early and said we'd only be a party of 2. I understand that may be unexpected, but to then forget about the two of us for a half hour while plenty of other parties go ahead and end up seating us at a 4-person table anyway? Definitely the wrong way to start a meal. The menu has a bit of everything but it is pricey; that was definitely the first thing I noticed. We started with the brussel sprouts which while good just didn't quite go to that next level that a lot of nice brussel sprout dishes really can. Just too much vinegar. I had the Gemelli pasta with sausage. It was fine, not great. The fennel in the dish kinda subtracted from the dish in my opinion. And the sauce was fine but no complexity or interesting flavor. My girlfriend had the tuna tacos. For the price of the tuna tacos, I would've expected more tuna to be honest. I like that they gave you the ingredients and could build the taco yourself (allowing overloading of tasty chipotle mayo), but I've had better tuna. The highlight of the meal though is dessert, without a doubt. We checked in on Yelp so we got a free cookie and ice cream. Wow, absolutely delicious. May go back just for the cookies. Another waiter brought a second cookie by accident, but, in great service, just said "Hey, eat up, it's your lucky day, someone made a mistake. Enjoy." Reminds me, despite our issues with the host, our waitress was superb. Don't remember her name, started with an S.
(3)
Bill R.
Four of us had brunch at Summer House this past Sunday. We decided to order a number of 'starters' for all of us to sample. All of them were delicious. The service was quick, attentive, without being intrusive. Special thanks to Stephanie, service manager, for taking care of us (and a newborn baby that we had in tow). Summer House is highly recommended.
(5)
Sean K.
So pretty inside and great atmosphere but the food just isn't great. Had the lobster roll, was chewy. The drinks were decent and so was the dessert but wouldn't return for just that. They had the doors open and the air conditioning up so high that we were cold at the front patio...the vents were pointed right on us. The weather was so perfect that night, low 70s. Just can't understand what they were thinking to freeze the customers out on a summer night (definitely not concerned with the environment!)
(3)
Steve Z.
Lobster Roll is terrific. So was the Cobb salad. Split both with my wife for a late lunch. And the fries? Wasn't expecting above average but they were better than anywhere else, fresh cut and both crispy and soft at the same time. "Delicious" (only as Kramer would say).
(5)
Sharon G.
My friends and I walked in for lunch on a Monday and we were seated immediately. The ambiance was amazing(!!) - the glass ceiling gave the entire room great lighting and the string lights/hanging plants spiced up the interior decoration. Our waitress was extremely friendly and personable and our service was phenomenal throughout our entire meal. We ordered cocktails (very good and very strong!), shared an appetizer, and each got more substantial entrees (my friends got versions of the cobb salad and I got the chicken oven grilled tacos). The food had a lightness and freshness like many of the plates at other farm-to-table concept restaurants I've been to. We ended our meal with a free ice cream/cookie dessert (courtesy of Yelp!) that was actually incredible. I haven't had that good of a chocolate chip cookie in a while. And, of course, most importantly...this place was 10/10 Instagrammable. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Marjorie F.
While I have lamented the demise of Tilly's, I have rejoiced in emergence of Summer House. I've been here twice - first for dinner, another time for brunch. I had mixed feelings about dinner, but that was only because I was unsure of the company (it was a first date). The food and service were great. The ambience was lively with many look-gooders to look upon. I wouldn't say it's the perfect place for a first date because of all the distractions - noise level, high possibility of bumping into people you know, etc. However, it would be fun if you're getting together with a group of friends. Summer House is now one of my favorites for brunch. I ordered the salmon benedict - yummmmm... My friend and I had a couple of mimosas which had a generous amount of the bubbly (thanks a million!). We were sipping happily on these when the table next to us ordered the prettiest Bloody Marys I had seen in a long time. [CUE: Girls salivating.] Of course, we followed suit and were not disappointed. It was a perfect blend of spicy, salty, tomato-ey goodness - plus it had a fat strip of bacon to top it all off. Mmmmm... Bacon... Yep. We were happy. I am definitely planning on visiting Summer House more this Winter. Bring on the bloodys!
(4)
Jeff S.
Great service, great vibe, great sunny atmosphere, excellent staff. I hope they get a veggie burger soon.
(5)
Joanne M.
It was a friends birthday so we went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance is a lively beach feel. The service was great from the beginning. They were running late on our 7:30pm reservation but as soon as they got us seated they served all 10 of us with champagne. The server was very upbeat, positive, and apologized for the wait. Right off the bat I order the bonfire cocktail and it was delicious. Wasn't too sweet and the hint of grapefruit with the tequila was just right. For starters we shared a couple orders of the guacamole and house made chips, and spicy tuna nigiri. Both tasted very fresh, my favorite being the spicy tuna nigiri because of the crispy sushi rice giving a good contrast in texture to the tuna. I ordered the wild mushroom enchilada stack only because it was the server's favorite. It's a vegetarian dish but the flavor with the different textures was delicious! You could definitely tell the ingredients were fresh! For dessert we made our way to the dessert bar at the entrance and got an assortment of cookies, Rice Krispies, and brownies. My favorite by far being the s'mores cookies (I bought all of them). Will be back again especially since I heard their brunch is amazing!
(5)
Claudio V.
This place has been recommended to my wife and I by so many people. We always passed by but never ate here. For my birthday my wife took me to SummerHouse. The place looks really nice and the people were super friendly. Now as for the food, I am not much of a fish eater. So looking at the menu the fish was what caught my eye. I knew it would be risky for me since I do not like fish from most places but I ordered it anyways. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. I later found out that they never freeze their sea food. That must be what made the difference for me. Great place for a date-night!
(5)
Katie P.
I've been here 3 times now and the most recent experience has left a lot to be desired. First, the space is summer-y and light just like the inside of a really nice beach house cottage. During a Chicago winter, it's a nice escape. However, the food is just ok and the service is pretty weak. Last night I came here for dinner with some girlfriends. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated at 7:40pm. Not the best start. No apology from the hostess- she just kept saying that they were bussing our table. Finally a text alerted me that the table was ready. For a Sunday night with reservations, this was frustrating. The poor service continued. Our waiter brought out one of the two appetizers we ordered fairly quickly. After waiting a while for the second app to arrive I flagged down the waiter for an eta and he said he didn't remember me ordering it. No apology. So a few minutes before our entrees came to the table, it arrived. Annoying. Then, our meals came and he forgot the side we ordered to split! When I brought that to his attention, he didn't apologize, he just said if it didn't come out soon it wouldn't be on our bill. As we're all almost done with our entrees, the side arrives and we each eat one bite since we're stuffed at this point. The check comes and nothing was comped, no apologies. Our group of three girls had 2 apps, 3 entrees and 1 side and 1 glass of wine in total and the bill came out to $160. The food was just fine- nothing special, the prices are high and the service is lacking. Not worth it.
(2)
Katie P.
Beautiful space Friendly service Boring food. Boring boring boring Too expensive for boringness
(3)
Daniel C.
I love summer house. This has been on my book marks list since it opened but it has had a long wait each time I've considered it. I went for brunch this past weekend. 10:15am no wait. We sat in the big "Vitamin D" room and even thought it was single digit degrees outside it was beautiful in that room. It was bright and open. I want to be there right now. I had a half order of the french toast and the hash brown eggs benedict. It was very good. Eggs were poached perfectly. The hash brown acted as the english muffin. The french toast was great. The waitress let us know we could order 1, 2, or 3 pancakes if we wanted or half orders of the french toast (and waffles maybe ? if i remember correctly?). My girl got the sunrise breakfast burrito and they were happy to add jalepenos for her. I love the little bakery area at the front and I ordered a bacon, chocolate chip cookie that was as big as my head. It was the perfect dessert for me. There's a free yelp check in dessert. Overall, great brunch spot and i can't wait to go back. TONS of gluten free options in the bakery area!
(5)
Morgan S.
While I love the atmosphere and the ambience here, I can't get over my last two visits here. The food was great... Once it arrived. However the first time, my order was completely wrong and I had to wait and watch my friend eat her dish while I waited (I ordered chicken tacos and they brought out a half chicken or something)... After that, my friend and I went for an appetizer and cocktails and the appetizer took 45 minutes!!! Just for spinach artichoke dip! Pretty crazy. Staff is all friendly and food is great, so I don't want to totally bash this place, just could have been better.
(3)
Rae H.
Great service. Good ambience. Food not so much. I am gluten free and ordered the GF version of their turkey burger. It was pretty good except the GF bun was half burned on top. I didn't want to send it back, which I know was my choice, and ate half of it. As I was heating the second half of turkey burger the following day for lunch, I saw that the entire bottom of GF bun was burned black. It is hard to believe that the kitchen staff did not notice that they were sending out a bun that should have been placed in the trash. It's sad because this is such a nice restaurant.
(3)
Emily G.
Love the food and atmosphere here, but you definitely have to plan ahead to eat here. The wait is really long, but generally worth it! Great for brunch.
(4)
Isabel C.
Wonderful spot for breakfast or brunch! Stopped in here at 930am. They were not very busy as I arrived but as we left an hour later the place was packed! Service was good. They were not to overbearing which I like but our waiter did checked in once and a while. The food was amazing! I had the classic Eggs Benedict and it was the perfect portion and egg to ham to muffin to sauce ratio! Everything tasted so fresh but the coffee was a little to strong for my liking. So glad I found another great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in the city. I highly recommend Summer House! I l cannot wait to come back and try dinner, lunch, and the cookies!
(5)
Courtney H.
Headed in for my 3rd visit. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated right away in a corner booth. First thing I noticed was that the wine glass at my place was dirty. No one was drinking wine so it was taken away but I would have said something otherwise. Started with the biscuits and I think they were the best they've been. So good. There were 3 flies that kept landing on our booth and flying around us and it was driving me nuts. The lobster orrichette was back on the menu which I was excited about but they changed it and I was disappointed. The portion was smaller, the sauce has changed and they added tomatoes and peas which were NOT on the menu description. Blah. $23 not spent well. We did use the free dessert I got from checking in on Yelp and the cookie was really good. I also used my LEYE scratch off card for Summer House but I was forced between using that or a gift card because again, for some dumb reason, LEYE does not let you gain points when you use a gift card. LAME. Service was good, our server was awesome.
(3)
Mona W.
Atmosphere is amazing- food is delicious. The beach theme is super cute- we had the avocado and poached egg sandwich and the tuna tacos- both exceeded our expectations. Bloody Mary made with tittos... Yum!
(4)
Lauren F.
The atmosphere alone could earn Summer House 5 stars from me, but it doesn't hurt that their food is pretty darn good as well. The bright, airy space can completely transport you from a cold Chicago afternoon to a sunny day in Southern California - and that is no easy task! I've visited Summer House for brunch twice now and so far my favorite dish is the Roasted Vegetable Hash with a side of their homemade pork sausage. The root vegetables mixed with the poached egg and tarragon sauce was just perfection! Their pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Hot Mess of Fries, and thick, brown sugar coated bacon also deserve an honorable mention. Another HUGE plus is their mouth-watering bakery counter that greets you as soon as you walk through the doors. Their cookies are fab but my favorite is the simple yet delicious Brown Butter Rice Crispy treat - take one to-go and you'll be so happy when you're stuffing your face with it later, unless you're like me and you can't help but dig in on the walk home!
(5)
Annie B.
I recently came back again for brunch and felt compelled to update my review as my second experience was world's better than my first. A few of the other ladies I was with had similar sentiments - this time, the service was great, the food was delicious, and the mimosas were strong. My friend and I also split an appetizer and an entree which they served on separate plates for no charge without us asking - and also gave us each a full serving of fries. They also split the check between the eight of us with no problem which is always appreciated. Little things like that definitely go a long way. This time I also stopped at the bakery on my way out and picked up a few treats for a get together I went to later - the cookies were great but everyone loved the blondie bar. I will be back!
(4)
Mad I.
Nice Lincoln Park spot for fruity drinks spiked with booze and cookies topped with Rice crisp treats (made with real vanilla!) which equals 4 stars. make a reservation so you don't have to wait, and no, you prb cannot request the room that has the "vitamin d". Calamari was awesome, I was there after 12 so I got to choose from either menu. Very spicy mayo-ish, which is fine with me, but other people may find it overwhelming. Pretty pricey though, most things are $15-$25, so stuff your wallet!
(4)
VJ K.
Amazing place and super friendly staff! Be sure to make a reservation on the weekends otherwise you'll definitely be waiting for an hour. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Kristen C.
I really love the atmosphere at Summer House and it's a great place to grab drinks, however the food is just so so. I've been here for both brunch and dinner and wasn't overly impressed. I would definitely come back for dinner over brunch.
(3)
Shan D.
Why do I have to choose between atmosphere and food? Both are amazing here; I couldn't have asked for a better experience for brunch. I don't get all the hate from all the reviews. The entire staff is super friendly. A nice touch: they have a coat/bag check! I came straight from the gym so it was nice that I didn't have to deal with my bag being in the way. We initially got seated outside of the Vitamin D room, and asked to be moved inside. I'm glad we did because the Vitamin D room takes everything up a level. And yes, shades are a must. I was definitely feeling the sun, which was a relief after the worst Chicago winter ever. Our server never rushed us, and allowed us to enjoy our experience. The coffee is great. It's from Dark Matter, a local roasting company. It has a bold flavor. Way better than Intelligentsia. I had the breakfast tostadas which were as delicious as everyone on yelp made it out to be. The oatmeal smoothie is very straightforward. It's good only if you like eating plain oatmeal, and thankfully I do. It is not sweet at all so just be prepared for that. However, I still think it could use some more of a natural sweetener or even some fruit blended with it. Tried my friends' egg omelette and cocktails. Everything was delicious, and my friends all seemed to enjoy their meals. Thanks to the yelp check-in, I got the Rice Krispie chocolate chip cookie. It was a great way to satisfy my cravings for a Rice Krispie and a cookie. My friends also got the peanut butter cookie and the sea salt choco chip cookie. Both were solid as well! Couldn't have asked for a better experience with great company. Looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)
Luis N.
All the food was tasty. Service was great. The spicy calamari is awesome. Drinks are fairly priced and they have a huge selection of wine and beer. Great brunch. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Megan H.
I've been here twice and really enjoyed it. The first time I came with two of my girl friends about a year ago, and we had their brunch. I ordered two eggs and bacon and a side of toast. Everything was delicious, and service was very attentive. I love how open and light it is inside. Even in the winter it seems like it's summer here! The second time I came here I sat at the bar with another friend of mine. I think I ordered two eggs and an English muffin this time (really living life on the edge, I know). Everything tasted great but I did notice towards the end of my meal there was a hair in the muffin... I thought it was possibly my own hair, because it was blonde, but then when I went to pull it out I noticed it was actually baked into the muffin. Kinda gross, but I was pretty much done with my meal at that point so I guess it could've been worse. I wasn't even that grossed out, because I realize stuff like that can happen, regardless of where you're at. And hey, at least the hair was baked - which means it was sanitized in the oven heat! Anyway, that's the reason for my 4 stars and not 5. On the way out we grabbed a cookie with rice crispy treats and a flourless chocolate cookie. They were both so good! The rice crispy cookie was one of the best treats I've ever tasted. I want one right now!
(4)
Sherman Y.
Visited on a whim because the wait cafe baba reeba was too long. Ordered the squid ink pasta with king crab. The pasta was under seasoned and a bit over priced at $23 for a decent portion. My friend ordered the rainbow trout and thought that the flavor of the fish was masked by their wood grill to the point where it could have been any fish really. My girlfriend ordered asparagus mushroom orcchiette which was good but still under seasoned. The Decor was absolutely beautiful very old and bright and the service was great TLDR: Service was good but food was under seasoned and over priced
(3)
Meredith K.
Recommendation: Make reservations on Open Table for a Saturday night. My boyfriend and I finally got around to trying Summer House after hearing the positive reviews from friends. I was a little disappointed when they sat us at a high top table in the bar instead of the main dining area when I made reservations several weeks back. I tried the Santa Monica Cobb and added chicken for my entree which was filling even though the portion size was a bit small. My boyfriend had the ceviche and the tuna tacos. Both had great flavor but the ceviche was once again on the smaller side. Atmosphere: Definitely reminds me of Santa Monica, CA...light and airy with a lot of white decor. Two thumbs up Helpful hint: Check in on Yelp to receive a free cookie with a scoop of icecream!
(4)
Danielle S.
I love this place. Friends and I made a reservation for 11:45am on a Friday. We were a little late but got seated right away. We ordered mimosas and breakfast sandwiches. Mimosas were great and they even brought us the fresh berries we requested to put in our drinks. Coffee was excellent and flavorful. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and a great size. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. My coffee cup was never empty. Great service and food.
(5)
Jill L.
Ambience: lively and trendy Food: If you're used to hearty Chicago style brunch food, you might be disappointed. Remember that the restaurant is California inspired so it tries to be healthy. I was not impressed with the hollandaise on the Benedict. The waffle was flabby. The portions were a tad small for the prices! Overall, the food was disappointing considering Yelpers love this place so much. Service: Table service was okay but be prepared to wait at the pastry counter if you're Asian. Terrible! *Edited: Wish I didn't have to endure the bad service at the goodie counter. The brownies I bought to savor at home are too sweet. All the calories you saved during brunch you will get back in one bite of their brownie. I love pastries but theirs are cloyingly sweet. All in all: if you want great ambience with good enough food, Summer House is the place to be.
(2)
N S.
Food was ok just average ,in terms of my Cali role ! .The one in Cali is better. Problem with waitress !!! She was off. The bill was strange. Also we went late so there was no excuse for poor Svc. Lettuce is known for better Svc. Trying to make reservation was also a problem. Very young staff !! Per my partner he had the trout "extremely fresh & tasty". So my rating is based on start to finish
(3)
Raul B.
Perfect location, perfect atmosphere and perfect food to satisfy your Santa Monica, CA experience. The outdoor (which is really indoor) room is awesome. It allows the patrons to believe that they are eating outdoors but in reality it is indoor. The actual outdoor patio is also a gem. The food and the bar has plenty of selections and it's priced right. Love having a quick meal at summer house whenever I'm in the area. Another tip: save room for dessert. The cookies and brownies are to die for:-)
(5)
Susie C.
My friends and I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. We were there at 5:30pm..lots of tables were available but it seems to get busy around 6:30pm. The decor of the restaurant is so pretty! My friends and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setup of the restaurant.It definitely looks like having dinner at a lake house by the beach in sunny California. Our waiter was very nice. When we checked into Yelp, he knew we had a free cookie and ice cream from overlooking my phone, so dont forget to check in to get a free cookie with ice cream on top. For appetizers my friends and I started with the ahi tuna nacho...it was in the chilled section. This dish was VERY good! We ate it slowly so we can enjoy the flavors. We also had the guacamole and chips which was okay. My husband said the guacamole was lacking flavors..he felt the guacamole was a bit too bland. For entree I ordered the tuna tacos - so goood! 8 oz of tuna - outside cooked, inside rare..I love it! My husband ordered their roasted chicken which he enjoyed. Another friend ordered the surfer fish taco which he really like. What was cool about his dish was that his fish was a whole so he can slice up his fish to pieces. My other friend had the pork shank. Hers look unbelievable! She recommended us to order that the next thing we come. As sides, we ordered roasted brocoli and brussel sprouts. They were okay..we felt the brussel sprouts were overcooked so we couldn't taste the flavors. At the end we had our yummy fresh cookie and ice cream. It took awhile for it to come out but it was very good! I love this place - good food and the decor is amazing!
(5)
Meng C.
Unfortunately, the food totally didn't impress. The environment was okay. Lots of good looking people and well dressed people among the customers tho. We were sat 20 minutes pass our reservation, we did get a complimentary starter dish from the manager, which was nice. During our 2.5 hr dining, we heard piles of plates or glasses dropped and shattered on the floor probably 2 maybe 3 times. The whole restaurant was really loud, we met an out of town friend there, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I felt we were yelling at each other the entire time across a small 4 seater table. The bakery items seem to be the highlight of the restaurant but they were out of the famous rice crispy cookie by the time we were ready for it....
(2)
Tracy F.
Been here two times, back in December on a Tuesday and had a not so great experience. People who work there are nice but service is too slow for lunch. I made a reservation in December for a lunch team meeting. Took the waitress 20mins to come take our orders and another 45mins for the food to arrive on a not so busy Tuesday. We were done discussing business long before our food arrive. The food were alright, portions were big but we were not hungry anymore when they arrived. But I decided to give it another try recently for brunch Saturday in March with a friend. We were seated at a table by the bar which was very crowded. Waiting staffs kept on bumping to our chairs. The waitress never came to check on us. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Brunch food was amazing though. Had reservations both times and was seated within 5mins. Overall, their menu is good and healthy but definitely needs to step up with speed and services.
(2)
Tavi J.
This place has an airy open atmosphere. They did a good job to make you feel like your in Cali. We had 1:30 reservations and good thing we did because otherwise it would have been an 1 1/2 hour wait! We were seated right away. We both order the chicken tostadas, which were good and I had the summerhouse punch that I thought was just okay. I've had better. We both checked in on Yelp and got the free cookie with ice cream promotion and that was a nice finish to the meal. This is a great brunch place to catch up with friends. I will be back :)
(4)
Tim B.
I usually am a big fan of the LEYE restaurants nice atmosphere solid food and decent prices. Here they only hit on 1 of the 3 the atmosphere is nice and lively but it goes downhill from there. I won't get into too much detail but we had about 4 dishes at our table and each one was mediocre at best. $20 for sandwiches and $20-$30 for pasta seems absurd based on what you actually get.
(2)
Tiffany W.
BAD SERVICE, decent food Attitude of manager ruined the entire experience. It's pretentious and if you don't have a reservation, don't waste your time. Food was fine --French toast was decent and tostadas were tasty but small. I took a sip of my strawberry drink but had to send it back bc we decided to leave after the nasty manager wouldn't accommodate additional guests who joined our party. I certainly won't be back.
Great atmosphere and the food seemed very fresh and healthy. We got the mushroom enchiladas and the green curry dish, both seemed very fresh and tasted okay. They were unique flavors and depending on your taste you may like them. Not our thing, but worth trying once to atleast see the nice venue.
(3)
G H.
Family of four adults for Sunday Brunch. The food was on the order of three plus stars. Good stuff; everything was tasty, portions reasonable, kind of interesting. But only kind of. Nothing exceptional. The service was...awkward is the word we agreed on. Three or four servers there at the start...no one home towards the end. I mentioned going in (when responding to one of the hosts) something about the birthday girl. No recognition or response. What was good: The crab cake. Tasty, good corn salad side. Breakfast tostada. Poached egg over crispy hash browns. The hash browns were very good. Workmanlike French Dip. This place is worthy if you are in the neighborhood; if not, I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Rachel L.
Meh. The food was fine. It wasn't great, wasn't bad either. There are much better places in Chicago. I might be willing to try it for dinner instead of brunch. Though the menu was pretty limited and they don't have gluten free options for anything. The service was bad, though. Which, if you're going to pay for that sort of ambiance and food, you want decent service. Reservations are a waste of time. We had one for 11:30. Half of our party got there a couple of minutes early, so we checked in. The hostess asked that we check in again when everyone was there. Ok, that's fine/standard practice. When our group was all present, we checked in again exactly at the reservation time. The hostess confirmed the my friend's cell number and informed her rather bluntly that she could expect a text when the table was ready. Wait. What? If it had been just a minute or two to get the table ready, that would have been fine, but instead we waited for 20 minutes past the reservation time. Our waiter was either drunk, overwhelmed, or really tired. Two of us ordered coffee and he brought the large carafe of it, only to stare blankly at our table for a minute before realizing that we didn't have mugs. Then he brought mugs and poured the coffee. No less than 5 minutes later, he brought two mugs of coffee to the table, paused, stared at our mugs of coffee on the table, and then left. He also barely checked in with us while we were there. Overall, pretty place with nice ambiance. The crowd does make it the most Lincoln Park thing I've ever seen (I think they're going to start forcing all women into Uggs and leggings when you enter). But the food and the service are just mediocre.
(2)
QB Chicago B.
Super cute place! I really felt like I'd been transported to a gorgeous beach town! Love the open & airy feel, the beautiful amount of light coming in through the glass ceiling...just well designed. The drinks delicious but a bit overpriced for the glass size. The food was what you'd expect on a beach...just ok! My girlfriend & I split the guacamole (small scoop with tons of chips)....nothing special. The avocado toast with poached egg...although the waitress said it was the most popular, I'd pass on that. The stand out was the cobb salad! It was fresh & delicious! I will return to enjoy this pretty place but just for a salad and a cocktail!
(3)
Lauren S.
Although I've never been to LA, I imagine Summer House Santa Monica is pretty damn near close to southern California. I have mixed feelings on it all, so here are the high's and low's: PROS: 1. I called to get a reservation for Saturday night on a Thursday--only 4:30 and 9:30 were available. We went around 7 anyways and were told we'd wait about an hour and a half, so we waited in the lobby and ordered drinks--only to be seated about 20 minutes later! Not sure if we got lucky or if this is rather typical, but we were very satisfied with our wait. 2. The food is very tasteful! Each item was a perfect mix of flavor and lightness. 3. After your first check-in you get a free cookie and ice cream and it's absolutely delicious 4. Drinks are all-star! CONS: 1. The portion sizes are ridiculous--must be an LA thing, but I prefer my Chicago-style portions. I ordered the ahi tostadas--well prepared for it to be a small order--but was stunned when the plate arrived. The plate was dotted with 4 Ritz cracker sized "tostadas"; granted, it was delicious, but I couldn't believe I paid ~$14 for it. Additionally, we ordered burrata as an appetizer because the waitress warned us of the small portion sizing, and while it was delicious, it was also rather small. Granted it was average size for 2 people, but if I were to order that plate with a group of 4 I would have been sorely disappointed. All in all, Summer House was a really nice experience. I would maybe take my parents because of the price point and food quality, however, I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't be happy about the portion sizing. If you're looking for a nice, lighter dinner, I highly recommend, but if you'd rather spend $$ on sizeable, high quality portions of food I'd consider venturing elsewhere.
(4)
Christopher M.
Very cool space - it will always be bright and make you think of summer. The drinks were very good - loved the cocktails. The food varied from light, healthy fare to over-the-top fare, like the hot mess of fries featuring fries, pork, egg, blue cheese, and truffle. Unreal. The biggest knock on the place is it's perpetually crowded, which is true. Your best bet is to try and come at an off time. 315/365
(5)
Paul M.
I only give it two stars because the atmosphere was charming. Had it not been for that, I would give it one star for the food quality. It was just horrible!!! I had the ink squid angel hair pasta. I've had better quality frozen food. It was mush with garlic. The appetizer we had was decent being calamari. This was a quite pricy restaurant. I tasted the chicken and trout which at best were OK. I won't be going back!!!
I've been here a few times, and until the most recent time, I probably would have gone with 4 stars. This time, everything was amazing. The Burrata was incredible and perfectly creamy, as always. We tried the made-to-order biscuits, and they were to die for. The poblano butter and honey combined with the perfect, fresh biscuits are perfect sweet, salty, spicy bite. For my entree, I had the French dip sandwich and have had it another time since. The bread was garlicky and delicious, the meat was juicy, and the horseradish sauce gives it a nice kick. Probably the best French dip I've ever had. The atmosphere is fun and laid back, and the service is spot on. As usual, Lettuce Entertain You doesn't disappoint.
Gorgeous interior...feels like sunny SoCal! Scrumptious brunch. The lemon ricotta pancake...delectable! Service & food were great.
(5)
Harini P.
I have to say that this place has a very Santa Monica beach house inspired feel. Could this be because that is where they originated? I am brilliant!! I really expected the food to be better but it is ok. The steaks are a bit bland, which I really don't understand because they boast amazing steaks that are all-natural (what does all natural mean- aren't all steaks all-natural or did I miss something in biology class?) A bit overpriced but fits in perfectly with the Lincoln Park crowd. Every time I walk in here, I feel like I have walked into a Banana Republic commercial. The service is phenomenal here, I have to admit that! They treat you very well but their menu is a bit limited. OH, DEAR GOD- Did I forget to mention their cookies? Yeah, that is the main reason you would go here, for the cookies!!!
(2)
Katie B.
Omg the food was so great. We just left there , and I had to review. My sister works at Mona mi gabi in oakbrook. She gave us gift cards to try this place. The host was kinda rude, and there was quite a bit of fruit flies at the bar, but the bar staff was amazing. They gave us good recommendations and their choices were amazing. The tuna sushi was amazing, as well as the beats, and ahi tuna tostadas. The staff made it so delightful to is Well at least the bar. The host had a bad attitude though. Would defiantly go back. Thanks.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I had wanted to check this place out as LEYE never disappoints! Since I have a kid now and can't just go to dinner on a whim, I have my reservation for like a month, lol. So needless to say, I was very excited to check it out! I am so glad something is finally in the old Tilly's space. I can't believe it took so long. They did an amazing job transforming the space and the decor is great! I also have to say the tall beach looking chairs in the bar area were the most comfortable tall stools I have ever sat on. That sounds silly, but I have been to so many places with horrible chairs, so bravo! The atmosphere is great and I spotted lots of kids which is nice to know they are welcome since I am part of that crowd now:) We were sans babe for the night. We got a bottle of wine and started with the buratta, sooo good, you can't go wrong with buratta. I ordered the lobster tagliatelle and my husband got the pork shank, both were really great! The most amazing part was the biscuits though! I need to come to brunch here! I literally ate too much of them to eat a lot of my food. They must have had like 4 sticks of butter in them, nom nom nom. For dessert, we got the panna cotta, which I am usually not a fan, but this was super good and nice and light (after those biscuits). Delish! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Tracy H.
This review is for their baked goods only: Amazing! My friends and I tried their rice krispy cookie (good, but too crispy imo), their salted chocolate chip (great! Very large and soft, almost doughy) and their s'mores bar cookie thing (the best by far!) Prices were reasonable, I thought, because their desserts are huge. I now am on a mission to make those s'mores bars at home!
(4)
Katie W.
I have been trying to get a reservation here for forever and finally managed to swing one for me and three friends. We started off with cocktails and guacamole. The guac was good, had a weird amount of lettuce, but overall no real complaints. My cocktail was one of my favorite things I ordered all night- The Bonfire. Tequila & grapefruit cocktail with just a hint of spice. I took my server's recommendation and ordered the Tuna Tacos. They're build your own and super delish. Again, nothing really unique or special about them but I left satisfied. Did the checkin for the free cookie and ice tea and they were happy to give us the gluten free chocolate chip so my friend could partake :) Another round cocktails and we finished the night. My rating is as follows: Atmosphere: 5 Service: 4 Food: 3
(4)
Emma C.
Food here is good but not great and kinda over priced. I've gone for brunch (total mess due to some waitstaff problem), dinner twice and drinks in the bar. It is bright and inviting , kinda reminds me of something you would find in Cali. in the Newport area. Women love it, lots of groups of gals flocking in from the burbs. Best part are the cookies.... but you can get those from Stella Barra which is way yummier.
(3)
Sallie S.
Went here for brunch on New Year's Day and was promptly seated. I was very crowded but our server was more than nice and even convinced the kitchen to let us brunch menu though we were a tad late. The food was delicious! Some of the best pancake stacks I've ever had. And the peach bellinis were divine.
(4)
Happiness L.
I really love Summer House. Pretty with excellent food. Please please please bring back the latte with maple syrup as it was awesome. We were told it is no longer made there. Having it back will bring lots of smiles to lots of people. And...if you are going here ask for Danielle's table. Very awesome server who really cares about providing a spectacular guest experience with a positive attitude.
(4)
Jason H.
We hit this place for brunch on a Sunday and ended up waiting a long time to be sat down due to its popularity. My wife had the beat salad and a noodle dish that she enjoyed. She was not a fan of how spicy the noodles were. I had the prime rib sandwich and loved it. The cocktails were top notch too. If you have a long wait, that is ok because it is located in a great area to explore while you wait for a table to open up.
(4)
Niti B.
As you walk into this little piece of sunshine you immediately feel the warmth and welcome. The enviornment is set to feel as though you are on the west coast in literally a summer house. With wicker seating and white walls. Lanterns and delicate lighting brighten the already well lite space. The retractable roof brings in the warmth and sunshine even on a slightly chilly day like the one I was there for. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching in lincoln park. I fell in love with the place before I even had looked at the menu! To start I refreshed my pallet with a cucumber cooler. With soda water, lemonade, mint and cucumber this drink was a breath of fresh air. There was way too many entrees to pick from and even though I didn't regret my decision I would love to have had a slightly smaller portion to try more things! :) I had the mission street burrito wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla was chorizo style tofu, corn, spinach and egg with a side of chipotle salsa. This was so delicious I would have a difficult time coming back and trying something new when this keeps stearing me back for more!! For sides we had an order of mexican hashbrowns and they went perfectly with my southwest style burrito! My sister had the very nice carmalized french toast. Topped with fresh whip cream these were a feast for a king!! I had a piece of her 4 huge pieces and it was super fluffy and cooked to perfection!! I didn't even need a drop of syrup to wash them down! Overall, I can NOT wait to come back to this wonderful place! I have already told all my coworkers that this is the best sunday brunch spot I've been to in a long time. I want to try their dinner and lunch menu as soon as possible! And to note the restaurant next door seems to be part of Summer House and looked just as inviting...Stella Barra Pizzeria doors were open in between the two spots. Oh and how can I forget?! I didn't have the room to partake in the deal but if you check in on yelp a free warm cookie and ice cream on the house!!
(5)
Brad W.
Great ambiance. California feel.. Open, bright, friendly.. Food was just ok..: but maybe just the French Dip I had. Fatty and no flavor. Cookies and desserts are outstanding. Great service. I will be back ...
(3)
Morgan V.
Went here with a couple friends for someone's birthday lunch. The ambiance is great! Really relaxed and chill. The server was friendly and courteous. The portion size was perfect- I was full and satisfied.
(4)
Amy f.
Update: I decided to give Summer House another try and this time I went for dinner. My experience this time was light years better than my last one. Our server, Lindsey, was great. She was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was flavorful, fresh, and creative. While each dish we had was good, there were definitely some dishes that stood out. We ordered the burrata and it was served on what seem to be an oven roasted tomato coulis. The tomatoes were so wonderfully intense that it complimented the creamy burrata nicely. The pan seared rainbow trout was absolutely fantastic! Freshwater fish can be hit or miss because it can taste incredibly fishy. However, this was absolutely fantastic! The fish had a brown butter and lemon sauce and walnut pieces over it. It was served over mashed potatoes. This truly was a memorable dish. For dessert we ordered a chocolate cake of sorts with chunks of peanut butter fudge to accent it. The flavors were spot on and it definitely tasted freshly made. The ganache on top of the cake was creamy and the cake was sturdy enough to be cake but light enough for summer dessert. Summer house really brought their "A game" last night for dinner. The service was attentive, the food was delicious and well balanced with flavors, and the ambience was very pretty. Nice job Summer House. I will be back again.
I'm mostly at a loss when it comes to brunch. A few weeks ago I met up with an old friend only to discover that she, like me, was of the ilk that has to be fed promptly upon waking, and therefore, feeds early to avoid committing such faux pas as shoveling cookies down one's piehole while intermittently cursing. As of a couple eggs, rashers, bread and coffee, I'm not in much of a mood to get dressed and haul out on an otherwise perfectly good weekend morning only to wait in line for a meal I'm not actually hungry for. Unfortunately, my better half disagrees and so we compromise to such things as brunch on Sunday afternoon. We had tried to come Summer House some months ago in the morning,but met with the prospect for an hour long wait and my now public brunch-curmudgeon persona, we had felt it wise to go elsewhere. We returned a few weeks ago in the afternoon and were seated immediately. Under the skylight. Even in Chicago, especially in the winter, I am all about the skylight. Like a few other Lettuce Entertain You properties, the proximity to the other tables was a bit tight, though understandable, given the popularity. This works a little bit at odds with the high ceiling - suddenly, now instead of lazily sitting on a veranda in the summertime, I feel like I am illicitly camping out on someone else's porch while they're out at the store, hoping to finish my meal before they come back, see me, and call the cops. We ordered the roasted cauliflower, pasta of the day and the prime rib french dip sandwich. Surprisingly, the cauliflower was the outright winner. Creamy interior, crunchy exterior. We promised to coat everything in breadcrumbs before roasting from now on. (This did not actually happen.) The sandwich, likewise, was a nice contrast of textures: crispy baguette, meat and jus, although a little salty. In retrospect, the salad was a good decision, although the latter could have benefited from some additional acidity given the richness of the sandwich. The pasta was the outright loser. The flavor profile was as follows: fennel seed + breakfast sausage + an almost uneatable amount of salt. TLDR: Sunlight makes me feel rushed. Maybe this means I should move my cat tree out of the basement.
(3)
Gina T.
I loved the atmosphere here. I really felt like I was in California. I requested that my guests and I sit at the white booths in the back in the vitamin D room. Best seats in the house. Our server was super nice. We got the fries as appetizers which weren't too bad but I wish we got the calamari. I heard that is really good at summer house. I also got the salmon on shredded veggie salad which was okay as well. If you check in you get a free cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was really good. The champagne was great but as for the watermelon smash with vodka.... Eh. Not worth the $12. But without the vodka it's definitely refreshing and only $5. This is a great place to come to for lunch. I loved it. I will be back here soon. Maybe sooner than later.
(5)
Alison B.
Food - mediocre for the price Ambiance - lovely but full of LPT's (lincoln park trixies) Waitstaff- friendly Host(ess) - been here twice and this is easily my biggest complaint. First time I came was during restaurant week. I had a reservation for 9PM - wasn't seated until 9:45 and food didnt come until 10:30. This is ridiculous. Not to mention, the hostess forgot my information which I had to repeat multiple times. She was not friendly at all. I understand that sometimes schedules get backed up which is why it is so important to be a warm friendly person when sharing this information. The second time I came was this past weekend for brunch. I had a 12PM reservation. While I was checking in, a UPS man had a delivery to make. When the UPS man approached the host, we no longer existed to him (the host). We gave him our name 3 times and again, not the slightest glimmer of friendliness. The snootiness levels that the host(ess)s have at this mediocre restaurant at best is a joke.
(3)
Madison P.
If I could live in the restaurant, I would. Somehow, they were able to emulate summer in the dead of February. The ceiling made-up completely of windows the easy-going atmosphere, the multitude of greenery, and the countdown to summer that is posted on the wall make me crave summer all the more. We went for brunch, an extremely busy time, but it was totally worth it. I had steel cut oats with brown sugar and a grapefruit with organic sugar. To drink, I had their fresh-pressed orange juice- a must! For dessert, we split a cinnamon roll.. *drooling*.
(5)
Natasha C.
Visited last night and it was good. Here are somethings you should know and do: 1.) make a reservation- it's busy and it cuts your wait down. Please note the reservation is more like "priority seating". You'll still have to wait at least 5-10 minutes if it's a busy night. 2.) check in with yelp and get yourself a free cookie w/ ice cream on top. Free is always good. 3.) if you like wine, get that "fizz" drink. So yummy. I could have had like 3. 4.) burrata- nuff said I'll return because I enjoyed the food.
(3)
Brittany H.
Came here for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this a great summer spot, it will definitely be my go-to for escaping another winter in Chiberia. The service, food, and decor were great. The Cali theme here is adorable, and the food is definitely fitting. Everything on the menu is fresh, vibrant, and probably contains avocado. I tried the brunch special- a short rib hash with eggs and potatoes. It was the perfect brunch-sized portion, and the short rib was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be back to try their dinner menu. The drinks, though, weren't too impressive. The bloody mary was a little too horseradish heavy, and the summer drink my girlfriends tried was good, but a bit too sweet for brunch. Also, there was a pretty long wait, but I'm not surprised sine this place is relatively new. Finally, don't say goodbye to Summer House without stopping for a rice krispy treat cookie... or ten.
(4)
Prajna A.
Too expensive. Poor service when the tables are not even half full. Warm and below average food. The only thing good was the ambience. 3 stars only bcoz of the ambience or I would give this place 1 star. I went in for brunch- ordered pancakes, French toast and Mexican hash brown- all were just OK. And the coffee was terrible .
(3)
Haley S.
Had dinner here for my birthday last night. Crowded, but not too crowded. We split the ceviche, which was sesame and citrus cured, and had yellowtail and squid. My boyfriend had the trout, which he said was slightly undersalted but prepared perfectly. I had short ribs with bacon, wild mushroom and mashed potatoes that were perfect for last nights freezing weather. We shared the lemon tart for dessert that was perfect, with a touch of vanilla in the custard. I had two glasses of a lovely malbec, and we each had their tequila cocktail which was yummy. Expensive, but not ridiculous. Will definitely return.
(4)
Amy S.
I looooove this place for brunch! I literally felt like I was in Santa Monica. We got the privilege to sit in the Vitamin-D room, and wow, did we get some all natural Vitamin-D! Sunglasses are recommended if you are sitting here for brunch. The drinks - Sunrise Punch - absolutely delicious and refreshing! The drinks are perfect - not too sweet and not too weak =) The food - everything I tried was delicious. The chicken tostadas are their #1 brunch item. It comes with two mini tostadas. I tried the egg white turkey omelette with avocado (trying to be healthy, siigh). Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked. If you check in on Yelp, you get a free cookie and ice cream. The cookies are INSANELY DELICIOUS. Try the rice krispie chocolate chip cookie! The rice cripsies are out of this world, yumm (okay not trying to be toooo healthy).
(5)
Stephanie L.
Summer, summer, summer time! So we went here a day after the grand opening and it is an amazing place! I was truly impressed with how smooth things ran while we were there. I mean, it is a LEY restaurant so that probably helps out a lot. The food was pretty fantastic. We had tons of it... Sweet and spicy eggplant...good, but a little slimy Santa Monica Salad...yummy Guacamole and chips...delish Rainbow trout...delish, just wished the skin would have been crispy Bison Meatloaf...fav dish of the night...so flavorful Short Rib...yes please! Chocolate cake...heaven Also, I thought it would be super bright in there, but it wasnt. It was done really well. Retractable roof for summertime. Cheers! One thing that I found interesting was the music. One second we were listening to happy, beachy stuff and the next it was like dance club. Ha. They also have lots of pastries, cookies, etc at the counter in the front. I think eventually they will be opening for breakfast, brunch, etc. Check out Summer House for all of your S.A.D. needs :)
(5)
Alex R.
All time favorite restaurant in Lincoln Park and perhaps Chicago. Although the food is amazing (especially Sunday brunch), the waitstaff and atmosphere make it even more special. Definitely try the sunrise burrito and the oatmeal.
(5)
Justin G.
It's impressive that I think the food is just "pretty good" yet I love going there because of the atmosphere. Great, trendy spot worth checking out for sure.
(4)
Cearry B.
Two stars just for the ambience and decor. I've heard many great things about summer house so my family and I decided to give it try for my graduation brunch. We made a reservation and I was very excited to have Sunday brunch here. The atmosphere was very pretty I loved the decor and the open windows. We ordered the calamari and the bruschetta for our appetizer, the calamari was delicious but the bruschetta tasted nothing like a bruschetta and it was very small. After the appetizer things just went down hill. Our entrees took forever to come out. We saw a table who sat an hour after us get their food first. They were just a two top so I figured hey we have six people so of course theirs would come out first. But after ten more minutes the other table who came half an hour after us got their entrees, and they were a party of ten, ten people got their entrees before us and they came in after us. They also got appetizers so it wasn't because they ordered entrees right away. We looked at our server and asked why is everybody's food already out and ours is still not out yet? She said she would check. After ten more minutes our food came out, well most of our food. They forgot my entree. So my family and I sat there waiting for my entree to eat. I felt bad that my family waited to eat but it wasn't until another ten mins that my food came out. By that time everyone's food at my table were cold. Next, my father noticed that they didn't put the brown butter on his pasta of the day, so he barely ate it. Our server never did a quality check on our food, you know the part where the server asks how's everything tasting after two or three bites. That was sad because my father wanted to get something else to eat since the pasta was just hard and not very tasteful. She finally came to our table again we already finished eating. Our water was also never refilled. My parents cannot drink alcohol so they always just drink water and it sucks when you have nothing to drink at a restaurant while you're eating. At that point we just wanted to go home. It was sad because it was suppose To be my graduation celebration and ended up being a disappointment. We finally asked for the check. When our server dropped it off she began talking to us and complimenting my mothers purse and our gifts. We were confused on why she started to pay attention to us now when she dropped off the check but where were you when we didn't like our food or when we didn't have any water at our table? Overall our experienced sucked. When a guests comes to a restaurant we want to feel special and taken care of and summer house did a bad job. We felt like we were the only table that got bad service or went unnoticed while other tables looked like they enjoyed their experience. There was even a moment where my mother wished she was at the ten top table with their server because they had perfect timing on their food and their water was always filled. I don't know why we had to experience such bad service, but then again everybody there was Caucasian while my family and I was the only minority/ Asian-American there. Maybe she ignored us because she thought we'd be bad tippers since were not white but wrong! I've been a server for 8 years at many fine dining restaurants and I would never make my table feel this way. Come to the Terrace at the Trump and I'll show you how you're suppose to treat your guests.
(2)
Jason G.
Great food. The flatbreads are really, really good. Kind of pricey, but the experience was decent. I'd recommend it to a friend.
(4)
Andreas D.
This review is for their brunch. We had horrible service as our drinks came out after the food, not only did they come out after the food one of them was the wrong drink as well. We had to wait and actually tell another server the issue since ours never came back to check up on us. We got the fries, there was barely any meat and no salt on them. The huevos rancheros were small and barely any flavor as well. The waiter apologized for the mishap and gave us a free chocolate chip cookie (my least favorite type of cookie), you already get that by checking in on yelp and you get to pick your own cookie. Would not come back for brunch and due to the service probably not dinner either.
(1)
Casey A.
This is a go-to spot for a girls night, especially in the winter, as it makes you completely forget you are in a chi-town freeze! Instead, you're drinking wine in Nantucket (I know it's supposed to be Santa Monica but still) and eating some of the best burrata and some nicely grilled mahi. The wine is on the pricey side, but their selection is great - something for ladies that like the buttery chardonnay, a bright new zealand sauv blanc, or a crisp pinot. I agree with some of the reviews on the entree prices, but since I've stuck to my fav apps and tacos, so I'm not complaining.
(4)
Jeremy C.
Brunch Review. Great ambiance for brunch. Great service. Candied Bacon. Really what else would you need to know? Oh yea, order the Diablo with your brunch. No problem with my reservation, seated immediately. Ask what's good and popular then order that, that's what I did. Easy to get here from the Brown Line. I'll be back to try dinner.
(4)
Alena A.
Came here for brunch when the weather was still cold and I needed to feel like I'm somewhere else - like California! I loved the design of the restaurant. It has a very coastal feel with string lighting and palm trees. The food options are very health-conscious (if that's something you're looking for). I usually prefer extra greasy food for brunch but decided to make an exception. I had the Mission Street burrito with tofu chorizo.. While it was pretty good for tofu, I prefer actual chorizo meat. Their crispy hash browns were awesome - super crunchy. I would come back for dinner to see what they have to offer. A very cute spot for a date .
(4)
Deanna S.
Wow this place is simply gorgeous inside! If you ever want to visit the Hamptons without leaving Chicago, just check out Summer House. The white washed walls, dramatic white curtains, glass ceiling...it's beautiful. We went on a Monday with a group of girlfriends. I had made reservations so we didn't have to wait long. Can I just say how awesome it was to have a complete Gluten free menu (upon request)??? Love!! My friends and I split a hot mess of fries which was yummy. I ordered the short rib which did not disappoint and was very filling. Another friend ordered fish tacos (she loved them) and another got the sword fish (I think) but was turned off by the color. She didn't think it was cooked all the way and was a bit bland. My other friend got a pasta dish and wanted to lock the plate. We left full and satisfied and I can't wait till summer to go when the big windows are open to Halsted.
(5)
Lauren N.
Food ordered: Calamari- unique and reminded of glazed walnut shrimp the way it was lightly fried and covered with a chipotle glaze. Only con is that it was a bit unhealthy with all the mayo. Grilled halibut- very good, very well cooked. The sauce on the vegetables were a bit too creamy for my taste and kinda ruined the nutritional value of eating the veggies. Steak- my boyfriend ordered this. I ate a piece which was very good. A little too buttery but had a nice hint of lemon or lime. Pros: the decorum is so spot on. It's clean. The staff is nice. And I love the string lights. Pretty good wine selection. Cons: wayyyy too loud. I was sitting across the table from my boyfriend and I was tempted to sit side by side like those annoying couples who can't take a break from each other because it was THAT loud. I was also bored with the menu and it was my first visit. I recommend adding more unique entrees or specials and playing with more ingredients. Otherwise, it was a great experience!
(3)
Kristin M.
If I could give stars for service, ambiance, and food, I'd give Summer House Santa Monica 5 for service, 5 for ambiance, and 4.5 for food. Compared to the first time I had dinner here, the food seemed vastly improved. The menu has changed somewhat as the restaurant has settled in, and I was extremely happy with the changes. I went for a date night on a weekend night, and it was busy the whole time, but that only added to the fun, light, and airy ambiance. The retractable roof was open, and the plants hanging from the ceiling made it feel like you were steps away from an oceanside boardwalk or a beach. We started with the biscuits that are made to order, and we were wow'd by the herbed butter and honey. The entrees were hearty portions but not so large you felt as if you immediately needed a to-go box. I was really impressed by the fish tacos, as I was expecting the typical pre-assembled tacos with battered and fried fish inside; instead, I was served a mahi-mahi filet with several fixings and a side of corn tortillas that I could arrange as I liked! Additionally, my date's english muffin hamburger tasted like it was right off of the grill as a summer picnic, and the french fries were hit-the-spot yummy. For drinks, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails (all good) and I was able to try an off-the-beaten-path South African Chenin Blanc, per the great suggestion of our stellar server. As well, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the other staff including the GM of Summer House and Stella Barra--a great experience overall. Must go if... you're tired of the same old, same old, dark Chicago sports bars; you want an excellent dining experience; you wish it were summer all year round.
(5)
Rachel V.
Here's the question: Do you care about atmosphere or food? If you answered, atmosphere, Summer House is the place for you! Walking into Summer House feels like walking into a restaurant in California, despite the heavy duty coat you're wearing and your wind-blown Chicago hair. The inside provides a nice change from the midwest norm. If you answered food, I can't say I highly recommend Summer House. It's just...whatever. Like most reviewers wrote, the hot mess fries are a must, but really other than that, I was kind of disappointed. I definitely don't recommend the scallops - small and bland!
(3)
Nora B.
Been here twice and liked both times. Decent service and food. Had to wait a little while to order dessert and for the check but it was restaurant week and we weren't in a hurry.
(5)
Matthew T.
Summer house was decent at best. The server was amazing just really disappointed in the food. Portions are small, up charges for anything and even the cocktails were mediocre. The only way summer house is worth it is for the ambiance. The venue is great. Very beautiful.
(2)
I J.
The atmosphere here is really nice and so are the drinks. However, the food isn't good and it's overpriced. I've been here for brunch, breakfast and dinner, and they all have sucked. The service isn't good, our server seemed annoyed to be serving us and I am just not going to waste my money here again. You probably should not either.
(2)
Catherine Y.
I LOVE the atmosphere here! it was pretty gloomy outside, snowing, and very windy and when we were seated, I forgot I was in Chicago mid-winter! it's so bright and inviting with the glass ceiling. the brunch food was great too, I ordered the salmon benedict which was fresh and delicious! I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the area.
(5)
Courtney M.
Went to this restaurant while visiting my brother in Chicago. SO GOOD!!!!! The appetizers are amazing (I recommend the biscuits, guacamole with chips, and buratta) and the main dishes were even better. I got the tacos, but everyone was pleased with their dishes. The desserts looked so good, but I was so full I didn't try any! I do plan on going back for more as soon as I'm back in Chicago.
(5)
James Z.
Leave it to Chicago to come up with this concept: a restaurant that evokes summertime all year 'round in a city whose brutal winter runs 6-8 months of the year. Only in Chicago! And funny as that sounds, that's kinda awesome. Having been born and raised in LA, I found this homage to West Coast warmth a bit entertaining. When you walk through the door at Summer House, you're met with this noticeable sign that says "____ days until Summer." You quickly notice a sizable bar area and around the corner, another huge dining room... so all in all, there are plenty of seats at this joint. There is also a bakery up front that sells pastries, cookies, etc. This was very much like Beatrix in River North -- a sister restaurant part of the Lettuce Entertain You group. My boyfriend and I were sat by a rather cheery host wearing a white and baby blue button-up. Now, I must note that the staff at Summer House all wear white/soft colors/beach-like attire. Whether that's through faded blue gingham shirts or white cocktail dresses, the staff exude Ibiza or Miami via apparel... (or in this case, clothing suitable for lounging in Santa Monica). The decor reflected the type of summer beach house you'd find in the Hamptons (not necessarily Santa Monica in my eyes). It is incredibly bright inside and all furnishings are patio-appropriate (I must say the abundance of lanterns and hanging ferns are lovely). While I knew this was going to be a somewhat kitschy spot, after seeing it myself, I can now safely say this was incredibly kitschy. If that's your jam, you'll love this. If you scoff at chain-like simulacrum, you'll scoff at their interiors. A quick observation on who is dining there... well, Summer House's clientele bleeds Lincoln Park. Not necessarily the "old money, old school" Lincoln Park, but the Lincoln Park scene that's younger and still appreciative of Wrigleyville nights. Let's just put it that way. "Bros" hanging with "bros," "bros" with their girlfriends, double dates of "bros" with their girlfriends, and interestingly enough, a very large amount of "girls' nights" tables surrounding the restaurant. Having said that, Summer House (at least that evening) was gender imbalanced: roughly 2/3rds of diners were female. Not sure why, but that was an interesting observation. Now, the reason why the crowd can be a little disconcerting is because well... some of them don't know how to control themselves. A couple at the table near us was acting like this was their private bedroom while a group of six ladies in their late 20s/early 30s were acting like they were waiting in line for "Thunder from Down Under." One woman got out of her seat, but strongly pushed mine in the process of leaving the table. She was drunk and asked a stranger to take a picture of them. I was annoyed largely because (since I was sitting on a stool), she shook me and almost made me knock over the drink I was sipping on... (Girrrll... Get it together! It's a Thursday at 8, okay?) and even better, (probably because she was so intoxicated), she didn't apologize -- and neither did her friends. Classy. In the meantime, our server - while pleasant - was almost nowhere to be found. She didn't provide much information about the menu or the food in general. She seemed minimally interested, and rather than perhaps sharing something interesting about their cuisine, she just took our order without elaboration or intonation in her voice. Perhaps her lack of excitement was because the food itself wasn't very exciting. We ordered the spicy calamari ($10.95). The flavors and texture of the calamari were good, but unfortunately, that sauce was over-kill. I don't know what their rationale was for this, but the beautiful tempura batter of the calamari was covered (if not drenched) in that very rich and creamy sauce. The chives and lime luckily helped cut through that richness, but it was still a bit much. And even more interesting was the fact that the sauce came also on the side for more dipping. How much more sauce do you need? Yikes. We also ordered the ahi tuna tostadas ($12.95) which were good, but not particularly memorable. The watermelon, however, added a lovely bite and because it camouflaged with the ahi tuna, you couldn't tell upon each bite which you'd be getting. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower which was solid ($8.95), but overpriced for portion and creativity. We also ordered the prime beef short rib ravioli ($14.95). The sauce of braising juices and sherry vinaigrette rounded out the flavors, but it lacked a little bit of seasoning. Ultimately, I was a bit disappointed in Summer House. Perhaps this place is more appropriate for brunch because their dinner menu (and not to mention the service and ambiance) made for an "okay" experience. It wasn't disastrous, but out of all the restaurants I visited during my recent Chicago visit, this was definitely my least favorite. Well, at least I was able to experience "summer" indoors.
(2)
Lauren M.
I came here on a Friday night for a first date, and this place was perfect. We came in around 8:30pm, no reservation. We were informed it would be a 45-60min wait, and my date left his name and number and we went and walked around for a bit. My first impression of this place was that it was way too nice for a first date- I was actually worried he wouldn't be able to afford it. But we figured out it was pretty reasonably priced, so we gave it a shot. It was AWESOME. We were sat after about an hour wait, and they had given us menus while we were waiting so I already had an idea of what I wanted. The wait staff was super chill and friendly. My date and I both ordered burgers because we were too nervous to try the other cool looking stuff on the menu. He got an English Muffin Burger and I got a turkey burger. It definitely exceeded my expectations. Plus the side salad was AMAZING. We were too full for desert, but when I go back I would definitely like to try the other menu items!
(5)
Mike M.
ok food, but ultimately a failure. what i ate and drank were not particularly memorable. what i do remember well is was how i and my group was treated. the hostess made my group of 3 squeeze into a crowded bar when the restaurant was less than half full because "there are a lot of reservations currently". roughly 2 hours later when we were leaving, all the same tables were still open. lame. never again.
(1)
Carolyn C.
Scott our server was very attentive and personal. Good food, cookies are amazing, sushi ok, drinks and wine list superb.
(4)
Kaitlin M.
This place is DEAD to me. I wouldn't care if it burned to the ground. I have never has so many things go wrong in one meal in my life. 1. We showed up 10 minutes early to our 11:30 brunch reservation and did not get sat till about 11:50. One of my guests was hungry so she was forced to buy a muffin to hold her over. 2. We were sat while they finished setting up our table. On top of this they set our coffee and mimosa glass as every seat and then if you don't want either, place their fingers in the glasses and put them back on the shelf to be used for another table. GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOSS 3. We waited 15 minutes before we finally waived down a bus boy to at least get us some water. 4. Our server finally comes around and doesn't say a word to us when she grabs the check of the table of the previous diners. And then she vanished for another 10 minutes. 5. By the time we actually ordered our food and drinks it was about an hour later than our original reservation. GRRRRRRR 6. We ordered 4 omelettes. All but one actually had the cheese that was listed on the menu in the omelette. I was actually able to COMPLETELY unfold my entire mass of eggs, spinach and kale. It was RIDICULOUS!!! Needless to say, our server did do the good deed of giving us a couple of baked goods to make up for it. HOWEVER, I don't want more food, I JUST ATE!!! Just comp one of the meals and well call it even. "No can do," she said. So we left... with two very pissed off men among us four. 7. I ordered a bloody and asked to get it vegetarian... yup... it showed up with the bacon. YUCK! When I asked for her to have the bartender make me a new one without the bacon she responded "we can just take the bacon out." NO you ****! They put the bacon to help flavor the drink in the first place. Just taking it out does not work! Ok... I'm done. And my blood pressure is way too high for making myself wait a couple of weeks to write this so I didn't go off worse. Ugh.
(1)
Andy P.
Food is ok and the inside is pretty cool. With all of the other restaurants in the city the quality of the food is just ok. I also ate at the pizza place that's connected to the summer house and thought the food was much more impressive and tasty. Don't pass up a homemade cookie on your way out the door!
(3)
Christina A.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had a reservation and, yet, we were greeted in a chilly manner by the hosts. The place was nearly empty when we arrived(9am) and they sat us at a high top next to the bar. I asked for a lower table and we were then sat at the two top right behind the host stand. Normally, I'd hate a table like that because of the amount of traffic that walks by. However, we were quickly greeted by our super friendly server, Conner. She was fabulous and made the whole experience so much better. What really shines at Summer House, however, is the food. Everything we ordered was awesome! We tried the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancakes served with maple syrup and lemon curd and the Hashbrown Benedict with the smoked salmon. Holy cow! It was amazing! The poached eggs were cooked perfectly so that the yolk ran when I broke into it. The candied bacon was yummy too. And who would complain about the rich Dark Matter coffee. I cannot wait to go back. The tough thing is going to be whether we'll order the same thing or not.
(4)
Nichole F.
i have never been to a a lettuce entertain you restaurant that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed from service, to ambiance to food....until now. The decor and ambiance is great here, especially on a chilly, gray day. Service was fine but not great like I am used to experiencing with this restaurant group. Where Summer House fails though is on the food side and price for what you get. I ordered the roasted cauliflower side which was pretty bland along with the fried calamari. The calamari was not hot, not even really warm when I received and it was really greasy - I couldn't finish it was so unappetizing. For $14 for a small calamari appetizer and $8 for 4 pieces of roasted cauliflower, I expect it to be damn good. I went with two friends and one ordered a $17 cobb salad with chicken that was so small and poorly presented, it was absurd. My other friend ordered an overpriced asparagus "salad" and the tostadas app which were OK but nothing to write home about. So... 2 salads (not entree size) 1 side 2 apps 2 drinks = $96 Had the food been amazing and of adequate portion sizes, I would consider going back and wouldn't balk at the cost. That's just not the case here. If nothing else, I can say I've been.
(2)
Sharon C.
We had a nice dinner here..food was tasty, HOWEVER I was really shocked by the skimpy serving of wine the waitress poured. Since when has serving less than half a glass of wine become acceptable? Have NEVER come across that before! Won't be coming back here very soon....
(2)
Matthew F.
When you are at Summer House, you literally feel like you have been transported out of chicago and have entered some chic restaurant found in the trendiest area of California. From the appetizers all the way to the homemade cookie dessert, every part of the meal is delicious and freshly made. I definitely recommend the tuna tostadas and the calamari is mouth watering. It can be a bit pricey, but they have some amazing deals that allow you to cut the price quote substantially. Awesome date night place. Awesome place to take visitors visiting chicago who want to be shown a unique and great time.
(5)
Suzuki G.
Went there for the first time and it was amazing! I loved ever bit of it. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. I definitely look forward to going back again soon!
(5)
Adam F.
Delicious food although one of the meals came undercooked. They made up to us by giving us 100 dollars off our next meal. Definitely taking them up on that. Many options all tasting great.
(5)
cynthia t.
Came here on a Friday for lunch....Our server Kyle was super attentive and nice. I had the avocado toast with scrambled eggs and a friend had a turkey sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and the service was great, along with the bright dining room and as everyone else has commented on, the beach decor. The only downside I would say was the host stand. The young woman working there did not greet me when I entered and said hello; Instead, she just sort of stood there and continued chatting with a server/host . I figured out where my friend was sitting and just went and sat myself. Other than that Applebys moment, the service was adequate. Would return again to try out the rest of the menu.
(3)
Raina P.
I have been there twice this summer. Once we ate outside and once inside. The place is beautiful. The area is lively. So i would give 5 stars for ambience. The food- not so much. It is very ordinary, meager, and over priced. I am surprised because these are not normal characteristics of a Lettuce restaurant. In addition our server had a slight attitude. The prices at lunch are not commensurate with the food. They serve bread for a fee. The salad had a laughable amount of chicken in it. I hope they can make a few changes here because i love the setting.
(2)
Julieanne T.
It was cold and gloomy out in the dead of winter and we decided to check this place out. It was amazing walking in as it totally transforms your mood because of the beautiful decor and super brightly lit room. I ordered the Cucumber Cooler (non-alcoholic) and it was AMAZING, A little pricey, but so worth it, and the turkey eggs Benedict. Eggs Benedict is my all time fav brunch choice, and I guess it was my fault because for some reason when I read 'turkey' I imagined real turkey chunks but it came out as deli meat which was a bit of a buzz kill. While I was satisfied at the end of the meal, I do think that for the price they should include some sort of side item as opposed to having to order it separately. We shared an order of the candied bacon which was top-notch though, so that made it all worth it. A $50 breakfast for 2 people, without any alcoholic drinks, was a little too much for me, so I don't know if I would ever do it again. I think if I went again it would be to share some apps, get a couple of drinks and just enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.
(4)
Emily J.
I've only been here for post-work drinks. Nice and light venue. Whatever is ailing you, it's easy just to leave it at the door. Must by the summery, California coast decor! The drinks were fab as was the bartender of the evening!
(4)
Brandi A.
From arrival to departure, I loved this restaurant! The view is beautiful and the burger that I had was great. The drinks are very good, as well. Our server was very attentive and polite. I went to lunch with a friend around 3pm on a Friday afternoon and we had no wait. The one thing I didn't do was take advantage of the dessert bar. Please do so! It looks so worth it. I'll definitely be visiting again. :)
(4)
Lisa R.
We were in from out of town. We had a mix-up with our reservations (our mistake), and they couldn't have been more accommodating, especially since we were a large party. Our server was delightful - humorous, helpful, and let us taste lots of wines before we made our choices. Our meal was absolutely delicious. The biscuits are to die for!!! Pastas were awesome. I can't say enough. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Rachel W.
Summer House is very trendy right now so it can be hard to get in, or typically on a wait, but it has a great light summery vibe and I am a fan for drinks w/girlfriends, or brunch w/my mom. It will be really nice in summer when the roof opens up. They will sub tofu for eggs on their dishes, I recommend the hash w/tofu subbed and adding avocado :) Their veggie tacos are great, although I think pricey for veggie tacos. Beyond that, they have a few other vegan options such as guac and some salads, and they can modify a few of the veggie sides if you let your server know. I took a large group of clients here and we had attentive friendly service and clients were very happy. They also picked up a bunch of desserts that they raved about. As far as I can tell, no vegan desserts (yet).
(4)
Adoley J.
Sat in the Vitamin D room for brunch which I needed since winter decided to show up early. Very warm and nice decor. Our waitress recommended the breakfast tostadas and they were delicious. Two crispy tortillas topped with black beans, pulled chicken all with a side of guacamole. The pulled chicken was tender and well seasoned and the eggs perfectly cooked. YUM. Everything on the plate was delicious. Afterwards a friend and I got the sea salt chocolate chip cookie with hot fudge and ice cream. Nothing but pure deliciousness. We had a lovely brunch and I cannot wait to go back for dinner.
(4)
Linda C.
Energy, lighting, atmosphere, music and staff are on point. It's no kidding this place is always busy. Make a reservation and make sure you don't get discouraged to come here. It's well worth planning. Great breakfast and brunch spot. For bacon lovers - they have the perfect bacon. We had the crispy waffles, house made muffin, bacon and Mexican Hash (yes, it's amazing and clean).
(5)
Patrick C.
Terrible service! Just terrible. The food was very average and overpriced. The only two positives were the atmosphere was decent and they had good Bloody Marys. Too bad we couldn't get a second because the server never stopped back after taking our order. The food runners drop at the table, turn around, and walk away. No butter, jam or syrup was provided for toast or pancakes. No coffee refills. Someone at my table had to get up and walk over to ask for a check.
(1)
Kristin S.
I loved the hanging plant baskets and how they managed to keep the temperature moderate but keep a delightful west coast patio breeze going was beyond me, but AWESOME! Drool worthy food (I'm still having sweet sweet dreams about) and a unique atmosphere and decor! The place was packed which is always a good sign, and although we dined LATE, I mean I think we walked in for dinner after 10pm we still had a little wait for a table (which was fine because we waited at the bar.) The bar was adorable with a west coast vibe, white woodwork and flowy summer feel throughout. Courteous and knowledgeable bartender, comfortable seating, and nice glassware. I had the Maine Lobster Orecchiette and it was melt in your mouth delicious and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as heavy as I thought. The roasted chicken was also perfection on a plate! There is a lovely dessert/bakery case on your way out...awesome- fyi :-)
(5)
Faith D.
Update on 6/3/14 (after our disappointing brunch visit in March): Decided to try SH again for dinner. Same 4 gals who were at brunch on 3/30. This time, we had a table near the front door. Gorgeous evening. Nice vibe. Funky/cool music. Busy but not insane. We ordered 6 appetizers to share among the 4 of us. Our server was Chris S. and we specifically asked that he NOT bring everything at once but that we pace ourselves. It worked out quite well. We had our food from cold to hot and in the following order: Guacamole -- (guac /chips /salsa all delicious) Burrata and tomato "jam" platter with toast (seriously as good as it gets) Roasted cauliflower w/jalapeno pesto (had a kick but very tasty) Calamari (fabulous sauce with this -- probably #2 favorite of everyone) Fish tacos (tortillas were yummy; guac - corn salad - slaw all good Orcchiette pasta with peas ramps asparagus #1 favorite. Fresh, light, so tasty! One of the servers recognized one of our group and had a surprise dessert sent to us -- a warm, chocolate, walnut cookie that was almost like a brownie and large enough for the 4 of us to share. We could not finish it. This visit was a totally different experience for us. Very pleasant. No slips. We also want to thank Corey Milner for inviting us back. We were impressed that you took our comments seriously and we wanted you to know that last night's visit was delightful. So -- THANK YOU. To my dining companions -- I hope this reflects all of our opinions. Mar didn't love the Burrata - but as she said on the ride home -- she ate the whole thing anyway. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday brunch 3/30/14 -- 1PM reservation for 4. Packed house. Our reservation was promptly honored. We had a very nice booth in the corner. Slowest. Service. Ehhver. Took about 12 minutes to be acknowledged by a server for water. Which then took another 5 minutes. One of our people had just run the shamrock shuffle and was in need of rehydration. Sheesh! Yes, it's a pretty place. Incredibly white, bright, clean. Bring sunglasses if you're dining during daylight hours. You've been warned. As for dining: 2 gals ordered Bloody Marys; 2 gals ordered iced tea. Server told us "we're out of iced tea". Really? OUT of ICED TEA??? Managers: That's just unacceptable. How about bring us HOT tea and tall glasses with ice? Got that done. But our server evidently could not come up with that on her own. Food was fine. Beet salad and Mexican hash browns for the table to share. Bagel and smoked salmon plate; chicken salad sandwich, fried chicken & waffles; eggs Benedict. All standard. Adequate. Good. Actually, once we managed to get our server's attention and place our orders -- the food came out surprisingly quickly and at the appropriate temperature. Also - we asked for a dessert menu as we were celebrating a quarter-century birthday. No dessert at brunch. That was funny as there is a BAKERY at the front of the restaurant before you get to the hostess stand. No dessert? Ridiculous. We told our server we were disappointed (and jealous because a table near us brought their own birthday cake and had we known .....) -- so she brought over a paper bag with a few cookies -- not on a plate for us to enjoy together - just handed the bag to the birthday girl. Never offered coffee. More training needed for this particular server. Did you bring her in from California? Does she not know how we do things in the Midwest? I'm not saying I wouldn't try again (for dinner) but as of now -- 2 stars. Possibly 2.5.
(4)
Leslie B.
Had reservations for 4 at 6:30 on a Friday night and Summer House was already crowded! Due to looking at other reviews, I knew we'd wait for our table and we did, about 10 minutes. The interior and atmosphere of Summer House is refreshing. Bright white walls, high ceilings, definitely makes you forget the chilly temps outside. Our waitress came over right away to explain the menu, how there are more shareable items, etc. We started with a round of drinks and I opted for the Bonfire, which I highly recommend. Tequila, grapefruit, and spice make this one incredibly tasty without being too sweet. For appetizers, we went with the guacamole and brussel sprouts. The guac was very fresh and came with tasty chips, this was good for sharing with the table. The brussel sprouts were good, but came in an alarmingly small portion size for the price tag. Skip the $9 brussel sprouts if you're concerned about price, we each only got to sample a few. For dinner, we all ordered different items, but I think the girls won out big. Kara Z. had the trout, recommended by our waitress, and really enjoyed how it was prepared. I had the ahi tuna tacos and they were wonderful. A huge portion of spiced, rare tuna, it was awesome to be able to make my own tacos with the accompanying ingredients. Highly recommend. My boyfriend ordered the "double-decker" turkey burger, which is not meant for a hungry man. The patties are actually incredibly thin, which I truly believe should be mentioned on the menu. They were so thin that my boyfriend thought there was only one patty, so he asked our waitress if they could bring another or check it out. Unfortunately, the dish was brought back to him as is, with the note that there were indeed two patties. From a costumer service perspective, I believe he should have at least received a fresh burger, as his dish was gone from the table when we were all eating and returned cold. We checked in on Yelp and received a cookie with ice cream, which was fantastic. The manager also brought us pumpkin pie, to remedy the turkey burger situation, but a new turkey burger would have been the right move. The check arrived, $100 for the two of us, which I feel can go a lot further at other establishments in the city. Overall, leave this place to young Lincoln Park families and North Shore couples looking for a night in the city.
(3)
Naz G.
Great spot! It took us a really long time to decide what we wanted because everything looked so good! Went with the tuna tacos which were really yummy! Definitely recommend! Cant wait to go back!
(4)
Sandy D.
The restaurant is nice sat in the Vitamin d room light airy. The food was awful. We ordered Brussels sprouts they were tuff and not very flavorful. The guacamole was just okay. I ordered the fettuccine with English peas the pasta was dry and lacked any flavor. My friend had chicken tacos they were over cooked. I so wanted to like the food but really very disappointed. The icing on the cake we hardly ate any of our entree and the waiter took it away just assumed he would wrap it up and bring back. No he threw it out and when I asked he said sorry did you ask me to wrap it up? No shouldn't that be the question he asks us? He said he would order us another one. I told hi not to bother as it really didn't taste good anyway. Many more restaurants in the area,that are really good.
(2)
Howard L.
There has been much buzz about the Summerhouse and it is very crowded and hard to get a reservation. I went there last night with my date and we both loved the interior. Very summer looking indeed. We were seated at 7:15 for our 7:00 reservation by using our pull with the bartender Kaile (?) who was very helpful and very nice. The food, however, was average at best. We had the prime rib sandwich which was grossly overpriced at $20.00. My date had a salad which was average and the scallops, which were average as well. Summerhouse did have a surprisingly extensive list of Pinot Noirs. Most wines by the glass were $12.00, which is also average. I wanted to like it more but my conclusion is that the space is really nice but the food is average and overpriced.
(3)
amanda k.
Delicious food! We tried about 6 different dishes and loved them all. We were pleased from apps all the way to dessert. The mushroom enchilada was delicious! Service was fabulous as well! My only complaint is the fact that I made three separate calls to make and confirm my reservation only to show up and be told that I don't have a reservation, or maybe I do have one but it's for Tuesday? The front desk is a mess but once you get passed these girls, you'll be happy!!
(4)
Lauren M.
The service is just as great as the food! They were very attentive with water refills and making sure we were okay. The food is delicious there a quite a variety of choices. When you check in via Yelp! you recieve a free warm and chocolate chip cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream!
(4)
Kristine C.
Back again! And probably again and again and again. My boyfriend is in love with this place, so am I and apparently the rest of Chicago. Every time we go they are packed. I love the ambience and decor. The website is not an accurate representation of how the restaurant looks and feels. On our most recent visit we popped in on a Thursday night around 8 p.m. without a reservation. Like I said, it's busy. We were not able to get a table for two for awhile. Being flexible management allowed us to dine at one of their waiting area tables. Unconventional, but their food is worth it. We went for the caramelized brussel sprouts and ahi tuna tostadas again for starts. I am glad these are staples on their menu. I think because we were seated in the waiting area, or they were just being nice, we were offered a complimentary golden beet salad. I do not eat goat cheese bit picked around it. I don't usually enjoy beet salads. Beets are too earthy tasting for my liking. The citrus or acid they add soaked up by the beets hide just enough of the earthy taste it surprised me! I was able to eat more than just two! For our entrees this time around we ordered the albacore tune tacos to share, and because we enjoyed it so much last time, the lobster tagliatelle. The tacos come with four tortillas on the side, with a separate plate filled with a tuna steak cut into six pieces (odd number for sharing), guacamole, slaw, and two sauces a spicy and mayonnaise based to make your own taco. I forgot that the lobster tagliatelle has a slight spice kick to it. Not much, but enough that I need to take smaller bits and breaks. Still, the lobster was abundant and I could taste it through the sauce and spice. Great follow-up!
(4)
Robin L.
I love this place for bunch or lunch. (Haven't had dinner here.) I've sat at the bar twice even though we could have had a table one of the times. I found everyone to be extremely welcoming and upbeat. Service was great. I had some dietary restrictions (gluten sensitivities) and they were extremely accommodating. My food was delicious and I'd go again in a heart beat. Also, it really does feel like you're on vacation and at a restaurant in a beach town!
(4)
jen m.
we went back for dinner over the weekend and I was pleased that our server was amazing!! (Thomas from Valpo) He provided nice suggestions. I was also pleased to see unoaked chardonnay which is my favorite. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered roasted chicken and was able to swap for brussel sprouts instead of kale.. the chicken was okay so I defintely want to go back to try more on the menu. thank you summer house for making it right this time.
(4)
Jessica M.
My bf and I went there for lunch on a Tuesday , and loved it! I've been wanting to go forever. The ahà tuna was our fave, but we also had the Santa Monica Cobb salad, Amish chicken tacos, and this amazing cauliflower dish. Everything was perfect.
(5)
Elizabeth K.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Summer House on my recent trip to the Windy City and experienced superb food and world class service. The restaurants decor made me feel like I was at a beach house on the sunny California coast. Luckily my server embodied all that is California, Aaron M. cared for us in every way throughout the dining experience. His thoughtful recommendations guided us through a meal full of yummy cocktails and tasty treats. Since I frequently use Yelp I was aware of the promotion offering 1 free cookie and ice cream, so naturally I took advantage. 5 stars across the board for this dining establishment. Well done Aaron M. & co.
(5)
Maria V.
Great food! Fantastic atmosphere great service loved the California beachy light colors will be back again !!
(5)
Reggie R.
Have only been for brunch, so that's all I can comment on. I am a huge fan of the ambiance and layout of this restaurant. Despite the 30 degree weather outside, Summer House will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside :) the Vitamin D room is great, open and beautifully lit. I also enjoy the countdown until summer, except, of course, when it's over 200 days! I ordered the most simple sandwich possible in the turkey club (needed something bland due to my somewhat wild night before) and was in awe. I think that says something when a very non-flashy menu item is able to truly satisfy. My friends ordered various breakfast entrees, all of which were good as well. I will echo some other reviews in that the waitstaff was not super attentive. However, I didn't much mind in this occasion because I wanted to have more time to visit with my friend from out of town. I can see how this would be frustrating under other circumstances! I want to go back to Summer House soon to explore the dinner menu.
(4)
U H.
Service is horrible sat for 15mins without even being acknowledged. No one came to greet us. No one came to offer us water. The place was just so hectic and not organized. The host was very rude as well. Kind of sucks because it was my first time going to this place since I seen it on tv. Well I will never go back again! Thanks for the experience! Not!
(1)
Noel R.
Summer House was decent but after a second visit I felt it was not particularly special. I don't think I would care to visit again, I think I would consider visiting again if someone else was covering the bill but only after exhausting other options. The food was okay, not cheap, though not breaking the bank expensive either. My portions were fair but one of my friend's dish was very sad looking. I was a bit puzzled by the differences in portion sizes for similar dishes. Deliciousness to cost was definitely lacking. As far as service, we were seated promptly and our server was very friendly and on point with everything. I do love the space and the atmosphere overall. A bit of a shame since I was so excited for this place.
(2)
Lisa S.
This restaurant is gorgeous and in these gloomy winter months, is a sure pick-me-up, with it's bright colors and happy atmosphere. We went for brunch and our food was pretty good...our waitress, on the other hand, was awful. She spoke so quietly we couldn't hear her, even though she was standing right next to me. It took about 20 minutes to get refills on water, etc. I had the mission burrito, and while it was alright, it was pretty bland. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which for brunch, I though was odd. It's a beautiful place, and I'll definitely try it again for dinner. But it was a bit of a left-down. Oh, and don't forget to check-in on Yelp when you're there - free chocolate chip cookie with ice cream - definitely the highlight!! :)
(4)
Cassandra W.
All of the tacos are amazing. Great service and great cocktails. (That was my tip) Begin Review Awesome atmosphere... it really feels like you walked into California. Skylights that open up to make it open air in good weather. The menu is amazing... A group of 5 of us had absolutely no complaints. Great cocktail menu, even mocktails for that friend who is pregnant (or for your non-drinker buddies). The appetizers are great too.. This place just feels like sunshine. Obviously I loved it. More tips: Make your reservation early, expect to be surprised at how long it takes to get a reservation, its popular, but it is worth it. Get ready to be happy. Great service, Great atmosphere, Great food.... It is the best. End Review
(5)
Macy H.
I don't think I've had a better cookie in my life. Service is great, food is always amazing. My only issue is their coffee. it is very bitter. other than that, no complaints. what a great place!
(5)
Jeannine T.
BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY I came here on a Sunday for brunch. We were a bit early but got seated on time for our reservations. Coffee was good and I'm a coffee drinker. I asked our waitress to make some recommendations. She suggested the cottage cheese lemon pancakes (I think that was it.) Combo sounds weird. I was hesitant and so was my friend. It can't be that bad, can it? So we ordered it as a side to our brunch entrees and loved it. Delish. I ordered the smoked salmon hashbrown benedict. It may be that I'm just a fan of fried potatoes but omgosh, their hashbrowns. What do they put in it? It was SO good. I like that the dining area is open, airy and sunny with fresh green plants strategically placed to provide a dash of color to the white decor. The waitress was super nice, and I remember complimenting her on her long lashes. She was open to sharing her beauty secret with me. How sweet! Haven't had the chance to try the dinner as the place is booked solid. Instead, I made another reservation for brunch tomorrow with my mom. Can't wait!
(5)
Dan V.
Nice atmosphere and little else. Our food was bad. The service was slow. And OMG... even their cookies were bad!! - My $20 French Dip sandwich was very average and didn't taste like much. My friend had the pasta special today, which was so salty he had to return it. - Our waiter was overwhelmed. We couldn't get help all around, especially for my friend's bad pasta. - Even my chocolate chip cookie from the front counter was bad. It was all sugar, so much so that the cookie was gritty. This appears to be the recipe for all their cookies in the display. Very disappointing for a nice-looking place and especially for Lettuce Entertain You. Wow.
(1)
R R.
Excellent breakfast/brunch spot. Food was fresh, well presented, and (most importantly) tasted great. The space is open and bright. Perfect for morning breakfast. Great take-away counter up front as well. Open at 8:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, which is a great as you don't always want to wait until later for breakfast. The restaurant takes reservations and there is a patio for nice weather. The other review below about "no gluten free" is flat wrong. Look at the restaurant's website; an entire gluten free menu is posted. Additionally, dining with someone who is gluten free, the staff was very helpful and accommodating in suggesting substitutions on their regular menu.
(4)
Erin Q.
The atomsphere at Summerhouse is what you are paying for, especially on a cool April evening. It feels like you're lounging in a summer home in the Hamptons. That must be why it remains pretty pricey. We had small plates, the cauliflower was delish, I would highly recommend. We split a salad, and the staff was nice enough to split it for us. The bean toasts were good, but confusing, they came with edamme beans, not white navy beans like we expected. Portioned much bigger than expected. Overall, a good choice!
(4)
Liezl P.
This place was a breath of fresh air! 5 stars for the ambiance, friendly service, and the yummy dessert bar in front :)
(5)
Jami S.
5 stars for ambience - super cute place. Really feel like you are in Cali with all the light & white decor. Got a nice big table for valentines day with some friends. Service was overall good, the manager came up and asked how everything was so that was nice. Very friendly and talkative. Only issue was our server was a bit pushy towards the end of the night, we were lingering a bit but it was after 10pm so really who do you need the table for? The drinks were different and refreshing. The food was good. Our group shared everything. The burrata was a favorite. Tuna tostada was good too. Would return!
(4)
Alison s.
Absolutely awful service. We came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, only to have it ruined by the "hostess". We watched her roll her eyes at the group in front of us. The had to deal with her snotty attitude. We let the manager know, she did not even apologize, just nodded her head and said "ok, ok, ok". The food from this place is above average, but There are plenty of lovely restaurants with the same caliber food and much better service. Try Bristol- they are absolutely wonderful there, and the food is much better.
(1)
Emily Z.
The fresh white sunny decor is very refereshing, especially on a cold winter day! The space is large and you don't feel cramped by other tables which is a very nice surprise these days in Chicago! Though the brunch menu is large and contains breakfast and lunch items i just couldn't get excited about anything, which is very rare. I am a happy bruncher when I get a variety of sweet and savory in my dish and/or complementary sides. Think nookies, Yolk, or the option to order one specialty pancake at Southport Grocer, their menu is not really set up this way unless you find someone to split with, which sadly isn't always easy. Lemon cottage cheese pancakes ($8.95) were delicious, I wouldn't trade my first born for them, but maybe my second! It is a very large portion, but like most sweet entrees I say best split amongst two with a savory option as well. Even though ours were a bit undercooked in the middle which was disappointing, I would go back for these. Breakfast tostadas ($12.95) were really good and quite filling, but you probably won't be taking any home. Be forewarned there was still a bit of giggle in my egg whites, if like me, that's not your thing! Service was prompt and water constantly refilled. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I recommend trying it out for yourself! They do take brunch reservations, which is rare, and I'd recommend one!
(3)
Susan P.
Very cool atmosphere, different from other spots in Chicago. Outdoor seating is great. No troubles with service - paced well, no rush. French dip prime rib sandwich was great as well as the tuna tostadas. Bit pricey, but the crowd is hip. :)
(4)
Lynn H.
I had the turkey burger and ordered a bottle of wine with my friend. The atmosphere is different than any other place in Chicago and the service and food was great. I will definitely be back, but probably once the patio is open.
(5)
Susan G.
Average. Nothing spectacular. Nothing to tell anyone "Gotta go!" Had the prime rib dip sandwich with gristly meat and thin, flavorless sauce with a side of frozen fries out of a bag. Not really what I expected for $18. Brussel sprouts were good, though. Simply don't get why it was packed with people.
(3)
David B.
This is another time where I want to give a half-star. This place is a 4 1/2. I save my 5's for true excellence beyond compare. This place was an overall excellent dining experience and I've already booked a return engagement. The place looks beautiful, from the cookie bar at the entrance to the bright, open and airy dining areas. We had seats near the kitchen, where we enjoyed watching the plated food come out. Shared a bottle of NZ Sauv Blanc (something "goose") - very nice. -Starter: Biscuits. OMG. Amazing amazing amazing. Enormous, rich, buttery and oh-so-good by themselves, and taken to the next level when spread with the poblano butter and honey. You MUST ORDER THE BISCUITS if you go. -Entree: Fish tacos. I don't know what type of fish it was and didn't ask, but it was grilled about medium rare and very flavorful. I went with the lettuce cups instead of tortillas, and the mixture of the fish, the guacamole and the salsa verde were a perfect combo. I'll have to force myself to try something different next time because these were good. -Sides: Caramelized brussel sprouts and roasted cauliflower were both incredible. I could have had those two dishes as my meal instead. -Dessert - peanut butter fudge chocolate cake was fine, but nothing to write home about. The warm Peanut Butter cookie with sea salt chocolate ice cream on top was divine. The cookie - by itself - was amazing. Heading back for a birthday dinner with my family and can't wait!
(4)
Susan N.
I've been to Summer House twice in the past month. I really like it a lot. Everything is very good. The service is good and the atmosphere is great. I like the inside and the outside, and the part that's both inside and outside! The cauliflower is exceptional, and the chicken is enough for two people. The salads are wonderful. I loved the free dessert for checking in on Yelp. The first time I went, the server was great. The second time, I think that possibly she was a new server who was a bit overwhelmed. The only negative on the food was the biscuit. It seemed burnt, but the manager stated that this is how it is baked. I will skip the biscuit next time.
(4)
Matt G.
This was the worst service I have ever had. My wife had to call the manager over because our server didn't come to our table for over twenty minutes. He said he would make sure we enjoyed the rest of our night and then another ten minutes went by before we saw our server, it was unreal. We ordered the calamari which was very mediocre, and the pasta I had tasted like Olive Garden, very salty and disappointing. My wife had the Ahi tuna tacos, ate one and was done. We have never called the manager over at a restaurant, and also have never not finished our meal based on quality of food. The atmosphere is actually really nice, the food is very subpar for the cost (our bill was $120), and our service was just awful. Finally, I have a peanut allergy and let the server know when we got seated. I ordered the beet salad, which did not mention peanuts, but it was covered in nuts when it came out. The server didn't say anything and the manager said it wasn't supposed to have nuts, he grabbed a menu and kept asking himself when it was printed, as if the date that the menus were printed relate to the peanuts that were all over the salad...what?! Very odd, never going back.
(1)
Melissa C.
Brunch review.. I've been here a lot but only for brunch.. Its freezing in here ... So cold that your coffee cools off.. Maybe thats why the food is usually lukewarm or just plain cold.... The scrambled eggs didn't seem scrambled? More like cooked beforehand and cut from a square tray. They have a good banana muffin.
(2)
Amy O.
The service is way too slow even when it was close to closing time and the tables were mostly empty. We were one of the last tables to leave as it was past closing time and the waiter took forever. He spent 20 minutes by the bar area and didn't bother to check up on us even though we wanted to pay and leave. There was no excuse for him to be dragging when it came to getting the bill and waiting on us because he was waiting on no other tables. I really wanted to like this place because I often eat at the LEYE restaurants but in all honesty it's overrated and they need better staff.
(1)
Roxy A.
Summer House Santa Monica..a place where you can getaway from the Chicago Winter and feel like it's Summer in Santa Monica. Also as an LA native, SHSM makes me feel like I'm home and not freezing my ass off in Chicago. Took my familia here for the first weekend that SHSM launched their brunch menu & I gotta say I truly enjoyed it. Even my Mom who is not a big fan of breakfast/brunch loved her meal. The ambience is great here and I really recommend coming here on the weekend for brunch so you can experience the ambience. They have high ceilings with skylight windows so the sunlight comes into the "Vitamin D" room. Upon getting seated they also offer you some snazzy SHSM white wayfarers so you can bask in the sun during brunch. The white washed walls and wicker chairs really make you feel like you're dining al fresco in California. I ordered the Caramelized French Toast which was accompanied by some homemade whipped cream. It was delicious and not too sweet. Also ordered up a side of the candied bacon..definitely try this..you will not regret it!!! The bf, mom & sis all opted for the special which was a Lobster Eggs Benedict. Had a bite of this and it was really good. They didn't skimp on the lobster and the hollandaise was delish. My dad ordered one of the hash dishes. They also had a tableside OJ/juice service which was nice and the mimosas were really refreshing. I made reservations via opentable and was glad that they also set up a high chair for my 1 yr old niece. The service was great and they didn't treat us like the plague for bringing a baby to brunch. They were also accommodating with her and made sure my niece had something to eat as well. SHSM is part of the LEYE group (Lettuce Entertain you) and the set up is somewhat reminiscent of Beatrix in River North. Make sure to make a stop at their pastry bar on the way out. The cookies are to die for..chocolate chunk cookies w rice krispies?! Looking forward to coming back again for lunch & dinner!!!
(5)
Frances A.
Not sure if the food lives up to the price tag. But I did enjoy it. I've been there on several occasions - dinner and brunch. Beautiful clean atmosphere - and the same can be said for the food. Tuna tacos are very clean and fresh. Literally like they pulled it straight from the ocean just as you ordered it. My only issue, is that they are pretty scrimpy. Yes, yes, yes, America is absolutely gluttonous, but your price point is high, and I never felt full. Not even after the "A Hot Mess of Fries". The al pastor was cooked to a tea. The fries were unbelievably mushy (not in the good way). But the fried egg definitely saved the plate. But then again, anything with an egg on it is better. So not necessarily innovative. Santa Monica egg white omelet was very pretty - but it sorta ended there. It was so incredibly bland. I like the fact that this place tries to be healthy. But at the risk of taste?????? Loved the cookie... w/ ice cream. Thank goodness for the cookie.
(3)
Rebecca N.
Another good restaurant in the books for LEY. Similar food as Hub with less trendy-more beachy vibes. I REALLLY liked everything we got-- I just didn't think anything was that different. The eggplant was outstanding as was the roasted chicken and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were salty and just average. The guac and tuna tostados were good, but nothing to write home about. I will definitely go back here as is a restaurant where everyone can find something and it is not too expensive, but nothing blew me away. There is still a lot on the menu I am excited to try! ***Expect to wait past your reservation time***
(3)
Joey F.
Went to Summer House for the first time and thought the food was awesome. They have the best Calamari ever. Then the tacos were awesome too. The only downfall is that the portions aren't to big. To end the meal they have a big cookie counter. Cookies are huge and I suggest not eating one yourself unless you want to be nauseas the rest of the night!
(5)
Missy C.
I dream about their smoked salmon hashbrown benedict and candied bacon basically every day of my life.
(5)
Grennan K.
The decor is very airy & light. Something straight out of California. Beautiful white painted wood and super vaulted ceilings with the front entrance as a garage opening door (sort of like american junkie.) It's very light hearted and inviting unlike most other pretentious creepy dim light joints. Came here to eat with bunny for dinner time. It was a tuesday night and surprisingly packed to the brim. This is definitely a hot spot for congregating with girlfriends... as we observed that it was packed with women. Anyway the rainbow trout was perfectly flaky and very flavorful served on top of amazing whipped potato. The menu is very american (sandwiches, seafood, meat.) I'd definitely come back here to sit in the cute circle booths. Cannot wait until summer time to hit this spot up, again. p.s. cookie bar right in front is awesome.
(4)
Paola S.
From the wonderful ambience to the delicious food this place is a must. We ordered the breakfast tostadas and the summer burrito. Very tasteful! Our friends had blueberry waffles and the Acapulco omelette and they were very pleased. The patio gives you the feeling of being in mid summer even when it is low 50s outside. Can't wait to go back, we are seriously considering going back as many times as needed to try everything in the menu.
(5)
Shradha A.
Love love love this new place! The ambiance was so well lit, spacious and California! We actually felt we were on vacation from the cold Chicago winter for two hours! Service was solid but of course the food was the second best thing about this place, following closely the wonderful atmosphere! I had the breakfast burrito and loved it! My friends got the scrambled eggs and tostada and enjoyed their food too! They do take brunch reservations on opentable and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Nathan F.
Get the calamari. It is life changing. Also, if you enjoy bourbon, get the Monte Cali. If they try to seat you around the perimeter of the vitamin d room during daylight hours, throw a fit. Not your fault they designed 3/4 of the restaurant to be amazing and 1/4 to be stupid. Did you pick that up? It's called the vitamin d room, and you need to sit there. Request it. Don't take no for an answer. We were here last week, and then again today. Our waitress last week was amazing. Our guy this time was new, or just really really nervous talking to us because we were so attractive. Also the food runner was basically throwing the plates onto the table and running away, again, probably intimidated by our attractiveness. I'm joking. What the hell was that ... where do you find your staff? Introverts.com ?
(5)
Sheila C.
Omelette perfection is what I experienced at Summer House today. Avocado, crispy tortilla chips, fresh cheese, and carefully prepared eggs... I also vaguely remember friendly service, tasty berry jam, fresh butter, and an interesting crowd/scene at 11am on a Saturday... But above all else the omelette...
(5)
Yvette F.
A favorite for brunch. Can get busy and loud, but staff is friendly and accommodating. Atmosphere is lovely year round! A very trendy Lincoln Park crowd.
(4)
Sarah Charlie L.
Cool little spot, with an awesome patio, and I mean awesome BUT that's about it. The decor is very California and almost brings me back to my time in San Francisco. The service was not as great as the decor... After waiting 2.5 hours to be seated and the host who was practically ten years old told me that I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. Luckily I actually quoted the girl by reminding her that she said the wait would not exceed 2.5 hours and then miraculously a table was ready... The waiter was quite pushy since our seats were 'excellent' since there were many others also sharing the same hungry wait that my friends and I endured. (Only we did sneak off down the block for a pitcher of sangria from Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba since after all no one likes a sober Sunday Funday.) Food is 'okay' but nothing that you can't get elsewhere for way cheaper, in other words, cost does not meet the taste or value. Drinks were not super noteworthy. Would I go back? Probably not. I think instead I'll go to San Francisco for the actual summer slash California effect.
(2)
Daniella H.
Very cute atmosphere! I went with my girlfriends for a birthday dinner. It was loud and the service was very poor. We were all very disappointed, our waitress came to our table a total of 3 times and was not friendly at all. The food was good, small portions.
(2)
Mimi M.
Awesome food, wonderful ambiance, & good service! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
(5)
Cassandra M.
Laid back Cali style, good food, cocktails + jeans. Heard mad reviews about the place and while the atmosphere and service was great, the food really wasn't that impressive. And you can't get a glass of wine under $15?
(3)
Paul K.
Loved the layout and decor of the restaurant. The atmosphere was laid back and vibrant. Food was great but there was a little overload on the 1000 island dressing.
(4)
Lindsey C.
The thing making this review so low is more of a moral issue for me. Looking at my bill, split between my party of 8, my portion was around $45. The breakdown for the tip % was calculated wrong that was on the bottom of my receipt, and it was in the servers favor. So a 20% tip for my bill was said to be over $10. Don't get me wrong, I used to work in the industry, tipping more is standard for me. But why lie about it?! Why do it dishonestly?!
(1)
Margaret H.
We were very lucky to be able to reserve a table (via Open Table) on a Friday night during restaurant week. We have been wanting to go to a restaurant that will make us forget about the life sucking Chicago winter and make us remember that summer is right around the corner. Enter the cute interior and summer count down clock!! Enough of that.. lets talk food. To start, we ordered the Hot Mess of Fries based off a recommendation. Think poutine, but not so heavy with an overabundance of gravy. Pulled pork, bleu cheese, and a fried egg top the home-cut fries. There was almost too much bleu cheese, but we still ate every bite. For our main courses: Get the Lobster Tagliatelle, don't look back. It was flavorful with a kick of spice! I also tasted the Lobster Frites and Pork Shoulder. The pork shoulder was absolutely delicious, paired with their root vegetable mash. I will definitely be back to order that as my main entree! We were running late to a movie, so we didn't enjoy dessert there, but I snagged a few cookies from their bakery counter, conveniently located right when you walk in/out. You pass it before even getting to the hostess stand. I grabbed the bacon chocolate chip cookie and the apple oatmeal cookie and didn't look back. I repeat: BACON. CHOCOLATE. COOKIE. The ambience is perfect for those who long for California. Summer is infused in the beach house-esque decor, from the lights to the walls. Definitely a cozy feel! A few notes of improvement: When I walked in and informed the hostess about my reservation, she didn't walk me to my table where the rest of my group was sitting, but pointed to it from across the busy dining room, stating, "They're over there." They did that to my friend that followed as well. You're busy, I get it, but taking me to my table is part of the job description. Overall, a wonderful experience! I can see this restaurant being a big success in Chicago!
(5)
Jimmy J.
A.) Wonderful build out. Open, airy, lots of white. Bright and contemporary. A non Chicago feel. Outdoor patio area was a nice touch. Upscale but not stuffy. B.) Matt, server was friendly and casual, but still professional. Prompt. Attentive. Alvin, our busboy was warm and on top of things. C.) Summerhouse is an excellent option for those who like to eat semi healthy or vegetarian. In a day and age where the rage is serving fried pig parts and cooking in different butters, this place serves some healthy entree and appetizer options that focus on locally sourced vegetables and high end grains. Charred Brussel sprouts in aged balsamic- 5 stars Roasted cauliflower in jalapeno pesto-5 stars Quinoa & Avocado Sushi Roll-5 Stars (wow!) Kale & Arugula Salads- 4 stars Bucatini pomodoro-3.5 stars. Quality noodle but semi bland. Porterhouse Pork Chop-1 star. The one failure of our experience. Dry. No flavor. No sauce. But the corn n fava succotash w hand cut fries on the plate was great. Complimentary dessert for our anniversary was chocolate cake with house made ice cream. Stellar but rich rich. 2 cocktails. Tax. $120. For the quality and neighborhood, not so bad. Highly recommended. Another great concept from LEYE inc. We ll be back
(4)
Ryan S.
Went for lunch and the menu was more of a brunch/breakfast menu. Got the fries and calamari for starters and both were pretty good. For the main course tried to get a short rib hash but server failed to let me know ahead of time so kinda rushed and picked the waffle and chicken. Chicken was dry and waffle was pretty hard. Aside from my main meal all around service was good (excluding forgetting to let me know the sorry rib was out). Busy spot, go if your curious but I'd pass next time.
(3)
Michael S.
Good food, disappointing experience. Strike 1 - We had a reservation but had to wait 25 minutes for our table. That's excessive. Strike 2 - We ordered a cocktail off the menu. They were out of it - no problem. Discussed alternatives with the server. They have several non-alcoholic fruit drinks which we added vodka to (similar to the menu item we had wanted). When the bill came these drinks were almost 50% more than the cocktails on the menu. When we asked why, she checked with her manager. Their response was that the brunch cocktails are discounted. Okay, but I wanted one of those, but they were out, and these were our substitutes. But even then, they charged us more than the "regular" non-discounted brunch price. Makes no sense, but they didn't care. We would have simply ordered a different option off the menu had we known we'd pay such an extreme premium. Strike 3 - My sandwich was made incorrectly. No problem, the waitress said they'd remake it. But they didn't. They attempted to add what they'd forgotten, except they didn't. They still forgot one of my toppings, and it still had a topping on it I had not ordered (and that I don't like). I didn't change my mind after I ordered, they made it wrong. But they still didn't remake it, and they still didn't give me all of my toppings extra-cost toppings on their second attempt (but they still billed me for them). Good ambiance, and the food is in fact good. But I'm so disappointed by the overall experience I will never go back. They simply could not have cared less about whether we enjoyed our experience. They simply wanted our money (including for things we didn't get) and showed no concern when we even bothered to inquire about our bill.
(1)
Diana K.
Definitely worth a try. It's hard to get a rez though so make one on opentable in advance. Even with a rez, it took 35 minutes to be seated so that part wasn't great. The vibe is very similar to Beatrix with the cookie bar and same delicious cookies, and overall beachy/calfornia feeling. Be careful if it's raining because their atrium roof leaks a little - nothing you can't withstand, but it's noticeable. Oh and street parking was a bitch. And valet is a dollar more than Joe's in River North- take a cab not to deal with that mess! Was so excited to see homemade biscuits on the menu - BUT THEY WERE OUT. DO YOU KNOW HOW SAD THIS PREGGO LADY WAS TO HEAR THAT? I was pretty despondent, for the rest of the meal, not going to lie. Waiter should have offered some bread in exchange but just was like yeah we're out, sorry. Again, I cannot emphasize how sad I was lol. So the meal goes on, we share the burrata which was delicious and the spinach dip which was forgettable and rather small portion for the price. Moving to more the main meal, we share the korean pork tacos which was made of pretty good quality meat and had good flavor, but it felt like an appetizer. It just had some lettuce cups and little bit of slaw. Put some rice on the plate or something to round it out. The two others at my table liked the lobster orecchiette, but I thought it tasted a little metallic, although the texture of the pasta was nice. I think the favorite was the pork porterhouse - good flavor served with delicious mashed potatoes. Good news! After asking about the biscuits for the third time, they have made more! I now know that my sadness was totally valid because these were awesome. I liked the plain honey more than the jalapeno butter. Desserts sounded pretty good, and they had sundaes which you could add half a cookie to. I recommend the rice krispie chocolate chip- yum, They were sorta cheap on the ice cream. I literally ate a whole spoonful of whipped cream because it looked like it should have been ice cream. I mean there's worse things to eat in life, but I would have preferred a better ice cream to whipped cream ratio. So to sum it up, I'd go back .... and maybe just for the biscuits.
(4)
Neamen L.
The blondies are a must! This place has the feel of a California restaurant. It gets a bit crowded so make sure you make a reservation. Pricing isn't over the top and the food quality is good.
(4)
Michael H.
Disappointing.. I really like LEYE and all their concepts but this place needs a new manager. The staff just doesn't give a shit cause they know they will make $$ no matter what! Sat at bar for almost 10 min while the "Bartenders" restocked the bar? Kid could barely speak.. Gave a menu.. The prices are absolutely outrageous!! $20 for tacos? You do that// draft beer $7? Lots of strange Lincoln Park folks inside.. It's packed and I really don't know why? Tried a burger and it it was luke warm with those little "fries" from the bottom of the bag! Totally uninspired crap// 3 on the scale at best and blew $28 for a lousy burger and ONE BEER!! Only saving Grace was the drunk Lincoln Park Trixie with the silicone! Sellers here.. Get dat did
(2)
Teresa H.
I am obsessed with this place. My best friend took me here for my birthday dinner and I was seriously blown away by the cocktails, food, and atmosphere. It's a nice little piece of summertime -- especially in the dead of Chicago winter. Cocktails: I got the palm fizz and Sonoma coast, my friend got the bonfire and the palm fizz. All were perfectly executed -- props to the bartender. Now into the food: we got the ahi tuna tostadas, fresh burrata, and spicy calamari for appetizers. The first two were incredible, I could've eaten about 5 orders of each. The flavors of the spicy calamari were delicious but it obviously sat in the window for a little bit because we were taking our time with the other apps, no biggie. I would definitely order it again. We split the ricotta & pecorino ravioli for an entree and that was amazing as well. Finally for dessert we got the lemon meringue which was light, good way to finish our meal. I would've gave a 5-star review if it were solely on the food but the service was subpar. Our server was spacey to the point where I couldn't tell if she was new or just overwhelmed because it was busy. Either way it didn't turn me off but would've been nice to see her smile a little bit. Overall, I will be back to enjoy the beachy vibe -- especially in the summer with the retractable roof!! Ps - get some cookies on your way out. I recommend the peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie!
(4)
Andre W.
You can't miss this place as its the very lit up spot a little south of Armitage on Halsted. This place really looks like it should be in Cali and not Chicago, especially in the cold blistery winter of Chicago. Upon walking in you will see a nice selection of fresh baked goods at the entrance...everything looked good especially the magic brownies. We were seated immediately since we had a 6PM reservation...probably would have been tough to get a seat as the place got pretty full on a chilly, icy Sunday night. They have a huge window in the front which probably opens up during the warmer months. They also have comfy looking couches in front of the window in which I bet will be hard to get once the warmth of spring/summer shows up. The lighting is very CA...not too dark and not too light, but almost perfect for the setting. The interirior is very nice in size as it has regular tables, booths and hi-tops along with TVs hung for your watching pleasure. The menu is not huge, but definitely effective. We started out with calamari as an appetizer and it was simply delicious. Some calamari is very thin and bready (not a real word I don't think), but this one had much meat inside of the breading. Some of the best I've had! For my entree I went with the Rainbow Trout along with caramelized brussel sprouts. The trout came with the skin for flavoring along with mashed potatoes...very good. The caramelized sprouts were off the chain as the flavor was very kick ass. In reference to drinks, they did not disappoint. I started with the exotic fruit punch which is on tap. It includes Tito's Vodka along with seasonal exotic fruit and was pretty good. I decided to go with the Sonoma Coast next which is a chef-crafted cocktail. It includes pisco, lemon juice, pineapple juice and allspice..very good as I wanted to drink it for the rest of the night. Awesome spot for the area and will definitely be a hot spot in the warmer months.
(5)
Kelly N.
I had a ton of friends go to Summer House and heard such great things, so I knew it'd be the perfect place to bring my mom and sister for the first time. We were not disappointed! We started with the biscuits and cauliflower as appetizers - sooo good!! I got the chicken tacos, which were pretty standard, nothing special. The rice that came with the dish was a little hard in spots, but other than that, the meal sufficed. My mom raved about her lobster pasta and my sister couldn't stop talking about her fish tacos. She said they were the best she's ever had. We were about to leave when we were suckered into getting dessert - and it definitely didn't disappoint. We had homemade vanilla bean ice cream with butterscotch sauce and brownie bites - complete with half of a chocolate chip sea salt cookie! Needless to say, we had to be rolled outta there after :) All in all, the ambiance of the restaurant is top-notch - such a great place to go as a couple, bring your family, whatever. You really feel like you're somewhere else (maybe Santa Monica, perhaps?) and not in Chicago. I also tried brunch at Summer House a week later and got the caramelized french toast, which was delicious. Be prepared to take half home - sooo filling! I also split the bacon steak and hash browns with my boyfriend. I was a fan of the hashbrowns, but not of the bacon steak - it was too fatty for my taste. Overall, highly recommend Summer House. I think the next times I go, I'll be going solely for appetizers, dessert and/or drinks.
(5)
Ted N.
Great design! The interior is beautiful and very reminiscent of California. The details, like matching sunglasses for the service staff, were cool. The food was also good. The French toast was a huge hit with all four of us. The Santa Monica omelette was also highly regarded- light, but filling, with a bit of spice. The vegetable hash was less popular, and not as hashy as expected. Overall, even though one dish was unspectacular, we would all love to come back again.
(5)
Diana P.
We were exciting to try this place and didn't realize it was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant until we got there. Decor is unique, light and airy. Great place for dinner with a group. Here's what we had: Spicy calamari: so delic despite others reviews here on YELP Hamachi: fresh and melted in our mouths. If you're not a raw sushi person, this is prob not the dish for you Polenta potatoes: tastes like mashed potatoes with creamy cheese-heavier dish but good side! Burrato: so good but spicy so beware (we didn't know this) Crab pasta: eh, wasn't a fan, too fishy and the sauce wasn't anything special Rice Krispies: amazing but very buttery. Not your typical stale Rice Krispies. Overall, enjoyable meal, everything was fresh, well prepared but left us wanting lots and lots of water which meant salt overload. Staff was great, our waitress very sweet, knowledgeable and made our experience great-didn't rush us with anything which we loved.
Feels very upscale beachside. We had a 5pm reservation because any later was booked solid. By 5:45 the entire place was packed & hopping! My friends & I had gazpacho, fish tacos & maine lobster orrecchiette (the lightest pasta dish I've ever tasted*****). Everything was so delicious we didn't want to leave. Decent wine list. Portions nice size...not overwhelming. The dessert bar is FUN....get something to go. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Wait staff efficient, knowledgable and friendly. Eager to go back and try more of the dishes!
(5)
Andrea M.
I LOVED this place they have the best cookies in Chicago. I tried the avo toast for lunch and it was amazing!
(5)
obsession c.
Summer House is my go to place on any special afternoon and for dinner time occasion. This lettuce entertain you restaurant has as a true feeling of summer no matter what season it is. The food is outstanding service is top notch. The staff is always willing to accommodate and management knows how to operate a restaurant. If you're in Lincoln Park you must try summer house!
(5)
Cheryl B.
This place is an awesome addition to Lincoln Park! The restaurant is large and very inviting. I love the decor and it's perfect for a subzero temp day. White washed walls and rattan chairs with a huge skylight and hanging plants make you feel like you have been transported to somewhere warm. A nice cheap fix for the winter blues - beats paying to go on vacation! We tried this place out for brunch last Saturday. We found easy street parking a few blocks up (much better than the $13 valet!) and while it was packed, we were seated at a high top in the bar area. The table was really close to the server computer (a little too close) but I was just happy to have a table. Our server seemed nervous and awkward, but he said they had only been open a few weeks or had just started serving brunch. We started with a coffee (they serve Dark Matter) and I got their Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary was pretty good, had a unique taste to it and was served with a candied bacon garnish (bonus!). I had been eyeing the hashbrown benedict, but the server recommended the pork shank hash and the chicken tostadas. Both sounded good, so my husband and I each ordered one (I got the tostadas). I was not a fan of the pork shank hash, but my husband ate it all. The chicken tostadas were pretty good, the sunny side up egg was a bit undercooked for my taste but I still enjoyed it all. The next morning we woke up craving brunch again (I may have a brunch addiction). This time I called ahead and got a reservation for 10:30am (OpenTable wasn't working). We arrived and were seated, this time RIGHT next to the coffee station. This is where I take off a star- they need to move this table. Servers were bumping up against the table and reaching over us the entire meal to get coffee. Ironically our server was a bit slow on getting us coffee refills when our food came and I was very tempted to reach over and help myself. Oh well. This time we tried the hashbrown benedict and belgian waffle, both were fantastic. The hollandaise had a slight kick to it and the hashbrowns were nice and crispy. Can't wait to come back and try dinner! Minus one star for $13 valet ($8-$10 is more the norm for Lincoln Park), some 3/4 star menu items, and awkward tables. Five stars for ambience and the hashbrown benedict!
(4)
Shiela R.
Incredible food and really great atmosphere. Loved the drinks!! Fun to sit at the bar for dinner if you're a small group of 2 or 3.
My boyfriend and I got so many Lettuce Entertain You gift cards for the holidays, so we decided to use them and celebrate our one year anniversary here last Friday. Many of our friends and suggested this place in the past, and we are glad we took their recommendations seriously. It was packed when we arrived but we were seated right on time for our reservation. The atmosphere is really bright and our server was really nice. The menu has a pretty random selection, but based on yelp reviews, I had to try the Calamari as an appetizer. It was amazing, and the spicy dipping sauce was perfect. I had the Half Chicken with mashed potatoes and kale. Let me say I was weird about Kale as a side, but it was really good. My boyfriend had the short rib and he ate every last bite of it. He can be a tough critic (hes a foodie) and he raved about everything. We also got the Jalapeno Cauliflower as a side. It was good but nothing amazing, I probably wouldn't order it again. Because we checked in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice cream for dessert! Definitely don't miss that opportunity. Overall, it was a great experience, we will be back!
(5)
Monica B.
I came here last night for Restaurant Week with a couple girlfriends. Considering how cold it was, the interior of the restaurant was warm and inviting -- felt just like I was in California. I wasn't planning to drink, but the Restaurant Week menu included a glass of wine (nice touch), so I went with one of the red blends -- delish. I had the ahi tuna tostadas, salmon and warm cookie with ice cream. Overall, it was a great intro to the restaurant, but the regular menu had several dishes I'm more excited to try. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Callan M.
definitely pay for the ambiance. the food wasn't better than numerous other restaurants ive tried. however, the cookies are amazing. go for brunch, everyone has said it is way better!
I think I made our waitress uncomfortable when she asked me if I wanted my onions to be raw or grilled and while making eye contact with her I loudly said "RAW". Shout out to ODB
(4)
Rocco S.
Just went there for lunch. The vitamin d room is very nice and airy and on a sunny winter day like today you felt like you could be on someone's deck in southern California. We got a couple of appetizers and sandwiches. The food was just okay. The highlight was probably the Brussels sprouts. Although they were a bit over cooked. And a couple of the items were overly salty for our tastes. Service was a bit slow. For the price, I think you can find a more interesting place to eat. Lunch for 2 with no alcohol was $65 with tip. Might go back for breakfast one day. Some of the items looked good.
(3)
SHONA M.
This place reminds you of the Hampton's! The hostess was very nice .We (my family) made reservations but completely missed the time was greeted with a warm welcome and friendly smile to still be taken. This is where the issue arises and why they didn't get 5 stars. First after being seated for almost 10 mins no one came to greet us, another waitress was in sheer shock that we asked for her help with ordering.. After looking very bothered she sent someone over that greeted us 5 minutes later. After that storm it was all sunshine from there I'm only guessing our food took longer than the adjacent tables were due to what we ordered but all in all I was happy to celebrate my Birthday lunch there.. The kale lemonade was freakin Awesome.. More seasoning needed on the guacamole but salsa was superb.. I will be back next time for dinner... The ambience really gives a wonderful euphoric feeling !!!!
(4)
Lauren E.
Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 The atmosphere at this place cannot be beat. I went in the middle of winter and felt like I was on vacation. Everything about it is perfectly executed. I also love the kitschy bakery case in the front to pick out a cookie for dessert. The food was fine. Nothing was excellent, nothing was poor. I felt that it was a bit overpriced for what it was. I will definitely be back, but for an occasion where the focus is on drinks and a lively atmosphere, not for the food.
(4)
Andrea R.
Well it most definitely isn't summer outside, but the cold weather isn't keeping the crowds away from Summer House. We recently had a girls night out at this new swanky restaurant and the big question once we arrived was out my friend scored a reservation. Lucky! After enjoying a palm fizz at the bar my party of 5 sat down for some delicious food served to us by the lovely Scott. We went the sharing route and everything was delightful. Personal faves included the fresh burrata app, spicy calamari app & the fish tacos. Great company, terrific cocktails, scrumptious food, stellar service (even including a round of jewish geography with our waiter) = one perfect GNO. And even more perfect...ending the meal with the heavenly chocolate cake and a cookie! If you're not as lucky to score a reservation at Summer House they've got a counter of baked goods you can order from anytime. Thank goodness I"m a 30 minute car ride away or I'd be there daily. Another culinary hit from our friends @ LEYE!
(5)
Shayna Y.
Walking into this restaurant from the brutal 5 degree weather, I felt immediately transported to Miami. The restaurant has a summery feel with a countdown until summer. I went during restaurant week which included 3 courses + a glass of wine. The restaurant is extremely accommodating for gluten free eaters. To start, I got, "ahi tuna tostadas" - the ahi tuna had great flavor and mixed with a bit of avocado and a chip, was delicious. For my entree, I got salmon with cauliflower puree and brussel sprouts. The entree was light, yet flavorful. My only complaint was that my salmon was not cooked enough to medium as had been requested - my friends also had a similar complaint with their fish. For dessert, I was expecting ice cream or fruit given my gluten allergy, but they had one of their famous cookies gluten free. It was the size of my head, warm, and came with a scoop of ice cream. I wanted so much to stop eating, but it was so delicious, I finished the entire cookie. I highly recommend this place - I love the ambiance and the food is great.
(4)
Trevor H.
I would loved to have given Summer House Santa Monica a much better review because I have definitely had 5 star experiences in the past. However, the shine and sparkle of the initial open must have worn off because our Father's Day Brunch was not up to the bar I had set bragging to my parents about how delightful Summer House was. Needless to say, the decor and atmosphere make you feel like you are dining right in Santa Monica with plants and a light and airy feel. Our service was a bit odd to start off. First the host took our drink orders and then our waiter came by and asked the same question. He didn't realize the host had taken our order so totally fine. He came back to get our meal orders after we had received our drinks and our roasted cauliflower app (which is DELICIOUS by the way! Order two if you are like my parents who thought the portion was too small. I had no complaints on portion size). We settled in with another round of drinks and waited for our meals. And we waited. And waited. Finally my mom flagged down our waiter who while very nice, had become MIA for a while. He appeared attentive to other tables while ours seemed to get lost in the mix. Getting lost seemed to be the trend as after several minutes, he came back apologizing that our ticket was lost by the kitchen and they would be bringing out our meals ASAP. Our meals did come out and while my mom and I both ordered the Roasted Vegetable Hash, ours looked very different. Her's had lettuce and mine was lacking, looking especially tiny in the large bowl. While the portion would have been fine if we hadn't been waiting nearly an hour for our meal, I could have eaten more in this situation. The server did profusely apologize and offered us anything else we wanted. My mom was a bit more dramatic about the situation than necessary even though we were already assured that our bill was comped. I will say our waiter, I believe his name was Tim C., did everything he could to make up for the situation. We ended up walking our with a few cookies to enjoy for the rest of the day. Like I said, I have had exceptional experiences at Summer House but I'm only giving three stars right now because my dad's brunch wasn't what we expected. Hopefully next time will be better!
(3)
Mike R.
I've been to Napa before, so the theme of it was quite interesting. My wife and I also adore Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so this seemed like a slam dunk. Meal was meh (the barada was great though) Service was ehhh The drinks were solid But when it came down to everything, it was an overpriced Lincoln Park hot spot that attracted every boat shoe, magenta short wearing nerd in Lincoln Park. Lettuce has so many better restaurants and I feel like this one is trying too hard.
(2)
Elyse G.
Super relaxing beach house vibe very chic open air ceiling. Love it. Great crowd and music. Menu perfect for breezy lunch with wine
(4)
Lisa F.
Food is good but not as exceptional as the build out of this place. Truly a beautifully well put together place. The staff is over attentive which is worthy of 5 stars but the meals & plating brings it down to 3.5 stars. The braised rib was on the small side - plated solo on a very large round plate with the starch on a side dish?!? The tuna appetizer was plated in a round large dish AGAIN but the meal consisted of five "ritz cracker" sized pieces of tuna w topping & 2 lime wedges. Like I said, the food was good (not great) but the presentation was completely off for a Lettuce restaurant. Prefer BEATRIX for the money, food quality & presentation.
(3)
Elle C.
I dined here for a second time on Easter Sunday. Summer House gets 5 stars for delicious food and for how awesomely beachy and airy the restaurant feels. It gets 2 starts for horrible service. My first visit was pretty good except that we had to ask our server two or three times to check on several items we ordered but were not brought to our table. At one point I think he thought we were lying that we never got our cinnamon rolls. Overall, I was pleased with the first experience and wanted to share it with my boyfriend so I made reservations for Easter morning. Because we had early reservations it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. There were only about 10 tables seated in the entire restaurant and the hostess initially tried seating us in the back of the bar near the bathroom. We kindly asked her if we could be moved to the front of the restaurant or in the main dining room and she made it clear she was not happy with our offensive request. Instead of acknowledging my question, she simply turned her back to us and walked back to host stand. A few seconds later we were seated in the main dining room right behind the deli counter. Not the best of starts. My boyfriend looked at me and agreed that she was less than pleasant during that 3 minute exchange. I can't say exactly how long it was, but definitely longer than 5 minutes, we waited before we decided to ask the nice girl behind the deli/bakery counter if she could get us a few cups of coffee. Now I know that 5 minutes isn't generally that long but usually within the first 30 seconds to a minute at most restaurants your server has greeted your table and offered drinks. It was another long while before an aggravated waitress marched up to our table with coffee asking if we were ready to order. We placed our order with Ms. Miserable. She made no attempt to be kind, up-sell us on Mimosas or anything of that sort. Also...no special Easter anything. Come on! I only made this reservation because I thought Summer House would make an attempt to pull together some sort of Easter brunch. Nevertheless, I had the lemon pancakes and bacon and they were heaven. Because the restaurant was still pretty quiet through our meal I could easily observe the previously unfriendly hostess chaising after and hanging on various male servers while other female servers looking annoyed chatting with each other. Ms. Miserable remained pretty slow, unfriendly and unhelpful until about the last 5 minutes of our breakfast when all of a sudden her "Now I'll work for my tip" face came on. We still tipped her 15% even though she didn't deserve a tip at all. I was hoping the first round of rocky service was a fluke but after my second visit, I'm thinking they just hire crappy servers. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon which is a shame because its a really cool place with great food. P.S. If Summer House reads any of these...put spoons in with your forks and knives! Stirring coffee with a fork is just silly.
(3)
Gabrielle F.
Oh man was this place good! They have amazing signature cocktails. They have some pricey options on the menu, buteverything I tried was delicious. The place is open and bright, with very nice decor and atmosphere.
(5)
Andrew P.
Great food and friendly service. Go in the winter for a summery, Californian haven to escape Chicago's blistery winds. Go in the summer and sit outside. Whenever you go, get the seared ahi tuna tacos and you'll never be disappointed.
(4)
Kari F.
Bright and sunny experience at Summer House this weekend!... literally. We were looking for Lettuce Entertain You establishments in the area, and this one was a quick decision that we did not regret. Completely deceiving from the outside, the inside was super perrrty. Everything was bright and white in the open restaurant space near the other side that had highboy tables next to a decent-sized bar. Twas definitely screaming "Summer House".... Almost like a giant beach house with one of the coolest glass roofs I've seen. The decor was awesome... wood burning fireplace, pretty yellows and greens.... Some decor confused the hell out of me... such as the word "YES" in big bold letters... mmkay?... Yes... I digress... We were first seatedby the bar, but (since it was not completely packed) we couldn't resist asking to sit in the beautiful dining area, where the environment was warm and sunny. They obliged with no problem. Our waiter was super nice, attentive, and timely. We ordered wine and apps quickly... They were scrumptious. The spinach and artichoke dip was perfect- lots of chips with nice chunks of artichokes in there. No ripoffs there- and (surprisingly) it wasn't too heavy. The fresh burrata was new to me and freaking loved it with the tomato jam and arugula- all extremely fresh. I LOVE CHEEEEEEEESE!, so this made me really happy. I ordered the hand made pasta- Maine lobster orecchiette. For the price, I didn't expect a ton of lobster, but there were decent chunks... enough where I could share some with my family. The whole dish was packed with flavor but beautiful. I ordered the summer squash side with lemongrass, Thai chili, and basil (which came through almost minty)... it was so simple and insanely good. My favorite small side I got to try would have to be the roasted cauliflower... it was a brilliantly spicy combo. I tried my boyfriend's half chicken dish with kale and mashed potatoes, and almost got jealous it was so good.... Almost. I also tried my mom's salmon, which was cooked and seasoned perfectly- I love that slight crust on a fresh filet.. We finished off the meal by splitting a trifecta chocolate cake (I don't like chocolate cake normally... but this one was nutty) and ice cream with fresh raspberries... I also ordered one of the best lattes of my life that had sage in it.... mm--MM! Copying! Overall, I love this place because it plays with so many herbs, obviously FRESH ingredients and makes them work with a no mercy punch of flavor. Summer House doesn't mess around! Big compliments to the chef! Oh... and randomly Jerry Springer was sitting at the table across from us... Had a vision of his date flipping the table over after finding out he was her baby's daddy.
(5)
Julie G.
Been here for brunch about a dozen times and dinner once, and I will say the atmosphere and the drinks are what brings me back over the food. Granted the food is good and the menu has nice options for everyone, but I've certainly had better brunch elsewhere in Chicago. I typically have a reservation so I can't speak to long wait times or unpleasant interactions with the hostess like other reviewers. Fortunately you can usually get a reservation for 4 or less people on pretty short notice. I once arrived around 11 AM one snowy winter morning and was seated immediately without a reservation, but the roads were terrible and not many people were trying to brunch that day. Recommendations: the kicked up kale is by far my favorite drink. I can't go to SH without ordering this! The Mexican hash browns are also a favorite. The English muffins made in house are amazing as well. I've ordered the breakfast burrito more than once, but I probably wouldn't again. It's just Ok. The breakfast sandwich or avocado toast are my usual go to choices. I did get the grilled cheese and fries on one participatory sluggish Sunday and it was delicious! Overall this place is a happy sunny atmosphere and perfect for girls brunch or when the parents are in town!
(4)
Doug R.
Don't forget about service!! Yes the location and scenery take you to 'Santa Monica' This place was on our "it list" and we decided to take the plunge for a birthday dinner. Although we had reservations our less than courteous hostess said she'd text us and turned to talk to her waitress friend. We decided to talk into the adjacent pizza bar and received a much needed drink from a very knowledgable and friendly bartender. He gets the 5 stars!!! Our text came (25 min past our reservation time) and we were seated. Obviously a table of 2 gets less attention than a group of 6 but after our initial order of apps there was no sigh of our waitress. Oysters came but were explained which were which.... By time our waitress returned both apps and current drinks were completed. Main course ordered and delivered before next round of drinks?? Yes the food was great. Yes the drinks were great. Just think a lettuce Ent restaurant should know how to nail service first....
(3)
Cami P.
Loved everything about Summer House! First off, the ambiance was beautiful. All natural lighting, and the atrium has a skylight like ceiling. Our waiter, Clayton, was extremely helpful and attentive- offered excellent recommendations! Secondly, both the food and drinks were delicious. I started with the Palm Fizz- a wine spritzer and it was amazing. My friend and I then split the Spicy Calamari- GET THIS. It was like a calamari I've never tried before, wasn't so fried where you couldn't taste the actual squid itself and came with an amazing spicy dipping sauce. Then for entrees I got the Trout and my friend got the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were excellent! Both left feeling very full. Finally we stopped at the little bakery our way out with a million different types of desserts. I really don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the choices- we got a chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispie on top and it seriously is the best cookie I have ever had in my life. Soft, gooey, so fresh. Could have eaten 5. As you can tell I love love love this restaurant. Definitely will be back in the future!
(5)
Michael A.
Went for brunch on Sunday. After reading the reviews here I was a bit nervous, but what the heck. As more than one person pointed out, the hosts could not be bothered with us. They really don't care. We had to ask if it was ok to sit at the empty bar, "Oh yeah, that's first come". Like Duh.. you idiot is what she was thinking. Anyhow, everything went UP from there. The barstaff was very kind and knowledgable. The drinks were tasty and lets be honest, when you get candied bacon on your bloody mary, how can you go wrong? The ingredients were fresh and tasted so. Great ambiance in the place, with great natural light and a breeze running through it. Had the breakfast tostadas, and they were delicious. Great flavor. We also had the shortrib hash, but that was ok. It was good, but it definitely is not special. It didn't wow you and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone trying to be impressed. Not a lot of flavor, kind of bland. Don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream. We will go back as over all it was a really good experience.
(4)
Jane C.
3.5 stars Super cute spot for date or special occasion. There's something for everyone on the menu and food was good. Located conveniently off the Purple/Brown line and a nice neighborhood to walk around before or after dinner.
(4)
Karen C.
First & foremost: DEFINITELY make reservations. Second: Bring sunglasses. I'd say this is actually a 3.5 star review, but I thought I'd round up because the food was really great. I made reservations for a mid-afternoon Saturday brunch/lunch situation for myself & the manfriend. When we got there, I checked in, and our table was not ready yet, so we headed outside to wait a bit. After 20 minutes, I was starting to get irritated... what's the point of a reservation if you don't get your table at the time of your reservation? So I went back in to see if it was going to be much longer because if it was, we were going to have to leave, as we had tickets to a play down the street. The second I said we'd have to leave, they magically found us a table... so that was just a weird start to our visit. But, after that, all went well... our waiter was super friendly & prompt. We started with the burrata appetizer because, well, when I see burrata on the menu, I order it. It was sublime. The waiter asked if we had been to RPM Italian yet, because he thinks theirs is even better, so I'll need to be checking that out soon. We both had breakfasty entrees & they were delicious, and came out quickly and piping hot. I had the tostada that came with pulled chicken & eggs. The cocktails are delicious, too. Not sure if it's still available, but at the time we got a free cookie for dessert for checking in on Yelp! The main draw for me wanting to try this place was that it was LEYE & the fact that it looked so damn bright & sunny inside. I'd been meaning to visit all winter to see if it would pull me out of the winter blues, but we ended up visiting on one of the most gorgeous Saturday's of the year instead. It was so bright inside I literally had to wear my sunglasses... definitely felt like I was back in Santa Monica!
(4)
Andrea J.
This is our 3rd and likely last visit to Summer House. The restaurant is absolutely stunning however the service seems to have deteriorated since our last visit. Our waitress was attentive however we had 3 different people attempt to bring the wrong food to our table which was very annoying. My husband was never asked if he wanted a cocktail and when we did eventually order it, it took far too long for it to arrive. The kids menu is weak and the spaghetti was WAY undercooked which is the polar opposite of what you'd expect for a 'kids meal'. Our entrees were just ok - nothing 'wowed' us enough go to deem another visit. There are way too many options in Chicago to justify returning for a mediocre experience.
(2)
C W.
Came for breakfast on a Saturday and started with a positive impression of the serene, well designed decor, promising of a good meal to come. Overall felt it was a bit of a slip downhill with a long wait given relative calm in our seating area, but saved by a friendly waitress. The highlights were the drinks and coffee , all enjoyable. Some aspects of the meal were good The french toast shared among the group was tasty. But the bad was notable. Deeply dissatisfied with the cold and mealy hash browns that were literally the worse I've ever had in a restaurant in my life. Insultingly bad; everyone at the table had to send theirs back . After some additional issues, the bill was incorrectly tallied by over $40. I love discovering new places, and am very comfortable spending well for great quality and service , however not sure Ill be back to Summer House.
(2)
Howard L.
This is a delightful 2 year old Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) franchise. Apparently the San Monica California originator of Summer House knew the owner of LEYE, and they collaborated to open this location. The venue was quite airy and sunny particularly during our summertime visit. It's also the most hipster and trendy LEYE restaurant we think we have ever experienced. With its glass roof as well as open air patio seating section, it's also a much larger restaurant than their Halsted storefront reveals. The clientele is a polite, well dressed, higher end type of crowd, and during a weekday lunch, I was wondering to myself why all these younger people weren't working or didn't appear to be having a work lunch anyway. Anyway, wife and I enjoyed a lunch of a burger with their seasonal salad ($13.95), and their pasta of the day, a spinach carbonara or spinach fettuccine served with a sunnyside egg ($16.95). The burger also came with grilled onions and was a nicely done juicy big burger deserving of the premium price. We found free street parking right on Halsted (yet it is metered parking on Armitage), but I frankly wouldn't want to be looking for street parking in this busy neighborhood at dinner time. Glad we tried it, and it's now a potential special occasion city outing kinda place for us.
(4)
Eric B.
Atmosphere is nothing short of spectacular. Natural lighting and bright, neutral tones provide a great ambiance. The food, however, was awful. The $15-ceviche and $15-burrata were good, but not exceptional. The spinach carbonara and the rainbow trout tasted like flour and water mixed together, and nothing else. There was absolutely NO taste in either dish! I was kind of shocked at how something could look and sound so appealing, but be totally bland and flavorless. Because of this, I will never be returning. I was here on my birthday dinner with my family and we were all very disappointed. This is also sad because I had been wanting to go here for months, and when I finally got a reservation I was completely let down. The restaurant did make a slight comeback by serving fantastic (strong) coffee after the mediocre meal.
(1)
Elina S.
I've been here a few times now so I can finally give Summer house a fair review. The first time I didn't have the best experience but this last time for mothers day brunch was fantastic. We obviously made reservation for our family and it was packed. I mean every single table was occupied and we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated for our nice and comfy booth. Let's start with the atmosphere, I'm soo coming here in the winter time when I get those winter blues as this place is literally summer in a restaurant. Even on mothers day which was rainy and gross in Chicago, I literally came in here with a lifted mood because it was bright and cheery. Our server was super attentive and kept checking on us pretty frequently which was a very nice touch. We ordered the drinks and a bunch of us had the passion fruit margarita which was delicious, fresh and full of flavor. Definitely a must get over here. We seem to like getting the calamari here for an appetizer, it's not the best I've ever had but it's tasty. I mean they have every breakfast food imaginable from pancakes, to eggs, to breakfast burritos, to waffles, you name it, so I really think in terms of brunch/lunch you can't go wrong over here. My mom got the salmon benedict on top of their crunchy hashbrowns which she seemed to really like. My MIL got the chicken and waffles which were also pretty tasty. I decided I wanted a burger, yep, don't judge me since I know we were here for brunch. The burger was good with all the fixins and yummy crispy french fries went with it. I also really recommend the bacon here because it's crispy and sweetened with something so it's the perfect combo of sweet and salty. So, the atmosphere is on point, the food is tasty, the drinks are flowing, definitely a great people watching place. Oh, but the best part of all is their pastry counter, omg, they pretty much have it all. The cookies are huge and super chewy and fresh. My favorite was the rice krispy treat, it totally brought me back to my childhood. I really liked that for mothers day, they gave complimentary smores bars to all the mommies which I thought was a very nice touch. It's not a foodie place, but it's just a nice environment to grab the girls or family (kid friendly) and just chow down. Will be back for sure!
(4)
Teddy H.
I've tried twice now (brunch and dinner), and can't justify it. Both visits, service was WAY off. It seems this place prefers snooty and rude hostess personnel, which is a shame since they are pretty much the first interaction you have upon entering. The servers displayed similar attitudes, a little bothered when asked for anything special, and in a rush to get you out the door. Food is okay, pretty basic, and lacking that WOW factor. For example, the Tuna Tartare appetizer basically comes on Tostito chips rounds. And for the price you are paying, it needs to have it. I get it - the ambiance is cool and the location is great. But when you can head up the street and have better food with service that makes you feel comfortable and welcome, you should and I will.
(2)
Nicole L.
I have to update since I've been back. They are now conveniently open for lunch! Woohoo! The drinks are delicious. The dishes are very fresh and give you that dining on the Santa Monica pier vibe. It's great for dinner too! The cookies are definitely worth the $3.50 price tag!!
(4)
Kelsey S.
In the dead of winter Summer House's California-influenced menu and Vitamin D-centric interior provides a mood boost - even if the "Countdown to Summer" sign seems so far off. The menu is extensive and varies by season; heirlooms find their way onto plates in the summer, as do roots in the fall and winter. For breakfast, though, the lemon cottage cheese pancakes are always delicious, pillow-y and wonderfully tart. And if you don't want to commit to a full stack, you can order a single and try something else savory, like a benedict or hash. For lunch, be sure to order a side of vegetables, like the caramelized Brussels sprouts. Many lunch items stay throughout the year, so it's nice to add a touch of seasonal flavor to your plate. On your way out, you'll pass the sweets counter that houses an assortment of cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats and more. The chocolate chunk rice krispie treat cookie is a sight to behold, but after a couple of bites, it becomes cloyingly sweet - share it or save it for later.
(3)
Heidi B.
Summer House is the best place I've ever had brunch! The only thing that can make a Bloody Mary better...top it with candied bacon. We had the ahi tuna tostadas and the caramelized brussel sprouts as starters. Both of the dishes were delicious and easy to share. I had the smoked salmon hash brown Benedict as my entree. This was the best egg Benedict dish I have ever had! You can find similar dishes at other restaurants but the taste and presentation can't compare to Summer House. The inside will make you feel like you're sitting inside a trendy restaurant in California. I wish I lived a little closer to this restaurant. It would be the perfect place to escape for a fun meal. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses!! Also, don't forget to grab a chocolate chip with rise krispie cookie at the bakery counter on your way out.
(5)
Eileen J.
great atmosphere (5), good service (5), Food super disappointing (2 - 3) for the price point black squid ink seafood pasta so little seafood it was nearly undetectable Amish chicken was ok Spicy Calamari was less than average cauliflower was ok decent win selection
(3)
louis S.
Fun bright great place. You are assaulted in a good way by the desserts upon entry. The staff is upbeat and very helpful large fully flavored meals. Everyone was happy. Next door attached is a bit more subdued pizza spot? A bit over packed and loud but....
(5)
Kara H.
Came here for brunch with my parents and will definitely be coming back. The ambiance was fantastic, the staff was very friendly (accommodating when we called to say we were running a few minutes behind our reservation & also once we arrived). Now, onto what I was able to try. Breakfast Burrito- DELICIOUS. Sometimes I worry that a breakfast burrito will be way too much food (and they're not the best things to reheat later) but this one was not massive, it was just the right size! Blueberry Pancake- Just the right amount of fruit to pancake ratio + deliciously airy. Breakfast Potatoes- Good, but not amazing. I`d get them again but I could also live without. I`ll definitely be coming back for brunch and I want to try the dinner as well!
(5)
Will L.
Went there one summer night and it was very awesome. The place is pretty huge and it does feel very much like you are dinning outside. The decor was very nice and summery. #yes The food was quite delicious. We had the biscuits and it was crazy good. Hmmmmm. So Good. You will not be disappointed. Make sure you get your own, you are not going to want to share. We also had the spicy calamari. It really was not that spicy at all. IT was still good but not spicy. For a main dish, I had the chicken which was very good. The cookie bar was pretty awesome for dessert. Pick your cookie, any cookie. So many cookies. The waitress was ok. She could have been more welcomie or friendly or made more eye contact but whatever. Did I mention they have a cookie bar?? I would for sure go back, get some more biscuits, try something else and get some cookies.
(4)
Blaine T.
The atmosphere is great! I love the decor and the summer vibe that the place has. Defintely a fun trendy brunch place. The breakfast cocktails are great. We all tried each other's dishes and the breakfast tostadas were AMAZING. Also you should all split a cinnamon roll! Make a reservation.
(4)
Kelly T.
I have dined at this wonderful restaurant since discovering it from an invitation to join an aquaintance for dinner and drinks in April. I have returned no less than a dozen times. The service and food quality are both are excellent regardless of the demand or impact on this popular hang out always which means it is consistent and that is all I can ask for. Lovely food, wine, spirits and staff. Great outdoor area for summer months and the ambiance in-doors is very well thought out however, although in my own personal opinion, if the bar were circular and in the middle of the venue, it would help the flow of both customers and staff when it is extremely busy.
(5)
David C.
Atmosphere was lovely but food was very disappointing. Ordered the pan-seared brook trout which was swimming in grease aka brown butter. The walnuts were burnt not toasted - tasted and smelled like burnt popcorn - not pleasant. Would have sent it back, but the air-conditioned was pumped so high the place was like a freezer and we were eager to leave. Oh, and we could have used a fly swatter. Yeah, inside... flies.
(1)
Ken O.
Picture this.... with snow falling in every direction and bitterly cold, two friends and I decided to try Summer House, which has been on my list of restaurants to try for awhile. I've been to Stella Barra which is connected to Summer House and enjoyed it for lunch. Upon entering this restaurant... OMG, the snow storm went away at least visionally. The decor is just like a restaurant in Southern CA or a tropical restaurant on an island some place. The walls were creamy white, draperies were white, the furniture in the bar are on the wicker side. As stated earlier, you were in a different locale. Stacie W, was our server, who greeted up promptly. She understood that we would be "camping out" for awhile. She went over the beverages and menu with us. Then she brought the first round of beverages. We finally decided to try the Ahi Tuna Tostada for an appetizer. After bringing us the appetizer, the food runner would keep an eye on our table as well as Stacie. I believe there were five slices, which was just enough for the three of us. We finally decided on our meals.... we had ordered a Chicken Grilled Sandwich, a hamburer and I had ordered a French Dip sandwich and a side of cauliflower. I felt the food was delivered to us in the approriate amount of time, again, we were here for a leisure lunch. We were all very satisifed with our food choices. We had shared the cauliflower and couldn't get enough of that side dish. Both, Stacie and the food runner would check in with us, then another round of beverages came. Between the food and the relaxed atmosphere, we lost track of time. Unfortunately, none of us had saved room for dessert. Maybe next time. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a great meal and a relaxing time. Looking forward to my next visit,
(5)
April R.
I wrote a review last month about my first Summer House experience and they reached out to me soon after my post. I was very impressed with their diligence to contact me, talk about the experience and offer me a invite back to the restaurant to make it right. This time around I made a reservation with TJ and had a very nice time at Summer House for dinner. We ordered the Santa Monica cobb salad, local burrata, gemelli & fennel sausage, the roasted 1/2 chicken and the pan-roasted Great Lakes whitefish. The food was prepared perfectly, staff was attentive and they couldn't have been more apologetic for my first dining experience. The fact that they reached out to make the first dining experience right speaks volume to their service expectations and I greatly appreciated the acknowledgement and the great dinner experience. Thank you Michael, TJ and Adam!
(5)
Sarah P.
When I catch myself yearning for the laid back atmosphere of the west coast I come here and my desire is quenched. Love this restaurant. It is trendy, it is packed, the reservation list is ridiculous - call a week in advance if you want a table for brunch at 10:30a. There are three distinct spaces, the dining room is my favorite as the entire roof is glass and lets the sun in. In the warm months the entire front wall of the restaurant opens. Plants hang from the ceiling, and the interior is bright, classy, and welcoming. I'm transported back to the beach houses in Santa Monica, and watching the waves roll onto the beach while sipping my morning coffee... Love Wait... I haven't even talked about the food! I've only been here for brunch.. It's a morning spot for me, and the options are good. I love the fruit platter, they know how to make turkey bacon, the waffles are yummy, the coffee satisfying. It's the closest I can get to Urth Caffe.....
(4)
Molly D.
When you walk into Summer House you are immediately greeted by the warm breeze on your face, the smells of bonfires, fireflies glowing at night, and the sound of waves crashing at the beach. Ok, so none of that actually happens, but in my opinion it practically does happen because Summer House has designed the perfect atmosphere to remind your senses of summertime. And that, my friend, is a great atmosphere to escape to when you are living year round in Chi-beria. Along with having a great atmosphere, the food and drinks range from good to phenomenal. Our group of four started with some cocktails (and one mock-tail for my glowing pregnant friend). I loved my Plam Fizz, each of the guys enjoyed an Old Fashioned, and my friend was happy to be able to have the mock-tails as choices since at most restaurants she would have been stuck with the basic drink options like Sprite. Drinks were all very unique and tasty and I would definitely recommend trying one. Next, we decided to go with the baked-to-order biscuits which is served with a yummy poblano honey butter. Wow... I mean, these biscuits with that amazing butter were out-of-this-world amazing. I am salivating thinking about them as I write this review. Do yourself a favor and order these!! As a pescatarian, there were several options for me to choose from on this menu (both seafood and vegetarian) which was exciting. After much debate between the salmon and the mahi-mahi tacos, I went with the tacos. The portion was large, sadly the tacos were average. For the steep price I paid for tacos, I would expect them to be more flavorful or come with more interesting sauces (it only came with salsas). I would definitely go with a different main course next time. Others in our group seemed pleased with their choices of chicken and steak. Finally here's a tip, for desert, make sure you check-in on Yelp because they were offering a free cookie for those who checked in. Even if they aren't offering the free cookie, make sure you save room for one. They are warm, gooey, and smothered in ice cream (make sure you add on the ice cream). In all, I would return to Summer House for their inviting atmosphere, good food and interesting drinks. Next time I would want try brunch or a different main course for dinner. I will definitely swing by the bar for a cocktail with a biscuit or their cookie bar to bring home for dessert when I'm in the mood for warm baked goods.
(4)
Karen M.
We reserved a table for 6 on a busy Saturday afternoon, and we were told it would take an hour to an hour-and-a-half for a table. It took an hour and 45 minutes for the table, then once seated, we ordered as soon as we could, and it took almost an hour for the food to come. My egg sandwich was room temperature. The waiter checked in from time to time, but didn't ask us if we wanted any food while we were waiting. I finally asked for a basket of bread as we were famished. They gave us a complimentary dessert after we mentioned how long we had been there which was nice. Good service but very poor experience overall.
(2)
Mihir P.
WOW!!! We LOVED this place from top to bottom. Just sitting in the bustling, airy, white and bright atmosphere, I felt rejuvenated. The burrata was very fresh and lusciously creamy and served with fresh dark crusty bread. OK, I know this is in the Midwest, but I can't remember having calamari any fresher! It was super tender and meaty and flavorful. The grilled halibut was perfectly cooked and light. I tried some of the fries my friend had with his burger and they were amazing - thin, crispy and perfectly seasoned. Our server so mad cool and professional and accommodating. I'LL BE BACK.
(5)
Rachel L.
Reservations are strongly advised! We made a reservation for Saturday breakfast at 10:30. The restaurant was already packed and I can see why. This place was by far my favorite in Chicago! As soon as you walk into the restaurant, there was a feeling of being in LA. We were traveling from the SF Bay Area to Chicago for a quick getaway and were reminded of the beautiful weather in Southern California once we stepped in. It's perfect! The food was amazing. We ordered the spinach omelet, egg white sandwich, tostadas, hash brown benedict, chicken and waffles with a side of candied bacon and a round of the strawberry chia. Everything was sooooooo good! The only complaint I have was that the eggs were over-cooked on the hash brown benedict. They were supposed to be poached, but were more on the over medium side. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our meals, had great conversation, sat in awe of the restaurant. We had great service and loved our entire experience. The restaurant is so cute in decor. You really feel like you're in LA, by the beach. A must try if you're in the area.
(5)
Nicole M.
If only the food was as good as the setting! This was my second dinner at Summer House. Both times I've been disappointed in the food. The food is under seasoned and bland. I had the gemelli with sausage and rapini. It had a strange starchy texture and was calling out for salt. The interior is so beautiful and bright. It pains me that the food is so mediocre.
(2)
Stefanie A.
Traveled to sunny California last night- that's how it feels when you step inside Summer House. Definitely the place to be when the weather in Chicago is nasty! Had a 7:30 reservation and were immediately seated at a table close to the kitchen. Kitchen is wide open, allowing diners to watch the cooks prepare their meals. The entire set up is absolutely beautiful. A large glass roof with hanging plants & lights, and the servers uniforms give the restaurant that laid back, beachy, California vibe. Our server, Rachel C was great. She recommended a great Pinot noir. We started with the burrata, beach bum ceviche, & the hamachi avocado sushi roll. All delicious! Loved the ceviche's citrus flavor! For entrees I had the trout in the walnut brown butter sauce. My husband had the French dip sandwich, and my bro-in-law had the halibut. Both were also good, but we all agreed the trout was just phenomenal. For dessert we did a warm cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Free if you check in on yelp!) Thanks yelp! The cookie and ice cream was just the right amount of sweet and salty. Rachel never rushed us- let us take our time with finishing a second bottle of the Pinot noir. Bottom line: cool atmosphere, great food, & wonderful service!
(4)
Food M.
First time here. Waitress Danielle exceeded expectations. Personably, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Crab cake is off the charts
(5)
Jiwon S.
Went here for brunch with my friend on a weekday and I loved it! The atmosphere was amazing and the food was great. It felt as I was in Santa Monica. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Jenna S.
Cute atmosphere especially the open area with glass ceiling, very nice pasteries that vary from the norm. Great place to catch up with friends.
(4)
Lissa E.
Went to Summer House on a beautiful summer day. We went with two other couples on a Tuesday night and it was busy as ever. Our party had a reservation and we were seated right away. The service was good but not great. Our server was training a new person and it was a bit awkward when ordering as to who we should talk to as they were both taking down the order and talking to us. They got all of our orders correct and spaced the meal out well so overall I'd say 4.5 stars on service. The food- we ordered the Burrata, Cauliflower, and the living lettuce salad for appetizers to share. The Burrata was amazing!! I wish we had two orders. The toast was perfectly toasted and the tomato accompaniment went perfectly with the smooth Burrata. The cauliflower was ok but pretty spicy, I would probably choose a different veggie next time. The living lettuce salad was light and fresh, very good. For dinner I ordered one of the specials, sockeye salmon. It was perfectly cooked but it had a little too much sauce on it. I am somewhat of a purist so others may like the amount of sauce. My husband ordered the English muffin burger, which he reported to be tasty but was difficult to eat as it didn't stay on the bun well. Another person in our group ordered the trout and he claimed it was the best trout he had ever had. All of the other meals were less remarkable but everyone said they thought their food was at least "good." Overall everything was good with some great. I would definitely go back for a taste of "summer" sometime in the middle of a cold chicago winter. One quick side note- we did see blackhawks player, Jonathan Toews there which was kind of fun!
(4)
Ben B.
This place is confusing. It's decked out in a lot of white wood, like something you'd see on a beach. Hell, there are life preservers hanging on the walls. It's like Jimmy Buffett's godawful Margaritaville concept, but for rich people who aren't stoned. The menu consists of a lot of fish, with burger and taco options. We began with the biscuits. You get two per order, but they're very large. Each was burnt on the top and bottom. I slathered mine in honey to make it not taste like charcoal. For my entree, I had the Korean pork tacos. (I asked for tortillas, otherwise you have to eat it in a lettuce leaf.) The ingredients are served up on a plate and you have to assemble each taco. As I ate it, I thought it was okay, but not worth seeking out. There's also a counter with cookies up front because... I don't know. They weren't on the regular menu. This is the kind of place you visit once because you're bored with all your usual hangouts. I've visited once. I'm done.
(2)
Kate W.
We had a totally decent experience at Summer House. Our waitress was fantastic--friendly, sweet, attentive. We liked her a lot. Some highlights: the ceviche is superb. Perfectly balanced and delicious. The brussels sprouts salad was also outstanding. I had bucatini, and was very impressed. A friend we ate with had the chicken tacos and they looked really good. Also, get the cookies. Just shut up and get the cookies. You won't regret it.
(4)
Jesse N.
I was looking forward to coming to this restaurant, mainly because it looks so cool from the outside. I ordered a cocktail initially and thought it was good. Where things started to go down hill was when my Steak Frites arrived. I was in the mood for "house cut fries" but when they came out they were like a bad version of McDonald's fries. Apparently they cut them with a machine in the back but that's still not really "hand cut". I also asked for a medium rare steak and it came out well down and it just didn't taste good. I was left feeling very unsatisfied and actually physical sick. What made matters worse was when the manager stopped by to ask how the meals were and I told him my experiences he came across as incredibly defensive and bordering confrontational. He then stormed off at the end of the uncomfortable conversation saying he would share the feedback with the chef. Needless to say that I won't be coming back and think that it's only a matter of time before people realize that this place is only good for the cool restaurant design and location, and not the food or service.
(1)
Brenda G.
Could this place be any more delicious? I love summer house. Everything I've tried is delicious. I once went during March Madness and the restaurant was nice enough to let me reserve the only table by a television. I normally stick with the breakfast burritos however their tacos are amazing! Who has 2 kind of fish tacos? Summer House, that's who! You can also enjoy a cocktail at Stella Barra next store while you wait for your table. Try the rose, it's delicious! Cheers!
(5)
Adam A.
Amazing Brunch as always. Great gluten free cookies, taste AMAZING.
(4)
Ashley V.
5+ for ambiance. So fun for a cocktail and app. Bright, airy, and very California (love!). 5 for appetizers - best calamari I've ever had (Asian creamy sauce so good), and I don't really like calamari. Ahi tostadas are to die for. Burrata is good (missing basil and balsamic, so ask for it!). 4 for brunch and dinner items. Nothing special about either, and a bit overpriced. 4 for service. Some were good, but some forget things and others are fine but not great (nice-wise). (Good overall, though - won't ruin your meal or anything!) Great selection of wines and cocktails. Go here often, though, because it's just fun overall. Must try! But it's not spectacular.
(4)
Adriana O.
I looooove this place!!! Food is good, but what I love the most is the actual building. It's so 'summer-y' and even if it's freezing cold outside once you walk in you can feel as if you're in California, and that is major specially during winter in Chicago! And you got to love the 'Days 'till summer' count down.
(5)
Hana C.
Atmosphere was clean, bright, white, and comforting. Service was excellent. Food was delicious. And for checking in we got a free cookie and ice cream. The cookie was enormous (the size of a baby's face) and it was horribly good. We shared a few vegetable starters to begin with, all of which were good. I had the chicken tacos which while not unique were tasty. My girlfriend who I was visiting just moved from California and she appreciated the California-esque food/dining style. She will be back there again (and I would be too if I lived in Chicago).
(4)
Melissa A.
First of all let me mention that Summer House is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. Say what?? Yes, that was exactly my response when my friend told me. For whatever reason it surprised me, not necessarily in a bad way. My friends and I came here for the Chicago Restaurant Week deal and my dining experience here was fantastic from start to finish. I'm just going to list out what I liked or didn't like about Summer House since lists tend to be easier to read/tend to capture people's attention better! LIKES (non-food): *My party of 4 was seated quickly (we had reservations) in a comfy, spacious booth *Decor / ambiance of the restaurant is coastal chic, airy, decorated in warm colors and really transports you out of the cold, Chicago winter to Cali *Service was great - our waitress was friendly, accommodating, and checked on us throughout the night LIKES (food): *When you first walk in, there's a little bakery with a display case of cookies, rice krispie treats, and other baked goodies and they also offer coffee/cafe drinks *The restaurant week menu ($44 prixe fix menu) includes a glass of wine! *All of the food was ON POINT! *"Appetizer: I chose the Super Greens Salad". I don't say this often but I loved this salad! It was light but flavorful without needing a ton of ingredients. It was composed of kale, shaved celery, parmesan, bread crumbs and tossed in a Parmesan vinaigrette. Yum! *Entree: I chose the "Slow Braised Pork Shank" as my entree (there were 4 choices) and I was not disappointed. The pork was very flavorful (possibly a tad salty) and it was fall-off-the-bone tender. I didn't even need to use a knife to cut it apart. It was served with roasted fingerling potatoes and winter fruits. The combination of salty and sweet was delicious. Highly recommend this dish! *Dessert: choice of their Trifecta fudge cake or one of their cookies. There was no debate between cake or cookie for me once I saw their cookies. Let me tell you, they are HUGE and mouthwatering. I chose a s'mores cookie and it was served warm with ice cream on top. I barely finished half but it wasn't because the cookie was bad but because I was greedy and ate too much of my app and entree...typical me haha *On my way out I ordered a Horchata Latte from the little bakery. This was delicious! Horchata + coffee?? umm yum! You must try it if you like both! DISLIKES: *I couldn't try everything on the menu... I definitely will be back to try their brunch since I've heard it's just as great!
(4)
Kristin M.
If I could eat here everyday, I would. I would be broke and I think it may be worth it. Been here twice. This past time I got the strawberry solstice cocktail and it was so fresh and good. Fresh strawberry juice, vodka, bubbly, mint, and lime. Need I say more.? We ordered a burger on English muffin and avocado toast with poached eggs. While the burger was tasty, the avocado toast was the winner. Mascarpone cheese on the most delicious soft multi grain bread, big chunks of avocado, and poached eggs that broke with yolk running over it. It was so simple yet so much flavor. We ended with a huge chocolate chip cookie that was perfect blend of sugar, salt, and chocolate. The prior time we got the ahi tacos which are also bomb. Do yourself a favor, go to summer house now. It's worth the Benjamins.
Great food, great gluten free options! TJ behind the bar was very accommodating of our special cocktail requests.
(5)
Cindy G.
I was super jazzed to try this place, as I've heard great things. I was raised on Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so I know what to expect from their food and their service. The food at Summer House was good and I LOVE the glass ceiling and natural light. Such a welcoming, fresh vibe -- a great energy for brunch with the girls. Our waitress was fun and funny, so that was an added bonus. I ordered a bloody (VERY good) and the smoked salmon/hash brown benedict. Delicious. Also, they have carmelized bacon that is similar to the bacon at Shaw's brunch (if you know what I'm talking about, you know that this is the best bacon in town). I'm taking a star away because the coffee was down-right gross. And I take my coffee very seriously. My first cup had coffee grounds and other crap floating in it. I kept my mouth shut and scooped it all out---but then a server came back to top me off, and more grounds were floating around in there. Gross! I told the waitress about it, and she didn't seem surprised by it...which perplexed me. She brought me a fresh cup, but sure enough, with the next top-off, more grounds in my mug. I was so grossed out that I just gave up and stopped drinking it. Also, the waitress didn't comp my coffee from the bill, which surprised me because Lettuce is known to be very accommodating when something isn't to your liking. Otherwise, I left satisfied and would recommend this place to friends and would go back (at a time when I don't need any coffee ;-D).
(4)
Devin H.
Awesome atmosphere -- feels like a summer house on the beach! Food, service, drinks, and dessert were great. Celiac friendly menu is a huge plus.
(5)
Hanh S.
If you don't come for anything, just pop in to see the place- the ambiance is really Summer House's selling point. Its open layout with tall ceilings and white walls is really beautiful. As many other reviewers have stated, you feel like you've left the frigid Chicago winter and transported to sunny southern California. I came for my birthday dinner with 3 of my other friends and though crowded, was seated right away. The waitress and busboys are very good and the food comes out very quick. I liked that although crowded, I was able to talk to carry a conversation with my friends without any trouble. The food is obviously catered towards California cuisine and in other words, health conscious. The majority of their dinner menu is vegetable and seafood oriented and reasonable portions- for example, my friend ordered the turkey burger and it was not piling with fries, grease etc. where in many places, burger plates come out in monstrous portions. This menu may not be for everyone-I would not recommend taking your meat-eating, junk food chomping friends here to gorge out. While there are some few hearty options, they may leave unsatisfied. I ordered the shaved vegetable salad, roasted cauliflower (my absolute favorite- definitely try it!) my friends ordered the salmon, super green salad, and english muffin turkey burger. The general consensus was that the food was good, though not great. The drinks were very delicious and had some great cocktails. The dessert menu was a standard of cookies and ice cream/sorbet. I had a chocolate cookie a la mode, and found the dessert also good, but not great. I give this 3 stars because I really have high hopes for this place to evolve its menu,which I feel is slightly boring at the moment. I have not tried their brunch but a quick glance of its menu looks more promising. I really want to love this place, but its just hasn't wowed me yet-maybe when the summer time rolls in.
(3)
Alyssa C.
This place is phenomenal. A bright cheery place with a bit of sexy splashed in. Great for dates or groups of people. I can't wait to see what it transforms into during the summer. Apparently the roof opens and the garage door is pulled up. Fabulous entrees to enjoy. We approached our meal with a small plate mentality, so we got to try a lot! The grilled cauliflower, eggplant and burrata were delish appetizers. The swordfish was ok, polenta mash kinda bland and the oatmeal cookie for dessert was a bit hard... I think with a few menu tweaks this place will be even better. But I would highly recommend and will be back!
(4)
Nm B.
They are instituting a weird 21/2 wait time for walk-ins. We were told we could make a reservation but it is also their policy that one can not make reservations before 10am so it sounds weird. We arrived both times at 9:30 and 9am. Don't waste you time!
(1)
Julie N.
Super evening had here. I loved the calamari, chips, guacamole and the tuna salad . The salad was dressed perfectly and the tuna was extremely fresh. My husband had the pork ravioli and said it was excellent. My only grumble was the rude table next to us who kept having their friends visit their table and invading our space. At one point a chap was sat right next to me on the bench and had his elbow on our table. :{
(4)
Kelly P.
We chose this for a birthday group outing as per walking by often and liking the look of the place. When we were escorted to a table after an easy reservation process, we were not disappointed. The aesthetics of the place are a dream. The look is awesome. Our waitress suggested good wines, so we got two bottles. Our group got two appetizers as well, which were good: the spinach dip and the guacamole. We each got fantastic entrees. The Yelp check in even allowed a free dessert. I suggest this place to all. It's not too fancy, but it's nicer than the local burrito place. A good spot for a date night.
(5)
Nancy P.
This place makes my heart happy. Extremely knowledgable staff about being gluten free, with many GF options to pick, including cookies! If I could, I'd eat here everyday. The burrata is heaven.
(5)
Kaleigh G.
This is the perfect escape from the winter cold! The decor and atmosphere really is straight out of Santa Monica and it makes even the most loyal Chicagoan like myself want to buy a ticket to California ASAP. The countdown to summer (still over 100 days) doesn't help much with that wish either. I thought the food was delicious but slightly overpriced. The "mess of fries" is outstanding, as are the portion sizes in general. I got the lobster special, which is a great deal for lobster, but unfortunately, mine was a little cold. Everyone I went with really enjoyed their meals, but I was a little sad about mine not being piping warm. Definitely save room for dessert though, as you can pick up amazing cookies right on your way out the door!
(3)
Mike D.
i've been here 6 times, and there's a good chance I go back because I live in the neighborhood and there isn't much competition for this place. Basically, the problems are the ridiculous slowness of the service, the prices (everything is 20%+ too high for amount you get). Compared to Gibson's for the prime rib au jus, steak frittes with other higher end places, etc. The atmosphere is very cool and decent looking people frequent it. I've never had good service there. I don't requre a lot, just basically if my water is empty and the carafe is empty, to just fill it up. I hate tipping $18 when we had 2 smaller martinis and 2 smaller entrees. I could go on, but that's enough. We've had to wait over 10 mins for a high chair 2 times. Just stuff that shouldn't happen. They said they'd check the stroller, so we left it near the entrance/exit. No one touched it and it was just sitting in the same place on the floor. Just odd. Basically the whole place is serviced by young people who don't really know about waiting tables at a place where the average entree is $20+
(1)
Phil C.
The best thing about this place is the atmosphere and the service. Great addition to Lincoln Park - draws a nice, diverse crowd. In short, if you are looking for a comfortable and social atmosphere, this is a great spot; If you are looking for exceptional food, the french dip at Hugo's Frog Bar is much better. Phil
(3)
Robyn S.
What a great restaurant and the experience I had there was more than I expected. Lauren was our server and she was very knowledgeable with everything on the menu and made some great suggestions. She was very friendly and adorable. The food was delicious and she went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and unforgettable. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Anna G.
Great experience all around. Had a reservation for 2 on Saturday night and were promptly seated (although it was in the bar-ish area rather than the main part). Our server was friendly. Drinks were good, but not necessarily strong. The best part of the meal were the ahi tuna tostadas. I could've eaten an entree version of those! For the mains we had the fish tacos and the braised pork ravioli, would recommend both. The space is gorgeous. I just wish they'd start serving brunch as it'd be the perfect location with the openness and glass roof.
(4)
Mary H.
I couldn't be more thrilled that this awesome restaurant just opened in my neighborhood. I accidentally came on opening night and wow -- was blown away. Everything about the experience was phenomenal. Summer House is going to be a huge contender for the yuppity crowd that dines out in this area. The decor is fresh and inviting. I can't wait to come in the summer when their retractable roof opens! The food was delish and featured a wide variety of selections that could please anyone. I liked that they offer small and large plates on their menu, as some of us aren't always in the mood to share ;-) During my visit, we got the hamachi tartare (divine), the calamari (amaze) and the pork ravioli (yum yum). Everything was so good and the combination of things we ordered was truly unique. With a bottle of wine and the three dishes our bill came out to about $100 with tip, not bad for a nice dinner. I definitely will be frequenting this place as often as the budget allows it!
(5)
Deborah R.
We had a lovely luncheon with family. Dark and Stormy is a wonderful drink! Every bodies meals were terrific except mine which was a tuna salad. Don't get it. The gluten free chocolate cookies were to die for on the way out. Yum !
(4)
Nicole L.
They have a great Saturday brunch! The ambiance is awesome as well!
(4)
Noelle W.
I was skeptical with the prices for what seems to be a simple menu, but the food was great. For a round of drinks, app, 2 entrees, tea & 2 espressos the tab was $90 with tip -- not horrible considering the variety of what we ordered We started with the calamari - Summer House's is best calamari I've had in the city, maybe ever. Really crispy, just enough spicy & great dipping sauce. My boyfriend ordered the burger w/side salad & it was excellent. The side salad was better than your average side salad. We also ordered the prime rib french dip. It was good, but if you don't like rare meat, don't order - It was very pink and not warm throughout. I enjoy my red meat rare-medium rare so this did not bother me. Fries were just a tad too salty for my liking, wish I had gone with the side salad Overall, great restaurant, attentive staff. Great addition to the area. It takes a lot for a restaurant to impress my boyfriend & he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back!
(5)
KAREN S.
Awesome atmosphere! Really great decor and bright, they got it right making you feel like you are in California. I ate dinner there this past Sunday night, it was their third night open. Felt like you were sitting in a Crate and Barrel kind of, but nothing wrong with that. Food was good, we ordered the guacamole and chips for starters and then each ordered a salad; I got the Beverly Hills Tennis Cub--good but definitely not a big portion. A salad could easily be a starter and then get an entree. The price point is kind of high, but its a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Our waiter was great, very attentive and we asked him a lot of questions and he told us that they had a month long training to understand the menu-which is great! The manager stopped by our table to see how we were liking everything. I would definitely go back and try an entree. And they are opening a pizza kitchen that is connected to Summer House in a few weeks, so I will be checking that out too.
(5)
Regina F.
More like 3 1/2 stars... Yelp, when are you going to give that option btw? Anyways, came here for brunch with a friend a couple of months ago. I had the roasted veggie hash and also shared a side of cali grapefruit with my friend. The food was decent/good, but nothing crazy spectacular to me. The restaurant itself definitely reminds me of Cali with it being in a huge sunny greenhouse feel. This alone makes any brunch or lunch a plus, especially since we don't have anything, or much like this in Chicago. And we Chicagoans know our dark and gloomy winters last 6 months out of the year. Being said, I'd definitely come back for brunch/lunch. I also wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner as well.
(3)
M G.
Two confirmed cases of food poisoning, avoid the French Dip! Wine list was disappointing and the uncaring and uneducated waitstaff regarding the wine list was even more disappointing. Stella Barra next door has a better wine selection and great pizza.
(1)
Lo S.
Glad I tried summerhouse! Food was good ambiance was nice. Tried several dishes. Guac and chips were okay, generous guac portion. Brussels sprouts were undercooked. Burger was good veggie options not bad either! Ice cream was really good! Good experience but definitely not my fav!
(4)
Emily C.
What a bright and cheery place! I instantly felt like I was somewhere other than freezing, snowy Chicago. We started with the hot mess of fries and they hit the spot - fries, pork, egg, blue cheese AND truffle. Seems like it would be too much but it was delicious. Also loved both the ahi tuna and hamachi tartare - very fresh. I actually had the hamachi as my entree, but the other dishes I tried were very good. The atmosphere was definitely the best part. Loved the bar, restaurant, ceiling, front area - the whole theme! 333/365
(5)
Kelly C.
wow, this place is the worst. first of all, it's a beautiful space. that's where the good part ends. The food was pretty darn bad. I had a lettuce entertain you gift card--i wish i had used it at one of the other pretty bad lettuce restaurants. the menu is not in season. it's called "summer house" and it's summer, so why are there so many root vegetable heavy dishes using ingredients that are out of season? i ordered what was described as the "best dish" on the menu as described by our water. gee, i hope not. it was a pasta dish. not only was the pasta absolute mush, but it was missing two ingredients. there were only 3 ingredients in the dish besides the pasta. i pointed this out to our waiter and instead of plating me another portion with the right ingredients, i got back a re-purposed version of my entree with the missing ingredients thrown on top. oh good, now the pasta is even more soggy and disgusting. my husband ordered steak frites which was terrible. cut wrong, underseasoned, cooked wrong, and served with unsalted fries. really? how can you screw up steak and fries for $25? other things: "ran out" of biscuits, cookies, sparking wine, etc. overall, the worst place ive eaten at in chicago.
(1)
Elizabeth Z.
Decided to give Summer House another try after my less than filling brunch a few weeks ago. The manager had reached out too me suggesting I come back to see if they could make the experience better (the fact that they took the time to reach out in itself speaks volumes about the business). Took my mother in law for Saturday brunch, had a 11:30am reservation and were seated promptly in the main (sunny and bright) dining room. Since I had breakfast before, admittedly a small portion, we both decided to order off the lunch menu. We both ordered the chicken sandwich which came with a side salad. When our food came out, we both commented "wow" about the heaping salad and big sandwich. The salad was one of the best I've eaten - greens mixed with shaved vegetables, quinoa and sunflower seeds - YUMMY and HEALTHY and FILLING (we both took our sandwich leftovers home). We will definitely be back!! Tip: if you're hungry or looking for a larger portion, stick with the lunch side of the menu :). Thanks to our server and Corey for such a pleasant dining experience!!!
(5)
Kim M.
A friend recommended this place. At first I was skeptical because we were at the bar/restaurant waiting for our seat. Waited for a good 30 minutes then We were accompanied inside by our host which was awesome, I love the lighting of the place. Absolutely love our waiter "Kyle" he was so nice and accommodating to our needs. He even poured us water whenever he would see our glasses empty. We ordered the calamari which was delicious and I ordered the squid ink pasta which was okay. It tasted really fishy. And it was mostly pasta with a few pieces of seafood. The squid ink pasta was new to my taste, but I would definitely visit again. I love the vibe of this place.
(4)
Oscar S.
I was there with a friend. Drinks were good. The Calamari and Ceviche were great! Great Lakes Whitefish was perfect. Staff did not miss a beat. Overall great experience!!
(4)
Kate M.
I don't normally write negative reviews of places without actually eating there, but our experience (or lack thereof) the other night compelled me to. We waited over 2 hours for a table before we gave up and went elsewhere. We got there around 7:30 and asked about the wait, and the hostess said it would be and hour and 15 minutes or so. No problem, we weren't starving yet, so we put our name in and went up the street for a drink before dinner. We came back at 8:45 and continued waiting, periodically asking the hostess whether we should continue to wait or just give up. By 9:40, we went up one last time, and she said, "you know what, we really won't be able to fit you guys in. There are too many people with reservations we are behind on. I should text everyone on the wait list to let them know, huh?" And chuckled. Why not tell us this sooner? Super unprofessional and unapologetic. We got out of there and went someplace else for dinner. Comically, we got a text at 10:30 telling us our table was ready. THREE HOURS later. They need to either stop overbooking reservations or find a way to stop people from camping out at their table for hours on end. I'd either avoid this place entirely or make sure you get a reservation about 30 mins before you actually want to eat since they also make people wait for an excessive amount of time even with a reservation.
(1)
Andrea H.
I visited over Labor Day weekend on a Sunday evening. A 7:30 reservation time was 3 weeks wait, but we waited! I got the kale salad and we split an order of home-made biscuits. Get the biscuits!!! They are amaze! The kale salad was solid as well. My friend got the fish tacos and loved them. If we can we wiil be back but I won't wait for a reservation it's not worth that in my opinion w/ so many awesome restaurants in the city. Our server, while proficient, never made eye contact with either of us or smiled. He was literally a robot it was somewhat unsettling! On a side note I hate how this restaurant is so brightly lit. It makes me feel like I am in an elementary school cafeteria. Shell out f/ some good lighting please. At those prices I know they can afford it. This place is not cheap and is ALWAYS packed. Next time I would eat outside to avoid the glare.
(3)
MzPrizzy S.
Great Ambience! Food was delicious! Staff was simply wonderful!. I tried the Smoked Salmon Hashbrown Benedict! I wasn't fond of it, although my dining companion thought it was great. I was able to change my dish and was pleased. The carmalized bacon is wonderful.
(5)
Brian R.
It was like sitting on the beach at Shutters in Santa Monica. The decor and ambiance was spot on and the food was very tasty! This is a spot that will have me going back for a taste of "home!"
(5)
Louise G.
We have only been here once but I am in love-this is the perfect place to brunch on a beautiful day, I love that you can sit inside the air conditioned main room but feel like you are outside. The staff are incredible and the yelp deal meant we got a free cookie with ice cream which I highly recommend. I ate the French dip and it was heavenly!! We will definitely be going back
(5)
Triphena W.
The 5 stars is for their bakery counter's S'MORES COOKIE and banana muffin. The s'mores cookie is crazy good and is my current favorite cookie in Chicago. You must try this! It's big, soft, chewy, and the taste really emulates a s'more. And the banana muffin is one of the best muffins I've ever tasted. Dense, tender insides with a slight crisp exterior with great banana flavor. I went around 11am on a Saturday so the bakery counter had a nice selection of about 3 muffins, 6 cookies, and a few other items like a brownie, blondie, rice crispie, etc. Everything appeared very fresh. I've also had the chocolate chip cookie with rice krispies which I liked a lot. Next time I might try the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt and the carrot muffin :D Highly recommend!
(5)
Saba A.
3 1/2 stars for the food, 4 for the wine list, and 5 for the ambiance! When you enter, like we did on a wintery cold Monday night in Chicago, you feel like you entered California paradise. Romantic with a trend of casual, an airy and open ambiance, with a sunny feel. There are delicious baked good in front of you ( I went home with a rice crispy chocolate chip cookie and blondie- and my husband and I scarfed them down-don't leave without stopping there). My girls and I got a high table seat for 4 and started off with a bottle of Pinot Gris, perfectly sweet and went great with my pasta dish! We began with guacamole and chips that were perfectly salty- it was a great price. The fresh burrata, an Italian classic, came out fresh and delicious, I also recommend that for a starter. Two of my girl friends ordered a buccatini with forest mushrooms. The dish came looking shy of the mushrooms and looked like it could have used more seasoning such as butter. All though I do appreciate that they prepare the pastas from scratch in the kitchen. I ordered a ricotta and picorino ravioli. Plenty of raviolis so it was a perfect size dish, and the ricotta was nice and smooth, fresh tasting, but the pesto was too salty and there was a large abundance of it. It was overpowering the taste of the ravioli and all the other flavors. Considering the restaurant has been open for a few short months, I feel that they can take feedback and improve tastes of the menu items a little bit more. I do like the menu- has lots of variety and you can take a look at the dinner one here: summerhousesm.com/wp-con… . So whether you are coming in for a salad, which my girl friend enjoyed her shaved vegetable salad, I feel like you can also come in for a good dinner or share a wine bottle. Reservations are a must. This would be a great place to start off the night, make a dinner date, or come with a group of people. Service is excellent, and our waitress perfectly answered all our questions and was very attentive. Our waters were always filled, and she was patient with us as we took times making our decisions. I definately will come back, for sure in the summer when there retractable roof opens up! Great time at Summer House!
(4)
Caitlin P.
We went back to Summer House for brunch after talking with management who reached out to me after my first yelp review. Clayton was our server and was very attentive and sweet. He didn't charge us for our drinks after we waited some time for him to come take our order in the beginning. Another disappointment we had was our dishes were lukewarm at best when they arrived. We ordered pancakes and salmon Benedict which was lukewarm, but the pancakes were completely cold. It was busy so it was difficult to grab someone's attention, so we ended up just eating them. We do plan to give brunch another chance, hopefully third time is the charm!
(4)
Rebecca W.
Can I say anything bad about Summerhouse? I think not. Excellent service, phenomenal food, and a really great restaurant atmosphere! The eggs Benedict was amazing along with the side of hash browns! Also tried the thick cut French toast with the side is sausage. Fantastic! Ended the meal with a ginormous chocolate chip cookie! So worth it!
(5)
Mark O.
Came in for brunch a few weeks ago with a reservation, and were seated promptly during the busy rush. The atmosphere of this place has a unique cabana vibe especially inside their sun room, which I believe has a retractable roof. I can imagine this restaurant getting really busy during the summer hours. Off to the side there is also a bar section with additional seating. We started with mimosas/brunch cocktails and both were very tasty. My brunch companions got salads and the skillets, while I went with the server's recommendation for a dish with protein, the short-rib hash. The sunny side up eggs came out perfectly cooked atop an amazingly delectable short-rib, which were also perfectly cooked. Service was prompt and attentive, and after the meal I was happy to be able to grab a coffee on the way out from the barista in front. Overall I really enjoyed dining here and will probably be back for drinks and the colorful/relaxed atmosphere. MInus 1 star only for the smallish portions, and moderately expensive drinks.
I'm sad to say I was pretty upset with this place. I've been looking forward to eating here for awhile and was excited to finally make a visit. The atmosphere was great and probably the only thing I really enjoyed about the place. First off, our server, John, was pretty bad. He hardly stopped by our table and was just overall slow. The one time he did decide to come by was to tell us our order got lost and that it'll be a bit longer for our food to come out. It took forever for our drinks to come out and when our food came out it was hardly warm. It had obviously been sitting under the heat lamp for awhile. Since this was my first visit I am willing to give it another try. I really want to like this place. The real disappointment was the service so hopefully the next visit will be better.
Summer house is a great go-to spot. Their drinks are great -- I know they have a list of non alcoholic drinks, I usually get one of those but add alcohol. The girls at my table didn't know you could do that so they ended up doing what I did -- just a tip! Their steak tacos, guac, artichoke dip and swordfish are great. As far a brunch goes, the fried chicken is great!
(4)
Bebaxa T.
Beautiful space, but the menu leaves something to be desired. Mexican/ ceviche/ with some Italian sprinkled in... It just doesn't flow... Doesn't go well together. Three stars for the space. It is beautiful at Summer House. But just like LA, it's all fluff and image... No substance.
(3)
Steph W.
Talk about getting a great taste of summer in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. Had a lovely ladies night with delicious wine, great apps (Fresh Burrata and the Ahi Tuna Tostadas) and a solid pasta dish. I have a gluten allergy and they were so accommodating with everything from a special gluten free menu and thinking of me when serving bread with the burrata. Will definitely be going back. This time, I'll be sure to get something from the cookie bar.
Of corse this place is amazing!! The short ribs were juicy and tender and was melt in the mouth good, I just wished they had it year round. The steak is also amazing with good flavor. Drinks are great and a wide variety of apps and dinner choices. Love the bright Santa Monica feel
(4)
Ashley I.
I loved Summer House so much I went three times the first weekend I went. I recommend the buratta as an appetizer. There are so many great options that are gluten free friendly. The cocktails are fun and tasty. There is also a bakery at the front of the restaurant that has gluten free cookies. Yum! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kim G.
Steak was overdone, server was not attentive - appeared bored. However, this is a place to see and be seen. There is at least one hipster who looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite brought in to make this place seem hip. The biscuits and salads were wonderful! The bright sunlit atmosphere puts everyone in a good mood. The bloody mary was above average and they also offered some nice non alcoholic cocktails. Don't forget to save room for a cookie!
(4)
N J.
The decor was beautiful & the service was exceptional! The food was delicious & great portion of Mahi Mahi Tacos! All of us loved our food. The only reason I don't give it 5 Stars - is the restaurant obviously had way too many tables & my chair kept on getting hit/bumped all night by servers & patrons. Other patrons also noted & commented on the overcrowded dining area. They should've pulled 1 or 2 tables out to create a better flow of customers & staff!
(4)
Antaash U.
This is probably the worst winter Chicago has seen in a while. So, what better place to ease those winter blues than a place with Summer in its name? I had the good fortune of dining at Summer House Santa Monica last night with a friend of mine. We were running a little late and called to delay our reservations, which the restaurant was more than happy to do for us. When we walked in, we were immediately accosted by one if the best reception sites ever! A fabulous dessert bar! I was so busy looking at all the homemade cookies and pastries that I forgot I should be checking in for my reservation. Anyway, the rest of the restaurant didn't disappointed either. The vibe was definitely California. Beachy. Trendy. The place was full of electricity and beautiful people. I don't know if it was pure coincidence, but there were quite a few tables with large parties of young women. Not a bad thing if you're a good looking single guy ;). The name, the white washed walls, the patio themed furniture, hanging plants and huge wood fire grill screamed California (in a non-overbearing way). The ceiling is also completely retractable, which unfortunately can only be enjoyed in Chicago 4 months out of the year but something to look forward to in the upcoming months. When we sat down, our server was happy to explain the concept for the restaurant to us since it was our first visit. She explained that the menu constantly changes, that a lot of products are locally sourced and that there is a lot of Asian influence in the menu. She also happily answered any questions we had. We started with the spicy calamari and the potato polenta mash. For my entree, I opted for the special, which was a 1,5lb grilled lobster on a bed of hand cut fries. My friend opted for the Dungeness crab pasta in a lobster butter. I thought the calamari was good but not great. I wish it had a little more kick to it and though the tempura was crispy, there was just too much of it, making the dish quite heavy. The potato polenta mash tasted like grits and was too salty for my taste. We only had a few bites of it each because it was not what we expected. Our entrees however fared much better. My lobster was amazing. I probably could have eaten another serving. The lobster was tender and the wood grill added a lovely flavor without compromising the sweetness or tenderness of the lobster. The handout fries were good but a little cold when I got my entree. To be honest, I didn't care since it was the lobster who was the real star of the show. I had a bite of the Dungeness crab pasta and it was really good too. I could see myself ordering that on my own. Finally, the dessert. This was one time, I was not leaving without dessert. We ordered the 7 layer fudge, peanut butter cake w/fresh whipped cream. It did not disappoint. The cake was moist and decadent. I'm glad we chose to split it because it was very rich. It was the perfect end to the meal. So, I definitely will go back to Summer House. There were quite a few things on the menu that caught my eye and it's a place my significant other would also really enjoy even with his picky eating habits. SH is definitely a crowd pleaser and a nice addition to the Chicago dining scene.
(4)
Lisa S.
I agree with David W. who just wrote a review before me. This is definitely a 4.5 star place! I went with my girl friend last night, and we decided to share several items on the menu. Everything was delicious, and the tuna tostada was definitely my favorite! The atmosphere was great....perfect for friends, family or date night. I love the openness and airiness, but I am not sure how well that will work once winter hits Chicago again. Our server was also extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made some great recommendations. I also have to mention the cookie bar. You should definitely save room for dessert! I highly recommend the s'mores cookie. (If you're too stuffed, you can always take a cookie home too)!
(4)
Mike M.
Best brunch I have ever had. Had the Short Rib hash that was out of this world. Service and food are top notch. Airy feeling makes you think that you are in California. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Nicole S.
Such a lovely place to get some Vitamin D (in their Vitamin D room) and munch on some appetizers while having a beer. Their desserts are HUGE and to die for! Yelp offered a check-in reward - free cookie with a scoop of ice cream. So good! We had a wonderful waitress (Michelle) who was very helpful and kind; really went out of her way to make sure my mom and I enjoyed our time. I highly recommend this place as a date spot or a girls-only date. Really beautiful ambiance and great menu. Very fair prices, too.
(5)
Ritika K.
My friend and I stopped by for lunch last Saturday and we were seated at the bar. We got a table within 10 minutes without any prior reservation. The ambience is so fresh and modern. It truly lives up to the name summer house. I ordered orange juice and brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts were the best I've ever had. I even recommend it for those who don't like brussel sprouts. I loved the place so much that I immediately made a lunch reservation for the next weekend. You will get a free cookie and ice cream if you check in on yelp. Chocolate chip cookie was out of this world. Can't wait to go back in 3 days.
(5)
Joyce L.
English muffins... Delicious, fluffy, warm home made English muffin with butter and jam. It must be the British colony upbringing, but when someone serves me a very well made breakfast stable like that, I go ga-ga. Even my friend agrees... And she lives a mostly carb free life! The rest of the breakfast/ brunch menu is a nice blend of Midwest and Cali cool. The burrito selection is comparable to what I'd find in San Francisco - the vegetarian Mission burrito is delicious! The pork hash was decadent and satisfyingly rich. Kale scramble looked amazing... When kale goes out of fashion, it'll be probably be a pesto scramble once again. Our server said French Toast was their best seller... I chose to have my sweets in the form of a correct ratio - aka bubbles dominant vs juice- Peach Bellini instead ;) Great service, excellent pastry department (fleur de sel cookie...!!!) and the kitchen wasn't bad either. Very worthy visit.
Went here for brunch and had a very good cinnamon roll. It was called the "jumbo cinnamon roll" or something. Went to pick one up the following weekend and saw only a smaller cinnamon roll labeled gluten-free. I asked the employee if they had any of the "jumbo cinnamon rolls". He stated that they were using new baking trays and these were the jumbo ones, just smaller. He said they were not gluten-free despite the sign saying "gluten-free". Well, my fault for trusting him. They were gluten-free and absolutely disgusting.
(2)
Maria L.
I'm surprised people have given such high ratings for Summer House since the food was pretty mediocre and kinda overpriced. Although the beachy atmosphere is pretty nice when it's -20 degrees out. I tried the guac, tuna tartare, and pork ravioli and everything was good, but it was missing that extra oomph or audible "mmm" that places like Balena exhibit. Also the people watching is pretty interesting bc not only did Summer House transplant Cali beach vibes, but also the Real Housewives of the OC! Talk about rich ass plastic Lincoln Park moms. Overall the environment is pretty kewl at Summer House but the food is mediocre and lacks character.
(3)
Stella W.
This is for their brunch service... my friend and I went to the Stella Barra the night before but the interior and sunroof room at the Summer House caught our attention that we decided to come back for brunch after our 10k race the next day... I love the sunroof room and it has a really california feel...the menu and the decor... They are def. very accommodating...after the race, we didn't want anything heavy, but def. want some kinda protein for recovery, so i asked if i can sub. the sausages with the smoked salmon for an additional cost. i also pushed the envelop a bit with soft boiled eggs, which to my surprise, not only they said yes (most places wouldn't even make hard boil eggs for some reasons...it's not like they don't have water, pot and eggs)...but they also nailed it with 3 perfect soft boiled eggs!! My favourite!!!! The dish turned out to be almost perfect.... I wonder if they make a batch of hash brown because mine seemed to have been sitting out for a while...fortunately, i don't really like hash brown anyway... so then why 3 stars? well, even though they are very accommodating, our server disappeared like half of the time. Even though they use Dark Matter coffee, which made me really excited, the coffee that day was stale and acidic...i had to ask for coke instead. I drink my coffee black and tried so hard to drink it that every sip i took reminded me of the chinese bitter herbal soup my parents made me drink when i was little...no thank you!
(3)
Fi Fi R.
Saturday brunch with a friend and a couple of kids at the Summer House was an INCREDIBLE idea! My Gosh- this place is AMAZING! The ambiance is refreshing! You feel like it is Summer sitting inside. Everything around was cute. Our Server was VERY sweet and attentive (sorry, I don't remember her name) We ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict, pulled pork hash, tostadas, Spanish hash and a couple of kids meals. For drinks, we had coffee, Bloody Mary's, and juice. EVERYTHING was absolutely DELICIOUS! Everything we saw served to other tables looked AMAZING! We will definitely come back! No DOUBT!
(5)
DC F.
I have been to Summer House twice now! Always a suggestion from my friend. Both times I felt the food was delicious and the staff was really attentive. The ambiance is great! I do wish they had a larger signature cocktail list... Because I've tried every single one and they are all delicious... I want more! We had the artichoke & spinach dip, hot mess of fries, ahi tuna tostadas, and the quinoa bowl. All of which were scrumptious.
(5)
Kevin P.
Good environment great food great service. The salads were fantastic. Great flavor great portion. Would have given 5 stars but we were constantly swatting a few pesky flies.
(4)
Justine G.
Love the brunch here. Everything is delicious from cocktails to their brunch & dinner menu. On weekends be sure to make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Mickey H.
Didn't get the best seat in the house, but hey, the waitress comped us an appetizer of Burratta, very good. We were attracted to most of the seafood items, Tuna Tostadas were a fantastic appetizer. Had the fish tacos and lobster orecchiette for entrees, the lobster dish was unreal. For desserts, I highly recommend the triple chocolate dish, amazing chocolate cake with some sea salt and peanut butter. If you're looking for something more refreshing, the cucumber mint ice dish was fantastic as well. Great service, we'll be back for sure!
(4)
Mat M.
I recently dined at Summer House and really enjoyed my experience at the restaurant. The decor is great - and really does make you feel like you're on a beach. The menu isn't extreme - but the food and options really are accessible to all eaters. I dined with a group - here are some of the things we had: Guacamole Spicy Calamari Fish Special Pork Tacos Chicken Tacos The food was all really great - and the service was stellar. Summer House is a member of Lettuce Entertain You - so I appreciated getting my dining points. Another job well done!
(4)
Emma K.
Dinner here last Monday with my parents and boyfriend was probably one of the best meals I've had in a while. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but totally worth it. Despite being below freezing outside, the inside really does feel like California, and was so light and comfortable. After hearing that the roof retracts in the summer, I can't wait to come back then too. We had managed to snag 8:00 reservations through Open Table, and were seated immediately in a booth by the kitchen (great seats for seeing all the delicious looking food come out!). Our waitress was great, and explained the menu concept to us. All of the food was amazing. My steak frites were so delicious and if I ever have to pick a last meal, this may be it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food a lot too - trout, tuna, and the burger. After seeing all of the desserts on display on the way in, we couldn't pass up looking at a dessert menu. We split two pieces of some chocolate peanut butter cake which was heaven on earth. I will be definitely be stopping in on my way home to grab some sweets soon!
(5)
Kris R.
overall, pretty good, and you get what you pay for. beautiful atmosphere. it feels summer-y, obvi. but summery, like, all the time. i brought blonde friend here to cele her day of birth. we made our rez at 8 but got there at 7, bc that's how we rolled that day. we sat at the bar and ended up staying there all night. the men tending bar were real nice. we ordered and split: the scallops. delish, green sauce was good. scallops were on the small side, but no biggie. the kale salad. yeah, again, pretty good. the goat cheese + beets. again, another winner. we didn't actually order this but he let us keep it anyway, for the price of free.99. THE BISCUITS. totally worth it the wait. comes with a poblano butter and some honey. this shit was real. however the man tender forgot to put the order in, and it came out pretty late. again, still worth it. and they took it off the tab. checked in on the yelp and got a free cookie (sea salt choc chips) and vanilla ice cream. pretty good. oh i totes forgot about the drinks. watermelon drink? add vodka. their new zealand sauv blanc is on point as well. so, with all the free food, our tab was still $40 a person. it's expensive, but again, you pay what you get and that's pretty good food in a sexy atmosphere. they did it right.
(4)
Eliska O.
ok, so we requested a table outside..we waited fairly 40 mins, and even tho I could see they had table outside they wouldn't seat us there. It wasn't that busy- Saturday at 2.30 pm. We ordered bunch of food, and my husband really hates anything with vinegar. We ordered tomatoes with herbs and olive oil..and guess what..it came with vinegar. Our waitress was really nice, and she said no problem, and took it from our bill.that places was pretty pricey I've been to better places in Chicago..don't feel the need to come back.
(2)
Faydra D.
During this brutal winter, let Summer House take you to a warm happy place... my husband and I 1st came here in December and due to the awesome gluten free menu decided it would be a perfect place to bring sister dear on her birthday. So on January 9th we brought my sis and her man as well as my brother to Summer House. I hesitated with 5 stars mainly because both times we waited around 15 minutes for our reserved table. The staff is very nice and come prepared with recommendations. On this evening our table ordered the Skate wing with soba noodles and bok choy Pork shank with summer root smash Bison meatloaf with mash potato Skirt Steak and fritas Brussell sprouts Yellow beets Guacamole Fresh burrata Shaved veg salad And for dessert Choc martini Must say there were no complaints from anyone. We were all satisfied without being stuffed. i had the skate and it was perfect. I tasted the pork shank and it was flavorful, without being too salty. The cocktails are good and they have a nice fun and fresh theme to them. This place is great for a girls night out, date night and groups. Summer house is a fantastic addition to my Lincoln Park neighborhood. Happy to have such a bright place that that takes me away from this depressing cold. Can't wait for the summer when the retractable roof is revealed!
(4)
Emann B.
Big airy space and excellent service. Tasty starters were good all around (guac, tostadas, hot mess fries). Pork shank was Flintstone sized and tender, skate was good but the sauce was too much soy and not much else. Pumpkin chiffon pie was heavenly.
(4)
Farrah D.
Reminds of California! They nailed the food, decor, and vibe! I went for brunch and had the spinach dip and a breakfast burrito; also got a pot of delicious ginger flavored tea and a lemon pistachio cookie from the cart. Everything was so tasty - I could not stop eating! Love!
(5)
Pam G.
Went for the first time last night. We were celebrating my son getting married so we had a large party and grandparents with us. Great idea with decorating especially in the winter. The dinning area has a glass ceiling giving it a greenhouse feel. Music was very loud Couldn't hear or have conversation. We had a table for 6. Food was excellent! Our table had short rib ravioli. swordfish ,lobster frits, salmon ,loaded fries and steak and fries. Everyone loved their dinner! Service was very friendly. We also had the calamari and guacamole which were also good. Loved the food but not the volume of noise.
(4)
April G.
This place is amazing! The only reason I give it 4 stars is we had a 9pm reservation and didn't get sat until 10pm. It was a zoo! But the manager made up for it and brought us a bunch of appetizers on the house.. Every thing we had was absolutely amazing. For an entree I had the short ribs and they were by far the best short ribs I've ever had! Definitely will be back but hopefully not when its crazy packed again!
Wow the brunch was amazing! I am only reviewing that part. I also made reservations cause it gets super packed. Loved my server and the food was perfect. I will be back soon!
(5)
Katie K.
I've been here a couple times for brunch and once for dinner. Brunch is definitely better. Great refreshing juice options and pretty reasonably priced if you aren't drinking alcohol (but like, why wouldn't you?...) so I'm happy to add this into my brunch rotation. Great little patio and good ambiance. Get a cookie with ice cream, you won't regret it.
(4)
Katie W.
I pretty much loved everything about this place! The decor is light, airy and really does have the ambiance of somewhere outside in California. I went with two girlfriends for a weeknight dinner--so maybe it wasn't as crazy as the weekends, but we were seated right at our reservation time and had no issue there. We were by the window which could have been nice but unfortunately we were there on a cold night. Our server was really friendly and attentive and offered some really good recommendations. We started with the biscuits and the brussel sprouts which were both delicious in different ways. The butter served with the biscuits made them 10x better--and they were already great! I had tried the brussel sprouts at Stella Barra and was hoping they were the same ones--I'm not sure if they were exactly the same, but seemed similar. After buttery biscuits, you would think brussel sprouts might be kinda 'meh' but these we ate all of these up as well! For my meal, I had the tuna tartare I believe? Whatever it was, it was soo good and I'm glad I went with the waiters suggestion on this. For dessert, we shared two chocolate chip cookies that had been heated up. So, pretty much the randomest meal combo ever--but I loved every single thing that we tried. Some places don't seem deserving of the hype, but I think Summer House does--I just wish it was easier to go back!
(5)
Scott W.
I Iove lettuce places. I'm a frequent diner--usually once a week. Very excited to come here. While most meals were decent, my experience was disappointing. My frites were cold with the steak. I sent them back and the were returned simply stirred around. The blue cheese was all over the frites. Not a huge deal. Then I found a hair! The waiter and manager apologized which was nice. They expedited the lobster. All good actually. Then it got really weird. They comped us two deserts. Nice. But, they made a big show about calling them an anniversary gift. The waiter said it loudly so other tables could hear. Why? PR? No one at the table had an anniversary within 3 months of our dinner. They didn't comp the meal which is what one would expect after a hair found. Or at least comp the price of my first entree. My second order was more expensive. So I would have paid the difference. The manager said she was embarrassed. That was fine. But this place has lost our business. P.s. When they delivered my replacement meal--the manager said, "we took someone else's meal, they will have to wait." Uh...how exactly does making another patron suffer help matters? So unprofessional. And to think they had a 1000 people for brunch that day alone... Update: Within a few days of this post, I got an email from a VP at Lettuce. Super nice guy (and a lovely assistant), they sent me $100 in gift cards for Summer House. We have not used them, but will. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even more? Lettuce is greatest.
(2)
Simmone S.
Ii's hard to say no to a restaurant that greets you with an array of baked goods on entering (got to go if you do not know what I mean). The food and wine were amazing! I had the mid-atlantic salmon, it came in a delectable sauce and the perfect portion size. We started with the roasted Brussels sprouts and golden beet salad - both very good. There wine menu was terrific. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous for summer dining and opens up onto the sidewalk via large glass windows. The crowd was polished people late 20s onward, some young professionals (like me :)). I absolutely loved it.
(5)
Heather R.
This was probably one of the better meals I've had in a while. As advertised, the food was fresh and light (no heavy sauces or oils), but was everything was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and satiating. The chips & guacamole rivals that of Big Star and the accompanying salsa had a great smokey flavor. The swordfish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompanying apple salad was tasty and complemented the fish quite well. I'll admit that the place was really crowded and a little congested for a Thursday night (perhaps a testament to the quality of the food and Cali-inspried atmosphere - which was certainly appreciated during this abysmal Chicago winter). However, it didn't take away from the quality of service at all. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive and very knowledgable of each menu item. I'd certainly go back and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)
J R.
Summer House accomplishes it's goal of capturing summer. Crafted cocktails, well put together menu, delicious desserts. The light color scheme in decorations, well lit dining room and fire-lit outside patio really transports you out of Chicago. The shaved brussel sprouts are everything! I had the lobster tagliatelle as my main course and have zero complaints; light cream, lobster with every bite. All very good. We "took a hike" to their cookie bar (as they jokingly suggest on their dessert menu) and took some of their homemade Rice Krispy treats and their absolutely perfect blondie home. Will most definitely be going back!
(4)
Jayne K.
Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. The beets were full of flavor and the fish tacos were the best! They came with guacamole, slaw, salsa, and some spices! The ice cream with a cookie was the icing on the cake. We will be back soon!
(5)
Anne E.
Had my doubts. Heard abut it on Thrillist, was walking by- gave it a try. BOY SO GOOD! For a new restaurant the service was great- Rachel was our server and left nothing wanting! Charley, our bus boy was the BEST! They worked together to give us a lovely meal and their suggestions for desert were fantastic. Don't leave without trying the cookie and the chocolate cake with sea salt on top. To die for. Rachel was attentive without interrupting our conversation, she was cheerful in an authentic way and gave us great service. I will tell my friends about this place and plan to come back. Thank you.
(5)
Neil O.
Went here on Saturday night. Took 2 months to get a reservation for 6 people on Saturday night, so I was expecting a lot! Venue is gorgeous, lovely decor and great atmosphere. After that, it's all 3 stars. Food was fine but no where near amazing (which I was expecting). White wine wasn't fully chilled. Server was ok. All in all I'm a bit disappointed with this place. Won't be rushing back for dinner. I've heard brunch is good so might try it again for that.
(3)
Pamela D.
I was there today for lunch. The place is definitely nice and my waitress was super nice. Having said that the food was ok. I ordered a salad with an addition of tuna. The tuna was great but the salad dressing was so salty that I had to send it back (and I love salt)!! When I got the salad back there was no dressing whatsoever which I thought was funny. I had a cucumber and mint virgin drink that was actually great.
(3)
Lena K.
Great spot to see and be seen! Wonderful decor, very fresh and very Californian. Reminded me a little of West Elm. Gets very busy so be sure to make reservations . As for the food it was just ok. Brunch menu did not have many choices . However the Bloody Mary w/ Bacon was a treat. As well as the to go bakery on the wAy out! Staff was very nice !
(3)
Keaton W.
Went here for restaurant week, and couldn't ask for a better experience. I had a reservation but was asked to wait while they cleared some tables, so we went to the bar for a drink (great cocktails, by the way). Went back to the host to check on our reservation about 10 minutes later and were seated immediately with an outpour of apologies. As we were seated our server brought us a complimentary appetizer for waiting. Everything on the restaurant week menu was brought to us in ample timing and tasted so fresh, like it was cooked right then. A lot of times I feel that these restaurants make a lot of the dishes ahead of time, to prepare. Our server was always gracious and helpful. At the end of our meal, he even reminded us of the wine that came with our restaurant week menu. Great experience and wonderful food. Will definitely come back again.
(5)
Tammy Q.
Two thumbs up for the decor -- loved the white space and laid back California feel. 1.5 thumbs for the food and I could see myself coming back with another group of friends. Apps were good; loved the roasted cauliflower with jalapeno sauce and hot mess fries. Was not a fan of the brussel sprouts. The burrata felt mushy and I was in love with the tomatoes more than the burrata! Main dishes were ohhhkay. I was looking forward to the bucatini with forest mushrooms and braised pork ravioli, but it under delivered for me. A girl can't have it all, right? The chocolate banana cookie with vanilla ice cream saved the day though. I loved every bite of it. It was a good way to round out the meal.
(4)
Someone Y.
Corey, the gm for this place, leaves something to be desired. I love the food, but hate the manager. Lettuce should know better than to hire a GM that has personality conflicts.
(1)
Colin D.
Most people don't know the restaurant is actually called "Summer House Santa Monica." People were saying they are confused when they walk in because they are greeted with a pastry display. However, 2 of the 4 people I was dining with grew up in Cali and when they sat down the first thing they said (without knowing the full title) was "This feel like a restaurant in Santa Monica" The food was excellent. I highly recommend the calamari. Everyone really enjoyed their dishes. The waitress, Hope, even accommodated a dish make it more Paleo approved for my friend. She was very attentive during the whole meal. The restaurant is very well lit. I will really enjoy coming here in the middle of the winter to give me more of a Summery feeling.
(4)
Stassi S.
1- star: Adding new experience:2/8/14 Called last weekend to make a reservation- called first during hours of operations- I was put immediately on hold for over 6 minutes- then I finally hung up. The next day I called- in the afternoon when they are not open for service- the lady who answered the phone was immediately rude. I asked to make a reservation and she said we only have 5 pm or 10:30 pm. Did not ask how many people in my party. Just not impressed with customer service. Being busy all the time does not mean you will be successful, if you treat customers rudely. 4-stars: Really like this place! Love the atmosphere, white & bright everywhere. Service has been good everytime. Sad they got rid of the pork raviolis and the front lounge seating. Our chicken pasta was salty and some-what bland. But they are still newer on the scene so I'm sure they will just improve.
(2)
Barry M.
Food is hit or miss-some good dishes some pretty poor dishes. Nice atmosphere nice servers, but really the food is nothing special.
(2)
Jenny Y.
Love this place and the atmosphere here! Came here 3 times and enjoyed each time i came. Food is pretty decent here, very friendly services too harmachi tartare & green apple - Really Good! lobster pasta- Love it! roasted cauliflower- very tasty japanese egg plants- pretty good yuzu scallops- had this 3 times, the first 2 times were good, but the 3rd time was way too sour...you can probably skip this salad and dessert were okay, nothing impressive.
(4)
Patrick B.
Too noisy. They need to know that people like to have a conversation when they are out to dinner. Not everyone wants to feel like they are in a bar. Not sure how it adds to the ambiance. It's nice enough that they don't have to add the juke box...
(1)
Kirsten B.
Tom was absolutely fantastic and extremely knowledgeable about the menu items as well as super attentive to our table!! Highly recommend Tom and Summerhouse!!
(4)
Roshani C.
Really great ambience, great food, great service. Everything was timed perfectly. As we finished one appetizer, the second one was brought over, and then shortly after our entrees came. There was no overlap and we had enough time between courses.
(5)
Brendan S.
Cool Vibe but Misses the Mark Summer House has an inviting feel and is well decorated, but the food is overpriced and even an untrained cook could make it. I paid 24$ for salmon and it looked like someone through it on a plate with some fennel, you could make this dish at home for 8$ and it would taste the same, if not better. I once ordered a salad and it was the saddest thing I've had a restaurant - for the price. It's not that this place is expensive, it's just that for what you are getting you are totally getting taken. I think those who enjoy this place put ambiance over quality.
(2)
Ralph S.
Dined at Summer House last night after putting a reservation in a couple of weeks prior. Food and service was great. Tuna Tostadas, biscuits, caramelized brussel sprouts, and korean tacos were all fantastic. Drink list is simple enough if you want beer and complex enough if you want some summer style tastes. I am not a wine drinker, so I cannot comment on the wine list, but it was there and they seemed to push us on it. Overall the place has a pretty cool setting and is always packed, which I am a fan of. Prices were a bit too expensive. $24 for two tacos is pretty ridiculous. I would suggest going and sharing plates with others like our party did. Stella Barra next door is on the list to try as well. Enjoy
(4)
Kevin D.
The food here was pretty good, defintely worth returning for. The Burrata appetiser was to die for! All the fish was very good, however the Skate Fish was far to salty, and this was consistent with both orders we had at our table. It was just drowning in salt and it left us feeling not so great after the meal. The rainbow trout was much better however. The decor is nice, but the service is a little amateurish. It seemed more like what you'd get in a small college town then a prominent neighbourhood in Chicago. I looking forward to returning and trying some of the other dishes.
(3)
Jenny I.
Great atmosphere, lots of light and open space. Food is delicious as well, I have only been there for brunch but the homemade english muffins are amazing and the buratta appetizer was scrumptious as well. I highly recommend.
(5)
M R.
Nice looking place with an all around good menu.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Lovely ambiance, bad food. I went with my sister for dinner last night and we didn't enjoy a single dish. For an appetizer we got the scallops which were pretty much scallops sitting in a pool of butter.. Market salad had no other ingredients besides lettuce... And then we split tuna fish tacos which were also flavorless. Disappointed.
(1)
Arlene R.
Went to Summer House for breakfast. Great menu choices and delicious dishes. Service was amazing thanks to the awesome manager there! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Jim D.
Our party of four was thoroughly delighted with every aspect of our evening at SH, from the amazing calamari to the melt-in-your-mouth desserts! The atmosphere is very west coast, which was a relief from our polar vortex here! The server was very knowledgable and attentive but not a pest. The value is good, not too pricey. Get some cookies and English muffins at the market on your way out, you will be glad you did!!!
(5)
Michael F.
While we were seating right away, what should have been a 1 hour late supper took 2 1/2 hours. Several of our dishes were cold and had to be sent back, others were just wrong. Turkeyburger was a two-patty dried out mess. Our server was probably new and not ready for prime time. The manager was great, comped a number of dishes, and offered a complimentary dessert, but I doubt we'll return.
(2)
Caileigh C.
Beautiful restaurant- open, airy, there was even a breeze coming through the open windows on the roof. Actually felt like like I was in Santa Barbara and I was actually there 3 weeks prior, though this definitely has a Chicago twist on it. Had the vegetable enchiladas and the oaked chardonnay - both were fabulous! Will be returning for special occasions.
(4)
Kailei R.
Went there for my husband's birthday and had a great time. We individually had passed by and wanted to check it out. We weren't disappointed. The "Vitamin D" room had great ambiance and nice natural light on the summer evening we were there. They had "zero proof" cocktails which I appreciate -- I love me a good cocktail with alcohol but having the option to order a thoughtfully created beverage for those who don't drink is a nice touch. I had the one with watermelon (I think it was called watermelon smash) which was delicious. I ordered the pasta dish with a parmesan cheese based stock, lobster and summer truffles. It was yummy. My husband had a turkey burger with a fried egg on top. He loved the burger but the yolk squirted out on the table and his shirt when he bit into it which was messy, but he still enjoyed it. We also ordered the brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction. I enjoyed them, but my husband said he didn't like the flavors after having the turkey burger. For dessert since it was his birthday they brought out a cookie with vanilla ice cream. We were pleasantly surprised they had a gluten free chocolate chip cookie option, which was pretty darn good.
(4)
D S.
awesome ambiance, food and service.. One of our favorite joints for a late sunday brunch / lunch
(5)
Brandon B.
Everything was fantastic. A great spot that truly brings the Bungalow/Shutters vibe from Santa Monica to Chicago. Summer House is well worth a visit. The biscuits and salmon were absolutely fantastic and all of the drinks were great. I will be adding it to the list for future visits.
(5)
James D.
Went there early in the evening with my daughter. We got right in but it was a wednesday at 5:30 pm. The place was very inviting and felt like we were at vacation spot!! We had the Guac and chips for an appetizer and we both had a house pinot nior that was great. I had the salmond and daughter had the halibut, both were fresh and great. Only one problem the server gave us the most expensive pinot 16$ per, she should have gave us the least expensive or offered for us to buy a bottle!! They had cheaper wine, I asked just for the house bottle. For that reason I will not be back, I still gave her a decent tip 20%...
(2)
Emily W.
this is exactly the kind of place to go in the dead of a long chicago winter. food was great for brunch!! highly recommend the short rib hash, entire group agreed that was best. went with my mom and sisters for a girls weekend and this was the highlight. as many other reviews say, do not skip the dessert bar in front!
(5)
Sarah M.
We had a great waitress, but that was about it. The fish tasted and smelled old and the salads were bland. I only ate a few bites before sending it back because it smelled so bad I was worried it would make me sick. I rarely ever send anything back. We later found out that we weren't the only ones that complained about the fish that night. The manager was apologetic and generous, but I worry that there were some issues in the kitchen and I don't think I will be going back. It was very crowded for the middle of the week and it has a summery atmosphere that is welcome in winter, but did not seem like it was worth the expensive price for the food.
(1)
Katie A.
Came to Summer House with a couple friends for Chicago Restaurant Week. We made the reservation several weeks in advance and were excited for the pre-fix menu options. When we sat down to order our server told us they were no longer offering the RW menu. (How is this happening? We already had a full blown conversation via text about what we all planned to select). Anyway, we were disappointed there was no mention of limited availability when booking (normally it's a 2 week offering) and we specifically chose Summer House because of RW. Lucky for us, the food and ambiance ended up being great and we had a good experience. As many other reviews mention, the decor makes you feel like you're in Cali (or at least not in snowy Chicago). The staff seemed friendly enough and although they were extremely busy, it wasn't overly loud like some other popular spots. You could definitely still carry a conversation. As far as food goes, we shared several menu items. Ahi tuna tostadas are fresh and flavorful, spicy calamari is perfectly breaded and seasoned, and the home made biscuits are perfectly complimented with a drop of honey. Would definitely order any (all) of those again. The sea bass entree was lacking in flavor and had a consistency like tofu. It wasn't terrible, but I would not recommend it either. Sides: beets with goat cheese and caramelized brussel sprouts were both good. Desserts (because who skips dessert!?): pineapple tostatda had an awesome flavor and was a nice change from the normal chocolate laden options. Of course, we had a chocolate laden dessert as well (duh). They have a huge cookie counter where you can essentially create your own sundae. It was awesome. Bonus: wine pours are generous to say the least. We will definitely be back, but hope Summer House improves communication about events/specials in the future.
(4)
Amanda D.
I really liked Summer House Santa Monica. The staff here gets huge kudos - we were seated very late, and they gave us five free appetizers and a free bottle of prosecco to make up for it. For a starving group of 4 girls, this made us extremely happy! It is definitely a fun place to be and take a group of friends or celebrate something. I wasn't completely in love with it since the room is a very large space and the scene is very sceney. I prefer mellow, cozier places, but if you're looking for a night out on the town I would highly recommend it. The French Dip sandwich is the best I have ever had.
(4)
Julie B.
The ambiance is great but the food was so so. WAY over priced for pedestrian dishes. The food was fine, but you could get much better, unique, creative food elsewhere for much more reasonably priced.
(2)
robert b.
Not one of the better Lettuce Entertain You places. The menu is annoyingly eclectic In an attempt to be different. The salads were good, as was the burrata e cheese appetizer. The chicken taco was ordinary, even though I added pico de gallo and hot sauce. The server was terrific, but it would have been better to have her serve terrific food. The highlight was the cookie I bought at the bakery counter on the way out.
(3)
Stan P.
Perfect! We are so in need of happy, yummy, neighbor restaurants. Summer House has arrived to fill the void. Beautiful, Santa Monica feeling; light wood, airy but not cold feeling. Can't wait to eat there in summer when the roof opens and the garage door opens onto the sidewalk. Summer breezes. But, even on the November drizzly opening night, it was cheery and warm inside. The food is great. It is not fussy in an Alinea way -- but it is delicious without being heavy and salty. We had the "hot mess" which was a bit decadent; the calamari was divine and the cauliflower was good too. I enjoyed the hamachi appetizer as an entree -- it was light and tangy. Others had the skate and the tuna which were all great. An abundance of fish and veggies on the menu -- but comfort food as well. It was all really good. Felt like eating at the home of a friend who is a great chef. The best part was that while there was high energy in the restaurant, we could easily have a conversation. And we did. I felt a little guilty holding the table for as long as we did -- but the staff was wonderful and never made us feel pressure to leave. Don't forget to order the chocolate chip cookie and the homemade ice cream for dessert!
(5)
Katie C.
This place was nice, but fell short of expectations. We waited 40 minutes past our reservation and the staff could have cared less. Food was good but not great and I found it weird that the lights are so bright. Not in a hurry to get back here anytime soon.
(3)
David W.
The atmosphere was wonderful! The servers were all very attentive, and they brought out delicious food. I'm a little surprised by the mediocre rating of this place. I've heard that the place is relatively new, so it must have improved a lot since its opening.
(4)
kari n.
Summerhouse gets four stars for brunch. Mostly because the decor and ambiance are definitely kicking it, especially in the midst of this terrible winter. It felt like we were on vaca somewhere warm. The food was decent. The ideas in the menu are great. Execution could be better. Like my omelette was a bit dry. Sat under the heat lamps a big too long before making it to our table? And the beet salad was lacking in the beets texture- too mushy actually. Also our server was a smiley girl who didn't do the best job taking care of us/ just a little too MIA. However the bakery bar in the entry had some worth-the-calorie treats that we brought home with us and really enjoyed. Go for the ambiance, stay for the apple crumble cookie.
(4)
mark s.
Pros: Great atmosphere, professional service, tasty food. Cons: Can be Loud for middle age or older people, pricey, it's a bit of a scene, very busy so you may have to wait even if you have a reservation.
(4)
Danielle T.
I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and this was hands down one of the best meals I've eaten. We ordered the pork ravioli, burrata, calamari and cauliflower. All 4 things were simply amazing. I don't eat seafood and I couldn't get enough of the calamari. Pork ravioli was a little salty-- but we loved it!! Then our waiter, Scott! We just loved him. He really knew his shit! Recommended everything, knew wine pairings, etc... Wonderful ambiance! We will be back!
(5)
Cristina T.
We came to Summer House for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Luckily we made reservations but were not seated until our whole party was there. Servers we kind and helpful, wearing trendy jean shirts and aprons. The kitchen is exposed which adds to some of the liveliness of this place. I personally felt a little rushed with our service, as our waitress came back every three minutes to take our orders. Our food also came out extremely fast. I ordered the Korean style skate wing that was situated on top of noodles. It was a decently sized portion but for almost 30 dollars, it was definitely overpriced. Though it was good and I ate most of it, I found the skate wing to be a little over salted and not a standout by any means. I think that the selling point of Summer House is the interior, not the food. None of our party of 7 had rave reviews. I think I would come back in the future for drinks, but nothing more than that.
(3)
Jaime M.
Been to Summer House twice already and I look forward to coming back, what a great place! The food, ambiance and service, everything was great. The only thing I wanted to suggest to management is that when you serve tacos that the tortillas come in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a cloth. Tortillas go cold very fast and that can detract from an otherwise perfect experience (at Summer House they bring you the tortillas piled on top of each other, uncovered on an open plate) Just food for thought. This is a really awesome place!
(5)
R R.
I heard this was the place to checkout. Upon arrival, the place was packed. And many appeared to be waiting for their tables. We had a late reservation 9:30pm and when we arrived we still had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. Strike 1. The food better be awesome! We were seated in the main room which was really cold. They even said they kept that room "breezy" and in the future we should ask to be seated in the bar area, Strike 2. We had the burrata as the app. It was good. Not great but good. For our main, I had the ahi tuna tostadas. They were flavorful enough. The BF had the Thai curry mussels. He enjoyed them. So the food was good not phenomenal for all the hype but still good. This seems to be a place to be seen and be in the trendy aesthetics rather than about fabulous food. But if you are a millennial this would be your spot. As for the service, our server disappeared for 10 minutes and we had to flag down a busboy for a request. Strike 3. So in conclusion, not a seen for the true foodie, more the wannabe cool kid that can say they scored a reservation on a Saturday night. I usually like LEY restaurants but this place is off my list. Go if you want to be seen!
(2)
Maria D.
Beautiful decor and even better food! I have been here twice in the past week and a half! The food is great. Some must haves are the tuna tostadas, the burger, the spicy calamari, fish tacos, and definitely hit up the cookie bar when you leave! Both times we had great service. Both of our servers were very attentive, helpful, and gave great recommendations. I loved it and cant wait to come back. And just one more tip...the watermelon smash with vodka is great!! Try it!
(5)
Jet S.
Great spot, Great food. Expensive, but not crazy. The only criticism it that the lights are too bright.
(5)
Brenna N.
All in all, I enjoyed my evening at the Summer House, but I have a few complaints. I arrived at the restaurant at 6:40 with a reservation and were sat immediately. Our waitress approached us and we knew immediately what appetizers we wanted. We received one of the two, a little confused because both should have came at the same time. Anyways, we finished the first one and the second one was still MIA. Still no appetizer, we proceeded to put in our main courses. From the time we put in the appetizers 45 minutes passed. I asked about 3 times where our second app. was. Seemed to me, they didn't know. By the time the second app. came out, our main course trailed right behind. Wasn't too happy but whatever. I had the filet and my boyfriend had the short rib. Both very good. The food is good but I think the service needs some improvements. Upon leaving, the lost appetizer was comped off the bill and the manager brought of cookies for our anniversary. Great atmosphere, pretty good food, and iffy service.
(3)
Michael G.
Great place. Food and service is excellent. I also found the restaurant to be light filled and relaxing. Each of the people in my party had a different entree and we all enjoyed what we ordered. The dessert was excellent. I had the cake with the peanut butter fudge. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kalee H.
I went here on Monday, just 72 hours after the grand opening and I was super impressed! The food, serve and atmosphere are wonderful! I highly recommend the guacamole, fish tacos and seared ahi tuna. The desserts looked wonderful too! Great place in LP and perfect for large and small groups!
(5)
Jane S.
I am a frequent visitor to Chicago and I always like to try new restaurants when I'm here. Last night, I went to Summer House on recommendation from my daughter. What a treat! When you enter Summer House you are transformed to a place far from the blustery cold of Chitown. It is eternal summer in decor without being kitschy . There is a countdown to summer( only 180 more days) displayed on the far wall. A very cool vibe in general. I was informed, that the glass ceiling retracts in the summer to dine alfresco. We were greeted by our friendly waiter, Erik B. He explained the menu and drink specials. Don't pass up the exotic fruit punch made with Titos vodka . Now on to the food- there are small plate options along with traditional offerings. My daughter and I shared the Ahi Tuna Tostados upon recommendation from our waiter ,Erik. They were fantastic! The tuna was fresh, topped with chopped avacado,cilantro and fresh lemon juice. Then I had the grilled salmon and my daughter the steak fritte which was cooked to perfection. We also had the roasted cauliflower which had a nice kick to it. Not one to pass up dessert, we shared the cranberry apple crumble that was terrific. At the entrance to the restaurant, there is their bakery filled with oversized cookies and cookie bars. We took a few home for later consumption. They are not your grandmothers cookies! Chocolate chip with bacon or dotted with rice Krispy treats, oatmeal-apple cookies, etc.. Ambiance and service are first rate here. So, if you are n Chicago, eating at Summer House is a must!
(5)
EH B.
Had brunch here today. An awful experience. If this is really a Lettuce place, their management skills have been seriously compromised. Details? Where shall I start? My pancake dish arrived15 minutes after the rest of the food at our table of 4. Of course the side order of sausage arrived with the rest of the food and was cold 15 minutes later. Did not occur to our waitress or management to address that. But it gets worse. The pancakes contained pieces of something green, perhaps lettuce, that should not have been there. Seemed likely to be the result of unwashed serving equipment in the kitchen., it was a true appetite killer. Oh, did I mention the failure of our young server to refill my ice tea glass that I consumed waiting for those late and awful pancakes? I will not be returning there any time soon.
(1)
Dani K.
Love this neighbor spot. Bright and cheerful. Great menu with a special menu for gluten free diners. The tacos are my fave. Can't wait to back !
(5)
Marina G.
I went to Summer House for Sunday brunch after the recommendation of a friend. The place is nice, sunny in a cold Chicago day which made my day. The food was OK, nothing special and our server was really nice. I will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.
(4)
Sarah S.
In the dead of winter-this was a wonderfully inexpensive vacation. Great ambiance and the food was great. Had the hamachi green apple app as well as the tuna tostadas. The hamachi was out of this world. Also shared the fish tacos and lobster. Amazing. Can't wait to go again and in the summer.
(4)
Marilyn A.
Four of us dined here last night and it was an expensive disappointment. While the food was acceptable it was very overpriced. I had the fish taco's and they were just ok my husband had trout and mashed potatoes, the other two diners also ordered fish. We had one bottle of wine and two side orders of vegetables. One person ordered a coffee and we had two cookies. The bill was $236 for 4 people . Not at all worth the money. I will not dine here again.
(2)
Chris B.
Living close-by, we watched Tilli's crumble to the ground...would walk by as the walls rose up anew...and couldn't wait until the doors finally opened for the new restaurant! The adjoining Stella Barra pizzeria isn't far behind. It was well worth the wait, and we were eager to among the first people to officially kick-off Summer House Santa Monica tonight. Fantastic atmosphere from the valet stand, to the lobby with sweet eats, through the lounge and wine bar, and into the warm, inviting (and LIGHT) dining room. Smiling servers and management were excited to finally be open to the public tonight, and the food didn't disappoint. Chef Jeff Mahin's California themed menu was a nice respite from the overplayed Italian fare on this side of Halsted: fish tacos, the freshest guacamole I've had, yuzu scallops, deep, rich, braised pork ravioli...we tried it all (VERY kid friendly as well -- from bento box grilled cheese on brioche, to breakfast for dinner and kid-cups). We left with some of those sweet eats...chocolate chip and bacon cookies, chocolate chip and banana and apple-oatmeal, too! Looking forward to spending many chilly Chicago nights thinking I'm in Santa Monica with a glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine in hand, and to sunny summer days when the retractable roof pulls back and it will feel like we're in CA, too!
(5)
Arif S.
One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Great staff and food so good, you will want to have sex with it!
(5)
Jeremy W.
The food was great and the waitress was phenomenal! The only reason I am taking away a star is because I ordered the Lobster Tagliatelle and it came with Bucatini noodles instead. It was toward the end of the dinner service and the chefs thought I wouldn't notice, but I did, and the waitress felt bad. She had the chefs go in back to find more tagliatelle noodles and made me a whole new dish while letting me keep the other one. I will tell you for one, that this dish did in fact work much better with the tagliatelle noodles as the executive chef designed. So the whole meal was great, but I'm taking away a star for chef laziness.
(4)
Charlie M.
Our evening at Summer House was great. The room is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a cold Chicago evening. Because of the lighting, decor and design you actually feel like you're eating in Santa Monica on a warm summer night. The tuna tacos were delicious as well as many of the other appetizers we tried. And the desserts... fresh baked to perfection. Definitely a great new addition to the neighborhood.
(5)
Meg F.
I was really excited to try this place and am overwhelmingly disappointed. First I ordered a fresh squeezed juice... And they come buy and pour me a wine glass about 1/3 full as though its a high end wine. Fine... I'm there for a good salad anyway so I order the 'super green' which was only true in that it was green.... On the menu it listed like 10 delicious ingredients and what arrived was an arugula pile with a few pieces of Parmesan. After my 3 sip juice and my 12 bite salad I was STARVING so ordered more... I think this place wants to be upscale casual but it's having a bit of an identity crisis. To be fair the breakfast looks much better in terms of portions but if you are looking for a good big salad THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. The one upside is the atmosphere.... Very well done.
(1)
Meghan R.
I just had dinner here with a friend on Friday night. It was very easy to get reservations on a Friday night at a reasonable hour as well only a few days in advance. I love the interior and it makes you feel like you are in a beachy cozy town in California. The food was absolutely delicious! My friend and I had the ahi tuna tostada as an appetizer, the steamed cauliflower which was delicious, and the salmon for my entree. The portions were perfectly sized and very tasteful. I love that the food had so much flavor and I wasn't dying of fullness after dinner. I had room for dessert and coffee which was great as well! Highly recommended for a date night or girls night out. I will be going back soon!
(4)
Ann C.
Very nice setting. food fair and very $$$. Prime rib sandwich $20. Our waiter rocked. I don't think we will be running back.
(2)
KC C.
Fantastic restaurant -- would recommend it without hesitation. Went on a Saturday night and had a fantastic time. Love the decor and layout of the space; staff were accommodating, knowledgeable and fun without being overbearing; and the food was best of all: nicely varied menu and every one of our party loved what they got.
(5)
anne m.
Overall experience was disappointing. Arrived at 9pm without a reservation and was told there was an hour and 45 minute wait. Most people would have left, which is bad for business, but we decided to have a drink at the bar. Within 30 mins there were several open tables. Ultimately, we stayed at the bar and ordered dinner. Bartenders were not friendly, non attentive and we had to listen to them shake drinks all night. My husband ordered the lobster pasta dish. It was basically a cup and a half of pasta and small handful of lobster pieces. It was $19.95 and not worth it. After he finished the entree, he was still hungry and asked for some bread. They charged us $1.95 for a small plate of sliced bread. Come on, really!!?? I had the chicken tacos. They were good but really expensive for what it was. The menu doesn't appear to have changed at all since they first opened. We valet parked the car and ended up paying downtown rates for the service. Cocktails were $11 and were heavy on the ice. The atmosphere is great and we love the design and decor, but I don't plan on going back to Summer House anytime soon.
This is 4 1/2 stars with 5 for ambiance and service and a very solid 4 for the food. A great concept. The space is large with a high glass ceiling that brings in the sky surrounded by light wood and paint. The service was impecable. Our server was outstanding. She was extremly friendly and knowledgeable and was always there at all the right times. Not only did the sommelier come over and give us a free sample of an extremely good zinfandel, the manager also spent time with us, and at the end of the meal, he gave us a tour of their other pizza and more concept space next door that will be opening in two weeks and is done in darker wooden tables and has more of a tavern feel, all be it a very inviting tavern. The Summer House focuses on California wines and the space next door will focus on Italian wines. We each started with a glass of Cabernet and then shared a glass of that wonderful zinfandel. Now on to the food. Everything was very good and had great flavor. The concept is lots of different small plates to share as well as fish, pasta and meat entrees that can also we shared if so desired. Each dish we had we shared between the two of us. We started with the yellow beets so we could get our veggies. Now I am not a beet person but these were light with wonderful parsnips. This was followed by a wonderful Kale salad. With the healthy, but very tasty food out of the way we moved on to the entrees. Everything looked good. Out of the fish dishes the trout looked really good, but decided to go more for the comfort food. We went with the bison meatloaf and the pork ravioli. Wow. Both were really good with great flavor, cooked to perfection and just the right size. Also, the table next door got the calimari appetizer that looked amazing and they actually let us try one. Outstanding with a very unusual sweeter dressing that really worked. Will defintely get that next time. Now I'm a dessert person so couldn't forego. They all looked wonderful but being a chocoholic went that direction with a wonderful piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter and caramel and a wonderful cream topping. I also love everything pumpkin and they had a wonderful light pumpkin ice cream that we also shared along with an apple crumble bar from their baked pastry shelf that is at the front of the restaurant as you enter. Lots of inviting frsh baked goodies, cookies, etc. The two hours were a total joy. A great place to go whatever the occasion. The meal came to about $60 each, which was a very good value for the amount and quality of the food, wine and ambiance for the two hours we were there.
(4)
Kelsey S.
I have been to Summer House several times and always have had a great experience. However, this morning changed my entire opinion- I will never go back. I had a noon reservation and called to see if it was possible to change to 10. After being placed on hold for 20 mins, I hung up and just went to talk to the hostess while the rest of my party waited in the car. The hostess told me they would just need 10 mins to figure things out and then they could take us. My party then valeted the car and came in. After a few mins, the hostess then said they actually could not take us at all! While the rest of my party went to go have the valet pick the car right back up, I spoke with a manager who said they could sit us- how is there just a disconnect from the hostess and manager? I have such a bad taste in my mouth for this place now and will be sure to tell everyone who will listen about this experience.
(1)
Melissa T.
I made reservations a week in advance for the patio, we got there on time & the hostess said I see you made a note for the patio but that's going to be another 20 minutes so I am going to seat you close to there. She didn't ask how we felt about this and why have a notes section in the reservation if they aren't going to follow it? Our server took forever to come over, by the time she came over we all knew what drinks we wanted and were ready to order and she just took our drink order and ran off. She rarely came back to check on our drinks. My husband had to ask twice to have his coffee refilled and my friend ordered a muffin that never came. When she asked the server said "oh yea, I had them warm it up. Maybe it got lost? I will go find it" My friend had to specify that she wanted a fresh one and it took so long she ended up getting it to go. Food was good but the portions were very small.
(2)
Candace S.
Beautiful space that reminded me a lot of home in Southern California. Was excited to try this restaurant as I used to go to M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica all the time. The menu was great, however, far too over priced. Our food was good, but given all of the great restaurant options in Chicago that are a lot more fairly priced I'm not sure if I'll go back.
(3)
Annie O.
I went with a group of girlfriends here on a Friday night. My friend had made 9pm reservations ages in advance and we were all so excited to try it since we'd heard such great things. We arrived at the restaurant around 15 minutes early, so we decided to get a drink at the connected bar. I was immediately impressed with the ambiance of Summer House. It has a "country club on the beach" vibe to it. Right when you walk in there is a bakery stand where patrons can purchase cookies, muffins, and other goods. There is also plenty of room for waiting and lounging (more details on this later). Another thing I noticed was that there were people of all ages there (my friend who had been before said she has seen children there during brunch hours), but this definitely isn't just for the younger crowd. Everyone can appreciate this place. We were there on a chillier night so unfortunately the ceiling windows were not open, but it was still cool to look up and see the night sky. I also liked that the ceilings were so high and there were hanging plants everywhere. It really feels like you're at an upscale beach house. At the bar, my friend and I both asked for the waiter's advice for a drink that was refreshing and not too sugary. He was very quick to suggest the Sonoma Coast which I would highly recommend to those looking for a similar spirit. At 9:05 when our table still wasn't ready, we made our way to the lounge/waiting area. The 9 of us could easily fit around one table in the over sized comfy chairs and couches. We ended up not being seating until 10pm! An hour after our reservation time. Normally I would have been angry since it was so late already, but the manager, Corey, totally made up for it. He bought our group a round of drinks and 2 rounds of appetizers (2 plates of each, 4 plates total). In my opinion, this was much better than being seated on time and MORE than made up for our delayed table. Thank you Corey! By the way - the apps were delicious! (first was chips and guac, second was this avocado/chicken bite-sized tostada thing. I don't remember the name). I ended up getting the pulled pork tacos and they were the best I have ever had! This pork was so tender and sweet and juicy. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I tried some of my friends halibut and mashed potatoes - the potatoes were really to die for. Wow. Because of this excellent food and generous service I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Marc F.
Second visit to town we tried the brunch menu New Year's Day. While the person that answered the phone about an hour before opening stated they were completely booked for the day, we decided to get there at opening and take our chances. Reception staff was much more accommodating than phone staff, as we were seated promptly at opening (interesting that we had a leisurely breakfast and the restaurant never reached 60% full before we left some 90 min later). We had an early dinner the night before so we felt we might have over ordered. Our waiter was more than appreciative of our choices and paced our selections like a well seasoned conductor. Bloody Mary was thin and weak for me but in WI we serve them with cheeseburgers, venison jerky and a 1/2 of cheese! Mimosa was great as it was waiter served from beverage cart just steps away. A must is the cottage cheese pancakes....probably the best breakfast entree I have ever had. The lemon curd spread accompaniment is addicting! ...and this was our first course... Brunch entrees were good but tough to match the pancakes. Love the atmosphere and the waiters wearing sunglasses during service. Room is beautiful and can't wait to try in great Chicago summer weather when everything is open.
(4)
Meghan S.
Good food. Nice ambiance. Not easy to get a reservation. They have a big focus on the fact that their food is west coast inspired.
(4)
David L.
Good food, great sunny atmosphere. The breakfast tostadas are awesome! Valet, which is handy in this neighborhood. 4 instead of 5 stars as $20 for tacos feels a tad overpriced.
(4)
Veronica D.
Ambiance is very nice.....it does seem like you are in California somewhere dining outside. I had the Salmon Hashbrown benedict and it was delicious. The Hollandaise sauce they use is very good! I also had a side of the apple chicken sausage and it was very delicious. The servers were great. Everyone was very welcoming and accomodating. The last few times I have gone, I have gone with reservations for brunch and both times was seated right away!
(4)
Jackie G.
The name definitely fits the place. Very laid back, bright and feel like you're right off the beach because you feel the breeze from outside as the large garage door is open.
(4)
Marilyn D.
Really terrific energy here! Great for people watching, and a perfect place to meet up with girlfriends or a first date. I hosted a dinner party for 16 and the menu was fantastic, the spicy calamari, trout and blueberry tart were all amazing:) And the wine selection was awesome. A little less than excited by the cocktail menu, oh well...
(5)
Neena V.
What is up with the 4pm opening time!? Be prepared the place is a mad house! The wait staff makes up for it and the management is very personable, but beware the hostesses ..not so friendly. Kids plates are perfect and adult food is good. We will be back!
(4)
Deborah H.
My birthday compliments of my daughters. We went on Sunday (they don''t open until 4 p.m. really?) No one was in the place so we were seated promptly in a booth in the bar. Nice music and atmosphere but that's about all. Food: I had the salmon (very under-cooked and cold), one daughter had the Crab Pasta (pasta was hard and cold) and the other plate was the the fish plate with the bok choy (super salty but at least hot). We also shared the "hot mess" fries which were actually good. Reminded me of a designer version of Poutine without the gravy. We were seated in the bar and the service was o.k.. The food however, left a lot to be desired. Also, my daughter had made sure they knew it was my birthday and something was to arrive to the table she though but did not. Too bad, it's those little things that make or break a place in my opinion. With such a limited menu you would think they would get each dish right every time but this was a huge fail in my opinion. Save your money, not worth the $21+ for entrees here. I would not return to eat but maybe to have a drink in the summer. Boo to this place for the food though.
(2)
Coll P.
Went early on a Sunday morning without a baby...and I definitely stuck out. The space is beautiful, but our table was covered in crumbs and some of the glasses had stains. I'm sure this is because of a busy/late Saturday night, but gross. I had the eggs benedict and while it was good, the hollandaise and eggs were lukewarm. Glad I checked it out, but won't be hurrying back.
(3)
Sarah W.
Ok so to be fair haven't gotten our food yet but the decor is awesome. SoCal all the way... Dig!
This was our second time eating at Summer House. The first time was back in January. And just as before, everything was delicious. We started with the spicy grilled calamari and caramelized Brussels sprouts, because we had these the first time and loved both. I had the Maine lobster orecchiette and my husband had the pork tacos. They were both delicious and exactly the right portion size. My husband did find the tacos a little hard to eat. The coffee is good and the desserts we shared were yummy: warm date cake with mascarpone cream and cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream. I liked the date cake the best. They have very good coffee. I think the wines by the glass are a little expensive. The restaurant has obviously gotten very popular since we were unable to get a reservation later than 4:30 on a Saturday and it was plenty busy at that time. One other thing: someone mentioned that the cookies sold up front are now half the size for the same price. Well, they looked just as huge as ever to me. Maybe that was a brief experiment. This is my favorite new restaurant of the year.
(5)
Diane P.
Our evening at Summer House was fabulous! It's lovely and had a lively atmosphere. The service was outstanding, warm and friendly. All of our food was delicious. Our group loved the short ribs, halibut and quinoa and forbidden black rice bowl. My personal favorites were the ahi tuna tostadas, super green salad and chocolate chip with sea salt cookie.
(5)
Andrea G.
I really wanted to love Summer House and tried it on two separate occasions but, both times, it was average to below average in every way other than the bright "summer" decor which was cheerful and much appreciated during this terrible Chicago winter (and I am sure will be equally as lovely in the spring/summer when they open the roof). If you're looking for good food and service as well as ambiance in that neighborhood though (especially a hostess staff who doesn't try to seat you in the bar even when you have a reservation and requested the dining room which has open tables), then head down the street to Balena. The BOKA Restaurant Group far outshines the lazy, "we have a proven formula for success" LEYE on this one.
(2)
Sulika M.
Positive: very cool decor, the server was nice. Negative: the 4 of us left hungry, that's after having an appetizer, 4 lunch entrees and paying $240. The portions were very small and not satisfying (side note: we are not big eaters). The fries were the worst we ever had, saggy soaked with grease. We gave the feedback to the server but not sure if it was really acknowledged, didn't seem like it. Anyways, this place could be so much better if they paid attention to what people want and like.. Many other places in the city that get it.
(3)
Laurel L.
Alex makes the best mojitos ever! The grilled cheese sandwich with mushrooms is delicious. Great service and fun decor / loved this place.
(5)
Bridget W.
The food was great, and the wait staff were friendly. The ambience is also a welcome respite from the bitter cold. The only disappointment was that the bathrooms were out of order, and we had to go to the restaurant next door to use their facilities. I understand that accidents happen, but there was never even an apology for the inconvenience of having to go outside in the middle of winter to use a restroom.
(3)
Zach F.
This restaurant is amazing! Such a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I have been here multiple times since it has opened. I have gone for a full dinner, snacks and sometimes just for drinks. Some of my favorite dishes so far have been the eggplant, ahi tuna tostadas, roasted beets, fish tacos and the scallops. Drinks are great. I am partial to the Monti Cali, but have samples most of the other ones. Great wine list and pretty good craft beer list. Ambiance is great...I really enjoy sitting in the main room, but the bar tables and lounge are just fine too! Service has been great. Connor, Hope and Rachel have all been fantastic. Very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, made my experience that much better. I will keep coming back time and time again. If you haven't been, get yourself there now! Although I would recommend making a reservation.
(5)
Caroline S.
Awesome! Burratta, fish tacos, english muffin turkey burger, roast chicken, triple fudge cake, pumpkin pie, all delicious. Definitely going back next time in town!
(5)
Margaret C.
I was so excited to eat here. I worked in California in restaurant PR, and loved the idea of bringing that vibe to freezing Chicago. The food and the ambiance were great, but the food was horrible. I was so disappointed because the options sounded amazing, but they were prepared without proper execution or flavor. While leaving, I thought I would give it one more chance with their bakery... what a mistake! I have never eaten a cookie that dry and ill-prepared. Did they forget to mix in the sugar, so it wasn't granulated? Was any dairy added to soften the recipe? What a bummer, it could have been great. I will say it is a fun place to grab a drink with friends, but don't expect much from the food.
(1)
Krissy H.
Setup and esthetics are true to it's name, summer-ish. Very friendly staff, had a reso at 9, walked in, immediately sat at our table for two. Started with a bottle of wine- cali coast selection which is pretty decent. Started with a few apps, I loved the burratta. Hamachi tartare is probably the best I've ever had. Entree was a bit disappointing, lobster frites- says 1 1/2 of lobster but really it's about 1 1/2 oz. literally 2 bites. I guess you get what you pay for though. Those two bites weren't impressive- very smoked so that's all I tasted. Over all I enjoyed Summer House but their menu is pretty limited so if you eat like we do, once is enough unless they change up their menu.
(4)
Kevin K.
Went to Summer House last weekend for brunch and had an enjoyable experience, I would probably give it about 3.5 stars. The atmosphere and decor are great. Sitting in the Vitamin D room sure makes it feel like summer even if its cold outside. Our server was really great and made our experience even better. He was very outgoing with a good sense of humor without being cheesy. The food was pretty good, but not great. I enjoyed the fish tacos, although at $25 bucks I doubt I will ever order them again. There are good fish tacos elsewhere in the city for half the price. The yolk in the eggs benedict was overcooked so didnt run out like it should, which everyone knows is the best part of eggs benedict. They make a fantastic Bloody Mary and the candied bacon in it is delicious. It was one of the better ones that I have had in a while. Overall, I found that the food was a bit too expensive for what it was, which is not a shock at a LEYE spot. On the way out we picked up some cookies and bran muffins from the cookie bar which were better than from any bakeries nearby. If I'm ever in the area I will be stopping in just for some baked goods to go. I probably wont put this place on the top of my list to go back to, but i wouldn't hesitate to go back if it was the suggested destination either.
(4)
Haley V.
I love summer house! It is my favorite place in Chicago right now. Great service, great atmosphere and great food. The burrata, brussel sprouts, and cookies are a must!
(5)
Laura L.
Good place for drinks. White, open, airy, sidewalk seating on Halsted.
(4)
Vin R.
The Summer House is a great space but the service was horrible - drinks and food took FOREVER (especially for a restaurant that wasn't full). The hot mess fries were delicious but the prime rib french dip was a joke - it might of had 4oz of fatty meat for $20. The only thing this sandwich was good for was the butt of everyones jokes - "I've seen better french dips at Arbys", "that's what you get for ordering the most expensive thing on the menu". Rather than order more food (the dip will not fill you up), and wait another 45 minutes we walked across the street for tacos.
(2)
Melody L.
Love the ambience! Organic options! Very fresh! Unique drinks! Love the white, light and airy feel!
(5)
John J.
As everyone said, the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing like it in Chicago. The menu is a little sparse but everything we had was delicious. They are going for a beach theme so don't expect a lengthy menu. My girlfriend and I split egg-chicken tostadas and a wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was delicious. We were in a hurry and the staff was more than helpful. Very accommodating. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)
Diana T.
I saw the reviews about poor customer service but our experience was quite the contrary. Everyone from the front desk to the waiters were very kind and the food was also delicious. I highly recommend the vegetables at the top of the menu- they were surprisingly amazing! The ambiance was really nice and Id be happy to come back!
(4)
Bryan R.
If you want fresh food come here. The price is not bad for the quality of food that you are getting. It has a warm feeling especially now that is it cold. I would recommended the tuna tacos for a nice light dinner!
(5)
KM R.
Santa Monica Summer House is very pretty and comfortable. I was excited to have a new place in the neighborhood and glad to see it was always packed. Nice menu and variety, but I really thought the prices were high for some of the items, namely tacos and entrees, maybe others. Sadly, especially for a Lettuce Entertain You place, the service was poor. The waiter did not know the specials and really did not know the wine list. I hear Brunch is good, so maybe I will try that.
(3)
Jordan D.
Extraordinary hot place given the outsized demand for summer inspired anything in Chicago. Average food. Slow -- either overwhelmed by demand or under prepared / trained -- staff. Hopefully service improves over time with feedback because this place has a lot of potential.
(2)
Melanie B.
The atmosphere is really spectacular! The glass ceiling really makes the restaurant so different than other restaurants. We had a rough start to our night as they were changing servers (5PM) and by the time we had a server 20ish minutes had gone by and we were with our kids (4 and 8). BUT, they were very apologetic and ended up comping one round of drinks and dessert - really unnecessary but great customer service (and we didn't complain - they knew they had us waiting)!! The food was great and they have a kids menu! We had the turkey burger which was great but the side salad with it was mediocre (no dressing??). The lobster frites was great! Dessert was heavenly - banana split with sesame ice cream was awesome!
(4)
Alex O.
CONNER WAS AMAZING!!!! Dined here before a concert so we were limited on time. She did a great job getting our food out in a timely order, yet we didn't feel rushed. Very friendly staff, you can tell they actually like their job. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in California....even when it's snowing outside. I can't wait to try this place during the summer time. The bonfire cocktail, swordfish, and warm apple cranberry crumble were delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.
(5)
Sara F.
I was really hoping all of the negative reviews I read about Summer House were wrong...but unfortunately I have to add to the list :( A group of friends and I dined here on Monday with an 8pm reso, we arrived right on time and then proceeded to wait over 45 minutes for our table. The hostess kept telling us it would only be a couple of minutes after each check in and that its just "restaurant science"...whatever BS that means. The menu had a large selection of options which reminded me of SH's Lettuce Entertain You sibling Hub51 minus the sushi. We had a variety of apps and entrees, everything was kind of bland, no one was really blown away. One of the girls ordered the spring veggie orchetti which had a bunch of stickers in it from it...no idea how that was missed before it got to our table. They offered her a new entree but after how long we waited for our table and food it wasn't even worth it. They brought our table ice cream as a weak attempt at "I'm sorry". Doubt I will come back here which is too bad. The vibe and decor is really cool and usually I love a good Lettuce restaurant but they just missed the mark on this one.
(2)
Valreyrib ..
Came here to take my friend out for her birthday. Everything was great. The left side of the menu is small plates and the right side is entrees. We went with the small plates and had the egg plant, tuna poke, calamari, and burrata. YUM. Fresh and tasty. They have specialty cookies and even gave us a complimentary one with ice cream since it was my friend's bday. It's very cute, bright and white, very Cali feel. Takes ya outta Chicago for a meal.
(4)
Carole G.
If you are looking for a place to bring young children, this is the place. If you are looking for a place where you can have a good meal and enjoy conversation, find another place. Food was good but kids running around made it a place I would not recommend. There are too many other good places in Chicago.
(2)
Alejandra P.
Lovely place. Glass roof indoors for a sunny lunch. Looks like an LA Cottage by the sea. Affordable prices, friendly staff.
(4)
Eva G.
Awesome place for dinner! Loved their lobster pasta, and the drinks I ate. Will definitely come back again!
(5)
R H.
I agree with many of the other reviewers before me--the service was bad. We came on a Sunday morning (10/19) for brunch, and our waitress seemed like she could not care less about anything. What bothered me most, though, were the two girls at the bakery counter when I wanted to buy baked goods to take home after brunch. I was going to buy a lot of things, so I started by asking if they had a large box or container to hold everything. Both girls at the counter acted like I was burdening them with this request, and were clearly annoyed. Without saying anything, one of them disappeared to the back for about 5 minutes, and then came back and said there were no boxes and that most people just use the bags. I said that's fine, and I didn't mean to put them to any trouble, and a bag would have been fine if they had just told me from the beginning that that's how they do it. It just really peeved me how rudely they acted towards a customer who had already spent money dining with them, and was about to spend even more money at their bakery counter. I purposely included the date so maybe the manager can see who was working that day and coach those employees on their customer service skills. I gave the restaurant two stars because the food was good. Not spectacular, but good. I had the breakfast tostadas, which had a lot of nice flavor, and the iced almond coffee, which did not taste at all of almonds. The hashbrowns were just hard fried potatoes--nothing special. I will not be going back.
(2)
Aly W.
Atmosphere: 5 Food: 3.5 Service: 1 I was a server at several different restaurants during high school and college and while sometimes it is terrible, you need to know what you're doing. The food was ok, not great but not bad by any means. The atmosphere is really cool - you feel like you are in Santa Monica. But the service, was awful. Our waiter had no idea what he was doing. We had five in our party and they repeatedly brought us 4 of everything - plates, silverware, glasses, and we needed to remind them of the one we were missing. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and at the end of the meal, our waiter told us that our "birthday dessert would be coming soon" and thus, spoiled the surprise. Last but worst of all, we ordered a bottle of sparkling rose and it came out room temperature. When we asked our server about why it wasn't cold, he said that he didn't think they stored the bottles in the cooler. Long story short, we talked to the manager to try to get a cold bottle of champagne (like normal people) and he proceeded to charge us for it. Bottom line, unless they seriously up the waitstaff, don't waste your time with this place. Sub-par at best.
(2)
Kyle T.
Very nice spot in Chicago. Great bar, atmosphere, and food. I went here for dinner on New Year's Eve and they had a great menu with exceptional service. I was with a big group so I tried a bit of everything and I liked it all. I would certainly give this place a shot.
(4)
Hunter R.
Great atmosphere. Good service. The food was BLAH to bad.
(2)
Lindsay W.
Love the bright vibe inside Summer House. It is such a happy atmosphere with fresh food.
(4)
Emily S.
I have been wanting to go here for a while, and I finally did last night. If you want to go during primetime on a weekend night, prepare to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. At least. I made my sunday night, 7pm reservation a week in advance. When I arrived, the place was busy. People were waiting to be seated and both dining rooms looked full. They have valet, yes. That's a plus for me. We waited a few minutes to be seated, not bad. My friend and I sat at a tall table on the darker, left side by the bar. I wanted to sit in the bigger room, but it didn't seem to have many smaller tables. The decor was lovely. It looked like an actual beach house in all white with soft yellow lighting, greenery, and a full skylight roof. Our waitress came after a few minutes and poured us water from the glass bottle that appeared on our table only minutes before. She explained the menu and pointed out her favorites in each section. She was very attentive to coming back when we needed more time and knowing when we were ready to order. I was tempted to order one of the delicious looking cocktails, but wanted to keep the bill down. We ordered the caramelized Brussels sprouts with pancetta and olive oil, the lobster pasta and the english muffin burger with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. I liked how you could either do french fries with the burger or a salad. We chose fries of course. We split everything and it was plenty of food. I was almost too full for the rice krispie treat chocolate chip cookie I order for dessert. Everything tasted amazing. I was get it all again. My only complaint is that the food came pretty much all at the same time. They split every dish for us, which is nice. But our pasta came before the Brussels, which we ordered as an appetizer. That was the first bad sign. Then, as I was taking my first bite of the pasta, our sprouts were set down on the table. I didn't know which to eat first because both were perfectly hot. I told the person who brought us our food (not or original waitress) to please hold off on the burger for a while. He said okay, but I still felt rushed which eating my sprouts and pasta. And I had the right to, because the burger was set down when I still had half of my pasta dish left. And I was rushing to eat it! That really pissed me off. I would have felt like they were rushing us out, but I think it was just that our waitress put our order in all at the same time. It was not even 7:30 and we were almost done with our meal. Like, what? Anyway, I would be more mad, but the food was so delicious. I'll probably go back.
(4)
K B.
Disappointing. Ambiance is trendy, bright, enjoyable. Food was overpriced and not quality at all. All four of us were very disappointed by the lack of quality. We sent back the fries, totally inedible. My pasta was horrible, very salty and not put together. Waiter was nice, though very young and inexperienced. This Lettuce Entertain You one is a flop. Save your money for a venue worth your time.
(1)
Michael K.
Decent but the food was pretty bland. Had the pork shank and was not impressed. Seemed to lack flavor. The hamachi appetizer wasn't bad, but was nothing special. The tuna tostada app was excellent, though, as were the golden beets with goat cheese. Our server was excellent, I might add. Attentive, cheerful, prompt, and no mistakes. The ambience was cool, though a little kitschy for my tastes, but I see what they're trying to do and I get it. Anyway, all in all, not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Erica W.
I went to Summer House today for brunch and my overall impression is that the hype is mainly about the beautiful ambiance, because the food is just ok. The ambiance immediately transports you to California. The use of light and the decor is just so bright and sunny that you can't help but to imagine that you aren't in Chicago anymore. Everyone in the dining room somehow looked like they were from LA as well. It was so strange - I definitely felt like I was among the "beautiful people". That said, the food is just ok, the service is just ok, and the attitude of the staff is just ok (they aren't overly friendly, I noticed). I had the caramelized french toast, some eggs and their chicken sausage. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. I also tasted the pancakes, which were fluffy, but nothing spectacular. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream that came for free by checking in on Yelp (good, but my eyes didn't roll to the back of my head), and I later tried the brown butter rice krispie treat, which was way too marshmallowy, but the brown butter was delicious. Good place to go if you want to be a part of the scene, if you want to "see and be seen", but don't go with high expectations of culinary greatness.
(3)
Mary R.
The food is only okay. Very small plates and expensive. Tacos good, beet salad not good at all (do not order). Mussels ok but for the price go somewhere else
(3)
Chelsea B.
Talk about heaven on earth. Went here with a group of 8 on NYE & couldn't have had a better experience. We had a reservation obviously but, on New Years that can still be a problem time wise & here we were seated right away at a perfect table by the window. Everyone in the group enjoyed their meal & the favorite was the Maine lobster with fries which was the perfect amount of flavor & the ideal texture. Also, when you leave they have a cookie bar which even offered gluten free choices! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone & will be back soon!
(5)
Ben S.
Great place but the service is lacking. This place really survives based on its setting. Nice California feel to the interior with lots of light that Chicago residents crave all winter long. I've been here twice and was pleased but not overly impressed by the food. Prices are a bit higher than other similar restaurants. The service is nothing special. The servers don't really know the menu other than the three dishes they are told to promote. They also make you wait for a table even if you have a reservation (20 mins last time). I'll go again but don't set your expectations too high.
(4)
Eli T.
Nice atmosphere, but the food is pretty bad. I'd go again for a drink but wouldn't eat the food again
Love this place! The atmosphere inside is true to its name and brings a little piece of summer to Chicago in this dreadful winter. We came here for brunch and enjoyed some great items from the menu at a reasonable price. You can't go wrong with this place especially in this weather!
(4)
K D.
The look here is clean and distinct- white wood, hanging ferns, and huge marble tables. I got a Dark & Stormy and it was probably my favorite iteration of that ginger beer/bitters drink. The biscuits were delectable. I had a bite of the app, and ordered for my meal, along with the cauliflower (which was tiny and super bland). Loved that the waiter suggested splitting our bill (including dividing the apps)- wonderful for big groups. Service was attentive in general, food was hit or miss.
(3)
Lizzie S.
I was very excited to try Summer House - I had heard great things and thought it was a great new addition to Lincoln Park. However, we were having a girls night and had a reservation for 6 at 8:00. I checked us in early at like 7:50 and when I did this I was told our table was paid so it shouldn't be long. 8:15 rolls around - no word from the hostess. At 8:30 we approached the host again and asked for an update - same story they had paid and were just waiting on them to leave. Very angry because we had a reservation at 8:45 none of us were pleased and asked them if they weren't going to seat us we were going to go somewhere else. They asked us if we wanted a drink, handed us menus and walked away. No one came back to take our order until we approached them to ask to place a drink order "while we wait". At 9:00 they finally came out and told us our reservation for 5 was available and I polietely told them it was for 6 and they looked at me like I was crazy. As they were showing us to our table I knew there was no way the 6 of us small girls were going to fit in this booth and I politely said something to host "are you sure we are going to fit here?" and he said "probably not let me check with my manager". The manager came over and said they have another table for us and they are really sorry that OpenTable screwed up our reservation. I showed them my email that stated it was for 6 and they mentioned they will take it up with OpenTable, but didn't want to have to my email from OpenTable. After they showed us to another table they mentioned our entire meal will be comped and by this point it was 9:15 (reservation was at 8). I really appreciated the comped meal, however none of us were looking for that. We really just wanted an actual apology for the service instead of being treated like a bunch of young annoying girls - which we are not. Our waiter was great - I honestly felt terrible for him because I'm sure he was warned about "us". I can't remember his name, but he gave us excellent service the whole night and we all proceeded to give him over a 20% tip for the night. My biggest pet peeve of the whole night after all the waiting was the manager. She was very snobby to us and never once came back and asked how we were doing the rest of the night and we were treated like we were unreasonable for being upset. I have worked in the waitressing/service industry before and usually always give benefit of the doubt to the restaurant, but in this instance I have never been so appalled about the way we were treated minus our server. I hope this is just a one night thing because I would love to go back there. The food was great and the ambiance was great! Especially on a cold, winter Chicago night. Hoping that I can go back and try it later this year and have a better experience.
(1)
Linda G.
we had an excellent meal here. great service energetic vibe. very large crystal clear ice cubes.
(5)
Chris B.
We came here for the first time over Mother's Day for brunch and we had a great time. Brunch was excellent and service was great. The overall fell of the restaurant was casual and enticing. We will be coming back again.
(4)
Robin M.
Slow service-waited an hour for our drinks. The food was cold and the staff had no idea what was going on. Avoid this place.
(1)
Meaghan M.
Went here for a double date with some great people the other weekend. It was fantastic! Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is: (1) they should ask if you want to be in the main dining, bar area or first available and (2) It gets loud. However, with those items addressed, the food was amazing- I had the pork tacos, my boyfriend had the pork entree (which he let me try, of course) we both agreed it was delicious! My friends had the half chicken and they thought it was great. My favorite was the chocolate cake we had for dessert. It was soooooo gooooood! I highly recommend saving room for dessert. We usually do not, but I am happy we did! The waitress we had was nice, allowed us time to catch up before coming over and trying to get an order out of us. While it did get a little loud, we all still had a great time. Can't wait to return!
(4)
Kathy W.
Love the atmosphere and the food is quite tasty. Seems like an equally great place to bring kids in the early evening/brunch or a date in the later evening.
(4)
Julie B.
I wish I had read a few reviews before we dined here so that I would not have expected an excellent dining experience. Obviously, the place is very nice and the summer atmosphere is great when it is still cold, however, once it gets warm, I feel this place may lose its appeal considering the level of service and quality of food were sub-par. In general, I would just say the service is slow. We started at the bar that technically is not Summer House, but still is part of the overall establishment. Bartender was very slow and paid no attention to us after we ordered. Tried flagging her down to close out our bill and she blatantly looked away so she could focus on others. Once we sat down at our table, again service was slow. Now on to food. A friend and I decided to split the vegetarian tacos and prime beef short rib ravioli. The tacos came with rice, that looked dried when it came out, but I ignored it and threw it on a taco. With the third bite, I thought my tooth was going to fall out. I wish I was exaggerating. I tried a couple more bites but the rice was just unbearable, my friend's was the same, so we both stopped eating the rice part. The ravioli were also not thoroughly cooked. We cut through one and you could see the edges were not cooked all the way. So we let the server know and he just responds that he'll let someone know and then stops back over to say, "okay she's going to stop by". Who is she?? I assume the woman who stops by next is the manager, she came over with a condescending smile and attitude and keeps cutting me off as I am trying to speak and tried explaining to us the pasta is cooked al dente. I am a 28 year old Italian. I think I know what al dente is. She says she will let the chef know of our feedback. No apology. No compensation. I don't think the chef meant for our food to come out uncooked, it's not about his directions, it is probably that the cook did not cook the ravioli long enough and the server left the tacos out too long so the rice dried up. Your feedback to chef is not going to fix anything, nor does it give me the confidence that next time your food and service is going to be awesome. For the prices they list, this place is not worth it. Maybe a couple drinks for the atmosphere, but I will likely never visit again regardless. Not worth it when new restaurants are constantly popping up in Chicago. I definitely expected better management from Lettuce Entertain You.
(2)
Gina M.
Definitely reminds you of "summer." Not a typical dim restaurant, everything is white, open ceilings, the staff wears chambray shirts. Everyone was very friendly and the food was great. We had to wait about a half hour after our reservation, but we then got sat and the waitress made sure appetizers came out immediately for us. Not to mention, she was extremely sweet and accommodating! All of the staff had wonderful smiles. Definitely recommend the half-chicken entree or salmon entree!
(3)
Allison L.
What a fabulous surprise!!! I came with high expectations and it exceeded them by leaps and bounds. The decor is truly summer and California, what an amazing respite from the cold and off weather we are having, it's truly always summery in here. The menu has options for any food request and the preparation is spot on. Gluten free, vegetarian, carnivore, picky eater... It will be tough to find someone who won't enjoy. Whatever you do, please leave room for dessert. PS--drinks are fabulous!
(5)
Garrett D.
Overall delicious. Great ambiance. We stuck mainly with small plates as it is a pretty eclectic menu. The guacamole of all things surprised me. It was great. The roasted cauliflower and caramelized brussel sprouts were also very good. I topped it off with the English Muffin Burger which was perfectly sloppy and well-prepared.
(4)
Richard K.
Pros: Food all tasted pretty good. Decor / ambiance was nice. Waiters were friendly Cons: Portions are very small. Tables are on top of each other....they really squeeze you in like sardines. Our experience was completely ruined by basically having to share a table with the two tables on either side of us. Something about having a romantic dinner with your wife overwhelmed by your table neighbor's loud stories about cocaine and prostitutes. There is no reason that I should end up sitting closer to the table next to me then my wife across from me. We're going to pass on a repeat visit on this one.
(2)
Jessica S.
I really enjoyed my dinner here and will totally go back again. I went with a group of people and we got to try lots of different things. The tuna tostada's were fabulous with the mix of watermelon it was an interest set of flavors. We also really enjoyed the ribs. The calamari was actually very good and even though it's not one of my favorite things I did enjoy the flavor and it was not over oily from the frying. I never order Chicken when I go out but it was recommended and it was quite yummy. You could tell it was cooked for hours. We also tried one of the pastas that had lots of flavor. I can't wait to go back when the roof is open.
(4)
Stephanie R.
This place is fun! The decor is very California! We got the tuna and hamachi- both were sooo good!! We also split the beets and cauliflower-- again both were great!! Veggies tacos were fine, nothing amazing but pretty good. The best part was the biscuits. They were AMAZING!!!! We got two orders. I would go back just for those. Overall pretty good food and fun spot! Than was there when I went too!
(4)
A R.
Beautiful space, darling waiter - that was the highlight. There seemed to be an ongoing penchant for the servers to bring tables the wrong food. It happened to our table twice and to adjoining tables a few times. Seems like the kitchen has some organizational issues. As for the food, it was OK. I ordered the Korean Pork Taco which I was very excited about. The pork was swimming in a grease laden sauce and was full of fat and grizzle. It was pretty bland to boot. My hubs ordered the Steak Frites. Again, a pretty lackluster execution. Other table members reported fair to midland type of reviews. If we went again, we would probably try brunch. As for dinner, I think there are way better options without having to deal with the LP crowd as your backdrop.
(3)
Elizabeth Z.
I'm in love with the space. So Cali. However, service needs improvement and its not consistent. There was a weekend I went and someone got these stuffed peppers that looked and tasted great but when I went back and ordered the same dish the peppers seemed overdone and I could barely see them on my plate. Only came for brunch a few times when they first opened so hopefully just a few kinks they can workout.
(3)
Pete C.
I went to summer house the other night and it was really good. The menu is a little random but it reminded me of Hub51 (I have never seen a beach ball on a menu..yes an actual beach ball). The California feel is spot on. It was freezing the night I went and it did feel like we escaped to California. We started with the burrata which was creamy enough and the jam at the bottom had a little kick. We tried two different salads and both were good. For entrees my friend ordered the burger with fries which was massive and delicious. I ordered the pork shank which was extremely tender. The way it's presented on the menu was a tad misleading to me in which I thought the apples would play a more dominant role. However everything we had we enjoyed and I would definitely recommend trying it.
(4)
Courtney A.
Ehh....I've eaten here maybe three times. Every single time I have eaten here I have had a reservation yet had to wait. This last time was the worst: I had a reservation for 8:30 and had to wait until 9:10 for a table. Not a huge deal, but after my wait, I was seated in the bar area -- normally not a big deal but after a 40 minute wait after your reservation, you would expect a real table, not a table in the bar area where people are basically standing at your table while waiting for a drink. The service is ok. Not nearly as good as other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My companion and I both had no silverware when our meals were brought out....The food is pretty good, but honestly, not worth the wait...The wine list is great, as are the cookies. But last time I was here, the person at the "cookie bar" was pretty rude -- entering her receipts as opposed to waiting on people, to the point where I just left, deciding that a really good cookie was not worth the ten minutes it would take the bratty girl behind the counter to look up and actually serve people, i.e. do her job. Finally, having lived in Southern California, this place misses the mark: the only thing "californian" about this place is the fake blonde fake tan people waiting to eat here. I won't be coming back. Coppervine is next door -- much better atmosphere and much better service.
(3)
Ann D.
My friends and I decided to check out Summer House not to long ago, it was our first time there, the place looks really nice, there's a small section for outdoor seating. I had a sandwich which was really good. I would definitely come back, although I had a waiter who was not friendly and that's why I'm giving this place a 4/5!
(4)
Sera I.
Went here for a friends birthday and while it's got a great ambience the service is HORRIBLE. Our server looked annoyed the whole time, kept disappearing on us, was just rude. As for food - mediocre at best...the best thing was the bread. Tuna tacos- no flavor, overcooked, pasta was bland. I would not come back here unless it was for coffee.
(2)
Kristine M.
Last week, my aunt and I were looking for a place to grab dinner in lincoln park and we decided to try summer house. It's a cute little spot and the patio is pretty awesome. (The decor was very california/florida). As soon as we walk in, the host (not evening look at us) asks " for how many?" we replied " two"... and then the immediate response was "It's going to be an hour".... And then literally, a sec later, she say "Actually, we can seat you" (In my head: There was SO MANY open tables) ughh.. Anyway, we sat and got food. I thought the food was decent... however, the portion sizes appeared to be really small. (or maybe i just eat a lot). But also, it's pretty pricey. I got the fish tacos. It was pretty good. Overall ... I would say it was OKay..
(3)
Jack V.
Ambiance was great. Food was good. Would like to see an extended menu with more options or a few changes more often. I've eaten here a few times and always end up getting the same thing. Staff was excellent. Of course I'll be back.
(4)
Leanne W.
Had a lovely anniversary dinner here with my boyfriend. Their wine list is fantastic, and the decor is light and beachy. Very California vibe. I ordered the mahi Surfer style tacos, which were served in a DIY fashion. Everything comes on the side and you assemble the tacos yourself. A little messy in practice, but hard to complain about the assembly of beautiful produce for toppings. The fish was a little overcooked but not awful. My boyfriend got a turkey burger which he enjoyed. Our server was sweet and not at all intrusive, which we appreciated. At the end of the meal she brought us a sundae and two glasses of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was the perfect finishing touch. 3 stars for the food, 5 for the service.
(3)
Brian M.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic. I cannot understand any of the negative ratings for this restaurant. this restaurants food is all prepared in house - its fresh and fantastic. The apps are amazing - especially the fries. the best prime rib sandwich in the city - was absolutely incredible. This is a must go to when visiting Chicago!
(5)
Donnie D.
I wish I could give a speech about how great this place is! Let's start with the food.. MUST order the mess of fries, ravioli, scallops, wagyu beef, salmon, Thai carrot appetizer, ahi tuna, panna cotta dessert. Those were just a few of my favorites! I need to give special praise on my top two dishes. I would honestly come back solely for the wagyu beef entree, it has to be the best meat I've eaten in Chicago. So tender, bursting with favor and bites of blue cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Girls and I devoured it within minutes. Then the panna cotta dessert was literally heaven in my mouth, just try it. Trust me. Aside from the amazing food was the service and ambiance. I felt like I was in California, so beautiful inside and sheik. Our server Erik was very knowledgable and we listened to ever suggestion he had. Managers would come up to tables and ask how everything was, another reason I love LEYE so much is because they do this at every restaurant and is highly appreciated. Side note, the beach ball you can order..is not a dish...it's literally a beach ball! You can see in my picture :) Cannot wait to go back to my new favorite spot in Chicago!!
(5)
Reb T.
Walked in on a cloudy June day and honestly, I don't want to leave. Our waiter, Phil, recommended the ahi tuna tostadas. Now, I'm not a big fancy eater and the idea of watermelon and tuna? Umm I just started eating raw fish a few weeks ago. No. This was the most amazing thing I've ever had. I would get this again and again- such a little kick of flavor in each bite.
(5)
Neema P.
LOVE THE DECOR. When you walk, you truly feel like you are not in Chicago. I felt like I was in LA or Santa Monica. We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the service was a bit slow. I mean REALLY SLOW. Our waitress forgot to hand us silverware, our food came almost quickly, but then our silverware arrived 10 mins later individually from the bust boys. Then we received a napkin almost halfway through my meal. I got the mimosa and my friends got bloody marys, which were both equally big in portions. My friends got the bacon and hash and eggs, and another friends the breakfast tostadas. I got the veggie tacos. Their's looks delicious, while mine was ok. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks and food items, and hopefully service is better.
(3)
Therese F.
Went here with a few friends on a Friday night. Overall, a good experience.The atmosphere, decor, ambiance are all fantastic. The other aspects: Service: We were seated on time, which I feel like is more rare lately. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable but it took a LONG time for him to return to our table (when we were first seated to get our drink order, to return with our drinks, to take our food order, to bring us the check at the end, etc.). The place was packed, but still - based on the # waiters walking around - I was surprised by this. He also forgot to put in one of our orders. Overall, average. Drinks: Very good. We tried a handful of the drinks among the four of us, all were good. Food: Hit/Miss in my opinion...either very good or meh at best. We ordered a bunch and shared. Roasted Cauli & Brussel Sprouts were good, but nothing substantially better compared to the # of other restaurants that serve these. Biscuits and Burrata were both delicious and I would highly recommend. The Lobster Tagliatelle was good with a nice kick to it - smaller for an entree of pasta, but if I had ordered it as my entree I'd be happy as I think most places give you wayyyy too much. Fish tacos were very good, pork just OK. The special of the night was ribs and fries - I had one bite of each and that was enough...neither were very good. I will definitely go back and would recommend the place, likely to try brunch as I keep hearing good things. In terms of the size of the dishes that some people have written negatively about...most of the dishes are supposed to be shared. With four people we had no issue with each person getting a sufficient serving of each dish.
(4)
Patricia N.
Love the atmosphere. Tuna tostadas were great! Just a tad pricey for the portion.
(4)
Gabriella M.
It's a weeknight, but it's packed. My girlfriends and I got there slightly earlier than our reservation time, but the hostess had no problem seating us early which was nice but had no problem waiting a few minutes if needed. This isn't our first time here and there is a reason we keep coming back, the CALAMARI! It is a tempura style, with a slight kick - it's to die for! Those even with a sensitivity to spice/heat can enjoy this. There were three of us girls and we had no problem polishing off two orders of the appetizer. It's just that good - it doesn't even seem like you're eating seafood. I ordered the trout, which I was very pleased with but my girlfriend ordered the short rib, when I say it was like melting in your mouth it was that delicious, you didn't need a knife to cut through the meat. Though typically with a short rib it should be cooked for so long that the meat is tender and juicy and pulls apart like a pulled pork would - they did a great job. I want to say I believe they change the menu up every couple of months. Can't wait for the weather to get nice, in hopes of them opening up a patio/or the glass door in the front of the building to enjoy a nice breeze.
(5)
Kathryn H.
The third time was NOT the charm. The food was mediocre at best and the service was non-existent. When my friend asked our server if she had "Creamy Garlic or Ranch?" she replied repeatedly, "What?" I don't think the problem was that she was deaf...just incredibly rude. Am in the neighborhood and a frequent diner but will NOT be going back. Not worth the $$$$ despite having outdoor tables. Pass this up, there are such better places for the $$$ in Lincoln Park.
(1)
Niki T.
I had high expectations for this place! The place is beautiful and love the overall ambiance. Definitely a spot to check out ONCE. There were not a lot of menu options--and whatever food our group ended up getting was not so good... the drinks didn't make things better either. Definitely a place to pop in and check out but not to eat/drink!!!
(2)
Jennifer P.
Had a fabulous experience here. I made reservations the day of for my friend and I for brunch and we were easily able to get a reservation and had no wait when we got there. The place is so beautiful and transports you to California. Food was SOO delicious. I had Mexican pork hash and it was amazing. My friend had the tostadas and she loved hers and mine. For some reason it looked small but I was beyond stuffed after I finished. I also had the Bloody Mary and it was fabulous. Nice and spicy not too tomato intense. All in all I cannot wait to go back! Service was great too! H
(5)
Laina F.
Brought my mother-in-law and 4-month old. This place is always a home run regardless of the group or the occasion. Lucas was an amazing waiter!
(5)
Lindsay F.
Living in CA for the past 9 years, I had to check this place out with a friend. The ambiance was super cute.We got a bottle of wine and tried an assortment of appetizers. My particular favorite was the calamari. When checking in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice-cream dessert too!
(4)
Eizabeth K.
4 for ambiance and a timely seating... The apps are great but entrees are bland. Burrata, ahi, and calamari were all delicious. Mahi fish tacos were ok but bland and over priced. We had a party of 7 and everyone agreed the apps,drinks, desserts are much better than the entrees. The ambiance makes this place... But next time I'll be sticking to the specialty drinks and apps, oh and of course a cookie for dessert!
This place is adorable and great in the spring and summer with their retractable roof. It definitely has that SoCal atmosphere and is trendy without being too pretentious. The food it good. I wouldn't say it's excellent. I had the chicken tacos, Brussel sprouts, a bruschetta type dish, and of course a cookie or two :) the service was great but I recommend making a reservation on the weekends as it does get very busy.
(4)
Asim S.
Awesome ambience, very cool, and makes you feel like your on the west coast. Everything was amazing..nachos with fresh guacamole, the cauliflower dish was amazing, we really enjoyed the salmon and mani mani fish tacos. But service was slow and it's super busy, and a tad bit Lincoln park boushy!!! I would definitely go back again
(4)
Karla B.
A perfect place to meet a friend last Saturday for brunch. The bloody mary, which has candied bacon, lived up to the hype that I heard about. It wasn't over garnished and the attention was put into the flavor of the drink. It was perfectly bold and spicy. I had the wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was exactly as described and delicious. The chicken was not dry or tough. I made a mistake and ordered a side salad (trying to be healthy to skip the fries), forgetting how much I disliked the salad the last time I was here. Much to my chagrin, it hasn't changed. The salad is still without flavor or purpose. I would HIGHLY recommend choose anything else other than the salad.
(3)
Kori E.
We came here on Saturday night and it was a little confusing. The space is huge. If you enter and head to your left - its all white chic. If you enter and head to your right - its all dark wood. We went to our right and were told we could not order food in that area, and they were not seating anyone in this huge dining room - it was completely empty. We went to the other side of the restaurant and were quoted an hour wait so we opted to try and find something at the bar. We magically snagged a table and decided to eat there. Our waitress was great! We shared the calamari, which was good - not what I was expecting as it comes dressed in a creamy sauce. We also both ordered the fish tacos and they were massive. You receive two grilled pieces of fish - not sure what kind of fish - and you construct the tacos as you wish. Two of my friends had a cocktail and both loved it. I, of course, had wine and our waitress hooked it up with the pour. I hate dainty pours! I would come back, but with a reservation. Might be fun to just have drinks here as well...
(4)
Romana Y.
The decor and Santa Monica feel is all this place has to offer. The service is absent. Very absent-minded servers. The food is mediocre, at best: super green and harvest salads are simple and average, and the albacore tuna tacos fell short. Food is a total miss here! The drinks were lacking, and the coffee was terrible! We passed on dessert! Second visit for brunch: significantly better. Their brunch menu, service early in the day, and beautiful Cali feel make this a must-go for breakfast/brunch. Pass on lunch/dinner here.
(3)
Monica Z.
This place is great... nice decor and very trendy. We had the spicy calamari to start with - SOOO GOOD! A must try. I had the short ribs over mash potatoes. So comforting, delish and filling. My Husband had the fish tacos, which were mahi mahi. Those were light, tasty and fresh. We will definitely come back again soon. They are also part of Lettuce Entertain You. I totally recommend this place.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
Great breakfast. Breakfast tostadas are awesome. Good muffins. Strong coffee. Good looking Benedictus but haven't tried them yet.
(5)
Anthony S.
Food was good, THE Place Looks Very nice inside gives you that on the beach cottage feel. Looking forward to returning with friends.
(4)
Toni F.
I took my family for lunch this past Friday. I have been before but it was my birthday and thought that it was a great place to go especially since my kids are Gluten Free. We had a 12:30 reservation and it was packed. We ordered our food and were having a good time. About 45 min later our food still hadn't come out. Once I brought it to our waiter's attention he sent the manager over. Corey, the manager, was very apologetic. The kitchen lost our order and a new order was put in with the kitchen. Corey not only made sure our meal was taken care of but also made sure I had a birthday dessert to go. I understand that mistakes happen and with Corey's great customer service we will definitely be back.
(4)
Yessi R.
My experience here was great. It was a Friday night I was with a group of people for a friend's birthday dinner. I was in awe when I entered. It really felt like summer in there. Definitely cute. The service was amazing we were attended right away after being seated. However, we weren't all comfortable in the high chairs so we asked to be seated elsewhere. We were seated right in front of the cooks, which I loved. Everyone looked so sleek and cleanly groomed. I would've gave this place five stars but unfortunately I wasn't to happy with the food options. Wish they had more things other than salads and sea food.
(4)
Samar K.
Let me get the obvious facts over with to get into why I gave this place 2 stars. Yes, it's a beautifully crafted restaurant. I couldn't shut up about how "cute" it was for the first 10 minutes. You definitely feel like you've left Chicago and stepped into a place somewhere in California. However the food is sub-par. Small portions which are overly priced and honestly not that spectacular. We ordered the Calimari, 1.5 pound of lobster, and spinach artichoke dip. My boyfriend and I didn't finish any of the plates. We left with frowns on our faces and $90 poorer. Honestly a waste of money. Granted the staff is friendly and funny.... I'd suggest only coming here for dessert or a cocktail.
(2)
Rockstar R.
Came here for brunch about a month ago with a group of friends - food was delicious and service was great, but good seats are hard to come by and I didn't love that we didn't get to sit under the skylight windows and we were kind of in a high-traffic area. That being said, the atmosphere is still very "cool California" and I didn't even feel like I was still in Chicago. I'd definitely be back again for brunch. Smoked salmon hash - to die for. As is the French toast - half order is good enough for one, but I might even get the full order next time because it was THAT GOOD. Tasted like cake in caramel syrup - ok, bad description but trust me! I'd like someone to claim better French toast out there because I doubt there is any. The kale lemonade was absolutely delicious and refreshing, and they offer it with vodka but I wasn't in the mood for liquor. I had a nibble of the breakfast tostada and it was fantastic but messy. Good combo of ingredients, though. Overall, great place for weekend brunch, but won't give it 5 stars because it's a bit on the pricy side.
(4)
Leo A.
After my previous review, I was contacted by a LEYE Partner and the general manager of Summer House. They handled the issues we had with great professionalism. Both went out of their way to make sure we received the best experience we could get and were able to get us a table last minute even with the restaurant booked a week out. We went back a couple weeks ago with a group of friends and had a wonderful time! They were extremely busy as usual, nonetheless our waitress was amazing, recommended great new dishes and the food was perfection! It is great to know that the Summer House team truly cares about their customers as it's one of our favorite places in town.
(5)
Lauren S.
Finally got to check this place out Saturday night, after waiting 3 months for my reservation. But it was worth it, and I'll definitely go back. A few must-haves: --ahi tuna tostadas: bite-sized perfection; the guacamole is fantastic --Sonoma Coast cocktail: I had two, and am still dreaming of it. So darn good. --we also split one of the salads, which was yummy, so I'd recommend any of them. Entrees at my table were the burger on the English muffin with frites, which looked delicious, the lobster tagliatelli--creamy and had a kick to it, and the lobster was scrumptious, and the salmon with pesto, which also looked good. The dining room and vibe are great here--light, open, airy. Can't wait to go back when it's warm. Make your reservations now!
(4)
Joanna A.
My go to spot!! The atmosphere is great! You feel like you're outside underneath the stars... Food is amazing! I love their turkey burger!!! Lucas, our waiter was awesome and very friendly ! Also not bad on the eyes!
(5)
Kate C.
The food is decent but the 4 times I've been here, I've been let down by the service. Mostly the host / hostesses. And I'm not a harsh critic. On two separate occasions, I've made reservations, yet our party (with 2 people, or 5 people -- not big!), yet still had to wait a long time to be seated. Once we were basically seated at the bar, even though we reserved a table. I walked in for lunch once, and despite me seeing 3 or 4 empty tables with one quick sweep, they told me nothing was available. Evertyime I'm here I have issues with the service -- and I'm typically pretty laid back with that.
(3)
Jeff S.
Simplicity is the word I used to describe Summer House to friends. The food was very good. The lobster frites were exactly one would think, but executed with care and precision. I couldn't keep my hands off of the frites, and the lobster was cooked in a way that felt like had they pulled it from the heat 10 seconds sooner, the center of the succulent meat would have been raw. I didn't enjoy the albacore tuna tacos as much; were also fairly straight forward with seared tuna, a healthy dollop of guacamole, and some charred corn/tomato salsa, but it was missing the wow factor. The somewhat stale tortillas probably helped contribute to that. Opt for a cookie at the end, warmed up, to finish your meal. A nice way to end a nice, if not particularly special, meal. At the end of the day, I'm not a huge fan of Summer House, but I would definitely go back. The menu isn't the most original, but at the same time, it offers enough variety to satisfy mostly everyone in the group. Perhaps Summer House is playing it safe, waiting for the weather to turn to more California-like conditions before it fully blossoms. I hope that's the case.
(3)
Jennifer M.
First time I dined with my family, we had a wonderful experience with stellar waitstaff and great food...this impression was quickly overshadowed by my second visit. The second time I dined with my girlfriends, and the experience was horrible. We had a reservation for 3PM but still had to wait for 30 minutes to sit at our table, which is bizarre considering the off-peak time. When we sat at our table and when our food arrived, we still did not have napkins or silverware, and we had to ask for both of these things when our food arrived. Wait staff didn't even notice that not only were were seated a half an hour late, but we hadn't been properly set up. Both the hostess and server noted that we, as a group, needed to be somewhere by five, however still kept us past five at the table while we were all waiting with our coats on, standing up from the table, asking for our check several times. The hostess recommended the english muffin burger, so I ordered it. It came out completely burnt (I ordered it cooked medium) with chunks of fat in the meat-it was terrible. Our server didn't even ask how our food was when it came out, I had to grab her attention and let her know that the burger was burnt. Another order had also come out incorrectly. Her response was not very accommodating, and I was stuck with a barely edible burger. The most disappointing aspect of this dining experience was that I typically bring people to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants because of their consistency in good service and food. I was embarrassed bringing my friends here, and I was so disappointed that Lettuce wasn't more consistent in food quality and quality of service to its customers.
(1)
Lucinda B.
We had 2 orders of eggs Benedict last weekend and the poached eggs were cold. They brought fresh eggs and they were also cold and did not bring warm hollandaise. They were apologetic but did not take anything off the bill and the service was slow. We won't go back.
(1)
Kim H.
Can't say enough good things! We went for breakfast, getting dinner reservations is not easy. But, had reservation for breakfast, and were seated right away. The one less than perfect star comes from the fact that on the menu it says fresh squeezed OJ, but it is Tropicana. That was the only disappointment. I had the root vegetable hash with poached eggs. To die for. I will be craving this forever. The aioli on top was a good call. Delicious. Daughter had pork hash with fried eggs and it was terrific. Husband had one of the breakfast sandwiches. He enjoyed it very much. The best is when we left and brought home with us some fresh bakery items. One was better than the next. Reminded me of a Beatrix, but on a bigger level. Can not wait to come back, so I made dinner reservations already but I have to wait a little bit because I had to book far in advance. I recommend this place to anyone. Very kid friendly I must say, and in a good way. In other words, it was not a circus full of strollers!
(4)
Nazy H.
Went for brunch on a Saturday and there was an hour wait for 2 people. Great Ambiance! Ordered the watermelon cocktail, that was delicious and refreshing! brussel sprouts - they were A-OK ahi tuna tostadas - first time around the tostada itself was VERY Stale that we had to take it back. they gave us a fresh one and it was nothing special. Entrees: smoke salmon hashed benedict: This was delicious compared to everything we ate! So if I go back I would definitely get this again. Turkey burger: It was ok, again nothing special at all. Dessert: Free hott cookie and ice cream when you check-in on yelp. It was good! Service was good too. Ambiance - 10! Service - 8! Food - I expect more from a lettuce entertain you. but I will give them a 6 on food.
(3)
Skir S.
I was very pleased and surprised about the customer service and how they handle things!
(5)
Drew B.
I took some clients here for dinner and was very impressed with the total experience - The food, ambiance and staff are all on POINT. I've heard the brunch is amazing when they open the roof, I'll have to check that out.
(5)
Nicole L.
Since I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I couldn't wait to try this place. Summer House got it right in a few places, but totally lacked in others. Upon entering I felt transported. The decor is simply amazing. It's my favorite combination on beach and upscale dining. They had those great rustic elements that all trendy restaurants have, but the main focal point (unfortunately) will not be useful until the summer. The main dining room has a beautiful retractable roof. We walked in around 7pm on a Wednesday night and put our name down. The place seemed busy, but not overly packed. We were quoted 15-20 minutes and waited by the bar area until it was our turn. 30 minutes passed and we went to check on our table, we were told we were next and that it would be just 1 more minute. 15 minutes later we checked back again. We were still next ... Finally an hour later we started seeing other people leave because the wait was unexpectedly too long. We were finally seated about 1 hour and 15 minutes after we had walked in. Luckily we were compensated (very nicely) for the wait. That's what I call good service! However, other people may not have been so forgiving. Here's what we tried and what we thought: Burrata with roasted celery root: Burrata was great, perfect consistency. Crusty bread that came with it. Guacamole: The guac itself was just average, but the salsa they served next to it was amazing!!! We asked for extra! Ahi Tun Tostada: the tuna was so fresh and the watermelon gave it such a great contrasting taste! Fish tacos: Also very delicious. Fennel slaw was amazing. Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked. Pros: - We had such a lovely waitress named Hope. She did a great job and was very upbeat. - The food was overall delicious. Cons: - The wait...hey, if it's going to be an hour...tell the truth - Why is there no Brunch?!?! This place would be great for brunch with all the natural light that would flood in from the window tiled roof.
(4)
katherine c.
Dinner tonight was fantastic. The food, the cocktails, the service- not a one left more to be desired. Out waitress Connor was wonderful. She provided her insight when we couldn't decide on items and boy did she not steer is wrong. She even was amazing when we wanted to split the check in a VERY confusing way- didn't even phase her. She alone would make me what to go back... ... But then you add on the food? Oooeee Everything was beyond fresh and perfectly prepared. Bold flavors in a beautiful setting. I felt like I was in California. I can't wait To go back when it is warmer and the retractable roof is open! Our table enjoyed: Tuna appetizer Tartare appetizer Appetizer w the tomato jam, fresh mozzarella & toasted bread (both gluten filled and homemade gluten free bread provided) Gluten filled pasta w crab Gluten free pasta w crab (so good it felt gluten filled!) Fish tacos Mango sorbet And 3 types of cookies + 5 of the 10 house cocktails Not one of the items was disappointing. I highly recommend eating here, with our without a gluten allergy- the menu for both are extensive!
(5)
Justin B.
Summer House excels at two things--pastries, and great social space for dining and drinking. The brunch I had this past Saturday was highlighted by great service, sunny seating in the atrium area, pretty bland breakfast food (the sunrise burrito was not interesting) and an incredible chocolate chip cookie with ice cream for dessert. The people-watching was great and the bar area is nice; one of our foursome even came back later in the day for a drinks date based on our brunch experience in the morning. Drinks and pastries, friends...you've been warned!
(4)
Kayla C.
I absolutely love this place. The service is phenomenal. I have never been to a restaurant that has impressed me so much with their service, amazingly fresh food, and beautiful atmosphere. We have been here multiple times and today was the first time our table was running 10-15 min behind. For the wait, the manager Alex offered to comp one of their appetizers on the house for the inconvenience, and didn't take no for an answer. This is wonderful hospitality. Our meals came out so fast, our waitress Jordan was incredible and extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu from the way that the food is prepared to the origins of the wines! Our favorite restaurant in Chicago!!!
(5)
Renschke C.
Ahhh it's like being in California for real. It's light and spacious. Met a girlfriend for lunch and we tried several appetizers which were all pretty good: burratta, ahi tuna and Brussels sprouts. Yes that's a totally different mix but honestly our waitress could offer us zero input on what to get. She honestly said "we have coffee and stuff." And yes the service was slow. But all in all I would go back and plan on it during the miserable winter months. I also really want to go back and try the pizza side.
(4)
Hannah W.
went there last night for my birthday. I'm a vegetarian, which generally no matter where I go it is difficult to find meatless-options. nonetheless i chose a pasta dish, the Whole Wheat Chitarra, I was not a fan of the Kale Pesto :( however, the waitress we had was so cool & nice about the whole thing & she took it off my bill. so, it total, 5 for service but -2 for food.
(3)
BD P.
Review by D: Went here for brunch with my parents & husband. We made a reservation after hearing the hype. We showed up about 10 minutes early, but were seated right away. Pros- Food was AMAZING! My mom had blueberry pancakes (huge serving with super fresh blueberries) hubs had the eggs benedict (he raved about the hollandaise sauce & he's tough to please) and my dad and I shared the tofu breakfast burrito and the caramelized French toast. There are no words to accurately describe how amazing this French Toast is. I am so glad that it finally arrived at my table so I could enjoy it. The MAJOR con- I am hoping this is still because they are relatively new, but my server was not great. She seemed really overwhelmed and didn't make it over to our table as frequently as she should so we could receive coffee refills, make any other requests, etc... The worst part was my French Toast was not delivered. The server didn't bring out the food and she was so busy that she never checked on us. After scanning the room multiple times and getting frustrated, I believe I was overheard wondering aloud where my toast was. The server finally appeared and acted confused that the toast had never arrived and ran to the back to retrieve it. While it was worth the wait, it is very frustrating to dine with a group and then watch everyone enjoy their meals while I sat there waiting for my meal. Rating would have been 5 stars if I had received my food without having to stress about it. I would love to come back, I just have to give them some more time.
(3)
Jenifer D.
Forget the hipe about this restaurant. While the service was good (in some cases too aggressive with clearing have eaten plates), the food was so mediocre. You can cook the short ribs a lot more tasty at home in the crock pot. The wine was way over priced for the 2 ounces that you get per glass. Desert was tasty, although it's Valentines Day. Chocolate was on the menu. There's better places out there for the money you'll spend, but the vilbe is good.
(3)
Kristi P.
As a Florida native, I had high hopes for Summer House and it's ability to help me escape a below-0 Chiberia night. The lighting, decor, and fresh menu items really transformed my attitude as soon as we got inside! I definitely give Summer House 5 stars for atmosphere - I loved everything about it. I would move in if I could. The food was a little less impressive for me. I had the trout, which was cooked very well but very rich. My husband had the prime french dip, which was good but again, not as impressive as it could have been. The cocktails were delicious and strong! Service was really good, our friend has a lot of dietary restrictions and ordered a special sashimi plate which wasn't on the menu, but our server made it happen and it was delicious. Overall, even if I was eating fast food, I would definitely go back for the atmosphere alone.. well worth the price of admission!
(3)
hanna y.
I had reservations for brunch this past weekend. We got in a few minutes early and grabbed a drink from the bar. Summer House is connected to another restaurant and the bar at the Summer House was packed so we decided to go the Stella Barra since there were seats at the bar. I ordered a Bloody Mary, standard brunch drink. First off, the it cost $11 (2 dollars more than summer house??) and it was an awful Bloody Mary. There were supposed to be Salumi and Pepperoncini and mine did not have it. I asked the bartender and he said, "it'll take a minute because I have to make it" are you curing and aging the meat and growing/pickling the pepperoncini yourself ? Needless to say I never received it. At Summer House I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes and bacon steak. The pancakes were absolutely delicious but the bacon steak was a different story. It was more like bacon jerky. It was a thick piece of bacon but extremely fatty and very, very chewy. No thanks. My friend got the fresh squeezed juice, and I'm no juice connoisseur, but I've had my fair share of fresh squeezed juice and I'm positive this was Tropicana they're passing off as fresh squeezed juice. I asked the server, and she said it was fresh squeezed. Don't get me wrong, I'll drink ,my Tropicana but if I'm paying $4 a cup for "fresh squeezed" juice I'd rather BYO OJ Overall the main dishes were excellent but you can get delicious food anywhere for brunch. It's the details that make brunch special and makes you want to come back for more. I'd much rather spend my money trying another brunch spot.
(2)
Becca T.
Where to begin? Impressed, but needs some tweaking. Loved the feel inside and I would like to come back for brunch. We started with guac and calamari. Both had a phenomenal taste, but the portion was really lacking for the price. Entrees were super fresh and filling. They had a great GF menu and very accommodating. Avocados were the most beautiful sight on my plate. When we ordered our sides the server said they were large and meant for sharing. For $9 we were given 10 brussel sprout halves... Hmm was that a joke? This leads me back to why I'm indifferent.. Great fresh food but tapas portions with a high price.
(3)
Vince N.
Found a new go to brunch spot. Summer House does not disappoint. Makes me feel like I'm back home in Newport or Laguna. Everything is on point at Summer House, from the food, atmosphere, lighting, service...everything! They are trying to capture the essence of California dining and they do a really good job at it. I had the Santa Monica egg white omelette with turkey and avocado. It's exactly what I wanted and what I expected. Simple, healthy and straightforward. Their "Vitamin D" room is truly epic. I wore sunglasses, I had no shame. If you want to experience a different kind of brunch spot and you want to do it with the California laid back class, then look no where else than Summer House. Sunglasses very much recommended!
(5)
Kari S.
The food is fine, the cookies are great!! Try the apple cinnamon cookie. It can't be missed!
(3)
Tyler D.
The Spicy Calamari and the Prime Rib Sandwhich were both very good!
(4)
Sonny P.
This place really does feel like Summer is just around the corner. When you walk in, you are initially greeted by their dessert/coffee counter and the restaurant is to the left and Stella Pizzeria is to the right. They have a countdown to summer which was pretty cool. To start off, we had the Fresh Burrata tomato jam, arugula, house-made bread, I highly highly recommend this to start off. The cheese is gooey and melts right in your mouth. I would request more bread because they give a lot of cheese. For the main dish, we had the Ricotta & Pecorino Ravioli arugula pesto and Bucatini W/ Forest Mushrooms. I would say neither of these 2 dishes were mind-blowing but were tasty. Service was good as usual since this restaurant is again a LEYE. I would go here again for the brunch menu during the summertime.
(4)
Emily C.
I could eat the Acapulco Omelet every day and be happy. They have gluten free options at the grab and go and also GF toast as an option. Their cocktails are great as well. Sit at the bar and have the bartenders send out their favorites. Summertime is a most for me anytime I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Whitney W.
Came in for breakfast this morning and the only thing that was good was the atmosphere. My eggs were served wrong, my mom was given sausage when we clarified bacon twice and the food was cold. This is a very similar experience that I had the last time. We won't be back. Don't come for the food or service.
(1)
Kelly O.
Cool ambiance Fast, friendly service Did I mention the cookies... Ate the fish tacos and had a glass of the infamous goose- so tasty!
(5)
Eileen D.
What an amazing experience! While the place was gorgeous, the service is what stood out to me. Our server, Rachel, was knowledgeable on the menu and helped us pick an amazing bottle of wine, not to mention her service was on point. TJ, the manager, came over to check on our table and took the time to go over the vegan options with me and pointed out that all allergy food is prepared in a separate kitchen. Amazing!! Now to the food, my pal and I split the brussel sprouts caramelized to perfection. For my entree, I had the curried veg and rice bowl, which not only had a nice kick to it but was perfectly filling. For dessert, we enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet, which was refreshing and reminded me of summer. I will definitely be back!!
(5)
a g.
Came for a sunday brunch twice. First time, we were with a VIP and were treated as such. I had a great time, and wanted to bring my friends to show them how nice of a place this is, and how much like santa monica it can feel like, as well all have lived their at one point in our lives. Unfortunately, when I went the second time, I dont think I have been treated to rudely in a restaurant before. waited around 2 1/2 hours, ended up not even getting a seat as we "missed our table" despite sitting in the waiting area. No text was sent as promised. Too many other brunch options in chicago to waste time for mediocre food tha tis over priced. Come in, have a look at the ambiance, and move on to a place with better customer service and better food.
(1)
D S.
Love Summer House. We have now been there a couple of times, with kids and for night out with couples. Service is consistently excellent. They are knowledgeable, friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. The wine selection is great, and they give a significant pour. Every tuna dish was outstanding- the nigiri on fried rice, the tuna tostada, and the tuna tacos were phenomenal! We kept ordering more! The steak frites was just fine. Check in on yelp for free yummy cookie and ice cream!
(5)
Cara Y.
I've heard mixed reviews regarding Summer House, but having friends near and dear to the project, as well as an open mind to any and all experiences, I gave it a try. I went for my birthday with 7 girlfriends of mine for a Sunday morning brunch, and it was fabulous. Major kudos to our waiter, Scott, who kept the morning lively and acknowledged all of our (semi high-maintenence) needs. After presenting mimosas, fresh muffins and a fruit plate, we couldn't wait to order our meals. Despite a few mis-steps and forgotten deliveries of fresh coffee, extra cream cheese, ketchup, plates, and a few others, the food really was great and the taste/presentation unique. The minor errors were easy to forget and our meals and easy going waiter and staff truly made up for it! Aside from the obvious food review, the ambiance and decor of Summer House can make up for any issues experienced while dining. It was so naturally light in the restaurant (thanks to the gorgeous open windowed ceilings,) and made us all feel like we were somewhere warm and delightful; something my group is rather eager to feel at a time like this. Damn you Chicago winter, damn you. I'll definitely be back to try out dinner thanks to a great first experience for brunch!!
(4)
Meg R.
Went here for brunch the other day and ordered the poached egg sandwich with ham and avocado and spicy mayo. So so good! I've been here a few times before for both brunch and dinner and have always loved it so I shouldn't have been so surprised, but I cannot remember the last time I had such a good breakfast. Waiting for an excuse to go back soon!
(5)
Melissa N.
I've had two very good experiences at Summer House. I've never stayed for a full dinner, but I've sampled a variety of drinks and apps, and everything has been divine. Specifically, I love the Palm Fizz cocktail and the bruschetta-esque appetizer, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Service has always been friendly and efficient. The place fills up quickly and is pretty loud, but it never feels too crowded. It's a fun, somewhat trendy atmosphere. The best time to go is when it's warm out and the patio doors are open. This is a great spot to relax and hang out in Lincoln Park.
(4)
Meghan J.
Ambiance -***** Service-***** Guacamole-***** Pan-seared rainbow trout-***** Fish tacos-***** Steak frites-***** Lobster orecchiette-***** Warm date cake- ********** :)
(5)
Claire F.
I was pleasantly surprised with Summer House after hearing mixed reviews about it. The two dishes I had were divine and therefore I highly recommend the Prime Rib French Dip and the biscuits the start. Warning - the biscuits take 15 minutes to prepare as they are baked fresh, but they are certainly worth the wait. Don't forget to add the poblano butter and honey to the top before chowing down. The french dip was very tender and flavorful, although I understand Summer House's specialty is more fish (the menu is very seafood heavy). The side of fries was very tasty. I also love the cool and breezy ambiance of Summer House. When I went in late May the front windows were all open (which was a little chilly in mid-May, but nice and summery nonetheless). My friend and I ordered two sandwiches and the biscuits, coming in at about $50, but the bill would be considerably more had we ordered some of the pricier entrees or drinks. If you want to hang out with some friends and pretend like its summer year-round stop by Summer House; you won't be disappointed
(4)
J W.
FOLLOWUP to my negative review: Manager/owner reached out right away. He offered to have us back for another dinner and sent along some gift certificates. We went over with some friends last night and it was a completely different experience. Once again had to wait 20 minutes past the reservation but were then seated at great table in the main dining room. Waitress was very attentive, overall excellent service. Started with some of the signature cocktails - HINT, you can get the alcohol-free drinks with booze if you like. I got the cucumber-mint (forget the name) and had them add gin, which came out great. For starters we got the ceviche and the spinach-artichoke dip. Ceviche was good but modest portion. Spinach dip was the better choice. Hot, gooey and very very good. I'm not even a fan of spinach dip and I would get this again. For the main dishes most of the table got the short ribs, which they all enjoyed. I took a chance on the trout. I love fish but I'm often disappointed as it's hard to cook just right. Not this time though. The trout was two full filets over creamy mashed potatoes. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious. As I noted before the space is very open and bright. It's busy but the skylight/glass ceiling is high so it' not too noisy. We had no trouble talking without having to shout. You always worry about consistency after having a first bad experience, but kudos to the management for responding to my review. It seems like our second experience was more typical and I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend Summer House.
(4)
Rachel R.
Brunch was awesome! Came here on a Sunday and was greeted by pleasant staff. Was recommended the Mexican chocolate mocha which was the perfect touch to my meal. It was the right amount of cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper to give you the sensational taste of goodness. In addition we ordered the sunshine burrito and very nice caramelized French toast with a side of the fruit platter which were all equally delicious. Finally we redeemed the cookie (chocolate chip goodness) voucher through yelp - which was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place for brunch!
(4)
Rosalba R.
I went for lunch with a friend and the atmosphere was beautiful. We had burgers with salad and I don't know which was better. They were both so good!
(5)
K A.
Went there for Saturday brunch. Had the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancake which was good. I did get the Crispy Candied Turkey Bacon which was no different from the turkey bacon I microwave at home. Our waitress was always hard to find...it always took a while for her to get back to us. Went there again to try their dinner menu. We ordered the Ceviche which was ok. The Burratta & the Spicy Calamari was better. For my entree, I had the Main Lobster Orecchiette which was good. And for dessert, the Pumpkin Pie was very good. Again, our waitress took a while to get back to us throughout the evening. Overall, this place is ok...definitely over priced. What made things worse was we tried adding points to our "Lettuce Entertain You" Rewards and the person wouldn't look up our name. We've been to a number of LEY restaurants, and that was never a problem. Really no desire to go back there anymore.
(2)
Susan R.
What a fabulous experience on all possible levels! The food was exquisitely prepared and presented and the chef willingly made those changes I (and my tummy) needed. The architecture and design of the space contributed to the lively/lovely atmosphere and dining exerience. The service is efficient, pleasant and warm and welcoming. I found the Menu offered me many choices that sounded interesting and delicous and the portions were ample. Our server noticed that chicken was not added to a Cobb salad, apologized and brought it complementary. While there was a buzz of constant conversation in the full dining area, the noise level was more than manageable and contributed to the energy in the space. We went for lunch around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon without reservations and were seated immediately,
(5)
Kim B.
Atmosphere is very fun and lively, however, the food is just ok. The pasta dishes were too salty to be palatable
(3)
Jack G.
Received a message from "chris" on of the partners concerned about my review. I was asked for a contact # or email address to help them improve. To date I haven't received any communication from them, and by other reviews, I've noticed a very similar list of complaints. Apparently I'm not the only one displeased by their service and food. Now I'm even more concerned about their perceived lack of feedback about my review...
(1)
Kasper K.
It was good...as a foodie myself, it wasn't anything amazing, but it was good. I'd rather try some place new than go back there again, although the cookies were phenominal. Atmosphere was absolutely great. Service was good too. Definitely worth trying to see if it's your flavor.
(4)
Alicia A.
I've never had fish tacos like this. Simply amazing, and the name is doing a disservice to the dish, just saying.....name them the biggest star in chicago area ;)
(5)
Emily B.
Four well deserved Yelp stars for decor, food, and service (in that order). Having just come from Santa Monica, California ("Coast" at Shutters), I can honestly say they nailed the design aesthetic. The food is fresh, colorful, vibrant - and there really is something for everyone on the menu. I recommend the fish tacos and the ravioli. The place was packed so we sat at the bar. I generally prefer service at the bar anyhow, but it was a little lackluster. Just didn't seem like we had any one person who was our server (ok, as long as they are overly-attentive, but they weren't) and our one bartender admitted it was his 2nd day and couldn't really make any confident recommendations (appreciate the honesty, just strange). My favorite part was when I ordered a fleur de sel cookie at the end of my meal and they asked: "May we warm that up for you?" Um, yes please.
(4)
Kathleen O.
Had a hard time deciding 3 or 4 stars. I love the bright, open feel of the place, especially sitting inside but feeling like you're sitting outside. Staff always friendly and helpful. Good food but I considered giving only 3 stars b/c the menu seems limiting after several visits, plus the cookie/dessert bar always looks more inviting than it tastes. My husband and uncle always just order burgers b/c they don't find anything else they want. I love the barrata cheese app, beet salad with avocado and grapefruit, and adult grilled cheese (which I think they just took off the menu! bring it back!). Definitely a place to bring visitors, but be sure to make reservations.
(4)
Jessica M.
Loved it here! Everything was very good! We didn't get anything that was recommended to us, but were still very happy. We started with a glass of pinot nior rose which was fantastic flavorful but crisp. Then we had the calamari appetizer ( we had them put the mayo on the side so it wasn't covered in Mayo and it turned out great!). For our entrees we had the wild mushroom enchilada stack and I was really surprised how good it was. Tons of mushrooms and loaded with flavor. My boyfriend got a burger. He liked it, but wasn't over the moon about it. After he tried my enchilada stack he wish we would have shared our entree. We ended our meal with a sea salt chocolate chip cookie, and since we rarely get dessert I was so happy we went for it this time because this cookie was out of this world!! Overall I might return (its a little pricey, but what isn't anymore for that quality) but would also like to try Barra Pizza nextdoor.
(4)
Katie S.
I went to Summer House with a group of friends. The waitress graciously explained the menu with recommendations and was happy to split the check. I split the cheese burrata appetizer with two other people. I didn't think it was very special, and lacked some flavor. For my main course I had the lobster orechiette which was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked perfectly with plenty of lobster. The only negative for the pasta was that the portion was very small, I finished it wanting more. If I were to go back, I would definitely order the Brussel sprouts. I tried my friends and they were wonderful! Extremely flavorful! I thought the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and is a good option for dinner with friends and larger groups. However, I thought it was a tad bit expensive for the food quality and portions.
(3)
Dan O.
Disappointing. The one redeeming quality is the atmosphere which is awesome. The fish tacos lacked flavor, service was subpar, the short rib was small, grisly and fatty. The only good thing we ate were the biscuits which were amazing. Ordered a cocktail that tasted like a light medicine. The second cocktail wasn't my favorite either so I gave it to my date. Stella Barra next door is more affordable and way better quality food and service! This was my least favorite lettuce experience and left me wishing we had just gone to Stella Barra. The cookie bar in the lobby is worth a visit and the girls there are always nice.
(2)
sandra j.
No. Just, no. Arrived a little early without my guest so I was given a curt and unsmiling, "we'll seat you when your party is complete." I slinked off to the lobby and then realized that the restaurant across the lobby had a bar so I camped out there for 10 minutes and had a nice glass of wine. Much friendlier staff overall. Once my friend arrived I realized that Summer House had a huge bar/bar area which no one suggested I visit while waiting. Settled into the table and ordered. I got the burrata appetizer. The burrata was good but the tomato "jam" was just awful. It truly tasted like someone opened a can of diced tomatoes and made a circle with them on the plate. My friend's salad was tasteless. Entrees arrived and we were overwhelmed by the smell of fish. So it was either my friend's bass or my fish tacos. We both gave it a hearty try, but after too much fish smell from the bass my friend gave up. I went ahead and made a second taco with the overcooked fish, added the truly bad "homemade" guacamole (tastes like it comes from a bag) bit hard into that piece of stem that's at the top of the avocado (it hurt) added tasteless fennel slaw and a dash of tasteless green salsa and went for it. Couldn't do it. We both sent our entrees back. My friend was so turned off she didn't want another entree, we asked for the check and left. One star is for our server who was lovely and the manager who was truly apologetic and gave us some gift cards for our trouble. We were both excited and felt ready for forgiveness until we realized that the gift cards weren't for any LEY restaurant, just Summer House. I guess I'll use them to go back to the bar that I wasn't invited to have a seat at the first time.
I had dinner here with a girlfriend. We had made a reservation but still had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. It is VERY busy and bustling, even on weekday evenings so definitely make a reservation. We tried a bunch of the dishes - I think the standout was the roasted chicken. Overall, given the choices in Chicago I was slightly underwhelmed given the higher price points and how busy it was, but it's a fun place to try. It's especially nice in winter because somehow they replicated sunshine indoors! :)
(3)
Erica L.
I loved Summer House! Made a reservation for 2 people for New Year's Eve and we were seated right away. We got a bottle of wine and 2 appetizers - the ahi tuna and the cauliflower. Tuna was amazing - I am not much of a seafood eater but I enjoyed it. The cauliflower was also tasty. It had a bit of a kick which, being a big fan of spicy food, was great. For our main courses we went with the bison meatloaf and the lobster. The meatloaf was pretty good, but my favorite was the giant mound of potatoes that came with it. The lobster was one of the specials that night. I didn't try it but the consensus was that it was delicious! We also got 3 cookies on the way out: Peanut Butter, Bacon Chocolate Chip, and Rice Krispie Choc Chip. The rice krispie was BY FAR the best cookie. You will be tempted to try others... don't bother. It was so delicious. FOOD SUMMARY: Roasted cauliflower - good! Ahi tuna tostadas - amazing Bison meatloaf - fair, side of potatoes deeeelicious Lobster (on special) - amazing Cookies: Bacon choc chip: So-so Peanut butter: mmmmm, so peanut buttery and delicious Rice Krispie choc chip: THE BEST I loved the overall atmosphere of this restaurant - very airy, open feel and solid menu options. The patrons were fairly dressed up, but I think that was due in part to it being a holiday. I docked the restaurant one star because, as mentioned in other reviews, the meal felt very rushed. We had just received our appetizers and our waitress was back after our first bite to ask what we would like to order for entrees. Other than that, everything was great. We plan on going back soon.
(4)
Stephanie H.
I loooove having this place in Lincoln Park. I went here with a couple girlfriends last Wednesday. We had a reservation, but it looked like we might've been able to sit down without one. The inside is beautiful -- it really feels like you've escaped the brutal winter outside. We all ordered a cocktail (and tried each others). They were all delicious. We got the chips and guac to start which was delicious and fresh. We all ordered fish tacos (my friends ordered the mahi mahi tacos and I got the sushi-grade tuna tacos). I didn't try the mahi mahi, but mine were really good. Over all, we all ended up spending about $42 before tip. The food and service is excellent, but it's a little pricey. On our way out, we all got a cookie from the little bakery in front. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the apple oatmeal!!
(4)
Michelle R.
Been here 3 times now. There's always been something that's been off about this place. There's always a wait, even though I had reservations each time. And the staff is what kills this place. 1st and 3rd time, the waiter is just no where to be found. I waited 10 minutes just to wait for salt. 2nd time, our waiter was a niiice guy, but we saw the manager (the guys checking to see if the food was prepared correctly) just scream at him out of no where. The food was pretty good the first time I went there, but then it went DOWNHILL from there. I went 2 days ago and the pasta dish was just so bland. The noodle itself was beautifully hand made, but there was not enough sauce and seasoning. So I felt like I was eating just dough. And my appetizer came out after all the main dishes came out. So, service is just horrible there now.
(2)
Sally L.
Per usual, Summer House ( a Lettuce Entertain You concept) wowed and bested all others. Upon arrival I was greeted, sat within a small time frame ( seeing as it was a very busy Monday night) and was approached by my server, who first offered me a taste of my chosen wine before I accepted. From there on out, I had excellent service and food. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll, which I highly recommend, the Market lettuce bowl ( also not your average salad) and the baked to order biscuits (you HAVE to get these. They are like no other biscuit.) I met the manager, Molly, who was kind and thoughtful. Thank you Summer House, for a delightful evening not to be forgotten.
(5)
Lynn M.
Beautiful restaurant for a night out on the town! Enjoyed the salmon, also tried some of the steak. Both delicious! Service was fantastic, and the waiter had great recommendations for nearby bars. Felt like I was in California!
(4)
Katelyn N.
Had a really good experience at Summer House! While we were seated about a half an hour past our reservation time, the staff made up for it in so many ways. First of all, they passed around mini ahi tuna tostadas as we waited. Right when we were seated they presented us with a free burrata appetizer to apologize for the wait. This was delicious! The tomato jam was just the right amount of sweetness to complement the creaminess of the burrata. We also got the biscuits, cauliflower, kale salad, turkey burger and scallops. All very tasty. Cocktails were great, especially the pulp fizz. The staff was friendly and attentive and even gave us a free dessert for my birthday! Really no complaints about Summer House except for the wait at the beginning, but like I said, they made up for it in so many ways. Can't wait to check this place out for brunch.
(4)
Hannah K.
Amazing! I went with a group of 8 and a few people were running a couple minutes late and they still sat us. The ambience was beautiful! Loved the atmosphere. The waitstaff was also extremely friendly. Our waiter even have us a number to text for free muscles:) I started off with the bonfire cocktail. It was a little strong, but you definitely get your money's worth alcohol-wise. I also tried a palm fizz, which was delicious. They also have a full menu of virgin cocktails, which I always appreciate because I have friends who don't drink alcohol. We got the calamari for an appetizer, and it was our favorite dish of the night. I split the half chicken with a friend, and it was great too. A huge portion, so perfect to share. We also got the burrata. It was still good but not my favorite dish of the night. Finally if you check in on yelp you get a free cookie! We all want to go back again, amazing experience!
(5)
Caitlin G.
Went for lunch and we had amazing service. Our waiter was top notch. Always checking up on us and giving us recommendations throughout our whole meal. Ambiance is perfect and all the natural light is a great addition even on a gloomy winter day.
(5)
Tony F.
This place is really good. It's not great but good. The atmosphere is open and summery...hence the name. The service is good and I have no complaints. My only issue is that's it's not worth fighting traffic into the city to eat here. I would say its a good Resturant for city folks but not worth the effort.
(4)
Amanda N.
We eat out at a LOT of restaurants in the city, but I don't often bother to write reviews unless a place is really exceptional or really disappointing, and I found Summer House to be really disappointing, particularly given the proprietors and the hype! I took my best friend here for her birthday dinner. We had a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday. When we arrived, the place was almost completely empty, and yet still, they sat us at literally the worst table in the entire restaurant -- right next to the front door, on top of the host stand. I asked if they would move us, and they did -- but to a high table at the back of the bar, next to a family with young children. Why were there children in the bar area? And why seat me in the bar when I have a reservation and the dining room is still almost completely vacant? If that wasn't annoying enough, our server was kind of checked out. He was nice enough, but when the place filled up by about 6:45 pm, he was clearly busy and even came by to comment to us that he "also takes care of the bar, so if we need him, just come grab him from the bar." Um, I thought I was eating at a restaurant. I guess that's what happens when you are seated in the bar area, instead of the dining room? You have to flag down the bartender who is also your waiter? The worse offense: He told us that the left side was "small plates meant for sharing" and the right side was larger plates. After we inquired about how to order, he recommended 3-4 small plates and splitting the entree we liked. So we ordered (small plates) guacamole, cauliflower, harvest salad, and burrata, and (large plate) split the fish tacos. He asked us if we wanted it coursed a particular way, or if it should come out "as it's ready." We said "as it's ready," because we figured they would all be small plates, and our entree wasn't so much an entree as the same size as a small plate (right?). ALL THE FOOD CAME OUT AT ONCE. It barely fit on our table and was completely ridiculous. It was WAY to much food. The "small plates" weren't so much "small plates" (a bite or two for 2-4 people) but rather full-on appetizers. The food was OK. The fish tacos were actually quite delicious and flavorful and healthfully prepared -- a great example of what this restaurant is presumably going for. The burrata was delicious, but the bread was toasted to the point of burnt, and hard/thick, so that was tricky eating. The salad was pretty passable. It wasn't dressed nearly enough (and I don't like heavy dressing) and was just very very boring -- I could have made it at home, which is saying a lot. The cauliflower was underdone - still very tough. And we didn't even get around to the guacamole because it was WAY too much food. I expect way, way more from a LEYE restaurant, and the Melman brothers' places in particular have yet to disappoint in this way. I won't be back -- there are just way too many great restaurants in this city that won't deliver all your food all at once. OMG.
(2)
Deeje E.
Very attentive staff...great service and food. Joe's stone crab should hire this staff and maybe they would have more return customers.
(5)
Christel R.
love this spot for lunch, dinner & in between. food has flavor, wine comes in nice pours, and service is great! the cookies are such a treat, and i would recommend trying one :)
(5)
Yana N.
Like a SoCal oasis in the middle of Midwest! Great ambience and amazing fresh dishes! Unlike other restaurants this one has it's separate baking station at the front entrance with fresh cookies! Yes please!
(5)
Kathryn R.
Amazing brunch! We got the banana muffin to start (crispy with a little sugar on the outside and the middle tastes like they put 3 banana's into it). After I got the kale and cheddar omelette with a side of Avacado and the hashbrowns. My friend got the Breakfast Tostadas. Both were delicious. The staff was very nice and the service was great. The atmosphere was really nice, bright and fresh. I also loved the bar - perfect place to post up and have a mimosa and still feel like you are outside (even when you are not). Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Steven P.
Had dinner at Summer House last night and was really excited to try it out considering all of the hype. The build out of the restaurant is pretty neat. Open and airy except in the bar area. If you can sit in the open air part of the restaurant I suggest it. The menu is available online. Check it out before going. Appetizers) We had the Chips and Guacamole and the fresh burrata. For the price it was a little disappointing. The Guac definitely needed salt. The burrata was good but needed a little more arugula. Main dish) We had the Ahi Tuna taco, Surfer Taco and the Steak Frites. Note that the tacos are deconstruted so you put them together. Comes with salsa and guacamole - lacked flavor. The Tuna was ok. The frites (french fries) tasted like they were frozen out of a bag. The steak was good and tasty. The tacos are way over priced but you are in Lincoln Park so people will pay it. Service. There is not enough room between the seats in the middle of the dinning room so you constantly feel the precense of the back waiter, front waiter, server, etc. To be honest I couldn't keep track of how many people were walking around. And the bus boys kept coming back around to ask if we were done and could take our plates. They also removed martini glasses before we were done without asking. That was pretty annoying. There are so many different options in the city with LEYE, check out their other options. Great to see the concept but nothing makes us want to return. Price per person (app - shared, entree and two glasses of wine w/ tip) ~$70pp
(3)
Mark V.
I had to make a reservation over a month in advance just to get a table on a Saturday, so my expectations were sky high. Yet, aside from the beautiful scenery (both the room and the people), the experience could only be described as mediocre. Nothing I ate made an impression, and the best dish from the entire evening was the brussel sprouts, which should not be the case when you are spending over $300 for 4 people. None of my fellow diners had much good to say about what they ordered and we all left feeling disappointed and somewhat ripped off. The only saving grace from the entire evening was the apple fritter cookie my friend purchased at the bakery counter on the way out, but it wasn't quite enough to sweeten our mood by that point. Simply put: Chicago has far better to offer in this price range.
(2)
Jonathan W.
This restaurant has a lot going for it. Great location and of course beautiful decor. Unfortunately the food was just okay. I had fish and it was pretty good, tad overlooked halibut but good. However not very memorable. Cookies were the best part. Delicious s'mores cookie and choc chip cookie. Otherwise pretty mediocre.
(3)
Jonathan S.
Great place for groups of 4 or 6. It's always bustling. Bright and airy with good food.
(4)
George J.
Go go go run here great place in Lincoln Park .. Great food great vibe and they have parking .. You will love it prices are excellent and food is so delicious and healthy ..
(5)
Rachel P.
I had a girls' night out here recently and we loved the atmosphere! We also had excellent service. The reason I'm not rating it higher is because, as other reviewers have said, we had a reservation (late in the evening) and then had to wait even longer. Honestly, I've never been to a restaurant that couldn't honor a reservation promptly. They need to improve on this. I had their draft cocktails which were very delicious and refreshing, however for $10 I'd expect them to be stronger. We only tried the ahi tuna tostadas and those were delicious, but, for the money I wish we'd gotten a bit more. The prices on everything else looked on the high side. Since we loved the atmosphere so much I would file this more under a "special occasion" place due to the prices rather than a place I'd go to often. I'll definitely come back but probably more for just drinks in the bar area than a full meal.
(3)
Stacey K.
There's a sign on the wall at Summerhouse that reads YES...kind of says it all. Starting with the impeccable hospitality of the manager, TJ, to the incredible FOOD.....roasted cauliflower, killer biscuits , Ahi tuna tostados, mouth watering , but wait, there's definitely more!! Spicy Calamari the likes of which I have never tasted, combination of spice, lime, chives, and I don't know what!! SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Wood grilled halibut sounds boring, But NOT last, chocolate chip cookies with rice crispy treats. REALLY. Best restaurant experience I've had in a while. visiting from NYC, so impressed Cannot say enough about the knowledgeable, professional, attentive,welcoming, and adorable TJ. relaxing southern California feel...RUN, Don't walk.
(5)
Dexter H.
Overrated! I was really disappointed. My brussel sprouts and potatoes were COLD, seemed like they had been plated long before the sea bass arrived. Which was over cooked but still edible. Service was REALLY slow! I was expecting more from Lettuce, hopefully they'll get it together, it's walking distance for us.
(2)
Kayla C.
The spicy calamari is to die for! Outdoor patio was perfect for the summer.
(5)
Michael N.
I normally only give positive reviews on Yelp but I had such a bad experience at this restaurant I wanted to share. My party of 4 had a reservation for 8:30pm. We arrived at 8:20 and checked in with the hostess. We waited until 8:45 before I went to the hostess to inquire about our table and we were told we would be next to be seated. It was not until 9:07pm (47 minutes after our reservation time!) that we were seated. No exaggeration here. We were waiting for our seats when a fire truck pulled up and took someone away in a stretcher because they "Passed out". That was the table we got. We literally had to wait 47 minutes for someone to pass out and be taken away by ambulance before we could be seated. And this was with a reservation. The food was good but not worth a 47 minute wait WITH a reservation. No apologies from management. They treat their patrons poorly and overbook their reservations. I will never go back here ever again.
(2)
Lauren Y.
The restaurant is mediocre. We had a reservation for weeks but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I ordered a Cosmo but had to send it back because it was too sour. The replacement cosmo was average, but not great. (a little better but not worth sending back again) The chicken tacos were VERY good and a good portion size. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the fish dishes we tried. The taste is wonderful, but the portion sizes for the ahi tuna-watermelon appetizer & the fish tacos were rip offs. For those prices I would expect the portions to be 50% larger...and I'm referring to the size of the fish, not the slaw and veggies on the side of the tacos. The ambience was very nice, but with the stinginess of the the fish portions, I'm hesitant to go back for quite awhile.
(2)
Abby K.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago so far. Great options and really fresh tasting. The atmosphere is very chic and upbeat as well. Highly recommend.
Loved the fish tacos and really like their drink selection. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious. The presentation and quality of food was exceptional. My boyfriend had the seabass and loved it. We also had a cookie and ice cream for dessert that was simple and delicious. What stands out the most is the staff. EVERY ONE is nice and engaging. They pay attention and if at any point I looked around as if I needed something, they were immediately attentive. The manager stopped by and it wasn't one of those empty "how's everything folks", it was genuine. Decoration is great, service is exceptional, food is delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Stephen W.
This place is a perfect place to grab a burger and a beer when the weather is nice. I especially like the turkey burger. Service is kind of inconsistent, but only because sometimes they get slammed.
(4)
Amber N.
Run, do not walk, to this restaurant. We dine out a few nights a week and think this might be our new favorite. The hostesses were very nice and welcoming when we arrived. The decor and feel of the place is spot on for a summer feeling space. After such a harsh winter, we felt like we escaped for a few hours tonight. For drinks, I enjoyed Frog's Leap Wine (one of our favorite Napa wineries) and my husband the Monte Cali Bourbon drink with a huge ice cube. We both enjoyed our drinks as we reviewed the amazing menu. Literally everything on the menu looked enticing. We decided on the following: -Ahi Tuna Tostadas with watermelon, chili, avocado, cilantro served on a mini corn tortilla. Amazing quality tuna with all the right flavors to make it perfection. -Fresh Burrata with a homemade tomato jam and arugula and bread. It was exactly how it should be, fresh, flavorful and delicious. -Soy Glazed Pork Ribs with an Asian flare caramelized on with great flavor. -French Dip with the beef a perfect medium. -Roast Cauliflower with a jalapeno pesto and breadcrumbs. So unique and tasty. -Potato Polenta Mash side dish was creamy, cheesy and decadent. For dessert we walked over to the cookie counter and split a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with chunks of rice crispy treats on top. Imagine how wonderful that would taste and then times it by 100000, that's how good it was! They are doing something right here with the ambiance, menu and food. Our waiter was average, not memorable, but maybe that's the point, because the food and decor will forever be the standout. ENJOY it soon!!
(5)
Rob J.
Great atmosphere, especially in the winter months when you want it to be summer. Food was just ok. I'm from CA and the fish tacos were not good, so that was bummer. Good place for group and we saw a ton of kids there too.
(3)
Leah C.
the apps and desserts outshine the entrees... as mentioned in several reviews, 5 stars for atmosphere. the bright, white homey interior took us away from the icy, snowy streets of chicago. service was spot-on as well. i especially appreciated that while our server could not answer some of our questions, instead of making up answers, he quickly educated himself so that he could later pass on his findings. went for restaurant week with girlfriends so we sampled the RW offerings as well as some add-on's. loved that the RW menu included a glass of wine! none of us were impressed with the entrees: mushy lobster pasta, bland salmon and onion heavy veggie tacos served with overheated tortillas. the cauliflower side, burrata app (ask for more crostinis right away) and the brussel sprouts that accompany the salmon are standouts! my favorite was the super greens salad - the shaved parmesan coupled with the crushed garlic breading balanced out the bitter leaves. make sure to take a look at the bakery window before ordering your dessert. we had the peanut butter cookie (more pb than cookie!) topped with nutella ice cream and the apple oatmeal cookie (lots of chunky pieces of baked apple) topped with vanilla ice cream. TONS of unique cookies to choose from with choice of 3 flavors of ice cream (can't recall the 3rd offering!). beyond DELISH.
(4)
Clara T.
My absolute favorite place to go for brunch. Always sunny and bright, the decor and vibe that this place has makes me so happy. Amazing chicken and waffles-- and their non-alcoholic beverages are as good as their boozy ones!
(5)
Natalie M.
This is my new favorite spot in Lincoln Park. The quality of food is pretty amazing and I have loved everything I tried here. The atmosphere is very cool and I'm sure this summer when it's nice out, it will always be bumping. Friendly staff and overall experience is simply awesome. I only gave it a 4 because it's hard to get into and usually have to wait awhile to be seated. The prices are pretty average for the whole experience you are getting:) I will be here ALOT this summer:) Yummy food, great locale and fun people.
Hour and a half wait for brunch?! To the bar with full menu we go. Let me preface: we live 3 blocks from here and out Sunday mornings are a never ending debate about where to grab brunch. The neighborhood for sure needed this place. The southern Cali vibe, lots of sun and trendy atmosphere were made for this neighborhood, even if we didn't just yet know quite how much we were missing it. For drinks, Caitlin had her favorite, a Bellini, which she found just ok. They were cranking out a lot of them from our vantage at the bar, but she gave hers a 3. I thought the mimosa I had was pretty great and they for sure did not skimp on the quality of my coffee (A lighter roast, which I appreciate). For food we both settled on a benedict, me the traditional and Caitlin the turkey. The home made english muffins were a great touch, enjoyed them all together. Final ranking: Vibe: 5 Food: 4 Drinks: 3.5 Service: 5 Overall: 4.5 Safe assumption: we will come back.
(4)
Christie M.
Came here for a double date with two of our friends and had a fantastic meal. We had made 8pm reservations (the only time available) but were hoping to get in a little earlier, as we arrived at 7:30. Unfortunately, the restaurant was jam packed and we weren't seated until 8:10pm. I was a little frustrated with our wait, but I think more than anything I was surprised by how busy this place was on a Tuesday evening. We had great service at one of the high-top tables. I would have loved to have sat in the "Vitamin D" room, but like I said, it was busy busy. I had a wonderful glass of Chardonnay while we split chips and guac and calamari as our starters. Guac was standard, and a pretty small portion. The calamari was so wonderfully breaded and fried- tasty and spicy but not too heavy. One of the best calamari I've had in the city. For my main dish, I had the salmon and a split an order of the brussel sprouts. OMG the brussel sprouts are amazing. Perfectly charred with crispy panchetta. Mmmmmmm. The entrees we ordered were: lobster orechetti (very good), halibut (very good), and the korean pork tacos (my friend liked the dish, but it was very small). My friend also ordered a side of the golden beets, but hated them. The waitress ended up taking that off their bill without even mentioning it, which was a nice surprise. We checked in on yelp and received a free cookie and ice cream. When we told our server that we celebrating our friend finding out that she was expecting, she brought us another cookie and ice cream to split (rice krispie cookie). That was great! Overall a great experience- albeit busy. Loved the food, my only gripe is that I wished the portions were a little larger.
(4)
jenna n.
The halibut was rather fishy for my pallet. I wasn't too fond if the Santa Monica salad, however I was impressed with the Thai curry mussels. Overall I would give the food 3 stars and the ambiance a five star. We live a few blocks away so I will be back regardless...
(3)
Amber S.
I went here for a "before the play meal". Walking in, I fell in love with the summer house decor. It wasn't gaudy or overbearing. We sat under the sky roof and it was nice to see the sun shine through. Our waitress was very helpful in deciding what to choose to eat. For the meal, I had the special which was a white fish(I can't remember the exact name of it) with miso butter, bok choy and pasta. My friend had the rainbow trout with mashed potatoes and honey butter sauce. For appetizers, we had the homemade biscuits with butter and honey. I loved the biscuits, they were light but thick and flavorful even without the butter and honey, they were also very filling so be careful when ordering these. I felt my dish was a little light on flavor but my friends dish was very good. My only complaint would be is that they sat us behind the bakery right next to the waitress station, where there's a computer and they pay the bills at. They said that we wouldn't be in the way but during the dinner we had multiple waitresses go behind us to pay bills and was distracting. They also had a bar and a bakery with a chocolate chip and bacon cookie that I want to try. I also loved the open kitchen Even with the seating arrangement, it was a nice restaurant and I can't wait to visit again. It's about a 5 minute walk from SteppenWolf so it would make a good before or after play destination. I want to visit in the summertime because I hear they will open the roof for a fresh breeze.
(4)
Mike K.
~ Oceanside Summerhouse ~ Goodbye, Tilli's. Hello, Kelly McGillis' cottage in Top Gun. You've seen the movie and that particular scene. Summerhouse made me feel like I was in the cottage in that scene - only Summerhouse doesn't have the languid feel of that scene at all; it's bustling with activity. And the activity with which it's bustling is almost testosterone free: girls on girls' nights out; families with kids; and Mavs and Charlies. And you Mavs will go Top Gun if you bring your Charlies to Summerhouse. Dangerous. When you walk into Summerhouse, you're greeted with a case of...needle across the record...cookies. Talk about knowing your Christmas presents are under the tree and not being able to open them. Look but don't touch. Keep moving to your left, and then the setup is the bar on the left, high tops adjacent to the bar and then the open dining room area to the right, with several booths on the far right on a slight dais. That's your playing field, ace. Go to work. As to the food, well, I have a very rudimentary palate and am not at all adventurous, so I was somewhat limited in what I could choose from the already somewhat limited menu. I tasted the following: Burrata Roasted cauliflower Burger with fries Pork Ravioli Vino Chocolate chip cookie. I would highly recommend all of the above, with the true standouts and must tries being the Burrata, pork ravioli and the cookie. I will say the portion of ravioli was rather small, so load up on other small dishes such as the Burrata. I would rate the burger, which came with a heaping portion of the thin-type fries, as very good but one rung down in leagues relative to a Kuma's or Capital Grill burger. As to service, it was absolutely top notch from bow to stern. The wall to the north says, "Yes," and that was certainly indicative of the service on our visit. I highly doubt the words "Negative, Ghostrider" will ever be uttered by the wait staff at Summerhouse. While dining, I couldn't help but notice the sound track. We dined early, and it was a bit rocky. As the late afternoon turned to evening, the music got louder and changed to a more sort of obscure, foreign sound track for the trendy, scene-y crowd. However, while they were still rocking, they played the songs "Laid" and "Good Girls Don't" consecutively. I don't see how that was a coincidence, and a basic outline of my review was written inside my head on the fly right at that moment. Man, these guys are certainly subliminally prepping the Charlies who dine at Summerhouse for their Mavs or future Mavs. Players, take note. Permission for fly-by granted in advance. Five stars.
(5)
Candice H.
My new favorite brunch spot! Previously my go-to brunch was little goat... But I'm thinking the feel of Summer House has it beat. The Vitamin D room made me escape a dreary rainy Sunday in Chicago. The calamari was amazing... Maybe the best I have ever had. Very trendy right now, but judging on the great food, staff, and ambience... I think Summer House will be a go-to for many for years to come!
(5)
Sarah G.
Terrible service! Made a res for 2PM and was not seated until 3PM. Even once we were seated, it took about 25 minutes to get our drinks. Descent food but service was so awful.
(1)
Mark B.
Fantastic ambiance! A little bit smaller of portions for breakfast than I'd expect for the price but everything we did have was extremely tasty. My wife and I love this place so much, we even went twice in one day.
(5)
Monica B.
I went for brunch and loved it! Amazing vibe, you definitely feel like you are in California. I got the mission street burrito which was amazing and healthy! It has tofu chorizo which was done really well. I also got the peach Bellini which was great (typical Bellini). For dessert we got the large chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispies, warmed a la mode (with a ice cream scoop) which was as heavenly as it sounds. We also got tea which was amazing, each tea comes with it's own pot, unique flavors and very generous portion of fresh tea leaves per pot.My only negative review was that our waitress was super slow. I don't believe it reflects the whole restaurant because other waitress tried to check on us and the bus boys were attentive. It took our waitress like 10-15 to bring 2 drinks.
(4)
Mark S.
It's actually feels like a summerhouse which is the perfect ambience on a fall day! I went for brunch and it was tasty. Everything on the menu was a very safe choice by the chef, but still enjoyable.
(5)
Alyssa W.
The food here is a little over priced, but delicious. I didn't have any customer service issues like some other people. We made a reservation on a Friday night, we were seated right away and our waiter was wonderful. He explained everything and gave us great recommendations. All the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, just everything on the menu was about $5 too much in my opinion.
(4)
Jane S.
I came here on my Birthday Eve and wow what an amazing experience! The setting actually resembles a summerhouse in Santa Monica (I'm from California so this is coming from someone who has actually been out in Santa Monica ). It has a very "I'm seating on a beach having a martini" feel. The service at this place is excellent as well! The servers really know their menu and are ready to recommend items based on your taste preference. The Food!!!! Ahhh the food!!!! Absolutely Amazing! I had a bbq-glazed wing (this is a fish dish not chicken) and absolutely loved it! And Let's not forget the cocktails that were very tasty!! This place is an absolute hit, from its ambiance to its service to its food. P.S. In the front of the restaurant is an amazing bakery with AMAZING deserts!! P.S. part 2 I love to use the word amazing
(5)
Lisa Z.
I have basically committed myself to check in on Facebook everytime I'm here solely because of the name. And all my LA friends ask "Are you visiting here?" when they see Summer House Santa Monica show up in the feed. But it's great! It really feels like summer here even in the heart of winter! They even give you free sunglasses, and I can't wait to check out the retractable roof in the summer. This place keeps the good food coming, both brunch and dinner. I've had a few omelettes off the menu, as well as a truffle pasta at dinner. All phenomenal. And definitely start things off right with the Kickstarter at brunch. So good!
(5)
Blair R.
Like all of the Yelp reviews have said before, Summer House is a great spot to pretend like you are escaping Chicago's obnoxious winter, and I think it will be equally great when it's actually summer. The bar is situated a little awkwardly -- we found it too hard to get a drink while we were waiting for our table but this would be my only small complaint about the set up. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and I would happily return. Tuna Tostada - wayy better than I expected. The watermelon balanced the spicy flavors and one bite was really perfect. Brussel Sprouts - yum, I love balsamic. I'd happily drink a jar of good balsamic (maybe). And these had so much and such good balsamic all over them. It was also served with crispy pancetta that added another yum factor. Cauliflower - this dish felt like it was trying too hard. Kind of like cauliflower just became the cool kid vegetable but isn't cool enough yet, so it had to add other flavors that don't work. The jalapeño sauce was just kind of sitting there and didn't make sense. I didn't dislike it, but I'd be just as happy (if not happier) eating my own roasted cauliflower at home. Fish Tacos - split these with my sister and though they were pretty good. I probably will try something else next time but overall they serve their purpose. I would recommend trying one of the other fish dishes unless you are seriously craving some tacos or guac. Cookies - obviously amazing. Giant cookies, served warm and you can get ice cream with them if you want. Really, can you ask for anything more? I thought the blondie was the best but I am a sucker for butterscotch.
(4)
Katherine M.
The ambiance here reminds me of being back home in California, and the food is almost good enough to make me want to stick around in Chicago. The service was great, drinks were good, and they brought out a birthday cookie without any singing or hullabaloo. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Ronald B.
Always bomb! Bring your friends, buy a couple bottles and try everything! If you are lucky enough to make time to stop for brunch on the weekend, the French toast is a must have!!! Try it! You'll thank me later
(5)
Colleen M.
We went on a Saturday at about 6 and the place was packed! The atmosphere was great - perfect for a summer date night. I love the glass ceiling and all the natural light. It is hard to imagine this place in the winter because it has such a summery vibe. The wait staff, and even more importantly, the kitchen staff, were incredible. The food came out so quickly it was incredible. We ate the cauliflower, which was good, and the biscuits with poblano butter and honey were amazing. The Santa Monica Salad and Fish tacos were top notch. I had no room for dessert but my husband said the cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream was delish! I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Marisa Y.
I was looking forward to eating at Summer House because the Yelp reviews seemed so positive, but the food was ...GOD AWFUL. I came here for brunch with friends and ordered the breakfast tostadas. My friend ordered the same thing as well and both of our tostadas were awful. The food was cold, the meat was super dry, the beans were undercooked, and overall the food was just so bland. My guess is our plates finished faster than the third person we were with and it just looked like our food SAT AND SAT under the warmers. The third person ordered an eggs benedict dish and her poached egg wasn't even runny. Isn't that the whole point of a poached egg??? I didn't even eat a quarter of my food. I feel like good servers usually notice this when they check on you or come to take your plate away, but nope. The decor was nice, but that's the only nice thing I can say about this place. If just my meal was off, I would've hesitated to give such a low review, but since others had the same experience, I don't think this is such an anomaly.
(1)
David H.
Great ambiance! Food is always good. I have had some slow service but all and all very good.
(5)
Tanya K.
We went for our anniversary last night. We walked in and immediately loved the decor and overall vibe. We were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. She was energetic, smiley and helpful. They have an amazing wine list. We ordered the burratta which was good, not great, but good. For our entrees, we ordered the bucatini and trout, both delish and fresh. The staff comp'd us an amazing dessert for our anniversary that made us want to eat 6 more. I am looking forward to a warm weather trip back. The restaurant has a glass garage door that opens onto halted. I am sure it will be an even better trip.
(4)
Evan A.
The vibe/scene and the food are 5 stars. Very busy filled with lots of good looking people. The bright, summery feel is very welcoming and pleasant. Every food item I tried was very good. Highlights were the swordfish, tuna tostadas, and the calamari. All amazing. The rib appetizer was just ok. The service was pretty mediocre and was almost bad enough to drop this from 5 stars to 3. Server was relatively inattentive, didn't have a big personality, and just seemed new and spacey. Right after the entrees hit he was completely MIA, and a new server was kind of taking care of us if we flagged her down. We found out later after things started to torpedo that our server had to leave for a family emergency that had apparently just happened. I can understand this but the service wasn't great before he left, and we weren't told that someone new would be taking over until things had already gotten really bad. The management response was very strong and good enough to bring it back to 4 stars. Lots of apologies and compensation and general care. I will definitely come back because the vibe and food were that good at affordable prices. I think the service issues were a fluke and will get better as it is a Lettuce Entertain You joint and they obviously know what they are doing.
(4)
Jones' D.
We decided to come here after dining at Stella Barra a few times and seeing the rave reviews here. The overall experience was pretty meh. To begin, we were seated for our 8:00 p.m. reservation at 8:50. 8:50! And when we approached the host stand, no apologies* or acknowledging that they were late. Not a good impression. We sat down and were greeted somewhat promptly by...someone. She was not the waiter, so she said, but took our drink orders and our appetizer order. Then, 3 minutes later, a woman who claimed to be serving us that evening asked if we would like to start with drinks or maybe an appetizer. Again, the frazzled service left a slightly negative impression. Our spirits were lifted by the guac and salsa, which were incredible. At least the food is good at this point. For the main course we had the bison meatloaf/mashed potatoes and the bucatini. Both were decent (the mashed potatoes were the star), but it did not provoke feelings of needing to come back to try other stuff on the menu. It's pretty clear that food is all probably just so-so. *At this point, I was at two stars, but they did comp our guac, so I bumped them up to three. In all, it's a very scene-y place with nice coastal decor (which are the two things that account for rave reviews, I believe) with decent food. It may be worth a trip to check out, but I'd much rather view the decor on my way into Stella Barra or while grabbing a delicious cookie on the way out. Come summer, I can't even imagine what this place will be like. Actually, based on one visit, I can ABSOLUTELY imagine. No, thanks!
(3)
Jay J.
Just checked this place out with some friends recently and its a top 5 restaurants in Chicago for me. They have an awesome beer selection at the bar, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is called 'shabby chic' per the waitress. I don't know what that means but its like Charleston, South Carolina and Santa Monica had a baby and named it Summer House. Beer- Get the Golden Monkey or Bouelvard Apps- Ahi tuna tostadas are amazing and you're missing out on life if you don't get fresh bur rata Entre-Can't go wrong but I recommend any of the fish if you like seafood Desert- the cookies are more for show than anything, and you're going to get diabetes from them since they are ridiculously rich.
(5)
S C.
Like most Lettuce restaurants, this place is solid. Atmosphere is lovely, bright and fresh. Service was good. but a few flaws. Food came out way fast, so space your courses. Bus boys always trying to grab plates off the table, a bit annoying. We told our waitress that our pasta was cold, and she did not seem to care. The food is good, some things better than others. The Cauliflower, Calamari and fish tacos standouts. Skip the rib appetizer, beet salad and Hamachi,. Don't leave without a cookie from the bakery stand in the front!
(3)
Brittany D.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago! We had the chips & guac, calamari, roasted cauliflower, and the tuna tacos...everything was absolutely outstanding! Everything from the service to the decor was on point for us. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, no matter how small of a party it is. We called for 2 people on Saturday and weren't able to get a reservation until 10 pm.
(5)
Caroline Y.
There are three reasons why I wanted to rate my experience at summer house five stars. 1. The food: - Everything we had was beyond amazing. Starting with the hot mess fries, perfect for a cold Chicago night. My roommate had the steak frites and considering she was a vegetarian a month ago, she basically said it cured her meat craving for the past two years. I had the prime rib sandwich, so juicy and the bread was perfectly crispy. We had a side of the roasted cauliflower and topped our meal off with the warm apple cranberry crumble. So. Good. 2. The staff. - We were greeted warmly by our hostess Annie who was adorable and friendly! Our server Erik was bomb.com / boss.org / dope.gov . He was very attentive and had great recommendations. 3. Derrick Rose - We spotted Derrick dining at this restaurant. I just wanted to point out I saw Derrick Rose. TL; DR? Go to summer house. You'll see Derrick Rose.
(5)
Mr. E.
Attended Summer House for brunch with my wife and friends. The atmosphere is great, excellent open ceiling makes the restaurant feel spacious (even though it was packed). I read precious reviews about portions. It was brunch, so I wasn't looking for an all you can eat platter. However, I thought the portions were generous. I would recommend the hash brown eggs benedict. The only knock on this place was service & supply. They were out of nearly every baked good we asked for (not a big deal) and when it came time to pay for our meal our server was nowhere to be found. But the food is good enough to enjoy again
(4)
Benjamin D.
I have to say this was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in along time. I was really looking forward to it given the theme and light nature of the food but unfortunately everything we tried (which was a lot) happened to be mediocre at best. The service was also off (bringing us the wrong dishes, slow, taking away the cutlery and not replacing it so we would have to grab it off the table next to us each time a new dish came) and our overall experience was basically one big let down, so much in fact that my girlfriend and I shot down to Gibson's right after for Martinis and dessert just so we could end the night on a high note without complete disappointment. We ordered the following: Roasted cauliflower - meh Chinese eggplant - good but too salty Scallops - BAD Ribs - a bit tough strozzapreti pasta with tomato jam - meh Fish tacos - good portions In all, this place gets two stars for atmosphere and location, but the meal and service need work... Big time.
(2)
Chico R.
As everyone has stated the ambiance is fantastic. The food was very good although they could use a couple more vegetarian options. The spinach artichoke dip was great, the veggie enchiladas were very good, and the quinoa bowl was good. The drinks were well made, an overall great experience.
(4)
John W.
Recently, my family and I went to Summer House for dinner. The atmosphere was lively and fun. I highly recommend the cauliflower appetizer. The dishes are easier to share, which makes for a lovely family dinner. My daughters enjoyed the playlist, which consisted of indie tunes that I found myself enjoying as well. The service was timely, and catered very nicely to my requests on how the meat should be cooked. I had a lovely experience at Santa Monica Summer House and we will definitely take my family there in the future.
(3)
Willis C.
Coming from Santa Monica, I have never heard of this place, but it can fit perfectly well in the 90405. It rocks and is way better then the famous Ivy. It is a nice change from Karyn's across the way. Fresh and healthy with great ambiance. The use fine Oneida silverware and reminds me of Charlie Trotters. Super friendly staff, feels like home even with freezing snowmen outside. Super green salad with some herbal tea is the highlight to this cold Chicago winter. I will definitely frequent when in Chicago and feeling nostalgic of home.
(5)
Stacy H.
This place has a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and great service! The patio is ideal for a summer evening, and the tuna app with avocado and green apple is amazing!
(5)
Jennifer S.
Super Lincoln Park-y. It couldn't be more LP. the decor is obviously meant to bring you to the beach in Santa Monica. And it does. Ate dinner, ordered spinach appetizer and Lobster Orchiette (which was beyond salty- I was overpowered with the sodium content of the dish). But the ambiance wins. Food is fine- you will enjoy the atmosphere and your friends here. Check out the cookie bar up front. Valet is$13 and it looks like their sister restaurant Stella Pizzeria is nextdoor. LEYE does it in Lincoln Park. It looks like a money maker! Food 3 stars - passable, atmosphere 4-5 stars. Its a hit no doubt. By 7 PM, all the tables were full. Make a reso!
(4)
B.B. K.
Summerhouse lives up to its name and then some! I came here with a friend for a bday dinner and loved this place from beginning to end. It's beautiful, sophisticated and transports you to a beachside haven as long as your stay. The service was amazing and the food was American cuisine scrumptiousness! It can sometimes be hard to find those two elements well executed in one place, and Summerhouse does not disappoint. The dessert bar is just the icing on the cake! Summerhouse is definitely an "experience" worth experiencing! Go! You'll forget Chicago even has a winter season!;-) Yum and fun!
(5)
Talia R.
What a great space! You really get the "California Vibe" that they are going for. I thought the cocktail list was awesome along with the wines. I had a glass of the Albariño that was pretty good. We came in for lunch and split the Burrata- YUM! Then the ahi tuna tacos which were also super yummy, light and fresh. You have to try the cookies on your way out. The S'more and the white chocolate were awesome. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Kathleen M.
Our service was awesome - we made a reservation and unfortunately it was made for the wrong night. We showed up with a party of 5 and the manager (a woman) was so accommodating! Once we sat down she sent over a few appetizers on the house and they were so good! The tuna tostadas, cheese dip, messy fries, and guacamole were just so tasty and fresh. The ahi tuna tacos were so good as was the skirt steak! We also got the lobster pasta (I forget the name) and it was good - but very very rich. Thankfully we split a bunch of dishes because I would only be able to have a bite or two of the pasta. Cocktails were awesome! And the wine list was exceptional. Try this place!
(5)
Tim H.
I have come here twice for brunch over the summer. It is a good solid brunch with nice outdoor seating or semi outdoor seating. I definitely get a California feel from the decor and menu. Ease of getting in for an early weekend brunch and nice outdoor seating give it an extra star in my opinion. Food is only 3 star in my opinion. For example, my over easy eggs were almost over well on my latest visit. They also don't seem to bring jelly, butter, and ketchup out unless you specifically ask. Had to do this on both my visits.
(4)
Scott W.
Excellent light fare for the gourmand. The food is delicate if you choose - or there's a trusty burger. I have had only one issue - tacos. I love them. Then you add "wood fired" and I am sold. However; they could disappoint if you are a true taco fan. The taco is where the end of the ingredients go to take new form. The tuna was the butt end of the tuna steak. The rest of the menu crushes it. The apps are ridiculous. The staff is always there and checking in. Such a great lunch spot. Dinner is strong but lunch is stronger.
It's not always about the food. The experience is really what makes it or breaks it for me. We were invited here for brunch on 9/6/15 at 1130am. We were a part of 6. We were supposed to be party of 8 but two people tapped out last minute but the restaurant was fine with that. We arrived and happily discovered their valet parking. That was the first smile on our face on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. You enter and find yourself in a setting that reminds you when you're on vacation near a beach. It's beautiful. There is a small bakery right when you walk in. Variety of goodies to choose from. We were seated promptly. Our table was large, spacious and marble! I think the only marble table in the whole restaurant. Our waitress was Danielle. She was awesome and looked& talked like Miley Cyrus. That's not relevant, I know but that's how I remember people. She was very attentive and did everything with a genuine smile. The nonalcoholic cocktails were great. My mom had the pineapple paradise which had pineapple, mint and a hint of cucumber. I had some of it and it's totally refreshing. I liked it more than my kale lemonade. All the food was great. My dad said his food and experience were "six stars!" He had the eggs and turkey bacon. (See my pics) The cookie and ice cream were awesome. The cookie is fresh and hot. Holy smokes delicious. My lobster roll had too much bread but toasted to perfection. It was decent. My sister liked her burger. Everyone else really loved their food. Everything tastes fresh and ingredients were great. Service is top notch. Decor and ambiance are beautiful. I wish I had my sunglasses! They recommend you wear them too! It's a totally California feel inside. In summary: 1. Valet parking for $13 2. Great location in Lincoln park 3. Excellent service. Thanks Danielle! 4. Clean and beautiful restaurant 5. Great food 6. Unique drinks Overall wonderful Sunday brunch experience!!
(5)
Danny W.
Maybe I think this because my family sat next to a bachelorette party during our brunch, but this is a perfect place to have a bachelorette party brunch. Penis straws and pink sashes aside, the food totally rules and it's lively atmosphere makes for a great experience regardless of your reason for going. It's trendy, has a delicious California inspired menu, and the light and fruity cocktail menu would make the cast of Sex And The City cream their panties. I highly recommend the beet salad and the breakfast tostadas both of which I tried on Sunday. The service was very attentive all around, and even more impressive considering it was such a zoo of hungry brunch goers. Price point is a little up there, but you're getting some pretty quality light fare for the most part. I'll definitely be back. Especially if I get invited to sip out of a penis straw.
(4)
Kevin M.
Update: I was honestly not expecting this but the manager of the restaurant reached out to me with a very professional response and apology. It's really nice to see that they care about their customers from a high level. I'll give Summer House another shot since I did in fact enjoy the food - plus, the atmosphere is really excellent. Stay tuned!
(3)
Maisha R.
This place is supposed to feel like you're dining in LA, Santa Monica to be exact, and the restaurant setup and decor is gorgeous. It has a relaxed, outdoor, patio vibe inside the restaurant. Having lived in LA, I can't say that I felt like I was in Santa Monica, but what I can say is that I felt cold...freezing actually! The name was certainly a misnomer for the temperature inside. "Californian" cuisine was interpreted as dishes that emphasized veggies and fresh food. The colors on the plates were bright and the food looked good but the taste just wasn't there. We started with the guacamole and chips, which were very average, and the oysters, which were just ok. I, along with two other people at the table, ordered one of the daily specials - the sockeye salmon BLT with fries and it was nearly inedible because of the bread. The bread was so hard that it cut the roof of my mouth with every attempted bite. A soft ciabatta roll would've been much better. Besides the bread fiasco, the salmon had no seasoning and zero flavor and the fries were unseasoned as well and just not good. Others had the lobster roll, which was mostly mayonnaise, fillers, and basically no lobster; and the quinoa bowl, which apparently wasn't very good either. With the yelp check-in, we received complimentary chocolate chip cookies a la mode, which were pretty good actually (well, at least the one that wasn't covered in salt). But, after having a subpar meal, how can a cookie and scoop of ice cream not be good? Service wasn't on point either. Our waitress came to the table very sporadically. Our calamari appetizer never came. Once we finished and ordered dessert, we requested the bill for fear that we wouldn't see her any time soon. Then, the guy clearing the table spilled ice cream on me. This just wasn't a good meal or a good experience, except for the company around the table.
(3)
Melanie S.
I wasn't too jazzed about Summer House for dinner, but for brunch? I'm totally sold. From the refreshing mocktails, to the eggs benedict, to the candied bacon...it's all pretty spectacular. My husband and I have a bad habit of over-ordering when it comes to brunch, because we can never decide between sweet and savory, so we both tend to order something savory, and then share something sweet. This time it was even worse than usual, as we ordered FOUR entrees so we could try a little of everything. We started with cucumber coolers, which were lovely on a warm summer morning. After much back and forth, we decided on the hash brown benedict, smoked salmon platter, berries and granola, and a waffle with a side of candied bacon. It was as if we were on way to the electric chair and this was our last meal. The food runner thought he delivered the food to the wrong table because he was looking for a table of four people! Everything was fantastic; the only weak link was the bagel on the smoked salmon platter. It would have been much better if served with an "everything" bagel instead of a ho-hum plain one, but it wasn't the end of the world. The shining star was the homemade granola served with mixed berries, thick, tart greek yogurt, and drizzled with local honey. So simple and satisfying. I hate a soggy waffle, but this was perfectly crispy (as it should it). The eggs benedict had a hash brown patty instead of an english muffin. So good! (Traditional eggs benedict is also available.) I have never in my life asked for a doggie bag for bacon before, but I couldn't bear to leave any behind. A side of four thick slices of sweet candied bacon is a crazy-reasonable $2.95. Whatever you do, do NOT miss this! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Mike M.
Here a two for the food and a three for everything else. No one gets consistency like Lettuce Entertainment. Each LEYE restaurant now arrives like a Stepford wife, beautiful, precise and passionless. We had cocktails. Nice. We had calamari, pretty good, but a chopped up, fried mess. The crab cake was good. The lobster sushi role was very good. The skatewing special of the night was overcooked and uninspired. My mahi mahi tacos was dry and overcooked. So food, meh. The room is bright, pretty and noisy. The whole experience reminded me of dining at a Disney World restaurant. All look and a mediocre meal.
(3)
Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: beautiful, warm brunch space. Summer House sure does a good job of making you feel like your in a (albeit, bustling and packed) lake house during the summer. We came for Saturday brunch, along with 5 million other people. Even so, our waiter was quick and attentive. I'll tip a hat to any place that offers a Mezcal breakfast drink, and it was well-made to boot. My Short Rib Hash ($14.95) was crispy and savory, and just the perfect portion-size. Hard to argue with Summer House's presentation and delivery. Worth a stop for brunch on the north side. Make a reservation.
(4)
Patty T.
Undoubtedly, Summer House has amazing aesthetics. It's open/airiness, great lighting, beautiful furniture, and smart fixtures all make for an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. When it comes to the actual food, however, there's less to write home about. I frequently do brunch here, and have never had anything that's overwhelming good. It's mostly average food, with above average prices. If the food was more flavorful and/or the prices were slightly less - then maybe it'd be a good value... But unfortunately, it's just not. Long story short, come for the cool atmosphere (and sit in the Vitamin D room if you can)! But don't expect the food to wow you as much as the ambiance.
(3)
Iman W.
Now I've never been to California. I've never been anywhere west of Texas, actually. So I can't say if the supposedly Californian vibe is true to life. What I can say is that I really liked the atmosphere of Summer House, bright, light, and airy. Sitting on or near the patio on a summer day is very nice. And in the winter, you can sit with your back to the windows and pretend, for those precious moments, that outside isn't happening. The sweet treats in the front look delightful, but I didn't try any. What I did try was the Santa Monica egg white omelet. I should have gone with my gut and ordered eggs benedict. Honestly, the omelet was just okay. Not as flavorful as it could have been and if I wasn't taking service and overall ambiance into consideration, I might have rated this place a 3 on the food alone.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Fantastic experiences to be had at Summer House. Great food, great space, and great service. The good: Great tasting food. Lot's of variety and flavor. The meals and apps were great, and the dessert was even better. It was all delivered fast and fresh and was delicious. The service was fantastic as well and very knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere is also great. The bad: Prices get a little steep. The rice was way undercooked and the corn tortillas were meh, but we're getting picky here. Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)
Lindsay M.
You know what, I just don't get the hype! My stars are mostly for the service and the ambiance as the food was just... very sub par. It was girls night, we were all dressed in our finest. We rolled up and were seated fairly close to our reservation time. The place is cool, nice and light, big windows in the front... The tables can feel a little crowded, but it's ok - we were out for a social night. Our waiter was very friendly, seemed knowledgable about the menu. Service was a bit slow, but I gathered it wasn't really his fault - seemed the bar and kitchen were a little backed up. We ordered a few dishes to eat and sort of share... and each dish, especially for the price, just was lackluster. I literally can't get excited writing this review because it was just blah. I could have this same quality food somewhere else and probably at a much better price point. If I am wrong, can someone please recommend a dish that was out of this world for me? I would love to give it another shot.
(3)
Holly Y.
This is my first review, but I've been here a handful of visits. I'm giving 3 out of 5 stars due to the previously delicious calamari being overdressed with the spicy mayo sauce which resulted in the dish becoming chewy in texture as it sat out. Previous visits the calamari was breaded lightly with the sauce drizzled over the top and extra sauce on the side. This visit, the calamari was swimming in the spicy mayo. Next, we ordered the roasted cauliflower with pesto. The dish was warmed raw cauliflower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cauliflower, but I was truly expecting "roasted" and that was not what I received. The ambiance is always a winner here at Summer House, as is the service. I gave it a mediocre review due to the disappointing two food items.
(3)
Aimee H.
Visited at least a half dozen times and the service, the atmosphere and the entrees have been wonderful. Definitely feels like a summer house and is always busy. Make a reservation if you can. Recommendations from the breakfast menu for cocktails: Bloody Mary (not too spicy, not too tomato, just right), Passion Fruit Margarita, Strawberry Shrub and for food: Short Rib Hash, The Morning Sandwich, Sunrise Burrito and if you're in the mood for sweet: Orange Chocolate Chip Pancake or the Cinnamon Roll (large enough to share). Recommendations from the dinner menu: all of the cocktails are refreshing and the wine list includes a nice variety; for food: Steak Frites, Mahi Mahi tacos, Squid Ink Angel Hair and absolutely do not leave without trying from the Starters section: Baked to order biscuits with the poblano honey butter and the Local Burrata (to die for!). The bakery in between Summer House Santa Monica and Stella Barra has treats you can't pass up, like a chocolate chip cookie with rice krispy treat pieces on top! Bonus: both Summer House and Stella Barra are a part of LEYE.
(4)
Sean C.
Alex is best bartender ever! Try the kicked up kale at brunch or the bloody---mmm good! Did I say that the country bread has best crust. Sit at the bar to avoid the long wait but brunch was to die for!
(5)
Mei K.
Came here on a busy Saturday with no reservations. Shame on me! The food was average, the waitstaff was good, the super-Californian-beachy-laidback atmosphere was on point. Had the tostada and the fried egg on top was a nice touch. There was definitely more beans than pulled chicken so I couldn't even tell you how that tasted. All in all, it was okay but easily forgettable. Their bakery items did look pretty interesting! Bacon chocolate chip cookie, fruity pebble treats, rice krispy treats baked into cookies, and etc. My biggest gripe and one of the reasons I wouldn't return is our experience with the hostess. We were originally quoted a 45 minute wait, which wasn't too bad. After an hour of waiting and no text from SH, we went up to the host who told us it'll be another 30 minutes...we were in too deep at this point and I didn't want to leave, so the waiting game continued! Half hour later, we followed up again and she told us another 20 minutes. We were PISSED! The host was not apologetic and told us whoever initially quoted us 45 minutes was wrong because the average wait was 2 hours. Luckily, one of the waiters/manager walked by and heard our frustration and sat us immediately. Another 20 minute wait my ass...Instead of providing your customers with the same excuse, "Tables are staying alot longer than expected", they should be more upfront and transparent about the wait time. If you decide to come here without reservations, the bar is first come first serve so try to snag a seat there. I wish the host told us that right when we put our name down. Shame on her!
(3)
Kimmy S.
Waited 1.5 hours to be seated, expect that for Summer brunch...Loved the airy patio and ambience and service. The food was okay, nothing spectacular.
(4)
Linda H.
I had been waiting to try Summer House for a long time, and my husband and I were lucky enough to walk in and get a table on a Saturday night. I say lucky, but it ended up being unlucky as almost all the food was awful. We started with the burrata, the only saving grace of the meal. Although if you can screw up a ball of cheese, that's a serious problem in itself. For our mains we ordered lobster orecchiette and the quinoa curry bowl. The pasta was really gummy and the shells clumped together. The "sauce" was a greasy tomato concoction and the lobster pieces were few and far between. The corn was an odd addition to a starchy dish but was fresh and tasty, being corn season and the Midwest and all. Curry bowl was totally flavorless and had a really strange mix of veggies. The quinoa was still crunchy in certain bites. My husband wouldn't even finish his meal, which says a lot if you know him. On top of all that, the bill for two was $70. No thanks Summer House. The only redeeming quality is the beautiful atmosphere and friendly server we had. However, it's not enough to ever get us to go back.
(2)
Diana S.
We sat in the vitamin D room which was airy and nicely lite. We ordered a few things from the menu. The quinoa was delish. The rainbow trout was good. The new York steak was average. For $45 ur better off going to Costco, getting 4 better quality steaks and grilling your own. The mashed potatoes were very good. They have a promo that if you text 30364 you get a free dessert which was average. Our server was excellent. Knowlageable and friendly. The ceviche was excellent. The salmon was good. The wine selection is very good.
Summer House is a sneak peak of Lincoln Park luxury. You won't see the riff raff or tourists here. We sat alongside a table of the most impeccably dressed men and a table of family with an infant, in the most fashionable 4th of July outfit, and a mother with a Celine handbag casually draped over a high chair. I parked on Burling Street (right around the corner from Halsted and Armitage) right in front of a sprawling estate. I got a weird look from a passerby - do I look like I can't afford a mansion in Lincoln Park or something? Maybe it's the Hello Kitty sticker on my Mazda... If you can't afford a vacation, you can at least afford a few hours and spare some cash by having brunch at Summer House...right? The entire restaurant feels like you're outside. It's like being on a patio. But it's air conditioned. The cocktails are phenomenal. Get a cocktail. No, get two. Start with the Cucumber Collins and then the Pom Fizz. None of us knew what was in the Pom Fizz, but it was so good it doesn't matter. Our waiter was wonderful. He made great menu recommendations and helped some of my indecisive friends. I went with his recommendation and ordered the Lemon Cottage Cheese Pancakes with a side of their home made, candied bacon. I usually prefer sausage, but he made the bacon sound so much more appealing, and he did not steer me wrong. The pancakes were thin with a soft, almost creamy texture and were served with decadent lemon curd. I added some of the raspberry jam that was given to our table. The bacon was thick, and the portion was more than enough to share, but I didn't. I devoured every last bite and then waddled down Halsted after brunch for some tipsy shopping. My friends ordered a variety of entrees including a benedict, skillet, and breakfast sandwich, and it was all quite appetizing. I would definitely do brunch here again or try out their dinner menu.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Came here for dinner with a friend. I got the squid ink pasta, which I enjoyed--the dish was both spicy and light, and the lemon zest as well as the basil added a nice touch to the flavors of the pasta. Overall, the menu seemed to offer food on the lighter flavor profile side, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves for the most part. My favorite part of the experience was definitely the ambiance and the setup of the restaurant--the airiness of the restaurant as well as the light that poured in from the skylights created a relaxing vibe. Remember to check in on Yelp! The complimentary cookie a la mode was absolutely delicious--warm dark chocolate cookie topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
(4)
Daniella E.
Favorite brunch spot! Food is so fresh. The chicken and waffles with the plabano butter are the best I've had. Great atmosphere and makes you forget you're in Chicago
(5)
Zakia C.
I really wanted to give this place a phenomenal review. It's a member of the LUEY group and the ambiance was spectacular. Unfortunately, I just could not do it! My date and I, stumbled upon this gem after leaving the aroma workshop. (Try that place out if you're ever in the area. ) I immediately wanted to enter and have dinner here! Everything about it was so inviting. The dining room was a glass manager or of sorts, they had an open kitchen concept as well as an eclectic bakery in the front. I went with the steak and frites and maybe a cucumber martini. Can't recall my drink. Now, for someone like me, it means it just was not memorable. I asked for my steak medium and it was very much so well done. My frites or "fries" were burned and hard as ever. My date's fish was overcooked and just subpar at best. While our waiter was good, she disappeared after our order came out. Even though there were plenty of staff members standing around talking, no one came back to the table. I even, had to grab someone for the check. If you want to try this place out, go for a dessert and the ambiance. Hey, maybe take a person there for a cocktails and conversations night. Just don't stay for dinner. Go next door.
(2)
Joelly J.
WOW. This restaurant has the best of both worlds- literally. With two different dining options (Italian and California inspired cuisine) you can't go wrong! If you are all about the ambiance and newest "trendy" and "hip" spots, this is the place to go. Their menu at the Summer House ranges from small lighter plates such as appetizers and salads to more heavy plates like sandwiches and entrees. All produce is local and fresh and you can definitely taste it too! I ordered the Avocado toast and was blown away. It's better than most I have tried in New York and comes with a refreshing side salad. They also offer great cocktail options, so bring your friends for a one of a kind experience here in Chicago!
(5)
Victoria K.
The ambience and decor of this place is amazing! They perfectly nail the California theme! It is super airy, bright, open and makes for great pictures at every corner! The staff are all very friendly and the food is fantastic! My friend and I ordered the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Hashbrowns and the Breakfast Tostadas. The Benedict was was wonderful. The eggs were perfectly poached, the salmon was plentiful and the Hashbrowns were crispy and delicious. The presentation was just as great as the flavor! The Breakfast Tostadas were very flavorful in comparison to the Benedict! I will definitely be ordering this on my next visit! The blend of crispy, savory, and melty were perfect. We also order Malibu Cooler and the Acai Basil Smash, which are 2 of the zero proof cocktails. The Malibu Cooler was tart, sweet, and refreshing. The Acai Basil Smash was more earthy and had a thicker flavor. The basil is a great touch to freshen things up. Both were exceptional! This is a great place for a fun brunch on a beautiful day! Also, don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream! It is totally worth it!!! The cookie is freshly baked from the bakery and it is superb! Everything from the bakery is amazing!
(5)
Allyson M.
There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this place. The decor, the server, the food and drinks were all on point. I love it so much, I wish it was in South Florida so I could make it my staple brunch place! The orange-chocolate chip pancake was amazing, the breakfast tostadas AND the short-rib hash were amazing.
(5)
Marcia S.
I'm a sucker for dessert. Which is why I gave this restaurant one more star than it probably deserves. The enormous, warm toffee cookie with premium vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, it was the highlight of our lunch. Like many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Summer House seems to place more emphasis on the theme and ambience than it does on the food. If you're looking for an attractive place to dine, it won't disappoint. It's light and open and airy. In fact, the skylight let in so much light some people kept their sunglasses on. We went for lunch on a weekday. Our food was good, but almost everything lacked the special something we expected at these price points. My wood grilled hamburger was cooked perfectly, but it didn't come close to the one I had at Seven Lions last month... and charging a buck extra to add cheese to a $14 burger is ridiculous. My fries were a major disappointment. My friend enjoyed her cobb salad, said it was fresh, but decided $20 was too much. We shared the roasted baby beets, which were excellent. Our waitperson was pleasant and checked back often, but she wasn't that familiar with the menu. For example, I tried to order a featured cooler without the mint, and she said it wasn't possible. Really? And she forgot to bring the spoons with our coffee... luckily we had an outstanding busser who saw her serve the coffee and immediately brought us spoons. There's an area for outside dining, a large bar... and a bakery counter! I like the ambience so much here, I might give it another try. If you decide to go, be sure to check in on Yelp to get a free cookie with ice cream.
(3)
Kaley K.
Late lunch/early dinner on a Saturday. When we walked in, it felt like we were being transported to a nice summer afternoon. We were seated in the arboretum-like area, a really chic, nice spot. The chairs, being more like outdoor furniture, were really not that comfortable. For an appetizer we ordered the calamari. It was covered in a light red sauce that was mildly spicy. Every bite was dipped, especially when dipped in the side mayo based dip. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta. It was a bit smaller than I expected but tasted pretty good. Salty and lightly creamy but not over powering. Overall not very impressed with the menu and prices but loved the decor and ambience. If you're in the mood for over paying for blah food but want to feel like a upper class hippie, this place is for you. May be back for brunch--hoping it's better!
(2)
Kelly C.
Been here a couple times and have mixed feelings about the place. I love the decor and feel for the place - it has beautiful skylights in the main dining area which makes it almost feel like you are eating outside. The concept - California inspired cuisine with seasonal dishes is also great. Overall, a great place for a girls night out - and it shows, many of the tables are filled with groups of women 25-40. What makes me hesitant to go back - the food is hit or miss and overall expensive for what you get. The ahi tuna tostadas to start are great, but the steak frites is mediocre and the mushroom stacked enchilada doesn't have as much flavor as I would have liked (overpowered by black beans). Then there are the maitre d's who seat you - we were told the booths were reserved for tables of 4 (we were 3) then immediately after we sat down a table of 2 was seated at the booth. I'm not fussed with having a policy, but be consistent. All in all, it's a place for show but not necessarily for foodies.
Summer House is the perfect name for this place because right when you walk in you feel like you're in California in the middle of summer. It's open, bright and clean. Everyone MUST get their Spicy Calamari. This may actually be the very best calamari I have ever had. It has a light tempura batter with spicy mayo and lime.. Sooooooo Good There are a number of good options for the main course so you really can't go wrong with ordering anything here. Good Food and Good Atmosphere = Good Restaurant... and one that I'll definitely come back to
(5)
Tricia D.
I expected more from brunch at Summer House... not molasses slow service! Not a $10 fruit plate! Yes, the mango was presented creatively (like a sunflower), but that, 1/4 cup of pineapple, and half a cup of mixed berries was not worth that price tag. Not small portions, like a 1/3 of a wine glass of OJ or that half a plate of small brussel sprout pieces that sold as a side for $9. When asked about whether the glass of OJ was usually filled that low, the waitress snapped that it was a 6 oz pour... that's not even a typical serving of juice. A cup is 8 oz! My chilaquiles entree arrived several minutes after the rest of my dining companions', and it was pretty plain. One can definitely see how SH makes their margins. That horchata latte though... I heart it!
(3)
Jessica M.
Loved it here! Everything was very good! We didn't get anything that was recommended to us, but were still very happy. We started with a glass of pinot nior rose which was fantastic flavorful but crisp. Then we had the calamari appetizer ( we had them put the mayo on the side so it wasn't covered in Mayo and it turned out great!). For our entrees we had the wild mushroom enchilada stack and I was really surprised how good it was. Tons of mushrooms and loaded with flavor. My boyfriend got a burger. He liked it, but wasn't over the moon about it. After he tried my enchilada stack he wish we would have shared our entree. We ended our meal with a sea salt chocolate chip cookie, and since we rarely get dessert I was so happy we went for it this time because this cookie was out of this world!! Overall I might return (its a little pricey, but what isn't anymore for that quality) but would also like to try Barra Pizza nextdoor.
(4)
Katie S.
I went to Summer House with a group of friends. The waitress graciously explained the menu with recommendations and was happy to split the check. I split the cheese burrata appetizer with two other people. I didn't think it was very special, and lacked some flavor. For my main course I had the lobster orechiette which was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked perfectly with plenty of lobster. The only negative for the pasta was that the portion was very small, I finished it wanting more. If I were to go back, I would definitely order the Brussel sprouts. I tried my friends and they were wonderful! Extremely flavorful! I thought the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and is a good option for dinner with friends and larger groups. However, I thought it was a tad bit expensive for the food quality and portions.
(3)
Alicia A.
I've never had fish tacos like this. Simply amazing, and the name is doing a disservice to the dish, just saying.....name them the biggest star in chicago area ;)
(5)
Dan O.
Disappointing. The one redeeming quality is the atmosphere which is awesome. The fish tacos lacked flavor, service was subpar, the short rib was small, grisly and fatty. The only good thing we ate were the biscuits which were amazing. Ordered a cocktail that tasted like a light medicine. The second cocktail wasn't my favorite either so I gave it to my date. Stella Barra next door is more affordable and way better quality food and service! This was my least favorite lettuce experience and left me wishing we had just gone to Stella Barra. The cookie bar in the lobby is worth a visit and the girls there are always nice.
(2)
Lynn M.
Beautiful restaurant for a night out on the town! Enjoyed the salmon, also tried some of the steak. Both delicious! Service was fantastic, and the waiter had great recommendations for nearby bars. Felt like I was in California!
(4)
sandra j.
No. Just, no. Arrived a little early without my guest so I was given a curt and unsmiling, "we'll seat you when your party is complete." I slinked off to the lobby and then realized that the restaurant across the lobby had a bar so I camped out there for 10 minutes and had a nice glass of wine. Much friendlier staff overall. Once my friend arrived I realized that Summer House had a huge bar/bar area which no one suggested I visit while waiting. Settled into the table and ordered. I got the burrata appetizer. The burrata was good but the tomato "jam" was just awful. It truly tasted like someone opened a can of diced tomatoes and made a circle with them on the plate. My friend's salad was tasteless. Entrees arrived and we were overwhelmed by the smell of fish. So it was either my friend's bass or my fish tacos. We both gave it a hearty try, but after too much fish smell from the bass my friend gave up. I went ahead and made a second taco with the overcooked fish, added the truly bad "homemade" guacamole (tastes like it comes from a bag) bit hard into that piece of stem that's at the top of the avocado (it hurt) added tasteless fennel slaw and a dash of tasteless green salsa and went for it. Couldn't do it. We both sent our entrees back. My friend was so turned off she didn't want another entree, we asked for the check and left. One star is for our server who was lovely and the manager who was truly apologetic and gave us some gift cards for our trouble. We were both excited and felt ready for forgiveness until we realized that the gift cards weren't for any LEY restaurant, just Summer House. I guess I'll use them to go back to the bar that I wasn't invited to have a seat at the first time.
(1)
Erica L.
I loved Summer House! Made a reservation for 2 people for New Year's Eve and we were seated right away. We got a bottle of wine and 2 appetizers - the ahi tuna and the cauliflower. Tuna was amazing - I am not much of a seafood eater but I enjoyed it. The cauliflower was also tasty. It had a bit of a kick which, being a big fan of spicy food, was great. For our main courses we went with the bison meatloaf and the lobster. The meatloaf was pretty good, but my favorite was the giant mound of potatoes that came with it. The lobster was one of the specials that night. I didn't try it but the consensus was that it was delicious! We also got 3 cookies on the way out: Peanut Butter, Bacon Chocolate Chip, and Rice Krispie Choc Chip. The rice krispie was BY FAR the best cookie. You will be tempted to try others... don't bother. It was so delicious. FOOD SUMMARY: Roasted cauliflower - good! Ahi tuna tostadas - amazing Bison meatloaf - fair, side of potatoes deeeelicious Lobster (on special) - amazing Cookies: Bacon choc chip: So-so Peanut butter: mmmmm, so peanut buttery and delicious Rice Krispie choc chip: THE BEST I loved the overall atmosphere of this restaurant - very airy, open feel and solid menu options. The patrons were fairly dressed up, but I think that was due in part to it being a holiday. I docked the restaurant one star because, as mentioned in other reviews, the meal felt very rushed. We had just received our appetizers and our waitress was back after our first bite to ask what we would like to order for entrees. Other than that, everything was great. We plan on going back soon.
(4)
Stephanie H.
I loooove having this place in Lincoln Park. I went here with a couple girlfriends last Wednesday. We had a reservation, but it looked like we might've been able to sit down without one. The inside is beautiful -- it really feels like you've escaped the brutal winter outside. We all ordered a cocktail (and tried each others). They were all delicious. We got the chips and guac to start which was delicious and fresh. We all ordered fish tacos (my friends ordered the mahi mahi tacos and I got the sushi-grade tuna tacos). I didn't try the mahi mahi, but mine were really good. Over all, we all ended up spending about $42 before tip. The food and service is excellent, but it's a little pricey. On our way out, we all got a cookie from the little bakery in front. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the apple oatmeal!!
(4)
Michelle R.
Been here 3 times now. There's always been something that's been off about this place. There's always a wait, even though I had reservations each time. And the staff is what kills this place. 1st and 3rd time, the waiter is just no where to be found. I waited 10 minutes just to wait for salt. 2nd time, our waiter was a niiice guy, but we saw the manager (the guys checking to see if the food was prepared correctly) just scream at him out of no where. The food was pretty good the first time I went there, but then it went DOWNHILL from there. I went 2 days ago and the pasta dish was just so bland. The noodle itself was beautifully hand made, but there was not enough sauce and seasoning. So I felt like I was eating just dough. And my appetizer came out after all the main dishes came out. So, service is just horrible there now.
I had dinner here with a girlfriend. We had made a reservation but still had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. It is VERY busy and bustling, even on weekday evenings so definitely make a reservation. We tried a bunch of the dishes - I think the standout was the roasted chicken. Overall, given the choices in Chicago I was slightly underwhelmed given the higher price points and how busy it was, but it's a fun place to try. It's especially nice in winter because somehow they replicated sunshine indoors! :)
(3)
Sally L.
Per usual, Summer House ( a Lettuce Entertain You concept) wowed and bested all others. Upon arrival I was greeted, sat within a small time frame ( seeing as it was a very busy Monday night) and was approached by my server, who first offered me a taste of my chosen wine before I accepted. From there on out, I had excellent service and food. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll, which I highly recommend, the Market lettuce bowl ( also not your average salad) and the baked to order biscuits (you HAVE to get these. They are like no other biscuit.) I met the manager, Molly, who was kind and thoughtful. Thank you Summer House, for a delightful evening not to be forgotten.
(5)
Amanda N.
We eat out at a LOT of restaurants in the city, but I don't often bother to write reviews unless a place is really exceptional or really disappointing, and I found Summer House to be really disappointing, particularly given the proprietors and the hype! I took my best friend here for her birthday dinner. We had a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday. When we arrived, the place was almost completely empty, and yet still, they sat us at literally the worst table in the entire restaurant -- right next to the front door, on top of the host stand. I asked if they would move us, and they did -- but to a high table at the back of the bar, next to a family with young children. Why were there children in the bar area? And why seat me in the bar when I have a reservation and the dining room is still almost completely vacant? If that wasn't annoying enough, our server was kind of checked out. He was nice enough, but when the place filled up by about 6:45 pm, he was clearly busy and even came by to comment to us that he "also takes care of the bar, so if we need him, just come grab him from the bar." Um, I thought I was eating at a restaurant. I guess that's what happens when you are seated in the bar area, instead of the dining room? You have to flag down the bartender who is also your waiter? The worse offense: He told us that the left side was "small plates meant for sharing" and the right side was larger plates. After we inquired about how to order, he recommended 3-4 small plates and splitting the entree we liked. So we ordered (small plates) guacamole, cauliflower, harvest salad, and burrata, and (large plate) split the fish tacos. He asked us if we wanted it coursed a particular way, or if it should come out "as it's ready." We said "as it's ready," because we figured they would all be small plates, and our entree wasn't so much an entree as the same size as a small plate (right?). ALL THE FOOD CAME OUT AT ONCE. It barely fit on our table and was completely ridiculous. It was WAY to much food. The "small plates" weren't so much "small plates" (a bite or two for 2-4 people) but rather full-on appetizers. The food was OK. The fish tacos were actually quite delicious and flavorful and healthfully prepared -- a great example of what this restaurant is presumably going for. The burrata was delicious, but the bread was toasted to the point of burnt, and hard/thick, so that was tricky eating. The salad was pretty passable. It wasn't dressed nearly enough (and I don't like heavy dressing) and was just very very boring -- I could have made it at home, which is saying a lot. The cauliflower was underdone - still very tough. And we didn't even get around to the guacamole because it was WAY too much food. I expect way, way more from a LEYE restaurant, and the Melman brothers' places in particular have yet to disappoint in this way. I won't be back -- there are just way too many great restaurants in this city that won't deliver all your food all at once. OMG.
(2)
Deeje E.
Very attentive staff...great service and food. Joe's stone crab should hire this staff and maybe they would have more return customers.
(5)
Dexter H.
Overrated! I was really disappointed. My brussel sprouts and potatoes were COLD, seemed like they had been plated long before the sea bass arrived. Which was over cooked but still edible. Service was REALLY slow! I was expecting more from Lettuce, hopefully they'll get it together, it's walking distance for us.
(2)
Katelyn N.
Had a really good experience at Summer House! While we were seated about a half an hour past our reservation time, the staff made up for it in so many ways. First of all, they passed around mini ahi tuna tostadas as we waited. Right when we were seated they presented us with a free burrata appetizer to apologize for the wait. This was delicious! The tomato jam was just the right amount of sweetness to complement the creaminess of the burrata. We also got the biscuits, cauliflower, kale salad, turkey burger and scallops. All very tasty. Cocktails were great, especially the pulp fizz. The staff was friendly and attentive and even gave us a free dessert for my birthday! Really no complaints about Summer House except for the wait at the beginning, but like I said, they made up for it in so many ways. Can't wait to check this place out for brunch.
(4)
Hannah K.
Amazing! I went with a group of 8 and a few people were running a couple minutes late and they still sat us. The ambience was beautiful! Loved the atmosphere. The waitstaff was also extremely friendly. Our waiter even have us a number to text for free muscles:) I started off with the bonfire cocktail. It was a little strong, but you definitely get your money's worth alcohol-wise. I also tried a palm fizz, which was delicious. They also have a full menu of virgin cocktails, which I always appreciate because I have friends who don't drink alcohol. We got the calamari for an appetizer, and it was our favorite dish of the night. I split the half chicken with a friend, and it was great too. A huge portion, so perfect to share. We also got the burrata. It was still good but not my favorite dish of the night. Finally if you check in on yelp you get a free cookie! We all want to go back again, amazing experience!
(5)
Caitlin G.
Went for lunch and we had amazing service. Our waiter was top notch. Always checking up on us and giving us recommendations throughout our whole meal. Ambiance is perfect and all the natural light is a great addition even on a gloomy winter day.
(5)
Nazy H.
Went for brunch on a Saturday and there was an hour wait for 2 people. Great Ambiance! Ordered the watermelon cocktail, that was delicious and refreshing! brussel sprouts - they were A-OK ahi tuna tostadas - first time around the tostada itself was VERY Stale that we had to take it back. they gave us a fresh one and it was nothing special. Entrees: smoke salmon hashed benedict: This was delicious compared to everything we ate! So if I go back I would definitely get this again. Turkey burger: It was ok, again nothing special at all. Dessert: Free hott cookie and ice cream when you check-in on yelp. It was good! Service was good too. Ambiance - 10! Service - 8! Food - I expect more from a lettuce entertain you. but I will give them a 6 on food.
(3)
Skir S.
I was very pleased and surprised about the customer service and how they handle things!
(5)
Drew B.
I took some clients here for dinner and was very impressed with the total experience - The food, ambiance and staff are all on POINT. I've heard the brunch is amazing when they open the roof, I'll have to check that out.
(5)
Nicole L.
Since I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I couldn't wait to try this place. Summer House got it right in a few places, but totally lacked in others. Upon entering I felt transported. The decor is simply amazing. It's my favorite combination on beach and upscale dining. They had those great rustic elements that all trendy restaurants have, but the main focal point (unfortunately) will not be useful until the summer. The main dining room has a beautiful retractable roof. We walked in around 7pm on a Wednesday night and put our name down. The place seemed busy, but not overly packed. We were quoted 15-20 minutes and waited by the bar area until it was our turn. 30 minutes passed and we went to check on our table, we were told we were next and that it would be just 1 more minute. 15 minutes later we checked back again. We were still next ... Finally an hour later we started seeing other people leave because the wait was unexpectedly too long. We were finally seated about 1 hour and 15 minutes after we had walked in. Luckily we were compensated (very nicely) for the wait. That's what I call good service! However, other people may not have been so forgiving. Here's what we tried and what we thought: Burrata with roasted celery root: Burrata was great, perfect consistency. Crusty bread that came with it. Guacamole: The guac itself was just average, but the salsa they served next to it was amazing!!! We asked for extra! Ahi Tun Tostada: the tuna was so fresh and the watermelon gave it such a great contrasting taste! Fish tacos: Also very delicious. Fennel slaw was amazing. Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked. Pros: - We had such a lovely waitress named Hope. She did a great job and was very upbeat. - The food was overall delicious. Cons: - The wait...hey, if it's going to be an hour...tell the truth - Why is there no Brunch?!?! This place would be great for brunch with all the natural light that would flood in from the window tiled roof.
(4)
katherine c.
Dinner tonight was fantastic. The food, the cocktails, the service- not a one left more to be desired. Out waitress Connor was wonderful. She provided her insight when we couldn't decide on items and boy did she not steer is wrong. She even was amazing when we wanted to split the check in a VERY confusing way- didn't even phase her. She alone would make me what to go back... ... But then you add on the food? Oooeee Everything was beyond fresh and perfectly prepared. Bold flavors in a beautiful setting. I felt like I was in California. I can't wait To go back when it is warmer and the retractable roof is open! Our table enjoyed: Tuna appetizer Tartare appetizer Appetizer w the tomato jam, fresh mozzarella & toasted bread (both gluten filled and homemade gluten free bread provided) Gluten filled pasta w crab Gluten free pasta w crab (so good it felt gluten filled!) Fish tacos Mango sorbet And 3 types of cookies + 5 of the 10 house cocktails Not one of the items was disappointing. I highly recommend eating here, with our without a gluten allergy- the menu for both are extensive!
(5)
Justin B.
Summer House excels at two things--pastries, and great social space for dining and drinking. The brunch I had this past Saturday was highlighted by great service, sunny seating in the atrium area, pretty bland breakfast food (the sunrise burrito was not interesting) and an incredible chocolate chip cookie with ice cream for dessert. The people-watching was great and the bar area is nice; one of our foursome even came back later in the day for a drinks date based on our brunch experience in the morning. Drinks and pastries, friends...you've been warned!
(4)
Kayla C.
I absolutely love this place. The service is phenomenal. I have never been to a restaurant that has impressed me so much with their service, amazingly fresh food, and beautiful atmosphere. We have been here multiple times and today was the first time our table was running 10-15 min behind. For the wait, the manager Alex offered to comp one of their appetizers on the house for the inconvenience, and didn't take no for an answer. This is wonderful hospitality. Our meals came out so fast, our waitress Jordan was incredible and extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu from the way that the food is prepared to the origins of the wines! Our favorite restaurant in Chicago!!!
(5)
BD P.
Review by D: Went here for brunch with my parents & husband. We made a reservation after hearing the hype. We showed up about 10 minutes early, but were seated right away. Pros- Food was AMAZING! My mom had blueberry pancakes (huge serving with super fresh blueberries) hubs had the eggs benedict (he raved about the hollandaise sauce & he's tough to please) and my dad and I shared the tofu breakfast burrito and the caramelized French toast. There are no words to accurately describe how amazing this French Toast is. I am so glad that it finally arrived at my table so I could enjoy it. The MAJOR con- I am hoping this is still because they are relatively new, but my server was not great. She seemed really overwhelmed and didn't make it over to our table as frequently as she should so we could receive coffee refills, make any other requests, etc... The worst part was my French Toast was not delivered. The server didn't bring out the food and she was so busy that she never checked on us. After scanning the room multiple times and getting frustrated, I believe I was overheard wondering aloud where my toast was. The server finally appeared and acted confused that the toast had never arrived and ran to the back to retrieve it. While it was worth the wait, it is very frustrating to dine with a group and then watch everyone enjoy their meals while I sat there waiting for my meal. Rating would have been 5 stars if I had received my food without having to stress about it. I would love to come back, I just have to give them some more time.
(3)
Jenifer D.
Forget the hipe about this restaurant. While the service was good (in some cases too aggressive with clearing have eaten plates), the food was so mediocre. You can cook the short ribs a lot more tasty at home in the crock pot. The wine was way over priced for the 2 ounces that you get per glass. Desert was tasty, although it's Valentines Day. Chocolate was on the menu. There's better places out there for the money you'll spend, but the vilbe is good.
As a Florida native, I had high hopes for Summer House and it's ability to help me escape a below-0 Chiberia night. The lighting, decor, and fresh menu items really transformed my attitude as soon as we got inside! I definitely give Summer House 5 stars for atmosphere - I loved everything about it. I would move in if I could. The food was a little less impressive for me. I had the trout, which was cooked very well but very rich. My husband had the prime french dip, which was good but again, not as impressive as it could have been. The cocktails were delicious and strong! Service was really good, our friend has a lot of dietary restrictions and ordered a special sashimi plate which wasn't on the menu, but our server made it happen and it was delicious. Overall, even if I was eating fast food, I would definitely go back for the atmosphere alone.. well worth the price of admission!
(3)
Tony F.
This place is really good. It's not great but good. The atmosphere is open and summery...hence the name. The service is good and I have no complaints. My only issue is that's it's not worth fighting traffic into the city to eat here. I would say its a good Resturant for city folks but not worth the effort.
(4)
Kayla C.
The spicy calamari is to die for! Outdoor patio was perfect for the summer.
(5)
Michael N.
I normally only give positive reviews on Yelp but I had such a bad experience at this restaurant I wanted to share. My party of 4 had a reservation for 8:30pm. We arrived at 8:20 and checked in with the hostess. We waited until 8:45 before I went to the hostess to inquire about our table and we were told we would be next to be seated. It was not until 9:07pm (47 minutes after our reservation time!) that we were seated. No exaggeration here. We were waiting for our seats when a fire truck pulled up and took someone away in a stretcher because they "Passed out". That was the table we got. We literally had to wait 47 minutes for someone to pass out and be taken away by ambulance before we could be seated. And this was with a reservation. The food was good but not worth a 47 minute wait WITH a reservation. No apologies from management. They treat their patrons poorly and overbook their reservations. I will never go back here ever again.
(2)
Lauren Y.
The restaurant is mediocre. We had a reservation for weeks but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I ordered a Cosmo but had to send it back because it was too sour. The replacement cosmo was average, but not great. (a little better but not worth sending back again) The chicken tacos were VERY good and a good portion size. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the fish dishes we tried. The taste is wonderful, but the portion sizes for the ahi tuna-watermelon appetizer & the fish tacos were rip offs. For those prices I would expect the portions to be 50% larger...and I'm referring to the size of the fish, not the slaw and veggies on the side of the tacos. The ambience was very nice, but with the stinginess of the the fish portions, I'm hesitant to go back for quite awhile.
(2)
Abby K.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago so far. Great options and really fresh tasting. The atmosphere is very chic and upbeat as well. Highly recommend.
(5)
Amber N.
Run, do not walk, to this restaurant. We dine out a few nights a week and think this might be our new favorite. The hostesses were very nice and welcoming when we arrived. The decor and feel of the place is spot on for a summer feeling space. After such a harsh winter, we felt like we escaped for a few hours tonight. For drinks, I enjoyed Frog's Leap Wine (one of our favorite Napa wineries) and my husband the Monte Cali Bourbon drink with a huge ice cube. We both enjoyed our drinks as we reviewed the amazing menu. Literally everything on the menu looked enticing. We decided on the following: -Ahi Tuna Tostadas with watermelon, chili, avocado, cilantro served on a mini corn tortilla. Amazing quality tuna with all the right flavors to make it perfection. -Fresh Burrata with a homemade tomato jam and arugula and bread. It was exactly how it should be, fresh, flavorful and delicious. -Soy Glazed Pork Ribs with an Asian flare caramelized on with great flavor. -French Dip with the beef a perfect medium. -Roast Cauliflower with a jalapeno pesto and breadcrumbs. So unique and tasty. -Potato Polenta Mash side dish was creamy, cheesy and decadent. For dessert we walked over to the cookie counter and split a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with chunks of rice crispy treats on top. Imagine how wonderful that would taste and then times it by 100000, that's how good it was! They are doing something right here with the ambiance, menu and food. Our waiter was average, not memorable, but maybe that's the point, because the food and decor will forever be the standout. ENJOY it soon!!
(5)
Rob J.
Great atmosphere, especially in the winter months when you want it to be summer. Food was just ok. I'm from CA and the fish tacos were not good, so that was bummer. Good place for group and we saw a ton of kids there too.
(3)
Leah C.
the apps and desserts outshine the entrees... as mentioned in several reviews, 5 stars for atmosphere. the bright, white homey interior took us away from the icy, snowy streets of chicago. service was spot-on as well. i especially appreciated that while our server could not answer some of our questions, instead of making up answers, he quickly educated himself so that he could later pass on his findings. went for restaurant week with girlfriends so we sampled the RW offerings as well as some add-on's. loved that the RW menu included a glass of wine! none of us were impressed with the entrees: mushy lobster pasta, bland salmon and onion heavy veggie tacos served with overheated tortillas. the cauliflower side, burrata app (ask for more crostinis right away) and the brussel sprouts that accompany the salmon are standouts! my favorite was the super greens salad - the shaved parmesan coupled with the crushed garlic breading balanced out the bitter leaves. make sure to take a look at the bakery window before ordering your dessert. we had the peanut butter cookie (more pb than cookie!) topped with nutella ice cream and the apple oatmeal cookie (lots of chunky pieces of baked apple) topped with vanilla ice cream. TONS of unique cookies to choose from with choice of 3 flavors of ice cream (can't recall the 3rd offering!). beyond DELISH.
(4)
Clara T.
My absolute favorite place to go for brunch. Always sunny and bright, the decor and vibe that this place has makes me so happy. Amazing chicken and waffles-- and their non-alcoholic beverages are as good as their boozy ones!
(5)
Stephen W.
This place is a perfect place to grab a burger and a beer when the weather is nice. I especially like the turkey burger. Service is kind of inconsistent, but only because sometimes they get slammed.
(4)
Natalie M.
This is my new favorite spot in Lincoln Park. The quality of food is pretty amazing and I have loved everything I tried here. The atmosphere is very cool and I'm sure this summer when it's nice out, it will always be bumping. Friendly staff and overall experience is simply awesome. I only gave it a 4 because it's hard to get into and usually have to wait awhile to be seated. The prices are pretty average for the whole experience you are getting:) I will be here ALOT this summer:) Yummy food, great locale and fun people.
Hour and a half wait for brunch?! To the bar with full menu we go. Let me preface: we live 3 blocks from here and out Sunday mornings are a never ending debate about where to grab brunch. The neighborhood for sure needed this place. The southern Cali vibe, lots of sun and trendy atmosphere were made for this neighborhood, even if we didn't just yet know quite how much we were missing it. For drinks, Caitlin had her favorite, a Bellini, which she found just ok. They were cranking out a lot of them from our vantage at the bar, but she gave hers a 3. I thought the mimosa I had was pretty great and they for sure did not skimp on the quality of my coffee (A lighter roast, which I appreciate). For food we both settled on a benedict, me the traditional and Caitlin the turkey. The home made english muffins were a great touch, enjoyed them all together. Final ranking: Vibe: 5 Food: 4 Drinks: 3.5 Service: 5 Overall: 4.5 Safe assumption: we will come back.
(4)
Christie M.
Came here for a double date with two of our friends and had a fantastic meal. We had made 8pm reservations (the only time available) but were hoping to get in a little earlier, as we arrived at 7:30. Unfortunately, the restaurant was jam packed and we weren't seated until 8:10pm. I was a little frustrated with our wait, but I think more than anything I was surprised by how busy this place was on a Tuesday evening. We had great service at one of the high-top tables. I would have loved to have sat in the "Vitamin D" room, but like I said, it was busy busy. I had a wonderful glass of Chardonnay while we split chips and guac and calamari as our starters. Guac was standard, and a pretty small portion. The calamari was so wonderfully breaded and fried- tasty and spicy but not too heavy. One of the best calamari I've had in the city. For my main dish, I had the salmon and a split an order of the brussel sprouts. OMG the brussel sprouts are amazing. Perfectly charred with crispy panchetta. Mmmmmmm. The entrees we ordered were: lobster orechetti (very good), halibut (very good), and the korean pork tacos (my friend liked the dish, but it was very small). My friend also ordered a side of the golden beets, but hated them. The waitress ended up taking that off their bill without even mentioning it, which was a nice surprise. We checked in on yelp and received a free cookie and ice cream. When we told our server that we celebrating our friend finding out that she was expecting, she brought us another cookie and ice cream to split (rice krispie cookie). That was great! Overall a great experience- albeit busy. Loved the food, my only gripe is that I wished the portions were a little larger.
(4)
jenna n.
The halibut was rather fishy for my pallet. I wasn't too fond if the Santa Monica salad, however I was impressed with the Thai curry mussels. Overall I would give the food 3 stars and the ambiance a five star. We live a few blocks away so I will be back regardless...
(3)
Amber S.
I went here for a "before the play meal". Walking in, I fell in love with the summer house decor. It wasn't gaudy or overbearing. We sat under the sky roof and it was nice to see the sun shine through. Our waitress was very helpful in deciding what to choose to eat. For the meal, I had the special which was a white fish(I can't remember the exact name of it) with miso butter, bok choy and pasta. My friend had the rainbow trout with mashed potatoes and honey butter sauce. For appetizers, we had the homemade biscuits with butter and honey. I loved the biscuits, they were light but thick and flavorful even without the butter and honey, they were also very filling so be careful when ordering these. I felt my dish was a little light on flavor but my friends dish was very good. My only complaint would be is that they sat us behind the bakery right next to the waitress station, where there's a computer and they pay the bills at. They said that we wouldn't be in the way but during the dinner we had multiple waitresses go behind us to pay bills and was distracting. They also had a bar and a bakery with a chocolate chip and bacon cookie that I want to try. I also loved the open kitchen Even with the seating arrangement, it was a nice restaurant and I can't wait to visit again. It's about a 5 minute walk from SteppenWolf so it would make a good before or after play destination. I want to visit in the summertime because I hear they will open the roof for a fresh breeze.
(4)
Mike K.
~ Oceanside Summerhouse ~ Goodbye, Tilli's. Hello, Kelly McGillis' cottage in Top Gun. You've seen the movie and that particular scene. Summerhouse made me feel like I was in the cottage in that scene - only Summerhouse doesn't have the languid feel of that scene at all; it's bustling with activity. And the activity with which it's bustling is almost testosterone free: girls on girls' nights out; families with kids; and Mavs and Charlies. And you Mavs will go Top Gun if you bring your Charlies to Summerhouse. Dangerous. When you walk into Summerhouse, you're greeted with a case of...needle across the record...cookies. Talk about knowing your Christmas presents are under the tree and not being able to open them. Look but don't touch. Keep moving to your left, and then the setup is the bar on the left, high tops adjacent to the bar and then the open dining room area to the right, with several booths on the far right on a slight dais. That's your playing field, ace. Go to work. As to the food, well, I have a very rudimentary palate and am not at all adventurous, so I was somewhat limited in what I could choose from the already somewhat limited menu. I tasted the following: Burrata Roasted cauliflower Burger with fries Pork Ravioli Vino Chocolate chip cookie. I would highly recommend all of the above, with the true standouts and must tries being the Burrata, pork ravioli and the cookie. I will say the portion of ravioli was rather small, so load up on other small dishes such as the Burrata. I would rate the burger, which came with a heaping portion of the thin-type fries, as very good but one rung down in leagues relative to a Kuma's or Capital Grill burger. As to service, it was absolutely top notch from bow to stern. The wall to the north says, "Yes," and that was certainly indicative of the service on our visit. I highly doubt the words "Negative, Ghostrider" will ever be uttered by the wait staff at Summerhouse. While dining, I couldn't help but notice the sound track. We dined early, and it was a bit rocky. As the late afternoon turned to evening, the music got louder and changed to a more sort of obscure, foreign sound track for the trendy, scene-y crowd. However, while they were still rocking, they played the songs "Laid" and "Good Girls Don't" consecutively. I don't see how that was a coincidence, and a basic outline of my review was written inside my head on the fly right at that moment. Man, these guys are certainly subliminally prepping the Charlies who dine at Summerhouse for their Mavs or future Mavs. Players, take note. Permission for fly-by granted in advance. Five stars.
(5)
Candice H.
My new favorite brunch spot! Previously my go-to brunch was little goat... But I'm thinking the feel of Summer House has it beat. The Vitamin D room made me escape a dreary rainy Sunday in Chicago. The calamari was amazing... Maybe the best I have ever had. Very trendy right now, but judging on the great food, staff, and ambience... I think Summer House will be a go-to for many for years to come!
(5)
Sarah G.
Terrible service! Made a res for 2PM and was not seated until 3PM. Even once we were seated, it took about 25 minutes to get our drinks. Descent food but service was so awful.
(1)
Mark B.
Fantastic ambiance! A little bit smaller of portions for breakfast than I'd expect for the price but everything we did have was extremely tasty. My wife and I love this place so much, we even went twice in one day.
(5)
Monica B.
I went for brunch and loved it! Amazing vibe, you definitely feel like you are in California. I got the mission street burrito which was amazing and healthy! It has tofu chorizo which was done really well. I also got the peach Bellini which was great (typical Bellini). For dessert we got the large chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispies, warmed a la mode (with a ice cream scoop) which was as heavenly as it sounds. We also got tea which was amazing, each tea comes with it's own pot, unique flavors and very generous portion of fresh tea leaves per pot.My only negative review was that our waitress was super slow. I don't believe it reflects the whole restaurant because other waitress tried to check on us and the bus boys were attentive. It took our waitress like 10-15 to bring 2 drinks.
(4)
Mark S.
It's actually feels like a summerhouse which is the perfect ambience on a fall day! I went for brunch and it was tasty. Everything on the menu was a very safe choice by the chef, but still enjoyable.
(5)
Alyssa W.
The food here is a little over priced, but delicious. I didn't have any customer service issues like some other people. We made a reservation on a Friday night, we were seated right away and our waiter was wonderful. He explained everything and gave us great recommendations. All the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, just everything on the menu was about $5 too much in my opinion.
(4)
Jane S.
I came here on my Birthday Eve and wow what an amazing experience! The setting actually resembles a summerhouse in Santa Monica (I'm from California so this is coming from someone who has actually been out in Santa Monica ). It has a very "I'm seating on a beach having a martini" feel. The service at this place is excellent as well! The servers really know their menu and are ready to recommend items based on your taste preference. The Food!!!! Ahhh the food!!!! Absolutely Amazing! I had a bbq-glazed wing (this is a fish dish not chicken) and absolutely loved it! And Let's not forget the cocktails that were very tasty!! This place is an absolute hit, from its ambiance to its service to its food. P.S. In the front of the restaurant is an amazing bakery with AMAZING deserts!! P.S. part 2 I love to use the word amazing
(5)
Lisa Z.
I have basically committed myself to check in on Facebook everytime I'm here solely because of the name. And all my LA friends ask "Are you visiting here?" when they see Summer House Santa Monica show up in the feed. But it's great! It really feels like summer here even in the heart of winter! They even give you free sunglasses, and I can't wait to check out the retractable roof in the summer. This place keeps the good food coming, both brunch and dinner. I've had a few omelettes off the menu, as well as a truffle pasta at dinner. All phenomenal. And definitely start things off right with the Kickstarter at brunch. So good!
(5)
Blair R.
Like all of the Yelp reviews have said before, Summer House is a great spot to pretend like you are escaping Chicago's obnoxious winter, and I think it will be equally great when it's actually summer. The bar is situated a little awkwardly -- we found it too hard to get a drink while we were waiting for our table but this would be my only small complaint about the set up. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and I would happily return. Tuna Tostada - wayy better than I expected. The watermelon balanced the spicy flavors and one bite was really perfect. Brussel Sprouts - yum, I love balsamic. I'd happily drink a jar of good balsamic (maybe). And these had so much and such good balsamic all over them. It was also served with crispy pancetta that added another yum factor. Cauliflower - this dish felt like it was trying too hard. Kind of like cauliflower just became the cool kid vegetable but isn't cool enough yet, so it had to add other flavors that don't work. The jalapeño sauce was just kind of sitting there and didn't make sense. I didn't dislike it, but I'd be just as happy (if not happier) eating my own roasted cauliflower at home. Fish Tacos - split these with my sister and though they were pretty good. I probably will try something else next time but overall they serve their purpose. I would recommend trying one of the other fish dishes unless you are seriously craving some tacos or guac. Cookies - obviously amazing. Giant cookies, served warm and you can get ice cream with them if you want. Really, can you ask for anything more? I thought the blondie was the best but I am a sucker for butterscotch.
(4)
Katherine M.
The ambiance here reminds me of being back home in California, and the food is almost good enough to make me want to stick around in Chicago. The service was great, drinks were good, and they brought out a birthday cookie without any singing or hullabaloo. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Ronald B.
Always bomb! Bring your friends, buy a couple bottles and try everything! If you are lucky enough to make time to stop for brunch on the weekend, the French toast is a must have!!! Try it! You'll thank me later
(5)
Colleen M.
We went on a Saturday at about 6 and the place was packed! The atmosphere was great - perfect for a summer date night. I love the glass ceiling and all the natural light. It is hard to imagine this place in the winter because it has such a summery vibe. The wait staff, and even more importantly, the kitchen staff, were incredible. The food came out so quickly it was incredible. We ate the cauliflower, which was good, and the biscuits with poblano butter and honey were amazing. The Santa Monica Salad and Fish tacos were top notch. I had no room for dessert but my husband said the cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream was delish! I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Marisa Y.
I was looking forward to eating at Summer House because the Yelp reviews seemed so positive, but the food was ...GOD AWFUL. I came here for brunch with friends and ordered the breakfast tostadas. My friend ordered the same thing as well and both of our tostadas were awful. The food was cold, the meat was super dry, the beans were undercooked, and overall the food was just so bland. My guess is our plates finished faster than the third person we were with and it just looked like our food SAT AND SAT under the warmers. The third person ordered an eggs benedict dish and her poached egg wasn't even runny. Isn't that the whole point of a poached egg??? I didn't even eat a quarter of my food. I feel like good servers usually notice this when they check on you or come to take your plate away, but nope. The decor was nice, but that's the only nice thing I can say about this place. If just my meal was off, I would've hesitated to give such a low review, but since others had the same experience, I don't think this is such an anomaly.
(1)
David H.
Great ambiance! Food is always good. I have had some slow service but all and all very good.
(5)
Tanya K.
We went for our anniversary last night. We walked in and immediately loved the decor and overall vibe. We were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. She was energetic, smiley and helpful. They have an amazing wine list. We ordered the burratta which was good, not great, but good. For our entrees, we ordered the bucatini and trout, both delish and fresh. The staff comp'd us an amazing dessert for our anniversary that made us want to eat 6 more. I am looking forward to a warm weather trip back. The restaurant has a glass garage door that opens onto halted. I am sure it will be an even better trip.
(4)
Evan A.
The vibe/scene and the food are 5 stars. Very busy filled with lots of good looking people. The bright, summery feel is very welcoming and pleasant. Every food item I tried was very good. Highlights were the swordfish, tuna tostadas, and the calamari. All amazing. The rib appetizer was just ok. The service was pretty mediocre and was almost bad enough to drop this from 5 stars to 3. Server was relatively inattentive, didn't have a big personality, and just seemed new and spacey. Right after the entrees hit he was completely MIA, and a new server was kind of taking care of us if we flagged her down. We found out later after things started to torpedo that our server had to leave for a family emergency that had apparently just happened. I can understand this but the service wasn't great before he left, and we weren't told that someone new would be taking over until things had already gotten really bad. The management response was very strong and good enough to bring it back to 4 stars. Lots of apologies and compensation and general care. I will definitely come back because the vibe and food were that good at affordable prices. I think the service issues were a fluke and will get better as it is a Lettuce Entertain You joint and they obviously know what they are doing.
(4)
Jones' D.
We decided to come here after dining at Stella Barra a few times and seeing the rave reviews here. The overall experience was pretty meh. To begin, we were seated for our 8:00 p.m. reservation at 8:50. 8:50! And when we approached the host stand, no apologies* or acknowledging that they were late. Not a good impression. We sat down and were greeted somewhat promptly by...someone. She was not the waiter, so she said, but took our drink orders and our appetizer order. Then, 3 minutes later, a woman who claimed to be serving us that evening asked if we would like to start with drinks or maybe an appetizer. Again, the frazzled service left a slightly negative impression. Our spirits were lifted by the guac and salsa, which were incredible. At least the food is good at this point. For the main course we had the bison meatloaf/mashed potatoes and the bucatini. Both were decent (the mashed potatoes were the star), but it did not provoke feelings of needing to come back to try other stuff on the menu. It's pretty clear that food is all probably just so-so. *At this point, I was at two stars, but they did comp our guac, so I bumped them up to three. In all, it's a very scene-y place with nice coastal decor (which are the two things that account for rave reviews, I believe) with decent food. It may be worth a trip to check out, but I'd much rather view the decor on my way into Stella Barra or while grabbing a delicious cookie on the way out. Come summer, I can't even imagine what this place will be like. Actually, based on one visit, I can ABSOLUTELY imagine. No, thanks!
(3)
Jay J.
Just checked this place out with some friends recently and its a top 5 restaurants in Chicago for me. They have an awesome beer selection at the bar, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is called 'shabby chic' per the waitress. I don't know what that means but its like Charleston, South Carolina and Santa Monica had a baby and named it Summer House. Beer- Get the Golden Monkey or Bouelvard Apps- Ahi tuna tostadas are amazing and you're missing out on life if you don't get fresh bur rata Entre-Can't go wrong but I recommend any of the fish if you like seafood Desert- the cookies are more for show than anything, and you're going to get diabetes from them since they are ridiculously rich.
(5)
S C.
Like most Lettuce restaurants, this place is solid. Atmosphere is lovely, bright and fresh. Service was good. but a few flaws. Food came out way fast, so space your courses. Bus boys always trying to grab plates off the table, a bit annoying. We told our waitress that our pasta was cold, and she did not seem to care. The food is good, some things better than others. The Cauliflower, Calamari and fish tacos standouts. Skip the rib appetizer, beet salad and Hamachi,. Don't leave without a cookie from the bakery stand in the front!
(3)
Brittany D.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago! We had the chips & guac, calamari, roasted cauliflower, and the tuna tacos...everything was absolutely outstanding! Everything from the service to the decor was on point for us. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, no matter how small of a party it is. We called for 2 people on Saturday and weren't able to get a reservation until 10 pm.
(5)
Caroline Y.
There are three reasons why I wanted to rate my experience at summer house five stars. 1. The food: - Everything we had was beyond amazing. Starting with the hot mess fries, perfect for a cold Chicago night. My roommate had the steak frites and considering she was a vegetarian a month ago, she basically said it cured her meat craving for the past two years. I had the prime rib sandwich, so juicy and the bread was perfectly crispy. We had a side of the roasted cauliflower and topped our meal off with the warm apple cranberry crumble. So. Good. 2. The staff. - We were greeted warmly by our hostess Annie who was adorable and friendly! Our server Erik was bomb.com / boss.org / dope.gov . He was very attentive and had great recommendations. 3. Derrick Rose - We spotted Derrick dining at this restaurant. I just wanted to point out I saw Derrick Rose. TL; DR? Go to summer house. You'll see Derrick Rose.
(5)
Mr. E.
Attended Summer House for brunch with my wife and friends. The atmosphere is great, excellent open ceiling makes the restaurant feel spacious (even though it was packed). I read precious reviews about portions. It was brunch, so I wasn't looking for an all you can eat platter. However, I thought the portions were generous. I would recommend the hash brown eggs benedict. The only knock on this place was service & supply. They were out of nearly every baked good we asked for (not a big deal) and when it came time to pay for our meal our server was nowhere to be found. But the food is good enough to enjoy again
(4)
Benjamin D.
I have to say this was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in along time. I was really looking forward to it given the theme and light nature of the food but unfortunately everything we tried (which was a lot) happened to be mediocre at best. The service was also off (bringing us the wrong dishes, slow, taking away the cutlery and not replacing it so we would have to grab it off the table next to us each time a new dish came) and our overall experience was basically one big let down, so much in fact that my girlfriend and I shot down to Gibson's right after for Martinis and dessert just so we could end the night on a high note without complete disappointment. We ordered the following: Roasted cauliflower - meh Chinese eggplant - good but too salty Scallops - BAD Ribs - a bit tough strozzapreti pasta with tomato jam - meh Fish tacos - good portions In all, this place gets two stars for atmosphere and location, but the meal and service need work... Big time.
(2)
Chico R.
As everyone has stated the ambiance is fantastic. The food was very good although they could use a couple more vegetarian options. The spinach artichoke dip was great, the veggie enchiladas were very good, and the quinoa bowl was good. The drinks were well made, an overall great experience.
(4)
John W.
Recently, my family and I went to Summer House for dinner. The atmosphere was lively and fun. I highly recommend the cauliflower appetizer. The dishes are easier to share, which makes for a lovely family dinner. My daughters enjoyed the playlist, which consisted of indie tunes that I found myself enjoying as well. The service was timely, and catered very nicely to my requests on how the meat should be cooked. I had a lovely experience at Santa Monica Summer House and we will definitely take my family there in the future.
(3)
Willis C.
Coming from Santa Monica, I have never heard of this place, but it can fit perfectly well in the 90405. It rocks and is way better then the famous Ivy. It is a nice change from Karyn's across the way. Fresh and healthy with great ambiance. The use fine Oneida silverware and reminds me of Charlie Trotters. Super friendly staff, feels like home even with freezing snowmen outside. Super green salad with some herbal tea is the highlight to this cold Chicago winter. I will definitely frequent when in Chicago and feeling nostalgic of home.
(5)
Stacy H.
This place has a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and great service! The patio is ideal for a summer evening, and the tuna app with avocado and green apple is amazing!
(5)
Jennifer S.
Super Lincoln Park-y. It couldn't be more LP. the decor is obviously meant to bring you to the beach in Santa Monica. And it does. Ate dinner, ordered spinach appetizer and Lobster Orchiette (which was beyond salty- I was overpowered with the sodium content of the dish). But the ambiance wins. Food is fine- you will enjoy the atmosphere and your friends here. Check out the cookie bar up front. Valet is$13 and it looks like their sister restaurant Stella Pizzeria is nextdoor. LEYE does it in Lincoln Park. It looks like a money maker! Food 3 stars - passable, atmosphere 4-5 stars. Its a hit no doubt. By 7 PM, all the tables were full. Make a reso!
(4)
B.B. K.
Summerhouse lives up to its name and then some! I came here with a friend for a bday dinner and loved this place from beginning to end. It's beautiful, sophisticated and transports you to a beachside haven as long as your stay. The service was amazing and the food was American cuisine scrumptiousness! It can sometimes be hard to find those two elements well executed in one place, and Summerhouse does not disappoint. The dessert bar is just the icing on the cake! Summerhouse is definitely an "experience" worth experiencing! Go! You'll forget Chicago even has a winter season!;-) Yum and fun!
(5)
Talia R.
What a great space! You really get the "California Vibe" that they are going for. I thought the cocktail list was awesome along with the wines. I had a glass of the Albariño that was pretty good. We came in for lunch and split the Burrata- YUM! Then the ahi tuna tacos which were also super yummy, light and fresh. You have to try the cookies on your way out. The S'more and the white chocolate were awesome. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Kathleen M.
Our service was awesome - we made a reservation and unfortunately it was made for the wrong night. We showed up with a party of 5 and the manager (a woman) was so accommodating! Once we sat down she sent over a few appetizers on the house and they were so good! The tuna tostadas, cheese dip, messy fries, and guacamole were just so tasty and fresh. The ahi tuna tacos were so good as was the skirt steak! We also got the lobster pasta (I forget the name) and it was good - but very very rich. Thankfully we split a bunch of dishes because I would only be able to have a bite or two of the pasta. Cocktails were awesome! And the wine list was exceptional. Try this place!
(5)
Hanh S.
If you don't come for anything, just pop in to see the place- the ambiance is really Summer House's selling point. Its open layout with tall ceilings and white walls is really beautiful. As many other reviewers have stated, you feel like you've left the frigid Chicago winter and transported to sunny southern California. I came for my birthday dinner with 3 of my other friends and though crowded, was seated right away. The waitress and busboys are very good and the food comes out very quick. I liked that although crowded, I was able to talk to carry a conversation with my friends without any trouble. The food is obviously catered towards California cuisine and in other words, health conscious. The majority of their dinner menu is vegetable and seafood oriented and reasonable portions- for example, my friend ordered the turkey burger and it was not piling with fries, grease etc. where in many places, burger plates come out in monstrous portions. This menu may not be for everyone-I would not recommend taking your meat-eating, junk food chomping friends here to gorge out. While there are some few hearty options, they may leave unsatisfied. I ordered the shaved vegetable salad, roasted cauliflower (my absolute favorite- definitely try it!) my friends ordered the salmon, super green salad, and english muffin turkey burger. The general consensus was that the food was good, though not great. The drinks were very delicious and had some great cocktails. The dessert menu was a standard of cookies and ice cream/sorbet. I had a chocolate cookie a la mode, and found the dessert also good, but not great. I give this 3 stars because I really have high hopes for this place to evolve its menu,which I feel is slightly boring at the moment. I have not tried their brunch but a quick glance of its menu looks more promising. I really want to love this place, but its just hasn't wowed me yet-maybe when the summer time rolls in.
(3)
Alyssa C.
This place is phenomenal. A bright cheery place with a bit of sexy splashed in. Great for dates or groups of people. I can't wait to see what it transforms into during the summer. Apparently the roof opens and the garage door is pulled up. Fabulous entrees to enjoy. We approached our meal with a small plate mentality, so we got to try a lot! The grilled cauliflower, eggplant and burrata were delish appetizers. The swordfish was ok, polenta mash kinda bland and the oatmeal cookie for dessert was a bit hard... I think with a few menu tweaks this place will be even better. But I would highly recommend and will be back!
(4)
Nm B.
They are instituting a weird 21/2 wait time for walk-ins. We were told we could make a reservation but it is also their policy that one can not make reservations before 10am so it sounds weird. We arrived both times at 9:30 and 9am. Don't waste you time!
(1)
Julie N.
Super evening had here. I loved the calamari, chips, guacamole and the tuna salad . The salad was dressed perfectly and the tuna was extremely fresh. My husband had the pork ravioli and said it was excellent. My only grumble was the rude table next to us who kept having their friends visit their table and invading our space. At one point a chap was sat right next to me on the bench and had his elbow on our table. :{
(4)
Tim H.
I have come here twice for brunch over the summer. It is a good solid brunch with nice outdoor seating or semi outdoor seating. I definitely get a California feel from the decor and menu. Ease of getting in for an early weekend brunch and nice outdoor seating give it an extra star in my opinion. Food is only 3 star in my opinion. For example, my over easy eggs were almost over well on my latest visit. They also don't seem to bring jelly, butter, and ketchup out unless you specifically ask. Had to do this on both my visits.
(4)
Scott W.
Excellent light fare for the gourmand. The food is delicate if you choose - or there's a trusty burger. I have had only one issue - tacos. I love them. Then you add "wood fired" and I am sold. However; they could disappoint if you are a true taco fan. The taco is where the end of the ingredients go to take new form. The tuna was the butt end of the tuna steak. The rest of the menu crushes it. The apps are ridiculous. The staff is always there and checking in. Such a great lunch spot. Dinner is strong but lunch is stronger.
Here a two for the food and a three for everything else. No one gets consistency like Lettuce Entertainment. Each LEYE restaurant now arrives like a Stepford wife, beautiful, precise and passionless. We had cocktails. Nice. We had calamari, pretty good, but a chopped up, fried mess. The crab cake was good. The lobster sushi role was very good. The skatewing special of the night was overcooked and uninspired. My mahi mahi tacos was dry and overcooked. So food, meh. The room is bright, pretty and noisy. The whole experience reminded me of dining at a Disney World restaurant. All look and a mediocre meal.
(3)
Deena H.
It's not always about the food. The experience is really what makes it or breaks it for me. We were invited here for brunch on 9/6/15 at 1130am. We were a part of 6. We were supposed to be party of 8 but two people tapped out last minute but the restaurant was fine with that. We arrived and happily discovered their valet parking. That was the first smile on our face on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. You enter and find yourself in a setting that reminds you when you're on vacation near a beach. It's beautiful. There is a small bakery right when you walk in. Variety of goodies to choose from. We were seated promptly. Our table was large, spacious and marble! I think the only marble table in the whole restaurant. Our waitress was Danielle. She was awesome and looked& talked like Miley Cyrus. That's not relevant, I know but that's how I remember people. She was very attentive and did everything with a genuine smile. The nonalcoholic cocktails were great. My mom had the pineapple paradise which had pineapple, mint and a hint of cucumber. I had some of it and it's totally refreshing. I liked it more than my kale lemonade. All the food was great. My dad said his food and experience were "six stars!" He had the eggs and turkey bacon. (See my pics) The cookie and ice cream were awesome. The cookie is fresh and hot. Holy smokes delicious. My lobster roll had too much bread but toasted to perfection. It was decent. My sister liked her burger. Everyone else really loved their food. Everything tastes fresh and ingredients were great. Service is top notch. Decor and ambiance are beautiful. I wish I had my sunglasses! They recommend you wear them too! It's a totally California feel inside. In summary: 1. Valet parking for $13 2. Great location in Lincoln park 3. Excellent service. Thanks Danielle! 4. Clean and beautiful restaurant 5. Great food 6. Unique drinks Overall wonderful Sunday brunch experience!!
(5)
Danny W.
Maybe I think this because my family sat next to a bachelorette party during our brunch, but this is a perfect place to have a bachelorette party brunch. Penis straws and pink sashes aside, the food totally rules and it's lively atmosphere makes for a great experience regardless of your reason for going. It's trendy, has a delicious California inspired menu, and the light and fruity cocktail menu would make the cast of Sex And The City cream their panties. I highly recommend the beet salad and the breakfast tostadas both of which I tried on Sunday. The service was very attentive all around, and even more impressive considering it was such a zoo of hungry brunch goers. Price point is a little up there, but you're getting some pretty quality light fare for the most part. I'll definitely be back. Especially if I get invited to sip out of a penis straw.
(4)
Kevin M.
Update: I was honestly not expecting this but the manager of the restaurant reached out to me with a very professional response and apology. It's really nice to see that they care about their customers from a high level. I'll give Summer House another shot since I did in fact enjoy the food - plus, the atmosphere is really excellent. Stay tuned!
(3)
Maisha R.
This place is supposed to feel like you're dining in LA, Santa Monica to be exact, and the restaurant setup and decor is gorgeous. It has a relaxed, outdoor, patio vibe inside the restaurant. Having lived in LA, I can't say that I felt like I was in Santa Monica, but what I can say is that I felt cold...freezing actually! The name was certainly a misnomer for the temperature inside. "Californian" cuisine was interpreted as dishes that emphasized veggies and fresh food. The colors on the plates were bright and the food looked good but the taste just wasn't there. We started with the guacamole and chips, which were very average, and the oysters, which were just ok. I, along with two other people at the table, ordered one of the daily specials - the sockeye salmon BLT with fries and it was nearly inedible because of the bread. The bread was so hard that it cut the roof of my mouth with every attempted bite. A soft ciabatta roll would've been much better. Besides the bread fiasco, the salmon had no seasoning and zero flavor and the fries were unseasoned as well and just not good. Others had the lobster roll, which was mostly mayonnaise, fillers, and basically no lobster; and the quinoa bowl, which apparently wasn't very good either. With the yelp check-in, we received complimentary chocolate chip cookies a la mode, which were pretty good actually (well, at least the one that wasn't covered in salt). But, after having a subpar meal, how can a cookie and scoop of ice cream not be good? Service wasn't on point either. Our waitress came to the table very sporadically. Our calamari appetizer never came. Once we finished and ordered dessert, we requested the bill for fear that we wouldn't see her any time soon. Then, the guy clearing the table spilled ice cream on me. This just wasn't a good meal or a good experience, except for the company around the table.
(3)
Melanie S.
I wasn't too jazzed about Summer House for dinner, but for brunch? I'm totally sold. From the refreshing mocktails, to the eggs benedict, to the candied bacon...it's all pretty spectacular. My husband and I have a bad habit of over-ordering when it comes to brunch, because we can never decide between sweet and savory, so we both tend to order something savory, and then share something sweet. This time it was even worse than usual, as we ordered FOUR entrees so we could try a little of everything. We started with cucumber coolers, which were lovely on a warm summer morning. After much back and forth, we decided on the hash brown benedict, smoked salmon platter, berries and granola, and a waffle with a side of candied bacon. It was as if we were on way to the electric chair and this was our last meal. The food runner thought he delivered the food to the wrong table because he was looking for a table of four people! Everything was fantastic; the only weak link was the bagel on the smoked salmon platter. It would have been much better if served with an "everything" bagel instead of a ho-hum plain one, but it wasn't the end of the world. The shining star was the homemade granola served with mixed berries, thick, tart greek yogurt, and drizzled with local honey. So simple and satisfying. I hate a soggy waffle, but this was perfectly crispy (as it should it). The eggs benedict had a hash brown patty instead of an english muffin. So good! (Traditional eggs benedict is also available.) I have never in my life asked for a doggie bag for bacon before, but I couldn't bear to leave any behind. A side of four thick slices of sweet candied bacon is a crazy-reasonable $2.95. Whatever you do, do NOT miss this! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: beautiful, warm brunch space. Summer House sure does a good job of making you feel like your in a (albeit, bustling and packed) lake house during the summer. We came for Saturday brunch, along with 5 million other people. Even so, our waiter was quick and attentive. I'll tip a hat to any place that offers a Mezcal breakfast drink, and it was well-made to boot. My Short Rib Hash ($14.95) was crispy and savory, and just the perfect portion-size. Hard to argue with Summer House's presentation and delivery. Worth a stop for brunch on the north side. Make a reservation.
(4)
Patty T.
Undoubtedly, Summer House has amazing aesthetics. It's open/airiness, great lighting, beautiful furniture, and smart fixtures all make for an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. When it comes to the actual food, however, there's less to write home about. I frequently do brunch here, and have never had anything that's overwhelming good. It's mostly average food, with above average prices. If the food was more flavorful and/or the prices were slightly less - then maybe it'd be a good value... But unfortunately, it's just not. Long story short, come for the cool atmosphere (and sit in the Vitamin D room if you can)! But don't expect the food to wow you as much as the ambiance.
(3)
Iman W.
Now I've never been to California. I've never been anywhere west of Texas, actually. So I can't say if the supposedly Californian vibe is true to life. What I can say is that I really liked the atmosphere of Summer House, bright, light, and airy. Sitting on or near the patio on a summer day is very nice. And in the winter, you can sit with your back to the windows and pretend, for those precious moments, that outside isn't happening. The sweet treats in the front look delightful, but I didn't try any. What I did try was the Santa Monica egg white omelet. I should have gone with my gut and ordered eggs benedict. Honestly, the omelet was just okay. Not as flavorful as it could have been and if I wasn't taking service and overall ambiance into consideration, I might have rated this place a 3 on the food alone.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Fantastic experiences to be had at Summer House. Great food, great space, and great service. The good: Great tasting food. Lot's of variety and flavor. The meals and apps were great, and the dessert was even better. It was all delivered fast and fresh and was delicious. The service was fantastic as well and very knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere is also great. The bad: Prices get a little steep. The rice was way undercooked and the corn tortillas were meh, but we're getting picky here. Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)
Sean C.
Alex is best bartender ever! Try the kicked up kale at brunch or the bloody---mmm good! Did I say that the country bread has best crust. Sit at the bar to avoid the long wait but brunch was to die for!
(5)
Lindsay M.
You know what, I just don't get the hype! My stars are mostly for the service and the ambiance as the food was just... very sub par. It was girls night, we were all dressed in our finest. We rolled up and were seated fairly close to our reservation time. The place is cool, nice and light, big windows in the front... The tables can feel a little crowded, but it's ok - we were out for a social night. Our waiter was very friendly, seemed knowledgable about the menu. Service was a bit slow, but I gathered it wasn't really his fault - seemed the bar and kitchen were a little backed up. We ordered a few dishes to eat and sort of share... and each dish, especially for the price, just was lackluster. I literally can't get excited writing this review because it was just blah. I could have this same quality food somewhere else and probably at a much better price point. If I am wrong, can someone please recommend a dish that was out of this world for me? I would love to give it another shot.
(3)
Holly Y.
This is my first review, but I've been here a handful of visits. I'm giving 3 out of 5 stars due to the previously delicious calamari being overdressed with the spicy mayo sauce which resulted in the dish becoming chewy in texture as it sat out. Previous visits the calamari was breaded lightly with the sauce drizzled over the top and extra sauce on the side. This visit, the calamari was swimming in the spicy mayo. Next, we ordered the roasted cauliflower with pesto. The dish was warmed raw cauliflower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cauliflower, but I was truly expecting "roasted" and that was not what I received. The ambiance is always a winner here at Summer House, as is the service. I gave it a mediocre review due to the disappointing two food items.
(3)
Aimee H.
Visited at least a half dozen times and the service, the atmosphere and the entrees have been wonderful. Definitely feels like a summer house and is always busy. Make a reservation if you can. Recommendations from the breakfast menu for cocktails: Bloody Mary (not too spicy, not too tomato, just right), Passion Fruit Margarita, Strawberry Shrub and for food: Short Rib Hash, The Morning Sandwich, Sunrise Burrito and if you're in the mood for sweet: Orange Chocolate Chip Pancake or the Cinnamon Roll (large enough to share). Recommendations from the dinner menu: all of the cocktails are refreshing and the wine list includes a nice variety; for food: Steak Frites, Mahi Mahi tacos, Squid Ink Angel Hair and absolutely do not leave without trying from the Starters section: Baked to order biscuits with the poblano honey butter and the Local Burrata (to die for!). The bakery in between Summer House Santa Monica and Stella Barra has treats you can't pass up, like a chocolate chip cookie with rice krispy treat pieces on top! Bonus: both Summer House and Stella Barra are a part of LEYE.
(4)
Diana S.
We sat in the vitamin D room which was airy and nicely lite. We ordered a few things from the menu. The quinoa was delish. The rainbow trout was good. The new York steak was average. For $45 ur better off going to Costco, getting 4 better quality steaks and grilling your own. The mashed potatoes were very good. They have a promo that if you text 30364 you get a free dessert which was average. Our server was excellent. Knowlageable and friendly. The ceviche was excellent. The salmon was good. The wine selection is very good.
(4)
Mei K.
Came here on a busy Saturday with no reservations. Shame on me! The food was average, the waitstaff was good, the super-Californian-beachy-laidback atmosphere was on point. Had the tostada and the fried egg on top was a nice touch. There was definitely more beans than pulled chicken so I couldn't even tell you how that tasted. All in all, it was okay but easily forgettable. Their bakery items did look pretty interesting! Bacon chocolate chip cookie, fruity pebble treats, rice krispy treats baked into cookies, and etc. My biggest gripe and one of the reasons I wouldn't return is our experience with the hostess. We were originally quoted a 45 minute wait, which wasn't too bad. After an hour of waiting and no text from SH, we went up to the host who told us it'll be another 30 minutes...we were in too deep at this point and I didn't want to leave, so the waiting game continued! Half hour later, we followed up again and she told us another 20 minutes. We were PISSED! The host was not apologetic and told us whoever initially quoted us 45 minutes was wrong because the average wait was 2 hours. Luckily, one of the waiters/manager walked by and heard our frustration and sat us immediately. Another 20 minute wait my ass...Instead of providing your customers with the same excuse, "Tables are staying alot longer than expected", they should be more upfront and transparent about the wait time. If you decide to come here without reservations, the bar is first come first serve so try to snag a seat there. I wish the host told us that right when we put our name down. Shame on her!
(3)
Kimmy S.
Waited 1.5 hours to be seated, expect that for Summer brunch...Loved the airy patio and ambience and service. The food was okay, nothing spectacular.
(4)
Linda H.
I had been waiting to try Summer House for a long time, and my husband and I were lucky enough to walk in and get a table on a Saturday night. I say lucky, but it ended up being unlucky as almost all the food was awful. We started with the burrata, the only saving grace of the meal. Although if you can screw up a ball of cheese, that's a serious problem in itself. For our mains we ordered lobster orecchiette and the quinoa curry bowl. The pasta was really gummy and the shells clumped together. The "sauce" was a greasy tomato concoction and the lobster pieces were few and far between. The corn was an odd addition to a starchy dish but was fresh and tasty, being corn season and the Midwest and all. Curry bowl was totally flavorless and had a really strange mix of veggies. The quinoa was still crunchy in certain bites. My husband wouldn't even finish his meal, which says a lot if you know him. On top of all that, the bill for two was $70. No thanks Summer House. The only redeeming quality is the beautiful atmosphere and friendly server we had. However, it's not enough to ever get us to go back.
(2)
Maria J.
Everything was delicious. I went with my family for brunch and I definitely recommend it for anyone since its accommodating to all ages, etc. Also, the service was great and so is the decor. The vibes in the restaurant are awesome and ill definitely be back for a visit again.
(5)
Elizabeth R.
Such a beautiful restaurant, so light and clean, it make you feel like you've been transported to Malibu. Great and attentive service. The quinoa salad was so delicious. I can't recommend it enough - yum!
Summer House is a sneak peak of Lincoln Park luxury. You won't see the riff raff or tourists here. We sat alongside a table of the most impeccably dressed men and a table of family with an infant, in the most fashionable 4th of July outfit, and a mother with a Celine handbag casually draped over a high chair. I parked on Burling Street (right around the corner from Halsted and Armitage) right in front of a sprawling estate. I got a weird look from a passerby - do I look like I can't afford a mansion in Lincoln Park or something? Maybe it's the Hello Kitty sticker on my Mazda... If you can't afford a vacation, you can at least afford a few hours and spare some cash by having brunch at Summer House...right? The entire restaurant feels like you're outside. It's like being on a patio. But it's air conditioned. The cocktails are phenomenal. Get a cocktail. No, get two. Start with the Cucumber Collins and then the Pom Fizz. None of us knew what was in the Pom Fizz, but it was so good it doesn't matter. Our waiter was wonderful. He made great menu recommendations and helped some of my indecisive friends. I went with his recommendation and ordered the Lemon Cottage Cheese Pancakes with a side of their home made, candied bacon. I usually prefer sausage, but he made the bacon sound so much more appealing, and he did not steer me wrong. The pancakes were thin with a soft, almost creamy texture and were served with decadent lemon curd. I added some of the raspberry jam that was given to our table. The bacon was thick, and the portion was more than enough to share, but I didn't. I devoured every last bite and then waddled down Halsted after brunch for some tipsy shopping. My friends ordered a variety of entrees including a benedict, skillet, and breakfast sandwich, and it was all quite appetizing. I would definitely do brunch here again or try out their dinner menu.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Came here for dinner with a friend. I got the squid ink pasta, which I enjoyed--the dish was both spicy and light, and the lemon zest as well as the basil added a nice touch to the flavors of the pasta. Overall, the menu seemed to offer food on the lighter flavor profile side, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves for the most part. My favorite part of the experience was definitely the ambiance and the setup of the restaurant--the airiness of the restaurant as well as the light that poured in from the skylights created a relaxing vibe. Remember to check in on Yelp! The complimentary cookie a la mode was absolutely delicious--warm dark chocolate cookie topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
(4)
Daniella E.
Favorite brunch spot! Food is so fresh. The chicken and waffles with the plabano butter are the best I've had. Great atmosphere and makes you forget you're in Chicago
(5)
Zakia C.
I really wanted to give this place a phenomenal review. It's a member of the LUEY group and the ambiance was spectacular. Unfortunately, I just could not do it! My date and I, stumbled upon this gem after leaving the aroma workshop. (Try that place out if you're ever in the area. ) I immediately wanted to enter and have dinner here! Everything about it was so inviting. The dining room was a glass manager or of sorts, they had an open kitchen concept as well as an eclectic bakery in the front. I went with the steak and frites and maybe a cucumber martini. Can't recall my drink. Now, for someone like me, it means it just was not memorable. I asked for my steak medium and it was very much so well done. My frites or "fries" were burned and hard as ever. My date's fish was overcooked and just subpar at best. While our waiter was good, she disappeared after our order came out. Even though there were plenty of staff members standing around talking, no one came back to the table. I even, had to grab someone for the check. If you want to try this place out, go for a dessert and the ambiance. Hey, maybe take a person there for a cocktails and conversations night. Just don't stay for dinner. Go next door.
(2)
Joelly J.
WOW. This restaurant has the best of both worlds- literally. With two different dining options (Italian and California inspired cuisine) you can't go wrong! If you are all about the ambiance and newest "trendy" and "hip" spots, this is the place to go. Their menu at the Summer House ranges from small lighter plates such as appetizers and salads to more heavy plates like sandwiches and entrees. All produce is local and fresh and you can definitely taste it too! I ordered the Avocado toast and was blown away. It's better than most I have tried in New York and comes with a refreshing side salad. They also offer great cocktail options, so bring your friends for a one of a kind experience here in Chicago!
(5)
Victoria K.
The ambience and decor of this place is amazing! They perfectly nail the California theme! It is super airy, bright, open and makes for great pictures at every corner! The staff are all very friendly and the food is fantastic! My friend and I ordered the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Hashbrowns and the Breakfast Tostadas. The Benedict was was wonderful. The eggs were perfectly poached, the salmon was plentiful and the Hashbrowns were crispy and delicious. The presentation was just as great as the flavor! The Breakfast Tostadas were very flavorful in comparison to the Benedict! I will definitely be ordering this on my next visit! The blend of crispy, savory, and melty were perfect. We also order Malibu Cooler and the Acai Basil Smash, which are 2 of the zero proof cocktails. The Malibu Cooler was tart, sweet, and refreshing. The Acai Basil Smash was more earthy and had a thicker flavor. The basil is a great touch to freshen things up. Both were exceptional! This is a great place for a fun brunch on a beautiful day! Also, don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream! It is totally worth it!!! The cookie is freshly baked from the bakery and it is superb! Everything from the bakery is amazing!
(5)
Allyson M.
There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this place. The decor, the server, the food and drinks were all on point. I love it so much, I wish it was in South Florida so I could make it my staple brunch place! The orange-chocolate chip pancake was amazing, the breakfast tostadas AND the short-rib hash were amazing.
(5)
Marcia S.
I'm a sucker for dessert. Which is why I gave this restaurant one more star than it probably deserves. The enormous, warm toffee cookie with premium vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, it was the highlight of our lunch. Like many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Summer House seems to place more emphasis on the theme and ambience than it does on the food. If you're looking for an attractive place to dine, it won't disappoint. It's light and open and airy. In fact, the skylight let in so much light some people kept their sunglasses on. We went for lunch on a weekday. Our food was good, but almost everything lacked the special something we expected at these price points. My wood grilled hamburger was cooked perfectly, but it didn't come close to the one I had at Seven Lions last month... and charging a buck extra to add cheese to a $14 burger is ridiculous. My fries were a major disappointment. My friend enjoyed her cobb salad, said it was fresh, but decided $20 was too much. We shared the roasted baby beets, which were excellent. Our waitperson was pleasant and checked back often, but she wasn't that familiar with the menu. For example, I tried to order a featured cooler without the mint, and she said it wasn't possible. Really? And she forgot to bring the spoons with our coffee... luckily we had an outstanding busser who saw her serve the coffee and immediately brought us spoons. There's an area for outside dining, a large bar... and a bakery counter! I like the ambience so much here, I might give it another try. If you decide to go, be sure to check in on Yelp to get a free cookie with ice cream.
(3)
Kaley K.
Late lunch/early dinner on a Saturday. When we walked in, it felt like we were being transported to a nice summer afternoon. We were seated in the arboretum-like area, a really chic, nice spot. The chairs, being more like outdoor furniture, were really not that comfortable. For an appetizer we ordered the calamari. It was covered in a light red sauce that was mildly spicy. Every bite was dipped, especially when dipped in the side mayo based dip. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta. It was a bit smaller than I expected but tasted pretty good. Salty and lightly creamy but not over powering. Overall not very impressed with the menu and prices but loved the decor and ambience. If you're in the mood for over paying for blah food but want to feel like a upper class hippie, this place is for you. May be back for brunch--hoping it's better!
(2)
Kelly C.
Been here a couple times and have mixed feelings about the place. I love the decor and feel for the place - it has beautiful skylights in the main dining area which makes it almost feel like you are eating outside. The concept - California inspired cuisine with seasonal dishes is also great. Overall, a great place for a girls night out - and it shows, many of the tables are filled with groups of women 25-40. What makes me hesitant to go back - the food is hit or miss and overall expensive for what you get. The ahi tuna tostadas to start are great, but the steak frites is mediocre and the mushroom stacked enchilada doesn't have as much flavor as I would have liked (overpowered by black beans). Then there are the maitre d's who seat you - we were told the booths were reserved for tables of 4 (we were 3) then immediately after we sat down a table of 2 was seated at the booth. I'm not fussed with having a policy, but be consistent. All in all, it's a place for show but not necessarily for foodies.
Summer House is the perfect name for this place because right when you walk in you feel like you're in California in the middle of summer. It's open, bright and clean. Everyone MUST get their Spicy Calamari. This may actually be the very best calamari I have ever had. It has a light tempura batter with spicy mayo and lime.. Sooooooo Good There are a number of good options for the main course so you really can't go wrong with ordering anything here. Good Food and Good Atmosphere = Good Restaurant... and one that I'll definitely come back to
(5)
Adriana O.
I looooove this place!!! Food is good, but what I love the most is the actual building. It's so 'summer-y' and even if it's freezing cold outside once you walk in you can feel as if you're in California, and that is major specially during winter in Chicago! And you got to love the 'Days 'till summer' count down.
(5)
Hana C.
Atmosphere was clean, bright, white, and comforting. Service was excellent. Food was delicious. And for checking in we got a free cookie and ice cream. The cookie was enormous (the size of a baby's face) and it was horribly good. We shared a few vegetable starters to begin with, all of which were good. I had the chicken tacos which while not unique were tasty. My girlfriend who I was visiting just moved from California and she appreciated the California-esque food/dining style. She will be back there again (and I would be too if I lived in Chicago).
(4)
Karen C.
First & foremost: DEFINITELY make reservations. Second: Bring sunglasses. I'd say this is actually a 3.5 star review, but I thought I'd round up because the food was really great. I made reservations for a mid-afternoon Saturday brunch/lunch situation for myself & the manfriend. When we got there, I checked in, and our table was not ready yet, so we headed outside to wait a bit. After 20 minutes, I was starting to get irritated... what's the point of a reservation if you don't get your table at the time of your reservation? So I went back in to see if it was going to be much longer because if it was, we were going to have to leave, as we had tickets to a play down the street. The second I said we'd have to leave, they magically found us a table... so that was just a weird start to our visit. But, after that, all went well... our waiter was super friendly & prompt. We started with the burrata appetizer because, well, when I see burrata on the menu, I order it. It was sublime. The waiter asked if we had been to RPM Italian yet, because he thinks theirs is even better, so I'll need to be checking that out soon. We both had breakfasty entrees & they were delicious, and came out quickly and piping hot. I had the tostada that came with pulled chicken & eggs. The cocktails are delicious, too. Not sure if it's still available, but at the time we got a free cookie for dessert for checking in on Yelp! The main draw for me wanting to try this place was that it was LEYE & the fact that it looked so damn bright & sunny inside. I'd been meaning to visit all winter to see if it would pull me out of the winter blues, but we ended up visiting on one of the most gorgeous Saturday's of the year instead. It was so bright inside I literally had to wear my sunglasses... definitely felt like I was back in Santa Monica!
(4)
Andrea J.
This is our 3rd and likely last visit to Summer House. The restaurant is absolutely stunning however the service seems to have deteriorated since our last visit. Our waitress was attentive however we had 3 different people attempt to bring the wrong food to our table which was very annoying. My husband was never asked if he wanted a cocktail and when we did eventually order it, it took far too long for it to arrive. The kids menu is weak and the spaghetti was WAY undercooked which is the polar opposite of what you'd expect for a 'kids meal'. Our entrees were just ok - nothing 'wowed' us enough go to deem another visit. There are way too many options in Chicago to justify returning for a mediocre experience.
(2)
C W.
Came for breakfast on a Saturday and started with a positive impression of the serene, well designed decor, promising of a good meal to come. Overall felt it was a bit of a slip downhill with a long wait given relative calm in our seating area, but saved by a friendly waitress. The highlights were the drinks and coffee , all enjoyable. Some aspects of the meal were good The french toast shared among the group was tasty. But the bad was notable. Deeply dissatisfied with the cold and mealy hash browns that were literally the worse I've ever had in a restaurant in my life. Insultingly bad; everyone at the table had to send theirs back . After some additional issues, the bill was incorrectly tallied by over $40. I love discovering new places, and am very comfortable spending well for great quality and service , however not sure Ill be back to Summer House.
(2)
Howard L.
This is a delightful 2 year old Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) franchise. Apparently the San Monica California originator of Summer House knew the owner of LEYE, and they collaborated to open this location. The venue was quite airy and sunny particularly during our summertime visit. It's also the most hipster and trendy LEYE restaurant we think we have ever experienced. With its glass roof as well as open air patio seating section, it's also a much larger restaurant than their Halsted storefront reveals. The clientele is a polite, well dressed, higher end type of crowd, and during a weekday lunch, I was wondering to myself why all these younger people weren't working or didn't appear to be having a work lunch anyway. Anyway, wife and I enjoyed a lunch of a burger with their seasonal salad ($13.95), and their pasta of the day, a spinach carbonara or spinach fettuccine served with a sunnyside egg ($16.95). The burger also came with grilled onions and was a nicely done juicy big burger deserving of the premium price. We found free street parking right on Halsted (yet it is metered parking on Armitage), but I frankly wouldn't want to be looking for street parking in this busy neighborhood at dinner time. Glad we tried it, and it's now a potential special occasion city outing kinda place for us.
(4)
Eric B.
Atmosphere is nothing short of spectacular. Natural lighting and bright, neutral tones provide a great ambiance. The food, however, was awful. The $15-ceviche and $15-burrata were good, but not exceptional. The spinach carbonara and the rainbow trout tasted like flour and water mixed together, and nothing else. There was absolutely NO taste in either dish! I was kind of shocked at how something could look and sound so appealing, but be totally bland and flavorless. Because of this, I will never be returning. I was here on my birthday dinner with my family and we were all very disappointed. This is also sad because I had been wanting to go here for months, and when I finally got a reservation I was completely let down. The restaurant did make a slight comeback by serving fantastic (strong) coffee after the mediocre meal.
(1)
Kelly T.
I have dined at this wonderful restaurant since discovering it from an invitation to join an aquaintance for dinner and drinks in April. I have returned no less than a dozen times. The service and food quality are both are excellent regardless of the demand or impact on this popular hang out always which means it is consistent and that is all I can ask for. Lovely food, wine, spirits and staff. Great outdoor area for summer months and the ambiance in-doors is very well thought out however, although in my own personal opinion, if the bar were circular and in the middle of the venue, it would help the flow of both customers and staff when it is extremely busy.
(5)
David C.
Atmosphere was lovely but food was very disappointing. Ordered the pan-seared brook trout which was swimming in grease aka brown butter. The walnuts were burnt not toasted - tasted and smelled like burnt popcorn - not pleasant. Would have sent it back, but the air-conditioned was pumped so high the place was like a freezer and we were eager to leave. Oh, and we could have used a fly swatter. Yeah, inside... flies.
(1)
Elina S.
I've been here a few times now so I can finally give Summer house a fair review. The first time I didn't have the best experience but this last time for mothers day brunch was fantastic. We obviously made reservation for our family and it was packed. I mean every single table was occupied and we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated for our nice and comfy booth. Let's start with the atmosphere, I'm soo coming here in the winter time when I get those winter blues as this place is literally summer in a restaurant. Even on mothers day which was rainy and gross in Chicago, I literally came in here with a lifted mood because it was bright and cheery. Our server was super attentive and kept checking on us pretty frequently which was a very nice touch. We ordered the drinks and a bunch of us had the passion fruit margarita which was delicious, fresh and full of flavor. Definitely a must get over here. We seem to like getting the calamari here for an appetizer, it's not the best I've ever had but it's tasty. I mean they have every breakfast food imaginable from pancakes, to eggs, to breakfast burritos, to waffles, you name it, so I really think in terms of brunch/lunch you can't go wrong over here. My mom got the salmon benedict on top of their crunchy hashbrowns which she seemed to really like. My MIL got the chicken and waffles which were also pretty tasty. I decided I wanted a burger, yep, don't judge me since I know we were here for brunch. The burger was good with all the fixins and yummy crispy french fries went with it. I also really recommend the bacon here because it's crispy and sweetened with something so it's the perfect combo of sweet and salty. So, the atmosphere is on point, the food is tasty, the drinks are flowing, definitely a great people watching place. Oh, but the best part of all is their pastry counter, omg, they pretty much have it all. The cookies are huge and super chewy and fresh. My favorite was the rice krispy treat, it totally brought me back to my childhood. I really liked that for mothers day, they gave complimentary smores bars to all the mommies which I thought was a very nice touch. It's not a foodie place, but it's just a nice environment to grab the girls or family (kid friendly) and just chow down. Will be back for sure!
(4)
Teddy H.
I've tried twice now (brunch and dinner), and can't justify it. Both visits, service was WAY off. It seems this place prefers snooty and rude hostess personnel, which is a shame since they are pretty much the first interaction you have upon entering. The servers displayed similar attitudes, a little bothered when asked for anything special, and in a rush to get you out the door. Food is okay, pretty basic, and lacking that WOW factor. For example, the Tuna Tartare appetizer basically comes on Tostito chips rounds. And for the price you are paying, it needs to have it. I get it - the ambiance is cool and the location is great. But when you can head up the street and have better food with service that makes you feel comfortable and welcome, you should and I will.
(2)
Nicole L.
I have to update since I've been back. They are now conveniently open for lunch! Woohoo! The drinks are delicious. The dishes are very fresh and give you that dining on the Santa Monica pier vibe. It's great for dinner too! The cookies are definitely worth the $3.50 price tag!!
(4)
Kelsey S.
In the dead of winter Summer House's California-influenced menu and Vitamin D-centric interior provides a mood boost - even if the "Countdown to Summer" sign seems so far off. The menu is extensive and varies by season; heirlooms find their way onto plates in the summer, as do roots in the fall and winter. For breakfast, though, the lemon cottage cheese pancakes are always delicious, pillow-y and wonderfully tart. And if you don't want to commit to a full stack, you can order a single and try something else savory, like a benedict or hash. For lunch, be sure to order a side of vegetables, like the caramelized Brussels sprouts. Many lunch items stay throughout the year, so it's nice to add a touch of seasonal flavor to your plate. On your way out, you'll pass the sweets counter that houses an assortment of cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats and more. The chocolate chunk rice krispie treat cookie is a sight to behold, but after a couple of bites, it becomes cloyingly sweet - share it or save it for later.
(3)
Heidi B.
Summer House is the best place I've ever had brunch! The only thing that can make a Bloody Mary better...top it with candied bacon. We had the ahi tuna tostadas and the caramelized brussel sprouts as starters. Both of the dishes were delicious and easy to share. I had the smoked salmon hash brown Benedict as my entree. This was the best egg Benedict dish I have ever had! You can find similar dishes at other restaurants but the taste and presentation can't compare to Summer House. The inside will make you feel like you're sitting inside a trendy restaurant in California. I wish I lived a little closer to this restaurant. It would be the perfect place to escape for a fun meal. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses!! Also, don't forget to grab a chocolate chip with rise krispie cookie at the bakery counter on your way out.
(5)
Eileen J.
great atmosphere (5), good service (5), Food super disappointing (2 - 3) for the price point black squid ink seafood pasta so little seafood it was nearly undetectable Amish chicken was ok Spicy Calamari was less than average cauliflower was ok decent win selection
(3)
louis S.
Fun bright great place. You are assaulted in a good way by the desserts upon entry. The staff is upbeat and very helpful large fully flavored meals. Everyone was happy. Next door attached is a bit more subdued pizza spot? A bit over packed and loud but....
(5)
Kara H.
Came here for brunch with my parents and will definitely be coming back. The ambiance was fantastic, the staff was very friendly (accommodating when we called to say we were running a few minutes behind our reservation & also once we arrived). Now, onto what I was able to try. Breakfast Burrito- DELICIOUS. Sometimes I worry that a breakfast burrito will be way too much food (and they're not the best things to reheat later) but this one was not massive, it was just the right size! Blueberry Pancake- Just the right amount of fruit to pancake ratio + deliciously airy. Breakfast Potatoes- Good, but not amazing. I`d get them again but I could also live without. I`ll definitely be coming back for brunch and I want to try the dinner as well!
(5)
Will L.
Went there one summer night and it was very awesome. The place is pretty huge and it does feel very much like you are dinning outside. The decor was very nice and summery. #yes The food was quite delicious. We had the biscuits and it was crazy good. Hmmmmm. So Good. You will not be disappointed. Make sure you get your own, you are not going to want to share. We also had the spicy calamari. It really was not that spicy at all. IT was still good but not spicy. For a main dish, I had the chicken which was very good. The cookie bar was pretty awesome for dessert. Pick your cookie, any cookie. So many cookies. The waitress was ok. She could have been more welcomie or friendly or made more eye contact but whatever. Did I mention they have a cookie bar?? I would for sure go back, get some more biscuits, try something else and get some cookies.
(4)
Ken O.
Picture this.... with snow falling in every direction and bitterly cold, two friends and I decided to try Summer House, which has been on my list of restaurants to try for awhile. I've been to Stella Barra which is connected to Summer House and enjoyed it for lunch. Upon entering this restaurant... OMG, the snow storm went away at least visionally. The decor is just like a restaurant in Southern CA or a tropical restaurant on an island some place. The walls were creamy white, draperies were white, the furniture in the bar are on the wicker side. As stated earlier, you were in a different locale. Stacie W, was our server, who greeted up promptly. She understood that we would be "camping out" for awhile. She went over the beverages and menu with us. Then she brought the first round of beverages. We finally decided to try the Ahi Tuna Tostada for an appetizer. After bringing us the appetizer, the food runner would keep an eye on our table as well as Stacie. I believe there were five slices, which was just enough for the three of us. We finally decided on our meals.... we had ordered a Chicken Grilled Sandwich, a hamburer and I had ordered a French Dip sandwich and a side of cauliflower. I felt the food was delivered to us in the approriate amount of time, again, we were here for a leisure lunch. We were all very satisifed with our food choices. We had shared the cauliflower and couldn't get enough of that side dish. Both, Stacie and the food runner would check in with us, then another round of beverages came. Between the food and the relaxed atmosphere, we lost track of time. Unfortunately, none of us had saved room for dessert. Maybe next time. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a great meal and a relaxing time. Looking forward to my next visit,
(5)
April R.
I wrote a review last month about my first Summer House experience and they reached out to me soon after my post. I was very impressed with their diligence to contact me, talk about the experience and offer me a invite back to the restaurant to make it right. This time around I made a reservation with TJ and had a very nice time at Summer House for dinner. We ordered the Santa Monica cobb salad, local burrata, gemelli & fennel sausage, the roasted 1/2 chicken and the pan-roasted Great Lakes whitefish. The food was prepared perfectly, staff was attentive and they couldn't have been more apologetic for my first dining experience. The fact that they reached out to make the first dining experience right speaks volume to their service expectations and I greatly appreciated the acknowledgement and the great dinner experience. Thank you Michael, TJ and Adam!
(5)
Sarah P.
When I catch myself yearning for the laid back atmosphere of the west coast I come here and my desire is quenched. Love this restaurant. It is trendy, it is packed, the reservation list is ridiculous - call a week in advance if you want a table for brunch at 10:30a. There are three distinct spaces, the dining room is my favorite as the entire roof is glass and lets the sun in. In the warm months the entire front wall of the restaurant opens. Plants hang from the ceiling, and the interior is bright, classy, and welcoming. I'm transported back to the beach houses in Santa Monica, and watching the waves roll onto the beach while sipping my morning coffee... Love Wait... I haven't even talked about the food! I've only been here for brunch.. It's a morning spot for me, and the options are good. I love the fruit platter, they know how to make turkey bacon, the waffles are yummy, the coffee satisfying. It's the closest I can get to Urth Caffe.....
(4)
Blaine T.
The atmosphere is great! I love the decor and the summer vibe that the place has. Defintely a fun trendy brunch place. The breakfast cocktails are great. We all tried each other's dishes and the breakfast tostadas were AMAZING. Also you should all split a cinnamon roll! Make a reservation.
(4)
Rachel L.
Reservations are strongly advised! We made a reservation for Saturday breakfast at 10:30. The restaurant was already packed and I can see why. This place was by far my favorite in Chicago! As soon as you walk into the restaurant, there was a feeling of being in LA. We were traveling from the SF Bay Area to Chicago for a quick getaway and were reminded of the beautiful weather in Southern California once we stepped in. It's perfect! The food was amazing. We ordered the spinach omelet, egg white sandwich, tostadas, hash brown benedict, chicken and waffles with a side of candied bacon and a round of the strawberry chia. Everything was sooooooo good! The only complaint I have was that the eggs were over-cooked on the hash brown benedict. They were supposed to be poached, but were more on the over medium side. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our meals, had great conversation, sat in awe of the restaurant. We had great service and loved our entire experience. The restaurant is so cute in decor. You really feel like you're in LA, by the beach. A must try if you're in the area.
(5)
Nicole M.
If only the food was as good as the setting! This was my second dinner at Summer House. Both times I've been disappointed in the food. The food is under seasoned and bland. I had the gemelli with sausage and rapini. It had a strange starchy texture and was calling out for salt. The interior is so beautiful and bright. It pains me that the food is so mediocre.
(2)
Kate W.
We had a totally decent experience at Summer House. Our waitress was fantastic--friendly, sweet, attentive. We liked her a lot. Some highlights: the ceviche is superb. Perfectly balanced and delicious. The brussels sprouts salad was also outstanding. I had bucatini, and was very impressed. A friend we ate with had the chicken tacos and they looked really good. Also, get the cookies. Just shut up and get the cookies. You won't regret it.
(4)
Molly D.
When you walk into Summer House you are immediately greeted by the warm breeze on your face, the smells of bonfires, fireflies glowing at night, and the sound of waves crashing at the beach. Ok, so none of that actually happens, but in my opinion it practically does happen because Summer House has designed the perfect atmosphere to remind your senses of summertime. And that, my friend, is a great atmosphere to escape to when you are living year round in Chi-beria. Along with having a great atmosphere, the food and drinks range from good to phenomenal. Our group of four started with some cocktails (and one mock-tail for my glowing pregnant friend). I loved my Plam Fizz, each of the guys enjoyed an Old Fashioned, and my friend was happy to be able to have the mock-tails as choices since at most restaurants she would have been stuck with the basic drink options like Sprite. Drinks were all very unique and tasty and I would definitely recommend trying one. Next, we decided to go with the baked-to-order biscuits which is served with a yummy poblano honey butter. Wow... I mean, these biscuits with that amazing butter were out-of-this-world amazing. I am salivating thinking about them as I write this review. Do yourself a favor and order these!! As a pescatarian, there were several options for me to choose from on this menu (both seafood and vegetarian) which was exciting. After much debate between the salmon and the mahi-mahi tacos, I went with the tacos. The portion was large, sadly the tacos were average. For the steep price I paid for tacos, I would expect them to be more flavorful or come with more interesting sauces (it only came with salsas). I would definitely go with a different main course next time. Others in our group seemed pleased with their choices of chicken and steak. Finally here's a tip, for desert, make sure you check-in on Yelp because they were offering a free cookie for those who checked in. Even if they aren't offering the free cookie, make sure you save room for one. They are warm, gooey, and smothered in ice cream (make sure you add on the ice cream). In all, I would return to Summer House for their inviting atmosphere, good food and interesting drinks. Next time I would want try brunch or a different main course for dinner. I will definitely swing by the bar for a cocktail with a biscuit or their cookie bar to bring home for dessert when I'm in the mood for warm baked goods.
(4)
Karen M.
We reserved a table for 6 on a busy Saturday afternoon, and we were told it would take an hour to an hour-and-a-half for a table. It took an hour and 45 minutes for the table, then once seated, we ordered as soon as we could, and it took almost an hour for the food to come. My egg sandwich was room temperature. The waiter checked in from time to time, but didn't ask us if we wanted any food while we were waiting. I finally asked for a basket of bread as we were famished. They gave us a complimentary dessert after we mentioned how long we had been there which was nice. Good service but very poor experience overall.
(2)
Mihir P.
WOW!!! We LOVED this place from top to bottom. Just sitting in the bustling, airy, white and bright atmosphere, I felt rejuvenated. The burrata was very fresh and lusciously creamy and served with fresh dark crusty bread. OK, I know this is in the Midwest, but I can't remember having calamari any fresher! It was super tender and meaty and flavorful. The grilled halibut was perfectly cooked and light. I tried some of the fries my friend had with his burger and they were amazing - thin, crispy and perfectly seasoned. Our server so mad cool and professional and accommodating. I'LL BE BACK.
(5)
Stefanie A.
Traveled to sunny California last night- that's how it feels when you step inside Summer House. Definitely the place to be when the weather in Chicago is nasty! Had a 7:30 reservation and were immediately seated at a table close to the kitchen. Kitchen is wide open, allowing diners to watch the cooks prepare their meals. The entire set up is absolutely beautiful. A large glass roof with hanging plants & lights, and the servers uniforms give the restaurant that laid back, beachy, California vibe. Our server, Rachel C was great. She recommended a great Pinot noir. We started with the burrata, beach bum ceviche, & the hamachi avocado sushi roll. All delicious! Loved the ceviche's citrus flavor! For entrees I had the trout in the walnut brown butter sauce. My husband had the French dip sandwich, and my bro-in-law had the halibut. Both were also good, but we all agreed the trout was just phenomenal. For dessert we did a warm cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Free if you check in on yelp!) Thanks yelp! The cookie and ice cream was just the right amount of sweet and salty. Rachel never rushed us- let us take our time with finishing a second bottle of the Pinot noir. Bottom line: cool atmosphere, great food, & wonderful service!
(4)
Food M.
First time here. Waitress Danielle exceeded expectations. Personably, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Crab cake is off the charts
(5)
Jiwon S.
Went here for brunch with my friend on a weekday and I loved it! The atmosphere was amazing and the food was great. It felt as I was in Santa Monica. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Jenna S.
Cute atmosphere especially the open area with glass ceiling, very nice pasteries that vary from the norm. Great place to catch up with friends.
(4)
Lissa E.
Went to Summer House on a beautiful summer day. We went with two other couples on a Tuesday night and it was busy as ever. Our party had a reservation and we were seated right away. The service was good but not great. Our server was training a new person and it was a bit awkward when ordering as to who we should talk to as they were both taking down the order and talking to us. They got all of our orders correct and spaced the meal out well so overall I'd say 4.5 stars on service. The food- we ordered the Burrata, Cauliflower, and the living lettuce salad for appetizers to share. The Burrata was amazing!! I wish we had two orders. The toast was perfectly toasted and the tomato accompaniment went perfectly with the smooth Burrata. The cauliflower was ok but pretty spicy, I would probably choose a different veggie next time. The living lettuce salad was light and fresh, very good. For dinner I ordered one of the specials, sockeye salmon. It was perfectly cooked but it had a little too much sauce on it. I am somewhat of a purist so others may like the amount of sauce. My husband ordered the English muffin burger, which he reported to be tasty but was difficult to eat as it didn't stay on the bun well. Another person in our group ordered the trout and he claimed it was the best trout he had ever had. All of the other meals were less remarkable but everyone said they thought their food was at least "good." Overall everything was good with some great. I would definitely go back for a taste of "summer" sometime in the middle of a cold chicago winter. One quick side note- we did see blackhawks player, Jonathan Toews there which was kind of fun!
(4)
Ben B.
This place is confusing. It's decked out in a lot of white wood, like something you'd see on a beach. Hell, there are life preservers hanging on the walls. It's like Jimmy Buffett's godawful Margaritaville concept, but for rich people who aren't stoned. The menu consists of a lot of fish, with burger and taco options. We began with the biscuits. You get two per order, but they're very large. Each was burnt on the top and bottom. I slathered mine in honey to make it not taste like charcoal. For my entree, I had the Korean pork tacos. (I asked for tortillas, otherwise you have to eat it in a lettuce leaf.) The ingredients are served up on a plate and you have to assemble each taco. As I ate it, I thought it was okay, but not worth seeking out. There's also a counter with cookies up front because... I don't know. They weren't on the regular menu. This is the kind of place you visit once because you're bored with all your usual hangouts. I've visited once. I'm done.
(2)
Jesse N.
I was looking forward to coming to this restaurant, mainly because it looks so cool from the outside. I ordered a cocktail initially and thought it was good. Where things started to go down hill was when my Steak Frites arrived. I was in the mood for "house cut fries" but when they came out they were like a bad version of McDonald's fries. Apparently they cut them with a machine in the back but that's still not really "hand cut". I also asked for a medium rare steak and it came out well down and it just didn't taste good. I was left feeling very unsatisfied and actually physical sick. What made matters worse was when the manager stopped by to ask how the meals were and I told him my experiences he came across as incredibly defensive and bordering confrontational. He then stormed off at the end of the uncomfortable conversation saying he would share the feedback with the chef. Needless to say that I won't be coming back and think that it's only a matter of time before people realize that this place is only good for the cool restaurant design and location, and not the food or service.
(1)
Brenda G.
Could this place be any more delicious? I love summer house. Everything I've tried is delicious. I once went during March Madness and the restaurant was nice enough to let me reserve the only table by a television. I normally stick with the breakfast burritos however their tacos are amazing! Who has 2 kind of fish tacos? Summer House, that's who! You can also enjoy a cocktail at Stella Barra next store while you wait for your table. Try the rose, it's delicious! Cheers!
(5)
Adam A.
Amazing Brunch as always. Great gluten free cookies, taste AMAZING.
(4)
Ashley V.
5+ for ambiance. So fun for a cocktail and app. Bright, airy, and very California (love!). 5 for appetizers - best calamari I've ever had (Asian creamy sauce so good), and I don't really like calamari. Ahi tostadas are to die for. Burrata is good (missing basil and balsamic, so ask for it!). 4 for brunch and dinner items. Nothing special about either, and a bit overpriced. 4 for service. Some were good, but some forget things and others are fine but not great (nice-wise). (Good overall, though - won't ruin your meal or anything!) Great selection of wines and cocktails. Go here often, though, because it's just fun overall. Must try! But it's not spectacular.
(4)
Melissa A.
First of all let me mention that Summer House is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. Say what?? Yes, that was exactly my response when my friend told me. For whatever reason it surprised me, not necessarily in a bad way. My friends and I came here for the Chicago Restaurant Week deal and my dining experience here was fantastic from start to finish. I'm just going to list out what I liked or didn't like about Summer House since lists tend to be easier to read/tend to capture people's attention better! LIKES (non-food): *My party of 4 was seated quickly (we had reservations) in a comfy, spacious booth *Decor / ambiance of the restaurant is coastal chic, airy, decorated in warm colors and really transports you out of the cold, Chicago winter to Cali *Service was great - our waitress was friendly, accommodating, and checked on us throughout the night LIKES (food): *When you first walk in, there's a little bakery with a display case of cookies, rice krispie treats, and other baked goodies and they also offer coffee/cafe drinks *The restaurant week menu ($44 prixe fix menu) includes a glass of wine! *All of the food was ON POINT! *"Appetizer: I chose the Super Greens Salad". I don't say this often but I loved this salad! It was light but flavorful without needing a ton of ingredients. It was composed of kale, shaved celery, parmesan, bread crumbs and tossed in a Parmesan vinaigrette. Yum! *Entree: I chose the "Slow Braised Pork Shank" as my entree (there were 4 choices) and I was not disappointed. The pork was very flavorful (possibly a tad salty) and it was fall-off-the-bone tender. I didn't even need to use a knife to cut it apart. It was served with roasted fingerling potatoes and winter fruits. The combination of salty and sweet was delicious. Highly recommend this dish! *Dessert: choice of their Trifecta fudge cake or one of their cookies. There was no debate between cake or cookie for me once I saw their cookies. Let me tell you, they are HUGE and mouthwatering. I chose a s'mores cookie and it was served warm with ice cream on top. I barely finished half but it wasn't because the cookie was bad but because I was greedy and ate too much of my app and entree...typical me haha *On my way out I ordered a Horchata Latte from the little bakery. This was delicious! Horchata + coffee?? umm yum! You must try it if you like both! DISLIKES: *I couldn't try everything on the menu... I definitely will be back to try their brunch since I've heard it's just as great!
(4)
Kristin M.
If I could eat here everyday, I would. I would be broke and I think it may be worth it. Been here twice. This past time I got the strawberry solstice cocktail and it was so fresh and good. Fresh strawberry juice, vodka, bubbly, mint, and lime. Need I say more.? We ordered a burger on English muffin and avocado toast with poached eggs. While the burger was tasty, the avocado toast was the winner. Mascarpone cheese on the most delicious soft multi grain bread, big chunks of avocado, and poached eggs that broke with yolk running over it. It was so simple yet so much flavor. We ended with a huge chocolate chip cookie that was perfect blend of sugar, salt, and chocolate. The prior time we got the ahi tacos which are also bomb. Do yourself a favor, go to summer house now. It's worth the Benjamins.
(4)
Tricia D.
I expected more from brunch at Summer House... not molasses slow service! Not a $10 fruit plate! Yes, the mango was presented creatively (like a sunflower), but that, 1/4 cup of pineapple, and half a cup of mixed berries was not worth that price tag. Not small portions, like a 1/3 of a wine glass of OJ or that half a plate of small brussel sprout pieces that sold as a side for $9. When asked about whether the glass of OJ was usually filled that low, the waitress snapped that it was a 6 oz pour... that's not even a typical serving of juice. A cup is 8 oz! My chilaquiles entree arrived several minutes after the rest of my dining companions', and it was pretty plain. One can definitely see how SH makes their margins. That horchata latte though... I heart it!
(3)
Julie G.
Been here for brunch about a dozen times and dinner once, and I will say the atmosphere and the drinks are what brings me back over the food. Granted the food is good and the menu has nice options for everyone, but I've certainly had better brunch elsewhere in Chicago. I typically have a reservation so I can't speak to long wait times or unpleasant interactions with the hostess like other reviewers. Fortunately you can usually get a reservation for 4 or less people on pretty short notice. I once arrived around 11 AM one snowy winter morning and was seated immediately without a reservation, but the roads were terrible and not many people were trying to brunch that day. Recommendations: the kicked up kale is by far my favorite drink. I can't go to SH without ordering this! The Mexican hash browns are also a favorite. The English muffins made in house are amazing as well. I've ordered the breakfast burrito more than once, but I probably wouldn't again. It's just Ok. The breakfast sandwich or avocado toast are my usual go to choices. I did get the grilled cheese and fries on one participatory sluggish Sunday and it was delicious! Overall this place is a happy sunny atmosphere and perfect for girls brunch or when the parents are in town!
(4)
Doug R.
Don't forget about service!! Yes the location and scenery take you to 'Santa Monica' This place was on our "it list" and we decided to take the plunge for a birthday dinner. Although we had reservations our less than courteous hostess said she'd text us and turned to talk to her waitress friend. We decided to talk into the adjacent pizza bar and received a much needed drink from a very knowledgable and friendly bartender. He gets the 5 stars!!! Our text came (25 min past our reservation time) and we were seated. Obviously a table of 2 gets less attention than a group of 6 but after our initial order of apps there was no sigh of our waitress. Oysters came but were explained which were which.... By time our waitress returned both apps and current drinks were completed. Main course ordered and delivered before next round of drinks?? Yes the food was great. Yes the drinks were great. Just think a lettuce Ent restaurant should know how to nail service first....
(3)
Cami P.
Loved everything about Summer House! First off, the ambiance was beautiful. All natural lighting, and the atrium has a skylight like ceiling. Our waiter, Clayton, was extremely helpful and attentive- offered excellent recommendations! Secondly, both the food and drinks were delicious. I started with the Palm Fizz- a wine spritzer and it was amazing. My friend and I then split the Spicy Calamari- GET THIS. It was like a calamari I've never tried before, wasn't so fried where you couldn't taste the actual squid itself and came with an amazing spicy dipping sauce. Then for entrees I got the Trout and my friend got the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were excellent! Both left feeling very full. Finally we stopped at the little bakery our way out with a million different types of desserts. I really don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the choices- we got a chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispie on top and it seriously is the best cookie I have ever had in my life. Soft, gooey, so fresh. Could have eaten 5. As you can tell I love love love this restaurant. Definitely will be back in the future!
(5)
Michael A.
Went for brunch on Sunday. After reading the reviews here I was a bit nervous, but what the heck. As more than one person pointed out, the hosts could not be bothered with us. They really don't care. We had to ask if it was ok to sit at the empty bar, "Oh yeah, that's first come". Like Duh.. you idiot is what she was thinking. Anyhow, everything went UP from there. The barstaff was very kind and knowledgable. The drinks were tasty and lets be honest, when you get candied bacon on your bloody mary, how can you go wrong? The ingredients were fresh and tasted so. Great ambiance in the place, with great natural light and a breeze running through it. Had the breakfast tostadas, and they were delicious. Great flavor. We also had the shortrib hash, but that was ok. It was good, but it definitely is not special. It didn't wow you and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone trying to be impressed. Not a lot of flavor, kind of bland. Don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream. We will go back as over all it was a really good experience.
(4)
Jane C.
3.5 stars Super cute spot for date or special occasion. There's something for everyone on the menu and food was good. Located conveniently off the Purple/Brown line and a nice neighborhood to walk around before or after dinner.
(4)
Kim L.
Love love love the decor in here, really does feel like you're in Cali. However as others have noted, the food is pretty average. My friend had a Lettuce Entertain You gift card here or else it would have been pretty expensive average brunch. Friend got the classic eggs Benedict and I got the short rib hash Benedict with a side of candied bacon. Food was mediocre, server was friendly but we'd probably only come back for the Vitamin D room and people watching.
(3)
Laura K.
Finally a solid Lincoln Park casual restaurant! Perfect for meeting friends for dinner and drinks. The space is super open and bright (not romantic - if you want that vibe, head next door to Stella Barra). It is always packed, and the food is solid! Brunch and dinner are both very good. For dinner you must get the burrata and the biscuits, and the spicy calamari. None of the entrees are a must, but whatever you order will be good.
(4)
Debra L.
Summer House is lovely to look at, with the high open ceilings, the whitewashed wood, and the airy pastel colors. The staff was friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked in. We came for Sunday brunch and I'm so glad we had reservations because there were people being turned away due to wait-time. Note - make sure you make reservations! The food was fresh and delightful, with healthier choices reminiscent of the infamous California cuisine. My one criticism is that the it's rather pricey for what you get. I had the mission street burrito with tofu chorizo. It was delicious but for over ten bucks it would have been great to have some toast or hash browns. Come to Summer House to soak up the beachy vibe, and relax in the airy atmosphere. It's a great place for a relaxing meal, just overlook the fact that they're a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep that in mind and go anyway.
(4)
Mark A.
I've only had breakfast/brunch here, so my review is not appropriate for dinner. Summer House might have one of the coolest interiors of any Chicago restaurant, thanks to its courtyard/glass roof that lets in tons of natural light. It's kind of like Banana Republic does food. For breakfast, I had the Kale/Vodka drink, and it was pretty impressive. Who knew I could get my vitamins and buzz in one sip? Genius. I had the chicken and waffles -- they were good. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. Given the appearance of the place, I was expecting something a little more unique, but these were just basic chicken and waffles - no froo froo designer waffle pattern or plate presentation. (Again, they were good.) I'd go back to try the dinner, but I wouldn't expect anything super memorable other than good, quality food. And the nice atmosphere is a treat.
(3)
Kate T.
I have a very strict diet (allergic to garlic onions, lactose, gluten-free, high fructose corn syrup, etc). I had checked this place out online prior to going. Our server was very accomodating and I was able to watch in the kitchen that they made my meal with extra care. I had a mixture of greens, pumpkin seeds, unseasoned ahi tuna, and an amazing dressing of olive oil/fresh lemon. They also provided me with gluten-free bread topped with avocado and a poached egg. Did I mention their fries are delicious too? I requested the driest white wine possible and they let me test several to assist me in having the one lowest in sugar. I never once felt like a burden. The ambiance is amazing and this is definitely my new favorite go-to place in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Kat D.
10 stars for ambiance (love it) 5 stars for service 3 stars for pricing and quality I tried the sushi, cauliflower, ceviche and ahi tacos. We also had desert cookie/ice cream which deserves 5 stars. Overall, go here to for the sexiness and the drinks- not the standard fare.
(4)
Anthony M.
I had brunch at SH on Sunday with one other person. We had a 3:00 PM reservation and upon arriving, the host referred to me as "bro," which I thought was very odd. First off, I'm not your "bro," and second, this didn't seem like the type of place where the hosting staff would be so unpolished. We were seated soon after our arrival... at a table in the bar (after we asked to be seated in the restaurant), but we were seated nonetheless. We ordered a bottle of wine and two things to start. The burrata was good, the calamari wasn't... at all. It was doused in a creamy sauce that wasn't mentioned on the menu. There's nothing more annoying to me than ordering something that isn't properly described on the menu. Furthermore, our plates (empty plates, mind you) sat in front of us until the main course was brought out. Because the restaurant was busy and no one seemed to be moving quickly, I would say that the time elapsing between us finishing our first course and the time when our plates were cleared was a solid 30 minutes. The manager ended up bringing the next course and had to literally put it on the table behind us and clean our table. It was gross! There were plenty of people running around, but no one was interested in clearing our plates. I had the avocado toast and my partner had the grilled chicken sandwich. Both were fine... but that's about it. Upon trying to get our check from our server, it took almost fifteen minutes to get his attention and for him to bring it over. We did have two bottles of wine, so our bill was $150, but outside of the wine and the burrata, the experience and venue were entirely forgettable. Let's be honest, this place isn't the only place in town that you can get a bottle of wine and some cheese! I would have liked to enjoy this place more since it's close to our new home and we tend to dine out frequently (especially with larger groups), but unfortunately, it was pretty much a let down! Wah wah!!
(1)
Allie Q.
Lively ambience, well decorated, bright and airy California feel to the place. Service was excellent, attentive and knowledgeable. Delicious cocktails and food. Highly recommend the oysters, pricey but well worth it. Enjoyed the ceviche and the ahi tuna tacos. Great for groups, girls nights or date night.
(4)
Holly B.
5 stars for ambiance 5 stars for service - Rob S was amazing!! So friendly and professional 5 for desserts - OMG!! Definitely worth the calories. Definitely!! The s'mores bar, blondie and rice crispy treats are THE BEST. The cookies are just ok. 3 for price ($24 for fish tacos was a little pricey) 3 for food quality. Everything was just meh. We had Brussels sprouts, the fish taco and a burger.
(4)
svetlana k.
Good spot. The food is good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance and the restaurant is beautiful. Perfect spot for a girls brunch spot or nothing out, even a bachelorette brunch. The staff is nice. The drinks are reasonable. If you live in the area, why not? But plenty more options in river north/downtown area to go to. The food look a little overpriced for Lincoln park area and the portions were fairly small for entree sized. The couple next to us were clearly disappointed with a bite size salmon entree which cost $25 or the surfer style tacos that you have to make yourself also $25. Ps. If you check in on yelp, you get a free cookie skillet.
(3)
Sue T.
Grabbed a bite here recently with family. The atmosphere was great - very open and light. Definitely a place I would prefer to go to on a sunny spring or summer day. The food was ok and a bit over-priced. I got the fish tacos and I thought they were a bit bland. I got the cookie with ice cream for dessert and that was delicious. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just had bad luck. The service was friendly and quick. Overall, I would give Summer House another try at some point but I'm not rushing to get back.
(3)
Jennifer G.
We tried Summer House a few weeks back, and while I tried for a sidewalk table, we had to eat in the Atrium. Best decision ever. It is absolutely beautiful in the atrium and that's where I would recommending sitting each time. What Summer House accomplished with that atmosphere is really spectacular. Another positive about the restaurant was the wine selection. I had a blended Zinfandel and my husband had the Pinot Gris - both were really fabulous wines that I would recommend. Unfortunately, our food selections didn't live up to the other aspects of our experience. We started with the crab cake - which was okay. We did really like the summer vegetable spread that accompanied it. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta and my husband had the mahi mahi tacos. He thought the tacos were good, but my pasta dish was way too salty and I actually ended up leaving quite a bit of it. For dessert, we had cookies and ice cream - yum! Warmed cookies a la mode. They were delicious and something I would definitely come back for.
(3)
P P.
Food is yummy. Atmosphere is nice. The service is not very good. We waited a half hour before the server even came to our table. We hd to ask for a server and someone saw us looking around which is why they approached us and asked if we have been helped. Finally she shows up and apologizes that she didn't know we were her table. After we ate we wanted coffee and dessert and she didn't even ask us if we wanted anything and just gave us our bill. We asked her of she wanted us to close out or had to go somewhere or were we able to get some coffee. Also, our table was near/behind their pastry bar and perhaps they shouldn't have a seat here because every time they took a drink cart by they asked me to move my chair. I couldn't just scoot in, I actually had to get up and move the chair completely for them to roll a cart by. This happened 2 times during our meal. Perhaps a better placement of the table would work as it is not really nice to make me get up while I am eating twice to move my chair. Very disappointed in the service!
(3)
Erin R.
I spent an enjoyable evening at this restaurant. The California-feel was delightful... I love how light, airy and laid back the space is! We were seated right away and the server was pretty good. I was very satisfied with the quality of the food. The only reason for the 4 over 5 stars is due to the price - the cost is expensive for the amount of food. However, everything was delightful, fun for a girl's night out. I would go back for a special occasion.
(4)
Shamoon K.
I generally feel bad about giving a restaurant a bad review, but not here. I'd give this a zero if I could. I came here with two friends today for brunch at around 11:30. The wait was an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half. Ok no problem. My friends have been here before and wanted to show me how much like Santa Monica this place felt and how good the food and service were. We sat down on a couch they had there and killed time going over the menu, checked in on yelp, and getting pumped. After about two hours my friend asks the hostess if our table is ready and she said that it would be another ten minutes or so. Since we were already there for so long, we asked if we could sit in the main dining room, and wouldn't mind waiting longer for that table. The hostess said no problem, so we waited a bit longer. Thirty minutes go by and our friend checks a second time, and was told that they're cleaning the table now and it should be ready soon. We wait another two minutes, go back to the host stand, and proceed to our table. Except the table is next to the bar, not in the dining room. At this point we've been there for a little over two and a half hours and were disappointed that we didn't get the table we wanted. The biggest pull to this restaurant is the dining room. Everyone wants to sit in the sun and have a nice brunch. So we talked to the manager, and voiced our concerns. He was very courteous and said "I'm very sorry about that. Let me fix the first problem. I see a table opening up, we'll sit you guys there shortly." Excellent. This is how it should be done. Shortly after another manger comes to our table and says that this bar table, is our table. We proceed to tell her our frustrations and before we could even finish our first sentence, she cuts us off and raises her voice saying, "This is the only table I have for you. You can take it, or you can get out." She then says that when our friend went up to ask if our table was ready, we were not told "they're cleaning the table right now", instead we were allegedly told "your table is ready, get your party". So what they did then (because obviously we didn't think the table was ready and would be called) is they waited literally 2 minutes, and then gave our table to someone else. So lets just say it was our fault right? It was very loud in the restaurant so its definitely possible. Lets say that we misheard them. The smallest courtesy would be to look for us in the waiting room, and say "hey, your tables ready" or text us like you were supposed to in first place. You would think that would be the protocol. Not just give the table away because you're flustered. Anyways, so we try to plead our case to her and she gets more and more agitated. Cutting us off again and again. Raising her voice more and more. I'm serious here, we couldn't get two sentences in before she started cutting us off. She kept saying "Take the table, or leave. I have a thousand people in the waiting room." Yes, we know how many people are in the waiting room. We were just there. For hours. We decided to leave. The amount of disrespect that was shown to us was unfathomable. Before we left we asked for her name and she wrote it down for us. Stephanie Cook, to which after she said "I need you to leave. I need you to get out right now." After that we tried to talk to the first manager because he was very kind, but Ms. Cook would not allow it. Essentially, she kicked us out at that point. So if you're reading this Ms. Cook, what happened? Why did you treat us so poorly? I've been in the industry for 4 years, and I've never even heard of such disrespect. I'm even giving you the benefit of the doubt here, by saying we misheard you. Not the other way around. What I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt on is the complete disregard for the customer. You really made us feel unwelcome, unimportant, and unequal to the rest of the patrons at your restaurant. Don't you think that if we heard that our table was ready, that we'd jump at the sound of the first word? We were there for two and a half hours! Is the customer not always right? But that's not the real problem. The real problem was the way you handled the situation. You do not yell at the guest. If anything you're supposed to understand the situation and then try your best to rectify it. Not kick the guest out and make them feel like garbage. Yelp is basically an open letter. So I would love to hear a response from you on here. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe because the restaurant was so busy you got backed up a bit. Maybe we didn't hear right. These things all happen. But not what occurred after. Any kind of explanation would show me, and everyone else reading this, that you do indeed care about the guest experience. And that this is in no way a reflection of Summer House. We all look forward to your reply.
(1)
Lucas W.
Summer House was really a mixed bag. My recommendation, check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream because it'll be the best part of the meal - the cookies are absolutely fantastic. The night got off to a weird start, we had a reservation for 4 people at 6. Unfortunately 2 had to cancel so we showed up a bit early and said we'd only be a party of 2. I understand that may be unexpected, but to then forget about the two of us for a half hour while plenty of other parties go ahead and end up seating us at a 4-person table anyway? Definitely the wrong way to start a meal. The menu has a bit of everything but it is pricey; that was definitely the first thing I noticed. We started with the brussel sprouts which while good just didn't quite go to that next level that a lot of nice brussel sprout dishes really can. Just too much vinegar. I had the Gemelli pasta with sausage. It was fine, not great. The fennel in the dish kinda subtracted from the dish in my opinion. And the sauce was fine but no complexity or interesting flavor. My girlfriend had the tuna tacos. For the price of the tuna tacos, I would've expected more tuna to be honest. I like that they gave you the ingredients and could build the taco yourself (allowing overloading of tasty chipotle mayo), but I've had better tuna. The highlight of the meal though is dessert, without a doubt. We checked in on Yelp so we got a free cookie and ice cream. Wow, absolutely delicious. May go back just for the cookies. Another waiter brought a second cookie by accident, but, in great service, just said "Hey, eat up, it's your lucky day, someone made a mistake. Enjoy." Reminds me, despite our issues with the host, our waitress was superb. Don't remember her name, started with an S.
(3)
Bill R.
Four of us had brunch at Summer House this past Sunday. We decided to order a number of 'starters' for all of us to sample. All of them were delicious. The service was quick, attentive, without being intrusive. Special thanks to Stephanie, service manager, for taking care of us (and a newborn baby that we had in tow). Summer House is highly recommended.
(5)
Sean K.
So pretty inside and great atmosphere but the food just isn't great. Had the lobster roll, was chewy. The drinks were decent and so was the dessert but wouldn't return for just that. They had the doors open and the air conditioning up so high that we were cold at the front patio...the vents were pointed right on us. The weather was so perfect that night, low 70s. Just can't understand what they were thinking to freeze the customers out on a summer night (definitely not concerned with the environment!)
(3)
Steve Z.
Lobster Roll is terrific. So was the Cobb salad. Split both with my wife for a late lunch. And the fries? Wasn't expecting above average but they were better than anywhere else, fresh cut and both crispy and soft at the same time. "Delicious" (only as Kramer would say).
(5)
Sharon G.
My friends and I walked in for lunch on a Monday and we were seated immediately. The ambiance was amazing(!!) - the glass ceiling gave the entire room great lighting and the string lights/hanging plants spiced up the interior decoration. Our waitress was extremely friendly and personable and our service was phenomenal throughout our entire meal. We ordered cocktails (very good and very strong!), shared an appetizer, and each got more substantial entrees (my friends got versions of the cobb salad and I got the chicken oven grilled tacos). The food had a lightness and freshness like many of the plates at other farm-to-table concept restaurants I've been to. We ended our meal with a free ice cream/cookie dessert (courtesy of Yelp!) that was actually incredible. I haven't had that good of a chocolate chip cookie in a while. And, of course, most importantly...this place was 10/10 Instagrammable. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Marjorie F.
While I have lamented the demise of Tilly's, I have rejoiced in emergence of Summer House. I've been here twice - first for dinner, another time for brunch. I had mixed feelings about dinner, but that was only because I was unsure of the company (it was a first date). The food and service were great. The ambience was lively with many look-gooders to look upon. I wouldn't say it's the perfect place for a first date because of all the distractions - noise level, high possibility of bumping into people you know, etc. However, it would be fun if you're getting together with a group of friends. Summer House is now one of my favorites for brunch. I ordered the salmon benedict - yummmmm... My friend and I had a couple of mimosas which had a generous amount of the bubbly (thanks a million!). We were sipping happily on these when the table next to us ordered the prettiest Bloody Marys I had seen in a long time. [CUE: Girls salivating.] Of course, we followed suit and were not disappointed. It was a perfect blend of spicy, salty, tomato-ey goodness - plus it had a fat strip of bacon to top it all off. Mmmmm... Bacon... Yep. We were happy. I am definitely planning on visiting Summer House more this Winter. Bring on the bloodys!
(4)
Jeff S.
Great service, great vibe, great sunny atmosphere, excellent staff. I hope they get a veggie burger soon.
(5)
Joanne M.
It was a friends birthday so we went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance is a lively beach feel. The service was great from the beginning. They were running late on our 7:30pm reservation but as soon as they got us seated they served all 10 of us with champagne. The server was very upbeat, positive, and apologized for the wait. Right off the bat I order the bonfire cocktail and it was delicious. Wasn't too sweet and the hint of grapefruit with the tequila was just right. For starters we shared a couple orders of the guacamole and house made chips, and spicy tuna nigiri. Both tasted very fresh, my favorite being the spicy tuna nigiri because of the crispy sushi rice giving a good contrast in texture to the tuna. I ordered the wild mushroom enchilada stack only because it was the server's favorite. It's a vegetarian dish but the flavor with the different textures was delicious! You could definitely tell the ingredients were fresh! For dessert we made our way to the dessert bar at the entrance and got an assortment of cookies, Rice Krispies, and brownies. My favorite by far being the s'mores cookies (I bought all of them). Will be back again especially since I heard their brunch is amazing!
(5)
Claudio V.
This place has been recommended to my wife and I by so many people. We always passed by but never ate here. For my birthday my wife took me to SummerHouse. The place looks really nice and the people were super friendly. Now as for the food, I am not much of a fish eater. So looking at the menu the fish was what caught my eye. I knew it would be risky for me since I do not like fish from most places but I ordered it anyways. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. I later found out that they never freeze their sea food. That must be what made the difference for me. Great place for a date-night!
(5)
Katie P.
I've been here 3 times now and the most recent experience has left a lot to be desired. First, the space is summer-y and light just like the inside of a really nice beach house cottage. During a Chicago winter, it's a nice escape. However, the food is just ok and the service is pretty weak. Last night I came here for dinner with some girlfriends. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated at 7:40pm. Not the best start. No apology from the hostess- she just kept saying that they were bussing our table. Finally a text alerted me that the table was ready. For a Sunday night with reservations, this was frustrating. The poor service continued. Our waiter brought out one of the two appetizers we ordered fairly quickly. After waiting a while for the second app to arrive I flagged down the waiter for an eta and he said he didn't remember me ordering it. No apology. So a few minutes before our entrees came to the table, it arrived. Annoying. Then, our meals came and he forgot the side we ordered to split! When I brought that to his attention, he didn't apologize, he just said if it didn't come out soon it wouldn't be on our bill. As we're all almost done with our entrees, the side arrives and we each eat one bite since we're stuffed at this point. The check comes and nothing was comped, no apologies. Our group of three girls had 2 apps, 3 entrees and 1 side and 1 glass of wine in total and the bill came out to $160. The food was just fine- nothing special, the prices are high and the service is lacking. Not worth it.
(2)
Katie P.
Beautiful space Friendly service Boring food. Boring boring boring Too expensive for boringness
(3)
Daniel C.
I love summer house. This has been on my book marks list since it opened but it has had a long wait each time I've considered it. I went for brunch this past weekend. 10:15am no wait. We sat in the big "Vitamin D" room and even thought it was single digit degrees outside it was beautiful in that room. It was bright and open. I want to be there right now. I had a half order of the french toast and the hash brown eggs benedict. It was very good. Eggs were poached perfectly. The hash brown acted as the english muffin. The french toast was great. The waitress let us know we could order 1, 2, or 3 pancakes if we wanted or half orders of the french toast (and waffles maybe ? if i remember correctly?). My girl got the sunrise breakfast burrito and they were happy to add jalepenos for her. I love the little bakery area at the front and I ordered a bacon, chocolate chip cookie that was as big as my head. It was the perfect dessert for me. There's a free yelp check in dessert. Overall, great brunch spot and i can't wait to go back. TONS of gluten free options in the bakery area!
(5)
Morgan S.
While I love the atmosphere and the ambience here, I can't get over my last two visits here. The food was great... Once it arrived. However the first time, my order was completely wrong and I had to wait and watch my friend eat her dish while I waited (I ordered chicken tacos and they brought out a half chicken or something)... After that, my friend and I went for an appetizer and cocktails and the appetizer took 45 minutes!!! Just for spinach artichoke dip! Pretty crazy. Staff is all friendly and food is great, so I don't want to totally bash this place, just could have been better.
(3)
Rae H.
Great service. Good ambience. Food not so much. I am gluten free and ordered the GF version of their turkey burger. It was pretty good except the GF bun was half burned on top. I didn't want to send it back, which I know was my choice, and ate half of it. As I was heating the second half of turkey burger the following day for lunch, I saw that the entire bottom of GF bun was burned black. It is hard to believe that the kitchen staff did not notice that they were sending out a bun that should have been placed in the trash. It's sad because this is such a nice restaurant.
(3)
Emily G.
Love the food and atmosphere here, but you definitely have to plan ahead to eat here. The wait is really long, but generally worth it! Great for brunch.
(4)
Courtney H.
Headed in for my 3rd visit. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated right away in a corner booth. First thing I noticed was that the wine glass at my place was dirty. No one was drinking wine so it was taken away but I would have said something otherwise. Started with the biscuits and I think they were the best they've been. So good. There were 3 flies that kept landing on our booth and flying around us and it was driving me nuts. The lobster orrichette was back on the menu which I was excited about but they changed it and I was disappointed. The portion was smaller, the sauce has changed and they added tomatoes and peas which were NOT on the menu description. Blah. $23 not spent well. We did use the free dessert I got from checking in on Yelp and the cookie was really good. I also used my LEYE scratch off card for Summer House but I was forced between using that or a gift card because again, for some dumb reason, LEYE does not let you gain points when you use a gift card. LAME. Service was good, our server was awesome.
(3)
Mona W.
Atmosphere is amazing- food is delicious. The beach theme is super cute- we had the avocado and poached egg sandwich and the tuna tacos- both exceeded our expectations. Bloody Mary made with tittos... Yum!
(4)
Kristen C.
I really love the atmosphere at Summer House and it's a great place to grab drinks, however the food is just so so. I've been here for both brunch and dinner and wasn't overly impressed. I would definitely come back for dinner over brunch.
(3)
Lauren F.
The atmosphere alone could earn Summer House 5 stars from me, but it doesn't hurt that their food is pretty darn good as well. The bright, airy space can completely transport you from a cold Chicago afternoon to a sunny day in Southern California - and that is no easy task! I've visited Summer House for brunch twice now and so far my favorite dish is the Roasted Vegetable Hash with a side of their homemade pork sausage. The root vegetables mixed with the poached egg and tarragon sauce was just perfection! Their pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Hot Mess of Fries, and thick, brown sugar coated bacon also deserve an honorable mention. Another HUGE plus is their mouth-watering bakery counter that greets you as soon as you walk through the doors. Their cookies are fab but my favorite is the simple yet delicious Brown Butter Rice Crispy treat - take one to-go and you'll be so happy when you're stuffing your face with it later, unless you're like me and you can't help but dig in on the walk home!
(5)
Annie B.
I recently came back again for brunch and felt compelled to update my review as my second experience was world's better than my first. A few of the other ladies I was with had similar sentiments - this time, the service was great, the food was delicious, and the mimosas were strong. My friend and I also split an appetizer and an entree which they served on separate plates for no charge without us asking - and also gave us each a full serving of fries. They also split the check between the eight of us with no problem which is always appreciated. Little things like that definitely go a long way. This time I also stopped at the bakery on my way out and picked up a few treats for a get together I went to later - the cookies were great but everyone loved the blondie bar. I will be back!
(4)
Isabel C.
Wonderful spot for breakfast or brunch! Stopped in here at 930am. They were not very busy as I arrived but as we left an hour later the place was packed! Service was good. They were not to overbearing which I like but our waiter did checked in once and a while. The food was amazing! I had the classic Eggs Benedict and it was the perfect portion and egg to ham to muffin to sauce ratio! Everything tasted so fresh but the coffee was a little to strong for my liking. So glad I found another great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in the city. I highly recommend Summer House! I l cannot wait to come back and try dinner, lunch, and the cookies!
(5)
Mad I.
Nice Lincoln Park spot for fruity drinks spiked with booze and cookies topped with Rice crisp treats (made with real vanilla!) which equals 4 stars. make a reservation so you don't have to wait, and no, you prb cannot request the room that has the "vitamin d". Calamari was awesome, I was there after 12 so I got to choose from either menu. Very spicy mayo-ish, which is fine with me, but other people may find it overwhelming. Pretty pricey though, most things are $15-$25, so stuff your wallet!
(4)
VJ K.
Amazing place and super friendly staff! Be sure to make a reservation on the weekends otherwise you'll definitely be waiting for an hour. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Shan D.
Why do I have to choose between atmosphere and food? Both are amazing here; I couldn't have asked for a better experience for brunch. I don't get all the hate from all the reviews. The entire staff is super friendly. A nice touch: they have a coat/bag check! I came straight from the gym so it was nice that I didn't have to deal with my bag being in the way. We initially got seated outside of the Vitamin D room, and asked to be moved inside. I'm glad we did because the Vitamin D room takes everything up a level. And yes, shades are a must. I was definitely feeling the sun, which was a relief after the worst Chicago winter ever. Our server never rushed us, and allowed us to enjoy our experience. The coffee is great. It's from Dark Matter, a local roasting company. It has a bold flavor. Way better than Intelligentsia. I had the breakfast tostadas which were as delicious as everyone on yelp made it out to be. The oatmeal smoothie is very straightforward. It's good only if you like eating plain oatmeal, and thankfully I do. It is not sweet at all so just be prepared for that. However, I still think it could use some more of a natural sweetener or even some fruit blended with it. Tried my friends' egg omelette and cocktails. Everything was delicious, and my friends all seemed to enjoy their meals. Thanks to the yelp check-in, I got the Rice Krispie chocolate chip cookie. It was a great way to satisfy my cravings for a Rice Krispie and a cookie. My friends also got the peanut butter cookie and the sea salt choco chip cookie. Both were solid as well! Couldn't have asked for a better experience with great company. Looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)
Luis N.
All the food was tasty. Service was great. The spicy calamari is awesome. Drinks are fairly priced and they have a huge selection of wine and beer. Great brunch. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Megan H.
I've been here twice and really enjoyed it. The first time I came with two of my girl friends about a year ago, and we had their brunch. I ordered two eggs and bacon and a side of toast. Everything was delicious, and service was very attentive. I love how open and light it is inside. Even in the winter it seems like it's summer here! The second time I came here I sat at the bar with another friend of mine. I think I ordered two eggs and an English muffin this time (really living life on the edge, I know). Everything tasted great but I did notice towards the end of my meal there was a hair in the muffin... I thought it was possibly my own hair, because it was blonde, but then when I went to pull it out I noticed it was actually baked into the muffin. Kinda gross, but I was pretty much done with my meal at that point so I guess it could've been worse. I wasn't even that grossed out, because I realize stuff like that can happen, regardless of where you're at. And hey, at least the hair was baked - which means it was sanitized in the oven heat! Anyway, that's the reason for my 4 stars and not 5. On the way out we grabbed a cookie with rice crispy treats and a flourless chocolate cookie. They were both so good! The rice crispy cookie was one of the best treats I've ever tasted. I want one right now!
(4)
Tiffany W.
BAD SERVICE, decent food Attitude of manager ruined the entire experience. It's pretentious and if you don't have a reservation, don't waste your time. Food was fine --French toast was decent and tostadas were tasty but small. I took a sip of my strawberry drink but had to send it back bc we decided to leave after the nasty manager wouldn't accommodate additional guests who joined our party. I certainly won't be back.
Great atmosphere and the food seemed very fresh and healthy. We got the mushroom enchiladas and the green curry dish, both seemed very fresh and tasted okay. They were unique flavors and depending on your taste you may like them. Not our thing, but worth trying once to atleast see the nice venue.
(3)
G H.
Family of four adults for Sunday Brunch. The food was on the order of three plus stars. Good stuff; everything was tasty, portions reasonable, kind of interesting. But only kind of. Nothing exceptional. The service was...awkward is the word we agreed on. Three or four servers there at the start...no one home towards the end. I mentioned going in (when responding to one of the hosts) something about the birthday girl. No recognition or response. What was good: The crab cake. Tasty, good corn salad side. Breakfast tostada. Poached egg over crispy hash browns. The hash browns were very good. Workmanlike French Dip. This place is worthy if you are in the neighborhood; if not, I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Rachel L.
Meh. The food was fine. It wasn't great, wasn't bad either. There are much better places in Chicago. I might be willing to try it for dinner instead of brunch. Though the menu was pretty limited and they don't have gluten free options for anything. The service was bad, though. Which, if you're going to pay for that sort of ambiance and food, you want decent service. Reservations are a waste of time. We had one for 11:30. Half of our party got there a couple of minutes early, so we checked in. The hostess asked that we check in again when everyone was there. Ok, that's fine/standard practice. When our group was all present, we checked in again exactly at the reservation time. The hostess confirmed the my friend's cell number and informed her rather bluntly that she could expect a text when the table was ready. Wait. What? If it had been just a minute or two to get the table ready, that would have been fine, but instead we waited for 20 minutes past the reservation time. Our waiter was either drunk, overwhelmed, or really tired. Two of us ordered coffee and he brought the large carafe of it, only to stare blankly at our table for a minute before realizing that we didn't have mugs. Then he brought mugs and poured the coffee. No less than 5 minutes later, he brought two mugs of coffee to the table, paused, stared at our mugs of coffee on the table, and then left. He also barely checked in with us while we were there. Overall, pretty place with nice ambiance. The crowd does make it the most Lincoln Park thing I've ever seen (I think they're going to start forcing all women into Uggs and leggings when you enter). But the food and the service are just mediocre.
(2)
QB Chicago B.
Super cute place! I really felt like I'd been transported to a gorgeous beach town! Love the open & airy feel, the beautiful amount of light coming in through the glass ceiling...just well designed. The drinks delicious but a bit overpriced for the glass size. The food was what you'd expect on a beach...just ok! My girlfriend & I split the guacamole (small scoop with tons of chips)....nothing special. The avocado toast with poached egg...although the waitress said it was the most popular, I'd pass on that. The stand out was the cobb salad! It was fresh & delicious! I will return to enjoy this pretty place but just for a salad and a cocktail!
(3)
Lauren S.
Although I've never been to LA, I imagine Summer House Santa Monica is pretty damn near close to southern California. I have mixed feelings on it all, so here are the high's and low's: PROS: 1. I called to get a reservation for Saturday night on a Thursday--only 4:30 and 9:30 were available. We went around 7 anyways and were told we'd wait about an hour and a half, so we waited in the lobby and ordered drinks--only to be seated about 20 minutes later! Not sure if we got lucky or if this is rather typical, but we were very satisfied with our wait. 2. The food is very tasteful! Each item was a perfect mix of flavor and lightness. 3. After your first check-in you get a free cookie and ice cream and it's absolutely delicious 4. Drinks are all-star! CONS: 1. The portion sizes are ridiculous--must be an LA thing, but I prefer my Chicago-style portions. I ordered the ahi tostadas--well prepared for it to be a small order--but was stunned when the plate arrived. The plate was dotted with 4 Ritz cracker sized "tostadas"; granted, it was delicious, but I couldn't believe I paid ~$14 for it. Additionally, we ordered burrata as an appetizer because the waitress warned us of the small portion sizing, and while it was delicious, it was also rather small. Granted it was average size for 2 people, but if I were to order that plate with a group of 4 I would have been sorely disappointed. All in all, Summer House was a really nice experience. I would maybe take my parents because of the price point and food quality, however, I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't be happy about the portion sizing. If you're looking for a nice, lighter dinner, I highly recommend, but if you'd rather spend $$ on sizeable, high quality portions of food I'd consider venturing elsewhere.
(4)
Christopher M.
Very cool space - it will always be bright and make you think of summer. The drinks were very good - loved the cocktails. The food varied from light, healthy fare to over-the-top fare, like the hot mess of fries featuring fries, pork, egg, blue cheese, and truffle. Unreal. The biggest knock on the place is it's perpetually crowded, which is true. Your best bet is to try and come at an off time. 315/365
(5)
Paul M.
I only give it two stars because the atmosphere was charming. Had it not been for that, I would give it one star for the food quality. It was just horrible!!! I had the ink squid angel hair pasta. I've had better quality frozen food. It was mush with garlic. The appetizer we had was decent being calamari. This was a quite pricy restaurant. I tasted the chicken and trout which at best were OK. I won't be going back!!!
I love this place. Friends and I made a reservation for 11:45am on a Friday. We were a little late but got seated right away. We ordered mimosas and breakfast sandwiches. Mimosas were great and they even brought us the fresh berries we requested to put in our drinks. Coffee was excellent and flavorful. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and a great size. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. My coffee cup was never empty. Great service and food.
(5)
Jeffrey Z.
I've been here a few times, and until the most recent time, I probably would have gone with 4 stars. This time, everything was amazing. The Burrata was incredible and perfectly creamy, as always. We tried the made-to-order biscuits, and they were to die for. The poblano butter and honey combined with the perfect, fresh biscuits are perfect sweet, salty, spicy bite. For my entree, I had the French dip sandwich and have had it another time since. The bread was garlicky and delicious, the meat was juicy, and the horseradish sauce gives it a nice kick. Probably the best French dip I've ever had. The atmosphere is fun and laid back, and the service is spot on. As usual, Lettuce Entertain You doesn't disappoint.
Gorgeous interior...feels like sunny SoCal! Scrumptious brunch. The lemon ricotta pancake...delectable! Service & food were great.
(5)
Harini P.
I have to say that this place has a very Santa Monica beach house inspired feel. Could this be because that is where they originated? I am brilliant!! I really expected the food to be better but it is ok. The steaks are a bit bland, which I really don't understand because they boast amazing steaks that are all-natural (what does all natural mean- aren't all steaks all-natural or did I miss something in biology class?) A bit overpriced but fits in perfectly with the Lincoln Park crowd. Every time I walk in here, I feel like I have walked into a Banana Republic commercial. The service is phenomenal here, I have to admit that! They treat you very well but their menu is a bit limited. OH, DEAR GOD- Did I forget to mention their cookies? Yeah, that is the main reason you would go here, for the cookies!!!
(2)
Katie B.
Omg the food was so great. We just left there , and I had to review. My sister works at Mona mi gabi in oakbrook. She gave us gift cards to try this place. The host was kinda rude, and there was quite a bit of fruit flies at the bar, but the bar staff was amazing. They gave us good recommendations and their choices were amazing. The tuna sushi was amazing, as well as the beats, and ahi tuna tostadas. The staff made it so delightful to is Well at least the bar. The host had a bad attitude though. Would defiantly go back. Thanks.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I had wanted to check this place out as LEYE never disappoints! Since I have a kid now and can't just go to dinner on a whim, I have my reservation for like a month, lol. So needless to say, I was very excited to check it out! I am so glad something is finally in the old Tilly's space. I can't believe it took so long. They did an amazing job transforming the space and the decor is great! I also have to say the tall beach looking chairs in the bar area were the most comfortable tall stools I have ever sat on. That sounds silly, but I have been to so many places with horrible chairs, so bravo! The atmosphere is great and I spotted lots of kids which is nice to know they are welcome since I am part of that crowd now:) We were sans babe for the night. We got a bottle of wine and started with the buratta, sooo good, you can't go wrong with buratta. I ordered the lobster tagliatelle and my husband got the pork shank, both were really great! The most amazing part was the biscuits though! I need to come to brunch here! I literally ate too much of them to eat a lot of my food. They must have had like 4 sticks of butter in them, nom nom nom. For dessert, we got the panna cotta, which I am usually not a fan, but this was super good and nice and light (after those biscuits). Delish! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Tracy H.
This review is for their baked goods only: Amazing! My friends and I tried their rice krispy cookie (good, but too crispy imo), their salted chocolate chip (great! Very large and soft, almost doughy) and their s'mores bar cookie thing (the best by far!) Prices were reasonable, I thought, because their desserts are huge. I now am on a mission to make those s'mores bars at home!
(4)
Katie W.
I have been trying to get a reservation here for forever and finally managed to swing one for me and three friends. We started off with cocktails and guacamole. The guac was good, had a weird amount of lettuce, but overall no real complaints. My cocktail was one of my favorite things I ordered all night- The Bonfire. Tequila & grapefruit cocktail with just a hint of spice. I took my server's recommendation and ordered the Tuna Tacos. They're build your own and super delish. Again, nothing really unique or special about them but I left satisfied. Did the checkin for the free cookie and ice tea and they were happy to give us the gluten free chocolate chip so my friend could partake :) Another round cocktails and we finished the night. My rating is as follows: Atmosphere: 5 Service: 4 Food: 3
(4)
Emma C.
Food here is good but not great and kinda over priced. I've gone for brunch (total mess due to some waitstaff problem), dinner twice and drinks in the bar. It is bright and inviting , kinda reminds me of something you would find in Cali. in the Newport area. Women love it, lots of groups of gals flocking in from the burbs. Best part are the cookies.... but you can get those from Stella Barra which is way yummier.
(3)
Sallie S.
Went here for brunch on New Year's Day and was promptly seated. I was very crowded but our server was more than nice and even convinced the kitchen to let us brunch menu though we were a tad late. The food was delicious! Some of the best pancake stacks I've ever had. And the peach bellinis were divine.
(4)
Happiness L.
I really love Summer House. Pretty with excellent food. Please please please bring back the latte with maple syrup as it was awesome. We were told it is no longer made there. Having it back will bring lots of smiles to lots of people. And...if you are going here ask for Danielle's table. Very awesome server who really cares about providing a spectacular guest experience with a positive attitude.
(4)
Jason H.
We hit this place for brunch on a Sunday and ended up waiting a long time to be sat down due to its popularity. My wife had the beat salad and a noodle dish that she enjoyed. She was not a fan of how spicy the noodles were. I had the prime rib sandwich and loved it. The cocktails were top notch too. If you have a long wait, that is ok because it is located in a great area to explore while you wait for a table to open up.
(4)
Niti B.
As you walk into this little piece of sunshine you immediately feel the warmth and welcome. The enviornment is set to feel as though you are on the west coast in literally a summer house. With wicker seating and white walls. Lanterns and delicate lighting brighten the already well lite space. The retractable roof brings in the warmth and sunshine even on a slightly chilly day like the one I was there for. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching in lincoln park. I fell in love with the place before I even had looked at the menu! To start I refreshed my pallet with a cucumber cooler. With soda water, lemonade, mint and cucumber this drink was a breath of fresh air. There was way too many entrees to pick from and even though I didn't regret my decision I would love to have had a slightly smaller portion to try more things! :) I had the mission street burrito wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla was chorizo style tofu, corn, spinach and egg with a side of chipotle salsa. This was so delicious I would have a difficult time coming back and trying something new when this keeps stearing me back for more!! For sides we had an order of mexican hashbrowns and they went perfectly with my southwest style burrito! My sister had the very nice carmalized french toast. Topped with fresh whip cream these were a feast for a king!! I had a piece of her 4 huge pieces and it was super fluffy and cooked to perfection!! I didn't even need a drop of syrup to wash them down! Overall, I can NOT wait to come back to this wonderful place! I have already told all my coworkers that this is the best sunday brunch spot I've been to in a long time. I want to try their dinner and lunch menu as soon as possible! And to note the restaurant next door seems to be part of Summer House and looked just as inviting...Stella Barra Pizzeria doors were open in between the two spots. Oh and how can I forget?! I didn't have the room to partake in the deal but if you check in on yelp a free warm cookie and ice cream on the house!!
(5)
Louise G.
We have only been here once but I am in love-this is the perfect place to brunch on a beautiful day, I love that you can sit inside the air conditioned main room but feel like you are outside. The staff are incredible and the yelp deal meant we got a free cookie with ice cream which I highly recommend. I ate the French dip and it was heavenly!! We will definitely be going back
(5)
Amy f.
Update: I decided to give Summer House another try and this time I went for dinner. My experience this time was light years better than my last one. Our server, Lindsey, was great. She was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was flavorful, fresh, and creative. While each dish we had was good, there were definitely some dishes that stood out. We ordered the burrata and it was served on what seem to be an oven roasted tomato coulis. The tomatoes were so wonderfully intense that it complimented the creamy burrata nicely. The pan seared rainbow trout was absolutely fantastic! Freshwater fish can be hit or miss because it can taste incredibly fishy. However, this was absolutely fantastic! The fish had a brown butter and lemon sauce and walnut pieces over it. It was served over mashed potatoes. This truly was a memorable dish. For dessert we ordered a chocolate cake of sorts with chunks of peanut butter fudge to accent it. The flavors were spot on and it definitely tasted freshly made. The ganache on top of the cake was creamy and the cake was sturdy enough to be cake but light enough for summer dessert. Summer house really brought their "A game" last night for dinner. The service was attentive, the food was delicious and well balanced with flavors, and the ambience was very pretty. Nice job Summer House. I will be back again.
I'm mostly at a loss when it comes to brunch. A few weeks ago I met up with an old friend only to discover that she, like me, was of the ilk that has to be fed promptly upon waking, and therefore, feeds early to avoid committing such faux pas as shoveling cookies down one's piehole while intermittently cursing. As of a couple eggs, rashers, bread and coffee, I'm not in much of a mood to get dressed and haul out on an otherwise perfectly good weekend morning only to wait in line for a meal I'm not actually hungry for. Unfortunately, my better half disagrees and so we compromise to such things as brunch on Sunday afternoon. We had tried to come Summer House some months ago in the morning,but met with the prospect for an hour long wait and my now public brunch-curmudgeon persona, we had felt it wise to go elsewhere. We returned a few weeks ago in the afternoon and were seated immediately. Under the skylight. Even in Chicago, especially in the winter, I am all about the skylight. Like a few other Lettuce Entertain You properties, the proximity to the other tables was a bit tight, though understandable, given the popularity. This works a little bit at odds with the high ceiling - suddenly, now instead of lazily sitting on a veranda in the summertime, I feel like I am illicitly camping out on someone else's porch while they're out at the store, hoping to finish my meal before they come back, see me, and call the cops. We ordered the roasted cauliflower, pasta of the day and the prime rib french dip sandwich. Surprisingly, the cauliflower was the outright winner. Creamy interior, crunchy exterior. We promised to coat everything in breadcrumbs before roasting from now on. (This did not actually happen.) The sandwich, likewise, was a nice contrast of textures: crispy baguette, meat and jus, although a little salty. In retrospect, the salad was a good decision, although the latter could have benefited from some additional acidity given the richness of the sandwich. The pasta was the outright loser. The flavor profile was as follows: fennel seed + breakfast sausage + an almost uneatable amount of salt. TLDR: Sunlight makes me feel rushed. Maybe this means I should move my cat tree out of the basement.
(3)
Kim M.
A friend recommended this place. At first I was skeptical because we were at the bar/restaurant waiting for our seat. Waited for a good 30 minutes then We were accompanied inside by our host which was awesome, I love the lighting of the place. Absolutely love our waiter "Kyle" he was so nice and accommodating to our needs. He even poured us water whenever he would see our glasses empty. We ordered the calamari which was delicious and I ordered the squid ink pasta which was okay. It tasted really fishy. And it was mostly pasta with a few pieces of seafood. The squid ink pasta was new to my taste, but I would definitely visit again. I love the vibe of this place.
(4)
Oscar S.
I was there with a friend. Drinks were good. The Calamari and Ceviche were great! Great Lakes Whitefish was perfect. Staff did not miss a beat. Overall great experience!!
(4)
Kate M.
I don't normally write negative reviews of places without actually eating there, but our experience (or lack thereof) the other night compelled me to. We waited over 2 hours for a table before we gave up and went elsewhere. We got there around 7:30 and asked about the wait, and the hostess said it would be and hour and 15 minutes or so. No problem, we weren't starving yet, so we put our name in and went up the street for a drink before dinner. We came back at 8:45 and continued waiting, periodically asking the hostess whether we should continue to wait or just give up. By 9:40, we went up one last time, and she said, "you know what, we really won't be able to fit you guys in. There are too many people with reservations we are behind on. I should text everyone on the wait list to let them know, huh?" And chuckled. Why not tell us this sooner? Super unprofessional and unapologetic. We got out of there and went someplace else for dinner. Comically, we got a text at 10:30 telling us our table was ready. THREE HOURS later. They need to either stop overbooking reservations or find a way to stop people from camping out at their table for hours on end. I'd either avoid this place entirely or make sure you get a reservation about 30 mins before you actually want to eat since they also make people wait for an excessive amount of time even with a reservation.
(1)
Andrea H.
I visited over Labor Day weekend on a Sunday evening. A 7:30 reservation time was 3 weeks wait, but we waited! I got the kale salad and we split an order of home-made biscuits. Get the biscuits!!! They are amaze! The kale salad was solid as well. My friend got the fish tacos and loved them. If we can we wiil be back but I won't wait for a reservation it's not worth that in my opinion w/ so many awesome restaurants in the city. Our server, while proficient, never made eye contact with either of us or smiled. He was literally a robot it was somewhat unsettling! On a side note I hate how this restaurant is so brightly lit. It makes me feel like I am in an elementary school cafeteria. Shell out f/ some good lighting please. At those prices I know they can afford it. This place is not cheap and is ALWAYS packed. Next time I would eat outside to avoid the glare.
(3)
MzPrizzy S.
Great Ambience! Food was delicious! Staff was simply wonderful!. I tried the Smoked Salmon Hashbrown Benedict! I wasn't fond of it, although my dining companion thought it was great. I was able to change my dish and was pleased. The carmalized bacon is wonderful.
(5)
Brian R.
It was like sitting on the beach at Shutters in Santa Monica. The decor and ambiance was spot on and the food was very tasty! This is a spot that will have me going back for a taste of "home!"
(5)
Rebecca W.
Can I say anything bad about Summerhouse? I think not. Excellent service, phenomenal food, and a really great restaurant atmosphere! The eggs Benedict was amazing along with the side of hash browns! Also tried the thick cut French toast with the side is sausage. Fantastic! Ended the meal with a ginormous chocolate chip cookie! So worth it!
(5)
Triphena W.
The 5 stars is for their bakery counter's S'MORES COOKIE and banana muffin. The s'mores cookie is crazy good and is my current favorite cookie in Chicago. You must try this! It's big, soft, chewy, and the taste really emulates a s'more. And the banana muffin is one of the best muffins I've ever tasted. Dense, tender insides with a slight crisp exterior with great banana flavor. I went around 11am on a Saturday so the bakery counter had a nice selection of about 3 muffins, 6 cookies, and a few other items like a brownie, blondie, rice crispie, etc. Everything appeared very fresh. I've also had the chocolate chip cookie with rice krispies which I liked a lot. Next time I might try the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt and the carrot muffin :D Highly recommend!
(5)
Saba A.
3 1/2 stars for the food, 4 for the wine list, and 5 for the ambiance! When you enter, like we did on a wintery cold Monday night in Chicago, you feel like you entered California paradise. Romantic with a trend of casual, an airy and open ambiance, with a sunny feel. There are delicious baked good in front of you ( I went home with a rice crispy chocolate chip cookie and blondie- and my husband and I scarfed them down-don't leave without stopping there). My girls and I got a high table seat for 4 and started off with a bottle of Pinot Gris, perfectly sweet and went great with my pasta dish! We began with guacamole and chips that were perfectly salty- it was a great price. The fresh burrata, an Italian classic, came out fresh and delicious, I also recommend that for a starter. Two of my girl friends ordered a buccatini with forest mushrooms. The dish came looking shy of the mushrooms and looked like it could have used more seasoning such as butter. All though I do appreciate that they prepare the pastas from scratch in the kitchen. I ordered a ricotta and picorino ravioli. Plenty of raviolis so it was a perfect size dish, and the ricotta was nice and smooth, fresh tasting, but the pesto was too salty and there was a large abundance of it. It was overpowering the taste of the ravioli and all the other flavors. Considering the restaurant has been open for a few short months, I feel that they can take feedback and improve tastes of the menu items a little bit more. I do like the menu- has lots of variety and you can take a look at the dinner one here: summerhousesm.com/wp-con… . So whether you are coming in for a salad, which my girl friend enjoyed her shaved vegetable salad, I feel like you can also come in for a good dinner or share a wine bottle. Reservations are a must. This would be a great place to start off the night, make a dinner date, or come with a group of people. Service is excellent, and our waitress perfectly answered all our questions and was very attentive. Our waters were always filled, and she was patient with us as we took times making our decisions. I definately will come back, for sure in the summer when there retractable roof opens up! Great time at Summer House!
(4)
Caitlin P.
We went back to Summer House for brunch after talking with management who reached out to me after my first yelp review. Clayton was our server and was very attentive and sweet. He didn't charge us for our drinks after we waited some time for him to come take our order in the beginning. Another disappointment we had was our dishes were lukewarm at best when they arrived. We ordered pancakes and salmon Benedict which was lukewarm, but the pancakes were completely cold. It was busy so it was difficult to grab someone's attention, so we ended up just eating them. We do plan to give brunch another chance, hopefully third time is the charm!
(4)
Mark O.
Came in for brunch a few weeks ago with a reservation, and were seated promptly during the busy rush. The atmosphere of this place has a unique cabana vibe especially inside their sun room, which I believe has a retractable roof. I can imagine this restaurant getting really busy during the summer hours. Off to the side there is also a bar section with additional seating. We started with mimosas/brunch cocktails and both were very tasty. My brunch companions got salads and the skillets, while I went with the server's recommendation for a dish with protein, the short-rib hash. The sunny side up eggs came out perfectly cooked atop an amazingly delectable short-rib, which were also perfectly cooked. Service was prompt and attentive, and after the meal I was happy to be able to grab a coffee on the way out from the barista in front. Overall I really enjoyed dining here and will probably be back for drinks and the colorful/relaxed atmosphere. MInus 1 star only for the smallish portions, and moderately expensive drinks.
I'm sad to say I was pretty upset with this place. I've been looking forward to eating here for awhile and was excited to finally make a visit. The atmosphere was great and probably the only thing I really enjoyed about the place. First off, our server, John, was pretty bad. He hardly stopped by our table and was just overall slow. The one time he did decide to come by was to tell us our order got lost and that it'll be a bit longer for our food to come out. It took forever for our drinks to come out and when our food came out it was hardly warm. It had obviously been sitting under the heat lamp for awhile. Since this was my first visit I am willing to give it another try. I really want to like this place. The real disappointment was the service so hopefully the next visit will be better.
Summer house is a great go-to spot. Their drinks are great -- I know they have a list of non alcoholic drinks, I usually get one of those but add alcohol. The girls at my table didn't know you could do that so they ended up doing what I did -- just a tip! Their steak tacos, guac, artichoke dip and swordfish are great. As far a brunch goes, the fried chicken is great!
(4)
Bebaxa T.
Beautiful space, but the menu leaves something to be desired. Mexican/ ceviche/ with some Italian sprinkled in... It just doesn't flow... Doesn't go well together. Three stars for the space. It is beautiful at Summer House. But just like LA, it's all fluff and image... No substance.
(3)
Steph W.
Talk about getting a great taste of summer in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. Had a lovely ladies night with delicious wine, great apps (Fresh Burrata and the Ahi Tuna Tostadas) and a solid pasta dish. I have a gluten allergy and they were so accommodating with everything from a special gluten free menu and thinking of me when serving bread with the burrata. Will definitely be going back. This time, I'll be sure to get something from the cookie bar.
Of corse this place is amazing!! The short ribs were juicy and tender and was melt in the mouth good, I just wished they had it year round. The steak is also amazing with good flavor. Drinks are great and a wide variety of apps and dinner choices. Love the bright Santa Monica feel
(4)
Ashley I.
I loved Summer House so much I went three times the first weekend I went. I recommend the buratta as an appetizer. There are so many great options that are gluten free friendly. The cocktails are fun and tasty. There is also a bakery at the front of the restaurant that has gluten free cookies. Yum! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kim G.
Steak was overdone, server was not attentive - appeared bored. However, this is a place to see and be seen. There is at least one hipster who looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite brought in to make this place seem hip. The biscuits and salads were wonderful! The bright sunlit atmosphere puts everyone in a good mood. The bloody mary was above average and they also offered some nice non alcoholic cocktails. Don't forget to save room for a cookie!
(4)
Sherman Y.
Visited on a whim because the wait cafe baba reeba was too long. Ordered the squid ink pasta with king crab. The pasta was under seasoned and a bit over priced at $23 for a decent portion. My friend ordered the rainbow trout and thought that the flavor of the fish was masked by their wood grill to the point where it could have been any fish really. My girlfriend ordered asparagus mushroom orcchiette which was good but still under seasoned. The Decor was absolutely beautiful very old and bright and the service was great TLDR: Service was good but food was under seasoned and over priced
(3)
Meredith K.
Recommendation: Make reservations on Open Table for a Saturday night. My boyfriend and I finally got around to trying Summer House after hearing the positive reviews from friends. I was a little disappointed when they sat us at a high top table in the bar instead of the main dining area when I made reservations several weeks back. I tried the Santa Monica Cobb and added chicken for my entree which was filling even though the portion size was a bit small. My boyfriend had the ceviche and the tuna tacos. Both had great flavor but the ceviche was once again on the smaller side. Atmosphere: Definitely reminds me of Santa Monica, CA...light and airy with a lot of white decor. Two thumbs up Helpful hint: Check in on Yelp to receive a free cookie with a scoop of icecream!
(4)
Antaash U.
This is probably the worst winter Chicago has seen in a while. So, what better place to ease those winter blues than a place with Summer in its name? I had the good fortune of dining at Summer House Santa Monica last night with a friend of mine. We were running a little late and called to delay our reservations, which the restaurant was more than happy to do for us. When we walked in, we were immediately accosted by one if the best reception sites ever! A fabulous dessert bar! I was so busy looking at all the homemade cookies and pastries that I forgot I should be checking in for my reservation. Anyway, the rest of the restaurant didn't disappointed either. The vibe was definitely California. Beachy. Trendy. The place was full of electricity and beautiful people. I don't know if it was pure coincidence, but there were quite a few tables with large parties of young women. Not a bad thing if you're a good looking single guy ;). The name, the white washed walls, the patio themed furniture, hanging plants and huge wood fire grill screamed California (in a non-overbearing way). The ceiling is also completely retractable, which unfortunately can only be enjoyed in Chicago 4 months out of the year but something to look forward to in the upcoming months. When we sat down, our server was happy to explain the concept for the restaurant to us since it was our first visit. She explained that the menu constantly changes, that a lot of products are locally sourced and that there is a lot of Asian influence in the menu. She also happily answered any questions we had. We started with the spicy calamari and the potato polenta mash. For my entree, I opted for the special, which was a 1,5lb grilled lobster on a bed of hand cut fries. My friend opted for the Dungeness crab pasta in a lobster butter. I thought the calamari was good but not great. I wish it had a little more kick to it and though the tempura was crispy, there was just too much of it, making the dish quite heavy. The potato polenta mash tasted like grits and was too salty for my taste. We only had a few bites of it each because it was not what we expected. Our entrees however fared much better. My lobster was amazing. I probably could have eaten another serving. The lobster was tender and the wood grill added a lovely flavor without compromising the sweetness or tenderness of the lobster. The handout fries were good but a little cold when I got my entree. To be honest, I didn't care since it was the lobster who was the real star of the show. I had a bite of the Dungeness crab pasta and it was really good too. I could see myself ordering that on my own. Finally, the dessert. This was one time, I was not leaving without dessert. We ordered the 7 layer fudge, peanut butter cake w/fresh whipped cream. It did not disappoint. The cake was moist and decadent. I'm glad we chose to split it because it was very rich. It was the perfect end to the meal. So, I definitely will go back to Summer House. There were quite a few things on the menu that caught my eye and it's a place my significant other would also really enjoy even with his picky eating habits. SH is definitely a crowd pleaser and a nice addition to the Chicago dining scene.
(4)
Jill L.
Ambience: lively and trendy Food: If you're used to hearty Chicago style brunch food, you might be disappointed. Remember that the restaurant is California inspired so it tries to be healthy. I was not impressed with the hollandaise on the Benedict. The waffle was flabby. The portions were a tad small for the prices! Overall, the food was disappointing considering Yelpers love this place so much. Service: Table service was okay but be prepared to wait at the pastry counter if you're Asian. Terrible! *Edited: Wish I didn't have to endure the bad service at the goodie counter. The brownies I bought to savor at home are too sweet. All the calories you saved during brunch you will get back in one bite of their brownie. I love pastries but theirs are cloyingly sweet. All in all: if you want great ambience with good enough food, Summer House is the place to be.
(2)
N S.
Food was ok just average ,in terms of my Cali role ! .The one in Cali is better. Problem with waitress !!! She was off. The bill was strange. Also we went late so there was no excuse for poor Svc. Lettuce is known for better Svc. Trying to make reservation was also a problem. Very young staff !! Per my partner he had the trout "extremely fresh & tasty". So my rating is based on start to finish
(3)
Raul B.
Perfect location, perfect atmosphere and perfect food to satisfy your Santa Monica, CA experience. The outdoor (which is really indoor) room is awesome. It allows the patrons to believe that they are eating outdoors but in reality it is indoor. The actual outdoor patio is also a gem. The food and the bar has plenty of selections and it's priced right. Love having a quick meal at summer house whenever I'm in the area. Another tip: save room for dessert. The cookies and brownies are to die for:-)
(5)
Susie C.
My friends and I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. We were there at 5:30pm..lots of tables were available but it seems to get busy around 6:30pm. The decor of the restaurant is so pretty! My friends and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setup of the restaurant.It definitely looks like having dinner at a lake house by the beach in sunny California. Our waiter was very nice. When we checked into Yelp, he knew we had a free cookie and ice cream from overlooking my phone, so dont forget to check in to get a free cookie with ice cream on top. For appetizers my friends and I started with the ahi tuna nacho...it was in the chilled section. This dish was VERY good! We ate it slowly so we can enjoy the flavors. We also had the guacamole and chips which was okay. My husband said the guacamole was lacking flavors..he felt the guacamole was a bit too bland. For entree I ordered the tuna tacos - so goood! 8 oz of tuna - outside cooked, inside rare..I love it! My husband ordered their roasted chicken which he enjoyed. Another friend ordered the surfer fish taco which he really like. What was cool about his dish was that his fish was a whole so he can slice up his fish to pieces. My other friend had the pork shank. Hers look unbelievable! She recommended us to order that the next thing we come. As sides, we ordered roasted brocoli and brussel sprouts. They were okay..we felt the brussel sprouts were overcooked so we couldn't taste the flavors. At the end we had our yummy fresh cookie and ice cream. It took awhile for it to come out but it was very good! I love this place - good food and the decor is amazing!
(5)
Meng C.
Unfortunately, the food totally didn't impress. The environment was okay. Lots of good looking people and well dressed people among the customers tho. We were sat 20 minutes pass our reservation, we did get a complimentary starter dish from the manager, which was nice. During our 2.5 hr dining, we heard piles of plates or glasses dropped and shattered on the floor probably 2 maybe 3 times. The whole restaurant was really loud, we met an out of town friend there, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I felt we were yelling at each other the entire time across a small 4 seater table. The bakery items seem to be the highlight of the restaurant but they were out of the famous rice crispy cookie by the time we were ready for it....
(2)
Tracy F.
Been here two times, back in December on a Tuesday and had a not so great experience. People who work there are nice but service is too slow for lunch. I made a reservation in December for a lunch team meeting. Took the waitress 20mins to come take our orders and another 45mins for the food to arrive on a not so busy Tuesday. We were done discussing business long before our food arrive. The food were alright, portions were big but we were not hungry anymore when they arrived. But I decided to give it another try recently for brunch Saturday in March with a friend. We were seated at a table by the bar which was very crowded. Waiting staffs kept on bumping to our chairs. The waitress never came to check on us. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Brunch food was amazing though. Had reservations both times and was seated within 5mins. Overall, their menu is good and healthy but definitely needs to step up with speed and services.
(2)
Tavi J.
This place has an airy open atmosphere. They did a good job to make you feel like your in Cali. We had 1:30 reservations and good thing we did because otherwise it would have been an 1 1/2 hour wait! We were seated right away. We both order the chicken tostadas, which were good and I had the summerhouse punch that I thought was just okay. I've had better. We both checked in on Yelp and got the free cookie with ice cream promotion and that was a nice finish to the meal. This is a great brunch place to catch up with friends. I will be back :)
(4)
Tim B.
I usually am a big fan of the LEYE restaurants nice atmosphere solid food and decent prices. Here they only hit on 1 of the 3 the atmosphere is nice and lively but it goes downhill from there. I won't get into too much detail but we had about 4 dishes at our table and each one was mediocre at best. $20 for sandwiches and $20-$30 for pasta seems absurd based on what you actually get.
(2)
DC F.
I have been to Summer House twice now! Always a suggestion from my friend. Both times I felt the food was delicious and the staff was really attentive. The ambiance is great! I do wish they had a larger signature cocktail list... Because I've tried every single one and they are all delicious... I want more! We had the artichoke & spinach dip, hot mess of fries, ahi tuna tostadas, and the quinoa bowl. All of which were scrumptious.
(5)
Kevin P.
Good environment great food great service. The salads were fantastic. Great flavor great portion. Would have given 5 stars but we were constantly swatting a few pesky flies.
(4)
Justine G.
Love the brunch here. Everything is delicious from cocktails to their brunch & dinner menu. On weekends be sure to make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Maria L.
I'm surprised people have given such high ratings for Summer House since the food was pretty mediocre and kinda overpriced. Although the beachy atmosphere is pretty nice when it's -20 degrees out. I tried the guac, tuna tartare, and pork ravioli and everything was good, but it was missing that extra oomph or audible "mmm" that places like Balena exhibit. Also the people watching is pretty interesting bc not only did Summer House transplant Cali beach vibes, but also the Real Housewives of the OC! Talk about rich ass plastic Lincoln Park moms. Overall the environment is pretty kewl at Summer House but the food is mediocre and lacks character.
(3)
Mickey H.
Didn't get the best seat in the house, but hey, the waitress comped us an appetizer of Burratta, very good. We were attracted to most of the seafood items, Tuna Tostadas were a fantastic appetizer. Had the fish tacos and lobster orecchiette for entrees, the lobster dish was unreal. For desserts, I highly recommend the triple chocolate dish, amazing chocolate cake with some sea salt and peanut butter. If you're looking for something more refreshing, the cucumber mint ice dish was fantastic as well. Great service, we'll be back for sure!
(4)
Mat M.
I recently dined at Summer House and really enjoyed my experience at the restaurant. The decor is great - and really does make you feel like you're on a beach. The menu isn't extreme - but the food and options really are accessible to all eaters. I dined with a group - here are some of the things we had: Guacamole Spicy Calamari Fish Special Pork Tacos Chicken Tacos The food was all really great - and the service was stellar. Summer House is a member of Lettuce Entertain You - so I appreciated getting my dining points. Another job well done!
(4)
Emma K.
Dinner here last Monday with my parents and boyfriend was probably one of the best meals I've had in a while. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but totally worth it. Despite being below freezing outside, the inside really does feel like California, and was so light and comfortable. After hearing that the roof retracts in the summer, I can't wait to come back then too. We had managed to snag 8:00 reservations through Open Table, and were seated immediately in a booth by the kitchen (great seats for seeing all the delicious looking food come out!). Our waitress was great, and explained the menu concept to us. All of the food was amazing. My steak frites were so delicious and if I ever have to pick a last meal, this may be it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food a lot too - trout, tuna, and the burger. After seeing all of the desserts on display on the way in, we couldn't pass up looking at a dessert menu. We split two pieces of some chocolate peanut butter cake which was heaven on earth. I will be definitely be stopping in on my way home to grab some sweets soon!
(5)
Gina T.
I loved the atmosphere here. I really felt like I was in California. I requested that my guests and I sit at the white booths in the back in the vitamin D room. Best seats in the house. Our server was super nice. We got the fries as appetizers which weren't too bad but I wish we got the calamari. I heard that is really good at summer house. I also got the salmon on shredded veggie salad which was okay as well. If you check in you get a free cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was really good. The champagne was great but as for the watermelon smash with vodka.... Eh. Not worth the $12. But without the vodka it's definitely refreshing and only $5. This is a great place to come to for lunch. I loved it. I will be back here soon. Maybe sooner than later.
(5)
Alison B.
Food - mediocre for the price Ambiance - lovely but full of LPT's (lincoln park trixies) Waitstaff- friendly Host(ess) - been here twice and this is easily my biggest complaint. First time I came was during restaurant week. I had a reservation for 9PM - wasn't seated until 9:45 and food didnt come until 10:30. This is ridiculous. Not to mention, the hostess forgot my information which I had to repeat multiple times. She was not friendly at all. I understand that sometimes schedules get backed up which is why it is so important to be a warm friendly person when sharing this information. The second time I came was this past weekend for brunch. I had a 12PM reservation. While I was checking in, a UPS man had a delivery to make. When the UPS man approached the host, we no longer existed to him (the host). We gave him our name 3 times and again, not the slightest glimmer of friendliness. The snootiness levels that the host(ess)s have at this mediocre restaurant at best is a joke.
(3)
Madison P.
If I could live in the restaurant, I would. Somehow, they were able to emulate summer in the dead of February. The ceiling made-up completely of windows the easy-going atmosphere, the multitude of greenery, and the countdown to summer that is posted on the wall make me crave summer all the more. We went for brunch, an extremely busy time, but it was totally worth it. I had steel cut oats with brown sugar and a grapefruit with organic sugar. To drink, I had their fresh-pressed orange juice- a must! For dessert, we split a cinnamon roll.. *drooling*.
(5)
Natasha C.
Visited last night and it was good. Here are somethings you should know and do: 1.) make a reservation- it's busy and it cuts your wait down. Please note the reservation is more like "priority seating". You'll still have to wait at least 5-10 minutes if it's a busy night. 2.) check in with yelp and get yourself a free cookie w/ ice cream on top. Free is always good. 3.) if you like wine, get that "fizz" drink. So yummy. I could have had like 3. 4.) burrata- nuff said I'll return because I enjoyed the food.
(3)
Brittany H.
Came here for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this a great summer spot, it will definitely be my go-to for escaping another winter in Chiberia. The service, food, and decor were great. The Cali theme here is adorable, and the food is definitely fitting. Everything on the menu is fresh, vibrant, and probably contains avocado. I tried the brunch special- a short rib hash with eggs and potatoes. It was the perfect brunch-sized portion, and the short rib was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be back to try their dinner menu. The drinks, though, weren't too impressive. The bloody mary was a little too horseradish heavy, and the summer drink my girlfriends tried was good, but a bit too sweet for brunch. Also, there was a pretty long wait, but I'm not surprised sine this place is relatively new. Finally, don't say goodbye to Summer House without stopping for a rice krispy treat cookie... or ten.
(4)
Prajna A.
Too expensive. Poor service when the tables are not even half full. Warm and below average food. The only thing good was the ambience. 3 stars only bcoz of the ambience or I would give this place 1 star. I went in for brunch- ordered pancakes, French toast and Mexican hash brown- all were just OK. And the coffee was terrible .
(3)
Brad W.
Great ambiance. California feel.. Open, bright, friendly.. Food was just ok..: but maybe just the French Dip I had. Fatty and no flavor. Cookies and desserts are outstanding. Great service. I will be back ...
(3)
Morgan V.
Went here with a couple friends for someone's birthday lunch. The ambiance is great! Really relaxed and chill. The server was friendly and courteous. The portion size was perfect- I was full and satisfied.
(4)
Haley S.
Had dinner here for my birthday last night. Crowded, but not too crowded. We split the ceviche, which was sesame and citrus cured, and had yellowtail and squid. My boyfriend had the trout, which he said was slightly undersalted but prepared perfectly. I had short ribs with bacon, wild mushroom and mashed potatoes that were perfect for last nights freezing weather. We shared the lemon tart for dessert that was perfect, with a touch of vanilla in the custard. I had two glasses of a lovely malbec, and we each had their tequila cocktail which was yummy. Expensive, but not ridiculous. Will definitely return.
(4)
Amy S.
I looooove this place for brunch! I literally felt like I was in Santa Monica. We got the privilege to sit in the Vitamin-D room, and wow, did we get some all natural Vitamin-D! Sunglasses are recommended if you are sitting here for brunch. The drinks - Sunrise Punch - absolutely delicious and refreshing! The drinks are perfect - not too sweet and not too weak =) The food - everything I tried was delicious. The chicken tostadas are their #1 brunch item. It comes with two mini tostadas. I tried the egg white turkey omelette with avocado (trying to be healthy, siigh). Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked. If you check in on Yelp, you get a free cookie and ice cream. The cookies are INSANELY DELICIOUS. Try the rice krispie chocolate chip cookie! The rice cripsies are out of this world, yumm (okay not trying to be toooo healthy).
(5)
Stephanie L.
Summer, summer, summer time! So we went here a day after the grand opening and it is an amazing place! I was truly impressed with how smooth things ran while we were there. I mean, it is a LEY restaurant so that probably helps out a lot. The food was pretty fantastic. We had tons of it... Sweet and spicy eggplant...good, but a little slimy Santa Monica Salad...yummy Guacamole and chips...delish Rainbow trout...delish, just wished the skin would have been crispy Bison Meatloaf...fav dish of the night...so flavorful Short Rib...yes please! Chocolate cake...heaven Also, I thought it would be super bright in there, but it wasnt. It was done really well. Retractable roof for summertime. Cheers! One thing that I found interesting was the music. One second we were listening to happy, beachy stuff and the next it was like dance club. Ha. They also have lots of pastries, cookies, etc at the counter in the front. I think eventually they will be opening for breakfast, brunch, etc. Check out Summer House for all of your S.A.D. needs :)
(5)
Andreas D.
This review is for their brunch. We had horrible service as our drinks came out after the food, not only did they come out after the food one of them was the wrong drink as well. We had to wait and actually tell another server the issue since ours never came back to check up on us. We got the fries, there was barely any meat and no salt on them. The huevos rancheros were small and barely any flavor as well. The waiter apologized for the mishap and gave us a free chocolate chip cookie (my least favorite type of cookie), you already get that by checking in on yelp and you get to pick your own cookie. Would not come back for brunch and due to the service probably not dinner either.
(1)
Casey A.
This is a go-to spot for a girls night, especially in the winter, as it makes you completely forget you are in a chi-town freeze! Instead, you're drinking wine in Nantucket (I know it's supposed to be Santa Monica but still) and eating some of the best burrata and some nicely grilled mahi. The wine is on the pricey side, but their selection is great - something for ladies that like the buttery chardonnay, a bright new zealand sauv blanc, or a crisp pinot. I agree with some of the reviews on the entree prices, but since I've stuck to my fav apps and tacos, so I'm not complaining.
(4)
Jeremy C.
Brunch Review. Great ambiance for brunch. Great service. Candied Bacon. Really what else would you need to know? Oh yea, order the Diablo with your brunch. No problem with my reservation, seated immediately. Ask what's good and popular then order that, that's what I did. Easy to get here from the Brown Line. I'll be back to try dinner.
(4)
Alena A.
Came here for brunch when the weather was still cold and I needed to feel like I'm somewhere else - like California! I loved the design of the restaurant. It has a very coastal feel with string lighting and palm trees. The food options are very health-conscious (if that's something you're looking for). I usually prefer extra greasy food for brunch but decided to make an exception. I had the Mission Street burrito with tofu chorizo.. While it was pretty good for tofu, I prefer actual chorizo meat. Their crispy hash browns were awesome - super crunchy. I would come back for dinner to see what they have to offer. A very cute spot for a date .
(4)
Cearry B.
Two stars just for the ambience and decor. I've heard many great things about summer house so my family and I decided to give it try for my graduation brunch. We made a reservation and I was very excited to have Sunday brunch here. The atmosphere was very pretty I loved the decor and the open windows. We ordered the calamari and the bruschetta for our appetizer, the calamari was delicious but the bruschetta tasted nothing like a bruschetta and it was very small. After the appetizer things just went down hill. Our entrees took forever to come out. We saw a table who sat an hour after us get their food first. They were just a two top so I figured hey we have six people so of course theirs would come out first. But after ten more minutes the other table who came half an hour after us got their entrees, and they were a party of ten, ten people got their entrees before us and they came in after us. They also got appetizers so it wasn't because they ordered entrees right away. We looked at our server and asked why is everybody's food already out and ours is still not out yet? She said she would check. After ten more minutes our food came out, well most of our food. They forgot my entree. So my family and I sat there waiting for my entree to eat. I felt bad that my family waited to eat but it wasn't until another ten mins that my food came out. By that time everyone's food at my table were cold. Next, my father noticed that they didn't put the brown butter on his pasta of the day, so he barely ate it. Our server never did a quality check on our food, you know the part where the server asks how's everything tasting after two or three bites. That was sad because my father wanted to get something else to eat since the pasta was just hard and not very tasteful. She finally came to our table again we already finished eating. Our water was also never refilled. My parents cannot drink alcohol so they always just drink water and it sucks when you have nothing to drink at a restaurant while you're eating. At that point we just wanted to go home. It was sad because it was suppose To be my graduation celebration and ended up being a disappointment. We finally asked for the check. When our server dropped it off she began talking to us and complimenting my mothers purse and our gifts. We were confused on why she started to pay attention to us now when she dropped off the check but where were you when we didn't like our food or when we didn't have any water at our table? Overall our experienced sucked. When a guests comes to a restaurant we want to feel special and taken care of and summer house did a bad job. We felt like we were the only table that got bad service or went unnoticed while other tables looked like they enjoyed their experience. There was even a moment where my mother wished she was at the ten top table with their server because they had perfect timing on their food and their water was always filled. I don't know why we had to experience such bad service, but then again everybody there was Caucasian while my family and I was the only minority/ Asian-American there. Maybe she ignored us because she thought we'd be bad tippers since were not white but wrong! I've been a server for 8 years at many fine dining restaurants and I would never make my table feel this way. Come to the Terrace at the Trump and I'll show you how you're suppose to treat your guests.
(2)
Jason G.
Great food. The flatbreads are really, really good. Kind of pricey, but the experience was decent. I'd recommend it to a friend.
(4)
Deanna S.
Wow this place is simply gorgeous inside! If you ever want to visit the Hamptons without leaving Chicago, just check out Summer House. The white washed walls, dramatic white curtains, glass ceiling...it's beautiful. We went on a Monday with a group of girlfriends. I had made reservations so we didn't have to wait long. Can I just say how awesome it was to have a complete Gluten free menu (upon request)??? Love!! My friends and I split a hot mess of fries which was yummy. I ordered the short rib which did not disappoint and was very filling. Another friend ordered fish tacos (she loved them) and another got the sword fish (I think) but was turned off by the color. She didn't think it was cooked all the way and was a bit bland. My other friend got a pasta dish and wanted to lock the plate. We left full and satisfied and I can't wait till summer to go when the big windows are open to Halsted.
(5)
Alex R.
All time favorite restaurant in Lincoln Park and perhaps Chicago. Although the food is amazing (especially Sunday brunch), the waitstaff and atmosphere make it even more special. Definitely try the sunrise burrito and the oatmeal.
(5)
Justin G.
It's impressive that I think the food is just "pretty good" yet I love going there because of the atmosphere. Great, trendy spot worth checking out for sure.
(4)
Lauren N.
Food ordered: Calamari- unique and reminded of glazed walnut shrimp the way it was lightly fried and covered with a chipotle glaze. Only con is that it was a bit unhealthy with all the mayo. Grilled halibut- very good, very well cooked. The sauce on the vegetables were a bit too creamy for my taste and kinda ruined the nutritional value of eating the veggies. Steak- my boyfriend ordered this. I ate a piece which was very good. A little too buttery but had a nice hint of lemon or lime. Pros: the decorum is so spot on. It's clean. The staff is nice. And I love the string lights. Pretty good wine selection. Cons: wayyyy too loud. I was sitting across the table from my boyfriend and I was tempted to sit side by side like those annoying couples who can't take a break from each other because it was THAT loud. I was also bored with the menu and it was my first visit. I recommend adding more unique entrees or specials and playing with more ingredients. Otherwise, it was a great experience!
(3)
Catherine Y.
I LOVE the atmosphere here! it was pretty gloomy outside, snowing, and very windy and when we were seated, I forgot I was in Chicago mid-winter! it's so bright and inviting with the glass ceiling. the brunch food was great too, I ordered the salmon benedict which was fresh and delicious! I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the area.
(5)
Courtney M.
Went to this restaurant while visiting my brother in Chicago. SO GOOD!!!!! The appetizers are amazing (I recommend the biscuits, guacamole with chips, and buratta) and the main dishes were even better. I got the tacos, but everyone was pleased with their dishes. The desserts looked so good, but I was so full I didn't try any! I do plan on going back for more as soon as I'm back in Chicago.
(5)
James Z.
Leave it to Chicago to come up with this concept: a restaurant that evokes summertime all year 'round in a city whose brutal winter runs 6-8 months of the year. Only in Chicago! And funny as that sounds, that's kinda awesome. Having been born and raised in LA, I found this homage to West Coast warmth a bit entertaining. When you walk through the door at Summer House, you're met with this noticeable sign that says "____ days until Summer." You quickly notice a sizable bar area and around the corner, another huge dining room... so all in all, there are plenty of seats at this joint. There is also a bakery up front that sells pastries, cookies, etc. This was very much like Beatrix in River North -- a sister restaurant part of the Lettuce Entertain You group. My boyfriend and I were sat by a rather cheery host wearing a white and baby blue button-up. Now, I must note that the staff at Summer House all wear white/soft colors/beach-like attire. Whether that's through faded blue gingham shirts or white cocktail dresses, the staff exude Ibiza or Miami via apparel... (or in this case, clothing suitable for lounging in Santa Monica). The decor reflected the type of summer beach house you'd find in the Hamptons (not necessarily Santa Monica in my eyes). It is incredibly bright inside and all furnishings are patio-appropriate (I must say the abundance of lanterns and hanging ferns are lovely). While I knew this was going to be a somewhat kitschy spot, after seeing it myself, I can now safely say this was incredibly kitschy. If that's your jam, you'll love this. If you scoff at chain-like simulacrum, you'll scoff at their interiors. A quick observation on who is dining there... well, Summer House's clientele bleeds Lincoln Park. Not necessarily the "old money, old school" Lincoln Park, but the Lincoln Park scene that's younger and still appreciative of Wrigleyville nights. Let's just put it that way. "Bros" hanging with "bros," "bros" with their girlfriends, double dates of "bros" with their girlfriends, and interestingly enough, a very large amount of "girls' nights" tables surrounding the restaurant. Having said that, Summer House (at least that evening) was gender imbalanced: roughly 2/3rds of diners were female. Not sure why, but that was an interesting observation. Now, the reason why the crowd can be a little disconcerting is because well... some of them don't know how to control themselves. A couple at the table near us was acting like this was their private bedroom while a group of six ladies in their late 20s/early 30s were acting like they were waiting in line for "Thunder from Down Under." One woman got out of her seat, but strongly pushed mine in the process of leaving the table. She was drunk and asked a stranger to take a picture of them. I was annoyed largely because (since I was sitting on a stool), she shook me and almost made me knock over the drink I was sipping on... (Girrrll... Get it together! It's a Thursday at 8, okay?) and even better, (probably because she was so intoxicated), she didn't apologize -- and neither did her friends. Classy. In the meantime, our server - while pleasant - was almost nowhere to be found. She didn't provide much information about the menu or the food in general. She seemed minimally interested, and rather than perhaps sharing something interesting about their cuisine, she just took our order without elaboration or intonation in her voice. Perhaps her lack of excitement was because the food itself wasn't very exciting. We ordered the spicy calamari ($10.95). The flavors and texture of the calamari were good, but unfortunately, that sauce was over-kill. I don't know what their rationale was for this, but the beautiful tempura batter of the calamari was covered (if not drenched) in that very rich and creamy sauce. The chives and lime luckily helped cut through that richness, but it was still a bit much. And even more interesting was the fact that the sauce came also on the side for more dipping. How much more sauce do you need? Yikes. We also ordered the ahi tuna tostadas ($12.95) which were good, but not particularly memorable. The watermelon, however, added a lovely bite and because it camouflaged with the ahi tuna, you couldn't tell upon each bite which you'd be getting. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower which was solid ($8.95), but overpriced for portion and creativity. We also ordered the prime beef short rib ravioli ($14.95). The sauce of braising juices and sherry vinaigrette rounded out the flavors, but it lacked a little bit of seasoning. Ultimately, I was a bit disappointed in Summer House. Perhaps this place is more appropriate for brunch because their dinner menu (and not to mention the service and ambiance) made for an "okay" experience. It wasn't disastrous, but out of all the restaurants I visited during my recent Chicago visit, this was definitely my least favorite. Well, at least I was able to experience "summer" indoors.
(2)
Kristin M.
If I could give stars for service, ambiance, and food, I'd give Summer House Santa Monica 5 for service, 5 for ambiance, and 4.5 for food. Compared to the first time I had dinner here, the food seemed vastly improved. The menu has changed somewhat as the restaurant has settled in, and I was extremely happy with the changes. I went for a date night on a weekend night, and it was busy the whole time, but that only added to the fun, light, and airy ambiance. The retractable roof was open, and the plants hanging from the ceiling made it feel like you were steps away from an oceanside boardwalk or a beach. We started with the biscuits that are made to order, and we were wow'd by the herbed butter and honey. The entrees were hearty portions but not so large you felt as if you immediately needed a to-go box. I was really impressed by the fish tacos, as I was expecting the typical pre-assembled tacos with battered and fried fish inside; instead, I was served a mahi-mahi filet with several fixings and a side of corn tortillas that I could arrange as I liked! Additionally, my date's english muffin hamburger tasted like it was right off of the grill as a summer picnic, and the french fries were hit-the-spot yummy. For drinks, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails (all good) and I was able to try an off-the-beaten-path South African Chenin Blanc, per the great suggestion of our stellar server. As well, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the other staff including the GM of Summer House and Stella Barra--a great experience overall. Must go if... you're tired of the same old, same old, dark Chicago sports bars; you want an excellent dining experience; you wish it were summer all year round.
(5)
Kelly P.
We chose this for a birthday group outing as per walking by often and liking the look of the place. When we were escorted to a table after an easy reservation process, we were not disappointed. The aesthetics of the place are a dream. The look is awesome. Our waitress suggested good wines, so we got two bottles. Our group got two appetizers as well, which were good: the spinach dip and the guacamole. We each got fantastic entrees. The Yelp check in even allowed a free dessert. I suggest this place to all. It's not too fancy, but it's nicer than the local burrito place. A good spot for a date night.
(5)
Nancy P.
This place makes my heart happy. Extremely knowledgable staff about being gluten free, with many GF options to pick, including cookies! If I could, I'd eat here everyday. The burrata is heaven.
(5)
Kaleigh G.
This is the perfect escape from the winter cold! The decor and atmosphere really is straight out of Santa Monica and it makes even the most loyal Chicagoan like myself want to buy a ticket to California ASAP. The countdown to summer (still over 100 days) doesn't help much with that wish either. I thought the food was delicious but slightly overpriced. The "mess of fries" is outstanding, as are the portion sizes in general. I got the lobster special, which is a great deal for lobster, but unfortunately, mine was a little cold. Everyone I went with really enjoyed their meals, but I was a little sad about mine not being piping warm. Definitely save room for dessert though, as you can pick up amazing cookies right on your way out the door!
(3)
Mike D.
i've been here 6 times, and there's a good chance I go back because I live in the neighborhood and there isn't much competition for this place. Basically, the problems are the ridiculous slowness of the service, the prices (everything is 20%+ too high for amount you get). Compared to Gibson's for the prime rib au jus, steak frittes with other higher end places, etc. The atmosphere is very cool and decent looking people frequent it. I've never had good service there. I don't requre a lot, just basically if my water is empty and the carafe is empty, to just fill it up. I hate tipping $18 when we had 2 smaller martinis and 2 smaller entrees. I could go on, but that's enough. We've had to wait over 10 mins for a high chair 2 times. Just stuff that shouldn't happen. They said they'd check the stroller, so we left it near the entrance/exit. No one touched it and it was just sitting in the same place on the floor. Just odd. Basically the whole place is serviced by young people who don't really know about waiting tables at a place where the average entree is $20+
(1)
Phil C.
The best thing about this place is the atmosphere and the service. Great addition to Lincoln Park - draws a nice, diverse crowd. In short, if you are looking for a comfortable and social atmosphere, this is a great spot; If you are looking for exceptional food, the french dip at Hugo's Frog Bar is much better. Phil
(3)
Robyn S.
What a great restaurant and the experience I had there was more than I expected. Lauren was our server and she was very knowledgeable with everything on the menu and made some great suggestions. She was very friendly and adorable. The food was delicious and she went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and unforgettable. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Anna G.
Great experience all around. Had a reservation for 2 on Saturday night and were promptly seated (although it was in the bar-ish area rather than the main part). Our server was friendly. Drinks were good, but not necessarily strong. The best part of the meal were the ahi tuna tostadas. I could've eaten an entree version of those! For the mains we had the fish tacos and the braised pork ravioli, would recommend both. The space is gorgeous. I just wish they'd start serving brunch as it'd be the perfect location with the openness and glass roof.
(4)
Mary H.
I couldn't be more thrilled that this awesome restaurant just opened in my neighborhood. I accidentally came on opening night and wow -- was blown away. Everything about the experience was phenomenal. Summer House is going to be a huge contender for the yuppity crowd that dines out in this area. The decor is fresh and inviting. I can't wait to come in the summer when their retractable roof opens! The food was delish and featured a wide variety of selections that could please anyone. I liked that they offer small and large plates on their menu, as some of us aren't always in the mood to share ;-) During my visit, we got the hamachi tartare (divine), the calamari (amaze) and the pork ravioli (yum yum). Everything was so good and the combination of things we ordered was truly unique. With a bottle of wine and the three dishes our bill came out to about $100 with tip, not bad for a nice dinner. I definitely will be frequenting this place as often as the budget allows it!
(5)
Deborah R.
We had a lovely luncheon with family. Dark and Stormy is a wonderful drink! Every bodies meals were terrific except mine which was a tuna salad. Don't get it. The gluten free chocolate cookies were to die for on the way out. Yum !
(4)
Nicole L.
They have a great Saturday brunch! The ambiance is awesome as well!
(4)
Noelle W.
I was skeptical with the prices for what seems to be a simple menu, but the food was great. For a round of drinks, app, 2 entrees, tea & 2 espressos the tab was $90 with tip -- not horrible considering the variety of what we ordered We started with the calamari - Summer House's is best calamari I've had in the city, maybe ever. Really crispy, just enough spicy & great dipping sauce. My boyfriend ordered the burger w/side salad & it was excellent. The side salad was better than your average side salad. We also ordered the prime rib french dip. It was good, but if you don't like rare meat, don't order - It was very pink and not warm throughout. I enjoy my red meat rare-medium rare so this did not bother me. Fries were just a tad too salty for my liking, wish I had gone with the side salad Overall, great restaurant, attentive staff. Great addition to the area. It takes a lot for a restaurant to impress my boyfriend & he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back!
(5)
KAREN S.
Awesome atmosphere! Really great decor and bright, they got it right making you feel like you are in California. I ate dinner there this past Sunday night, it was their third night open. Felt like you were sitting in a Crate and Barrel kind of, but nothing wrong with that. Food was good, we ordered the guacamole and chips for starters and then each ordered a salad; I got the Beverly Hills Tennis Cub--good but definitely not a big portion. A salad could easily be a starter and then get an entree. The price point is kind of high, but its a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Our waiter was great, very attentive and we asked him a lot of questions and he told us that they had a month long training to understand the menu-which is great! The manager stopped by our table to see how we were liking everything. I would definitely go back and try an entree. And they are opening a pizza kitchen that is connected to Summer House in a few weeks, so I will be checking that out too.
(5)
Regina F.
More like 3 1/2 stars... Yelp, when are you going to give that option btw? Anyways, came here for brunch with a friend a couple of months ago. I had the roasted veggie hash and also shared a side of cali grapefruit with my friend. The food was decent/good, but nothing crazy spectacular to me. The restaurant itself definitely reminds me of Cali with it being in a huge sunny greenhouse feel. This alone makes any brunch or lunch a plus, especially since we don't have anything, or much like this in Chicago. And we Chicagoans know our dark and gloomy winters last 6 months out of the year. Being said, I'd definitely come back for brunch/lunch. I also wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner as well.
(3)
M G.
Two confirmed cases of food poisoning, avoid the French Dip! Wine list was disappointing and the uncaring and uneducated waitstaff regarding the wine list was even more disappointing. Stella Barra next door has a better wine selection and great pizza.
(1)
Lo S.
Glad I tried summerhouse! Food was good ambiance was nice. Tried several dishes. Guac and chips were okay, generous guac portion. Brussels sprouts were undercooked. Burger was good veggie options not bad either! Ice cream was really good! Good experience but definitely not my fav!
(4)
Emily C.
What a bright and cheery place! I instantly felt like I was somewhere other than freezing, snowy Chicago. We started with the hot mess of fries and they hit the spot - fries, pork, egg, blue cheese AND truffle. Seems like it would be too much but it was delicious. Also loved both the ahi tuna and hamachi tartare - very fresh. I actually had the hamachi as my entree, but the other dishes I tried were very good. The atmosphere was definitely the best part. Loved the bar, restaurant, ceiling, front area - the whole theme! 333/365
(5)
Kelly C.
wow, this place is the worst. first of all, it's a beautiful space. that's where the good part ends. The food was pretty darn bad. I had a lettuce entertain you gift card--i wish i had used it at one of the other pretty bad lettuce restaurants. the menu is not in season. it's called "summer house" and it's summer, so why are there so many root vegetable heavy dishes using ingredients that are out of season? i ordered what was described as the "best dish" on the menu as described by our water. gee, i hope not. it was a pasta dish. not only was the pasta absolute mush, but it was missing two ingredients. there were only 3 ingredients in the dish besides the pasta. i pointed this out to our waiter and instead of plating me another portion with the right ingredients, i got back a re-purposed version of my entree with the missing ingredients thrown on top. oh good, now the pasta is even more soggy and disgusting. my husband ordered steak frites which was terrible. cut wrong, underseasoned, cooked wrong, and served with unsalted fries. really? how can you screw up steak and fries for $25? other things: "ran out" of biscuits, cookies, sparking wine, etc. overall, the worst place ive eaten at in chicago.
(1)
Elizabeth Z.
Decided to give Summer House another try after my less than filling brunch a few weeks ago. The manager had reached out too me suggesting I come back to see if they could make the experience better (the fact that they took the time to reach out in itself speaks volumes about the business). Took my mother in law for Saturday brunch, had a 11:30am reservation and were seated promptly in the main (sunny and bright) dining room. Since I had breakfast before, admittedly a small portion, we both decided to order off the lunch menu. We both ordered the chicken sandwich which came with a side salad. When our food came out, we both commented "wow" about the heaping salad and big sandwich. The salad was one of the best I've eaten - greens mixed with shaved vegetables, quinoa and sunflower seeds - YUMMY and HEALTHY and FILLING (we both took our sandwich leftovers home). We will definitely be back!! Tip: if you're hungry or looking for a larger portion, stick with the lunch side of the menu :). Thanks to our server and Corey for such a pleasant dining experience!!!
(5)
Kris R.
overall, pretty good, and you get what you pay for. beautiful atmosphere. it feels summer-y, obvi. but summery, like, all the time. i brought blonde friend here to cele her day of birth. we made our rez at 8 but got there at 7, bc that's how we rolled that day. we sat at the bar and ended up staying there all night. the men tending bar were real nice. we ordered and split: the scallops. delish, green sauce was good. scallops were on the small side, but no biggie. the kale salad. yeah, again, pretty good. the goat cheese + beets. again, another winner. we didn't actually order this but he let us keep it anyway, for the price of free.99. THE BISCUITS. totally worth it the wait. comes with a poblano butter and some honey. this shit was real. however the man tender forgot to put the order in, and it came out pretty late. again, still worth it. and they took it off the tab. checked in on the yelp and got a free cookie (sea salt choc chips) and vanilla ice cream. pretty good. oh i totes forgot about the drinks. watermelon drink? add vodka. their new zealand sauv blanc is on point as well. so, with all the free food, our tab was still $40 a person. it's expensive, but again, you pay what you get and that's pretty good food in a sexy atmosphere. they did it right.
(4)
Eliska O.
ok, so we requested a table outside..we waited fairly 40 mins, and even tho I could see they had table outside they wouldn't seat us there. It wasn't that busy- Saturday at 2.30 pm. We ordered bunch of food, and my husband really hates anything with vinegar. We ordered tomatoes with herbs and olive oil..and guess what..it came with vinegar. Our waitress was really nice, and she said no problem, and took it from our bill.that places was pretty pricey I've been to better places in Chicago..don't feel the need to come back.
(2)
Faydra D.
During this brutal winter, let Summer House take you to a warm happy place... my husband and I 1st came here in December and due to the awesome gluten free menu decided it would be a perfect place to bring sister dear on her birthday. So on January 9th we brought my sis and her man as well as my brother to Summer House. I hesitated with 5 stars mainly because both times we waited around 15 minutes for our reserved table. The staff is very nice and come prepared with recommendations. On this evening our table ordered the Skate wing with soba noodles and bok choy Pork shank with summer root smash Bison meatloaf with mash potato Skirt Steak and fritas Brussell sprouts Yellow beets Guacamole Fresh burrata Shaved veg salad And for dessert Choc martini Must say there were no complaints from anyone. We were all satisfied without being stuffed. i had the skate and it was perfect. I tasted the pork shank and it was flavorful, without being too salty. The cocktails are good and they have a nice fun and fresh theme to them. This place is great for a girls night out, date night and groups. Summer house is a fantastic addition to my Lincoln Park neighborhood. Happy to have such a bright place that that takes me away from this depressing cold. Can't wait for the summer when the retractable roof is revealed!
(4)
Emann B.
Big airy space and excellent service. Tasty starters were good all around (guac, tostadas, hot mess fries). Pork shank was Flintstone sized and tender, skate was good but the sauce was too much soy and not much else. Pumpkin chiffon pie was heavenly.
(4)
Farrah D.
Reminds of California! They nailed the food, decor, and vibe! I went for brunch and had the spinach dip and a breakfast burrito; also got a pot of delicious ginger flavored tea and a lemon pistachio cookie from the cart. Everything was so tasty - I could not stop eating! Love!
(5)
Pam G.
Went for the first time last night. We were celebrating my son getting married so we had a large party and grandparents with us. Great idea with decorating especially in the winter. The dinning area has a glass ceiling giving it a greenhouse feel. Music was very loud Couldn't hear or have conversation. We had a table for 6. Food was excellent! Our table had short rib ravioli. swordfish ,lobster frits, salmon ,loaded fries and steak and fries. Everyone loved their dinner! Service was very friendly. We also had the calamari and guacamole which were also good. Loved the food but not the volume of noise.
(4)
April G.
This place is amazing! The only reason I give it 4 stars is we had a 9pm reservation and didn't get sat until 10pm. It was a zoo! But the manager made up for it and brought us a bunch of appetizers on the house.. Every thing we had was absolutely amazing. For an entree I had the short ribs and they were by far the best short ribs I've ever had! Definitely will be back but hopefully not when its crazy packed again!
Wow the brunch was amazing! I am only reviewing that part. I also made reservations cause it gets super packed. Loved my server and the food was perfect. I will be back soon!
(5)
Katie K.
I've been here a couple times for brunch and once for dinner. Brunch is definitely better. Great refreshing juice options and pretty reasonably priced if you aren't drinking alcohol (but like, why wouldn't you?...) so I'm happy to add this into my brunch rotation. Great little patio and good ambiance. Get a cookie with ice cream, you won't regret it.
(4)
Keaton W.
Went here for restaurant week, and couldn't ask for a better experience. I had a reservation but was asked to wait while they cleared some tables, so we went to the bar for a drink (great cocktails, by the way). Went back to the host to check on our reservation about 10 minutes later and were seated immediately with an outpour of apologies. As we were seated our server brought us a complimentary appetizer for waiting. Everything on the restaurant week menu was brought to us in ample timing and tasted so fresh, like it was cooked right then. A lot of times I feel that these restaurants make a lot of the dishes ahead of time, to prepare. Our server was always gracious and helpful. At the end of our meal, he even reminded us of the wine that came with our restaurant week menu. Great experience and wonderful food. Will definitely come back again.
(5)
Tammy Q.
Two thumbs up for the decor -- loved the white space and laid back California feel. 1.5 thumbs for the food and I could see myself coming back with another group of friends. Apps were good; loved the roasted cauliflower with jalapeno sauce and hot mess fries. Was not a fan of the brussel sprouts. The burrata felt mushy and I was in love with the tomatoes more than the burrata! Main dishes were ohhhkay. I was looking forward to the bucatini with forest mushrooms and braised pork ravioli, but it under delivered for me. A girl can't have it all, right? The chocolate banana cookie with vanilla ice cream saved the day though. I loved every bite of it. It was a good way to round out the meal.
(4)
Someone Y.
Corey, the gm for this place, leaves something to be desired. I love the food, but hate the manager. Lettuce should know better than to hire a GM that has personality conflicts.
(1)
Colin D.
Most people don't know the restaurant is actually called "Summer House Santa Monica." People were saying they are confused when they walk in because they are greeted with a pastry display. However, 2 of the 4 people I was dining with grew up in Cali and when they sat down the first thing they said (without knowing the full title) was "This feel like a restaurant in Santa Monica" The food was excellent. I highly recommend the calamari. Everyone really enjoyed their dishes. The waitress, Hope, even accommodated a dish make it more Paleo approved for my friend. She was very attentive during the whole meal. The restaurant is very well lit. I will really enjoy coming here in the middle of the winter to give me more of a Summery feeling.
(4)
Stassi S.
1- star: Adding new experience:2/8/14 Called last weekend to make a reservation- called first during hours of operations- I was put immediately on hold for over 6 minutes- then I finally hung up. The next day I called- in the afternoon when they are not open for service- the lady who answered the phone was immediately rude. I asked to make a reservation and she said we only have 5 pm or 10:30 pm. Did not ask how many people in my party. Just not impressed with customer service. Being busy all the time does not mean you will be successful, if you treat customers rudely. 4-stars: Really like this place! Love the atmosphere, white & bright everywhere. Service has been good everytime. Sad they got rid of the pork raviolis and the front lounge seating. Our chicken pasta was salty and some-what bland. But they are still newer on the scene so I'm sure they will just improve.
(2)
Christel R.
love this spot for lunch, dinner & in between. food has flavor, wine comes in nice pours, and service is great! the cookies are such a treat, and i would recommend trying one :)
(5)
Yana N.
Like a SoCal oasis in the middle of Midwest! Great ambience and amazing fresh dishes! Unlike other restaurants this one has it's separate baking station at the front entrance with fresh cookies! Yes please!
(5)
Kathryn R.
Amazing brunch! We got the banana muffin to start (crispy with a little sugar on the outside and the middle tastes like they put 3 banana's into it). After I got the kale and cheddar omelette with a side of Avacado and the hashbrowns. My friend got the Breakfast Tostadas. Both were delicious. The staff was very nice and the service was great. The atmosphere was really nice, bright and fresh. I also loved the bar - perfect place to post up and have a mimosa and still feel like you are outside (even when you are not). Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Marilyn D.
Really terrific energy here! Great for people watching, and a perfect place to meet up with girlfriends or a first date. I hosted a dinner party for 16 and the menu was fantastic, the spicy calamari, trout and blueberry tart were all amazing:) And the wine selection was awesome. A little less than excited by the cocktail menu, oh well...
(5)
Neena V.
What is up with the 4pm opening time!? Be prepared the place is a mad house! The wait staff makes up for it and the management is very personable, but beware the hostesses ..not so friendly. Kids plates are perfect and adult food is good. We will be back!
(4)
Steven P.
Had dinner at Summer House last night and was really excited to try it out considering all of the hype. The build out of the restaurant is pretty neat. Open and airy except in the bar area. If you can sit in the open air part of the restaurant I suggest it. The menu is available online. Check it out before going. Appetizers) We had the Chips and Guacamole and the fresh burrata. For the price it was a little disappointing. The Guac definitely needed salt. The burrata was good but needed a little more arugula. Main dish) We had the Ahi Tuna taco, Surfer Taco and the Steak Frites. Note that the tacos are deconstruted so you put them together. Comes with salsa and guacamole - lacked flavor. The Tuna was ok. The frites (french fries) tasted like they were frozen out of a bag. The steak was good and tasty. The tacos are way over priced but you are in Lincoln Park so people will pay it. Service. There is not enough room between the seats in the middle of the dinning room so you constantly feel the precense of the back waiter, front waiter, server, etc. To be honest I couldn't keep track of how many people were walking around. And the bus boys kept coming back around to ask if we were done and could take our plates. They also removed martini glasses before we were done without asking. That was pretty annoying. There are so many different options in the city with LEYE, check out their other options. Great to see the concept but nothing makes us want to return. Price per person (app - shared, entree and two glasses of wine w/ tip) ~$70pp
(3)
Mark V.
I had to make a reservation over a month in advance just to get a table on a Saturday, so my expectations were sky high. Yet, aside from the beautiful scenery (both the room and the people), the experience could only be described as mediocre. Nothing I ate made an impression, and the best dish from the entire evening was the brussel sprouts, which should not be the case when you are spending over $300 for 4 people. None of my fellow diners had much good to say about what they ordered and we all left feeling disappointed and somewhat ripped off. The only saving grace from the entire evening was the apple fritter cookie my friend purchased at the bakery counter on the way out, but it wasn't quite enough to sweeten our mood by that point. Simply put: Chicago has far better to offer in this price range.
(2)
Jonathan W.
This restaurant has a lot going for it. Great location and of course beautiful decor. Unfortunately the food was just okay. I had fish and it was pretty good, tad overlooked halibut but good. However not very memorable. Cookies were the best part. Delicious s'mores cookie and choc chip cookie. Otherwise pretty mediocre.
(3)
Jonathan S.
Great place for groups of 4 or 6. It's always bustling. Bright and airy with good food.
(4)
George J.
Go go go run here great place in Lincoln Park .. Great food great vibe and they have parking .. You will love it prices are excellent and food is so delicious and healthy ..
(5)
Rachel P.
I had a girls' night out here recently and we loved the atmosphere! We also had excellent service. The reason I'm not rating it higher is because, as other reviewers have said, we had a reservation (late in the evening) and then had to wait even longer. Honestly, I've never been to a restaurant that couldn't honor a reservation promptly. They need to improve on this. I had their draft cocktails which were very delicious and refreshing, however for $10 I'd expect them to be stronger. We only tried the ahi tuna tostadas and those were delicious, but, for the money I wish we'd gotten a bit more. The prices on everything else looked on the high side. Since we loved the atmosphere so much I would file this more under a "special occasion" place due to the prices rather than a place I'd go to often. I'll definitely come back but probably more for just drinks in the bar area than a full meal.
(3)
Stacey K.
There's a sign on the wall at Summerhouse that reads YES...kind of says it all. Starting with the impeccable hospitality of the manager, TJ, to the incredible FOOD.....roasted cauliflower, killer biscuits , Ahi tuna tostados, mouth watering , but wait, there's definitely more!! Spicy Calamari the likes of which I have never tasted, combination of spice, lime, chives, and I don't know what!! SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Wood grilled halibut sounds boring, But NOT last, chocolate chip cookies with rice crispy treats. REALLY. Best restaurant experience I've had in a while. visiting from NYC, so impressed Cannot say enough about the knowledgeable, professional, attentive,welcoming, and adorable TJ. relaxing southern California feel...RUN, Don't walk.
(5)
Candace S.
Beautiful space that reminded me a lot of home in Southern California. Was excited to try this restaurant as I used to go to M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica all the time. The menu was great, however, far too over priced. Our food was good, but given all of the great restaurant options in Chicago that are a lot more fairly priced I'm not sure if I'll go back.
(3)
Meghan S.
Good food. Nice ambiance. Not easy to get a reservation. They have a big focus on the fact that their food is west coast inspired.
(4)
David L.
Good food, great sunny atmosphere. The breakfast tostadas are awesome! Valet, which is handy in this neighborhood. 4 instead of 5 stars as $20 for tacos feels a tad overpriced.
(4)
Veronica D.
Ambiance is very nice.....it does seem like you are in California somewhere dining outside. I had the Salmon Hashbrown benedict and it was delicious. The Hollandaise sauce they use is very good! I also had a side of the apple chicken sausage and it was very delicious. The servers were great. Everyone was very welcoming and accomodating. The last few times I have gone, I have gone with reservations for brunch and both times was seated right away!
(4)
Jackie G.
The name definitely fits the place. Very laid back, bright and feel like you're right off the beach because you feel the breeze from outside as the large garage door is open.
(4)
Annie O.
I went with a group of girlfriends here on a Friday night. My friend had made 9pm reservations ages in advance and we were all so excited to try it since we'd heard such great things. We arrived at the restaurant around 15 minutes early, so we decided to get a drink at the connected bar. I was immediately impressed with the ambiance of Summer House. It has a "country club on the beach" vibe to it. Right when you walk in there is a bakery stand where patrons can purchase cookies, muffins, and other goods. There is also plenty of room for waiting and lounging (more details on this later). Another thing I noticed was that there were people of all ages there (my friend who had been before said she has seen children there during brunch hours), but this definitely isn't just for the younger crowd. Everyone can appreciate this place. We were there on a chillier night so unfortunately the ceiling windows were not open, but it was still cool to look up and see the night sky. I also liked that the ceilings were so high and there were hanging plants everywhere. It really feels like you're at an upscale beach house. At the bar, my friend and I both asked for the waiter's advice for a drink that was refreshing and not too sugary. He was very quick to suggest the Sonoma Coast which I would highly recommend to those looking for a similar spirit. At 9:05 when our table still wasn't ready, we made our way to the lounge/waiting area. The 9 of us could easily fit around one table in the over sized comfy chairs and couches. We ended up not being seating until 10pm! An hour after our reservation time. Normally I would have been angry since it was so late already, but the manager, Corey, totally made up for it. He bought our group a round of drinks and 2 rounds of appetizers (2 plates of each, 4 plates total). In my opinion, this was much better than being seated on time and MORE than made up for our delayed table. Thank you Corey! By the way - the apps were delicious! (first was chips and guac, second was this avocado/chicken bite-sized tostada thing. I don't remember the name). I ended up getting the pulled pork tacos and they were the best I have ever had! This pork was so tender and sweet and juicy. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I tried some of my friends halibut and mashed potatoes - the potatoes were really to die for. Wow. Because of this excellent food and generous service I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Marc F.
Second visit to town we tried the brunch menu New Year's Day. While the person that answered the phone about an hour before opening stated they were completely booked for the day, we decided to get there at opening and take our chances. Reception staff was much more accommodating than phone staff, as we were seated promptly at opening (interesting that we had a leisurely breakfast and the restaurant never reached 60% full before we left some 90 min later). We had an early dinner the night before so we felt we might have over ordered. Our waiter was more than appreciative of our choices and paced our selections like a well seasoned conductor. Bloody Mary was thin and weak for me but in WI we serve them with cheeseburgers, venison jerky and a 1/2 of cheese! Mimosa was great as it was waiter served from beverage cart just steps away. A must is the cottage cheese pancakes....probably the best breakfast entree I have ever had. The lemon curd spread accompaniment is addicting! ...and this was our first course... Brunch entrees were good but tough to match the pancakes. Love the atmosphere and the waiters wearing sunglasses during service. Room is beautiful and can't wait to try in great Chicago summer weather when everything is open.
(4)
Deborah H.
My birthday compliments of my daughters. We went on Sunday (they don''t open until 4 p.m. really?) No one was in the place so we were seated promptly in a booth in the bar. Nice music and atmosphere but that's about all. Food: I had the salmon (very under-cooked and cold), one daughter had the Crab Pasta (pasta was hard and cold) and the other plate was the the fish plate with the bok choy (super salty but at least hot). We also shared the "hot mess" fries which were actually good. Reminded me of a designer version of Poutine without the gravy. We were seated in the bar and the service was o.k.. The food however, left a lot to be desired. Also, my daughter had made sure they knew it was my birthday and something was to arrive to the table she though but did not. Too bad, it's those little things that make or break a place in my opinion. With such a limited menu you would think they would get each dish right every time but this was a huge fail in my opinion. Save your money, not worth the $21+ for entrees here. I would not return to eat but maybe to have a drink in the summer. Boo to this place for the food though.
(2)
Coll P.
Went early on a Sunday morning without a baby...and I definitely stuck out. The space is beautiful, but our table was covered in crumbs and some of the glasses had stains. I'm sure this is because of a busy/late Saturday night, but gross. I had the eggs benedict and while it was good, the hollandaise and eggs were lukewarm. Glad I checked it out, but won't be hurrying back.
(3)
Sarah W.
Ok so to be fair haven't gotten our food yet but the decor is awesome. SoCal all the way... Dig!
This was our second time eating at Summer House. The first time was back in January. And just as before, everything was delicious. We started with the spicy grilled calamari and caramelized Brussels sprouts, because we had these the first time and loved both. I had the Maine lobster orecchiette and my husband had the pork tacos. They were both delicious and exactly the right portion size. My husband did find the tacos a little hard to eat. The coffee is good and the desserts we shared were yummy: warm date cake with mascarpone cream and cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream. I liked the date cake the best. They have very good coffee. I think the wines by the glass are a little expensive. The restaurant has obviously gotten very popular since we were unable to get a reservation later than 4:30 on a Saturday and it was plenty busy at that time. One other thing: someone mentioned that the cookies sold up front are now half the size for the same price. Well, they looked just as huge as ever to me. Maybe that was a brief experiment. This is my favorite new restaurant of the year.
(5)
Diane P.
Our evening at Summer House was fabulous! It's lovely and had a lively atmosphere. The service was outstanding, warm and friendly. All of our food was delicious. Our group loved the short ribs, halibut and quinoa and forbidden black rice bowl. My personal favorites were the ahi tuna tostadas, super green salad and chocolate chip with sea salt cookie.
(5)
Andrea G.
I really wanted to love Summer House and tried it on two separate occasions but, both times, it was average to below average in every way other than the bright "summer" decor which was cheerful and much appreciated during this terrible Chicago winter (and I am sure will be equally as lovely in the spring/summer when they open the roof). If you're looking for good food and service as well as ambiance in that neighborhood though (especially a hostess staff who doesn't try to seat you in the bar even when you have a reservation and requested the dining room which has open tables), then head down the street to Balena. The BOKA Restaurant Group far outshines the lazy, "we have a proven formula for success" LEYE on this one.
(2)
Sulika M.
Positive: very cool decor, the server was nice. Negative: the 4 of us left hungry, that's after having an appetizer, 4 lunch entrees and paying $240. The portions were very small and not satisfying (side note: we are not big eaters). The fries were the worst we ever had, saggy soaked with grease. We gave the feedback to the server but not sure if it was really acknowledged, didn't seem like it. Anyways, this place could be so much better if they paid attention to what people want and like.. Many other places in the city that get it.
(3)
Laurel L.
Alex makes the best mojitos ever! The grilled cheese sandwich with mushrooms is delicious. Great service and fun decor / loved this place.
(5)
Bridget W.
The food was great, and the wait staff were friendly. The ambience is also a welcome respite from the bitter cold. The only disappointment was that the bathrooms were out of order, and we had to go to the restaurant next door to use their facilities. I understand that accidents happen, but there was never even an apology for the inconvenience of having to go outside in the middle of winter to use a restroom.
(3)
Zach F.
This restaurant is amazing! Such a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I have been here multiple times since it has opened. I have gone for a full dinner, snacks and sometimes just for drinks. Some of my favorite dishes so far have been the eggplant, ahi tuna tostadas, roasted beets, fish tacos and the scallops. Drinks are great. I am partial to the Monti Cali, but have samples most of the other ones. Great wine list and pretty good craft beer list. Ambiance is great...I really enjoy sitting in the main room, but the bar tables and lounge are just fine too! Service has been great. Connor, Hope and Rachel have all been fantastic. Very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, made my experience that much better. I will keep coming back time and time again. If you haven't been, get yourself there now! Although I would recommend making a reservation.
(5)
Caroline S.
Awesome! Burratta, fish tacos, english muffin turkey burger, roast chicken, triple fudge cake, pumpkin pie, all delicious. Definitely going back next time in town!
(5)
Margaret C.
I was so excited to eat here. I worked in California in restaurant PR, and loved the idea of bringing that vibe to freezing Chicago. The food and the ambiance were great, but the food was horrible. I was so disappointed because the options sounded amazing, but they were prepared without proper execution or flavor. While leaving, I thought I would give it one more chance with their bakery... what a mistake! I have never eaten a cookie that dry and ill-prepared. Did they forget to mix in the sugar, so it wasn't granulated? Was any dairy added to soften the recipe? What a bummer, it could have been great. I will say it is a fun place to grab a drink with friends, but don't expect much from the food.
(1)
Krissy H.
Setup and esthetics are true to it's name, summer-ish. Very friendly staff, had a reso at 9, walked in, immediately sat at our table for two. Started with a bottle of wine- cali coast selection which is pretty decent. Started with a few apps, I loved the burratta. Hamachi tartare is probably the best I've ever had. Entree was a bit disappointing, lobster frites- says 1 1/2 of lobster but really it's about 1 1/2 oz. literally 2 bites. I guess you get what you pay for though. Those two bites weren't impressive- very smoked so that's all I tasted. Over all I enjoyed Summer House but their menu is pretty limited so if you eat like we do, once is enough unless they change up their menu.
(4)
Bryan R.
If you want fresh food come here. The price is not bad for the quality of food that you are getting. It has a warm feeling especially now that is it cold. I would recommended the tuna tacos for a nice light dinner!
(5)
KM R.
Santa Monica Summer House is very pretty and comfortable. I was excited to have a new place in the neighborhood and glad to see it was always packed. Nice menu and variety, but I really thought the prices were high for some of the items, namely tacos and entrees, maybe others. Sadly, especially for a Lettuce Entertain You place, the service was poor. The waiter did not know the specials and really did not know the wine list. I hear Brunch is good, so maybe I will try that.
(3)
Kevin K.
Went to Summer House last weekend for brunch and had an enjoyable experience, I would probably give it about 3.5 stars. The atmosphere and decor are great. Sitting in the Vitamin D room sure makes it feel like summer even if its cold outside. Our server was really great and made our experience even better. He was very outgoing with a good sense of humor without being cheesy. The food was pretty good, but not great. I enjoyed the fish tacos, although at $25 bucks I doubt I will ever order them again. There are good fish tacos elsewhere in the city for half the price. The yolk in the eggs benedict was overcooked so didnt run out like it should, which everyone knows is the best part of eggs benedict. They make a fantastic Bloody Mary and the candied bacon in it is delicious. It was one of the better ones that I have had in a while. Overall, I found that the food was a bit too expensive for what it was, which is not a shock at a LEYE spot. On the way out we picked up some cookies and bran muffins from the cookie bar which were better than from any bakeries nearby. If I'm ever in the area I will be stopping in just for some baked goods to go. I probably wont put this place on the top of my list to go back to, but i wouldn't hesitate to go back if it was the suggested destination either.
(4)
Haley V.
I love summer house! It is my favorite place in Chicago right now. Great service, great atmosphere and great food. The burrata, brussel sprouts, and cookies are a must!
(5)
Laura L.
Good place for drinks. White, open, airy, sidewalk seating on Halsted.
(4)
Vin R.
The Summer House is a great space but the service was horrible - drinks and food took FOREVER (especially for a restaurant that wasn't full). The hot mess fries were delicious but the prime rib french dip was a joke - it might of had 4oz of fatty meat for $20. The only thing this sandwich was good for was the butt of everyones jokes - "I've seen better french dips at Arbys", "that's what you get for ordering the most expensive thing on the menu". Rather than order more food (the dip will not fill you up), and wait another 45 minutes we walked across the street for tacos.
(2)
Melody L.
Love the ambience! Organic options! Very fresh! Unique drinks! Love the white, light and airy feel!
(5)
John J.
As everyone said, the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing like it in Chicago. The menu is a little sparse but everything we had was delicious. They are going for a beach theme so don't expect a lengthy menu. My girlfriend and I split egg-chicken tostadas and a wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was delicious. We were in a hurry and the staff was more than helpful. Very accommodating. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)
Diana T.
I saw the reviews about poor customer service but our experience was quite the contrary. Everyone from the front desk to the waiters were very kind and the food was also delicious. I highly recommend the vegetables at the top of the menu- they were surprisingly amazing! The ambiance was really nice and Id be happy to come back!
(4)
Jordan D.
Extraordinary hot place given the outsized demand for summer inspired anything in Chicago. Average food. Slow -- either overwhelmed by demand or under prepared / trained -- staff. Hopefully service improves over time with feedback because this place has a lot of potential.
(2)
Melanie B.
The atmosphere is really spectacular! The glass ceiling really makes the restaurant so different than other restaurants. We had a rough start to our night as they were changing servers (5PM) and by the time we had a server 20ish minutes had gone by and we were with our kids (4 and 8). BUT, they were very apologetic and ended up comping one round of drinks and dessert - really unnecessary but great customer service (and we didn't complain - they knew they had us waiting)!! The food was great and they have a kids menu! We had the turkey burger which was great but the side salad with it was mediocre (no dressing??). The lobster frites was great! Dessert was heavenly - banana split with sesame ice cream was awesome!
(4)
Alex O.
CONNER WAS AMAZING!!!! Dined here before a concert so we were limited on time. She did a great job getting our food out in a timely order, yet we didn't feel rushed. Very friendly staff, you can tell they actually like their job. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in California....even when it's snowing outside. I can't wait to try this place during the summer time. The bonfire cocktail, swordfish, and warm apple cranberry crumble were delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.
(5)
Katie W.
I pretty much loved everything about this place! The decor is light, airy and really does have the ambiance of somewhere outside in California. I went with two girlfriends for a weeknight dinner--so maybe it wasn't as crazy as the weekends, but we were seated right at our reservation time and had no issue there. We were by the window which could have been nice but unfortunately we were there on a cold night. Our server was really friendly and attentive and offered some really good recommendations. We started with the biscuits and the brussel sprouts which were both delicious in different ways. The butter served with the biscuits made them 10x better--and they were already great! I had tried the brussel sprouts at Stella Barra and was hoping they were the same ones--I'm not sure if they were exactly the same, but seemed similar. After buttery biscuits, you would think brussel sprouts might be kinda 'meh' but these we ate all of these up as well! For my meal, I had the tuna tartare I believe? Whatever it was, it was soo good and I'm glad I went with the waiters suggestion on this. For dessert, we shared two chocolate chip cookies that had been heated up. So, pretty much the randomest meal combo ever--but I loved every single thing that we tried. Some places don't seem deserving of the hype, but I think Summer House does--I just wish it was easier to go back!
(5)
Scott W.
I Iove lettuce places. I'm a frequent diner--usually once a week. Very excited to come here. While most meals were decent, my experience was disappointing. My frites were cold with the steak. I sent them back and the were returned simply stirred around. The blue cheese was all over the frites. Not a huge deal. Then I found a hair! The waiter and manager apologized which was nice. They expedited the lobster. All good actually. Then it got really weird. They comped us two deserts. Nice. But, they made a big show about calling them an anniversary gift. The waiter said it loudly so other tables could hear. Why? PR? No one at the table had an anniversary within 3 months of our dinner. They didn't comp the meal which is what one would expect after a hair found. Or at least comp the price of my first entree. My second order was more expensive. So I would have paid the difference. The manager said she was embarrassed. That was fine. But this place has lost our business. P.s. When they delivered my replacement meal--the manager said, "we took someone else's meal, they will have to wait." Uh...how exactly does making another patron suffer help matters? So unprofessional. And to think they had a 1000 people for brunch that day alone... Update: Within a few days of this post, I got an email from a VP at Lettuce. Super nice guy (and a lovely assistant), they sent me $100 in gift cards for Summer House. We have not used them, but will. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even more? Lettuce is greatest.
(2)
Simmone S.
Ii's hard to say no to a restaurant that greets you with an array of baked goods on entering (got to go if you do not know what I mean). The food and wine were amazing! I had the mid-atlantic salmon, it came in a delectable sauce and the perfect portion size. We started with the roasted Brussels sprouts and golden beet salad - both very good. There wine menu was terrific. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous for summer dining and opens up onto the sidewalk via large glass windows. The crowd was polished people late 20s onward, some young professionals (like me :)). I absolutely loved it.
(5)
Heather R.
This was probably one of the better meals I've had in a while. As advertised, the food was fresh and light (no heavy sauces or oils), but was everything was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and satiating. The chips & guacamole rivals that of Big Star and the accompanying salsa had a great smokey flavor. The swordfish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompanying apple salad was tasty and complemented the fish quite well. I'll admit that the place was really crowded and a little congested for a Thursday night (perhaps a testament to the quality of the food and Cali-inspried atmosphere - which was certainly appreciated during this abysmal Chicago winter). However, it didn't take away from the quality of service at all. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive and very knowledgable of each menu item. I'd certainly go back and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)
J R.
Summer House accomplishes it's goal of capturing summer. Crafted cocktails, well put together menu, delicious desserts. The light color scheme in decorations, well lit dining room and fire-lit outside patio really transports you out of Chicago. The shaved brussel sprouts are everything! I had the lobster tagliatelle as my main course and have zero complaints; light cream, lobster with every bite. All very good. We "took a hike" to their cookie bar (as they jokingly suggest on their dessert menu) and took some of their homemade Rice Krispy treats and their absolutely perfect blondie home. Will most definitely be going back!
(4)
Jayne K.
Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. The beets were full of flavor and the fish tacos were the best! They came with guacamole, slaw, salsa, and some spices! The ice cream with a cookie was the icing on the cake. We will be back soon!
(5)
Anne E.
Had my doubts. Heard abut it on Thrillist, was walking by- gave it a try. BOY SO GOOD! For a new restaurant the service was great- Rachel was our server and left nothing wanting! Charley, our bus boy was the BEST! They worked together to give us a lovely meal and their suggestions for desert were fantastic. Don't leave without trying the cookie and the chocolate cake with sea salt on top. To die for. Rachel was attentive without interrupting our conversation, she was cheerful in an authentic way and gave us great service. I will tell my friends about this place and plan to come back. Thank you.
(5)
Neil O.
Went here on Saturday night. Took 2 months to get a reservation for 6 people on Saturday night, so I was expecting a lot! Venue is gorgeous, lovely decor and great atmosphere. After that, it's all 3 stars. Food was fine but no where near amazing (which I was expecting). White wine wasn't fully chilled. Server was ok. All in all I'm a bit disappointed with this place. Won't be rushing back for dinner. I've heard brunch is good so might try it again for that.
(3)
Pamela D.
I was there today for lunch. The place is definitely nice and my waitress was super nice. Having said that the food was ok. I ordered a salad with an addition of tuna. The tuna was great but the salad dressing was so salty that I had to send it back (and I love salt)!! When I got the salad back there was no dressing whatsoever which I thought was funny. I had a cucumber and mint virgin drink that was actually great.
(3)
Lena K.
Great spot to see and be seen! Wonderful decor, very fresh and very Californian. Reminded me a little of West Elm. Gets very busy so be sure to make reservations . As for the food it was just ok. Brunch menu did not have many choices . However the Bloody Mary w/ Bacon was a treat. As well as the to go bakery on the wAy out! Staff was very nice !
Love this place! The atmosphere inside is true to its name and brings a little piece of summer to Chicago in this dreadful winter. We came here for brunch and enjoyed some great items from the menu at a reasonable price. You can't go wrong with this place especially in this weather!
(4)
K D.
The look here is clean and distinct- white wood, hanging ferns, and huge marble tables. I got a Dark & Stormy and it was probably my favorite iteration of that ginger beer/bitters drink. The biscuits were delectable. I had a bite of the app, and ordered for my meal, along with the cauliflower (which was tiny and super bland). Loved that the waiter suggested splitting our bill (including dividing the apps)- wonderful for big groups. Service was attentive in general, food was hit or miss.
(3)
Kyle T.
Very nice spot in Chicago. Great bar, atmosphere, and food. I went here for dinner on New Year's Eve and they had a great menu with exceptional service. I was with a big group so I tried a bit of everything and I liked it all. I would certainly give this place a shot.
(4)
Hunter R.
Great atmosphere. Good service. The food was BLAH to bad.
(2)
Lindsay W.
Love the bright vibe inside Summer House. It is such a happy atmosphere with fresh food.
(4)
Chelsea B.
Talk about heaven on earth. Went here with a group of 8 on NYE & couldn't have had a better experience. We had a reservation obviously but, on New Years that can still be a problem time wise & here we were seated right away at a perfect table by the window. Everyone in the group enjoyed their meal & the favorite was the Maine lobster with fries which was the perfect amount of flavor & the ideal texture. Also, when you leave they have a cookie bar which even offered gluten free choices! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone & will be back soon!
(5)
Ben S.
Great place but the service is lacking. This place really survives based on its setting. Nice California feel to the interior with lots of light that Chicago residents crave all winter long. I've been here twice and was pleased but not overly impressed by the food. Prices are a bit higher than other similar restaurants. The service is nothing special. The servers don't really know the menu other than the three dishes they are told to promote. They also make you wait for a table even if you have a reservation (20 mins last time). I'll go again but don't set your expectations too high.
(4)
Eli T.
Nice atmosphere, but the food is pretty bad. I'd go again for a drink but wouldn't eat the food again
(3)
K B.
Disappointing. Ambiance is trendy, bright, enjoyable. Food was overpriced and not quality at all. All four of us were very disappointed by the lack of quality. We sent back the fries, totally inedible. My pasta was horrible, very salty and not put together. Waiter was nice, though very young and inexperienced. This Lettuce Entertain You one is a flop. Save your money for a venue worth your time.
(1)
Michael K.
Decent but the food was pretty bland. Had the pork shank and was not impressed. Seemed to lack flavor. The hamachi appetizer wasn't bad, but was nothing special. The tuna tostada app was excellent, though, as were the golden beets with goat cheese. Our server was excellent, I might add. Attentive, cheerful, prompt, and no mistakes. The ambience was cool, though a little kitschy for my tastes, but I see what they're trying to do and I get it. Anyway, all in all, not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Lizzie S.
I was very excited to try Summer House - I had heard great things and thought it was a great new addition to Lincoln Park. However, we were having a girls night and had a reservation for 6 at 8:00. I checked us in early at like 7:50 and when I did this I was told our table was paid so it shouldn't be long. 8:15 rolls around - no word from the hostess. At 8:30 we approached the host again and asked for an update - same story they had paid and were just waiting on them to leave. Very angry because we had a reservation at 8:45 none of us were pleased and asked them if they weren't going to seat us we were going to go somewhere else. They asked us if we wanted a drink, handed us menus and walked away. No one came back to take our order until we approached them to ask to place a drink order "while we wait". At 9:00 they finally came out and told us our reservation for 5 was available and I polietely told them it was for 6 and they looked at me like I was crazy. As they were showing us to our table I knew there was no way the 6 of us small girls were going to fit in this booth and I politely said something to host "are you sure we are going to fit here?" and he said "probably not let me check with my manager". The manager came over and said they have another table for us and they are really sorry that OpenTable screwed up our reservation. I showed them my email that stated it was for 6 and they mentioned they will take it up with OpenTable, but didn't want to have to my email from OpenTable. After they showed us to another table they mentioned our entire meal will be comped and by this point it was 9:15 (reservation was at 8). I really appreciated the comped meal, however none of us were looking for that. We really just wanted an actual apology for the service instead of being treated like a bunch of young annoying girls - which we are not. Our waiter was great - I honestly felt terrible for him because I'm sure he was warned about "us". I can't remember his name, but he gave us excellent service the whole night and we all proceeded to give him over a 20% tip for the night. My biggest pet peeve of the whole night after all the waiting was the manager. She was very snobby to us and never once came back and asked how we were doing the rest of the night and we were treated like we were unreasonable for being upset. I have worked in the waitressing/service industry before and usually always give benefit of the doubt to the restaurant, but in this instance I have never been so appalled about the way we were treated minus our server. I hope this is just a one night thing because I would love to go back there. The food was great and the ambiance was great! Especially on a cold, winter Chicago night. Hoping that I can go back and try it later this year and have a better experience.
(1)
Linda G.
we had an excellent meal here. great service energetic vibe. very large crystal clear ice cubes.
(5)
Chris B.
We came here for the first time over Mother's Day for brunch and we had a great time. Brunch was excellent and service was great. The overall fell of the restaurant was casual and enticing. We will be coming back again.
(4)
Robin M.
Slow service-waited an hour for our drinks. The food was cold and the staff had no idea what was going on. Avoid this place.
(1)
Meaghan M.
Went here for a double date with some great people the other weekend. It was fantastic! Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is: (1) they should ask if you want to be in the main dining, bar area or first available and (2) It gets loud. However, with those items addressed, the food was amazing- I had the pork tacos, my boyfriend had the pork entree (which he let me try, of course) we both agreed it was delicious! My friends had the half chicken and they thought it was great. My favorite was the chocolate cake we had for dessert. It was soooooo gooooood! I highly recommend saving room for dessert. We usually do not, but I am happy we did! The waitress we had was nice, allowed us time to catch up before coming over and trying to get an order out of us. While it did get a little loud, we all still had a great time. Can't wait to return!
(4)
Kathy W.
Love the atmosphere and the food is quite tasty. Seems like an equally great place to bring kids in the early evening/brunch or a date in the later evening.
(4)
Julie B.
I wish I had read a few reviews before we dined here so that I would not have expected an excellent dining experience. Obviously, the place is very nice and the summer atmosphere is great when it is still cold, however, once it gets warm, I feel this place may lose its appeal considering the level of service and quality of food were sub-par. In general, I would just say the service is slow. We started at the bar that technically is not Summer House, but still is part of the overall establishment. Bartender was very slow and paid no attention to us after we ordered. Tried flagging her down to close out our bill and she blatantly looked away so she could focus on others. Once we sat down at our table, again service was slow. Now on to food. A friend and I decided to split the vegetarian tacos and prime beef short rib ravioli. The tacos came with rice, that looked dried when it came out, but I ignored it and threw it on a taco. With the third bite, I thought my tooth was going to fall out. I wish I was exaggerating. I tried a couple more bites but the rice was just unbearable, my friend's was the same, so we both stopped eating the rice part. The ravioli were also not thoroughly cooked. We cut through one and you could see the edges were not cooked all the way. So we let the server know and he just responds that he'll let someone know and then stops back over to say, "okay she's going to stop by". Who is she?? I assume the woman who stops by next is the manager, she came over with a condescending smile and attitude and keeps cutting me off as I am trying to speak and tried explaining to us the pasta is cooked al dente. I am a 28 year old Italian. I think I know what al dente is. She says she will let the chef know of our feedback. No apology. No compensation. I don't think the chef meant for our food to come out uncooked, it's not about his directions, it is probably that the cook did not cook the ravioli long enough and the server left the tacos out too long so the rice dried up. Your feedback to chef is not going to fix anything, nor does it give me the confidence that next time your food and service is going to be awesome. For the prices they list, this place is not worth it. Maybe a couple drinks for the atmosphere, but I will likely never visit again regardless. Not worth it when new restaurants are constantly popping up in Chicago. I definitely expected better management from Lettuce Entertain You.
(2)
Gina M.
Definitely reminds you of "summer." Not a typical dim restaurant, everything is white, open ceilings, the staff wears chambray shirts. Everyone was very friendly and the food was great. We had to wait about a half hour after our reservation, but we then got sat and the waitress made sure appetizers came out immediately for us. Not to mention, she was extremely sweet and accommodating! All of the staff had wonderful smiles. Definitely recommend the half-chicken entree or salmon entree!
(3)
Allison L.
What a fabulous surprise!!! I came with high expectations and it exceeded them by leaps and bounds. The decor is truly summer and California, what an amazing respite from the cold and off weather we are having, it's truly always summery in here. The menu has options for any food request and the preparation is spot on. Gluten free, vegetarian, carnivore, picky eater... It will be tough to find someone who won't enjoy. Whatever you do, please leave room for dessert. PS--drinks are fabulous!
(5)
Garrett D.
Overall delicious. Great ambiance. We stuck mainly with small plates as it is a pretty eclectic menu. The guacamole of all things surprised me. It was great. The roasted cauliflower and caramelized brussel sprouts were also very good. I topped it off with the English Muffin Burger which was perfectly sloppy and well-prepared.
(4)
Richard K.
Pros: Food all tasted pretty good. Decor / ambiance was nice. Waiters were friendly Cons: Portions are very small. Tables are on top of each other....they really squeeze you in like sardines. Our experience was completely ruined by basically having to share a table with the two tables on either side of us. Something about having a romantic dinner with your wife overwhelmed by your table neighbor's loud stories about cocaine and prostitutes. There is no reason that I should end up sitting closer to the table next to me then my wife across from me. We're going to pass on a repeat visit on this one.
(2)
Jessica S.
I really enjoyed my dinner here and will totally go back again. I went with a group of people and we got to try lots of different things. The tuna tostada's were fabulous with the mix of watermelon it was an interest set of flavors. We also really enjoyed the ribs. The calamari was actually very good and even though it's not one of my favorite things I did enjoy the flavor and it was not over oily from the frying. I never order Chicken when I go out but it was recommended and it was quite yummy. You could tell it was cooked for hours. We also tried one of the pastas that had lots of flavor. I can't wait to go back when the roof is open.
(4)
Stephanie R.
This place is fun! The decor is very California! We got the tuna and hamachi- both were sooo good!! We also split the beets and cauliflower-- again both were great!! Veggies tacos were fine, nothing amazing but pretty good. The best part was the biscuits. They were AMAZING!!!! We got two orders. I would go back just for those. Overall pretty good food and fun spot! Than was there when I went too!
(4)
A R.
Beautiful space, darling waiter - that was the highlight. There seemed to be an ongoing penchant for the servers to bring tables the wrong food. It happened to our table twice and to adjoining tables a few times. Seems like the kitchen has some organizational issues. As for the food, it was OK. I ordered the Korean Pork Taco which I was very excited about. The pork was swimming in a grease laden sauce and was full of fat and grizzle. It was pretty bland to boot. My hubs ordered the Steak Frites. Again, a pretty lackluster execution. Other table members reported fair to midland type of reviews. If we went again, we would probably try brunch. As for dinner, I think there are way better options without having to deal with the LP crowd as your backdrop.
(3)
Elizabeth Z.
I'm in love with the space. So Cali. However, service needs improvement and its not consistent. There was a weekend I went and someone got these stuffed peppers that looked and tasted great but when I went back and ordered the same dish the peppers seemed overdone and I could barely see them on my plate. Only came for brunch a few times when they first opened so hopefully just a few kinks they can workout.
(3)
Pete C.
I went to summer house the other night and it was really good. The menu is a little random but it reminded me of Hub51 (I have never seen a beach ball on a menu..yes an actual beach ball). The California feel is spot on. It was freezing the night I went and it did feel like we escaped to California. We started with the burrata which was creamy enough and the jam at the bottom had a little kick. We tried two different salads and both were good. For entrees my friend ordered the burger with fries which was massive and delicious. I ordered the pork shank which was extremely tender. The way it's presented on the menu was a tad misleading to me in which I thought the apples would play a more dominant role. However everything we had we enjoyed and I would definitely recommend trying it.
(4)
Courtney A.
Ehh....I've eaten here maybe three times. Every single time I have eaten here I have had a reservation yet had to wait. This last time was the worst: I had a reservation for 8:30 and had to wait until 9:10 for a table. Not a huge deal, but after my wait, I was seated in the bar area -- normally not a big deal but after a 40 minute wait after your reservation, you would expect a real table, not a table in the bar area where people are basically standing at your table while waiting for a drink. The service is ok. Not nearly as good as other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My companion and I both had no silverware when our meals were brought out....The food is pretty good, but honestly, not worth the wait...The wine list is great, as are the cookies. But last time I was here, the person at the "cookie bar" was pretty rude -- entering her receipts as opposed to waiting on people, to the point where I just left, deciding that a really good cookie was not worth the ten minutes it would take the bratty girl behind the counter to look up and actually serve people, i.e. do her job. Finally, having lived in Southern California, this place misses the mark: the only thing "californian" about this place is the fake blonde fake tan people waiting to eat here. I won't be coming back. Coppervine is next door -- much better atmosphere and much better service.
(3)
Barry M.
Food is hit or miss-some good dishes some pretty poor dishes. Nice atmosphere nice servers, but really the food is nothing special.
(2)
Jenny Y.
Love this place and the atmosphere here! Came here 3 times and enjoyed each time i came. Food is pretty decent here, very friendly services too harmachi tartare & green apple - Really Good! lobster pasta- Love it! roasted cauliflower- very tasty japanese egg plants- pretty good yuzu scallops- had this 3 times, the first 2 times were good, but the 3rd time was way too sour...you can probably skip this salad and dessert were okay, nothing impressive.
(4)
Patrick B.
Too noisy. They need to know that people like to have a conversation when they are out to dinner. Not everyone wants to feel like they are in a bar. Not sure how it adds to the ambiance. It's nice enough that they don't have to add the juke box...
(1)
Kirsten B.
Tom was absolutely fantastic and extremely knowledgeable about the menu items as well as super attentive to our table!! Highly recommend Tom and Summerhouse!!
(4)
Roshani C.
Really great ambience, great food, great service. Everything was timed perfectly. As we finished one appetizer, the second one was brought over, and then shortly after our entrees came. There was no overlap and we had enough time between courses.
(5)
Brendan S.
Cool Vibe but Misses the Mark Summer House has an inviting feel and is well decorated, but the food is overpriced and even an untrained cook could make it. I paid 24$ for salmon and it looked like someone through it on a plate with some fennel, you could make this dish at home for 8$ and it would taste the same, if not better. I once ordered a salad and it was the saddest thing I've had a restaurant - for the price. It's not that this place is expensive, it's just that for what you are getting you are totally getting taken. I think those who enjoy this place put ambiance over quality.
(2)
Ralph S.
Dined at Summer House last night after putting a reservation in a couple of weeks prior. Food and service was great. Tuna Tostadas, biscuits, caramelized brussel sprouts, and korean tacos were all fantastic. Drink list is simple enough if you want beer and complex enough if you want some summer style tastes. I am not a wine drinker, so I cannot comment on the wine list, but it was there and they seemed to push us on it. Overall the place has a pretty cool setting and is always packed, which I am a fan of. Prices were a bit too expensive. $24 for two tacos is pretty ridiculous. I would suggest going and sharing plates with others like our party did. Stella Barra next door is on the list to try as well. Enjoy
(4)
Kevin D.
The food here was pretty good, defintely worth returning for. The Burrata appetiser was to die for! All the fish was very good, however the Skate Fish was far to salty, and this was consistent with both orders we had at our table. It was just drowning in salt and it left us feeling not so great after the meal. The rainbow trout was much better however. The decor is nice, but the service is a little amateurish. It seemed more like what you'd get in a small college town then a prominent neighbourhood in Chicago. I looking forward to returning and trying some of the other dishes.
(3)
Jenny I.
Great atmosphere, lots of light and open space. Food is delicious as well, I have only been there for brunch but the homemade english muffins are amazing and the buratta appetizer was scrumptious as well. I highly recommend.
(5)
M R.
Nice looking place with an all around good menu.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Lovely ambiance, bad food. I went with my sister for dinner last night and we didn't enjoy a single dish. For an appetizer we got the scallops which were pretty much scallops sitting in a pool of butter.. Market salad had no other ingredients besides lettuce... And then we split tuna fish tacos which were also flavorless. Disappointed.
(1)
Arlene R.
Went to Summer House for breakfast. Great menu choices and delicious dishes. Service was amazing thanks to the awesome manager there! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Jim D.
Our party of four was thoroughly delighted with every aspect of our evening at SH, from the amazing calamari to the melt-in-your-mouth desserts! The atmosphere is very west coast, which was a relief from our polar vortex here! The server was very knowledgable and attentive but not a pest. The value is good, not too pricey. Get some cookies and English muffins at the market on your way out, you will be glad you did!!!
(5)
Michael F.
While we were seating right away, what should have been a 1 hour late supper took 2 1/2 hours. Several of our dishes were cold and had to be sent back, others were just wrong. Turkeyburger was a two-patty dried out mess. Our server was probably new and not ready for prime time. The manager was great, comped a number of dishes, and offered a complimentary dessert, but I doubt we'll return.
(2)
Caileigh C.
Beautiful restaurant- open, airy, there was even a breeze coming through the open windows on the roof. Actually felt like like I was in Santa Barbara and I was actually there 3 weeks prior, though this definitely has a Chicago twist on it. Had the vegetable enchiladas and the oaked chardonnay - both were fabulous! Will be returning for special occasions.
(4)
Kailei R.
Went there for my husband's birthday and had a great time. We individually had passed by and wanted to check it out. We weren't disappointed. The "Vitamin D" room had great ambiance and nice natural light on the summer evening we were there. They had "zero proof" cocktails which I appreciate -- I love me a good cocktail with alcohol but having the option to order a thoughtfully created beverage for those who don't drink is a nice touch. I had the one with watermelon (I think it was called watermelon smash) which was delicious. I ordered the pasta dish with a parmesan cheese based stock, lobster and summer truffles. It was yummy. My husband had a turkey burger with a fried egg on top. He loved the burger but the yolk squirted out on the table and his shirt when he bit into it which was messy, but he still enjoyed it. We also ordered the brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction. I enjoyed them, but my husband said he didn't like the flavors after having the turkey burger. For dessert since it was his birthday they brought out a cookie with vanilla ice cream. We were pleasantly surprised they had a gluten free chocolate chip cookie option, which was pretty darn good.
(4)
D S.
awesome ambiance, food and service.. One of our favorite joints for a late sunday brunch / lunch
(5)
Brandon B.
Everything was fantastic. A great spot that truly brings the Bungalow/Shutters vibe from Santa Monica to Chicago. Summer House is well worth a visit. The biscuits and salmon were absolutely fantastic and all of the drinks were great. I will be adding it to the list for future visits.
(5)
James D.
Went there early in the evening with my daughter. We got right in but it was a wednesday at 5:30 pm. The place was very inviting and felt like we were at vacation spot!! We had the Guac and chips for an appetizer and we both had a house pinot nior that was great. I had the salmond and daughter had the halibut, both were fresh and great. Only one problem the server gave us the most expensive pinot 16$ per, she should have gave us the least expensive or offered for us to buy a bottle!! They had cheaper wine, I asked just for the house bottle. For that reason I will not be back, I still gave her a decent tip 20%...
(2)
Sara F.
I was really hoping all of the negative reviews I read about Summer House were wrong...but unfortunately I have to add to the list :( A group of friends and I dined here on Monday with an 8pm reso, we arrived right on time and then proceeded to wait over 45 minutes for our table. The hostess kept telling us it would only be a couple of minutes after each check in and that its just "restaurant science"...whatever BS that means. The menu had a large selection of options which reminded me of SH's Lettuce Entertain You sibling Hub51 minus the sushi. We had a variety of apps and entrees, everything was kind of bland, no one was really blown away. One of the girls ordered the spring veggie orchetti which had a bunch of stickers in it from it...no idea how that was missed before it got to our table. They offered her a new entree but after how long we waited for our table and food it wasn't even worth it. They brought our table ice cream as a weak attempt at "I'm sorry". Doubt I will come back here which is too bad. The vibe and decor is really cool and usually I love a good Lettuce restaurant but they just missed the mark on this one.
(2)
Valreyrib ..
Came here to take my friend out for her birthday. Everything was great. The left side of the menu is small plates and the right side is entrees. We went with the small plates and had the egg plant, tuna poke, calamari, and burrata. YUM. Fresh and tasty. They have specialty cookies and even gave us a complimentary one with ice cream since it was my friend's bday. It's very cute, bright and white, very Cali feel. Takes ya outta Chicago for a meal.
(4)
Carole G.
If you are looking for a place to bring young children, this is the place. If you are looking for a place where you can have a good meal and enjoy conversation, find another place. Food was good but kids running around made it a place I would not recommend. There are too many other good places in Chicago.
(2)
Alejandra P.
Lovely place. Glass roof indoors for a sunny lunch. Looks like an LA Cottage by the sea. Affordable prices, friendly staff.
(4)
Eva G.
Awesome place for dinner! Loved their lobster pasta, and the drinks I ate. Will definitely come back again!
(5)
R H.
I agree with many of the other reviewers before me--the service was bad. We came on a Sunday morning (10/19) for brunch, and our waitress seemed like she could not care less about anything. What bothered me most, though, were the two girls at the bakery counter when I wanted to buy baked goods to take home after brunch. I was going to buy a lot of things, so I started by asking if they had a large box or container to hold everything. Both girls at the counter acted like I was burdening them with this request, and were clearly annoyed. Without saying anything, one of them disappeared to the back for about 5 minutes, and then came back and said there were no boxes and that most people just use the bags. I said that's fine, and I didn't mean to put them to any trouble, and a bag would have been fine if they had just told me from the beginning that that's how they do it. It just really peeved me how rudely they acted towards a customer who had already spent money dining with them, and was about to spend even more money at their bakery counter. I purposely included the date so maybe the manager can see who was working that day and coach those employees on their customer service skills. I gave the restaurant two stars because the food was good. Not spectacular, but good. I had the breakfast tostadas, which had a lot of nice flavor, and the iced almond coffee, which did not taste at all of almonds. The hashbrowns were just hard fried potatoes--nothing special. I will not be going back.
(2)
Rachel V.
Here's the question: Do you care about atmosphere or food? If you answered, atmosphere, Summer House is the place for you! Walking into Summer House feels like walking into a restaurant in California, despite the heavy duty coat you're wearing and your wind-blown Chicago hair. The inside provides a nice change from the midwest norm. If you answered food, I can't say I highly recommend Summer House. It's just...whatever. Like most reviewers wrote, the hot mess fries are a must, but really other than that, I was kind of disappointed. I definitely don't recommend the scallops - small and bland!
(3)
Nora B.
Been here twice and liked both times. Decent service and food. Had to wait a little while to order dessert and for the check but it was restaurant week and we weren't in a hurry.
(5)
Matthew T.
Summer house was decent at best. The server was amazing just really disappointed in the food. Portions are small, up charges for anything and even the cocktails were mediocre. The only way summer house is worth it is for the ambiance. The venue is great. Very beautiful.
(2)
I J.
The atmosphere here is really nice and so are the drinks. However, the food isn't good and it's overpriced. I've been here for brunch, breakfast and dinner, and they all have sucked. The service isn't good, our server seemed annoyed to be serving us and I am just not going to waste my money here again. You probably should not either.
(2)
Lauren M.
I came here on a Friday night for a first date, and this place was perfect. We came in around 8:30pm, no reservation. We were informed it would be a 45-60min wait, and my date left his name and number and we went and walked around for a bit. My first impression of this place was that it was way too nice for a first date- I was actually worried he wouldn't be able to afford it. But we figured out it was pretty reasonably priced, so we gave it a shot. It was AWESOME. We were sat after about an hour wait, and they had given us menus while we were waiting so I already had an idea of what I wanted. The wait staff was super chill and friendly. My date and I both ordered burgers because we were too nervous to try the other cool looking stuff on the menu. He got an English Muffin Burger and I got a turkey burger. It definitely exceeded my expectations. Plus the side salad was AMAZING. We were too full for desert, but when I go back I would definitely like to try the other menu items!
(5)
Kaitlin M.
This place is DEAD to me. I wouldn't care if it burned to the ground. I have never has so many things go wrong in one meal in my life. 1. We showed up 10 minutes early to our 11:30 brunch reservation and did not get sat till about 11:50. One of my guests was hungry so she was forced to buy a muffin to hold her over. 2. We were sat while they finished setting up our table. On top of this they set our coffee and mimosa glass as every seat and then if you don't want either, place their fingers in the glasses and put them back on the shelf to be used for another table. GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOSS 3. We waited 15 minutes before we finally waived down a bus boy to at least get us some water. 4. Our server finally comes around and doesn't say a word to us when she grabs the check of the table of the previous diners. And then she vanished for another 10 minutes. 5. By the time we actually ordered our food and drinks it was about an hour later than our original reservation. GRRRRRRR 6. We ordered 4 omelettes. All but one actually had the cheese that was listed on the menu in the omelette. I was actually able to COMPLETELY unfold my entire mass of eggs, spinach and kale. It was RIDICULOUS!!! Needless to say, our server did do the good deed of giving us a couple of baked goods to make up for it. HOWEVER, I don't want more food, I JUST ATE!!! Just comp one of the meals and well call it even. "No can do," she said. So we left... with two very pissed off men among us four. 7. I ordered a bloody and asked to get it vegetarian... yup... it showed up with the bacon. YUCK! When I asked for her to have the bartender make me a new one without the bacon she responded "we can just take the bacon out." NO you ****! They put the bacon to help flavor the drink in the first place. Just taking it out does not work! Ok... I'm done. And my blood pressure is way too high for making myself wait a couple of weeks to write this so I didn't go off worse. Ugh.
(1)
Andy P.
Food is ok and the inside is pretty cool. With all of the other restaurants in the city the quality of the food is just ok. I also ate at the pizza place that's connected to the summer house and thought the food was much more impressive and tasty. Don't pass up a homemade cookie on your way out the door!
(3)
Christina A.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had a reservation and, yet, we were greeted in a chilly manner by the hosts. The place was nearly empty when we arrived(9am) and they sat us at a high top next to the bar. I asked for a lower table and we were then sat at the two top right behind the host stand. Normally, I'd hate a table like that because of the amount of traffic that walks by. However, we were quickly greeted by our super friendly server, Conner. She was fabulous and made the whole experience so much better. What really shines at Summer House, however, is the food. Everything we ordered was awesome! We tried the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancakes served with maple syrup and lemon curd and the Hashbrown Benedict with the smoked salmon. Holy cow! It was amazing! The poached eggs were cooked perfectly so that the yolk ran when I broke into it. The candied bacon was yummy too. And who would complain about the rich Dark Matter coffee. I cannot wait to go back. The tough thing is going to be whether we'll order the same thing or not.
(4)
Mike M.
ok food, but ultimately a failure. what i ate and drank were not particularly memorable. what i do remember well is was how i and my group was treated. the hostess made my group of 3 squeeze into a crowded bar when the restaurant was less than half full because "there are a lot of reservations currently". roughly 2 hours later when we were leaving, all the same tables were still open. lame. never again.
(1)
Carolyn C.
Scott our server was very attentive and personal. Good food, cookies are amazing, sushi ok, drinks and wine list superb.
(4)
Nichole F.
i have never been to a a lettuce entertain you restaurant that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed from service, to ambiance to food....until now. The decor and ambiance is great here, especially on a chilly, gray day. Service was fine but not great like I am used to experiencing with this restaurant group. Where Summer House fails though is on the food side and price for what you get. I ordered the roasted cauliflower side which was pretty bland along with the fried calamari. The calamari was not hot, not even really warm when I received and it was really greasy - I couldn't finish it was so unappetizing. For $14 for a small calamari appetizer and $8 for 4 pieces of roasted cauliflower, I expect it to be damn good. I went with two friends and one ordered a $17 cobb salad with chicken that was so small and poorly presented, it was absurd. My other friend ordered an overpriced asparagus "salad" and the tostadas app which were OK but nothing to write home about. So... 2 salads (not entree size) 1 side 2 apps 2 drinks = $96 Had the food been amazing and of adequate portion sizes, I would consider going back and wouldn't balk at the cost. That's just not the case here. If nothing else, I can say I've been.
(2)
Sharon C.
We had a nice dinner here..food was tasty, HOWEVER I was really shocked by the skimpy serving of wine the waitress poured. Since when has serving less than half a glass of wine become acceptable? Have NEVER come across that before! Won't be coming back here very soon....
(2)
Matthew F.
When you are at Summer House, you literally feel like you have been transported out of chicago and have entered some chic restaurant found in the trendiest area of California. From the appetizers all the way to the homemade cookie dessert, every part of the meal is delicious and freshly made. I definitely recommend the tuna tostadas and the calamari is mouth watering. It can be a bit pricey, but they have some amazing deals that allow you to cut the price quote substantially. Awesome date night place. Awesome place to take visitors visiting chicago who want to be shown a unique and great time.
(5)
Suzuki G.
Went there for the first time and it was amazing! I loved ever bit of it. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. I definitely look forward to going back again soon!
(5)
Adam F.
Delicious food although one of the meals came undercooked. They made up to us by giving us 100 dollars off our next meal. Definitely taking them up on that. Many options all tasting great.
(5)
Lisa S.
I agree with David W. who just wrote a review before me. This is definitely a 4.5 star place! I went with my girl friend last night, and we decided to share several items on the menu. Everything was delicious, and the tuna tostada was definitely my favorite! The atmosphere was great....perfect for friends, family or date night. I love the openness and airiness, but I am not sure how well that will work once winter hits Chicago again. Our server was also extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made some great recommendations. I also have to mention the cookie bar. You should definitely save room for dessert! I highly recommend the s'mores cookie. (If you're too stuffed, you can always take a cookie home too)!
(4)
Mike M.
Best brunch I have ever had. Had the Short Rib hash that was out of this world. Service and food are top notch. Airy feeling makes you think that you are in California. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Nicole S.
Such a lovely place to get some Vitamin D (in their Vitamin D room) and munch on some appetizers while having a beer. Their desserts are HUGE and to die for! Yelp offered a check-in reward - free cookie with a scoop of ice cream. So good! We had a wonderful waitress (Michelle) who was very helpful and kind; really went out of her way to make sure my mom and I enjoyed our time. I highly recommend this place as a date spot or a girls-only date. Really beautiful ambiance and great menu. Very fair prices, too.
(5)
Ritika K.
My friend and I stopped by for lunch last Saturday and we were seated at the bar. We got a table within 10 minutes without any prior reservation. The ambience is so fresh and modern. It truly lives up to the name summer house. I ordered orange juice and brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts were the best I've ever had. I even recommend it for those who don't like brussel sprouts. I loved the place so much that I immediately made a lunch reservation for the next weekend. You will get a free cookie and ice cream if you check in on yelp. Chocolate chip cookie was out of this world. Can't wait to go back in 3 days.
(5)
Joyce L.
English muffins... Delicious, fluffy, warm home made English muffin with butter and jam. It must be the British colony upbringing, but when someone serves me a very well made breakfast stable like that, I go ga-ga. Even my friend agrees... And she lives a mostly carb free life! The rest of the breakfast/ brunch menu is a nice blend of Midwest and Cali cool. The burrito selection is comparable to what I'd find in San Francisco - the vegetarian Mission burrito is delicious! The pork hash was decadent and satisfyingly rich. Kale scramble looked amazing... When kale goes out of fashion, it'll be probably be a pesto scramble once again. Our server said French Toast was their best seller... I chose to have my sweets in the form of a correct ratio - aka bubbles dominant vs juice- Peach Bellini instead ;) Great service, excellent pastry department (fleur de sel cookie...!!!) and the kitchen wasn't bad either. Very worthy visit.
(4)
N J.
The decor was beautiful & the service was exceptional! The food was delicious & great portion of Mahi Mahi Tacos! All of us loved our food. The only reason I don't give it 5 Stars - is the restaurant obviously had way too many tables & my chair kept on getting hit/bumped all night by servers & patrons. Other patrons also noted & commented on the overcrowded dining area. They should've pulled 1 or 2 tables out to create a better flow of customers & staff!
Went here for brunch and had a very good cinnamon roll. It was called the "jumbo cinnamon roll" or something. Went to pick one up the following weekend and saw only a smaller cinnamon roll labeled gluten-free. I asked the employee if they had any of the "jumbo cinnamon rolls". He stated that they were using new baking trays and these were the jumbo ones, just smaller. He said they were not gluten-free despite the sign saying "gluten-free". Well, my fault for trusting him. They were gluten-free and absolutely disgusting.
(2)
Stella W.
This is for their brunch service... my friend and I went to the Stella Barra the night before but the interior and sunroof room at the Summer House caught our attention that we decided to come back for brunch after our 10k race the next day... I love the sunroof room and it has a really california feel...the menu and the decor... They are def. very accommodating...after the race, we didn't want anything heavy, but def. want some kinda protein for recovery, so i asked if i can sub. the sausages with the smoked salmon for an additional cost. i also pushed the envelop a bit with soft boiled eggs, which to my surprise, not only they said yes (most places wouldn't even make hard boil eggs for some reasons...it's not like they don't have water, pot and eggs)...but they also nailed it with 3 perfect soft boiled eggs!! My favourite!!!! The dish turned out to be almost perfect.... I wonder if they make a batch of hash brown because mine seemed to have been sitting out for a while...fortunately, i don't really like hash brown anyway... so then why 3 stars? well, even though they are very accommodating, our server disappeared like half of the time. Even though they use Dark Matter coffee, which made me really excited, the coffee that day was stale and acidic...i had to ask for coke instead. I drink my coffee black and tried so hard to drink it that every sip i took reminded me of the chinese bitter herbal soup my parents made me drink when i was little...no thank you!
(3)
Fi Fi R.
Saturday brunch with a friend and a couple of kids at the Summer House was an INCREDIBLE idea! My Gosh- this place is AMAZING! The ambiance is refreshing! You feel like it is Summer sitting inside. Everything around was cute. Our Server was VERY sweet and attentive (sorry, I don't remember her name) We ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict, pulled pork hash, tostadas, Spanish hash and a couple of kids meals. For drinks, we had coffee, Bloody Mary's, and juice. EVERYTHING was absolutely DELICIOUS! Everything we saw served to other tables looked AMAZING! We will definitely come back! No DOUBT!
(5)
cynthia t.
Came here on a Friday for lunch....Our server Kyle was super attentive and nice. I had the avocado toast with scrambled eggs and a friend had a turkey sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and the service was great, along with the bright dining room and as everyone else has commented on, the beach decor. The only downside I would say was the host stand. The young woman working there did not greet me when I entered and said hello; Instead, she just sort of stood there and continued chatting with a server/host . I figured out where my friend was sitting and just went and sat myself. Other than that Applebys moment, the service was adequate. Would return again to try out the rest of the menu.
(3)
Raina P.
I have been there twice this summer. Once we ate outside and once inside. The place is beautiful. The area is lively. So i would give 5 stars for ambience. The food- not so much. It is very ordinary, meager, and over priced. I am surprised because these are not normal characteristics of a Lettuce restaurant. In addition our server had a slight attitude. The prices at lunch are not commensurate with the food. They serve bread for a fee. The salad had a laughable amount of chicken in it. I hope they can make a few changes here because i love the setting.
(2)
Julieanne T.
It was cold and gloomy out in the dead of winter and we decided to check this place out. It was amazing walking in as it totally transforms your mood because of the beautiful decor and super brightly lit room. I ordered the Cucumber Cooler (non-alcoholic) and it was AMAZING, A little pricey, but so worth it, and the turkey eggs Benedict. Eggs Benedict is my all time fav brunch choice, and I guess it was my fault because for some reason when I read 'turkey' I imagined real turkey chunks but it came out as deli meat which was a bit of a buzz kill. While I was satisfied at the end of the meal, I do think that for the price they should include some sort of side item as opposed to having to order it separately. We shared an order of the candied bacon which was top-notch though, so that made it all worth it. A $50 breakfast for 2 people, without any alcoholic drinks, was a little too much for me, so I don't know if I would ever do it again. I think if I went again it would be to share some apps, get a couple of drinks and just enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.
(4)
Emily J.
I've only been here for post-work drinks. Nice and light venue. Whatever is ailing you, it's easy just to leave it at the door. Must by the summery, California coast decor! The drinks were fab as was the bartender of the evening!
(4)
Brandi A.
From arrival to departure, I loved this restaurant! The view is beautiful and the burger that I had was great. The drinks are very good, as well. Our server was very attentive and polite. I went to lunch with a friend around 3pm on a Friday afternoon and we had no wait. The one thing I didn't do was take advantage of the dessert bar. Please do so! It looks so worth it. I'll definitely be visiting again. :)
(4)
Lisa R.
We were in from out of town. We had a mix-up with our reservations (our mistake), and they couldn't have been more accommodating, especially since we were a large party. Our server was delightful - humorous, helpful, and let us taste lots of wines before we made our choices. Our meal was absolutely delicious. The biscuits are to die for!!! Pastas were awesome. I can't say enough. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Rachel W.
Summer House is very trendy right now so it can be hard to get in, or typically on a wait, but it has a great light summery vibe and I am a fan for drinks w/girlfriends, or brunch w/my mom. It will be really nice in summer when the roof opens up. They will sub tofu for eggs on their dishes, I recommend the hash w/tofu subbed and adding avocado :) Their veggie tacos are great, although I think pricey for veggie tacos. Beyond that, they have a few other vegan options such as guac and some salads, and they can modify a few of the veggie sides if you let your server know. I took a large group of clients here and we had attentive friendly service and clients were very happy. They also picked up a bunch of desserts that they raved about. As far as I can tell, no vegan desserts (yet).
(4)
Adoley J.
Sat in the Vitamin D room for brunch which I needed since winter decided to show up early. Very warm and nice decor. Our waitress recommended the breakfast tostadas and they were delicious. Two crispy tortillas topped with black beans, pulled chicken all with a side of guacamole. The pulled chicken was tender and well seasoned and the eggs perfectly cooked. YUM. Everything on the plate was delicious. Afterwards a friend and I got the sea salt chocolate chip cookie with hot fudge and ice cream. Nothing but pure deliciousness. We had a lovely brunch and I cannot wait to go back for dinner.
(4)
Linda C.
Energy, lighting, atmosphere, music and staff are on point. It's no kidding this place is always busy. Make a reservation and make sure you don't get discouraged to come here. It's well worth planning. Great breakfast and brunch spot. For bacon lovers - they have the perfect bacon. We had the crispy waffles, house made muffin, bacon and Mexican Hash (yes, it's amazing and clean).
(5)
Patrick C.
Terrible service! Just terrible. The food was very average and overpriced. The only two positives were the atmosphere was decent and they had good Bloody Marys. Too bad we couldn't get a second because the server never stopped back after taking our order. The food runners drop at the table, turn around, and walk away. No butter, jam or syrup was provided for toast or pancakes. No coffee refills. Someone at my table had to get up and walk over to ask for a check.
(1)
Kristin S.
I loved the hanging plant baskets and how they managed to keep the temperature moderate but keep a delightful west coast patio breeze going was beyond me, but AWESOME! Drool worthy food (I'm still having sweet sweet dreams about) and a unique atmosphere and decor! The place was packed which is always a good sign, and although we dined LATE, I mean I think we walked in for dinner after 10pm we still had a little wait for a table (which was fine because we waited at the bar.) The bar was adorable with a west coast vibe, white woodwork and flowy summer feel throughout. Courteous and knowledgeable bartender, comfortable seating, and nice glassware. I had the Maine Lobster Orecchiette and it was melt in your mouth delicious and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as heavy as I thought. The roasted chicken was also perfection on a plate! There is a lovely dessert/bakery case on your way out...awesome- fyi :-)
(5)
Faith D.
Update on 6/3/14 (after our disappointing brunch visit in March): Decided to try SH again for dinner. Same 4 gals who were at brunch on 3/30. This time, we had a table near the front door. Gorgeous evening. Nice vibe. Funky/cool music. Busy but not insane. We ordered 6 appetizers to share among the 4 of us. Our server was Chris S. and we specifically asked that he NOT bring everything at once but that we pace ourselves. It worked out quite well. We had our food from cold to hot and in the following order: Guacamole -- (guac /chips /salsa all delicious) Burrata and tomato "jam" platter with toast (seriously as good as it gets) Roasted cauliflower w/jalapeno pesto (had a kick but very tasty) Calamari (fabulous sauce with this -- probably #2 favorite of everyone) Fish tacos (tortillas were yummy; guac - corn salad - slaw all good Orcchiette pasta with peas ramps asparagus #1 favorite. Fresh, light, so tasty! One of the servers recognized one of our group and had a surprise dessert sent to us -- a warm, chocolate, walnut cookie that was almost like a brownie and large enough for the 4 of us to share. We could not finish it. This visit was a totally different experience for us. Very pleasant. No slips. We also want to thank Corey Milner for inviting us back. We were impressed that you took our comments seriously and we wanted you to know that last night's visit was delightful. So -- THANK YOU. To my dining companions -- I hope this reflects all of our opinions. Mar didn't love the Burrata - but as she said on the ride home -- she ate the whole thing anyway. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday brunch 3/30/14 -- 1PM reservation for 4. Packed house. Our reservation was promptly honored. We had a very nice booth in the corner. Slowest. Service. Ehhver. Took about 12 minutes to be acknowledged by a server for water. Which then took another 5 minutes. One of our people had just run the shamrock shuffle and was in need of rehydration. Sheesh! Yes, it's a pretty place. Incredibly white, bright, clean. Bring sunglasses if you're dining during daylight hours. You've been warned. As for dining: 2 gals ordered Bloody Marys; 2 gals ordered iced tea. Server told us "we're out of iced tea". Really? OUT of ICED TEA??? Managers: That's just unacceptable. How about bring us HOT tea and tall glasses with ice? Got that done. But our server evidently could not come up with that on her own. Food was fine. Beet salad and Mexican hash browns for the table to share. Bagel and smoked salmon plate; chicken salad sandwich, fried chicken & waffles; eggs Benedict. All standard. Adequate. Good. Actually, once we managed to get our server's attention and place our orders -- the food came out surprisingly quickly and at the appropriate temperature. Also - we asked for a dessert menu as we were celebrating a quarter-century birthday. No dessert at brunch. That was funny as there is a BAKERY at the front of the restaurant before you get to the hostess stand. No dessert? Ridiculous. We told our server we were disappointed (and jealous because a table near us brought their own birthday cake and had we known .....) -- so she brought over a paper bag with a few cookies -- not on a plate for us to enjoy together - just handed the bag to the birthday girl. Never offered coffee. More training needed for this particular server. Did you bring her in from California? Does she not know how we do things in the Midwest? I'm not saying I wouldn't try again (for dinner) but as of now -- 2 stars. Possibly 2.5.
(4)
Leslie B.
Had reservations for 4 at 6:30 on a Friday night and Summer House was already crowded! Due to looking at other reviews, I knew we'd wait for our table and we did, about 10 minutes. The interior and atmosphere of Summer House is refreshing. Bright white walls, high ceilings, definitely makes you forget the chilly temps outside. Our waitress came over right away to explain the menu, how there are more shareable items, etc. We started with a round of drinks and I opted for the Bonfire, which I highly recommend. Tequila, grapefruit, and spice make this one incredibly tasty without being too sweet. For appetizers, we went with the guacamole and brussel sprouts. The guac was very fresh and came with tasty chips, this was good for sharing with the table. The brussel sprouts were good, but came in an alarmingly small portion size for the price tag. Skip the $9 brussel sprouts if you're concerned about price, we each only got to sample a few. For dinner, we all ordered different items, but I think the girls won out big. Kara Z. had the trout, recommended by our waitress, and really enjoyed how it was prepared. I had the ahi tuna tacos and they were wonderful. A huge portion of spiced, rare tuna, it was awesome to be able to make my own tacos with the accompanying ingredients. Highly recommend. My boyfriend ordered the "double-decker" turkey burger, which is not meant for a hungry man. The patties are actually incredibly thin, which I truly believe should be mentioned on the menu. They were so thin that my boyfriend thought there was only one patty, so he asked our waitress if they could bring another or check it out. Unfortunately, the dish was brought back to him as is, with the note that there were indeed two patties. From a costumer service perspective, I believe he should have at least received a fresh burger, as his dish was gone from the table when we were all eating and returned cold. We checked in on Yelp and received a cookie with ice cream, which was fantastic. The manager also brought us pumpkin pie, to remedy the turkey burger situation, but a new turkey burger would have been the right move. The check arrived, $100 for the two of us, which I feel can go a lot further at other establishments in the city. Overall, leave this place to young Lincoln Park families and North Shore couples looking for a night in the city.
(3)
Naz G.
Great spot! It took us a really long time to decide what we wanted because everything looked so good! Went with the tuna tacos which were really yummy! Definitely recommend! Cant wait to go back!
(4)
Sandy D.
The restaurant is nice sat in the Vitamin d room light airy. The food was awful. We ordered Brussels sprouts they were tuff and not very flavorful. The guacamole was just okay. I ordered the fettuccine with English peas the pasta was dry and lacked any flavor. My friend had chicken tacos they were over cooked. I so wanted to like the food but really very disappointed. The icing on the cake we hardly ate any of our entree and the waiter took it away just assumed he would wrap it up and bring back. No he threw it out and when I asked he said sorry did you ask me to wrap it up? No shouldn't that be the question he asks us? He said he would order us another one. I told hi not to bother as it really didn't taste good anyway. Many more restaurants in the area,that are really good.
(2)
Howard L.
There has been much buzz about the Summerhouse and it is very crowded and hard to get a reservation. I went there last night with my date and we both loved the interior. Very summer looking indeed. We were seated at 7:15 for our 7:00 reservation by using our pull with the bartender Kaile (?) who was very helpful and very nice. The food, however, was average at best. We had the prime rib sandwich which was grossly overpriced at $20.00. My date had a salad which was average and the scallops, which were average as well. Summerhouse did have a surprisingly extensive list of Pinot Noirs. Most wines by the glass were $12.00, which is also average. I wanted to like it more but my conclusion is that the space is really nice but the food is average and overpriced.
(3)
amanda k.
Delicious food! We tried about 6 different dishes and loved them all. We were pleased from apps all the way to dessert. The mushroom enchilada was delicious! Service was fabulous as well! My only complaint is the fact that I made three separate calls to make and confirm my reservation only to show up and be told that I don't have a reservation, or maybe I do have one but it's for Tuesday? The front desk is a mess but once you get passed these girls, you'll be happy!!
(4)
Lauren M.
The service is just as great as the food! They were very attentive with water refills and making sure we were okay. The food is delicious there a quite a variety of choices. When you check in via Yelp! you recieve a free warm and chocolate chip cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream!
(4)
Kristine C.
Back again! And probably again and again and again. My boyfriend is in love with this place, so am I and apparently the rest of Chicago. Every time we go they are packed. I love the ambience and decor. The website is not an accurate representation of how the restaurant looks and feels. On our most recent visit we popped in on a Thursday night around 8 p.m. without a reservation. Like I said, it's busy. We were not able to get a table for two for awhile. Being flexible management allowed us to dine at one of their waiting area tables. Unconventional, but their food is worth it. We went for the caramelized brussel sprouts and ahi tuna tostadas again for starts. I am glad these are staples on their menu. I think because we were seated in the waiting area, or they were just being nice, we were offered a complimentary golden beet salad. I do not eat goat cheese bit picked around it. I don't usually enjoy beet salads. Beets are too earthy tasting for my liking. The citrus or acid they add soaked up by the beets hide just enough of the earthy taste it surprised me! I was able to eat more than just two! For our entrees this time around we ordered the albacore tune tacos to share, and because we enjoyed it so much last time, the lobster tagliatelle. The tacos come with four tortillas on the side, with a separate plate filled with a tuna steak cut into six pieces (odd number for sharing), guacamole, slaw, and two sauces a spicy and mayonnaise based to make your own taco. I forgot that the lobster tagliatelle has a slight spice kick to it. Not much, but enough that I need to take smaller bits and breaks. Still, the lobster was abundant and I could taste it through the sauce and spice. Great follow-up!
(4)
Robin L.
I love this place for bunch or lunch. (Haven't had dinner here.) I've sat at the bar twice even though we could have had a table one of the times. I found everyone to be extremely welcoming and upbeat. Service was great. I had some dietary restrictions (gluten sensitivities) and they were extremely accommodating. My food was delicious and I'd go again in a heart beat. Also, it really does feel like you're on vacation and at a restaurant in a beach town!
(4)
jen m.
we went back for dinner over the weekend and I was pleased that our server was amazing!! (Thomas from Valpo) He provided nice suggestions. I was also pleased to see unoaked chardonnay which is my favorite. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered roasted chicken and was able to swap for brussel sprouts instead of kale.. the chicken was okay so I defintely want to go back to try more on the menu. thank you summer house for making it right this time.
(4)
Jessica M.
My bf and I went there for lunch on a Tuesday , and loved it! I've been wanting to go forever. The ahà tuna was our fave, but we also had the Santa Monica Cobb salad, Amish chicken tacos, and this amazing cauliflower dish. Everything was perfect.
(5)
Elizabeth K.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Summer House on my recent trip to the Windy City and experienced superb food and world class service. The restaurants decor made me feel like I was at a beach house on the sunny California coast. Luckily my server embodied all that is California, Aaron M. cared for us in every way throughout the dining experience. His thoughtful recommendations guided us through a meal full of yummy cocktails and tasty treats. Since I frequently use Yelp I was aware of the promotion offering 1 free cookie and ice cream, so naturally I took advantage. 5 stars across the board for this dining establishment. Well done Aaron M. & co.
(5)
Maria V.
Great food! Fantastic atmosphere great service loved the California beachy light colors will be back again !!
(5)
Reggie R.
Have only been for brunch, so that's all I can comment on. I am a huge fan of the ambiance and layout of this restaurant. Despite the 30 degree weather outside, Summer House will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside :) the Vitamin D room is great, open and beautifully lit. I also enjoy the countdown until summer, except, of course, when it's over 200 days! I ordered the most simple sandwich possible in the turkey club (needed something bland due to my somewhat wild night before) and was in awe. I think that says something when a very non-flashy menu item is able to truly satisfy. My friends ordered various breakfast entrees, all of which were good as well. I will echo some other reviews in that the waitstaff was not super attentive. However, I didn't much mind in this occasion because I wanted to have more time to visit with my friend from out of town. I can see how this would be frustrating under other circumstances! I want to go back to Summer House soon to explore the dinner menu.
(4)
U H.
Service is horrible sat for 15mins without even being acknowledged. No one came to greet us. No one came to offer us water. The place was just so hectic and not organized. The host was very rude as well. Kind of sucks because it was my first time going to this place since I seen it on tv. Well I will never go back again! Thanks for the experience! Not!
(1)
Noel R.
Summer House was decent but after a second visit I felt it was not particularly special. I don't think I would care to visit again, I think I would consider visiting again if someone else was covering the bill but only after exhausting other options. The food was okay, not cheap, though not breaking the bank expensive either. My portions were fair but one of my friend's dish was very sad looking. I was a bit puzzled by the differences in portion sizes for similar dishes. Deliciousness to cost was definitely lacking. As far as service, we were seated promptly and our server was very friendly and on point with everything. I do love the space and the atmosphere overall. A bit of a shame since I was so excited for this place.
(2)
Lisa S.
This restaurant is gorgeous and in these gloomy winter months, is a sure pick-me-up, with it's bright colors and happy atmosphere. We went for brunch and our food was pretty good...our waitress, on the other hand, was awful. She spoke so quietly we couldn't hear her, even though she was standing right next to me. It took about 20 minutes to get refills on water, etc. I had the mission burrito, and while it was alright, it was pretty bland. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which for brunch, I though was odd. It's a beautiful place, and I'll definitely try it again for dinner. But it was a bit of a left-down. Oh, and don't forget to check-in on Yelp when you're there - free chocolate chip cookie with ice cream - definitely the highlight!! :)
(4)
Cassandra W.
All of the tacos are amazing. Great service and great cocktails. (That was my tip) Begin Review Awesome atmosphere... it really feels like you walked into California. Skylights that open up to make it open air in good weather. The menu is amazing... A group of 5 of us had absolutely no complaints. Great cocktail menu, even mocktails for that friend who is pregnant (or for your non-drinker buddies). The appetizers are great too.. This place just feels like sunshine. Obviously I loved it. More tips: Make your reservation early, expect to be surprised at how long it takes to get a reservation, its popular, but it is worth it. Get ready to be happy. Great service, Great atmosphere, Great food.... It is the best. End Review
(5)
Macy H.
I don't think I've had a better cookie in my life. Service is great, food is always amazing. My only issue is their coffee. it is very bitter. other than that, no complaints. what a great place!
(5)
Jeannine T.
BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY I came here on a Sunday for brunch. We were a bit early but got seated on time for our reservations. Coffee was good and I'm a coffee drinker. I asked our waitress to make some recommendations. She suggested the cottage cheese lemon pancakes (I think that was it.) Combo sounds weird. I was hesitant and so was my friend. It can't be that bad, can it? So we ordered it as a side to our brunch entrees and loved it. Delish. I ordered the smoked salmon hashbrown benedict. It may be that I'm just a fan of fried potatoes but omgosh, their hashbrowns. What do they put in it? It was SO good. I like that the dining area is open, airy and sunny with fresh green plants strategically placed to provide a dash of color to the white decor. The waitress was super nice, and I remember complimenting her on her long lashes. She was open to sharing her beauty secret with me. How sweet! Haven't had the chance to try the dinner as the place is booked solid. Instead, I made another reservation for brunch tomorrow with my mom. Can't wait!
(5)
Dan V.
Nice atmosphere and little else. Our food was bad. The service was slow. And OMG... even their cookies were bad!! - My $20 French Dip sandwich was very average and didn't taste like much. My friend had the pasta special today, which was so salty he had to return it. - Our waiter was overwhelmed. We couldn't get help all around, especially for my friend's bad pasta. - Even my chocolate chip cookie from the front counter was bad. It was all sugar, so much so that the cookie was gritty. This appears to be the recipe for all their cookies in the display. Very disappointing for a nice-looking place and especially for Lettuce Entertain You. Wow.
(1)
R R.
Excellent breakfast/brunch spot. Food was fresh, well presented, and (most importantly) tasted great. The space is open and bright. Perfect for morning breakfast. Great take-away counter up front as well. Open at 8:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, which is a great as you don't always want to wait until later for breakfast. The restaurant takes reservations and there is a patio for nice weather. The other review below about "no gluten free" is flat wrong. Look at the restaurant's website; an entire gluten free menu is posted. Additionally, dining with someone who is gluten free, the staff was very helpful and accommodating in suggesting substitutions on their regular menu.
(4)
Erin Q.
The atomsphere at Summerhouse is what you are paying for, especially on a cool April evening. It feels like you're lounging in a summer home in the Hamptons. That must be why it remains pretty pricey. We had small plates, the cauliflower was delish, I would highly recommend. We split a salad, and the staff was nice enough to split it for us. The bean toasts were good, but confusing, they came with edamme beans, not white navy beans like we expected. Portioned much bigger than expected. Overall, a good choice!
(4)
Liezl P.
This place was a breath of fresh air! 5 stars for the ambiance, friendly service, and the yummy dessert bar in front :)
(5)
Jami S.
5 stars for ambience - super cute place. Really feel like you are in Cali with all the light & white decor. Got a nice big table for valentines day with some friends. Service was overall good, the manager came up and asked how everything was so that was nice. Very friendly and talkative. Only issue was our server was a bit pushy towards the end of the night, we were lingering a bit but it was after 10pm so really who do you need the table for? The drinks were different and refreshing. The food was good. Our group shared everything. The burrata was a favorite. Tuna tostada was good too. Would return!
(4)
Alison s.
Absolutely awful service. We came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, only to have it ruined by the "hostess". We watched her roll her eyes at the group in front of us. The had to deal with her snotty attitude. We let the manager know, she did not even apologize, just nodded her head and said "ok, ok, ok". The food from this place is above average, but There are plenty of lovely restaurants with the same caliber food and much better service. Try Bristol- they are absolutely wonderful there, and the food is much better.
(1)
Emily Z.
The fresh white sunny decor is very refereshing, especially on a cold winter day! The space is large and you don't feel cramped by other tables which is a very nice surprise these days in Chicago! Though the brunch menu is large and contains breakfast and lunch items i just couldn't get excited about anything, which is very rare. I am a happy bruncher when I get a variety of sweet and savory in my dish and/or complementary sides. Think nookies, Yolk, or the option to order one specialty pancake at Southport Grocer, their menu is not really set up this way unless you find someone to split with, which sadly isn't always easy. Lemon cottage cheese pancakes ($8.95) were delicious, I wouldn't trade my first born for them, but maybe my second! It is a very large portion, but like most sweet entrees I say best split amongst two with a savory option as well. Even though ours were a bit undercooked in the middle which was disappointing, I would go back for these. Breakfast tostadas ($12.95) were really good and quite filling, but you probably won't be taking any home. Be forewarned there was still a bit of giggle in my egg whites, if like me, that's not your thing! Service was prompt and water constantly refilled. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I recommend trying it out for yourself! They do take brunch reservations, which is rare, and I'd recommend one!
(3)
Susan P.
Very cool atmosphere, different from other spots in Chicago. Outdoor seating is great. No troubles with service - paced well, no rush. French dip prime rib sandwich was great as well as the tuna tostadas. Bit pricey, but the crowd is hip. :)
(4)
Lynn H.
I had the turkey burger and ordered a bottle of wine with my friend. The atmosphere is different than any other place in Chicago and the service and food was great. I will definitely be back, but probably once the patio is open.
(5)
Susan G.
Average. Nothing spectacular. Nothing to tell anyone "Gotta go!" Had the prime rib dip sandwich with gristly meat and thin, flavorless sauce with a side of frozen fries out of a bag. Not really what I expected for $18. Brussel sprouts were good, though. Simply don't get why it was packed with people.
(3)
David B.
This is another time where I want to give a half-star. This place is a 4 1/2. I save my 5's for true excellence beyond compare. This place was an overall excellent dining experience and I've already booked a return engagement. The place looks beautiful, from the cookie bar at the entrance to the bright, open and airy dining areas. We had seats near the kitchen, where we enjoyed watching the plated food come out. Shared a bottle of NZ Sauv Blanc (something "goose") - very nice. -Starter: Biscuits. OMG. Amazing amazing amazing. Enormous, rich, buttery and oh-so-good by themselves, and taken to the next level when spread with the poblano butter and honey. You MUST ORDER THE BISCUITS if you go. -Entree: Fish tacos. I don't know what type of fish it was and didn't ask, but it was grilled about medium rare and very flavorful. I went with the lettuce cups instead of tortillas, and the mixture of the fish, the guacamole and the salsa verde were a perfect combo. I'll have to force myself to try something different next time because these were good. -Sides: Caramelized brussel sprouts and roasted cauliflower were both incredible. I could have had those two dishes as my meal instead. -Dessert - peanut butter fudge chocolate cake was fine, but nothing to write home about. The warm Peanut Butter cookie with sea salt chocolate ice cream on top was divine. The cookie - by itself - was amazing. Heading back for a birthday dinner with my family and can't wait!
(4)
Susan N.
I've been to Summer House twice in the past month. I really like it a lot. Everything is very good. The service is good and the atmosphere is great. I like the inside and the outside, and the part that's both inside and outside! The cauliflower is exceptional, and the chicken is enough for two people. The salads are wonderful. I loved the free dessert for checking in on Yelp. The first time I went, the server was great. The second time, I think that possibly she was a new server who was a bit overwhelmed. The only negative on the food was the biscuit. It seemed burnt, but the manager stated that this is how it is baked. I will skip the biscuit next time.
(4)
Matt G.
This was the worst service I have ever had. My wife had to call the manager over because our server didn't come to our table for over twenty minutes. He said he would make sure we enjoyed the rest of our night and then another ten minutes went by before we saw our server, it was unreal. We ordered the calamari which was very mediocre, and the pasta I had tasted like Olive Garden, very salty and disappointing. My wife had the Ahi tuna tacos, ate one and was done. We have never called the manager over at a restaurant, and also have never not finished our meal based on quality of food. The atmosphere is actually really nice, the food is very subpar for the cost (our bill was $120), and our service was just awful. Finally, I have a peanut allergy and let the server know when we got seated. I ordered the beet salad, which did not mention peanuts, but it was covered in nuts when it came out. The server didn't say anything and the manager said it wasn't supposed to have nuts, he grabbed a menu and kept asking himself when it was printed, as if the date that the menus were printed relate to the peanuts that were all over the salad...what?! Very odd, never going back.
(1)
Melissa C.
Brunch review.. I've been here a lot but only for brunch.. Its freezing in here ... So cold that your coffee cools off.. Maybe thats why the food is usually lukewarm or just plain cold.... The scrambled eggs didn't seem scrambled? More like cooked beforehand and cut from a square tray. They have a good banana muffin.
(2)
Amy O.
The service is way too slow even when it was close to closing time and the tables were mostly empty. We were one of the last tables to leave as it was past closing time and the waiter took forever. He spent 20 minutes by the bar area and didn't bother to check up on us even though we wanted to pay and leave. There was no excuse for him to be dragging when it came to getting the bill and waiting on us because he was waiting on no other tables. I really wanted to like this place because I often eat at the LEYE restaurants but in all honesty it's overrated and they need better staff.
(1)
Roxy A.
Summer House Santa Monica..a place where you can getaway from the Chicago Winter and feel like it's Summer in Santa Monica. Also as an LA native, SHSM makes me feel like I'm home and not freezing my ass off in Chicago. Took my familia here for the first weekend that SHSM launched their brunch menu & I gotta say I truly enjoyed it. Even my Mom who is not a big fan of breakfast/brunch loved her meal. The ambience is great here and I really recommend coming here on the weekend for brunch so you can experience the ambience. They have high ceilings with skylight windows so the sunlight comes into the "Vitamin D" room. Upon getting seated they also offer you some snazzy SHSM white wayfarers so you can bask in the sun during brunch. The white washed walls and wicker chairs really make you feel like you're dining al fresco in California. I ordered the Caramelized French Toast which was accompanied by some homemade whipped cream. It was delicious and not too sweet. Also ordered up a side of the candied bacon..definitely try this..you will not regret it!!! The bf, mom & sis all opted for the special which was a Lobster Eggs Benedict. Had a bite of this and it was really good. They didn't skimp on the lobster and the hollandaise was delish. My dad ordered one of the hash dishes. They also had a tableside OJ/juice service which was nice and the mimosas were really refreshing. I made reservations via opentable and was glad that they also set up a high chair for my 1 yr old niece. The service was great and they didn't treat us like the plague for bringing a baby to brunch. They were also accommodating with her and made sure my niece had something to eat as well. SHSM is part of the LEYE group (Lettuce Entertain you) and the set up is somewhat reminiscent of Beatrix in River North. Make sure to make a stop at their pastry bar on the way out. The cookies are to die for..chocolate chunk cookies w rice krispies?! Looking forward to coming back again for lunch & dinner!!!
(5)
Frances A.
Not sure if the food lives up to the price tag. But I did enjoy it. I've been there on several occasions - dinner and brunch. Beautiful clean atmosphere - and the same can be said for the food. Tuna tacos are very clean and fresh. Literally like they pulled it straight from the ocean just as you ordered it. My only issue, is that they are pretty scrimpy. Yes, yes, yes, America is absolutely gluttonous, but your price point is high, and I never felt full. Not even after the "A Hot Mess of Fries". The al pastor was cooked to a tea. The fries were unbelievably mushy (not in the good way). But the fried egg definitely saved the plate. But then again, anything with an egg on it is better. So not necessarily innovative. Santa Monica egg white omelet was very pretty - but it sorta ended there. It was so incredibly bland. I like the fact that this place tries to be healthy. But at the risk of taste?????? Loved the cookie... w/ ice cream. Thank goodness for the cookie.
(3)
Rebecca N.
Another good restaurant in the books for LEY. Similar food as Hub with less trendy-more beachy vibes. I REALLLY liked everything we got-- I just didn't think anything was that different. The eggplant was outstanding as was the roasted chicken and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were salty and just average. The guac and tuna tostados were good, but nothing to write home about. I will definitely go back here as is a restaurant where everyone can find something and it is not too expensive, but nothing blew me away. There is still a lot on the menu I am excited to try! ***Expect to wait past your reservation time***
(3)
Joey F.
Went to Summer House for the first time and thought the food was awesome. They have the best Calamari ever. Then the tacos were awesome too. The only downfall is that the portions aren't to big. To end the meal they have a big cookie counter. Cookies are huge and I suggest not eating one yourself unless you want to be nauseas the rest of the night!
(5)
Missy C.
I dream about their smoked salmon hashbrown benedict and candied bacon basically every day of my life.
(5)
Grennan K.
The decor is very airy & light. Something straight out of California. Beautiful white painted wood and super vaulted ceilings with the front entrance as a garage opening door (sort of like american junkie.) It's very light hearted and inviting unlike most other pretentious creepy dim light joints. Came here to eat with bunny for dinner time. It was a tuesday night and surprisingly packed to the brim. This is definitely a hot spot for congregating with girlfriends... as we observed that it was packed with women. Anyway the rainbow trout was perfectly flaky and very flavorful served on top of amazing whipped potato. The menu is very american (sandwiches, seafood, meat.) I'd definitely come back here to sit in the cute circle booths. Cannot wait until summer time to hit this spot up, again. p.s. cookie bar right in front is awesome.
(4)
Paola S.
From the wonderful ambience to the delicious food this place is a must. We ordered the breakfast tostadas and the summer burrito. Very tasteful! Our friends had blueberry waffles and the Acapulco omelette and they were very pleased. The patio gives you the feeling of being in mid summer even when it is low 50s outside. Can't wait to go back, we are seriously considering going back as many times as needed to try everything in the menu.
(5)
Shradha A.
Love love love this new place! The ambiance was so well lit, spacious and California! We actually felt we were on vacation from the cold Chicago winter for two hours! Service was solid but of course the food was the second best thing about this place, following closely the wonderful atmosphere! I had the breakfast burrito and loved it! My friends got the scrambled eggs and tostada and enjoyed their food too! They do take brunch reservations on opentable and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Nathan F.
Get the calamari. It is life changing. Also, if you enjoy bourbon, get the Monte Cali. If they try to seat you around the perimeter of the vitamin d room during daylight hours, throw a fit. Not your fault they designed 3/4 of the restaurant to be amazing and 1/4 to be stupid. Did you pick that up? It's called the vitamin d room, and you need to sit there. Request it. Don't take no for an answer. We were here last week, and then again today. Our waitress last week was amazing. Our guy this time was new, or just really really nervous talking to us because we were so attractive. Also the food runner was basically throwing the plates onto the table and running away, again, probably intimidated by our attractiveness. I'm joking. What the hell was that ... where do you find your staff? Introverts.com ?
(5)
Sheila C.
Omelette perfection is what I experienced at Summer House today. Avocado, crispy tortilla chips, fresh cheese, and carefully prepared eggs... I also vaguely remember friendly service, tasty berry jam, fresh butter, and an interesting crowd/scene at 11am on a Saturday... But above all else the omelette...
(5)
Yvette F.
A favorite for brunch. Can get busy and loud, but staff is friendly and accommodating. Atmosphere is lovely year round! A very trendy Lincoln Park crowd.
(4)
Sarah Charlie L.
Cool little spot, with an awesome patio, and I mean awesome BUT that's about it. The decor is very California and almost brings me back to my time in San Francisco. The service was not as great as the decor... After waiting 2.5 hours to be seated and the host who was practically ten years old told me that I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. Luckily I actually quoted the girl by reminding her that she said the wait would not exceed 2.5 hours and then miraculously a table was ready... The waiter was quite pushy since our seats were 'excellent' since there were many others also sharing the same hungry wait that my friends and I endured. (Only we did sneak off down the block for a pitcher of sangria from Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba since after all no one likes a sober Sunday Funday.) Food is 'okay' but nothing that you can't get elsewhere for way cheaper, in other words, cost does not meet the taste or value. Drinks were not super noteworthy. Would I go back? Probably not. I think instead I'll go to San Francisco for the actual summer slash California effect.
(2)
Daniella H.
Very cute atmosphere! I went with my girlfriends for a birthday dinner. It was loud and the service was very poor. We were all very disappointed, our waitress came to our table a total of 3 times and was not friendly at all. The food was good, small portions.
(2)
Mimi M.
Awesome food, wonderful ambiance, & good service! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
(5)
Cassandra M.
Laid back Cali style, good food, cocktails + jeans. Heard mad reviews about the place and while the atmosphere and service was great, the food really wasn't that impressive. And you can't get a glass of wine under $15?
(3)
Paul K.
Loved the layout and decor of the restaurant. The atmosphere was laid back and vibrant. Food was great but there was a little overload on the 1000 island dressing.
(4)
Lindsey C.
The thing making this review so low is more of a moral issue for me. Looking at my bill, split between my party of 8, my portion was around $45. The breakdown for the tip % was calculated wrong that was on the bottom of my receipt, and it was in the servers favor. So a 20% tip for my bill was said to be over $10. Don't get me wrong, I used to work in the industry, tipping more is standard for me. But why lie about it?! Why do it dishonestly?!
(1)
Margaret H.
We were very lucky to be able to reserve a table (via Open Table) on a Friday night during restaurant week. We have been wanting to go to a restaurant that will make us forget about the life sucking Chicago winter and make us remember that summer is right around the corner. Enter the cute interior and summer count down clock!! Enough of that.. lets talk food. To start, we ordered the Hot Mess of Fries based off a recommendation. Think poutine, but not so heavy with an overabundance of gravy. Pulled pork, bleu cheese, and a fried egg top the home-cut fries. There was almost too much bleu cheese, but we still ate every bite. For our main courses: Get the Lobster Tagliatelle, don't look back. It was flavorful with a kick of spice! I also tasted the Lobster Frites and Pork Shoulder. The pork shoulder was absolutely delicious, paired with their root vegetable mash. I will definitely be back to order that as my main entree! We were running late to a movie, so we didn't enjoy dessert there, but I snagged a few cookies from their bakery counter, conveniently located right when you walk in/out. You pass it before even getting to the hostess stand. I grabbed the bacon chocolate chip cookie and the apple oatmeal cookie and didn't look back. I repeat: BACON. CHOCOLATE. COOKIE. The ambience is perfect for those who long for California. Summer is infused in the beach house-esque decor, from the lights to the walls. Definitely a cozy feel! A few notes of improvement: When I walked in and informed the hostess about my reservation, she didn't walk me to my table where the rest of my group was sitting, but pointed to it from across the busy dining room, stating, "They're over there." They did that to my friend that followed as well. You're busy, I get it, but taking me to my table is part of the job description. Overall, a wonderful experience! I can see this restaurant being a big success in Chicago!
(5)
Jimmy J.
A.) Wonderful build out. Open, airy, lots of white. Bright and contemporary. A non Chicago feel. Outdoor patio area was a nice touch. Upscale but not stuffy. B.) Matt, server was friendly and casual, but still professional. Prompt. Attentive. Alvin, our busboy was warm and on top of things. C.) Summerhouse is an excellent option for those who like to eat semi healthy or vegetarian. In a day and age where the rage is serving fried pig parts and cooking in different butters, this place serves some healthy entree and appetizer options that focus on locally sourced vegetables and high end grains. Charred Brussel sprouts in aged balsamic- 5 stars Roasted cauliflower in jalapeno pesto-5 stars Quinoa & Avocado Sushi Roll-5 Stars (wow!) Kale & Arugula Salads- 4 stars Bucatini pomodoro-3.5 stars. Quality noodle but semi bland. Porterhouse Pork Chop-1 star. The one failure of our experience. Dry. No flavor. No sauce. But the corn n fava succotash w hand cut fries on the plate was great. Complimentary dessert for our anniversary was chocolate cake with house made ice cream. Stellar but rich rich. 2 cocktails. Tax. $120. For the quality and neighborhood, not so bad. Highly recommended. Another great concept from LEYE inc. We ll be back
(4)
Ryan S.
Went for lunch and the menu was more of a brunch/breakfast menu. Got the fries and calamari for starters and both were pretty good. For the main course tried to get a short rib hash but server failed to let me know ahead of time so kinda rushed and picked the waffle and chicken. Chicken was dry and waffle was pretty hard. Aside from my main meal all around service was good (excluding forgetting to let me know the sorry rib was out). Busy spot, go if your curious but I'd pass next time.
(3)
Michael S.
Good food, disappointing experience. Strike 1 - We had a reservation but had to wait 25 minutes for our table. That's excessive. Strike 2 - We ordered a cocktail off the menu. They were out of it - no problem. Discussed alternatives with the server. They have several non-alcoholic fruit drinks which we added vodka to (similar to the menu item we had wanted). When the bill came these drinks were almost 50% more than the cocktails on the menu. When we asked why, she checked with her manager. Their response was that the brunch cocktails are discounted. Okay, but I wanted one of those, but they were out, and these were our substitutes. But even then, they charged us more than the "regular" non-discounted brunch price. Makes no sense, but they didn't care. We would have simply ordered a different option off the menu had we known we'd pay such an extreme premium. Strike 3 - My sandwich was made incorrectly. No problem, the waitress said they'd remake it. But they didn't. They attempted to add what they'd forgotten, except they didn't. They still forgot one of my toppings, and it still had a topping on it I had not ordered (and that I don't like). I didn't change my mind after I ordered, they made it wrong. But they still didn't remake it, and they still didn't give me all of my toppings extra-cost toppings on their second attempt (but they still billed me for them). Good ambiance, and the food is in fact good. But I'm so disappointed by the overall experience I will never go back. They simply could not have cared less about whether we enjoyed our experience. They simply wanted our money (including for things we didn't get) and showed no concern when we even bothered to inquire about our bill.
(1)
Diana K.
Definitely worth a try. It's hard to get a rez though so make one on opentable in advance. Even with a rez, it took 35 minutes to be seated so that part wasn't great. The vibe is very similar to Beatrix with the cookie bar and same delicious cookies, and overall beachy/calfornia feeling. Be careful if it's raining because their atrium roof leaks a little - nothing you can't withstand, but it's noticeable. Oh and street parking was a bitch. And valet is a dollar more than Joe's in River North- take a cab not to deal with that mess! Was so excited to see homemade biscuits on the menu - BUT THEY WERE OUT. DO YOU KNOW HOW SAD THIS PREGGO LADY WAS TO HEAR THAT? I was pretty despondent, for the rest of the meal, not going to lie. Waiter should have offered some bread in exchange but just was like yeah we're out, sorry. Again, I cannot emphasize how sad I was lol. So the meal goes on, we share the burrata which was delicious and the spinach dip which was forgettable and rather small portion for the price. Moving to more the main meal, we share the korean pork tacos which was made of pretty good quality meat and had good flavor, but it felt like an appetizer. It just had some lettuce cups and little bit of slaw. Put some rice on the plate or something to round it out. The two others at my table liked the lobster orecchiette, but I thought it tasted a little metallic, although the texture of the pasta was nice. I think the favorite was the pork porterhouse - good flavor served with delicious mashed potatoes. Good news! After asking about the biscuits for the third time, they have made more! I now know that my sadness was totally valid because these were awesome. I liked the plain honey more than the jalapeno butter. Desserts sounded pretty good, and they had sundaes which you could add half a cookie to. I recommend the rice krispie chocolate chip- yum, They were sorta cheap on the ice cream. I literally ate a whole spoonful of whipped cream because it looked like it should have been ice cream. I mean there's worse things to eat in life, but I would have preferred a better ice cream to whipped cream ratio. So to sum it up, I'd go back .... and maybe just for the biscuits.
(4)
Neamen L.
The blondies are a must! This place has the feel of a California restaurant. It gets a bit crowded so make sure you make a reservation. Pricing isn't over the top and the food quality is good.
(4)
Michael H.
Disappointing.. I really like LEYE and all their concepts but this place needs a new manager. The staff just doesn't give a shit cause they know they will make $$ no matter what! Sat at bar for almost 10 min while the "Bartenders" restocked the bar? Kid could barely speak.. Gave a menu.. The prices are absolutely outrageous!! $20 for tacos? You do that// draft beer $7? Lots of strange Lincoln Park folks inside.. It's packed and I really don't know why? Tried a burger and it it was luke warm with those little "fries" from the bottom of the bag! Totally uninspired crap// 3 on the scale at best and blew $28 for a lousy burger and ONE BEER!! Only saving Grace was the drunk Lincoln Park Trixie with the silicone! Sellers here.. Get dat did
(2)
Teresa H.
I am obsessed with this place. My best friend took me here for my birthday dinner and I was seriously blown away by the cocktails, food, and atmosphere. It's a nice little piece of summertime -- especially in the dead of Chicago winter. Cocktails: I got the palm fizz and Sonoma coast, my friend got the bonfire and the palm fizz. All were perfectly executed -- props to the bartender. Now into the food: we got the ahi tuna tostadas, fresh burrata, and spicy calamari for appetizers. The first two were incredible, I could've eaten about 5 orders of each. The flavors of the spicy calamari were delicious but it obviously sat in the window for a little bit because we were taking our time with the other apps, no biggie. I would definitely order it again. We split the ricotta & pecorino ravioli for an entree and that was amazing as well. Finally for dessert we got the lemon meringue which was light, good way to finish our meal. I would've gave a 5-star review if it were solely on the food but the service was subpar. Our server was spacey to the point where I couldn't tell if she was new or just overwhelmed because it was busy. Either way it didn't turn me off but would've been nice to see her smile a little bit. Overall, I will be back to enjoy the beachy vibe -- especially in the summer with the retractable roof!! Ps - get some cookies on your way out. I recommend the peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie!
(4)
Andre W.
You can't miss this place as its the very lit up spot a little south of Armitage on Halsted. This place really looks like it should be in Cali and not Chicago, especially in the cold blistery winter of Chicago. Upon walking in you will see a nice selection of fresh baked goods at the entrance...everything looked good especially the magic brownies. We were seated immediately since we had a 6PM reservation...probably would have been tough to get a seat as the place got pretty full on a chilly, icy Sunday night. They have a huge window in the front which probably opens up during the warmer months. They also have comfy looking couches in front of the window in which I bet will be hard to get once the warmth of spring/summer shows up. The lighting is very CA...not too dark and not too light, but almost perfect for the setting. The interirior is very nice in size as it has regular tables, booths and hi-tops along with TVs hung for your watching pleasure. The menu is not huge, but definitely effective. We started out with calamari as an appetizer and it was simply delicious. Some calamari is very thin and bready (not a real word I don't think), but this one had much meat inside of the breading. Some of the best I've had! For my entree I went with the Rainbow Trout along with caramelized brussel sprouts. The trout came with the skin for flavoring along with mashed potatoes...very good. The caramelized sprouts were off the chain as the flavor was very kick ass. In reference to drinks, they did not disappoint. I started with the exotic fruit punch which is on tap. It includes Tito's Vodka along with seasonal exotic fruit and was pretty good. I decided to go with the Sonoma Coast next which is a chef-crafted cocktail. It includes pisco, lemon juice, pineapple juice and allspice..very good as I wanted to drink it for the rest of the night. Awesome spot for the area and will definitely be a hot spot in the warmer months.
(5)
Kelly N.
I had a ton of friends go to Summer House and heard such great things, so I knew it'd be the perfect place to bring my mom and sister for the first time. We were not disappointed! We started with the biscuits and cauliflower as appetizers - sooo good!! I got the chicken tacos, which were pretty standard, nothing special. The rice that came with the dish was a little hard in spots, but other than that, the meal sufficed. My mom raved about her lobster pasta and my sister couldn't stop talking about her fish tacos. She said they were the best she's ever had. We were about to leave when we were suckered into getting dessert - and it definitely didn't disappoint. We had homemade vanilla bean ice cream with butterscotch sauce and brownie bites - complete with half of a chocolate chip sea salt cookie! Needless to say, we had to be rolled outta there after :) All in all, the ambiance of the restaurant is top-notch - such a great place to go as a couple, bring your family, whatever. You really feel like you're somewhere else (maybe Santa Monica, perhaps?) and not in Chicago. I also tried brunch at Summer House a week later and got the caramelized french toast, which was delicious. Be prepared to take half home - sooo filling! I also split the bacon steak and hash browns with my boyfriend. I was a fan of the hashbrowns, but not of the bacon steak - it was too fatty for my taste. Overall, highly recommend Summer House. I think the next times I go, I'll be going solely for appetizers, dessert and/or drinks.
(5)
Ted N.
Great design! The interior is beautiful and very reminiscent of California. The details, like matching sunglasses for the service staff, were cool. The food was also good. The French toast was a huge hit with all four of us. The Santa Monica omelette was also highly regarded- light, but filling, with a bit of spice. The vegetable hash was less popular, and not as hashy as expected. Overall, even though one dish was unspectacular, we would all love to come back again.
(5)
Diana P.
We were exciting to try this place and didn't realize it was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant until we got there. Decor is unique, light and airy. Great place for dinner with a group. Here's what we had: Spicy calamari: so delic despite others reviews here on YELP Hamachi: fresh and melted in our mouths. If you're not a raw sushi person, this is prob not the dish for you Polenta potatoes: tastes like mashed potatoes with creamy cheese-heavier dish but good side! Burrato: so good but spicy so beware (we didn't know this) Crab pasta: eh, wasn't a fan, too fishy and the sauce wasn't anything special Rice Krispies: amazing but very buttery. Not your typical stale Rice Krispies. Overall, enjoyable meal, everything was fresh, well prepared but left us wanting lots and lots of water which meant salt overload. Staff was great, our waitress very sweet, knowledgeable and made our experience great-didn't rush us with anything which we loved.
Feels very upscale beachside. We had a 5pm reservation because any later was booked solid. By 5:45 the entire place was packed & hopping! My friends & I had gazpacho, fish tacos & maine lobster orrecchiette (the lightest pasta dish I've ever tasted*****). Everything was so delicious we didn't want to leave. Decent wine list. Portions nice size...not overwhelming. The dessert bar is FUN....get something to go. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Wait staff efficient, knowledgable and friendly. Eager to go back and try more of the dishes!
(5)
Andrea M.
I LOVED this place they have the best cookies in Chicago. I tried the avo toast for lunch and it was amazing!
(5)
obsession c.
Summer House is my go to place on any special afternoon and for dinner time occasion. This lettuce entertain you restaurant has as a true feeling of summer no matter what season it is. The food is outstanding service is top notch. The staff is always willing to accommodate and management knows how to operate a restaurant. If you're in Lincoln Park you must try summer house!
(5)
Cheryl B.
This place is an awesome addition to Lincoln Park! The restaurant is large and very inviting. I love the decor and it's perfect for a subzero temp day. White washed walls and rattan chairs with a huge skylight and hanging plants make you feel like you have been transported to somewhere warm. A nice cheap fix for the winter blues - beats paying to go on vacation! We tried this place out for brunch last Saturday. We found easy street parking a few blocks up (much better than the $13 valet!) and while it was packed, we were seated at a high top in the bar area. The table was really close to the server computer (a little too close) but I was just happy to have a table. Our server seemed nervous and awkward, but he said they had only been open a few weeks or had just started serving brunch. We started with a coffee (they serve Dark Matter) and I got their Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary was pretty good, had a unique taste to it and was served with a candied bacon garnish (bonus!). I had been eyeing the hashbrown benedict, but the server recommended the pork shank hash and the chicken tostadas. Both sounded good, so my husband and I each ordered one (I got the tostadas). I was not a fan of the pork shank hash, but my husband ate it all. The chicken tostadas were pretty good, the sunny side up egg was a bit undercooked for my taste but I still enjoyed it all. The next morning we woke up craving brunch again (I may have a brunch addiction). This time I called ahead and got a reservation for 10:30am (OpenTable wasn't working). We arrived and were seated, this time RIGHT next to the coffee station. This is where I take off a star- they need to move this table. Servers were bumping up against the table and reaching over us the entire meal to get coffee. Ironically our server was a bit slow on getting us coffee refills when our food came and I was very tempted to reach over and help myself. Oh well. This time we tried the hashbrown benedict and belgian waffle, both were fantastic. The hollandaise had a slight kick to it and the hashbrowns were nice and crispy. Can't wait to come back and try dinner! Minus one star for $13 valet ($8-$10 is more the norm for Lincoln Park), some 3/4 star menu items, and awkward tables. Five stars for ambience and the hashbrown benedict!
(4)
Shiela R.
Incredible food and really great atmosphere. Loved the drinks!! Fun to sit at the bar for dinner if you're a small group of 2 or 3.
My boyfriend and I got so many Lettuce Entertain You gift cards for the holidays, so we decided to use them and celebrate our one year anniversary here last Friday. Many of our friends and suggested this place in the past, and we are glad we took their recommendations seriously. It was packed when we arrived but we were seated right on time for our reservation. The atmosphere is really bright and our server was really nice. The menu has a pretty random selection, but based on yelp reviews, I had to try the Calamari as an appetizer. It was amazing, and the spicy dipping sauce was perfect. I had the Half Chicken with mashed potatoes and kale. Let me say I was weird about Kale as a side, but it was really good. My boyfriend had the short rib and he ate every last bite of it. He can be a tough critic (hes a foodie) and he raved about everything. We also got the Jalapeno Cauliflower as a side. It was good but nothing amazing, I probably wouldn't order it again. Because we checked in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice cream for dessert! Definitely don't miss that opportunity. Overall, it was a great experience, we will be back!
(5)
Elyse G.
Super relaxing beach house vibe very chic open air ceiling. Love it. Great crowd and music. Menu perfect for breezy lunch with wine
(4)
Lisa F.
Food is good but not as exceptional as the build out of this place. Truly a beautifully well put together place. The staff is over attentive which is worthy of 5 stars but the meals & plating brings it down to 3.5 stars. The braised rib was on the small side - plated solo on a very large round plate with the starch on a side dish?!? The tuna appetizer was plated in a round large dish AGAIN but the meal consisted of five "ritz cracker" sized pieces of tuna w topping & 2 lime wedges. Like I said, the food was good (not great) but the presentation was completely off for a Lettuce restaurant. Prefer BEATRIX for the money, food quality & presentation.
(3)
Elle C.
I dined here for a second time on Easter Sunday. Summer House gets 5 stars for delicious food and for how awesomely beachy and airy the restaurant feels. It gets 2 starts for horrible service. My first visit was pretty good except that we had to ask our server two or three times to check on several items we ordered but were not brought to our table. At one point I think he thought we were lying that we never got our cinnamon rolls. Overall, I was pleased with the first experience and wanted to share it with my boyfriend so I made reservations for Easter morning. Because we had early reservations it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. There were only about 10 tables seated in the entire restaurant and the hostess initially tried seating us in the back of the bar near the bathroom. We kindly asked her if we could be moved to the front of the restaurant or in the main dining room and she made it clear she was not happy with our offensive request. Instead of acknowledging my question, she simply turned her back to us and walked back to host stand. A few seconds later we were seated in the main dining room right behind the deli counter. Not the best of starts. My boyfriend looked at me and agreed that she was less than pleasant during that 3 minute exchange. I can't say exactly how long it was, but definitely longer than 5 minutes, we waited before we decided to ask the nice girl behind the deli/bakery counter if she could get us a few cups of coffee. Now I know that 5 minutes isn't generally that long but usually within the first 30 seconds to a minute at most restaurants your server has greeted your table and offered drinks. It was another long while before an aggravated waitress marched up to our table with coffee asking if we were ready to order. We placed our order with Ms. Miserable. She made no attempt to be kind, up-sell us on Mimosas or anything of that sort. Also...no special Easter anything. Come on! I only made this reservation because I thought Summer House would make an attempt to pull together some sort of Easter brunch. Nevertheless, I had the lemon pancakes and bacon and they were heaven. Because the restaurant was still pretty quiet through our meal I could easily observe the previously unfriendly hostess chaising after and hanging on various male servers while other female servers looking annoyed chatting with each other. Ms. Miserable remained pretty slow, unfriendly and unhelpful until about the last 5 minutes of our breakfast when all of a sudden her "Now I'll work for my tip" face came on. We still tipped her 15% even though she didn't deserve a tip at all. I was hoping the first round of rocky service was a fluke but after my second visit, I'm thinking they just hire crappy servers. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon which is a shame because its a really cool place with great food. P.S. If Summer House reads any of these...put spoons in with your forks and knives! Stirring coffee with a fork is just silly.
(3)
Gabrielle F.
Oh man was this place good! They have amazing signature cocktails. They have some pricey options on the menu, buteverything I tried was delicious. The place is open and bright, with very nice decor and atmosphere.
(5)
Andrew P.
Great food and friendly service. Go in the winter for a summery, Californian haven to escape Chicago's blistery winds. Go in the summer and sit outside. Whenever you go, get the seared ahi tuna tacos and you'll never be disappointed.
(4)
Kari F.
Bright and sunny experience at Summer House this weekend!... literally. We were looking for Lettuce Entertain You establishments in the area, and this one was a quick decision that we did not regret. Completely deceiving from the outside, the inside was super perrrty. Everything was bright and white in the open restaurant space near the other side that had highboy tables next to a decent-sized bar. Twas definitely screaming "Summer House".... Almost like a giant beach house with one of the coolest glass roofs I've seen. The decor was awesome... wood burning fireplace, pretty yellows and greens.... Some decor confused the hell out of me... such as the word "YES" in big bold letters... mmkay?... Yes... I digress... We were first seatedby the bar, but (since it was not completely packed) we couldn't resist asking to sit in the beautiful dining area, where the environment was warm and sunny. They obliged with no problem. Our waiter was super nice, attentive, and timely. We ordered wine and apps quickly... They were scrumptious. The spinach and artichoke dip was perfect- lots of chips with nice chunks of artichokes in there. No ripoffs there- and (surprisingly) it wasn't too heavy. The fresh burrata was new to me and freaking loved it with the tomato jam and arugula- all extremely fresh. I LOVE CHEEEEEEEESE!, so this made me really happy. I ordered the hand made pasta- Maine lobster orecchiette. For the price, I didn't expect a ton of lobster, but there were decent chunks... enough where I could share some with my family. The whole dish was packed with flavor but beautiful. I ordered the summer squash side with lemongrass, Thai chili, and basil (which came through almost minty)... it was so simple and insanely good. My favorite small side I got to try would have to be the roasted cauliflower... it was a brilliantly spicy combo. I tried my boyfriend's half chicken dish with kale and mashed potatoes, and almost got jealous it was so good.... Almost. I also tried my mom's salmon, which was cooked and seasoned perfectly- I love that slight crust on a fresh filet.. We finished off the meal by splitting a trifecta chocolate cake (I don't like chocolate cake normally... but this one was nutty) and ice cream with fresh raspberries... I also ordered one of the best lattes of my life that had sage in it.... mm--MM! Copying! Overall, I love this place because it plays with so many herbs, obviously FRESH ingredients and makes them work with a no mercy punch of flavor. Summer House doesn't mess around! Big compliments to the chef! Oh... and randomly Jerry Springer was sitting at the table across from us... Had a vision of his date flipping the table over after finding out he was her baby's daddy.
Great food, great gluten free options! TJ behind the bar was very accommodating of our special cocktail requests.
(5)
Cindy G.
I was super jazzed to try this place, as I've heard great things. I was raised on Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so I know what to expect from their food and their service. The food at Summer House was good and I LOVE the glass ceiling and natural light. Such a welcoming, fresh vibe -- a great energy for brunch with the girls. Our waitress was fun and funny, so that was an added bonus. I ordered a bloody (VERY good) and the smoked salmon/hash brown benedict. Delicious. Also, they have carmelized bacon that is similar to the bacon at Shaw's brunch (if you know what I'm talking about, you know that this is the best bacon in town). I'm taking a star away because the coffee was down-right gross. And I take my coffee very seriously. My first cup had coffee grounds and other crap floating in it. I kept my mouth shut and scooped it all out---but then a server came back to top me off, and more grounds were floating around in there. Gross! I told the waitress about it, and she didn't seem surprised by it...which perplexed me. She brought me a fresh cup, but sure enough, with the next top-off, more grounds in my mug. I was so grossed out that I just gave up and stopped drinking it. Also, the waitress didn't comp my coffee from the bill, which surprised me because Lettuce is known to be very accommodating when something isn't to your liking. Otherwise, I left satisfied and would recommend this place to friends and would go back (at a time when I don't need any coffee ;-D).
(4)
Devin H.
Awesome atmosphere -- feels like a summer house on the beach! Food, service, drinks, and dessert were great. Celiac friendly menu is a huge plus.
(5)
Ann D.
My friends and I decided to check out Summer House not to long ago, it was our first time there, the place looks really nice, there's a small section for outdoor seating. I had a sandwich which was really good. I would definitely come back, although I had a waiter who was not friendly and that's why I'm giving this place a 4/5!
(4)
Sera I.
Went here for a friends birthday and while it's got a great ambience the service is HORRIBLE. Our server looked annoyed the whole time, kept disappearing on us, was just rude. As for food - mediocre at best...the best thing was the bread. Tuna tacos- no flavor, overcooked, pasta was bland. I would not come back here unless it was for coffee.
(2)
Kristine M.
Last week, my aunt and I were looking for a place to grab dinner in lincoln park and we decided to try summer house. It's a cute little spot and the patio is pretty awesome. (The decor was very california/florida). As soon as we walk in, the host (not evening look at us) asks " for how many?" we replied " two"... and then the immediate response was "It's going to be an hour".... And then literally, a sec later, she say "Actually, we can seat you" (In my head: There was SO MANY open tables) ughh.. Anyway, we sat and got food. I thought the food was decent... however, the portion sizes appeared to be really small. (or maybe i just eat a lot). But also, it's pretty pricey. I got the fish tacos. It was pretty good. Overall ... I would say it was OKay..
(3)
Jack V.
Ambiance was great. Food was good. Would like to see an extended menu with more options or a few changes more often. I've eaten here a few times and always end up getting the same thing. Staff was excellent. Of course I'll be back.
(4)
Callan M.
definitely pay for the ambiance. the food wasn't better than numerous other restaurants ive tried. however, the cookies are amazing. go for brunch, everyone has said it is way better!
(3)
Leanne W.
Had a lovely anniversary dinner here with my boyfriend. Their wine list is fantastic, and the decor is light and beachy. Very California vibe. I ordered the mahi Surfer style tacos, which were served in a DIY fashion. Everything comes on the side and you assemble the tacos yourself. A little messy in practice, but hard to complain about the assembly of beautiful produce for toppings. The fish was a little overcooked but not awful. My boyfriend got a turkey burger which he enjoyed. Our server was sweet and not at all intrusive, which we appreciated. At the end of the meal she brought us a sundae and two glasses of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was the perfect finishing touch. 3 stars for the food, 5 for the service.
(3)
Brian M.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic. I cannot understand any of the negative ratings for this restaurant. this restaurants food is all prepared in house - its fresh and fantastic. The apps are amazing - especially the fries. the best prime rib sandwich in the city - was absolutely incredible. This is a must go to when visiting Chicago!
(5)
Donnie D.
I wish I could give a speech about how great this place is! Let's start with the food.. MUST order the mess of fries, ravioli, scallops, wagyu beef, salmon, Thai carrot appetizer, ahi tuna, panna cotta dessert. Those were just a few of my favorites! I need to give special praise on my top two dishes. I would honestly come back solely for the wagyu beef entree, it has to be the best meat I've eaten in Chicago. So tender, bursting with favor and bites of blue cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Girls and I devoured it within minutes. Then the panna cotta dessert was literally heaven in my mouth, just try it. Trust me. Aside from the amazing food was the service and ambiance. I felt like I was in California, so beautiful inside and sheik. Our server Erik was very knowledgable and we listened to ever suggestion he had. Managers would come up to tables and ask how everything was, another reason I love LEYE so much is because they do this at every restaurant and is highly appreciated. Side note, the beach ball you can order..is not a dish...it's literally a beach ball! You can see in my picture :) Cannot wait to go back to my new favorite spot in Chicago!!
(5)
Reb T.
Walked in on a cloudy June day and honestly, I don't want to leave. Our waiter, Phil, recommended the ahi tuna tostadas. Now, I'm not a big fancy eater and the idea of watermelon and tuna? Umm I just started eating raw fish a few weeks ago. No. This was the most amazing thing I've ever had. I would get this again and again- such a little kick of flavor in each bite.
(5)
Therese F.
Went here with a few friends on a Friday night. Overall, a good experience.The atmosphere, decor, ambiance are all fantastic. The other aspects: Service: We were seated on time, which I feel like is more rare lately. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable but it took a LONG time for him to return to our table (when we were first seated to get our drink order, to return with our drinks, to take our food order, to bring us the check at the end, etc.). The place was packed, but still - based on the # waiters walking around - I was surprised by this. He also forgot to put in one of our orders. Overall, average. Drinks: Very good. We tried a handful of the drinks among the four of us, all were good. Food: Hit/Miss in my opinion...either very good or meh at best. We ordered a bunch and shared. Roasted Cauli & Brussel Sprouts were good, but nothing substantially better compared to the # of other restaurants that serve these. Biscuits and Burrata were both delicious and I would highly recommend. The Lobster Tagliatelle was good with a nice kick to it - smaller for an entree of pasta, but if I had ordered it as my entree I'd be happy as I think most places give you wayyyy too much. Fish tacos were very good, pork just OK. The special of the night was ribs and fries - I had one bite of each and that was enough...neither were very good. I will definitely go back and would recommend the place, likely to try brunch as I keep hearing good things. In terms of the size of the dishes that some people have written negatively about...most of the dishes are supposed to be shared. With four people we had no issue with each person getting a sufficient serving of each dish.
(4)
Patricia N.
Love the atmosphere. Tuna tostadas were great! Just a tad pricey for the portion.
(4)
Gabriella M.
It's a weeknight, but it's packed. My girlfriends and I got there slightly earlier than our reservation time, but the hostess had no problem seating us early which was nice but had no problem waiting a few minutes if needed. This isn't our first time here and there is a reason we keep coming back, the CALAMARI! It is a tempura style, with a slight kick - it's to die for! Those even with a sensitivity to spice/heat can enjoy this. There were three of us girls and we had no problem polishing off two orders of the appetizer. It's just that good - it doesn't even seem like you're eating seafood. I ordered the trout, which I was very pleased with but my girlfriend ordered the short rib, when I say it was like melting in your mouth it was that delicious, you didn't need a knife to cut through the meat. Though typically with a short rib it should be cooked for so long that the meat is tender and juicy and pulls apart like a pulled pork would - they did a great job. I want to say I believe they change the menu up every couple of months. Can't wait for the weather to get nice, in hopes of them opening up a patio/or the glass door in the front of the building to enjoy a nice breeze.
(5)
Kathryn H.
The third time was NOT the charm. The food was mediocre at best and the service was non-existent. When my friend asked our server if she had "Creamy Garlic or Ranch?" she replied repeatedly, "What?" I don't think the problem was that she was deaf...just incredibly rude. Am in the neighborhood and a frequent diner but will NOT be going back. Not worth the $$$$ despite having outdoor tables. Pass this up, there are such better places for the $$$ in Lincoln Park.
(1)
Neema P.
LOVE THE DECOR. When you walk, you truly feel like you are not in Chicago. I felt like I was in LA or Santa Monica. We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the service was a bit slow. I mean REALLY SLOW. Our waitress forgot to hand us silverware, our food came almost quickly, but then our silverware arrived 10 mins later individually from the bust boys. Then we received a napkin almost halfway through my meal. I got the mimosa and my friends got bloody marys, which were both equally big in portions. My friends got the bacon and hash and eggs, and another friends the breakfast tostadas. I got the veggie tacos. Their's looks delicious, while mine was ok. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks and food items, and hopefully service is better.
(3)
Niki T.
I had high expectations for this place! The place is beautiful and love the overall ambiance. Definitely a spot to check out ONCE. There were not a lot of menu options--and whatever food our group ended up getting was not so good... the drinks didn't make things better either. Definitely a place to pop in and check out but not to eat/drink!!!
(2)
Jennifer P.
Had a fabulous experience here. I made reservations the day of for my friend and I for brunch and we were easily able to get a reservation and had no wait when we got there. The place is so beautiful and transports you to California. Food was SOO delicious. I had Mexican pork hash and it was amazing. My friend had the tostadas and she loved hers and mine. For some reason it looked small but I was beyond stuffed after I finished. I also had the Bloody Mary and it was fabulous. Nice and spicy not too tomato intense. All in all I cannot wait to go back! Service was great too! H
(5)
Laina F.
Brought my mother-in-law and 4-month old. This place is always a home run regardless of the group or the occasion. Lucas was an amazing waiter!
(5)
Lindsay F.
Living in CA for the past 9 years, I had to check this place out with a friend. The ambiance was super cute.We got a bottle of wine and tried an assortment of appetizers. My particular favorite was the calamari. When checking in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice-cream dessert too!
(4)
Eizabeth K.
4 for ambiance and a timely seating... The apps are great but entrees are bland. Burrata, ahi, and calamari were all delicious. Mahi fish tacos were ok but bland and over priced. We had a party of 7 and everyone agreed the apps,drinks, desserts are much better than the entrees. The ambiance makes this place... But next time I'll be sticking to the specialty drinks and apps, oh and of course a cookie for dessert!
This place is adorable and great in the spring and summer with their retractable roof. It definitely has that SoCal atmosphere and is trendy without being too pretentious. The food it good. I wouldn't say it's excellent. I had the chicken tacos, Brussel sprouts, a bruschetta type dish, and of course a cookie or two :) the service was great but I recommend making a reservation on the weekends as it does get very busy.
(4)
Asim S.
Awesome ambience, very cool, and makes you feel like your on the west coast. Everything was amazing..nachos with fresh guacamole, the cauliflower dish was amazing, we really enjoyed the salmon and mani mani fish tacos. But service was slow and it's super busy, and a tad bit Lincoln park boushy!!! I would definitely go back again
(4)
Karla B.
A perfect place to meet a friend last Saturday for brunch. The bloody mary, which has candied bacon, lived up to the hype that I heard about. It wasn't over garnished and the attention was put into the flavor of the drink. It was perfectly bold and spicy. I had the wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was exactly as described and delicious. The chicken was not dry or tough. I made a mistake and ordered a side salad (trying to be healthy to skip the fries), forgetting how much I disliked the salad the last time I was here. Much to my chagrin, it hasn't changed. The salad is still without flavor or purpose. I would HIGHLY recommend choose anything else other than the salad.
(3)
Kori E.
We came here on Saturday night and it was a little confusing. The space is huge. If you enter and head to your left - its all white chic. If you enter and head to your right - its all dark wood. We went to our right and were told we could not order food in that area, and they were not seating anyone in this huge dining room - it was completely empty. We went to the other side of the restaurant and were quoted an hour wait so we opted to try and find something at the bar. We magically snagged a table and decided to eat there. Our waitress was great! We shared the calamari, which was good - not what I was expecting as it comes dressed in a creamy sauce. We also both ordered the fish tacos and they were massive. You receive two grilled pieces of fish - not sure what kind of fish - and you construct the tacos as you wish. Two of my friends had a cocktail and both loved it. I, of course, had wine and our waitress hooked it up with the pour. I hate dainty pours! I would come back, but with a reservation. Might be fun to just have drinks here as well...
(4)
Romana Y.
The decor and Santa Monica feel is all this place has to offer. The service is absent. Very absent-minded servers. The food is mediocre, at best: super green and harvest salads are simple and average, and the albacore tuna tacos fell short. Food is a total miss here! The drinks were lacking, and the coffee was terrible! We passed on dessert! Second visit for brunch: significantly better. Their brunch menu, service early in the day, and beautiful Cali feel make this a must-go for breakfast/brunch. Pass on lunch/dinner here.
(3)
Monica Z.
This place is great... nice decor and very trendy. We had the spicy calamari to start with - SOOO GOOD! A must try. I had the short ribs over mash potatoes. So comforting, delish and filling. My Husband had the fish tacos, which were mahi mahi. Those were light, tasty and fresh. We will definitely come back again soon. They are also part of Lettuce Entertain You. I totally recommend this place.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
Great breakfast. Breakfast tostadas are awesome. Good muffins. Strong coffee. Good looking Benedictus but haven't tried them yet.
(5)
Anthony S.
Food was good, THE Place Looks Very nice inside gives you that on the beach cottage feel. Looking forward to returning with friends.
(4)
Toni F.
I took my family for lunch this past Friday. I have been before but it was my birthday and thought that it was a great place to go especially since my kids are Gluten Free. We had a 12:30 reservation and it was packed. We ordered our food and were having a good time. About 45 min later our food still hadn't come out. Once I brought it to our waiter's attention he sent the manager over. Corey, the manager, was very apologetic. The kitchen lost our order and a new order was put in with the kitchen. Corey not only made sure our meal was taken care of but also made sure I had a birthday dessert to go. I understand that mistakes happen and with Corey's great customer service we will definitely be back.
(4)
Yessi R.
My experience here was great. It was a Friday night I was with a group of people for a friend's birthday dinner. I was in awe when I entered. It really felt like summer in there. Definitely cute. The service was amazing we were attended right away after being seated. However, we weren't all comfortable in the high chairs so we asked to be seated elsewhere. We were seated right in front of the cooks, which I loved. Everyone looked so sleek and cleanly groomed. I would've gave this place five stars but unfortunately I wasn't to happy with the food options. Wish they had more things other than salads and sea food.
(4)
Samar K.
Let me get the obvious facts over with to get into why I gave this place 2 stars. Yes, it's a beautifully crafted restaurant. I couldn't shut up about how "cute" it was for the first 10 minutes. You definitely feel like you've left Chicago and stepped into a place somewhere in California. However the food is sub-par. Small portions which are overly priced and honestly not that spectacular. We ordered the Calimari, 1.5 pound of lobster, and spinach artichoke dip. My boyfriend and I didn't finish any of the plates. We left with frowns on our faces and $90 poorer. Honestly a waste of money. Granted the staff is friendly and funny.... I'd suggest only coming here for dessert or a cocktail.
(2)
Rockstar R.
Came here for brunch about a month ago with a group of friends - food was delicious and service was great, but good seats are hard to come by and I didn't love that we didn't get to sit under the skylight windows and we were kind of in a high-traffic area. That being said, the atmosphere is still very "cool California" and I didn't even feel like I was still in Chicago. I'd definitely be back again for brunch. Smoked salmon hash - to die for. As is the French toast - half order is good enough for one, but I might even get the full order next time because it was THAT GOOD. Tasted like cake in caramel syrup - ok, bad description but trust me! I'd like someone to claim better French toast out there because I doubt there is any. The kale lemonade was absolutely delicious and refreshing, and they offer it with vodka but I wasn't in the mood for liquor. I had a nibble of the breakfast tostada and it was fantastic but messy. Good combo of ingredients, though. Overall, great place for weekend brunch, but won't give it 5 stars because it's a bit on the pricy side.
(4)
Leo A.
After my previous review, I was contacted by a LEYE Partner and the general manager of Summer House. They handled the issues we had with great professionalism. Both went out of their way to make sure we received the best experience we could get and were able to get us a table last minute even with the restaurant booked a week out. We went back a couple weeks ago with a group of friends and had a wonderful time! They were extremely busy as usual, nonetheless our waitress was amazing, recommended great new dishes and the food was perfection! It is great to know that the Summer House team truly cares about their customers as it's one of our favorite places in town.
(5)
Lauren S.
Finally got to check this place out Saturday night, after waiting 3 months for my reservation. But it was worth it, and I'll definitely go back. A few must-haves: --ahi tuna tostadas: bite-sized perfection; the guacamole is fantastic --Sonoma Coast cocktail: I had two, and am still dreaming of it. So darn good. --we also split one of the salads, which was yummy, so I'd recommend any of them. Entrees at my table were the burger on the English muffin with frites, which looked delicious, the lobster tagliatelli--creamy and had a kick to it, and the lobster was scrumptious, and the salmon with pesto, which also looked good. The dining room and vibe are great here--light, open, airy. Can't wait to go back when it's warm. Make your reservations now!
(4)
Joanna A.
My go to spot!! The atmosphere is great! You feel like you're outside underneath the stars... Food is amazing! I love their turkey burger!!! Lucas, our waiter was awesome and very friendly ! Also not bad on the eyes!
(5)
Kate C.
The food is decent but the 4 times I've been here, I've been let down by the service. Mostly the host / hostesses. And I'm not a harsh critic. On two separate occasions, I've made reservations, yet our party (with 2 people, or 5 people -- not big!), yet still had to wait a long time to be seated. Once we were basically seated at the bar, even though we reserved a table. I walked in for lunch once, and despite me seeing 3 or 4 empty tables with one quick sweep, they told me nothing was available. Evertyime I'm here I have issues with the service -- and I'm typically pretty laid back with that.
(3)
Jeff S.
Simplicity is the word I used to describe Summer House to friends. The food was very good. The lobster frites were exactly one would think, but executed with care and precision. I couldn't keep my hands off of the frites, and the lobster was cooked in a way that felt like had they pulled it from the heat 10 seconds sooner, the center of the succulent meat would have been raw. I didn't enjoy the albacore tuna tacos as much; were also fairly straight forward with seared tuna, a healthy dollop of guacamole, and some charred corn/tomato salsa, but it was missing the wow factor. The somewhat stale tortillas probably helped contribute to that. Opt for a cookie at the end, warmed up, to finish your meal. A nice way to end a nice, if not particularly special, meal. At the end of the day, I'm not a huge fan of Summer House, but I would definitely go back. The menu isn't the most original, but at the same time, it offers enough variety to satisfy mostly everyone in the group. Perhaps Summer House is playing it safe, waiting for the weather to turn to more California-like conditions before it fully blossoms. I hope that's the case.
(3)
Jennifer M.
First time I dined with my family, we had a wonderful experience with stellar waitstaff and great food...this impression was quickly overshadowed by my second visit. The second time I dined with my girlfriends, and the experience was horrible. We had a reservation for 3PM but still had to wait for 30 minutes to sit at our table, which is bizarre considering the off-peak time. When we sat at our table and when our food arrived, we still did not have napkins or silverware, and we had to ask for both of these things when our food arrived. Wait staff didn't even notice that not only were were seated a half an hour late, but we hadn't been properly set up. Both the hostess and server noted that we, as a group, needed to be somewhere by five, however still kept us past five at the table while we were all waiting with our coats on, standing up from the table, asking for our check several times. The hostess recommended the english muffin burger, so I ordered it. It came out completely burnt (I ordered it cooked medium) with chunks of fat in the meat-it was terrible. Our server didn't even ask how our food was when it came out, I had to grab her attention and let her know that the burger was burnt. Another order had also come out incorrectly. Her response was not very accommodating, and I was stuck with a barely edible burger. The most disappointing aspect of this dining experience was that I typically bring people to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants because of their consistency in good service and food. I was embarrassed bringing my friends here, and I was so disappointed that Lettuce wasn't more consistent in food quality and quality of service to its customers.
(1)
Lucinda B.
We had 2 orders of eggs Benedict last weekend and the poached eggs were cold. They brought fresh eggs and they were also cold and did not bring warm hollandaise. They were apologetic but did not take anything off the bill and the service was slow. We won't go back.
(1)
Kim H.
Can't say enough good things! We went for breakfast, getting dinner reservations is not easy. But, had reservation for breakfast, and were seated right away. The one less than perfect star comes from the fact that on the menu it says fresh squeezed OJ, but it is Tropicana. That was the only disappointment. I had the root vegetable hash with poached eggs. To die for. I will be craving this forever. The aioli on top was a good call. Delicious. Daughter had pork hash with fried eggs and it was terrific. Husband had one of the breakfast sandwiches. He enjoyed it very much. The best is when we left and brought home with us some fresh bakery items. One was better than the next. Reminded me of a Beatrix, but on a bigger level. Can not wait to come back, so I made dinner reservations already but I have to wait a little bit because I had to book far in advance. I recommend this place to anyone. Very kid friendly I must say, and in a good way. In other words, it was not a circus full of strollers!
I think I made our waitress uncomfortable when she asked me if I wanted my onions to be raw or grilled and while making eye contact with her I loudly said "RAW". Shout out to ODB
(4)
SHONA M.
This place reminds you of the Hampton's! The hostess was very nice .We (my family) made reservations but completely missed the time was greeted with a warm welcome and friendly smile to still be taken. This is where the issue arises and why they didn't get 5 stars. First after being seated for almost 10 mins no one came to greet us, another waitress was in sheer shock that we asked for her help with ordering.. After looking very bothered she sent someone over that greeted us 5 minutes later. After that storm it was all sunshine from there I'm only guessing our food took longer than the adjacent tables were due to what we ordered but all in all I was happy to celebrate my Birthday lunch there.. The kale lemonade was freakin Awesome.. More seasoning needed on the guacamole but salsa was superb.. I will be back next time for dinner... The ambience really gives a wonderful euphoric feeling !!!!
(4)
Lauren E.
Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 The atmosphere at this place cannot be beat. I went in the middle of winter and felt like I was on vacation. Everything about it is perfectly executed. I also love the kitschy bakery case in the front to pick out a cookie for dessert. The food was fine. Nothing was excellent, nothing was poor. I felt that it was a bit overpriced for what it was. I will definitely be back, but for an occasion where the focus is on drinks and a lively atmosphere, not for the food.
(4)
Andrea R.
Well it most definitely isn't summer outside, but the cold weather isn't keeping the crowds away from Summer House. We recently had a girls night out at this new swanky restaurant and the big question once we arrived was out my friend scored a reservation. Lucky! After enjoying a palm fizz at the bar my party of 5 sat down for some delicious food served to us by the lovely Scott. We went the sharing route and everything was delightful. Personal faves included the fresh burrata app, spicy calamari app & the fish tacos. Great company, terrific cocktails, scrumptious food, stellar service (even including a round of jewish geography with our waiter) = one perfect GNO. And even more perfect...ending the meal with the heavenly chocolate cake and a cookie! If you're not as lucky to score a reservation at Summer House they've got a counter of baked goods you can order from anytime. Thank goodness I"m a 30 minute car ride away or I'd be there daily. Another culinary hit from our friends @ LEYE!
(5)
Renschke C.
Ahhh it's like being in California for real. It's light and spacious. Met a girlfriend for lunch and we tried several appetizers which were all pretty good: burratta, ahi tuna and Brussels sprouts. Yes that's a totally different mix but honestly our waitress could offer us zero input on what to get. She honestly said "we have coffee and stuff." And yes the service was slow. But all in all I would go back and plan on it during the miserable winter months. I also really want to go back and try the pizza side.
(4)
Shayna Y.
Walking into this restaurant from the brutal 5 degree weather, I felt immediately transported to Miami. The restaurant has a summery feel with a countdown until summer. I went during restaurant week which included 3 courses + a glass of wine. The restaurant is extremely accommodating for gluten free eaters. To start, I got, "ahi tuna tostadas" - the ahi tuna had great flavor and mixed with a bit of avocado and a chip, was delicious. For my entree, I got salmon with cauliflower puree and brussel sprouts. The entree was light, yet flavorful. My only complaint was that my salmon was not cooked enough to medium as had been requested - my friends also had a similar complaint with their fish. For dessert, I was expecting ice cream or fruit given my gluten allergy, but they had one of their famous cookies gluten free. It was the size of my head, warm, and came with a scoop of ice cream. I wanted so much to stop eating, but it was so delicious, I finished the entire cookie. I highly recommend this place - I love the ambiance and the food is great.
(4)
Rocco S.
Just went there for lunch. The vitamin d room is very nice and airy and on a sunny winter day like today you felt like you could be on someone's deck in southern California. We got a couple of appetizers and sandwiches. The food was just okay. The highlight was probably the Brussels sprouts. Although they were a bit over cooked. And a couple of the items were overly salty for our tastes. Service was a bit slow. For the price, I think you can find a more interesting place to eat. Lunch for 2 with no alcohol was $65 with tip. Might go back for breakfast one day. Some of the items looked good.
(3)
Monica B.
I came here last night for Restaurant Week with a couple girlfriends. Considering how cold it was, the interior of the restaurant was warm and inviting -- felt just like I was in California. I wasn't planning to drink, but the Restaurant Week menu included a glass of wine (nice touch), so I went with one of the red blends -- delish. I had the ahi tuna tostadas, salmon and warm cookie with ice cream. Overall, it was a great intro to the restaurant, but the regular menu had several dishes I'm more excited to try. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
D S.
Love Summer House. We have now been there a couple of times, with kids and for night out with couples. Service is consistently excellent. They are knowledgeable, friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. The wine selection is great, and they give a significant pour. Every tuna dish was outstanding- the nigiri on fried rice, the tuna tostada, and the tuna tacos were phenomenal! We kept ordering more! The steak frites was just fine. Check in on yelp for free yummy cookie and ice cream!
(5)
Christine L.
Loved the fish tacos and really like their drink selection. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious. The presentation and quality of food was exceptional. My boyfriend had the seabass and loved it. We also had a cookie and ice cream for dessert that was simple and delicious. What stands out the most is the staff. EVERY ONE is nice and engaging. They pay attention and if at any point I looked around as if I needed something, they were immediately attentive. The manager stopped by and it wasn't one of those empty "how's everything folks", it was genuine. Decoration is great, service is exceptional, food is delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Trevor H.
I would loved to have given Summer House Santa Monica a much better review because I have definitely had 5 star experiences in the past. However, the shine and sparkle of the initial open must have worn off because our Father's Day Brunch was not up to the bar I had set bragging to my parents about how delightful Summer House was. Needless to say, the decor and atmosphere make you feel like you are dining right in Santa Monica with plants and a light and airy feel. Our service was a bit odd to start off. First the host took our drink orders and then our waiter came by and asked the same question. He didn't realize the host had taken our order so totally fine. He came back to get our meal orders after we had received our drinks and our roasted cauliflower app (which is DELICIOUS by the way! Order two if you are like my parents who thought the portion was too small. I had no complaints on portion size). We settled in with another round of drinks and waited for our meals. And we waited. And waited. Finally my mom flagged down our waiter who while very nice, had become MIA for a while. He appeared attentive to other tables while ours seemed to get lost in the mix. Getting lost seemed to be the trend as after several minutes, he came back apologizing that our ticket was lost by the kitchen and they would be bringing out our meals ASAP. Our meals did come out and while my mom and I both ordered the Roasted Vegetable Hash, ours looked very different. Her's had lettuce and mine was lacking, looking especially tiny in the large bowl. While the portion would have been fine if we hadn't been waiting nearly an hour for our meal, I could have eaten more in this situation. The server did profusely apologize and offered us anything else we wanted. My mom was a bit more dramatic about the situation than necessary even though we were already assured that our bill was comped. I will say our waiter, I believe his name was Tim C., did everything he could to make up for the situation. We ended up walking our with a few cookies to enjoy for the rest of the day. Like I said, I have had exceptional experiences at Summer House but I'm only giving three stars right now because my dad's brunch wasn't what we expected. Hopefully next time will be better!
(3)
Mike R.
I've been to Napa before, so the theme of it was quite interesting. My wife and I also adore Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so this seemed like a slam dunk. Meal was meh (the barada was great though) Service was ehhh The drinks were solid But when it came down to everything, it was an overpriced Lincoln Park hot spot that attracted every boat shoe, magenta short wearing nerd in Lincoln Park. Lettuce has so many better restaurants and I feel like this one is trying too hard.
(2)
Hannah W.
went there last night for my birthday. I'm a vegetarian, which generally no matter where I go it is difficult to find meatless-options. nonetheless i chose a pasta dish, the Whole Wheat Chitarra, I was not a fan of the Kale Pesto :( however, the waitress we had was so cool & nice about the whole thing & she took it off my bill. so, it total, 5 for service but -2 for food.
(3)
hanna y.
I had reservations for brunch this past weekend. We got in a few minutes early and grabbed a drink from the bar. Summer House is connected to another restaurant and the bar at the Summer House was packed so we decided to go the Stella Barra since there were seats at the bar. I ordered a Bloody Mary, standard brunch drink. First off, the it cost $11 (2 dollars more than summer house??) and it was an awful Bloody Mary. There were supposed to be Salumi and Pepperoncini and mine did not have it. I asked the bartender and he said, "it'll take a minute because I have to make it" are you curing and aging the meat and growing/pickling the pepperoncini yourself ? Needless to say I never received it. At Summer House I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes and bacon steak. The pancakes were absolutely delicious but the bacon steak was a different story. It was more like bacon jerky. It was a thick piece of bacon but extremely fatty and very, very chewy. No thanks. My friend got the fresh squeezed juice, and I'm no juice connoisseur, but I've had my fair share of fresh squeezed juice and I'm positive this was Tropicana they're passing off as fresh squeezed juice. I asked the server, and she said it was fresh squeezed. Don't get me wrong, I'll drink ,my Tropicana but if I'm paying $4 a cup for "fresh squeezed" juice I'd rather BYO OJ Overall the main dishes were excellent but you can get delicious food anywhere for brunch. It's the details that make brunch special and makes you want to come back for more. I'd much rather spend my money trying another brunch spot.
(2)
Becca T.
Where to begin? Impressed, but needs some tweaking. Loved the feel inside and I would like to come back for brunch. We started with guac and calamari. Both had a phenomenal taste, but the portion was really lacking for the price. Entrees were super fresh and filling. They had a great GF menu and very accommodating. Avocados were the most beautiful sight on my plate. When we ordered our sides the server said they were large and meant for sharing. For $9 we were given 10 brussel sprout halves... Hmm was that a joke? This leads me back to why I'm indifferent.. Great fresh food but tapas portions with a high price.
(3)
Vince N.
Found a new go to brunch spot. Summer House does not disappoint. Makes me feel like I'm back home in Newport or Laguna. Everything is on point at Summer House, from the food, atmosphere, lighting, service...everything! They are trying to capture the essence of California dining and they do a really good job at it. I had the Santa Monica egg white omelette with turkey and avocado. It's exactly what I wanted and what I expected. Simple, healthy and straightforward. Their "Vitamin D" room is truly epic. I wore sunglasses, I had no shame. If you want to experience a different kind of brunch spot and you want to do it with the California laid back class, then look no where else than Summer House. Sunglasses very much recommended!
(5)
Kari S.
The food is fine, the cookies are great!! Try the apple cinnamon cookie. It can't be missed!
(3)
Tyler D.
The Spicy Calamari and the Prime Rib Sandwhich were both very good!
(4)
Sonny P.
This place really does feel like Summer is just around the corner. When you walk in, you are initially greeted by their dessert/coffee counter and the restaurant is to the left and Stella Pizzeria is to the right. They have a countdown to summer which was pretty cool. To start off, we had the Fresh Burrata tomato jam, arugula, house-made bread, I highly highly recommend this to start off. The cheese is gooey and melts right in your mouth. I would request more bread because they give a lot of cheese. For the main dish, we had the Ricotta & Pecorino Ravioli arugula pesto and Bucatini W/ Forest Mushrooms. I would say neither of these 2 dishes were mind-blowing but were tasty. Service was good as usual since this restaurant is again a LEYE. I would go here again for the brunch menu during the summertime.
(4)
Emily C.
I could eat the Acapulco Omelet every day and be happy. They have gluten free options at the grab and go and also GF toast as an option. Their cocktails are great as well. Sit at the bar and have the bartenders send out their favorites. Summertime is a most for me anytime I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Whitney W.
Came in for breakfast this morning and the only thing that was good was the atmosphere. My eggs were served wrong, my mom was given sausage when we clarified bacon twice and the food was cold. This is a very similar experience that I had the last time. We won't be back. Don't come for the food or service.
(1)
Kelly O.
Cool ambiance Fast, friendly service Did I mention the cookies... Ate the fish tacos and had a glass of the infamous goose- so tasty!
(5)
Eileen D.
What an amazing experience! While the place was gorgeous, the service is what stood out to me. Our server, Rachel, was knowledgeable on the menu and helped us pick an amazing bottle of wine, not to mention her service was on point. TJ, the manager, came over to check on our table and took the time to go over the vegan options with me and pointed out that all allergy food is prepared in a separate kitchen. Amazing!! Now to the food, my pal and I split the brussel sprouts caramelized to perfection. For my entree, I had the curried veg and rice bowl, which not only had a nice kick to it but was perfectly filling. For dessert, we enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet, which was refreshing and reminded me of summer. I will definitely be back!!
(5)
a g.
Came for a sunday brunch twice. First time, we were with a VIP and were treated as such. I had a great time, and wanted to bring my friends to show them how nice of a place this is, and how much like santa monica it can feel like, as well all have lived their at one point in our lives. Unfortunately, when I went the second time, I dont think I have been treated to rudely in a restaurant before. waited around 2 1/2 hours, ended up not even getting a seat as we "missed our table" despite sitting in the waiting area. No text was sent as promised. Too many other brunch options in chicago to waste time for mediocre food tha tis over priced. Come in, have a look at the ambiance, and move on to a place with better customer service and better food.
(1)
Cara Y.
I've heard mixed reviews regarding Summer House, but having friends near and dear to the project, as well as an open mind to any and all experiences, I gave it a try. I went for my birthday with 7 girlfriends of mine for a Sunday morning brunch, and it was fabulous. Major kudos to our waiter, Scott, who kept the morning lively and acknowledged all of our (semi high-maintenence) needs. After presenting mimosas, fresh muffins and a fruit plate, we couldn't wait to order our meals. Despite a few mis-steps and forgotten deliveries of fresh coffee, extra cream cheese, ketchup, plates, and a few others, the food really was great and the taste/presentation unique. The minor errors were easy to forget and our meals and easy going waiter and staff truly made up for it! Aside from the obvious food review, the ambiance and decor of Summer House can make up for any issues experienced while dining. It was so naturally light in the restaurant (thanks to the gorgeous open windowed ceilings,) and made us all feel like we were somewhere warm and delightful; something my group is rather eager to feel at a time like this. Damn you Chicago winter, damn you. I'll definitely be back to try out dinner thanks to a great first experience for brunch!!
(4)
Meg R.
Went here for brunch the other day and ordered the poached egg sandwich with ham and avocado and spicy mayo. So so good! I've been here a few times before for both brunch and dinner and have always loved it so I shouldn't have been so surprised, but I cannot remember the last time I had such a good breakfast. Waiting for an excuse to go back soon!
(5)
Melissa N.
I've had two very good experiences at Summer House. I've never stayed for a full dinner, but I've sampled a variety of drinks and apps, and everything has been divine. Specifically, I love the Palm Fizz cocktail and the bruschetta-esque appetizer, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Service has always been friendly and efficient. The place fills up quickly and is pretty loud, but it never feels too crowded. It's a fun, somewhat trendy atmosphere. The best time to go is when it's warm out and the patio doors are open. This is a great spot to relax and hang out in Lincoln Park.
(4)
Claire F.
I was pleasantly surprised with Summer House after hearing mixed reviews about it. The two dishes I had were divine and therefore I highly recommend the Prime Rib French Dip and the biscuits the start. Warning - the biscuits take 15 minutes to prepare as they are baked fresh, but they are certainly worth the wait. Don't forget to add the poblano butter and honey to the top before chowing down. The french dip was very tender and flavorful, although I understand Summer House's specialty is more fish (the menu is very seafood heavy). The side of fries was very tasty. I also love the cool and breezy ambiance of Summer House. When I went in late May the front windows were all open (which was a little chilly in mid-May, but nice and summery nonetheless). My friend and I ordered two sandwiches and the biscuits, coming in at about $50, but the bill would be considerably more had we ordered some of the pricier entrees or drinks. If you want to hang out with some friends and pretend like its summer year-round stop by Summer House; you won't be disappointed
(4)
J W.
FOLLOWUP to my negative review: Manager/owner reached out right away. He offered to have us back for another dinner and sent along some gift certificates. We went over with some friends last night and it was a completely different experience. Once again had to wait 20 minutes past the reservation but were then seated at great table in the main dining room. Waitress was very attentive, overall excellent service. Started with some of the signature cocktails - HINT, you can get the alcohol-free drinks with booze if you like. I got the cucumber-mint (forget the name) and had them add gin, which came out great. For starters we got the ceviche and the spinach-artichoke dip. Ceviche was good but modest portion. Spinach dip was the better choice. Hot, gooey and very very good. I'm not even a fan of spinach dip and I would get this again. For the main dishes most of the table got the short ribs, which they all enjoyed. I took a chance on the trout. I love fish but I'm often disappointed as it's hard to cook just right. Not this time though. The trout was two full filets over creamy mashed potatoes. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious. As I noted before the space is very open and bright. It's busy but the skylight/glass ceiling is high so it' not too noisy. We had no trouble talking without having to shout. You always worry about consistency after having a first bad experience, but kudos to the management for responding to my review. It seems like our second experience was more typical and I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend Summer House.
(4)
Rachel R.
Brunch was awesome! Came here on a Sunday and was greeted by pleasant staff. Was recommended the Mexican chocolate mocha which was the perfect touch to my meal. It was the right amount of cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper to give you the sensational taste of goodness. In addition we ordered the sunshine burrito and very nice caramelized French toast with a side of the fruit platter which were all equally delicious. Finally we redeemed the cookie (chocolate chip goodness) voucher through yelp - which was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place for brunch!
(4)
Rosalba R.
I went for lunch with a friend and the atmosphere was beautiful. We had burgers with salad and I don't know which was better. They were both so good!
(5)
Meghan J.
Ambiance -***** Service-***** Guacamole-***** Pan-seared rainbow trout-***** Fish tacos-***** Steak frites-***** Lobster orecchiette-***** Warm date cake- ********** :)
(5)
K A.
Went there for Saturday brunch. Had the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancake which was good. I did get the Crispy Candied Turkey Bacon which was no different from the turkey bacon I microwave at home. Our waitress was always hard to find...it always took a while for her to get back to us. Went there again to try their dinner menu. We ordered the Ceviche which was ok. The Burratta & the Spicy Calamari was better. For my entree, I had the Main Lobster Orecchiette which was good. And for dessert, the Pumpkin Pie was very good. Again, our waitress took a while to get back to us throughout the evening. Overall, this place is ok...definitely over priced. What made things worse was we tried adding points to our "Lettuce Entertain You" Rewards and the person wouldn't look up our name. We've been to a number of LEY restaurants, and that was never a problem. Really no desire to go back there anymore.
(2)
Susan R.
What a fabulous experience on all possible levels! The food was exquisitely prepared and presented and the chef willingly made those changes I (and my tummy) needed. The architecture and design of the space contributed to the lively/lovely atmosphere and dining exerience. The service is efficient, pleasant and warm and welcoming. I found the Menu offered me many choices that sounded interesting and delicous and the portions were ample. Our server noticed that chicken was not added to a Cobb salad, apologized and brought it complementary. While there was a buzz of constant conversation in the full dining area, the noise level was more than manageable and contributed to the energy in the space. We went for lunch around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon without reservations and were seated immediately,
(5)
Kim B.
Atmosphere is very fun and lively, however, the food is just ok. The pasta dishes were too salty to be palatable
(3)
Jack G.
Received a message from "chris" on of the partners concerned about my review. I was asked for a contact # or email address to help them improve. To date I haven't received any communication from them, and by other reviews, I've noticed a very similar list of complaints. Apparently I'm not the only one displeased by their service and food. Now I'm even more concerned about their perceived lack of feedback about my review...
(1)
Kasper K.
It was good...as a foodie myself, it wasn't anything amazing, but it was good. I'd rather try some place new than go back there again, although the cookies were phenominal. Atmosphere was absolutely great. Service was good too. Definitely worth trying to see if it's your flavor.
(4)
Emily B.
Four well deserved Yelp stars for decor, food, and service (in that order). Having just come from Santa Monica, California ("Coast" at Shutters), I can honestly say they nailed the design aesthetic. The food is fresh, colorful, vibrant - and there really is something for everyone on the menu. I recommend the fish tacos and the ravioli. The place was packed so we sat at the bar. I generally prefer service at the bar anyhow, but it was a little lackluster. Just didn't seem like we had any one person who was our server (ok, as long as they are overly-attentive, but they weren't) and our one bartender admitted it was his 2nd day and couldn't really make any confident recommendations (appreciate the honesty, just strange). My favorite part was when I ordered a fleur de sel cookie at the end of my meal and they asked: "May we warm that up for you?" Um, yes please.
(4)
Kathleen O.
Had a hard time deciding 3 or 4 stars. I love the bright, open feel of the place, especially sitting inside but feeling like you're sitting outside. Staff always friendly and helpful. Good food but I considered giving only 3 stars b/c the menu seems limiting after several visits, plus the cookie/dessert bar always looks more inviting than it tastes. My husband and uncle always just order burgers b/c they don't find anything else they want. I love the barrata cheese app, beet salad with avocado and grapefruit, and adult grilled cheese (which I think they just took off the menu! bring it back!). Definitely a place to bring visitors, but be sure to make reservations.
(4)
Sarah M.
We had a great waitress, but that was about it. The fish tasted and smelled old and the salads were bland. I only ate a few bites before sending it back because it smelled so bad I was worried it would make me sick. I rarely ever send anything back. We later found out that we weren't the only ones that complained about the fish that night. The manager was apologetic and generous, but I worry that there were some issues in the kitchen and I don't think I will be going back. It was very crowded for the middle of the week and it has a summery atmosphere that is welcome in winter, but did not seem like it was worth the expensive price for the food.
(1)
Aly W.
Atmosphere: 5 Food: 3.5 Service: 1 I was a server at several different restaurants during high school and college and while sometimes it is terrible, you need to know what you're doing. The food was ok, not great but not bad by any means. The atmosphere is really cool - you feel like you are in Santa Monica. But the service, was awful. Our waiter had no idea what he was doing. We had five in our party and they repeatedly brought us 4 of everything - plates, silverware, glasses, and we needed to remind them of the one we were missing. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and at the end of the meal, our waiter told us that our "birthday dessert would be coming soon" and thus, spoiled the surprise. Last but worst of all, we ordered a bottle of sparkling rose and it came out room temperature. When we asked our server about why it wasn't cold, he said that he didn't think they stored the bottles in the cooler. Long story short, we talked to the manager to try to get a cold bottle of champagne (like normal people) and he proceeded to charge us for it. Bottom line, unless they seriously up the waitstaff, don't waste your time with this place. Sub-par at best.
(2)
Emily S.
I have been wanting to go here for a while, and I finally did last night. If you want to go during primetime on a weekend night, prepare to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. At least. I made my sunday night, 7pm reservation a week in advance. When I arrived, the place was busy. People were waiting to be seated and both dining rooms looked full. They have valet, yes. That's a plus for me. We waited a few minutes to be seated, not bad. My friend and I sat at a tall table on the darker, left side by the bar. I wanted to sit in the bigger room, but it didn't seem to have many smaller tables. The decor was lovely. It looked like an actual beach house in all white with soft yellow lighting, greenery, and a full skylight roof. Our waitress came after a few minutes and poured us water from the glass bottle that appeared on our table only minutes before. She explained the menu and pointed out her favorites in each section. She was very attentive to coming back when we needed more time and knowing when we were ready to order. I was tempted to order one of the delicious looking cocktails, but wanted to keep the bill down. We ordered the caramelized Brussels sprouts with pancetta and olive oil, the lobster pasta and the english muffin burger with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. I liked how you could either do french fries with the burger or a salad. We chose fries of course. We split everything and it was plenty of food. I was almost too full for the rice krispie treat chocolate chip cookie I order for dessert. Everything tasted amazing. I was get it all again. My only complaint is that the food came pretty much all at the same time. They split every dish for us, which is nice. But our pasta came before the Brussels, which we ordered as an appetizer. That was the first bad sign. Then, as I was taking my first bite of the pasta, our sprouts were set down on the table. I didn't know which to eat first because both were perfectly hot. I told the person who brought us our food (not or original waitress) to please hold off on the burger for a while. He said okay, but I still felt rushed which eating my sprouts and pasta. And I had the right to, because the burger was set down when I still had half of my pasta dish left. And I was rushing to eat it! That really pissed me off. I would have felt like they were rushing us out, but I think it was just that our waitress put our order in all at the same time. It was not even 7:30 and we were almost done with our meal. Like, what? Anyway, I would be more mad, but the food was so delicious. I'll probably go back.
(4)
Erica W.
I went to Summer House today for brunch and my overall impression is that the hype is mainly about the beautiful ambiance, because the food is just ok. The ambiance immediately transports you to California. The use of light and the decor is just so bright and sunny that you can't help but to imagine that you aren't in Chicago anymore. Everyone in the dining room somehow looked like they were from LA as well. It was so strange - I definitely felt like I was among the "beautiful people". That said, the food is just ok, the service is just ok, and the attitude of the staff is just ok (they aren't overly friendly, I noticed). I had the caramelized french toast, some eggs and their chicken sausage. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. I also tasted the pancakes, which were fluffy, but nothing spectacular. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream that came for free by checking in on Yelp (good, but my eyes didn't roll to the back of my head), and I later tried the brown butter rice krispie treat, which was way too marshmallowy, but the brown butter was delicious. Good place to go if you want to be a part of the scene, if you want to "see and be seen", but don't go with high expectations of culinary greatness.
(3)
Mary R.
The food is only okay. Very small plates and expensive. Tacos good, beet salad not good at all (do not order). Mussels ok but for the price go somewhere else
(3)
Emily W.
this is exactly the kind of place to go in the dead of a long chicago winter. food was great for brunch!! highly recommend the short rib hash, entire group agreed that was best. went with my mom and sisters for a girls weekend and this was the highlight. as many other reviews say, do not skip the dessert bar in front!
(5)
Katie A.
Came to Summer House with a couple friends for Chicago Restaurant Week. We made the reservation several weeks in advance and were excited for the pre-fix menu options. When we sat down to order our server told us they were no longer offering the RW menu. (How is this happening? We already had a full blown conversation via text about what we all planned to select). Anyway, we were disappointed there was no mention of limited availability when booking (normally it's a 2 week offering) and we specifically chose Summer House because of RW. Lucky for us, the food and ambiance ended up being great and we had a good experience. As many other reviews mention, the decor makes you feel like you're in Cali (or at least not in snowy Chicago). The staff seemed friendly enough and although they were extremely busy, it wasn't overly loud like some other popular spots. You could definitely still carry a conversation. As far as food goes, we shared several menu items. Ahi tuna tostadas are fresh and flavorful, spicy calamari is perfectly breaded and seasoned, and the home made biscuits are perfectly complimented with a drop of honey. Would definitely order any (all) of those again. The sea bass entree was lacking in flavor and had a consistency like tofu. It wasn't terrible, but I would not recommend it either. Sides: beets with goat cheese and caramelized brussel sprouts were both good. Desserts (because who skips dessert!?): pineapple tostatda had an awesome flavor and was a nice change from the normal chocolate laden options. Of course, we had a chocolate laden dessert as well (duh). They have a huge cookie counter where you can essentially create your own sundae. It was awesome. Bonus: wine pours are generous to say the least. We will definitely be back, but hope Summer House improves communication about events/specials in the future.
(4)
Amanda D.
I really liked Summer House Santa Monica. The staff here gets huge kudos - we were seated very late, and they gave us five free appetizers and a free bottle of prosecco to make up for it. For a starving group of 4 girls, this made us extremely happy! It is definitely a fun place to be and take a group of friends or celebrate something. I wasn't completely in love with it since the room is a very large space and the scene is very sceney. I prefer mellow, cozier places, but if you're looking for a night out on the town I would highly recommend it. The French Dip sandwich is the best I have ever had.
(4)
Julie B.
The ambiance is great but the food was so so. WAY over priced for pedestrian dishes. The food was fine, but you could get much better, unique, creative food elsewhere for much more reasonably priced.
(2)
robert b.
Not one of the better Lettuce Entertain You places. The menu is annoyingly eclectic In an attempt to be different. The salads were good, as was the burrata e cheese appetizer. The chicken taco was ordinary, even though I added pico de gallo and hot sauce. The server was terrific, but it would have been better to have her serve terrific food. The highlight was the cookie I bought at the bakery counter on the way out.
(3)
Stan P.
Perfect! We are so in need of happy, yummy, neighbor restaurants. Summer House has arrived to fill the void. Beautiful, Santa Monica feeling; light wood, airy but not cold feeling. Can't wait to eat there in summer when the roof opens and the garage door opens onto the sidewalk. Summer breezes. But, even on the November drizzly opening night, it was cheery and warm inside. The food is great. It is not fussy in an Alinea way -- but it is delicious without being heavy and salty. We had the "hot mess" which was a bit decadent; the calamari was divine and the cauliflower was good too. I enjoyed the hamachi appetizer as an entree -- it was light and tangy. Others had the skate and the tuna which were all great. An abundance of fish and veggies on the menu -- but comfort food as well. It was all really good. Felt like eating at the home of a friend who is a great chef. The best part was that while there was high energy in the restaurant, we could easily have a conversation. And we did. I felt a little guilty holding the table for as long as we did -- but the staff was wonderful and never made us feel pressure to leave. Don't forget to order the chocolate chip cookie and the homemade ice cream for dessert!
(5)
Katie C.
This place was nice, but fell short of expectations. We waited 40 minutes past our reservation and the staff could have cared less. Food was good but not great and I found it weird that the lights are so bright. Not in a hurry to get back here anytime soon.
(3)
David W.
The atmosphere was wonderful! The servers were all very attentive, and they brought out delicious food. I'm a little surprised by the mediocre rating of this place. I've heard that the place is relatively new, so it must have improved a lot since its opening.
(4)
kari n.
Summerhouse gets four stars for brunch. Mostly because the decor and ambiance are definitely kicking it, especially in the midst of this terrible winter. It felt like we were on vaca somewhere warm. The food was decent. The ideas in the menu are great. Execution could be better. Like my omelette was a bit dry. Sat under the heat lamps a big too long before making it to our table? And the beet salad was lacking in the beets texture- too mushy actually. Also our server was a smiley girl who didn't do the best job taking care of us/ just a little too MIA. However the bakery bar in the entry had some worth-the-calorie treats that we brought home with us and really enjoyed. Go for the ambiance, stay for the apple crumble cookie.
(4)
mark s.
Pros: Great atmosphere, professional service, tasty food. Cons: Can be Loud for middle age or older people, pricey, it's a bit of a scene, very busy so you may have to wait even if you have a reservation.
(4)
Danielle T.
I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and this was hands down one of the best meals I've eaten. We ordered the pork ravioli, burrata, calamari and cauliflower. All 4 things were simply amazing. I don't eat seafood and I couldn't get enough of the calamari. Pork ravioli was a little salty-- but we loved it!! Then our waiter, Scott! We just loved him. He really knew his shit! Recommended everything, knew wine pairings, etc... Wonderful ambiance! We will be back!
(5)
Cristina T.
We came to Summer House for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Luckily we made reservations but were not seated until our whole party was there. Servers we kind and helpful, wearing trendy jean shirts and aprons. The kitchen is exposed which adds to some of the liveliness of this place. I personally felt a little rushed with our service, as our waitress came back every three minutes to take our orders. Our food also came out extremely fast. I ordered the Korean style skate wing that was situated on top of noodles. It was a decently sized portion but for almost 30 dollars, it was definitely overpriced. Though it was good and I ate most of it, I found the skate wing to be a little over salted and not a standout by any means. I think that the selling point of Summer House is the interior, not the food. None of our party of 7 had rave reviews. I think I would come back in the future for drinks, but nothing more than that.
(3)
Jaime M.
Been to Summer House twice already and I look forward to coming back, what a great place! The food, ambiance and service, everything was great. The only thing I wanted to suggest to management is that when you serve tacos that the tortillas come in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a cloth. Tortillas go cold very fast and that can detract from an otherwise perfect experience (at Summer House they bring you the tortillas piled on top of each other, uncovered on an open plate) Just food for thought. This is a really awesome place!
(5)
R R.
I heard this was the place to checkout. Upon arrival, the place was packed. And many appeared to be waiting for their tables. We had a late reservation 9:30pm and when we arrived we still had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. Strike 1. The food better be awesome! We were seated in the main room which was really cold. They even said they kept that room "breezy" and in the future we should ask to be seated in the bar area, Strike 2. We had the burrata as the app. It was good. Not great but good. For our main, I had the ahi tuna tostadas. They were flavorful enough. The BF had the Thai curry mussels. He enjoyed them. So the food was good not phenomenal for all the hype but still good. This seems to be a place to be seen and be in the trendy aesthetics rather than about fabulous food. But if you are a millennial this would be your spot. As for the service, our server disappeared for 10 minutes and we had to flag down a busboy for a request. Strike 3. So in conclusion, not a seen for the true foodie, more the wannabe cool kid that can say they scored a reservation on a Saturday night. I usually like LEY restaurants but this place is off my list. Go if you want to be seen!
(2)
Maria D.
Beautiful decor and even better food! I have been here twice in the past week and a half! The food is great. Some must haves are the tuna tostadas, the burger, the spicy calamari, fish tacos, and definitely hit up the cookie bar when you leave! Both times we had great service. Both of our servers were very attentive, helpful, and gave great recommendations. I loved it and cant wait to come back. And just one more tip...the watermelon smash with vodka is great!! Try it!
(5)
Jet S.
Great spot, Great food. Expensive, but not crazy. The only criticism it that the lights are too bright.
(5)
Brenna N.
All in all, I enjoyed my evening at the Summer House, but I have a few complaints. I arrived at the restaurant at 6:40 with a reservation and were sat immediately. Our waitress approached us and we knew immediately what appetizers we wanted. We received one of the two, a little confused because both should have came at the same time. Anyways, we finished the first one and the second one was still MIA. Still no appetizer, we proceeded to put in our main courses. From the time we put in the appetizers 45 minutes passed. I asked about 3 times where our second app. was. Seemed to me, they didn't know. By the time the second app. came out, our main course trailed right behind. Wasn't too happy but whatever. I had the filet and my boyfriend had the short rib. Both very good. The food is good but I think the service needs some improvements. Upon leaving, the lost appetizer was comped off the bill and the manager brought of cookies for our anniversary. Great atmosphere, pretty good food, and iffy service.
(3)
Michael G.
Great place. Food and service is excellent. I also found the restaurant to be light filled and relaxing. Each of the people in my party had a different entree and we all enjoyed what we ordered. The dessert was excellent. I had the cake with the peanut butter fudge. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kalee H.
I went here on Monday, just 72 hours after the grand opening and I was super impressed! The food, serve and atmosphere are wonderful! I highly recommend the guacamole, fish tacos and seared ahi tuna. The desserts looked wonderful too! Great place in LP and perfect for large and small groups!
(5)
Jane S.
I am a frequent visitor to Chicago and I always like to try new restaurants when I'm here. Last night, I went to Summer House on recommendation from my daughter. What a treat! When you enter Summer House you are transformed to a place far from the blustery cold of Chitown. It is eternal summer in decor without being kitschy . There is a countdown to summer( only 180 more days) displayed on the far wall. A very cool vibe in general. I was informed, that the glass ceiling retracts in the summer to dine alfresco. We were greeted by our friendly waiter, Erik B. He explained the menu and drink specials. Don't pass up the exotic fruit punch made with Titos vodka . Now on to the food- there are small plate options along with traditional offerings. My daughter and I shared the Ahi Tuna Tostados upon recommendation from our waiter ,Erik. They were fantastic! The tuna was fresh, topped with chopped avacado,cilantro and fresh lemon juice. Then I had the grilled salmon and my daughter the steak fritte which was cooked to perfection. We also had the roasted cauliflower which had a nice kick to it. Not one to pass up dessert, we shared the cranberry apple crumble that was terrific. At the entrance to the restaurant, there is their bakery filled with oversized cookies and cookie bars. We took a few home for later consumption. They are not your grandmothers cookies! Chocolate chip with bacon or dotted with rice Krispy treats, oatmeal-apple cookies, etc.. Ambiance and service are first rate here. So, if you are n Chicago, eating at Summer House is a must!
(5)
EH B.
Had brunch here today. An awful experience. If this is really a Lettuce place, their management skills have been seriously compromised. Details? Where shall I start? My pancake dish arrived15 minutes after the rest of the food at our table of 4. Of course the side order of sausage arrived with the rest of the food and was cold 15 minutes later. Did not occur to our waitress or management to address that. But it gets worse. The pancakes contained pieces of something green, perhaps lettuce, that should not have been there. Seemed likely to be the result of unwashed serving equipment in the kitchen., it was a true appetite killer. Oh, did I mention the failure of our young server to refill my ice tea glass that I consumed waiting for those late and awful pancakes? I will not be returning there any time soon.
(1)
Dani K.
Love this neighbor spot. Bright and cheerful. Great menu with a special menu for gluten free diners. The tacos are my fave. Can't wait to back !
(5)
Marina G.
I went to Summer House for Sunday brunch after the recommendation of a friend. The place is nice, sunny in a cold Chicago day which made my day. The food was OK, nothing special and our server was really nice. I will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.
(4)
Sarah S.
In the dead of winter-this was a wonderfully inexpensive vacation. Great ambiance and the food was great. Had the hamachi green apple app as well as the tuna tostadas. The hamachi was out of this world. Also shared the fish tacos and lobster. Amazing. Can't wait to go again and in the summer.
(4)
Marilyn A.
Four of us dined here last night and it was an expensive disappointment. While the food was acceptable it was very overpriced. I had the fish taco's and they were just ok my husband had trout and mashed potatoes, the other two diners also ordered fish. We had one bottle of wine and two side orders of vegetables. One person ordered a coffee and we had two cookies. The bill was $236 for 4 people . Not at all worth the money. I will not dine here again.
(2)
Chris B.
Living close-by, we watched Tilli's crumble to the ground...would walk by as the walls rose up anew...and couldn't wait until the doors finally opened for the new restaurant! The adjoining Stella Barra pizzeria isn't far behind. It was well worth the wait, and we were eager to among the first people to officially kick-off Summer House Santa Monica tonight. Fantastic atmosphere from the valet stand, to the lobby with sweet eats, through the lounge and wine bar, and into the warm, inviting (and LIGHT) dining room. Smiling servers and management were excited to finally be open to the public tonight, and the food didn't disappoint. Chef Jeff Mahin's California themed menu was a nice respite from the overplayed Italian fare on this side of Halsted: fish tacos, the freshest guacamole I've had, yuzu scallops, deep, rich, braised pork ravioli...we tried it all (VERY kid friendly as well -- from bento box grilled cheese on brioche, to breakfast for dinner and kid-cups). We left with some of those sweet eats...chocolate chip and bacon cookies, chocolate chip and banana and apple-oatmeal, too! Looking forward to spending many chilly Chicago nights thinking I'm in Santa Monica with a glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine in hand, and to sunny summer days when the retractable roof pulls back and it will feel like we're in CA, too!
(5)
Arif S.
One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Great staff and food so good, you will want to have sex with it!
(5)
Jeremy W.
The food was great and the waitress was phenomenal! The only reason I am taking away a star is because I ordered the Lobster Tagliatelle and it came with Bucatini noodles instead. It was toward the end of the dinner service and the chefs thought I wouldn't notice, but I did, and the waitress felt bad. She had the chefs go in back to find more tagliatelle noodles and made me a whole new dish while letting me keep the other one. I will tell you for one, that this dish did in fact work much better with the tagliatelle noodles as the executive chef designed. So the whole meal was great, but I'm taking away a star for chef laziness.
(4)
Charlie M.
Our evening at Summer House was great. The room is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a cold Chicago evening. Because of the lighting, decor and design you actually feel like you're eating in Santa Monica on a warm summer night. The tuna tacos were delicious as well as many of the other appetizers we tried. And the desserts... fresh baked to perfection. Definitely a great new addition to the neighborhood.
(5)
Meg F.
I was really excited to try this place and am overwhelmingly disappointed. First I ordered a fresh squeezed juice... And they come buy and pour me a wine glass about 1/3 full as though its a high end wine. Fine... I'm there for a good salad anyway so I order the 'super green' which was only true in that it was green.... On the menu it listed like 10 delicious ingredients and what arrived was an arugula pile with a few pieces of Parmesan. After my 3 sip juice and my 12 bite salad I was STARVING so ordered more... I think this place wants to be upscale casual but it's having a bit of an identity crisis. To be fair the breakfast looks much better in terms of portions but if you are looking for a good big salad THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. The one upside is the atmosphere.... Very well done.
(1)
Meghan R.
I just had dinner here with a friend on Friday night. It was very easy to get reservations on a Friday night at a reasonable hour as well only a few days in advance. I love the interior and it makes you feel like you are in a beachy cozy town in California. The food was absolutely delicious! My friend and I had the ahi tuna tostada as an appetizer, the steamed cauliflower which was delicious, and the salmon for my entree. The portions were perfectly sized and very tasteful. I love that the food had so much flavor and I wasn't dying of fullness after dinner. I had room for dessert and coffee which was great as well! Highly recommended for a date night or girls night out. I will be going back soon!
(4)
Ann C.
Very nice setting. food fair and very $$$. Prime rib sandwich $20. Our waiter rocked. I don't think we will be running back.
(2)
KC C.
Fantastic restaurant -- would recommend it without hesitation. Went on a Saturday night and had a fantastic time. Love the decor and layout of the space; staff were accommodating, knowledgeable and fun without being overbearing; and the food was best of all: nicely varied menu and every one of our party loved what they got.
(5)
anne m.
Overall experience was disappointing. Arrived at 9pm without a reservation and was told there was an hour and 45 minute wait. Most people would have left, which is bad for business, but we decided to have a drink at the bar. Within 30 mins there were several open tables. Ultimately, we stayed at the bar and ordered dinner. Bartenders were not friendly, non attentive and we had to listen to them shake drinks all night. My husband ordered the lobster pasta dish. It was basically a cup and a half of pasta and small handful of lobster pieces. It was $19.95 and not worth it. After he finished the entree, he was still hungry and asked for some bread. They charged us $1.95 for a small plate of sliced bread. Come on, really!!?? I had the chicken tacos. They were good but really expensive for what it was. The menu doesn't appear to have changed at all since they first opened. We valet parked the car and ended up paying downtown rates for the service. Cocktails were $11 and were heavy on the ice. The atmosphere is great and we love the design and decor, but I don't plan on going back to Summer House anytime soon.
This is 4 1/2 stars with 5 for ambiance and service and a very solid 4 for the food. A great concept. The space is large with a high glass ceiling that brings in the sky surrounded by light wood and paint. The service was impecable. Our server was outstanding. She was extremly friendly and knowledgeable and was always there at all the right times. Not only did the sommelier come over and give us a free sample of an extremely good zinfandel, the manager also spent time with us, and at the end of the meal, he gave us a tour of their other pizza and more concept space next door that will be opening in two weeks and is done in darker wooden tables and has more of a tavern feel, all be it a very inviting tavern. The Summer House focuses on California wines and the space next door will focus on Italian wines. We each started with a glass of Cabernet and then shared a glass of that wonderful zinfandel. Now on to the food. Everything was very good and had great flavor. The concept is lots of different small plates to share as well as fish, pasta and meat entrees that can also we shared if so desired. Each dish we had we shared between the two of us. We started with the yellow beets so we could get our veggies. Now I am not a beet person but these were light with wonderful parsnips. This was followed by a wonderful Kale salad. With the healthy, but very tasty food out of the way we moved on to the entrees. Everything looked good. Out of the fish dishes the trout looked really good, but decided to go more for the comfort food. We went with the bison meatloaf and the pork ravioli. Wow. Both were really good with great flavor, cooked to perfection and just the right size. Also, the table next door got the calimari appetizer that looked amazing and they actually let us try one. Outstanding with a very unusual sweeter dressing that really worked. Will defintely get that next time. Now I'm a dessert person so couldn't forego. They all looked wonderful but being a chocoholic went that direction with a wonderful piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter and caramel and a wonderful cream topping. I also love everything pumpkin and they had a wonderful light pumpkin ice cream that we also shared along with an apple crumble bar from their baked pastry shelf that is at the front of the restaurant as you enter. Lots of inviting frsh baked goodies, cookies, etc. The two hours were a total joy. A great place to go whatever the occasion. The meal came to about $60 each, which was a very good value for the amount and quality of the food, wine and ambiance for the two hours we were there.
(4)
Kelsey S.
I have been to Summer House several times and always have had a great experience. However, this morning changed my entire opinion- I will never go back. I had a noon reservation and called to see if it was possible to change to 10. After being placed on hold for 20 mins, I hung up and just went to talk to the hostess while the rest of my party waited in the car. The hostess told me they would just need 10 mins to figure things out and then they could take us. My party then valeted the car and came in. After a few mins, the hostess then said they actually could not take us at all! While the rest of my party went to go have the valet pick the car right back up, I spoke with a manager who said they could sit us- how is there just a disconnect from the hostess and manager? I have such a bad taste in my mouth for this place now and will be sure to tell everyone who will listen about this experience.
(1)
Melissa T.
I made reservations a week in advance for the patio, we got there on time & the hostess said I see you made a note for the patio but that's going to be another 20 minutes so I am going to seat you close to there. She didn't ask how we felt about this and why have a notes section in the reservation if they aren't going to follow it? Our server took forever to come over, by the time she came over we all knew what drinks we wanted and were ready to order and she just took our drink order and ran off. She rarely came back to check on our drinks. My husband had to ask twice to have his coffee refilled and my friend ordered a muffin that never came. When she asked the server said "oh yea, I had them warm it up. Maybe it got lost? I will go find it" My friend had to specify that she wanted a fresh one and it took so long she ended up getting it to go. Food was good but the portions were very small.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Kim L.
Love love love the decor in here, really does feel like you're in Cali. However as others have noted, the food is pretty average. My friend had a Lettuce Entertain You gift card here or else it would have been pretty expensive average brunch. Friend got the classic eggs Benedict and I got the short rib hash Benedict with a side of candied bacon. Food was mediocre, server was friendly but we'd probably only come back for the Vitamin D room and people watching.
(3)Laura K.
Finally a solid Lincoln Park casual restaurant! Perfect for meeting friends for dinner and drinks. The space is super open and bright (not romantic - if you want that vibe, head next door to Stella Barra). It is always packed, and the food is solid! Brunch and dinner are both very good. For dinner you must get the burrata and the biscuits, and the spicy calamari. None of the entrees are a must, but whatever you order will be good.
(4)Debra L.
Summer House is lovely to look at, with the high open ceilings, the whitewashed wood, and the airy pastel colors. The staff was friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked in. We came for Sunday brunch and I'm so glad we had reservations because there were people being turned away due to wait-time. Note - make sure you make reservations! The food was fresh and delightful, with healthier choices reminiscent of the infamous California cuisine. My one criticism is that the it's rather pricey for what you get. I had the mission street burrito with tofu chorizo. It was delicious but for over ten bucks it would have been great to have some toast or hash browns. Come to Summer House to soak up the beachy vibe, and relax in the airy atmosphere. It's a great place for a relaxing meal, just overlook the fact that they're a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep that in mind and go anyway.
(4)Mark A.
I've only had breakfast/brunch here, so my review is not appropriate for dinner. Summer House might have one of the coolest interiors of any Chicago restaurant, thanks to its courtyard/glass roof that lets in tons of natural light. It's kind of like Banana Republic does food. For breakfast, I had the Kale/Vodka drink, and it was pretty impressive. Who knew I could get my vitamins and buzz in one sip? Genius. I had the chicken and waffles -- they were good. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. Given the appearance of the place, I was expecting something a little more unique, but these were just basic chicken and waffles - no froo froo designer waffle pattern or plate presentation. (Again, they were good.) I'd go back to try the dinner, but I wouldn't expect anything super memorable other than good, quality food. And the nice atmosphere is a treat.
(3)Kate T.
I have a very strict diet (allergic to garlic onions, lactose, gluten-free, high fructose corn syrup, etc). I had checked this place out online prior to going. Our server was very accomodating and I was able to watch in the kitchen that they made my meal with extra care. I had a mixture of greens, pumpkin seeds, unseasoned ahi tuna, and an amazing dressing of olive oil/fresh lemon. They also provided me with gluten-free bread topped with avocado and a poached egg. Did I mention their fries are delicious too? I requested the driest white wine possible and they let me test several to assist me in having the one lowest in sugar. I never once felt like a burden. The ambiance is amazing and this is definitely my new favorite go-to place in Lincoln Park.
(5)Kat D.
10 stars for ambiance (love it) 5 stars for service 3 stars for pricing and quality I tried the sushi, cauliflower, ceviche and ahi tacos. We also had desert cookie/ice cream which deserves 5 stars. Overall, go here to for the sexiness and the drinks- not the standard fare.
(4)Anthony M.
I had brunch at SH on Sunday with one other person. We had a 3:00 PM reservation and upon arriving, the host referred to me as "bro," which I thought was very odd. First off, I'm not your "bro," and second, this didn't seem like the type of place where the hosting staff would be so unpolished. We were seated soon after our arrival... at a table in the bar (after we asked to be seated in the restaurant), but we were seated nonetheless. We ordered a bottle of wine and two things to start. The burrata was good, the calamari wasn't... at all. It was doused in a creamy sauce that wasn't mentioned on the menu. There's nothing more annoying to me than ordering something that isn't properly described on the menu. Furthermore, our plates (empty plates, mind you) sat in front of us until the main course was brought out. Because the restaurant was busy and no one seemed to be moving quickly, I would say that the time elapsing between us finishing our first course and the time when our plates were cleared was a solid 30 minutes. The manager ended up bringing the next course and had to literally put it on the table behind us and clean our table. It was gross! There were plenty of people running around, but no one was interested in clearing our plates. I had the avocado toast and my partner had the grilled chicken sandwich. Both were fine... but that's about it. Upon trying to get our check from our server, it took almost fifteen minutes to get his attention and for him to bring it over. We did have two bottles of wine, so our bill was $150, but outside of the wine and the burrata, the experience and venue were entirely forgettable. Let's be honest, this place isn't the only place in town that you can get a bottle of wine and some cheese! I would have liked to enjoy this place more since it's close to our new home and we tend to dine out frequently (especially with larger groups), but unfortunately, it was pretty much a let down! Wah wah!!
(1)Allie Q.
Lively ambience, well decorated, bright and airy California feel to the place. Service was excellent, attentive and knowledgeable. Delicious cocktails and food. Highly recommend the oysters, pricey but well worth it. Enjoyed the ceviche and the ahi tuna tacos. Great for groups, girls nights or date night.
(4)Holly B.
5 stars for ambiance 5 stars for service - Rob S was amazing!! So friendly and professional 5 for desserts - OMG!! Definitely worth the calories. Definitely!! The s'mores bar, blondie and rice crispy treats are THE BEST. The cookies are just ok. 3 for price ($24 for fish tacos was a little pricey) 3 for food quality. Everything was just meh. We had Brussels sprouts, the fish taco and a burger.
(4)svetlana k.
Good spot. The food is good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance and the restaurant is beautiful. Perfect spot for a girls brunch spot or nothing out, even a bachelorette brunch. The staff is nice. The drinks are reasonable. If you live in the area, why not? But plenty more options in river north/downtown area to go to. The food look a little overpriced for Lincoln park area and the portions were fairly small for entree sized. The couple next to us were clearly disappointed with a bite size salmon entree which cost $25 or the surfer style tacos that you have to make yourself also $25. Ps. If you check in on yelp, you get a free cookie skillet.
(3)Maria J.
Everything was delicious. I went with my family for brunch and I definitely recommend it for anyone since its accommodating to all ages, etc. Also, the service was great and so is the decor. The vibes in the restaurant are awesome and ill definitely be back for a visit again.
(5)Elizabeth R.
Such a beautiful restaurant, so light and clean, it make you feel like you've been transported to Malibu. Great and attentive service. The quinoa salad was so delicious. I can't recommend it enough - yum!
(5)Sue T.
Grabbed a bite here recently with family. The atmosphere was great - very open and light. Definitely a place I would prefer to go to on a sunny spring or summer day. The food was ok and a bit over-priced. I got the fish tacos and I thought they were a bit bland. I got the cookie with ice cream for dessert and that was delicious. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just had bad luck. The service was friendly and quick. Overall, I would give Summer House another try at some point but I'm not rushing to get back.
(3)Jennifer G.
We tried Summer House a few weeks back, and while I tried for a sidewalk table, we had to eat in the Atrium. Best decision ever. It is absolutely beautiful in the atrium and that's where I would recommending sitting each time. What Summer House accomplished with that atmosphere is really spectacular. Another positive about the restaurant was the wine selection. I had a blended Zinfandel and my husband had the Pinot Gris - both were really fabulous wines that I would recommend. Unfortunately, our food selections didn't live up to the other aspects of our experience. We started with the crab cake - which was okay. We did really like the summer vegetable spread that accompanied it. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta and my husband had the mahi mahi tacos. He thought the tacos were good, but my pasta dish was way too salty and I actually ended up leaving quite a bit of it. For dessert, we had cookies and ice cream - yum! Warmed cookies a la mode. They were delicious and something I would definitely come back for.
(3)P P.
Food is yummy. Atmosphere is nice. The service is not very good. We waited a half hour before the server even came to our table. We hd to ask for a server and someone saw us looking around which is why they approached us and asked if we have been helped. Finally she shows up and apologizes that she didn't know we were her table. After we ate we wanted coffee and dessert and she didn't even ask us if we wanted anything and just gave us our bill. We asked her of she wanted us to close out or had to go somewhere or were we able to get some coffee. Also, our table was near/behind their pastry bar and perhaps they shouldn't have a seat here because every time they took a drink cart by they asked me to move my chair. I couldn't just scoot in, I actually had to get up and move the chair completely for them to roll a cart by. This happened 2 times during our meal. Perhaps a better placement of the table would work as it is not really nice to make me get up while I am eating twice to move my chair. Very disappointed in the service!
(3)Erin R.
I spent an enjoyable evening at this restaurant. The California-feel was delightful... I love how light, airy and laid back the space is! We were seated right away and the server was pretty good. I was very satisfied with the quality of the food. The only reason for the 4 over 5 stars is due to the price - the cost is expensive for the amount of food. However, everything was delightful, fun for a girl's night out. I would go back for a special occasion.
(4)Shamoon K.
I generally feel bad about giving a restaurant a bad review, but not here. I'd give this a zero if I could. I came here with two friends today for brunch at around 11:30. The wait was an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half. Ok no problem. My friends have been here before and wanted to show me how much like Santa Monica this place felt and how good the food and service were. We sat down on a couch they had there and killed time going over the menu, checked in on yelp, and getting pumped. After about two hours my friend asks the hostess if our table is ready and she said that it would be another ten minutes or so. Since we were already there for so long, we asked if we could sit in the main dining room, and wouldn't mind waiting longer for that table. The hostess said no problem, so we waited a bit longer. Thirty minutes go by and our friend checks a second time, and was told that they're cleaning the table now and it should be ready soon. We wait another two minutes, go back to the host stand, and proceed to our table. Except the table is next to the bar, not in the dining room. At this point we've been there for a little over two and a half hours and were disappointed that we didn't get the table we wanted. The biggest pull to this restaurant is the dining room. Everyone wants to sit in the sun and have a nice brunch. So we talked to the manager, and voiced our concerns. He was very courteous and said "I'm very sorry about that. Let me fix the first problem. I see a table opening up, we'll sit you guys there shortly." Excellent. This is how it should be done. Shortly after another manger comes to our table and says that this bar table, is our table. We proceed to tell her our frustrations and before we could even finish our first sentence, she cuts us off and raises her voice saying, "This is the only table I have for you. You can take it, or you can get out." She then says that when our friend went up to ask if our table was ready, we were not told "they're cleaning the table right now", instead we were allegedly told "your table is ready, get your party". So what they did then (because obviously we didn't think the table was ready and would be called) is they waited literally 2 minutes, and then gave our table to someone else. So lets just say it was our fault right? It was very loud in the restaurant so its definitely possible. Lets say that we misheard them. The smallest courtesy would be to look for us in the waiting room, and say "hey, your tables ready" or text us like you were supposed to in first place. You would think that would be the protocol. Not just give the table away because you're flustered. Anyways, so we try to plead our case to her and she gets more and more agitated. Cutting us off again and again. Raising her voice more and more. I'm serious here, we couldn't get two sentences in before she started cutting us off. She kept saying "Take the table, or leave. I have a thousand people in the waiting room." Yes, we know how many people are in the waiting room. We were just there. For hours. We decided to leave. The amount of disrespect that was shown to us was unfathomable. Before we left we asked for her name and she wrote it down for us. Stephanie Cook, to which after she said "I need you to leave. I need you to get out right now." After that we tried to talk to the first manager because he was very kind, but Ms. Cook would not allow it. Essentially, she kicked us out at that point. So if you're reading this Ms. Cook, what happened? Why did you treat us so poorly? I've been in the industry for 4 years, and I've never even heard of such disrespect. I'm even giving you the benefit of the doubt here, by saying we misheard you. Not the other way around. What I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt on is the complete disregard for the customer. You really made us feel unwelcome, unimportant, and unequal to the rest of the patrons at your restaurant. Don't you think that if we heard that our table was ready, that we'd jump at the sound of the first word? We were there for two and a half hours! Is the customer not always right? But that's not the real problem. The real problem was the way you handled the situation. You do not yell at the guest. If anything you're supposed to understand the situation and then try your best to rectify it. Not kick the guest out and make them feel like garbage. Yelp is basically an open letter. So I would love to hear a response from you on here. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe because the restaurant was so busy you got backed up a bit. Maybe we didn't hear right. These things all happen. But not what occurred after. Any kind of explanation would show me, and everyone else reading this, that you do indeed care about the guest experience. And that this is in no way a reflection of Summer House. We all look forward to your reply.
(1)Lucas W.
Summer House was really a mixed bag. My recommendation, check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream because it'll be the best part of the meal - the cookies are absolutely fantastic. The night got off to a weird start, we had a reservation for 4 people at 6. Unfortunately 2 had to cancel so we showed up a bit early and said we'd only be a party of 2. I understand that may be unexpected, but to then forget about the two of us for a half hour while plenty of other parties go ahead and end up seating us at a 4-person table anyway? Definitely the wrong way to start a meal. The menu has a bit of everything but it is pricey; that was definitely the first thing I noticed. We started with the brussel sprouts which while good just didn't quite go to that next level that a lot of nice brussel sprout dishes really can. Just too much vinegar. I had the Gemelli pasta with sausage. It was fine, not great. The fennel in the dish kinda subtracted from the dish in my opinion. And the sauce was fine but no complexity or interesting flavor. My girlfriend had the tuna tacos. For the price of the tuna tacos, I would've expected more tuna to be honest. I like that they gave you the ingredients and could build the taco yourself (allowing overloading of tasty chipotle mayo), but I've had better tuna. The highlight of the meal though is dessert, without a doubt. We checked in on Yelp so we got a free cookie and ice cream. Wow, absolutely delicious. May go back just for the cookies. Another waiter brought a second cookie by accident, but, in great service, just said "Hey, eat up, it's your lucky day, someone made a mistake. Enjoy." Reminds me, despite our issues with the host, our waitress was superb. Don't remember her name, started with an S.
(3)Bill R.
Four of us had brunch at Summer House this past Sunday. We decided to order a number of 'starters' for all of us to sample. All of them were delicious. The service was quick, attentive, without being intrusive. Special thanks to Stephanie, service manager, for taking care of us (and a newborn baby that we had in tow). Summer House is highly recommended.
(5)Sean K.
So pretty inside and great atmosphere but the food just isn't great. Had the lobster roll, was chewy. The drinks were decent and so was the dessert but wouldn't return for just that. They had the doors open and the air conditioning up so high that we were cold at the front patio...the vents were pointed right on us. The weather was so perfect that night, low 70s. Just can't understand what they were thinking to freeze the customers out on a summer night (definitely not concerned with the environment!)
(3)Steve Z.
Lobster Roll is terrific. So was the Cobb salad. Split both with my wife for a late lunch. And the fries? Wasn't expecting above average but they were better than anywhere else, fresh cut and both crispy and soft at the same time. "Delicious" (only as Kramer would say).
(5)Sharon G.
My friends and I walked in for lunch on a Monday and we were seated immediately. The ambiance was amazing(!!) - the glass ceiling gave the entire room great lighting and the string lights/hanging plants spiced up the interior decoration. Our waitress was extremely friendly and personable and our service was phenomenal throughout our entire meal. We ordered cocktails (very good and very strong!), shared an appetizer, and each got more substantial entrees (my friends got versions of the cobb salad and I got the chicken oven grilled tacos). The food had a lightness and freshness like many of the plates at other farm-to-table concept restaurants I've been to. We ended our meal with a free ice cream/cookie dessert (courtesy of Yelp!) that was actually incredible. I haven't had that good of a chocolate chip cookie in a while. And, of course, most importantly...this place was 10/10 Instagrammable. Definitely will be back!
(5)Marjorie F.
While I have lamented the demise of Tilly's, I have rejoiced in emergence of Summer House. I've been here twice - first for dinner, another time for brunch. I had mixed feelings about dinner, but that was only because I was unsure of the company (it was a first date). The food and service were great. The ambience was lively with many look-gooders to look upon. I wouldn't say it's the perfect place for a first date because of all the distractions - noise level, high possibility of bumping into people you know, etc. However, it would be fun if you're getting together with a group of friends. Summer House is now one of my favorites for brunch. I ordered the salmon benedict - yummmmm... My friend and I had a couple of mimosas which had a generous amount of the bubbly (thanks a million!). We were sipping happily on these when the table next to us ordered the prettiest Bloody Marys I had seen in a long time. [CUE: Girls salivating.] Of course, we followed suit and were not disappointed. It was a perfect blend of spicy, salty, tomato-ey goodness - plus it had a fat strip of bacon to top it all off. Mmmmm... Bacon... Yep. We were happy. I am definitely planning on visiting Summer House more this Winter. Bring on the bloodys!
(4)Jeff S.
Great service, great vibe, great sunny atmosphere, excellent staff. I hope they get a veggie burger soon.
(5)Joanne M.
It was a friends birthday so we went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance is a lively beach feel. The service was great from the beginning. They were running late on our 7:30pm reservation but as soon as they got us seated they served all 10 of us with champagne. The server was very upbeat, positive, and apologized for the wait. Right off the bat I order the bonfire cocktail and it was delicious. Wasn't too sweet and the hint of grapefruit with the tequila was just right. For starters we shared a couple orders of the guacamole and house made chips, and spicy tuna nigiri. Both tasted very fresh, my favorite being the spicy tuna nigiri because of the crispy sushi rice giving a good contrast in texture to the tuna. I ordered the wild mushroom enchilada stack only because it was the server's favorite. It's a vegetarian dish but the flavor with the different textures was delicious! You could definitely tell the ingredients were fresh! For dessert we made our way to the dessert bar at the entrance and got an assortment of cookies, Rice Krispies, and brownies. My favorite by far being the s'mores cookies (I bought all of them). Will be back again especially since I heard their brunch is amazing!
(5)Claudio V.
This place has been recommended to my wife and I by so many people. We always passed by but never ate here. For my birthday my wife took me to SummerHouse. The place looks really nice and the people were super friendly. Now as for the food, I am not much of a fish eater. So looking at the menu the fish was what caught my eye. I knew it would be risky for me since I do not like fish from most places but I ordered it anyways. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. I later found out that they never freeze their sea food. That must be what made the difference for me. Great place for a date-night!
(5)Katie P.
I've been here 3 times now and the most recent experience has left a lot to be desired. First, the space is summer-y and light just like the inside of a really nice beach house cottage. During a Chicago winter, it's a nice escape. However, the food is just ok and the service is pretty weak. Last night I came here for dinner with some girlfriends. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated at 7:40pm. Not the best start. No apology from the hostess- she just kept saying that they were bussing our table. Finally a text alerted me that the table was ready. For a Sunday night with reservations, this was frustrating. The poor service continued. Our waiter brought out one of the two appetizers we ordered fairly quickly. After waiting a while for the second app to arrive I flagged down the waiter for an eta and he said he didn't remember me ordering it. No apology. So a few minutes before our entrees came to the table, it arrived. Annoying. Then, our meals came and he forgot the side we ordered to split! When I brought that to his attention, he didn't apologize, he just said if it didn't come out soon it wouldn't be on our bill. As we're all almost done with our entrees, the side arrives and we each eat one bite since we're stuffed at this point. The check comes and nothing was comped, no apologies. Our group of three girls had 2 apps, 3 entrees and 1 side and 1 glass of wine in total and the bill came out to $160. The food was just fine- nothing special, the prices are high and the service is lacking. Not worth it.
(2)Katie P.
Beautiful space Friendly service Boring food. Boring boring boring Too expensive for boringness
(3)Daniel C.
I love summer house. This has been on my book marks list since it opened but it has had a long wait each time I've considered it. I went for brunch this past weekend. 10:15am no wait. We sat in the big "Vitamin D" room and even thought it was single digit degrees outside it was beautiful in that room. It was bright and open. I want to be there right now. I had a half order of the french toast and the hash brown eggs benedict. It was very good. Eggs were poached perfectly. The hash brown acted as the english muffin. The french toast was great. The waitress let us know we could order 1, 2, or 3 pancakes if we wanted or half orders of the french toast (and waffles maybe ? if i remember correctly?). My girl got the sunrise breakfast burrito and they were happy to add jalepenos for her. I love the little bakery area at the front and I ordered a bacon, chocolate chip cookie that was as big as my head. It was the perfect dessert for me. There's a free yelp check in dessert. Overall, great brunch spot and i can't wait to go back. TONS of gluten free options in the bakery area!
(5)Morgan S.
While I love the atmosphere and the ambience here, I can't get over my last two visits here. The food was great... Once it arrived. However the first time, my order was completely wrong and I had to wait and watch my friend eat her dish while I waited (I ordered chicken tacos and they brought out a half chicken or something)... After that, my friend and I went for an appetizer and cocktails and the appetizer took 45 minutes!!! Just for spinach artichoke dip! Pretty crazy. Staff is all friendly and food is great, so I don't want to totally bash this place, just could have been better.
(3)Rae H.
Great service. Good ambience. Food not so much. I am gluten free and ordered the GF version of their turkey burger. It was pretty good except the GF bun was half burned on top. I didn't want to send it back, which I know was my choice, and ate half of it. As I was heating the second half of turkey burger the following day for lunch, I saw that the entire bottom of GF bun was burned black. It is hard to believe that the kitchen staff did not notice that they were sending out a bun that should have been placed in the trash. It's sad because this is such a nice restaurant.
(3)Emily G.
Love the food and atmosphere here, but you definitely have to plan ahead to eat here. The wait is really long, but generally worth it! Great for brunch.
(4)Isabel C.
Wonderful spot for breakfast or brunch! Stopped in here at 930am. They were not very busy as I arrived but as we left an hour later the place was packed! Service was good. They were not to overbearing which I like but our waiter did checked in once and a while. The food was amazing! I had the classic Eggs Benedict and it was the perfect portion and egg to ham to muffin to sauce ratio! Everything tasted so fresh but the coffee was a little to strong for my liking. So glad I found another great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in the city. I highly recommend Summer House! I l cannot wait to come back and try dinner, lunch, and the cookies!
(5)Courtney H.
Headed in for my 3rd visit. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated right away in a corner booth. First thing I noticed was that the wine glass at my place was dirty. No one was drinking wine so it was taken away but I would have said something otherwise. Started with the biscuits and I think they were the best they've been. So good. There were 3 flies that kept landing on our booth and flying around us and it was driving me nuts. The lobster orrichette was back on the menu which I was excited about but they changed it and I was disappointed. The portion was smaller, the sauce has changed and they added tomatoes and peas which were NOT on the menu description. Blah. $23 not spent well. We did use the free dessert I got from checking in on Yelp and the cookie was really good. I also used my LEYE scratch off card for Summer House but I was forced between using that or a gift card because again, for some dumb reason, LEYE does not let you gain points when you use a gift card. LAME. Service was good, our server was awesome.
(3)Mona W.
Atmosphere is amazing- food is delicious. The beach theme is super cute- we had the avocado and poached egg sandwich and the tuna tacos- both exceeded our expectations. Bloody Mary made with tittos... Yum!
(4)Lauren F.
The atmosphere alone could earn Summer House 5 stars from me, but it doesn't hurt that their food is pretty darn good as well. The bright, airy space can completely transport you from a cold Chicago afternoon to a sunny day in Southern California - and that is no easy task! I've visited Summer House for brunch twice now and so far my favorite dish is the Roasted Vegetable Hash with a side of their homemade pork sausage. The root vegetables mixed with the poached egg and tarragon sauce was just perfection! Their pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Hot Mess of Fries, and thick, brown sugar coated bacon also deserve an honorable mention. Another HUGE plus is their mouth-watering bakery counter that greets you as soon as you walk through the doors. Their cookies are fab but my favorite is the simple yet delicious Brown Butter Rice Crispy treat - take one to-go and you'll be so happy when you're stuffing your face with it later, unless you're like me and you can't help but dig in on the walk home!
(5)Annie B.
I recently came back again for brunch and felt compelled to update my review as my second experience was world's better than my first. A few of the other ladies I was with had similar sentiments - this time, the service was great, the food was delicious, and the mimosas were strong. My friend and I also split an appetizer and an entree which they served on separate plates for no charge without us asking - and also gave us each a full serving of fries. They also split the check between the eight of us with no problem which is always appreciated. Little things like that definitely go a long way. This time I also stopped at the bakery on my way out and picked up a few treats for a get together I went to later - the cookies were great but everyone loved the blondie bar. I will be back!
(4)Mad I.
Nice Lincoln Park spot for fruity drinks spiked with booze and cookies topped with Rice crisp treats (made with real vanilla!) which equals 4 stars. make a reservation so you don't have to wait, and no, you prb cannot request the room that has the "vitamin d". Calamari was awesome, I was there after 12 so I got to choose from either menu. Very spicy mayo-ish, which is fine with me, but other people may find it overwhelming. Pretty pricey though, most things are $15-$25, so stuff your wallet!
(4)VJ K.
Amazing place and super friendly staff! Be sure to make a reservation on the weekends otherwise you'll definitely be waiting for an hour. Definitely recommend!
(5)Kristen C.
I really love the atmosphere at Summer House and it's a great place to grab drinks, however the food is just so so. I've been here for both brunch and dinner and wasn't overly impressed. I would definitely come back for dinner over brunch.
(3)Shan D.
Why do I have to choose between atmosphere and food? Both are amazing here; I couldn't have asked for a better experience for brunch. I don't get all the hate from all the reviews. The entire staff is super friendly. A nice touch: they have a coat/bag check! I came straight from the gym so it was nice that I didn't have to deal with my bag being in the way. We initially got seated outside of the Vitamin D room, and asked to be moved inside. I'm glad we did because the Vitamin D room takes everything up a level. And yes, shades are a must. I was definitely feeling the sun, which was a relief after the worst Chicago winter ever. Our server never rushed us, and allowed us to enjoy our experience. The coffee is great. It's from Dark Matter, a local roasting company. It has a bold flavor. Way better than Intelligentsia. I had the breakfast tostadas which were as delicious as everyone on yelp made it out to be. The oatmeal smoothie is very straightforward. It's good only if you like eating plain oatmeal, and thankfully I do. It is not sweet at all so just be prepared for that. However, I still think it could use some more of a natural sweetener or even some fruit blended with it. Tried my friends' egg omelette and cocktails. Everything was delicious, and my friends all seemed to enjoy their meals. Thanks to the yelp check-in, I got the Rice Krispie chocolate chip cookie. It was a great way to satisfy my cravings for a Rice Krispie and a cookie. My friends also got the peanut butter cookie and the sea salt choco chip cookie. Both were solid as well! Couldn't have asked for a better experience with great company. Looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)Luis N.
All the food was tasty. Service was great. The spicy calamari is awesome. Drinks are fairly priced and they have a huge selection of wine and beer. Great brunch. We will definitely be back!
(5)Megan H.
I've been here twice and really enjoyed it. The first time I came with two of my girl friends about a year ago, and we had their brunch. I ordered two eggs and bacon and a side of toast. Everything was delicious, and service was very attentive. I love how open and light it is inside. Even in the winter it seems like it's summer here! The second time I came here I sat at the bar with another friend of mine. I think I ordered two eggs and an English muffin this time (really living life on the edge, I know). Everything tasted great but I did notice towards the end of my meal there was a hair in the muffin... I thought it was possibly my own hair, because it was blonde, but then when I went to pull it out I noticed it was actually baked into the muffin. Kinda gross, but I was pretty much done with my meal at that point so I guess it could've been worse. I wasn't even that grossed out, because I realize stuff like that can happen, regardless of where you're at. And hey, at least the hair was baked - which means it was sanitized in the oven heat! Anyway, that's the reason for my 4 stars and not 5. On the way out we grabbed a cookie with rice crispy treats and a flourless chocolate cookie. They were both so good! The rice crispy cookie was one of the best treats I've ever tasted. I want one right now!
(4)Sherman Y.
Visited on a whim because the wait cafe baba reeba was too long. Ordered the squid ink pasta with king crab. The pasta was under seasoned and a bit over priced at $23 for a decent portion. My friend ordered the rainbow trout and thought that the flavor of the fish was masked by their wood grill to the point where it could have been any fish really. My girlfriend ordered asparagus mushroom orcchiette which was good but still under seasoned. The Decor was absolutely beautiful very old and bright and the service was great TLDR: Service was good but food was under seasoned and over priced
(3)Meredith K.
Recommendation: Make reservations on Open Table for a Saturday night. My boyfriend and I finally got around to trying Summer House after hearing the positive reviews from friends. I was a little disappointed when they sat us at a high top table in the bar instead of the main dining area when I made reservations several weeks back. I tried the Santa Monica Cobb and added chicken for my entree which was filling even though the portion size was a bit small. My boyfriend had the ceviche and the tuna tacos. Both had great flavor but the ceviche was once again on the smaller side. Atmosphere: Definitely reminds me of Santa Monica, CA...light and airy with a lot of white decor. Two thumbs up Helpful hint: Check in on Yelp to receive a free cookie with a scoop of icecream!
(4)Danielle S.
I love this place. Friends and I made a reservation for 11:45am on a Friday. We were a little late but got seated right away. We ordered mimosas and breakfast sandwiches. Mimosas were great and they even brought us the fresh berries we requested to put in our drinks. Coffee was excellent and flavorful. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and a great size. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. My coffee cup was never empty. Great service and food.
(5)Jill L.
Ambience: lively and trendy Food: If you're used to hearty Chicago style brunch food, you might be disappointed. Remember that the restaurant is California inspired so it tries to be healthy. I was not impressed with the hollandaise on the Benedict. The waffle was flabby. The portions were a tad small for the prices! Overall, the food was disappointing considering Yelpers love this place so much. Service: Table service was okay but be prepared to wait at the pastry counter if you're Asian. Terrible! *Edited: Wish I didn't have to endure the bad service at the goodie counter. The brownies I bought to savor at home are too sweet. All the calories you saved during brunch you will get back in one bite of their brownie. I love pastries but theirs are cloyingly sweet. All in all: if you want great ambience with good enough food, Summer House is the place to be.
(2)N S.
Food was ok just average ,in terms of my Cali role ! .The one in Cali is better. Problem with waitress !!! She was off. The bill was strange. Also we went late so there was no excuse for poor Svc. Lettuce is known for better Svc. Trying to make reservation was also a problem. Very young staff !! Per my partner he had the trout "extremely fresh & tasty". So my rating is based on start to finish
(3)Raul B.
Perfect location, perfect atmosphere and perfect food to satisfy your Santa Monica, CA experience. The outdoor (which is really indoor) room is awesome. It allows the patrons to believe that they are eating outdoors but in reality it is indoor. The actual outdoor patio is also a gem. The food and the bar has plenty of selections and it's priced right. Love having a quick meal at summer house whenever I'm in the area. Another tip: save room for dessert. The cookies and brownies are to die for:-)
(5)Susie C.
My friends and I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. We were there at 5:30pm..lots of tables were available but it seems to get busy around 6:30pm. The decor of the restaurant is so pretty! My friends and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setup of the restaurant.It definitely looks like having dinner at a lake house by the beach in sunny California. Our waiter was very nice. When we checked into Yelp, he knew we had a free cookie and ice cream from overlooking my phone, so dont forget to check in to get a free cookie with ice cream on top. For appetizers my friends and I started with the ahi tuna nacho...it was in the chilled section. This dish was VERY good! We ate it slowly so we can enjoy the flavors. We also had the guacamole and chips which was okay. My husband said the guacamole was lacking flavors..he felt the guacamole was a bit too bland. For entree I ordered the tuna tacos - so goood! 8 oz of tuna - outside cooked, inside rare..I love it! My husband ordered their roasted chicken which he enjoyed. Another friend ordered the surfer fish taco which he really like. What was cool about his dish was that his fish was a whole so he can slice up his fish to pieces. My other friend had the pork shank. Hers look unbelievable! She recommended us to order that the next thing we come. As sides, we ordered roasted brocoli and brussel sprouts. They were okay..we felt the brussel sprouts were overcooked so we couldn't taste the flavors. At the end we had our yummy fresh cookie and ice cream. It took awhile for it to come out but it was very good! I love this place - good food and the decor is amazing!
(5)Meng C.
Unfortunately, the food totally didn't impress. The environment was okay. Lots of good looking people and well dressed people among the customers tho. We were sat 20 minutes pass our reservation, we did get a complimentary starter dish from the manager, which was nice. During our 2.5 hr dining, we heard piles of plates or glasses dropped and shattered on the floor probably 2 maybe 3 times. The whole restaurant was really loud, we met an out of town friend there, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I felt we were yelling at each other the entire time across a small 4 seater table. The bakery items seem to be the highlight of the restaurant but they were out of the famous rice crispy cookie by the time we were ready for it....
(2)Tracy F.
Been here two times, back in December on a Tuesday and had a not so great experience. People who work there are nice but service is too slow for lunch. I made a reservation in December for a lunch team meeting. Took the waitress 20mins to come take our orders and another 45mins for the food to arrive on a not so busy Tuesday. We were done discussing business long before our food arrive. The food were alright, portions were big but we were not hungry anymore when they arrived. But I decided to give it another try recently for brunch Saturday in March with a friend. We were seated at a table by the bar which was very crowded. Waiting staffs kept on bumping to our chairs. The waitress never came to check on us. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Brunch food was amazing though. Had reservations both times and was seated within 5mins. Overall, their menu is good and healthy but definitely needs to step up with speed and services.
(2)Tavi J.
This place has an airy open atmosphere. They did a good job to make you feel like your in Cali. We had 1:30 reservations and good thing we did because otherwise it would have been an 1 1/2 hour wait! We were seated right away. We both order the chicken tostadas, which were good and I had the summerhouse punch that I thought was just okay. I've had better. We both checked in on Yelp and got the free cookie with ice cream promotion and that was a nice finish to the meal. This is a great brunch place to catch up with friends. I will be back :)
(4)Tim B.
I usually am a big fan of the LEYE restaurants nice atmosphere solid food and decent prices. Here they only hit on 1 of the 3 the atmosphere is nice and lively but it goes downhill from there. I won't get into too much detail but we had about 4 dishes at our table and each one was mediocre at best. $20 for sandwiches and $20-$30 for pasta seems absurd based on what you actually get.
(2)Tiffany W.
BAD SERVICE, decent food Attitude of manager ruined the entire experience. It's pretentious and if you don't have a reservation, don't waste your time. Food was fine --French toast was decent and tostadas were tasty but small. I took a sip of my strawberry drink but had to send it back bc we decided to leave after the nasty manager wouldn't accommodate additional guests who joined our party. I certainly won't be back.
(2)Amanda M.
Gave this place another shot and was extremely aggravated with their service, once again. Should have just waited at Toast since that is where we wanted to go initially, but was told an hour wait. So we were pleased that Summer House said 30-45 minutes. Most restaurants over estimate the time they tell you which makes sense. We waited and waited and decided to even wait the full 45 minutes. I finally go back up to the hostess and ask how much longer. She said 20 minutes. I told her that she had told us 30-45, and she said that she must have entered it in wrong, so just another 10 minutes. Even then, that was still more than what was told. And of course, it ended up being 20 additional minutes instead, all together a whole hour for this crappy place. Just like last time, our server, albeit different, executed the same nonchalant slow service without a care. He never introduced himself. The only times he serviced us was to take our order and to give us our check, in which he didn't say a word and simply just dropped off whatever on the table. He also took a long time to come take our order and for us to get his attention, even though he was servicing the nearby tables. The busboys and other staff who brought out our food definitely deserve more praise, as they were friendly and efficient. I had the complimentary cookie and ice cream (via check-in) and our waiter never mentioned anything about it, so I had to ask him after we had already finished our brunch. He nearly finished my sentence, as if he knew all along about the order, except we all knew that he really just forgot. After a long time, another guy brought it out to us. He was nice, but we had to ask for some spoons. He checked the nearby drawer, and it was out of utensils. Our server comes by and does the exact same thing, as the other guy fetches us some spoons. Seriously, get your sh** together. Also, the spoons took forever to come, as did the cookie even though they just had to retrieve it from the front bakery and scoop some ice cream on top. Like, really? For my actual meal, I had the chicken and waffle. I really enjoyed the waffle, as it was warm and soft with a slight crispy exterior. The poblano honey butter also complimented it well. However, the chicken was disappointing, odd, and somewhat inedible. The crunchy batter was so hard and thick that it really took much effort to consume. It didn't work for the dish, as they seemed to use a batter that's more suitable for desserts/pastries. It was also seasoned in sugar/cinnamon which I also didn't care for, as the waffle was already sweet, especially along with the syrup. Food is okay. Service and management needs a serious check. If the atmosphere and décor of the place isn't as nice as it is, this place would cease to exist in a second.
(1)Mansi S.
Great atmosphere and the food seemed very fresh and healthy. We got the mushroom enchiladas and the green curry dish, both seemed very fresh and tasted okay. They were unique flavors and depending on your taste you may like them. Not our thing, but worth trying once to atleast see the nice venue.
(3)G H.
Family of four adults for Sunday Brunch. The food was on the order of three plus stars. Good stuff; everything was tasty, portions reasonable, kind of interesting. But only kind of. Nothing exceptional. The service was...awkward is the word we agreed on. Three or four servers there at the start...no one home towards the end. I mentioned going in (when responding to one of the hosts) something about the birthday girl. No recognition or response. What was good: The crab cake. Tasty, good corn salad side. Breakfast tostada. Poached egg over crispy hash browns. The hash browns were very good. Workmanlike French Dip. This place is worthy if you are in the neighborhood; if not, I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Rachel L.
Meh. The food was fine. It wasn't great, wasn't bad either. There are much better places in Chicago. I might be willing to try it for dinner instead of brunch. Though the menu was pretty limited and they don't have gluten free options for anything. The service was bad, though. Which, if you're going to pay for that sort of ambiance and food, you want decent service. Reservations are a waste of time. We had one for 11:30. Half of our party got there a couple of minutes early, so we checked in. The hostess asked that we check in again when everyone was there. Ok, that's fine/standard practice. When our group was all present, we checked in again exactly at the reservation time. The hostess confirmed the my friend's cell number and informed her rather bluntly that she could expect a text when the table was ready. Wait. What? If it had been just a minute or two to get the table ready, that would have been fine, but instead we waited for 20 minutes past the reservation time. Our waiter was either drunk, overwhelmed, or really tired. Two of us ordered coffee and he brought the large carafe of it, only to stare blankly at our table for a minute before realizing that we didn't have mugs. Then he brought mugs and poured the coffee. No less than 5 minutes later, he brought two mugs of coffee to the table, paused, stared at our mugs of coffee on the table, and then left. He also barely checked in with us while we were there. Overall, pretty place with nice ambiance. The crowd does make it the most Lincoln Park thing I've ever seen (I think they're going to start forcing all women into Uggs and leggings when you enter). But the food and the service are just mediocre.
(2)QB Chicago B.
Super cute place! I really felt like I'd been transported to a gorgeous beach town! Love the open & airy feel, the beautiful amount of light coming in through the glass ceiling...just well designed. The drinks delicious but a bit overpriced for the glass size. The food was what you'd expect on a beach...just ok! My girlfriend & I split the guacamole (small scoop with tons of chips)....nothing special. The avocado toast with poached egg...although the waitress said it was the most popular, I'd pass on that. The stand out was the cobb salad! It was fresh & delicious! I will return to enjoy this pretty place but just for a salad and a cocktail!
(3)Lauren S.
Although I've never been to LA, I imagine Summer House Santa Monica is pretty damn near close to southern California. I have mixed feelings on it all, so here are the high's and low's: PROS: 1. I called to get a reservation for Saturday night on a Thursday--only 4:30 and 9:30 were available. We went around 7 anyways and were told we'd wait about an hour and a half, so we waited in the lobby and ordered drinks--only to be seated about 20 minutes later! Not sure if we got lucky or if this is rather typical, but we were very satisfied with our wait. 2. The food is very tasteful! Each item was a perfect mix of flavor and lightness. 3. After your first check-in you get a free cookie and ice cream and it's absolutely delicious 4. Drinks are all-star! CONS: 1. The portion sizes are ridiculous--must be an LA thing, but I prefer my Chicago-style portions. I ordered the ahi tostadas--well prepared for it to be a small order--but was stunned when the plate arrived. The plate was dotted with 4 Ritz cracker sized "tostadas"; granted, it was delicious, but I couldn't believe I paid ~$14 for it. Additionally, we ordered burrata as an appetizer because the waitress warned us of the small portion sizing, and while it was delicious, it was also rather small. Granted it was average size for 2 people, but if I were to order that plate with a group of 4 I would have been sorely disappointed. All in all, Summer House was a really nice experience. I would maybe take my parents because of the price point and food quality, however, I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't be happy about the portion sizing. If you're looking for a nice, lighter dinner, I highly recommend, but if you'd rather spend $$ on sizeable, high quality portions of food I'd consider venturing elsewhere.
(4)Christopher M.
Very cool space - it will always be bright and make you think of summer. The drinks were very good - loved the cocktails. The food varied from light, healthy fare to over-the-top fare, like the hot mess of fries featuring fries, pork, egg, blue cheese, and truffle. Unreal. The biggest knock on the place is it's perpetually crowded, which is true. Your best bet is to try and come at an off time. 315/365
(5)Paul M.
I only give it two stars because the atmosphere was charming. Had it not been for that, I would give it one star for the food quality. It was just horrible!!! I had the ink squid angel hair pasta. I've had better quality frozen food. It was mush with garlic. The appetizer we had was decent being calamari. This was a quite pricy restaurant. I tasted the chicken and trout which at best were OK. I won't be going back!!!
(2)Carly L.
Great atmosphere for a girls night out. The cocktails were crisp and refreshing - I recommend the Cucumber Collins. However, I was disappointed with my entrée. I had the squid ink pasta that was labeled "spicy", but it lacked flavor all around. There was a good amount of crab in the dish, but the huge portion of bland pasta hid all the flavor. I will say the dessert cookies were delicious and our server was friendly. I have been to the pizza place connected called Stella Barra and the food is much better there.
(3)Jeffrey Z.
I've been here a few times, and until the most recent time, I probably would have gone with 4 stars. This time, everything was amazing. The Burrata was incredible and perfectly creamy, as always. We tried the made-to-order biscuits, and they were to die for. The poblano butter and honey combined with the perfect, fresh biscuits are perfect sweet, salty, spicy bite. For my entree, I had the French dip sandwich and have had it another time since. The bread was garlicky and delicious, the meat was juicy, and the horseradish sauce gives it a nice kick. Probably the best French dip I've ever had. The atmosphere is fun and laid back, and the service is spot on. As usual, Lettuce Entertain You doesn't disappoint.
(5)Olivia M.
Ugh, this place is so overrated. I've been here a few times - once for brunch and twice for dinner. It's too expensive and nothing special yet the place always seems to be packed. It has a nice ambiance/décor but other than that the food is just OKAY and the service is pretty lackluster. I also witnessed one of the bartenders touch his hair and then scoop ice into a cup with said hand and proceed to make a drink. Lovely.
(3)Priya S.
Gorgeous interior...feels like sunny SoCal! Scrumptious brunch. The lemon ricotta pancake...delectable! Service & food were great.
(5)Harini P.
I have to say that this place has a very Santa Monica beach house inspired feel. Could this be because that is where they originated? I am brilliant!! I really expected the food to be better but it is ok. The steaks are a bit bland, which I really don't understand because they boast amazing steaks that are all-natural (what does all natural mean- aren't all steaks all-natural or did I miss something in biology class?) A bit overpriced but fits in perfectly with the Lincoln Park crowd. Every time I walk in here, I feel like I have walked into a Banana Republic commercial. The service is phenomenal here, I have to admit that! They treat you very well but their menu is a bit limited. OH, DEAR GOD- Did I forget to mention their cookies? Yeah, that is the main reason you would go here, for the cookies!!!
(2)Katie B.
Omg the food was so great. We just left there , and I had to review. My sister works at Mona mi gabi in oakbrook. She gave us gift cards to try this place. The host was kinda rude, and there was quite a bit of fruit flies at the bar, but the bar staff was amazing. They gave us good recommendations and their choices were amazing. The tuna sushi was amazing, as well as the beats, and ahi tuna tostadas. The staff made it so delightful to is Well at least the bar. The host had a bad attitude though. Would defiantly go back. Thanks.
(4)Stephanie S.
I had wanted to check this place out as LEYE never disappoints! Since I have a kid now and can't just go to dinner on a whim, I have my reservation for like a month, lol. So needless to say, I was very excited to check it out! I am so glad something is finally in the old Tilly's space. I can't believe it took so long. They did an amazing job transforming the space and the decor is great! I also have to say the tall beach looking chairs in the bar area were the most comfortable tall stools I have ever sat on. That sounds silly, but I have been to so many places with horrible chairs, so bravo! The atmosphere is great and I spotted lots of kids which is nice to know they are welcome since I am part of that crowd now:) We were sans babe for the night. We got a bottle of wine and started with the buratta, sooo good, you can't go wrong with buratta. I ordered the lobster tagliatelle and my husband got the pork shank, both were really great! The most amazing part was the biscuits though! I need to come to brunch here! I literally ate too much of them to eat a lot of my food. They must have had like 4 sticks of butter in them, nom nom nom. For dessert, we got the panna cotta, which I am usually not a fan, but this was super good and nice and light (after those biscuits). Delish! Will definitely be back!
(4)Tracy H.
This review is for their baked goods only: Amazing! My friends and I tried their rice krispy cookie (good, but too crispy imo), their salted chocolate chip (great! Very large and soft, almost doughy) and their s'mores bar cookie thing (the best by far!) Prices were reasonable, I thought, because their desserts are huge. I now am on a mission to make those s'mores bars at home!
(4)Katie W.
I have been trying to get a reservation here for forever and finally managed to swing one for me and three friends. We started off with cocktails and guacamole. The guac was good, had a weird amount of lettuce, but overall no real complaints. My cocktail was one of my favorite things I ordered all night- The Bonfire. Tequila & grapefruit cocktail with just a hint of spice. I took my server's recommendation and ordered the Tuna Tacos. They're build your own and super delish. Again, nothing really unique or special about them but I left satisfied. Did the checkin for the free cookie and ice tea and they were happy to give us the gluten free chocolate chip so my friend could partake :) Another round cocktails and we finished the night. My rating is as follows: Atmosphere: 5 Service: 4 Food: 3
(4)Emma C.
Food here is good but not great and kinda over priced. I've gone for brunch (total mess due to some waitstaff problem), dinner twice and drinks in the bar. It is bright and inviting , kinda reminds me of something you would find in Cali. in the Newport area. Women love it, lots of groups of gals flocking in from the burbs. Best part are the cookies.... but you can get those from Stella Barra which is way yummier.
(3)Sallie S.
Went here for brunch on New Year's Day and was promptly seated. I was very crowded but our server was more than nice and even convinced the kitchen to let us brunch menu though we were a tad late. The food was delicious! Some of the best pancake stacks I've ever had. And the peach bellinis were divine.
(4)Happiness L.
I really love Summer House. Pretty with excellent food. Please please please bring back the latte with maple syrup as it was awesome. We were told it is no longer made there. Having it back will bring lots of smiles to lots of people. And...if you are going here ask for Danielle's table. Very awesome server who really cares about providing a spectacular guest experience with a positive attitude.
(4)Jason H.
We hit this place for brunch on a Sunday and ended up waiting a long time to be sat down due to its popularity. My wife had the beat salad and a noodle dish that she enjoyed. She was not a fan of how spicy the noodles were. I had the prime rib sandwich and loved it. The cocktails were top notch too. If you have a long wait, that is ok because it is located in a great area to explore while you wait for a table to open up.
(4)Niti B.
As you walk into this little piece of sunshine you immediately feel the warmth and welcome. The enviornment is set to feel as though you are on the west coast in literally a summer house. With wicker seating and white walls. Lanterns and delicate lighting brighten the already well lite space. The retractable roof brings in the warmth and sunshine even on a slightly chilly day like the one I was there for. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching in lincoln park. I fell in love with the place before I even had looked at the menu! To start I refreshed my pallet with a cucumber cooler. With soda water, lemonade, mint and cucumber this drink was a breath of fresh air. There was way too many entrees to pick from and even though I didn't regret my decision I would love to have had a slightly smaller portion to try more things! :) I had the mission street burrito wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla was chorizo style tofu, corn, spinach and egg with a side of chipotle salsa. This was so delicious I would have a difficult time coming back and trying something new when this keeps stearing me back for more!! For sides we had an order of mexican hashbrowns and they went perfectly with my southwest style burrito! My sister had the very nice carmalized french toast. Topped with fresh whip cream these were a feast for a king!! I had a piece of her 4 huge pieces and it was super fluffy and cooked to perfection!! I didn't even need a drop of syrup to wash them down! Overall, I can NOT wait to come back to this wonderful place! I have already told all my coworkers that this is the best sunday brunch spot I've been to in a long time. I want to try their dinner and lunch menu as soon as possible! And to note the restaurant next door seems to be part of Summer House and looked just as inviting...Stella Barra Pizzeria doors were open in between the two spots. Oh and how can I forget?! I didn't have the room to partake in the deal but if you check in on yelp a free warm cookie and ice cream on the house!!
(5)Brad W.
Great ambiance. California feel.. Open, bright, friendly.. Food was just ok..: but maybe just the French Dip I had. Fatty and no flavor. Cookies and desserts are outstanding. Great service. I will be back ...
(3)Morgan V.
Went here with a couple friends for someone's birthday lunch. The ambiance is great! Really relaxed and chill. The server was friendly and courteous. The portion size was perfect- I was full and satisfied.
(4)Amy f.
Update: I decided to give Summer House another try and this time I went for dinner. My experience this time was light years better than my last one. Our server, Lindsey, was great. She was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was flavorful, fresh, and creative. While each dish we had was good, there were definitely some dishes that stood out. We ordered the burrata and it was served on what seem to be an oven roasted tomato coulis. The tomatoes were so wonderfully intense that it complimented the creamy burrata nicely. The pan seared rainbow trout was absolutely fantastic! Freshwater fish can be hit or miss because it can taste incredibly fishy. However, this was absolutely fantastic! The fish had a brown butter and lemon sauce and walnut pieces over it. It was served over mashed potatoes. This truly was a memorable dish. For dessert we ordered a chocolate cake of sorts with chunks of peanut butter fudge to accent it. The flavors were spot on and it definitely tasted freshly made. The ganache on top of the cake was creamy and the cake was sturdy enough to be cake but light enough for summer dessert. Summer house really brought their "A game" last night for dinner. The service was attentive, the food was delicious and well balanced with flavors, and the ambience was very pretty. Nice job Summer House. I will be back again.
(5)Hollina U.
I was really looking forward to eating at Summer House because 1.) I think Jeff Mahin is a beautiful man AND I love Do-Rite donuts 2.) the décor of the place really makes me feel like I'm in California and 3.) I heard so many good things from friends who have gone. Perhaps it was bad timing because we happened to go during Restaurant Week when it was really busy (which really probably didn't matter that much since it seems like SH is ALWAYS busy). I tried to walk in for dinner on a Sunday around 6:00 before and it was an hour long wait, so I was really excited to score a reservation on a Sunday at a reasonable time. However, even though we had a reservation, we still waited about 15 minutes--the hostess said people were lingering for some reason that night and that she couldn't make them move. I guess. One of my friends was starving and tired, so she ended up going home back to the burbs because she didn't want to keep on waiting. My other gf and I decided to stave off the hunger by gorging ourselves on the desserts that were tempting us in the waiting area. I got the mint chocolate chip rice krispy, s'mores cookie, and the mango cream cheese muffin. Their cookies are AWESOME--- so good we had to order another sea salt chocolate and ice cream cookie at the end of dinner. My friend basically ate all of the muffin while we were waiting. The mint choco chip krispy was just okay though--- I'd pass on that. We both ordered the fish tacos- I got the ahi tuna and my friend got the mahi mahi. I love tacos and all but paying $25 bucks for mediocre tasting tacos doesn't make me happy. I had better tacos at $3 a pop. How am I really going to feel good about paying $25 for 4 tacos--- these tacos need to blow me away to justify the price, but they didn't. It also took us forever to get our dessert, even when the dining room had emptied out. I think this place is overall too overpriced for what you get. But I would definitely drop in to try their baked goods.
(3)Eugene S.
I'm mostly at a loss when it comes to brunch. A few weeks ago I met up with an old friend only to discover that she, like me, was of the ilk that has to be fed promptly upon waking, and therefore, feeds early to avoid committing such faux pas as shoveling cookies down one's piehole while intermittently cursing. As of a couple eggs, rashers, bread and coffee, I'm not in much of a mood to get dressed and haul out on an otherwise perfectly good weekend morning only to wait in line for a meal I'm not actually hungry for. Unfortunately, my better half disagrees and so we compromise to such things as brunch on Sunday afternoon. We had tried to come Summer House some months ago in the morning,but met with the prospect for an hour long wait and my now public brunch-curmudgeon persona, we had felt it wise to go elsewhere. We returned a few weeks ago in the afternoon and were seated immediately. Under the skylight. Even in Chicago, especially in the winter, I am all about the skylight. Like a few other Lettuce Entertain You properties, the proximity to the other tables was a bit tight, though understandable, given the popularity. This works a little bit at odds with the high ceiling - suddenly, now instead of lazily sitting on a veranda in the summertime, I feel like I am illicitly camping out on someone else's porch while they're out at the store, hoping to finish my meal before they come back, see me, and call the cops. We ordered the roasted cauliflower, pasta of the day and the prime rib french dip sandwich. Surprisingly, the cauliflower was the outright winner. Creamy interior, crunchy exterior. We promised to coat everything in breadcrumbs before roasting from now on. (This did not actually happen.) The sandwich, likewise, was a nice contrast of textures: crispy baguette, meat and jus, although a little salty. In retrospect, the salad was a good decision, although the latter could have benefited from some additional acidity given the richness of the sandwich. The pasta was the outright loser. The flavor profile was as follows: fennel seed + breakfast sausage + an almost uneatable amount of salt. TLDR: Sunlight makes me feel rushed. Maybe this means I should move my cat tree out of the basement.
(3)Gina T.
I loved the atmosphere here. I really felt like I was in California. I requested that my guests and I sit at the white booths in the back in the vitamin D room. Best seats in the house. Our server was super nice. We got the fries as appetizers which weren't too bad but I wish we got the calamari. I heard that is really good at summer house. I also got the salmon on shredded veggie salad which was okay as well. If you check in you get a free cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was really good. The champagne was great but as for the watermelon smash with vodka.... Eh. Not worth the $12. But without the vodka it's definitely refreshing and only $5. This is a great place to come to for lunch. I loved it. I will be back here soon. Maybe sooner than later.
(5)Alison B.
Food - mediocre for the price Ambiance - lovely but full of LPT's (lincoln park trixies) Waitstaff- friendly Host(ess) - been here twice and this is easily my biggest complaint. First time I came was during restaurant week. I had a reservation for 9PM - wasn't seated until 9:45 and food didnt come until 10:30. This is ridiculous. Not to mention, the hostess forgot my information which I had to repeat multiple times. She was not friendly at all. I understand that sometimes schedules get backed up which is why it is so important to be a warm friendly person when sharing this information. The second time I came was this past weekend for brunch. I had a 12PM reservation. While I was checking in, a UPS man had a delivery to make. When the UPS man approached the host, we no longer existed to him (the host). We gave him our name 3 times and again, not the slightest glimmer of friendliness. The snootiness levels that the host(ess)s have at this mediocre restaurant at best is a joke.
(3)Madison P.
If I could live in the restaurant, I would. Somehow, they were able to emulate summer in the dead of February. The ceiling made-up completely of windows the easy-going atmosphere, the multitude of greenery, and the countdown to summer that is posted on the wall make me crave summer all the more. We went for brunch, an extremely busy time, but it was totally worth it. I had steel cut oats with brown sugar and a grapefruit with organic sugar. To drink, I had their fresh-pressed orange juice- a must! For dessert, we split a cinnamon roll.. *drooling*.
(5)Natasha C.
Visited last night and it was good. Here are somethings you should know and do: 1.) make a reservation- it's busy and it cuts your wait down. Please note the reservation is more like "priority seating". You'll still have to wait at least 5-10 minutes if it's a busy night. 2.) check in with yelp and get yourself a free cookie w/ ice cream on top. Free is always good. 3.) if you like wine, get that "fizz" drink. So yummy. I could have had like 3. 4.) burrata- nuff said I'll return because I enjoyed the food.
(3)Brittany H.
Came here for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this a great summer spot, it will definitely be my go-to for escaping another winter in Chiberia. The service, food, and decor were great. The Cali theme here is adorable, and the food is definitely fitting. Everything on the menu is fresh, vibrant, and probably contains avocado. I tried the brunch special- a short rib hash with eggs and potatoes. It was the perfect brunch-sized portion, and the short rib was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be back to try their dinner menu. The drinks, though, weren't too impressive. The bloody mary was a little too horseradish heavy, and the summer drink my girlfriends tried was good, but a bit too sweet for brunch. Also, there was a pretty long wait, but I'm not surprised sine this place is relatively new. Finally, don't say goodbye to Summer House without stopping for a rice krispy treat cookie... or ten.
(4)Prajna A.
Too expensive. Poor service when the tables are not even half full. Warm and below average food. The only thing good was the ambience. 3 stars only bcoz of the ambience or I would give this place 1 star. I went in for brunch- ordered pancakes, French toast and Mexican hash brown- all were just OK. And the coffee was terrible .
(3)Haley S.
Had dinner here for my birthday last night. Crowded, but not too crowded. We split the ceviche, which was sesame and citrus cured, and had yellowtail and squid. My boyfriend had the trout, which he said was slightly undersalted but prepared perfectly. I had short ribs with bacon, wild mushroom and mashed potatoes that were perfect for last nights freezing weather. We shared the lemon tart for dessert that was perfect, with a touch of vanilla in the custard. I had two glasses of a lovely malbec, and we each had their tequila cocktail which was yummy. Expensive, but not ridiculous. Will definitely return.
(4)Amy S.
I looooove this place for brunch! I literally felt like I was in Santa Monica. We got the privilege to sit in the Vitamin-D room, and wow, did we get some all natural Vitamin-D! Sunglasses are recommended if you are sitting here for brunch. The drinks - Sunrise Punch - absolutely delicious and refreshing! The drinks are perfect - not too sweet and not too weak =) The food - everything I tried was delicious. The chicken tostadas are their #1 brunch item. It comes with two mini tostadas. I tried the egg white turkey omelette with avocado (trying to be healthy, siigh). Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked. If you check in on Yelp, you get a free cookie and ice cream. The cookies are INSANELY DELICIOUS. Try the rice krispie chocolate chip cookie! The rice cripsies are out of this world, yumm (okay not trying to be toooo healthy).
(5)Stephanie L.
Summer, summer, summer time! So we went here a day after the grand opening and it is an amazing place! I was truly impressed with how smooth things ran while we were there. I mean, it is a LEY restaurant so that probably helps out a lot. The food was pretty fantastic. We had tons of it... Sweet and spicy eggplant...good, but a little slimy Santa Monica Salad...yummy Guacamole and chips...delish Rainbow trout...delish, just wished the skin would have been crispy Bison Meatloaf...fav dish of the night...so flavorful Short Rib...yes please! Chocolate cake...heaven Also, I thought it would be super bright in there, but it wasnt. It was done really well. Retractable roof for summertime. Cheers! One thing that I found interesting was the music. One second we were listening to happy, beachy stuff and the next it was like dance club. Ha. They also have lots of pastries, cookies, etc at the counter in the front. I think eventually they will be opening for breakfast, brunch, etc. Check out Summer House for all of your S.A.D. needs :)
(5)Alex R.
All time favorite restaurant in Lincoln Park and perhaps Chicago. Although the food is amazing (especially Sunday brunch), the waitstaff and atmosphere make it even more special. Definitely try the sunrise burrito and the oatmeal.
(5)Justin G.
It's impressive that I think the food is just "pretty good" yet I love going there because of the atmosphere. Great, trendy spot worth checking out for sure.
(4)Cearry B.
Two stars just for the ambience and decor. I've heard many great things about summer house so my family and I decided to give it try for my graduation brunch. We made a reservation and I was very excited to have Sunday brunch here. The atmosphere was very pretty I loved the decor and the open windows. We ordered the calamari and the bruschetta for our appetizer, the calamari was delicious but the bruschetta tasted nothing like a bruschetta and it was very small. After the appetizer things just went down hill. Our entrees took forever to come out. We saw a table who sat an hour after us get their food first. They were just a two top so I figured hey we have six people so of course theirs would come out first. But after ten more minutes the other table who came half an hour after us got their entrees, and they were a party of ten, ten people got their entrees before us and they came in after us. They also got appetizers so it wasn't because they ordered entrees right away. We looked at our server and asked why is everybody's food already out and ours is still not out yet? She said she would check. After ten more minutes our food came out, well most of our food. They forgot my entree. So my family and I sat there waiting for my entree to eat. I felt bad that my family waited to eat but it wasn't until another ten mins that my food came out. By that time everyone's food at my table were cold. Next, my father noticed that they didn't put the brown butter on his pasta of the day, so he barely ate it. Our server never did a quality check on our food, you know the part where the server asks how's everything tasting after two or three bites. That was sad because my father wanted to get something else to eat since the pasta was just hard and not very tasteful. She finally came to our table again we already finished eating. Our water was also never refilled. My parents cannot drink alcohol so they always just drink water and it sucks when you have nothing to drink at a restaurant while you're eating. At that point we just wanted to go home. It was sad because it was suppose To be my graduation celebration and ended up being a disappointment. We finally asked for the check. When our server dropped it off she began talking to us and complimenting my mothers purse and our gifts. We were confused on why she started to pay attention to us now when she dropped off the check but where were you when we didn't like our food or when we didn't have any water at our table? Overall our experienced sucked. When a guests comes to a restaurant we want to feel special and taken care of and summer house did a bad job. We felt like we were the only table that got bad service or went unnoticed while other tables looked like they enjoyed their experience. There was even a moment where my mother wished she was at the ten top table with their server because they had perfect timing on their food and their water was always filled. I don't know why we had to experience such bad service, but then again everybody there was Caucasian while my family and I was the only minority/ Asian-American there. Maybe she ignored us because she thought we'd be bad tippers since were not white but wrong! I've been a server for 8 years at many fine dining restaurants and I would never make my table feel this way. Come to the Terrace at the Trump and I'll show you how you're suppose to treat your guests.
(2)Jason G.
Great food. The flatbreads are really, really good. Kind of pricey, but the experience was decent. I'd recommend it to a friend.
(4)Andreas D.
This review is for their brunch. We had horrible service as our drinks came out after the food, not only did they come out after the food one of them was the wrong drink as well. We had to wait and actually tell another server the issue since ours never came back to check up on us. We got the fries, there was barely any meat and no salt on them. The huevos rancheros were small and barely any flavor as well. The waiter apologized for the mishap and gave us a free chocolate chip cookie (my least favorite type of cookie), you already get that by checking in on yelp and you get to pick your own cookie. Would not come back for brunch and due to the service probably not dinner either.
(1)Casey A.
This is a go-to spot for a girls night, especially in the winter, as it makes you completely forget you are in a chi-town freeze! Instead, you're drinking wine in Nantucket (I know it's supposed to be Santa Monica but still) and eating some of the best burrata and some nicely grilled mahi. The wine is on the pricey side, but their selection is great - something for ladies that like the buttery chardonnay, a bright new zealand sauv blanc, or a crisp pinot. I agree with some of the reviews on the entree prices, but since I've stuck to my fav apps and tacos, so I'm not complaining.
(4)Jeremy C.
Brunch Review. Great ambiance for brunch. Great service. Candied Bacon. Really what else would you need to know? Oh yea, order the Diablo with your brunch. No problem with my reservation, seated immediately. Ask what's good and popular then order that, that's what I did. Easy to get here from the Brown Line. I'll be back to try dinner.
(4)Alena A.
Came here for brunch when the weather was still cold and I needed to feel like I'm somewhere else - like California! I loved the design of the restaurant. It has a very coastal feel with string lighting and palm trees. The food options are very health-conscious (if that's something you're looking for). I usually prefer extra greasy food for brunch but decided to make an exception. I had the Mission Street burrito with tofu chorizo.. While it was pretty good for tofu, I prefer actual chorizo meat. Their crispy hash browns were awesome - super crunchy. I would come back for dinner to see what they have to offer. A very cute spot for a date .
(4)Deanna S.
Wow this place is simply gorgeous inside! If you ever want to visit the Hamptons without leaving Chicago, just check out Summer House. The white washed walls, dramatic white curtains, glass ceiling...it's beautiful. We went on a Monday with a group of girlfriends. I had made reservations so we didn't have to wait long. Can I just say how awesome it was to have a complete Gluten free menu (upon request)??? Love!! My friends and I split a hot mess of fries which was yummy. I ordered the short rib which did not disappoint and was very filling. Another friend ordered fish tacos (she loved them) and another got the sword fish (I think) but was turned off by the color. She didn't think it was cooked all the way and was a bit bland. My other friend got a pasta dish and wanted to lock the plate. We left full and satisfied and I can't wait till summer to go when the big windows are open to Halsted.
(5)Lauren N.
Food ordered: Calamari- unique and reminded of glazed walnut shrimp the way it was lightly fried and covered with a chipotle glaze. Only con is that it was a bit unhealthy with all the mayo. Grilled halibut- very good, very well cooked. The sauce on the vegetables were a bit too creamy for my taste and kinda ruined the nutritional value of eating the veggies. Steak- my boyfriend ordered this. I ate a piece which was very good. A little too buttery but had a nice hint of lemon or lime. Pros: the decorum is so spot on. It's clean. The staff is nice. And I love the string lights. Pretty good wine selection. Cons: wayyyy too loud. I was sitting across the table from my boyfriend and I was tempted to sit side by side like those annoying couples who can't take a break from each other because it was THAT loud. I was also bored with the menu and it was my first visit. I recommend adding more unique entrees or specials and playing with more ingredients. Otherwise, it was a great experience!
(3)Kristin M.
If I could give stars for service, ambiance, and food, I'd give Summer House Santa Monica 5 for service, 5 for ambiance, and 4.5 for food. Compared to the first time I had dinner here, the food seemed vastly improved. The menu has changed somewhat as the restaurant has settled in, and I was extremely happy with the changes. I went for a date night on a weekend night, and it was busy the whole time, but that only added to the fun, light, and airy ambiance. The retractable roof was open, and the plants hanging from the ceiling made it feel like you were steps away from an oceanside boardwalk or a beach. We started with the biscuits that are made to order, and we were wow'd by the herbed butter and honey. The entrees were hearty portions but not so large you felt as if you immediately needed a to-go box. I was really impressed by the fish tacos, as I was expecting the typical pre-assembled tacos with battered and fried fish inside; instead, I was served a mahi-mahi filet with several fixings and a side of corn tortillas that I could arrange as I liked! Additionally, my date's english muffin hamburger tasted like it was right off of the grill as a summer picnic, and the french fries were hit-the-spot yummy. For drinks, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails (all good) and I was able to try an off-the-beaten-path South African Chenin Blanc, per the great suggestion of our stellar server. As well, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the other staff including the GM of Summer House and Stella Barra--a great experience overall. Must go if... you're tired of the same old, same old, dark Chicago sports bars; you want an excellent dining experience; you wish it were summer all year round.
(5)Rachel V.
Here's the question: Do you care about atmosphere or food? If you answered, atmosphere, Summer House is the place for you! Walking into Summer House feels like walking into a restaurant in California, despite the heavy duty coat you're wearing and your wind-blown Chicago hair. The inside provides a nice change from the midwest norm. If you answered food, I can't say I highly recommend Summer House. It's just...whatever. Like most reviewers wrote, the hot mess fries are a must, but really other than that, I was kind of disappointed. I definitely don't recommend the scallops - small and bland!
(3)Nora B.
Been here twice and liked both times. Decent service and food. Had to wait a little while to order dessert and for the check but it was restaurant week and we weren't in a hurry.
(5)Matthew T.
Summer house was decent at best. The server was amazing just really disappointed in the food. Portions are small, up charges for anything and even the cocktails were mediocre. The only way summer house is worth it is for the ambiance. The venue is great. Very beautiful.
(2)I J.
The atmosphere here is really nice and so are the drinks. However, the food isn't good and it's overpriced. I've been here for brunch, breakfast and dinner, and they all have sucked. The service isn't good, our server seemed annoyed to be serving us and I am just not going to waste my money here again. You probably should not either.
(2)Catherine Y.
I LOVE the atmosphere here! it was pretty gloomy outside, snowing, and very windy and when we were seated, I forgot I was in Chicago mid-winter! it's so bright and inviting with the glass ceiling. the brunch food was great too, I ordered the salmon benedict which was fresh and delicious! I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the area.
(5)Courtney M.
Went to this restaurant while visiting my brother in Chicago. SO GOOD!!!!! The appetizers are amazing (I recommend the biscuits, guacamole with chips, and buratta) and the main dishes were even better. I got the tacos, but everyone was pleased with their dishes. The desserts looked so good, but I was so full I didn't try any! I do plan on going back for more as soon as I'm back in Chicago.
(5)James Z.
Leave it to Chicago to come up with this concept: a restaurant that evokes summertime all year 'round in a city whose brutal winter runs 6-8 months of the year. Only in Chicago! And funny as that sounds, that's kinda awesome. Having been born and raised in LA, I found this homage to West Coast warmth a bit entertaining. When you walk through the door at Summer House, you're met with this noticeable sign that says "____ days until Summer." You quickly notice a sizable bar area and around the corner, another huge dining room... so all in all, there are plenty of seats at this joint. There is also a bakery up front that sells pastries, cookies, etc. This was very much like Beatrix in River North -- a sister restaurant part of the Lettuce Entertain You group. My boyfriend and I were sat by a rather cheery host wearing a white and baby blue button-up. Now, I must note that the staff at Summer House all wear white/soft colors/beach-like attire. Whether that's through faded blue gingham shirts or white cocktail dresses, the staff exude Ibiza or Miami via apparel... (or in this case, clothing suitable for lounging in Santa Monica). The decor reflected the type of summer beach house you'd find in the Hamptons (not necessarily Santa Monica in my eyes). It is incredibly bright inside and all furnishings are patio-appropriate (I must say the abundance of lanterns and hanging ferns are lovely). While I knew this was going to be a somewhat kitschy spot, after seeing it myself, I can now safely say this was incredibly kitschy. If that's your jam, you'll love this. If you scoff at chain-like simulacrum, you'll scoff at their interiors. A quick observation on who is dining there... well, Summer House's clientele bleeds Lincoln Park. Not necessarily the "old money, old school" Lincoln Park, but the Lincoln Park scene that's younger and still appreciative of Wrigleyville nights. Let's just put it that way. "Bros" hanging with "bros," "bros" with their girlfriends, double dates of "bros" with their girlfriends, and interestingly enough, a very large amount of "girls' nights" tables surrounding the restaurant. Having said that, Summer House (at least that evening) was gender imbalanced: roughly 2/3rds of diners were female. Not sure why, but that was an interesting observation. Now, the reason why the crowd can be a little disconcerting is because well... some of them don't know how to control themselves. A couple at the table near us was acting like this was their private bedroom while a group of six ladies in their late 20s/early 30s were acting like they were waiting in line for "Thunder from Down Under." One woman got out of her seat, but strongly pushed mine in the process of leaving the table. She was drunk and asked a stranger to take a picture of them. I was annoyed largely because (since I was sitting on a stool), she shook me and almost made me knock over the drink I was sipping on... (Girrrll... Get it together! It's a Thursday at 8, okay?) and even better, (probably because she was so intoxicated), she didn't apologize -- and neither did her friends. Classy. In the meantime, our server - while pleasant - was almost nowhere to be found. She didn't provide much information about the menu or the food in general. She seemed minimally interested, and rather than perhaps sharing something interesting about their cuisine, she just took our order without elaboration or intonation in her voice. Perhaps her lack of excitement was because the food itself wasn't very exciting. We ordered the spicy calamari ($10.95). The flavors and texture of the calamari were good, but unfortunately, that sauce was over-kill. I don't know what their rationale was for this, but the beautiful tempura batter of the calamari was covered (if not drenched) in that very rich and creamy sauce. The chives and lime luckily helped cut through that richness, but it was still a bit much. And even more interesting was the fact that the sauce came also on the side for more dipping. How much more sauce do you need? Yikes. We also ordered the ahi tuna tostadas ($12.95) which were good, but not particularly memorable. The watermelon, however, added a lovely bite and because it camouflaged with the ahi tuna, you couldn't tell upon each bite which you'd be getting. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower which was solid ($8.95), but overpriced for portion and creativity. We also ordered the prime beef short rib ravioli ($14.95). The sauce of braising juices and sherry vinaigrette rounded out the flavors, but it lacked a little bit of seasoning. Ultimately, I was a bit disappointed in Summer House. Perhaps this place is more appropriate for brunch because their dinner menu (and not to mention the service and ambiance) made for an "okay" experience. It wasn't disastrous, but out of all the restaurants I visited during my recent Chicago visit, this was definitely my least favorite. Well, at least I was able to experience "summer" indoors.
(2)Lauren M.
I came here on a Friday night for a first date, and this place was perfect. We came in around 8:30pm, no reservation. We were informed it would be a 45-60min wait, and my date left his name and number and we went and walked around for a bit. My first impression of this place was that it was way too nice for a first date- I was actually worried he wouldn't be able to afford it. But we figured out it was pretty reasonably priced, so we gave it a shot. It was AWESOME. We were sat after about an hour wait, and they had given us menus while we were waiting so I already had an idea of what I wanted. The wait staff was super chill and friendly. My date and I both ordered burgers because we were too nervous to try the other cool looking stuff on the menu. He got an English Muffin Burger and I got a turkey burger. It definitely exceeded my expectations. Plus the side salad was AMAZING. We were too full for desert, but when I go back I would definitely like to try the other menu items!
(5)Mike M.
ok food, but ultimately a failure. what i ate and drank were not particularly memorable. what i do remember well is was how i and my group was treated. the hostess made my group of 3 squeeze into a crowded bar when the restaurant was less than half full because "there are a lot of reservations currently". roughly 2 hours later when we were leaving, all the same tables were still open. lame. never again.
(1)Carolyn C.
Scott our server was very attentive and personal. Good food, cookies are amazing, sushi ok, drinks and wine list superb.
(4)Kaitlin M.
This place is DEAD to me. I wouldn't care if it burned to the ground. I have never has so many things go wrong in one meal in my life. 1. We showed up 10 minutes early to our 11:30 brunch reservation and did not get sat till about 11:50. One of my guests was hungry so she was forced to buy a muffin to hold her over. 2. We were sat while they finished setting up our table. On top of this they set our coffee and mimosa glass as every seat and then if you don't want either, place their fingers in the glasses and put them back on the shelf to be used for another table. GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOSS 3. We waited 15 minutes before we finally waived down a bus boy to at least get us some water. 4. Our server finally comes around and doesn't say a word to us when she grabs the check of the table of the previous diners. And then she vanished for another 10 minutes. 5. By the time we actually ordered our food and drinks it was about an hour later than our original reservation. GRRRRRRR 6. We ordered 4 omelettes. All but one actually had the cheese that was listed on the menu in the omelette. I was actually able to COMPLETELY unfold my entire mass of eggs, spinach and kale. It was RIDICULOUS!!! Needless to say, our server did do the good deed of giving us a couple of baked goods to make up for it. HOWEVER, I don't want more food, I JUST ATE!!! Just comp one of the meals and well call it even. "No can do," she said. So we left... with two very pissed off men among us four. 7. I ordered a bloody and asked to get it vegetarian... yup... it showed up with the bacon. YUCK! When I asked for her to have the bartender make me a new one without the bacon she responded "we can just take the bacon out." NO you ****! They put the bacon to help flavor the drink in the first place. Just taking it out does not work! Ok... I'm done. And my blood pressure is way too high for making myself wait a couple of weeks to write this so I didn't go off worse. Ugh.
(1)Andy P.
Food is ok and the inside is pretty cool. With all of the other restaurants in the city the quality of the food is just ok. I also ate at the pizza place that's connected to the summer house and thought the food was much more impressive and tasty. Don't pass up a homemade cookie on your way out the door!
(3)Christina A.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had a reservation and, yet, we were greeted in a chilly manner by the hosts. The place was nearly empty when we arrived(9am) and they sat us at a high top next to the bar. I asked for a lower table and we were then sat at the two top right behind the host stand. Normally, I'd hate a table like that because of the amount of traffic that walks by. However, we were quickly greeted by our super friendly server, Conner. She was fabulous and made the whole experience so much better. What really shines at Summer House, however, is the food. Everything we ordered was awesome! We tried the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancakes served with maple syrup and lemon curd and the Hashbrown Benedict with the smoked salmon. Holy cow! It was amazing! The poached eggs were cooked perfectly so that the yolk ran when I broke into it. The candied bacon was yummy too. And who would complain about the rich Dark Matter coffee. I cannot wait to go back. The tough thing is going to be whether we'll order the same thing or not.
(4)Nichole F.
i have never been to a a lettuce entertain you restaurant that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed from service, to ambiance to food....until now. The decor and ambiance is great here, especially on a chilly, gray day. Service was fine but not great like I am used to experiencing with this restaurant group. Where Summer House fails though is on the food side and price for what you get. I ordered the roasted cauliflower side which was pretty bland along with the fried calamari. The calamari was not hot, not even really warm when I received and it was really greasy - I couldn't finish it was so unappetizing. For $14 for a small calamari appetizer and $8 for 4 pieces of roasted cauliflower, I expect it to be damn good. I went with two friends and one ordered a $17 cobb salad with chicken that was so small and poorly presented, it was absurd. My other friend ordered an overpriced asparagus "salad" and the tostadas app which were OK but nothing to write home about. So... 2 salads (not entree size) 1 side 2 apps 2 drinks = $96 Had the food been amazing and of adequate portion sizes, I would consider going back and wouldn't balk at the cost. That's just not the case here. If nothing else, I can say I've been.
(2)Sharon C.
We had a nice dinner here..food was tasty, HOWEVER I was really shocked by the skimpy serving of wine the waitress poured. Since when has serving less than half a glass of wine become acceptable? Have NEVER come across that before! Won't be coming back here very soon....
(2)Matthew F.
When you are at Summer House, you literally feel like you have been transported out of chicago and have entered some chic restaurant found in the trendiest area of California. From the appetizers all the way to the homemade cookie dessert, every part of the meal is delicious and freshly made. I definitely recommend the tuna tostadas and the calamari is mouth watering. It can be a bit pricey, but they have some amazing deals that allow you to cut the price quote substantially. Awesome date night place. Awesome place to take visitors visiting chicago who want to be shown a unique and great time.
(5)Suzuki G.
Went there for the first time and it was amazing! I loved ever bit of it. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. I definitely look forward to going back again soon!
(5)Adam F.
Delicious food although one of the meals came undercooked. They made up to us by giving us 100 dollars off our next meal. Definitely taking them up on that. Many options all tasting great.
(5)cynthia t.
Came here on a Friday for lunch....Our server Kyle was super attentive and nice. I had the avocado toast with scrambled eggs and a friend had a turkey sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and the service was great, along with the bright dining room and as everyone else has commented on, the beach decor. The only downside I would say was the host stand. The young woman working there did not greet me when I entered and said hello; Instead, she just sort of stood there and continued chatting with a server/host . I figured out where my friend was sitting and just went and sat myself. Other than that Applebys moment, the service was adequate. Would return again to try out the rest of the menu.
(3)Raina P.
I have been there twice this summer. Once we ate outside and once inside. The place is beautiful. The area is lively. So i would give 5 stars for ambience. The food- not so much. It is very ordinary, meager, and over priced. I am surprised because these are not normal characteristics of a Lettuce restaurant. In addition our server had a slight attitude. The prices at lunch are not commensurate with the food. They serve bread for a fee. The salad had a laughable amount of chicken in it. I hope they can make a few changes here because i love the setting.
(2)Julieanne T.
It was cold and gloomy out in the dead of winter and we decided to check this place out. It was amazing walking in as it totally transforms your mood because of the beautiful decor and super brightly lit room. I ordered the Cucumber Cooler (non-alcoholic) and it was AMAZING, A little pricey, but so worth it, and the turkey eggs Benedict. Eggs Benedict is my all time fav brunch choice, and I guess it was my fault because for some reason when I read 'turkey' I imagined real turkey chunks but it came out as deli meat which was a bit of a buzz kill. While I was satisfied at the end of the meal, I do think that for the price they should include some sort of side item as opposed to having to order it separately. We shared an order of the candied bacon which was top-notch though, so that made it all worth it. A $50 breakfast for 2 people, without any alcoholic drinks, was a little too much for me, so I don't know if I would ever do it again. I think if I went again it would be to share some apps, get a couple of drinks and just enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.
(4)Emily J.
I've only been here for post-work drinks. Nice and light venue. Whatever is ailing you, it's easy just to leave it at the door. Must by the summery, California coast decor! The drinks were fab as was the bartender of the evening!
(4)Brandi A.
From arrival to departure, I loved this restaurant! The view is beautiful and the burger that I had was great. The drinks are very good, as well. Our server was very attentive and polite. I went to lunch with a friend around 3pm on a Friday afternoon and we had no wait. The one thing I didn't do was take advantage of the dessert bar. Please do so! It looks so worth it. I'll definitely be visiting again. :)
(4)Lisa R.
We were in from out of town. We had a mix-up with our reservations (our mistake), and they couldn't have been more accommodating, especially since we were a large party. Our server was delightful - humorous, helpful, and let us taste lots of wines before we made our choices. Our meal was absolutely delicious. The biscuits are to die for!!! Pastas were awesome. I can't say enough. Will definitely go back!
(5)Rachel W.
Summer House is very trendy right now so it can be hard to get in, or typically on a wait, but it has a great light summery vibe and I am a fan for drinks w/girlfriends, or brunch w/my mom. It will be really nice in summer when the roof opens up. They will sub tofu for eggs on their dishes, I recommend the hash w/tofu subbed and adding avocado :) Their veggie tacos are great, although I think pricey for veggie tacos. Beyond that, they have a few other vegan options such as guac and some salads, and they can modify a few of the veggie sides if you let your server know. I took a large group of clients here and we had attentive friendly service and clients were very happy. They also picked up a bunch of desserts that they raved about. As far as I can tell, no vegan desserts (yet).
(4)Adoley J.
Sat in the Vitamin D room for brunch which I needed since winter decided to show up early. Very warm and nice decor. Our waitress recommended the breakfast tostadas and they were delicious. Two crispy tortillas topped with black beans, pulled chicken all with a side of guacamole. The pulled chicken was tender and well seasoned and the eggs perfectly cooked. YUM. Everything on the plate was delicious. Afterwards a friend and I got the sea salt chocolate chip cookie with hot fudge and ice cream. Nothing but pure deliciousness. We had a lovely brunch and I cannot wait to go back for dinner.
(4)Linda C.
Energy, lighting, atmosphere, music and staff are on point. It's no kidding this place is always busy. Make a reservation and make sure you don't get discouraged to come here. It's well worth planning. Great breakfast and brunch spot. For bacon lovers - they have the perfect bacon. We had the crispy waffles, house made muffin, bacon and Mexican Hash (yes, it's amazing and clean).
(5)Patrick C.
Terrible service! Just terrible. The food was very average and overpriced. The only two positives were the atmosphere was decent and they had good Bloody Marys. Too bad we couldn't get a second because the server never stopped back after taking our order. The food runners drop at the table, turn around, and walk away. No butter, jam or syrup was provided for toast or pancakes. No coffee refills. Someone at my table had to get up and walk over to ask for a check.
(1)Kristin S.
I loved the hanging plant baskets and how they managed to keep the temperature moderate but keep a delightful west coast patio breeze going was beyond me, but AWESOME! Drool worthy food (I'm still having sweet sweet dreams about) and a unique atmosphere and decor! The place was packed which is always a good sign, and although we dined LATE, I mean I think we walked in for dinner after 10pm we still had a little wait for a table (which was fine because we waited at the bar.) The bar was adorable with a west coast vibe, white woodwork and flowy summer feel throughout. Courteous and knowledgeable bartender, comfortable seating, and nice glassware. I had the Maine Lobster Orecchiette and it was melt in your mouth delicious and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as heavy as I thought. The roasted chicken was also perfection on a plate! There is a lovely dessert/bakery case on your way out...awesome- fyi :-)
(5)Faith D.
Update on 6/3/14 (after our disappointing brunch visit in March): Decided to try SH again for dinner. Same 4 gals who were at brunch on 3/30. This time, we had a table near the front door. Gorgeous evening. Nice vibe. Funky/cool music. Busy but not insane. We ordered 6 appetizers to share among the 4 of us. Our server was Chris S. and we specifically asked that he NOT bring everything at once but that we pace ourselves. It worked out quite well. We had our food from cold to hot and in the following order: Guacamole -- (guac /chips /salsa all delicious) Burrata and tomato "jam" platter with toast (seriously as good as it gets) Roasted cauliflower w/jalapeno pesto (had a kick but very tasty) Calamari (fabulous sauce with this -- probably #2 favorite of everyone) Fish tacos (tortillas were yummy; guac - corn salad - slaw all good Orcchiette pasta with peas ramps asparagus #1 favorite. Fresh, light, so tasty! One of the servers recognized one of our group and had a surprise dessert sent to us -- a warm, chocolate, walnut cookie that was almost like a brownie and large enough for the 4 of us to share. We could not finish it. This visit was a totally different experience for us. Very pleasant. No slips. We also want to thank Corey Milner for inviting us back. We were impressed that you took our comments seriously and we wanted you to know that last night's visit was delightful. So -- THANK YOU. To my dining companions -- I hope this reflects all of our opinions. Mar didn't love the Burrata - but as she said on the ride home -- she ate the whole thing anyway. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday brunch 3/30/14 -- 1PM reservation for 4. Packed house. Our reservation was promptly honored. We had a very nice booth in the corner. Slowest. Service. Ehhver. Took about 12 minutes to be acknowledged by a server for water. Which then took another 5 minutes. One of our people had just run the shamrock shuffle and was in need of rehydration. Sheesh! Yes, it's a pretty place. Incredibly white, bright, clean. Bring sunglasses if you're dining during daylight hours. You've been warned. As for dining: 2 gals ordered Bloody Marys; 2 gals ordered iced tea. Server told us "we're out of iced tea". Really? OUT of ICED TEA??? Managers: That's just unacceptable. How about bring us HOT tea and tall glasses with ice? Got that done. But our server evidently could not come up with that on her own. Food was fine. Beet salad and Mexican hash browns for the table to share. Bagel and smoked salmon plate; chicken salad sandwich, fried chicken & waffles; eggs Benedict. All standard. Adequate. Good. Actually, once we managed to get our server's attention and place our orders -- the food came out surprisingly quickly and at the appropriate temperature. Also - we asked for a dessert menu as we were celebrating a quarter-century birthday. No dessert at brunch. That was funny as there is a BAKERY at the front of the restaurant before you get to the hostess stand. No dessert? Ridiculous. We told our server we were disappointed (and jealous because a table near us brought their own birthday cake and had we known .....) -- so she brought over a paper bag with a few cookies -- not on a plate for us to enjoy together - just handed the bag to the birthday girl. Never offered coffee. More training needed for this particular server. Did you bring her in from California? Does she not know how we do things in the Midwest? I'm not saying I wouldn't try again (for dinner) but as of now -- 2 stars. Possibly 2.5.
(4)Leslie B.
Had reservations for 4 at 6:30 on a Friday night and Summer House was already crowded! Due to looking at other reviews, I knew we'd wait for our table and we did, about 10 minutes. The interior and atmosphere of Summer House is refreshing. Bright white walls, high ceilings, definitely makes you forget the chilly temps outside. Our waitress came over right away to explain the menu, how there are more shareable items, etc. We started with a round of drinks and I opted for the Bonfire, which I highly recommend. Tequila, grapefruit, and spice make this one incredibly tasty without being too sweet. For appetizers, we went with the guacamole and brussel sprouts. The guac was very fresh and came with tasty chips, this was good for sharing with the table. The brussel sprouts were good, but came in an alarmingly small portion size for the price tag. Skip the $9 brussel sprouts if you're concerned about price, we each only got to sample a few. For dinner, we all ordered different items, but I think the girls won out big. Kara Z. had the trout, recommended by our waitress, and really enjoyed how it was prepared. I had the ahi tuna tacos and they were wonderful. A huge portion of spiced, rare tuna, it was awesome to be able to make my own tacos with the accompanying ingredients. Highly recommend. My boyfriend ordered the "double-decker" turkey burger, which is not meant for a hungry man. The patties are actually incredibly thin, which I truly believe should be mentioned on the menu. They were so thin that my boyfriend thought there was only one patty, so he asked our waitress if they could bring another or check it out. Unfortunately, the dish was brought back to him as is, with the note that there were indeed two patties. From a costumer service perspective, I believe he should have at least received a fresh burger, as his dish was gone from the table when we were all eating and returned cold. We checked in on Yelp and received a cookie with ice cream, which was fantastic. The manager also brought us pumpkin pie, to remedy the turkey burger situation, but a new turkey burger would have been the right move. The check arrived, $100 for the two of us, which I feel can go a lot further at other establishments in the city. Overall, leave this place to young Lincoln Park families and North Shore couples looking for a night in the city.
(3)Naz G.
Great spot! It took us a really long time to decide what we wanted because everything looked so good! Went with the tuna tacos which were really yummy! Definitely recommend! Cant wait to go back!
(4)Sandy D.
The restaurant is nice sat in the Vitamin d room light airy. The food was awful. We ordered Brussels sprouts they were tuff and not very flavorful. The guacamole was just okay. I ordered the fettuccine with English peas the pasta was dry and lacked any flavor. My friend had chicken tacos they were over cooked. I so wanted to like the food but really very disappointed. The icing on the cake we hardly ate any of our entree and the waiter took it away just assumed he would wrap it up and bring back. No he threw it out and when I asked he said sorry did you ask me to wrap it up? No shouldn't that be the question he asks us? He said he would order us another one. I told hi not to bother as it really didn't taste good anyway. Many more restaurants in the area,that are really good.
(2)Howard L.
There has been much buzz about the Summerhouse and it is very crowded and hard to get a reservation. I went there last night with my date and we both loved the interior. Very summer looking indeed. We were seated at 7:15 for our 7:00 reservation by using our pull with the bartender Kaile (?) who was very helpful and very nice. The food, however, was average at best. We had the prime rib sandwich which was grossly overpriced at $20.00. My date had a salad which was average and the scallops, which were average as well. Summerhouse did have a surprisingly extensive list of Pinot Noirs. Most wines by the glass were $12.00, which is also average. I wanted to like it more but my conclusion is that the space is really nice but the food is average and overpriced.
(3)amanda k.
Delicious food! We tried about 6 different dishes and loved them all. We were pleased from apps all the way to dessert. The mushroom enchilada was delicious! Service was fabulous as well! My only complaint is the fact that I made three separate calls to make and confirm my reservation only to show up and be told that I don't have a reservation, or maybe I do have one but it's for Tuesday? The front desk is a mess but once you get passed these girls, you'll be happy!!
(4)Lauren M.
The service is just as great as the food! They were very attentive with water refills and making sure we were okay. The food is delicious there a quite a variety of choices. When you check in via Yelp! you recieve a free warm and chocolate chip cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream!
(4)Kristine C.
Back again! And probably again and again and again. My boyfriend is in love with this place, so am I and apparently the rest of Chicago. Every time we go they are packed. I love the ambience and decor. The website is not an accurate representation of how the restaurant looks and feels. On our most recent visit we popped in on a Thursday night around 8 p.m. without a reservation. Like I said, it's busy. We were not able to get a table for two for awhile. Being flexible management allowed us to dine at one of their waiting area tables. Unconventional, but their food is worth it. We went for the caramelized brussel sprouts and ahi tuna tostadas again for starts. I am glad these are staples on their menu. I think because we were seated in the waiting area, or they were just being nice, we were offered a complimentary golden beet salad. I do not eat goat cheese bit picked around it. I don't usually enjoy beet salads. Beets are too earthy tasting for my liking. The citrus or acid they add soaked up by the beets hide just enough of the earthy taste it surprised me! I was able to eat more than just two! For our entrees this time around we ordered the albacore tune tacos to share, and because we enjoyed it so much last time, the lobster tagliatelle. The tacos come with four tortillas on the side, with a separate plate filled with a tuna steak cut into six pieces (odd number for sharing), guacamole, slaw, and two sauces a spicy and mayonnaise based to make your own taco. I forgot that the lobster tagliatelle has a slight spice kick to it. Not much, but enough that I need to take smaller bits and breaks. Still, the lobster was abundant and I could taste it through the sauce and spice. Great follow-up!
(4)Robin L.
I love this place for bunch or lunch. (Haven't had dinner here.) I've sat at the bar twice even though we could have had a table one of the times. I found everyone to be extremely welcoming and upbeat. Service was great. I had some dietary restrictions (gluten sensitivities) and they were extremely accommodating. My food was delicious and I'd go again in a heart beat. Also, it really does feel like you're on vacation and at a restaurant in a beach town!
(4)jen m.
we went back for dinner over the weekend and I was pleased that our server was amazing!! (Thomas from Valpo) He provided nice suggestions. I was also pleased to see unoaked chardonnay which is my favorite. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered roasted chicken and was able to swap for brussel sprouts instead of kale.. the chicken was okay so I defintely want to go back to try more on the menu. thank you summer house for making it right this time.
(4)Jessica M.
My bf and I went there for lunch on a Tuesday , and loved it! I've been wanting to go forever. The ahà tuna was our fave, but we also had the Santa Monica Cobb salad, Amish chicken tacos, and this amazing cauliflower dish. Everything was perfect.
(5)Elizabeth K.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Summer House on my recent trip to the Windy City and experienced superb food and world class service. The restaurants decor made me feel like I was at a beach house on the sunny California coast. Luckily my server embodied all that is California, Aaron M. cared for us in every way throughout the dining experience. His thoughtful recommendations guided us through a meal full of yummy cocktails and tasty treats. Since I frequently use Yelp I was aware of the promotion offering 1 free cookie and ice cream, so naturally I took advantage. 5 stars across the board for this dining establishment. Well done Aaron M. & co.
(5)Maria V.
Great food! Fantastic atmosphere great service loved the California beachy light colors will be back again !!
(5)Reggie R.
Have only been for brunch, so that's all I can comment on. I am a huge fan of the ambiance and layout of this restaurant. Despite the 30 degree weather outside, Summer House will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside :) the Vitamin D room is great, open and beautifully lit. I also enjoy the countdown until summer, except, of course, when it's over 200 days! I ordered the most simple sandwich possible in the turkey club (needed something bland due to my somewhat wild night before) and was in awe. I think that says something when a very non-flashy menu item is able to truly satisfy. My friends ordered various breakfast entrees, all of which were good as well. I will echo some other reviews in that the waitstaff was not super attentive. However, I didn't much mind in this occasion because I wanted to have more time to visit with my friend from out of town. I can see how this would be frustrating under other circumstances! I want to go back to Summer House soon to explore the dinner menu.
(4)U H.
Service is horrible sat for 15mins without even being acknowledged. No one came to greet us. No one came to offer us water. The place was just so hectic and not organized. The host was very rude as well. Kind of sucks because it was my first time going to this place since I seen it on tv. Well I will never go back again! Thanks for the experience! Not!
(1)Noel R.
Summer House was decent but after a second visit I felt it was not particularly special. I don't think I would care to visit again, I think I would consider visiting again if someone else was covering the bill but only after exhausting other options. The food was okay, not cheap, though not breaking the bank expensive either. My portions were fair but one of my friend's dish was very sad looking. I was a bit puzzled by the differences in portion sizes for similar dishes. Deliciousness to cost was definitely lacking. As far as service, we were seated promptly and our server was very friendly and on point with everything. I do love the space and the atmosphere overall. A bit of a shame since I was so excited for this place.
(2)Lisa S.
This restaurant is gorgeous and in these gloomy winter months, is a sure pick-me-up, with it's bright colors and happy atmosphere. We went for brunch and our food was pretty good...our waitress, on the other hand, was awful. She spoke so quietly we couldn't hear her, even though she was standing right next to me. It took about 20 minutes to get refills on water, etc. I had the mission burrito, and while it was alright, it was pretty bland. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which for brunch, I though was odd. It's a beautiful place, and I'll definitely try it again for dinner. But it was a bit of a left-down. Oh, and don't forget to check-in on Yelp when you're there - free chocolate chip cookie with ice cream - definitely the highlight!! :)
(4)Cassandra W.
All of the tacos are amazing. Great service and great cocktails. (That was my tip) Begin Review Awesome atmosphere... it really feels like you walked into California. Skylights that open up to make it open air in good weather. The menu is amazing... A group of 5 of us had absolutely no complaints. Great cocktail menu, even mocktails for that friend who is pregnant (or for your non-drinker buddies). The appetizers are great too.. This place just feels like sunshine. Obviously I loved it. More tips: Make your reservation early, expect to be surprised at how long it takes to get a reservation, its popular, but it is worth it. Get ready to be happy. Great service, Great atmosphere, Great food.... It is the best. End Review
(5)Macy H.
I don't think I've had a better cookie in my life. Service is great, food is always amazing. My only issue is their coffee. it is very bitter. other than that, no complaints. what a great place!
(5)Jeannine T.
BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY I came here on a Sunday for brunch. We were a bit early but got seated on time for our reservations. Coffee was good and I'm a coffee drinker. I asked our waitress to make some recommendations. She suggested the cottage cheese lemon pancakes (I think that was it.) Combo sounds weird. I was hesitant and so was my friend. It can't be that bad, can it? So we ordered it as a side to our brunch entrees and loved it. Delish. I ordered the smoked salmon hashbrown benedict. It may be that I'm just a fan of fried potatoes but omgosh, their hashbrowns. What do they put in it? It was SO good. I like that the dining area is open, airy and sunny with fresh green plants strategically placed to provide a dash of color to the white decor. The waitress was super nice, and I remember complimenting her on her long lashes. She was open to sharing her beauty secret with me. How sweet! Haven't had the chance to try the dinner as the place is booked solid. Instead, I made another reservation for brunch tomorrow with my mom. Can't wait!
(5)Dan V.
Nice atmosphere and little else. Our food was bad. The service was slow. And OMG... even their cookies were bad!! - My $20 French Dip sandwich was very average and didn't taste like much. My friend had the pasta special today, which was so salty he had to return it. - Our waiter was overwhelmed. We couldn't get help all around, especially for my friend's bad pasta. - Even my chocolate chip cookie from the front counter was bad. It was all sugar, so much so that the cookie was gritty. This appears to be the recipe for all their cookies in the display. Very disappointing for a nice-looking place and especially for Lettuce Entertain You. Wow.
(1)R R.
Excellent breakfast/brunch spot. Food was fresh, well presented, and (most importantly) tasted great. The space is open and bright. Perfect for morning breakfast. Great take-away counter up front as well. Open at 8:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, which is a great as you don't always want to wait until later for breakfast. The restaurant takes reservations and there is a patio for nice weather. The other review below about "no gluten free" is flat wrong. Look at the restaurant's website; an entire gluten free menu is posted. Additionally, dining with someone who is gluten free, the staff was very helpful and accommodating in suggesting substitutions on their regular menu.
(4)Erin Q.
The atomsphere at Summerhouse is what you are paying for, especially on a cool April evening. It feels like you're lounging in a summer home in the Hamptons. That must be why it remains pretty pricey. We had small plates, the cauliflower was delish, I would highly recommend. We split a salad, and the staff was nice enough to split it for us. The bean toasts were good, but confusing, they came with edamme beans, not white navy beans like we expected. Portioned much bigger than expected. Overall, a good choice!
(4)Liezl P.
This place was a breath of fresh air! 5 stars for the ambiance, friendly service, and the yummy dessert bar in front :)
(5)Jami S.
5 stars for ambience - super cute place. Really feel like you are in Cali with all the light & white decor. Got a nice big table for valentines day with some friends. Service was overall good, the manager came up and asked how everything was so that was nice. Very friendly and talkative. Only issue was our server was a bit pushy towards the end of the night, we were lingering a bit but it was after 10pm so really who do you need the table for? The drinks were different and refreshing. The food was good. Our group shared everything. The burrata was a favorite. Tuna tostada was good too. Would return!
(4)Alison s.
Absolutely awful service. We came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, only to have it ruined by the "hostess". We watched her roll her eyes at the group in front of us. The had to deal with her snotty attitude. We let the manager know, she did not even apologize, just nodded her head and said "ok, ok, ok". The food from this place is above average, but There are plenty of lovely restaurants with the same caliber food and much better service. Try Bristol- they are absolutely wonderful there, and the food is much better.
(1)Emily Z.
The fresh white sunny decor is very refereshing, especially on a cold winter day! The space is large and you don't feel cramped by other tables which is a very nice surprise these days in Chicago! Though the brunch menu is large and contains breakfast and lunch items i just couldn't get excited about anything, which is very rare. I am a happy bruncher when I get a variety of sweet and savory in my dish and/or complementary sides. Think nookies, Yolk, or the option to order one specialty pancake at Southport Grocer, their menu is not really set up this way unless you find someone to split with, which sadly isn't always easy. Lemon cottage cheese pancakes ($8.95) were delicious, I wouldn't trade my first born for them, but maybe my second! It is a very large portion, but like most sweet entrees I say best split amongst two with a savory option as well. Even though ours were a bit undercooked in the middle which was disappointing, I would go back for these. Breakfast tostadas ($12.95) were really good and quite filling, but you probably won't be taking any home. Be forewarned there was still a bit of giggle in my egg whites, if like me, that's not your thing! Service was prompt and water constantly refilled. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I recommend trying it out for yourself! They do take brunch reservations, which is rare, and I'd recommend one!
(3)Susan P.
Very cool atmosphere, different from other spots in Chicago. Outdoor seating is great. No troubles with service - paced well, no rush. French dip prime rib sandwich was great as well as the tuna tostadas. Bit pricey, but the crowd is hip. :)
(4)Lynn H.
I had the turkey burger and ordered a bottle of wine with my friend. The atmosphere is different than any other place in Chicago and the service and food was great. I will definitely be back, but probably once the patio is open.
(5)Susan G.
Average. Nothing spectacular. Nothing to tell anyone "Gotta go!" Had the prime rib dip sandwich with gristly meat and thin, flavorless sauce with a side of frozen fries out of a bag. Not really what I expected for $18. Brussel sprouts were good, though. Simply don't get why it was packed with people.
(3)David B.
This is another time where I want to give a half-star. This place is a 4 1/2. I save my 5's for true excellence beyond compare. This place was an overall excellent dining experience and I've already booked a return engagement. The place looks beautiful, from the cookie bar at the entrance to the bright, open and airy dining areas. We had seats near the kitchen, where we enjoyed watching the plated food come out. Shared a bottle of NZ Sauv Blanc (something "goose") - very nice. -Starter: Biscuits. OMG. Amazing amazing amazing. Enormous, rich, buttery and oh-so-good by themselves, and taken to the next level when spread with the poblano butter and honey. You MUST ORDER THE BISCUITS if you go. -Entree: Fish tacos. I don't know what type of fish it was and didn't ask, but it was grilled about medium rare and very flavorful. I went with the lettuce cups instead of tortillas, and the mixture of the fish, the guacamole and the salsa verde were a perfect combo. I'll have to force myself to try something different next time because these were good. -Sides: Caramelized brussel sprouts and roasted cauliflower were both incredible. I could have had those two dishes as my meal instead. -Dessert - peanut butter fudge chocolate cake was fine, but nothing to write home about. The warm Peanut Butter cookie with sea salt chocolate ice cream on top was divine. The cookie - by itself - was amazing. Heading back for a birthday dinner with my family and can't wait!
(4)Susan N.
I've been to Summer House twice in the past month. I really like it a lot. Everything is very good. The service is good and the atmosphere is great. I like the inside and the outside, and the part that's both inside and outside! The cauliflower is exceptional, and the chicken is enough for two people. The salads are wonderful. I loved the free dessert for checking in on Yelp. The first time I went, the server was great. The second time, I think that possibly she was a new server who was a bit overwhelmed. The only negative on the food was the biscuit. It seemed burnt, but the manager stated that this is how it is baked. I will skip the biscuit next time.
(4)Matt G.
This was the worst service I have ever had. My wife had to call the manager over because our server didn't come to our table for over twenty minutes. He said he would make sure we enjoyed the rest of our night and then another ten minutes went by before we saw our server, it was unreal. We ordered the calamari which was very mediocre, and the pasta I had tasted like Olive Garden, very salty and disappointing. My wife had the Ahi tuna tacos, ate one and was done. We have never called the manager over at a restaurant, and also have never not finished our meal based on quality of food. The atmosphere is actually really nice, the food is very subpar for the cost (our bill was $120), and our service was just awful. Finally, I have a peanut allergy and let the server know when we got seated. I ordered the beet salad, which did not mention peanuts, but it was covered in nuts when it came out. The server didn't say anything and the manager said it wasn't supposed to have nuts, he grabbed a menu and kept asking himself when it was printed, as if the date that the menus were printed relate to the peanuts that were all over the salad...what?! Very odd, never going back.
(1)Melissa C.
Brunch review.. I've been here a lot but only for brunch.. Its freezing in here ... So cold that your coffee cools off.. Maybe thats why the food is usually lukewarm or just plain cold.... The scrambled eggs didn't seem scrambled? More like cooked beforehand and cut from a square tray. They have a good banana muffin.
(2)Amy O.
The service is way too slow even when it was close to closing time and the tables were mostly empty. We were one of the last tables to leave as it was past closing time and the waiter took forever. He spent 20 minutes by the bar area and didn't bother to check up on us even though we wanted to pay and leave. There was no excuse for him to be dragging when it came to getting the bill and waiting on us because he was waiting on no other tables. I really wanted to like this place because I often eat at the LEYE restaurants but in all honesty it's overrated and they need better staff.
(1)Roxy A.
Summer House Santa Monica..a place where you can getaway from the Chicago Winter and feel like it's Summer in Santa Monica. Also as an LA native, SHSM makes me feel like I'm home and not freezing my ass off in Chicago. Took my familia here for the first weekend that SHSM launched their brunch menu & I gotta say I truly enjoyed it. Even my Mom who is not a big fan of breakfast/brunch loved her meal. The ambience is great here and I really recommend coming here on the weekend for brunch so you can experience the ambience. They have high ceilings with skylight windows so the sunlight comes into the "Vitamin D" room. Upon getting seated they also offer you some snazzy SHSM white wayfarers so you can bask in the sun during brunch. The white washed walls and wicker chairs really make you feel like you're dining al fresco in California. I ordered the Caramelized French Toast which was accompanied by some homemade whipped cream. It was delicious and not too sweet. Also ordered up a side of the candied bacon..definitely try this..you will not regret it!!! The bf, mom & sis all opted for the special which was a Lobster Eggs Benedict. Had a bite of this and it was really good. They didn't skimp on the lobster and the hollandaise was delish. My dad ordered one of the hash dishes. They also had a tableside OJ/juice service which was nice and the mimosas were really refreshing. I made reservations via opentable and was glad that they also set up a high chair for my 1 yr old niece. The service was great and they didn't treat us like the plague for bringing a baby to brunch. They were also accommodating with her and made sure my niece had something to eat as well. SHSM is part of the LEYE group (Lettuce Entertain you) and the set up is somewhat reminiscent of Beatrix in River North. Make sure to make a stop at their pastry bar on the way out. The cookies are to die for..chocolate chunk cookies w rice krispies?! Looking forward to coming back again for lunch & dinner!!!
(5)Frances A.
Not sure if the food lives up to the price tag. But I did enjoy it. I've been there on several occasions - dinner and brunch. Beautiful clean atmosphere - and the same can be said for the food. Tuna tacos are very clean and fresh. Literally like they pulled it straight from the ocean just as you ordered it. My only issue, is that they are pretty scrimpy. Yes, yes, yes, America is absolutely gluttonous, but your price point is high, and I never felt full. Not even after the "A Hot Mess of Fries". The al pastor was cooked to a tea. The fries were unbelievably mushy (not in the good way). But the fried egg definitely saved the plate. But then again, anything with an egg on it is better. So not necessarily innovative. Santa Monica egg white omelet was very pretty - but it sorta ended there. It was so incredibly bland. I like the fact that this place tries to be healthy. But at the risk of taste?????? Loved the cookie... w/ ice cream. Thank goodness for the cookie.
(3)Rebecca N.
Another good restaurant in the books for LEY. Similar food as Hub with less trendy-more beachy vibes. I REALLLY liked everything we got-- I just didn't think anything was that different. The eggplant was outstanding as was the roasted chicken and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were salty and just average. The guac and tuna tostados were good, but nothing to write home about. I will definitely go back here as is a restaurant where everyone can find something and it is not too expensive, but nothing blew me away. There is still a lot on the menu I am excited to try! ***Expect to wait past your reservation time***
(3)Joey F.
Went to Summer House for the first time and thought the food was awesome. They have the best Calamari ever. Then the tacos were awesome too. The only downfall is that the portions aren't to big. To end the meal they have a big cookie counter. Cookies are huge and I suggest not eating one yourself unless you want to be nauseas the rest of the night!
(5)Missy C.
I dream about their smoked salmon hashbrown benedict and candied bacon basically every day of my life.
(5)Grennan K.
The decor is very airy & light. Something straight out of California. Beautiful white painted wood and super vaulted ceilings with the front entrance as a garage opening door (sort of like american junkie.) It's very light hearted and inviting unlike most other pretentious creepy dim light joints. Came here to eat with bunny for dinner time. It was a tuesday night and surprisingly packed to the brim. This is definitely a hot spot for congregating with girlfriends... as we observed that it was packed with women. Anyway the rainbow trout was perfectly flaky and very flavorful served on top of amazing whipped potato. The menu is very american (sandwiches, seafood, meat.) I'd definitely come back here to sit in the cute circle booths. Cannot wait until summer time to hit this spot up, again. p.s. cookie bar right in front is awesome.
(4)Paola S.
From the wonderful ambience to the delicious food this place is a must. We ordered the breakfast tostadas and the summer burrito. Very tasteful! Our friends had blueberry waffles and the Acapulco omelette and they were very pleased. The patio gives you the feeling of being in mid summer even when it is low 50s outside. Can't wait to go back, we are seriously considering going back as many times as needed to try everything in the menu.
(5)Shradha A.
Love love love this new place! The ambiance was so well lit, spacious and California! We actually felt we were on vacation from the cold Chicago winter for two hours! Service was solid but of course the food was the second best thing about this place, following closely the wonderful atmosphere! I had the breakfast burrito and loved it! My friends got the scrambled eggs and tostada and enjoyed their food too! They do take brunch reservations on opentable and I highly recommend it!
(5)Nathan F.
Get the calamari. It is life changing. Also, if you enjoy bourbon, get the Monte Cali. If they try to seat you around the perimeter of the vitamin d room during daylight hours, throw a fit. Not your fault they designed 3/4 of the restaurant to be amazing and 1/4 to be stupid. Did you pick that up? It's called the vitamin d room, and you need to sit there. Request it. Don't take no for an answer. We were here last week, and then again today. Our waitress last week was amazing. Our guy this time was new, or just really really nervous talking to us because we were so attractive. Also the food runner was basically throwing the plates onto the table and running away, again, probably intimidated by our attractiveness. I'm joking. What the hell was that ... where do you find your staff? Introverts.com ?
(5)Sheila C.
Omelette perfection is what I experienced at Summer House today. Avocado, crispy tortilla chips, fresh cheese, and carefully prepared eggs... I also vaguely remember friendly service, tasty berry jam, fresh butter, and an interesting crowd/scene at 11am on a Saturday... But above all else the omelette...
(5)Yvette F.
A favorite for brunch. Can get busy and loud, but staff is friendly and accommodating. Atmosphere is lovely year round! A very trendy Lincoln Park crowd.
(4)Sarah Charlie L.
Cool little spot, with an awesome patio, and I mean awesome BUT that's about it. The decor is very California and almost brings me back to my time in San Francisco. The service was not as great as the decor... After waiting 2.5 hours to be seated and the host who was practically ten years old told me that I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. Luckily I actually quoted the girl by reminding her that she said the wait would not exceed 2.5 hours and then miraculously a table was ready... The waiter was quite pushy since our seats were 'excellent' since there were many others also sharing the same hungry wait that my friends and I endured. (Only we did sneak off down the block for a pitcher of sangria from Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba since after all no one likes a sober Sunday Funday.) Food is 'okay' but nothing that you can't get elsewhere for way cheaper, in other words, cost does not meet the taste or value. Drinks were not super noteworthy. Would I go back? Probably not. I think instead I'll go to San Francisco for the actual summer slash California effect.
(2)Daniella H.
Very cute atmosphere! I went with my girlfriends for a birthday dinner. It was loud and the service was very poor. We were all very disappointed, our waitress came to our table a total of 3 times and was not friendly at all. The food was good, small portions.
(2)Mimi M.
Awesome food, wonderful ambiance, & good service! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
(5)Cassandra M.
Laid back Cali style, good food, cocktails + jeans. Heard mad reviews about the place and while the atmosphere and service was great, the food really wasn't that impressive. And you can't get a glass of wine under $15?
(3)Paul K.
Loved the layout and decor of the restaurant. The atmosphere was laid back and vibrant. Food was great but there was a little overload on the 1000 island dressing.
(4)Lindsey C.
The thing making this review so low is more of a moral issue for me. Looking at my bill, split between my party of 8, my portion was around $45. The breakdown for the tip % was calculated wrong that was on the bottom of my receipt, and it was in the servers favor. So a 20% tip for my bill was said to be over $10. Don't get me wrong, I used to work in the industry, tipping more is standard for me. But why lie about it?! Why do it dishonestly?!
(1)Margaret H.
We were very lucky to be able to reserve a table (via Open Table) on a Friday night during restaurant week. We have been wanting to go to a restaurant that will make us forget about the life sucking Chicago winter and make us remember that summer is right around the corner. Enter the cute interior and summer count down clock!! Enough of that.. lets talk food. To start, we ordered the Hot Mess of Fries based off a recommendation. Think poutine, but not so heavy with an overabundance of gravy. Pulled pork, bleu cheese, and a fried egg top the home-cut fries. There was almost too much bleu cheese, but we still ate every bite. For our main courses: Get the Lobster Tagliatelle, don't look back. It was flavorful with a kick of spice! I also tasted the Lobster Frites and Pork Shoulder. The pork shoulder was absolutely delicious, paired with their root vegetable mash. I will definitely be back to order that as my main entree! We were running late to a movie, so we didn't enjoy dessert there, but I snagged a few cookies from their bakery counter, conveniently located right when you walk in/out. You pass it before even getting to the hostess stand. I grabbed the bacon chocolate chip cookie and the apple oatmeal cookie and didn't look back. I repeat: BACON. CHOCOLATE. COOKIE. The ambience is perfect for those who long for California. Summer is infused in the beach house-esque decor, from the lights to the walls. Definitely a cozy feel! A few notes of improvement: When I walked in and informed the hostess about my reservation, she didn't walk me to my table where the rest of my group was sitting, but pointed to it from across the busy dining room, stating, "They're over there." They did that to my friend that followed as well. You're busy, I get it, but taking me to my table is part of the job description. Overall, a wonderful experience! I can see this restaurant being a big success in Chicago!
(5)Jimmy J.
A.) Wonderful build out. Open, airy, lots of white. Bright and contemporary. A non Chicago feel. Outdoor patio area was a nice touch. Upscale but not stuffy. B.) Matt, server was friendly and casual, but still professional. Prompt. Attentive. Alvin, our busboy was warm and on top of things. C.) Summerhouse is an excellent option for those who like to eat semi healthy or vegetarian. In a day and age where the rage is serving fried pig parts and cooking in different butters, this place serves some healthy entree and appetizer options that focus on locally sourced vegetables and high end grains. Charred Brussel sprouts in aged balsamic- 5 stars Roasted cauliflower in jalapeno pesto-5 stars Quinoa & Avocado Sushi Roll-5 Stars (wow!) Kale & Arugula Salads- 4 stars Bucatini pomodoro-3.5 stars. Quality noodle but semi bland. Porterhouse Pork Chop-1 star. The one failure of our experience. Dry. No flavor. No sauce. But the corn n fava succotash w hand cut fries on the plate was great. Complimentary dessert for our anniversary was chocolate cake with house made ice cream. Stellar but rich rich. 2 cocktails. Tax. $120. For the quality and neighborhood, not so bad. Highly recommended. Another great concept from LEYE inc. We ll be back
(4)Ryan S.
Went for lunch and the menu was more of a brunch/breakfast menu. Got the fries and calamari for starters and both were pretty good. For the main course tried to get a short rib hash but server failed to let me know ahead of time so kinda rushed and picked the waffle and chicken. Chicken was dry and waffle was pretty hard. Aside from my main meal all around service was good (excluding forgetting to let me know the sorry rib was out). Busy spot, go if your curious but I'd pass next time.
(3)Michael S.
Good food, disappointing experience. Strike 1 - We had a reservation but had to wait 25 minutes for our table. That's excessive. Strike 2 - We ordered a cocktail off the menu. They were out of it - no problem. Discussed alternatives with the server. They have several non-alcoholic fruit drinks which we added vodka to (similar to the menu item we had wanted). When the bill came these drinks were almost 50% more than the cocktails on the menu. When we asked why, she checked with her manager. Their response was that the brunch cocktails are discounted. Okay, but I wanted one of those, but they were out, and these were our substitutes. But even then, they charged us more than the "regular" non-discounted brunch price. Makes no sense, but they didn't care. We would have simply ordered a different option off the menu had we known we'd pay such an extreme premium. Strike 3 - My sandwich was made incorrectly. No problem, the waitress said they'd remake it. But they didn't. They attempted to add what they'd forgotten, except they didn't. They still forgot one of my toppings, and it still had a topping on it I had not ordered (and that I don't like). I didn't change my mind after I ordered, they made it wrong. But they still didn't remake it, and they still didn't give me all of my toppings extra-cost toppings on their second attempt (but they still billed me for them). Good ambiance, and the food is in fact good. But I'm so disappointed by the overall experience I will never go back. They simply could not have cared less about whether we enjoyed our experience. They simply wanted our money (including for things we didn't get) and showed no concern when we even bothered to inquire about our bill.
(1)Diana K.
Definitely worth a try. It's hard to get a rez though so make one on opentable in advance. Even with a rez, it took 35 minutes to be seated so that part wasn't great. The vibe is very similar to Beatrix with the cookie bar and same delicious cookies, and overall beachy/calfornia feeling. Be careful if it's raining because their atrium roof leaks a little - nothing you can't withstand, but it's noticeable. Oh and street parking was a bitch. And valet is a dollar more than Joe's in River North- take a cab not to deal with that mess! Was so excited to see homemade biscuits on the menu - BUT THEY WERE OUT. DO YOU KNOW HOW SAD THIS PREGGO LADY WAS TO HEAR THAT? I was pretty despondent, for the rest of the meal, not going to lie. Waiter should have offered some bread in exchange but just was like yeah we're out, sorry. Again, I cannot emphasize how sad I was lol. So the meal goes on, we share the burrata which was delicious and the spinach dip which was forgettable and rather small portion for the price. Moving to more the main meal, we share the korean pork tacos which was made of pretty good quality meat and had good flavor, but it felt like an appetizer. It just had some lettuce cups and little bit of slaw. Put some rice on the plate or something to round it out. The two others at my table liked the lobster orecchiette, but I thought it tasted a little metallic, although the texture of the pasta was nice. I think the favorite was the pork porterhouse - good flavor served with delicious mashed potatoes. Good news! After asking about the biscuits for the third time, they have made more! I now know that my sadness was totally valid because these were awesome. I liked the plain honey more than the jalapeno butter. Desserts sounded pretty good, and they had sundaes which you could add half a cookie to. I recommend the rice krispie chocolate chip- yum, They were sorta cheap on the ice cream. I literally ate a whole spoonful of whipped cream because it looked like it should have been ice cream. I mean there's worse things to eat in life, but I would have preferred a better ice cream to whipped cream ratio. So to sum it up, I'd go back .... and maybe just for the biscuits.
(4)Neamen L.
The blondies are a must! This place has the feel of a California restaurant. It gets a bit crowded so make sure you make a reservation. Pricing isn't over the top and the food quality is good.
(4)Michael H.
Disappointing.. I really like LEYE and all their concepts but this place needs a new manager. The staff just doesn't give a shit cause they know they will make $$ no matter what! Sat at bar for almost 10 min while the "Bartenders" restocked the bar? Kid could barely speak.. Gave a menu.. The prices are absolutely outrageous!! $20 for tacos? You do that// draft beer $7? Lots of strange Lincoln Park folks inside.. It's packed and I really don't know why? Tried a burger and it it was luke warm with those little "fries" from the bottom of the bag! Totally uninspired crap// 3 on the scale at best and blew $28 for a lousy burger and ONE BEER!! Only saving Grace was the drunk Lincoln Park Trixie with the silicone! Sellers here.. Get dat did
(2)Teresa H.
I am obsessed with this place. My best friend took me here for my birthday dinner and I was seriously blown away by the cocktails, food, and atmosphere. It's a nice little piece of summertime -- especially in the dead of Chicago winter. Cocktails: I got the palm fizz and Sonoma coast, my friend got the bonfire and the palm fizz. All were perfectly executed -- props to the bartender. Now into the food: we got the ahi tuna tostadas, fresh burrata, and spicy calamari for appetizers. The first two were incredible, I could've eaten about 5 orders of each. The flavors of the spicy calamari were delicious but it obviously sat in the window for a little bit because we were taking our time with the other apps, no biggie. I would definitely order it again. We split the ricotta & pecorino ravioli for an entree and that was amazing as well. Finally for dessert we got the lemon meringue which was light, good way to finish our meal. I would've gave a 5-star review if it were solely on the food but the service was subpar. Our server was spacey to the point where I couldn't tell if she was new or just overwhelmed because it was busy. Either way it didn't turn me off but would've been nice to see her smile a little bit. Overall, I will be back to enjoy the beachy vibe -- especially in the summer with the retractable roof!! Ps - get some cookies on your way out. I recommend the peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie!
(4)Andre W.
You can't miss this place as its the very lit up spot a little south of Armitage on Halsted. This place really looks like it should be in Cali and not Chicago, especially in the cold blistery winter of Chicago. Upon walking in you will see a nice selection of fresh baked goods at the entrance...everything looked good especially the magic brownies. We were seated immediately since we had a 6PM reservation...probably would have been tough to get a seat as the place got pretty full on a chilly, icy Sunday night. They have a huge window in the front which probably opens up during the warmer months. They also have comfy looking couches in front of the window in which I bet will be hard to get once the warmth of spring/summer shows up. The lighting is very CA...not too dark and not too light, but almost perfect for the setting. The interirior is very nice in size as it has regular tables, booths and hi-tops along with TVs hung for your watching pleasure. The menu is not huge, but definitely effective. We started out with calamari as an appetizer and it was simply delicious. Some calamari is very thin and bready (not a real word I don't think), but this one had much meat inside of the breading. Some of the best I've had! For my entree I went with the Rainbow Trout along with caramelized brussel sprouts. The trout came with the skin for flavoring along with mashed potatoes...very good. The caramelized sprouts were off the chain as the flavor was very kick ass. In reference to drinks, they did not disappoint. I started with the exotic fruit punch which is on tap. It includes Tito's Vodka along with seasonal exotic fruit and was pretty good. I decided to go with the Sonoma Coast next which is a chef-crafted cocktail. It includes pisco, lemon juice, pineapple juice and allspice..very good as I wanted to drink it for the rest of the night. Awesome spot for the area and will definitely be a hot spot in the warmer months.
(5)Kelly N.
I had a ton of friends go to Summer House and heard such great things, so I knew it'd be the perfect place to bring my mom and sister for the first time. We were not disappointed! We started with the biscuits and cauliflower as appetizers - sooo good!! I got the chicken tacos, which were pretty standard, nothing special. The rice that came with the dish was a little hard in spots, but other than that, the meal sufficed. My mom raved about her lobster pasta and my sister couldn't stop talking about her fish tacos. She said they were the best she's ever had. We were about to leave when we were suckered into getting dessert - and it definitely didn't disappoint. We had homemade vanilla bean ice cream with butterscotch sauce and brownie bites - complete with half of a chocolate chip sea salt cookie! Needless to say, we had to be rolled outta there after :) All in all, the ambiance of the restaurant is top-notch - such a great place to go as a couple, bring your family, whatever. You really feel like you're somewhere else (maybe Santa Monica, perhaps?) and not in Chicago. I also tried brunch at Summer House a week later and got the caramelized french toast, which was delicious. Be prepared to take half home - sooo filling! I also split the bacon steak and hash browns with my boyfriend. I was a fan of the hashbrowns, but not of the bacon steak - it was too fatty for my taste. Overall, highly recommend Summer House. I think the next times I go, I'll be going solely for appetizers, dessert and/or drinks.
(5)Ted N.
Great design! The interior is beautiful and very reminiscent of California. The details, like matching sunglasses for the service staff, were cool. The food was also good. The French toast was a huge hit with all four of us. The Santa Monica omelette was also highly regarded- light, but filling, with a bit of spice. The vegetable hash was less popular, and not as hashy as expected. Overall, even though one dish was unspectacular, we would all love to come back again.
(5)Diana P.
We were exciting to try this place and didn't realize it was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant until we got there. Decor is unique, light and airy. Great place for dinner with a group. Here's what we had: Spicy calamari: so delic despite others reviews here on YELP Hamachi: fresh and melted in our mouths. If you're not a raw sushi person, this is prob not the dish for you Polenta potatoes: tastes like mashed potatoes with creamy cheese-heavier dish but good side! Burrato: so good but spicy so beware (we didn't know this) Crab pasta: eh, wasn't a fan, too fishy and the sauce wasn't anything special Rice Krispies: amazing but very buttery. Not your typical stale Rice Krispies. Overall, enjoyable meal, everything was fresh, well prepared but left us wanting lots and lots of water which meant salt overload. Staff was great, our waitress very sweet, knowledgeable and made our experience great-didn't rush us with anything which we loved.
(4)Carol K.
Wow! What could be better on a cold Wintry night than a blast of California with Summer House Santa Monica? From the time you twirl through the front door- you feel as if you have traveled 1800 miles to the west coast and are sitting at the beach, as this place is all decked out for Summer with whitewashed walls, front windows that will open to the street in the Summer, a glass roof, ferns hanging from the ceiling and beach balls galore. The focal point of the restaurant is the open kitchen and wood burning grill. Even the servers have a casual feel with their plaid shirts and easy going attitudes. But there is nothing casual about the food that they are serving here. Everything we had was absolutely terrific and our server, Adam, was well informed, personable and just the kind of guy you want waiting on you. I also have to give a shout out to the host stand. On the snowy night I was there- the traffic was abysmal so I was totally late for my reservation. And although some of my party was at the bar-no one thought to tell the host that they were there. So imagine my dismay when I arrived to a packed restaurant only to find my reservation was long gone and there were people standing in line. Well thanks to the thoughtful hosts, they were able to seat our party at a fabulous table by moving a few things around. They didn't have to do this but the fact that they did made me a very happy customer, indeed! Once seated- we ordered an array of appetizers to begin . . .the "hot mess of fries" was deliciously decadent with the egg and cheese on top, the guacamole and chips were fresh and plentiful and the Hamachi was also quite good. For our entrees- I went with the short rib as that was our server's suggestion and he certainly did not steer me wrong! It was so tender that it practically fell apart. And my friends ordered the fish tacos- quite unexpected with a nice piece of fish and then the toppings to create your own. Part of the décor is a huge sign that simply says "Yes". And as a person who spends a lot of time in the service industry I hoped it was more than décor . . .I hoped it was a mantra. And it was. I asked if any of the vegetables could be gotten steamed and while there was a moment's hesitation, our server glanced at the sign and simply said, "yes". He'd make it happen. And so he did! The wine list includes several nice ones by the glass and the cocktail list had a couple that I think were worthy of mention. The Pisco sour was delicious as was the Bourbon drink (kind of like an old fashioned). And given all the food we had, there was no room for dessert although the pumpkin chiffon pie sounded very interesting. Know if you drive that they do have valet out front for $12 (a mandatory in this neighborhood where parking is near next to impossible). And they also have a little bakery, coffee area up front where you can buy some really interesting looking cookies including one that is even gluten free! All in all, Summer House Santa Monica surpassed my expectations. And for this real Santa Monica lovin' gal, it made me feel like if I looked out the window- I might just see the Santa Monica pier and Ferris wheel looming right outside. It's just that authentic!
(5)Nancy V.
Feels very upscale beachside. We had a 5pm reservation because any later was booked solid. By 5:45 the entire place was packed & hopping! My friends & I had gazpacho, fish tacos & maine lobster orrecchiette (the lightest pasta dish I've ever tasted*****). Everything was so delicious we didn't want to leave. Decent wine list. Portions nice size...not overwhelming. The dessert bar is FUN....get something to go. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Wait staff efficient, knowledgable and friendly. Eager to go back and try more of the dishes!
(5)Andrea M.
I LOVED this place they have the best cookies in Chicago. I tried the avo toast for lunch and it was amazing!
(5)obsession c.
Summer House is my go to place on any special afternoon and for dinner time occasion. This lettuce entertain you restaurant has as a true feeling of summer no matter what season it is. The food is outstanding service is top notch. The staff is always willing to accommodate and management knows how to operate a restaurant. If you're in Lincoln Park you must try summer house!
(5)Cheryl B.
This place is an awesome addition to Lincoln Park! The restaurant is large and very inviting. I love the decor and it's perfect for a subzero temp day. White washed walls and rattan chairs with a huge skylight and hanging plants make you feel like you have been transported to somewhere warm. A nice cheap fix for the winter blues - beats paying to go on vacation! We tried this place out for brunch last Saturday. We found easy street parking a few blocks up (much better than the $13 valet!) and while it was packed, we were seated at a high top in the bar area. The table was really close to the server computer (a little too close) but I was just happy to have a table. Our server seemed nervous and awkward, but he said they had only been open a few weeks or had just started serving brunch. We started with a coffee (they serve Dark Matter) and I got their Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary was pretty good, had a unique taste to it and was served with a candied bacon garnish (bonus!). I had been eyeing the hashbrown benedict, but the server recommended the pork shank hash and the chicken tostadas. Both sounded good, so my husband and I each ordered one (I got the tostadas). I was not a fan of the pork shank hash, but my husband ate it all. The chicken tostadas were pretty good, the sunny side up egg was a bit undercooked for my taste but I still enjoyed it all. The next morning we woke up craving brunch again (I may have a brunch addiction). This time I called ahead and got a reservation for 10:30am (OpenTable wasn't working). We arrived and were seated, this time RIGHT next to the coffee station. This is where I take off a star- they need to move this table. Servers were bumping up against the table and reaching over us the entire meal to get coffee. Ironically our server was a bit slow on getting us coffee refills when our food came and I was very tempted to reach over and help myself. Oh well. This time we tried the hashbrown benedict and belgian waffle, both were fantastic. The hollandaise had a slight kick to it and the hashbrowns were nice and crispy. Can't wait to come back and try dinner! Minus one star for $13 valet ($8-$10 is more the norm for Lincoln Park), some 3/4 star menu items, and awkward tables. Five stars for ambience and the hashbrown benedict!
(4)Shiela R.
Incredible food and really great atmosphere. Loved the drinks!! Fun to sit at the bar for dinner if you're a small group of 2 or 3.
(5)Lois M.
Love the biscuits, delicious. made me feel kinda like I was back home in the south although the vibe here is very summer in California as described in other reviews. Its a perfect place to escape the dreary Chicago late winter/early spring doldrums. The food here is all around great and you can't go wrong. They have something for everyone with nicely done and generously portioned fish or veggie tacos, good veggie starters (liked the cauliflower) and some healthy options for an entrée like the asian quinoa entrée. Lobster sushi roll was pretty good. I would've given 5 stars if not for the service we got. The server was really pretty nice but we felt rushed. He brought our check before we got our dessert. I guess it was understandable because we were sharing entrees and not drinking much, and it didn't deter me from wanting to go back sometime. Also we were getting free dessert through yelp. Cookies=yum. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Peggy T.
My boyfriend and I got so many Lettuce Entertain You gift cards for the holidays, so we decided to use them and celebrate our one year anniversary here last Friday. Many of our friends and suggested this place in the past, and we are glad we took their recommendations seriously. It was packed when we arrived but we were seated right on time for our reservation. The atmosphere is really bright and our server was really nice. The menu has a pretty random selection, but based on yelp reviews, I had to try the Calamari as an appetizer. It was amazing, and the spicy dipping sauce was perfect. I had the Half Chicken with mashed potatoes and kale. Let me say I was weird about Kale as a side, but it was really good. My boyfriend had the short rib and he ate every last bite of it. He can be a tough critic (hes a foodie) and he raved about everything. We also got the Jalapeno Cauliflower as a side. It was good but nothing amazing, I probably wouldn't order it again. Because we checked in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice cream for dessert! Definitely don't miss that opportunity. Overall, it was a great experience, we will be back!
(5)Monica B.
I came here last night for Restaurant Week with a couple girlfriends. Considering how cold it was, the interior of the restaurant was warm and inviting -- felt just like I was in California. I wasn't planning to drink, but the Restaurant Week menu included a glass of wine (nice touch), so I went with one of the red blends -- delish. I had the ahi tuna tostadas, salmon and warm cookie with ice cream. Overall, it was a great intro to the restaurant, but the regular menu had several dishes I'm more excited to try. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Callan M.
definitely pay for the ambiance. the food wasn't better than numerous other restaurants ive tried. however, the cookies are amazing. go for brunch, everyone has said it is way better!
(3)Bridget C.
My boyfriend and I went to Summer House last night for a casual date night. The atmosphere was perfect for a icky Chicago winter night. After looking at several reviews, it seems to be a very popular brunch spot, but we decided to give dinner a try. We had a 7:30 reservation. It was very crowded when we arrived. Even though we got there a few minutes earlier than our reservation, we still did not get seated on time. When we did get seated, my boyfriend and I noticed a simulated warm breeze blowing on us. I get cold very easily, and especially hate feeling cold while dining, but this "breeze" was a great temperature and really made us feel that we were sitting outside on a warm summer night! It was wonderful. We immediately ordered two cocktails and the tuna tostadas to start. The tostadas came out pretty quickly and were delicious! They have a tiny spicy kick to them, but is nicely balanced out with the watermelon. Our only complaint with these, is that we wish there was more of it! YUM! Our cocktails took about 15 minutes to arrive to our table. We had completely finished our appetizer at that point. I ordered the bonfire, and my boyfriend ordered the jack rabbit. Both were extremely good, and not overly sweet. I don't like super sugary cocktails. These were perfect in my opinion. For dinner, I ordered the seared tuna tacos. I really like that the tortillas come on the side. This allows the diner to build their own tacos according to taste preferences. The salsa and the chipotle mayo were both delicious. I would absolutely order this meal again. It was a perfect amount of food for me. I was satisfied, but not overly stuffed. My boyfriend ordered the zinfandel seared short ribs. It was served on mashed potatoes and was topped with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and a flavorful gravy. It was super tender and practically melted in your mouth. I was able steal a few bites of this dish from my boyfriend, though I think it was hard for him to sacrifice the few bites. He loved it. Since we checked in on Yelp, we were given a free cookie topped with ice cream. The cookie was HUGE, warm, and gooey. Even though neither of us were hungry, we devoured that cookie... It didn't stand a chance. The reason I am giving Summer House 4 stars instead of 5, is because of service. We were not checked on enough. I think we ate our entire meals without our server asking if we needed anything. I may have ordered a second cocktail if he asked me during our meal. Overall it was a great experience, and we are looking forward to going back! Hopefully the spotty service was a fluke!
(4)Zack H.
I think I made our waitress uncomfortable when she asked me if I wanted my onions to be raw or grilled and while making eye contact with her I loudly said "RAW". Shout out to ODB
(4)Rocco S.
Just went there for lunch. The vitamin d room is very nice and airy and on a sunny winter day like today you felt like you could be on someone's deck in southern California. We got a couple of appetizers and sandwiches. The food was just okay. The highlight was probably the Brussels sprouts. Although they were a bit over cooked. And a couple of the items were overly salty for our tastes. Service was a bit slow. For the price, I think you can find a more interesting place to eat. Lunch for 2 with no alcohol was $65 with tip. Might go back for breakfast one day. Some of the items looked good.
(3)SHONA M.
This place reminds you of the Hampton's! The hostess was very nice .We (my family) made reservations but completely missed the time was greeted with a warm welcome and friendly smile to still be taken. This is where the issue arises and why they didn't get 5 stars. First after being seated for almost 10 mins no one came to greet us, another waitress was in sheer shock that we asked for her help with ordering.. After looking very bothered she sent someone over that greeted us 5 minutes later. After that storm it was all sunshine from there I'm only guessing our food took longer than the adjacent tables were due to what we ordered but all in all I was happy to celebrate my Birthday lunch there.. The kale lemonade was freakin Awesome.. More seasoning needed on the guacamole but salsa was superb.. I will be back next time for dinner... The ambience really gives a wonderful euphoric feeling !!!!
(4)Lauren E.
Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 The atmosphere at this place cannot be beat. I went in the middle of winter and felt like I was on vacation. Everything about it is perfectly executed. I also love the kitschy bakery case in the front to pick out a cookie for dessert. The food was fine. Nothing was excellent, nothing was poor. I felt that it was a bit overpriced for what it was. I will definitely be back, but for an occasion where the focus is on drinks and a lively atmosphere, not for the food.
(4)Andrea R.
Well it most definitely isn't summer outside, but the cold weather isn't keeping the crowds away from Summer House. We recently had a girls night out at this new swanky restaurant and the big question once we arrived was out my friend scored a reservation. Lucky! After enjoying a palm fizz at the bar my party of 5 sat down for some delicious food served to us by the lovely Scott. We went the sharing route and everything was delightful. Personal faves included the fresh burrata app, spicy calamari app & the fish tacos. Great company, terrific cocktails, scrumptious food, stellar service (even including a round of jewish geography with our waiter) = one perfect GNO. And even more perfect...ending the meal with the heavenly chocolate cake and a cookie! If you're not as lucky to score a reservation at Summer House they've got a counter of baked goods you can order from anytime. Thank goodness I"m a 30 minute car ride away or I'd be there daily. Another culinary hit from our friends @ LEYE!
(5)Shayna Y.
Walking into this restaurant from the brutal 5 degree weather, I felt immediately transported to Miami. The restaurant has a summery feel with a countdown until summer. I went during restaurant week which included 3 courses + a glass of wine. The restaurant is extremely accommodating for gluten free eaters. To start, I got, "ahi tuna tostadas" - the ahi tuna had great flavor and mixed with a bit of avocado and a chip, was delicious. For my entree, I got salmon with cauliflower puree and brussel sprouts. The entree was light, yet flavorful. My only complaint was that my salmon was not cooked enough to medium as had been requested - my friends also had a similar complaint with their fish. For dessert, I was expecting ice cream or fruit given my gluten allergy, but they had one of their famous cookies gluten free. It was the size of my head, warm, and came with a scoop of ice cream. I wanted so much to stop eating, but it was so delicious, I finished the entire cookie. I highly recommend this place - I love the ambiance and the food is great.
(4)Trevor H.
I would loved to have given Summer House Santa Monica a much better review because I have definitely had 5 star experiences in the past. However, the shine and sparkle of the initial open must have worn off because our Father's Day Brunch was not up to the bar I had set bragging to my parents about how delightful Summer House was. Needless to say, the decor and atmosphere make you feel like you are dining right in Santa Monica with plants and a light and airy feel. Our service was a bit odd to start off. First the host took our drink orders and then our waiter came by and asked the same question. He didn't realize the host had taken our order so totally fine. He came back to get our meal orders after we had received our drinks and our roasted cauliflower app (which is DELICIOUS by the way! Order two if you are like my parents who thought the portion was too small. I had no complaints on portion size). We settled in with another round of drinks and waited for our meals. And we waited. And waited. Finally my mom flagged down our waiter who while very nice, had become MIA for a while. He appeared attentive to other tables while ours seemed to get lost in the mix. Getting lost seemed to be the trend as after several minutes, he came back apologizing that our ticket was lost by the kitchen and they would be bringing out our meals ASAP. Our meals did come out and while my mom and I both ordered the Roasted Vegetable Hash, ours looked very different. Her's had lettuce and mine was lacking, looking especially tiny in the large bowl. While the portion would have been fine if we hadn't been waiting nearly an hour for our meal, I could have eaten more in this situation. The server did profusely apologize and offered us anything else we wanted. My mom was a bit more dramatic about the situation than necessary even though we were already assured that our bill was comped. I will say our waiter, I believe his name was Tim C., did everything he could to make up for the situation. We ended up walking our with a few cookies to enjoy for the rest of the day. Like I said, I have had exceptional experiences at Summer House but I'm only giving three stars right now because my dad's brunch wasn't what we expected. Hopefully next time will be better!
(3)Mike R.
I've been to Napa before, so the theme of it was quite interesting. My wife and I also adore Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so this seemed like a slam dunk. Meal was meh (the barada was great though) Service was ehhh The drinks were solid But when it came down to everything, it was an overpriced Lincoln Park hot spot that attracted every boat shoe, magenta short wearing nerd in Lincoln Park. Lettuce has so many better restaurants and I feel like this one is trying too hard.
(2)Elyse G.
Super relaxing beach house vibe very chic open air ceiling. Love it. Great crowd and music. Menu perfect for breezy lunch with wine
(4)Lisa F.
Food is good but not as exceptional as the build out of this place. Truly a beautifully well put together place. The staff is over attentive which is worthy of 5 stars but the meals & plating brings it down to 3.5 stars. The braised rib was on the small side - plated solo on a very large round plate with the starch on a side dish?!? The tuna appetizer was plated in a round large dish AGAIN but the meal consisted of five "ritz cracker" sized pieces of tuna w topping & 2 lime wedges. Like I said, the food was good (not great) but the presentation was completely off for a Lettuce restaurant. Prefer BEATRIX for the money, food quality & presentation.
(3)Elle C.
I dined here for a second time on Easter Sunday. Summer House gets 5 stars for delicious food and for how awesomely beachy and airy the restaurant feels. It gets 2 starts for horrible service. My first visit was pretty good except that we had to ask our server two or three times to check on several items we ordered but were not brought to our table. At one point I think he thought we were lying that we never got our cinnamon rolls. Overall, I was pleased with the first experience and wanted to share it with my boyfriend so I made reservations for Easter morning. Because we had early reservations it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. There were only about 10 tables seated in the entire restaurant and the hostess initially tried seating us in the back of the bar near the bathroom. We kindly asked her if we could be moved to the front of the restaurant or in the main dining room and she made it clear she was not happy with our offensive request. Instead of acknowledging my question, she simply turned her back to us and walked back to host stand. A few seconds later we were seated in the main dining room right behind the deli counter. Not the best of starts. My boyfriend looked at me and agreed that she was less than pleasant during that 3 minute exchange. I can't say exactly how long it was, but definitely longer than 5 minutes, we waited before we decided to ask the nice girl behind the deli/bakery counter if she could get us a few cups of coffee. Now I know that 5 minutes isn't generally that long but usually within the first 30 seconds to a minute at most restaurants your server has greeted your table and offered drinks. It was another long while before an aggravated waitress marched up to our table with coffee asking if we were ready to order. We placed our order with Ms. Miserable. She made no attempt to be kind, up-sell us on Mimosas or anything of that sort. Also...no special Easter anything. Come on! I only made this reservation because I thought Summer House would make an attempt to pull together some sort of Easter brunch. Nevertheless, I had the lemon pancakes and bacon and they were heaven. Because the restaurant was still pretty quiet through our meal I could easily observe the previously unfriendly hostess chaising after and hanging on various male servers while other female servers looking annoyed chatting with each other. Ms. Miserable remained pretty slow, unfriendly and unhelpful until about the last 5 minutes of our breakfast when all of a sudden her "Now I'll work for my tip" face came on. We still tipped her 15% even though she didn't deserve a tip at all. I was hoping the first round of rocky service was a fluke but after my second visit, I'm thinking they just hire crappy servers. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon which is a shame because its a really cool place with great food. P.S. If Summer House reads any of these...put spoons in with your forks and knives! Stirring coffee with a fork is just silly.
(3)Gabrielle F.
Oh man was this place good! They have amazing signature cocktails. They have some pricey options on the menu, buteverything I tried was delicious. The place is open and bright, with very nice decor and atmosphere.
(5)Andrew P.
Great food and friendly service. Go in the winter for a summery, Californian haven to escape Chicago's blistery winds. Go in the summer and sit outside. Whenever you go, get the seared ahi tuna tacos and you'll never be disappointed.
(4)Kari F.
Bright and sunny experience at Summer House this weekend!... literally. We were looking for Lettuce Entertain You establishments in the area, and this one was a quick decision that we did not regret. Completely deceiving from the outside, the inside was super perrrty. Everything was bright and white in the open restaurant space near the other side that had highboy tables next to a decent-sized bar. Twas definitely screaming "Summer House".... Almost like a giant beach house with one of the coolest glass roofs I've seen. The decor was awesome... wood burning fireplace, pretty yellows and greens.... Some decor confused the hell out of me... such as the word "YES" in big bold letters... mmkay?... Yes... I digress... We were first seatedby the bar, but (since it was not completely packed) we couldn't resist asking to sit in the beautiful dining area, where the environment was warm and sunny. They obliged with no problem. Our waiter was super nice, attentive, and timely. We ordered wine and apps quickly... They were scrumptious. The spinach and artichoke dip was perfect- lots of chips with nice chunks of artichokes in there. No ripoffs there- and (surprisingly) it wasn't too heavy. The fresh burrata was new to me and freaking loved it with the tomato jam and arugula- all extremely fresh. I LOVE CHEEEEEEEESE!, so this made me really happy. I ordered the hand made pasta- Maine lobster orecchiette. For the price, I didn't expect a ton of lobster, but there were decent chunks... enough where I could share some with my family. The whole dish was packed with flavor but beautiful. I ordered the summer squash side with lemongrass, Thai chili, and basil (which came through almost minty)... it was so simple and insanely good. My favorite small side I got to try would have to be the roasted cauliflower... it was a brilliantly spicy combo. I tried my boyfriend's half chicken dish with kale and mashed potatoes, and almost got jealous it was so good.... Almost. I also tried my mom's salmon, which was cooked and seasoned perfectly- I love that slight crust on a fresh filet.. We finished off the meal by splitting a trifecta chocolate cake (I don't like chocolate cake normally... but this one was nutty) and ice cream with fresh raspberries... I also ordered one of the best lattes of my life that had sage in it.... mm--MM! Copying! Overall, I love this place because it plays with so many herbs, obviously FRESH ingredients and makes them work with a no mercy punch of flavor. Summer House doesn't mess around! Big compliments to the chef! Oh... and randomly Jerry Springer was sitting at the table across from us... Had a vision of his date flipping the table over after finding out he was her baby's daddy.
(5)Julie G.
Been here for brunch about a dozen times and dinner once, and I will say the atmosphere and the drinks are what brings me back over the food. Granted the food is good and the menu has nice options for everyone, but I've certainly had better brunch elsewhere in Chicago. I typically have a reservation so I can't speak to long wait times or unpleasant interactions with the hostess like other reviewers. Fortunately you can usually get a reservation for 4 or less people on pretty short notice. I once arrived around 11 AM one snowy winter morning and was seated immediately without a reservation, but the roads were terrible and not many people were trying to brunch that day. Recommendations: the kicked up kale is by far my favorite drink. I can't go to SH without ordering this! The Mexican hash browns are also a favorite. The English muffins made in house are amazing as well. I've ordered the breakfast burrito more than once, but I probably wouldn't again. It's just Ok. The breakfast sandwich or avocado toast are my usual go to choices. I did get the grilled cheese and fries on one participatory sluggish Sunday and it was delicious! Overall this place is a happy sunny atmosphere and perfect for girls brunch or when the parents are in town!
(4)Doug R.
Don't forget about service!! Yes the location and scenery take you to 'Santa Monica' This place was on our "it list" and we decided to take the plunge for a birthday dinner. Although we had reservations our less than courteous hostess said she'd text us and turned to talk to her waitress friend. We decided to talk into the adjacent pizza bar and received a much needed drink from a very knowledgable and friendly bartender. He gets the 5 stars!!! Our text came (25 min past our reservation time) and we were seated. Obviously a table of 2 gets less attention than a group of 6 but after our initial order of apps there was no sigh of our waitress. Oysters came but were explained which were which.... By time our waitress returned both apps and current drinks were completed. Main course ordered and delivered before next round of drinks?? Yes the food was great. Yes the drinks were great. Just think a lettuce Ent restaurant should know how to nail service first....
(3)Cami P.
Loved everything about Summer House! First off, the ambiance was beautiful. All natural lighting, and the atrium has a skylight like ceiling. Our waiter, Clayton, was extremely helpful and attentive- offered excellent recommendations! Secondly, both the food and drinks were delicious. I started with the Palm Fizz- a wine spritzer and it was amazing. My friend and I then split the Spicy Calamari- GET THIS. It was like a calamari I've never tried before, wasn't so fried where you couldn't taste the actual squid itself and came with an amazing spicy dipping sauce. Then for entrees I got the Trout and my friend got the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were excellent! Both left feeling very full. Finally we stopped at the little bakery our way out with a million different types of desserts. I really don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the choices- we got a chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispie on top and it seriously is the best cookie I have ever had in my life. Soft, gooey, so fresh. Could have eaten 5. As you can tell I love love love this restaurant. Definitely will be back in the future!
(5)Michael A.
Went for brunch on Sunday. After reading the reviews here I was a bit nervous, but what the heck. As more than one person pointed out, the hosts could not be bothered with us. They really don't care. We had to ask if it was ok to sit at the empty bar, "Oh yeah, that's first come". Like Duh.. you idiot is what she was thinking. Anyhow, everything went UP from there. The barstaff was very kind and knowledgable. The drinks were tasty and lets be honest, when you get candied bacon on your bloody mary, how can you go wrong? The ingredients were fresh and tasted so. Great ambiance in the place, with great natural light and a breeze running through it. Had the breakfast tostadas, and they were delicious. Great flavor. We also had the shortrib hash, but that was ok. It was good, but it definitely is not special. It didn't wow you and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone trying to be impressed. Not a lot of flavor, kind of bland. Don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream. We will go back as over all it was a really good experience.
(4)Jane C.
3.5 stars Super cute spot for date or special occasion. There's something for everyone on the menu and food was good. Located conveniently off the Purple/Brown line and a nice neighborhood to walk around before or after dinner.
(4)Karen C.
First & foremost: DEFINITELY make reservations. Second: Bring sunglasses. I'd say this is actually a 3.5 star review, but I thought I'd round up because the food was really great. I made reservations for a mid-afternoon Saturday brunch/lunch situation for myself & the manfriend. When we got there, I checked in, and our table was not ready yet, so we headed outside to wait a bit. After 20 minutes, I was starting to get irritated... what's the point of a reservation if you don't get your table at the time of your reservation? So I went back in to see if it was going to be much longer because if it was, we were going to have to leave, as we had tickets to a play down the street. The second I said we'd have to leave, they magically found us a table... so that was just a weird start to our visit. But, after that, all went well... our waiter was super friendly & prompt. We started with the burrata appetizer because, well, when I see burrata on the menu, I order it. It was sublime. The waiter asked if we had been to RPM Italian yet, because he thinks theirs is even better, so I'll need to be checking that out soon. We both had breakfasty entrees & they were delicious, and came out quickly and piping hot. I had the tostada that came with pulled chicken & eggs. The cocktails are delicious, too. Not sure if it's still available, but at the time we got a free cookie for dessert for checking in on Yelp! The main draw for me wanting to try this place was that it was LEYE & the fact that it looked so damn bright & sunny inside. I'd been meaning to visit all winter to see if it would pull me out of the winter blues, but we ended up visiting on one of the most gorgeous Saturday's of the year instead. It was so bright inside I literally had to wear my sunglasses... definitely felt like I was back in Santa Monica!
(4)Andrea J.
This is our 3rd and likely last visit to Summer House. The restaurant is absolutely stunning however the service seems to have deteriorated since our last visit. Our waitress was attentive however we had 3 different people attempt to bring the wrong food to our table which was very annoying. My husband was never asked if he wanted a cocktail and when we did eventually order it, it took far too long for it to arrive. The kids menu is weak and the spaghetti was WAY undercooked which is the polar opposite of what you'd expect for a 'kids meal'. Our entrees were just ok - nothing 'wowed' us enough go to deem another visit. There are way too many options in Chicago to justify returning for a mediocre experience.
(2)C W.
Came for breakfast on a Saturday and started with a positive impression of the serene, well designed decor, promising of a good meal to come. Overall felt it was a bit of a slip downhill with a long wait given relative calm in our seating area, but saved by a friendly waitress. The highlights were the drinks and coffee , all enjoyable. Some aspects of the meal were good The french toast shared among the group was tasty. But the bad was notable. Deeply dissatisfied with the cold and mealy hash browns that were literally the worse I've ever had in a restaurant in my life. Insultingly bad; everyone at the table had to send theirs back . After some additional issues, the bill was incorrectly tallied by over $40. I love discovering new places, and am very comfortable spending well for great quality and service , however not sure Ill be back to Summer House.
(2)Howard L.
This is a delightful 2 year old Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) franchise. Apparently the San Monica California originator of Summer House knew the owner of LEYE, and they collaborated to open this location. The venue was quite airy and sunny particularly during our summertime visit. It's also the most hipster and trendy LEYE restaurant we think we have ever experienced. With its glass roof as well as open air patio seating section, it's also a much larger restaurant than their Halsted storefront reveals. The clientele is a polite, well dressed, higher end type of crowd, and during a weekday lunch, I was wondering to myself why all these younger people weren't working or didn't appear to be having a work lunch anyway. Anyway, wife and I enjoyed a lunch of a burger with their seasonal salad ($13.95), and their pasta of the day, a spinach carbonara or spinach fettuccine served with a sunnyside egg ($16.95). The burger also came with grilled onions and was a nicely done juicy big burger deserving of the premium price. We found free street parking right on Halsted (yet it is metered parking on Armitage), but I frankly wouldn't want to be looking for street parking in this busy neighborhood at dinner time. Glad we tried it, and it's now a potential special occasion city outing kinda place for us.
(4)Eric B.
Atmosphere is nothing short of spectacular. Natural lighting and bright, neutral tones provide a great ambiance. The food, however, was awful. The $15-ceviche and $15-burrata were good, but not exceptional. The spinach carbonara and the rainbow trout tasted like flour and water mixed together, and nothing else. There was absolutely NO taste in either dish! I was kind of shocked at how something could look and sound so appealing, but be totally bland and flavorless. Because of this, I will never be returning. I was here on my birthday dinner with my family and we were all very disappointed. This is also sad because I had been wanting to go here for months, and when I finally got a reservation I was completely let down. The restaurant did make a slight comeback by serving fantastic (strong) coffee after the mediocre meal.
(1)Elina S.
I've been here a few times now so I can finally give Summer house a fair review. The first time I didn't have the best experience but this last time for mothers day brunch was fantastic. We obviously made reservation for our family and it was packed. I mean every single table was occupied and we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated for our nice and comfy booth. Let's start with the atmosphere, I'm soo coming here in the winter time when I get those winter blues as this place is literally summer in a restaurant. Even on mothers day which was rainy and gross in Chicago, I literally came in here with a lifted mood because it was bright and cheery. Our server was super attentive and kept checking on us pretty frequently which was a very nice touch. We ordered the drinks and a bunch of us had the passion fruit margarita which was delicious, fresh and full of flavor. Definitely a must get over here. We seem to like getting the calamari here for an appetizer, it's not the best I've ever had but it's tasty. I mean they have every breakfast food imaginable from pancakes, to eggs, to breakfast burritos, to waffles, you name it, so I really think in terms of brunch/lunch you can't go wrong over here. My mom got the salmon benedict on top of their crunchy hashbrowns which she seemed to really like. My MIL got the chicken and waffles which were also pretty tasty. I decided I wanted a burger, yep, don't judge me since I know we were here for brunch. The burger was good with all the fixins and yummy crispy french fries went with it. I also really recommend the bacon here because it's crispy and sweetened with something so it's the perfect combo of sweet and salty. So, the atmosphere is on point, the food is tasty, the drinks are flowing, definitely a great people watching place. Oh, but the best part of all is their pastry counter, omg, they pretty much have it all. The cookies are huge and super chewy and fresh. My favorite was the rice krispy treat, it totally brought me back to my childhood. I really liked that for mothers day, they gave complimentary smores bars to all the mommies which I thought was a very nice touch. It's not a foodie place, but it's just a nice environment to grab the girls or family (kid friendly) and just chow down. Will be back for sure!
(4)Teddy H.
I've tried twice now (brunch and dinner), and can't justify it. Both visits, service was WAY off. It seems this place prefers snooty and rude hostess personnel, which is a shame since they are pretty much the first interaction you have upon entering. The servers displayed similar attitudes, a little bothered when asked for anything special, and in a rush to get you out the door. Food is okay, pretty basic, and lacking that WOW factor. For example, the Tuna Tartare appetizer basically comes on Tostito chips rounds. And for the price you are paying, it needs to have it. I get it - the ambiance is cool and the location is great. But when you can head up the street and have better food with service that makes you feel comfortable and welcome, you should and I will.
(2)Nicole L.
I have to update since I've been back. They are now conveniently open for lunch! Woohoo! The drinks are delicious. The dishes are very fresh and give you that dining on the Santa Monica pier vibe. It's great for dinner too! The cookies are definitely worth the $3.50 price tag!!
(4)Kelsey S.
In the dead of winter Summer House's California-influenced menu and Vitamin D-centric interior provides a mood boost - even if the "Countdown to Summer" sign seems so far off. The menu is extensive and varies by season; heirlooms find their way onto plates in the summer, as do roots in the fall and winter. For breakfast, though, the lemon cottage cheese pancakes are always delicious, pillow-y and wonderfully tart. And if you don't want to commit to a full stack, you can order a single and try something else savory, like a benedict or hash. For lunch, be sure to order a side of vegetables, like the caramelized Brussels sprouts. Many lunch items stay throughout the year, so it's nice to add a touch of seasonal flavor to your plate. On your way out, you'll pass the sweets counter that houses an assortment of cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats and more. The chocolate chunk rice krispie treat cookie is a sight to behold, but after a couple of bites, it becomes cloyingly sweet - share it or save it for later.
(3)Heidi B.
Summer House is the best place I've ever had brunch! The only thing that can make a Bloody Mary better...top it with candied bacon. We had the ahi tuna tostadas and the caramelized brussel sprouts as starters. Both of the dishes were delicious and easy to share. I had the smoked salmon hash brown Benedict as my entree. This was the best egg Benedict dish I have ever had! You can find similar dishes at other restaurants but the taste and presentation can't compare to Summer House. The inside will make you feel like you're sitting inside a trendy restaurant in California. I wish I lived a little closer to this restaurant. It would be the perfect place to escape for a fun meal. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses!! Also, don't forget to grab a chocolate chip with rise krispie cookie at the bakery counter on your way out.
(5)Eileen J.
great atmosphere (5), good service (5), Food super disappointing (2 - 3) for the price point black squid ink seafood pasta so little seafood it was nearly undetectable Amish chicken was ok Spicy Calamari was less than average cauliflower was ok decent win selection
(3)louis S.
Fun bright great place. You are assaulted in a good way by the desserts upon entry. The staff is upbeat and very helpful large fully flavored meals. Everyone was happy. Next door attached is a bit more subdued pizza spot? A bit over packed and loud but....
(5)Kara H.
Came here for brunch with my parents and will definitely be coming back. The ambiance was fantastic, the staff was very friendly (accommodating when we called to say we were running a few minutes behind our reservation & also once we arrived). Now, onto what I was able to try. Breakfast Burrito- DELICIOUS. Sometimes I worry that a breakfast burrito will be way too much food (and they're not the best things to reheat later) but this one was not massive, it was just the right size! Blueberry Pancake- Just the right amount of fruit to pancake ratio + deliciously airy. Breakfast Potatoes- Good, but not amazing. I`d get them again but I could also live without. I`ll definitely be coming back for brunch and I want to try the dinner as well!
(5)Will L.
Went there one summer night and it was very awesome. The place is pretty huge and it does feel very much like you are dinning outside. The decor was very nice and summery. #yes The food was quite delicious. We had the biscuits and it was crazy good. Hmmmmm. So Good. You will not be disappointed. Make sure you get your own, you are not going to want to share. We also had the spicy calamari. It really was not that spicy at all. IT was still good but not spicy. For a main dish, I had the chicken which was very good. The cookie bar was pretty awesome for dessert. Pick your cookie, any cookie. So many cookies. The waitress was ok. She could have been more welcomie or friendly or made more eye contact but whatever. Did I mention they have a cookie bar?? I would for sure go back, get some more biscuits, try something else and get some cookies.
(4)Blaine T.
The atmosphere is great! I love the decor and the summer vibe that the place has. Defintely a fun trendy brunch place. The breakfast cocktails are great. We all tried each other's dishes and the breakfast tostadas were AMAZING. Also you should all split a cinnamon roll! Make a reservation.
(4)Kelly T.
I have dined at this wonderful restaurant since discovering it from an invitation to join an aquaintance for dinner and drinks in April. I have returned no less than a dozen times. The service and food quality are both are excellent regardless of the demand or impact on this popular hang out always which means it is consistent and that is all I can ask for. Lovely food, wine, spirits and staff. Great outdoor area for summer months and the ambiance in-doors is very well thought out however, although in my own personal opinion, if the bar were circular and in the middle of the venue, it would help the flow of both customers and staff when it is extremely busy.
(5)David C.
Atmosphere was lovely but food was very disappointing. Ordered the pan-seared brook trout which was swimming in grease aka brown butter. The walnuts were burnt not toasted - tasted and smelled like burnt popcorn - not pleasant. Would have sent it back, but the air-conditioned was pumped so high the place was like a freezer and we were eager to leave. Oh, and we could have used a fly swatter. Yeah, inside... flies.
(1)Ken O.
Picture this.... with snow falling in every direction and bitterly cold, two friends and I decided to try Summer House, which has been on my list of restaurants to try for awhile. I've been to Stella Barra which is connected to Summer House and enjoyed it for lunch. Upon entering this restaurant... OMG, the snow storm went away at least visionally. The decor is just like a restaurant in Southern CA or a tropical restaurant on an island some place. The walls were creamy white, draperies were white, the furniture in the bar are on the wicker side. As stated earlier, you were in a different locale. Stacie W, was our server, who greeted up promptly. She understood that we would be "camping out" for awhile. She went over the beverages and menu with us. Then she brought the first round of beverages. We finally decided to try the Ahi Tuna Tostada for an appetizer. After bringing us the appetizer, the food runner would keep an eye on our table as well as Stacie. I believe there were five slices, which was just enough for the three of us. We finally decided on our meals.... we had ordered a Chicken Grilled Sandwich, a hamburer and I had ordered a French Dip sandwich and a side of cauliflower. I felt the food was delivered to us in the approriate amount of time, again, we were here for a leisure lunch. We were all very satisifed with our food choices. We had shared the cauliflower and couldn't get enough of that side dish. Both, Stacie and the food runner would check in with us, then another round of beverages came. Between the food and the relaxed atmosphere, we lost track of time. Unfortunately, none of us had saved room for dessert. Maybe next time. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a great meal and a relaxing time. Looking forward to my next visit,
(5)April R.
I wrote a review last month about my first Summer House experience and they reached out to me soon after my post. I was very impressed with their diligence to contact me, talk about the experience and offer me a invite back to the restaurant to make it right. This time around I made a reservation with TJ and had a very nice time at Summer House for dinner. We ordered the Santa Monica cobb salad, local burrata, gemelli & fennel sausage, the roasted 1/2 chicken and the pan-roasted Great Lakes whitefish. The food was prepared perfectly, staff was attentive and they couldn't have been more apologetic for my first dining experience. The fact that they reached out to make the first dining experience right speaks volume to their service expectations and I greatly appreciated the acknowledgement and the great dinner experience. Thank you Michael, TJ and Adam!
(5)Sarah P.
When I catch myself yearning for the laid back atmosphere of the west coast I come here and my desire is quenched. Love this restaurant. It is trendy, it is packed, the reservation list is ridiculous - call a week in advance if you want a table for brunch at 10:30a. There are three distinct spaces, the dining room is my favorite as the entire roof is glass and lets the sun in. In the warm months the entire front wall of the restaurant opens. Plants hang from the ceiling, and the interior is bright, classy, and welcoming. I'm transported back to the beach houses in Santa Monica, and watching the waves roll onto the beach while sipping my morning coffee... Love Wait... I haven't even talked about the food! I've only been here for brunch.. It's a morning spot for me, and the options are good. I love the fruit platter, they know how to make turkey bacon, the waffles are yummy, the coffee satisfying. It's the closest I can get to Urth Caffe.....
(4)Molly D.
When you walk into Summer House you are immediately greeted by the warm breeze on your face, the smells of bonfires, fireflies glowing at night, and the sound of waves crashing at the beach. Ok, so none of that actually happens, but in my opinion it practically does happen because Summer House has designed the perfect atmosphere to remind your senses of summertime. And that, my friend, is a great atmosphere to escape to when you are living year round in Chi-beria. Along with having a great atmosphere, the food and drinks range from good to phenomenal. Our group of four started with some cocktails (and one mock-tail for my glowing pregnant friend). I loved my Plam Fizz, each of the guys enjoyed an Old Fashioned, and my friend was happy to be able to have the mock-tails as choices since at most restaurants she would have been stuck with the basic drink options like Sprite. Drinks were all very unique and tasty and I would definitely recommend trying one. Next, we decided to go with the baked-to-order biscuits which is served with a yummy poblano honey butter. Wow... I mean, these biscuits with that amazing butter were out-of-this-world amazing. I am salivating thinking about them as I write this review. Do yourself a favor and order these!! As a pescatarian, there were several options for me to choose from on this menu (both seafood and vegetarian) which was exciting. After much debate between the salmon and the mahi-mahi tacos, I went with the tacos. The portion was large, sadly the tacos were average. For the steep price I paid for tacos, I would expect them to be more flavorful or come with more interesting sauces (it only came with salsas). I would definitely go with a different main course next time. Others in our group seemed pleased with their choices of chicken and steak. Finally here's a tip, for desert, make sure you check-in on Yelp because they were offering a free cookie for those who checked in. Even if they aren't offering the free cookie, make sure you save room for one. They are warm, gooey, and smothered in ice cream (make sure you add on the ice cream). In all, I would return to Summer House for their inviting atmosphere, good food and interesting drinks. Next time I would want try brunch or a different main course for dinner. I will definitely swing by the bar for a cocktail with a biscuit or their cookie bar to bring home for dessert when I'm in the mood for warm baked goods.
(4)Karen M.
We reserved a table for 6 on a busy Saturday afternoon, and we were told it would take an hour to an hour-and-a-half for a table. It took an hour and 45 minutes for the table, then once seated, we ordered as soon as we could, and it took almost an hour for the food to come. My egg sandwich was room temperature. The waiter checked in from time to time, but didn't ask us if we wanted any food while we were waiting. I finally asked for a basket of bread as we were famished. They gave us a complimentary dessert after we mentioned how long we had been there which was nice. Good service but very poor experience overall.
(2)Mihir P.
WOW!!! We LOVED this place from top to bottom. Just sitting in the bustling, airy, white and bright atmosphere, I felt rejuvenated. The burrata was very fresh and lusciously creamy and served with fresh dark crusty bread. OK, I know this is in the Midwest, but I can't remember having calamari any fresher! It was super tender and meaty and flavorful. The grilled halibut was perfectly cooked and light. I tried some of the fries my friend had with his burger and they were amazing - thin, crispy and perfectly seasoned. Our server so mad cool and professional and accommodating. I'LL BE BACK.
(5)Rachel L.
Reservations are strongly advised! We made a reservation for Saturday breakfast at 10:30. The restaurant was already packed and I can see why. This place was by far my favorite in Chicago! As soon as you walk into the restaurant, there was a feeling of being in LA. We were traveling from the SF Bay Area to Chicago for a quick getaway and were reminded of the beautiful weather in Southern California once we stepped in. It's perfect! The food was amazing. We ordered the spinach omelet, egg white sandwich, tostadas, hash brown benedict, chicken and waffles with a side of candied bacon and a round of the strawberry chia. Everything was sooooooo good! The only complaint I have was that the eggs were over-cooked on the hash brown benedict. They were supposed to be poached, but were more on the over medium side. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our meals, had great conversation, sat in awe of the restaurant. We had great service and loved our entire experience. The restaurant is so cute in decor. You really feel like you're in LA, by the beach. A must try if you're in the area.
(5)Nicole M.
If only the food was as good as the setting! This was my second dinner at Summer House. Both times I've been disappointed in the food. The food is under seasoned and bland. I had the gemelli with sausage and rapini. It had a strange starchy texture and was calling out for salt. The interior is so beautiful and bright. It pains me that the food is so mediocre.
(2)Stefanie A.
Traveled to sunny California last night- that's how it feels when you step inside Summer House. Definitely the place to be when the weather in Chicago is nasty! Had a 7:30 reservation and were immediately seated at a table close to the kitchen. Kitchen is wide open, allowing diners to watch the cooks prepare their meals. The entire set up is absolutely beautiful. A large glass roof with hanging plants & lights, and the servers uniforms give the restaurant that laid back, beachy, California vibe. Our server, Rachel C was great. She recommended a great Pinot noir. We started with the burrata, beach bum ceviche, & the hamachi avocado sushi roll. All delicious! Loved the ceviche's citrus flavor! For entrees I had the trout in the walnut brown butter sauce. My husband had the French dip sandwich, and my bro-in-law had the halibut. Both were also good, but we all agreed the trout was just phenomenal. For dessert we did a warm cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Free if you check in on yelp!) Thanks yelp! The cookie and ice cream was just the right amount of sweet and salty. Rachel never rushed us- let us take our time with finishing a second bottle of the Pinot noir. Bottom line: cool atmosphere, great food, & wonderful service!
(4)Food M.
First time here. Waitress Danielle exceeded expectations. Personably, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Crab cake is off the charts
(5)Jiwon S.
Went here for brunch with my friend on a weekday and I loved it! The atmosphere was amazing and the food was great. It felt as I was in Santa Monica. Two thumbs up!
(5)Jenna S.
Cute atmosphere especially the open area with glass ceiling, very nice pasteries that vary from the norm. Great place to catch up with friends.
(4)Lissa E.
Went to Summer House on a beautiful summer day. We went with two other couples on a Tuesday night and it was busy as ever. Our party had a reservation and we were seated right away. The service was good but not great. Our server was training a new person and it was a bit awkward when ordering as to who we should talk to as they were both taking down the order and talking to us. They got all of our orders correct and spaced the meal out well so overall I'd say 4.5 stars on service. The food- we ordered the Burrata, Cauliflower, and the living lettuce salad for appetizers to share. The Burrata was amazing!! I wish we had two orders. The toast was perfectly toasted and the tomato accompaniment went perfectly with the smooth Burrata. The cauliflower was ok but pretty spicy, I would probably choose a different veggie next time. The living lettuce salad was light and fresh, very good. For dinner I ordered one of the specials, sockeye salmon. It was perfectly cooked but it had a little too much sauce on it. I am somewhat of a purist so others may like the amount of sauce. My husband ordered the English muffin burger, which he reported to be tasty but was difficult to eat as it didn't stay on the bun well. Another person in our group ordered the trout and he claimed it was the best trout he had ever had. All of the other meals were less remarkable but everyone said they thought their food was at least "good." Overall everything was good with some great. I would definitely go back for a taste of "summer" sometime in the middle of a cold chicago winter. One quick side note- we did see blackhawks player, Jonathan Toews there which was kind of fun!
(4)Ben B.
This place is confusing. It's decked out in a lot of white wood, like something you'd see on a beach. Hell, there are life preservers hanging on the walls. It's like Jimmy Buffett's godawful Margaritaville concept, but for rich people who aren't stoned. The menu consists of a lot of fish, with burger and taco options. We began with the biscuits. You get two per order, but they're very large. Each was burnt on the top and bottom. I slathered mine in honey to make it not taste like charcoal. For my entree, I had the Korean pork tacos. (I asked for tortillas, otherwise you have to eat it in a lettuce leaf.) The ingredients are served up on a plate and you have to assemble each taco. As I ate it, I thought it was okay, but not worth seeking out. There's also a counter with cookies up front because... I don't know. They weren't on the regular menu. This is the kind of place you visit once because you're bored with all your usual hangouts. I've visited once. I'm done.
(2)Kate W.
We had a totally decent experience at Summer House. Our waitress was fantastic--friendly, sweet, attentive. We liked her a lot. Some highlights: the ceviche is superb. Perfectly balanced and delicious. The brussels sprouts salad was also outstanding. I had bucatini, and was very impressed. A friend we ate with had the chicken tacos and they looked really good. Also, get the cookies. Just shut up and get the cookies. You won't regret it.
(4)Jesse N.
I was looking forward to coming to this restaurant, mainly because it looks so cool from the outside. I ordered a cocktail initially and thought it was good. Where things started to go down hill was when my Steak Frites arrived. I was in the mood for "house cut fries" but when they came out they were like a bad version of McDonald's fries. Apparently they cut them with a machine in the back but that's still not really "hand cut". I also asked for a medium rare steak and it came out well down and it just didn't taste good. I was left feeling very unsatisfied and actually physical sick. What made matters worse was when the manager stopped by to ask how the meals were and I told him my experiences he came across as incredibly defensive and bordering confrontational. He then stormed off at the end of the uncomfortable conversation saying he would share the feedback with the chef. Needless to say that I won't be coming back and think that it's only a matter of time before people realize that this place is only good for the cool restaurant design and location, and not the food or service.
(1)Brenda G.
Could this place be any more delicious? I love summer house. Everything I've tried is delicious. I once went during March Madness and the restaurant was nice enough to let me reserve the only table by a television. I normally stick with the breakfast burritos however their tacos are amazing! Who has 2 kind of fish tacos? Summer House, that's who! You can also enjoy a cocktail at Stella Barra next store while you wait for your table. Try the rose, it's delicious! Cheers!
(5)Adam A.
Amazing Brunch as always. Great gluten free cookies, taste AMAZING.
(4)Ashley V.
5+ for ambiance. So fun for a cocktail and app. Bright, airy, and very California (love!). 5 for appetizers - best calamari I've ever had (Asian creamy sauce so good), and I don't really like calamari. Ahi tostadas are to die for. Burrata is good (missing basil and balsamic, so ask for it!). 4 for brunch and dinner items. Nothing special about either, and a bit overpriced. 4 for service. Some were good, but some forget things and others are fine but not great (nice-wise). (Good overall, though - won't ruin your meal or anything!) Great selection of wines and cocktails. Go here often, though, because it's just fun overall. Must try! But it's not spectacular.
(4)Adriana O.
I looooove this place!!! Food is good, but what I love the most is the actual building. It's so 'summer-y' and even if it's freezing cold outside once you walk in you can feel as if you're in California, and that is major specially during winter in Chicago! And you got to love the 'Days 'till summer' count down.
(5)Hana C.
Atmosphere was clean, bright, white, and comforting. Service was excellent. Food was delicious. And for checking in we got a free cookie and ice cream. The cookie was enormous (the size of a baby's face) and it was horribly good. We shared a few vegetable starters to begin with, all of which were good. I had the chicken tacos which while not unique were tasty. My girlfriend who I was visiting just moved from California and she appreciated the California-esque food/dining style. She will be back there again (and I would be too if I lived in Chicago).
(4)Melissa A.
First of all let me mention that Summer House is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. Say what?? Yes, that was exactly my response when my friend told me. For whatever reason it surprised me, not necessarily in a bad way. My friends and I came here for the Chicago Restaurant Week deal and my dining experience here was fantastic from start to finish. I'm just going to list out what I liked or didn't like about Summer House since lists tend to be easier to read/tend to capture people's attention better! LIKES (non-food): *My party of 4 was seated quickly (we had reservations) in a comfy, spacious booth *Decor / ambiance of the restaurant is coastal chic, airy, decorated in warm colors and really transports you out of the cold, Chicago winter to Cali *Service was great - our waitress was friendly, accommodating, and checked on us throughout the night LIKES (food): *When you first walk in, there's a little bakery with a display case of cookies, rice krispie treats, and other baked goodies and they also offer coffee/cafe drinks *The restaurant week menu ($44 prixe fix menu) includes a glass of wine! *All of the food was ON POINT! *"Appetizer: I chose the Super Greens Salad". I don't say this often but I loved this salad! It was light but flavorful without needing a ton of ingredients. It was composed of kale, shaved celery, parmesan, bread crumbs and tossed in a Parmesan vinaigrette. Yum! *Entree: I chose the "Slow Braised Pork Shank" as my entree (there were 4 choices) and I was not disappointed. The pork was very flavorful (possibly a tad salty) and it was fall-off-the-bone tender. I didn't even need to use a knife to cut it apart. It was served with roasted fingerling potatoes and winter fruits. The combination of salty and sweet was delicious. Highly recommend this dish! *Dessert: choice of their Trifecta fudge cake or one of their cookies. There was no debate between cake or cookie for me once I saw their cookies. Let me tell you, they are HUGE and mouthwatering. I chose a s'mores cookie and it was served warm with ice cream on top. I barely finished half but it wasn't because the cookie was bad but because I was greedy and ate too much of my app and entree...typical me haha *On my way out I ordered a Horchata Latte from the little bakery. This was delicious! Horchata + coffee?? umm yum! You must try it if you like both! DISLIKES: *I couldn't try everything on the menu... I definitely will be back to try their brunch since I've heard it's just as great!
(4)Kristin M.
If I could eat here everyday, I would. I would be broke and I think it may be worth it. Been here twice. This past time I got the strawberry solstice cocktail and it was so fresh and good. Fresh strawberry juice, vodka, bubbly, mint, and lime. Need I say more.? We ordered a burger on English muffin and avocado toast with poached eggs. While the burger was tasty, the avocado toast was the winner. Mascarpone cheese on the most delicious soft multi grain bread, big chunks of avocado, and poached eggs that broke with yolk running over it. It was so simple yet so much flavor. We ended with a huge chocolate chip cookie that was perfect blend of sugar, salt, and chocolate. The prior time we got the ahi tacos which are also bomb. Do yourself a favor, go to summer house now. It's worth the Benjamins.
(4)Meghan T.
Fun, west coast atmosphere, despite that fact that you're in cold Chicago. Seems to always be crowded, but they did a good job of accommodating my friend and I last minute on a week night. The mini tostadas are to die for, and I was honestly too buzzed to recall the rest of our meal hence the four stars --if it was that good I would have definitely remembered, ha! We did split the burger as our entrée, and it was good, but I've certainly had better. Will be back, good for dates and groups, but a little noisy, so be advised :)
(4)Alissa P.
Great food, great gluten free options! TJ behind the bar was very accommodating of our special cocktail requests.
(5)Cindy G.
I was super jazzed to try this place, as I've heard great things. I was raised on Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so I know what to expect from their food and their service. The food at Summer House was good and I LOVE the glass ceiling and natural light. Such a welcoming, fresh vibe -- a great energy for brunch with the girls. Our waitress was fun and funny, so that was an added bonus. I ordered a bloody (VERY good) and the smoked salmon/hash brown benedict. Delicious. Also, they have carmelized bacon that is similar to the bacon at Shaw's brunch (if you know what I'm talking about, you know that this is the best bacon in town). I'm taking a star away because the coffee was down-right gross. And I take my coffee very seriously. My first cup had coffee grounds and other crap floating in it. I kept my mouth shut and scooped it all out---but then a server came back to top me off, and more grounds were floating around in there. Gross! I told the waitress about it, and she didn't seem surprised by it...which perplexed me. She brought me a fresh cup, but sure enough, with the next top-off, more grounds in my mug. I was so grossed out that I just gave up and stopped drinking it. Also, the waitress didn't comp my coffee from the bill, which surprised me because Lettuce is known to be very accommodating when something isn't to your liking. Otherwise, I left satisfied and would recommend this place to friends and would go back (at a time when I don't need any coffee ;-D).
(4)Devin H.
Awesome atmosphere -- feels like a summer house on the beach! Food, service, drinks, and dessert were great. Celiac friendly menu is a huge plus.
(5)Hanh S.
If you don't come for anything, just pop in to see the place- the ambiance is really Summer House's selling point. Its open layout with tall ceilings and white walls is really beautiful. As many other reviewers have stated, you feel like you've left the frigid Chicago winter and transported to sunny southern California. I came for my birthday dinner with 3 of my other friends and though crowded, was seated right away. The waitress and busboys are very good and the food comes out very quick. I liked that although crowded, I was able to talk to carry a conversation with my friends without any trouble. The food is obviously catered towards California cuisine and in other words, health conscious. The majority of their dinner menu is vegetable and seafood oriented and reasonable portions- for example, my friend ordered the turkey burger and it was not piling with fries, grease etc. where in many places, burger plates come out in monstrous portions. This menu may not be for everyone-I would not recommend taking your meat-eating, junk food chomping friends here to gorge out. While there are some few hearty options, they may leave unsatisfied. I ordered the shaved vegetable salad, roasted cauliflower (my absolute favorite- definitely try it!) my friends ordered the salmon, super green salad, and english muffin turkey burger. The general consensus was that the food was good, though not great. The drinks were very delicious and had some great cocktails. The dessert menu was a standard of cookies and ice cream/sorbet. I had a chocolate cookie a la mode, and found the dessert also good, but not great. I give this 3 stars because I really have high hopes for this place to evolve its menu,which I feel is slightly boring at the moment. I have not tried their brunch but a quick glance of its menu looks more promising. I really want to love this place, but its just hasn't wowed me yet-maybe when the summer time rolls in.
(3)Alyssa C.
This place is phenomenal. A bright cheery place with a bit of sexy splashed in. Great for dates or groups of people. I can't wait to see what it transforms into during the summer. Apparently the roof opens and the garage door is pulled up. Fabulous entrees to enjoy. We approached our meal with a small plate mentality, so we got to try a lot! The grilled cauliflower, eggplant and burrata were delish appetizers. The swordfish was ok, polenta mash kinda bland and the oatmeal cookie for dessert was a bit hard... I think with a few menu tweaks this place will be even better. But I would highly recommend and will be back!
(4)Nm B.
They are instituting a weird 21/2 wait time for walk-ins. We were told we could make a reservation but it is also their policy that one can not make reservations before 10am so it sounds weird. We arrived both times at 9:30 and 9am. Don't waste you time!
(1)Julie N.
Super evening had here. I loved the calamari, chips, guacamole and the tuna salad . The salad was dressed perfectly and the tuna was extremely fresh. My husband had the pork ravioli and said it was excellent. My only grumble was the rude table next to us who kept having their friends visit their table and invading our space. At one point a chap was sat right next to me on the bench and had his elbow on our table. :{
(4)Kelly P.
We chose this for a birthday group outing as per walking by often and liking the look of the place. When we were escorted to a table after an easy reservation process, we were not disappointed. The aesthetics of the place are a dream. The look is awesome. Our waitress suggested good wines, so we got two bottles. Our group got two appetizers as well, which were good: the spinach dip and the guacamole. We each got fantastic entrees. The Yelp check in even allowed a free dessert. I suggest this place to all. It's not too fancy, but it's nicer than the local burrito place. A good spot for a date night.
(5)Nancy P.
This place makes my heart happy. Extremely knowledgable staff about being gluten free, with many GF options to pick, including cookies! If I could, I'd eat here everyday. The burrata is heaven.
(5)Kaleigh G.
This is the perfect escape from the winter cold! The decor and atmosphere really is straight out of Santa Monica and it makes even the most loyal Chicagoan like myself want to buy a ticket to California ASAP. The countdown to summer (still over 100 days) doesn't help much with that wish either. I thought the food was delicious but slightly overpriced. The "mess of fries" is outstanding, as are the portion sizes in general. I got the lobster special, which is a great deal for lobster, but unfortunately, mine was a little cold. Everyone I went with really enjoyed their meals, but I was a little sad about mine not being piping warm. Definitely save room for dessert though, as you can pick up amazing cookies right on your way out the door!
(3)Mike D.
i've been here 6 times, and there's a good chance I go back because I live in the neighborhood and there isn't much competition for this place. Basically, the problems are the ridiculous slowness of the service, the prices (everything is 20%+ too high for amount you get). Compared to Gibson's for the prime rib au jus, steak frittes with other higher end places, etc. The atmosphere is very cool and decent looking people frequent it. I've never had good service there. I don't requre a lot, just basically if my water is empty and the carafe is empty, to just fill it up. I hate tipping $18 when we had 2 smaller martinis and 2 smaller entrees. I could go on, but that's enough. We've had to wait over 10 mins for a high chair 2 times. Just stuff that shouldn't happen. They said they'd check the stroller, so we left it near the entrance/exit. No one touched it and it was just sitting in the same place on the floor. Just odd. Basically the whole place is serviced by young people who don't really know about waiting tables at a place where the average entree is $20+
(1)Phil C.
The best thing about this place is the atmosphere and the service. Great addition to Lincoln Park - draws a nice, diverse crowd. In short, if you are looking for a comfortable and social atmosphere, this is a great spot; If you are looking for exceptional food, the french dip at Hugo's Frog Bar is much better. Phil
(3)Robyn S.
What a great restaurant and the experience I had there was more than I expected. Lauren was our server and she was very knowledgeable with everything on the menu and made some great suggestions. She was very friendly and adorable. The food was delicious and she went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and unforgettable. I will definitely be back!
(5)Anna G.
Great experience all around. Had a reservation for 2 on Saturday night and were promptly seated (although it was in the bar-ish area rather than the main part). Our server was friendly. Drinks were good, but not necessarily strong. The best part of the meal were the ahi tuna tostadas. I could've eaten an entree version of those! For the mains we had the fish tacos and the braised pork ravioli, would recommend both. The space is gorgeous. I just wish they'd start serving brunch as it'd be the perfect location with the openness and glass roof.
(4)Mary H.
I couldn't be more thrilled that this awesome restaurant just opened in my neighborhood. I accidentally came on opening night and wow -- was blown away. Everything about the experience was phenomenal. Summer House is going to be a huge contender for the yuppity crowd that dines out in this area. The decor is fresh and inviting. I can't wait to come in the summer when their retractable roof opens! The food was delish and featured a wide variety of selections that could please anyone. I liked that they offer small and large plates on their menu, as some of us aren't always in the mood to share ;-) During my visit, we got the hamachi tartare (divine), the calamari (amaze) and the pork ravioli (yum yum). Everything was so good and the combination of things we ordered was truly unique. With a bottle of wine and the three dishes our bill came out to about $100 with tip, not bad for a nice dinner. I definitely will be frequenting this place as often as the budget allows it!
(5)Deborah R.
We had a lovely luncheon with family. Dark and Stormy is a wonderful drink! Every bodies meals were terrific except mine which was a tuna salad. Don't get it. The gluten free chocolate cookies were to die for on the way out. Yum !
(4)Nicole L.
They have a great Saturday brunch! The ambiance is awesome as well!
(4)Noelle W.
I was skeptical with the prices for what seems to be a simple menu, but the food was great. For a round of drinks, app, 2 entrees, tea & 2 espressos the tab was $90 with tip -- not horrible considering the variety of what we ordered We started with the calamari - Summer House's is best calamari I've had in the city, maybe ever. Really crispy, just enough spicy & great dipping sauce. My boyfriend ordered the burger w/side salad & it was excellent. The side salad was better than your average side salad. We also ordered the prime rib french dip. It was good, but if you don't like rare meat, don't order - It was very pink and not warm throughout. I enjoy my red meat rare-medium rare so this did not bother me. Fries were just a tad too salty for my liking, wish I had gone with the side salad Overall, great restaurant, attentive staff. Great addition to the area. It takes a lot for a restaurant to impress my boyfriend & he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back!
(5)KAREN S.
Awesome atmosphere! Really great decor and bright, they got it right making you feel like you are in California. I ate dinner there this past Sunday night, it was their third night open. Felt like you were sitting in a Crate and Barrel kind of, but nothing wrong with that. Food was good, we ordered the guacamole and chips for starters and then each ordered a salad; I got the Beverly Hills Tennis Cub--good but definitely not a big portion. A salad could easily be a starter and then get an entree. The price point is kind of high, but its a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Our waiter was great, very attentive and we asked him a lot of questions and he told us that they had a month long training to understand the menu-which is great! The manager stopped by our table to see how we were liking everything. I would definitely go back and try an entree. And they are opening a pizza kitchen that is connected to Summer House in a few weeks, so I will be checking that out too.
(5)Regina F.
More like 3 1/2 stars... Yelp, when are you going to give that option btw? Anyways, came here for brunch with a friend a couple of months ago. I had the roasted veggie hash and also shared a side of cali grapefruit with my friend. The food was decent/good, but nothing crazy spectacular to me. The restaurant itself definitely reminds me of Cali with it being in a huge sunny greenhouse feel. This alone makes any brunch or lunch a plus, especially since we don't have anything, or much like this in Chicago. And we Chicagoans know our dark and gloomy winters last 6 months out of the year. Being said, I'd definitely come back for brunch/lunch. I also wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner as well.
(3)M G.
Two confirmed cases of food poisoning, avoid the French Dip! Wine list was disappointing and the uncaring and uneducated waitstaff regarding the wine list was even more disappointing. Stella Barra next door has a better wine selection and great pizza.
(1)Lo S.
Glad I tried summerhouse! Food was good ambiance was nice. Tried several dishes. Guac and chips were okay, generous guac portion. Brussels sprouts were undercooked. Burger was good veggie options not bad either! Ice cream was really good! Good experience but definitely not my fav!
(4)Emily C.
What a bright and cheery place! I instantly felt like I was somewhere other than freezing, snowy Chicago. We started with the hot mess of fries and they hit the spot - fries, pork, egg, blue cheese AND truffle. Seems like it would be too much but it was delicious. Also loved both the ahi tuna and hamachi tartare - very fresh. I actually had the hamachi as my entree, but the other dishes I tried were very good. The atmosphere was definitely the best part. Loved the bar, restaurant, ceiling, front area - the whole theme! 333/365
(5)Kelly C.
wow, this place is the worst. first of all, it's a beautiful space. that's where the good part ends. The food was pretty darn bad. I had a lettuce entertain you gift card--i wish i had used it at one of the other pretty bad lettuce restaurants. the menu is not in season. it's called "summer house" and it's summer, so why are there so many root vegetable heavy dishes using ingredients that are out of season? i ordered what was described as the "best dish" on the menu as described by our water. gee, i hope not. it was a pasta dish. not only was the pasta absolute mush, but it was missing two ingredients. there were only 3 ingredients in the dish besides the pasta. i pointed this out to our waiter and instead of plating me another portion with the right ingredients, i got back a re-purposed version of my entree with the missing ingredients thrown on top. oh good, now the pasta is even more soggy and disgusting. my husband ordered steak frites which was terrible. cut wrong, underseasoned, cooked wrong, and served with unsalted fries. really? how can you screw up steak and fries for $25? other things: "ran out" of biscuits, cookies, sparking wine, etc. overall, the worst place ive eaten at in chicago.
(1)Elizabeth Z.
Decided to give Summer House another try after my less than filling brunch a few weeks ago. The manager had reached out too me suggesting I come back to see if they could make the experience better (the fact that they took the time to reach out in itself speaks volumes about the business). Took my mother in law for Saturday brunch, had a 11:30am reservation and were seated promptly in the main (sunny and bright) dining room. Since I had breakfast before, admittedly a small portion, we both decided to order off the lunch menu. We both ordered the chicken sandwich which came with a side salad. When our food came out, we both commented "wow" about the heaping salad and big sandwich. The salad was one of the best I've eaten - greens mixed with shaved vegetables, quinoa and sunflower seeds - YUMMY and HEALTHY and FILLING (we both took our sandwich leftovers home). We will definitely be back!! Tip: if you're hungry or looking for a larger portion, stick with the lunch side of the menu :). Thanks to our server and Corey for such a pleasant dining experience!!!
(5)Kim M.
A friend recommended this place. At first I was skeptical because we were at the bar/restaurant waiting for our seat. Waited for a good 30 minutes then We were accompanied inside by our host which was awesome, I love the lighting of the place. Absolutely love our waiter "Kyle" he was so nice and accommodating to our needs. He even poured us water whenever he would see our glasses empty. We ordered the calamari which was delicious and I ordered the squid ink pasta which was okay. It tasted really fishy. And it was mostly pasta with a few pieces of seafood. The squid ink pasta was new to my taste, but I would definitely visit again. I love the vibe of this place.
(4)Oscar S.
I was there with a friend. Drinks were good. The Calamari and Ceviche were great! Great Lakes Whitefish was perfect. Staff did not miss a beat. Overall great experience!!
(4)Kate M.
I don't normally write negative reviews of places without actually eating there, but our experience (or lack thereof) the other night compelled me to. We waited over 2 hours for a table before we gave up and went elsewhere. We got there around 7:30 and asked about the wait, and the hostess said it would be and hour and 15 minutes or so. No problem, we weren't starving yet, so we put our name in and went up the street for a drink before dinner. We came back at 8:45 and continued waiting, periodically asking the hostess whether we should continue to wait or just give up. By 9:40, we went up one last time, and she said, "you know what, we really won't be able to fit you guys in. There are too many people with reservations we are behind on. I should text everyone on the wait list to let them know, huh?" And chuckled. Why not tell us this sooner? Super unprofessional and unapologetic. We got out of there and went someplace else for dinner. Comically, we got a text at 10:30 telling us our table was ready. THREE HOURS later. They need to either stop overbooking reservations or find a way to stop people from camping out at their table for hours on end. I'd either avoid this place entirely or make sure you get a reservation about 30 mins before you actually want to eat since they also make people wait for an excessive amount of time even with a reservation.
(1)Andrea H.
I visited over Labor Day weekend on a Sunday evening. A 7:30 reservation time was 3 weeks wait, but we waited! I got the kale salad and we split an order of home-made biscuits. Get the biscuits!!! They are amaze! The kale salad was solid as well. My friend got the fish tacos and loved them. If we can we wiil be back but I won't wait for a reservation it's not worth that in my opinion w/ so many awesome restaurants in the city. Our server, while proficient, never made eye contact with either of us or smiled. He was literally a robot it was somewhat unsettling! On a side note I hate how this restaurant is so brightly lit. It makes me feel like I am in an elementary school cafeteria. Shell out f/ some good lighting please. At those prices I know they can afford it. This place is not cheap and is ALWAYS packed. Next time I would eat outside to avoid the glare.
(3)MzPrizzy S.
Great Ambience! Food was delicious! Staff was simply wonderful!. I tried the Smoked Salmon Hashbrown Benedict! I wasn't fond of it, although my dining companion thought it was great. I was able to change my dish and was pleased. The carmalized bacon is wonderful.
(5)Brian R.
It was like sitting on the beach at Shutters in Santa Monica. The decor and ambiance was spot on and the food was very tasty! This is a spot that will have me going back for a taste of "home!"
(5)Louise G.
We have only been here once but I am in love-this is the perfect place to brunch on a beautiful day, I love that you can sit inside the air conditioned main room but feel like you are outside. The staff are incredible and the yelp deal meant we got a free cookie with ice cream which I highly recommend. I ate the French dip and it was heavenly!! We will definitely be going back
(5)Triphena W.
The 5 stars is for their bakery counter's S'MORES COOKIE and banana muffin. The s'mores cookie is crazy good and is my current favorite cookie in Chicago. You must try this! It's big, soft, chewy, and the taste really emulates a s'more. And the banana muffin is one of the best muffins I've ever tasted. Dense, tender insides with a slight crisp exterior with great banana flavor. I went around 11am on a Saturday so the bakery counter had a nice selection of about 3 muffins, 6 cookies, and a few other items like a brownie, blondie, rice crispie, etc. Everything appeared very fresh. I've also had the chocolate chip cookie with rice krispies which I liked a lot. Next time I might try the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt and the carrot muffin :D Highly recommend!
(5)Saba A.
3 1/2 stars for the food, 4 for the wine list, and 5 for the ambiance! When you enter, like we did on a wintery cold Monday night in Chicago, you feel like you entered California paradise. Romantic with a trend of casual, an airy and open ambiance, with a sunny feel. There are delicious baked good in front of you ( I went home with a rice crispy chocolate chip cookie and blondie- and my husband and I scarfed them down-don't leave without stopping there). My girls and I got a high table seat for 4 and started off with a bottle of Pinot Gris, perfectly sweet and went great with my pasta dish! We began with guacamole and chips that were perfectly salty- it was a great price. The fresh burrata, an Italian classic, came out fresh and delicious, I also recommend that for a starter. Two of my girl friends ordered a buccatini with forest mushrooms. The dish came looking shy of the mushrooms and looked like it could have used more seasoning such as butter. All though I do appreciate that they prepare the pastas from scratch in the kitchen. I ordered a ricotta and picorino ravioli. Plenty of raviolis so it was a perfect size dish, and the ricotta was nice and smooth, fresh tasting, but the pesto was too salty and there was a large abundance of it. It was overpowering the taste of the ravioli and all the other flavors. Considering the restaurant has been open for a few short months, I feel that they can take feedback and improve tastes of the menu items a little bit more. I do like the menu- has lots of variety and you can take a look at the dinner one here: summerhousesm.com/wp-con… . So whether you are coming in for a salad, which my girl friend enjoyed her shaved vegetable salad, I feel like you can also come in for a good dinner or share a wine bottle. Reservations are a must. This would be a great place to start off the night, make a dinner date, or come with a group of people. Service is excellent, and our waitress perfectly answered all our questions and was very attentive. Our waters were always filled, and she was patient with us as we took times making our decisions. I definately will come back, for sure in the summer when there retractable roof opens up! Great time at Summer House!
(4)Caitlin P.
We went back to Summer House for brunch after talking with management who reached out to me after my first yelp review. Clayton was our server and was very attentive and sweet. He didn't charge us for our drinks after we waited some time for him to come take our order in the beginning. Another disappointment we had was our dishes were lukewarm at best when they arrived. We ordered pancakes and salmon Benedict which was lukewarm, but the pancakes were completely cold. It was busy so it was difficult to grab someone's attention, so we ended up just eating them. We do plan to give brunch another chance, hopefully third time is the charm!
(4)Rebecca W.
Can I say anything bad about Summerhouse? I think not. Excellent service, phenomenal food, and a really great restaurant atmosphere! The eggs Benedict was amazing along with the side of hash browns! Also tried the thick cut French toast with the side is sausage. Fantastic! Ended the meal with a ginormous chocolate chip cookie! So worth it!
(5)Mark O.
Came in for brunch a few weeks ago with a reservation, and were seated promptly during the busy rush. The atmosphere of this place has a unique cabana vibe especially inside their sun room, which I believe has a retractable roof. I can imagine this restaurant getting really busy during the summer hours. Off to the side there is also a bar section with additional seating. We started with mimosas/brunch cocktails and both were very tasty. My brunch companions got salads and the skillets, while I went with the server's recommendation for a dish with protein, the short-rib hash. The sunny side up eggs came out perfectly cooked atop an amazingly delectable short-rib, which were also perfectly cooked. Service was prompt and attentive, and after the meal I was happy to be able to grab a coffee on the way out from the barista in front. Overall I really enjoyed dining here and will probably be back for drinks and the colorful/relaxed atmosphere. MInus 1 star only for the smallish portions, and moderately expensive drinks.
(4)Mary S.
Absolutely loved this place. At first wasn't thrilled to be seated by the wine carafe and behind the bar, but our waiters were so nice I stopped noticing all the traffic behind me. The atmosphere really makes you feel like you're sitting on a restaurant patio at a beach in Santa Monica. The color scheme and decorations are spot on. It felt so "Cali." We started with the spicy calamari and a spicy tuna roll that was a special that night. The spicy calamari blew everything else away that night! It was amazing, and best part was it was all the circle calamari, none of the squidy ones. It was a large portion as well, could easily be split with 4 people and everybody have enough to try. Will definitely come back for more of this. For my entrée I chose the fish tacos and my husband selected the summer vegetable enchiladas. At first the fish came and wasn't completely cooked. I'm glad I noticed this and pointed it out to the waitress who seemed distressed by it and quickly rushed it to the kitchen. Another plate showed up not even 2 minutes later. This time the fish was perfect. They're a build your own taco kind of thing with a variety of toppings. I was able to eat 3 and my husband a fourth, so definitely enough food. Because we checked in on Yelp, we had a free offer for a cookie and ice cream. A dream. A huge baked cookie with fresh vanilla ice cream melting on top. Again, could have fed 4 people but we finished it ourselves. This would be a great place for friends or family visiting, if you want to have a nicer place with a peaceful atmosphere and fantastic food.
(4)Hana C.
I'm sad to say I was pretty upset with this place. I've been looking forward to eating here for awhile and was excited to finally make a visit. The atmosphere was great and probably the only thing I really enjoyed about the place. First off, our server, John, was pretty bad. He hardly stopped by our table and was just overall slow. The one time he did decide to come by was to tell us our order got lost and that it'll be a bit longer for our food to come out. It took forever for our drinks to come out and when our food came out it was hardly warm. It had obviously been sitting under the heat lamp for awhile. Since this was my first visit I am willing to give it another try. I really want to like this place. The real disappointment was the service so hopefully the next visit will be better.
(3)Brett F.
Cute spot. Decent food. Service that leaves a lot to be desired. Actually being from SoCal, I had my doubts about how a restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park could potentially ever channel a "Summer House Santa Monica" vibe. But, ya know what? They kinda did. Love the beachy, open, airy, white clapboard décor and the servers that don Vans and Ray Bans instead of aprons and crisp shirts. Unfortunately, what came with the casual duds was also a very casual service. Mimosas (which are very unnecessarily served tablside so you can watch your server pop open a bottle of cava that is shared with other tables and pour it into some juice) were forgotten. The grand "tableside service" forgotten? Talk about faux pas. Then, there were our entrées that all came out at different times. Up first was my sister's smoked salmon platter. I get it, it's a cold dish and doesn't require heating, but that doesn't mean you just drop it on the table while two other patrons still have nothing. Kitchen timing. Learn it. Luckily, it was generously portioned and yummy otherwise we'd really pitch a bitch. Then next was my mom's lemon cottage cheese pancakes and a side of crispy, candied bacon. Mmmm hmmm. CANDIED bacon. Despite the fact that my plate STILL had not landed on the table, I couldn't help but let the cockles of my cold heart be warmed by tastes and sniffs of sugary, glazey pork. It was undeniably good. And then came my plate... Oh. Wait. No it didn't. I actually sat there for another 10 minutes with NO PLATE IN FRONT OF ME. I grabbed our server (who still hadn't noticed at that point and was running around visibly overwhelmed) that I still had not received my breakfast. He came back to report that the kitchen had forgotten my dish but was making it, finally. I was over it. OVER IT! I told him to 86 my breakfast and bring the check. He came back with the manger, 10,000 apologies, the check, and a box of the Summer House desserts from their glorious looking cookie counter. Now, there's no way they could have known this, but one way to easily win my affections is through cookies and baked goods. Plus, they were just scrumptious. There was even a chocolate chip one with little pieces of rice krispy treats on top! Mmmm. The cookies (oh, and bacon) are the only reason this isn't a two star review. Service needs to tighten up. Things appear to be a bit too chill at the Summer House.
(3)Melissa S.
Summer house is a great go-to spot. Their drinks are great -- I know they have a list of non alcoholic drinks, I usually get one of those but add alcohol. The girls at my table didn't know you could do that so they ended up doing what I did -- just a tip! Their steak tacos, guac, artichoke dip and swordfish are great. As far a brunch goes, the fried chicken is great!
(4)Bebaxa T.
Beautiful space, but the menu leaves something to be desired. Mexican/ ceviche/ with some Italian sprinkled in... It just doesn't flow... Doesn't go well together. Three stars for the space. It is beautiful at Summer House. But just like LA, it's all fluff and image... No substance.
(3)Steph W.
Talk about getting a great taste of summer in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. Had a lovely ladies night with delicious wine, great apps (Fresh Burrata and the Ahi Tuna Tostadas) and a solid pasta dish. I have a gluten allergy and they were so accommodating with everything from a special gluten free menu and thinking of me when serving bread with the burrata. Will definitely be going back. This time, I'll be sure to get something from the cookie bar.
(5)Shambavi K.
Trendy attractive atmosphere, décor, and venue. even the wait staff were attractive. Came here for a brunch with the girlfriends. The service was just NOT the best. took a while to order and took some to get our food. Maybe I am a stickler but it seems unfair that our peach bellinis came out in different colors (their mix wasn't consistent....one girl's bellini was darker peach while other girl's bellini was pale). Food was okay, it's just a trendy spot for brunch. I won't shy away from trying their dinner I suppose.
(3)Jess R.
Of corse this place is amazing!! The short ribs were juicy and tender and was melt in the mouth good, I just wished they had it year round. The steak is also amazing with good flavor. Drinks are great and a wide variety of apps and dinner choices. Love the bright Santa Monica feel
(4)Ashley I.
I loved Summer House so much I went three times the first weekend I went. I recommend the buratta as an appetizer. There are so many great options that are gluten free friendly. The cocktails are fun and tasty. There is also a bakery at the front of the restaurant that has gluten free cookies. Yum! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kim G.
Steak was overdone, server was not attentive - appeared bored. However, this is a place to see and be seen. There is at least one hipster who looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite brought in to make this place seem hip. The biscuits and salads were wonderful! The bright sunlit atmosphere puts everyone in a good mood. The bloody mary was above average and they also offered some nice non alcoholic cocktails. Don't forget to save room for a cookie!
(4)N J.
The decor was beautiful & the service was exceptional! The food was delicious & great portion of Mahi Mahi Tacos! All of us loved our food. The only reason I don't give it 5 Stars - is the restaurant obviously had way too many tables & my chair kept on getting hit/bumped all night by servers & patrons. Other patrons also noted & commented on the overcrowded dining area. They should've pulled 1 or 2 tables out to create a better flow of customers & staff!
(4)Antaash U.
This is probably the worst winter Chicago has seen in a while. So, what better place to ease those winter blues than a place with Summer in its name? I had the good fortune of dining at Summer House Santa Monica last night with a friend of mine. We were running a little late and called to delay our reservations, which the restaurant was more than happy to do for us. When we walked in, we were immediately accosted by one if the best reception sites ever! A fabulous dessert bar! I was so busy looking at all the homemade cookies and pastries that I forgot I should be checking in for my reservation. Anyway, the rest of the restaurant didn't disappointed either. The vibe was definitely California. Beachy. Trendy. The place was full of electricity and beautiful people. I don't know if it was pure coincidence, but there were quite a few tables with large parties of young women. Not a bad thing if you're a good looking single guy ;). The name, the white washed walls, the patio themed furniture, hanging plants and huge wood fire grill screamed California (in a non-overbearing way). The ceiling is also completely retractable, which unfortunately can only be enjoyed in Chicago 4 months out of the year but something to look forward to in the upcoming months. When we sat down, our server was happy to explain the concept for the restaurant to us since it was our first visit. She explained that the menu constantly changes, that a lot of products are locally sourced and that there is a lot of Asian influence in the menu. She also happily answered any questions we had. We started with the spicy calamari and the potato polenta mash. For my entree, I opted for the special, which was a 1,5lb grilled lobster on a bed of hand cut fries. My friend opted for the Dungeness crab pasta in a lobster butter. I thought the calamari was good but not great. I wish it had a little more kick to it and though the tempura was crispy, there was just too much of it, making the dish quite heavy. The potato polenta mash tasted like grits and was too salty for my taste. We only had a few bites of it each because it was not what we expected. Our entrees however fared much better. My lobster was amazing. I probably could have eaten another serving. The lobster was tender and the wood grill added a lovely flavor without compromising the sweetness or tenderness of the lobster. The handout fries were good but a little cold when I got my entree. To be honest, I didn't care since it was the lobster who was the real star of the show. I had a bite of the Dungeness crab pasta and it was really good too. I could see myself ordering that on my own. Finally, the dessert. This was one time, I was not leaving without dessert. We ordered the 7 layer fudge, peanut butter cake w/fresh whipped cream. It did not disappoint. The cake was moist and decadent. I'm glad we chose to split it because it was very rich. It was the perfect end to the meal. So, I definitely will go back to Summer House. There were quite a few things on the menu that caught my eye and it's a place my significant other would also really enjoy even with his picky eating habits. SH is definitely a crowd pleaser and a nice addition to the Chicago dining scene.
(4)Lisa S.
I agree with David W. who just wrote a review before me. This is definitely a 4.5 star place! I went with my girl friend last night, and we decided to share several items on the menu. Everything was delicious, and the tuna tostada was definitely my favorite! The atmosphere was great....perfect for friends, family or date night. I love the openness and airiness, but I am not sure how well that will work once winter hits Chicago again. Our server was also extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made some great recommendations. I also have to mention the cookie bar. You should definitely save room for dessert! I highly recommend the s'mores cookie. (If you're too stuffed, you can always take a cookie home too)!
(4)Mike M.
Best brunch I have ever had. Had the Short Rib hash that was out of this world. Service and food are top notch. Airy feeling makes you think that you are in California. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Nicole S.
Such a lovely place to get some Vitamin D (in their Vitamin D room) and munch on some appetizers while having a beer. Their desserts are HUGE and to die for! Yelp offered a check-in reward - free cookie with a scoop of ice cream. So good! We had a wonderful waitress (Michelle) who was very helpful and kind; really went out of her way to make sure my mom and I enjoyed our time. I highly recommend this place as a date spot or a girls-only date. Really beautiful ambiance and great menu. Very fair prices, too.
(5)Ritika K.
My friend and I stopped by for lunch last Saturday and we were seated at the bar. We got a table within 10 minutes without any prior reservation. The ambience is so fresh and modern. It truly lives up to the name summer house. I ordered orange juice and brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts were the best I've ever had. I even recommend it for those who don't like brussel sprouts. I loved the place so much that I immediately made a lunch reservation for the next weekend. You will get a free cookie and ice cream if you check in on yelp. Chocolate chip cookie was out of this world. Can't wait to go back in 3 days.
(5)Joyce L.
English muffins... Delicious, fluffy, warm home made English muffin with butter and jam. It must be the British colony upbringing, but when someone serves me a very well made breakfast stable like that, I go ga-ga. Even my friend agrees... And she lives a mostly carb free life! The rest of the breakfast/ brunch menu is a nice blend of Midwest and Cali cool. The burrito selection is comparable to what I'd find in San Francisco - the vegetarian Mission burrito is delicious! The pork hash was decadent and satisfyingly rich. Kale scramble looked amazing... When kale goes out of fashion, it'll be probably be a pesto scramble once again. Our server said French Toast was their best seller... I chose to have my sweets in the form of a correct ratio - aka bubbles dominant vs juice- Peach Bellini instead ;) Great service, excellent pastry department (fleur de sel cookie...!!!) and the kitchen wasn't bad either. Very worthy visit.
(4)Neil D.
Came here for brunch and it was fantastic! First upon entering, you get to see all of there yummy baked goods (we took a couple of these sweet morsels to-go). We were seated next to the bar. I absolutely loved the ambiance of this place. We walked out of the cold January in Chicago right into, well...Summer. (every 15 minutes, the lights would brighten up for a bit, as if the sun just peaked out from behind the clouds on a summer's day.) The atmosphere is so warm and inviting and everyone is super nice (great service!). I had the Bloody Mary to start off my mornoon. Delicious & Refreshing! My sister got the almond iced coffee...not so good. Tasted like cinnamon and water, very underwhelming. The food was delicious. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower (yum! light and full of flavor), Ahi Tuna Tostadas (excellent. very refreshing; exactly what you would want if you were sitting on a beach somewhere on a warm day), Caramelized Butternut Squash (my dining companions said this was very good. I am not a fan of roasted squash, so I passed on this one), and the Spicy Calamari (mmmm...so good! This is easily my favorite fried calamari anywhere! The breading is light and flavorful, the calamari cooked perfectly...goes great with the spicy mayo provided. Had we not ordered four apps to start, we all agreed this would have been ordered again). As far as entrées go, I got the "Our Prime Rib Dip Sandwich" which was okay. I have had better elsewhere. It was good, but I don't think I will order it again. Next time I come in, I think I am going to get the Breakfast tostadas. My table also ordered the chicken and waffles, three-egg breakfast, the sunrise burrito, and mexican hash. Everything overall was very good. This place is great from brunch. I will definitely be back for brunch and will come back to explore what they have in store for dinner! 4/5
(4)Alan G.
Went here for brunch and had a very good cinnamon roll. It was called the "jumbo cinnamon roll" or something. Went to pick one up the following weekend and saw only a smaller cinnamon roll labeled gluten-free. I asked the employee if they had any of the "jumbo cinnamon rolls". He stated that they were using new baking trays and these were the jumbo ones, just smaller. He said they were not gluten-free despite the sign saying "gluten-free". Well, my fault for trusting him. They were gluten-free and absolutely disgusting.
(2)Maria L.
I'm surprised people have given such high ratings for Summer House since the food was pretty mediocre and kinda overpriced. Although the beachy atmosphere is pretty nice when it's -20 degrees out. I tried the guac, tuna tartare, and pork ravioli and everything was good, but it was missing that extra oomph or audible "mmm" that places like Balena exhibit. Also the people watching is pretty interesting bc not only did Summer House transplant Cali beach vibes, but also the Real Housewives of the OC! Talk about rich ass plastic Lincoln Park moms. Overall the environment is pretty kewl at Summer House but the food is mediocre and lacks character.
(3)Stella W.
This is for their brunch service... my friend and I went to the Stella Barra the night before but the interior and sunroof room at the Summer House caught our attention that we decided to come back for brunch after our 10k race the next day... I love the sunroof room and it has a really california feel...the menu and the decor... They are def. very accommodating...after the race, we didn't want anything heavy, but def. want some kinda protein for recovery, so i asked if i can sub. the sausages with the smoked salmon for an additional cost. i also pushed the envelop a bit with soft boiled eggs, which to my surprise, not only they said yes (most places wouldn't even make hard boil eggs for some reasons...it's not like they don't have water, pot and eggs)...but they also nailed it with 3 perfect soft boiled eggs!! My favourite!!!! The dish turned out to be almost perfect.... I wonder if they make a batch of hash brown because mine seemed to have been sitting out for a while...fortunately, i don't really like hash brown anyway... so then why 3 stars? well, even though they are very accommodating, our server disappeared like half of the time. Even though they use Dark Matter coffee, which made me really excited, the coffee that day was stale and acidic...i had to ask for coke instead. I drink my coffee black and tried so hard to drink it that every sip i took reminded me of the chinese bitter herbal soup my parents made me drink when i was little...no thank you!
(3)Fi Fi R.
Saturday brunch with a friend and a couple of kids at the Summer House was an INCREDIBLE idea! My Gosh- this place is AMAZING! The ambiance is refreshing! You feel like it is Summer sitting inside. Everything around was cute. Our Server was VERY sweet and attentive (sorry, I don't remember her name) We ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict, pulled pork hash, tostadas, Spanish hash and a couple of kids meals. For drinks, we had coffee, Bloody Mary's, and juice. EVERYTHING was absolutely DELICIOUS! Everything we saw served to other tables looked AMAZING! We will definitely come back! No DOUBT!
(5)DC F.
I have been to Summer House twice now! Always a suggestion from my friend. Both times I felt the food was delicious and the staff was really attentive. The ambiance is great! I do wish they had a larger signature cocktail list... Because I've tried every single one and they are all delicious... I want more! We had the artichoke & spinach dip, hot mess of fries, ahi tuna tostadas, and the quinoa bowl. All of which were scrumptious.
(5)Kevin P.
Good environment great food great service. The salads were fantastic. Great flavor great portion. Would have given 5 stars but we were constantly swatting a few pesky flies.
(4)Justine G.
Love the brunch here. Everything is delicious from cocktails to their brunch & dinner menu. On weekends be sure to make a reservation in advance.
(4)Mickey H.
Didn't get the best seat in the house, but hey, the waitress comped us an appetizer of Burratta, very good. We were attracted to most of the seafood items, Tuna Tostadas were a fantastic appetizer. Had the fish tacos and lobster orecchiette for entrees, the lobster dish was unreal. For desserts, I highly recommend the triple chocolate dish, amazing chocolate cake with some sea salt and peanut butter. If you're looking for something more refreshing, the cucumber mint ice dish was fantastic as well. Great service, we'll be back for sure!
(4)Mat M.
I recently dined at Summer House and really enjoyed my experience at the restaurant. The decor is great - and really does make you feel like you're on a beach. The menu isn't extreme - but the food and options really are accessible to all eaters. I dined with a group - here are some of the things we had: Guacamole Spicy Calamari Fish Special Pork Tacos Chicken Tacos The food was all really great - and the service was stellar. Summer House is a member of Lettuce Entertain You - so I appreciated getting my dining points. Another job well done!
(4)Emma K.
Dinner here last Monday with my parents and boyfriend was probably one of the best meals I've had in a while. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but totally worth it. Despite being below freezing outside, the inside really does feel like California, and was so light and comfortable. After hearing that the roof retracts in the summer, I can't wait to come back then too. We had managed to snag 8:00 reservations through Open Table, and were seated immediately in a booth by the kitchen (great seats for seeing all the delicious looking food come out!). Our waitress was great, and explained the menu concept to us. All of the food was amazing. My steak frites were so delicious and if I ever have to pick a last meal, this may be it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food a lot too - trout, tuna, and the burger. After seeing all of the desserts on display on the way in, we couldn't pass up looking at a dessert menu. We split two pieces of some chocolate peanut butter cake which was heaven on earth. I will be definitely be stopping in on my way home to grab some sweets soon!
(5)Kris R.
overall, pretty good, and you get what you pay for. beautiful atmosphere. it feels summer-y, obvi. but summery, like, all the time. i brought blonde friend here to cele her day of birth. we made our rez at 8 but got there at 7, bc that's how we rolled that day. we sat at the bar and ended up staying there all night. the men tending bar were real nice. we ordered and split: the scallops. delish, green sauce was good. scallops were on the small side, but no biggie. the kale salad. yeah, again, pretty good. the goat cheese + beets. again, another winner. we didn't actually order this but he let us keep it anyway, for the price of free.99. THE BISCUITS. totally worth it the wait. comes with a poblano butter and some honey. this shit was real. however the man tender forgot to put the order in, and it came out pretty late. again, still worth it. and they took it off the tab. checked in on the yelp and got a free cookie (sea salt choc chips) and vanilla ice cream. pretty good. oh i totes forgot about the drinks. watermelon drink? add vodka. their new zealand sauv blanc is on point as well. so, with all the free food, our tab was still $40 a person. it's expensive, but again, you pay what you get and that's pretty good food in a sexy atmosphere. they did it right.
(4)Eliska O.
ok, so we requested a table outside..we waited fairly 40 mins, and even tho I could see they had table outside they wouldn't seat us there. It wasn't that busy- Saturday at 2.30 pm. We ordered bunch of food, and my husband really hates anything with vinegar. We ordered tomatoes with herbs and olive oil..and guess what..it came with vinegar. Our waitress was really nice, and she said no problem, and took it from our bill.that places was pretty pricey I've been to better places in Chicago..don't feel the need to come back.
(2)Faydra D.
During this brutal winter, let Summer House take you to a warm happy place... my husband and I 1st came here in December and due to the awesome gluten free menu decided it would be a perfect place to bring sister dear on her birthday. So on January 9th we brought my sis and her man as well as my brother to Summer House. I hesitated with 5 stars mainly because both times we waited around 15 minutes for our reserved table. The staff is very nice and come prepared with recommendations. On this evening our table ordered the Skate wing with soba noodles and bok choy Pork shank with summer root smash Bison meatloaf with mash potato Skirt Steak and fritas Brussell sprouts Yellow beets Guacamole Fresh burrata Shaved veg salad And for dessert Choc martini Must say there were no complaints from anyone. We were all satisfied without being stuffed. i had the skate and it was perfect. I tasted the pork shank and it was flavorful, without being too salty. The cocktails are good and they have a nice fun and fresh theme to them. This place is great for a girls night out, date night and groups. Summer house is a fantastic addition to my Lincoln Park neighborhood. Happy to have such a bright place that that takes me away from this depressing cold. Can't wait for the summer when the retractable roof is revealed!
(4)Emann B.
Big airy space and excellent service. Tasty starters were good all around (guac, tostadas, hot mess fries). Pork shank was Flintstone sized and tender, skate was good but the sauce was too much soy and not much else. Pumpkin chiffon pie was heavenly.
(4)Farrah D.
Reminds of California! They nailed the food, decor, and vibe! I went for brunch and had the spinach dip and a breakfast burrito; also got a pot of delicious ginger flavored tea and a lemon pistachio cookie from the cart. Everything was so tasty - I could not stop eating! Love!
(5)Pam G.
Went for the first time last night. We were celebrating my son getting married so we had a large party and grandparents with us. Great idea with decorating especially in the winter. The dinning area has a glass ceiling giving it a greenhouse feel. Music was very loud Couldn't hear or have conversation. We had a table for 6. Food was excellent! Our table had short rib ravioli. swordfish ,lobster frits, salmon ,loaded fries and steak and fries. Everyone loved their dinner! Service was very friendly. We also had the calamari and guacamole which were also good. Loved the food but not the volume of noise.
(4)April G.
This place is amazing! The only reason I give it 4 stars is we had a 9pm reservation and didn't get sat until 10pm. It was a zoo! But the manager made up for it and brought us a bunch of appetizers on the house.. Every thing we had was absolutely amazing. For an entree I had the short ribs and they were by far the best short ribs I've ever had! Definitely will be back but hopefully not when its crazy packed again!
(4)Elise R.
This restaurant is AMAZING! The ambiance is beautiful and the décor is perfect, I really felt like I was in California. The service was spectacular and the food was delicious. It is a great place for a date, out with the girls, or with a group! The menu is reasonably priced and has enough of a variety, but not too many choices where it's overwhelming. Make a reservation there now!
(5)Lauren R.
Wow the brunch was amazing! I am only reviewing that part. I also made reservations cause it gets super packed. Loved my server and the food was perfect. I will be back soon!
(5)Katie K.
I've been here a couple times for brunch and once for dinner. Brunch is definitely better. Great refreshing juice options and pretty reasonably priced if you aren't drinking alcohol (but like, why wouldn't you?...) so I'm happy to add this into my brunch rotation. Great little patio and good ambiance. Get a cookie with ice cream, you won't regret it.
(4)Katie W.
I pretty much loved everything about this place! The decor is light, airy and really does have the ambiance of somewhere outside in California. I went with two girlfriends for a weeknight dinner--so maybe it wasn't as crazy as the weekends, but we were seated right at our reservation time and had no issue there. We were by the window which could have been nice but unfortunately we were there on a cold night. Our server was really friendly and attentive and offered some really good recommendations. We started with the biscuits and the brussel sprouts which were both delicious in different ways. The butter served with the biscuits made them 10x better--and they were already great! I had tried the brussel sprouts at Stella Barra and was hoping they were the same ones--I'm not sure if they were exactly the same, but seemed similar. After buttery biscuits, you would think brussel sprouts might be kinda 'meh' but these we ate all of these up as well! For my meal, I had the tuna tartare I believe? Whatever it was, it was soo good and I'm glad I went with the waiters suggestion on this. For dessert, we shared two chocolate chip cookies that had been heated up. So, pretty much the randomest meal combo ever--but I loved every single thing that we tried. Some places don't seem deserving of the hype, but I think Summer House does--I just wish it was easier to go back!
(5)Scott W.
I Iove lettuce places. I'm a frequent diner--usually once a week. Very excited to come here. While most meals were decent, my experience was disappointing. My frites were cold with the steak. I sent them back and the were returned simply stirred around. The blue cheese was all over the frites. Not a huge deal. Then I found a hair! The waiter and manager apologized which was nice. They expedited the lobster. All good actually. Then it got really weird. They comped us two deserts. Nice. But, they made a big show about calling them an anniversary gift. The waiter said it loudly so other tables could hear. Why? PR? No one at the table had an anniversary within 3 months of our dinner. They didn't comp the meal which is what one would expect after a hair found. Or at least comp the price of my first entree. My second order was more expensive. So I would have paid the difference. The manager said she was embarrassed. That was fine. But this place has lost our business. P.s. When they delivered my replacement meal--the manager said, "we took someone else's meal, they will have to wait." Uh...how exactly does making another patron suffer help matters? So unprofessional. And to think they had a 1000 people for brunch that day alone... Update: Within a few days of this post, I got an email from a VP at Lettuce. Super nice guy (and a lovely assistant), they sent me $100 in gift cards for Summer House. We have not used them, but will. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even more? Lettuce is greatest.
(2)Simmone S.
Ii's hard to say no to a restaurant that greets you with an array of baked goods on entering (got to go if you do not know what I mean). The food and wine were amazing! I had the mid-atlantic salmon, it came in a delectable sauce and the perfect portion size. We started with the roasted Brussels sprouts and golden beet salad - both very good. There wine menu was terrific. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous for summer dining and opens up onto the sidewalk via large glass windows. The crowd was polished people late 20s onward, some young professionals (like me :)). I absolutely loved it.
(5)Heather R.
This was probably one of the better meals I've had in a while. As advertised, the food was fresh and light (no heavy sauces or oils), but was everything was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and satiating. The chips & guacamole rivals that of Big Star and the accompanying salsa had a great smokey flavor. The swordfish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompanying apple salad was tasty and complemented the fish quite well. I'll admit that the place was really crowded and a little congested for a Thursday night (perhaps a testament to the quality of the food and Cali-inspried atmosphere - which was certainly appreciated during this abysmal Chicago winter). However, it didn't take away from the quality of service at all. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive and very knowledgable of each menu item. I'd certainly go back and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)J R.
Summer House accomplishes it's goal of capturing summer. Crafted cocktails, well put together menu, delicious desserts. The light color scheme in decorations, well lit dining room and fire-lit outside patio really transports you out of Chicago. The shaved brussel sprouts are everything! I had the lobster tagliatelle as my main course and have zero complaints; light cream, lobster with every bite. All very good. We "took a hike" to their cookie bar (as they jokingly suggest on their dessert menu) and took some of their homemade Rice Krispy treats and their absolutely perfect blondie home. Will most definitely be going back!
(4)Jayne K.
Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. The beets were full of flavor and the fish tacos were the best! They came with guacamole, slaw, salsa, and some spices! The ice cream with a cookie was the icing on the cake. We will be back soon!
(5)Anne E.
Had my doubts. Heard abut it on Thrillist, was walking by- gave it a try. BOY SO GOOD! For a new restaurant the service was great- Rachel was our server and left nothing wanting! Charley, our bus boy was the BEST! They worked together to give us a lovely meal and their suggestions for desert were fantastic. Don't leave without trying the cookie and the chocolate cake with sea salt on top. To die for. Rachel was attentive without interrupting our conversation, she was cheerful in an authentic way and gave us great service. I will tell my friends about this place and plan to come back. Thank you.
(5)Neil O.
Went here on Saturday night. Took 2 months to get a reservation for 6 people on Saturday night, so I was expecting a lot! Venue is gorgeous, lovely decor and great atmosphere. After that, it's all 3 stars. Food was fine but no where near amazing (which I was expecting). White wine wasn't fully chilled. Server was ok. All in all I'm a bit disappointed with this place. Won't be rushing back for dinner. I've heard brunch is good so might try it again for that.
(3)Pamela D.
I was there today for lunch. The place is definitely nice and my waitress was super nice. Having said that the food was ok. I ordered a salad with an addition of tuna. The tuna was great but the salad dressing was so salty that I had to send it back (and I love salt)!! When I got the salad back there was no dressing whatsoever which I thought was funny. I had a cucumber and mint virgin drink that was actually great.
(3)Lena K.
Great spot to see and be seen! Wonderful decor, very fresh and very Californian. Reminded me a little of West Elm. Gets very busy so be sure to make reservations . As for the food it was just ok. Brunch menu did not have many choices . However the Bloody Mary w/ Bacon was a treat. As well as the to go bakery on the wAy out! Staff was very nice !
(3)Keaton W.
Went here for restaurant week, and couldn't ask for a better experience. I had a reservation but was asked to wait while they cleared some tables, so we went to the bar for a drink (great cocktails, by the way). Went back to the host to check on our reservation about 10 minutes later and were seated immediately with an outpour of apologies. As we were seated our server brought us a complimentary appetizer for waiting. Everything on the restaurant week menu was brought to us in ample timing and tasted so fresh, like it was cooked right then. A lot of times I feel that these restaurants make a lot of the dishes ahead of time, to prepare. Our server was always gracious and helpful. At the end of our meal, he even reminded us of the wine that came with our restaurant week menu. Great experience and wonderful food. Will definitely come back again.
(5)Tammy Q.
Two thumbs up for the decor -- loved the white space and laid back California feel. 1.5 thumbs for the food and I could see myself coming back with another group of friends. Apps were good; loved the roasted cauliflower with jalapeno sauce and hot mess fries. Was not a fan of the brussel sprouts. The burrata felt mushy and I was in love with the tomatoes more than the burrata! Main dishes were ohhhkay. I was looking forward to the bucatini with forest mushrooms and braised pork ravioli, but it under delivered for me. A girl can't have it all, right? The chocolate banana cookie with vanilla ice cream saved the day though. I loved every bite of it. It was a good way to round out the meal.
(4)Someone Y.
Corey, the gm for this place, leaves something to be desired. I love the food, but hate the manager. Lettuce should know better than to hire a GM that has personality conflicts.
(1)Colin D.
Most people don't know the restaurant is actually called "Summer House Santa Monica." People were saying they are confused when they walk in because they are greeted with a pastry display. However, 2 of the 4 people I was dining with grew up in Cali and when they sat down the first thing they said (without knowing the full title) was "This feel like a restaurant in Santa Monica" The food was excellent. I highly recommend the calamari. Everyone really enjoyed their dishes. The waitress, Hope, even accommodated a dish make it more Paleo approved for my friend. She was very attentive during the whole meal. The restaurant is very well lit. I will really enjoy coming here in the middle of the winter to give me more of a Summery feeling.
(4)Stassi S.
1- star: Adding new experience:2/8/14 Called last weekend to make a reservation- called first during hours of operations- I was put immediately on hold for over 6 minutes- then I finally hung up. The next day I called- in the afternoon when they are not open for service- the lady who answered the phone was immediately rude. I asked to make a reservation and she said we only have 5 pm or 10:30 pm. Did not ask how many people in my party. Just not impressed with customer service. Being busy all the time does not mean you will be successful, if you treat customers rudely. 4-stars: Really like this place! Love the atmosphere, white & bright everywhere. Service has been good everytime. Sad they got rid of the pork raviolis and the front lounge seating. Our chicken pasta was salty and some-what bland. But they are still newer on the scene so I'm sure they will just improve.
(2)Barry M.
Food is hit or miss-some good dishes some pretty poor dishes. Nice atmosphere nice servers, but really the food is nothing special.
(2)Jenny Y.
Love this place and the atmosphere here! Came here 3 times and enjoyed each time i came. Food is pretty decent here, very friendly services too harmachi tartare & green apple - Really Good! lobster pasta- Love it! roasted cauliflower- very tasty japanese egg plants- pretty good yuzu scallops- had this 3 times, the first 2 times were good, but the 3rd time was way too sour...you can probably skip this salad and dessert were okay, nothing impressive.
(4)Patrick B.
Too noisy. They need to know that people like to have a conversation when they are out to dinner. Not everyone wants to feel like they are in a bar. Not sure how it adds to the ambiance. It's nice enough that they don't have to add the juke box...
(1)Kirsten B.
Tom was absolutely fantastic and extremely knowledgeable about the menu items as well as super attentive to our table!! Highly recommend Tom and Summerhouse!!
(4)Roshani C.
Really great ambience, great food, great service. Everything was timed perfectly. As we finished one appetizer, the second one was brought over, and then shortly after our entrees came. There was no overlap and we had enough time between courses.
(5)Brendan S.
Cool Vibe but Misses the Mark Summer House has an inviting feel and is well decorated, but the food is overpriced and even an untrained cook could make it. I paid 24$ for salmon and it looked like someone through it on a plate with some fennel, you could make this dish at home for 8$ and it would taste the same, if not better. I once ordered a salad and it was the saddest thing I've had a restaurant - for the price. It's not that this place is expensive, it's just that for what you are getting you are totally getting taken. I think those who enjoy this place put ambiance over quality.
(2)Ralph S.
Dined at Summer House last night after putting a reservation in a couple of weeks prior. Food and service was great. Tuna Tostadas, biscuits, caramelized brussel sprouts, and korean tacos were all fantastic. Drink list is simple enough if you want beer and complex enough if you want some summer style tastes. I am not a wine drinker, so I cannot comment on the wine list, but it was there and they seemed to push us on it. Overall the place has a pretty cool setting and is always packed, which I am a fan of. Prices were a bit too expensive. $24 for two tacos is pretty ridiculous. I would suggest going and sharing plates with others like our party did. Stella Barra next door is on the list to try as well. Enjoy
(4)Kevin D.
The food here was pretty good, defintely worth returning for. The Burrata appetiser was to die for! All the fish was very good, however the Skate Fish was far to salty, and this was consistent with both orders we had at our table. It was just drowning in salt and it left us feeling not so great after the meal. The rainbow trout was much better however. The decor is nice, but the service is a little amateurish. It seemed more like what you'd get in a small college town then a prominent neighbourhood in Chicago. I looking forward to returning and trying some of the other dishes.
(3)Jenny I.
Great atmosphere, lots of light and open space. Food is delicious as well, I have only been there for brunch but the homemade english muffins are amazing and the buratta appetizer was scrumptious as well. I highly recommend.
(5)M R.
Nice looking place with an all around good menu.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Lovely ambiance, bad food. I went with my sister for dinner last night and we didn't enjoy a single dish. For an appetizer we got the scallops which were pretty much scallops sitting in a pool of butter.. Market salad had no other ingredients besides lettuce... And then we split tuna fish tacos which were also flavorless. Disappointed.
(1)Arlene R.
Went to Summer House for breakfast. Great menu choices and delicious dishes. Service was amazing thanks to the awesome manager there! Will definitely be back!
(4)Jim D.
Our party of four was thoroughly delighted with every aspect of our evening at SH, from the amazing calamari to the melt-in-your-mouth desserts! The atmosphere is very west coast, which was a relief from our polar vortex here! The server was very knowledgable and attentive but not a pest. The value is good, not too pricey. Get some cookies and English muffins at the market on your way out, you will be glad you did!!!
(5)Michael F.
While we were seating right away, what should have been a 1 hour late supper took 2 1/2 hours. Several of our dishes were cold and had to be sent back, others were just wrong. Turkeyburger was a two-patty dried out mess. Our server was probably new and not ready for prime time. The manager was great, comped a number of dishes, and offered a complimentary dessert, but I doubt we'll return.
(2)Caileigh C.
Beautiful restaurant- open, airy, there was even a breeze coming through the open windows on the roof. Actually felt like like I was in Santa Barbara and I was actually there 3 weeks prior, though this definitely has a Chicago twist on it. Had the vegetable enchiladas and the oaked chardonnay - both were fabulous! Will be returning for special occasions.
(4)Kailei R.
Went there for my husband's birthday and had a great time. We individually had passed by and wanted to check it out. We weren't disappointed. The "Vitamin D" room had great ambiance and nice natural light on the summer evening we were there. They had "zero proof" cocktails which I appreciate -- I love me a good cocktail with alcohol but having the option to order a thoughtfully created beverage for those who don't drink is a nice touch. I had the one with watermelon (I think it was called watermelon smash) which was delicious. I ordered the pasta dish with a parmesan cheese based stock, lobster and summer truffles. It was yummy. My husband had a turkey burger with a fried egg on top. He loved the burger but the yolk squirted out on the table and his shirt when he bit into it which was messy, but he still enjoyed it. We also ordered the brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction. I enjoyed them, but my husband said he didn't like the flavors after having the turkey burger. For dessert since it was his birthday they brought out a cookie with vanilla ice cream. We were pleasantly surprised they had a gluten free chocolate chip cookie option, which was pretty darn good.
(4)D S.
awesome ambiance, food and service.. One of our favorite joints for a late sunday brunch / lunch
(5)Brandon B.
Everything was fantastic. A great spot that truly brings the Bungalow/Shutters vibe from Santa Monica to Chicago. Summer House is well worth a visit. The biscuits and salmon were absolutely fantastic and all of the drinks were great. I will be adding it to the list for future visits.
(5)James D.
Went there early in the evening with my daughter. We got right in but it was a wednesday at 5:30 pm. The place was very inviting and felt like we were at vacation spot!! We had the Guac and chips for an appetizer and we both had a house pinot nior that was great. I had the salmond and daughter had the halibut, both were fresh and great. Only one problem the server gave us the most expensive pinot 16$ per, she should have gave us the least expensive or offered for us to buy a bottle!! They had cheaper wine, I asked just for the house bottle. For that reason I will not be back, I still gave her a decent tip 20%...
(2)Emily W.
this is exactly the kind of place to go in the dead of a long chicago winter. food was great for brunch!! highly recommend the short rib hash, entire group agreed that was best. went with my mom and sisters for a girls weekend and this was the highlight. as many other reviews say, do not skip the dessert bar in front!
(5)Sarah M.
We had a great waitress, but that was about it. The fish tasted and smelled old and the salads were bland. I only ate a few bites before sending it back because it smelled so bad I was worried it would make me sick. I rarely ever send anything back. We later found out that we weren't the only ones that complained about the fish that night. The manager was apologetic and generous, but I worry that there were some issues in the kitchen and I don't think I will be going back. It was very crowded for the middle of the week and it has a summery atmosphere that is welcome in winter, but did not seem like it was worth the expensive price for the food.
(1)Katie A.
Came to Summer House with a couple friends for Chicago Restaurant Week. We made the reservation several weeks in advance and were excited for the pre-fix menu options. When we sat down to order our server told us they were no longer offering the RW menu. (How is this happening? We already had a full blown conversation via text about what we all planned to select). Anyway, we were disappointed there was no mention of limited availability when booking (normally it's a 2 week offering) and we specifically chose Summer House because of RW. Lucky for us, the food and ambiance ended up being great and we had a good experience. As many other reviews mention, the decor makes you feel like you're in Cali (or at least not in snowy Chicago). The staff seemed friendly enough and although they were extremely busy, it wasn't overly loud like some other popular spots. You could definitely still carry a conversation. As far as food goes, we shared several menu items. Ahi tuna tostadas are fresh and flavorful, spicy calamari is perfectly breaded and seasoned, and the home made biscuits are perfectly complimented with a drop of honey. Would definitely order any (all) of those again. The sea bass entree was lacking in flavor and had a consistency like tofu. It wasn't terrible, but I would not recommend it either. Sides: beets with goat cheese and caramelized brussel sprouts were both good. Desserts (because who skips dessert!?): pineapple tostatda had an awesome flavor and was a nice change from the normal chocolate laden options. Of course, we had a chocolate laden dessert as well (duh). They have a huge cookie counter where you can essentially create your own sundae. It was awesome. Bonus: wine pours are generous to say the least. We will definitely be back, but hope Summer House improves communication about events/specials in the future.
(4)Amanda D.
I really liked Summer House Santa Monica. The staff here gets huge kudos - we were seated very late, and they gave us five free appetizers and a free bottle of prosecco to make up for it. For a starving group of 4 girls, this made us extremely happy! It is definitely a fun place to be and take a group of friends or celebrate something. I wasn't completely in love with it since the room is a very large space and the scene is very sceney. I prefer mellow, cozier places, but if you're looking for a night out on the town I would highly recommend it. The French Dip sandwich is the best I have ever had.
(4)Julie B.
The ambiance is great but the food was so so. WAY over priced for pedestrian dishes. The food was fine, but you could get much better, unique, creative food elsewhere for much more reasonably priced.
(2)robert b.
Not one of the better Lettuce Entertain You places. The menu is annoyingly eclectic In an attempt to be different. The salads were good, as was the burrata e cheese appetizer. The chicken taco was ordinary, even though I added pico de gallo and hot sauce. The server was terrific, but it would have been better to have her serve terrific food. The highlight was the cookie I bought at the bakery counter on the way out.
(3)Stan P.
Perfect! We are so in need of happy, yummy, neighbor restaurants. Summer House has arrived to fill the void. Beautiful, Santa Monica feeling; light wood, airy but not cold feeling. Can't wait to eat there in summer when the roof opens and the garage door opens onto the sidewalk. Summer breezes. But, even on the November drizzly opening night, it was cheery and warm inside. The food is great. It is not fussy in an Alinea way -- but it is delicious without being heavy and salty. We had the "hot mess" which was a bit decadent; the calamari was divine and the cauliflower was good too. I enjoyed the hamachi appetizer as an entree -- it was light and tangy. Others had the skate and the tuna which were all great. An abundance of fish and veggies on the menu -- but comfort food as well. It was all really good. Felt like eating at the home of a friend who is a great chef. The best part was that while there was high energy in the restaurant, we could easily have a conversation. And we did. I felt a little guilty holding the table for as long as we did -- but the staff was wonderful and never made us feel pressure to leave. Don't forget to order the chocolate chip cookie and the homemade ice cream for dessert!
(5)Katie C.
This place was nice, but fell short of expectations. We waited 40 minutes past our reservation and the staff could have cared less. Food was good but not great and I found it weird that the lights are so bright. Not in a hurry to get back here anytime soon.
(3)David W.
The atmosphere was wonderful! The servers were all very attentive, and they brought out delicious food. I'm a little surprised by the mediocre rating of this place. I've heard that the place is relatively new, so it must have improved a lot since its opening.
(4)kari n.
Summerhouse gets four stars for brunch. Mostly because the decor and ambiance are definitely kicking it, especially in the midst of this terrible winter. It felt like we were on vaca somewhere warm. The food was decent. The ideas in the menu are great. Execution could be better. Like my omelette was a bit dry. Sat under the heat lamps a big too long before making it to our table? And the beet salad was lacking in the beets texture- too mushy actually. Also our server was a smiley girl who didn't do the best job taking care of us/ just a little too MIA. However the bakery bar in the entry had some worth-the-calorie treats that we brought home with us and really enjoyed. Go for the ambiance, stay for the apple crumble cookie.
(4)mark s.
Pros: Great atmosphere, professional service, tasty food. Cons: Can be Loud for middle age or older people, pricey, it's a bit of a scene, very busy so you may have to wait even if you have a reservation.
(4)Danielle T.
I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and this was hands down one of the best meals I've eaten. We ordered the pork ravioli, burrata, calamari and cauliflower. All 4 things were simply amazing. I don't eat seafood and I couldn't get enough of the calamari. Pork ravioli was a little salty-- but we loved it!! Then our waiter, Scott! We just loved him. He really knew his shit! Recommended everything, knew wine pairings, etc... Wonderful ambiance! We will be back!
(5)Cristina T.
We came to Summer House for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Luckily we made reservations but were not seated until our whole party was there. Servers we kind and helpful, wearing trendy jean shirts and aprons. The kitchen is exposed which adds to some of the liveliness of this place. I personally felt a little rushed with our service, as our waitress came back every three minutes to take our orders. Our food also came out extremely fast. I ordered the Korean style skate wing that was situated on top of noodles. It was a decently sized portion but for almost 30 dollars, it was definitely overpriced. Though it was good and I ate most of it, I found the skate wing to be a little over salted and not a standout by any means. I think that the selling point of Summer House is the interior, not the food. None of our party of 7 had rave reviews. I think I would come back in the future for drinks, but nothing more than that.
(3)Jaime M.
Been to Summer House twice already and I look forward to coming back, what a great place! The food, ambiance and service, everything was great. The only thing I wanted to suggest to management is that when you serve tacos that the tortillas come in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a cloth. Tortillas go cold very fast and that can detract from an otherwise perfect experience (at Summer House they bring you the tortillas piled on top of each other, uncovered on an open plate) Just food for thought. This is a really awesome place!
(5)R R.
I heard this was the place to checkout. Upon arrival, the place was packed. And many appeared to be waiting for their tables. We had a late reservation 9:30pm and when we arrived we still had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. Strike 1. The food better be awesome! We were seated in the main room which was really cold. They even said they kept that room "breezy" and in the future we should ask to be seated in the bar area, Strike 2. We had the burrata as the app. It was good. Not great but good. For our main, I had the ahi tuna tostadas. They were flavorful enough. The BF had the Thai curry mussels. He enjoyed them. So the food was good not phenomenal for all the hype but still good. This seems to be a place to be seen and be in the trendy aesthetics rather than about fabulous food. But if you are a millennial this would be your spot. As for the service, our server disappeared for 10 minutes and we had to flag down a busboy for a request. Strike 3. So in conclusion, not a seen for the true foodie, more the wannabe cool kid that can say they scored a reservation on a Saturday night. I usually like LEY restaurants but this place is off my list. Go if you want to be seen!
(2)Maria D.
Beautiful decor and even better food! I have been here twice in the past week and a half! The food is great. Some must haves are the tuna tostadas, the burger, the spicy calamari, fish tacos, and definitely hit up the cookie bar when you leave! Both times we had great service. Both of our servers were very attentive, helpful, and gave great recommendations. I loved it and cant wait to come back. And just one more tip...the watermelon smash with vodka is great!! Try it!
(5)Jet S.
Great spot, Great food. Expensive, but not crazy. The only criticism it that the lights are too bright.
(5)Brenna N.
All in all, I enjoyed my evening at the Summer House, but I have a few complaints. I arrived at the restaurant at 6:40 with a reservation and were sat immediately. Our waitress approached us and we knew immediately what appetizers we wanted. We received one of the two, a little confused because both should have came at the same time. Anyways, we finished the first one and the second one was still MIA. Still no appetizer, we proceeded to put in our main courses. From the time we put in the appetizers 45 minutes passed. I asked about 3 times where our second app. was. Seemed to me, they didn't know. By the time the second app. came out, our main course trailed right behind. Wasn't too happy but whatever. I had the filet and my boyfriend had the short rib. Both very good. The food is good but I think the service needs some improvements. Upon leaving, the lost appetizer was comped off the bill and the manager brought of cookies for our anniversary. Great atmosphere, pretty good food, and iffy service.
(3)Michael G.
Great place. Food and service is excellent. I also found the restaurant to be light filled and relaxing. Each of the people in my party had a different entree and we all enjoyed what we ordered. The dessert was excellent. I had the cake with the peanut butter fudge. I will definitely be back.
(5)Kalee H.
I went here on Monday, just 72 hours after the grand opening and I was super impressed! The food, serve and atmosphere are wonderful! I highly recommend the guacamole, fish tacos and seared ahi tuna. The desserts looked wonderful too! Great place in LP and perfect for large and small groups!
(5)Jane S.
I am a frequent visitor to Chicago and I always like to try new restaurants when I'm here. Last night, I went to Summer House on recommendation from my daughter. What a treat! When you enter Summer House you are transformed to a place far from the blustery cold of Chitown. It is eternal summer in decor without being kitschy . There is a countdown to summer( only 180 more days) displayed on the far wall. A very cool vibe in general. I was informed, that the glass ceiling retracts in the summer to dine alfresco. We were greeted by our friendly waiter, Erik B. He explained the menu and drink specials. Don't pass up the exotic fruit punch made with Titos vodka . Now on to the food- there are small plate options along with traditional offerings. My daughter and I shared the Ahi Tuna Tostados upon recommendation from our waiter ,Erik. They were fantastic! The tuna was fresh, topped with chopped avacado,cilantro and fresh lemon juice. Then I had the grilled salmon and my daughter the steak fritte which was cooked to perfection. We also had the roasted cauliflower which had a nice kick to it. Not one to pass up dessert, we shared the cranberry apple crumble that was terrific. At the entrance to the restaurant, there is their bakery filled with oversized cookies and cookie bars. We took a few home for later consumption. They are not your grandmothers cookies! Chocolate chip with bacon or dotted with rice Krispy treats, oatmeal-apple cookies, etc.. Ambiance and service are first rate here. So, if you are n Chicago, eating at Summer House is a must!
(5)EH B.
Had brunch here today. An awful experience. If this is really a Lettuce place, their management skills have been seriously compromised. Details? Where shall I start? My pancake dish arrived15 minutes after the rest of the food at our table of 4. Of course the side order of sausage arrived with the rest of the food and was cold 15 minutes later. Did not occur to our waitress or management to address that. But it gets worse. The pancakes contained pieces of something green, perhaps lettuce, that should not have been there. Seemed likely to be the result of unwashed serving equipment in the kitchen., it was a true appetite killer. Oh, did I mention the failure of our young server to refill my ice tea glass that I consumed waiting for those late and awful pancakes? I will not be returning there any time soon.
(1)Dani K.
Love this neighbor spot. Bright and cheerful. Great menu with a special menu for gluten free diners. The tacos are my fave. Can't wait to back !
(5)Marina G.
I went to Summer House for Sunday brunch after the recommendation of a friend. The place is nice, sunny in a cold Chicago day which made my day. The food was OK, nothing special and our server was really nice. I will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.
(4)Sarah S.
In the dead of winter-this was a wonderfully inexpensive vacation. Great ambiance and the food was great. Had the hamachi green apple app as well as the tuna tostadas. The hamachi was out of this world. Also shared the fish tacos and lobster. Amazing. Can't wait to go again and in the summer.
(4)Marilyn A.
Four of us dined here last night and it was an expensive disappointment. While the food was acceptable it was very overpriced. I had the fish taco's and they were just ok my husband had trout and mashed potatoes, the other two diners also ordered fish. We had one bottle of wine and two side orders of vegetables. One person ordered a coffee and we had two cookies. The bill was $236 for 4 people . Not at all worth the money. I will not dine here again.
(2)Chris B.
Living close-by, we watched Tilli's crumble to the ground...would walk by as the walls rose up anew...and couldn't wait until the doors finally opened for the new restaurant! The adjoining Stella Barra pizzeria isn't far behind. It was well worth the wait, and we were eager to among the first people to officially kick-off Summer House Santa Monica tonight. Fantastic atmosphere from the valet stand, to the lobby with sweet eats, through the lounge and wine bar, and into the warm, inviting (and LIGHT) dining room. Smiling servers and management were excited to finally be open to the public tonight, and the food didn't disappoint. Chef Jeff Mahin's California themed menu was a nice respite from the overplayed Italian fare on this side of Halsted: fish tacos, the freshest guacamole I've had, yuzu scallops, deep, rich, braised pork ravioli...we tried it all (VERY kid friendly as well -- from bento box grilled cheese on brioche, to breakfast for dinner and kid-cups). We left with some of those sweet eats...chocolate chip and bacon cookies, chocolate chip and banana and apple-oatmeal, too! Looking forward to spending many chilly Chicago nights thinking I'm in Santa Monica with a glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine in hand, and to sunny summer days when the retractable roof pulls back and it will feel like we're in CA, too!
(5)Arif S.
One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Great staff and food so good, you will want to have sex with it!
(5)Jeremy W.
The food was great and the waitress was phenomenal! The only reason I am taking away a star is because I ordered the Lobster Tagliatelle and it came with Bucatini noodles instead. It was toward the end of the dinner service and the chefs thought I wouldn't notice, but I did, and the waitress felt bad. She had the chefs go in back to find more tagliatelle noodles and made me a whole new dish while letting me keep the other one. I will tell you for one, that this dish did in fact work much better with the tagliatelle noodles as the executive chef designed. So the whole meal was great, but I'm taking away a star for chef laziness.
(4)Charlie M.
Our evening at Summer House was great. The room is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a cold Chicago evening. Because of the lighting, decor and design you actually feel like you're eating in Santa Monica on a warm summer night. The tuna tacos were delicious as well as many of the other appetizers we tried. And the desserts... fresh baked to perfection. Definitely a great new addition to the neighborhood.
(5)Meg F.
I was really excited to try this place and am overwhelmingly disappointed. First I ordered a fresh squeezed juice... And they come buy and pour me a wine glass about 1/3 full as though its a high end wine. Fine... I'm there for a good salad anyway so I order the 'super green' which was only true in that it was green.... On the menu it listed like 10 delicious ingredients and what arrived was an arugula pile with a few pieces of Parmesan. After my 3 sip juice and my 12 bite salad I was STARVING so ordered more... I think this place wants to be upscale casual but it's having a bit of an identity crisis. To be fair the breakfast looks much better in terms of portions but if you are looking for a good big salad THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. The one upside is the atmosphere.... Very well done.
(1)Meghan R.
I just had dinner here with a friend on Friday night. It was very easy to get reservations on a Friday night at a reasonable hour as well only a few days in advance. I love the interior and it makes you feel like you are in a beachy cozy town in California. The food was absolutely delicious! My friend and I had the ahi tuna tostada as an appetizer, the steamed cauliflower which was delicious, and the salmon for my entree. The portions were perfectly sized and very tasteful. I love that the food had so much flavor and I wasn't dying of fullness after dinner. I had room for dessert and coffee which was great as well! Highly recommended for a date night or girls night out. I will be going back soon!
(4)Ann C.
Very nice setting. food fair and very $$$. Prime rib sandwich $20. Our waiter rocked. I don't think we will be running back.
(2)KC C.
Fantastic restaurant -- would recommend it without hesitation. Went on a Saturday night and had a fantastic time. Love the decor and layout of the space; staff were accommodating, knowledgeable and fun without being overbearing; and the food was best of all: nicely varied menu and every one of our party loved what they got.
(5)anne m.
Overall experience was disappointing. Arrived at 9pm without a reservation and was told there was an hour and 45 minute wait. Most people would have left, which is bad for business, but we decided to have a drink at the bar. Within 30 mins there were several open tables. Ultimately, we stayed at the bar and ordered dinner. Bartenders were not friendly, non attentive and we had to listen to them shake drinks all night. My husband ordered the lobster pasta dish. It was basically a cup and a half of pasta and small handful of lobster pieces. It was $19.95 and not worth it. After he finished the entree, he was still hungry and asked for some bread. They charged us $1.95 for a small plate of sliced bread. Come on, really!!?? I had the chicken tacos. They were good but really expensive for what it was. The menu doesn't appear to have changed at all since they first opened. We valet parked the car and ended up paying downtown rates for the service. Cocktails were $11 and were heavy on the ice. The atmosphere is great and we love the design and decor, but I don't plan on going back to Summer House anytime soon.
(3)Torrey S.
I came to Summer House the week it opened with two friends. The place buzzed with energy as the eclectic group of patrons dined in the summer-themed paradise, (despite the dropping temperatures outside). The high ceilings, smooth music, light wooden tables, and clean white décor make for a great night out. The staff was genuinely happy and the food was impeccable... my trout on a thin layer of mashed potatoes, doused in a buttery/almond topping melted in my mouth. The chicken on the bone looked great and sizeable as well. I wished the homemade guacamole came in a larger portion. The signature cocktails were generous and uniquely tasty. Overall this place gets an A in my book. The price is very high - but you get what you pay for...
(5)Steve M.
This is 4 1/2 stars with 5 for ambiance and service and a very solid 4 for the food. A great concept. The space is large with a high glass ceiling that brings in the sky surrounded by light wood and paint. The service was impecable. Our server was outstanding. She was extremly friendly and knowledgeable and was always there at all the right times. Not only did the sommelier come over and give us a free sample of an extremely good zinfandel, the manager also spent time with us, and at the end of the meal, he gave us a tour of their other pizza and more concept space next door that will be opening in two weeks and is done in darker wooden tables and has more of a tavern feel, all be it a very inviting tavern. The Summer House focuses on California wines and the space next door will focus on Italian wines. We each started with a glass of Cabernet and then shared a glass of that wonderful zinfandel. Now on to the food. Everything was very good and had great flavor. The concept is lots of different small plates to share as well as fish, pasta and meat entrees that can also we shared if so desired. Each dish we had we shared between the two of us. We started with the yellow beets so we could get our veggies. Now I am not a beet person but these were light with wonderful parsnips. This was followed by a wonderful Kale salad. With the healthy, but very tasty food out of the way we moved on to the entrees. Everything looked good. Out of the fish dishes the trout looked really good, but decided to go more for the comfort food. We went with the bison meatloaf and the pork ravioli. Wow. Both were really good with great flavor, cooked to perfection and just the right size. Also, the table next door got the calimari appetizer that looked amazing and they actually let us try one. Outstanding with a very unusual sweeter dressing that really worked. Will defintely get that next time. Now I'm a dessert person so couldn't forego. They all looked wonderful but being a chocoholic went that direction with a wonderful piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter and caramel and a wonderful cream topping. I also love everything pumpkin and they had a wonderful light pumpkin ice cream that we also shared along with an apple crumble bar from their baked pastry shelf that is at the front of the restaurant as you enter. Lots of inviting frsh baked goodies, cookies, etc. The two hours were a total joy. A great place to go whatever the occasion. The meal came to about $60 each, which was a very good value for the amount and quality of the food, wine and ambiance for the two hours we were there.
(4)Kelsey S.
I have been to Summer House several times and always have had a great experience. However, this morning changed my entire opinion- I will never go back. I had a noon reservation and called to see if it was possible to change to 10. After being placed on hold for 20 mins, I hung up and just went to talk to the hostess while the rest of my party waited in the car. The hostess told me they would just need 10 mins to figure things out and then they could take us. My party then valeted the car and came in. After a few mins, the hostess then said they actually could not take us at all! While the rest of my party went to go have the valet pick the car right back up, I spoke with a manager who said they could sit us- how is there just a disconnect from the hostess and manager? I have such a bad taste in my mouth for this place now and will be sure to tell everyone who will listen about this experience.
(1)Melissa T.
I made reservations a week in advance for the patio, we got there on time & the hostess said I see you made a note for the patio but that's going to be another 20 minutes so I am going to seat you close to there. She didn't ask how we felt about this and why have a notes section in the reservation if they aren't going to follow it? Our server took forever to come over, by the time she came over we all knew what drinks we wanted and were ready to order and she just took our drink order and ran off. She rarely came back to check on our drinks. My husband had to ask twice to have his coffee refilled and my friend ordered a muffin that never came. When she asked the server said "oh yea, I had them warm it up. Maybe it got lost? I will go find it" My friend had to specify that she wanted a fresh one and it took so long she ended up getting it to go. Food was good but the portions were very small.
(2)Candace S.
Beautiful space that reminded me a lot of home in Southern California. Was excited to try this restaurant as I used to go to M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica all the time. The menu was great, however, far too over priced. Our food was good, but given all of the great restaurant options in Chicago that are a lot more fairly priced I'm not sure if I'll go back.
(3)Annie O.
I went with a group of girlfriends here on a Friday night. My friend had made 9pm reservations ages in advance and we were all so excited to try it since we'd heard such great things. We arrived at the restaurant around 15 minutes early, so we decided to get a drink at the connected bar. I was immediately impressed with the ambiance of Summer House. It has a "country club on the beach" vibe to it. Right when you walk in there is a bakery stand where patrons can purchase cookies, muffins, and other goods. There is also plenty of room for waiting and lounging (more details on this later). Another thing I noticed was that there were people of all ages there (my friend who had been before said she has seen children there during brunch hours), but this definitely isn't just for the younger crowd. Everyone can appreciate this place. We were there on a chillier night so unfortunately the ceiling windows were not open, but it was still cool to look up and see the night sky. I also liked that the ceilings were so high and there were hanging plants everywhere. It really feels like you're at an upscale beach house. At the bar, my friend and I both asked for the waiter's advice for a drink that was refreshing and not too sugary. He was very quick to suggest the Sonoma Coast which I would highly recommend to those looking for a similar spirit. At 9:05 when our table still wasn't ready, we made our way to the lounge/waiting area. The 9 of us could easily fit around one table in the over sized comfy chairs and couches. We ended up not being seating until 10pm! An hour after our reservation time. Normally I would have been angry since it was so late already, but the manager, Corey, totally made up for it. He bought our group a round of drinks and 2 rounds of appetizers (2 plates of each, 4 plates total). In my opinion, this was much better than being seated on time and MORE than made up for our delayed table. Thank you Corey! By the way - the apps were delicious! (first was chips and guac, second was this avocado/chicken bite-sized tostada thing. I don't remember the name). I ended up getting the pulled pork tacos and they were the best I have ever had! This pork was so tender and sweet and juicy. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I tried some of my friends halibut and mashed potatoes - the potatoes were really to die for. Wow. Because of this excellent food and generous service I will definitely be returning!
(4)Marc F.
Second visit to town we tried the brunch menu New Year's Day. While the person that answered the phone about an hour before opening stated they were completely booked for the day, we decided to get there at opening and take our chances. Reception staff was much more accommodating than phone staff, as we were seated promptly at opening (interesting that we had a leisurely breakfast and the restaurant never reached 60% full before we left some 90 min later). We had an early dinner the night before so we felt we might have over ordered. Our waiter was more than appreciative of our choices and paced our selections like a well seasoned conductor. Bloody Mary was thin and weak for me but in WI we serve them with cheeseburgers, venison jerky and a 1/2 of cheese! Mimosa was great as it was waiter served from beverage cart just steps away. A must is the cottage cheese pancakes....probably the best breakfast entree I have ever had. The lemon curd spread accompaniment is addicting! ...and this was our first course... Brunch entrees were good but tough to match the pancakes. Love the atmosphere and the waiters wearing sunglasses during service. Room is beautiful and can't wait to try in great Chicago summer weather when everything is open.
(4)Meghan S.
Good food. Nice ambiance. Not easy to get a reservation. They have a big focus on the fact that their food is west coast inspired.
(4)David L.
Good food, great sunny atmosphere. The breakfast tostadas are awesome! Valet, which is handy in this neighborhood. 4 instead of 5 stars as $20 for tacos feels a tad overpriced.
(4)Veronica D.
Ambiance is very nice.....it does seem like you are in California somewhere dining outside. I had the Salmon Hashbrown benedict and it was delicious. The Hollandaise sauce they use is very good! I also had a side of the apple chicken sausage and it was very delicious. The servers were great. Everyone was very welcoming and accomodating. The last few times I have gone, I have gone with reservations for brunch and both times was seated right away!
(4)Jackie G.
The name definitely fits the place. Very laid back, bright and feel like you're right off the beach because you feel the breeze from outside as the large garage door is open.
(4)Marilyn D.
Really terrific energy here! Great for people watching, and a perfect place to meet up with girlfriends or a first date. I hosted a dinner party for 16 and the menu was fantastic, the spicy calamari, trout and blueberry tart were all amazing:) And the wine selection was awesome. A little less than excited by the cocktail menu, oh well...
(5)Neena V.
What is up with the 4pm opening time!? Be prepared the place is a mad house! The wait staff makes up for it and the management is very personable, but beware the hostesses ..not so friendly. Kids plates are perfect and adult food is good. We will be back!
(4)Deborah H.
My birthday compliments of my daughters. We went on Sunday (they don''t open until 4 p.m. really?) No one was in the place so we were seated promptly in a booth in the bar. Nice music and atmosphere but that's about all. Food: I had the salmon (very under-cooked and cold), one daughter had the Crab Pasta (pasta was hard and cold) and the other plate was the the fish plate with the bok choy (super salty but at least hot). We also shared the "hot mess" fries which were actually good. Reminded me of a designer version of Poutine without the gravy. We were seated in the bar and the service was o.k.. The food however, left a lot to be desired. Also, my daughter had made sure they knew it was my birthday and something was to arrive to the table she though but did not. Too bad, it's those little things that make or break a place in my opinion. With such a limited menu you would think they would get each dish right every time but this was a huge fail in my opinion. Save your money, not worth the $21+ for entrees here. I would not return to eat but maybe to have a drink in the summer. Boo to this place for the food though.
(2)Coll P.
Went early on a Sunday morning without a baby...and I definitely stuck out. The space is beautiful, but our table was covered in crumbs and some of the glasses had stains. I'm sure this is because of a busy/late Saturday night, but gross. I had the eggs benedict and while it was good, the hollandaise and eggs were lukewarm. Glad I checked it out, but won't be hurrying back.
(3)Sarah W.
Ok so to be fair haven't gotten our food yet but the decor is awesome. SoCal all the way... Dig!
(4)Kelly M.
My girlfriends and I dined her last night and had wonderful service from Erik, what a wonderful experience. We truthfully ended up here by a fluke (our first dinner choice was closed for the night),therefore we did not have reservations and sat on the patio aka lobby. At first we were like whoa this is strange, but in the end it worked out perfectly, especially since we able to gaze at the delicious cookies (BRILLANT IDEA). We each had a glass of wine, which was fine, yeah seemed pricy, but not terrible. We love splitting food when we go out, we had the burrata (it was my first time having it, and it was a delicious, delightful, mouthwatering, cheese experience. We also had the harvest salad which had delicious pieces of apple in it. The fish tacos were good, I wouldn't said the best ever, but definitely good. My FAVORITE was the roasted cauliflower, omg..... it had just the right spice and I seriously want to eat it every day forever. Of course we couldn't pass up the cookie bar, I picked up a few cookies to bring home, and I wish I would have purchased one of each. The chocolate chip, might be the best I have ever tasted, and the gingersnap is even better. I will definitely be back, the décor is great, brightly lite, and the staff was very friendly.
(5)Carol K.
This was our second time eating at Summer House. The first time was back in January. And just as before, everything was delicious. We started with the spicy grilled calamari and caramelized Brussels sprouts, because we had these the first time and loved both. I had the Maine lobster orecchiette and my husband had the pork tacos. They were both delicious and exactly the right portion size. My husband did find the tacos a little hard to eat. The coffee is good and the desserts we shared were yummy: warm date cake with mascarpone cream and cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream. I liked the date cake the best. They have very good coffee. I think the wines by the glass are a little expensive. The restaurant has obviously gotten very popular since we were unable to get a reservation later than 4:30 on a Saturday and it was plenty busy at that time. One other thing: someone mentioned that the cookies sold up front are now half the size for the same price. Well, they looked just as huge as ever to me. Maybe that was a brief experiment. This is my favorite new restaurant of the year.
(5)Diane P.
Our evening at Summer House was fabulous! It's lovely and had a lively atmosphere. The service was outstanding, warm and friendly. All of our food was delicious. Our group loved the short ribs, halibut and quinoa and forbidden black rice bowl. My personal favorites were the ahi tuna tostadas, super green salad and chocolate chip with sea salt cookie.
(5)Andrea G.
I really wanted to love Summer House and tried it on two separate occasions but, both times, it was average to below average in every way other than the bright "summer" decor which was cheerful and much appreciated during this terrible Chicago winter (and I am sure will be equally as lovely in the spring/summer when they open the roof). If you're looking for good food and service as well as ambiance in that neighborhood though (especially a hostess staff who doesn't try to seat you in the bar even when you have a reservation and requested the dining room which has open tables), then head down the street to Balena. The BOKA Restaurant Group far outshines the lazy, "we have a proven formula for success" LEYE on this one.
(2)Sulika M.
Positive: very cool decor, the server was nice. Negative: the 4 of us left hungry, that's after having an appetizer, 4 lunch entrees and paying $240. The portions were very small and not satisfying (side note: we are not big eaters). The fries were the worst we ever had, saggy soaked with grease. We gave the feedback to the server but not sure if it was really acknowledged, didn't seem like it. Anyways, this place could be so much better if they paid attention to what people want and like.. Many other places in the city that get it.
(3)Laurel L.
Alex makes the best mojitos ever! The grilled cheese sandwich with mushrooms is delicious. Great service and fun decor / loved this place.
(5)Bridget W.
The food was great, and the wait staff were friendly. The ambience is also a welcome respite from the bitter cold. The only disappointment was that the bathrooms were out of order, and we had to go to the restaurant next door to use their facilities. I understand that accidents happen, but there was never even an apology for the inconvenience of having to go outside in the middle of winter to use a restroom.
(3)Zach F.
This restaurant is amazing! Such a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I have been here multiple times since it has opened. I have gone for a full dinner, snacks and sometimes just for drinks. Some of my favorite dishes so far have been the eggplant, ahi tuna tostadas, roasted beets, fish tacos and the scallops. Drinks are great. I am partial to the Monti Cali, but have samples most of the other ones. Great wine list and pretty good craft beer list. Ambiance is great...I really enjoy sitting in the main room, but the bar tables and lounge are just fine too! Service has been great. Connor, Hope and Rachel have all been fantastic. Very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, made my experience that much better. I will keep coming back time and time again. If you haven't been, get yourself there now! Although I would recommend making a reservation.
(5)Caroline S.
Awesome! Burratta, fish tacos, english muffin turkey burger, roast chicken, triple fudge cake, pumpkin pie, all delicious. Definitely going back next time in town!
(5)Margaret C.
I was so excited to eat here. I worked in California in restaurant PR, and loved the idea of bringing that vibe to freezing Chicago. The food and the ambiance were great, but the food was horrible. I was so disappointed because the options sounded amazing, but they were prepared without proper execution or flavor. While leaving, I thought I would give it one more chance with their bakery... what a mistake! I have never eaten a cookie that dry and ill-prepared. Did they forget to mix in the sugar, so it wasn't granulated? Was any dairy added to soften the recipe? What a bummer, it could have been great. I will say it is a fun place to grab a drink with friends, but don't expect much from the food.
(1)Krissy H.
Setup and esthetics are true to it's name, summer-ish. Very friendly staff, had a reso at 9, walked in, immediately sat at our table for two. Started with a bottle of wine- cali coast selection which is pretty decent. Started with a few apps, I loved the burratta. Hamachi tartare is probably the best I've ever had. Entree was a bit disappointing, lobster frites- says 1 1/2 of lobster but really it's about 1 1/2 oz. literally 2 bites. I guess you get what you pay for though. Those two bites weren't impressive- very smoked so that's all I tasted. Over all I enjoyed Summer House but their menu is pretty limited so if you eat like we do, once is enough unless they change up their menu.
(4)Kevin K.
Went to Summer House last weekend for brunch and had an enjoyable experience, I would probably give it about 3.5 stars. The atmosphere and decor are great. Sitting in the Vitamin D room sure makes it feel like summer even if its cold outside. Our server was really great and made our experience even better. He was very outgoing with a good sense of humor without being cheesy. The food was pretty good, but not great. I enjoyed the fish tacos, although at $25 bucks I doubt I will ever order them again. There are good fish tacos elsewhere in the city for half the price. The yolk in the eggs benedict was overcooked so didnt run out like it should, which everyone knows is the best part of eggs benedict. They make a fantastic Bloody Mary and the candied bacon in it is delicious. It was one of the better ones that I have had in a while. Overall, I found that the food was a bit too expensive for what it was, which is not a shock at a LEYE spot. On the way out we picked up some cookies and bran muffins from the cookie bar which were better than from any bakeries nearby. If I'm ever in the area I will be stopping in just for some baked goods to go. I probably wont put this place on the top of my list to go back to, but i wouldn't hesitate to go back if it was the suggested destination either.
(4)Haley V.
I love summer house! It is my favorite place in Chicago right now. Great service, great atmosphere and great food. The burrata, brussel sprouts, and cookies are a must!
(5)Laura L.
Good place for drinks. White, open, airy, sidewalk seating on Halsted.
(4)Vin R.
The Summer House is a great space but the service was horrible - drinks and food took FOREVER (especially for a restaurant that wasn't full). The hot mess fries were delicious but the prime rib french dip was a joke - it might of had 4oz of fatty meat for $20. The only thing this sandwich was good for was the butt of everyones jokes - "I've seen better french dips at Arbys", "that's what you get for ordering the most expensive thing on the menu". Rather than order more food (the dip will not fill you up), and wait another 45 minutes we walked across the street for tacos.
(2)Melody L.
Love the ambience! Organic options! Very fresh! Unique drinks! Love the white, light and airy feel!
(5)John J.
As everyone said, the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing like it in Chicago. The menu is a little sparse but everything we had was delicious. They are going for a beach theme so don't expect a lengthy menu. My girlfriend and I split egg-chicken tostadas and a wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was delicious. We were in a hurry and the staff was more than helpful. Very accommodating. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)Diana T.
I saw the reviews about poor customer service but our experience was quite the contrary. Everyone from the front desk to the waiters were very kind and the food was also delicious. I highly recommend the vegetables at the top of the menu- they were surprisingly amazing! The ambiance was really nice and Id be happy to come back!
(4)Bryan R.
If you want fresh food come here. The price is not bad for the quality of food that you are getting. It has a warm feeling especially now that is it cold. I would recommended the tuna tacos for a nice light dinner!
(5)KM R.
Santa Monica Summer House is very pretty and comfortable. I was excited to have a new place in the neighborhood and glad to see it was always packed. Nice menu and variety, but I really thought the prices were high for some of the items, namely tacos and entrees, maybe others. Sadly, especially for a Lettuce Entertain You place, the service was poor. The waiter did not know the specials and really did not know the wine list. I hear Brunch is good, so maybe I will try that.
(3)Jordan D.
Extraordinary hot place given the outsized demand for summer inspired anything in Chicago. Average food. Slow -- either overwhelmed by demand or under prepared / trained -- staff. Hopefully service improves over time with feedback because this place has a lot of potential.
(2)Melanie B.
The atmosphere is really spectacular! The glass ceiling really makes the restaurant so different than other restaurants. We had a rough start to our night as they were changing servers (5PM) and by the time we had a server 20ish minutes had gone by and we were with our kids (4 and 8). BUT, they were very apologetic and ended up comping one round of drinks and dessert - really unnecessary but great customer service (and we didn't complain - they knew they had us waiting)!! The food was great and they have a kids menu! We had the turkey burger which was great but the side salad with it was mediocre (no dressing??). The lobster frites was great! Dessert was heavenly - banana split with sesame ice cream was awesome!
(4)Alex O.
CONNER WAS AMAZING!!!! Dined here before a concert so we were limited on time. She did a great job getting our food out in a timely order, yet we didn't feel rushed. Very friendly staff, you can tell they actually like their job. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in California....even when it's snowing outside. I can't wait to try this place during the summer time. The bonfire cocktail, swordfish, and warm apple cranberry crumble were delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.
(5)Sara F.
I was really hoping all of the negative reviews I read about Summer House were wrong...but unfortunately I have to add to the list :( A group of friends and I dined here on Monday with an 8pm reso, we arrived right on time and then proceeded to wait over 45 minutes for our table. The hostess kept telling us it would only be a couple of minutes after each check in and that its just "restaurant science"...whatever BS that means. The menu had a large selection of options which reminded me of SH's Lettuce Entertain You sibling Hub51 minus the sushi. We had a variety of apps and entrees, everything was kind of bland, no one was really blown away. One of the girls ordered the spring veggie orchetti which had a bunch of stickers in it from it...no idea how that was missed before it got to our table. They offered her a new entree but after how long we waited for our table and food it wasn't even worth it. They brought our table ice cream as a weak attempt at "I'm sorry". Doubt I will come back here which is too bad. The vibe and decor is really cool and usually I love a good Lettuce restaurant but they just missed the mark on this one.
(2)Valreyrib ..
Came here to take my friend out for her birthday. Everything was great. The left side of the menu is small plates and the right side is entrees. We went with the small plates and had the egg plant, tuna poke, calamari, and burrata. YUM. Fresh and tasty. They have specialty cookies and even gave us a complimentary one with ice cream since it was my friend's bday. It's very cute, bright and white, very Cali feel. Takes ya outta Chicago for a meal.
(4)Carole G.
If you are looking for a place to bring young children, this is the place. If you are looking for a place where you can have a good meal and enjoy conversation, find another place. Food was good but kids running around made it a place I would not recommend. There are too many other good places in Chicago.
(2)Alejandra P.
Lovely place. Glass roof indoors for a sunny lunch. Looks like an LA Cottage by the sea. Affordable prices, friendly staff.
(4)Eva G.
Awesome place for dinner! Loved their lobster pasta, and the drinks I ate. Will definitely come back again!
(5)R H.
I agree with many of the other reviewers before me--the service was bad. We came on a Sunday morning (10/19) for brunch, and our waitress seemed like she could not care less about anything. What bothered me most, though, were the two girls at the bakery counter when I wanted to buy baked goods to take home after brunch. I was going to buy a lot of things, so I started by asking if they had a large box or container to hold everything. Both girls at the counter acted like I was burdening them with this request, and were clearly annoyed. Without saying anything, one of them disappeared to the back for about 5 minutes, and then came back and said there were no boxes and that most people just use the bags. I said that's fine, and I didn't mean to put them to any trouble, and a bag would have been fine if they had just told me from the beginning that that's how they do it. It just really peeved me how rudely they acted towards a customer who had already spent money dining with them, and was about to spend even more money at their bakery counter. I purposely included the date so maybe the manager can see who was working that day and coach those employees on their customer service skills. I gave the restaurant two stars because the food was good. Not spectacular, but good. I had the breakfast tostadas, which had a lot of nice flavor, and the iced almond coffee, which did not taste at all of almonds. The hashbrowns were just hard fried potatoes--nothing special. I will not be going back.
(2)Aly W.
Atmosphere: 5 Food: 3.5 Service: 1 I was a server at several different restaurants during high school and college and while sometimes it is terrible, you need to know what you're doing. The food was ok, not great but not bad by any means. The atmosphere is really cool - you feel like you are in Santa Monica. But the service, was awful. Our waiter had no idea what he was doing. We had five in our party and they repeatedly brought us 4 of everything - plates, silverware, glasses, and we needed to remind them of the one we were missing. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and at the end of the meal, our waiter told us that our "birthday dessert would be coming soon" and thus, spoiled the surprise. Last but worst of all, we ordered a bottle of sparkling rose and it came out room temperature. When we asked our server about why it wasn't cold, he said that he didn't think they stored the bottles in the cooler. Long story short, we talked to the manager to try to get a cold bottle of champagne (like normal people) and he proceeded to charge us for it. Bottom line, unless they seriously up the waitstaff, don't waste your time with this place. Sub-par at best.
(2)Kyle T.
Very nice spot in Chicago. Great bar, atmosphere, and food. I went here for dinner on New Year's Eve and they had a great menu with exceptional service. I was with a big group so I tried a bit of everything and I liked it all. I would certainly give this place a shot.
(4)Hunter R.
Great atmosphere. Good service. The food was BLAH to bad.
(2)Lindsay W.
Love the bright vibe inside Summer House. It is such a happy atmosphere with fresh food.
(4)Emily S.
I have been wanting to go here for a while, and I finally did last night. If you want to go during primetime on a weekend night, prepare to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. At least. I made my sunday night, 7pm reservation a week in advance. When I arrived, the place was busy. People were waiting to be seated and both dining rooms looked full. They have valet, yes. That's a plus for me. We waited a few minutes to be seated, not bad. My friend and I sat at a tall table on the darker, left side by the bar. I wanted to sit in the bigger room, but it didn't seem to have many smaller tables. The decor was lovely. It looked like an actual beach house in all white with soft yellow lighting, greenery, and a full skylight roof. Our waitress came after a few minutes and poured us water from the glass bottle that appeared on our table only minutes before. She explained the menu and pointed out her favorites in each section. She was very attentive to coming back when we needed more time and knowing when we were ready to order. I was tempted to order one of the delicious looking cocktails, but wanted to keep the bill down. We ordered the caramelized Brussels sprouts with pancetta and olive oil, the lobster pasta and the english muffin burger with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. I liked how you could either do french fries with the burger or a salad. We chose fries of course. We split everything and it was plenty of food. I was almost too full for the rice krispie treat chocolate chip cookie I order for dessert. Everything tasted amazing. I was get it all again. My only complaint is that the food came pretty much all at the same time. They split every dish for us, which is nice. But our pasta came before the Brussels, which we ordered as an appetizer. That was the first bad sign. Then, as I was taking my first bite of the pasta, our sprouts were set down on the table. I didn't know which to eat first because both were perfectly hot. I told the person who brought us our food (not or original waitress) to please hold off on the burger for a while. He said okay, but I still felt rushed which eating my sprouts and pasta. And I had the right to, because the burger was set down when I still had half of my pasta dish left. And I was rushing to eat it! That really pissed me off. I would have felt like they were rushing us out, but I think it was just that our waitress put our order in all at the same time. It was not even 7:30 and we were almost done with our meal. Like, what? Anyway, I would be more mad, but the food was so delicious. I'll probably go back.
(4)K B.
Disappointing. Ambiance is trendy, bright, enjoyable. Food was overpriced and not quality at all. All four of us were very disappointed by the lack of quality. We sent back the fries, totally inedible. My pasta was horrible, very salty and not put together. Waiter was nice, though very young and inexperienced. This Lettuce Entertain You one is a flop. Save your money for a venue worth your time.
(1)Michael K.
Decent but the food was pretty bland. Had the pork shank and was not impressed. Seemed to lack flavor. The hamachi appetizer wasn't bad, but was nothing special. The tuna tostada app was excellent, though, as were the golden beets with goat cheese. Our server was excellent, I might add. Attentive, cheerful, prompt, and no mistakes. The ambience was cool, though a little kitschy for my tastes, but I see what they're trying to do and I get it. Anyway, all in all, not bad, but not great either.
(3)Erica W.
I went to Summer House today for brunch and my overall impression is that the hype is mainly about the beautiful ambiance, because the food is just ok. The ambiance immediately transports you to California. The use of light and the decor is just so bright and sunny that you can't help but to imagine that you aren't in Chicago anymore. Everyone in the dining room somehow looked like they were from LA as well. It was so strange - I definitely felt like I was among the "beautiful people". That said, the food is just ok, the service is just ok, and the attitude of the staff is just ok (they aren't overly friendly, I noticed). I had the caramelized french toast, some eggs and their chicken sausage. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. I also tasted the pancakes, which were fluffy, but nothing spectacular. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream that came for free by checking in on Yelp (good, but my eyes didn't roll to the back of my head), and I later tried the brown butter rice krispie treat, which was way too marshmallowy, but the brown butter was delicious. Good place to go if you want to be a part of the scene, if you want to "see and be seen", but don't go with high expectations of culinary greatness.
(3)Mary R.
The food is only okay. Very small plates and expensive. Tacos good, beet salad not good at all (do not order). Mussels ok but for the price go somewhere else
(3)Chelsea B.
Talk about heaven on earth. Went here with a group of 8 on NYE & couldn't have had a better experience. We had a reservation obviously but, on New Years that can still be a problem time wise & here we were seated right away at a perfect table by the window. Everyone in the group enjoyed their meal & the favorite was the Maine lobster with fries which was the perfect amount of flavor & the ideal texture. Also, when you leave they have a cookie bar which even offered gluten free choices! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone & will be back soon!
(5)Ben S.
Great place but the service is lacking. This place really survives based on its setting. Nice California feel to the interior with lots of light that Chicago residents crave all winter long. I've been here twice and was pleased but not overly impressed by the food. Prices are a bit higher than other similar restaurants. The service is nothing special. The servers don't really know the menu other than the three dishes they are told to promote. They also make you wait for a table even if you have a reservation (20 mins last time). I'll go again but don't set your expectations too high.
(4)Eli T.
Nice atmosphere, but the food is pretty bad. I'd go again for a drink but wouldn't eat the food again
(3)Brad W.
Excellent Experience. I saw a friend post a photo of the interior on Instagram, and in the midst of a winter that is beating us into submission - it peaked my interest. So I decided to head over for some food with the old ball and chain. The place is fantastic. They've done a nice job creating a summer atmosphere even on an overcast day. We made a reservation for 4:30 because everything else was booked. This is my one and only, small beef with my experience. When I came in for my 4:30 reservation, the place was EMPTY, and remained about half empty through 6pm. I'm a little lost about why I couldn't get a slightly later reservation, but I'm sure there's a reason for it and I don't work there so I'm not judging the place based on this one thing. We were seated at a table in the main dining area. The first thing I noticed is the whole place is nice - even the kitchen which is partially open to the dining room (in a good way). The roof is glass and all the décor is a light color which gives the area a light, cheery mood. Our waiter was excellent (tied with the food for the best part of the experience). He came to the table promptly, gave us some time to think. We weren't in a hurry so when he came back we ordered some drinks and an appetizer and asked for some time to think on the meals. The appetizer (handful of fries with pork and a fried egg on top) was really good. We both had chef inspired cocktails - I had what is essentially an old fashioned; chick had something that tasted like a sweet tart. Sorry for the lack of names of things, I'm completely deficient when it comes to name memory. We sent the waiter away a few times since we were trying to take our time before our movie - he wasn't annoyed at all, didn't disappear, and didn't come back too often which is a delicate balance to strike. When we ordered, old girl got some sort of salad, I got the surfer's fish tacos. A bit pricy, but totally worth it. She says the salad was good (not real big on details this one). The tacos were a build your own, setup. They came with four tortillas, just right, and had guacamole, roasted corn salsa, sour cream, and verde salsa on the plate. The fish was flaky and had an excellent flavor. All in all, the tacos were excellent. After my chef inspired cocktail I had the waiter recommend a beer; the boulevard, which I'd never had and was excellent (like if a blue moon and a lagunitas had a kid). For desert, we both had some of their coffies - I had a Mexican mocha, which was spicy and delicious. She had a horchata latte, which I did not try. The bill in total was $103, which in my book isn't terrible for excellent food (appetizer and meal), two cocktails a piece, and desert coffee. Overall - The place gets a rare five-star rating.
(5)Lai X.
Love this place! The atmosphere inside is true to its name and brings a little piece of summer to Chicago in this dreadful winter. We came here for brunch and enjoyed some great items from the menu at a reasonable price. You can't go wrong with this place especially in this weather!
(4)K D.
The look here is clean and distinct- white wood, hanging ferns, and huge marble tables. I got a Dark & Stormy and it was probably my favorite iteration of that ginger beer/bitters drink. The biscuits were delectable. I had a bite of the app, and ordered for my meal, along with the cauliflower (which was tiny and super bland). Loved that the waiter suggested splitting our bill (including dividing the apps)- wonderful for big groups. Service was attentive in general, food was hit or miss.
(3)Lizzie S.
I was very excited to try Summer House - I had heard great things and thought it was a great new addition to Lincoln Park. However, we were having a girls night and had a reservation for 6 at 8:00. I checked us in early at like 7:50 and when I did this I was told our table was paid so it shouldn't be long. 8:15 rolls around - no word from the hostess. At 8:30 we approached the host again and asked for an update - same story they had paid and were just waiting on them to leave. Very angry because we had a reservation at 8:45 none of us were pleased and asked them if they weren't going to seat us we were going to go somewhere else. They asked us if we wanted a drink, handed us menus and walked away. No one came back to take our order until we approached them to ask to place a drink order "while we wait". At 9:00 they finally came out and told us our reservation for 5 was available and I polietely told them it was for 6 and they looked at me like I was crazy. As they were showing us to our table I knew there was no way the 6 of us small girls were going to fit in this booth and I politely said something to host "are you sure we are going to fit here?" and he said "probably not let me check with my manager". The manager came over and said they have another table for us and they are really sorry that OpenTable screwed up our reservation. I showed them my email that stated it was for 6 and they mentioned they will take it up with OpenTable, but didn't want to have to my email from OpenTable. After they showed us to another table they mentioned our entire meal will be comped and by this point it was 9:15 (reservation was at 8). I really appreciated the comped meal, however none of us were looking for that. We really just wanted an actual apology for the service instead of being treated like a bunch of young annoying girls - which we are not. Our waiter was great - I honestly felt terrible for him because I'm sure he was warned about "us". I can't remember his name, but he gave us excellent service the whole night and we all proceeded to give him over a 20% tip for the night. My biggest pet peeve of the whole night after all the waiting was the manager. She was very snobby to us and never once came back and asked how we were doing the rest of the night and we were treated like we were unreasonable for being upset. I have worked in the waitressing/service industry before and usually always give benefit of the doubt to the restaurant, but in this instance I have never been so appalled about the way we were treated minus our server. I hope this is just a one night thing because I would love to go back there. The food was great and the ambiance was great! Especially on a cold, winter Chicago night. Hoping that I can go back and try it later this year and have a better experience.
(1)Linda G.
we had an excellent meal here. great service energetic vibe. very large crystal clear ice cubes.
(5)Chris B.
We came here for the first time over Mother's Day for brunch and we had a great time. Brunch was excellent and service was great. The overall fell of the restaurant was casual and enticing. We will be coming back again.
(4)Robin M.
Slow service-waited an hour for our drinks. The food was cold and the staff had no idea what was going on. Avoid this place.
(1)Meaghan M.
Went here for a double date with some great people the other weekend. It was fantastic! Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is: (1) they should ask if you want to be in the main dining, bar area or first available and (2) It gets loud. However, with those items addressed, the food was amazing- I had the pork tacos, my boyfriend had the pork entree (which he let me try, of course) we both agreed it was delicious! My friends had the half chicken and they thought it was great. My favorite was the chocolate cake we had for dessert. It was soooooo gooooood! I highly recommend saving room for dessert. We usually do not, but I am happy we did! The waitress we had was nice, allowed us time to catch up before coming over and trying to get an order out of us. While it did get a little loud, we all still had a great time. Can't wait to return!
(4)Kathy W.
Love the atmosphere and the food is quite tasty. Seems like an equally great place to bring kids in the early evening/brunch or a date in the later evening.
(4)Julie B.
I wish I had read a few reviews before we dined here so that I would not have expected an excellent dining experience. Obviously, the place is very nice and the summer atmosphere is great when it is still cold, however, once it gets warm, I feel this place may lose its appeal considering the level of service and quality of food were sub-par. In general, I would just say the service is slow. We started at the bar that technically is not Summer House, but still is part of the overall establishment. Bartender was very slow and paid no attention to us after we ordered. Tried flagging her down to close out our bill and she blatantly looked away so she could focus on others. Once we sat down at our table, again service was slow. Now on to food. A friend and I decided to split the vegetarian tacos and prime beef short rib ravioli. The tacos came with rice, that looked dried when it came out, but I ignored it and threw it on a taco. With the third bite, I thought my tooth was going to fall out. I wish I was exaggerating. I tried a couple more bites but the rice was just unbearable, my friend's was the same, so we both stopped eating the rice part. The ravioli were also not thoroughly cooked. We cut through one and you could see the edges were not cooked all the way. So we let the server know and he just responds that he'll let someone know and then stops back over to say, "okay she's going to stop by". Who is she?? I assume the woman who stops by next is the manager, she came over with a condescending smile and attitude and keeps cutting me off as I am trying to speak and tried explaining to us the pasta is cooked al dente. I am a 28 year old Italian. I think I know what al dente is. She says she will let the chef know of our feedback. No apology. No compensation. I don't think the chef meant for our food to come out uncooked, it's not about his directions, it is probably that the cook did not cook the ravioli long enough and the server left the tacos out too long so the rice dried up. Your feedback to chef is not going to fix anything, nor does it give me the confidence that next time your food and service is going to be awesome. For the prices they list, this place is not worth it. Maybe a couple drinks for the atmosphere, but I will likely never visit again regardless. Not worth it when new restaurants are constantly popping up in Chicago. I definitely expected better management from Lettuce Entertain You.
(2)Gina M.
Definitely reminds you of "summer." Not a typical dim restaurant, everything is white, open ceilings, the staff wears chambray shirts. Everyone was very friendly and the food was great. We had to wait about a half hour after our reservation, but we then got sat and the waitress made sure appetizers came out immediately for us. Not to mention, she was extremely sweet and accommodating! All of the staff had wonderful smiles. Definitely recommend the half-chicken entree or salmon entree!
(3)Allison L.
What a fabulous surprise!!! I came with high expectations and it exceeded them by leaps and bounds. The decor is truly summer and California, what an amazing respite from the cold and off weather we are having, it's truly always summery in here. The menu has options for any food request and the preparation is spot on. Gluten free, vegetarian, carnivore, picky eater... It will be tough to find someone who won't enjoy. Whatever you do, please leave room for dessert. PS--drinks are fabulous!
(5)Garrett D.
Overall delicious. Great ambiance. We stuck mainly with small plates as it is a pretty eclectic menu. The guacamole of all things surprised me. It was great. The roasted cauliflower and caramelized brussel sprouts were also very good. I topped it off with the English Muffin Burger which was perfectly sloppy and well-prepared.
(4)Richard K.
Pros: Food all tasted pretty good. Decor / ambiance was nice. Waiters were friendly Cons: Portions are very small. Tables are on top of each other....they really squeeze you in like sardines. Our experience was completely ruined by basically having to share a table with the two tables on either side of us. Something about having a romantic dinner with your wife overwhelmed by your table neighbor's loud stories about cocaine and prostitutes. There is no reason that I should end up sitting closer to the table next to me then my wife across from me. We're going to pass on a repeat visit on this one.
(2)Jessica S.
I really enjoyed my dinner here and will totally go back again. I went with a group of people and we got to try lots of different things. The tuna tostada's were fabulous with the mix of watermelon it was an interest set of flavors. We also really enjoyed the ribs. The calamari was actually very good and even though it's not one of my favorite things I did enjoy the flavor and it was not over oily from the frying. I never order Chicken when I go out but it was recommended and it was quite yummy. You could tell it was cooked for hours. We also tried one of the pastas that had lots of flavor. I can't wait to go back when the roof is open.
(4)Stephanie R.
This place is fun! The decor is very California! We got the tuna and hamachi- both were sooo good!! We also split the beets and cauliflower-- again both were great!! Veggies tacos were fine, nothing amazing but pretty good. The best part was the biscuits. They were AMAZING!!!! We got two orders. I would go back just for those. Overall pretty good food and fun spot! Than was there when I went too!
(4)A R.
Beautiful space, darling waiter - that was the highlight. There seemed to be an ongoing penchant for the servers to bring tables the wrong food. It happened to our table twice and to adjoining tables a few times. Seems like the kitchen has some organizational issues. As for the food, it was OK. I ordered the Korean Pork Taco which I was very excited about. The pork was swimming in a grease laden sauce and was full of fat and grizzle. It was pretty bland to boot. My hubs ordered the Steak Frites. Again, a pretty lackluster execution. Other table members reported fair to midland type of reviews. If we went again, we would probably try brunch. As for dinner, I think there are way better options without having to deal with the LP crowd as your backdrop.
(3)Elizabeth Z.
I'm in love with the space. So Cali. However, service needs improvement and its not consistent. There was a weekend I went and someone got these stuffed peppers that looked and tasted great but when I went back and ordered the same dish the peppers seemed overdone and I could barely see them on my plate. Only came for brunch a few times when they first opened so hopefully just a few kinks they can workout.
(3)Pete C.
I went to summer house the other night and it was really good. The menu is a little random but it reminded me of Hub51 (I have never seen a beach ball on a menu..yes an actual beach ball). The California feel is spot on. It was freezing the night I went and it did feel like we escaped to California. We started with the burrata which was creamy enough and the jam at the bottom had a little kick. We tried two different salads and both were good. For entrees my friend ordered the burger with fries which was massive and delicious. I ordered the pork shank which was extremely tender. The way it's presented on the menu was a tad misleading to me in which I thought the apples would play a more dominant role. However everything we had we enjoyed and I would definitely recommend trying it.
(4)Courtney A.
Ehh....I've eaten here maybe three times. Every single time I have eaten here I have had a reservation yet had to wait. This last time was the worst: I had a reservation for 8:30 and had to wait until 9:10 for a table. Not a huge deal, but after my wait, I was seated in the bar area -- normally not a big deal but after a 40 minute wait after your reservation, you would expect a real table, not a table in the bar area where people are basically standing at your table while waiting for a drink. The service is ok. Not nearly as good as other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My companion and I both had no silverware when our meals were brought out....The food is pretty good, but honestly, not worth the wait...The wine list is great, as are the cookies. But last time I was here, the person at the "cookie bar" was pretty rude -- entering her receipts as opposed to waiting on people, to the point where I just left, deciding that a really good cookie was not worth the ten minutes it would take the bratty girl behind the counter to look up and actually serve people, i.e. do her job. Finally, having lived in Southern California, this place misses the mark: the only thing "californian" about this place is the fake blonde fake tan people waiting to eat here. I won't be coming back. Coppervine is next door -- much better atmosphere and much better service.
(3)Ann D.
My friends and I decided to check out Summer House not to long ago, it was our first time there, the place looks really nice, there's a small section for outdoor seating. I had a sandwich which was really good. I would definitely come back, although I had a waiter who was not friendly and that's why I'm giving this place a 4/5!
(4)Sera I.
Went here for a friends birthday and while it's got a great ambience the service is HORRIBLE. Our server looked annoyed the whole time, kept disappearing on us, was just rude. As for food - mediocre at best...the best thing was the bread. Tuna tacos- no flavor, overcooked, pasta was bland. I would not come back here unless it was for coffee.
(2)Kristine M.
Last week, my aunt and I were looking for a place to grab dinner in lincoln park and we decided to try summer house. It's a cute little spot and the patio is pretty awesome. (The decor was very california/florida). As soon as we walk in, the host (not evening look at us) asks " for how many?" we replied " two"... and then the immediate response was "It's going to be an hour".... And then literally, a sec later, she say "Actually, we can seat you" (In my head: There was SO MANY open tables) ughh.. Anyway, we sat and got food. I thought the food was decent... however, the portion sizes appeared to be really small. (or maybe i just eat a lot). But also, it's pretty pricey. I got the fish tacos. It was pretty good. Overall ... I would say it was OKay..
(3)Jack V.
Ambiance was great. Food was good. Would like to see an extended menu with more options or a few changes more often. I've eaten here a few times and always end up getting the same thing. Staff was excellent. Of course I'll be back.
(4)Leanne W.
Had a lovely anniversary dinner here with my boyfriend. Their wine list is fantastic, and the decor is light and beachy. Very California vibe. I ordered the mahi Surfer style tacos, which were served in a DIY fashion. Everything comes on the side and you assemble the tacos yourself. A little messy in practice, but hard to complain about the assembly of beautiful produce for toppings. The fish was a little overcooked but not awful. My boyfriend got a turkey burger which he enjoyed. Our server was sweet and not at all intrusive, which we appreciated. At the end of the meal she brought us a sundae and two glasses of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was the perfect finishing touch. 3 stars for the food, 5 for the service.
(3)Brian M.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic. I cannot understand any of the negative ratings for this restaurant. this restaurants food is all prepared in house - its fresh and fantastic. The apps are amazing - especially the fries. the best prime rib sandwich in the city - was absolutely incredible. This is a must go to when visiting Chicago!
(5)Donnie D.
I wish I could give a speech about how great this place is! Let's start with the food.. MUST order the mess of fries, ravioli, scallops, wagyu beef, salmon, Thai carrot appetizer, ahi tuna, panna cotta dessert. Those were just a few of my favorites! I need to give special praise on my top two dishes. I would honestly come back solely for the wagyu beef entree, it has to be the best meat I've eaten in Chicago. So tender, bursting with favor and bites of blue cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Girls and I devoured it within minutes. Then the panna cotta dessert was literally heaven in my mouth, just try it. Trust me. Aside from the amazing food was the service and ambiance. I felt like I was in California, so beautiful inside and sheik. Our server Erik was very knowledgable and we listened to ever suggestion he had. Managers would come up to tables and ask how everything was, another reason I love LEYE so much is because they do this at every restaurant and is highly appreciated. Side note, the beach ball you can order..is not a dish...it's literally a beach ball! You can see in my picture :) Cannot wait to go back to my new favorite spot in Chicago!!
(5)Reb T.
Walked in on a cloudy June day and honestly, I don't want to leave. Our waiter, Phil, recommended the ahi tuna tostadas. Now, I'm not a big fancy eater and the idea of watermelon and tuna? Umm I just started eating raw fish a few weeks ago. No. This was the most amazing thing I've ever had. I would get this again and again- such a little kick of flavor in each bite.
(5)Neema P.
LOVE THE DECOR. When you walk, you truly feel like you are not in Chicago. I felt like I was in LA or Santa Monica. We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the service was a bit slow. I mean REALLY SLOW. Our waitress forgot to hand us silverware, our food came almost quickly, but then our silverware arrived 10 mins later individually from the bust boys. Then we received a napkin almost halfway through my meal. I got the mimosa and my friends got bloody marys, which were both equally big in portions. My friends got the bacon and hash and eggs, and another friends the breakfast tostadas. I got the veggie tacos. Their's looks delicious, while mine was ok. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks and food items, and hopefully service is better.
(3)Therese F.
Went here with a few friends on a Friday night. Overall, a good experience.The atmosphere, decor, ambiance are all fantastic. The other aspects: Service: We were seated on time, which I feel like is more rare lately. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable but it took a LONG time for him to return to our table (when we were first seated to get our drink order, to return with our drinks, to take our food order, to bring us the check at the end, etc.). The place was packed, but still - based on the # waiters walking around - I was surprised by this. He also forgot to put in one of our orders. Overall, average. Drinks: Very good. We tried a handful of the drinks among the four of us, all were good. Food: Hit/Miss in my opinion...either very good or meh at best. We ordered a bunch and shared. Roasted Cauli & Brussel Sprouts were good, but nothing substantially better compared to the # of other restaurants that serve these. Biscuits and Burrata were both delicious and I would highly recommend. The Lobster Tagliatelle was good with a nice kick to it - smaller for an entree of pasta, but if I had ordered it as my entree I'd be happy as I think most places give you wayyyy too much. Fish tacos were very good, pork just OK. The special of the night was ribs and fries - I had one bite of each and that was enough...neither were very good. I will definitely go back and would recommend the place, likely to try brunch as I keep hearing good things. In terms of the size of the dishes that some people have written negatively about...most of the dishes are supposed to be shared. With four people we had no issue with each person getting a sufficient serving of each dish.
(4)Patricia N.
Love the atmosphere. Tuna tostadas were great! Just a tad pricey for the portion.
(4)Gabriella M.
It's a weeknight, but it's packed. My girlfriends and I got there slightly earlier than our reservation time, but the hostess had no problem seating us early which was nice but had no problem waiting a few minutes if needed. This isn't our first time here and there is a reason we keep coming back, the CALAMARI! It is a tempura style, with a slight kick - it's to die for! Those even with a sensitivity to spice/heat can enjoy this. There were three of us girls and we had no problem polishing off two orders of the appetizer. It's just that good - it doesn't even seem like you're eating seafood. I ordered the trout, which I was very pleased with but my girlfriend ordered the short rib, when I say it was like melting in your mouth it was that delicious, you didn't need a knife to cut through the meat. Though typically with a short rib it should be cooked for so long that the meat is tender and juicy and pulls apart like a pulled pork would - they did a great job. I want to say I believe they change the menu up every couple of months. Can't wait for the weather to get nice, in hopes of them opening up a patio/or the glass door in the front of the building to enjoy a nice breeze.
(5)Kathryn H.
The third time was NOT the charm. The food was mediocre at best and the service was non-existent. When my friend asked our server if she had "Creamy Garlic or Ranch?" she replied repeatedly, "What?" I don't think the problem was that she was deaf...just incredibly rude. Am in the neighborhood and a frequent diner but will NOT be going back. Not worth the $$$$ despite having outdoor tables. Pass this up, there are such better places for the $$$ in Lincoln Park.
(1)Niki T.
I had high expectations for this place! The place is beautiful and love the overall ambiance. Definitely a spot to check out ONCE. There were not a lot of menu options--and whatever food our group ended up getting was not so good... the drinks didn't make things better either. Definitely a place to pop in and check out but not to eat/drink!!!
(2)Jennifer P.
Had a fabulous experience here. I made reservations the day of for my friend and I for brunch and we were easily able to get a reservation and had no wait when we got there. The place is so beautiful and transports you to California. Food was SOO delicious. I had Mexican pork hash and it was amazing. My friend had the tostadas and she loved hers and mine. For some reason it looked small but I was beyond stuffed after I finished. I also had the Bloody Mary and it was fabulous. Nice and spicy not too tomato intense. All in all I cannot wait to go back! Service was great too! H
(5)Laina F.
Brought my mother-in-law and 4-month old. This place is always a home run regardless of the group or the occasion. Lucas was an amazing waiter!
(5)Lindsay F.
Living in CA for the past 9 years, I had to check this place out with a friend. The ambiance was super cute.We got a bottle of wine and tried an assortment of appetizers. My particular favorite was the calamari. When checking in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice-cream dessert too!
(4)Eizabeth K.
4 for ambiance and a timely seating... The apps are great but entrees are bland. Burrata, ahi, and calamari were all delicious. Mahi fish tacos were ok but bland and over priced. We had a party of 7 and everyone agreed the apps,drinks, desserts are much better than the entrees. The ambiance makes this place... But next time I'll be sticking to the specialty drinks and apps, oh and of course a cookie for dessert!
(4)LaKia C.
Love it! Great ambiance...great food! Drenched in sunlight and great customer service...stop in you won't regret it...it might just become your new favorite place. (P.s. I took my 14 year old and my 55 year old fiancée and they loved it too!)
(5)Aria S.
This place is adorable and great in the spring and summer with their retractable roof. It definitely has that SoCal atmosphere and is trendy without being too pretentious. The food it good. I wouldn't say it's excellent. I had the chicken tacos, Brussel sprouts, a bruschetta type dish, and of course a cookie or two :) the service was great but I recommend making a reservation on the weekends as it does get very busy.
(4)Asim S.
Awesome ambience, very cool, and makes you feel like your on the west coast. Everything was amazing..nachos with fresh guacamole, the cauliflower dish was amazing, we really enjoyed the salmon and mani mani fish tacos. But service was slow and it's super busy, and a tad bit Lincoln park boushy!!! I would definitely go back again
(4)Karla B.
A perfect place to meet a friend last Saturday for brunch. The bloody mary, which has candied bacon, lived up to the hype that I heard about. It wasn't over garnished and the attention was put into the flavor of the drink. It was perfectly bold and spicy. I had the wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was exactly as described and delicious. The chicken was not dry or tough. I made a mistake and ordered a side salad (trying to be healthy to skip the fries), forgetting how much I disliked the salad the last time I was here. Much to my chagrin, it hasn't changed. The salad is still without flavor or purpose. I would HIGHLY recommend choose anything else other than the salad.
(3)Kori E.
We came here on Saturday night and it was a little confusing. The space is huge. If you enter and head to your left - its all white chic. If you enter and head to your right - its all dark wood. We went to our right and were told we could not order food in that area, and they were not seating anyone in this huge dining room - it was completely empty. We went to the other side of the restaurant and were quoted an hour wait so we opted to try and find something at the bar. We magically snagged a table and decided to eat there. Our waitress was great! We shared the calamari, which was good - not what I was expecting as it comes dressed in a creamy sauce. We also both ordered the fish tacos and they were massive. You receive two grilled pieces of fish - not sure what kind of fish - and you construct the tacos as you wish. Two of my friends had a cocktail and both loved it. I, of course, had wine and our waitress hooked it up with the pour. I hate dainty pours! I would come back, but with a reservation. Might be fun to just have drinks here as well...
(4)Romana Y.
The decor and Santa Monica feel is all this place has to offer. The service is absent. Very absent-minded servers. The food is mediocre, at best: super green and harvest salads are simple and average, and the albacore tuna tacos fell short. Food is a total miss here! The drinks were lacking, and the coffee was terrible! We passed on dessert! Second visit for brunch: significantly better. Their brunch menu, service early in the day, and beautiful Cali feel make this a must-go for breakfast/brunch. Pass on lunch/dinner here.
(3)Monica Z.
This place is great... nice decor and very trendy. We had the spicy calamari to start with - SOOO GOOD! A must try. I had the short ribs over mash potatoes. So comforting, delish and filling. My Husband had the fish tacos, which were mahi mahi. Those were light, tasty and fresh. We will definitely come back again soon. They are also part of Lettuce Entertain You. I totally recommend this place.
(5)Elizabeth L.
Great breakfast. Breakfast tostadas are awesome. Good muffins. Strong coffee. Good looking Benedictus but haven't tried them yet.
(5)Anthony S.
Food was good, THE Place Looks Very nice inside gives you that on the beach cottage feel. Looking forward to returning with friends.
(4)Toni F.
I took my family for lunch this past Friday. I have been before but it was my birthday and thought that it was a great place to go especially since my kids are Gluten Free. We had a 12:30 reservation and it was packed. We ordered our food and were having a good time. About 45 min later our food still hadn't come out. Once I brought it to our waiter's attention he sent the manager over. Corey, the manager, was very apologetic. The kitchen lost our order and a new order was put in with the kitchen. Corey not only made sure our meal was taken care of but also made sure I had a birthday dessert to go. I understand that mistakes happen and with Corey's great customer service we will definitely be back.
(4)Yessi R.
My experience here was great. It was a Friday night I was with a group of people for a friend's birthday dinner. I was in awe when I entered. It really felt like summer in there. Definitely cute. The service was amazing we were attended right away after being seated. However, we weren't all comfortable in the high chairs so we asked to be seated elsewhere. We were seated right in front of the cooks, which I loved. Everyone looked so sleek and cleanly groomed. I would've gave this place five stars but unfortunately I wasn't to happy with the food options. Wish they had more things other than salads and sea food.
(4)Samar K.
Let me get the obvious facts over with to get into why I gave this place 2 stars. Yes, it's a beautifully crafted restaurant. I couldn't shut up about how "cute" it was for the first 10 minutes. You definitely feel like you've left Chicago and stepped into a place somewhere in California. However the food is sub-par. Small portions which are overly priced and honestly not that spectacular. We ordered the Calimari, 1.5 pound of lobster, and spinach artichoke dip. My boyfriend and I didn't finish any of the plates. We left with frowns on our faces and $90 poorer. Honestly a waste of money. Granted the staff is friendly and funny.... I'd suggest only coming here for dessert or a cocktail.
(2)Rockstar R.
Came here for brunch about a month ago with a group of friends - food was delicious and service was great, but good seats are hard to come by and I didn't love that we didn't get to sit under the skylight windows and we were kind of in a high-traffic area. That being said, the atmosphere is still very "cool California" and I didn't even feel like I was still in Chicago. I'd definitely be back again for brunch. Smoked salmon hash - to die for. As is the French toast - half order is good enough for one, but I might even get the full order next time because it was THAT GOOD. Tasted like cake in caramel syrup - ok, bad description but trust me! I'd like someone to claim better French toast out there because I doubt there is any. The kale lemonade was absolutely delicious and refreshing, and they offer it with vodka but I wasn't in the mood for liquor. I had a nibble of the breakfast tostada and it was fantastic but messy. Good combo of ingredients, though. Overall, great place for weekend brunch, but won't give it 5 stars because it's a bit on the pricy side.
(4)Leo A.
After my previous review, I was contacted by a LEYE Partner and the general manager of Summer House. They handled the issues we had with great professionalism. Both went out of their way to make sure we received the best experience we could get and were able to get us a table last minute even with the restaurant booked a week out. We went back a couple weeks ago with a group of friends and had a wonderful time! They were extremely busy as usual, nonetheless our waitress was amazing, recommended great new dishes and the food was perfection! It is great to know that the Summer House team truly cares about their customers as it's one of our favorite places in town.
(5)Lauren S.
Finally got to check this place out Saturday night, after waiting 3 months for my reservation. But it was worth it, and I'll definitely go back. A few must-haves: --ahi tuna tostadas: bite-sized perfection; the guacamole is fantastic --Sonoma Coast cocktail: I had two, and am still dreaming of it. So darn good. --we also split one of the salads, which was yummy, so I'd recommend any of them. Entrees at my table were the burger on the English muffin with frites, which looked delicious, the lobster tagliatelli--creamy and had a kick to it, and the lobster was scrumptious, and the salmon with pesto, which also looked good. The dining room and vibe are great here--light, open, airy. Can't wait to go back when it's warm. Make your reservations now!
(4)Joanna A.
My go to spot!! The atmosphere is great! You feel like you're outside underneath the stars... Food is amazing! I love their turkey burger!!! Lucas, our waiter was awesome and very friendly ! Also not bad on the eyes!
(5)Kate C.
The food is decent but the 4 times I've been here, I've been let down by the service. Mostly the host / hostesses. And I'm not a harsh critic. On two separate occasions, I've made reservations, yet our party (with 2 people, or 5 people -- not big!), yet still had to wait a long time to be seated. Once we were basically seated at the bar, even though we reserved a table. I walked in for lunch once, and despite me seeing 3 or 4 empty tables with one quick sweep, they told me nothing was available. Evertyime I'm here I have issues with the service -- and I'm typically pretty laid back with that.
(3)Jeff S.
Simplicity is the word I used to describe Summer House to friends. The food was very good. The lobster frites were exactly one would think, but executed with care and precision. I couldn't keep my hands off of the frites, and the lobster was cooked in a way that felt like had they pulled it from the heat 10 seconds sooner, the center of the succulent meat would have been raw. I didn't enjoy the albacore tuna tacos as much; were also fairly straight forward with seared tuna, a healthy dollop of guacamole, and some charred corn/tomato salsa, but it was missing the wow factor. The somewhat stale tortillas probably helped contribute to that. Opt for a cookie at the end, warmed up, to finish your meal. A nice way to end a nice, if not particularly special, meal. At the end of the day, I'm not a huge fan of Summer House, but I would definitely go back. The menu isn't the most original, but at the same time, it offers enough variety to satisfy mostly everyone in the group. Perhaps Summer House is playing it safe, waiting for the weather to turn to more California-like conditions before it fully blossoms. I hope that's the case.
(3)Jennifer M.
First time I dined with my family, we had a wonderful experience with stellar waitstaff and great food...this impression was quickly overshadowed by my second visit. The second time I dined with my girlfriends, and the experience was horrible. We had a reservation for 3PM but still had to wait for 30 minutes to sit at our table, which is bizarre considering the off-peak time. When we sat at our table and when our food arrived, we still did not have napkins or silverware, and we had to ask for both of these things when our food arrived. Wait staff didn't even notice that not only were were seated a half an hour late, but we hadn't been properly set up. Both the hostess and server noted that we, as a group, needed to be somewhere by five, however still kept us past five at the table while we were all waiting with our coats on, standing up from the table, asking for our check several times. The hostess recommended the english muffin burger, so I ordered it. It came out completely burnt (I ordered it cooked medium) with chunks of fat in the meat-it was terrible. Our server didn't even ask how our food was when it came out, I had to grab her attention and let her know that the burger was burnt. Another order had also come out incorrectly. Her response was not very accommodating, and I was stuck with a barely edible burger. The most disappointing aspect of this dining experience was that I typically bring people to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants because of their consistency in good service and food. I was embarrassed bringing my friends here, and I was so disappointed that Lettuce wasn't more consistent in food quality and quality of service to its customers.
(1)Lucinda B.
We had 2 orders of eggs Benedict last weekend and the poached eggs were cold. They brought fresh eggs and they were also cold and did not bring warm hollandaise. They were apologetic but did not take anything off the bill and the service was slow. We won't go back.
(1)Kim H.
Can't say enough good things! We went for breakfast, getting dinner reservations is not easy. But, had reservation for breakfast, and were seated right away. The one less than perfect star comes from the fact that on the menu it says fresh squeezed OJ, but it is Tropicana. That was the only disappointment. I had the root vegetable hash with poached eggs. To die for. I will be craving this forever. The aioli on top was a good call. Delicious. Daughter had pork hash with fried eggs and it was terrific. Husband had one of the breakfast sandwiches. He enjoyed it very much. The best is when we left and brought home with us some fresh bakery items. One was better than the next. Reminded me of a Beatrix, but on a bigger level. Can not wait to come back, so I made dinner reservations already but I have to wait a little bit because I had to book far in advance. I recommend this place to anyone. Very kid friendly I must say, and in a good way. In other words, it was not a circus full of strollers!
(4)Nazy H.
Went for brunch on a Saturday and there was an hour wait for 2 people. Great Ambiance! Ordered the watermelon cocktail, that was delicious and refreshing! brussel sprouts - they were A-OK ahi tuna tostadas - first time around the tostada itself was VERY Stale that we had to take it back. they gave us a fresh one and it was nothing special. Entrees: smoke salmon hashed benedict: This was delicious compared to everything we ate! So if I go back I would definitely get this again. Turkey burger: It was ok, again nothing special at all. Dessert: Free hott cookie and ice cream when you check-in on yelp. It was good! Service was good too. Ambiance - 10! Service - 8! Food - I expect more from a lettuce entertain you. but I will give them a 6 on food.
(3)Skir S.
I was very pleased and surprised about the customer service and how they handle things!
(5)Drew B.
I took some clients here for dinner and was very impressed with the total experience - The food, ambiance and staff are all on POINT. I've heard the brunch is amazing when they open the roof, I'll have to check that out.
(5)Nicole L.
Since I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I couldn't wait to try this place. Summer House got it right in a few places, but totally lacked in others. Upon entering I felt transported. The decor is simply amazing. It's my favorite combination on beach and upscale dining. They had those great rustic elements that all trendy restaurants have, but the main focal point (unfortunately) will not be useful until the summer. The main dining room has a beautiful retractable roof. We walked in around 7pm on a Wednesday night and put our name down. The place seemed busy, but not overly packed. We were quoted 15-20 minutes and waited by the bar area until it was our turn. 30 minutes passed and we went to check on our table, we were told we were next and that it would be just 1 more minute. 15 minutes later we checked back again. We were still next ... Finally an hour later we started seeing other people leave because the wait was unexpectedly too long. We were finally seated about 1 hour and 15 minutes after we had walked in. Luckily we were compensated (very nicely) for the wait. That's what I call good service! However, other people may not have been so forgiving. Here's what we tried and what we thought: Burrata with roasted celery root: Burrata was great, perfect consistency. Crusty bread that came with it. Guacamole: The guac itself was just average, but the salsa they served next to it was amazing!!! We asked for extra! Ahi Tun Tostada: the tuna was so fresh and the watermelon gave it such a great contrasting taste! Fish tacos: Also very delicious. Fennel slaw was amazing. Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked. Pros: - We had such a lovely waitress named Hope. She did a great job and was very upbeat. - The food was overall delicious. Cons: - The wait...hey, if it's going to be an hour...tell the truth - Why is there no Brunch?!?! This place would be great for brunch with all the natural light that would flood in from the window tiled roof.
(4)katherine c.
Dinner tonight was fantastic. The food, the cocktails, the service- not a one left more to be desired. Out waitress Connor was wonderful. She provided her insight when we couldn't decide on items and boy did she not steer is wrong. She even was amazing when we wanted to split the check in a VERY confusing way- didn't even phase her. She alone would make me what to go back... ... But then you add on the food? Oooeee Everything was beyond fresh and perfectly prepared. Bold flavors in a beautiful setting. I felt like I was in California. I can't wait To go back when it is warmer and the retractable roof is open! Our table enjoyed: Tuna appetizer Tartare appetizer Appetizer w the tomato jam, fresh mozzarella & toasted bread (both gluten filled and homemade gluten free bread provided) Gluten filled pasta w crab Gluten free pasta w crab (so good it felt gluten filled!) Fish tacos Mango sorbet And 3 types of cookies + 5 of the 10 house cocktails Not one of the items was disappointing. I highly recommend eating here, with our without a gluten allergy- the menu for both are extensive!
(5)Justin B.
Summer House excels at two things--pastries, and great social space for dining and drinking. The brunch I had this past Saturday was highlighted by great service, sunny seating in the atrium area, pretty bland breakfast food (the sunrise burrito was not interesting) and an incredible chocolate chip cookie with ice cream for dessert. The people-watching was great and the bar area is nice; one of our foursome even came back later in the day for a drinks date based on our brunch experience in the morning. Drinks and pastries, friends...you've been warned!
(4)Kayla C.
I absolutely love this place. The service is phenomenal. I have never been to a restaurant that has impressed me so much with their service, amazingly fresh food, and beautiful atmosphere. We have been here multiple times and today was the first time our table was running 10-15 min behind. For the wait, the manager Alex offered to comp one of their appetizers on the house for the inconvenience, and didn't take no for an answer. This is wonderful hospitality. Our meals came out so fast, our waitress Jordan was incredible and extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu from the way that the food is prepared to the origins of the wines! Our favorite restaurant in Chicago!!!
(5)Renschke C.
Ahhh it's like being in California for real. It's light and spacious. Met a girlfriend for lunch and we tried several appetizers which were all pretty good: burratta, ahi tuna and Brussels sprouts. Yes that's a totally different mix but honestly our waitress could offer us zero input on what to get. She honestly said "we have coffee and stuff." And yes the service was slow. But all in all I would go back and plan on it during the miserable winter months. I also really want to go back and try the pizza side.
(4)Hannah W.
went there last night for my birthday. I'm a vegetarian, which generally no matter where I go it is difficult to find meatless-options. nonetheless i chose a pasta dish, the Whole Wheat Chitarra, I was not a fan of the Kale Pesto :( however, the waitress we had was so cool & nice about the whole thing & she took it off my bill. so, it total, 5 for service but -2 for food.
(3)BD P.
Review by D: Went here for brunch with my parents & husband. We made a reservation after hearing the hype. We showed up about 10 minutes early, but were seated right away. Pros- Food was AMAZING! My mom had blueberry pancakes (huge serving with super fresh blueberries) hubs had the eggs benedict (he raved about the hollandaise sauce & he's tough to please) and my dad and I shared the tofu breakfast burrito and the caramelized French toast. There are no words to accurately describe how amazing this French Toast is. I am so glad that it finally arrived at my table so I could enjoy it. The MAJOR con- I am hoping this is still because they are relatively new, but my server was not great. She seemed really overwhelmed and didn't make it over to our table as frequently as she should so we could receive coffee refills, make any other requests, etc... The worst part was my French Toast was not delivered. The server didn't bring out the food and she was so busy that she never checked on us. After scanning the room multiple times and getting frustrated, I believe I was overheard wondering aloud where my toast was. The server finally appeared and acted confused that the toast had never arrived and ran to the back to retrieve it. While it was worth the wait, it is very frustrating to dine with a group and then watch everyone enjoy their meals while I sat there waiting for my meal. Rating would have been 5 stars if I had received my food without having to stress about it. I would love to come back, I just have to give them some more time.
(3)Jenifer D.
Forget the hipe about this restaurant. While the service was good (in some cases too aggressive with clearing have eaten plates), the food was so mediocre. You can cook the short ribs a lot more tasty at home in the crock pot. The wine was way over priced for the 2 ounces that you get per glass. Desert was tasty, although it's Valentines Day. Chocolate was on the menu. There's better places out there for the money you'll spend, but the vilbe is good.
(3)Kristi P.
As a Florida native, I had high hopes for Summer House and it's ability to help me escape a below-0 Chiberia night. The lighting, decor, and fresh menu items really transformed my attitude as soon as we got inside! I definitely give Summer House 5 stars for atmosphere - I loved everything about it. I would move in if I could. The food was a little less impressive for me. I had the trout, which was cooked very well but very rich. My husband had the prime french dip, which was good but again, not as impressive as it could have been. The cocktails were delicious and strong! Service was really good, our friend has a lot of dietary restrictions and ordered a special sashimi plate which wasn't on the menu, but our server made it happen and it was delicious. Overall, even if I was eating fast food, I would definitely go back for the atmosphere alone.. well worth the price of admission!
(3)hanna y.
I had reservations for brunch this past weekend. We got in a few minutes early and grabbed a drink from the bar. Summer House is connected to another restaurant and the bar at the Summer House was packed so we decided to go the Stella Barra since there were seats at the bar. I ordered a Bloody Mary, standard brunch drink. First off, the it cost $11 (2 dollars more than summer house??) and it was an awful Bloody Mary. There were supposed to be Salumi and Pepperoncini and mine did not have it. I asked the bartender and he said, "it'll take a minute because I have to make it" are you curing and aging the meat and growing/pickling the pepperoncini yourself ? Needless to say I never received it. At Summer House I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes and bacon steak. The pancakes were absolutely delicious but the bacon steak was a different story. It was more like bacon jerky. It was a thick piece of bacon but extremely fatty and very, very chewy. No thanks. My friend got the fresh squeezed juice, and I'm no juice connoisseur, but I've had my fair share of fresh squeezed juice and I'm positive this was Tropicana they're passing off as fresh squeezed juice. I asked the server, and she said it was fresh squeezed. Don't get me wrong, I'll drink ,my Tropicana but if I'm paying $4 a cup for "fresh squeezed" juice I'd rather BYO OJ Overall the main dishes were excellent but you can get delicious food anywhere for brunch. It's the details that make brunch special and makes you want to come back for more. I'd much rather spend my money trying another brunch spot.
(2)Becca T.
Where to begin? Impressed, but needs some tweaking. Loved the feel inside and I would like to come back for brunch. We started with guac and calamari. Both had a phenomenal taste, but the portion was really lacking for the price. Entrees were super fresh and filling. They had a great GF menu and very accommodating. Avocados were the most beautiful sight on my plate. When we ordered our sides the server said they were large and meant for sharing. For $9 we were given 10 brussel sprout halves... Hmm was that a joke? This leads me back to why I'm indifferent.. Great fresh food but tapas portions with a high price.
(3)Vince N.
Found a new go to brunch spot. Summer House does not disappoint. Makes me feel like I'm back home in Newport or Laguna. Everything is on point at Summer House, from the food, atmosphere, lighting, service...everything! They are trying to capture the essence of California dining and they do a really good job at it. I had the Santa Monica egg white omelette with turkey and avocado. It's exactly what I wanted and what I expected. Simple, healthy and straightforward. Their "Vitamin D" room is truly epic. I wore sunglasses, I had no shame. If you want to experience a different kind of brunch spot and you want to do it with the California laid back class, then look no where else than Summer House. Sunglasses very much recommended!
(5)Kari S.
The food is fine, the cookies are great!! Try the apple cinnamon cookie. It can't be missed!
(3)Tyler D.
The Spicy Calamari and the Prime Rib Sandwhich were both very good!
(4)Sonny P.
This place really does feel like Summer is just around the corner. When you walk in, you are initially greeted by their dessert/coffee counter and the restaurant is to the left and Stella Pizzeria is to the right. They have a countdown to summer which was pretty cool. To start off, we had the Fresh Burrata tomato jam, arugula, house-made bread, I highly highly recommend this to start off. The cheese is gooey and melts right in your mouth. I would request more bread because they give a lot of cheese. For the main dish, we had the Ricotta & Pecorino Ravioli arugula pesto and Bucatini W/ Forest Mushrooms. I would say neither of these 2 dishes were mind-blowing but were tasty. Service was good as usual since this restaurant is again a LEYE. I would go here again for the brunch menu during the summertime.
(4)Emily C.
I could eat the Acapulco Omelet every day and be happy. They have gluten free options at the grab and go and also GF toast as an option. Their cocktails are great as well. Sit at the bar and have the bartenders send out their favorites. Summertime is a most for me anytime I'm in Chicago.
(5)Whitney W.
Came in for breakfast this morning and the only thing that was good was the atmosphere. My eggs were served wrong, my mom was given sausage when we clarified bacon twice and the food was cold. This is a very similar experience that I had the last time. We won't be back. Don't come for the food or service.
(1)Kelly O.
Cool ambiance Fast, friendly service Did I mention the cookies... Ate the fish tacos and had a glass of the infamous goose- so tasty!
(5)Eileen D.
What an amazing experience! While the place was gorgeous, the service is what stood out to me. Our server, Rachel, was knowledgeable on the menu and helped us pick an amazing bottle of wine, not to mention her service was on point. TJ, the manager, came over to check on our table and took the time to go over the vegan options with me and pointed out that all allergy food is prepared in a separate kitchen. Amazing!! Now to the food, my pal and I split the brussel sprouts caramelized to perfection. For my entree, I had the curried veg and rice bowl, which not only had a nice kick to it but was perfectly filling. For dessert, we enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet, which was refreshing and reminded me of summer. I will definitely be back!!
(5)a g.
Came for a sunday brunch twice. First time, we were with a VIP and were treated as such. I had a great time, and wanted to bring my friends to show them how nice of a place this is, and how much like santa monica it can feel like, as well all have lived their at one point in our lives. Unfortunately, when I went the second time, I dont think I have been treated to rudely in a restaurant before. waited around 2 1/2 hours, ended up not even getting a seat as we "missed our table" despite sitting in the waiting area. No text was sent as promised. Too many other brunch options in chicago to waste time for mediocre food tha tis over priced. Come in, have a look at the ambiance, and move on to a place with better customer service and better food.
(1)D S.
Love Summer House. We have now been there a couple of times, with kids and for night out with couples. Service is consistently excellent. They are knowledgeable, friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. The wine selection is great, and they give a significant pour. Every tuna dish was outstanding- the nigiri on fried rice, the tuna tostada, and the tuna tacos were phenomenal! We kept ordering more! The steak frites was just fine. Check in on yelp for free yummy cookie and ice cream!
(5)Cara Y.
I've heard mixed reviews regarding Summer House, but having friends near and dear to the project, as well as an open mind to any and all experiences, I gave it a try. I went for my birthday with 7 girlfriends of mine for a Sunday morning brunch, and it was fabulous. Major kudos to our waiter, Scott, who kept the morning lively and acknowledged all of our (semi high-maintenence) needs. After presenting mimosas, fresh muffins and a fruit plate, we couldn't wait to order our meals. Despite a few mis-steps and forgotten deliveries of fresh coffee, extra cream cheese, ketchup, plates, and a few others, the food really was great and the taste/presentation unique. The minor errors were easy to forget and our meals and easy going waiter and staff truly made up for it! Aside from the obvious food review, the ambiance and decor of Summer House can make up for any issues experienced while dining. It was so naturally light in the restaurant (thanks to the gorgeous open windowed ceilings,) and made us all feel like we were somewhere warm and delightful; something my group is rather eager to feel at a time like this. Damn you Chicago winter, damn you. I'll definitely be back to try out dinner thanks to a great first experience for brunch!!
(4)Meg R.
Went here for brunch the other day and ordered the poached egg sandwich with ham and avocado and spicy mayo. So so good! I've been here a few times before for both brunch and dinner and have always loved it so I shouldn't have been so surprised, but I cannot remember the last time I had such a good breakfast. Waiting for an excuse to go back soon!
(5)Melissa N.
I've had two very good experiences at Summer House. I've never stayed for a full dinner, but I've sampled a variety of drinks and apps, and everything has been divine. Specifically, I love the Palm Fizz cocktail and the bruschetta-esque appetizer, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Service has always been friendly and efficient. The place fills up quickly and is pretty loud, but it never feels too crowded. It's a fun, somewhat trendy atmosphere. The best time to go is when it's warm out and the patio doors are open. This is a great spot to relax and hang out in Lincoln Park.
(4)Meghan J.
Ambiance -***** Service-***** Guacamole-***** Pan-seared rainbow trout-***** Fish tacos-***** Steak frites-***** Lobster orecchiette-***** Warm date cake- ********** :)
(5)Claire F.
I was pleasantly surprised with Summer House after hearing mixed reviews about it. The two dishes I had were divine and therefore I highly recommend the Prime Rib French Dip and the biscuits the start. Warning - the biscuits take 15 minutes to prepare as they are baked fresh, but they are certainly worth the wait. Don't forget to add the poblano butter and honey to the top before chowing down. The french dip was very tender and flavorful, although I understand Summer House's specialty is more fish (the menu is very seafood heavy). The side of fries was very tasty. I also love the cool and breezy ambiance of Summer House. When I went in late May the front windows were all open (which was a little chilly in mid-May, but nice and summery nonetheless). My friend and I ordered two sandwiches and the biscuits, coming in at about $50, but the bill would be considerably more had we ordered some of the pricier entrees or drinks. If you want to hang out with some friends and pretend like its summer year-round stop by Summer House; you won't be disappointed
(4)J W.
FOLLOWUP to my negative review: Manager/owner reached out right away. He offered to have us back for another dinner and sent along some gift certificates. We went over with some friends last night and it was a completely different experience. Once again had to wait 20 minutes past the reservation but were then seated at great table in the main dining room. Waitress was very attentive, overall excellent service. Started with some of the signature cocktails - HINT, you can get the alcohol-free drinks with booze if you like. I got the cucumber-mint (forget the name) and had them add gin, which came out great. For starters we got the ceviche and the spinach-artichoke dip. Ceviche was good but modest portion. Spinach dip was the better choice. Hot, gooey and very very good. I'm not even a fan of spinach dip and I would get this again. For the main dishes most of the table got the short ribs, which they all enjoyed. I took a chance on the trout. I love fish but I'm often disappointed as it's hard to cook just right. Not this time though. The trout was two full filets over creamy mashed potatoes. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious. As I noted before the space is very open and bright. It's busy but the skylight/glass ceiling is high so it' not too noisy. We had no trouble talking without having to shout. You always worry about consistency after having a first bad experience, but kudos to the management for responding to my review. It seems like our second experience was more typical and I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend Summer House.
(4)Rachel R.
Brunch was awesome! Came here on a Sunday and was greeted by pleasant staff. Was recommended the Mexican chocolate mocha which was the perfect touch to my meal. It was the right amount of cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper to give you the sensational taste of goodness. In addition we ordered the sunshine burrito and very nice caramelized French toast with a side of the fruit platter which were all equally delicious. Finally we redeemed the cookie (chocolate chip goodness) voucher through yelp - which was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place for brunch!
(4)Rosalba R.
I went for lunch with a friend and the atmosphere was beautiful. We had burgers with salad and I don't know which was better. They were both so good!
(5)K A.
Went there for Saturday brunch. Had the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancake which was good. I did get the Crispy Candied Turkey Bacon which was no different from the turkey bacon I microwave at home. Our waitress was always hard to find...it always took a while for her to get back to us. Went there again to try their dinner menu. We ordered the Ceviche which was ok. The Burratta & the Spicy Calamari was better. For my entree, I had the Main Lobster Orecchiette which was good. And for dessert, the Pumpkin Pie was very good. Again, our waitress took a while to get back to us throughout the evening. Overall, this place is ok...definitely over priced. What made things worse was we tried adding points to our "Lettuce Entertain You" Rewards and the person wouldn't look up our name. We've been to a number of LEY restaurants, and that was never a problem. Really no desire to go back there anymore.
(2)Susan R.
What a fabulous experience on all possible levels! The food was exquisitely prepared and presented and the chef willingly made those changes I (and my tummy) needed. The architecture and design of the space contributed to the lively/lovely atmosphere and dining exerience. The service is efficient, pleasant and warm and welcoming. I found the Menu offered me many choices that sounded interesting and delicous and the portions were ample. Our server noticed that chicken was not added to a Cobb salad, apologized and brought it complementary. While there was a buzz of constant conversation in the full dining area, the noise level was more than manageable and contributed to the energy in the space. We went for lunch around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon without reservations and were seated immediately,
(5)Kim B.
Atmosphere is very fun and lively, however, the food is just ok. The pasta dishes were too salty to be palatable
(3)Jack G.
Received a message from "chris" on of the partners concerned about my review. I was asked for a contact # or email address to help them improve. To date I haven't received any communication from them, and by other reviews, I've noticed a very similar list of complaints. Apparently I'm not the only one displeased by their service and food. Now I'm even more concerned about their perceived lack of feedback about my review...
(1)Kasper K.
It was good...as a foodie myself, it wasn't anything amazing, but it was good. I'd rather try some place new than go back there again, although the cookies were phenominal. Atmosphere was absolutely great. Service was good too. Definitely worth trying to see if it's your flavor.
(4)Alicia A.
I've never had fish tacos like this. Simply amazing, and the name is doing a disservice to the dish, just saying.....name them the biggest star in chicago area ;)
(5)Emily B.
Four well deserved Yelp stars for decor, food, and service (in that order). Having just come from Santa Monica, California ("Coast" at Shutters), I can honestly say they nailed the design aesthetic. The food is fresh, colorful, vibrant - and there really is something for everyone on the menu. I recommend the fish tacos and the ravioli. The place was packed so we sat at the bar. I generally prefer service at the bar anyhow, but it was a little lackluster. Just didn't seem like we had any one person who was our server (ok, as long as they are overly-attentive, but they weren't) and our one bartender admitted it was his 2nd day and couldn't really make any confident recommendations (appreciate the honesty, just strange). My favorite part was when I ordered a fleur de sel cookie at the end of my meal and they asked: "May we warm that up for you?" Um, yes please.
(4)Kathleen O.
Had a hard time deciding 3 or 4 stars. I love the bright, open feel of the place, especially sitting inside but feeling like you're sitting outside. Staff always friendly and helpful. Good food but I considered giving only 3 stars b/c the menu seems limiting after several visits, plus the cookie/dessert bar always looks more inviting than it tastes. My husband and uncle always just order burgers b/c they don't find anything else they want. I love the barrata cheese app, beet salad with avocado and grapefruit, and adult grilled cheese (which I think they just took off the menu! bring it back!). Definitely a place to bring visitors, but be sure to make reservations.
(4)Jessica M.
Loved it here! Everything was very good! We didn't get anything that was recommended to us, but were still very happy. We started with a glass of pinot nior rose which was fantastic flavorful but crisp. Then we had the calamari appetizer ( we had them put the mayo on the side so it wasn't covered in Mayo and it turned out great!). For our entrees we had the wild mushroom enchilada stack and I was really surprised how good it was. Tons of mushrooms and loaded with flavor. My boyfriend got a burger. He liked it, but wasn't over the moon about it. After he tried my enchilada stack he wish we would have shared our entree. We ended our meal with a sea salt chocolate chip cookie, and since we rarely get dessert I was so happy we went for it this time because this cookie was out of this world!! Overall I might return (its a little pricey, but what isn't anymore for that quality) but would also like to try Barra Pizza nextdoor.
(4)Katie S.
I went to Summer House with a group of friends. The waitress graciously explained the menu with recommendations and was happy to split the check. I split the cheese burrata appetizer with two other people. I didn't think it was very special, and lacked some flavor. For my main course I had the lobster orechiette which was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked perfectly with plenty of lobster. The only negative for the pasta was that the portion was very small, I finished it wanting more. If I were to go back, I would definitely order the Brussel sprouts. I tried my friends and they were wonderful! Extremely flavorful! I thought the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and is a good option for dinner with friends and larger groups. However, I thought it was a tad bit expensive for the food quality and portions.
(3)Dan O.
Disappointing. The one redeeming quality is the atmosphere which is awesome. The fish tacos lacked flavor, service was subpar, the short rib was small, grisly and fatty. The only good thing we ate were the biscuits which were amazing. Ordered a cocktail that tasted like a light medicine. The second cocktail wasn't my favorite either so I gave it to my date. Stella Barra next door is more affordable and way better quality food and service! This was my least favorite lettuce experience and left me wishing we had just gone to Stella Barra. The cookie bar in the lobby is worth a visit and the girls there are always nice.
(2)sandra j.
No. Just, no. Arrived a little early without my guest so I was given a curt and unsmiling, "we'll seat you when your party is complete." I slinked off to the lobby and then realized that the restaurant across the lobby had a bar so I camped out there for 10 minutes and had a nice glass of wine. Much friendlier staff overall. Once my friend arrived I realized that Summer House had a huge bar/bar area which no one suggested I visit while waiting. Settled into the table and ordered. I got the burrata appetizer. The burrata was good but the tomato "jam" was just awful. It truly tasted like someone opened a can of diced tomatoes and made a circle with them on the plate. My friend's salad was tasteless. Entrees arrived and we were overwhelmed by the smell of fish. So it was either my friend's bass or my fish tacos. We both gave it a hearty try, but after too much fish smell from the bass my friend gave up. I went ahead and made a second taco with the overcooked fish, added the truly bad "homemade" guacamole (tastes like it comes from a bag) bit hard into that piece of stem that's at the top of the avocado (it hurt) added tasteless fennel slaw and a dash of tasteless green salsa and went for it. Couldn't do it. We both sent our entrees back. My friend was so turned off she didn't want another entree, we asked for the check and left. One star is for our server who was lovely and the manager who was truly apologetic and gave us some gift cards for our trouble. We were both excited and felt ready for forgiveness until we realized that the gift cards weren't for any LEY restaurant, just Summer House. I guess I'll use them to go back to the bar that I wasn't invited to have a seat at the first time.
(1)Jill S.
The ambiance is beautiful! Reminds me of being in California. We ordered the calamari for an appetizer and it was so good! The spicy mayo gives it a nice touch. For entrées, we got the short ribs and the chicken tacos. Also very good! Good place for grabbing drinks and hanging out. Definitely want to go back to try the brunch. Love this place!!
(5)Anna P.
I had dinner here with a girlfriend. We had made a reservation but still had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. It is VERY busy and bustling, even on weekday evenings so definitely make a reservation. We tried a bunch of the dishes - I think the standout was the roasted chicken. Overall, given the choices in Chicago I was slightly underwhelmed given the higher price points and how busy it was, but it's a fun place to try. It's especially nice in winter because somehow they replicated sunshine indoors! :)
(3)Erica L.
I loved Summer House! Made a reservation for 2 people for New Year's Eve and we were seated right away. We got a bottle of wine and 2 appetizers - the ahi tuna and the cauliflower. Tuna was amazing - I am not much of a seafood eater but I enjoyed it. The cauliflower was also tasty. It had a bit of a kick which, being a big fan of spicy food, was great. For our main courses we went with the bison meatloaf and the lobster. The meatloaf was pretty good, but my favorite was the giant mound of potatoes that came with it. The lobster was one of the specials that night. I didn't try it but the consensus was that it was delicious! We also got 3 cookies on the way out: Peanut Butter, Bacon Chocolate Chip, and Rice Krispie Choc Chip. The rice krispie was BY FAR the best cookie. You will be tempted to try others... don't bother. It was so delicious. FOOD SUMMARY: Roasted cauliflower - good! Ahi tuna tostadas - amazing Bison meatloaf - fair, side of potatoes deeeelicious Lobster (on special) - amazing Cookies: Bacon choc chip: So-so Peanut butter: mmmmm, so peanut buttery and delicious Rice Krispie choc chip: THE BEST I loved the overall atmosphere of this restaurant - very airy, open feel and solid menu options. The patrons were fairly dressed up, but I think that was due in part to it being a holiday. I docked the restaurant one star because, as mentioned in other reviews, the meal felt very rushed. We had just received our appetizers and our waitress was back after our first bite to ask what we would like to order for entrees. Other than that, everything was great. We plan on going back soon.
(4)Stephanie H.
I loooove having this place in Lincoln Park. I went here with a couple girlfriends last Wednesday. We had a reservation, but it looked like we might've been able to sit down without one. The inside is beautiful -- it really feels like you've escaped the brutal winter outside. We all ordered a cocktail (and tried each others). They were all delicious. We got the chips and guac to start which was delicious and fresh. We all ordered fish tacos (my friends ordered the mahi mahi tacos and I got the sushi-grade tuna tacos). I didn't try the mahi mahi, but mine were really good. Over all, we all ended up spending about $42 before tip. The food and service is excellent, but it's a little pricey. On our way out, we all got a cookie from the little bakery in front. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the apple oatmeal!!
(4)Michelle R.
Been here 3 times now. There's always been something that's been off about this place. There's always a wait, even though I had reservations each time. And the staff is what kills this place. 1st and 3rd time, the waiter is just no where to be found. I waited 10 minutes just to wait for salt. 2nd time, our waiter was a niiice guy, but we saw the manager (the guys checking to see if the food was prepared correctly) just scream at him out of no where. The food was pretty good the first time I went there, but then it went DOWNHILL from there. I went 2 days ago and the pasta dish was just so bland. The noodle itself was beautifully hand made, but there was not enough sauce and seasoning. So I felt like I was eating just dough. And my appetizer came out after all the main dishes came out. So, service is just horrible there now.
(2)Sally L.
Per usual, Summer House ( a Lettuce Entertain You concept) wowed and bested all others. Upon arrival I was greeted, sat within a small time frame ( seeing as it was a very busy Monday night) and was approached by my server, who first offered me a taste of my chosen wine before I accepted. From there on out, I had excellent service and food. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll, which I highly recommend, the Market lettuce bowl ( also not your average salad) and the baked to order biscuits (you HAVE to get these. They are like no other biscuit.) I met the manager, Molly, who was kind and thoughtful. Thank you Summer House, for a delightful evening not to be forgotten.
(5)Lynn M.
Beautiful restaurant for a night out on the town! Enjoyed the salmon, also tried some of the steak. Both delicious! Service was fantastic, and the waiter had great recommendations for nearby bars. Felt like I was in California!
(4)Katelyn N.
Had a really good experience at Summer House! While we were seated about a half an hour past our reservation time, the staff made up for it in so many ways. First of all, they passed around mini ahi tuna tostadas as we waited. Right when we were seated they presented us with a free burrata appetizer to apologize for the wait. This was delicious! The tomato jam was just the right amount of sweetness to complement the creaminess of the burrata. We also got the biscuits, cauliflower, kale salad, turkey burger and scallops. All very tasty. Cocktails were great, especially the pulp fizz. The staff was friendly and attentive and even gave us a free dessert for my birthday! Really no complaints about Summer House except for the wait at the beginning, but like I said, they made up for it in so many ways. Can't wait to check this place out for brunch.
(4)Hannah K.
Amazing! I went with a group of 8 and a few people were running a couple minutes late and they still sat us. The ambience was beautiful! Loved the atmosphere. The waitstaff was also extremely friendly. Our waiter even have us a number to text for free muscles:) I started off with the bonfire cocktail. It was a little strong, but you definitely get your money's worth alcohol-wise. I also tried a palm fizz, which was delicious. They also have a full menu of virgin cocktails, which I always appreciate because I have friends who don't drink alcohol. We got the calamari for an appetizer, and it was our favorite dish of the night. I split the half chicken with a friend, and it was great too. A huge portion, so perfect to share. We also got the burrata. It was still good but not my favorite dish of the night. Finally if you check in on yelp you get a free cookie! We all want to go back again, amazing experience!
(5)Caitlin G.
Went for lunch and we had amazing service. Our waiter was top notch. Always checking up on us and giving us recommendations throughout our whole meal. Ambiance is perfect and all the natural light is a great addition even on a gloomy winter day.
(5)Tony F.
This place is really good. It's not great but good. The atmosphere is open and summery...hence the name. The service is good and I have no complaints. My only issue is that's it's not worth fighting traffic into the city to eat here. I would say its a good Resturant for city folks but not worth the effort.
(4)Amanda N.
We eat out at a LOT of restaurants in the city, but I don't often bother to write reviews unless a place is really exceptional or really disappointing, and I found Summer House to be really disappointing, particularly given the proprietors and the hype! I took my best friend here for her birthday dinner. We had a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday. When we arrived, the place was almost completely empty, and yet still, they sat us at literally the worst table in the entire restaurant -- right next to the front door, on top of the host stand. I asked if they would move us, and they did -- but to a high table at the back of the bar, next to a family with young children. Why were there children in the bar area? And why seat me in the bar when I have a reservation and the dining room is still almost completely vacant? If that wasn't annoying enough, our server was kind of checked out. He was nice enough, but when the place filled up by about 6:45 pm, he was clearly busy and even came by to comment to us that he "also takes care of the bar, so if we need him, just come grab him from the bar." Um, I thought I was eating at a restaurant. I guess that's what happens when you are seated in the bar area, instead of the dining room? You have to flag down the bartender who is also your waiter? The worse offense: He told us that the left side was "small plates meant for sharing" and the right side was larger plates. After we inquired about how to order, he recommended 3-4 small plates and splitting the entree we liked. So we ordered (small plates) guacamole, cauliflower, harvest salad, and burrata, and (large plate) split the fish tacos. He asked us if we wanted it coursed a particular way, or if it should come out "as it's ready." We said "as it's ready," because we figured they would all be small plates, and our entree wasn't so much an entree as the same size as a small plate (right?). ALL THE FOOD CAME OUT AT ONCE. It barely fit on our table and was completely ridiculous. It was WAY to much food. The "small plates" weren't so much "small plates" (a bite or two for 2-4 people) but rather full-on appetizers. The food was OK. The fish tacos were actually quite delicious and flavorful and healthfully prepared -- a great example of what this restaurant is presumably going for. The burrata was delicious, but the bread was toasted to the point of burnt, and hard/thick, so that was tricky eating. The salad was pretty passable. It wasn't dressed nearly enough (and I don't like heavy dressing) and was just very very boring -- I could have made it at home, which is saying a lot. The cauliflower was underdone - still very tough. And we didn't even get around to the guacamole because it was WAY too much food. I expect way, way more from a LEYE restaurant, and the Melman brothers' places in particular have yet to disappoint in this way. I won't be back -- there are just way too many great restaurants in this city that won't deliver all your food all at once. OMG.
(2)Deeje E.
Very attentive staff...great service and food. Joe's stone crab should hire this staff and maybe they would have more return customers.
(5)Christel R.
love this spot for lunch, dinner & in between. food has flavor, wine comes in nice pours, and service is great! the cookies are such a treat, and i would recommend trying one :)
(5)Yana N.
Like a SoCal oasis in the middle of Midwest! Great ambience and amazing fresh dishes! Unlike other restaurants this one has it's separate baking station at the front entrance with fresh cookies! Yes please!
(5)Kathryn R.
Amazing brunch! We got the banana muffin to start (crispy with a little sugar on the outside and the middle tastes like they put 3 banana's into it). After I got the kale and cheddar omelette with a side of Avacado and the hashbrowns. My friend got the Breakfast Tostadas. Both were delicious. The staff was very nice and the service was great. The atmosphere was really nice, bright and fresh. I also loved the bar - perfect place to post up and have a mimosa and still feel like you are outside (even when you are not). Would definitely recommend.
(5)Steven P.
Had dinner at Summer House last night and was really excited to try it out considering all of the hype. The build out of the restaurant is pretty neat. Open and airy except in the bar area. If you can sit in the open air part of the restaurant I suggest it. The menu is available online. Check it out before going. Appetizers) We had the Chips and Guacamole and the fresh burrata. For the price it was a little disappointing. The Guac definitely needed salt. The burrata was good but needed a little more arugula. Main dish) We had the Ahi Tuna taco, Surfer Taco and the Steak Frites. Note that the tacos are deconstruted so you put them together. Comes with salsa and guacamole - lacked flavor. The Tuna was ok. The frites (french fries) tasted like they were frozen out of a bag. The steak was good and tasty. The tacos are way over priced but you are in Lincoln Park so people will pay it. Service. There is not enough room between the seats in the middle of the dinning room so you constantly feel the precense of the back waiter, front waiter, server, etc. To be honest I couldn't keep track of how many people were walking around. And the bus boys kept coming back around to ask if we were done and could take our plates. They also removed martini glasses before we were done without asking. That was pretty annoying. There are so many different options in the city with LEYE, check out their other options. Great to see the concept but nothing makes us want to return. Price per person (app - shared, entree and two glasses of wine w/ tip) ~$70pp
(3)Mark V.
I had to make a reservation over a month in advance just to get a table on a Saturday, so my expectations were sky high. Yet, aside from the beautiful scenery (both the room and the people), the experience could only be described as mediocre. Nothing I ate made an impression, and the best dish from the entire evening was the brussel sprouts, which should not be the case when you are spending over $300 for 4 people. None of my fellow diners had much good to say about what they ordered and we all left feeling disappointed and somewhat ripped off. The only saving grace from the entire evening was the apple fritter cookie my friend purchased at the bakery counter on the way out, but it wasn't quite enough to sweeten our mood by that point. Simply put: Chicago has far better to offer in this price range.
(2)Jonathan W.
This restaurant has a lot going for it. Great location and of course beautiful decor. Unfortunately the food was just okay. I had fish and it was pretty good, tad overlooked halibut but good. However not very memorable. Cookies were the best part. Delicious s'mores cookie and choc chip cookie. Otherwise pretty mediocre.
(3)Jonathan S.
Great place for groups of 4 or 6. It's always bustling. Bright and airy with good food.
(4)George J.
Go go go run here great place in Lincoln Park .. Great food great vibe and they have parking .. You will love it prices are excellent and food is so delicious and healthy ..
(5)Rachel P.
I had a girls' night out here recently and we loved the atmosphere! We also had excellent service. The reason I'm not rating it higher is because, as other reviewers have said, we had a reservation (late in the evening) and then had to wait even longer. Honestly, I've never been to a restaurant that couldn't honor a reservation promptly. They need to improve on this. I had their draft cocktails which were very delicious and refreshing, however for $10 I'd expect them to be stronger. We only tried the ahi tuna tostadas and those were delicious, but, for the money I wish we'd gotten a bit more. The prices on everything else looked on the high side. Since we loved the atmosphere so much I would file this more under a "special occasion" place due to the prices rather than a place I'd go to often. I'll definitely come back but probably more for just drinks in the bar area than a full meal.
(3)Stacey K.
There's a sign on the wall at Summerhouse that reads YES...kind of says it all. Starting with the impeccable hospitality of the manager, TJ, to the incredible FOOD.....roasted cauliflower, killer biscuits , Ahi tuna tostados, mouth watering , but wait, there's definitely more!! Spicy Calamari the likes of which I have never tasted, combination of spice, lime, chives, and I don't know what!! SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Wood grilled halibut sounds boring, But NOT last, chocolate chip cookies with rice crispy treats. REALLY. Best restaurant experience I've had in a while. visiting from NYC, so impressed Cannot say enough about the knowledgeable, professional, attentive,welcoming, and adorable TJ. relaxing southern California feel...RUN, Don't walk.
(5)Dexter H.
Overrated! I was really disappointed. My brussel sprouts and potatoes were COLD, seemed like they had been plated long before the sea bass arrived. Which was over cooked but still edible. Service was REALLY slow! I was expecting more from Lettuce, hopefully they'll get it together, it's walking distance for us.
(2)Kayla C.
The spicy calamari is to die for! Outdoor patio was perfect for the summer.
(5)Michael N.
I normally only give positive reviews on Yelp but I had such a bad experience at this restaurant I wanted to share. My party of 4 had a reservation for 8:30pm. We arrived at 8:20 and checked in with the hostess. We waited until 8:45 before I went to the hostess to inquire about our table and we were told we would be next to be seated. It was not until 9:07pm (47 minutes after our reservation time!) that we were seated. No exaggeration here. We were waiting for our seats when a fire truck pulled up and took someone away in a stretcher because they "Passed out". That was the table we got. We literally had to wait 47 minutes for someone to pass out and be taken away by ambulance before we could be seated. And this was with a reservation. The food was good but not worth a 47 minute wait WITH a reservation. No apologies from management. They treat their patrons poorly and overbook their reservations. I will never go back here ever again.
(2)Lauren Y.
The restaurant is mediocre. We had a reservation for weeks but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I ordered a Cosmo but had to send it back because it was too sour. The replacement cosmo was average, but not great. (a little better but not worth sending back again) The chicken tacos were VERY good and a good portion size. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the fish dishes we tried. The taste is wonderful, but the portion sizes for the ahi tuna-watermelon appetizer & the fish tacos were rip offs. For those prices I would expect the portions to be 50% larger...and I'm referring to the size of the fish, not the slaw and veggies on the side of the tacos. The ambience was very nice, but with the stinginess of the the fish portions, I'm hesitant to go back for quite awhile.
(2)Abby K.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago so far. Great options and really fresh tasting. The atmosphere is very chic and upbeat as well. Highly recommend.
(5)Katarina M.
Where to start? We had bunch of appetizers, and ahi tuna was excellent. My entrée was trout, and it was absolutely delicious. We got complimentary cookies and service was impeccable!
(5)Christine L.
Loved the fish tacos and really like their drink selection. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious. The presentation and quality of food was exceptional. My boyfriend had the seabass and loved it. We also had a cookie and ice cream for dessert that was simple and delicious. What stands out the most is the staff. EVERY ONE is nice and engaging. They pay attention and if at any point I looked around as if I needed something, they were immediately attentive. The manager stopped by and it wasn't one of those empty "how's everything folks", it was genuine. Decoration is great, service is exceptional, food is delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Stephen W.
This place is a perfect place to grab a burger and a beer when the weather is nice. I especially like the turkey burger. Service is kind of inconsistent, but only because sometimes they get slammed.
(4)Amber N.
Run, do not walk, to this restaurant. We dine out a few nights a week and think this might be our new favorite. The hostesses were very nice and welcoming when we arrived. The decor and feel of the place is spot on for a summer feeling space. After such a harsh winter, we felt like we escaped for a few hours tonight. For drinks, I enjoyed Frog's Leap Wine (one of our favorite Napa wineries) and my husband the Monte Cali Bourbon drink with a huge ice cube. We both enjoyed our drinks as we reviewed the amazing menu. Literally everything on the menu looked enticing. We decided on the following: -Ahi Tuna Tostadas with watermelon, chili, avocado, cilantro served on a mini corn tortilla. Amazing quality tuna with all the right flavors to make it perfection. -Fresh Burrata with a homemade tomato jam and arugula and bread. It was exactly how it should be, fresh, flavorful and delicious. -Soy Glazed Pork Ribs with an Asian flare caramelized on with great flavor. -French Dip with the beef a perfect medium. -Roast Cauliflower with a jalapeno pesto and breadcrumbs. So unique and tasty. -Potato Polenta Mash side dish was creamy, cheesy and decadent. For dessert we walked over to the cookie counter and split a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with chunks of rice crispy treats on top. Imagine how wonderful that would taste and then times it by 100000, that's how good it was! They are doing something right here with the ambiance, menu and food. Our waiter was average, not memorable, but maybe that's the point, because the food and decor will forever be the standout. ENJOY it soon!!
(5)Rob J.
Great atmosphere, especially in the winter months when you want it to be summer. Food was just ok. I'm from CA and the fish tacos were not good, so that was bummer. Good place for group and we saw a ton of kids there too.
(3)Leah C.
the apps and desserts outshine the entrees... as mentioned in several reviews, 5 stars for atmosphere. the bright, white homey interior took us away from the icy, snowy streets of chicago. service was spot-on as well. i especially appreciated that while our server could not answer some of our questions, instead of making up answers, he quickly educated himself so that he could later pass on his findings. went for restaurant week with girlfriends so we sampled the RW offerings as well as some add-on's. loved that the RW menu included a glass of wine! none of us were impressed with the entrees: mushy lobster pasta, bland salmon and onion heavy veggie tacos served with overheated tortillas. the cauliflower side, burrata app (ask for more crostinis right away) and the brussel sprouts that accompany the salmon are standouts! my favorite was the super greens salad - the shaved parmesan coupled with the crushed garlic breading balanced out the bitter leaves. make sure to take a look at the bakery window before ordering your dessert. we had the peanut butter cookie (more pb than cookie!) topped with nutella ice cream and the apple oatmeal cookie (lots of chunky pieces of baked apple) topped with vanilla ice cream. TONS of unique cookies to choose from with choice of 3 flavors of ice cream (can't recall the 3rd offering!). beyond DELISH.
(4)Clara T.
My absolute favorite place to go for brunch. Always sunny and bright, the decor and vibe that this place has makes me so happy. Amazing chicken and waffles-- and their non-alcoholic beverages are as good as their boozy ones!
(5)Natalie M.
This is my new favorite spot in Lincoln Park. The quality of food is pretty amazing and I have loved everything I tried here. The atmosphere is very cool and I'm sure this summer when it's nice out, it will always be bumping. Friendly staff and overall experience is simply awesome. I only gave it a 4 because it's hard to get into and usually have to wait awhile to be seated. The prices are pretty average for the whole experience you are getting:) I will be here ALOT this summer:) Yummy food, great locale and fun people.
(4)Agnes S.
Went on a Friday for early dinner. I give this place and A for décor and vibe...you definitely feel like you're in Santa Monica. Service was good as well...good looking staff, on the younger side. The meal was OK. We started out with one of their non-alcoholic cocktails...too sweet, as well as a glass of wine, which was nice. For the apps - Tuna Tostadas - the tuna was very good, the watermelon complemented the fish nicely. The presentation was just ok...5 "tostitos" type chips set over guac with tuna on top. Shaved Vegetable Salad - also nice...array of veggies over romaine. The 2 entrees we had were not so great: Fish Tacos (mahi mahi) - the fish was cooked perfectly...the condiments were OK...but for $24 I don't want to make my own tacos. It was basically a piece of blackened mahi mahi with guac and salsa on side on a plate...with 4 corn tortillas on the side. It would be nice if it was presented already prepared. Lobster Orecchiette - the pasta was definitely not orecchiette. I've worked in Italian restaurants and my family makes it from scratch as well...this pasta was shaped like a large snail shell...not the small bowl it resembles. It also lacked the summer truffle that the description called for and was overpowered by a type of red pepper flake that was sprinkled with a heavy hand. The lobster meat was cooked nicely though. I would come back to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar...not for the food.
(3)Annie B.
Shrimp calamari was amazing!
(5)Josh B.
Hour and a half wait for brunch?! To the bar with full menu we go. Let me preface: we live 3 blocks from here and out Sunday mornings are a never ending debate about where to grab brunch. The neighborhood for sure needed this place. The southern Cali vibe, lots of sun and trendy atmosphere were made for this neighborhood, even if we didn't just yet know quite how much we were missing it. For drinks, Caitlin had her favorite, a Bellini, which she found just ok. They were cranking out a lot of them from our vantage at the bar, but she gave hers a 3. I thought the mimosa I had was pretty great and they for sure did not skimp on the quality of my coffee (A lighter roast, which I appreciate). For food we both settled on a benedict, me the traditional and Caitlin the turkey. The home made english muffins were a great touch, enjoyed them all together. Final ranking: Vibe: 5 Food: 4 Drinks: 3.5 Service: 5 Overall: 4.5 Safe assumption: we will come back.
(4)Christie M.
Came here for a double date with two of our friends and had a fantastic meal. We had made 8pm reservations (the only time available) but were hoping to get in a little earlier, as we arrived at 7:30. Unfortunately, the restaurant was jam packed and we weren't seated until 8:10pm. I was a little frustrated with our wait, but I think more than anything I was surprised by how busy this place was on a Tuesday evening. We had great service at one of the high-top tables. I would have loved to have sat in the "Vitamin D" room, but like I said, it was busy busy. I had a wonderful glass of Chardonnay while we split chips and guac and calamari as our starters. Guac was standard, and a pretty small portion. The calamari was so wonderfully breaded and fried- tasty and spicy but not too heavy. One of the best calamari I've had in the city. For my main dish, I had the salmon and a split an order of the brussel sprouts. OMG the brussel sprouts are amazing. Perfectly charred with crispy panchetta. Mmmmmmm. The entrees we ordered were: lobster orechetti (very good), halibut (very good), and the korean pork tacos (my friend liked the dish, but it was very small). My friend also ordered a side of the golden beets, but hated them. The waitress ended up taking that off their bill without even mentioning it, which was a nice surprise. We checked in on yelp and received a free cookie and ice cream. When we told our server that we celebrating our friend finding out that she was expecting, she brought us another cookie and ice cream to split (rice krispie cookie). That was great! Overall a great experience- albeit busy. Loved the food, my only gripe is that I wished the portions were a little larger.
(4)jenna n.
The halibut was rather fishy for my pallet. I wasn't too fond if the Santa Monica salad, however I was impressed with the Thai curry mussels. Overall I would give the food 3 stars and the ambiance a five star. We live a few blocks away so I will be back regardless...
(3)Amber S.
I went here for a "before the play meal". Walking in, I fell in love with the summer house decor. It wasn't gaudy or overbearing. We sat under the sky roof and it was nice to see the sun shine through. Our waitress was very helpful in deciding what to choose to eat. For the meal, I had the special which was a white fish(I can't remember the exact name of it) with miso butter, bok choy and pasta. My friend had the rainbow trout with mashed potatoes and honey butter sauce. For appetizers, we had the homemade biscuits with butter and honey. I loved the biscuits, they were light but thick and flavorful even without the butter and honey, they were also very filling so be careful when ordering these. I felt my dish was a little light on flavor but my friends dish was very good. My only complaint would be is that they sat us behind the bakery right next to the waitress station, where there's a computer and they pay the bills at. They said that we wouldn't be in the way but during the dinner we had multiple waitresses go behind us to pay bills and was distracting. They also had a bar and a bakery with a chocolate chip and bacon cookie that I want to try. I also loved the open kitchen Even with the seating arrangement, it was a nice restaurant and I can't wait to visit again. It's about a 5 minute walk from SteppenWolf so it would make a good before or after play destination. I want to visit in the summertime because I hear they will open the roof for a fresh breeze.
(4)Mike K.
~ Oceanside Summerhouse ~ Goodbye, Tilli's. Hello, Kelly McGillis' cottage in Top Gun. You've seen the movie and that particular scene. Summerhouse made me feel like I was in the cottage in that scene - only Summerhouse doesn't have the languid feel of that scene at all; it's bustling with activity. And the activity with which it's bustling is almost testosterone free: girls on girls' nights out; families with kids; and Mavs and Charlies. And you Mavs will go Top Gun if you bring your Charlies to Summerhouse. Dangerous. When you walk into Summerhouse, you're greeted with a case of...needle across the record...cookies. Talk about knowing your Christmas presents are under the tree and not being able to open them. Look but don't touch. Keep moving to your left, and then the setup is the bar on the left, high tops adjacent to the bar and then the open dining room area to the right, with several booths on the far right on a slight dais. That's your playing field, ace. Go to work. As to the food, well, I have a very rudimentary palate and am not at all adventurous, so I was somewhat limited in what I could choose from the already somewhat limited menu. I tasted the following: Burrata Roasted cauliflower Burger with fries Pork Ravioli Vino Chocolate chip cookie. I would highly recommend all of the above, with the true standouts and must tries being the Burrata, pork ravioli and the cookie. I will say the portion of ravioli was rather small, so load up on other small dishes such as the Burrata. I would rate the burger, which came with a heaping portion of the thin-type fries, as very good but one rung down in leagues relative to a Kuma's or Capital Grill burger. As to service, it was absolutely top notch from bow to stern. The wall to the north says, "Yes," and that was certainly indicative of the service on our visit. I highly doubt the words "Negative, Ghostrider" will ever be uttered by the wait staff at Summerhouse. While dining, I couldn't help but notice the sound track. We dined early, and it was a bit rocky. As the late afternoon turned to evening, the music got louder and changed to a more sort of obscure, foreign sound track for the trendy, scene-y crowd. However, while they were still rocking, they played the songs "Laid" and "Good Girls Don't" consecutively. I don't see how that was a coincidence, and a basic outline of my review was written inside my head on the fly right at that moment. Man, these guys are certainly subliminally prepping the Charlies who dine at Summerhouse for their Mavs or future Mavs. Players, take note. Permission for fly-by granted in advance. Five stars.
(5)Candice H.
My new favorite brunch spot! Previously my go-to brunch was little goat... But I'm thinking the feel of Summer House has it beat. The Vitamin D room made me escape a dreary rainy Sunday in Chicago. The calamari was amazing... Maybe the best I have ever had. Very trendy right now, but judging on the great food, staff, and ambience... I think Summer House will be a go-to for many for years to come!
(5)Sarah G.
Terrible service! Made a res for 2PM and was not seated until 3PM. Even once we were seated, it took about 25 minutes to get our drinks. Descent food but service was so awful.
(1)Mark B.
Fantastic ambiance! A little bit smaller of portions for breakfast than I'd expect for the price but everything we did have was extremely tasty. My wife and I love this place so much, we even went twice in one day.
(5)Monica B.
I went for brunch and loved it! Amazing vibe, you definitely feel like you are in California. I got the mission street burrito which was amazing and healthy! It has tofu chorizo which was done really well. I also got the peach Bellini which was great (typical Bellini). For dessert we got the large chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispies, warmed a la mode (with a ice cream scoop) which was as heavenly as it sounds. We also got tea which was amazing, each tea comes with it's own pot, unique flavors and very generous portion of fresh tea leaves per pot.My only negative review was that our waitress was super slow. I don't believe it reflects the whole restaurant because other waitress tried to check on us and the bus boys were attentive. It took our waitress like 10-15 to bring 2 drinks.
(4)Mark S.
It's actually feels like a summerhouse which is the perfect ambience on a fall day! I went for brunch and it was tasty. Everything on the menu was a very safe choice by the chef, but still enjoyable.
(5)Alyssa W.
The food here is a little over priced, but delicious. I didn't have any customer service issues like some other people. We made a reservation on a Friday night, we were seated right away and our waiter was wonderful. He explained everything and gave us great recommendations. All the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, just everything on the menu was about $5 too much in my opinion.
(4)Jane S.
I came here on my Birthday Eve and wow what an amazing experience! The setting actually resembles a summerhouse in Santa Monica (I'm from California so this is coming from someone who has actually been out in Santa Monica ). It has a very "I'm seating on a beach having a martini" feel. The service at this place is excellent as well! The servers really know their menu and are ready to recommend items based on your taste preference. The Food!!!! Ahhh the food!!!! Absolutely Amazing! I had a bbq-glazed wing (this is a fish dish not chicken) and absolutely loved it! And Let's not forget the cocktails that were very tasty!! This place is an absolute hit, from its ambiance to its service to its food. P.S. In the front of the restaurant is an amazing bakery with AMAZING deserts!! P.S. part 2 I love to use the word amazing
(5)Lisa Z.
I have basically committed myself to check in on Facebook everytime I'm here solely because of the name. And all my LA friends ask "Are you visiting here?" when they see Summer House Santa Monica show up in the feed. But it's great! It really feels like summer here even in the heart of winter! They even give you free sunglasses, and I can't wait to check out the retractable roof in the summer. This place keeps the good food coming, both brunch and dinner. I've had a few omelettes off the menu, as well as a truffle pasta at dinner. All phenomenal. And definitely start things off right with the Kickstarter at brunch. So good!
(5)Blair R.
Like all of the Yelp reviews have said before, Summer House is a great spot to pretend like you are escaping Chicago's obnoxious winter, and I think it will be equally great when it's actually summer. The bar is situated a little awkwardly -- we found it too hard to get a drink while we were waiting for our table but this would be my only small complaint about the set up. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and I would happily return. Tuna Tostada - wayy better than I expected. The watermelon balanced the spicy flavors and one bite was really perfect. Brussel Sprouts - yum, I love balsamic. I'd happily drink a jar of good balsamic (maybe). And these had so much and such good balsamic all over them. It was also served with crispy pancetta that added another yum factor. Cauliflower - this dish felt like it was trying too hard. Kind of like cauliflower just became the cool kid vegetable but isn't cool enough yet, so it had to add other flavors that don't work. The jalapeño sauce was just kind of sitting there and didn't make sense. I didn't dislike it, but I'd be just as happy (if not happier) eating my own roasted cauliflower at home. Fish Tacos - split these with my sister and though they were pretty good. I probably will try something else next time but overall they serve their purpose. I would recommend trying one of the other fish dishes unless you are seriously craving some tacos or guac. Cookies - obviously amazing. Giant cookies, served warm and you can get ice cream with them if you want. Really, can you ask for anything more? I thought the blondie was the best but I am a sucker for butterscotch.
(4)Katherine M.
The ambiance here reminds me of being back home in California, and the food is almost good enough to make me want to stick around in Chicago. The service was great, drinks were good, and they brought out a birthday cookie without any singing or hullabaloo. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Ronald B.
Always bomb! Bring your friends, buy a couple bottles and try everything! If you are lucky enough to make time to stop for brunch on the weekend, the French toast is a must have!!! Try it! You'll thank me later
(5)Colleen M.
We went on a Saturday at about 6 and the place was packed! The atmosphere was great - perfect for a summer date night. I love the glass ceiling and all the natural light. It is hard to imagine this place in the winter because it has such a summery vibe. The wait staff, and even more importantly, the kitchen staff, were incredible. The food came out so quickly it was incredible. We ate the cauliflower, which was good, and the biscuits with poblano butter and honey were amazing. The Santa Monica Salad and Fish tacos were top notch. I had no room for dessert but my husband said the cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream was delish! I can't wait to go again!
(5)Marisa Y.
I was looking forward to eating at Summer House because the Yelp reviews seemed so positive, but the food was ...GOD AWFUL. I came here for brunch with friends and ordered the breakfast tostadas. My friend ordered the same thing as well and both of our tostadas were awful. The food was cold, the meat was super dry, the beans were undercooked, and overall the food was just so bland. My guess is our plates finished faster than the third person we were with and it just looked like our food SAT AND SAT under the warmers. The third person ordered an eggs benedict dish and her poached egg wasn't even runny. Isn't that the whole point of a poached egg??? I didn't even eat a quarter of my food. I feel like good servers usually notice this when they check on you or come to take your plate away, but nope. The decor was nice, but that's the only nice thing I can say about this place. If just my meal was off, I would've hesitated to give such a low review, but since others had the same experience, I don't think this is such an anomaly.
(1)David H.
Great ambiance! Food is always good. I have had some slow service but all and all very good.
(5)Tanya K.
We went for our anniversary last night. We walked in and immediately loved the decor and overall vibe. We were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. She was energetic, smiley and helpful. They have an amazing wine list. We ordered the burratta which was good, not great, but good. For our entrees, we ordered the bucatini and trout, both delish and fresh. The staff comp'd us an amazing dessert for our anniversary that made us want to eat 6 more. I am looking forward to a warm weather trip back. The restaurant has a glass garage door that opens onto halted. I am sure it will be an even better trip.
(4)Evan A.
The vibe/scene and the food are 5 stars. Very busy filled with lots of good looking people. The bright, summery feel is very welcoming and pleasant. Every food item I tried was very good. Highlights were the swordfish, tuna tostadas, and the calamari. All amazing. The rib appetizer was just ok. The service was pretty mediocre and was almost bad enough to drop this from 5 stars to 3. Server was relatively inattentive, didn't have a big personality, and just seemed new and spacey. Right after the entrees hit he was completely MIA, and a new server was kind of taking care of us if we flagged her down. We found out later after things started to torpedo that our server had to leave for a family emergency that had apparently just happened. I can understand this but the service wasn't great before he left, and we weren't told that someone new would be taking over until things had already gotten really bad. The management response was very strong and good enough to bring it back to 4 stars. Lots of apologies and compensation and general care. I will definitely come back because the vibe and food were that good at affordable prices. I think the service issues were a fluke and will get better as it is a Lettuce Entertain You joint and they obviously know what they are doing.
(4)Jones' D.
We decided to come here after dining at Stella Barra a few times and seeing the rave reviews here. The overall experience was pretty meh. To begin, we were seated for our 8:00 p.m. reservation at 8:50. 8:50! And when we approached the host stand, no apologies* or acknowledging that they were late. Not a good impression. We sat down and were greeted somewhat promptly by...someone. She was not the waiter, so she said, but took our drink orders and our appetizer order. Then, 3 minutes later, a woman who claimed to be serving us that evening asked if we would like to start with drinks or maybe an appetizer. Again, the frazzled service left a slightly negative impression. Our spirits were lifted by the guac and salsa, which were incredible. At least the food is good at this point. For the main course we had the bison meatloaf/mashed potatoes and the bucatini. Both were decent (the mashed potatoes were the star), but it did not provoke feelings of needing to come back to try other stuff on the menu. It's pretty clear that food is all probably just so-so. *At this point, I was at two stars, but they did comp our guac, so I bumped them up to three. In all, it's a very scene-y place with nice coastal decor (which are the two things that account for rave reviews, I believe) with decent food. It may be worth a trip to check out, but I'd much rather view the decor on my way into Stella Barra or while grabbing a delicious cookie on the way out. Come summer, I can't even imagine what this place will be like. Actually, based on one visit, I can ABSOLUTELY imagine. No, thanks!
(3)Jay J.
Just checked this place out with some friends recently and its a top 5 restaurants in Chicago for me. They have an awesome beer selection at the bar, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is called 'shabby chic' per the waitress. I don't know what that means but its like Charleston, South Carolina and Santa Monica had a baby and named it Summer House. Beer- Get the Golden Monkey or Bouelvard Apps- Ahi tuna tostadas are amazing and you're missing out on life if you don't get fresh bur rata Entre-Can't go wrong but I recommend any of the fish if you like seafood Desert- the cookies are more for show than anything, and you're going to get diabetes from them since they are ridiculously rich.
(5)S C.
Like most Lettuce restaurants, this place is solid. Atmosphere is lovely, bright and fresh. Service was good. but a few flaws. Food came out way fast, so space your courses. Bus boys always trying to grab plates off the table, a bit annoying. We told our waitress that our pasta was cold, and she did not seem to care. The food is good, some things better than others. The Cauliflower, Calamari and fish tacos standouts. Skip the rib appetizer, beet salad and Hamachi,. Don't leave without a cookie from the bakery stand in the front!
(3)Brittany D.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago! We had the chips & guac, calamari, roasted cauliflower, and the tuna tacos...everything was absolutely outstanding! Everything from the service to the decor was on point for us. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, no matter how small of a party it is. We called for 2 people on Saturday and weren't able to get a reservation until 10 pm.
(5)Caroline Y.
There are three reasons why I wanted to rate my experience at summer house five stars. 1. The food: - Everything we had was beyond amazing. Starting with the hot mess fries, perfect for a cold Chicago night. My roommate had the steak frites and considering she was a vegetarian a month ago, she basically said it cured her meat craving for the past two years. I had the prime rib sandwich, so juicy and the bread was perfectly crispy. We had a side of the roasted cauliflower and topped our meal off with the warm apple cranberry crumble. So. Good. 2. The staff. - We were greeted warmly by our hostess Annie who was adorable and friendly! Our server Erik was bomb.com / boss.org / dope.gov . He was very attentive and had great recommendations. 3. Derrick Rose - We spotted Derrick dining at this restaurant. I just wanted to point out I saw Derrick Rose. TL; DR? Go to summer house. You'll see Derrick Rose.
(5)Mr. E.
Attended Summer House for brunch with my wife and friends. The atmosphere is great, excellent open ceiling makes the restaurant feel spacious (even though it was packed). I read precious reviews about portions. It was brunch, so I wasn't looking for an all you can eat platter. However, I thought the portions were generous. I would recommend the hash brown eggs benedict. The only knock on this place was service & supply. They were out of nearly every baked good we asked for (not a big deal) and when it came time to pay for our meal our server was nowhere to be found. But the food is good enough to enjoy again
(4)Benjamin D.
I have to say this was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in along time. I was really looking forward to it given the theme and light nature of the food but unfortunately everything we tried (which was a lot) happened to be mediocre at best. The service was also off (bringing us the wrong dishes, slow, taking away the cutlery and not replacing it so we would have to grab it off the table next to us each time a new dish came) and our overall experience was basically one big let down, so much in fact that my girlfriend and I shot down to Gibson's right after for Martinis and dessert just so we could end the night on a high note without complete disappointment. We ordered the following: Roasted cauliflower - meh Chinese eggplant - good but too salty Scallops - BAD Ribs - a bit tough strozzapreti pasta with tomato jam - meh Fish tacos - good portions In all, this place gets two stars for atmosphere and location, but the meal and service need work... Big time.
(2)Chico R.
As everyone has stated the ambiance is fantastic. The food was very good although they could use a couple more vegetarian options. The spinach artichoke dip was great, the veggie enchiladas were very good, and the quinoa bowl was good. The drinks were well made, an overall great experience.
(4)John W.
Recently, my family and I went to Summer House for dinner. The atmosphere was lively and fun. I highly recommend the cauliflower appetizer. The dishes are easier to share, which makes for a lovely family dinner. My daughters enjoyed the playlist, which consisted of indie tunes that I found myself enjoying as well. The service was timely, and catered very nicely to my requests on how the meat should be cooked. I had a lovely experience at Santa Monica Summer House and we will definitely take my family there in the future.
(3)Willis C.
Coming from Santa Monica, I have never heard of this place, but it can fit perfectly well in the 90405. It rocks and is way better then the famous Ivy. It is a nice change from Karyn's across the way. Fresh and healthy with great ambiance. The use fine Oneida silverware and reminds me of Charlie Trotters. Super friendly staff, feels like home even with freezing snowmen outside. Super green salad with some herbal tea is the highlight to this cold Chicago winter. I will definitely frequent when in Chicago and feeling nostalgic of home.
(5)Stacy H.
This place has a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and great service! The patio is ideal for a summer evening, and the tuna app with avocado and green apple is amazing!
(5)Jennifer S.
Super Lincoln Park-y. It couldn't be more LP. the decor is obviously meant to bring you to the beach in Santa Monica. And it does. Ate dinner, ordered spinach appetizer and Lobster Orchiette (which was beyond salty- I was overpowered with the sodium content of the dish). But the ambiance wins. Food is fine- you will enjoy the atmosphere and your friends here. Check out the cookie bar up front. Valet is$13 and it looks like their sister restaurant Stella Pizzeria is nextdoor. LEYE does it in Lincoln Park. It looks like a money maker! Food 3 stars - passable, atmosphere 4-5 stars. Its a hit no doubt. By 7 PM, all the tables were full. Make a reso!
(4)B.B. K.
Summerhouse lives up to its name and then some! I came here with a friend for a bday dinner and loved this place from beginning to end. It's beautiful, sophisticated and transports you to a beachside haven as long as your stay. The service was amazing and the food was American cuisine scrumptiousness! It can sometimes be hard to find those two elements well executed in one place, and Summerhouse does not disappoint. The dessert bar is just the icing on the cake! Summerhouse is definitely an "experience" worth experiencing! Go! You'll forget Chicago even has a winter season!;-) Yum and fun!
(5)Talia R.
What a great space! You really get the "California Vibe" that they are going for. I thought the cocktail list was awesome along with the wines. I had a glass of the Albariño that was pretty good. We came in for lunch and split the Burrata- YUM! Then the ahi tuna tacos which were also super yummy, light and fresh. You have to try the cookies on your way out. The S'more and the white chocolate were awesome. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Kathleen M.
Our service was awesome - we made a reservation and unfortunately it was made for the wrong night. We showed up with a party of 5 and the manager (a woman) was so accommodating! Once we sat down she sent over a few appetizers on the house and they were so good! The tuna tostadas, cheese dip, messy fries, and guacamole were just so tasty and fresh. The ahi tuna tacos were so good as was the skirt steak! We also got the lobster pasta (I forget the name) and it was good - but very very rich. Thankfully we split a bunch of dishes because I would only be able to have a bite or two of the pasta. Cocktails were awesome! And the wine list was exceptional. Try this place!
(5)Tim H.
I have come here twice for brunch over the summer. It is a good solid brunch with nice outdoor seating or semi outdoor seating. I definitely get a California feel from the decor and menu. Ease of getting in for an early weekend brunch and nice outdoor seating give it an extra star in my opinion. Food is only 3 star in my opinion. For example, my over easy eggs were almost over well on my latest visit. They also don't seem to bring jelly, butter, and ketchup out unless you specifically ask. Had to do this on both my visits.
(4)Scott W.
Excellent light fare for the gourmand. The food is delicate if you choose - or there's a trusty burger. I have had only one issue - tacos. I love them. Then you add "wood fired" and I am sold. However; they could disappoint if you are a true taco fan. The taco is where the end of the ingredients go to take new form. The tuna was the butt end of the tuna steak. The rest of the menu crushes it. The apps are ridiculous. The staff is always there and checking in. Such a great lunch spot. Dinner is strong but lunch is stronger.
(4)Sanjana D.
Really enjoyed my late brunch yesterday! We got the crab cake, the lemon pancakes, and the salmon eggs benedict. All three were delicious and light, but the salmon eggs benedict was my favorite. I loved how it was on a crispy hash brown rather than a soggy English muffin. The décor complemented our meal. I love the white, airy layout! To top it all off, our waitress, Dawn (I hope I heard that right!), was very sweet and accommodating. She asked the kitchen to split all of our entrees so we could share. It's really great when a waitress goes out of her way to improve your dining experience. Oh, and the bakery counter is to die for. Make sure to grab something on your way out!
(5)Deena H.
It's not always about the food. The experience is really what makes it or breaks it for me. We were invited here for brunch on 9/6/15 at 1130am. We were a part of 6. We were supposed to be party of 8 but two people tapped out last minute but the restaurant was fine with that. We arrived and happily discovered their valet parking. That was the first smile on our face on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. You enter and find yourself in a setting that reminds you when you're on vacation near a beach. It's beautiful. There is a small bakery right when you walk in. Variety of goodies to choose from. We were seated promptly. Our table was large, spacious and marble! I think the only marble table in the whole restaurant. Our waitress was Danielle. She was awesome and looked& talked like Miley Cyrus. That's not relevant, I know but that's how I remember people. She was very attentive and did everything with a genuine smile. The nonalcoholic cocktails were great. My mom had the pineapple paradise which had pineapple, mint and a hint of cucumber. I had some of it and it's totally refreshing. I liked it more than my kale lemonade. All the food was great. My dad said his food and experience were "six stars!" He had the eggs and turkey bacon. (See my pics) The cookie and ice cream were awesome. The cookie is fresh and hot. Holy smokes delicious. My lobster roll had too much bread but toasted to perfection. It was decent. My sister liked her burger. Everyone else really loved their food. Everything tastes fresh and ingredients were great. Service is top notch. Decor and ambiance are beautiful. I wish I had my sunglasses! They recommend you wear them too! It's a totally California feel inside. In summary: 1. Valet parking for $13 2. Great location in Lincoln park 3. Excellent service. Thanks Danielle! 4. Clean and beautiful restaurant 5. Great food 6. Unique drinks Overall wonderful Sunday brunch experience!!
(5)Danny W.
Maybe I think this because my family sat next to a bachelorette party during our brunch, but this is a perfect place to have a bachelorette party brunch. Penis straws and pink sashes aside, the food totally rules and it's lively atmosphere makes for a great experience regardless of your reason for going. It's trendy, has a delicious California inspired menu, and the light and fruity cocktail menu would make the cast of Sex And The City cream their panties. I highly recommend the beet salad and the breakfast tostadas both of which I tried on Sunday. The service was very attentive all around, and even more impressive considering it was such a zoo of hungry brunch goers. Price point is a little up there, but you're getting some pretty quality light fare for the most part. I'll definitely be back. Especially if I get invited to sip out of a penis straw.
(4)Kevin M.
Update: I was honestly not expecting this but the manager of the restaurant reached out to me with a very professional response and apology. It's really nice to see that they care about their customers from a high level. I'll give Summer House another shot since I did in fact enjoy the food - plus, the atmosphere is really excellent. Stay tuned!
(3)Maisha R.
This place is supposed to feel like you're dining in LA, Santa Monica to be exact, and the restaurant setup and decor is gorgeous. It has a relaxed, outdoor, patio vibe inside the restaurant. Having lived in LA, I can't say that I felt like I was in Santa Monica, but what I can say is that I felt cold...freezing actually! The name was certainly a misnomer for the temperature inside. "Californian" cuisine was interpreted as dishes that emphasized veggies and fresh food. The colors on the plates were bright and the food looked good but the taste just wasn't there. We started with the guacamole and chips, which were very average, and the oysters, which were just ok. I, along with two other people at the table, ordered one of the daily specials - the sockeye salmon BLT with fries and it was nearly inedible because of the bread. The bread was so hard that it cut the roof of my mouth with every attempted bite. A soft ciabatta roll would've been much better. Besides the bread fiasco, the salmon had no seasoning and zero flavor and the fries were unseasoned as well and just not good. Others had the lobster roll, which was mostly mayonnaise, fillers, and basically no lobster; and the quinoa bowl, which apparently wasn't very good either. With the yelp check-in, we received complimentary chocolate chip cookies a la mode, which were pretty good actually (well, at least the one that wasn't covered in salt). But, after having a subpar meal, how can a cookie and scoop of ice cream not be good? Service wasn't on point either. Our waitress came to the table very sporadically. Our calamari appetizer never came. Once we finished and ordered dessert, we requested the bill for fear that we wouldn't see her any time soon. Then, the guy clearing the table spilled ice cream on me. This just wasn't a good meal or a good experience, except for the company around the table.
(3)Melanie S.
I wasn't too jazzed about Summer House for dinner, but for brunch? I'm totally sold. From the refreshing mocktails, to the eggs benedict, to the candied bacon...it's all pretty spectacular. My husband and I have a bad habit of over-ordering when it comes to brunch, because we can never decide between sweet and savory, so we both tend to order something savory, and then share something sweet. This time it was even worse than usual, as we ordered FOUR entrees so we could try a little of everything. We started with cucumber coolers, which were lovely on a warm summer morning. After much back and forth, we decided on the hash brown benedict, smoked salmon platter, berries and granola, and a waffle with a side of candied bacon. It was as if we were on way to the electric chair and this was our last meal. The food runner thought he delivered the food to the wrong table because he was looking for a table of four people! Everything was fantastic; the only weak link was the bagel on the smoked salmon platter. It would have been much better if served with an "everything" bagel instead of a ho-hum plain one, but it wasn't the end of the world. The shining star was the homemade granola served with mixed berries, thick, tart greek yogurt, and drizzled with local honey. So simple and satisfying. I hate a soggy waffle, but this was perfectly crispy (as it should it). The eggs benedict had a hash brown patty instead of an english muffin. So good! (Traditional eggs benedict is also available.) I have never in my life asked for a doggie bag for bacon before, but I couldn't bear to leave any behind. A side of four thick slices of sweet candied bacon is a crazy-reasonable $2.95. Whatever you do, do NOT miss this! Can't wait to go back!
(4)Mike M.
Here a two for the food and a three for everything else. No one gets consistency like Lettuce Entertainment. Each LEYE restaurant now arrives like a Stepford wife, beautiful, precise and passionless. We had cocktails. Nice. We had calamari, pretty good, but a chopped up, fried mess. The crab cake was good. The lobster sushi role was very good. The skatewing special of the night was overcooked and uninspired. My mahi mahi tacos was dry and overcooked. So food, meh. The room is bright, pretty and noisy. The whole experience reminded me of dining at a Disney World restaurant. All look and a mediocre meal.
(3)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: beautiful, warm brunch space. Summer House sure does a good job of making you feel like your in a (albeit, bustling and packed) lake house during the summer. We came for Saturday brunch, along with 5 million other people. Even so, our waiter was quick and attentive. I'll tip a hat to any place that offers a Mezcal breakfast drink, and it was well-made to boot. My Short Rib Hash ($14.95) was crispy and savory, and just the perfect portion-size. Hard to argue with Summer House's presentation and delivery. Worth a stop for brunch on the north side. Make a reservation.
(4)Patty T.
Undoubtedly, Summer House has amazing aesthetics. It's open/airiness, great lighting, beautiful furniture, and smart fixtures all make for an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. When it comes to the actual food, however, there's less to write home about. I frequently do brunch here, and have never had anything that's overwhelming good. It's mostly average food, with above average prices. If the food was more flavorful and/or the prices were slightly less - then maybe it'd be a good value... But unfortunately, it's just not. Long story short, come for the cool atmosphere (and sit in the Vitamin D room if you can)! But don't expect the food to wow you as much as the ambiance.
(3)Iman W.
Now I've never been to California. I've never been anywhere west of Texas, actually. So I can't say if the supposedly Californian vibe is true to life. What I can say is that I really liked the atmosphere of Summer House, bright, light, and airy. Sitting on or near the patio on a summer day is very nice. And in the winter, you can sit with your back to the windows and pretend, for those precious moments, that outside isn't happening. The sweet treats in the front look delightful, but I didn't try any. What I did try was the Santa Monica egg white omelet. I should have gone with my gut and ordered eggs benedict. Honestly, the omelet was just okay. Not as flavorful as it could have been and if I wasn't taking service and overall ambiance into consideration, I might have rated this place a 3 on the food alone.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Fantastic experiences to be had at Summer House. Great food, great space, and great service. The good: Great tasting food. Lot's of variety and flavor. The meals and apps were great, and the dessert was even better. It was all delivered fast and fresh and was delicious. The service was fantastic as well and very knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere is also great. The bad: Prices get a little steep. The rice was way undercooked and the corn tortillas were meh, but we're getting picky here. Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)Lindsay M.
You know what, I just don't get the hype! My stars are mostly for the service and the ambiance as the food was just... very sub par. It was girls night, we were all dressed in our finest. We rolled up and were seated fairly close to our reservation time. The place is cool, nice and light, big windows in the front... The tables can feel a little crowded, but it's ok - we were out for a social night. Our waiter was very friendly, seemed knowledgable about the menu. Service was a bit slow, but I gathered it wasn't really his fault - seemed the bar and kitchen were a little backed up. We ordered a few dishes to eat and sort of share... and each dish, especially for the price, just was lackluster. I literally can't get excited writing this review because it was just blah. I could have this same quality food somewhere else and probably at a much better price point. If I am wrong, can someone please recommend a dish that was out of this world for me? I would love to give it another shot.
(3)Holly Y.
This is my first review, but I've been here a handful of visits. I'm giving 3 out of 5 stars due to the previously delicious calamari being overdressed with the spicy mayo sauce which resulted in the dish becoming chewy in texture as it sat out. Previous visits the calamari was breaded lightly with the sauce drizzled over the top and extra sauce on the side. This visit, the calamari was swimming in the spicy mayo. Next, we ordered the roasted cauliflower with pesto. The dish was warmed raw cauliflower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cauliflower, but I was truly expecting "roasted" and that was not what I received. The ambiance is always a winner here at Summer House, as is the service. I gave it a mediocre review due to the disappointing two food items.
(3)Aimee H.
Visited at least a half dozen times and the service, the atmosphere and the entrees have been wonderful. Definitely feels like a summer house and is always busy. Make a reservation if you can. Recommendations from the breakfast menu for cocktails: Bloody Mary (not too spicy, not too tomato, just right), Passion Fruit Margarita, Strawberry Shrub and for food: Short Rib Hash, The Morning Sandwich, Sunrise Burrito and if you're in the mood for sweet: Orange Chocolate Chip Pancake or the Cinnamon Roll (large enough to share). Recommendations from the dinner menu: all of the cocktails are refreshing and the wine list includes a nice variety; for food: Steak Frites, Mahi Mahi tacos, Squid Ink Angel Hair and absolutely do not leave without trying from the Starters section: Baked to order biscuits with the poblano honey butter and the Local Burrata (to die for!). The bakery in between Summer House Santa Monica and Stella Barra has treats you can't pass up, like a chocolate chip cookie with rice krispy treat pieces on top! Bonus: both Summer House and Stella Barra are a part of LEYE.
(4)Sean C.
Alex is best bartender ever! Try the kicked up kale at brunch or the bloody---mmm good! Did I say that the country bread has best crust. Sit at the bar to avoid the long wait but brunch was to die for!
(5)Mei K.
Came here on a busy Saturday with no reservations. Shame on me! The food was average, the waitstaff was good, the super-Californian-beachy-laidback atmosphere was on point. Had the tostada and the fried egg on top was a nice touch. There was definitely more beans than pulled chicken so I couldn't even tell you how that tasted. All in all, it was okay but easily forgettable. Their bakery items did look pretty interesting! Bacon chocolate chip cookie, fruity pebble treats, rice krispy treats baked into cookies, and etc. My biggest gripe and one of the reasons I wouldn't return is our experience with the hostess. We were originally quoted a 45 minute wait, which wasn't too bad. After an hour of waiting and no text from SH, we went up to the host who told us it'll be another 30 minutes...we were in too deep at this point and I didn't want to leave, so the waiting game continued! Half hour later, we followed up again and she told us another 20 minutes. We were PISSED! The host was not apologetic and told us whoever initially quoted us 45 minutes was wrong because the average wait was 2 hours. Luckily, one of the waiters/manager walked by and heard our frustration and sat us immediately. Another 20 minute wait my ass...Instead of providing your customers with the same excuse, "Tables are staying alot longer than expected", they should be more upfront and transparent about the wait time. If you decide to come here without reservations, the bar is first come first serve so try to snag a seat there. I wish the host told us that right when we put our name down. Shame on her!
(3)Kimmy S.
Waited 1.5 hours to be seated, expect that for Summer brunch...Loved the airy patio and ambience and service. The food was okay, nothing spectacular.
(4)Linda H.
I had been waiting to try Summer House for a long time, and my husband and I were lucky enough to walk in and get a table on a Saturday night. I say lucky, but it ended up being unlucky as almost all the food was awful. We started with the burrata, the only saving grace of the meal. Although if you can screw up a ball of cheese, that's a serious problem in itself. For our mains we ordered lobster orecchiette and the quinoa curry bowl. The pasta was really gummy and the shells clumped together. The "sauce" was a greasy tomato concoction and the lobster pieces were few and far between. The corn was an odd addition to a starchy dish but was fresh and tasty, being corn season and the Midwest and all. Curry bowl was totally flavorless and had a really strange mix of veggies. The quinoa was still crunchy in certain bites. My husband wouldn't even finish his meal, which says a lot if you know him. On top of all that, the bill for two was $70. No thanks Summer House. The only redeeming quality is the beautiful atmosphere and friendly server we had. However, it's not enough to ever get us to go back.
(2)Diana S.
We sat in the vitamin D room which was airy and nicely lite. We ordered a few things from the menu. The quinoa was delish. The rainbow trout was good. The new York steak was average. For $45 ur better off going to Costco, getting 4 better quality steaks and grilling your own. The mashed potatoes were very good. They have a promo that if you text 30364 you get a free dessert which was average. Our server was excellent. Knowlageable and friendly. The ceviche was excellent. The salmon was good. The wine selection is very good.
(4)J. Spencer M.
Upon walking in the restaurant, it is split in two between a pizzeria on the right, and Summer House on the left. Walking in: the atmosphere is beautiful. 25 ft ceilings and rafters with skylights and pastel beach colors on the walls. Decent art work and clearly much thought put into the design. Our server was great and brought us out a complimentary because we had formerly worked for the same company. The server recommended a wine to go with my date's entrée. The wine ended up being one of her favorites! (It is the Brook's 'sweet pea' Riesling). The food was delicious. I had the rainbow trout from their winter menu. It was delicious. My date's pasta and wine was great as well. We will be back for the atmosphere and for another experiential meal
(5)Angela P.
Summer House is a sneak peak of Lincoln Park luxury. You won't see the riff raff or tourists here. We sat alongside a table of the most impeccably dressed men and a table of family with an infant, in the most fashionable 4th of July outfit, and a mother with a Celine handbag casually draped over a high chair. I parked on Burling Street (right around the corner from Halsted and Armitage) right in front of a sprawling estate. I got a weird look from a passerby - do I look like I can't afford a mansion in Lincoln Park or something? Maybe it's the Hello Kitty sticker on my Mazda... If you can't afford a vacation, you can at least afford a few hours and spare some cash by having brunch at Summer House...right? The entire restaurant feels like you're outside. It's like being on a patio. But it's air conditioned. The cocktails are phenomenal. Get a cocktail. No, get two. Start with the Cucumber Collins and then the Pom Fizz. None of us knew what was in the Pom Fizz, but it was so good it doesn't matter. Our waiter was wonderful. He made great menu recommendations and helped some of my indecisive friends. I went with his recommendation and ordered the Lemon Cottage Cheese Pancakes with a side of their home made, candied bacon. I usually prefer sausage, but he made the bacon sound so much more appealing, and he did not steer me wrong. The pancakes were thin with a soft, almost creamy texture and were served with decadent lemon curd. I added some of the raspberry jam that was given to our table. The bacon was thick, and the portion was more than enough to share, but I didn't. I devoured every last bite and then waddled down Halsted after brunch for some tipsy shopping. My friends ordered a variety of entrees including a benedict, skillet, and breakfast sandwich, and it was all quite appetizing. I would definitely do brunch here again or try out their dinner menu.
(5)Tiffany L.
Came here for dinner with a friend. I got the squid ink pasta, which I enjoyed--the dish was both spicy and light, and the lemon zest as well as the basil added a nice touch to the flavors of the pasta. Overall, the menu seemed to offer food on the lighter flavor profile side, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves for the most part. My favorite part of the experience was definitely the ambiance and the setup of the restaurant--the airiness of the restaurant as well as the light that poured in from the skylights created a relaxing vibe. Remember to check in on Yelp! The complimentary cookie a la mode was absolutely delicious--warm dark chocolate cookie topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
(4)Daniella E.
Favorite brunch spot! Food is so fresh. The chicken and waffles with the plabano butter are the best I've had. Great atmosphere and makes you forget you're in Chicago
(5)Zakia C.
I really wanted to give this place a phenomenal review. It's a member of the LUEY group and the ambiance was spectacular. Unfortunately, I just could not do it! My date and I, stumbled upon this gem after leaving the aroma workshop. (Try that place out if you're ever in the area. ) I immediately wanted to enter and have dinner here! Everything about it was so inviting. The dining room was a glass manager or of sorts, they had an open kitchen concept as well as an eclectic bakery in the front. I went with the steak and frites and maybe a cucumber martini. Can't recall my drink. Now, for someone like me, it means it just was not memorable. I asked for my steak medium and it was very much so well done. My frites or "fries" were burned and hard as ever. My date's fish was overcooked and just subpar at best. While our waiter was good, she disappeared after our order came out. Even though there were plenty of staff members standing around talking, no one came back to the table. I even, had to grab someone for the check. If you want to try this place out, go for a dessert and the ambiance. Hey, maybe take a person there for a cocktails and conversations night. Just don't stay for dinner. Go next door.
(2)Joelly J.
WOW. This restaurant has the best of both worlds- literally. With two different dining options (Italian and California inspired cuisine) you can't go wrong! If you are all about the ambiance and newest "trendy" and "hip" spots, this is the place to go. Their menu at the Summer House ranges from small lighter plates such as appetizers and salads to more heavy plates like sandwiches and entrees. All produce is local and fresh and you can definitely taste it too! I ordered the Avocado toast and was blown away. It's better than most I have tried in New York and comes with a refreshing side salad. They also offer great cocktail options, so bring your friends for a one of a kind experience here in Chicago!
(5)Victoria K.
The ambience and decor of this place is amazing! They perfectly nail the California theme! It is super airy, bright, open and makes for great pictures at every corner! The staff are all very friendly and the food is fantastic! My friend and I ordered the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Hashbrowns and the Breakfast Tostadas. The Benedict was was wonderful. The eggs were perfectly poached, the salmon was plentiful and the Hashbrowns were crispy and delicious. The presentation was just as great as the flavor! The Breakfast Tostadas were very flavorful in comparison to the Benedict! I will definitely be ordering this on my next visit! The blend of crispy, savory, and melty were perfect. We also order Malibu Cooler and the Acai Basil Smash, which are 2 of the zero proof cocktails. The Malibu Cooler was tart, sweet, and refreshing. The Acai Basil Smash was more earthy and had a thicker flavor. The basil is a great touch to freshen things up. Both were exceptional! This is a great place for a fun brunch on a beautiful day! Also, don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream! It is totally worth it!!! The cookie is freshly baked from the bakery and it is superb! Everything from the bakery is amazing!
(5)Allyson M.
There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this place. The decor, the server, the food and drinks were all on point. I love it so much, I wish it was in South Florida so I could make it my staple brunch place! The orange-chocolate chip pancake was amazing, the breakfast tostadas AND the short-rib hash were amazing.
(5)Marcia S.
I'm a sucker for dessert. Which is why I gave this restaurant one more star than it probably deserves. The enormous, warm toffee cookie with premium vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, it was the highlight of our lunch. Like many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Summer House seems to place more emphasis on the theme and ambience than it does on the food. If you're looking for an attractive place to dine, it won't disappoint. It's light and open and airy. In fact, the skylight let in so much light some people kept their sunglasses on. We went for lunch on a weekday. Our food was good, but almost everything lacked the special something we expected at these price points. My wood grilled hamburger was cooked perfectly, but it didn't come close to the one I had at Seven Lions last month... and charging a buck extra to add cheese to a $14 burger is ridiculous. My fries were a major disappointment. My friend enjoyed her cobb salad, said it was fresh, but decided $20 was too much. We shared the roasted baby beets, which were excellent. Our waitperson was pleasant and checked back often, but she wasn't that familiar with the menu. For example, I tried to order a featured cooler without the mint, and she said it wasn't possible. Really? And she forgot to bring the spoons with our coffee... luckily we had an outstanding busser who saw her serve the coffee and immediately brought us spoons. There's an area for outside dining, a large bar... and a bakery counter! I like the ambience so much here, I might give it another try. If you decide to go, be sure to check in on Yelp to get a free cookie with ice cream.
(3)Kaley K.
Late lunch/early dinner on a Saturday. When we walked in, it felt like we were being transported to a nice summer afternoon. We were seated in the arboretum-like area, a really chic, nice spot. The chairs, being more like outdoor furniture, were really not that comfortable. For an appetizer we ordered the calamari. It was covered in a light red sauce that was mildly spicy. Every bite was dipped, especially when dipped in the side mayo based dip. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta. It was a bit smaller than I expected but tasted pretty good. Salty and lightly creamy but not over powering. Overall not very impressed with the menu and prices but loved the decor and ambience. If you're in the mood for over paying for blah food but want to feel like a upper class hippie, this place is for you. May be back for brunch--hoping it's better!
(2)Kelly C.
Been here a couple times and have mixed feelings about the place. I love the decor and feel for the place - it has beautiful skylights in the main dining area which makes it almost feel like you are eating outside. The concept - California inspired cuisine with seasonal dishes is also great. Overall, a great place for a girls night out - and it shows, many of the tables are filled with groups of women 25-40. What makes me hesitant to go back - the food is hit or miss and overall expensive for what you get. The ahi tuna tostadas to start are great, but the steak frites is mediocre and the mushroom stacked enchilada doesn't have as much flavor as I would have liked (overpowered by black beans). Then there are the maitre d's who seat you - we were told the booths were reserved for tables of 4 (we were 3) then immediately after we sat down a table of 2 was seated at the booth. I'm not fussed with having a policy, but be consistent. All in all, it's a place for show but not necessarily for foodies.
(3)Allen G.
It's been a while since i have been to a restaurant that deserves 1 star. Summer House wins this recognition. Like my other reviews the rating is simply on the food. We ordered an old fashioned cocktail, yellowtail ceviche, lobster orecchiette, and our free cookie with vanilla ice cream scoop on top for checking in on yelp. The old fashioned lacked the citrus note and instead had a heaping of cough syrup flavor to it. It usually takes me 3 minutes to drink an old fashioned... this one lasted the entire meal. The yellowtail ceviche. Besides lacking in yellowtail, the lime juice that the ceviche was in was waaaaaaayyyyyy to overpowering. You couldn't taste anything besides lime juice. I could have gone to Jewel, got my self some chips and lime juice and made the exact same thing. It did have a little heat though which could have made great ceviche, but instead I was just dipping my chips in spicy lime juice. The lobster orecchiette. Well the orecchiette was not fully cooked. And there was ZERO lobster in the lobster orecchiette. Unless the lobster was puréed in the sauce... then they probably used about a cubic cm of lobster. The overall flavor of this dish was great besides screwing up on all the major ingredients of this dish. We did not expect much from the cookie ice cream desert. And it met our expectations. Bland ice cream on a dry lackluster cookie. I'm assuming they got the cookie from the bakery up from as you walk in. Well, if the rest of the stuff tastes like this cookie save your money. Total bill: $65. We tried to order their made to order biscuits but they ran out. Thank goodness. Don't be fooled. There is nothing Santa Monica about this place besides the white paint. I am also a member of LEYE rewards program (the company who owns this restaurant) and thought of paying for my meal using their current scratch off points to earn more points. I couldn't justify it. I used my rewards balance because I would rather not earn points at such a crappy restaurant.
(1)Adam M.
Summer House is the perfect name for this place because right when you walk in you feel like you're in California in the middle of summer. It's open, bright and clean. Everyone MUST get their Spicy Calamari. This may actually be the very best calamari I have ever had. It has a light tempura batter with spicy mayo and lime.. Sooooooo Good There are a number of good options for the main course so you really can't go wrong with ordering anything here. Good Food and Good Atmosphere = Good Restaurant... and one that I'll definitely come back to
(5)Tricia D.
I expected more from brunch at Summer House... not molasses slow service! Not a $10 fruit plate! Yes, the mango was presented creatively (like a sunflower), but that, 1/4 cup of pineapple, and half a cup of mixed berries was not worth that price tag. Not small portions, like a 1/3 of a wine glass of OJ or that half a plate of small brussel sprout pieces that sold as a side for $9. When asked about whether the glass of OJ was usually filled that low, the waitress snapped that it was a 6 oz pour... that's not even a typical serving of juice. A cup is 8 oz! My chilaquiles entree arrived several minutes after the rest of my dining companions', and it was pretty plain. One can definitely see how SH makes their margins. That horchata latte though... I heart it!
(3)Jessica M.
Loved it here! Everything was very good! We didn't get anything that was recommended to us, but were still very happy. We started with a glass of pinot nior rose which was fantastic flavorful but crisp. Then we had the calamari appetizer ( we had them put the mayo on the side so it wasn't covered in Mayo and it turned out great!). For our entrees we had the wild mushroom enchilada stack and I was really surprised how good it was. Tons of mushrooms and loaded with flavor. My boyfriend got a burger. He liked it, but wasn't over the moon about it. After he tried my enchilada stack he wish we would have shared our entree. We ended our meal with a sea salt chocolate chip cookie, and since we rarely get dessert I was so happy we went for it this time because this cookie was out of this world!! Overall I might return (its a little pricey, but what isn't anymore for that quality) but would also like to try Barra Pizza nextdoor.
(4)Katie S.
I went to Summer House with a group of friends. The waitress graciously explained the menu with recommendations and was happy to split the check. I split the cheese burrata appetizer with two other people. I didn't think it was very special, and lacked some flavor. For my main course I had the lobster orechiette which was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked perfectly with plenty of lobster. The only negative for the pasta was that the portion was very small, I finished it wanting more. If I were to go back, I would definitely order the Brussel sprouts. I tried my friends and they were wonderful! Extremely flavorful! I thought the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and is a good option for dinner with friends and larger groups. However, I thought it was a tad bit expensive for the food quality and portions.
(3)Alicia A.
I've never had fish tacos like this. Simply amazing, and the name is doing a disservice to the dish, just saying.....name them the biggest star in chicago area ;)
(5)Dan O.
Disappointing. The one redeeming quality is the atmosphere which is awesome. The fish tacos lacked flavor, service was subpar, the short rib was small, grisly and fatty. The only good thing we ate were the biscuits which were amazing. Ordered a cocktail that tasted like a light medicine. The second cocktail wasn't my favorite either so I gave it to my date. Stella Barra next door is more affordable and way better quality food and service! This was my least favorite lettuce experience and left me wishing we had just gone to Stella Barra. The cookie bar in the lobby is worth a visit and the girls there are always nice.
(2)Lynn M.
Beautiful restaurant for a night out on the town! Enjoyed the salmon, also tried some of the steak. Both delicious! Service was fantastic, and the waiter had great recommendations for nearby bars. Felt like I was in California!
(4)sandra j.
No. Just, no. Arrived a little early without my guest so I was given a curt and unsmiling, "we'll seat you when your party is complete." I slinked off to the lobby and then realized that the restaurant across the lobby had a bar so I camped out there for 10 minutes and had a nice glass of wine. Much friendlier staff overall. Once my friend arrived I realized that Summer House had a huge bar/bar area which no one suggested I visit while waiting. Settled into the table and ordered. I got the burrata appetizer. The burrata was good but the tomato "jam" was just awful. It truly tasted like someone opened a can of diced tomatoes and made a circle with them on the plate. My friend's salad was tasteless. Entrees arrived and we were overwhelmed by the smell of fish. So it was either my friend's bass or my fish tacos. We both gave it a hearty try, but after too much fish smell from the bass my friend gave up. I went ahead and made a second taco with the overcooked fish, added the truly bad "homemade" guacamole (tastes like it comes from a bag) bit hard into that piece of stem that's at the top of the avocado (it hurt) added tasteless fennel slaw and a dash of tasteless green salsa and went for it. Couldn't do it. We both sent our entrees back. My friend was so turned off she didn't want another entree, we asked for the check and left. One star is for our server who was lovely and the manager who was truly apologetic and gave us some gift cards for our trouble. We were both excited and felt ready for forgiveness until we realized that the gift cards weren't for any LEY restaurant, just Summer House. I guess I'll use them to go back to the bar that I wasn't invited to have a seat at the first time.
(1)Erica L.
I loved Summer House! Made a reservation for 2 people for New Year's Eve and we were seated right away. We got a bottle of wine and 2 appetizers - the ahi tuna and the cauliflower. Tuna was amazing - I am not much of a seafood eater but I enjoyed it. The cauliflower was also tasty. It had a bit of a kick which, being a big fan of spicy food, was great. For our main courses we went with the bison meatloaf and the lobster. The meatloaf was pretty good, but my favorite was the giant mound of potatoes that came with it. The lobster was one of the specials that night. I didn't try it but the consensus was that it was delicious! We also got 3 cookies on the way out: Peanut Butter, Bacon Chocolate Chip, and Rice Krispie Choc Chip. The rice krispie was BY FAR the best cookie. You will be tempted to try others... don't bother. It was so delicious. FOOD SUMMARY: Roasted cauliflower - good! Ahi tuna tostadas - amazing Bison meatloaf - fair, side of potatoes deeeelicious Lobster (on special) - amazing Cookies: Bacon choc chip: So-so Peanut butter: mmmmm, so peanut buttery and delicious Rice Krispie choc chip: THE BEST I loved the overall atmosphere of this restaurant - very airy, open feel and solid menu options. The patrons were fairly dressed up, but I think that was due in part to it being a holiday. I docked the restaurant one star because, as mentioned in other reviews, the meal felt very rushed. We had just received our appetizers and our waitress was back after our first bite to ask what we would like to order for entrees. Other than that, everything was great. We plan on going back soon.
(4)Stephanie H.
I loooove having this place in Lincoln Park. I went here with a couple girlfriends last Wednesday. We had a reservation, but it looked like we might've been able to sit down without one. The inside is beautiful -- it really feels like you've escaped the brutal winter outside. We all ordered a cocktail (and tried each others). They were all delicious. We got the chips and guac to start which was delicious and fresh. We all ordered fish tacos (my friends ordered the mahi mahi tacos and I got the sushi-grade tuna tacos). I didn't try the mahi mahi, but mine were really good. Over all, we all ended up spending about $42 before tip. The food and service is excellent, but it's a little pricey. On our way out, we all got a cookie from the little bakery in front. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the apple oatmeal!!
(4)Michelle R.
Been here 3 times now. There's always been something that's been off about this place. There's always a wait, even though I had reservations each time. And the staff is what kills this place. 1st and 3rd time, the waiter is just no where to be found. I waited 10 minutes just to wait for salt. 2nd time, our waiter was a niiice guy, but we saw the manager (the guys checking to see if the food was prepared correctly) just scream at him out of no where. The food was pretty good the first time I went there, but then it went DOWNHILL from there. I went 2 days ago and the pasta dish was just so bland. The noodle itself was beautifully hand made, but there was not enough sauce and seasoning. So I felt like I was eating just dough. And my appetizer came out after all the main dishes came out. So, service is just horrible there now.
(2)Jill S.
The ambiance is beautiful! Reminds me of being in California. We ordered the calamari for an appetizer and it was so good! The spicy mayo gives it a nice touch. For entrées, we got the short ribs and the chicken tacos. Also very good! Good place for grabbing drinks and hanging out. Definitely want to go back to try the brunch. Love this place!!
(5)Anna P.
I had dinner here with a girlfriend. We had made a reservation but still had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. It is VERY busy and bustling, even on weekday evenings so definitely make a reservation. We tried a bunch of the dishes - I think the standout was the roasted chicken. Overall, given the choices in Chicago I was slightly underwhelmed given the higher price points and how busy it was, but it's a fun place to try. It's especially nice in winter because somehow they replicated sunshine indoors! :)
(3)Sally L.
Per usual, Summer House ( a Lettuce Entertain You concept) wowed and bested all others. Upon arrival I was greeted, sat within a small time frame ( seeing as it was a very busy Monday night) and was approached by my server, who first offered me a taste of my chosen wine before I accepted. From there on out, I had excellent service and food. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll, which I highly recommend, the Market lettuce bowl ( also not your average salad) and the baked to order biscuits (you HAVE to get these. They are like no other biscuit.) I met the manager, Molly, who was kind and thoughtful. Thank you Summer House, for a delightful evening not to be forgotten.
(5)Amanda N.
We eat out at a LOT of restaurants in the city, but I don't often bother to write reviews unless a place is really exceptional or really disappointing, and I found Summer House to be really disappointing, particularly given the proprietors and the hype! I took my best friend here for her birthday dinner. We had a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday. When we arrived, the place was almost completely empty, and yet still, they sat us at literally the worst table in the entire restaurant -- right next to the front door, on top of the host stand. I asked if they would move us, and they did -- but to a high table at the back of the bar, next to a family with young children. Why were there children in the bar area? And why seat me in the bar when I have a reservation and the dining room is still almost completely vacant? If that wasn't annoying enough, our server was kind of checked out. He was nice enough, but when the place filled up by about 6:45 pm, he was clearly busy and even came by to comment to us that he "also takes care of the bar, so if we need him, just come grab him from the bar." Um, I thought I was eating at a restaurant. I guess that's what happens when you are seated in the bar area, instead of the dining room? You have to flag down the bartender who is also your waiter? The worse offense: He told us that the left side was "small plates meant for sharing" and the right side was larger plates. After we inquired about how to order, he recommended 3-4 small plates and splitting the entree we liked. So we ordered (small plates) guacamole, cauliflower, harvest salad, and burrata, and (large plate) split the fish tacos. He asked us if we wanted it coursed a particular way, or if it should come out "as it's ready." We said "as it's ready," because we figured they would all be small plates, and our entree wasn't so much an entree as the same size as a small plate (right?). ALL THE FOOD CAME OUT AT ONCE. It barely fit on our table and was completely ridiculous. It was WAY to much food. The "small plates" weren't so much "small plates" (a bite or two for 2-4 people) but rather full-on appetizers. The food was OK. The fish tacos were actually quite delicious and flavorful and healthfully prepared -- a great example of what this restaurant is presumably going for. The burrata was delicious, but the bread was toasted to the point of burnt, and hard/thick, so that was tricky eating. The salad was pretty passable. It wasn't dressed nearly enough (and I don't like heavy dressing) and was just very very boring -- I could have made it at home, which is saying a lot. The cauliflower was underdone - still very tough. And we didn't even get around to the guacamole because it was WAY too much food. I expect way, way more from a LEYE restaurant, and the Melman brothers' places in particular have yet to disappoint in this way. I won't be back -- there are just way too many great restaurants in this city that won't deliver all your food all at once. OMG.
(2)Deeje E.
Very attentive staff...great service and food. Joe's stone crab should hire this staff and maybe they would have more return customers.
(5)Dexter H.
Overrated! I was really disappointed. My brussel sprouts and potatoes were COLD, seemed like they had been plated long before the sea bass arrived. Which was over cooked but still edible. Service was REALLY slow! I was expecting more from Lettuce, hopefully they'll get it together, it's walking distance for us.
(2)Katelyn N.
Had a really good experience at Summer House! While we were seated about a half an hour past our reservation time, the staff made up for it in so many ways. First of all, they passed around mini ahi tuna tostadas as we waited. Right when we were seated they presented us with a free burrata appetizer to apologize for the wait. This was delicious! The tomato jam was just the right amount of sweetness to complement the creaminess of the burrata. We also got the biscuits, cauliflower, kale salad, turkey burger and scallops. All very tasty. Cocktails were great, especially the pulp fizz. The staff was friendly and attentive and even gave us a free dessert for my birthday! Really no complaints about Summer House except for the wait at the beginning, but like I said, they made up for it in so many ways. Can't wait to check this place out for brunch.
(4)Hannah K.
Amazing! I went with a group of 8 and a few people were running a couple minutes late and they still sat us. The ambience was beautiful! Loved the atmosphere. The waitstaff was also extremely friendly. Our waiter even have us a number to text for free muscles:) I started off with the bonfire cocktail. It was a little strong, but you definitely get your money's worth alcohol-wise. I also tried a palm fizz, which was delicious. They also have a full menu of virgin cocktails, which I always appreciate because I have friends who don't drink alcohol. We got the calamari for an appetizer, and it was our favorite dish of the night. I split the half chicken with a friend, and it was great too. A huge portion, so perfect to share. We also got the burrata. It was still good but not my favorite dish of the night. Finally if you check in on yelp you get a free cookie! We all want to go back again, amazing experience!
(5)Caitlin G.
Went for lunch and we had amazing service. Our waiter was top notch. Always checking up on us and giving us recommendations throughout our whole meal. Ambiance is perfect and all the natural light is a great addition even on a gloomy winter day.
(5)Nazy H.
Went for brunch on a Saturday and there was an hour wait for 2 people. Great Ambiance! Ordered the watermelon cocktail, that was delicious and refreshing! brussel sprouts - they were A-OK ahi tuna tostadas - first time around the tostada itself was VERY Stale that we had to take it back. they gave us a fresh one and it was nothing special. Entrees: smoke salmon hashed benedict: This was delicious compared to everything we ate! So if I go back I would definitely get this again. Turkey burger: It was ok, again nothing special at all. Dessert: Free hott cookie and ice cream when you check-in on yelp. It was good! Service was good too. Ambiance - 10! Service - 8! Food - I expect more from a lettuce entertain you. but I will give them a 6 on food.
(3)Skir S.
I was very pleased and surprised about the customer service and how they handle things!
(5)Drew B.
I took some clients here for dinner and was very impressed with the total experience - The food, ambiance and staff are all on POINT. I've heard the brunch is amazing when they open the roof, I'll have to check that out.
(5)Nicole L.
Since I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I couldn't wait to try this place. Summer House got it right in a few places, but totally lacked in others. Upon entering I felt transported. The decor is simply amazing. It's my favorite combination on beach and upscale dining. They had those great rustic elements that all trendy restaurants have, but the main focal point (unfortunately) will not be useful until the summer. The main dining room has a beautiful retractable roof. We walked in around 7pm on a Wednesday night and put our name down. The place seemed busy, but not overly packed. We were quoted 15-20 minutes and waited by the bar area until it was our turn. 30 minutes passed and we went to check on our table, we were told we were next and that it would be just 1 more minute. 15 minutes later we checked back again. We were still next ... Finally an hour later we started seeing other people leave because the wait was unexpectedly too long. We were finally seated about 1 hour and 15 minutes after we had walked in. Luckily we were compensated (very nicely) for the wait. That's what I call good service! However, other people may not have been so forgiving. Here's what we tried and what we thought: Burrata with roasted celery root: Burrata was great, perfect consistency. Crusty bread that came with it. Guacamole: The guac itself was just average, but the salsa they served next to it was amazing!!! We asked for extra! Ahi Tun Tostada: the tuna was so fresh and the watermelon gave it such a great contrasting taste! Fish tacos: Also very delicious. Fennel slaw was amazing. Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked. Pros: - We had such a lovely waitress named Hope. She did a great job and was very upbeat. - The food was overall delicious. Cons: - The wait...hey, if it's going to be an hour...tell the truth - Why is there no Brunch?!?! This place would be great for brunch with all the natural light that would flood in from the window tiled roof.
(4)katherine c.
Dinner tonight was fantastic. The food, the cocktails, the service- not a one left more to be desired. Out waitress Connor was wonderful. She provided her insight when we couldn't decide on items and boy did she not steer is wrong. She even was amazing when we wanted to split the check in a VERY confusing way- didn't even phase her. She alone would make me what to go back... ... But then you add on the food? Oooeee Everything was beyond fresh and perfectly prepared. Bold flavors in a beautiful setting. I felt like I was in California. I can't wait To go back when it is warmer and the retractable roof is open! Our table enjoyed: Tuna appetizer Tartare appetizer Appetizer w the tomato jam, fresh mozzarella & toasted bread (both gluten filled and homemade gluten free bread provided) Gluten filled pasta w crab Gluten free pasta w crab (so good it felt gluten filled!) Fish tacos Mango sorbet And 3 types of cookies + 5 of the 10 house cocktails Not one of the items was disappointing. I highly recommend eating here, with our without a gluten allergy- the menu for both are extensive!
(5)Justin B.
Summer House excels at two things--pastries, and great social space for dining and drinking. The brunch I had this past Saturday was highlighted by great service, sunny seating in the atrium area, pretty bland breakfast food (the sunrise burrito was not interesting) and an incredible chocolate chip cookie with ice cream for dessert. The people-watching was great and the bar area is nice; one of our foursome even came back later in the day for a drinks date based on our brunch experience in the morning. Drinks and pastries, friends...you've been warned!
(4)Kayla C.
I absolutely love this place. The service is phenomenal. I have never been to a restaurant that has impressed me so much with their service, amazingly fresh food, and beautiful atmosphere. We have been here multiple times and today was the first time our table was running 10-15 min behind. For the wait, the manager Alex offered to comp one of their appetizers on the house for the inconvenience, and didn't take no for an answer. This is wonderful hospitality. Our meals came out so fast, our waitress Jordan was incredible and extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu from the way that the food is prepared to the origins of the wines! Our favorite restaurant in Chicago!!!
(5)BD P.
Review by D: Went here for brunch with my parents & husband. We made a reservation after hearing the hype. We showed up about 10 minutes early, but were seated right away. Pros- Food was AMAZING! My mom had blueberry pancakes (huge serving with super fresh blueberries) hubs had the eggs benedict (he raved about the hollandaise sauce & he's tough to please) and my dad and I shared the tofu breakfast burrito and the caramelized French toast. There are no words to accurately describe how amazing this French Toast is. I am so glad that it finally arrived at my table so I could enjoy it. The MAJOR con- I am hoping this is still because they are relatively new, but my server was not great. She seemed really overwhelmed and didn't make it over to our table as frequently as she should so we could receive coffee refills, make any other requests, etc... The worst part was my French Toast was not delivered. The server didn't bring out the food and she was so busy that she never checked on us. After scanning the room multiple times and getting frustrated, I believe I was overheard wondering aloud where my toast was. The server finally appeared and acted confused that the toast had never arrived and ran to the back to retrieve it. While it was worth the wait, it is very frustrating to dine with a group and then watch everyone enjoy their meals while I sat there waiting for my meal. Rating would have been 5 stars if I had received my food without having to stress about it. I would love to come back, I just have to give them some more time.
(3)Jenifer D.
Forget the hipe about this restaurant. While the service was good (in some cases too aggressive with clearing have eaten plates), the food was so mediocre. You can cook the short ribs a lot more tasty at home in the crock pot. The wine was way over priced for the 2 ounces that you get per glass. Desert was tasty, although it's Valentines Day. Chocolate was on the menu. There's better places out there for the money you'll spend, but the vilbe is good.
(3)Katarina M.
Where to start? We had bunch of appetizers, and ahi tuna was excellent. My entrée was trout, and it was absolutely delicious. We got complimentary cookies and service was impeccable!
(5)Kristi P.
As a Florida native, I had high hopes for Summer House and it's ability to help me escape a below-0 Chiberia night. The lighting, decor, and fresh menu items really transformed my attitude as soon as we got inside! I definitely give Summer House 5 stars for atmosphere - I loved everything about it. I would move in if I could. The food was a little less impressive for me. I had the trout, which was cooked very well but very rich. My husband had the prime french dip, which was good but again, not as impressive as it could have been. The cocktails were delicious and strong! Service was really good, our friend has a lot of dietary restrictions and ordered a special sashimi plate which wasn't on the menu, but our server made it happen and it was delicious. Overall, even if I was eating fast food, I would definitely go back for the atmosphere alone.. well worth the price of admission!
(3)Tony F.
This place is really good. It's not great but good. The atmosphere is open and summery...hence the name. The service is good and I have no complaints. My only issue is that's it's not worth fighting traffic into the city to eat here. I would say its a good Resturant for city folks but not worth the effort.
(4)Kayla C.
The spicy calamari is to die for! Outdoor patio was perfect for the summer.
(5)Michael N.
I normally only give positive reviews on Yelp but I had such a bad experience at this restaurant I wanted to share. My party of 4 had a reservation for 8:30pm. We arrived at 8:20 and checked in with the hostess. We waited until 8:45 before I went to the hostess to inquire about our table and we were told we would be next to be seated. It was not until 9:07pm (47 minutes after our reservation time!) that we were seated. No exaggeration here. We were waiting for our seats when a fire truck pulled up and took someone away in a stretcher because they "Passed out". That was the table we got. We literally had to wait 47 minutes for someone to pass out and be taken away by ambulance before we could be seated. And this was with a reservation. The food was good but not worth a 47 minute wait WITH a reservation. No apologies from management. They treat their patrons poorly and overbook their reservations. I will never go back here ever again.
(2)Lauren Y.
The restaurant is mediocre. We had a reservation for weeks but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I ordered a Cosmo but had to send it back because it was too sour. The replacement cosmo was average, but not great. (a little better but not worth sending back again) The chicken tacos were VERY good and a good portion size. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the fish dishes we tried. The taste is wonderful, but the portion sizes for the ahi tuna-watermelon appetizer & the fish tacos were rip offs. For those prices I would expect the portions to be 50% larger...and I'm referring to the size of the fish, not the slaw and veggies on the side of the tacos. The ambience was very nice, but with the stinginess of the the fish portions, I'm hesitant to go back for quite awhile.
(2)Abby K.
Best breakfast I've had in Chicago so far. Great options and really fresh tasting. The atmosphere is very chic and upbeat as well. Highly recommend.
(5)Amber N.
Run, do not walk, to this restaurant. We dine out a few nights a week and think this might be our new favorite. The hostesses were very nice and welcoming when we arrived. The decor and feel of the place is spot on for a summer feeling space. After such a harsh winter, we felt like we escaped for a few hours tonight. For drinks, I enjoyed Frog's Leap Wine (one of our favorite Napa wineries) and my husband the Monte Cali Bourbon drink with a huge ice cube. We both enjoyed our drinks as we reviewed the amazing menu. Literally everything on the menu looked enticing. We decided on the following: -Ahi Tuna Tostadas with watermelon, chili, avocado, cilantro served on a mini corn tortilla. Amazing quality tuna with all the right flavors to make it perfection. -Fresh Burrata with a homemade tomato jam and arugula and bread. It was exactly how it should be, fresh, flavorful and delicious. -Soy Glazed Pork Ribs with an Asian flare caramelized on with great flavor. -French Dip with the beef a perfect medium. -Roast Cauliflower with a jalapeno pesto and breadcrumbs. So unique and tasty. -Potato Polenta Mash side dish was creamy, cheesy and decadent. For dessert we walked over to the cookie counter and split a HUGE chocolate chip cookie with chunks of rice crispy treats on top. Imagine how wonderful that would taste and then times it by 100000, that's how good it was! They are doing something right here with the ambiance, menu and food. Our waiter was average, not memorable, but maybe that's the point, because the food and decor will forever be the standout. ENJOY it soon!!
(5)Rob J.
Great atmosphere, especially in the winter months when you want it to be summer. Food was just ok. I'm from CA and the fish tacos were not good, so that was bummer. Good place for group and we saw a ton of kids there too.
(3)Leah C.
the apps and desserts outshine the entrees... as mentioned in several reviews, 5 stars for atmosphere. the bright, white homey interior took us away from the icy, snowy streets of chicago. service was spot-on as well. i especially appreciated that while our server could not answer some of our questions, instead of making up answers, he quickly educated himself so that he could later pass on his findings. went for restaurant week with girlfriends so we sampled the RW offerings as well as some add-on's. loved that the RW menu included a glass of wine! none of us were impressed with the entrees: mushy lobster pasta, bland salmon and onion heavy veggie tacos served with overheated tortillas. the cauliflower side, burrata app (ask for more crostinis right away) and the brussel sprouts that accompany the salmon are standouts! my favorite was the super greens salad - the shaved parmesan coupled with the crushed garlic breading balanced out the bitter leaves. make sure to take a look at the bakery window before ordering your dessert. we had the peanut butter cookie (more pb than cookie!) topped with nutella ice cream and the apple oatmeal cookie (lots of chunky pieces of baked apple) topped with vanilla ice cream. TONS of unique cookies to choose from with choice of 3 flavors of ice cream (can't recall the 3rd offering!). beyond DELISH.
(4)Clara T.
My absolute favorite place to go for brunch. Always sunny and bright, the decor and vibe that this place has makes me so happy. Amazing chicken and waffles-- and their non-alcoholic beverages are as good as their boozy ones!
(5)Stephen W.
This place is a perfect place to grab a burger and a beer when the weather is nice. I especially like the turkey burger. Service is kind of inconsistent, but only because sometimes they get slammed.
(4)Natalie M.
This is my new favorite spot in Lincoln Park. The quality of food is pretty amazing and I have loved everything I tried here. The atmosphere is very cool and I'm sure this summer when it's nice out, it will always be bumping. Friendly staff and overall experience is simply awesome. I only gave it a 4 because it's hard to get into and usually have to wait awhile to be seated. The prices are pretty average for the whole experience you are getting:) I will be here ALOT this summer:) Yummy food, great locale and fun people.
(4)Agnes S.
Went on a Friday for early dinner. I give this place and A for décor and vibe...you definitely feel like you're in Santa Monica. Service was good as well...good looking staff, on the younger side. The meal was OK. We started out with one of their non-alcoholic cocktails...too sweet, as well as a glass of wine, which was nice. For the apps - Tuna Tostadas - the tuna was very good, the watermelon complemented the fish nicely. The presentation was just ok...5 "tostitos" type chips set over guac with tuna on top. Shaved Vegetable Salad - also nice...array of veggies over romaine. The 2 entrees we had were not so great: Fish Tacos (mahi mahi) - the fish was cooked perfectly...the condiments were OK...but for $24 I don't want to make my own tacos. It was basically a piece of blackened mahi mahi with guac and salsa on side on a plate...with 4 corn tortillas on the side. It would be nice if it was presented already prepared. Lobster Orecchiette - the pasta was definitely not orecchiette. I've worked in Italian restaurants and my family makes it from scratch as well...this pasta was shaped like a large snail shell...not the small bowl it resembles. It also lacked the summer truffle that the description called for and was overpowered by a type of red pepper flake that was sprinkled with a heavy hand. The lobster meat was cooked nicely though. I would come back to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar...not for the food.
(3)Annie B.
Shrimp calamari was amazing!
(5)Josh B.
Hour and a half wait for brunch?! To the bar with full menu we go. Let me preface: we live 3 blocks from here and out Sunday mornings are a never ending debate about where to grab brunch. The neighborhood for sure needed this place. The southern Cali vibe, lots of sun and trendy atmosphere were made for this neighborhood, even if we didn't just yet know quite how much we were missing it. For drinks, Caitlin had her favorite, a Bellini, which she found just ok. They were cranking out a lot of them from our vantage at the bar, but she gave hers a 3. I thought the mimosa I had was pretty great and they for sure did not skimp on the quality of my coffee (A lighter roast, which I appreciate). For food we both settled on a benedict, me the traditional and Caitlin the turkey. The home made english muffins were a great touch, enjoyed them all together. Final ranking: Vibe: 5 Food: 4 Drinks: 3.5 Service: 5 Overall: 4.5 Safe assumption: we will come back.
(4)Christie M.
Came here for a double date with two of our friends and had a fantastic meal. We had made 8pm reservations (the only time available) but were hoping to get in a little earlier, as we arrived at 7:30. Unfortunately, the restaurant was jam packed and we weren't seated until 8:10pm. I was a little frustrated with our wait, but I think more than anything I was surprised by how busy this place was on a Tuesday evening. We had great service at one of the high-top tables. I would have loved to have sat in the "Vitamin D" room, but like I said, it was busy busy. I had a wonderful glass of Chardonnay while we split chips and guac and calamari as our starters. Guac was standard, and a pretty small portion. The calamari was so wonderfully breaded and fried- tasty and spicy but not too heavy. One of the best calamari I've had in the city. For my main dish, I had the salmon and a split an order of the brussel sprouts. OMG the brussel sprouts are amazing. Perfectly charred with crispy panchetta. Mmmmmmm. The entrees we ordered were: lobster orechetti (very good), halibut (very good), and the korean pork tacos (my friend liked the dish, but it was very small). My friend also ordered a side of the golden beets, but hated them. The waitress ended up taking that off their bill without even mentioning it, which was a nice surprise. We checked in on yelp and received a free cookie and ice cream. When we told our server that we celebrating our friend finding out that she was expecting, she brought us another cookie and ice cream to split (rice krispie cookie). That was great! Overall a great experience- albeit busy. Loved the food, my only gripe is that I wished the portions were a little larger.
(4)jenna n.
The halibut was rather fishy for my pallet. I wasn't too fond if the Santa Monica salad, however I was impressed with the Thai curry mussels. Overall I would give the food 3 stars and the ambiance a five star. We live a few blocks away so I will be back regardless...
(3)Amber S.
I went here for a "before the play meal". Walking in, I fell in love with the summer house decor. It wasn't gaudy or overbearing. We sat under the sky roof and it was nice to see the sun shine through. Our waitress was very helpful in deciding what to choose to eat. For the meal, I had the special which was a white fish(I can't remember the exact name of it) with miso butter, bok choy and pasta. My friend had the rainbow trout with mashed potatoes and honey butter sauce. For appetizers, we had the homemade biscuits with butter and honey. I loved the biscuits, they were light but thick and flavorful even without the butter and honey, they were also very filling so be careful when ordering these. I felt my dish was a little light on flavor but my friends dish was very good. My only complaint would be is that they sat us behind the bakery right next to the waitress station, where there's a computer and they pay the bills at. They said that we wouldn't be in the way but during the dinner we had multiple waitresses go behind us to pay bills and was distracting. They also had a bar and a bakery with a chocolate chip and bacon cookie that I want to try. I also loved the open kitchen Even with the seating arrangement, it was a nice restaurant and I can't wait to visit again. It's about a 5 minute walk from SteppenWolf so it would make a good before or after play destination. I want to visit in the summertime because I hear they will open the roof for a fresh breeze.
(4)Mike K.
~ Oceanside Summerhouse ~ Goodbye, Tilli's. Hello, Kelly McGillis' cottage in Top Gun. You've seen the movie and that particular scene. Summerhouse made me feel like I was in the cottage in that scene - only Summerhouse doesn't have the languid feel of that scene at all; it's bustling with activity. And the activity with which it's bustling is almost testosterone free: girls on girls' nights out; families with kids; and Mavs and Charlies. And you Mavs will go Top Gun if you bring your Charlies to Summerhouse. Dangerous. When you walk into Summerhouse, you're greeted with a case of...needle across the record...cookies. Talk about knowing your Christmas presents are under the tree and not being able to open them. Look but don't touch. Keep moving to your left, and then the setup is the bar on the left, high tops adjacent to the bar and then the open dining room area to the right, with several booths on the far right on a slight dais. That's your playing field, ace. Go to work. As to the food, well, I have a very rudimentary palate and am not at all adventurous, so I was somewhat limited in what I could choose from the already somewhat limited menu. I tasted the following: Burrata Roasted cauliflower Burger with fries Pork Ravioli Vino Chocolate chip cookie. I would highly recommend all of the above, with the true standouts and must tries being the Burrata, pork ravioli and the cookie. I will say the portion of ravioli was rather small, so load up on other small dishes such as the Burrata. I would rate the burger, which came with a heaping portion of the thin-type fries, as very good but one rung down in leagues relative to a Kuma's or Capital Grill burger. As to service, it was absolutely top notch from bow to stern. The wall to the north says, "Yes," and that was certainly indicative of the service on our visit. I highly doubt the words "Negative, Ghostrider" will ever be uttered by the wait staff at Summerhouse. While dining, I couldn't help but notice the sound track. We dined early, and it was a bit rocky. As the late afternoon turned to evening, the music got louder and changed to a more sort of obscure, foreign sound track for the trendy, scene-y crowd. However, while they were still rocking, they played the songs "Laid" and "Good Girls Don't" consecutively. I don't see how that was a coincidence, and a basic outline of my review was written inside my head on the fly right at that moment. Man, these guys are certainly subliminally prepping the Charlies who dine at Summerhouse for their Mavs or future Mavs. Players, take note. Permission for fly-by granted in advance. Five stars.
(5)Candice H.
My new favorite brunch spot! Previously my go-to brunch was little goat... But I'm thinking the feel of Summer House has it beat. The Vitamin D room made me escape a dreary rainy Sunday in Chicago. The calamari was amazing... Maybe the best I have ever had. Very trendy right now, but judging on the great food, staff, and ambience... I think Summer House will be a go-to for many for years to come!
(5)Sarah G.
Terrible service! Made a res for 2PM and was not seated until 3PM. Even once we were seated, it took about 25 minutes to get our drinks. Descent food but service was so awful.
(1)Mark B.
Fantastic ambiance! A little bit smaller of portions for breakfast than I'd expect for the price but everything we did have was extremely tasty. My wife and I love this place so much, we even went twice in one day.
(5)Monica B.
I went for brunch and loved it! Amazing vibe, you definitely feel like you are in California. I got the mission street burrito which was amazing and healthy! It has tofu chorizo which was done really well. I also got the peach Bellini which was great (typical Bellini). For dessert we got the large chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispies, warmed a la mode (with a ice cream scoop) which was as heavenly as it sounds. We also got tea which was amazing, each tea comes with it's own pot, unique flavors and very generous portion of fresh tea leaves per pot.My only negative review was that our waitress was super slow. I don't believe it reflects the whole restaurant because other waitress tried to check on us and the bus boys were attentive. It took our waitress like 10-15 to bring 2 drinks.
(4)Mark S.
It's actually feels like a summerhouse which is the perfect ambience on a fall day! I went for brunch and it was tasty. Everything on the menu was a very safe choice by the chef, but still enjoyable.
(5)Alyssa W.
The food here is a little over priced, but delicious. I didn't have any customer service issues like some other people. We made a reservation on a Friday night, we were seated right away and our waiter was wonderful. He explained everything and gave us great recommendations. All the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, just everything on the menu was about $5 too much in my opinion.
(4)Jane S.
I came here on my Birthday Eve and wow what an amazing experience! The setting actually resembles a summerhouse in Santa Monica (I'm from California so this is coming from someone who has actually been out in Santa Monica ). It has a very "I'm seating on a beach having a martini" feel. The service at this place is excellent as well! The servers really know their menu and are ready to recommend items based on your taste preference. The Food!!!! Ahhh the food!!!! Absolutely Amazing! I had a bbq-glazed wing (this is a fish dish not chicken) and absolutely loved it! And Let's not forget the cocktails that were very tasty!! This place is an absolute hit, from its ambiance to its service to its food. P.S. In the front of the restaurant is an amazing bakery with AMAZING deserts!! P.S. part 2 I love to use the word amazing
(5)Lisa Z.
I have basically committed myself to check in on Facebook everytime I'm here solely because of the name. And all my LA friends ask "Are you visiting here?" when they see Summer House Santa Monica show up in the feed. But it's great! It really feels like summer here even in the heart of winter! They even give you free sunglasses, and I can't wait to check out the retractable roof in the summer. This place keeps the good food coming, both brunch and dinner. I've had a few omelettes off the menu, as well as a truffle pasta at dinner. All phenomenal. And definitely start things off right with the Kickstarter at brunch. So good!
(5)Blair R.
Like all of the Yelp reviews have said before, Summer House is a great spot to pretend like you are escaping Chicago's obnoxious winter, and I think it will be equally great when it's actually summer. The bar is situated a little awkwardly -- we found it too hard to get a drink while we were waiting for our table but this would be my only small complaint about the set up. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and I would happily return. Tuna Tostada - wayy better than I expected. The watermelon balanced the spicy flavors and one bite was really perfect. Brussel Sprouts - yum, I love balsamic. I'd happily drink a jar of good balsamic (maybe). And these had so much and such good balsamic all over them. It was also served with crispy pancetta that added another yum factor. Cauliflower - this dish felt like it was trying too hard. Kind of like cauliflower just became the cool kid vegetable but isn't cool enough yet, so it had to add other flavors that don't work. The jalapeño sauce was just kind of sitting there and didn't make sense. I didn't dislike it, but I'd be just as happy (if not happier) eating my own roasted cauliflower at home. Fish Tacos - split these with my sister and though they were pretty good. I probably will try something else next time but overall they serve their purpose. I would recommend trying one of the other fish dishes unless you are seriously craving some tacos or guac. Cookies - obviously amazing. Giant cookies, served warm and you can get ice cream with them if you want. Really, can you ask for anything more? I thought the blondie was the best but I am a sucker for butterscotch.
(4)Katherine M.
The ambiance here reminds me of being back home in California, and the food is almost good enough to make me want to stick around in Chicago. The service was great, drinks were good, and they brought out a birthday cookie without any singing or hullabaloo. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Ronald B.
Always bomb! Bring your friends, buy a couple bottles and try everything! If you are lucky enough to make time to stop for brunch on the weekend, the French toast is a must have!!! Try it! You'll thank me later
(5)Colleen M.
We went on a Saturday at about 6 and the place was packed! The atmosphere was great - perfect for a summer date night. I love the glass ceiling and all the natural light. It is hard to imagine this place in the winter because it has such a summery vibe. The wait staff, and even more importantly, the kitchen staff, were incredible. The food came out so quickly it was incredible. We ate the cauliflower, which was good, and the biscuits with poblano butter and honey were amazing. The Santa Monica Salad and Fish tacos were top notch. I had no room for dessert but my husband said the cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream was delish! I can't wait to go again!
(5)Marisa Y.
I was looking forward to eating at Summer House because the Yelp reviews seemed so positive, but the food was ...GOD AWFUL. I came here for brunch with friends and ordered the breakfast tostadas. My friend ordered the same thing as well and both of our tostadas were awful. The food was cold, the meat was super dry, the beans were undercooked, and overall the food was just so bland. My guess is our plates finished faster than the third person we were with and it just looked like our food SAT AND SAT under the warmers. The third person ordered an eggs benedict dish and her poached egg wasn't even runny. Isn't that the whole point of a poached egg??? I didn't even eat a quarter of my food. I feel like good servers usually notice this when they check on you or come to take your plate away, but nope. The decor was nice, but that's the only nice thing I can say about this place. If just my meal was off, I would've hesitated to give such a low review, but since others had the same experience, I don't think this is such an anomaly.
(1)David H.
Great ambiance! Food is always good. I have had some slow service but all and all very good.
(5)Tanya K.
We went for our anniversary last night. We walked in and immediately loved the decor and overall vibe. We were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. She was energetic, smiley and helpful. They have an amazing wine list. We ordered the burratta which was good, not great, but good. For our entrees, we ordered the bucatini and trout, both delish and fresh. The staff comp'd us an amazing dessert for our anniversary that made us want to eat 6 more. I am looking forward to a warm weather trip back. The restaurant has a glass garage door that opens onto halted. I am sure it will be an even better trip.
(4)Evan A.
The vibe/scene and the food are 5 stars. Very busy filled with lots of good looking people. The bright, summery feel is very welcoming and pleasant. Every food item I tried was very good. Highlights were the swordfish, tuna tostadas, and the calamari. All amazing. The rib appetizer was just ok. The service was pretty mediocre and was almost bad enough to drop this from 5 stars to 3. Server was relatively inattentive, didn't have a big personality, and just seemed new and spacey. Right after the entrees hit he was completely MIA, and a new server was kind of taking care of us if we flagged her down. We found out later after things started to torpedo that our server had to leave for a family emergency that had apparently just happened. I can understand this but the service wasn't great before he left, and we weren't told that someone new would be taking over until things had already gotten really bad. The management response was very strong and good enough to bring it back to 4 stars. Lots of apologies and compensation and general care. I will definitely come back because the vibe and food were that good at affordable prices. I think the service issues were a fluke and will get better as it is a Lettuce Entertain You joint and they obviously know what they are doing.
(4)Jones' D.
We decided to come here after dining at Stella Barra a few times and seeing the rave reviews here. The overall experience was pretty meh. To begin, we were seated for our 8:00 p.m. reservation at 8:50. 8:50! And when we approached the host stand, no apologies* or acknowledging that they were late. Not a good impression. We sat down and were greeted somewhat promptly by...someone. She was not the waiter, so she said, but took our drink orders and our appetizer order. Then, 3 minutes later, a woman who claimed to be serving us that evening asked if we would like to start with drinks or maybe an appetizer. Again, the frazzled service left a slightly negative impression. Our spirits were lifted by the guac and salsa, which were incredible. At least the food is good at this point. For the main course we had the bison meatloaf/mashed potatoes and the bucatini. Both were decent (the mashed potatoes were the star), but it did not provoke feelings of needing to come back to try other stuff on the menu. It's pretty clear that food is all probably just so-so. *At this point, I was at two stars, but they did comp our guac, so I bumped them up to three. In all, it's a very scene-y place with nice coastal decor (which are the two things that account for rave reviews, I believe) with decent food. It may be worth a trip to check out, but I'd much rather view the decor on my way into Stella Barra or while grabbing a delicious cookie on the way out. Come summer, I can't even imagine what this place will be like. Actually, based on one visit, I can ABSOLUTELY imagine. No, thanks!
(3)Jay J.
Just checked this place out with some friends recently and its a top 5 restaurants in Chicago for me. They have an awesome beer selection at the bar, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is called 'shabby chic' per the waitress. I don't know what that means but its like Charleston, South Carolina and Santa Monica had a baby and named it Summer House. Beer- Get the Golden Monkey or Bouelvard Apps- Ahi tuna tostadas are amazing and you're missing out on life if you don't get fresh bur rata Entre-Can't go wrong but I recommend any of the fish if you like seafood Desert- the cookies are more for show than anything, and you're going to get diabetes from them since they are ridiculously rich.
(5)S C.
Like most Lettuce restaurants, this place is solid. Atmosphere is lovely, bright and fresh. Service was good. but a few flaws. Food came out way fast, so space your courses. Bus boys always trying to grab plates off the table, a bit annoying. We told our waitress that our pasta was cold, and she did not seem to care. The food is good, some things better than others. The Cauliflower, Calamari and fish tacos standouts. Skip the rib appetizer, beet salad and Hamachi,. Don't leave without a cookie from the bakery stand in the front!
(3)Brittany D.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago! We had the chips & guac, calamari, roasted cauliflower, and the tuna tacos...everything was absolutely outstanding! Everything from the service to the decor was on point for us. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, no matter how small of a party it is. We called for 2 people on Saturday and weren't able to get a reservation until 10 pm.
(5)Caroline Y.
There are three reasons why I wanted to rate my experience at summer house five stars. 1. The food: - Everything we had was beyond amazing. Starting with the hot mess fries, perfect for a cold Chicago night. My roommate had the steak frites and considering she was a vegetarian a month ago, she basically said it cured her meat craving for the past two years. I had the prime rib sandwich, so juicy and the bread was perfectly crispy. We had a side of the roasted cauliflower and topped our meal off with the warm apple cranberry crumble. So. Good. 2. The staff. - We were greeted warmly by our hostess Annie who was adorable and friendly! Our server Erik was bomb.com / boss.org / dope.gov . He was very attentive and had great recommendations. 3. Derrick Rose - We spotted Derrick dining at this restaurant. I just wanted to point out I saw Derrick Rose. TL; DR? Go to summer house. You'll see Derrick Rose.
(5)Mr. E.
Attended Summer House for brunch with my wife and friends. The atmosphere is great, excellent open ceiling makes the restaurant feel spacious (even though it was packed). I read precious reviews about portions. It was brunch, so I wasn't looking for an all you can eat platter. However, I thought the portions were generous. I would recommend the hash brown eggs benedict. The only knock on this place was service & supply. They were out of nearly every baked good we asked for (not a big deal) and when it came time to pay for our meal our server was nowhere to be found. But the food is good enough to enjoy again
(4)Benjamin D.
I have to say this was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in along time. I was really looking forward to it given the theme and light nature of the food but unfortunately everything we tried (which was a lot) happened to be mediocre at best. The service was also off (bringing us the wrong dishes, slow, taking away the cutlery and not replacing it so we would have to grab it off the table next to us each time a new dish came) and our overall experience was basically one big let down, so much in fact that my girlfriend and I shot down to Gibson's right after for Martinis and dessert just so we could end the night on a high note without complete disappointment. We ordered the following: Roasted cauliflower - meh Chinese eggplant - good but too salty Scallops - BAD Ribs - a bit tough strozzapreti pasta with tomato jam - meh Fish tacos - good portions In all, this place gets two stars for atmosphere and location, but the meal and service need work... Big time.
(2)Chico R.
As everyone has stated the ambiance is fantastic. The food was very good although they could use a couple more vegetarian options. The spinach artichoke dip was great, the veggie enchiladas were very good, and the quinoa bowl was good. The drinks were well made, an overall great experience.
(4)John W.
Recently, my family and I went to Summer House for dinner. The atmosphere was lively and fun. I highly recommend the cauliflower appetizer. The dishes are easier to share, which makes for a lovely family dinner. My daughters enjoyed the playlist, which consisted of indie tunes that I found myself enjoying as well. The service was timely, and catered very nicely to my requests on how the meat should be cooked. I had a lovely experience at Santa Monica Summer House and we will definitely take my family there in the future.
(3)Willis C.
Coming from Santa Monica, I have never heard of this place, but it can fit perfectly well in the 90405. It rocks and is way better then the famous Ivy. It is a nice change from Karyn's across the way. Fresh and healthy with great ambiance. The use fine Oneida silverware and reminds me of Charlie Trotters. Super friendly staff, feels like home even with freezing snowmen outside. Super green salad with some herbal tea is the highlight to this cold Chicago winter. I will definitely frequent when in Chicago and feeling nostalgic of home.
(5)Stacy H.
This place has a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and great service! The patio is ideal for a summer evening, and the tuna app with avocado and green apple is amazing!
(5)Jennifer S.
Super Lincoln Park-y. It couldn't be more LP. the decor is obviously meant to bring you to the beach in Santa Monica. And it does. Ate dinner, ordered spinach appetizer and Lobster Orchiette (which was beyond salty- I was overpowered with the sodium content of the dish). But the ambiance wins. Food is fine- you will enjoy the atmosphere and your friends here. Check out the cookie bar up front. Valet is$13 and it looks like their sister restaurant Stella Pizzeria is nextdoor. LEYE does it in Lincoln Park. It looks like a money maker! Food 3 stars - passable, atmosphere 4-5 stars. Its a hit no doubt. By 7 PM, all the tables were full. Make a reso!
(4)B.B. K.
Summerhouse lives up to its name and then some! I came here with a friend for a bday dinner and loved this place from beginning to end. It's beautiful, sophisticated and transports you to a beachside haven as long as your stay. The service was amazing and the food was American cuisine scrumptiousness! It can sometimes be hard to find those two elements well executed in one place, and Summerhouse does not disappoint. The dessert bar is just the icing on the cake! Summerhouse is definitely an "experience" worth experiencing! Go! You'll forget Chicago even has a winter season!;-) Yum and fun!
(5)Talia R.
What a great space! You really get the "California Vibe" that they are going for. I thought the cocktail list was awesome along with the wines. I had a glass of the Albariño that was pretty good. We came in for lunch and split the Burrata- YUM! Then the ahi tuna tacos which were also super yummy, light and fresh. You have to try the cookies on your way out. The S'more and the white chocolate were awesome. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Kathleen M.
Our service was awesome - we made a reservation and unfortunately it was made for the wrong night. We showed up with a party of 5 and the manager (a woman) was so accommodating! Once we sat down she sent over a few appetizers on the house and they were so good! The tuna tostadas, cheese dip, messy fries, and guacamole were just so tasty and fresh. The ahi tuna tacos were so good as was the skirt steak! We also got the lobster pasta (I forget the name) and it was good - but very very rich. Thankfully we split a bunch of dishes because I would only be able to have a bite or two of the pasta. Cocktails were awesome! And the wine list was exceptional. Try this place!
(5)Hanh S.
If you don't come for anything, just pop in to see the place- the ambiance is really Summer House's selling point. Its open layout with tall ceilings and white walls is really beautiful. As many other reviewers have stated, you feel like you've left the frigid Chicago winter and transported to sunny southern California. I came for my birthday dinner with 3 of my other friends and though crowded, was seated right away. The waitress and busboys are very good and the food comes out very quick. I liked that although crowded, I was able to talk to carry a conversation with my friends without any trouble. The food is obviously catered towards California cuisine and in other words, health conscious. The majority of their dinner menu is vegetable and seafood oriented and reasonable portions- for example, my friend ordered the turkey burger and it was not piling with fries, grease etc. where in many places, burger plates come out in monstrous portions. This menu may not be for everyone-I would not recommend taking your meat-eating, junk food chomping friends here to gorge out. While there are some few hearty options, they may leave unsatisfied. I ordered the shaved vegetable salad, roasted cauliflower (my absolute favorite- definitely try it!) my friends ordered the salmon, super green salad, and english muffin turkey burger. The general consensus was that the food was good, though not great. The drinks were very delicious and had some great cocktails. The dessert menu was a standard of cookies and ice cream/sorbet. I had a chocolate cookie a la mode, and found the dessert also good, but not great. I give this 3 stars because I really have high hopes for this place to evolve its menu,which I feel is slightly boring at the moment. I have not tried their brunch but a quick glance of its menu looks more promising. I really want to love this place, but its just hasn't wowed me yet-maybe when the summer time rolls in.
(3)Alyssa C.
This place is phenomenal. A bright cheery place with a bit of sexy splashed in. Great for dates or groups of people. I can't wait to see what it transforms into during the summer. Apparently the roof opens and the garage door is pulled up. Fabulous entrees to enjoy. We approached our meal with a small plate mentality, so we got to try a lot! The grilled cauliflower, eggplant and burrata were delish appetizers. The swordfish was ok, polenta mash kinda bland and the oatmeal cookie for dessert was a bit hard... I think with a few menu tweaks this place will be even better. But I would highly recommend and will be back!
(4)Nm B.
They are instituting a weird 21/2 wait time for walk-ins. We were told we could make a reservation but it is also their policy that one can not make reservations before 10am so it sounds weird. We arrived both times at 9:30 and 9am. Don't waste you time!
(1)Julie N.
Super evening had here. I loved the calamari, chips, guacamole and the tuna salad . The salad was dressed perfectly and the tuna was extremely fresh. My husband had the pork ravioli and said it was excellent. My only grumble was the rude table next to us who kept having their friends visit their table and invading our space. At one point a chap was sat right next to me on the bench and had his elbow on our table. :{
(4)Tim H.
I have come here twice for brunch over the summer. It is a good solid brunch with nice outdoor seating or semi outdoor seating. I definitely get a California feel from the decor and menu. Ease of getting in for an early weekend brunch and nice outdoor seating give it an extra star in my opinion. Food is only 3 star in my opinion. For example, my over easy eggs were almost over well on my latest visit. They also don't seem to bring jelly, butter, and ketchup out unless you specifically ask. Had to do this on both my visits.
(4)Scott W.
Excellent light fare for the gourmand. The food is delicate if you choose - or there's a trusty burger. I have had only one issue - tacos. I love them. Then you add "wood fired" and I am sold. However; they could disappoint if you are a true taco fan. The taco is where the end of the ingredients go to take new form. The tuna was the butt end of the tuna steak. The rest of the menu crushes it. The apps are ridiculous. The staff is always there and checking in. Such a great lunch spot. Dinner is strong but lunch is stronger.
(4)Sanjana D.
Really enjoyed my late brunch yesterday! We got the crab cake, the lemon pancakes, and the salmon eggs benedict. All three were delicious and light, but the salmon eggs benedict was my favorite. I loved how it was on a crispy hash brown rather than a soggy English muffin. The décor complemented our meal. I love the white, airy layout! To top it all off, our waitress, Dawn (I hope I heard that right!), was very sweet and accommodating. She asked the kitchen to split all of our entrees so we could share. It's really great when a waitress goes out of her way to improve your dining experience. Oh, and the bakery counter is to die for. Make sure to grab something on your way out!
(5)Mike M.
Here a two for the food and a three for everything else. No one gets consistency like Lettuce Entertainment. Each LEYE restaurant now arrives like a Stepford wife, beautiful, precise and passionless. We had cocktails. Nice. We had calamari, pretty good, but a chopped up, fried mess. The crab cake was good. The lobster sushi role was very good. The skatewing special of the night was overcooked and uninspired. My mahi mahi tacos was dry and overcooked. So food, meh. The room is bright, pretty and noisy. The whole experience reminded me of dining at a Disney World restaurant. All look and a mediocre meal.
(3)Deena H.
It's not always about the food. The experience is really what makes it or breaks it for me. We were invited here for brunch on 9/6/15 at 1130am. We were a part of 6. We were supposed to be party of 8 but two people tapped out last minute but the restaurant was fine with that. We arrived and happily discovered their valet parking. That was the first smile on our face on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. You enter and find yourself in a setting that reminds you when you're on vacation near a beach. It's beautiful. There is a small bakery right when you walk in. Variety of goodies to choose from. We were seated promptly. Our table was large, spacious and marble! I think the only marble table in the whole restaurant. Our waitress was Danielle. She was awesome and looked& talked like Miley Cyrus. That's not relevant, I know but that's how I remember people. She was very attentive and did everything with a genuine smile. The nonalcoholic cocktails were great. My mom had the pineapple paradise which had pineapple, mint and a hint of cucumber. I had some of it and it's totally refreshing. I liked it more than my kale lemonade. All the food was great. My dad said his food and experience were "six stars!" He had the eggs and turkey bacon. (See my pics) The cookie and ice cream were awesome. The cookie is fresh and hot. Holy smokes delicious. My lobster roll had too much bread but toasted to perfection. It was decent. My sister liked her burger. Everyone else really loved their food. Everything tastes fresh and ingredients were great. Service is top notch. Decor and ambiance are beautiful. I wish I had my sunglasses! They recommend you wear them too! It's a totally California feel inside. In summary: 1. Valet parking for $13 2. Great location in Lincoln park 3. Excellent service. Thanks Danielle! 4. Clean and beautiful restaurant 5. Great food 6. Unique drinks Overall wonderful Sunday brunch experience!!
(5)Danny W.
Maybe I think this because my family sat next to a bachelorette party during our brunch, but this is a perfect place to have a bachelorette party brunch. Penis straws and pink sashes aside, the food totally rules and it's lively atmosphere makes for a great experience regardless of your reason for going. It's trendy, has a delicious California inspired menu, and the light and fruity cocktail menu would make the cast of Sex And The City cream their panties. I highly recommend the beet salad and the breakfast tostadas both of which I tried on Sunday. The service was very attentive all around, and even more impressive considering it was such a zoo of hungry brunch goers. Price point is a little up there, but you're getting some pretty quality light fare for the most part. I'll definitely be back. Especially if I get invited to sip out of a penis straw.
(4)Kevin M.
Update: I was honestly not expecting this but the manager of the restaurant reached out to me with a very professional response and apology. It's really nice to see that they care about their customers from a high level. I'll give Summer House another shot since I did in fact enjoy the food - plus, the atmosphere is really excellent. Stay tuned!
(3)Maisha R.
This place is supposed to feel like you're dining in LA, Santa Monica to be exact, and the restaurant setup and decor is gorgeous. It has a relaxed, outdoor, patio vibe inside the restaurant. Having lived in LA, I can't say that I felt like I was in Santa Monica, but what I can say is that I felt cold...freezing actually! The name was certainly a misnomer for the temperature inside. "Californian" cuisine was interpreted as dishes that emphasized veggies and fresh food. The colors on the plates were bright and the food looked good but the taste just wasn't there. We started with the guacamole and chips, which were very average, and the oysters, which were just ok. I, along with two other people at the table, ordered one of the daily specials - the sockeye salmon BLT with fries and it was nearly inedible because of the bread. The bread was so hard that it cut the roof of my mouth with every attempted bite. A soft ciabatta roll would've been much better. Besides the bread fiasco, the salmon had no seasoning and zero flavor and the fries were unseasoned as well and just not good. Others had the lobster roll, which was mostly mayonnaise, fillers, and basically no lobster; and the quinoa bowl, which apparently wasn't very good either. With the yelp check-in, we received complimentary chocolate chip cookies a la mode, which were pretty good actually (well, at least the one that wasn't covered in salt). But, after having a subpar meal, how can a cookie and scoop of ice cream not be good? Service wasn't on point either. Our waitress came to the table very sporadically. Our calamari appetizer never came. Once we finished and ordered dessert, we requested the bill for fear that we wouldn't see her any time soon. Then, the guy clearing the table spilled ice cream on me. This just wasn't a good meal or a good experience, except for the company around the table.
(3)Melanie S.
I wasn't too jazzed about Summer House for dinner, but for brunch? I'm totally sold. From the refreshing mocktails, to the eggs benedict, to the candied bacon...it's all pretty spectacular. My husband and I have a bad habit of over-ordering when it comes to brunch, because we can never decide between sweet and savory, so we both tend to order something savory, and then share something sweet. This time it was even worse than usual, as we ordered FOUR entrees so we could try a little of everything. We started with cucumber coolers, which were lovely on a warm summer morning. After much back and forth, we decided on the hash brown benedict, smoked salmon platter, berries and granola, and a waffle with a side of candied bacon. It was as if we were on way to the electric chair and this was our last meal. The food runner thought he delivered the food to the wrong table because he was looking for a table of four people! Everything was fantastic; the only weak link was the bagel on the smoked salmon platter. It would have been much better if served with an "everything" bagel instead of a ho-hum plain one, but it wasn't the end of the world. The shining star was the homemade granola served with mixed berries, thick, tart greek yogurt, and drizzled with local honey. So simple and satisfying. I hate a soggy waffle, but this was perfectly crispy (as it should it). The eggs benedict had a hash brown patty instead of an english muffin. So good! (Traditional eggs benedict is also available.) I have never in my life asked for a doggie bag for bacon before, but I couldn't bear to leave any behind. A side of four thick slices of sweet candied bacon is a crazy-reasonable $2.95. Whatever you do, do NOT miss this! Can't wait to go back!
(4)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: beautiful, warm brunch space. Summer House sure does a good job of making you feel like your in a (albeit, bustling and packed) lake house during the summer. We came for Saturday brunch, along with 5 million other people. Even so, our waiter was quick and attentive. I'll tip a hat to any place that offers a Mezcal breakfast drink, and it was well-made to boot. My Short Rib Hash ($14.95) was crispy and savory, and just the perfect portion-size. Hard to argue with Summer House's presentation and delivery. Worth a stop for brunch on the north side. Make a reservation.
(4)Patty T.
Undoubtedly, Summer House has amazing aesthetics. It's open/airiness, great lighting, beautiful furniture, and smart fixtures all make for an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. When it comes to the actual food, however, there's less to write home about. I frequently do brunch here, and have never had anything that's overwhelming good. It's mostly average food, with above average prices. If the food was more flavorful and/or the prices were slightly less - then maybe it'd be a good value... But unfortunately, it's just not. Long story short, come for the cool atmosphere (and sit in the Vitamin D room if you can)! But don't expect the food to wow you as much as the ambiance.
(3)Iman W.
Now I've never been to California. I've never been anywhere west of Texas, actually. So I can't say if the supposedly Californian vibe is true to life. What I can say is that I really liked the atmosphere of Summer House, bright, light, and airy. Sitting on or near the patio on a summer day is very nice. And in the winter, you can sit with your back to the windows and pretend, for those precious moments, that outside isn't happening. The sweet treats in the front look delightful, but I didn't try any. What I did try was the Santa Monica egg white omelet. I should have gone with my gut and ordered eggs benedict. Honestly, the omelet was just okay. Not as flavorful as it could have been and if I wasn't taking service and overall ambiance into consideration, I might have rated this place a 3 on the food alone.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Fantastic experiences to be had at Summer House. Great food, great space, and great service. The good: Great tasting food. Lot's of variety and flavor. The meals and apps were great, and the dessert was even better. It was all delivered fast and fresh and was delicious. The service was fantastic as well and very knowledgeable and friendly. Atmosphere is also great. The bad: Prices get a little steep. The rice was way undercooked and the corn tortillas were meh, but we're getting picky here. Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)Sean C.
Alex is best bartender ever! Try the kicked up kale at brunch or the bloody---mmm good! Did I say that the country bread has best crust. Sit at the bar to avoid the long wait but brunch was to die for!
(5)Lindsay M.
You know what, I just don't get the hype! My stars are mostly for the service and the ambiance as the food was just... very sub par. It was girls night, we were all dressed in our finest. We rolled up and were seated fairly close to our reservation time. The place is cool, nice and light, big windows in the front... The tables can feel a little crowded, but it's ok - we were out for a social night. Our waiter was very friendly, seemed knowledgable about the menu. Service was a bit slow, but I gathered it wasn't really his fault - seemed the bar and kitchen were a little backed up. We ordered a few dishes to eat and sort of share... and each dish, especially for the price, just was lackluster. I literally can't get excited writing this review because it was just blah. I could have this same quality food somewhere else and probably at a much better price point. If I am wrong, can someone please recommend a dish that was out of this world for me? I would love to give it another shot.
(3)Holly Y.
This is my first review, but I've been here a handful of visits. I'm giving 3 out of 5 stars due to the previously delicious calamari being overdressed with the spicy mayo sauce which resulted in the dish becoming chewy in texture as it sat out. Previous visits the calamari was breaded lightly with the sauce drizzled over the top and extra sauce on the side. This visit, the calamari was swimming in the spicy mayo. Next, we ordered the roasted cauliflower with pesto. The dish was warmed raw cauliflower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cauliflower, but I was truly expecting "roasted" and that was not what I received. The ambiance is always a winner here at Summer House, as is the service. I gave it a mediocre review due to the disappointing two food items.
(3)Aimee H.
Visited at least a half dozen times and the service, the atmosphere and the entrees have been wonderful. Definitely feels like a summer house and is always busy. Make a reservation if you can. Recommendations from the breakfast menu for cocktails: Bloody Mary (not too spicy, not too tomato, just right), Passion Fruit Margarita, Strawberry Shrub and for food: Short Rib Hash, The Morning Sandwich, Sunrise Burrito and if you're in the mood for sweet: Orange Chocolate Chip Pancake or the Cinnamon Roll (large enough to share). Recommendations from the dinner menu: all of the cocktails are refreshing and the wine list includes a nice variety; for food: Steak Frites, Mahi Mahi tacos, Squid Ink Angel Hair and absolutely do not leave without trying from the Starters section: Baked to order biscuits with the poblano honey butter and the Local Burrata (to die for!). The bakery in between Summer House Santa Monica and Stella Barra has treats you can't pass up, like a chocolate chip cookie with rice krispy treat pieces on top! Bonus: both Summer House and Stella Barra are a part of LEYE.
(4)Diana S.
We sat in the vitamin D room which was airy and nicely lite. We ordered a few things from the menu. The quinoa was delish. The rainbow trout was good. The new York steak was average. For $45 ur better off going to Costco, getting 4 better quality steaks and grilling your own. The mashed potatoes were very good. They have a promo that if you text 30364 you get a free dessert which was average. Our server was excellent. Knowlageable and friendly. The ceviche was excellent. The salmon was good. The wine selection is very good.
(4)Mei K.
Came here on a busy Saturday with no reservations. Shame on me! The food was average, the waitstaff was good, the super-Californian-beachy-laidback atmosphere was on point. Had the tostada and the fried egg on top was a nice touch. There was definitely more beans than pulled chicken so I couldn't even tell you how that tasted. All in all, it was okay but easily forgettable. Their bakery items did look pretty interesting! Bacon chocolate chip cookie, fruity pebble treats, rice krispy treats baked into cookies, and etc. My biggest gripe and one of the reasons I wouldn't return is our experience with the hostess. We were originally quoted a 45 minute wait, which wasn't too bad. After an hour of waiting and no text from SH, we went up to the host who told us it'll be another 30 minutes...we were in too deep at this point and I didn't want to leave, so the waiting game continued! Half hour later, we followed up again and she told us another 20 minutes. We were PISSED! The host was not apologetic and told us whoever initially quoted us 45 minutes was wrong because the average wait was 2 hours. Luckily, one of the waiters/manager walked by and heard our frustration and sat us immediately. Another 20 minute wait my ass...Instead of providing your customers with the same excuse, "Tables are staying alot longer than expected", they should be more upfront and transparent about the wait time. If you decide to come here without reservations, the bar is first come first serve so try to snag a seat there. I wish the host told us that right when we put our name down. Shame on her!
(3)Kimmy S.
Waited 1.5 hours to be seated, expect that for Summer brunch...Loved the airy patio and ambience and service. The food was okay, nothing spectacular.
(4)Linda H.
I had been waiting to try Summer House for a long time, and my husband and I were lucky enough to walk in and get a table on a Saturday night. I say lucky, but it ended up being unlucky as almost all the food was awful. We started with the burrata, the only saving grace of the meal. Although if you can screw up a ball of cheese, that's a serious problem in itself. For our mains we ordered lobster orecchiette and the quinoa curry bowl. The pasta was really gummy and the shells clumped together. The "sauce" was a greasy tomato concoction and the lobster pieces were few and far between. The corn was an odd addition to a starchy dish but was fresh and tasty, being corn season and the Midwest and all. Curry bowl was totally flavorless and had a really strange mix of veggies. The quinoa was still crunchy in certain bites. My husband wouldn't even finish his meal, which says a lot if you know him. On top of all that, the bill for two was $70. No thanks Summer House. The only redeeming quality is the beautiful atmosphere and friendly server we had. However, it's not enough to ever get us to go back.
(2)Maria J.
Everything was delicious. I went with my family for brunch and I definitely recommend it for anyone since its accommodating to all ages, etc. Also, the service was great and so is the decor. The vibes in the restaurant are awesome and ill definitely be back for a visit again.
(5)Elizabeth R.
Such a beautiful restaurant, so light and clean, it make you feel like you've been transported to Malibu. Great and attentive service. The quinoa salad was so delicious. I can't recommend it enough - yum!
(5)J. Spencer M.
Upon walking in the restaurant, it is split in two between a pizzeria on the right, and Summer House on the left. Walking in: the atmosphere is beautiful. 25 ft ceilings and rafters with skylights and pastel beach colors on the walls. Decent art work and clearly much thought put into the design. Our server was great and brought us out a complimentary because we had formerly worked for the same company. The server recommended a wine to go with my date's entrée. The wine ended up being one of her favorites! (It is the Brook's 'sweet pea' Riesling). The food was delicious. I had the rainbow trout from their winter menu. It was delicious. My date's pasta and wine was great as well. We will be back for the atmosphere and for another experiential meal
(5)Angela P.
Summer House is a sneak peak of Lincoln Park luxury. You won't see the riff raff or tourists here. We sat alongside a table of the most impeccably dressed men and a table of family with an infant, in the most fashionable 4th of July outfit, and a mother with a Celine handbag casually draped over a high chair. I parked on Burling Street (right around the corner from Halsted and Armitage) right in front of a sprawling estate. I got a weird look from a passerby - do I look like I can't afford a mansion in Lincoln Park or something? Maybe it's the Hello Kitty sticker on my Mazda... If you can't afford a vacation, you can at least afford a few hours and spare some cash by having brunch at Summer House...right? The entire restaurant feels like you're outside. It's like being on a patio. But it's air conditioned. The cocktails are phenomenal. Get a cocktail. No, get two. Start with the Cucumber Collins and then the Pom Fizz. None of us knew what was in the Pom Fizz, but it was so good it doesn't matter. Our waiter was wonderful. He made great menu recommendations and helped some of my indecisive friends. I went with his recommendation and ordered the Lemon Cottage Cheese Pancakes with a side of their home made, candied bacon. I usually prefer sausage, but he made the bacon sound so much more appealing, and he did not steer me wrong. The pancakes were thin with a soft, almost creamy texture and were served with decadent lemon curd. I added some of the raspberry jam that was given to our table. The bacon was thick, and the portion was more than enough to share, but I didn't. I devoured every last bite and then waddled down Halsted after brunch for some tipsy shopping. My friends ordered a variety of entrees including a benedict, skillet, and breakfast sandwich, and it was all quite appetizing. I would definitely do brunch here again or try out their dinner menu.
(5)Tiffany L.
Came here for dinner with a friend. I got the squid ink pasta, which I enjoyed--the dish was both spicy and light, and the lemon zest as well as the basil added a nice touch to the flavors of the pasta. Overall, the menu seemed to offer food on the lighter flavor profile side, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves for the most part. My favorite part of the experience was definitely the ambiance and the setup of the restaurant--the airiness of the restaurant as well as the light that poured in from the skylights created a relaxing vibe. Remember to check in on Yelp! The complimentary cookie a la mode was absolutely delicious--warm dark chocolate cookie topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
(4)Daniella E.
Favorite brunch spot! Food is so fresh. The chicken and waffles with the plabano butter are the best I've had. Great atmosphere and makes you forget you're in Chicago
(5)Zakia C.
I really wanted to give this place a phenomenal review. It's a member of the LUEY group and the ambiance was spectacular. Unfortunately, I just could not do it! My date and I, stumbled upon this gem after leaving the aroma workshop. (Try that place out if you're ever in the area. ) I immediately wanted to enter and have dinner here! Everything about it was so inviting. The dining room was a glass manager or of sorts, they had an open kitchen concept as well as an eclectic bakery in the front. I went with the steak and frites and maybe a cucumber martini. Can't recall my drink. Now, for someone like me, it means it just was not memorable. I asked for my steak medium and it was very much so well done. My frites or "fries" were burned and hard as ever. My date's fish was overcooked and just subpar at best. While our waiter was good, she disappeared after our order came out. Even though there were plenty of staff members standing around talking, no one came back to the table. I even, had to grab someone for the check. If you want to try this place out, go for a dessert and the ambiance. Hey, maybe take a person there for a cocktails and conversations night. Just don't stay for dinner. Go next door.
(2)Joelly J.
WOW. This restaurant has the best of both worlds- literally. With two different dining options (Italian and California inspired cuisine) you can't go wrong! If you are all about the ambiance and newest "trendy" and "hip" spots, this is the place to go. Their menu at the Summer House ranges from small lighter plates such as appetizers and salads to more heavy plates like sandwiches and entrees. All produce is local and fresh and you can definitely taste it too! I ordered the Avocado toast and was blown away. It's better than most I have tried in New York and comes with a refreshing side salad. They also offer great cocktail options, so bring your friends for a one of a kind experience here in Chicago!
(5)Victoria K.
The ambience and decor of this place is amazing! They perfectly nail the California theme! It is super airy, bright, open and makes for great pictures at every corner! The staff are all very friendly and the food is fantastic! My friend and I ordered the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Hashbrowns and the Breakfast Tostadas. The Benedict was was wonderful. The eggs were perfectly poached, the salmon was plentiful and the Hashbrowns were crispy and delicious. The presentation was just as great as the flavor! The Breakfast Tostadas were very flavorful in comparison to the Benedict! I will definitely be ordering this on my next visit! The blend of crispy, savory, and melty were perfect. We also order Malibu Cooler and the Acai Basil Smash, which are 2 of the zero proof cocktails. The Malibu Cooler was tart, sweet, and refreshing. The Acai Basil Smash was more earthy and had a thicker flavor. The basil is a great touch to freshen things up. Both were exceptional! This is a great place for a fun brunch on a beautiful day! Also, don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream! It is totally worth it!!! The cookie is freshly baked from the bakery and it is superb! Everything from the bakery is amazing!
(5)Allyson M.
There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this place. The decor, the server, the food and drinks were all on point. I love it so much, I wish it was in South Florida so I could make it my staple brunch place! The orange-chocolate chip pancake was amazing, the breakfast tostadas AND the short-rib hash were amazing.
(5)Marcia S.
I'm a sucker for dessert. Which is why I gave this restaurant one more star than it probably deserves. The enormous, warm toffee cookie with premium vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Unfortunately, it was the highlight of our lunch. Like many Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Summer House seems to place more emphasis on the theme and ambience than it does on the food. If you're looking for an attractive place to dine, it won't disappoint. It's light and open and airy. In fact, the skylight let in so much light some people kept their sunglasses on. We went for lunch on a weekday. Our food was good, but almost everything lacked the special something we expected at these price points. My wood grilled hamburger was cooked perfectly, but it didn't come close to the one I had at Seven Lions last month... and charging a buck extra to add cheese to a $14 burger is ridiculous. My fries were a major disappointment. My friend enjoyed her cobb salad, said it was fresh, but decided $20 was too much. We shared the roasted baby beets, which were excellent. Our waitperson was pleasant and checked back often, but she wasn't that familiar with the menu. For example, I tried to order a featured cooler without the mint, and she said it wasn't possible. Really? And she forgot to bring the spoons with our coffee... luckily we had an outstanding busser who saw her serve the coffee and immediately brought us spoons. There's an area for outside dining, a large bar... and a bakery counter! I like the ambience so much here, I might give it another try. If you decide to go, be sure to check in on Yelp to get a free cookie with ice cream.
(3)Kaley K.
Late lunch/early dinner on a Saturday. When we walked in, it felt like we were being transported to a nice summer afternoon. We were seated in the arboretum-like area, a really chic, nice spot. The chairs, being more like outdoor furniture, were really not that comfortable. For an appetizer we ordered the calamari. It was covered in a light red sauce that was mildly spicy. Every bite was dipped, especially when dipped in the side mayo based dip. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta. It was a bit smaller than I expected but tasted pretty good. Salty and lightly creamy but not over powering. Overall not very impressed with the menu and prices but loved the decor and ambience. If you're in the mood for over paying for blah food but want to feel like a upper class hippie, this place is for you. May be back for brunch--hoping it's better!
(2)Kelly C.
Been here a couple times and have mixed feelings about the place. I love the decor and feel for the place - it has beautiful skylights in the main dining area which makes it almost feel like you are eating outside. The concept - California inspired cuisine with seasonal dishes is also great. Overall, a great place for a girls night out - and it shows, many of the tables are filled with groups of women 25-40. What makes me hesitant to go back - the food is hit or miss and overall expensive for what you get. The ahi tuna tostadas to start are great, but the steak frites is mediocre and the mushroom stacked enchilada doesn't have as much flavor as I would have liked (overpowered by black beans). Then there are the maitre d's who seat you - we were told the booths were reserved for tables of 4 (we were 3) then immediately after we sat down a table of 2 was seated at the booth. I'm not fussed with having a policy, but be consistent. All in all, it's a place for show but not necessarily for foodies.
(3)Allen G.
It's been a while since i have been to a restaurant that deserves 1 star. Summer House wins this recognition. Like my other reviews the rating is simply on the food. We ordered an old fashioned cocktail, yellowtail ceviche, lobster orecchiette, and our free cookie with vanilla ice cream scoop on top for checking in on yelp. The old fashioned lacked the citrus note and instead had a heaping of cough syrup flavor to it. It usually takes me 3 minutes to drink an old fashioned... this one lasted the entire meal. The yellowtail ceviche. Besides lacking in yellowtail, the lime juice that the ceviche was in was waaaaaaayyyyyy to overpowering. You couldn't taste anything besides lime juice. I could have gone to Jewel, got my self some chips and lime juice and made the exact same thing. It did have a little heat though which could have made great ceviche, but instead I was just dipping my chips in spicy lime juice. The lobster orecchiette. Well the orecchiette was not fully cooked. And there was ZERO lobster in the lobster orecchiette. Unless the lobster was puréed in the sauce... then they probably used about a cubic cm of lobster. The overall flavor of this dish was great besides screwing up on all the major ingredients of this dish. We did not expect much from the cookie ice cream desert. And it met our expectations. Bland ice cream on a dry lackluster cookie. I'm assuming they got the cookie from the bakery up from as you walk in. Well, if the rest of the stuff tastes like this cookie save your money. Total bill: $65. We tried to order their made to order biscuits but they ran out. Thank goodness. Don't be fooled. There is nothing Santa Monica about this place besides the white paint. I am also a member of LEYE rewards program (the company who owns this restaurant) and thought of paying for my meal using their current scratch off points to earn more points. I couldn't justify it. I used my rewards balance because I would rather not earn points at such a crappy restaurant.
(1)Adam M.
Summer House is the perfect name for this place because right when you walk in you feel like you're in California in the middle of summer. It's open, bright and clean. Everyone MUST get their Spicy Calamari. This may actually be the very best calamari I have ever had. It has a light tempura batter with spicy mayo and lime.. Sooooooo Good There are a number of good options for the main course so you really can't go wrong with ordering anything here. Good Food and Good Atmosphere = Good Restaurant... and one that I'll definitely come back to
(5)Adriana O.
I looooove this place!!! Food is good, but what I love the most is the actual building. It's so 'summer-y' and even if it's freezing cold outside once you walk in you can feel as if you're in California, and that is major specially during winter in Chicago! And you got to love the 'Days 'till summer' count down.
(5)Hana C.
Atmosphere was clean, bright, white, and comforting. Service was excellent. Food was delicious. And for checking in we got a free cookie and ice cream. The cookie was enormous (the size of a baby's face) and it was horribly good. We shared a few vegetable starters to begin with, all of which were good. I had the chicken tacos which while not unique were tasty. My girlfriend who I was visiting just moved from California and she appreciated the California-esque food/dining style. She will be back there again (and I would be too if I lived in Chicago).
(4)Karen C.
First & foremost: DEFINITELY make reservations. Second: Bring sunglasses. I'd say this is actually a 3.5 star review, but I thought I'd round up because the food was really great. I made reservations for a mid-afternoon Saturday brunch/lunch situation for myself & the manfriend. When we got there, I checked in, and our table was not ready yet, so we headed outside to wait a bit. After 20 minutes, I was starting to get irritated... what's the point of a reservation if you don't get your table at the time of your reservation? So I went back in to see if it was going to be much longer because if it was, we were going to have to leave, as we had tickets to a play down the street. The second I said we'd have to leave, they magically found us a table... so that was just a weird start to our visit. But, after that, all went well... our waiter was super friendly & prompt. We started with the burrata appetizer because, well, when I see burrata on the menu, I order it. It was sublime. The waiter asked if we had been to RPM Italian yet, because he thinks theirs is even better, so I'll need to be checking that out soon. We both had breakfasty entrees & they were delicious, and came out quickly and piping hot. I had the tostada that came with pulled chicken & eggs. The cocktails are delicious, too. Not sure if it's still available, but at the time we got a free cookie for dessert for checking in on Yelp! The main draw for me wanting to try this place was that it was LEYE & the fact that it looked so damn bright & sunny inside. I'd been meaning to visit all winter to see if it would pull me out of the winter blues, but we ended up visiting on one of the most gorgeous Saturday's of the year instead. It was so bright inside I literally had to wear my sunglasses... definitely felt like I was back in Santa Monica!
(4)Andrea J.
This is our 3rd and likely last visit to Summer House. The restaurant is absolutely stunning however the service seems to have deteriorated since our last visit. Our waitress was attentive however we had 3 different people attempt to bring the wrong food to our table which was very annoying. My husband was never asked if he wanted a cocktail and when we did eventually order it, it took far too long for it to arrive. The kids menu is weak and the spaghetti was WAY undercooked which is the polar opposite of what you'd expect for a 'kids meal'. Our entrees were just ok - nothing 'wowed' us enough go to deem another visit. There are way too many options in Chicago to justify returning for a mediocre experience.
(2)C W.
Came for breakfast on a Saturday and started with a positive impression of the serene, well designed decor, promising of a good meal to come. Overall felt it was a bit of a slip downhill with a long wait given relative calm in our seating area, but saved by a friendly waitress. The highlights were the drinks and coffee , all enjoyable. Some aspects of the meal were good The french toast shared among the group was tasty. But the bad was notable. Deeply dissatisfied with the cold and mealy hash browns that were literally the worse I've ever had in a restaurant in my life. Insultingly bad; everyone at the table had to send theirs back . After some additional issues, the bill was incorrectly tallied by over $40. I love discovering new places, and am very comfortable spending well for great quality and service , however not sure Ill be back to Summer House.
(2)Howard L.
This is a delightful 2 year old Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) franchise. Apparently the San Monica California originator of Summer House knew the owner of LEYE, and they collaborated to open this location. The venue was quite airy and sunny particularly during our summertime visit. It's also the most hipster and trendy LEYE restaurant we think we have ever experienced. With its glass roof as well as open air patio seating section, it's also a much larger restaurant than their Halsted storefront reveals. The clientele is a polite, well dressed, higher end type of crowd, and during a weekday lunch, I was wondering to myself why all these younger people weren't working or didn't appear to be having a work lunch anyway. Anyway, wife and I enjoyed a lunch of a burger with their seasonal salad ($13.95), and their pasta of the day, a spinach carbonara or spinach fettuccine served with a sunnyside egg ($16.95). The burger also came with grilled onions and was a nicely done juicy big burger deserving of the premium price. We found free street parking right on Halsted (yet it is metered parking on Armitage), but I frankly wouldn't want to be looking for street parking in this busy neighborhood at dinner time. Glad we tried it, and it's now a potential special occasion city outing kinda place for us.
(4)Eric B.
Atmosphere is nothing short of spectacular. Natural lighting and bright, neutral tones provide a great ambiance. The food, however, was awful. The $15-ceviche and $15-burrata were good, but not exceptional. The spinach carbonara and the rainbow trout tasted like flour and water mixed together, and nothing else. There was absolutely NO taste in either dish! I was kind of shocked at how something could look and sound so appealing, but be totally bland and flavorless. Because of this, I will never be returning. I was here on my birthday dinner with my family and we were all very disappointed. This is also sad because I had been wanting to go here for months, and when I finally got a reservation I was completely let down. The restaurant did make a slight comeback by serving fantastic (strong) coffee after the mediocre meal.
(1)Kelly T.
I have dined at this wonderful restaurant since discovering it from an invitation to join an aquaintance for dinner and drinks in April. I have returned no less than a dozen times. The service and food quality are both are excellent regardless of the demand or impact on this popular hang out always which means it is consistent and that is all I can ask for. Lovely food, wine, spirits and staff. Great outdoor area for summer months and the ambiance in-doors is very well thought out however, although in my own personal opinion, if the bar were circular and in the middle of the venue, it would help the flow of both customers and staff when it is extremely busy.
(5)David C.
Atmosphere was lovely but food was very disappointing. Ordered the pan-seared brook trout which was swimming in grease aka brown butter. The walnuts were burnt not toasted - tasted and smelled like burnt popcorn - not pleasant. Would have sent it back, but the air-conditioned was pumped so high the place was like a freezer and we were eager to leave. Oh, and we could have used a fly swatter. Yeah, inside... flies.
(1)Elina S.
I've been here a few times now so I can finally give Summer house a fair review. The first time I didn't have the best experience but this last time for mothers day brunch was fantastic. We obviously made reservation for our family and it was packed. I mean every single table was occupied and we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated for our nice and comfy booth. Let's start with the atmosphere, I'm soo coming here in the winter time when I get those winter blues as this place is literally summer in a restaurant. Even on mothers day which was rainy and gross in Chicago, I literally came in here with a lifted mood because it was bright and cheery. Our server was super attentive and kept checking on us pretty frequently which was a very nice touch. We ordered the drinks and a bunch of us had the passion fruit margarita which was delicious, fresh and full of flavor. Definitely a must get over here. We seem to like getting the calamari here for an appetizer, it's not the best I've ever had but it's tasty. I mean they have every breakfast food imaginable from pancakes, to eggs, to breakfast burritos, to waffles, you name it, so I really think in terms of brunch/lunch you can't go wrong over here. My mom got the salmon benedict on top of their crunchy hashbrowns which she seemed to really like. My MIL got the chicken and waffles which were also pretty tasty. I decided I wanted a burger, yep, don't judge me since I know we were here for brunch. The burger was good with all the fixins and yummy crispy french fries went with it. I also really recommend the bacon here because it's crispy and sweetened with something so it's the perfect combo of sweet and salty. So, the atmosphere is on point, the food is tasty, the drinks are flowing, definitely a great people watching place. Oh, but the best part of all is their pastry counter, omg, they pretty much have it all. The cookies are huge and super chewy and fresh. My favorite was the rice krispy treat, it totally brought me back to my childhood. I really liked that for mothers day, they gave complimentary smores bars to all the mommies which I thought was a very nice touch. It's not a foodie place, but it's just a nice environment to grab the girls or family (kid friendly) and just chow down. Will be back for sure!
(4)Teddy H.
I've tried twice now (brunch and dinner), and can't justify it. Both visits, service was WAY off. It seems this place prefers snooty and rude hostess personnel, which is a shame since they are pretty much the first interaction you have upon entering. The servers displayed similar attitudes, a little bothered when asked for anything special, and in a rush to get you out the door. Food is okay, pretty basic, and lacking that WOW factor. For example, the Tuna Tartare appetizer basically comes on Tostito chips rounds. And for the price you are paying, it needs to have it. I get it - the ambiance is cool and the location is great. But when you can head up the street and have better food with service that makes you feel comfortable and welcome, you should and I will.
(2)Nicole L.
I have to update since I've been back. They are now conveniently open for lunch! Woohoo! The drinks are delicious. The dishes are very fresh and give you that dining on the Santa Monica pier vibe. It's great for dinner too! The cookies are definitely worth the $3.50 price tag!!
(4)Kelsey S.
In the dead of winter Summer House's California-influenced menu and Vitamin D-centric interior provides a mood boost - even if the "Countdown to Summer" sign seems so far off. The menu is extensive and varies by season; heirlooms find their way onto plates in the summer, as do roots in the fall and winter. For breakfast, though, the lemon cottage cheese pancakes are always delicious, pillow-y and wonderfully tart. And if you don't want to commit to a full stack, you can order a single and try something else savory, like a benedict or hash. For lunch, be sure to order a side of vegetables, like the caramelized Brussels sprouts. Many lunch items stay throughout the year, so it's nice to add a touch of seasonal flavor to your plate. On your way out, you'll pass the sweets counter that houses an assortment of cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats and more. The chocolate chunk rice krispie treat cookie is a sight to behold, but after a couple of bites, it becomes cloyingly sweet - share it or save it for later.
(3)Heidi B.
Summer House is the best place I've ever had brunch! The only thing that can make a Bloody Mary better...top it with candied bacon. We had the ahi tuna tostadas and the caramelized brussel sprouts as starters. Both of the dishes were delicious and easy to share. I had the smoked salmon hash brown Benedict as my entree. This was the best egg Benedict dish I have ever had! You can find similar dishes at other restaurants but the taste and presentation can't compare to Summer House. The inside will make you feel like you're sitting inside a trendy restaurant in California. I wish I lived a little closer to this restaurant. It would be the perfect place to escape for a fun meal. Don't forget to bring your sunglasses!! Also, don't forget to grab a chocolate chip with rise krispie cookie at the bakery counter on your way out.
(5)Eileen J.
great atmosphere (5), good service (5), Food super disappointing (2 - 3) for the price point black squid ink seafood pasta so little seafood it was nearly undetectable Amish chicken was ok Spicy Calamari was less than average cauliflower was ok decent win selection
(3)louis S.
Fun bright great place. You are assaulted in a good way by the desserts upon entry. The staff is upbeat and very helpful large fully flavored meals. Everyone was happy. Next door attached is a bit more subdued pizza spot? A bit over packed and loud but....
(5)Kara H.
Came here for brunch with my parents and will definitely be coming back. The ambiance was fantastic, the staff was very friendly (accommodating when we called to say we were running a few minutes behind our reservation & also once we arrived). Now, onto what I was able to try. Breakfast Burrito- DELICIOUS. Sometimes I worry that a breakfast burrito will be way too much food (and they're not the best things to reheat later) but this one was not massive, it was just the right size! Blueberry Pancake- Just the right amount of fruit to pancake ratio + deliciously airy. Breakfast Potatoes- Good, but not amazing. I`d get them again but I could also live without. I`ll definitely be coming back for brunch and I want to try the dinner as well!
(5)Will L.
Went there one summer night and it was very awesome. The place is pretty huge and it does feel very much like you are dinning outside. The decor was very nice and summery. #yes The food was quite delicious. We had the biscuits and it was crazy good. Hmmmmm. So Good. You will not be disappointed. Make sure you get your own, you are not going to want to share. We also had the spicy calamari. It really was not that spicy at all. IT was still good but not spicy. For a main dish, I had the chicken which was very good. The cookie bar was pretty awesome for dessert. Pick your cookie, any cookie. So many cookies. The waitress was ok. She could have been more welcomie or friendly or made more eye contact but whatever. Did I mention they have a cookie bar?? I would for sure go back, get some more biscuits, try something else and get some cookies.
(4)Ken O.
Picture this.... with snow falling in every direction and bitterly cold, two friends and I decided to try Summer House, which has been on my list of restaurants to try for awhile. I've been to Stella Barra which is connected to Summer House and enjoyed it for lunch. Upon entering this restaurant... OMG, the snow storm went away at least visionally. The decor is just like a restaurant in Southern CA or a tropical restaurant on an island some place. The walls were creamy white, draperies were white, the furniture in the bar are on the wicker side. As stated earlier, you were in a different locale. Stacie W, was our server, who greeted up promptly. She understood that we would be "camping out" for awhile. She went over the beverages and menu with us. Then she brought the first round of beverages. We finally decided to try the Ahi Tuna Tostada for an appetizer. After bringing us the appetizer, the food runner would keep an eye on our table as well as Stacie. I believe there were five slices, which was just enough for the three of us. We finally decided on our meals.... we had ordered a Chicken Grilled Sandwich, a hamburer and I had ordered a French Dip sandwich and a side of cauliflower. I felt the food was delivered to us in the approriate amount of time, again, we were here for a leisure lunch. We were all very satisifed with our food choices. We had shared the cauliflower and couldn't get enough of that side dish. Both, Stacie and the food runner would check in with us, then another round of beverages came. Between the food and the relaxed atmosphere, we lost track of time. Unfortunately, none of us had saved room for dessert. Maybe next time. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a great meal and a relaxing time. Looking forward to my next visit,
(5)April R.
I wrote a review last month about my first Summer House experience and they reached out to me soon after my post. I was very impressed with their diligence to contact me, talk about the experience and offer me a invite back to the restaurant to make it right. This time around I made a reservation with TJ and had a very nice time at Summer House for dinner. We ordered the Santa Monica cobb salad, local burrata, gemelli & fennel sausage, the roasted 1/2 chicken and the pan-roasted Great Lakes whitefish. The food was prepared perfectly, staff was attentive and they couldn't have been more apologetic for my first dining experience. The fact that they reached out to make the first dining experience right speaks volume to their service expectations and I greatly appreciated the acknowledgement and the great dinner experience. Thank you Michael, TJ and Adam!
(5)Sarah P.
When I catch myself yearning for the laid back atmosphere of the west coast I come here and my desire is quenched. Love this restaurant. It is trendy, it is packed, the reservation list is ridiculous - call a week in advance if you want a table for brunch at 10:30a. There are three distinct spaces, the dining room is my favorite as the entire roof is glass and lets the sun in. In the warm months the entire front wall of the restaurant opens. Plants hang from the ceiling, and the interior is bright, classy, and welcoming. I'm transported back to the beach houses in Santa Monica, and watching the waves roll onto the beach while sipping my morning coffee... Love Wait... I haven't even talked about the food! I've only been here for brunch.. It's a morning spot for me, and the options are good. I love the fruit platter, they know how to make turkey bacon, the waffles are yummy, the coffee satisfying. It's the closest I can get to Urth Caffe.....
(4)Blaine T.
The atmosphere is great! I love the decor and the summer vibe that the place has. Defintely a fun trendy brunch place. The breakfast cocktails are great. We all tried each other's dishes and the breakfast tostadas were AMAZING. Also you should all split a cinnamon roll! Make a reservation.
(4)Rachel L.
Reservations are strongly advised! We made a reservation for Saturday breakfast at 10:30. The restaurant was already packed and I can see why. This place was by far my favorite in Chicago! As soon as you walk into the restaurant, there was a feeling of being in LA. We were traveling from the SF Bay Area to Chicago for a quick getaway and were reminded of the beautiful weather in Southern California once we stepped in. It's perfect! The food was amazing. We ordered the spinach omelet, egg white sandwich, tostadas, hash brown benedict, chicken and waffles with a side of candied bacon and a round of the strawberry chia. Everything was sooooooo good! The only complaint I have was that the eggs were over-cooked on the hash brown benedict. They were supposed to be poached, but were more on the over medium side. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our meals, had great conversation, sat in awe of the restaurant. We had great service and loved our entire experience. The restaurant is so cute in decor. You really feel like you're in LA, by the beach. A must try if you're in the area.
(5)Nicole M.
If only the food was as good as the setting! This was my second dinner at Summer House. Both times I've been disappointed in the food. The food is under seasoned and bland. I had the gemelli with sausage and rapini. It had a strange starchy texture and was calling out for salt. The interior is so beautiful and bright. It pains me that the food is so mediocre.
(2)Kate W.
We had a totally decent experience at Summer House. Our waitress was fantastic--friendly, sweet, attentive. We liked her a lot. Some highlights: the ceviche is superb. Perfectly balanced and delicious. The brussels sprouts salad was also outstanding. I had bucatini, and was very impressed. A friend we ate with had the chicken tacos and they looked really good. Also, get the cookies. Just shut up and get the cookies. You won't regret it.
(4)Molly D.
When you walk into Summer House you are immediately greeted by the warm breeze on your face, the smells of bonfires, fireflies glowing at night, and the sound of waves crashing at the beach. Ok, so none of that actually happens, but in my opinion it practically does happen because Summer House has designed the perfect atmosphere to remind your senses of summertime. And that, my friend, is a great atmosphere to escape to when you are living year round in Chi-beria. Along with having a great atmosphere, the food and drinks range from good to phenomenal. Our group of four started with some cocktails (and one mock-tail for my glowing pregnant friend). I loved my Plam Fizz, each of the guys enjoyed an Old Fashioned, and my friend was happy to be able to have the mock-tails as choices since at most restaurants she would have been stuck with the basic drink options like Sprite. Drinks were all very unique and tasty and I would definitely recommend trying one. Next, we decided to go with the baked-to-order biscuits which is served with a yummy poblano honey butter. Wow... I mean, these biscuits with that amazing butter were out-of-this-world amazing. I am salivating thinking about them as I write this review. Do yourself a favor and order these!! As a pescatarian, there were several options for me to choose from on this menu (both seafood and vegetarian) which was exciting. After much debate between the salmon and the mahi-mahi tacos, I went with the tacos. The portion was large, sadly the tacos were average. For the steep price I paid for tacos, I would expect them to be more flavorful or come with more interesting sauces (it only came with salsas). I would definitely go with a different main course next time. Others in our group seemed pleased with their choices of chicken and steak. Finally here's a tip, for desert, make sure you check-in on Yelp because they were offering a free cookie for those who checked in. Even if they aren't offering the free cookie, make sure you save room for one. They are warm, gooey, and smothered in ice cream (make sure you add on the ice cream). In all, I would return to Summer House for their inviting atmosphere, good food and interesting drinks. Next time I would want try brunch or a different main course for dinner. I will definitely swing by the bar for a cocktail with a biscuit or their cookie bar to bring home for dessert when I'm in the mood for warm baked goods.
(4)Karen M.
We reserved a table for 6 on a busy Saturday afternoon, and we were told it would take an hour to an hour-and-a-half for a table. It took an hour and 45 minutes for the table, then once seated, we ordered as soon as we could, and it took almost an hour for the food to come. My egg sandwich was room temperature. The waiter checked in from time to time, but didn't ask us if we wanted any food while we were waiting. I finally asked for a basket of bread as we were famished. They gave us a complimentary dessert after we mentioned how long we had been there which was nice. Good service but very poor experience overall.
(2)Mihir P.
WOW!!! We LOVED this place from top to bottom. Just sitting in the bustling, airy, white and bright atmosphere, I felt rejuvenated. The burrata was very fresh and lusciously creamy and served with fresh dark crusty bread. OK, I know this is in the Midwest, but I can't remember having calamari any fresher! It was super tender and meaty and flavorful. The grilled halibut was perfectly cooked and light. I tried some of the fries my friend had with his burger and they were amazing - thin, crispy and perfectly seasoned. Our server so mad cool and professional and accommodating. I'LL BE BACK.
(5)Stefanie A.
Traveled to sunny California last night- that's how it feels when you step inside Summer House. Definitely the place to be when the weather in Chicago is nasty! Had a 7:30 reservation and were immediately seated at a table close to the kitchen. Kitchen is wide open, allowing diners to watch the cooks prepare their meals. The entire set up is absolutely beautiful. A large glass roof with hanging plants & lights, and the servers uniforms give the restaurant that laid back, beachy, California vibe. Our server, Rachel C was great. She recommended a great Pinot noir. We started with the burrata, beach bum ceviche, & the hamachi avocado sushi roll. All delicious! Loved the ceviche's citrus flavor! For entrees I had the trout in the walnut brown butter sauce. My husband had the French dip sandwich, and my bro-in-law had the halibut. Both were also good, but we all agreed the trout was just phenomenal. For dessert we did a warm cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Free if you check in on yelp!) Thanks yelp! The cookie and ice cream was just the right amount of sweet and salty. Rachel never rushed us- let us take our time with finishing a second bottle of the Pinot noir. Bottom line: cool atmosphere, great food, & wonderful service!
(4)Food M.
First time here. Waitress Danielle exceeded expectations. Personably, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Crab cake is off the charts
(5)Jiwon S.
Went here for brunch with my friend on a weekday and I loved it! The atmosphere was amazing and the food was great. It felt as I was in Santa Monica. Two thumbs up!
(5)Jenna S.
Cute atmosphere especially the open area with glass ceiling, very nice pasteries that vary from the norm. Great place to catch up with friends.
(4)Lissa E.
Went to Summer House on a beautiful summer day. We went with two other couples on a Tuesday night and it was busy as ever. Our party had a reservation and we were seated right away. The service was good but not great. Our server was training a new person and it was a bit awkward when ordering as to who we should talk to as they were both taking down the order and talking to us. They got all of our orders correct and spaced the meal out well so overall I'd say 4.5 stars on service. The food- we ordered the Burrata, Cauliflower, and the living lettuce salad for appetizers to share. The Burrata was amazing!! I wish we had two orders. The toast was perfectly toasted and the tomato accompaniment went perfectly with the smooth Burrata. The cauliflower was ok but pretty spicy, I would probably choose a different veggie next time. The living lettuce salad was light and fresh, very good. For dinner I ordered one of the specials, sockeye salmon. It was perfectly cooked but it had a little too much sauce on it. I am somewhat of a purist so others may like the amount of sauce. My husband ordered the English muffin burger, which he reported to be tasty but was difficult to eat as it didn't stay on the bun well. Another person in our group ordered the trout and he claimed it was the best trout he had ever had. All of the other meals were less remarkable but everyone said they thought their food was at least "good." Overall everything was good with some great. I would definitely go back for a taste of "summer" sometime in the middle of a cold chicago winter. One quick side note- we did see blackhawks player, Jonathan Toews there which was kind of fun!
(4)Ben B.
This place is confusing. It's decked out in a lot of white wood, like something you'd see on a beach. Hell, there are life preservers hanging on the walls. It's like Jimmy Buffett's godawful Margaritaville concept, but for rich people who aren't stoned. The menu consists of a lot of fish, with burger and taco options. We began with the biscuits. You get two per order, but they're very large. Each was burnt on the top and bottom. I slathered mine in honey to make it not taste like charcoal. For my entree, I had the Korean pork tacos. (I asked for tortillas, otherwise you have to eat it in a lettuce leaf.) The ingredients are served up on a plate and you have to assemble each taco. As I ate it, I thought it was okay, but not worth seeking out. There's also a counter with cookies up front because... I don't know. They weren't on the regular menu. This is the kind of place you visit once because you're bored with all your usual hangouts. I've visited once. I'm done.
(2)Jesse N.
I was looking forward to coming to this restaurant, mainly because it looks so cool from the outside. I ordered a cocktail initially and thought it was good. Where things started to go down hill was when my Steak Frites arrived. I was in the mood for "house cut fries" but when they came out they were like a bad version of McDonald's fries. Apparently they cut them with a machine in the back but that's still not really "hand cut". I also asked for a medium rare steak and it came out well down and it just didn't taste good. I was left feeling very unsatisfied and actually physical sick. What made matters worse was when the manager stopped by to ask how the meals were and I told him my experiences he came across as incredibly defensive and bordering confrontational. He then stormed off at the end of the uncomfortable conversation saying he would share the feedback with the chef. Needless to say that I won't be coming back and think that it's only a matter of time before people realize that this place is only good for the cool restaurant design and location, and not the food or service.
(1)Brenda G.
Could this place be any more delicious? I love summer house. Everything I've tried is delicious. I once went during March Madness and the restaurant was nice enough to let me reserve the only table by a television. I normally stick with the breakfast burritos however their tacos are amazing! Who has 2 kind of fish tacos? Summer House, that's who! You can also enjoy a cocktail at Stella Barra next store while you wait for your table. Try the rose, it's delicious! Cheers!
(5)Adam A.
Amazing Brunch as always. Great gluten free cookies, taste AMAZING.
(4)Ashley V.
5+ for ambiance. So fun for a cocktail and app. Bright, airy, and very California (love!). 5 for appetizers - best calamari I've ever had (Asian creamy sauce so good), and I don't really like calamari. Ahi tostadas are to die for. Burrata is good (missing basil and balsamic, so ask for it!). 4 for brunch and dinner items. Nothing special about either, and a bit overpriced. 4 for service. Some were good, but some forget things and others are fine but not great (nice-wise). (Good overall, though - won't ruin your meal or anything!) Great selection of wines and cocktails. Go here often, though, because it's just fun overall. Must try! But it's not spectacular.
(4)Melissa A.
First of all let me mention that Summer House is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. Say what?? Yes, that was exactly my response when my friend told me. For whatever reason it surprised me, not necessarily in a bad way. My friends and I came here for the Chicago Restaurant Week deal and my dining experience here was fantastic from start to finish. I'm just going to list out what I liked or didn't like about Summer House since lists tend to be easier to read/tend to capture people's attention better! LIKES (non-food): *My party of 4 was seated quickly (we had reservations) in a comfy, spacious booth *Decor / ambiance of the restaurant is coastal chic, airy, decorated in warm colors and really transports you out of the cold, Chicago winter to Cali *Service was great - our waitress was friendly, accommodating, and checked on us throughout the night LIKES (food): *When you first walk in, there's a little bakery with a display case of cookies, rice krispie treats, and other baked goodies and they also offer coffee/cafe drinks *The restaurant week menu ($44 prixe fix menu) includes a glass of wine! *All of the food was ON POINT! *"Appetizer: I chose the Super Greens Salad". I don't say this often but I loved this salad! It was light but flavorful without needing a ton of ingredients. It was composed of kale, shaved celery, parmesan, bread crumbs and tossed in a Parmesan vinaigrette. Yum! *Entree: I chose the "Slow Braised Pork Shank" as my entree (there were 4 choices) and I was not disappointed. The pork was very flavorful (possibly a tad salty) and it was fall-off-the-bone tender. I didn't even need to use a knife to cut it apart. It was served with roasted fingerling potatoes and winter fruits. The combination of salty and sweet was delicious. Highly recommend this dish! *Dessert: choice of their Trifecta fudge cake or one of their cookies. There was no debate between cake or cookie for me once I saw their cookies. Let me tell you, they are HUGE and mouthwatering. I chose a s'mores cookie and it was served warm with ice cream on top. I barely finished half but it wasn't because the cookie was bad but because I was greedy and ate too much of my app and entree...typical me haha *On my way out I ordered a Horchata Latte from the little bakery. This was delicious! Horchata + coffee?? umm yum! You must try it if you like both! DISLIKES: *I couldn't try everything on the menu... I definitely will be back to try their brunch since I've heard it's just as great!
(4)Kristin M.
If I could eat here everyday, I would. I would be broke and I think it may be worth it. Been here twice. This past time I got the strawberry solstice cocktail and it was so fresh and good. Fresh strawberry juice, vodka, bubbly, mint, and lime. Need I say more.? We ordered a burger on English muffin and avocado toast with poached eggs. While the burger was tasty, the avocado toast was the winner. Mascarpone cheese on the most delicious soft multi grain bread, big chunks of avocado, and poached eggs that broke with yolk running over it. It was so simple yet so much flavor. We ended with a huge chocolate chip cookie that was perfect blend of sugar, salt, and chocolate. The prior time we got the ahi tacos which are also bomb. Do yourself a favor, go to summer house now. It's worth the Benjamins.
(4)Tricia D.
I expected more from brunch at Summer House... not molasses slow service! Not a $10 fruit plate! Yes, the mango was presented creatively (like a sunflower), but that, 1/4 cup of pineapple, and half a cup of mixed berries was not worth that price tag. Not small portions, like a 1/3 of a wine glass of OJ or that half a plate of small brussel sprout pieces that sold as a side for $9. When asked about whether the glass of OJ was usually filled that low, the waitress snapped that it was a 6 oz pour... that's not even a typical serving of juice. A cup is 8 oz! My chilaquiles entree arrived several minutes after the rest of my dining companions', and it was pretty plain. One can definitely see how SH makes their margins. That horchata latte though... I heart it!
(3)Julie G.
Been here for brunch about a dozen times and dinner once, and I will say the atmosphere and the drinks are what brings me back over the food. Granted the food is good and the menu has nice options for everyone, but I've certainly had better brunch elsewhere in Chicago. I typically have a reservation so I can't speak to long wait times or unpleasant interactions with the hostess like other reviewers. Fortunately you can usually get a reservation for 4 or less people on pretty short notice. I once arrived around 11 AM one snowy winter morning and was seated immediately without a reservation, but the roads were terrible and not many people were trying to brunch that day. Recommendations: the kicked up kale is by far my favorite drink. I can't go to SH without ordering this! The Mexican hash browns are also a favorite. The English muffins made in house are amazing as well. I've ordered the breakfast burrito more than once, but I probably wouldn't again. It's just Ok. The breakfast sandwich or avocado toast are my usual go to choices. I did get the grilled cheese and fries on one participatory sluggish Sunday and it was delicious! Overall this place is a happy sunny atmosphere and perfect for girls brunch or when the parents are in town!
(4)Doug R.
Don't forget about service!! Yes the location and scenery take you to 'Santa Monica' This place was on our "it list" and we decided to take the plunge for a birthday dinner. Although we had reservations our less than courteous hostess said she'd text us and turned to talk to her waitress friend. We decided to talk into the adjacent pizza bar and received a much needed drink from a very knowledgable and friendly bartender. He gets the 5 stars!!! Our text came (25 min past our reservation time) and we were seated. Obviously a table of 2 gets less attention than a group of 6 but after our initial order of apps there was no sigh of our waitress. Oysters came but were explained which were which.... By time our waitress returned both apps and current drinks were completed. Main course ordered and delivered before next round of drinks?? Yes the food was great. Yes the drinks were great. Just think a lettuce Ent restaurant should know how to nail service first....
(3)Cami P.
Loved everything about Summer House! First off, the ambiance was beautiful. All natural lighting, and the atrium has a skylight like ceiling. Our waiter, Clayton, was extremely helpful and attentive- offered excellent recommendations! Secondly, both the food and drinks were delicious. I started with the Palm Fizz- a wine spritzer and it was amazing. My friend and I then split the Spicy Calamari- GET THIS. It was like a calamari I've never tried before, wasn't so fried where you couldn't taste the actual squid itself and came with an amazing spicy dipping sauce. Then for entrees I got the Trout and my friend got the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were excellent! Both left feeling very full. Finally we stopped at the little bakery our way out with a million different types of desserts. I really don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the choices- we got a chocolate chip cookie with Rice Krispie on top and it seriously is the best cookie I have ever had in my life. Soft, gooey, so fresh. Could have eaten 5. As you can tell I love love love this restaurant. Definitely will be back in the future!
(5)Michael A.
Went for brunch on Sunday. After reading the reviews here I was a bit nervous, but what the heck. As more than one person pointed out, the hosts could not be bothered with us. They really don't care. We had to ask if it was ok to sit at the empty bar, "Oh yeah, that's first come". Like Duh.. you idiot is what she was thinking. Anyhow, everything went UP from there. The barstaff was very kind and knowledgable. The drinks were tasty and lets be honest, when you get candied bacon on your bloody mary, how can you go wrong? The ingredients were fresh and tasted so. Great ambiance in the place, with great natural light and a breeze running through it. Had the breakfast tostadas, and they were delicious. Great flavor. We also had the shortrib hash, but that was ok. It was good, but it definitely is not special. It didn't wow you and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone trying to be impressed. Not a lot of flavor, kind of bland. Don't forget to check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream. We will go back as over all it was a really good experience.
(4)Jane C.
3.5 stars Super cute spot for date or special occasion. There's something for everyone on the menu and food was good. Located conveniently off the Purple/Brown line and a nice neighborhood to walk around before or after dinner.
(4)Kim L.
Love love love the decor in here, really does feel like you're in Cali. However as others have noted, the food is pretty average. My friend had a Lettuce Entertain You gift card here or else it would have been pretty expensive average brunch. Friend got the classic eggs Benedict and I got the short rib hash Benedict with a side of candied bacon. Food was mediocre, server was friendly but we'd probably only come back for the Vitamin D room and people watching.
(3)Laura K.
Finally a solid Lincoln Park casual restaurant! Perfect for meeting friends for dinner and drinks. The space is super open and bright (not romantic - if you want that vibe, head next door to Stella Barra). It is always packed, and the food is solid! Brunch and dinner are both very good. For dinner you must get the burrata and the biscuits, and the spicy calamari. None of the entrees are a must, but whatever you order will be good.
(4)Debra L.
Summer House is lovely to look at, with the high open ceilings, the whitewashed wood, and the airy pastel colors. The staff was friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked in. We came for Sunday brunch and I'm so glad we had reservations because there were people being turned away due to wait-time. Note - make sure you make reservations! The food was fresh and delightful, with healthier choices reminiscent of the infamous California cuisine. My one criticism is that the it's rather pricey for what you get. I had the mission street burrito with tofu chorizo. It was delicious but for over ten bucks it would have been great to have some toast or hash browns. Come to Summer House to soak up the beachy vibe, and relax in the airy atmosphere. It's a great place for a relaxing meal, just overlook the fact that they're a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep that in mind and go anyway.
(4)Mark A.
I've only had breakfast/brunch here, so my review is not appropriate for dinner. Summer House might have one of the coolest interiors of any Chicago restaurant, thanks to its courtyard/glass roof that lets in tons of natural light. It's kind of like Banana Republic does food. For breakfast, I had the Kale/Vodka drink, and it was pretty impressive. Who knew I could get my vitamins and buzz in one sip? Genius. I had the chicken and waffles -- they were good. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. Given the appearance of the place, I was expecting something a little more unique, but these were just basic chicken and waffles - no froo froo designer waffle pattern or plate presentation. (Again, they were good.) I'd go back to try the dinner, but I wouldn't expect anything super memorable other than good, quality food. And the nice atmosphere is a treat.
(3)Kate T.
I have a very strict diet (allergic to garlic onions, lactose, gluten-free, high fructose corn syrup, etc). I had checked this place out online prior to going. Our server was very accomodating and I was able to watch in the kitchen that they made my meal with extra care. I had a mixture of greens, pumpkin seeds, unseasoned ahi tuna, and an amazing dressing of olive oil/fresh lemon. They also provided me with gluten-free bread topped with avocado and a poached egg. Did I mention their fries are delicious too? I requested the driest white wine possible and they let me test several to assist me in having the one lowest in sugar. I never once felt like a burden. The ambiance is amazing and this is definitely my new favorite go-to place in Lincoln Park.
(5)Kat D.
10 stars for ambiance (love it) 5 stars for service 3 stars for pricing and quality I tried the sushi, cauliflower, ceviche and ahi tacos. We also had desert cookie/ice cream which deserves 5 stars. Overall, go here to for the sexiness and the drinks- not the standard fare.
(4)Anthony M.
I had brunch at SH on Sunday with one other person. We had a 3:00 PM reservation and upon arriving, the host referred to me as "bro," which I thought was very odd. First off, I'm not your "bro," and second, this didn't seem like the type of place where the hosting staff would be so unpolished. We were seated soon after our arrival... at a table in the bar (after we asked to be seated in the restaurant), but we were seated nonetheless. We ordered a bottle of wine and two things to start. The burrata was good, the calamari wasn't... at all. It was doused in a creamy sauce that wasn't mentioned on the menu. There's nothing more annoying to me than ordering something that isn't properly described on the menu. Furthermore, our plates (empty plates, mind you) sat in front of us until the main course was brought out. Because the restaurant was busy and no one seemed to be moving quickly, I would say that the time elapsing between us finishing our first course and the time when our plates were cleared was a solid 30 minutes. The manager ended up bringing the next course and had to literally put it on the table behind us and clean our table. It was gross! There were plenty of people running around, but no one was interested in clearing our plates. I had the avocado toast and my partner had the grilled chicken sandwich. Both were fine... but that's about it. Upon trying to get our check from our server, it took almost fifteen minutes to get his attention and for him to bring it over. We did have two bottles of wine, so our bill was $150, but outside of the wine and the burrata, the experience and venue were entirely forgettable. Let's be honest, this place isn't the only place in town that you can get a bottle of wine and some cheese! I would have liked to enjoy this place more since it's close to our new home and we tend to dine out frequently (especially with larger groups), but unfortunately, it was pretty much a let down! Wah wah!!
(1)Allie Q.
Lively ambience, well decorated, bright and airy California feel to the place. Service was excellent, attentive and knowledgeable. Delicious cocktails and food. Highly recommend the oysters, pricey but well worth it. Enjoyed the ceviche and the ahi tuna tacos. Great for groups, girls nights or date night.
(4)Holly B.
5 stars for ambiance 5 stars for service - Rob S was amazing!! So friendly and professional 5 for desserts - OMG!! Definitely worth the calories. Definitely!! The s'mores bar, blondie and rice crispy treats are THE BEST. The cookies are just ok. 3 for price ($24 for fish tacos was a little pricey) 3 for food quality. Everything was just meh. We had Brussels sprouts, the fish taco and a burger.
(4)svetlana k.
Good spot. The food is good, nothing to write home about. The ambiance and the restaurant is beautiful. Perfect spot for a girls brunch spot or nothing out, even a bachelorette brunch. The staff is nice. The drinks are reasonable. If you live in the area, why not? But plenty more options in river north/downtown area to go to. The food look a little overpriced for Lincoln park area and the portions were fairly small for entree sized. The couple next to us were clearly disappointed with a bite size salmon entree which cost $25 or the surfer style tacos that you have to make yourself also $25. Ps. If you check in on yelp, you get a free cookie skillet.
(3)Sue T.
Grabbed a bite here recently with family. The atmosphere was great - very open and light. Definitely a place I would prefer to go to on a sunny spring or summer day. The food was ok and a bit over-priced. I got the fish tacos and I thought they were a bit bland. I got the cookie with ice cream for dessert and that was delicious. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just had bad luck. The service was friendly and quick. Overall, I would give Summer House another try at some point but I'm not rushing to get back.
(3)Jennifer G.
We tried Summer House a few weeks back, and while I tried for a sidewalk table, we had to eat in the Atrium. Best decision ever. It is absolutely beautiful in the atrium and that's where I would recommending sitting each time. What Summer House accomplished with that atmosphere is really spectacular. Another positive about the restaurant was the wine selection. I had a blended Zinfandel and my husband had the Pinot Gris - both were really fabulous wines that I would recommend. Unfortunately, our food selections didn't live up to the other aspects of our experience. We started with the crab cake - which was okay. We did really like the summer vegetable spread that accompanied it. I had the gemelli and fennel sausage pasta and my husband had the mahi mahi tacos. He thought the tacos were good, but my pasta dish was way too salty and I actually ended up leaving quite a bit of it. For dessert, we had cookies and ice cream - yum! Warmed cookies a la mode. They were delicious and something I would definitely come back for.
(3)P P.
Food is yummy. Atmosphere is nice. The service is not very good. We waited a half hour before the server even came to our table. We hd to ask for a server and someone saw us looking around which is why they approached us and asked if we have been helped. Finally she shows up and apologizes that she didn't know we were her table. After we ate we wanted coffee and dessert and she didn't even ask us if we wanted anything and just gave us our bill. We asked her of she wanted us to close out or had to go somewhere or were we able to get some coffee. Also, our table was near/behind their pastry bar and perhaps they shouldn't have a seat here because every time they took a drink cart by they asked me to move my chair. I couldn't just scoot in, I actually had to get up and move the chair completely for them to roll a cart by. This happened 2 times during our meal. Perhaps a better placement of the table would work as it is not really nice to make me get up while I am eating twice to move my chair. Very disappointed in the service!
(3)Erin R.
I spent an enjoyable evening at this restaurant. The California-feel was delightful... I love how light, airy and laid back the space is! We were seated right away and the server was pretty good. I was very satisfied with the quality of the food. The only reason for the 4 over 5 stars is due to the price - the cost is expensive for the amount of food. However, everything was delightful, fun for a girl's night out. I would go back for a special occasion.
(4)Shamoon K.
I generally feel bad about giving a restaurant a bad review, but not here. I'd give this a zero if I could. I came here with two friends today for brunch at around 11:30. The wait was an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half. Ok no problem. My friends have been here before and wanted to show me how much like Santa Monica this place felt and how good the food and service were. We sat down on a couch they had there and killed time going over the menu, checked in on yelp, and getting pumped. After about two hours my friend asks the hostess if our table is ready and she said that it would be another ten minutes or so. Since we were already there for so long, we asked if we could sit in the main dining room, and wouldn't mind waiting longer for that table. The hostess said no problem, so we waited a bit longer. Thirty minutes go by and our friend checks a second time, and was told that they're cleaning the table now and it should be ready soon. We wait another two minutes, go back to the host stand, and proceed to our table. Except the table is next to the bar, not in the dining room. At this point we've been there for a little over two and a half hours and were disappointed that we didn't get the table we wanted. The biggest pull to this restaurant is the dining room. Everyone wants to sit in the sun and have a nice brunch. So we talked to the manager, and voiced our concerns. He was very courteous and said "I'm very sorry about that. Let me fix the first problem. I see a table opening up, we'll sit you guys there shortly." Excellent. This is how it should be done. Shortly after another manger comes to our table and says that this bar table, is our table. We proceed to tell her our frustrations and before we could even finish our first sentence, she cuts us off and raises her voice saying, "This is the only table I have for you. You can take it, or you can get out." She then says that when our friend went up to ask if our table was ready, we were not told "they're cleaning the table right now", instead we were allegedly told "your table is ready, get your party". So what they did then (because obviously we didn't think the table was ready and would be called) is they waited literally 2 minutes, and then gave our table to someone else. So lets just say it was our fault right? It was very loud in the restaurant so its definitely possible. Lets say that we misheard them. The smallest courtesy would be to look for us in the waiting room, and say "hey, your tables ready" or text us like you were supposed to in first place. You would think that would be the protocol. Not just give the table away because you're flustered. Anyways, so we try to plead our case to her and she gets more and more agitated. Cutting us off again and again. Raising her voice more and more. I'm serious here, we couldn't get two sentences in before she started cutting us off. She kept saying "Take the table, or leave. I have a thousand people in the waiting room." Yes, we know how many people are in the waiting room. We were just there. For hours. We decided to leave. The amount of disrespect that was shown to us was unfathomable. Before we left we asked for her name and she wrote it down for us. Stephanie Cook, to which after she said "I need you to leave. I need you to get out right now." After that we tried to talk to the first manager because he was very kind, but Ms. Cook would not allow it. Essentially, she kicked us out at that point. So if you're reading this Ms. Cook, what happened? Why did you treat us so poorly? I've been in the industry for 4 years, and I've never even heard of such disrespect. I'm even giving you the benefit of the doubt here, by saying we misheard you. Not the other way around. What I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt on is the complete disregard for the customer. You really made us feel unwelcome, unimportant, and unequal to the rest of the patrons at your restaurant. Don't you think that if we heard that our table was ready, that we'd jump at the sound of the first word? We were there for two and a half hours! Is the customer not always right? But that's not the real problem. The real problem was the way you handled the situation. You do not yell at the guest. If anything you're supposed to understand the situation and then try your best to rectify it. Not kick the guest out and make them feel like garbage. Yelp is basically an open letter. So I would love to hear a response from you on here. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe because the restaurant was so busy you got backed up a bit. Maybe we didn't hear right. These things all happen. But not what occurred after. Any kind of explanation would show me, and everyone else reading this, that you do indeed care about the guest experience. And that this is in no way a reflection of Summer House. We all look forward to your reply.
(1)Lucas W.
Summer House was really a mixed bag. My recommendation, check in on yelp for the free cookie and ice cream because it'll be the best part of the meal - the cookies are absolutely fantastic. The night got off to a weird start, we had a reservation for 4 people at 6. Unfortunately 2 had to cancel so we showed up a bit early and said we'd only be a party of 2. I understand that may be unexpected, but to then forget about the two of us for a half hour while plenty of other parties go ahead and end up seating us at a 4-person table anyway? Definitely the wrong way to start a meal. The menu has a bit of everything but it is pricey; that was definitely the first thing I noticed. We started with the brussel sprouts which while good just didn't quite go to that next level that a lot of nice brussel sprout dishes really can. Just too much vinegar. I had the Gemelli pasta with sausage. It was fine, not great. The fennel in the dish kinda subtracted from the dish in my opinion. And the sauce was fine but no complexity or interesting flavor. My girlfriend had the tuna tacos. For the price of the tuna tacos, I would've expected more tuna to be honest. I like that they gave you the ingredients and could build the taco yourself (allowing overloading of tasty chipotle mayo), but I've had better tuna. The highlight of the meal though is dessert, without a doubt. We checked in on Yelp so we got a free cookie and ice cream. Wow, absolutely delicious. May go back just for the cookies. Another waiter brought a second cookie by accident, but, in great service, just said "Hey, eat up, it's your lucky day, someone made a mistake. Enjoy." Reminds me, despite our issues with the host, our waitress was superb. Don't remember her name, started with an S.
(3)Bill R.
Four of us had brunch at Summer House this past Sunday. We decided to order a number of 'starters' for all of us to sample. All of them were delicious. The service was quick, attentive, without being intrusive. Special thanks to Stephanie, service manager, for taking care of us (and a newborn baby that we had in tow). Summer House is highly recommended.
(5)Sean K.
So pretty inside and great atmosphere but the food just isn't great. Had the lobster roll, was chewy. The drinks were decent and so was the dessert but wouldn't return for just that. They had the doors open and the air conditioning up so high that we were cold at the front patio...the vents were pointed right on us. The weather was so perfect that night, low 70s. Just can't understand what they were thinking to freeze the customers out on a summer night (definitely not concerned with the environment!)
(3)Steve Z.
Lobster Roll is terrific. So was the Cobb salad. Split both with my wife for a late lunch. And the fries? Wasn't expecting above average but they were better than anywhere else, fresh cut and both crispy and soft at the same time. "Delicious" (only as Kramer would say).
(5)Sharon G.
My friends and I walked in for lunch on a Monday and we were seated immediately. The ambiance was amazing(!!) - the glass ceiling gave the entire room great lighting and the string lights/hanging plants spiced up the interior decoration. Our waitress was extremely friendly and personable and our service was phenomenal throughout our entire meal. We ordered cocktails (very good and very strong!), shared an appetizer, and each got more substantial entrees (my friends got versions of the cobb salad and I got the chicken oven grilled tacos). The food had a lightness and freshness like many of the plates at other farm-to-table concept restaurants I've been to. We ended our meal with a free ice cream/cookie dessert (courtesy of Yelp!) that was actually incredible. I haven't had that good of a chocolate chip cookie in a while. And, of course, most importantly...this place was 10/10 Instagrammable. Definitely will be back!
(5)Marjorie F.
While I have lamented the demise of Tilly's, I have rejoiced in emergence of Summer House. I've been here twice - first for dinner, another time for brunch. I had mixed feelings about dinner, but that was only because I was unsure of the company (it was a first date). The food and service were great. The ambience was lively with many look-gooders to look upon. I wouldn't say it's the perfect place for a first date because of all the distractions - noise level, high possibility of bumping into people you know, etc. However, it would be fun if you're getting together with a group of friends. Summer House is now one of my favorites for brunch. I ordered the salmon benedict - yummmmm... My friend and I had a couple of mimosas which had a generous amount of the bubbly (thanks a million!). We were sipping happily on these when the table next to us ordered the prettiest Bloody Marys I had seen in a long time. [CUE: Girls salivating.] Of course, we followed suit and were not disappointed. It was a perfect blend of spicy, salty, tomato-ey goodness - plus it had a fat strip of bacon to top it all off. Mmmmm... Bacon... Yep. We were happy. I am definitely planning on visiting Summer House more this Winter. Bring on the bloodys!
(4)Jeff S.
Great service, great vibe, great sunny atmosphere, excellent staff. I hope they get a veggie burger soon.
(5)Joanne M.
It was a friends birthday so we went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance is a lively beach feel. The service was great from the beginning. They were running late on our 7:30pm reservation but as soon as they got us seated they served all 10 of us with champagne. The server was very upbeat, positive, and apologized for the wait. Right off the bat I order the bonfire cocktail and it was delicious. Wasn't too sweet and the hint of grapefruit with the tequila was just right. For starters we shared a couple orders of the guacamole and house made chips, and spicy tuna nigiri. Both tasted very fresh, my favorite being the spicy tuna nigiri because of the crispy sushi rice giving a good contrast in texture to the tuna. I ordered the wild mushroom enchilada stack only because it was the server's favorite. It's a vegetarian dish but the flavor with the different textures was delicious! You could definitely tell the ingredients were fresh! For dessert we made our way to the dessert bar at the entrance and got an assortment of cookies, Rice Krispies, and brownies. My favorite by far being the s'mores cookies (I bought all of them). Will be back again especially since I heard their brunch is amazing!
(5)Claudio V.
This place has been recommended to my wife and I by so many people. We always passed by but never ate here. For my birthday my wife took me to SummerHouse. The place looks really nice and the people were super friendly. Now as for the food, I am not much of a fish eater. So looking at the menu the fish was what caught my eye. I knew it would be risky for me since I do not like fish from most places but I ordered it anyways. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it. I later found out that they never freeze their sea food. That must be what made the difference for me. Great place for a date-night!
(5)Katie P.
I've been here 3 times now and the most recent experience has left a lot to be desired. First, the space is summer-y and light just like the inside of a really nice beach house cottage. During a Chicago winter, it's a nice escape. However, the food is just ok and the service is pretty weak. Last night I came here for dinner with some girlfriends. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated at 7:40pm. Not the best start. No apology from the hostess- she just kept saying that they were bussing our table. Finally a text alerted me that the table was ready. For a Sunday night with reservations, this was frustrating. The poor service continued. Our waiter brought out one of the two appetizers we ordered fairly quickly. After waiting a while for the second app to arrive I flagged down the waiter for an eta and he said he didn't remember me ordering it. No apology. So a few minutes before our entrees came to the table, it arrived. Annoying. Then, our meals came and he forgot the side we ordered to split! When I brought that to his attention, he didn't apologize, he just said if it didn't come out soon it wouldn't be on our bill. As we're all almost done with our entrees, the side arrives and we each eat one bite since we're stuffed at this point. The check comes and nothing was comped, no apologies. Our group of three girls had 2 apps, 3 entrees and 1 side and 1 glass of wine in total and the bill came out to $160. The food was just fine- nothing special, the prices are high and the service is lacking. Not worth it.
(2)Katie P.
Beautiful space Friendly service Boring food. Boring boring boring Too expensive for boringness
(3)Daniel C.
I love summer house. This has been on my book marks list since it opened but it has had a long wait each time I've considered it. I went for brunch this past weekend. 10:15am no wait. We sat in the big "Vitamin D" room and even thought it was single digit degrees outside it was beautiful in that room. It was bright and open. I want to be there right now. I had a half order of the french toast and the hash brown eggs benedict. It was very good. Eggs were poached perfectly. The hash brown acted as the english muffin. The french toast was great. The waitress let us know we could order 1, 2, or 3 pancakes if we wanted or half orders of the french toast (and waffles maybe ? if i remember correctly?). My girl got the sunrise breakfast burrito and they were happy to add jalepenos for her. I love the little bakery area at the front and I ordered a bacon, chocolate chip cookie that was as big as my head. It was the perfect dessert for me. There's a free yelp check in dessert. Overall, great brunch spot and i can't wait to go back. TONS of gluten free options in the bakery area!
(5)Morgan S.
While I love the atmosphere and the ambience here, I can't get over my last two visits here. The food was great... Once it arrived. However the first time, my order was completely wrong and I had to wait and watch my friend eat her dish while I waited (I ordered chicken tacos and they brought out a half chicken or something)... After that, my friend and I went for an appetizer and cocktails and the appetizer took 45 minutes!!! Just for spinach artichoke dip! Pretty crazy. Staff is all friendly and food is great, so I don't want to totally bash this place, just could have been better.
(3)Rae H.
Great service. Good ambience. Food not so much. I am gluten free and ordered the GF version of their turkey burger. It was pretty good except the GF bun was half burned on top. I didn't want to send it back, which I know was my choice, and ate half of it. As I was heating the second half of turkey burger the following day for lunch, I saw that the entire bottom of GF bun was burned black. It is hard to believe that the kitchen staff did not notice that they were sending out a bun that should have been placed in the trash. It's sad because this is such a nice restaurant.
(3)Emily G.
Love the food and atmosphere here, but you definitely have to plan ahead to eat here. The wait is really long, but generally worth it! Great for brunch.
(4)Courtney H.
Headed in for my 3rd visit. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated right away in a corner booth. First thing I noticed was that the wine glass at my place was dirty. No one was drinking wine so it was taken away but I would have said something otherwise. Started with the biscuits and I think they were the best they've been. So good. There were 3 flies that kept landing on our booth and flying around us and it was driving me nuts. The lobster orrichette was back on the menu which I was excited about but they changed it and I was disappointed. The portion was smaller, the sauce has changed and they added tomatoes and peas which were NOT on the menu description. Blah. $23 not spent well. We did use the free dessert I got from checking in on Yelp and the cookie was really good. I also used my LEYE scratch off card for Summer House but I was forced between using that or a gift card because again, for some dumb reason, LEYE does not let you gain points when you use a gift card. LAME. Service was good, our server was awesome.
(3)Mona W.
Atmosphere is amazing- food is delicious. The beach theme is super cute- we had the avocado and poached egg sandwich and the tuna tacos- both exceeded our expectations. Bloody Mary made with tittos... Yum!
(4)Kristen C.
I really love the atmosphere at Summer House and it's a great place to grab drinks, however the food is just so so. I've been here for both brunch and dinner and wasn't overly impressed. I would definitely come back for dinner over brunch.
(3)Lauren F.
The atmosphere alone could earn Summer House 5 stars from me, but it doesn't hurt that their food is pretty darn good as well. The bright, airy space can completely transport you from a cold Chicago afternoon to a sunny day in Southern California - and that is no easy task! I've visited Summer House for brunch twice now and so far my favorite dish is the Roasted Vegetable Hash with a side of their homemade pork sausage. The root vegetables mixed with the poached egg and tarragon sauce was just perfection! Their pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Hot Mess of Fries, and thick, brown sugar coated bacon also deserve an honorable mention. Another HUGE plus is their mouth-watering bakery counter that greets you as soon as you walk through the doors. Their cookies are fab but my favorite is the simple yet delicious Brown Butter Rice Crispy treat - take one to-go and you'll be so happy when you're stuffing your face with it later, unless you're like me and you can't help but dig in on the walk home!
(5)Annie B.
I recently came back again for brunch and felt compelled to update my review as my second experience was world's better than my first. A few of the other ladies I was with had similar sentiments - this time, the service was great, the food was delicious, and the mimosas were strong. My friend and I also split an appetizer and an entree which they served on separate plates for no charge without us asking - and also gave us each a full serving of fries. They also split the check between the eight of us with no problem which is always appreciated. Little things like that definitely go a long way. This time I also stopped at the bakery on my way out and picked up a few treats for a get together I went to later - the cookies were great but everyone loved the blondie bar. I will be back!
(4)Isabel C.
Wonderful spot for breakfast or brunch! Stopped in here at 930am. They were not very busy as I arrived but as we left an hour later the place was packed! Service was good. They were not to overbearing which I like but our waiter did checked in once and a while. The food was amazing! I had the classic Eggs Benedict and it was the perfect portion and egg to ham to muffin to sauce ratio! Everything tasted so fresh but the coffee was a little to strong for my liking. So glad I found another great Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in the city. I highly recommend Summer House! I l cannot wait to come back and try dinner, lunch, and the cookies!
(5)Mad I.
Nice Lincoln Park spot for fruity drinks spiked with booze and cookies topped with Rice crisp treats (made with real vanilla!) which equals 4 stars. make a reservation so you don't have to wait, and no, you prb cannot request the room that has the "vitamin d". Calamari was awesome, I was there after 12 so I got to choose from either menu. Very spicy mayo-ish, which is fine with me, but other people may find it overwhelming. Pretty pricey though, most things are $15-$25, so stuff your wallet!
(4)VJ K.
Amazing place and super friendly staff! Be sure to make a reservation on the weekends otherwise you'll definitely be waiting for an hour. Definitely recommend!
(5)Shan D.
Why do I have to choose between atmosphere and food? Both are amazing here; I couldn't have asked for a better experience for brunch. I don't get all the hate from all the reviews. The entire staff is super friendly. A nice touch: they have a coat/bag check! I came straight from the gym so it was nice that I didn't have to deal with my bag being in the way. We initially got seated outside of the Vitamin D room, and asked to be moved inside. I'm glad we did because the Vitamin D room takes everything up a level. And yes, shades are a must. I was definitely feeling the sun, which was a relief after the worst Chicago winter ever. Our server never rushed us, and allowed us to enjoy our experience. The coffee is great. It's from Dark Matter, a local roasting company. It has a bold flavor. Way better than Intelligentsia. I had the breakfast tostadas which were as delicious as everyone on yelp made it out to be. The oatmeal smoothie is very straightforward. It's good only if you like eating plain oatmeal, and thankfully I do. It is not sweet at all so just be prepared for that. However, I still think it could use some more of a natural sweetener or even some fruit blended with it. Tried my friends' egg omelette and cocktails. Everything was delicious, and my friends all seemed to enjoy their meals. Thanks to the yelp check-in, I got the Rice Krispie chocolate chip cookie. It was a great way to satisfy my cravings for a Rice Krispie and a cookie. My friends also got the peanut butter cookie and the sea salt choco chip cookie. Both were solid as well! Couldn't have asked for a better experience with great company. Looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)Luis N.
All the food was tasty. Service was great. The spicy calamari is awesome. Drinks are fairly priced and they have a huge selection of wine and beer. Great brunch. We will definitely be back!
(5)Megan H.
I've been here twice and really enjoyed it. The first time I came with two of my girl friends about a year ago, and we had their brunch. I ordered two eggs and bacon and a side of toast. Everything was delicious, and service was very attentive. I love how open and light it is inside. Even in the winter it seems like it's summer here! The second time I came here I sat at the bar with another friend of mine. I think I ordered two eggs and an English muffin this time (really living life on the edge, I know). Everything tasted great but I did notice towards the end of my meal there was a hair in the muffin... I thought it was possibly my own hair, because it was blonde, but then when I went to pull it out I noticed it was actually baked into the muffin. Kinda gross, but I was pretty much done with my meal at that point so I guess it could've been worse. I wasn't even that grossed out, because I realize stuff like that can happen, regardless of where you're at. And hey, at least the hair was baked - which means it was sanitized in the oven heat! Anyway, that's the reason for my 4 stars and not 5. On the way out we grabbed a cookie with rice crispy treats and a flourless chocolate cookie. They were both so good! The rice crispy cookie was one of the best treats I've ever tasted. I want one right now!
(4)Tiffany W.
BAD SERVICE, decent food Attitude of manager ruined the entire experience. It's pretentious and if you don't have a reservation, don't waste your time. Food was fine --French toast was decent and tostadas were tasty but small. I took a sip of my strawberry drink but had to send it back bc we decided to leave after the nasty manager wouldn't accommodate additional guests who joined our party. I certainly won't be back.
(2)Amanda M.
Gave this place another shot and was extremely aggravated with their service, once again. Should have just waited at Toast since that is where we wanted to go initially, but was told an hour wait. So we were pleased that Summer House said 30-45 minutes. Most restaurants over estimate the time they tell you which makes sense. We waited and waited and decided to even wait the full 45 minutes. I finally go back up to the hostess and ask how much longer. She said 20 minutes. I told her that she had told us 30-45, and she said that she must have entered it in wrong, so just another 10 minutes. Even then, that was still more than what was told. And of course, it ended up being 20 additional minutes instead, all together a whole hour for this crappy place. Just like last time, our server, albeit different, executed the same nonchalant slow service without a care. He never introduced himself. The only times he serviced us was to take our order and to give us our check, in which he didn't say a word and simply just dropped off whatever on the table. He also took a long time to come take our order and for us to get his attention, even though he was servicing the nearby tables. The busboys and other staff who brought out our food definitely deserve more praise, as they were friendly and efficient. I had the complimentary cookie and ice cream (via check-in) and our waiter never mentioned anything about it, so I had to ask him after we had already finished our brunch. He nearly finished my sentence, as if he knew all along about the order, except we all knew that he really just forgot. After a long time, another guy brought it out to us. He was nice, but we had to ask for some spoons. He checked the nearby drawer, and it was out of utensils. Our server comes by and does the exact same thing, as the other guy fetches us some spoons. Seriously, get your sh** together. Also, the spoons took forever to come, as did the cookie even though they just had to retrieve it from the front bakery and scoop some ice cream on top. Like, really? For my actual meal, I had the chicken and waffle. I really enjoyed the waffle, as it was warm and soft with a slight crispy exterior. The poblano honey butter also complimented it well. However, the chicken was disappointing, odd, and somewhat inedible. The crunchy batter was so hard and thick that it really took much effort to consume. It didn't work for the dish, as they seemed to use a batter that's more suitable for desserts/pastries. It was also seasoned in sugar/cinnamon which I also didn't care for, as the waffle was already sweet, especially along with the syrup. Food is okay. Service and management needs a serious check. If the atmosphere and décor of the place isn't as nice as it is, this place would cease to exist in a second.
(1)Mansi S.
Great atmosphere and the food seemed very fresh and healthy. We got the mushroom enchiladas and the green curry dish, both seemed very fresh and tasted okay. They were unique flavors and depending on your taste you may like them. Not our thing, but worth trying once to atleast see the nice venue.
(3)G H.
Family of four adults for Sunday Brunch. The food was on the order of three plus stars. Good stuff; everything was tasty, portions reasonable, kind of interesting. But only kind of. Nothing exceptional. The service was...awkward is the word we agreed on. Three or four servers there at the start...no one home towards the end. I mentioned going in (when responding to one of the hosts) something about the birthday girl. No recognition or response. What was good: The crab cake. Tasty, good corn salad side. Breakfast tostada. Poached egg over crispy hash browns. The hash browns were very good. Workmanlike French Dip. This place is worthy if you are in the neighborhood; if not, I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Rachel L.
Meh. The food was fine. It wasn't great, wasn't bad either. There are much better places in Chicago. I might be willing to try it for dinner instead of brunch. Though the menu was pretty limited and they don't have gluten free options for anything. The service was bad, though. Which, if you're going to pay for that sort of ambiance and food, you want decent service. Reservations are a waste of time. We had one for 11:30. Half of our party got there a couple of minutes early, so we checked in. The hostess asked that we check in again when everyone was there. Ok, that's fine/standard practice. When our group was all present, we checked in again exactly at the reservation time. The hostess confirmed the my friend's cell number and informed her rather bluntly that she could expect a text when the table was ready. Wait. What? If it had been just a minute or two to get the table ready, that would have been fine, but instead we waited for 20 minutes past the reservation time. Our waiter was either drunk, overwhelmed, or really tired. Two of us ordered coffee and he brought the large carafe of it, only to stare blankly at our table for a minute before realizing that we didn't have mugs. Then he brought mugs and poured the coffee. No less than 5 minutes later, he brought two mugs of coffee to the table, paused, stared at our mugs of coffee on the table, and then left. He also barely checked in with us while we were there. Overall, pretty place with nice ambiance. The crowd does make it the most Lincoln Park thing I've ever seen (I think they're going to start forcing all women into Uggs and leggings when you enter). But the food and the service are just mediocre.
(2)QB Chicago B.
Super cute place! I really felt like I'd been transported to a gorgeous beach town! Love the open & airy feel, the beautiful amount of light coming in through the glass ceiling...just well designed. The drinks delicious but a bit overpriced for the glass size. The food was what you'd expect on a beach...just ok! My girlfriend & I split the guacamole (small scoop with tons of chips)....nothing special. The avocado toast with poached egg...although the waitress said it was the most popular, I'd pass on that. The stand out was the cobb salad! It was fresh & delicious! I will return to enjoy this pretty place but just for a salad and a cocktail!
(3)Lauren S.
Although I've never been to LA, I imagine Summer House Santa Monica is pretty damn near close to southern California. I have mixed feelings on it all, so here are the high's and low's: PROS: 1. I called to get a reservation for Saturday night on a Thursday--only 4:30 and 9:30 were available. We went around 7 anyways and were told we'd wait about an hour and a half, so we waited in the lobby and ordered drinks--only to be seated about 20 minutes later! Not sure if we got lucky or if this is rather typical, but we were very satisfied with our wait. 2. The food is very tasteful! Each item was a perfect mix of flavor and lightness. 3. After your first check-in you get a free cookie and ice cream and it's absolutely delicious 4. Drinks are all-star! CONS: 1. The portion sizes are ridiculous--must be an LA thing, but I prefer my Chicago-style portions. I ordered the ahi tostadas--well prepared for it to be a small order--but was stunned when the plate arrived. The plate was dotted with 4 Ritz cracker sized "tostadas"; granted, it was delicious, but I couldn't believe I paid ~$14 for it. Additionally, we ordered burrata as an appetizer because the waitress warned us of the small portion sizing, and while it was delicious, it was also rather small. Granted it was average size for 2 people, but if I were to order that plate with a group of 4 I would have been sorely disappointed. All in all, Summer House was a really nice experience. I would maybe take my parents because of the price point and food quality, however, I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't be happy about the portion sizing. If you're looking for a nice, lighter dinner, I highly recommend, but if you'd rather spend $$ on sizeable, high quality portions of food I'd consider venturing elsewhere.
(4)Christopher M.
Very cool space - it will always be bright and make you think of summer. The drinks were very good - loved the cocktails. The food varied from light, healthy fare to over-the-top fare, like the hot mess of fries featuring fries, pork, egg, blue cheese, and truffle. Unreal. The biggest knock on the place is it's perpetually crowded, which is true. Your best bet is to try and come at an off time. 315/365
(5)Paul M.
I only give it two stars because the atmosphere was charming. Had it not been for that, I would give it one star for the food quality. It was just horrible!!! I had the ink squid angel hair pasta. I've had better quality frozen food. It was mush with garlic. The appetizer we had was decent being calamari. This was a quite pricy restaurant. I tasted the chicken and trout which at best were OK. I won't be going back!!!
(2)Carly L.
Great atmosphere for a girls night out. The cocktails were crisp and refreshing - I recommend the Cucumber Collins. However, I was disappointed with my entrée. I had the squid ink pasta that was labeled "spicy", but it lacked flavor all around. There was a good amount of crab in the dish, but the huge portion of bland pasta hid all the flavor. I will say the dessert cookies were delicious and our server was friendly. I have been to the pizza place connected called Stella Barra and the food is much better there.
(3)Danielle S.
I love this place. Friends and I made a reservation for 11:45am on a Friday. We were a little late but got seated right away. We ordered mimosas and breakfast sandwiches. Mimosas were great and they even brought us the fresh berries we requested to put in our drinks. Coffee was excellent and flavorful. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and a great size. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. My coffee cup was never empty. Great service and food.
(5)Jeffrey Z.
I've been here a few times, and until the most recent time, I probably would have gone with 4 stars. This time, everything was amazing. The Burrata was incredible and perfectly creamy, as always. We tried the made-to-order biscuits, and they were to die for. The poblano butter and honey combined with the perfect, fresh biscuits are perfect sweet, salty, spicy bite. For my entree, I had the French dip sandwich and have had it another time since. The bread was garlicky and delicious, the meat was juicy, and the horseradish sauce gives it a nice kick. Probably the best French dip I've ever had. The atmosphere is fun and laid back, and the service is spot on. As usual, Lettuce Entertain You doesn't disappoint.
(5)Olivia M.
Ugh, this place is so overrated. I've been here a few times - once for brunch and twice for dinner. It's too expensive and nothing special yet the place always seems to be packed. It has a nice ambiance/décor but other than that the food is just OKAY and the service is pretty lackluster. I also witnessed one of the bartenders touch his hair and then scoop ice into a cup with said hand and proceed to make a drink. Lovely.
(3)Priya S.
Gorgeous interior...feels like sunny SoCal! Scrumptious brunch. The lemon ricotta pancake...delectable! Service & food were great.
(5)Harini P.
I have to say that this place has a very Santa Monica beach house inspired feel. Could this be because that is where they originated? I am brilliant!! I really expected the food to be better but it is ok. The steaks are a bit bland, which I really don't understand because they boast amazing steaks that are all-natural (what does all natural mean- aren't all steaks all-natural or did I miss something in biology class?) A bit overpriced but fits in perfectly with the Lincoln Park crowd. Every time I walk in here, I feel like I have walked into a Banana Republic commercial. The service is phenomenal here, I have to admit that! They treat you very well but their menu is a bit limited. OH, DEAR GOD- Did I forget to mention their cookies? Yeah, that is the main reason you would go here, for the cookies!!!
(2)Katie B.
Omg the food was so great. We just left there , and I had to review. My sister works at Mona mi gabi in oakbrook. She gave us gift cards to try this place. The host was kinda rude, and there was quite a bit of fruit flies at the bar, but the bar staff was amazing. They gave us good recommendations and their choices were amazing. The tuna sushi was amazing, as well as the beats, and ahi tuna tostadas. The staff made it so delightful to is Well at least the bar. The host had a bad attitude though. Would defiantly go back. Thanks.
(4)Stephanie S.
I had wanted to check this place out as LEYE never disappoints! Since I have a kid now and can't just go to dinner on a whim, I have my reservation for like a month, lol. So needless to say, I was very excited to check it out! I am so glad something is finally in the old Tilly's space. I can't believe it took so long. They did an amazing job transforming the space and the decor is great! I also have to say the tall beach looking chairs in the bar area were the most comfortable tall stools I have ever sat on. That sounds silly, but I have been to so many places with horrible chairs, so bravo! The atmosphere is great and I spotted lots of kids which is nice to know they are welcome since I am part of that crowd now:) We were sans babe for the night. We got a bottle of wine and started with the buratta, sooo good, you can't go wrong with buratta. I ordered the lobster tagliatelle and my husband got the pork shank, both were really great! The most amazing part was the biscuits though! I need to come to brunch here! I literally ate too much of them to eat a lot of my food. They must have had like 4 sticks of butter in them, nom nom nom. For dessert, we got the panna cotta, which I am usually not a fan, but this was super good and nice and light (after those biscuits). Delish! Will definitely be back!
(4)Tracy H.
This review is for their baked goods only: Amazing! My friends and I tried their rice krispy cookie (good, but too crispy imo), their salted chocolate chip (great! Very large and soft, almost doughy) and their s'mores bar cookie thing (the best by far!) Prices were reasonable, I thought, because their desserts are huge. I now am on a mission to make those s'mores bars at home!
(4)Katie W.
I have been trying to get a reservation here for forever and finally managed to swing one for me and three friends. We started off with cocktails and guacamole. The guac was good, had a weird amount of lettuce, but overall no real complaints. My cocktail was one of my favorite things I ordered all night- The Bonfire. Tequila & grapefruit cocktail with just a hint of spice. I took my server's recommendation and ordered the Tuna Tacos. They're build your own and super delish. Again, nothing really unique or special about them but I left satisfied. Did the checkin for the free cookie and ice tea and they were happy to give us the gluten free chocolate chip so my friend could partake :) Another round cocktails and we finished the night. My rating is as follows: Atmosphere: 5 Service: 4 Food: 3
(4)Emma C.
Food here is good but not great and kinda over priced. I've gone for brunch (total mess due to some waitstaff problem), dinner twice and drinks in the bar. It is bright and inviting , kinda reminds me of something you would find in Cali. in the Newport area. Women love it, lots of groups of gals flocking in from the burbs. Best part are the cookies.... but you can get those from Stella Barra which is way yummier.
(3)Sallie S.
Went here for brunch on New Year's Day and was promptly seated. I was very crowded but our server was more than nice and even convinced the kitchen to let us brunch menu though we were a tad late. The food was delicious! Some of the best pancake stacks I've ever had. And the peach bellinis were divine.
(4)Happiness L.
I really love Summer House. Pretty with excellent food. Please please please bring back the latte with maple syrup as it was awesome. We were told it is no longer made there. Having it back will bring lots of smiles to lots of people. And...if you are going here ask for Danielle's table. Very awesome server who really cares about providing a spectacular guest experience with a positive attitude.
(4)Jason H.
We hit this place for brunch on a Sunday and ended up waiting a long time to be sat down due to its popularity. My wife had the beat salad and a noodle dish that she enjoyed. She was not a fan of how spicy the noodles were. I had the prime rib sandwich and loved it. The cocktails were top notch too. If you have a long wait, that is ok because it is located in a great area to explore while you wait for a table to open up.
(4)Niti B.
As you walk into this little piece of sunshine you immediately feel the warmth and welcome. The enviornment is set to feel as though you are on the west coast in literally a summer house. With wicker seating and white walls. Lanterns and delicate lighting brighten the already well lite space. The retractable roof brings in the warmth and sunshine even on a slightly chilly day like the one I was there for. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching in lincoln park. I fell in love with the place before I even had looked at the menu! To start I refreshed my pallet with a cucumber cooler. With soda water, lemonade, mint and cucumber this drink was a breath of fresh air. There was way too many entrees to pick from and even though I didn't regret my decision I would love to have had a slightly smaller portion to try more things! :) I had the mission street burrito wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla was chorizo style tofu, corn, spinach and egg with a side of chipotle salsa. This was so delicious I would have a difficult time coming back and trying something new when this keeps stearing me back for more!! For sides we had an order of mexican hashbrowns and they went perfectly with my southwest style burrito! My sister had the very nice carmalized french toast. Topped with fresh whip cream these were a feast for a king!! I had a piece of her 4 huge pieces and it was super fluffy and cooked to perfection!! I didn't even need a drop of syrup to wash them down! Overall, I can NOT wait to come back to this wonderful place! I have already told all my coworkers that this is the best sunday brunch spot I've been to in a long time. I want to try their dinner and lunch menu as soon as possible! And to note the restaurant next door seems to be part of Summer House and looked just as inviting...Stella Barra Pizzeria doors were open in between the two spots. Oh and how can I forget?! I didn't have the room to partake in the deal but if you check in on yelp a free warm cookie and ice cream on the house!!
(5)Louise G.
We have only been here once but I am in love-this is the perfect place to brunch on a beautiful day, I love that you can sit inside the air conditioned main room but feel like you are outside. The staff are incredible and the yelp deal meant we got a free cookie with ice cream which I highly recommend. I ate the French dip and it was heavenly!! We will definitely be going back
(5)Amy f.
Update: I decided to give Summer House another try and this time I went for dinner. My experience this time was light years better than my last one. Our server, Lindsey, was great. She was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was flavorful, fresh, and creative. While each dish we had was good, there were definitely some dishes that stood out. We ordered the burrata and it was served on what seem to be an oven roasted tomato coulis. The tomatoes were so wonderfully intense that it complimented the creamy burrata nicely. The pan seared rainbow trout was absolutely fantastic! Freshwater fish can be hit or miss because it can taste incredibly fishy. However, this was absolutely fantastic! The fish had a brown butter and lemon sauce and walnut pieces over it. It was served over mashed potatoes. This truly was a memorable dish. For dessert we ordered a chocolate cake of sorts with chunks of peanut butter fudge to accent it. The flavors were spot on and it definitely tasted freshly made. The ganache on top of the cake was creamy and the cake was sturdy enough to be cake but light enough for summer dessert. Summer house really brought their "A game" last night for dinner. The service was attentive, the food was delicious and well balanced with flavors, and the ambience was very pretty. Nice job Summer House. I will be back again.
(5)Hollina U.
I was really looking forward to eating at Summer House because 1.) I think Jeff Mahin is a beautiful man AND I love Do-Rite donuts 2.) the décor of the place really makes me feel like I'm in California and 3.) I heard so many good things from friends who have gone. Perhaps it was bad timing because we happened to go during Restaurant Week when it was really busy (which really probably didn't matter that much since it seems like SH is ALWAYS busy). I tried to walk in for dinner on a Sunday around 6:00 before and it was an hour long wait, so I was really excited to score a reservation on a Sunday at a reasonable time. However, even though we had a reservation, we still waited about 15 minutes--the hostess said people were lingering for some reason that night and that she couldn't make them move. I guess. One of my friends was starving and tired, so she ended up going home back to the burbs because she didn't want to keep on waiting. My other gf and I decided to stave off the hunger by gorging ourselves on the desserts that were tempting us in the waiting area. I got the mint chocolate chip rice krispy, s'mores cookie, and the mango cream cheese muffin. Their cookies are AWESOME--- so good we had to order another sea salt chocolate and ice cream cookie at the end of dinner. My friend basically ate all of the muffin while we were waiting. The mint choco chip krispy was just okay though--- I'd pass on that. We both ordered the fish tacos- I got the ahi tuna and my friend got the mahi mahi. I love tacos and all but paying $25 bucks for mediocre tasting tacos doesn't make me happy. I had better tacos at $3 a pop. How am I really going to feel good about paying $25 for 4 tacos--- these tacos need to blow me away to justify the price, but they didn't. It also took us forever to get our dessert, even when the dining room had emptied out. I think this place is overall too overpriced for what you get. But I would definitely drop in to try their baked goods.
(3)Eugene S.
I'm mostly at a loss when it comes to brunch. A few weeks ago I met up with an old friend only to discover that she, like me, was of the ilk that has to be fed promptly upon waking, and therefore, feeds early to avoid committing such faux pas as shoveling cookies down one's piehole while intermittently cursing. As of a couple eggs, rashers, bread and coffee, I'm not in much of a mood to get dressed and haul out on an otherwise perfectly good weekend morning only to wait in line for a meal I'm not actually hungry for. Unfortunately, my better half disagrees and so we compromise to such things as brunch on Sunday afternoon. We had tried to come Summer House some months ago in the morning,but met with the prospect for an hour long wait and my now public brunch-curmudgeon persona, we had felt it wise to go elsewhere. We returned a few weeks ago in the afternoon and were seated immediately. Under the skylight. Even in Chicago, especially in the winter, I am all about the skylight. Like a few other Lettuce Entertain You properties, the proximity to the other tables was a bit tight, though understandable, given the popularity. This works a little bit at odds with the high ceiling - suddenly, now instead of lazily sitting on a veranda in the summertime, I feel like I am illicitly camping out on someone else's porch while they're out at the store, hoping to finish my meal before they come back, see me, and call the cops. We ordered the roasted cauliflower, pasta of the day and the prime rib french dip sandwich. Surprisingly, the cauliflower was the outright winner. Creamy interior, crunchy exterior. We promised to coat everything in breadcrumbs before roasting from now on. (This did not actually happen.) The sandwich, likewise, was a nice contrast of textures: crispy baguette, meat and jus, although a little salty. In retrospect, the salad was a good decision, although the latter could have benefited from some additional acidity given the richness of the sandwich. The pasta was the outright loser. The flavor profile was as follows: fennel seed + breakfast sausage + an almost uneatable amount of salt. TLDR: Sunlight makes me feel rushed. Maybe this means I should move my cat tree out of the basement.
(3)Kim M.
A friend recommended this place. At first I was skeptical because we were at the bar/restaurant waiting for our seat. Waited for a good 30 minutes then We were accompanied inside by our host which was awesome, I love the lighting of the place. Absolutely love our waiter "Kyle" he was so nice and accommodating to our needs. He even poured us water whenever he would see our glasses empty. We ordered the calamari which was delicious and I ordered the squid ink pasta which was okay. It tasted really fishy. And it was mostly pasta with a few pieces of seafood. The squid ink pasta was new to my taste, but I would definitely visit again. I love the vibe of this place.
(4)Oscar S.
I was there with a friend. Drinks were good. The Calamari and Ceviche were great! Great Lakes Whitefish was perfect. Staff did not miss a beat. Overall great experience!!
(4)Kate M.
I don't normally write negative reviews of places without actually eating there, but our experience (or lack thereof) the other night compelled me to. We waited over 2 hours for a table before we gave up and went elsewhere. We got there around 7:30 and asked about the wait, and the hostess said it would be and hour and 15 minutes or so. No problem, we weren't starving yet, so we put our name in and went up the street for a drink before dinner. We came back at 8:45 and continued waiting, periodically asking the hostess whether we should continue to wait or just give up. By 9:40, we went up one last time, and she said, "you know what, we really won't be able to fit you guys in. There are too many people with reservations we are behind on. I should text everyone on the wait list to let them know, huh?" And chuckled. Why not tell us this sooner? Super unprofessional and unapologetic. We got out of there and went someplace else for dinner. Comically, we got a text at 10:30 telling us our table was ready. THREE HOURS later. They need to either stop overbooking reservations or find a way to stop people from camping out at their table for hours on end. I'd either avoid this place entirely or make sure you get a reservation about 30 mins before you actually want to eat since they also make people wait for an excessive amount of time even with a reservation.
(1)Andrea H.
I visited over Labor Day weekend on a Sunday evening. A 7:30 reservation time was 3 weeks wait, but we waited! I got the kale salad and we split an order of home-made biscuits. Get the biscuits!!! They are amaze! The kale salad was solid as well. My friend got the fish tacos and loved them. If we can we wiil be back but I won't wait for a reservation it's not worth that in my opinion w/ so many awesome restaurants in the city. Our server, while proficient, never made eye contact with either of us or smiled. He was literally a robot it was somewhat unsettling! On a side note I hate how this restaurant is so brightly lit. It makes me feel like I am in an elementary school cafeteria. Shell out f/ some good lighting please. At those prices I know they can afford it. This place is not cheap and is ALWAYS packed. Next time I would eat outside to avoid the glare.
(3)MzPrizzy S.
Great Ambience! Food was delicious! Staff was simply wonderful!. I tried the Smoked Salmon Hashbrown Benedict! I wasn't fond of it, although my dining companion thought it was great. I was able to change my dish and was pleased. The carmalized bacon is wonderful.
(5)Brian R.
It was like sitting on the beach at Shutters in Santa Monica. The decor and ambiance was spot on and the food was very tasty! This is a spot that will have me going back for a taste of "home!"
(5)Rebecca W.
Can I say anything bad about Summerhouse? I think not. Excellent service, phenomenal food, and a really great restaurant atmosphere! The eggs Benedict was amazing along with the side of hash browns! Also tried the thick cut French toast with the side is sausage. Fantastic! Ended the meal with a ginormous chocolate chip cookie! So worth it!
(5)Triphena W.
The 5 stars is for their bakery counter's S'MORES COOKIE and banana muffin. The s'mores cookie is crazy good and is my current favorite cookie in Chicago. You must try this! It's big, soft, chewy, and the taste really emulates a s'more. And the banana muffin is one of the best muffins I've ever tasted. Dense, tender insides with a slight crisp exterior with great banana flavor. I went around 11am on a Saturday so the bakery counter had a nice selection of about 3 muffins, 6 cookies, and a few other items like a brownie, blondie, rice crispie, etc. Everything appeared very fresh. I've also had the chocolate chip cookie with rice krispies which I liked a lot. Next time I might try the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt and the carrot muffin :D Highly recommend!
(5)Saba A.
3 1/2 stars for the food, 4 for the wine list, and 5 for the ambiance! When you enter, like we did on a wintery cold Monday night in Chicago, you feel like you entered California paradise. Romantic with a trend of casual, an airy and open ambiance, with a sunny feel. There are delicious baked good in front of you ( I went home with a rice crispy chocolate chip cookie and blondie- and my husband and I scarfed them down-don't leave without stopping there). My girls and I got a high table seat for 4 and started off with a bottle of Pinot Gris, perfectly sweet and went great with my pasta dish! We began with guacamole and chips that were perfectly salty- it was a great price. The fresh burrata, an Italian classic, came out fresh and delicious, I also recommend that for a starter. Two of my girl friends ordered a buccatini with forest mushrooms. The dish came looking shy of the mushrooms and looked like it could have used more seasoning such as butter. All though I do appreciate that they prepare the pastas from scratch in the kitchen. I ordered a ricotta and picorino ravioli. Plenty of raviolis so it was a perfect size dish, and the ricotta was nice and smooth, fresh tasting, but the pesto was too salty and there was a large abundance of it. It was overpowering the taste of the ravioli and all the other flavors. Considering the restaurant has been open for a few short months, I feel that they can take feedback and improve tastes of the menu items a little bit more. I do like the menu- has lots of variety and you can take a look at the dinner one here: summerhousesm.com/wp-con… . So whether you are coming in for a salad, which my girl friend enjoyed her shaved vegetable salad, I feel like you can also come in for a good dinner or share a wine bottle. Reservations are a must. This would be a great place to start off the night, make a dinner date, or come with a group of people. Service is excellent, and our waitress perfectly answered all our questions and was very attentive. Our waters were always filled, and she was patient with us as we took times making our decisions. I definately will come back, for sure in the summer when there retractable roof opens up! Great time at Summer House!
(4)Caitlin P.
We went back to Summer House for brunch after talking with management who reached out to me after my first yelp review. Clayton was our server and was very attentive and sweet. He didn't charge us for our drinks after we waited some time for him to come take our order in the beginning. Another disappointment we had was our dishes were lukewarm at best when they arrived. We ordered pancakes and salmon Benedict which was lukewarm, but the pancakes were completely cold. It was busy so it was difficult to grab someone's attention, so we ended up just eating them. We do plan to give brunch another chance, hopefully third time is the charm!
(4)Mark O.
Came in for brunch a few weeks ago with a reservation, and were seated promptly during the busy rush. The atmosphere of this place has a unique cabana vibe especially inside their sun room, which I believe has a retractable roof. I can imagine this restaurant getting really busy during the summer hours. Off to the side there is also a bar section with additional seating. We started with mimosas/brunch cocktails and both were very tasty. My brunch companions got salads and the skillets, while I went with the server's recommendation for a dish with protein, the short-rib hash. The sunny side up eggs came out perfectly cooked atop an amazingly delectable short-rib, which were also perfectly cooked. Service was prompt and attentive, and after the meal I was happy to be able to grab a coffee on the way out from the barista in front. Overall I really enjoyed dining here and will probably be back for drinks and the colorful/relaxed atmosphere. MInus 1 star only for the smallish portions, and moderately expensive drinks.
(4)Mary S.
Absolutely loved this place. At first wasn't thrilled to be seated by the wine carafe and behind the bar, but our waiters were so nice I stopped noticing all the traffic behind me. The atmosphere really makes you feel like you're sitting on a restaurant patio at a beach in Santa Monica. The color scheme and decorations are spot on. It felt so "Cali." We started with the spicy calamari and a spicy tuna roll that was a special that night. The spicy calamari blew everything else away that night! It was amazing, and best part was it was all the circle calamari, none of the squidy ones. It was a large portion as well, could easily be split with 4 people and everybody have enough to try. Will definitely come back for more of this. For my entrée I chose the fish tacos and my husband selected the summer vegetable enchiladas. At first the fish came and wasn't completely cooked. I'm glad I noticed this and pointed it out to the waitress who seemed distressed by it and quickly rushed it to the kitchen. Another plate showed up not even 2 minutes later. This time the fish was perfect. They're a build your own taco kind of thing with a variety of toppings. I was able to eat 3 and my husband a fourth, so definitely enough food. Because we checked in on Yelp, we had a free offer for a cookie and ice cream. A dream. A huge baked cookie with fresh vanilla ice cream melting on top. Again, could have fed 4 people but we finished it ourselves. This would be a great place for friends or family visiting, if you want to have a nicer place with a peaceful atmosphere and fantastic food.
(4)Hana C.
I'm sad to say I was pretty upset with this place. I've been looking forward to eating here for awhile and was excited to finally make a visit. The atmosphere was great and probably the only thing I really enjoyed about the place. First off, our server, John, was pretty bad. He hardly stopped by our table and was just overall slow. The one time he did decide to come by was to tell us our order got lost and that it'll be a bit longer for our food to come out. It took forever for our drinks to come out and when our food came out it was hardly warm. It had obviously been sitting under the heat lamp for awhile. Since this was my first visit I am willing to give it another try. I really want to like this place. The real disappointment was the service so hopefully the next visit will be better.
(3)Brett F.
Cute spot. Decent food. Service that leaves a lot to be desired. Actually being from SoCal, I had my doubts about how a restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park could potentially ever channel a "Summer House Santa Monica" vibe. But, ya know what? They kinda did. Love the beachy, open, airy, white clapboard décor and the servers that don Vans and Ray Bans instead of aprons and crisp shirts. Unfortunately, what came with the casual duds was also a very casual service. Mimosas (which are very unnecessarily served tablside so you can watch your server pop open a bottle of cava that is shared with other tables and pour it into some juice) were forgotten. The grand "tableside service" forgotten? Talk about faux pas. Then, there were our entrées that all came out at different times. Up first was my sister's smoked salmon platter. I get it, it's a cold dish and doesn't require heating, but that doesn't mean you just drop it on the table while two other patrons still have nothing. Kitchen timing. Learn it. Luckily, it was generously portioned and yummy otherwise we'd really pitch a bitch. Then next was my mom's lemon cottage cheese pancakes and a side of crispy, candied bacon. Mmmm hmmm. CANDIED bacon. Despite the fact that my plate STILL had not landed on the table, I couldn't help but let the cockles of my cold heart be warmed by tastes and sniffs of sugary, glazey pork. It was undeniably good. And then came my plate... Oh. Wait. No it didn't. I actually sat there for another 10 minutes with NO PLATE IN FRONT OF ME. I grabbed our server (who still hadn't noticed at that point and was running around visibly overwhelmed) that I still had not received my breakfast. He came back to report that the kitchen had forgotten my dish but was making it, finally. I was over it. OVER IT! I told him to 86 my breakfast and bring the check. He came back with the manger, 10,000 apologies, the check, and a box of the Summer House desserts from their glorious looking cookie counter. Now, there's no way they could have known this, but one way to easily win my affections is through cookies and baked goods. Plus, they were just scrumptious. There was even a chocolate chip one with little pieces of rice krispy treats on top! Mmmm. The cookies (oh, and bacon) are the only reason this isn't a two star review. Service needs to tighten up. Things appear to be a bit too chill at the Summer House.
(3)Melissa S.
Summer house is a great go-to spot. Their drinks are great -- I know they have a list of non alcoholic drinks, I usually get one of those but add alcohol. The girls at my table didn't know you could do that so they ended up doing what I did -- just a tip! Their steak tacos, guac, artichoke dip and swordfish are great. As far a brunch goes, the fried chicken is great!
(4)Bebaxa T.
Beautiful space, but the menu leaves something to be desired. Mexican/ ceviche/ with some Italian sprinkled in... It just doesn't flow... Doesn't go well together. Three stars for the space. It is beautiful at Summer House. But just like LA, it's all fluff and image... No substance.
(3)Steph W.
Talk about getting a great taste of summer in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. Had a lovely ladies night with delicious wine, great apps (Fresh Burrata and the Ahi Tuna Tostadas) and a solid pasta dish. I have a gluten allergy and they were so accommodating with everything from a special gluten free menu and thinking of me when serving bread with the burrata. Will definitely be going back. This time, I'll be sure to get something from the cookie bar.
(5)Shambavi K.
Trendy attractive atmosphere, décor, and venue. even the wait staff were attractive. Came here for a brunch with the girlfriends. The service was just NOT the best. took a while to order and took some to get our food. Maybe I am a stickler but it seems unfair that our peach bellinis came out in different colors (their mix wasn't consistent....one girl's bellini was darker peach while other girl's bellini was pale). Food was okay, it's just a trendy spot for brunch. I won't shy away from trying their dinner I suppose.
(3)Jess R.
Of corse this place is amazing!! The short ribs were juicy and tender and was melt in the mouth good, I just wished they had it year round. The steak is also amazing with good flavor. Drinks are great and a wide variety of apps and dinner choices. Love the bright Santa Monica feel
(4)Ashley I.
I loved Summer House so much I went three times the first weekend I went. I recommend the buratta as an appetizer. There are so many great options that are gluten free friendly. The cocktails are fun and tasty. There is also a bakery at the front of the restaurant that has gluten free cookies. Yum! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kim G.
Steak was overdone, server was not attentive - appeared bored. However, this is a place to see and be seen. There is at least one hipster who looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite brought in to make this place seem hip. The biscuits and salads were wonderful! The bright sunlit atmosphere puts everyone in a good mood. The bloody mary was above average and they also offered some nice non alcoholic cocktails. Don't forget to save room for a cookie!
(4)Sherman Y.
Visited on a whim because the wait cafe baba reeba was too long. Ordered the squid ink pasta with king crab. The pasta was under seasoned and a bit over priced at $23 for a decent portion. My friend ordered the rainbow trout and thought that the flavor of the fish was masked by their wood grill to the point where it could have been any fish really. My girlfriend ordered asparagus mushroom orcchiette which was good but still under seasoned. The Decor was absolutely beautiful very old and bright and the service was great TLDR: Service was good but food was under seasoned and over priced
(3)Meredith K.
Recommendation: Make reservations on Open Table for a Saturday night. My boyfriend and I finally got around to trying Summer House after hearing the positive reviews from friends. I was a little disappointed when they sat us at a high top table in the bar instead of the main dining area when I made reservations several weeks back. I tried the Santa Monica Cobb and added chicken for my entree which was filling even though the portion size was a bit small. My boyfriend had the ceviche and the tuna tacos. Both had great flavor but the ceviche was once again on the smaller side. Atmosphere: Definitely reminds me of Santa Monica, CA...light and airy with a lot of white decor. Two thumbs up Helpful hint: Check in on Yelp to receive a free cookie with a scoop of icecream!
(4)Antaash U.
This is probably the worst winter Chicago has seen in a while. So, what better place to ease those winter blues than a place with Summer in its name? I had the good fortune of dining at Summer House Santa Monica last night with a friend of mine. We were running a little late and called to delay our reservations, which the restaurant was more than happy to do for us. When we walked in, we were immediately accosted by one if the best reception sites ever! A fabulous dessert bar! I was so busy looking at all the homemade cookies and pastries that I forgot I should be checking in for my reservation. Anyway, the rest of the restaurant didn't disappointed either. The vibe was definitely California. Beachy. Trendy. The place was full of electricity and beautiful people. I don't know if it was pure coincidence, but there were quite a few tables with large parties of young women. Not a bad thing if you're a good looking single guy ;). The name, the white washed walls, the patio themed furniture, hanging plants and huge wood fire grill screamed California (in a non-overbearing way). The ceiling is also completely retractable, which unfortunately can only be enjoyed in Chicago 4 months out of the year but something to look forward to in the upcoming months. When we sat down, our server was happy to explain the concept for the restaurant to us since it was our first visit. She explained that the menu constantly changes, that a lot of products are locally sourced and that there is a lot of Asian influence in the menu. She also happily answered any questions we had. We started with the spicy calamari and the potato polenta mash. For my entree, I opted for the special, which was a 1,5lb grilled lobster on a bed of hand cut fries. My friend opted for the Dungeness crab pasta in a lobster butter. I thought the calamari was good but not great. I wish it had a little more kick to it and though the tempura was crispy, there was just too much of it, making the dish quite heavy. The potato polenta mash tasted like grits and was too salty for my taste. We only had a few bites of it each because it was not what we expected. Our entrees however fared much better. My lobster was amazing. I probably could have eaten another serving. The lobster was tender and the wood grill added a lovely flavor without compromising the sweetness or tenderness of the lobster. The handout fries were good but a little cold when I got my entree. To be honest, I didn't care since it was the lobster who was the real star of the show. I had a bite of the Dungeness crab pasta and it was really good too. I could see myself ordering that on my own. Finally, the dessert. This was one time, I was not leaving without dessert. We ordered the 7 layer fudge, peanut butter cake w/fresh whipped cream. It did not disappoint. The cake was moist and decadent. I'm glad we chose to split it because it was very rich. It was the perfect end to the meal. So, I definitely will go back to Summer House. There were quite a few things on the menu that caught my eye and it's a place my significant other would also really enjoy even with his picky eating habits. SH is definitely a crowd pleaser and a nice addition to the Chicago dining scene.
(4)Jill L.
Ambience: lively and trendy Food: If you're used to hearty Chicago style brunch food, you might be disappointed. Remember that the restaurant is California inspired so it tries to be healthy. I was not impressed with the hollandaise on the Benedict. The waffle was flabby. The portions were a tad small for the prices! Overall, the food was disappointing considering Yelpers love this place so much. Service: Table service was okay but be prepared to wait at the pastry counter if you're Asian. Terrible! *Edited: Wish I didn't have to endure the bad service at the goodie counter. The brownies I bought to savor at home are too sweet. All the calories you saved during brunch you will get back in one bite of their brownie. I love pastries but theirs are cloyingly sweet. All in all: if you want great ambience with good enough food, Summer House is the place to be.
(2)N S.
Food was ok just average ,in terms of my Cali role ! .The one in Cali is better. Problem with waitress !!! She was off. The bill was strange. Also we went late so there was no excuse for poor Svc. Lettuce is known for better Svc. Trying to make reservation was also a problem. Very young staff !! Per my partner he had the trout "extremely fresh & tasty". So my rating is based on start to finish
(3)Raul B.
Perfect location, perfect atmosphere and perfect food to satisfy your Santa Monica, CA experience. The outdoor (which is really indoor) room is awesome. It allows the patrons to believe that they are eating outdoors but in reality it is indoor. The actual outdoor patio is also a gem. The food and the bar has plenty of selections and it's priced right. Love having a quick meal at summer house whenever I'm in the area. Another tip: save room for dessert. The cookies and brownies are to die for:-)
(5)Susie C.
My friends and I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. We were there at 5:30pm..lots of tables were available but it seems to get busy around 6:30pm. The decor of the restaurant is so pretty! My friends and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setup of the restaurant.It definitely looks like having dinner at a lake house by the beach in sunny California. Our waiter was very nice. When we checked into Yelp, he knew we had a free cookie and ice cream from overlooking my phone, so dont forget to check in to get a free cookie with ice cream on top. For appetizers my friends and I started with the ahi tuna nacho...it was in the chilled section. This dish was VERY good! We ate it slowly so we can enjoy the flavors. We also had the guacamole and chips which was okay. My husband said the guacamole was lacking flavors..he felt the guacamole was a bit too bland. For entree I ordered the tuna tacos - so goood! 8 oz of tuna - outside cooked, inside rare..I love it! My husband ordered their roasted chicken which he enjoyed. Another friend ordered the surfer fish taco which he really like. What was cool about his dish was that his fish was a whole so he can slice up his fish to pieces. My other friend had the pork shank. Hers look unbelievable! She recommended us to order that the next thing we come. As sides, we ordered roasted brocoli and brussel sprouts. They were okay..we felt the brussel sprouts were overcooked so we couldn't taste the flavors. At the end we had our yummy fresh cookie and ice cream. It took awhile for it to come out but it was very good! I love this place - good food and the decor is amazing!
(5)Meng C.
Unfortunately, the food totally didn't impress. The environment was okay. Lots of good looking people and well dressed people among the customers tho. We were sat 20 minutes pass our reservation, we did get a complimentary starter dish from the manager, which was nice. During our 2.5 hr dining, we heard piles of plates or glasses dropped and shattered on the floor probably 2 maybe 3 times. The whole restaurant was really loud, we met an out of town friend there, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I felt we were yelling at each other the entire time across a small 4 seater table. The bakery items seem to be the highlight of the restaurant but they were out of the famous rice crispy cookie by the time we were ready for it....
(2)Tracy F.
Been here two times, back in December on a Tuesday and had a not so great experience. People who work there are nice but service is too slow for lunch. I made a reservation in December for a lunch team meeting. Took the waitress 20mins to come take our orders and another 45mins for the food to arrive on a not so busy Tuesday. We were done discussing business long before our food arrive. The food were alright, portions were big but we were not hungry anymore when they arrived. But I decided to give it another try recently for brunch Saturday in March with a friend. We were seated at a table by the bar which was very crowded. Waiting staffs kept on bumping to our chairs. The waitress never came to check on us. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Brunch food was amazing though. Had reservations both times and was seated within 5mins. Overall, their menu is good and healthy but definitely needs to step up with speed and services.
(2)Tavi J.
This place has an airy open atmosphere. They did a good job to make you feel like your in Cali. We had 1:30 reservations and good thing we did because otherwise it would have been an 1 1/2 hour wait! We were seated right away. We both order the chicken tostadas, which were good and I had the summerhouse punch that I thought was just okay. I've had better. We both checked in on Yelp and got the free cookie with ice cream promotion and that was a nice finish to the meal. This is a great brunch place to catch up with friends. I will be back :)
(4)Tim B.
I usually am a big fan of the LEYE restaurants nice atmosphere solid food and decent prices. Here they only hit on 1 of the 3 the atmosphere is nice and lively but it goes downhill from there. I won't get into too much detail but we had about 4 dishes at our table and each one was mediocre at best. $20 for sandwiches and $20-$30 for pasta seems absurd based on what you actually get.
(2)DC F.
I have been to Summer House twice now! Always a suggestion from my friend. Both times I felt the food was delicious and the staff was really attentive. The ambiance is great! I do wish they had a larger signature cocktail list... Because I've tried every single one and they are all delicious... I want more! We had the artichoke & spinach dip, hot mess of fries, ahi tuna tostadas, and the quinoa bowl. All of which were scrumptious.
(5)Kevin P.
Good environment great food great service. The salads were fantastic. Great flavor great portion. Would have given 5 stars but we were constantly swatting a few pesky flies.
(4)Justine G.
Love the brunch here. Everything is delicious from cocktails to their brunch & dinner menu. On weekends be sure to make a reservation in advance.
(4)Maria L.
I'm surprised people have given such high ratings for Summer House since the food was pretty mediocre and kinda overpriced. Although the beachy atmosphere is pretty nice when it's -20 degrees out. I tried the guac, tuna tartare, and pork ravioli and everything was good, but it was missing that extra oomph or audible "mmm" that places like Balena exhibit. Also the people watching is pretty interesting bc not only did Summer House transplant Cali beach vibes, but also the Real Housewives of the OC! Talk about rich ass plastic Lincoln Park moms. Overall the environment is pretty kewl at Summer House but the food is mediocre and lacks character.
(3)Mickey H.
Didn't get the best seat in the house, but hey, the waitress comped us an appetizer of Burratta, very good. We were attracted to most of the seafood items, Tuna Tostadas were a fantastic appetizer. Had the fish tacos and lobster orecchiette for entrees, the lobster dish was unreal. For desserts, I highly recommend the triple chocolate dish, amazing chocolate cake with some sea salt and peanut butter. If you're looking for something more refreshing, the cucumber mint ice dish was fantastic as well. Great service, we'll be back for sure!
(4)Mat M.
I recently dined at Summer House and really enjoyed my experience at the restaurant. The decor is great - and really does make you feel like you're on a beach. The menu isn't extreme - but the food and options really are accessible to all eaters. I dined with a group - here are some of the things we had: Guacamole Spicy Calamari Fish Special Pork Tacos Chicken Tacos The food was all really great - and the service was stellar. Summer House is a member of Lettuce Entertain You - so I appreciated getting my dining points. Another job well done!
(4)Emma K.
Dinner here last Monday with my parents and boyfriend was probably one of the best meals I've had in a while. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but totally worth it. Despite being below freezing outside, the inside really does feel like California, and was so light and comfortable. After hearing that the roof retracts in the summer, I can't wait to come back then too. We had managed to snag 8:00 reservations through Open Table, and were seated immediately in a booth by the kitchen (great seats for seeing all the delicious looking food come out!). Our waitress was great, and explained the menu concept to us. All of the food was amazing. My steak frites were so delicious and if I ever have to pick a last meal, this may be it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food a lot too - trout, tuna, and the burger. After seeing all of the desserts on display on the way in, we couldn't pass up looking at a dessert menu. We split two pieces of some chocolate peanut butter cake which was heaven on earth. I will be definitely be stopping in on my way home to grab some sweets soon!
(5)Gina T.
I loved the atmosphere here. I really felt like I was in California. I requested that my guests and I sit at the white booths in the back in the vitamin D room. Best seats in the house. Our server was super nice. We got the fries as appetizers which weren't too bad but I wish we got the calamari. I heard that is really good at summer house. I also got the salmon on shredded veggie salad which was okay as well. If you check in you get a free cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was really good. The champagne was great but as for the watermelon smash with vodka.... Eh. Not worth the $12. But without the vodka it's definitely refreshing and only $5. This is a great place to come to for lunch. I loved it. I will be back here soon. Maybe sooner than later.
(5)Alison B.
Food - mediocre for the price Ambiance - lovely but full of LPT's (lincoln park trixies) Waitstaff- friendly Host(ess) - been here twice and this is easily my biggest complaint. First time I came was during restaurant week. I had a reservation for 9PM - wasn't seated until 9:45 and food didnt come until 10:30. This is ridiculous. Not to mention, the hostess forgot my information which I had to repeat multiple times. She was not friendly at all. I understand that sometimes schedules get backed up which is why it is so important to be a warm friendly person when sharing this information. The second time I came was this past weekend for brunch. I had a 12PM reservation. While I was checking in, a UPS man had a delivery to make. When the UPS man approached the host, we no longer existed to him (the host). We gave him our name 3 times and again, not the slightest glimmer of friendliness. The snootiness levels that the host(ess)s have at this mediocre restaurant at best is a joke.
(3)Madison P.
If I could live in the restaurant, I would. Somehow, they were able to emulate summer in the dead of February. The ceiling made-up completely of windows the easy-going atmosphere, the multitude of greenery, and the countdown to summer that is posted on the wall make me crave summer all the more. We went for brunch, an extremely busy time, but it was totally worth it. I had steel cut oats with brown sugar and a grapefruit with organic sugar. To drink, I had their fresh-pressed orange juice- a must! For dessert, we split a cinnamon roll.. *drooling*.
(5)Natasha C.
Visited last night and it was good. Here are somethings you should know and do: 1.) make a reservation- it's busy and it cuts your wait down. Please note the reservation is more like "priority seating". You'll still have to wait at least 5-10 minutes if it's a busy night. 2.) check in with yelp and get yourself a free cookie w/ ice cream on top. Free is always good. 3.) if you like wine, get that "fizz" drink. So yummy. I could have had like 3. 4.) burrata- nuff said I'll return because I enjoyed the food.
(3)Brittany H.
Came here for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this a great summer spot, it will definitely be my go-to for escaping another winter in Chiberia. The service, food, and decor were great. The Cali theme here is adorable, and the food is definitely fitting. Everything on the menu is fresh, vibrant, and probably contains avocado. I tried the brunch special- a short rib hash with eggs and potatoes. It was the perfect brunch-sized portion, and the short rib was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be back to try their dinner menu. The drinks, though, weren't too impressive. The bloody mary was a little too horseradish heavy, and the summer drink my girlfriends tried was good, but a bit too sweet for brunch. Also, there was a pretty long wait, but I'm not surprised sine this place is relatively new. Finally, don't say goodbye to Summer House without stopping for a rice krispy treat cookie... or ten.
(4)Prajna A.
Too expensive. Poor service when the tables are not even half full. Warm and below average food. The only thing good was the ambience. 3 stars only bcoz of the ambience or I would give this place 1 star. I went in for brunch- ordered pancakes, French toast and Mexican hash brown- all were just OK. And the coffee was terrible .
(3)Brad W.
Great ambiance. California feel.. Open, bright, friendly.. Food was just ok..: but maybe just the French Dip I had. Fatty and no flavor. Cookies and desserts are outstanding. Great service. I will be back ...
(3)Morgan V.
Went here with a couple friends for someone's birthday lunch. The ambiance is great! Really relaxed and chill. The server was friendly and courteous. The portion size was perfect- I was full and satisfied.
(4)Haley S.
Had dinner here for my birthday last night. Crowded, but not too crowded. We split the ceviche, which was sesame and citrus cured, and had yellowtail and squid. My boyfriend had the trout, which he said was slightly undersalted but prepared perfectly. I had short ribs with bacon, wild mushroom and mashed potatoes that were perfect for last nights freezing weather. We shared the lemon tart for dessert that was perfect, with a touch of vanilla in the custard. I had two glasses of a lovely malbec, and we each had their tequila cocktail which was yummy. Expensive, but not ridiculous. Will definitely return.
(4)Amy S.
I looooove this place for brunch! I literally felt like I was in Santa Monica. We got the privilege to sit in the Vitamin-D room, and wow, did we get some all natural Vitamin-D! Sunglasses are recommended if you are sitting here for brunch. The drinks - Sunrise Punch - absolutely delicious and refreshing! The drinks are perfect - not too sweet and not too weak =) The food - everything I tried was delicious. The chicken tostadas are their #1 brunch item. It comes with two mini tostadas. I tried the egg white turkey omelette with avocado (trying to be healthy, siigh). Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked. If you check in on Yelp, you get a free cookie and ice cream. The cookies are INSANELY DELICIOUS. Try the rice krispie chocolate chip cookie! The rice cripsies are out of this world, yumm (okay not trying to be toooo healthy).
(5)Stephanie L.
Summer, summer, summer time! So we went here a day after the grand opening and it is an amazing place! I was truly impressed with how smooth things ran while we were there. I mean, it is a LEY restaurant so that probably helps out a lot. The food was pretty fantastic. We had tons of it... Sweet and spicy eggplant...good, but a little slimy Santa Monica Salad...yummy Guacamole and chips...delish Rainbow trout...delish, just wished the skin would have been crispy Bison Meatloaf...fav dish of the night...so flavorful Short Rib...yes please! Chocolate cake...heaven Also, I thought it would be super bright in there, but it wasnt. It was done really well. Retractable roof for summertime. Cheers! One thing that I found interesting was the music. One second we were listening to happy, beachy stuff and the next it was like dance club. Ha. They also have lots of pastries, cookies, etc at the counter in the front. I think eventually they will be opening for breakfast, brunch, etc. Check out Summer House for all of your S.A.D. needs :)
(5)Andreas D.
This review is for their brunch. We had horrible service as our drinks came out after the food, not only did they come out after the food one of them was the wrong drink as well. We had to wait and actually tell another server the issue since ours never came back to check up on us. We got the fries, there was barely any meat and no salt on them. The huevos rancheros were small and barely any flavor as well. The waiter apologized for the mishap and gave us a free chocolate chip cookie (my least favorite type of cookie), you already get that by checking in on yelp and you get to pick your own cookie. Would not come back for brunch and due to the service probably not dinner either.
(1)Casey A.
This is a go-to spot for a girls night, especially in the winter, as it makes you completely forget you are in a chi-town freeze! Instead, you're drinking wine in Nantucket (I know it's supposed to be Santa Monica but still) and eating some of the best burrata and some nicely grilled mahi. The wine is on the pricey side, but their selection is great - something for ladies that like the buttery chardonnay, a bright new zealand sauv blanc, or a crisp pinot. I agree with some of the reviews on the entree prices, but since I've stuck to my fav apps and tacos, so I'm not complaining.
(4)Jeremy C.
Brunch Review. Great ambiance for brunch. Great service. Candied Bacon. Really what else would you need to know? Oh yea, order the Diablo with your brunch. No problem with my reservation, seated immediately. Ask what's good and popular then order that, that's what I did. Easy to get here from the Brown Line. I'll be back to try dinner.
(4)Alena A.
Came here for brunch when the weather was still cold and I needed to feel like I'm somewhere else - like California! I loved the design of the restaurant. It has a very coastal feel with string lighting and palm trees. The food options are very health-conscious (if that's something you're looking for). I usually prefer extra greasy food for brunch but decided to make an exception. I had the Mission Street burrito with tofu chorizo.. While it was pretty good for tofu, I prefer actual chorizo meat. Their crispy hash browns were awesome - super crunchy. I would come back for dinner to see what they have to offer. A very cute spot for a date .
(4)Cearry B.
Two stars just for the ambience and decor. I've heard many great things about summer house so my family and I decided to give it try for my graduation brunch. We made a reservation and I was very excited to have Sunday brunch here. The atmosphere was very pretty I loved the decor and the open windows. We ordered the calamari and the bruschetta for our appetizer, the calamari was delicious but the bruschetta tasted nothing like a bruschetta and it was very small. After the appetizer things just went down hill. Our entrees took forever to come out. We saw a table who sat an hour after us get their food first. They were just a two top so I figured hey we have six people so of course theirs would come out first. But after ten more minutes the other table who came half an hour after us got their entrees, and they were a party of ten, ten people got their entrees before us and they came in after us. They also got appetizers so it wasn't because they ordered entrees right away. We looked at our server and asked why is everybody's food already out and ours is still not out yet? She said she would check. After ten more minutes our food came out, well most of our food. They forgot my entree. So my family and I sat there waiting for my entree to eat. I felt bad that my family waited to eat but it wasn't until another ten mins that my food came out. By that time everyone's food at my table were cold. Next, my father noticed that they didn't put the brown butter on his pasta of the day, so he barely ate it. Our server never did a quality check on our food, you know the part where the server asks how's everything tasting after two or three bites. That was sad because my father wanted to get something else to eat since the pasta was just hard and not very tasteful. She finally came to our table again we already finished eating. Our water was also never refilled. My parents cannot drink alcohol so they always just drink water and it sucks when you have nothing to drink at a restaurant while you're eating. At that point we just wanted to go home. It was sad because it was suppose To be my graduation celebration and ended up being a disappointment. We finally asked for the check. When our server dropped it off she began talking to us and complimenting my mothers purse and our gifts. We were confused on why she started to pay attention to us now when she dropped off the check but where were you when we didn't like our food or when we didn't have any water at our table? Overall our experienced sucked. When a guests comes to a restaurant we want to feel special and taken care of and summer house did a bad job. We felt like we were the only table that got bad service or went unnoticed while other tables looked like they enjoyed their experience. There was even a moment where my mother wished she was at the ten top table with their server because they had perfect timing on their food and their water was always filled. I don't know why we had to experience such bad service, but then again everybody there was Caucasian while my family and I was the only minority/ Asian-American there. Maybe she ignored us because she thought we'd be bad tippers since were not white but wrong! I've been a server for 8 years at many fine dining restaurants and I would never make my table feel this way. Come to the Terrace at the Trump and I'll show you how you're suppose to treat your guests.
(2)Jason G.
Great food. The flatbreads are really, really good. Kind of pricey, but the experience was decent. I'd recommend it to a friend.
(4)Deanna S.
Wow this place is simply gorgeous inside! If you ever want to visit the Hamptons without leaving Chicago, just check out Summer House. The white washed walls, dramatic white curtains, glass ceiling...it's beautiful. We went on a Monday with a group of girlfriends. I had made reservations so we didn't have to wait long. Can I just say how awesome it was to have a complete Gluten free menu (upon request)??? Love!! My friends and I split a hot mess of fries which was yummy. I ordered the short rib which did not disappoint and was very filling. Another friend ordered fish tacos (she loved them) and another got the sword fish (I think) but was turned off by the color. She didn't think it was cooked all the way and was a bit bland. My other friend got a pasta dish and wanted to lock the plate. We left full and satisfied and I can't wait till summer to go when the big windows are open to Halsted.
(5)Alex R.
All time favorite restaurant in Lincoln Park and perhaps Chicago. Although the food is amazing (especially Sunday brunch), the waitstaff and atmosphere make it even more special. Definitely try the sunrise burrito and the oatmeal.
(5)Justin G.
It's impressive that I think the food is just "pretty good" yet I love going there because of the atmosphere. Great, trendy spot worth checking out for sure.
(4)Lauren N.
Food ordered: Calamari- unique and reminded of glazed walnut shrimp the way it was lightly fried and covered with a chipotle glaze. Only con is that it was a bit unhealthy with all the mayo. Grilled halibut- very good, very well cooked. The sauce on the vegetables were a bit too creamy for my taste and kinda ruined the nutritional value of eating the veggies. Steak- my boyfriend ordered this. I ate a piece which was very good. A little too buttery but had a nice hint of lemon or lime. Pros: the decorum is so spot on. It's clean. The staff is nice. And I love the string lights. Pretty good wine selection. Cons: wayyyy too loud. I was sitting across the table from my boyfriend and I was tempted to sit side by side like those annoying couples who can't take a break from each other because it was THAT loud. I was also bored with the menu and it was my first visit. I recommend adding more unique entrees or specials and playing with more ingredients. Otherwise, it was a great experience!
(3)Catherine Y.
I LOVE the atmosphere here! it was pretty gloomy outside, snowing, and very windy and when we were seated, I forgot I was in Chicago mid-winter! it's so bright and inviting with the glass ceiling. the brunch food was great too, I ordered the salmon benedict which was fresh and delicious! I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the area.
(5)Courtney M.
Went to this restaurant while visiting my brother in Chicago. SO GOOD!!!!! The appetizers are amazing (I recommend the biscuits, guacamole with chips, and buratta) and the main dishes were even better. I got the tacos, but everyone was pleased with their dishes. The desserts looked so good, but I was so full I didn't try any! I do plan on going back for more as soon as I'm back in Chicago.
(5)James Z.
Leave it to Chicago to come up with this concept: a restaurant that evokes summertime all year 'round in a city whose brutal winter runs 6-8 months of the year. Only in Chicago! And funny as that sounds, that's kinda awesome. Having been born and raised in LA, I found this homage to West Coast warmth a bit entertaining. When you walk through the door at Summer House, you're met with this noticeable sign that says "____ days until Summer." You quickly notice a sizable bar area and around the corner, another huge dining room... so all in all, there are plenty of seats at this joint. There is also a bakery up front that sells pastries, cookies, etc. This was very much like Beatrix in River North -- a sister restaurant part of the Lettuce Entertain You group. My boyfriend and I were sat by a rather cheery host wearing a white and baby blue button-up. Now, I must note that the staff at Summer House all wear white/soft colors/beach-like attire. Whether that's through faded blue gingham shirts or white cocktail dresses, the staff exude Ibiza or Miami via apparel... (or in this case, clothing suitable for lounging in Santa Monica). The decor reflected the type of summer beach house you'd find in the Hamptons (not necessarily Santa Monica in my eyes). It is incredibly bright inside and all furnishings are patio-appropriate (I must say the abundance of lanterns and hanging ferns are lovely). While I knew this was going to be a somewhat kitschy spot, after seeing it myself, I can now safely say this was incredibly kitschy. If that's your jam, you'll love this. If you scoff at chain-like simulacrum, you'll scoff at their interiors. A quick observation on who is dining there... well, Summer House's clientele bleeds Lincoln Park. Not necessarily the "old money, old school" Lincoln Park, but the Lincoln Park scene that's younger and still appreciative of Wrigleyville nights. Let's just put it that way. "Bros" hanging with "bros," "bros" with their girlfriends, double dates of "bros" with their girlfriends, and interestingly enough, a very large amount of "girls' nights" tables surrounding the restaurant. Having said that, Summer House (at least that evening) was gender imbalanced: roughly 2/3rds of diners were female. Not sure why, but that was an interesting observation. Now, the reason why the crowd can be a little disconcerting is because well... some of them don't know how to control themselves. A couple at the table near us was acting like this was their private bedroom while a group of six ladies in their late 20s/early 30s were acting like they were waiting in line for "Thunder from Down Under." One woman got out of her seat, but strongly pushed mine in the process of leaving the table. She was drunk and asked a stranger to take a picture of them. I was annoyed largely because (since I was sitting on a stool), she shook me and almost made me knock over the drink I was sipping on... (Girrrll... Get it together! It's a Thursday at 8, okay?) and even better, (probably because she was so intoxicated), she didn't apologize -- and neither did her friends. Classy. In the meantime, our server - while pleasant - was almost nowhere to be found. She didn't provide much information about the menu or the food in general. She seemed minimally interested, and rather than perhaps sharing something interesting about their cuisine, she just took our order without elaboration or intonation in her voice. Perhaps her lack of excitement was because the food itself wasn't very exciting. We ordered the spicy calamari ($10.95). The flavors and texture of the calamari were good, but unfortunately, that sauce was over-kill. I don't know what their rationale was for this, but the beautiful tempura batter of the calamari was covered (if not drenched) in that very rich and creamy sauce. The chives and lime luckily helped cut through that richness, but it was still a bit much. And even more interesting was the fact that the sauce came also on the side for more dipping. How much more sauce do you need? Yikes. We also ordered the ahi tuna tostadas ($12.95) which were good, but not particularly memorable. The watermelon, however, added a lovely bite and because it camouflaged with the ahi tuna, you couldn't tell upon each bite which you'd be getting. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower which was solid ($8.95), but overpriced for portion and creativity. We also ordered the prime beef short rib ravioli ($14.95). The sauce of braising juices and sherry vinaigrette rounded out the flavors, but it lacked a little bit of seasoning. Ultimately, I was a bit disappointed in Summer House. Perhaps this place is more appropriate for brunch because their dinner menu (and not to mention the service and ambiance) made for an "okay" experience. It wasn't disastrous, but out of all the restaurants I visited during my recent Chicago visit, this was definitely my least favorite. Well, at least I was able to experience "summer" indoors.
(2)Kristin M.
If I could give stars for service, ambiance, and food, I'd give Summer House Santa Monica 5 for service, 5 for ambiance, and 4.5 for food. Compared to the first time I had dinner here, the food seemed vastly improved. The menu has changed somewhat as the restaurant has settled in, and I was extremely happy with the changes. I went for a date night on a weekend night, and it was busy the whole time, but that only added to the fun, light, and airy ambiance. The retractable roof was open, and the plants hanging from the ceiling made it feel like you were steps away from an oceanside boardwalk or a beach. We started with the biscuits that are made to order, and we were wow'd by the herbed butter and honey. The entrees were hearty portions but not so large you felt as if you immediately needed a to-go box. I was really impressed by the fish tacos, as I was expecting the typical pre-assembled tacos with battered and fried fish inside; instead, I was served a mahi-mahi filet with several fixings and a side of corn tortillas that I could arrange as I liked! Additionally, my date's english muffin hamburger tasted like it was right off of the grill as a summer picnic, and the french fries were hit-the-spot yummy. For drinks, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails (all good) and I was able to try an off-the-beaten-path South African Chenin Blanc, per the great suggestion of our stellar server. As well, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the other staff including the GM of Summer House and Stella Barra--a great experience overall. Must go if... you're tired of the same old, same old, dark Chicago sports bars; you want an excellent dining experience; you wish it were summer all year round.
(5)Kelly P.
We chose this for a birthday group outing as per walking by often and liking the look of the place. When we were escorted to a table after an easy reservation process, we were not disappointed. The aesthetics of the place are a dream. The look is awesome. Our waitress suggested good wines, so we got two bottles. Our group got two appetizers as well, which were good: the spinach dip and the guacamole. We each got fantastic entrees. The Yelp check in even allowed a free dessert. I suggest this place to all. It's not too fancy, but it's nicer than the local burrito place. A good spot for a date night.
(5)Nancy P.
This place makes my heart happy. Extremely knowledgable staff about being gluten free, with many GF options to pick, including cookies! If I could, I'd eat here everyday. The burrata is heaven.
(5)Kaleigh G.
This is the perfect escape from the winter cold! The decor and atmosphere really is straight out of Santa Monica and it makes even the most loyal Chicagoan like myself want to buy a ticket to California ASAP. The countdown to summer (still over 100 days) doesn't help much with that wish either. I thought the food was delicious but slightly overpriced. The "mess of fries" is outstanding, as are the portion sizes in general. I got the lobster special, which is a great deal for lobster, but unfortunately, mine was a little cold. Everyone I went with really enjoyed their meals, but I was a little sad about mine not being piping warm. Definitely save room for dessert though, as you can pick up amazing cookies right on your way out the door!
(3)Mike D.
i've been here 6 times, and there's a good chance I go back because I live in the neighborhood and there isn't much competition for this place. Basically, the problems are the ridiculous slowness of the service, the prices (everything is 20%+ too high for amount you get). Compared to Gibson's for the prime rib au jus, steak frittes with other higher end places, etc. The atmosphere is very cool and decent looking people frequent it. I've never had good service there. I don't requre a lot, just basically if my water is empty and the carafe is empty, to just fill it up. I hate tipping $18 when we had 2 smaller martinis and 2 smaller entrees. I could go on, but that's enough. We've had to wait over 10 mins for a high chair 2 times. Just stuff that shouldn't happen. They said they'd check the stroller, so we left it near the entrance/exit. No one touched it and it was just sitting in the same place on the floor. Just odd. Basically the whole place is serviced by young people who don't really know about waiting tables at a place where the average entree is $20+
(1)Phil C.
The best thing about this place is the atmosphere and the service. Great addition to Lincoln Park - draws a nice, diverse crowd. In short, if you are looking for a comfortable and social atmosphere, this is a great spot; If you are looking for exceptional food, the french dip at Hugo's Frog Bar is much better. Phil
(3)Robyn S.
What a great restaurant and the experience I had there was more than I expected. Lauren was our server and she was very knowledgeable with everything on the menu and made some great suggestions. She was very friendly and adorable. The food was delicious and she went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and unforgettable. I will definitely be back!
(5)Anna G.
Great experience all around. Had a reservation for 2 on Saturday night and were promptly seated (although it was in the bar-ish area rather than the main part). Our server was friendly. Drinks were good, but not necessarily strong. The best part of the meal were the ahi tuna tostadas. I could've eaten an entree version of those! For the mains we had the fish tacos and the braised pork ravioli, would recommend both. The space is gorgeous. I just wish they'd start serving brunch as it'd be the perfect location with the openness and glass roof.
(4)Mary H.
I couldn't be more thrilled that this awesome restaurant just opened in my neighborhood. I accidentally came on opening night and wow -- was blown away. Everything about the experience was phenomenal. Summer House is going to be a huge contender for the yuppity crowd that dines out in this area. The decor is fresh and inviting. I can't wait to come in the summer when their retractable roof opens! The food was delish and featured a wide variety of selections that could please anyone. I liked that they offer small and large plates on their menu, as some of us aren't always in the mood to share ;-) During my visit, we got the hamachi tartare (divine), the calamari (amaze) and the pork ravioli (yum yum). Everything was so good and the combination of things we ordered was truly unique. With a bottle of wine and the three dishes our bill came out to about $100 with tip, not bad for a nice dinner. I definitely will be frequenting this place as often as the budget allows it!
(5)Deborah R.
We had a lovely luncheon with family. Dark and Stormy is a wonderful drink! Every bodies meals were terrific except mine which was a tuna salad. Don't get it. The gluten free chocolate cookies were to die for on the way out. Yum !
(4)Nicole L.
They have a great Saturday brunch! The ambiance is awesome as well!
(4)Noelle W.
I was skeptical with the prices for what seems to be a simple menu, but the food was great. For a round of drinks, app, 2 entrees, tea & 2 espressos the tab was $90 with tip -- not horrible considering the variety of what we ordered We started with the calamari - Summer House's is best calamari I've had in the city, maybe ever. Really crispy, just enough spicy & great dipping sauce. My boyfriend ordered the burger w/side salad & it was excellent. The side salad was better than your average side salad. We also ordered the prime rib french dip. It was good, but if you don't like rare meat, don't order - It was very pink and not warm throughout. I enjoy my red meat rare-medium rare so this did not bother me. Fries were just a tad too salty for my liking, wish I had gone with the side salad Overall, great restaurant, attentive staff. Great addition to the area. It takes a lot for a restaurant to impress my boyfriend & he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back!
(5)KAREN S.
Awesome atmosphere! Really great decor and bright, they got it right making you feel like you are in California. I ate dinner there this past Sunday night, it was their third night open. Felt like you were sitting in a Crate and Barrel kind of, but nothing wrong with that. Food was good, we ordered the guacamole and chips for starters and then each ordered a salad; I got the Beverly Hills Tennis Cub--good but definitely not a big portion. A salad could easily be a starter and then get an entree. The price point is kind of high, but its a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Our waiter was great, very attentive and we asked him a lot of questions and he told us that they had a month long training to understand the menu-which is great! The manager stopped by our table to see how we were liking everything. I would definitely go back and try an entree. And they are opening a pizza kitchen that is connected to Summer House in a few weeks, so I will be checking that out too.
(5)Regina F.
More like 3 1/2 stars... Yelp, when are you going to give that option btw? Anyways, came here for brunch with a friend a couple of months ago. I had the roasted veggie hash and also shared a side of cali grapefruit with my friend. The food was decent/good, but nothing crazy spectacular to me. The restaurant itself definitely reminds me of Cali with it being in a huge sunny greenhouse feel. This alone makes any brunch or lunch a plus, especially since we don't have anything, or much like this in Chicago. And we Chicagoans know our dark and gloomy winters last 6 months out of the year. Being said, I'd definitely come back for brunch/lunch. I also wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner as well.
(3)M G.
Two confirmed cases of food poisoning, avoid the French Dip! Wine list was disappointing and the uncaring and uneducated waitstaff regarding the wine list was even more disappointing. Stella Barra next door has a better wine selection and great pizza.
(1)Lo S.
Glad I tried summerhouse! Food was good ambiance was nice. Tried several dishes. Guac and chips were okay, generous guac portion. Brussels sprouts were undercooked. Burger was good veggie options not bad either! Ice cream was really good! Good experience but definitely not my fav!
(4)Emily C.
What a bright and cheery place! I instantly felt like I was somewhere other than freezing, snowy Chicago. We started with the hot mess of fries and they hit the spot - fries, pork, egg, blue cheese AND truffle. Seems like it would be too much but it was delicious. Also loved both the ahi tuna and hamachi tartare - very fresh. I actually had the hamachi as my entree, but the other dishes I tried were very good. The atmosphere was definitely the best part. Loved the bar, restaurant, ceiling, front area - the whole theme! 333/365
(5)Kelly C.
wow, this place is the worst. first of all, it's a beautiful space. that's where the good part ends. The food was pretty darn bad. I had a lettuce entertain you gift card--i wish i had used it at one of the other pretty bad lettuce restaurants. the menu is not in season. it's called "summer house" and it's summer, so why are there so many root vegetable heavy dishes using ingredients that are out of season? i ordered what was described as the "best dish" on the menu as described by our water. gee, i hope not. it was a pasta dish. not only was the pasta absolute mush, but it was missing two ingredients. there were only 3 ingredients in the dish besides the pasta. i pointed this out to our waiter and instead of plating me another portion with the right ingredients, i got back a re-purposed version of my entree with the missing ingredients thrown on top. oh good, now the pasta is even more soggy and disgusting. my husband ordered steak frites which was terrible. cut wrong, underseasoned, cooked wrong, and served with unsalted fries. really? how can you screw up steak and fries for $25? other things: "ran out" of biscuits, cookies, sparking wine, etc. overall, the worst place ive eaten at in chicago.
(1)Elizabeth Z.
Decided to give Summer House another try after my less than filling brunch a few weeks ago. The manager had reached out too me suggesting I come back to see if they could make the experience better (the fact that they took the time to reach out in itself speaks volumes about the business). Took my mother in law for Saturday brunch, had a 11:30am reservation and were seated promptly in the main (sunny and bright) dining room. Since I had breakfast before, admittedly a small portion, we both decided to order off the lunch menu. We both ordered the chicken sandwich which came with a side salad. When our food came out, we both commented "wow" about the heaping salad and big sandwich. The salad was one of the best I've eaten - greens mixed with shaved vegetables, quinoa and sunflower seeds - YUMMY and HEALTHY and FILLING (we both took our sandwich leftovers home). We will definitely be back!! Tip: if you're hungry or looking for a larger portion, stick with the lunch side of the menu :). Thanks to our server and Corey for such a pleasant dining experience!!!
(5)Kris R.
overall, pretty good, and you get what you pay for. beautiful atmosphere. it feels summer-y, obvi. but summery, like, all the time. i brought blonde friend here to cele her day of birth. we made our rez at 8 but got there at 7, bc that's how we rolled that day. we sat at the bar and ended up staying there all night. the men tending bar were real nice. we ordered and split: the scallops. delish, green sauce was good. scallops were on the small side, but no biggie. the kale salad. yeah, again, pretty good. the goat cheese + beets. again, another winner. we didn't actually order this but he let us keep it anyway, for the price of free.99. THE BISCUITS. totally worth it the wait. comes with a poblano butter and some honey. this shit was real. however the man tender forgot to put the order in, and it came out pretty late. again, still worth it. and they took it off the tab. checked in on the yelp and got a free cookie (sea salt choc chips) and vanilla ice cream. pretty good. oh i totes forgot about the drinks. watermelon drink? add vodka. their new zealand sauv blanc is on point as well. so, with all the free food, our tab was still $40 a person. it's expensive, but again, you pay what you get and that's pretty good food in a sexy atmosphere. they did it right.
(4)Eliska O.
ok, so we requested a table outside..we waited fairly 40 mins, and even tho I could see they had table outside they wouldn't seat us there. It wasn't that busy- Saturday at 2.30 pm. We ordered bunch of food, and my husband really hates anything with vinegar. We ordered tomatoes with herbs and olive oil..and guess what..it came with vinegar. Our waitress was really nice, and she said no problem, and took it from our bill.that places was pretty pricey I've been to better places in Chicago..don't feel the need to come back.
(2)Faydra D.
During this brutal winter, let Summer House take you to a warm happy place... my husband and I 1st came here in December and due to the awesome gluten free menu decided it would be a perfect place to bring sister dear on her birthday. So on January 9th we brought my sis and her man as well as my brother to Summer House. I hesitated with 5 stars mainly because both times we waited around 15 minutes for our reserved table. The staff is very nice and come prepared with recommendations. On this evening our table ordered the Skate wing with soba noodles and bok choy Pork shank with summer root smash Bison meatloaf with mash potato Skirt Steak and fritas Brussell sprouts Yellow beets Guacamole Fresh burrata Shaved veg salad And for dessert Choc martini Must say there were no complaints from anyone. We were all satisfied without being stuffed. i had the skate and it was perfect. I tasted the pork shank and it was flavorful, without being too salty. The cocktails are good and they have a nice fun and fresh theme to them. This place is great for a girls night out, date night and groups. Summer house is a fantastic addition to my Lincoln Park neighborhood. Happy to have such a bright place that that takes me away from this depressing cold. Can't wait for the summer when the retractable roof is revealed!
(4)Emann B.
Big airy space and excellent service. Tasty starters were good all around (guac, tostadas, hot mess fries). Pork shank was Flintstone sized and tender, skate was good but the sauce was too much soy and not much else. Pumpkin chiffon pie was heavenly.
(4)Farrah D.
Reminds of California! They nailed the food, decor, and vibe! I went for brunch and had the spinach dip and a breakfast burrito; also got a pot of delicious ginger flavored tea and a lemon pistachio cookie from the cart. Everything was so tasty - I could not stop eating! Love!
(5)Pam G.
Went for the first time last night. We were celebrating my son getting married so we had a large party and grandparents with us. Great idea with decorating especially in the winter. The dinning area has a glass ceiling giving it a greenhouse feel. Music was very loud Couldn't hear or have conversation. We had a table for 6. Food was excellent! Our table had short rib ravioli. swordfish ,lobster frits, salmon ,loaded fries and steak and fries. Everyone loved their dinner! Service was very friendly. We also had the calamari and guacamole which were also good. Loved the food but not the volume of noise.
(4)April G.
This place is amazing! The only reason I give it 4 stars is we had a 9pm reservation and didn't get sat until 10pm. It was a zoo! But the manager made up for it and brought us a bunch of appetizers on the house.. Every thing we had was absolutely amazing. For an entree I had the short ribs and they were by far the best short ribs I've ever had! Definitely will be back but hopefully not when its crazy packed again!
(4)Elise R.
This restaurant is AMAZING! The ambiance is beautiful and the décor is perfect, I really felt like I was in California. The service was spectacular and the food was delicious. It is a great place for a date, out with the girls, or with a group! The menu is reasonably priced and has enough of a variety, but not too many choices where it's overwhelming. Make a reservation there now!
(5)Lauren R.
Wow the brunch was amazing! I am only reviewing that part. I also made reservations cause it gets super packed. Loved my server and the food was perfect. I will be back soon!
(5)Katie K.
I've been here a couple times for brunch and once for dinner. Brunch is definitely better. Great refreshing juice options and pretty reasonably priced if you aren't drinking alcohol (but like, why wouldn't you?...) so I'm happy to add this into my brunch rotation. Great little patio and good ambiance. Get a cookie with ice cream, you won't regret it.
(4)Keaton W.
Went here for restaurant week, and couldn't ask for a better experience. I had a reservation but was asked to wait while they cleared some tables, so we went to the bar for a drink (great cocktails, by the way). Went back to the host to check on our reservation about 10 minutes later and were seated immediately with an outpour of apologies. As we were seated our server brought us a complimentary appetizer for waiting. Everything on the restaurant week menu was brought to us in ample timing and tasted so fresh, like it was cooked right then. A lot of times I feel that these restaurants make a lot of the dishes ahead of time, to prepare. Our server was always gracious and helpful. At the end of our meal, he even reminded us of the wine that came with our restaurant week menu. Great experience and wonderful food. Will definitely come back again.
(5)Tammy Q.
Two thumbs up for the decor -- loved the white space and laid back California feel. 1.5 thumbs for the food and I could see myself coming back with another group of friends. Apps were good; loved the roasted cauliflower with jalapeno sauce and hot mess fries. Was not a fan of the brussel sprouts. The burrata felt mushy and I was in love with the tomatoes more than the burrata! Main dishes were ohhhkay. I was looking forward to the bucatini with forest mushrooms and braised pork ravioli, but it under delivered for me. A girl can't have it all, right? The chocolate banana cookie with vanilla ice cream saved the day though. I loved every bite of it. It was a good way to round out the meal.
(4)Someone Y.
Corey, the gm for this place, leaves something to be desired. I love the food, but hate the manager. Lettuce should know better than to hire a GM that has personality conflicts.
(1)Colin D.
Most people don't know the restaurant is actually called "Summer House Santa Monica." People were saying they are confused when they walk in because they are greeted with a pastry display. However, 2 of the 4 people I was dining with grew up in Cali and when they sat down the first thing they said (without knowing the full title) was "This feel like a restaurant in Santa Monica" The food was excellent. I highly recommend the calamari. Everyone really enjoyed their dishes. The waitress, Hope, even accommodated a dish make it more Paleo approved for my friend. She was very attentive during the whole meal. The restaurant is very well lit. I will really enjoy coming here in the middle of the winter to give me more of a Summery feeling.
(4)Stassi S.
1- star: Adding new experience:2/8/14 Called last weekend to make a reservation- called first during hours of operations- I was put immediately on hold for over 6 minutes- then I finally hung up. The next day I called- in the afternoon when they are not open for service- the lady who answered the phone was immediately rude. I asked to make a reservation and she said we only have 5 pm or 10:30 pm. Did not ask how many people in my party. Just not impressed with customer service. Being busy all the time does not mean you will be successful, if you treat customers rudely. 4-stars: Really like this place! Love the atmosphere, white & bright everywhere. Service has been good everytime. Sad they got rid of the pork raviolis and the front lounge seating. Our chicken pasta was salty and some-what bland. But they are still newer on the scene so I'm sure they will just improve.
(2)Christel R.
love this spot for lunch, dinner & in between. food has flavor, wine comes in nice pours, and service is great! the cookies are such a treat, and i would recommend trying one :)
(5)Yana N.
Like a SoCal oasis in the middle of Midwest! Great ambience and amazing fresh dishes! Unlike other restaurants this one has it's separate baking station at the front entrance with fresh cookies! Yes please!
(5)Kathryn R.
Amazing brunch! We got the banana muffin to start (crispy with a little sugar on the outside and the middle tastes like they put 3 banana's into it). After I got the kale and cheddar omelette with a side of Avacado and the hashbrowns. My friend got the Breakfast Tostadas. Both were delicious. The staff was very nice and the service was great. The atmosphere was really nice, bright and fresh. I also loved the bar - perfect place to post up and have a mimosa and still feel like you are outside (even when you are not). Would definitely recommend.
(5)Marilyn D.
Really terrific energy here! Great for people watching, and a perfect place to meet up with girlfriends or a first date. I hosted a dinner party for 16 and the menu was fantastic, the spicy calamari, trout and blueberry tart were all amazing:) And the wine selection was awesome. A little less than excited by the cocktail menu, oh well...
(5)Neena V.
What is up with the 4pm opening time!? Be prepared the place is a mad house! The wait staff makes up for it and the management is very personable, but beware the hostesses ..not so friendly. Kids plates are perfect and adult food is good. We will be back!
(4)Steven P.
Had dinner at Summer House last night and was really excited to try it out considering all of the hype. The build out of the restaurant is pretty neat. Open and airy except in the bar area. If you can sit in the open air part of the restaurant I suggest it. The menu is available online. Check it out before going. Appetizers) We had the Chips and Guacamole and the fresh burrata. For the price it was a little disappointing. The Guac definitely needed salt. The burrata was good but needed a little more arugula. Main dish) We had the Ahi Tuna taco, Surfer Taco and the Steak Frites. Note that the tacos are deconstruted so you put them together. Comes with salsa and guacamole - lacked flavor. The Tuna was ok. The frites (french fries) tasted like they were frozen out of a bag. The steak was good and tasty. The tacos are way over priced but you are in Lincoln Park so people will pay it. Service. There is not enough room between the seats in the middle of the dinning room so you constantly feel the precense of the back waiter, front waiter, server, etc. To be honest I couldn't keep track of how many people were walking around. And the bus boys kept coming back around to ask if we were done and could take our plates. They also removed martini glasses before we were done without asking. That was pretty annoying. There are so many different options in the city with LEYE, check out their other options. Great to see the concept but nothing makes us want to return. Price per person (app - shared, entree and two glasses of wine w/ tip) ~$70pp
(3)Mark V.
I had to make a reservation over a month in advance just to get a table on a Saturday, so my expectations were sky high. Yet, aside from the beautiful scenery (both the room and the people), the experience could only be described as mediocre. Nothing I ate made an impression, and the best dish from the entire evening was the brussel sprouts, which should not be the case when you are spending over $300 for 4 people. None of my fellow diners had much good to say about what they ordered and we all left feeling disappointed and somewhat ripped off. The only saving grace from the entire evening was the apple fritter cookie my friend purchased at the bakery counter on the way out, but it wasn't quite enough to sweeten our mood by that point. Simply put: Chicago has far better to offer in this price range.
(2)Jonathan W.
This restaurant has a lot going for it. Great location and of course beautiful decor. Unfortunately the food was just okay. I had fish and it was pretty good, tad overlooked halibut but good. However not very memorable. Cookies were the best part. Delicious s'mores cookie and choc chip cookie. Otherwise pretty mediocre.
(3)Jonathan S.
Great place for groups of 4 or 6. It's always bustling. Bright and airy with good food.
(4)George J.
Go go go run here great place in Lincoln Park .. Great food great vibe and they have parking .. You will love it prices are excellent and food is so delicious and healthy ..
(5)Rachel P.
I had a girls' night out here recently and we loved the atmosphere! We also had excellent service. The reason I'm not rating it higher is because, as other reviewers have said, we had a reservation (late in the evening) and then had to wait even longer. Honestly, I've never been to a restaurant that couldn't honor a reservation promptly. They need to improve on this. I had their draft cocktails which were very delicious and refreshing, however for $10 I'd expect them to be stronger. We only tried the ahi tuna tostadas and those were delicious, but, for the money I wish we'd gotten a bit more. The prices on everything else looked on the high side. Since we loved the atmosphere so much I would file this more under a "special occasion" place due to the prices rather than a place I'd go to often. I'll definitely come back but probably more for just drinks in the bar area than a full meal.
(3)Stacey K.
There's a sign on the wall at Summerhouse that reads YES...kind of says it all. Starting with the impeccable hospitality of the manager, TJ, to the incredible FOOD.....roasted cauliflower, killer biscuits , Ahi tuna tostados, mouth watering , but wait, there's definitely more!! Spicy Calamari the likes of which I have never tasted, combination of spice, lime, chives, and I don't know what!! SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Wood grilled halibut sounds boring, But NOT last, chocolate chip cookies with rice crispy treats. REALLY. Best restaurant experience I've had in a while. visiting from NYC, so impressed Cannot say enough about the knowledgeable, professional, attentive,welcoming, and adorable TJ. relaxing southern California feel...RUN, Don't walk.
(5)Candace S.
Beautiful space that reminded me a lot of home in Southern California. Was excited to try this restaurant as I used to go to M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica all the time. The menu was great, however, far too over priced. Our food was good, but given all of the great restaurant options in Chicago that are a lot more fairly priced I'm not sure if I'll go back.
(3)Meghan S.
Good food. Nice ambiance. Not easy to get a reservation. They have a big focus on the fact that their food is west coast inspired.
(4)David L.
Good food, great sunny atmosphere. The breakfast tostadas are awesome! Valet, which is handy in this neighborhood. 4 instead of 5 stars as $20 for tacos feels a tad overpriced.
(4)Veronica D.
Ambiance is very nice.....it does seem like you are in California somewhere dining outside. I had the Salmon Hashbrown benedict and it was delicious. The Hollandaise sauce they use is very good! I also had a side of the apple chicken sausage and it was very delicious. The servers were great. Everyone was very welcoming and accomodating. The last few times I have gone, I have gone with reservations for brunch and both times was seated right away!
(4)Jackie G.
The name definitely fits the place. Very laid back, bright and feel like you're right off the beach because you feel the breeze from outside as the large garage door is open.
(4)Annie O.
I went with a group of girlfriends here on a Friday night. My friend had made 9pm reservations ages in advance and we were all so excited to try it since we'd heard such great things. We arrived at the restaurant around 15 minutes early, so we decided to get a drink at the connected bar. I was immediately impressed with the ambiance of Summer House. It has a "country club on the beach" vibe to it. Right when you walk in there is a bakery stand where patrons can purchase cookies, muffins, and other goods. There is also plenty of room for waiting and lounging (more details on this later). Another thing I noticed was that there were people of all ages there (my friend who had been before said she has seen children there during brunch hours), but this definitely isn't just for the younger crowd. Everyone can appreciate this place. We were there on a chillier night so unfortunately the ceiling windows were not open, but it was still cool to look up and see the night sky. I also liked that the ceilings were so high and there were hanging plants everywhere. It really feels like you're at an upscale beach house. At the bar, my friend and I both asked for the waiter's advice for a drink that was refreshing and not too sugary. He was very quick to suggest the Sonoma Coast which I would highly recommend to those looking for a similar spirit. At 9:05 when our table still wasn't ready, we made our way to the lounge/waiting area. The 9 of us could easily fit around one table in the over sized comfy chairs and couches. We ended up not being seating until 10pm! An hour after our reservation time. Normally I would have been angry since it was so late already, but the manager, Corey, totally made up for it. He bought our group a round of drinks and 2 rounds of appetizers (2 plates of each, 4 plates total). In my opinion, this was much better than being seated on time and MORE than made up for our delayed table. Thank you Corey! By the way - the apps were delicious! (first was chips and guac, second was this avocado/chicken bite-sized tostada thing. I don't remember the name). I ended up getting the pulled pork tacos and they were the best I have ever had! This pork was so tender and sweet and juicy. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I tried some of my friends halibut and mashed potatoes - the potatoes were really to die for. Wow. Because of this excellent food and generous service I will definitely be returning!
(4)Marc F.
Second visit to town we tried the brunch menu New Year's Day. While the person that answered the phone about an hour before opening stated they were completely booked for the day, we decided to get there at opening and take our chances. Reception staff was much more accommodating than phone staff, as we were seated promptly at opening (interesting that we had a leisurely breakfast and the restaurant never reached 60% full before we left some 90 min later). We had an early dinner the night before so we felt we might have over ordered. Our waiter was more than appreciative of our choices and paced our selections like a well seasoned conductor. Bloody Mary was thin and weak for me but in WI we serve them with cheeseburgers, venison jerky and a 1/2 of cheese! Mimosa was great as it was waiter served from beverage cart just steps away. A must is the cottage cheese pancakes....probably the best breakfast entree I have ever had. The lemon curd spread accompaniment is addicting! ...and this was our first course... Brunch entrees were good but tough to match the pancakes. Love the atmosphere and the waiters wearing sunglasses during service. Room is beautiful and can't wait to try in great Chicago summer weather when everything is open.
(4)Deborah H.
My birthday compliments of my daughters. We went on Sunday (they don''t open until 4 p.m. really?) No one was in the place so we were seated promptly in a booth in the bar. Nice music and atmosphere but that's about all. Food: I had the salmon (very under-cooked and cold), one daughter had the Crab Pasta (pasta was hard and cold) and the other plate was the the fish plate with the bok choy (super salty but at least hot). We also shared the "hot mess" fries which were actually good. Reminded me of a designer version of Poutine without the gravy. We were seated in the bar and the service was o.k.. The food however, left a lot to be desired. Also, my daughter had made sure they knew it was my birthday and something was to arrive to the table she though but did not. Too bad, it's those little things that make or break a place in my opinion. With such a limited menu you would think they would get each dish right every time but this was a huge fail in my opinion. Save your money, not worth the $21+ for entrees here. I would not return to eat but maybe to have a drink in the summer. Boo to this place for the food though.
(2)Coll P.
Went early on a Sunday morning without a baby...and I definitely stuck out. The space is beautiful, but our table was covered in crumbs and some of the glasses had stains. I'm sure this is because of a busy/late Saturday night, but gross. I had the eggs benedict and while it was good, the hollandaise and eggs were lukewarm. Glad I checked it out, but won't be hurrying back.
(3)Sarah W.
Ok so to be fair haven't gotten our food yet but the decor is awesome. SoCal all the way... Dig!
(4)Kelly M.
My girlfriends and I dined her last night and had wonderful service from Erik, what a wonderful experience. We truthfully ended up here by a fluke (our first dinner choice was closed for the night),therefore we did not have reservations and sat on the patio aka lobby. At first we were like whoa this is strange, but in the end it worked out perfectly, especially since we able to gaze at the delicious cookies (BRILLANT IDEA). We each had a glass of wine, which was fine, yeah seemed pricy, but not terrible. We love splitting food when we go out, we had the burrata (it was my first time having it, and it was a delicious, delightful, mouthwatering, cheese experience. We also had the harvest salad which had delicious pieces of apple in it. The fish tacos were good, I wouldn't said the best ever, but definitely good. My FAVORITE was the roasted cauliflower, omg..... it had just the right spice and I seriously want to eat it every day forever. Of course we couldn't pass up the cookie bar, I picked up a few cookies to bring home, and I wish I would have purchased one of each. The chocolate chip, might be the best I have ever tasted, and the gingersnap is even better. I will definitely be back, the décor is great, brightly lite, and the staff was very friendly.
(5)Carol K.
This was our second time eating at Summer House. The first time was back in January. And just as before, everything was delicious. We started with the spicy grilled calamari and caramelized Brussels sprouts, because we had these the first time and loved both. I had the Maine lobster orecchiette and my husband had the pork tacos. They were both delicious and exactly the right portion size. My husband did find the tacos a little hard to eat. The coffee is good and the desserts we shared were yummy: warm date cake with mascarpone cream and cherry crumble with cheesecake ice cream. I liked the date cake the best. They have very good coffee. I think the wines by the glass are a little expensive. The restaurant has obviously gotten very popular since we were unable to get a reservation later than 4:30 on a Saturday and it was plenty busy at that time. One other thing: someone mentioned that the cookies sold up front are now half the size for the same price. Well, they looked just as huge as ever to me. Maybe that was a brief experiment. This is my favorite new restaurant of the year.
(5)Diane P.
Our evening at Summer House was fabulous! It's lovely and had a lively atmosphere. The service was outstanding, warm and friendly. All of our food was delicious. Our group loved the short ribs, halibut and quinoa and forbidden black rice bowl. My personal favorites were the ahi tuna tostadas, super green salad and chocolate chip with sea salt cookie.
(5)Andrea G.
I really wanted to love Summer House and tried it on two separate occasions but, both times, it was average to below average in every way other than the bright "summer" decor which was cheerful and much appreciated during this terrible Chicago winter (and I am sure will be equally as lovely in the spring/summer when they open the roof). If you're looking for good food and service as well as ambiance in that neighborhood though (especially a hostess staff who doesn't try to seat you in the bar even when you have a reservation and requested the dining room which has open tables), then head down the street to Balena. The BOKA Restaurant Group far outshines the lazy, "we have a proven formula for success" LEYE on this one.
(2)Sulika M.
Positive: very cool decor, the server was nice. Negative: the 4 of us left hungry, that's after having an appetizer, 4 lunch entrees and paying $240. The portions were very small and not satisfying (side note: we are not big eaters). The fries were the worst we ever had, saggy soaked with grease. We gave the feedback to the server but not sure if it was really acknowledged, didn't seem like it. Anyways, this place could be so much better if they paid attention to what people want and like.. Many other places in the city that get it.
(3)Laurel L.
Alex makes the best mojitos ever! The grilled cheese sandwich with mushrooms is delicious. Great service and fun decor / loved this place.
(5)Bridget W.
The food was great, and the wait staff were friendly. The ambience is also a welcome respite from the bitter cold. The only disappointment was that the bathrooms were out of order, and we had to go to the restaurant next door to use their facilities. I understand that accidents happen, but there was never even an apology for the inconvenience of having to go outside in the middle of winter to use a restroom.
(3)Zach F.
This restaurant is amazing! Such a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I have been here multiple times since it has opened. I have gone for a full dinner, snacks and sometimes just for drinks. Some of my favorite dishes so far have been the eggplant, ahi tuna tostadas, roasted beets, fish tacos and the scallops. Drinks are great. I am partial to the Monti Cali, but have samples most of the other ones. Great wine list and pretty good craft beer list. Ambiance is great...I really enjoy sitting in the main room, but the bar tables and lounge are just fine too! Service has been great. Connor, Hope and Rachel have all been fantastic. Very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, made my experience that much better. I will keep coming back time and time again. If you haven't been, get yourself there now! Although I would recommend making a reservation.
(5)Caroline S.
Awesome! Burratta, fish tacos, english muffin turkey burger, roast chicken, triple fudge cake, pumpkin pie, all delicious. Definitely going back next time in town!
(5)Margaret C.
I was so excited to eat here. I worked in California in restaurant PR, and loved the idea of bringing that vibe to freezing Chicago. The food and the ambiance were great, but the food was horrible. I was so disappointed because the options sounded amazing, but they were prepared without proper execution or flavor. While leaving, I thought I would give it one more chance with their bakery... what a mistake! I have never eaten a cookie that dry and ill-prepared. Did they forget to mix in the sugar, so it wasn't granulated? Was any dairy added to soften the recipe? What a bummer, it could have been great. I will say it is a fun place to grab a drink with friends, but don't expect much from the food.
(1)Krissy H.
Setup and esthetics are true to it's name, summer-ish. Very friendly staff, had a reso at 9, walked in, immediately sat at our table for two. Started with a bottle of wine- cali coast selection which is pretty decent. Started with a few apps, I loved the burratta. Hamachi tartare is probably the best I've ever had. Entree was a bit disappointing, lobster frites- says 1 1/2 of lobster but really it's about 1 1/2 oz. literally 2 bites. I guess you get what you pay for though. Those two bites weren't impressive- very smoked so that's all I tasted. Over all I enjoyed Summer House but their menu is pretty limited so if you eat like we do, once is enough unless they change up their menu.
(4)Bryan R.
If you want fresh food come here. The price is not bad for the quality of food that you are getting. It has a warm feeling especially now that is it cold. I would recommended the tuna tacos for a nice light dinner!
(5)KM R.
Santa Monica Summer House is very pretty and comfortable. I was excited to have a new place in the neighborhood and glad to see it was always packed. Nice menu and variety, but I really thought the prices were high for some of the items, namely tacos and entrees, maybe others. Sadly, especially for a Lettuce Entertain You place, the service was poor. The waiter did not know the specials and really did not know the wine list. I hear Brunch is good, so maybe I will try that.
(3)Kevin K.
Went to Summer House last weekend for brunch and had an enjoyable experience, I would probably give it about 3.5 stars. The atmosphere and decor are great. Sitting in the Vitamin D room sure makes it feel like summer even if its cold outside. Our server was really great and made our experience even better. He was very outgoing with a good sense of humor without being cheesy. The food was pretty good, but not great. I enjoyed the fish tacos, although at $25 bucks I doubt I will ever order them again. There are good fish tacos elsewhere in the city for half the price. The yolk in the eggs benedict was overcooked so didnt run out like it should, which everyone knows is the best part of eggs benedict. They make a fantastic Bloody Mary and the candied bacon in it is delicious. It was one of the better ones that I have had in a while. Overall, I found that the food was a bit too expensive for what it was, which is not a shock at a LEYE spot. On the way out we picked up some cookies and bran muffins from the cookie bar which were better than from any bakeries nearby. If I'm ever in the area I will be stopping in just for some baked goods to go. I probably wont put this place on the top of my list to go back to, but i wouldn't hesitate to go back if it was the suggested destination either.
(4)Haley V.
I love summer house! It is my favorite place in Chicago right now. Great service, great atmosphere and great food. The burrata, brussel sprouts, and cookies are a must!
(5)Laura L.
Good place for drinks. White, open, airy, sidewalk seating on Halsted.
(4)Vin R.
The Summer House is a great space but the service was horrible - drinks and food took FOREVER (especially for a restaurant that wasn't full). The hot mess fries were delicious but the prime rib french dip was a joke - it might of had 4oz of fatty meat for $20. The only thing this sandwich was good for was the butt of everyones jokes - "I've seen better french dips at Arbys", "that's what you get for ordering the most expensive thing on the menu". Rather than order more food (the dip will not fill you up), and wait another 45 minutes we walked across the street for tacos.
(2)Melody L.
Love the ambience! Organic options! Very fresh! Unique drinks! Love the white, light and airy feel!
(5)John J.
As everyone said, the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing like it in Chicago. The menu is a little sparse but everything we had was delicious. They are going for a beach theme so don't expect a lengthy menu. My girlfriend and I split egg-chicken tostadas and a wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was delicious. We were in a hurry and the staff was more than helpful. Very accommodating. We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends.
(5)Diana T.
I saw the reviews about poor customer service but our experience was quite the contrary. Everyone from the front desk to the waiters were very kind and the food was also delicious. I highly recommend the vegetables at the top of the menu- they were surprisingly amazing! The ambiance was really nice and Id be happy to come back!
(4)Jordan D.
Extraordinary hot place given the outsized demand for summer inspired anything in Chicago. Average food. Slow -- either overwhelmed by demand or under prepared / trained -- staff. Hopefully service improves over time with feedback because this place has a lot of potential.
(2)Melanie B.
The atmosphere is really spectacular! The glass ceiling really makes the restaurant so different than other restaurants. We had a rough start to our night as they were changing servers (5PM) and by the time we had a server 20ish minutes had gone by and we were with our kids (4 and 8). BUT, they were very apologetic and ended up comping one round of drinks and dessert - really unnecessary but great customer service (and we didn't complain - they knew they had us waiting)!! The food was great and they have a kids menu! We had the turkey burger which was great but the side salad with it was mediocre (no dressing??). The lobster frites was great! Dessert was heavenly - banana split with sesame ice cream was awesome!
(4)Alex O.
CONNER WAS AMAZING!!!! Dined here before a concert so we were limited on time. She did a great job getting our food out in a timely order, yet we didn't feel rushed. Very friendly staff, you can tell they actually like their job. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are in California....even when it's snowing outside. I can't wait to try this place during the summer time. The bonfire cocktail, swordfish, and warm apple cranberry crumble were delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.
(5)Katie W.
I pretty much loved everything about this place! The decor is light, airy and really does have the ambiance of somewhere outside in California. I went with two girlfriends for a weeknight dinner--so maybe it wasn't as crazy as the weekends, but we were seated right at our reservation time and had no issue there. We were by the window which could have been nice but unfortunately we were there on a cold night. Our server was really friendly and attentive and offered some really good recommendations. We started with the biscuits and the brussel sprouts which were both delicious in different ways. The butter served with the biscuits made them 10x better--and they were already great! I had tried the brussel sprouts at Stella Barra and was hoping they were the same ones--I'm not sure if they were exactly the same, but seemed similar. After buttery biscuits, you would think brussel sprouts might be kinda 'meh' but these we ate all of these up as well! For my meal, I had the tuna tartare I believe? Whatever it was, it was soo good and I'm glad I went with the waiters suggestion on this. For dessert, we shared two chocolate chip cookies that had been heated up. So, pretty much the randomest meal combo ever--but I loved every single thing that we tried. Some places don't seem deserving of the hype, but I think Summer House does--I just wish it was easier to go back!
(5)Scott W.
I Iove lettuce places. I'm a frequent diner--usually once a week. Very excited to come here. While most meals were decent, my experience was disappointing. My frites were cold with the steak. I sent them back and the were returned simply stirred around. The blue cheese was all over the frites. Not a huge deal. Then I found a hair! The waiter and manager apologized which was nice. They expedited the lobster. All good actually. Then it got really weird. They comped us two deserts. Nice. But, they made a big show about calling them an anniversary gift. The waiter said it loudly so other tables could hear. Why? PR? No one at the table had an anniversary within 3 months of our dinner. They didn't comp the meal which is what one would expect after a hair found. Or at least comp the price of my first entree. My second order was more expensive. So I would have paid the difference. The manager said she was embarrassed. That was fine. But this place has lost our business. P.s. When they delivered my replacement meal--the manager said, "we took someone else's meal, they will have to wait." Uh...how exactly does making another patron suffer help matters? So unprofessional. And to think they had a 1000 people for brunch that day alone... Update: Within a few days of this post, I got an email from a VP at Lettuce. Super nice guy (and a lovely assistant), they sent me $100 in gift cards for Summer House. We have not used them, but will. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even more? Lettuce is greatest.
(2)Simmone S.
Ii's hard to say no to a restaurant that greets you with an array of baked goods on entering (got to go if you do not know what I mean). The food and wine were amazing! I had the mid-atlantic salmon, it came in a delectable sauce and the perfect portion size. We started with the roasted Brussels sprouts and golden beet salad - both very good. There wine menu was terrific. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous for summer dining and opens up onto the sidewalk via large glass windows. The crowd was polished people late 20s onward, some young professionals (like me :)). I absolutely loved it.
(5)Heather R.
This was probably one of the better meals I've had in a while. As advertised, the food was fresh and light (no heavy sauces or oils), but was everything was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and satiating. The chips & guacamole rivals that of Big Star and the accompanying salsa had a great smokey flavor. The swordfish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The accompanying apple salad was tasty and complemented the fish quite well. I'll admit that the place was really crowded and a little congested for a Thursday night (perhaps a testament to the quality of the food and Cali-inspried atmosphere - which was certainly appreciated during this abysmal Chicago winter). However, it didn't take away from the quality of service at all. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive and very knowledgable of each menu item. I'd certainly go back and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)J R.
Summer House accomplishes it's goal of capturing summer. Crafted cocktails, well put together menu, delicious desserts. The light color scheme in decorations, well lit dining room and fire-lit outside patio really transports you out of Chicago. The shaved brussel sprouts are everything! I had the lobster tagliatelle as my main course and have zero complaints; light cream, lobster with every bite. All very good. We "took a hike" to their cookie bar (as they jokingly suggest on their dessert menu) and took some of their homemade Rice Krispy treats and their absolutely perfect blondie home. Will most definitely be going back!
(4)Jayne K.
Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. The beets were full of flavor and the fish tacos were the best! They came with guacamole, slaw, salsa, and some spices! The ice cream with a cookie was the icing on the cake. We will be back soon!
(5)Anne E.
Had my doubts. Heard abut it on Thrillist, was walking by- gave it a try. BOY SO GOOD! For a new restaurant the service was great- Rachel was our server and left nothing wanting! Charley, our bus boy was the BEST! They worked together to give us a lovely meal and their suggestions for desert were fantastic. Don't leave without trying the cookie and the chocolate cake with sea salt on top. To die for. Rachel was attentive without interrupting our conversation, she was cheerful in an authentic way and gave us great service. I will tell my friends about this place and plan to come back. Thank you.
(5)Neil O.
Went here on Saturday night. Took 2 months to get a reservation for 6 people on Saturday night, so I was expecting a lot! Venue is gorgeous, lovely decor and great atmosphere. After that, it's all 3 stars. Food was fine but no where near amazing (which I was expecting). White wine wasn't fully chilled. Server was ok. All in all I'm a bit disappointed with this place. Won't be rushing back for dinner. I've heard brunch is good so might try it again for that.
(3)Pamela D.
I was there today for lunch. The place is definitely nice and my waitress was super nice. Having said that the food was ok. I ordered a salad with an addition of tuna. The tuna was great but the salad dressing was so salty that I had to send it back (and I love salt)!! When I got the salad back there was no dressing whatsoever which I thought was funny. I had a cucumber and mint virgin drink that was actually great.
(3)Lena K.
Great spot to see and be seen! Wonderful decor, very fresh and very Californian. Reminded me a little of West Elm. Gets very busy so be sure to make reservations . As for the food it was just ok. Brunch menu did not have many choices . However the Bloody Mary w/ Bacon was a treat. As well as the to go bakery on the wAy out! Staff was very nice !
(3)Brad W.
Excellent Experience. I saw a friend post a photo of the interior on Instagram, and in the midst of a winter that is beating us into submission - it peaked my interest. So I decided to head over for some food with the old ball and chain. The place is fantastic. They've done a nice job creating a summer atmosphere even on an overcast day. We made a reservation for 4:30 because everything else was booked. This is my one and only, small beef with my experience. When I came in for my 4:30 reservation, the place was EMPTY, and remained about half empty through 6pm. I'm a little lost about why I couldn't get a slightly later reservation, but I'm sure there's a reason for it and I don't work there so I'm not judging the place based on this one thing. We were seated at a table in the main dining area. The first thing I noticed is the whole place is nice - even the kitchen which is partially open to the dining room (in a good way). The roof is glass and all the décor is a light color which gives the area a light, cheery mood. Our waiter was excellent (tied with the food for the best part of the experience). He came to the table promptly, gave us some time to think. We weren't in a hurry so when he came back we ordered some drinks and an appetizer and asked for some time to think on the meals. The appetizer (handful of fries with pork and a fried egg on top) was really good. We both had chef inspired cocktails - I had what is essentially an old fashioned; chick had something that tasted like a sweet tart. Sorry for the lack of names of things, I'm completely deficient when it comes to name memory. We sent the waiter away a few times since we were trying to take our time before our movie - he wasn't annoyed at all, didn't disappear, and didn't come back too often which is a delicate balance to strike. When we ordered, old girl got some sort of salad, I got the surfer's fish tacos. A bit pricy, but totally worth it. She says the salad was good (not real big on details this one). The tacos were a build your own, setup. They came with four tortillas, just right, and had guacamole, roasted corn salsa, sour cream, and verde salsa on the plate. The fish was flaky and had an excellent flavor. All in all, the tacos were excellent. After my chef inspired cocktail I had the waiter recommend a beer; the boulevard, which I'd never had and was excellent (like if a blue moon and a lagunitas had a kid). For desert, we both had some of their coffies - I had a Mexican mocha, which was spicy and delicious. She had a horchata latte, which I did not try. The bill in total was $103, which in my book isn't terrible for excellent food (appetizer and meal), two cocktails a piece, and desert coffee. Overall - The place gets a rare five-star rating.
(5)Lai X.
Love this place! The atmosphere inside is true to its name and brings a little piece of summer to Chicago in this dreadful winter. We came here for brunch and enjoyed some great items from the menu at a reasonable price. You can't go wrong with this place especially in this weather!
(4)K D.
The look here is clean and distinct- white wood, hanging ferns, and huge marble tables. I got a Dark & Stormy and it was probably my favorite iteration of that ginger beer/bitters drink. The biscuits were delectable. I had a bite of the app, and ordered for my meal, along with the cauliflower (which was tiny and super bland). Loved that the waiter suggested splitting our bill (including dividing the apps)- wonderful for big groups. Service was attentive in general, food was hit or miss.
(3)Kyle T.
Very nice spot in Chicago. Great bar, atmosphere, and food. I went here for dinner on New Year's Eve and they had a great menu with exceptional service. I was with a big group so I tried a bit of everything and I liked it all. I would certainly give this place a shot.
(4)Hunter R.
Great atmosphere. Good service. The food was BLAH to bad.
(2)Lindsay W.
Love the bright vibe inside Summer House. It is such a happy atmosphere with fresh food.
(4)Chelsea B.
Talk about heaven on earth. Went here with a group of 8 on NYE & couldn't have had a better experience. We had a reservation obviously but, on New Years that can still be a problem time wise & here we were seated right away at a perfect table by the window. Everyone in the group enjoyed their meal & the favorite was the Maine lobster with fries which was the perfect amount of flavor & the ideal texture. Also, when you leave they have a cookie bar which even offered gluten free choices! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone & will be back soon!
(5)Ben S.
Great place but the service is lacking. This place really survives based on its setting. Nice California feel to the interior with lots of light that Chicago residents crave all winter long. I've been here twice and was pleased but not overly impressed by the food. Prices are a bit higher than other similar restaurants. The service is nothing special. The servers don't really know the menu other than the three dishes they are told to promote. They also make you wait for a table even if you have a reservation (20 mins last time). I'll go again but don't set your expectations too high.
(4)Eli T.
Nice atmosphere, but the food is pretty bad. I'd go again for a drink but wouldn't eat the food again
(3)K B.
Disappointing. Ambiance is trendy, bright, enjoyable. Food was overpriced and not quality at all. All four of us were very disappointed by the lack of quality. We sent back the fries, totally inedible. My pasta was horrible, very salty and not put together. Waiter was nice, though very young and inexperienced. This Lettuce Entertain You one is a flop. Save your money for a venue worth your time.
(1)Michael K.
Decent but the food was pretty bland. Had the pork shank and was not impressed. Seemed to lack flavor. The hamachi appetizer wasn't bad, but was nothing special. The tuna tostada app was excellent, though, as were the golden beets with goat cheese. Our server was excellent, I might add. Attentive, cheerful, prompt, and no mistakes. The ambience was cool, though a little kitschy for my tastes, but I see what they're trying to do and I get it. Anyway, all in all, not bad, but not great either.
(3)Lizzie S.
I was very excited to try Summer House - I had heard great things and thought it was a great new addition to Lincoln Park. However, we were having a girls night and had a reservation for 6 at 8:00. I checked us in early at like 7:50 and when I did this I was told our table was paid so it shouldn't be long. 8:15 rolls around - no word from the hostess. At 8:30 we approached the host again and asked for an update - same story they had paid and were just waiting on them to leave. Very angry because we had a reservation at 8:45 none of us were pleased and asked them if they weren't going to seat us we were going to go somewhere else. They asked us if we wanted a drink, handed us menus and walked away. No one came back to take our order until we approached them to ask to place a drink order "while we wait". At 9:00 they finally came out and told us our reservation for 5 was available and I polietely told them it was for 6 and they looked at me like I was crazy. As they were showing us to our table I knew there was no way the 6 of us small girls were going to fit in this booth and I politely said something to host "are you sure we are going to fit here?" and he said "probably not let me check with my manager". The manager came over and said they have another table for us and they are really sorry that OpenTable screwed up our reservation. I showed them my email that stated it was for 6 and they mentioned they will take it up with OpenTable, but didn't want to have to my email from OpenTable. After they showed us to another table they mentioned our entire meal will be comped and by this point it was 9:15 (reservation was at 8). I really appreciated the comped meal, however none of us were looking for that. We really just wanted an actual apology for the service instead of being treated like a bunch of young annoying girls - which we are not. Our waiter was great - I honestly felt terrible for him because I'm sure he was warned about "us". I can't remember his name, but he gave us excellent service the whole night and we all proceeded to give him over a 20% tip for the night. My biggest pet peeve of the whole night after all the waiting was the manager. She was very snobby to us and never once came back and asked how we were doing the rest of the night and we were treated like we were unreasonable for being upset. I have worked in the waitressing/service industry before and usually always give benefit of the doubt to the restaurant, but in this instance I have never been so appalled about the way we were treated minus our server. I hope this is just a one night thing because I would love to go back there. The food was great and the ambiance was great! Especially on a cold, winter Chicago night. Hoping that I can go back and try it later this year and have a better experience.
(1)Linda G.
we had an excellent meal here. great service energetic vibe. very large crystal clear ice cubes.
(5)Chris B.
We came here for the first time over Mother's Day for brunch and we had a great time. Brunch was excellent and service was great. The overall fell of the restaurant was casual and enticing. We will be coming back again.
(4)Robin M.
Slow service-waited an hour for our drinks. The food was cold and the staff had no idea what was going on. Avoid this place.
(1)Meaghan M.
Went here for a double date with some great people the other weekend. It was fantastic! Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is: (1) they should ask if you want to be in the main dining, bar area or first available and (2) It gets loud. However, with those items addressed, the food was amazing- I had the pork tacos, my boyfriend had the pork entree (which he let me try, of course) we both agreed it was delicious! My friends had the half chicken and they thought it was great. My favorite was the chocolate cake we had for dessert. It was soooooo gooooood! I highly recommend saving room for dessert. We usually do not, but I am happy we did! The waitress we had was nice, allowed us time to catch up before coming over and trying to get an order out of us. While it did get a little loud, we all still had a great time. Can't wait to return!
(4)Kathy W.
Love the atmosphere and the food is quite tasty. Seems like an equally great place to bring kids in the early evening/brunch or a date in the later evening.
(4)Julie B.
I wish I had read a few reviews before we dined here so that I would not have expected an excellent dining experience. Obviously, the place is very nice and the summer atmosphere is great when it is still cold, however, once it gets warm, I feel this place may lose its appeal considering the level of service and quality of food were sub-par. In general, I would just say the service is slow. We started at the bar that technically is not Summer House, but still is part of the overall establishment. Bartender was very slow and paid no attention to us after we ordered. Tried flagging her down to close out our bill and she blatantly looked away so she could focus on others. Once we sat down at our table, again service was slow. Now on to food. A friend and I decided to split the vegetarian tacos and prime beef short rib ravioli. The tacos came with rice, that looked dried when it came out, but I ignored it and threw it on a taco. With the third bite, I thought my tooth was going to fall out. I wish I was exaggerating. I tried a couple more bites but the rice was just unbearable, my friend's was the same, so we both stopped eating the rice part. The ravioli were also not thoroughly cooked. We cut through one and you could see the edges were not cooked all the way. So we let the server know and he just responds that he'll let someone know and then stops back over to say, "okay she's going to stop by". Who is she?? I assume the woman who stops by next is the manager, she came over with a condescending smile and attitude and keeps cutting me off as I am trying to speak and tried explaining to us the pasta is cooked al dente. I am a 28 year old Italian. I think I know what al dente is. She says she will let the chef know of our feedback. No apology. No compensation. I don't think the chef meant for our food to come out uncooked, it's not about his directions, it is probably that the cook did not cook the ravioli long enough and the server left the tacos out too long so the rice dried up. Your feedback to chef is not going to fix anything, nor does it give me the confidence that next time your food and service is going to be awesome. For the prices they list, this place is not worth it. Maybe a couple drinks for the atmosphere, but I will likely never visit again regardless. Not worth it when new restaurants are constantly popping up in Chicago. I definitely expected better management from Lettuce Entertain You.
(2)Gina M.
Definitely reminds you of "summer." Not a typical dim restaurant, everything is white, open ceilings, the staff wears chambray shirts. Everyone was very friendly and the food was great. We had to wait about a half hour after our reservation, but we then got sat and the waitress made sure appetizers came out immediately for us. Not to mention, she was extremely sweet and accommodating! All of the staff had wonderful smiles. Definitely recommend the half-chicken entree or salmon entree!
(3)Allison L.
What a fabulous surprise!!! I came with high expectations and it exceeded them by leaps and bounds. The decor is truly summer and California, what an amazing respite from the cold and off weather we are having, it's truly always summery in here. The menu has options for any food request and the preparation is spot on. Gluten free, vegetarian, carnivore, picky eater... It will be tough to find someone who won't enjoy. Whatever you do, please leave room for dessert. PS--drinks are fabulous!
(5)Garrett D.
Overall delicious. Great ambiance. We stuck mainly with small plates as it is a pretty eclectic menu. The guacamole of all things surprised me. It was great. The roasted cauliflower and caramelized brussel sprouts were also very good. I topped it off with the English Muffin Burger which was perfectly sloppy and well-prepared.
(4)Richard K.
Pros: Food all tasted pretty good. Decor / ambiance was nice. Waiters were friendly Cons: Portions are very small. Tables are on top of each other....they really squeeze you in like sardines. Our experience was completely ruined by basically having to share a table with the two tables on either side of us. Something about having a romantic dinner with your wife overwhelmed by your table neighbor's loud stories about cocaine and prostitutes. There is no reason that I should end up sitting closer to the table next to me then my wife across from me. We're going to pass on a repeat visit on this one.
(2)Jessica S.
I really enjoyed my dinner here and will totally go back again. I went with a group of people and we got to try lots of different things. The tuna tostada's were fabulous with the mix of watermelon it was an interest set of flavors. We also really enjoyed the ribs. The calamari was actually very good and even though it's not one of my favorite things I did enjoy the flavor and it was not over oily from the frying. I never order Chicken when I go out but it was recommended and it was quite yummy. You could tell it was cooked for hours. We also tried one of the pastas that had lots of flavor. I can't wait to go back when the roof is open.
(4)Stephanie R.
This place is fun! The decor is very California! We got the tuna and hamachi- both were sooo good!! We also split the beets and cauliflower-- again both were great!! Veggies tacos were fine, nothing amazing but pretty good. The best part was the biscuits. They were AMAZING!!!! We got two orders. I would go back just for those. Overall pretty good food and fun spot! Than was there when I went too!
(4)A R.
Beautiful space, darling waiter - that was the highlight. There seemed to be an ongoing penchant for the servers to bring tables the wrong food. It happened to our table twice and to adjoining tables a few times. Seems like the kitchen has some organizational issues. As for the food, it was OK. I ordered the Korean Pork Taco which I was very excited about. The pork was swimming in a grease laden sauce and was full of fat and grizzle. It was pretty bland to boot. My hubs ordered the Steak Frites. Again, a pretty lackluster execution. Other table members reported fair to midland type of reviews. If we went again, we would probably try brunch. As for dinner, I think there are way better options without having to deal with the LP crowd as your backdrop.
(3)Elizabeth Z.
I'm in love with the space. So Cali. However, service needs improvement and its not consistent. There was a weekend I went and someone got these stuffed peppers that looked and tasted great but when I went back and ordered the same dish the peppers seemed overdone and I could barely see them on my plate. Only came for brunch a few times when they first opened so hopefully just a few kinks they can workout.
(3)Pete C.
I went to summer house the other night and it was really good. The menu is a little random but it reminded me of Hub51 (I have never seen a beach ball on a menu..yes an actual beach ball). The California feel is spot on. It was freezing the night I went and it did feel like we escaped to California. We started with the burrata which was creamy enough and the jam at the bottom had a little kick. We tried two different salads and both were good. For entrees my friend ordered the burger with fries which was massive and delicious. I ordered the pork shank which was extremely tender. The way it's presented on the menu was a tad misleading to me in which I thought the apples would play a more dominant role. However everything we had we enjoyed and I would definitely recommend trying it.
(4)Courtney A.
Ehh....I've eaten here maybe three times. Every single time I have eaten here I have had a reservation yet had to wait. This last time was the worst: I had a reservation for 8:30 and had to wait until 9:10 for a table. Not a huge deal, but after my wait, I was seated in the bar area -- normally not a big deal but after a 40 minute wait after your reservation, you would expect a real table, not a table in the bar area where people are basically standing at your table while waiting for a drink. The service is ok. Not nearly as good as other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My companion and I both had no silverware when our meals were brought out....The food is pretty good, but honestly, not worth the wait...The wine list is great, as are the cookies. But last time I was here, the person at the "cookie bar" was pretty rude -- entering her receipts as opposed to waiting on people, to the point where I just left, deciding that a really good cookie was not worth the ten minutes it would take the bratty girl behind the counter to look up and actually serve people, i.e. do her job. Finally, having lived in Southern California, this place misses the mark: the only thing "californian" about this place is the fake blonde fake tan people waiting to eat here. I won't be coming back. Coppervine is next door -- much better atmosphere and much better service.
(3)Barry M.
Food is hit or miss-some good dishes some pretty poor dishes. Nice atmosphere nice servers, but really the food is nothing special.
(2)Jenny Y.
Love this place and the atmosphere here! Came here 3 times and enjoyed each time i came. Food is pretty decent here, very friendly services too harmachi tartare & green apple - Really Good! lobster pasta- Love it! roasted cauliflower- very tasty japanese egg plants- pretty good yuzu scallops- had this 3 times, the first 2 times were good, but the 3rd time was way too sour...you can probably skip this salad and dessert were okay, nothing impressive.
(4)Patrick B.
Too noisy. They need to know that people like to have a conversation when they are out to dinner. Not everyone wants to feel like they are in a bar. Not sure how it adds to the ambiance. It's nice enough that they don't have to add the juke box...
(1)Kirsten B.
Tom was absolutely fantastic and extremely knowledgeable about the menu items as well as super attentive to our table!! Highly recommend Tom and Summerhouse!!
(4)Roshani C.
Really great ambience, great food, great service. Everything was timed perfectly. As we finished one appetizer, the second one was brought over, and then shortly after our entrees came. There was no overlap and we had enough time between courses.
(5)Brendan S.
Cool Vibe but Misses the Mark Summer House has an inviting feel and is well decorated, but the food is overpriced and even an untrained cook could make it. I paid 24$ for salmon and it looked like someone through it on a plate with some fennel, you could make this dish at home for 8$ and it would taste the same, if not better. I once ordered a salad and it was the saddest thing I've had a restaurant - for the price. It's not that this place is expensive, it's just that for what you are getting you are totally getting taken. I think those who enjoy this place put ambiance over quality.
(2)Ralph S.
Dined at Summer House last night after putting a reservation in a couple of weeks prior. Food and service was great. Tuna Tostadas, biscuits, caramelized brussel sprouts, and korean tacos were all fantastic. Drink list is simple enough if you want beer and complex enough if you want some summer style tastes. I am not a wine drinker, so I cannot comment on the wine list, but it was there and they seemed to push us on it. Overall the place has a pretty cool setting and is always packed, which I am a fan of. Prices were a bit too expensive. $24 for two tacos is pretty ridiculous. I would suggest going and sharing plates with others like our party did. Stella Barra next door is on the list to try as well. Enjoy
(4)Kevin D.
The food here was pretty good, defintely worth returning for. The Burrata appetiser was to die for! All the fish was very good, however the Skate Fish was far to salty, and this was consistent with both orders we had at our table. It was just drowning in salt and it left us feeling not so great after the meal. The rainbow trout was much better however. The decor is nice, but the service is a little amateurish. It seemed more like what you'd get in a small college town then a prominent neighbourhood in Chicago. I looking forward to returning and trying some of the other dishes.
(3)Jenny I.
Great atmosphere, lots of light and open space. Food is delicious as well, I have only been there for brunch but the homemade english muffins are amazing and the buratta appetizer was scrumptious as well. I highly recommend.
(5)M R.
Nice looking place with an all around good menu.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Lovely ambiance, bad food. I went with my sister for dinner last night and we didn't enjoy a single dish. For an appetizer we got the scallops which were pretty much scallops sitting in a pool of butter.. Market salad had no other ingredients besides lettuce... And then we split tuna fish tacos which were also flavorless. Disappointed.
(1)Arlene R.
Went to Summer House for breakfast. Great menu choices and delicious dishes. Service was amazing thanks to the awesome manager there! Will definitely be back!
(4)Jim D.
Our party of four was thoroughly delighted with every aspect of our evening at SH, from the amazing calamari to the melt-in-your-mouth desserts! The atmosphere is very west coast, which was a relief from our polar vortex here! The server was very knowledgable and attentive but not a pest. The value is good, not too pricey. Get some cookies and English muffins at the market on your way out, you will be glad you did!!!
(5)Michael F.
While we were seating right away, what should have been a 1 hour late supper took 2 1/2 hours. Several of our dishes were cold and had to be sent back, others were just wrong. Turkeyburger was a two-patty dried out mess. Our server was probably new and not ready for prime time. The manager was great, comped a number of dishes, and offered a complimentary dessert, but I doubt we'll return.
(2)Caileigh C.
Beautiful restaurant- open, airy, there was even a breeze coming through the open windows on the roof. Actually felt like like I was in Santa Barbara and I was actually there 3 weeks prior, though this definitely has a Chicago twist on it. Had the vegetable enchiladas and the oaked chardonnay - both were fabulous! Will be returning for special occasions.
(4)Kailei R.
Went there for my husband's birthday and had a great time. We individually had passed by and wanted to check it out. We weren't disappointed. The "Vitamin D" room had great ambiance and nice natural light on the summer evening we were there. They had "zero proof" cocktails which I appreciate -- I love me a good cocktail with alcohol but having the option to order a thoughtfully created beverage for those who don't drink is a nice touch. I had the one with watermelon (I think it was called watermelon smash) which was delicious. I ordered the pasta dish with a parmesan cheese based stock, lobster and summer truffles. It was yummy. My husband had a turkey burger with a fried egg on top. He loved the burger but the yolk squirted out on the table and his shirt when he bit into it which was messy, but he still enjoyed it. We also ordered the brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction. I enjoyed them, but my husband said he didn't like the flavors after having the turkey burger. For dessert since it was his birthday they brought out a cookie with vanilla ice cream. We were pleasantly surprised they had a gluten free chocolate chip cookie option, which was pretty darn good.
(4)D S.
awesome ambiance, food and service.. One of our favorite joints for a late sunday brunch / lunch
(5)Brandon B.
Everything was fantastic. A great spot that truly brings the Bungalow/Shutters vibe from Santa Monica to Chicago. Summer House is well worth a visit. The biscuits and salmon were absolutely fantastic and all of the drinks were great. I will be adding it to the list for future visits.
(5)James D.
Went there early in the evening with my daughter. We got right in but it was a wednesday at 5:30 pm. The place was very inviting and felt like we were at vacation spot!! We had the Guac and chips for an appetizer and we both had a house pinot nior that was great. I had the salmond and daughter had the halibut, both were fresh and great. Only one problem the server gave us the most expensive pinot 16$ per, she should have gave us the least expensive or offered for us to buy a bottle!! They had cheaper wine, I asked just for the house bottle. For that reason I will not be back, I still gave her a decent tip 20%...
(2)Sara F.
I was really hoping all of the negative reviews I read about Summer House were wrong...but unfortunately I have to add to the list :( A group of friends and I dined here on Monday with an 8pm reso, we arrived right on time and then proceeded to wait over 45 minutes for our table. The hostess kept telling us it would only be a couple of minutes after each check in and that its just "restaurant science"...whatever BS that means. The menu had a large selection of options which reminded me of SH's Lettuce Entertain You sibling Hub51 minus the sushi. We had a variety of apps and entrees, everything was kind of bland, no one was really blown away. One of the girls ordered the spring veggie orchetti which had a bunch of stickers in it from it...no idea how that was missed before it got to our table. They offered her a new entree but after how long we waited for our table and food it wasn't even worth it. They brought our table ice cream as a weak attempt at "I'm sorry". Doubt I will come back here which is too bad. The vibe and decor is really cool and usually I love a good Lettuce restaurant but they just missed the mark on this one.
(2)Valreyrib ..
Came here to take my friend out for her birthday. Everything was great. The left side of the menu is small plates and the right side is entrees. We went with the small plates and had the egg plant, tuna poke, calamari, and burrata. YUM. Fresh and tasty. They have specialty cookies and even gave us a complimentary one with ice cream since it was my friend's bday. It's very cute, bright and white, very Cali feel. Takes ya outta Chicago for a meal.
(4)Carole G.
If you are looking for a place to bring young children, this is the place. If you are looking for a place where you can have a good meal and enjoy conversation, find another place. Food was good but kids running around made it a place I would not recommend. There are too many other good places in Chicago.
(2)Alejandra P.
Lovely place. Glass roof indoors for a sunny lunch. Looks like an LA Cottage by the sea. Affordable prices, friendly staff.
(4)Eva G.
Awesome place for dinner! Loved their lobster pasta, and the drinks I ate. Will definitely come back again!
(5)R H.
I agree with many of the other reviewers before me--the service was bad. We came on a Sunday morning (10/19) for brunch, and our waitress seemed like she could not care less about anything. What bothered me most, though, were the two girls at the bakery counter when I wanted to buy baked goods to take home after brunch. I was going to buy a lot of things, so I started by asking if they had a large box or container to hold everything. Both girls at the counter acted like I was burdening them with this request, and were clearly annoyed. Without saying anything, one of them disappeared to the back for about 5 minutes, and then came back and said there were no boxes and that most people just use the bags. I said that's fine, and I didn't mean to put them to any trouble, and a bag would have been fine if they had just told me from the beginning that that's how they do it. It just really peeved me how rudely they acted towards a customer who had already spent money dining with them, and was about to spend even more money at their bakery counter. I purposely included the date so maybe the manager can see who was working that day and coach those employees on their customer service skills. I gave the restaurant two stars because the food was good. Not spectacular, but good. I had the breakfast tostadas, which had a lot of nice flavor, and the iced almond coffee, which did not taste at all of almonds. The hashbrowns were just hard fried potatoes--nothing special. I will not be going back.
(2)Rachel V.
Here's the question: Do you care about atmosphere or food? If you answered, atmosphere, Summer House is the place for you! Walking into Summer House feels like walking into a restaurant in California, despite the heavy duty coat you're wearing and your wind-blown Chicago hair. The inside provides a nice change from the midwest norm. If you answered food, I can't say I highly recommend Summer House. It's just...whatever. Like most reviewers wrote, the hot mess fries are a must, but really other than that, I was kind of disappointed. I definitely don't recommend the scallops - small and bland!
(3)Nora B.
Been here twice and liked both times. Decent service and food. Had to wait a little while to order dessert and for the check but it was restaurant week and we weren't in a hurry.
(5)Matthew T.
Summer house was decent at best. The server was amazing just really disappointed in the food. Portions are small, up charges for anything and even the cocktails were mediocre. The only way summer house is worth it is for the ambiance. The venue is great. Very beautiful.
(2)I J.
The atmosphere here is really nice and so are the drinks. However, the food isn't good and it's overpriced. I've been here for brunch, breakfast and dinner, and they all have sucked. The service isn't good, our server seemed annoyed to be serving us and I am just not going to waste my money here again. You probably should not either.
(2)Lauren M.
I came here on a Friday night for a first date, and this place was perfect. We came in around 8:30pm, no reservation. We were informed it would be a 45-60min wait, and my date left his name and number and we went and walked around for a bit. My first impression of this place was that it was way too nice for a first date- I was actually worried he wouldn't be able to afford it. But we figured out it was pretty reasonably priced, so we gave it a shot. It was AWESOME. We were sat after about an hour wait, and they had given us menus while we were waiting so I already had an idea of what I wanted. The wait staff was super chill and friendly. My date and I both ordered burgers because we were too nervous to try the other cool looking stuff on the menu. He got an English Muffin Burger and I got a turkey burger. It definitely exceeded my expectations. Plus the side salad was AMAZING. We were too full for desert, but when I go back I would definitely like to try the other menu items!
(5)Kaitlin M.
This place is DEAD to me. I wouldn't care if it burned to the ground. I have never has so many things go wrong in one meal in my life. 1. We showed up 10 minutes early to our 11:30 brunch reservation and did not get sat till about 11:50. One of my guests was hungry so she was forced to buy a muffin to hold her over. 2. We were sat while they finished setting up our table. On top of this they set our coffee and mimosa glass as every seat and then if you don't want either, place their fingers in the glasses and put them back on the shelf to be used for another table. GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOSS 3. We waited 15 minutes before we finally waived down a bus boy to at least get us some water. 4. Our server finally comes around and doesn't say a word to us when she grabs the check of the table of the previous diners. And then she vanished for another 10 minutes. 5. By the time we actually ordered our food and drinks it was about an hour later than our original reservation. GRRRRRRR 6. We ordered 4 omelettes. All but one actually had the cheese that was listed on the menu in the omelette. I was actually able to COMPLETELY unfold my entire mass of eggs, spinach and kale. It was RIDICULOUS!!! Needless to say, our server did do the good deed of giving us a couple of baked goods to make up for it. HOWEVER, I don't want more food, I JUST ATE!!! Just comp one of the meals and well call it even. "No can do," she said. So we left... with two very pissed off men among us four. 7. I ordered a bloody and asked to get it vegetarian... yup... it showed up with the bacon. YUCK! When I asked for her to have the bartender make me a new one without the bacon she responded "we can just take the bacon out." NO you ****! They put the bacon to help flavor the drink in the first place. Just taking it out does not work! Ok... I'm done. And my blood pressure is way too high for making myself wait a couple of weeks to write this so I didn't go off worse. Ugh.
(1)Andy P.
Food is ok and the inside is pretty cool. With all of the other restaurants in the city the quality of the food is just ok. I also ate at the pizza place that's connected to the summer house and thought the food was much more impressive and tasty. Don't pass up a homemade cookie on your way out the door!
(3)Christina A.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had a reservation and, yet, we were greeted in a chilly manner by the hosts. The place was nearly empty when we arrived(9am) and they sat us at a high top next to the bar. I asked for a lower table and we were then sat at the two top right behind the host stand. Normally, I'd hate a table like that because of the amount of traffic that walks by. However, we were quickly greeted by our super friendly server, Conner. She was fabulous and made the whole experience so much better. What really shines at Summer House, however, is the food. Everything we ordered was awesome! We tried the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancakes served with maple syrup and lemon curd and the Hashbrown Benedict with the smoked salmon. Holy cow! It was amazing! The poached eggs were cooked perfectly so that the yolk ran when I broke into it. The candied bacon was yummy too. And who would complain about the rich Dark Matter coffee. I cannot wait to go back. The tough thing is going to be whether we'll order the same thing or not.
(4)Mike M.
ok food, but ultimately a failure. what i ate and drank were not particularly memorable. what i do remember well is was how i and my group was treated. the hostess made my group of 3 squeeze into a crowded bar when the restaurant was less than half full because "there are a lot of reservations currently". roughly 2 hours later when we were leaving, all the same tables were still open. lame. never again.
(1)Carolyn C.
Scott our server was very attentive and personal. Good food, cookies are amazing, sushi ok, drinks and wine list superb.
(4)Nichole F.
i have never been to a a lettuce entertain you restaurant that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed from service, to ambiance to food....until now. The decor and ambiance is great here, especially on a chilly, gray day. Service was fine but not great like I am used to experiencing with this restaurant group. Where Summer House fails though is on the food side and price for what you get. I ordered the roasted cauliflower side which was pretty bland along with the fried calamari. The calamari was not hot, not even really warm when I received and it was really greasy - I couldn't finish it was so unappetizing. For $14 for a small calamari appetizer and $8 for 4 pieces of roasted cauliflower, I expect it to be damn good. I went with two friends and one ordered a $17 cobb salad with chicken that was so small and poorly presented, it was absurd. My other friend ordered an overpriced asparagus "salad" and the tostadas app which were OK but nothing to write home about. So... 2 salads (not entree size) 1 side 2 apps 2 drinks = $96 Had the food been amazing and of adequate portion sizes, I would consider going back and wouldn't balk at the cost. That's just not the case here. If nothing else, I can say I've been.
(2)Sharon C.
We had a nice dinner here..food was tasty, HOWEVER I was really shocked by the skimpy serving of wine the waitress poured. Since when has serving less than half a glass of wine become acceptable? Have NEVER come across that before! Won't be coming back here very soon....
(2)Matthew F.
When you are at Summer House, you literally feel like you have been transported out of chicago and have entered some chic restaurant found in the trendiest area of California. From the appetizers all the way to the homemade cookie dessert, every part of the meal is delicious and freshly made. I definitely recommend the tuna tostadas and the calamari is mouth watering. It can be a bit pricey, but they have some amazing deals that allow you to cut the price quote substantially. Awesome date night place. Awesome place to take visitors visiting chicago who want to be shown a unique and great time.
(5)Suzuki G.
Went there for the first time and it was amazing! I loved ever bit of it. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. I definitely look forward to going back again soon!
(5)Adam F.
Delicious food although one of the meals came undercooked. They made up to us by giving us 100 dollars off our next meal. Definitely taking them up on that. Many options all tasting great.
(5)Lisa S.
I agree with David W. who just wrote a review before me. This is definitely a 4.5 star place! I went with my girl friend last night, and we decided to share several items on the menu. Everything was delicious, and the tuna tostada was definitely my favorite! The atmosphere was great....perfect for friends, family or date night. I love the openness and airiness, but I am not sure how well that will work once winter hits Chicago again. Our server was also extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made some great recommendations. I also have to mention the cookie bar. You should definitely save room for dessert! I highly recommend the s'mores cookie. (If you're too stuffed, you can always take a cookie home too)!
(4)Mike M.
Best brunch I have ever had. Had the Short Rib hash that was out of this world. Service and food are top notch. Airy feeling makes you think that you are in California. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Nicole S.
Such a lovely place to get some Vitamin D (in their Vitamin D room) and munch on some appetizers while having a beer. Their desserts are HUGE and to die for! Yelp offered a check-in reward - free cookie with a scoop of ice cream. So good! We had a wonderful waitress (Michelle) who was very helpful and kind; really went out of her way to make sure my mom and I enjoyed our time. I highly recommend this place as a date spot or a girls-only date. Really beautiful ambiance and great menu. Very fair prices, too.
(5)Ritika K.
My friend and I stopped by for lunch last Saturday and we were seated at the bar. We got a table within 10 minutes without any prior reservation. The ambience is so fresh and modern. It truly lives up to the name summer house. I ordered orange juice and brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts were the best I've ever had. I even recommend it for those who don't like brussel sprouts. I loved the place so much that I immediately made a lunch reservation for the next weekend. You will get a free cookie and ice cream if you check in on yelp. Chocolate chip cookie was out of this world. Can't wait to go back in 3 days.
(5)Joyce L.
English muffins... Delicious, fluffy, warm home made English muffin with butter and jam. It must be the British colony upbringing, but when someone serves me a very well made breakfast stable like that, I go ga-ga. Even my friend agrees... And she lives a mostly carb free life! The rest of the breakfast/ brunch menu is a nice blend of Midwest and Cali cool. The burrito selection is comparable to what I'd find in San Francisco - the vegetarian Mission burrito is delicious! The pork hash was decadent and satisfyingly rich. Kale scramble looked amazing... When kale goes out of fashion, it'll be probably be a pesto scramble once again. Our server said French Toast was their best seller... I chose to have my sweets in the form of a correct ratio - aka bubbles dominant vs juice- Peach Bellini instead ;) Great service, excellent pastry department (fleur de sel cookie...!!!) and the kitchen wasn't bad either. Very worthy visit.
(4)N J.
The decor was beautiful & the service was exceptional! The food was delicious & great portion of Mahi Mahi Tacos! All of us loved our food. The only reason I don't give it 5 Stars - is the restaurant obviously had way too many tables & my chair kept on getting hit/bumped all night by servers & patrons. Other patrons also noted & commented on the overcrowded dining area. They should've pulled 1 or 2 tables out to create a better flow of customers & staff!
(4)Neil D.
Came here for brunch and it was fantastic! First upon entering, you get to see all of there yummy baked goods (we took a couple of these sweet morsels to-go). We were seated next to the bar. I absolutely loved the ambiance of this place. We walked out of the cold January in Chicago right into, well...Summer. (every 15 minutes, the lights would brighten up for a bit, as if the sun just peaked out from behind the clouds on a summer's day.) The atmosphere is so warm and inviting and everyone is super nice (great service!). I had the Bloody Mary to start off my mornoon. Delicious & Refreshing! My sister got the almond iced coffee...not so good. Tasted like cinnamon and water, very underwhelming. The food was delicious. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower (yum! light and full of flavor), Ahi Tuna Tostadas (excellent. very refreshing; exactly what you would want if you were sitting on a beach somewhere on a warm day), Caramelized Butternut Squash (my dining companions said this was very good. I am not a fan of roasted squash, so I passed on this one), and the Spicy Calamari (mmmm...so good! This is easily my favorite fried calamari anywhere! The breading is light and flavorful, the calamari cooked perfectly...goes great with the spicy mayo provided. Had we not ordered four apps to start, we all agreed this would have been ordered again). As far as entrées go, I got the "Our Prime Rib Dip Sandwich" which was okay. I have had better elsewhere. It was good, but I don't think I will order it again. Next time I come in, I think I am going to get the Breakfast tostadas. My table also ordered the chicken and waffles, three-egg breakfast, the sunrise burrito, and mexican hash. Everything overall was very good. This place is great from brunch. I will definitely be back for brunch and will come back to explore what they have in store for dinner! 4/5
(4)Alan G.
Went here for brunch and had a very good cinnamon roll. It was called the "jumbo cinnamon roll" or something. Went to pick one up the following weekend and saw only a smaller cinnamon roll labeled gluten-free. I asked the employee if they had any of the "jumbo cinnamon rolls". He stated that they were using new baking trays and these were the jumbo ones, just smaller. He said they were not gluten-free despite the sign saying "gluten-free". Well, my fault for trusting him. They were gluten-free and absolutely disgusting.
(2)Stella W.
This is for their brunch service... my friend and I went to the Stella Barra the night before but the interior and sunroof room at the Summer House caught our attention that we decided to come back for brunch after our 10k race the next day... I love the sunroof room and it has a really california feel...the menu and the decor... They are def. very accommodating...after the race, we didn't want anything heavy, but def. want some kinda protein for recovery, so i asked if i can sub. the sausages with the smoked salmon for an additional cost. i also pushed the envelop a bit with soft boiled eggs, which to my surprise, not only they said yes (most places wouldn't even make hard boil eggs for some reasons...it's not like they don't have water, pot and eggs)...but they also nailed it with 3 perfect soft boiled eggs!! My favourite!!!! The dish turned out to be almost perfect.... I wonder if they make a batch of hash brown because mine seemed to have been sitting out for a while...fortunately, i don't really like hash brown anyway... so then why 3 stars? well, even though they are very accommodating, our server disappeared like half of the time. Even though they use Dark Matter coffee, which made me really excited, the coffee that day was stale and acidic...i had to ask for coke instead. I drink my coffee black and tried so hard to drink it that every sip i took reminded me of the chinese bitter herbal soup my parents made me drink when i was little...no thank you!
(3)Fi Fi R.
Saturday brunch with a friend and a couple of kids at the Summer House was an INCREDIBLE idea! My Gosh- this place is AMAZING! The ambiance is refreshing! You feel like it is Summer sitting inside. Everything around was cute. Our Server was VERY sweet and attentive (sorry, I don't remember her name) We ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict, pulled pork hash, tostadas, Spanish hash and a couple of kids meals. For drinks, we had coffee, Bloody Mary's, and juice. EVERYTHING was absolutely DELICIOUS! Everything we saw served to other tables looked AMAZING! We will definitely come back! No DOUBT!
(5)cynthia t.
Came here on a Friday for lunch....Our server Kyle was super attentive and nice. I had the avocado toast with scrambled eggs and a friend had a turkey sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and the service was great, along with the bright dining room and as everyone else has commented on, the beach decor. The only downside I would say was the host stand. The young woman working there did not greet me when I entered and said hello; Instead, she just sort of stood there and continued chatting with a server/host . I figured out where my friend was sitting and just went and sat myself. Other than that Applebys moment, the service was adequate. Would return again to try out the rest of the menu.
(3)Raina P.
I have been there twice this summer. Once we ate outside and once inside. The place is beautiful. The area is lively. So i would give 5 stars for ambience. The food- not so much. It is very ordinary, meager, and over priced. I am surprised because these are not normal characteristics of a Lettuce restaurant. In addition our server had a slight attitude. The prices at lunch are not commensurate with the food. They serve bread for a fee. The salad had a laughable amount of chicken in it. I hope they can make a few changes here because i love the setting.
(2)Julieanne T.
It was cold and gloomy out in the dead of winter and we decided to check this place out. It was amazing walking in as it totally transforms your mood because of the beautiful decor and super brightly lit room. I ordered the Cucumber Cooler (non-alcoholic) and it was AMAZING, A little pricey, but so worth it, and the turkey eggs Benedict. Eggs Benedict is my all time fav brunch choice, and I guess it was my fault because for some reason when I read 'turkey' I imagined real turkey chunks but it came out as deli meat which was a bit of a buzz kill. While I was satisfied at the end of the meal, I do think that for the price they should include some sort of side item as opposed to having to order it separately. We shared an order of the candied bacon which was top-notch though, so that made it all worth it. A $50 breakfast for 2 people, without any alcoholic drinks, was a little too much for me, so I don't know if I would ever do it again. I think if I went again it would be to share some apps, get a couple of drinks and just enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.
(4)Emily J.
I've only been here for post-work drinks. Nice and light venue. Whatever is ailing you, it's easy just to leave it at the door. Must by the summery, California coast decor! The drinks were fab as was the bartender of the evening!
(4)Brandi A.
From arrival to departure, I loved this restaurant! The view is beautiful and the burger that I had was great. The drinks are very good, as well. Our server was very attentive and polite. I went to lunch with a friend around 3pm on a Friday afternoon and we had no wait. The one thing I didn't do was take advantage of the dessert bar. Please do so! It looks so worth it. I'll definitely be visiting again. :)
(4)Lisa R.
We were in from out of town. We had a mix-up with our reservations (our mistake), and they couldn't have been more accommodating, especially since we were a large party. Our server was delightful - humorous, helpful, and let us taste lots of wines before we made our choices. Our meal was absolutely delicious. The biscuits are to die for!!! Pastas were awesome. I can't say enough. Will definitely go back!
(5)Rachel W.
Summer House is very trendy right now so it can be hard to get in, or typically on a wait, but it has a great light summery vibe and I am a fan for drinks w/girlfriends, or brunch w/my mom. It will be really nice in summer when the roof opens up. They will sub tofu for eggs on their dishes, I recommend the hash w/tofu subbed and adding avocado :) Their veggie tacos are great, although I think pricey for veggie tacos. Beyond that, they have a few other vegan options such as guac and some salads, and they can modify a few of the veggie sides if you let your server know. I took a large group of clients here and we had attentive friendly service and clients were very happy. They also picked up a bunch of desserts that they raved about. As far as I can tell, no vegan desserts (yet).
(4)Adoley J.
Sat in the Vitamin D room for brunch which I needed since winter decided to show up early. Very warm and nice decor. Our waitress recommended the breakfast tostadas and they were delicious. Two crispy tortillas topped with black beans, pulled chicken all with a side of guacamole. The pulled chicken was tender and well seasoned and the eggs perfectly cooked. YUM. Everything on the plate was delicious. Afterwards a friend and I got the sea salt chocolate chip cookie with hot fudge and ice cream. Nothing but pure deliciousness. We had a lovely brunch and I cannot wait to go back for dinner.
(4)Linda C.
Energy, lighting, atmosphere, music and staff are on point. It's no kidding this place is always busy. Make a reservation and make sure you don't get discouraged to come here. It's well worth planning. Great breakfast and brunch spot. For bacon lovers - they have the perfect bacon. We had the crispy waffles, house made muffin, bacon and Mexican Hash (yes, it's amazing and clean).
(5)Patrick C.
Terrible service! Just terrible. The food was very average and overpriced. The only two positives were the atmosphere was decent and they had good Bloody Marys. Too bad we couldn't get a second because the server never stopped back after taking our order. The food runners drop at the table, turn around, and walk away. No butter, jam or syrup was provided for toast or pancakes. No coffee refills. Someone at my table had to get up and walk over to ask for a check.
(1)Kristin S.
I loved the hanging plant baskets and how they managed to keep the temperature moderate but keep a delightful west coast patio breeze going was beyond me, but AWESOME! Drool worthy food (I'm still having sweet sweet dreams about) and a unique atmosphere and decor! The place was packed which is always a good sign, and although we dined LATE, I mean I think we walked in for dinner after 10pm we still had a little wait for a table (which was fine because we waited at the bar.) The bar was adorable with a west coast vibe, white woodwork and flowy summer feel throughout. Courteous and knowledgeable bartender, comfortable seating, and nice glassware. I had the Maine Lobster Orecchiette and it was melt in your mouth delicious and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as heavy as I thought. The roasted chicken was also perfection on a plate! There is a lovely dessert/bakery case on your way out...awesome- fyi :-)
(5)Faith D.
Update on 6/3/14 (after our disappointing brunch visit in March): Decided to try SH again for dinner. Same 4 gals who were at brunch on 3/30. This time, we had a table near the front door. Gorgeous evening. Nice vibe. Funky/cool music. Busy but not insane. We ordered 6 appetizers to share among the 4 of us. Our server was Chris S. and we specifically asked that he NOT bring everything at once but that we pace ourselves. It worked out quite well. We had our food from cold to hot and in the following order: Guacamole -- (guac /chips /salsa all delicious) Burrata and tomato "jam" platter with toast (seriously as good as it gets) Roasted cauliflower w/jalapeno pesto (had a kick but very tasty) Calamari (fabulous sauce with this -- probably #2 favorite of everyone) Fish tacos (tortillas were yummy; guac - corn salad - slaw all good Orcchiette pasta with peas ramps asparagus #1 favorite. Fresh, light, so tasty! One of the servers recognized one of our group and had a surprise dessert sent to us -- a warm, chocolate, walnut cookie that was almost like a brownie and large enough for the 4 of us to share. We could not finish it. This visit was a totally different experience for us. Very pleasant. No slips. We also want to thank Corey Milner for inviting us back. We were impressed that you took our comments seriously and we wanted you to know that last night's visit was delightful. So -- THANK YOU. To my dining companions -- I hope this reflects all of our opinions. Mar didn't love the Burrata - but as she said on the ride home -- she ate the whole thing anyway. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday brunch 3/30/14 -- 1PM reservation for 4. Packed house. Our reservation was promptly honored. We had a very nice booth in the corner. Slowest. Service. Ehhver. Took about 12 minutes to be acknowledged by a server for water. Which then took another 5 minutes. One of our people had just run the shamrock shuffle and was in need of rehydration. Sheesh! Yes, it's a pretty place. Incredibly white, bright, clean. Bring sunglasses if you're dining during daylight hours. You've been warned. As for dining: 2 gals ordered Bloody Marys; 2 gals ordered iced tea. Server told us "we're out of iced tea". Really? OUT of ICED TEA??? Managers: That's just unacceptable. How about bring us HOT tea and tall glasses with ice? Got that done. But our server evidently could not come up with that on her own. Food was fine. Beet salad and Mexican hash browns for the table to share. Bagel and smoked salmon plate; chicken salad sandwich, fried chicken & waffles; eggs Benedict. All standard. Adequate. Good. Actually, once we managed to get our server's attention and place our orders -- the food came out surprisingly quickly and at the appropriate temperature. Also - we asked for a dessert menu as we were celebrating a quarter-century birthday. No dessert at brunch. That was funny as there is a BAKERY at the front of the restaurant before you get to the hostess stand. No dessert? Ridiculous. We told our server we were disappointed (and jealous because a table near us brought their own birthday cake and had we known .....) -- so she brought over a paper bag with a few cookies -- not on a plate for us to enjoy together - just handed the bag to the birthday girl. Never offered coffee. More training needed for this particular server. Did you bring her in from California? Does she not know how we do things in the Midwest? I'm not saying I wouldn't try again (for dinner) but as of now -- 2 stars. Possibly 2.5.
(4)Leslie B.
Had reservations for 4 at 6:30 on a Friday night and Summer House was already crowded! Due to looking at other reviews, I knew we'd wait for our table and we did, about 10 minutes. The interior and atmosphere of Summer House is refreshing. Bright white walls, high ceilings, definitely makes you forget the chilly temps outside. Our waitress came over right away to explain the menu, how there are more shareable items, etc. We started with a round of drinks and I opted for the Bonfire, which I highly recommend. Tequila, grapefruit, and spice make this one incredibly tasty without being too sweet. For appetizers, we went with the guacamole and brussel sprouts. The guac was very fresh and came with tasty chips, this was good for sharing with the table. The brussel sprouts were good, but came in an alarmingly small portion size for the price tag. Skip the $9 brussel sprouts if you're concerned about price, we each only got to sample a few. For dinner, we all ordered different items, but I think the girls won out big. Kara Z. had the trout, recommended by our waitress, and really enjoyed how it was prepared. I had the ahi tuna tacos and they were wonderful. A huge portion of spiced, rare tuna, it was awesome to be able to make my own tacos with the accompanying ingredients. Highly recommend. My boyfriend ordered the "double-decker" turkey burger, which is not meant for a hungry man. The patties are actually incredibly thin, which I truly believe should be mentioned on the menu. They were so thin that my boyfriend thought there was only one patty, so he asked our waitress if they could bring another or check it out. Unfortunately, the dish was brought back to him as is, with the note that there were indeed two patties. From a costumer service perspective, I believe he should have at least received a fresh burger, as his dish was gone from the table when we were all eating and returned cold. We checked in on Yelp and received a cookie with ice cream, which was fantastic. The manager also brought us pumpkin pie, to remedy the turkey burger situation, but a new turkey burger would have been the right move. The check arrived, $100 for the two of us, which I feel can go a lot further at other establishments in the city. Overall, leave this place to young Lincoln Park families and North Shore couples looking for a night in the city.
(3)Naz G.
Great spot! It took us a really long time to decide what we wanted because everything looked so good! Went with the tuna tacos which were really yummy! Definitely recommend! Cant wait to go back!
(4)Sandy D.
The restaurant is nice sat in the Vitamin d room light airy. The food was awful. We ordered Brussels sprouts they were tuff and not very flavorful. The guacamole was just okay. I ordered the fettuccine with English peas the pasta was dry and lacked any flavor. My friend had chicken tacos they were over cooked. I so wanted to like the food but really very disappointed. The icing on the cake we hardly ate any of our entree and the waiter took it away just assumed he would wrap it up and bring back. No he threw it out and when I asked he said sorry did you ask me to wrap it up? No shouldn't that be the question he asks us? He said he would order us another one. I told hi not to bother as it really didn't taste good anyway. Many more restaurants in the area,that are really good.
(2)Howard L.
There has been much buzz about the Summerhouse and it is very crowded and hard to get a reservation. I went there last night with my date and we both loved the interior. Very summer looking indeed. We were seated at 7:15 for our 7:00 reservation by using our pull with the bartender Kaile (?) who was very helpful and very nice. The food, however, was average at best. We had the prime rib sandwich which was grossly overpriced at $20.00. My date had a salad which was average and the scallops, which were average as well. Summerhouse did have a surprisingly extensive list of Pinot Noirs. Most wines by the glass were $12.00, which is also average. I wanted to like it more but my conclusion is that the space is really nice but the food is average and overpriced.
(3)amanda k.
Delicious food! We tried about 6 different dishes and loved them all. We were pleased from apps all the way to dessert. The mushroom enchilada was delicious! Service was fabulous as well! My only complaint is the fact that I made three separate calls to make and confirm my reservation only to show up and be told that I don't have a reservation, or maybe I do have one but it's for Tuesday? The front desk is a mess but once you get passed these girls, you'll be happy!!
(4)Lauren M.
The service is just as great as the food! They were very attentive with water refills and making sure we were okay. The food is delicious there a quite a variety of choices. When you check in via Yelp! you recieve a free warm and chocolate chip cookie and scoop of vanilla ice cream!
(4)Kristine C.
Back again! And probably again and again and again. My boyfriend is in love with this place, so am I and apparently the rest of Chicago. Every time we go they are packed. I love the ambience and decor. The website is not an accurate representation of how the restaurant looks and feels. On our most recent visit we popped in on a Thursday night around 8 p.m. without a reservation. Like I said, it's busy. We were not able to get a table for two for awhile. Being flexible management allowed us to dine at one of their waiting area tables. Unconventional, but their food is worth it. We went for the caramelized brussel sprouts and ahi tuna tostadas again for starts. I am glad these are staples on their menu. I think because we were seated in the waiting area, or they were just being nice, we were offered a complimentary golden beet salad. I do not eat goat cheese bit picked around it. I don't usually enjoy beet salads. Beets are too earthy tasting for my liking. The citrus or acid they add soaked up by the beets hide just enough of the earthy taste it surprised me! I was able to eat more than just two! For our entrees this time around we ordered the albacore tune tacos to share, and because we enjoyed it so much last time, the lobster tagliatelle. The tacos come with four tortillas on the side, with a separate plate filled with a tuna steak cut into six pieces (odd number for sharing), guacamole, slaw, and two sauces a spicy and mayonnaise based to make your own taco. I forgot that the lobster tagliatelle has a slight spice kick to it. Not much, but enough that I need to take smaller bits and breaks. Still, the lobster was abundant and I could taste it through the sauce and spice. Great follow-up!
(4)Robin L.
I love this place for bunch or lunch. (Haven't had dinner here.) I've sat at the bar twice even though we could have had a table one of the times. I found everyone to be extremely welcoming and upbeat. Service was great. I had some dietary restrictions (gluten sensitivities) and they were extremely accommodating. My food was delicious and I'd go again in a heart beat. Also, it really does feel like you're on vacation and at a restaurant in a beach town!
(4)jen m.
we went back for dinner over the weekend and I was pleased that our server was amazing!! (Thomas from Valpo) He provided nice suggestions. I was also pleased to see unoaked chardonnay which is my favorite. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered roasted chicken and was able to swap for brussel sprouts instead of kale.. the chicken was okay so I defintely want to go back to try more on the menu. thank you summer house for making it right this time.
(4)Jessica M.
My bf and I went there for lunch on a Tuesday , and loved it! I've been wanting to go forever. The ahà tuna was our fave, but we also had the Santa Monica Cobb salad, Amish chicken tacos, and this amazing cauliflower dish. Everything was perfect.
(5)Elizabeth K.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Summer House on my recent trip to the Windy City and experienced superb food and world class service. The restaurants decor made me feel like I was at a beach house on the sunny California coast. Luckily my server embodied all that is California, Aaron M. cared for us in every way throughout the dining experience. His thoughtful recommendations guided us through a meal full of yummy cocktails and tasty treats. Since I frequently use Yelp I was aware of the promotion offering 1 free cookie and ice cream, so naturally I took advantage. 5 stars across the board for this dining establishment. Well done Aaron M. & co.
(5)Maria V.
Great food! Fantastic atmosphere great service loved the California beachy light colors will be back again !!
(5)Reggie R.
Have only been for brunch, so that's all I can comment on. I am a huge fan of the ambiance and layout of this restaurant. Despite the 30 degree weather outside, Summer House will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside :) the Vitamin D room is great, open and beautifully lit. I also enjoy the countdown until summer, except, of course, when it's over 200 days! I ordered the most simple sandwich possible in the turkey club (needed something bland due to my somewhat wild night before) and was in awe. I think that says something when a very non-flashy menu item is able to truly satisfy. My friends ordered various breakfast entrees, all of which were good as well. I will echo some other reviews in that the waitstaff was not super attentive. However, I didn't much mind in this occasion because I wanted to have more time to visit with my friend from out of town. I can see how this would be frustrating under other circumstances! I want to go back to Summer House soon to explore the dinner menu.
(4)U H.
Service is horrible sat for 15mins without even being acknowledged. No one came to greet us. No one came to offer us water. The place was just so hectic and not organized. The host was very rude as well. Kind of sucks because it was my first time going to this place since I seen it on tv. Well I will never go back again! Thanks for the experience! Not!
(1)Noel R.
Summer House was decent but after a second visit I felt it was not particularly special. I don't think I would care to visit again, I think I would consider visiting again if someone else was covering the bill but only after exhausting other options. The food was okay, not cheap, though not breaking the bank expensive either. My portions were fair but one of my friend's dish was very sad looking. I was a bit puzzled by the differences in portion sizes for similar dishes. Deliciousness to cost was definitely lacking. As far as service, we were seated promptly and our server was very friendly and on point with everything. I do love the space and the atmosphere overall. A bit of a shame since I was so excited for this place.
(2)Lisa S.
This restaurant is gorgeous and in these gloomy winter months, is a sure pick-me-up, with it's bright colors and happy atmosphere. We went for brunch and our food was pretty good...our waitress, on the other hand, was awful. She spoke so quietly we couldn't hear her, even though she was standing right next to me. It took about 20 minutes to get refills on water, etc. I had the mission burrito, and while it was alright, it was pretty bland. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which for brunch, I though was odd. It's a beautiful place, and I'll definitely try it again for dinner. But it was a bit of a left-down. Oh, and don't forget to check-in on Yelp when you're there - free chocolate chip cookie with ice cream - definitely the highlight!! :)
(4)Cassandra W.
All of the tacos are amazing. Great service and great cocktails. (That was my tip) Begin Review Awesome atmosphere... it really feels like you walked into California. Skylights that open up to make it open air in good weather. The menu is amazing... A group of 5 of us had absolutely no complaints. Great cocktail menu, even mocktails for that friend who is pregnant (or for your non-drinker buddies). The appetizers are great too.. This place just feels like sunshine. Obviously I loved it. More tips: Make your reservation early, expect to be surprised at how long it takes to get a reservation, its popular, but it is worth it. Get ready to be happy. Great service, Great atmosphere, Great food.... It is the best. End Review
(5)Macy H.
I don't think I've had a better cookie in my life. Service is great, food is always amazing. My only issue is their coffee. it is very bitter. other than that, no complaints. what a great place!
(5)Jeannine T.
BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY I came here on a Sunday for brunch. We were a bit early but got seated on time for our reservations. Coffee was good and I'm a coffee drinker. I asked our waitress to make some recommendations. She suggested the cottage cheese lemon pancakes (I think that was it.) Combo sounds weird. I was hesitant and so was my friend. It can't be that bad, can it? So we ordered it as a side to our brunch entrees and loved it. Delish. I ordered the smoked salmon hashbrown benedict. It may be that I'm just a fan of fried potatoes but omgosh, their hashbrowns. What do they put in it? It was SO good. I like that the dining area is open, airy and sunny with fresh green plants strategically placed to provide a dash of color to the white decor. The waitress was super nice, and I remember complimenting her on her long lashes. She was open to sharing her beauty secret with me. How sweet! Haven't had the chance to try the dinner as the place is booked solid. Instead, I made another reservation for brunch tomorrow with my mom. Can't wait!
(5)Dan V.
Nice atmosphere and little else. Our food was bad. The service was slow. And OMG... even their cookies were bad!! - My $20 French Dip sandwich was very average and didn't taste like much. My friend had the pasta special today, which was so salty he had to return it. - Our waiter was overwhelmed. We couldn't get help all around, especially for my friend's bad pasta. - Even my chocolate chip cookie from the front counter was bad. It was all sugar, so much so that the cookie was gritty. This appears to be the recipe for all their cookies in the display. Very disappointing for a nice-looking place and especially for Lettuce Entertain You. Wow.
(1)R R.
Excellent breakfast/brunch spot. Food was fresh, well presented, and (most importantly) tasted great. The space is open and bright. Perfect for morning breakfast. Great take-away counter up front as well. Open at 8:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, which is a great as you don't always want to wait until later for breakfast. The restaurant takes reservations and there is a patio for nice weather. The other review below about "no gluten free" is flat wrong. Look at the restaurant's website; an entire gluten free menu is posted. Additionally, dining with someone who is gluten free, the staff was very helpful and accommodating in suggesting substitutions on their regular menu.
(4)Erin Q.
The atomsphere at Summerhouse is what you are paying for, especially on a cool April evening. It feels like you're lounging in a summer home in the Hamptons. That must be why it remains pretty pricey. We had small plates, the cauliflower was delish, I would highly recommend. We split a salad, and the staff was nice enough to split it for us. The bean toasts were good, but confusing, they came with edamme beans, not white navy beans like we expected. Portioned much bigger than expected. Overall, a good choice!
(4)Liezl P.
This place was a breath of fresh air! 5 stars for the ambiance, friendly service, and the yummy dessert bar in front :)
(5)Jami S.
5 stars for ambience - super cute place. Really feel like you are in Cali with all the light & white decor. Got a nice big table for valentines day with some friends. Service was overall good, the manager came up and asked how everything was so that was nice. Very friendly and talkative. Only issue was our server was a bit pushy towards the end of the night, we were lingering a bit but it was after 10pm so really who do you need the table for? The drinks were different and refreshing. The food was good. Our group shared everything. The burrata was a favorite. Tuna tostada was good too. Would return!
(4)Alison s.
Absolutely awful service. We came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, only to have it ruined by the "hostess". We watched her roll her eyes at the group in front of us. The had to deal with her snotty attitude. We let the manager know, she did not even apologize, just nodded her head and said "ok, ok, ok". The food from this place is above average, but There are plenty of lovely restaurants with the same caliber food and much better service. Try Bristol- they are absolutely wonderful there, and the food is much better.
(1)Emily Z.
The fresh white sunny decor is very refereshing, especially on a cold winter day! The space is large and you don't feel cramped by other tables which is a very nice surprise these days in Chicago! Though the brunch menu is large and contains breakfast and lunch items i just couldn't get excited about anything, which is very rare. I am a happy bruncher when I get a variety of sweet and savory in my dish and/or complementary sides. Think nookies, Yolk, or the option to order one specialty pancake at Southport Grocer, their menu is not really set up this way unless you find someone to split with, which sadly isn't always easy. Lemon cottage cheese pancakes ($8.95) were delicious, I wouldn't trade my first born for them, but maybe my second! It is a very large portion, but like most sweet entrees I say best split amongst two with a savory option as well. Even though ours were a bit undercooked in the middle which was disappointing, I would go back for these. Breakfast tostadas ($12.95) were really good and quite filling, but you probably won't be taking any home. Be forewarned there was still a bit of giggle in my egg whites, if like me, that's not your thing! Service was prompt and water constantly refilled. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I recommend trying it out for yourself! They do take brunch reservations, which is rare, and I'd recommend one!
(3)Susan P.
Very cool atmosphere, different from other spots in Chicago. Outdoor seating is great. No troubles with service - paced well, no rush. French dip prime rib sandwich was great as well as the tuna tostadas. Bit pricey, but the crowd is hip. :)
(4)Lynn H.
I had the turkey burger and ordered a bottle of wine with my friend. The atmosphere is different than any other place in Chicago and the service and food was great. I will definitely be back, but probably once the patio is open.
(5)Susan G.
Average. Nothing spectacular. Nothing to tell anyone "Gotta go!" Had the prime rib dip sandwich with gristly meat and thin, flavorless sauce with a side of frozen fries out of a bag. Not really what I expected for $18. Brussel sprouts were good, though. Simply don't get why it was packed with people.
(3)David B.
This is another time where I want to give a half-star. This place is a 4 1/2. I save my 5's for true excellence beyond compare. This place was an overall excellent dining experience and I've already booked a return engagement. The place looks beautiful, from the cookie bar at the entrance to the bright, open and airy dining areas. We had seats near the kitchen, where we enjoyed watching the plated food come out. Shared a bottle of NZ Sauv Blanc (something "goose") - very nice. -Starter: Biscuits. OMG. Amazing amazing amazing. Enormous, rich, buttery and oh-so-good by themselves, and taken to the next level when spread with the poblano butter and honey. You MUST ORDER THE BISCUITS if you go. -Entree: Fish tacos. I don't know what type of fish it was and didn't ask, but it was grilled about medium rare and very flavorful. I went with the lettuce cups instead of tortillas, and the mixture of the fish, the guacamole and the salsa verde were a perfect combo. I'll have to force myself to try something different next time because these were good. -Sides: Caramelized brussel sprouts and roasted cauliflower were both incredible. I could have had those two dishes as my meal instead. -Dessert - peanut butter fudge chocolate cake was fine, but nothing to write home about. The warm Peanut Butter cookie with sea salt chocolate ice cream on top was divine. The cookie - by itself - was amazing. Heading back for a birthday dinner with my family and can't wait!
(4)Susan N.
I've been to Summer House twice in the past month. I really like it a lot. Everything is very good. The service is good and the atmosphere is great. I like the inside and the outside, and the part that's both inside and outside! The cauliflower is exceptional, and the chicken is enough for two people. The salads are wonderful. I loved the free dessert for checking in on Yelp. The first time I went, the server was great. The second time, I think that possibly she was a new server who was a bit overwhelmed. The only negative on the food was the biscuit. It seemed burnt, but the manager stated that this is how it is baked. I will skip the biscuit next time.
(4)Matt G.
This was the worst service I have ever had. My wife had to call the manager over because our server didn't come to our table for over twenty minutes. He said he would make sure we enjoyed the rest of our night and then another ten minutes went by before we saw our server, it was unreal. We ordered the calamari which was very mediocre, and the pasta I had tasted like Olive Garden, very salty and disappointing. My wife had the Ahi tuna tacos, ate one and was done. We have never called the manager over at a restaurant, and also have never not finished our meal based on quality of food. The atmosphere is actually really nice, the food is very subpar for the cost (our bill was $120), and our service was just awful. Finally, I have a peanut allergy and let the server know when we got seated. I ordered the beet salad, which did not mention peanuts, but it was covered in nuts when it came out. The server didn't say anything and the manager said it wasn't supposed to have nuts, he grabbed a menu and kept asking himself when it was printed, as if the date that the menus were printed relate to the peanuts that were all over the salad...what?! Very odd, never going back.
(1)Melissa C.
Brunch review.. I've been here a lot but only for brunch.. Its freezing in here ... So cold that your coffee cools off.. Maybe thats why the food is usually lukewarm or just plain cold.... The scrambled eggs didn't seem scrambled? More like cooked beforehand and cut from a square tray. They have a good banana muffin.
(2)Amy O.
The service is way too slow even when it was close to closing time and the tables were mostly empty. We were one of the last tables to leave as it was past closing time and the waiter took forever. He spent 20 minutes by the bar area and didn't bother to check up on us even though we wanted to pay and leave. There was no excuse for him to be dragging when it came to getting the bill and waiting on us because he was waiting on no other tables. I really wanted to like this place because I often eat at the LEYE restaurants but in all honesty it's overrated and they need better staff.
(1)Roxy A.
Summer House Santa Monica..a place where you can getaway from the Chicago Winter and feel like it's Summer in Santa Monica. Also as an LA native, SHSM makes me feel like I'm home and not freezing my ass off in Chicago. Took my familia here for the first weekend that SHSM launched their brunch menu & I gotta say I truly enjoyed it. Even my Mom who is not a big fan of breakfast/brunch loved her meal. The ambience is great here and I really recommend coming here on the weekend for brunch so you can experience the ambience. They have high ceilings with skylight windows so the sunlight comes into the "Vitamin D" room. Upon getting seated they also offer you some snazzy SHSM white wayfarers so you can bask in the sun during brunch. The white washed walls and wicker chairs really make you feel like you're dining al fresco in California. I ordered the Caramelized French Toast which was accompanied by some homemade whipped cream. It was delicious and not too sweet. Also ordered up a side of the candied bacon..definitely try this..you will not regret it!!! The bf, mom & sis all opted for the special which was a Lobster Eggs Benedict. Had a bite of this and it was really good. They didn't skimp on the lobster and the hollandaise was delish. My dad ordered one of the hash dishes. They also had a tableside OJ/juice service which was nice and the mimosas were really refreshing. I made reservations via opentable and was glad that they also set up a high chair for my 1 yr old niece. The service was great and they didn't treat us like the plague for bringing a baby to brunch. They were also accommodating with her and made sure my niece had something to eat as well. SHSM is part of the LEYE group (Lettuce Entertain you) and the set up is somewhat reminiscent of Beatrix in River North. Make sure to make a stop at their pastry bar on the way out. The cookies are to die for..chocolate chunk cookies w rice krispies?! Looking forward to coming back again for lunch & dinner!!!
(5)Frances A.
Not sure if the food lives up to the price tag. But I did enjoy it. I've been there on several occasions - dinner and brunch. Beautiful clean atmosphere - and the same can be said for the food. Tuna tacos are very clean and fresh. Literally like they pulled it straight from the ocean just as you ordered it. My only issue, is that they are pretty scrimpy. Yes, yes, yes, America is absolutely gluttonous, but your price point is high, and I never felt full. Not even after the "A Hot Mess of Fries". The al pastor was cooked to a tea. The fries were unbelievably mushy (not in the good way). But the fried egg definitely saved the plate. But then again, anything with an egg on it is better. So not necessarily innovative. Santa Monica egg white omelet was very pretty - but it sorta ended there. It was so incredibly bland. I like the fact that this place tries to be healthy. But at the risk of taste?????? Loved the cookie... w/ ice cream. Thank goodness for the cookie.
(3)Rebecca N.
Another good restaurant in the books for LEY. Similar food as Hub with less trendy-more beachy vibes. I REALLLY liked everything we got-- I just didn't think anything was that different. The eggplant was outstanding as was the roasted chicken and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were salty and just average. The guac and tuna tostados were good, but nothing to write home about. I will definitely go back here as is a restaurant where everyone can find something and it is not too expensive, but nothing blew me away. There is still a lot on the menu I am excited to try! ***Expect to wait past your reservation time***
(3)Joey F.
Went to Summer House for the first time and thought the food was awesome. They have the best Calamari ever. Then the tacos were awesome too. The only downfall is that the portions aren't to big. To end the meal they have a big cookie counter. Cookies are huge and I suggest not eating one yourself unless you want to be nauseas the rest of the night!
(5)Missy C.
I dream about their smoked salmon hashbrown benedict and candied bacon basically every day of my life.
(5)Grennan K.
The decor is very airy & light. Something straight out of California. Beautiful white painted wood and super vaulted ceilings with the front entrance as a garage opening door (sort of like american junkie.) It's very light hearted and inviting unlike most other pretentious creepy dim light joints. Came here to eat with bunny for dinner time. It was a tuesday night and surprisingly packed to the brim. This is definitely a hot spot for congregating with girlfriends... as we observed that it was packed with women. Anyway the rainbow trout was perfectly flaky and very flavorful served on top of amazing whipped potato. The menu is very american (sandwiches, seafood, meat.) I'd definitely come back here to sit in the cute circle booths. Cannot wait until summer time to hit this spot up, again. p.s. cookie bar right in front is awesome.
(4)Paola S.
From the wonderful ambience to the delicious food this place is a must. We ordered the breakfast tostadas and the summer burrito. Very tasteful! Our friends had blueberry waffles and the Acapulco omelette and they were very pleased. The patio gives you the feeling of being in mid summer even when it is low 50s outside. Can't wait to go back, we are seriously considering going back as many times as needed to try everything in the menu.
(5)Shradha A.
Love love love this new place! The ambiance was so well lit, spacious and California! We actually felt we were on vacation from the cold Chicago winter for two hours! Service was solid but of course the food was the second best thing about this place, following closely the wonderful atmosphere! I had the breakfast burrito and loved it! My friends got the scrambled eggs and tostada and enjoyed their food too! They do take brunch reservations on opentable and I highly recommend it!
(5)Nathan F.
Get the calamari. It is life changing. Also, if you enjoy bourbon, get the Monte Cali. If they try to seat you around the perimeter of the vitamin d room during daylight hours, throw a fit. Not your fault they designed 3/4 of the restaurant to be amazing and 1/4 to be stupid. Did you pick that up? It's called the vitamin d room, and you need to sit there. Request it. Don't take no for an answer. We were here last week, and then again today. Our waitress last week was amazing. Our guy this time was new, or just really really nervous talking to us because we were so attractive. Also the food runner was basically throwing the plates onto the table and running away, again, probably intimidated by our attractiveness. I'm joking. What the hell was that ... where do you find your staff? Introverts.com ?
(5)Sheila C.
Omelette perfection is what I experienced at Summer House today. Avocado, crispy tortilla chips, fresh cheese, and carefully prepared eggs... I also vaguely remember friendly service, tasty berry jam, fresh butter, and an interesting crowd/scene at 11am on a Saturday... But above all else the omelette...
(5)Yvette F.
A favorite for brunch. Can get busy and loud, but staff is friendly and accommodating. Atmosphere is lovely year round! A very trendy Lincoln Park crowd.
(4)Sarah Charlie L.
Cool little spot, with an awesome patio, and I mean awesome BUT that's about it. The decor is very California and almost brings me back to my time in San Francisco. The service was not as great as the decor... After waiting 2.5 hours to be seated and the host who was practically ten years old told me that I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. Luckily I actually quoted the girl by reminding her that she said the wait would not exceed 2.5 hours and then miraculously a table was ready... The waiter was quite pushy since our seats were 'excellent' since there were many others also sharing the same hungry wait that my friends and I endured. (Only we did sneak off down the block for a pitcher of sangria from Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba since after all no one likes a sober Sunday Funday.) Food is 'okay' but nothing that you can't get elsewhere for way cheaper, in other words, cost does not meet the taste or value. Drinks were not super noteworthy. Would I go back? Probably not. I think instead I'll go to San Francisco for the actual summer slash California effect.
(2)Daniella H.
Very cute atmosphere! I went with my girlfriends for a birthday dinner. It was loud and the service was very poor. We were all very disappointed, our waitress came to our table a total of 3 times and was not friendly at all. The food was good, small portions.
(2)Mimi M.
Awesome food, wonderful ambiance, & good service! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
(5)Cassandra M.
Laid back Cali style, good food, cocktails + jeans. Heard mad reviews about the place and while the atmosphere and service was great, the food really wasn't that impressive. And you can't get a glass of wine under $15?
(3)Paul K.
Loved the layout and decor of the restaurant. The atmosphere was laid back and vibrant. Food was great but there was a little overload on the 1000 island dressing.
(4)Lindsey C.
The thing making this review so low is more of a moral issue for me. Looking at my bill, split between my party of 8, my portion was around $45. The breakdown for the tip % was calculated wrong that was on the bottom of my receipt, and it was in the servers favor. So a 20% tip for my bill was said to be over $10. Don't get me wrong, I used to work in the industry, tipping more is standard for me. But why lie about it?! Why do it dishonestly?!
(1)Margaret H.
We were very lucky to be able to reserve a table (via Open Table) on a Friday night during restaurant week. We have been wanting to go to a restaurant that will make us forget about the life sucking Chicago winter and make us remember that summer is right around the corner. Enter the cute interior and summer count down clock!! Enough of that.. lets talk food. To start, we ordered the Hot Mess of Fries based off a recommendation. Think poutine, but not so heavy with an overabundance of gravy. Pulled pork, bleu cheese, and a fried egg top the home-cut fries. There was almost too much bleu cheese, but we still ate every bite. For our main courses: Get the Lobster Tagliatelle, don't look back. It was flavorful with a kick of spice! I also tasted the Lobster Frites and Pork Shoulder. The pork shoulder was absolutely delicious, paired with their root vegetable mash. I will definitely be back to order that as my main entree! We were running late to a movie, so we didn't enjoy dessert there, but I snagged a few cookies from their bakery counter, conveniently located right when you walk in/out. You pass it before even getting to the hostess stand. I grabbed the bacon chocolate chip cookie and the apple oatmeal cookie and didn't look back. I repeat: BACON. CHOCOLATE. COOKIE. The ambience is perfect for those who long for California. Summer is infused in the beach house-esque decor, from the lights to the walls. Definitely a cozy feel! A few notes of improvement: When I walked in and informed the hostess about my reservation, she didn't walk me to my table where the rest of my group was sitting, but pointed to it from across the busy dining room, stating, "They're over there." They did that to my friend that followed as well. You're busy, I get it, but taking me to my table is part of the job description. Overall, a wonderful experience! I can see this restaurant being a big success in Chicago!
(5)Jimmy J.
A.) Wonderful build out. Open, airy, lots of white. Bright and contemporary. A non Chicago feel. Outdoor patio area was a nice touch. Upscale but not stuffy. B.) Matt, server was friendly and casual, but still professional. Prompt. Attentive. Alvin, our busboy was warm and on top of things. C.) Summerhouse is an excellent option for those who like to eat semi healthy or vegetarian. In a day and age where the rage is serving fried pig parts and cooking in different butters, this place serves some healthy entree and appetizer options that focus on locally sourced vegetables and high end grains. Charred Brussel sprouts in aged balsamic- 5 stars Roasted cauliflower in jalapeno pesto-5 stars Quinoa & Avocado Sushi Roll-5 Stars (wow!) Kale & Arugula Salads- 4 stars Bucatini pomodoro-3.5 stars. Quality noodle but semi bland. Porterhouse Pork Chop-1 star. The one failure of our experience. Dry. No flavor. No sauce. But the corn n fava succotash w hand cut fries on the plate was great. Complimentary dessert for our anniversary was chocolate cake with house made ice cream. Stellar but rich rich. 2 cocktails. Tax. $120. For the quality and neighborhood, not so bad. Highly recommended. Another great concept from LEYE inc. We ll be back
(4)Ryan S.
Went for lunch and the menu was more of a brunch/breakfast menu. Got the fries and calamari for starters and both were pretty good. For the main course tried to get a short rib hash but server failed to let me know ahead of time so kinda rushed and picked the waffle and chicken. Chicken was dry and waffle was pretty hard. Aside from my main meal all around service was good (excluding forgetting to let me know the sorry rib was out). Busy spot, go if your curious but I'd pass next time.
(3)Michael S.
Good food, disappointing experience. Strike 1 - We had a reservation but had to wait 25 minutes for our table. That's excessive. Strike 2 - We ordered a cocktail off the menu. They were out of it - no problem. Discussed alternatives with the server. They have several non-alcoholic fruit drinks which we added vodka to (similar to the menu item we had wanted). When the bill came these drinks were almost 50% more than the cocktails on the menu. When we asked why, she checked with her manager. Their response was that the brunch cocktails are discounted. Okay, but I wanted one of those, but they were out, and these were our substitutes. But even then, they charged us more than the "regular" non-discounted brunch price. Makes no sense, but they didn't care. We would have simply ordered a different option off the menu had we known we'd pay such an extreme premium. Strike 3 - My sandwich was made incorrectly. No problem, the waitress said they'd remake it. But they didn't. They attempted to add what they'd forgotten, except they didn't. They still forgot one of my toppings, and it still had a topping on it I had not ordered (and that I don't like). I didn't change my mind after I ordered, they made it wrong. But they still didn't remake it, and they still didn't give me all of my toppings extra-cost toppings on their second attempt (but they still billed me for them). Good ambiance, and the food is in fact good. But I'm so disappointed by the overall experience I will never go back. They simply could not have cared less about whether we enjoyed our experience. They simply wanted our money (including for things we didn't get) and showed no concern when we even bothered to inquire about our bill.
(1)Diana K.
Definitely worth a try. It's hard to get a rez though so make one on opentable in advance. Even with a rez, it took 35 minutes to be seated so that part wasn't great. The vibe is very similar to Beatrix with the cookie bar and same delicious cookies, and overall beachy/calfornia feeling. Be careful if it's raining because their atrium roof leaks a little - nothing you can't withstand, but it's noticeable. Oh and street parking was a bitch. And valet is a dollar more than Joe's in River North- take a cab not to deal with that mess! Was so excited to see homemade biscuits on the menu - BUT THEY WERE OUT. DO YOU KNOW HOW SAD THIS PREGGO LADY WAS TO HEAR THAT? I was pretty despondent, for the rest of the meal, not going to lie. Waiter should have offered some bread in exchange but just was like yeah we're out, sorry. Again, I cannot emphasize how sad I was lol. So the meal goes on, we share the burrata which was delicious and the spinach dip which was forgettable and rather small portion for the price. Moving to more the main meal, we share the korean pork tacos which was made of pretty good quality meat and had good flavor, but it felt like an appetizer. It just had some lettuce cups and little bit of slaw. Put some rice on the plate or something to round it out. The two others at my table liked the lobster orecchiette, but I thought it tasted a little metallic, although the texture of the pasta was nice. I think the favorite was the pork porterhouse - good flavor served with delicious mashed potatoes. Good news! After asking about the biscuits for the third time, they have made more! I now know that my sadness was totally valid because these were awesome. I liked the plain honey more than the jalapeno butter. Desserts sounded pretty good, and they had sundaes which you could add half a cookie to. I recommend the rice krispie chocolate chip- yum, They were sorta cheap on the ice cream. I literally ate a whole spoonful of whipped cream because it looked like it should have been ice cream. I mean there's worse things to eat in life, but I would have preferred a better ice cream to whipped cream ratio. So to sum it up, I'd go back .... and maybe just for the biscuits.
(4)Neamen L.
The blondies are a must! This place has the feel of a California restaurant. It gets a bit crowded so make sure you make a reservation. Pricing isn't over the top and the food quality is good.
(4)Michael H.
Disappointing.. I really like LEYE and all their concepts but this place needs a new manager. The staff just doesn't give a shit cause they know they will make $$ no matter what! Sat at bar for almost 10 min while the "Bartenders" restocked the bar? Kid could barely speak.. Gave a menu.. The prices are absolutely outrageous!! $20 for tacos? You do that// draft beer $7? Lots of strange Lincoln Park folks inside.. It's packed and I really don't know why? Tried a burger and it it was luke warm with those little "fries" from the bottom of the bag! Totally uninspired crap// 3 on the scale at best and blew $28 for a lousy burger and ONE BEER!! Only saving Grace was the drunk Lincoln Park Trixie with the silicone! Sellers here.. Get dat did
(2)Teresa H.
I am obsessed with this place. My best friend took me here for my birthday dinner and I was seriously blown away by the cocktails, food, and atmosphere. It's a nice little piece of summertime -- especially in the dead of Chicago winter. Cocktails: I got the palm fizz and Sonoma coast, my friend got the bonfire and the palm fizz. All were perfectly executed -- props to the bartender. Now into the food: we got the ahi tuna tostadas, fresh burrata, and spicy calamari for appetizers. The first two were incredible, I could've eaten about 5 orders of each. The flavors of the spicy calamari were delicious but it obviously sat in the window for a little bit because we were taking our time with the other apps, no biggie. I would definitely order it again. We split the ricotta & pecorino ravioli for an entree and that was amazing as well. Finally for dessert we got the lemon meringue which was light, good way to finish our meal. I would've gave a 5-star review if it were solely on the food but the service was subpar. Our server was spacey to the point where I couldn't tell if she was new or just overwhelmed because it was busy. Either way it didn't turn me off but would've been nice to see her smile a little bit. Overall, I will be back to enjoy the beachy vibe -- especially in the summer with the retractable roof!! Ps - get some cookies on your way out. I recommend the peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie!
(4)Andre W.
You can't miss this place as its the very lit up spot a little south of Armitage on Halsted. This place really looks like it should be in Cali and not Chicago, especially in the cold blistery winter of Chicago. Upon walking in you will see a nice selection of fresh baked goods at the entrance...everything looked good especially the magic brownies. We were seated immediately since we had a 6PM reservation...probably would have been tough to get a seat as the place got pretty full on a chilly, icy Sunday night. They have a huge window in the front which probably opens up during the warmer months. They also have comfy looking couches in front of the window in which I bet will be hard to get once the warmth of spring/summer shows up. The lighting is very CA...not too dark and not too light, but almost perfect for the setting. The interirior is very nice in size as it has regular tables, booths and hi-tops along with TVs hung for your watching pleasure. The menu is not huge, but definitely effective. We started out with calamari as an appetizer and it was simply delicious. Some calamari is very thin and bready (not a real word I don't think), but this one had much meat inside of the breading. Some of the best I've had! For my entree I went with the Rainbow Trout along with caramelized brussel sprouts. The trout came with the skin for flavoring along with mashed potatoes...very good. The caramelized sprouts were off the chain as the flavor was very kick ass. In reference to drinks, they did not disappoint. I started with the exotic fruit punch which is on tap. It includes Tito's Vodka along with seasonal exotic fruit and was pretty good. I decided to go with the Sonoma Coast next which is a chef-crafted cocktail. It includes pisco, lemon juice, pineapple juice and allspice..very good as I wanted to drink it for the rest of the night. Awesome spot for the area and will definitely be a hot spot in the warmer months.
(5)Kelly N.
I had a ton of friends go to Summer House and heard such great things, so I knew it'd be the perfect place to bring my mom and sister for the first time. We were not disappointed! We started with the biscuits and cauliflower as appetizers - sooo good!! I got the chicken tacos, which were pretty standard, nothing special. The rice that came with the dish was a little hard in spots, but other than that, the meal sufficed. My mom raved about her lobster pasta and my sister couldn't stop talking about her fish tacos. She said they were the best she's ever had. We were about to leave when we were suckered into getting dessert - and it definitely didn't disappoint. We had homemade vanilla bean ice cream with butterscotch sauce and brownie bites - complete with half of a chocolate chip sea salt cookie! Needless to say, we had to be rolled outta there after :) All in all, the ambiance of the restaurant is top-notch - such a great place to go as a couple, bring your family, whatever. You really feel like you're somewhere else (maybe Santa Monica, perhaps?) and not in Chicago. I also tried brunch at Summer House a week later and got the caramelized french toast, which was delicious. Be prepared to take half home - sooo filling! I also split the bacon steak and hash browns with my boyfriend. I was a fan of the hashbrowns, but not of the bacon steak - it was too fatty for my taste. Overall, highly recommend Summer House. I think the next times I go, I'll be going solely for appetizers, dessert and/or drinks.
(5)Ted N.
Great design! The interior is beautiful and very reminiscent of California. The details, like matching sunglasses for the service staff, were cool. The food was also good. The French toast was a huge hit with all four of us. The Santa Monica omelette was also highly regarded- light, but filling, with a bit of spice. The vegetable hash was less popular, and not as hashy as expected. Overall, even though one dish was unspectacular, we would all love to come back again.
(5)Diana P.
We were exciting to try this place and didn't realize it was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant until we got there. Decor is unique, light and airy. Great place for dinner with a group. Here's what we had: Spicy calamari: so delic despite others reviews here on YELP Hamachi: fresh and melted in our mouths. If you're not a raw sushi person, this is prob not the dish for you Polenta potatoes: tastes like mashed potatoes with creamy cheese-heavier dish but good side! Burrato: so good but spicy so beware (we didn't know this) Crab pasta: eh, wasn't a fan, too fishy and the sauce wasn't anything special Rice Krispies: amazing but very buttery. Not your typical stale Rice Krispies. Overall, enjoyable meal, everything was fresh, well prepared but left us wanting lots and lots of water which meant salt overload. Staff was great, our waitress very sweet, knowledgeable and made our experience great-didn't rush us with anything which we loved.
(4)Carol K.
Wow! What could be better on a cold Wintry night than a blast of California with Summer House Santa Monica? From the time you twirl through the front door- you feel as if you have traveled 1800 miles to the west coast and are sitting at the beach, as this place is all decked out for Summer with whitewashed walls, front windows that will open to the street in the Summer, a glass roof, ferns hanging from the ceiling and beach balls galore. The focal point of the restaurant is the open kitchen and wood burning grill. Even the servers have a casual feel with their plaid shirts and easy going attitudes. But there is nothing casual about the food that they are serving here. Everything we had was absolutely terrific and our server, Adam, was well informed, personable and just the kind of guy you want waiting on you. I also have to give a shout out to the host stand. On the snowy night I was there- the traffic was abysmal so I was totally late for my reservation. And although some of my party was at the bar-no one thought to tell the host that they were there. So imagine my dismay when I arrived to a packed restaurant only to find my reservation was long gone and there were people standing in line. Well thanks to the thoughtful hosts, they were able to seat our party at a fabulous table by moving a few things around. They didn't have to do this but the fact that they did made me a very happy customer, indeed! Once seated- we ordered an array of appetizers to begin . . .the "hot mess of fries" was deliciously decadent with the egg and cheese on top, the guacamole and chips were fresh and plentiful and the Hamachi was also quite good. For our entrees- I went with the short rib as that was our server's suggestion and he certainly did not steer me wrong! It was so tender that it practically fell apart. And my friends ordered the fish tacos- quite unexpected with a nice piece of fish and then the toppings to create your own. Part of the décor is a huge sign that simply says "Yes". And as a person who spends a lot of time in the service industry I hoped it was more than décor . . .I hoped it was a mantra. And it was. I asked if any of the vegetables could be gotten steamed and while there was a moment's hesitation, our server glanced at the sign and simply said, "yes". He'd make it happen. And so he did! The wine list includes several nice ones by the glass and the cocktail list had a couple that I think were worthy of mention. The Pisco sour was delicious as was the Bourbon drink (kind of like an old fashioned). And given all the food we had, there was no room for dessert although the pumpkin chiffon pie sounded very interesting. Know if you drive that they do have valet out front for $12 (a mandatory in this neighborhood where parking is near next to impossible). And they also have a little bakery, coffee area up front where you can buy some really interesting looking cookies including one that is even gluten free! All in all, Summer House Santa Monica surpassed my expectations. And for this real Santa Monica lovin' gal, it made me feel like if I looked out the window- I might just see the Santa Monica pier and Ferris wheel looming right outside. It's just that authentic!
(5)Nancy V.
Feels very upscale beachside. We had a 5pm reservation because any later was booked solid. By 5:45 the entire place was packed & hopping! My friends & I had gazpacho, fish tacos & maine lobster orrecchiette (the lightest pasta dish I've ever tasted*****). Everything was so delicious we didn't want to leave. Decent wine list. Portions nice size...not overwhelming. The dessert bar is FUN....get something to go. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Wait staff efficient, knowledgable and friendly. Eager to go back and try more of the dishes!
(5)Andrea M.
I LOVED this place they have the best cookies in Chicago. I tried the avo toast for lunch and it was amazing!
(5)obsession c.
Summer House is my go to place on any special afternoon and for dinner time occasion. This lettuce entertain you restaurant has as a true feeling of summer no matter what season it is. The food is outstanding service is top notch. The staff is always willing to accommodate and management knows how to operate a restaurant. If you're in Lincoln Park you must try summer house!
(5)Cheryl B.
This place is an awesome addition to Lincoln Park! The restaurant is large and very inviting. I love the decor and it's perfect for a subzero temp day. White washed walls and rattan chairs with a huge skylight and hanging plants make you feel like you have been transported to somewhere warm. A nice cheap fix for the winter blues - beats paying to go on vacation! We tried this place out for brunch last Saturday. We found easy street parking a few blocks up (much better than the $13 valet!) and while it was packed, we were seated at a high top in the bar area. The table was really close to the server computer (a little too close) but I was just happy to have a table. Our server seemed nervous and awkward, but he said they had only been open a few weeks or had just started serving brunch. We started with a coffee (they serve Dark Matter) and I got their Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary was pretty good, had a unique taste to it and was served with a candied bacon garnish (bonus!). I had been eyeing the hashbrown benedict, but the server recommended the pork shank hash and the chicken tostadas. Both sounded good, so my husband and I each ordered one (I got the tostadas). I was not a fan of the pork shank hash, but my husband ate it all. The chicken tostadas were pretty good, the sunny side up egg was a bit undercooked for my taste but I still enjoyed it all. The next morning we woke up craving brunch again (I may have a brunch addiction). This time I called ahead and got a reservation for 10:30am (OpenTable wasn't working). We arrived and were seated, this time RIGHT next to the coffee station. This is where I take off a star- they need to move this table. Servers were bumping up against the table and reaching over us the entire meal to get coffee. Ironically our server was a bit slow on getting us coffee refills when our food came and I was very tempted to reach over and help myself. Oh well. This time we tried the hashbrown benedict and belgian waffle, both were fantastic. The hollandaise had a slight kick to it and the hashbrowns were nice and crispy. Can't wait to come back and try dinner! Minus one star for $13 valet ($8-$10 is more the norm for Lincoln Park), some 3/4 star menu items, and awkward tables. Five stars for ambience and the hashbrown benedict!
(4)Shiela R.
Incredible food and really great atmosphere. Loved the drinks!! Fun to sit at the bar for dinner if you're a small group of 2 or 3.
(5)Lois M.
Love the biscuits, delicious. made me feel kinda like I was back home in the south although the vibe here is very summer in California as described in other reviews. Its a perfect place to escape the dreary Chicago late winter/early spring doldrums. The food here is all around great and you can't go wrong. They have something for everyone with nicely done and generously portioned fish or veggie tacos, good veggie starters (liked the cauliflower) and some healthy options for an entrée like the asian quinoa entrée. Lobster sushi roll was pretty good. I would've given 5 stars if not for the service we got. The server was really pretty nice but we felt rushed. He brought our check before we got our dessert. I guess it was understandable because we were sharing entrees and not drinking much, and it didn't deter me from wanting to go back sometime. Also we were getting free dessert through yelp. Cookies=yum. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Peggy T.
My boyfriend and I got so many Lettuce Entertain You gift cards for the holidays, so we decided to use them and celebrate our one year anniversary here last Friday. Many of our friends and suggested this place in the past, and we are glad we took their recommendations seriously. It was packed when we arrived but we were seated right on time for our reservation. The atmosphere is really bright and our server was really nice. The menu has a pretty random selection, but based on yelp reviews, I had to try the Calamari as an appetizer. It was amazing, and the spicy dipping sauce was perfect. I had the Half Chicken with mashed potatoes and kale. Let me say I was weird about Kale as a side, but it was really good. My boyfriend had the short rib and he ate every last bite of it. He can be a tough critic (hes a foodie) and he raved about everything. We also got the Jalapeno Cauliflower as a side. It was good but nothing amazing, I probably wouldn't order it again. Because we checked in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice cream for dessert! Definitely don't miss that opportunity. Overall, it was a great experience, we will be back!
(5)Elyse G.
Super relaxing beach house vibe very chic open air ceiling. Love it. Great crowd and music. Menu perfect for breezy lunch with wine
(4)Lisa F.
Food is good but not as exceptional as the build out of this place. Truly a beautifully well put together place. The staff is over attentive which is worthy of 5 stars but the meals & plating brings it down to 3.5 stars. The braised rib was on the small side - plated solo on a very large round plate with the starch on a side dish?!? The tuna appetizer was plated in a round large dish AGAIN but the meal consisted of five "ritz cracker" sized pieces of tuna w topping & 2 lime wedges. Like I said, the food was good (not great) but the presentation was completely off for a Lettuce restaurant. Prefer BEATRIX for the money, food quality & presentation.
(3)Elle C.
I dined here for a second time on Easter Sunday. Summer House gets 5 stars for delicious food and for how awesomely beachy and airy the restaurant feels. It gets 2 starts for horrible service. My first visit was pretty good except that we had to ask our server two or three times to check on several items we ordered but were not brought to our table. At one point I think he thought we were lying that we never got our cinnamon rolls. Overall, I was pleased with the first experience and wanted to share it with my boyfriend so I made reservations for Easter morning. Because we had early reservations it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. There were only about 10 tables seated in the entire restaurant and the hostess initially tried seating us in the back of the bar near the bathroom. We kindly asked her if we could be moved to the front of the restaurant or in the main dining room and she made it clear she was not happy with our offensive request. Instead of acknowledging my question, she simply turned her back to us and walked back to host stand. A few seconds later we were seated in the main dining room right behind the deli counter. Not the best of starts. My boyfriend looked at me and agreed that she was less than pleasant during that 3 minute exchange. I can't say exactly how long it was, but definitely longer than 5 minutes, we waited before we decided to ask the nice girl behind the deli/bakery counter if she could get us a few cups of coffee. Now I know that 5 minutes isn't generally that long but usually within the first 30 seconds to a minute at most restaurants your server has greeted your table and offered drinks. It was another long while before an aggravated waitress marched up to our table with coffee asking if we were ready to order. We placed our order with Ms. Miserable. She made no attempt to be kind, up-sell us on Mimosas or anything of that sort. Also...no special Easter anything. Come on! I only made this reservation because I thought Summer House would make an attempt to pull together some sort of Easter brunch. Nevertheless, I had the lemon pancakes and bacon and they were heaven. Because the restaurant was still pretty quiet through our meal I could easily observe the previously unfriendly hostess chaising after and hanging on various male servers while other female servers looking annoyed chatting with each other. Ms. Miserable remained pretty slow, unfriendly and unhelpful until about the last 5 minutes of our breakfast when all of a sudden her "Now I'll work for my tip" face came on. We still tipped her 15% even though she didn't deserve a tip at all. I was hoping the first round of rocky service was a fluke but after my second visit, I'm thinking they just hire crappy servers. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon which is a shame because its a really cool place with great food. P.S. If Summer House reads any of these...put spoons in with your forks and knives! Stirring coffee with a fork is just silly.
(3)Gabrielle F.
Oh man was this place good! They have amazing signature cocktails. They have some pricey options on the menu, buteverything I tried was delicious. The place is open and bright, with very nice decor and atmosphere.
(5)Andrew P.
Great food and friendly service. Go in the winter for a summery, Californian haven to escape Chicago's blistery winds. Go in the summer and sit outside. Whenever you go, get the seared ahi tuna tacos and you'll never be disappointed.
(4)Kari F.
Bright and sunny experience at Summer House this weekend!... literally. We were looking for Lettuce Entertain You establishments in the area, and this one was a quick decision that we did not regret. Completely deceiving from the outside, the inside was super perrrty. Everything was bright and white in the open restaurant space near the other side that had highboy tables next to a decent-sized bar. Twas definitely screaming "Summer House".... Almost like a giant beach house with one of the coolest glass roofs I've seen. The decor was awesome... wood burning fireplace, pretty yellows and greens.... Some decor confused the hell out of me... such as the word "YES" in big bold letters... mmkay?... Yes... I digress... We were first seatedby the bar, but (since it was not completely packed) we couldn't resist asking to sit in the beautiful dining area, where the environment was warm and sunny. They obliged with no problem. Our waiter was super nice, attentive, and timely. We ordered wine and apps quickly... They were scrumptious. The spinach and artichoke dip was perfect- lots of chips with nice chunks of artichokes in there. No ripoffs there- and (surprisingly) it wasn't too heavy. The fresh burrata was new to me and freaking loved it with the tomato jam and arugula- all extremely fresh. I LOVE CHEEEEEEEESE!, so this made me really happy. I ordered the hand made pasta- Maine lobster orecchiette. For the price, I didn't expect a ton of lobster, but there were decent chunks... enough where I could share some with my family. The whole dish was packed with flavor but beautiful. I ordered the summer squash side with lemongrass, Thai chili, and basil (which came through almost minty)... it was so simple and insanely good. My favorite small side I got to try would have to be the roasted cauliflower... it was a brilliantly spicy combo. I tried my boyfriend's half chicken dish with kale and mashed potatoes, and almost got jealous it was so good.... Almost. I also tried my mom's salmon, which was cooked and seasoned perfectly- I love that slight crust on a fresh filet.. We finished off the meal by splitting a trifecta chocolate cake (I don't like chocolate cake normally... but this one was nutty) and ice cream with fresh raspberries... I also ordered one of the best lattes of my life that had sage in it.... mm--MM! Copying! Overall, I love this place because it plays with so many herbs, obviously FRESH ingredients and makes them work with a no mercy punch of flavor. Summer House doesn't mess around! Big compliments to the chef! Oh... and randomly Jerry Springer was sitting at the table across from us... Had a vision of his date flipping the table over after finding out he was her baby's daddy.
(5)Meghan T.
Fun, west coast atmosphere, despite that fact that you're in cold Chicago. Seems to always be crowded, but they did a good job of accommodating my friend and I last minute on a week night. The mini tostadas are to die for, and I was honestly too buzzed to recall the rest of our meal hence the four stars --if it was that good I would have definitely remembered, ha! We did split the burger as our entrée, and it was good, but I've certainly had better. Will be back, good for dates and groups, but a little noisy, so be advised :)
(4)Alissa P.
Great food, great gluten free options! TJ behind the bar was very accommodating of our special cocktail requests.
(5)Cindy G.
I was super jazzed to try this place, as I've heard great things. I was raised on Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so I know what to expect from their food and their service. The food at Summer House was good and I LOVE the glass ceiling and natural light. Such a welcoming, fresh vibe -- a great energy for brunch with the girls. Our waitress was fun and funny, so that was an added bonus. I ordered a bloody (VERY good) and the smoked salmon/hash brown benedict. Delicious. Also, they have carmelized bacon that is similar to the bacon at Shaw's brunch (if you know what I'm talking about, you know that this is the best bacon in town). I'm taking a star away because the coffee was down-right gross. And I take my coffee very seriously. My first cup had coffee grounds and other crap floating in it. I kept my mouth shut and scooped it all out---but then a server came back to top me off, and more grounds were floating around in there. Gross! I told the waitress about it, and she didn't seem surprised by it...which perplexed me. She brought me a fresh cup, but sure enough, with the next top-off, more grounds in my mug. I was so grossed out that I just gave up and stopped drinking it. Also, the waitress didn't comp my coffee from the bill, which surprised me because Lettuce is known to be very accommodating when something isn't to your liking. Otherwise, I left satisfied and would recommend this place to friends and would go back (at a time when I don't need any coffee ;-D).
(4)Devin H.
Awesome atmosphere -- feels like a summer house on the beach! Food, service, drinks, and dessert were great. Celiac friendly menu is a huge plus.
(5)Ann D.
My friends and I decided to check out Summer House not to long ago, it was our first time there, the place looks really nice, there's a small section for outdoor seating. I had a sandwich which was really good. I would definitely come back, although I had a waiter who was not friendly and that's why I'm giving this place a 4/5!
(4)Sera I.
Went here for a friends birthday and while it's got a great ambience the service is HORRIBLE. Our server looked annoyed the whole time, kept disappearing on us, was just rude. As for food - mediocre at best...the best thing was the bread. Tuna tacos- no flavor, overcooked, pasta was bland. I would not come back here unless it was for coffee.
(2)Kristine M.
Last week, my aunt and I were looking for a place to grab dinner in lincoln park and we decided to try summer house. It's a cute little spot and the patio is pretty awesome. (The decor was very california/florida). As soon as we walk in, the host (not evening look at us) asks " for how many?" we replied " two"... and then the immediate response was "It's going to be an hour".... And then literally, a sec later, she say "Actually, we can seat you" (In my head: There was SO MANY open tables) ughh.. Anyway, we sat and got food. I thought the food was decent... however, the portion sizes appeared to be really small. (or maybe i just eat a lot). But also, it's pretty pricey. I got the fish tacos. It was pretty good. Overall ... I would say it was OKay..
(3)Jack V.
Ambiance was great. Food was good. Would like to see an extended menu with more options or a few changes more often. I've eaten here a few times and always end up getting the same thing. Staff was excellent. Of course I'll be back.
(4)Callan M.
definitely pay for the ambiance. the food wasn't better than numerous other restaurants ive tried. however, the cookies are amazing. go for brunch, everyone has said it is way better!
(3)Leanne W.
Had a lovely anniversary dinner here with my boyfriend. Their wine list is fantastic, and the decor is light and beachy. Very California vibe. I ordered the mahi Surfer style tacos, which were served in a DIY fashion. Everything comes on the side and you assemble the tacos yourself. A little messy in practice, but hard to complain about the assembly of beautiful produce for toppings. The fish was a little overcooked but not awful. My boyfriend got a turkey burger which he enjoyed. Our server was sweet and not at all intrusive, which we appreciated. At the end of the meal she brought us a sundae and two glasses of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was the perfect finishing touch. 3 stars for the food, 5 for the service.
(3)Brian M.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic. I cannot understand any of the negative ratings for this restaurant. this restaurants food is all prepared in house - its fresh and fantastic. The apps are amazing - especially the fries. the best prime rib sandwich in the city - was absolutely incredible. This is a must go to when visiting Chicago!
(5)Donnie D.
I wish I could give a speech about how great this place is! Let's start with the food.. MUST order the mess of fries, ravioli, scallops, wagyu beef, salmon, Thai carrot appetizer, ahi tuna, panna cotta dessert. Those were just a few of my favorites! I need to give special praise on my top two dishes. I would honestly come back solely for the wagyu beef entree, it has to be the best meat I've eaten in Chicago. So tender, bursting with favor and bites of blue cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Girls and I devoured it within minutes. Then the panna cotta dessert was literally heaven in my mouth, just try it. Trust me. Aside from the amazing food was the service and ambiance. I felt like I was in California, so beautiful inside and sheik. Our server Erik was very knowledgable and we listened to ever suggestion he had. Managers would come up to tables and ask how everything was, another reason I love LEYE so much is because they do this at every restaurant and is highly appreciated. Side note, the beach ball you can order..is not a dish...it's literally a beach ball! You can see in my picture :) Cannot wait to go back to my new favorite spot in Chicago!!
(5)Reb T.
Walked in on a cloudy June day and honestly, I don't want to leave. Our waiter, Phil, recommended the ahi tuna tostadas. Now, I'm not a big fancy eater and the idea of watermelon and tuna? Umm I just started eating raw fish a few weeks ago. No. This was the most amazing thing I've ever had. I would get this again and again- such a little kick of flavor in each bite.
(5)Therese F.
Went here with a few friends on a Friday night. Overall, a good experience.The atmosphere, decor, ambiance are all fantastic. The other aspects: Service: We were seated on time, which I feel like is more rare lately. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable but it took a LONG time for him to return to our table (when we were first seated to get our drink order, to return with our drinks, to take our food order, to bring us the check at the end, etc.). The place was packed, but still - based on the # waiters walking around - I was surprised by this. He also forgot to put in one of our orders. Overall, average. Drinks: Very good. We tried a handful of the drinks among the four of us, all were good. Food: Hit/Miss in my opinion...either very good or meh at best. We ordered a bunch and shared. Roasted Cauli & Brussel Sprouts were good, but nothing substantially better compared to the # of other restaurants that serve these. Biscuits and Burrata were both delicious and I would highly recommend. The Lobster Tagliatelle was good with a nice kick to it - smaller for an entree of pasta, but if I had ordered it as my entree I'd be happy as I think most places give you wayyyy too much. Fish tacos were very good, pork just OK. The special of the night was ribs and fries - I had one bite of each and that was enough...neither were very good. I will definitely go back and would recommend the place, likely to try brunch as I keep hearing good things. In terms of the size of the dishes that some people have written negatively about...most of the dishes are supposed to be shared. With four people we had no issue with each person getting a sufficient serving of each dish.
(4)Patricia N.
Love the atmosphere. Tuna tostadas were great! Just a tad pricey for the portion.
(4)Gabriella M.
It's a weeknight, but it's packed. My girlfriends and I got there slightly earlier than our reservation time, but the hostess had no problem seating us early which was nice but had no problem waiting a few minutes if needed. This isn't our first time here and there is a reason we keep coming back, the CALAMARI! It is a tempura style, with a slight kick - it's to die for! Those even with a sensitivity to spice/heat can enjoy this. There were three of us girls and we had no problem polishing off two orders of the appetizer. It's just that good - it doesn't even seem like you're eating seafood. I ordered the trout, which I was very pleased with but my girlfriend ordered the short rib, when I say it was like melting in your mouth it was that delicious, you didn't need a knife to cut through the meat. Though typically with a short rib it should be cooked for so long that the meat is tender and juicy and pulls apart like a pulled pork would - they did a great job. I want to say I believe they change the menu up every couple of months. Can't wait for the weather to get nice, in hopes of them opening up a patio/or the glass door in the front of the building to enjoy a nice breeze.
(5)Kathryn H.
The third time was NOT the charm. The food was mediocre at best and the service was non-existent. When my friend asked our server if she had "Creamy Garlic or Ranch?" she replied repeatedly, "What?" I don't think the problem was that she was deaf...just incredibly rude. Am in the neighborhood and a frequent diner but will NOT be going back. Not worth the $$$$ despite having outdoor tables. Pass this up, there are such better places for the $$$ in Lincoln Park.
(1)Neema P.
LOVE THE DECOR. When you walk, you truly feel like you are not in Chicago. I felt like I was in LA or Santa Monica. We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the service was a bit slow. I mean REALLY SLOW. Our waitress forgot to hand us silverware, our food came almost quickly, but then our silverware arrived 10 mins later individually from the bust boys. Then we received a napkin almost halfway through my meal. I got the mimosa and my friends got bloody marys, which were both equally big in portions. My friends got the bacon and hash and eggs, and another friends the breakfast tostadas. I got the veggie tacos. Their's looks delicious, while mine was ok. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks and food items, and hopefully service is better.
(3)Niki T.
I had high expectations for this place! The place is beautiful and love the overall ambiance. Definitely a spot to check out ONCE. There were not a lot of menu options--and whatever food our group ended up getting was not so good... the drinks didn't make things better either. Definitely a place to pop in and check out but not to eat/drink!!!
(2)Jennifer P.
Had a fabulous experience here. I made reservations the day of for my friend and I for brunch and we were easily able to get a reservation and had no wait when we got there. The place is so beautiful and transports you to California. Food was SOO delicious. I had Mexican pork hash and it was amazing. My friend had the tostadas and she loved hers and mine. For some reason it looked small but I was beyond stuffed after I finished. I also had the Bloody Mary and it was fabulous. Nice and spicy not too tomato intense. All in all I cannot wait to go back! Service was great too! H
(5)Laina F.
Brought my mother-in-law and 4-month old. This place is always a home run regardless of the group or the occasion. Lucas was an amazing waiter!
(5)Lindsay F.
Living in CA for the past 9 years, I had to check this place out with a friend. The ambiance was super cute.We got a bottle of wine and tried an assortment of appetizers. My particular favorite was the calamari. When checking in on Yelp, we got a free cookie/ice-cream dessert too!
(4)Eizabeth K.
4 for ambiance and a timely seating... The apps are great but entrees are bland. Burrata, ahi, and calamari were all delicious. Mahi fish tacos were ok but bland and over priced. We had a party of 7 and everyone agreed the apps,drinks, desserts are much better than the entrees. The ambiance makes this place... But next time I'll be sticking to the specialty drinks and apps, oh and of course a cookie for dessert!
(4)LaKia C.
Love it! Great ambiance...great food! Drenched in sunlight and great customer service...stop in you won't regret it...it might just become your new favorite place. (P.s. I took my 14 year old and my 55 year old fiancée and they loved it too!)
(5)Aria S.
This place is adorable and great in the spring and summer with their retractable roof. It definitely has that SoCal atmosphere and is trendy without being too pretentious. The food it good. I wouldn't say it's excellent. I had the chicken tacos, Brussel sprouts, a bruschetta type dish, and of course a cookie or two :) the service was great but I recommend making a reservation on the weekends as it does get very busy.
(4)Asim S.
Awesome ambience, very cool, and makes you feel like your on the west coast. Everything was amazing..nachos with fresh guacamole, the cauliflower dish was amazing, we really enjoyed the salmon and mani mani fish tacos. But service was slow and it's super busy, and a tad bit Lincoln park boushy!!! I would definitely go back again
(4)Karla B.
A perfect place to meet a friend last Saturday for brunch. The bloody mary, which has candied bacon, lived up to the hype that I heard about. It wasn't over garnished and the attention was put into the flavor of the drink. It was perfectly bold and spicy. I had the wood-grilled chicken sandwich. It was exactly as described and delicious. The chicken was not dry or tough. I made a mistake and ordered a side salad (trying to be healthy to skip the fries), forgetting how much I disliked the salad the last time I was here. Much to my chagrin, it hasn't changed. The salad is still without flavor or purpose. I would HIGHLY recommend choose anything else other than the salad.
(3)Kori E.
We came here on Saturday night and it was a little confusing. The space is huge. If you enter and head to your left - its all white chic. If you enter and head to your right - its all dark wood. We went to our right and were told we could not order food in that area, and they were not seating anyone in this huge dining room - it was completely empty. We went to the other side of the restaurant and were quoted an hour wait so we opted to try and find something at the bar. We magically snagged a table and decided to eat there. Our waitress was great! We shared the calamari, which was good - not what I was expecting as it comes dressed in a creamy sauce. We also both ordered the fish tacos and they were massive. You receive two grilled pieces of fish - not sure what kind of fish - and you construct the tacos as you wish. Two of my friends had a cocktail and both loved it. I, of course, had wine and our waitress hooked it up with the pour. I hate dainty pours! I would come back, but with a reservation. Might be fun to just have drinks here as well...
(4)Romana Y.
The decor and Santa Monica feel is all this place has to offer. The service is absent. Very absent-minded servers. The food is mediocre, at best: super green and harvest salads are simple and average, and the albacore tuna tacos fell short. Food is a total miss here! The drinks were lacking, and the coffee was terrible! We passed on dessert! Second visit for brunch: significantly better. Their brunch menu, service early in the day, and beautiful Cali feel make this a must-go for breakfast/brunch. Pass on lunch/dinner here.
(3)Monica Z.
This place is great... nice decor and very trendy. We had the spicy calamari to start with - SOOO GOOD! A must try. I had the short ribs over mash potatoes. So comforting, delish and filling. My Husband had the fish tacos, which were mahi mahi. Those were light, tasty and fresh. We will definitely come back again soon. They are also part of Lettuce Entertain You. I totally recommend this place.
(5)Elizabeth L.
Great breakfast. Breakfast tostadas are awesome. Good muffins. Strong coffee. Good looking Benedictus but haven't tried them yet.
(5)Anthony S.
Food was good, THE Place Looks Very nice inside gives you that on the beach cottage feel. Looking forward to returning with friends.
(4)Toni F.
I took my family for lunch this past Friday. I have been before but it was my birthday and thought that it was a great place to go especially since my kids are Gluten Free. We had a 12:30 reservation and it was packed. We ordered our food and were having a good time. About 45 min later our food still hadn't come out. Once I brought it to our waiter's attention he sent the manager over. Corey, the manager, was very apologetic. The kitchen lost our order and a new order was put in with the kitchen. Corey not only made sure our meal was taken care of but also made sure I had a birthday dessert to go. I understand that mistakes happen and with Corey's great customer service we will definitely be back.
(4)Yessi R.
My experience here was great. It was a Friday night I was with a group of people for a friend's birthday dinner. I was in awe when I entered. It really felt like summer in there. Definitely cute. The service was amazing we were attended right away after being seated. However, we weren't all comfortable in the high chairs so we asked to be seated elsewhere. We were seated right in front of the cooks, which I loved. Everyone looked so sleek and cleanly groomed. I would've gave this place five stars but unfortunately I wasn't to happy with the food options. Wish they had more things other than salads and sea food.
(4)Samar K.
Let me get the obvious facts over with to get into why I gave this place 2 stars. Yes, it's a beautifully crafted restaurant. I couldn't shut up about how "cute" it was for the first 10 minutes. You definitely feel like you've left Chicago and stepped into a place somewhere in California. However the food is sub-par. Small portions which are overly priced and honestly not that spectacular. We ordered the Calimari, 1.5 pound of lobster, and spinach artichoke dip. My boyfriend and I didn't finish any of the plates. We left with frowns on our faces and $90 poorer. Honestly a waste of money. Granted the staff is friendly and funny.... I'd suggest only coming here for dessert or a cocktail.
(2)Rockstar R.
Came here for brunch about a month ago with a group of friends - food was delicious and service was great, but good seats are hard to come by and I didn't love that we didn't get to sit under the skylight windows and we were kind of in a high-traffic area. That being said, the atmosphere is still very "cool California" and I didn't even feel like I was still in Chicago. I'd definitely be back again for brunch. Smoked salmon hash - to die for. As is the French toast - half order is good enough for one, but I might even get the full order next time because it was THAT GOOD. Tasted like cake in caramel syrup - ok, bad description but trust me! I'd like someone to claim better French toast out there because I doubt there is any. The kale lemonade was absolutely delicious and refreshing, and they offer it with vodka but I wasn't in the mood for liquor. I had a nibble of the breakfast tostada and it was fantastic but messy. Good combo of ingredients, though. Overall, great place for weekend brunch, but won't give it 5 stars because it's a bit on the pricy side.
(4)Leo A.
After my previous review, I was contacted by a LEYE Partner and the general manager of Summer House. They handled the issues we had with great professionalism. Both went out of their way to make sure we received the best experience we could get and were able to get us a table last minute even with the restaurant booked a week out. We went back a couple weeks ago with a group of friends and had a wonderful time! They were extremely busy as usual, nonetheless our waitress was amazing, recommended great new dishes and the food was perfection! It is great to know that the Summer House team truly cares about their customers as it's one of our favorite places in town.
(5)Lauren S.
Finally got to check this place out Saturday night, after waiting 3 months for my reservation. But it was worth it, and I'll definitely go back. A few must-haves: --ahi tuna tostadas: bite-sized perfection; the guacamole is fantastic --Sonoma Coast cocktail: I had two, and am still dreaming of it. So darn good. --we also split one of the salads, which was yummy, so I'd recommend any of them. Entrees at my table were the burger on the English muffin with frites, which looked delicious, the lobster tagliatelli--creamy and had a kick to it, and the lobster was scrumptious, and the salmon with pesto, which also looked good. The dining room and vibe are great here--light, open, airy. Can't wait to go back when it's warm. Make your reservations now!
(4)Joanna A.
My go to spot!! The atmosphere is great! You feel like you're outside underneath the stars... Food is amazing! I love their turkey burger!!! Lucas, our waiter was awesome and very friendly ! Also not bad on the eyes!
(5)Kate C.
The food is decent but the 4 times I've been here, I've been let down by the service. Mostly the host / hostesses. And I'm not a harsh critic. On two separate occasions, I've made reservations, yet our party (with 2 people, or 5 people -- not big!), yet still had to wait a long time to be seated. Once we were basically seated at the bar, even though we reserved a table. I walked in for lunch once, and despite me seeing 3 or 4 empty tables with one quick sweep, they told me nothing was available. Evertyime I'm here I have issues with the service -- and I'm typically pretty laid back with that.
(3)Jeff S.
Simplicity is the word I used to describe Summer House to friends. The food was very good. The lobster frites were exactly one would think, but executed with care and precision. I couldn't keep my hands off of the frites, and the lobster was cooked in a way that felt like had they pulled it from the heat 10 seconds sooner, the center of the succulent meat would have been raw. I didn't enjoy the albacore tuna tacos as much; were also fairly straight forward with seared tuna, a healthy dollop of guacamole, and some charred corn/tomato salsa, but it was missing the wow factor. The somewhat stale tortillas probably helped contribute to that. Opt for a cookie at the end, warmed up, to finish your meal. A nice way to end a nice, if not particularly special, meal. At the end of the day, I'm not a huge fan of Summer House, but I would definitely go back. The menu isn't the most original, but at the same time, it offers enough variety to satisfy mostly everyone in the group. Perhaps Summer House is playing it safe, waiting for the weather to turn to more California-like conditions before it fully blossoms. I hope that's the case.
(3)Jennifer M.
First time I dined with my family, we had a wonderful experience with stellar waitstaff and great food...this impression was quickly overshadowed by my second visit. The second time I dined with my girlfriends, and the experience was horrible. We had a reservation for 3PM but still had to wait for 30 minutes to sit at our table, which is bizarre considering the off-peak time. When we sat at our table and when our food arrived, we still did not have napkins or silverware, and we had to ask for both of these things when our food arrived. Wait staff didn't even notice that not only were were seated a half an hour late, but we hadn't been properly set up. Both the hostess and server noted that we, as a group, needed to be somewhere by five, however still kept us past five at the table while we were all waiting with our coats on, standing up from the table, asking for our check several times. The hostess recommended the english muffin burger, so I ordered it. It came out completely burnt (I ordered it cooked medium) with chunks of fat in the meat-it was terrible. Our server didn't even ask how our food was when it came out, I had to grab her attention and let her know that the burger was burnt. Another order had also come out incorrectly. Her response was not very accommodating, and I was stuck with a barely edible burger. The most disappointing aspect of this dining experience was that I typically bring people to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants because of their consistency in good service and food. I was embarrassed bringing my friends here, and I was so disappointed that Lettuce wasn't more consistent in food quality and quality of service to its customers.
(1)Lucinda B.
We had 2 orders of eggs Benedict last weekend and the poached eggs were cold. They brought fresh eggs and they were also cold and did not bring warm hollandaise. They were apologetic but did not take anything off the bill and the service was slow. We won't go back.
(1)Kim H.
Can't say enough good things! We went for breakfast, getting dinner reservations is not easy. But, had reservation for breakfast, and were seated right away. The one less than perfect star comes from the fact that on the menu it says fresh squeezed OJ, but it is Tropicana. That was the only disappointment. I had the root vegetable hash with poached eggs. To die for. I will be craving this forever. The aioli on top was a good call. Delicious. Daughter had pork hash with fried eggs and it was terrific. Husband had one of the breakfast sandwiches. He enjoyed it very much. The best is when we left and brought home with us some fresh bakery items. One was better than the next. Reminded me of a Beatrix, but on a bigger level. Can not wait to come back, so I made dinner reservations already but I have to wait a little bit because I had to book far in advance. I recommend this place to anyone. Very kid friendly I must say, and in a good way. In other words, it was not a circus full of strollers!
(4)Bridget C.
My boyfriend and I went to Summer House last night for a casual date night. The atmosphere was perfect for a icky Chicago winter night. After looking at several reviews, it seems to be a very popular brunch spot, but we decided to give dinner a try. We had a 7:30 reservation. It was very crowded when we arrived. Even though we got there a few minutes earlier than our reservation, we still did not get seated on time. When we did get seated, my boyfriend and I noticed a simulated warm breeze blowing on us. I get cold very easily, and especially hate feeling cold while dining, but this "breeze" was a great temperature and really made us feel that we were sitting outside on a warm summer night! It was wonderful. We immediately ordered two cocktails and the tuna tostadas to start. The tostadas came out pretty quickly and were delicious! They have a tiny spicy kick to them, but is nicely balanced out with the watermelon. Our only complaint with these, is that we wish there was more of it! YUM! Our cocktails took about 15 minutes to arrive to our table. We had completely finished our appetizer at that point. I ordered the bonfire, and my boyfriend ordered the jack rabbit. Both were extremely good, and not overly sweet. I don't like super sugary cocktails. These were perfect in my opinion. For dinner, I ordered the seared tuna tacos. I really like that the tortillas come on the side. This allows the diner to build their own tacos according to taste preferences. The salsa and the chipotle mayo were both delicious. I would absolutely order this meal again. It was a perfect amount of food for me. I was satisfied, but not overly stuffed. My boyfriend ordered the zinfandel seared short ribs. It was served on mashed potatoes and was topped with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and a flavorful gravy. It was super tender and practically melted in your mouth. I was able steal a few bites of this dish from my boyfriend, though I think it was hard for him to sacrifice the few bites. He loved it. Since we checked in on Yelp, we were given a free cookie topped with ice cream. The cookie was HUGE, warm, and gooey. Even though neither of us were hungry, we devoured that cookie... It didn't stand a chance. The reason I am giving Summer House 4 stars instead of 5, is because of service. We were not checked on enough. I think we ate our entire meals without our server asking if we needed anything. I may have ordered a second cocktail if he asked me during our meal. Overall it was a great experience, and we are looking forward to going back! Hopefully the spotty service was a fluke!
(4)Zack H.
I think I made our waitress uncomfortable when she asked me if I wanted my onions to be raw or grilled and while making eye contact with her I loudly said "RAW". Shout out to ODB
(4)SHONA M.
This place reminds you of the Hampton's! The hostess was very nice .We (my family) made reservations but completely missed the time was greeted with a warm welcome and friendly smile to still be taken. This is where the issue arises and why they didn't get 5 stars. First after being seated for almost 10 mins no one came to greet us, another waitress was in sheer shock that we asked for her help with ordering.. After looking very bothered she sent someone over that greeted us 5 minutes later. After that storm it was all sunshine from there I'm only guessing our food took longer than the adjacent tables were due to what we ordered but all in all I was happy to celebrate my Birthday lunch there.. The kale lemonade was freakin Awesome.. More seasoning needed on the guacamole but salsa was superb.. I will be back next time for dinner... The ambience really gives a wonderful euphoric feeling !!!!
(4)Lauren E.
Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 The atmosphere at this place cannot be beat. I went in the middle of winter and felt like I was on vacation. Everything about it is perfectly executed. I also love the kitschy bakery case in the front to pick out a cookie for dessert. The food was fine. Nothing was excellent, nothing was poor. I felt that it was a bit overpriced for what it was. I will definitely be back, but for an occasion where the focus is on drinks and a lively atmosphere, not for the food.
(4)Andrea R.
Well it most definitely isn't summer outside, but the cold weather isn't keeping the crowds away from Summer House. We recently had a girls night out at this new swanky restaurant and the big question once we arrived was out my friend scored a reservation. Lucky! After enjoying a palm fizz at the bar my party of 5 sat down for some delicious food served to us by the lovely Scott. We went the sharing route and everything was delightful. Personal faves included the fresh burrata app, spicy calamari app & the fish tacos. Great company, terrific cocktails, scrumptious food, stellar service (even including a round of jewish geography with our waiter) = one perfect GNO. And even more perfect...ending the meal with the heavenly chocolate cake and a cookie! If you're not as lucky to score a reservation at Summer House they've got a counter of baked goods you can order from anytime. Thank goodness I"m a 30 minute car ride away or I'd be there daily. Another culinary hit from our friends @ LEYE!
(5)Renschke C.
Ahhh it's like being in California for real. It's light and spacious. Met a girlfriend for lunch and we tried several appetizers which were all pretty good: burratta, ahi tuna and Brussels sprouts. Yes that's a totally different mix but honestly our waitress could offer us zero input on what to get. She honestly said "we have coffee and stuff." And yes the service was slow. But all in all I would go back and plan on it during the miserable winter months. I also really want to go back and try the pizza side.
(4)Shayna Y.
Walking into this restaurant from the brutal 5 degree weather, I felt immediately transported to Miami. The restaurant has a summery feel with a countdown until summer. I went during restaurant week which included 3 courses + a glass of wine. The restaurant is extremely accommodating for gluten free eaters. To start, I got, "ahi tuna tostadas" - the ahi tuna had great flavor and mixed with a bit of avocado and a chip, was delicious. For my entree, I got salmon with cauliflower puree and brussel sprouts. The entree was light, yet flavorful. My only complaint was that my salmon was not cooked enough to medium as had been requested - my friends also had a similar complaint with their fish. For dessert, I was expecting ice cream or fruit given my gluten allergy, but they had one of their famous cookies gluten free. It was the size of my head, warm, and came with a scoop of ice cream. I wanted so much to stop eating, but it was so delicious, I finished the entire cookie. I highly recommend this place - I love the ambiance and the food is great.
(4)Rocco S.
Just went there for lunch. The vitamin d room is very nice and airy and on a sunny winter day like today you felt like you could be on someone's deck in southern California. We got a couple of appetizers and sandwiches. The food was just okay. The highlight was probably the Brussels sprouts. Although they were a bit over cooked. And a couple of the items were overly salty for our tastes. Service was a bit slow. For the price, I think you can find a more interesting place to eat. Lunch for 2 with no alcohol was $65 with tip. Might go back for breakfast one day. Some of the items looked good.
(3)Monica B.
I came here last night for Restaurant Week with a couple girlfriends. Considering how cold it was, the interior of the restaurant was warm and inviting -- felt just like I was in California. I wasn't planning to drink, but the Restaurant Week menu included a glass of wine (nice touch), so I went with one of the red blends -- delish. I had the ahi tuna tostadas, salmon and warm cookie with ice cream. Overall, it was a great intro to the restaurant, but the regular menu had several dishes I'm more excited to try. I'll definitely be back!
(4)D S.
Love Summer House. We have now been there a couple of times, with kids and for night out with couples. Service is consistently excellent. They are knowledgeable, friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. The wine selection is great, and they give a significant pour. Every tuna dish was outstanding- the nigiri on fried rice, the tuna tostada, and the tuna tacos were phenomenal! We kept ordering more! The steak frites was just fine. Check in on yelp for free yummy cookie and ice cream!
(5)Christine L.
Loved the fish tacos and really like their drink selection. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious. The presentation and quality of food was exceptional. My boyfriend had the seabass and loved it. We also had a cookie and ice cream for dessert that was simple and delicious. What stands out the most is the staff. EVERY ONE is nice and engaging. They pay attention and if at any point I looked around as if I needed something, they were immediately attentive. The manager stopped by and it wasn't one of those empty "how's everything folks", it was genuine. Decoration is great, service is exceptional, food is delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Trevor H.
I would loved to have given Summer House Santa Monica a much better review because I have definitely had 5 star experiences in the past. However, the shine and sparkle of the initial open must have worn off because our Father's Day Brunch was not up to the bar I had set bragging to my parents about how delightful Summer House was. Needless to say, the decor and atmosphere make you feel like you are dining right in Santa Monica with plants and a light and airy feel. Our service was a bit odd to start off. First the host took our drink orders and then our waiter came by and asked the same question. He didn't realize the host had taken our order so totally fine. He came back to get our meal orders after we had received our drinks and our roasted cauliflower app (which is DELICIOUS by the way! Order two if you are like my parents who thought the portion was too small. I had no complaints on portion size). We settled in with another round of drinks and waited for our meals. And we waited. And waited. Finally my mom flagged down our waiter who while very nice, had become MIA for a while. He appeared attentive to other tables while ours seemed to get lost in the mix. Getting lost seemed to be the trend as after several minutes, he came back apologizing that our ticket was lost by the kitchen and they would be bringing out our meals ASAP. Our meals did come out and while my mom and I both ordered the Roasted Vegetable Hash, ours looked very different. Her's had lettuce and mine was lacking, looking especially tiny in the large bowl. While the portion would have been fine if we hadn't been waiting nearly an hour for our meal, I could have eaten more in this situation. The server did profusely apologize and offered us anything else we wanted. My mom was a bit more dramatic about the situation than necessary even though we were already assured that our bill was comped. I will say our waiter, I believe his name was Tim C., did everything he could to make up for the situation. We ended up walking our with a few cookies to enjoy for the rest of the day. Like I said, I have had exceptional experiences at Summer House but I'm only giving three stars right now because my dad's brunch wasn't what we expected. Hopefully next time will be better!
(3)Mike R.
I've been to Napa before, so the theme of it was quite interesting. My wife and I also adore Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, so this seemed like a slam dunk. Meal was meh (the barada was great though) Service was ehhh The drinks were solid But when it came down to everything, it was an overpriced Lincoln Park hot spot that attracted every boat shoe, magenta short wearing nerd in Lincoln Park. Lettuce has so many better restaurants and I feel like this one is trying too hard.
(2)Hannah W.
went there last night for my birthday. I'm a vegetarian, which generally no matter where I go it is difficult to find meatless-options. nonetheless i chose a pasta dish, the Whole Wheat Chitarra, I was not a fan of the Kale Pesto :( however, the waitress we had was so cool & nice about the whole thing & she took it off my bill. so, it total, 5 for service but -2 for food.
(3)hanna y.
I had reservations for brunch this past weekend. We got in a few minutes early and grabbed a drink from the bar. Summer House is connected to another restaurant and the bar at the Summer House was packed so we decided to go the Stella Barra since there were seats at the bar. I ordered a Bloody Mary, standard brunch drink. First off, the it cost $11 (2 dollars more than summer house??) and it was an awful Bloody Mary. There were supposed to be Salumi and Pepperoncini and mine did not have it. I asked the bartender and he said, "it'll take a minute because I have to make it" are you curing and aging the meat and growing/pickling the pepperoncini yourself ? Needless to say I never received it. At Summer House I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes and bacon steak. The pancakes were absolutely delicious but the bacon steak was a different story. It was more like bacon jerky. It was a thick piece of bacon but extremely fatty and very, very chewy. No thanks. My friend got the fresh squeezed juice, and I'm no juice connoisseur, but I've had my fair share of fresh squeezed juice and I'm positive this was Tropicana they're passing off as fresh squeezed juice. I asked the server, and she said it was fresh squeezed. Don't get me wrong, I'll drink ,my Tropicana but if I'm paying $4 a cup for "fresh squeezed" juice I'd rather BYO OJ Overall the main dishes were excellent but you can get delicious food anywhere for brunch. It's the details that make brunch special and makes you want to come back for more. I'd much rather spend my money trying another brunch spot.
(2)Becca T.
Where to begin? Impressed, but needs some tweaking. Loved the feel inside and I would like to come back for brunch. We started with guac and calamari. Both had a phenomenal taste, but the portion was really lacking for the price. Entrees were super fresh and filling. They had a great GF menu and very accommodating. Avocados were the most beautiful sight on my plate. When we ordered our sides the server said they were large and meant for sharing. For $9 we were given 10 brussel sprout halves... Hmm was that a joke? This leads me back to why I'm indifferent.. Great fresh food but tapas portions with a high price.
(3)Vince N.
Found a new go to brunch spot. Summer House does not disappoint. Makes me feel like I'm back home in Newport or Laguna. Everything is on point at Summer House, from the food, atmosphere, lighting, service...everything! They are trying to capture the essence of California dining and they do a really good job at it. I had the Santa Monica egg white omelette with turkey and avocado. It's exactly what I wanted and what I expected. Simple, healthy and straightforward. Their "Vitamin D" room is truly epic. I wore sunglasses, I had no shame. If you want to experience a different kind of brunch spot and you want to do it with the California laid back class, then look no where else than Summer House. Sunglasses very much recommended!
(5)Kari S.
The food is fine, the cookies are great!! Try the apple cinnamon cookie. It can't be missed!
(3)Tyler D.
The Spicy Calamari and the Prime Rib Sandwhich were both very good!
(4)Sonny P.
This place really does feel like Summer is just around the corner. When you walk in, you are initially greeted by their dessert/coffee counter and the restaurant is to the left and Stella Pizzeria is to the right. They have a countdown to summer which was pretty cool. To start off, we had the Fresh Burrata tomato jam, arugula, house-made bread, I highly highly recommend this to start off. The cheese is gooey and melts right in your mouth. I would request more bread because they give a lot of cheese. For the main dish, we had the Ricotta & Pecorino Ravioli arugula pesto and Bucatini W/ Forest Mushrooms. I would say neither of these 2 dishes were mind-blowing but were tasty. Service was good as usual since this restaurant is again a LEYE. I would go here again for the brunch menu during the summertime.
(4)Emily C.
I could eat the Acapulco Omelet every day and be happy. They have gluten free options at the grab and go and also GF toast as an option. Their cocktails are great as well. Sit at the bar and have the bartenders send out their favorites. Summertime is a most for me anytime I'm in Chicago.
(5)Whitney W.
Came in for breakfast this morning and the only thing that was good was the atmosphere. My eggs were served wrong, my mom was given sausage when we clarified bacon twice and the food was cold. This is a very similar experience that I had the last time. We won't be back. Don't come for the food or service.
(1)Kelly O.
Cool ambiance Fast, friendly service Did I mention the cookies... Ate the fish tacos and had a glass of the infamous goose- so tasty!
(5)Eileen D.
What an amazing experience! While the place was gorgeous, the service is what stood out to me. Our server, Rachel, was knowledgeable on the menu and helped us pick an amazing bottle of wine, not to mention her service was on point. TJ, the manager, came over to check on our table and took the time to go over the vegan options with me and pointed out that all allergy food is prepared in a separate kitchen. Amazing!! Now to the food, my pal and I split the brussel sprouts caramelized to perfection. For my entree, I had the curried veg and rice bowl, which not only had a nice kick to it but was perfectly filling. For dessert, we enjoyed the passion fruit sorbet, which was refreshing and reminded me of summer. I will definitely be back!!
(5)a g.
Came for a sunday brunch twice. First time, we were with a VIP and were treated as such. I had a great time, and wanted to bring my friends to show them how nice of a place this is, and how much like santa monica it can feel like, as well all have lived their at one point in our lives. Unfortunately, when I went the second time, I dont think I have been treated to rudely in a restaurant before. waited around 2 1/2 hours, ended up not even getting a seat as we "missed our table" despite sitting in the waiting area. No text was sent as promised. Too many other brunch options in chicago to waste time for mediocre food tha tis over priced. Come in, have a look at the ambiance, and move on to a place with better customer service and better food.
(1)Cara Y.
I've heard mixed reviews regarding Summer House, but having friends near and dear to the project, as well as an open mind to any and all experiences, I gave it a try. I went for my birthday with 7 girlfriends of mine for a Sunday morning brunch, and it was fabulous. Major kudos to our waiter, Scott, who kept the morning lively and acknowledged all of our (semi high-maintenence) needs. After presenting mimosas, fresh muffins and a fruit plate, we couldn't wait to order our meals. Despite a few mis-steps and forgotten deliveries of fresh coffee, extra cream cheese, ketchup, plates, and a few others, the food really was great and the taste/presentation unique. The minor errors were easy to forget and our meals and easy going waiter and staff truly made up for it! Aside from the obvious food review, the ambiance and decor of Summer House can make up for any issues experienced while dining. It was so naturally light in the restaurant (thanks to the gorgeous open windowed ceilings,) and made us all feel like we were somewhere warm and delightful; something my group is rather eager to feel at a time like this. Damn you Chicago winter, damn you. I'll definitely be back to try out dinner thanks to a great first experience for brunch!!
(4)Meg R.
Went here for brunch the other day and ordered the poached egg sandwich with ham and avocado and spicy mayo. So so good! I've been here a few times before for both brunch and dinner and have always loved it so I shouldn't have been so surprised, but I cannot remember the last time I had such a good breakfast. Waiting for an excuse to go back soon!
(5)Melissa N.
I've had two very good experiences at Summer House. I've never stayed for a full dinner, but I've sampled a variety of drinks and apps, and everything has been divine. Specifically, I love the Palm Fizz cocktail and the bruschetta-esque appetizer, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Service has always been friendly and efficient. The place fills up quickly and is pretty loud, but it never feels too crowded. It's a fun, somewhat trendy atmosphere. The best time to go is when it's warm out and the patio doors are open. This is a great spot to relax and hang out in Lincoln Park.
(4)Claire F.
I was pleasantly surprised with Summer House after hearing mixed reviews about it. The two dishes I had were divine and therefore I highly recommend the Prime Rib French Dip and the biscuits the start. Warning - the biscuits take 15 minutes to prepare as they are baked fresh, but they are certainly worth the wait. Don't forget to add the poblano butter and honey to the top before chowing down. The french dip was very tender and flavorful, although I understand Summer House's specialty is more fish (the menu is very seafood heavy). The side of fries was very tasty. I also love the cool and breezy ambiance of Summer House. When I went in late May the front windows were all open (which was a little chilly in mid-May, but nice and summery nonetheless). My friend and I ordered two sandwiches and the biscuits, coming in at about $50, but the bill would be considerably more had we ordered some of the pricier entrees or drinks. If you want to hang out with some friends and pretend like its summer year-round stop by Summer House; you won't be disappointed
(4)J W.
FOLLOWUP to my negative review: Manager/owner reached out right away. He offered to have us back for another dinner and sent along some gift certificates. We went over with some friends last night and it was a completely different experience. Once again had to wait 20 minutes past the reservation but were then seated at great table in the main dining room. Waitress was very attentive, overall excellent service. Started with some of the signature cocktails - HINT, you can get the alcohol-free drinks with booze if you like. I got the cucumber-mint (forget the name) and had them add gin, which came out great. For starters we got the ceviche and the spinach-artichoke dip. Ceviche was good but modest portion. Spinach dip was the better choice. Hot, gooey and very very good. I'm not even a fan of spinach dip and I would get this again. For the main dishes most of the table got the short ribs, which they all enjoyed. I took a chance on the trout. I love fish but I'm often disappointed as it's hard to cook just right. Not this time though. The trout was two full filets over creamy mashed potatoes. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious. As I noted before the space is very open and bright. It's busy but the skylight/glass ceiling is high so it' not too noisy. We had no trouble talking without having to shout. You always worry about consistency after having a first bad experience, but kudos to the management for responding to my review. It seems like our second experience was more typical and I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend Summer House.
(4)Rachel R.
Brunch was awesome! Came here on a Sunday and was greeted by pleasant staff. Was recommended the Mexican chocolate mocha which was the perfect touch to my meal. It was the right amount of cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper to give you the sensational taste of goodness. In addition we ordered the sunshine burrito and very nice caramelized French toast with a side of the fruit platter which were all equally delicious. Finally we redeemed the cookie (chocolate chip goodness) voucher through yelp - which was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place for brunch!
(4)Rosalba R.
I went for lunch with a friend and the atmosphere was beautiful. We had burgers with salad and I don't know which was better. They were both so good!
(5)Meghan J.
Ambiance -***** Service-***** Guacamole-***** Pan-seared rainbow trout-***** Fish tacos-***** Steak frites-***** Lobster orecchiette-***** Warm date cake- ********** :)
(5)K A.
Went there for Saturday brunch. Had the Lemon Cottage Cheese pancake which was good. I did get the Crispy Candied Turkey Bacon which was no different from the turkey bacon I microwave at home. Our waitress was always hard to find...it always took a while for her to get back to us. Went there again to try their dinner menu. We ordered the Ceviche which was ok. The Burratta & the Spicy Calamari was better. For my entree, I had the Main Lobster Orecchiette which was good. And for dessert, the Pumpkin Pie was very good. Again, our waitress took a while to get back to us throughout the evening. Overall, this place is ok...definitely over priced. What made things worse was we tried adding points to our "Lettuce Entertain You" Rewards and the person wouldn't look up our name. We've been to a number of LEY restaurants, and that was never a problem. Really no desire to go back there anymore.
(2)Susan R.
What a fabulous experience on all possible levels! The food was exquisitely prepared and presented and the chef willingly made those changes I (and my tummy) needed. The architecture and design of the space contributed to the lively/lovely atmosphere and dining exerience. The service is efficient, pleasant and warm and welcoming. I found the Menu offered me many choices that sounded interesting and delicous and the portions were ample. Our server noticed that chicken was not added to a Cobb salad, apologized and brought it complementary. While there was a buzz of constant conversation in the full dining area, the noise level was more than manageable and contributed to the energy in the space. We went for lunch around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon without reservations and were seated immediately,
(5)Kim B.
Atmosphere is very fun and lively, however, the food is just ok. The pasta dishes were too salty to be palatable
(3)Jack G.
Received a message from "chris" on of the partners concerned about my review. I was asked for a contact # or email address to help them improve. To date I haven't received any communication from them, and by other reviews, I've noticed a very similar list of complaints. Apparently I'm not the only one displeased by their service and food. Now I'm even more concerned about their perceived lack of feedback about my review...
(1)Kasper K.
It was good...as a foodie myself, it wasn't anything amazing, but it was good. I'd rather try some place new than go back there again, although the cookies were phenominal. Atmosphere was absolutely great. Service was good too. Definitely worth trying to see if it's your flavor.
(4)Emily B.
Four well deserved Yelp stars for decor, food, and service (in that order). Having just come from Santa Monica, California ("Coast" at Shutters), I can honestly say they nailed the design aesthetic. The food is fresh, colorful, vibrant - and there really is something for everyone on the menu. I recommend the fish tacos and the ravioli. The place was packed so we sat at the bar. I generally prefer service at the bar anyhow, but it was a little lackluster. Just didn't seem like we had any one person who was our server (ok, as long as they are overly-attentive, but they weren't) and our one bartender admitted it was his 2nd day and couldn't really make any confident recommendations (appreciate the honesty, just strange). My favorite part was when I ordered a fleur de sel cookie at the end of my meal and they asked: "May we warm that up for you?" Um, yes please.
(4)Kathleen O.
Had a hard time deciding 3 or 4 stars. I love the bright, open feel of the place, especially sitting inside but feeling like you're sitting outside. Staff always friendly and helpful. Good food but I considered giving only 3 stars b/c the menu seems limiting after several visits, plus the cookie/dessert bar always looks more inviting than it tastes. My husband and uncle always just order burgers b/c they don't find anything else they want. I love the barrata cheese app, beet salad with avocado and grapefruit, and adult grilled cheese (which I think they just took off the menu! bring it back!). Definitely a place to bring visitors, but be sure to make reservations.
(4)Sarah M.
We had a great waitress, but that was about it. The fish tasted and smelled old and the salads were bland. I only ate a few bites before sending it back because it smelled so bad I was worried it would make me sick. I rarely ever send anything back. We later found out that we weren't the only ones that complained about the fish that night. The manager was apologetic and generous, but I worry that there were some issues in the kitchen and I don't think I will be going back. It was very crowded for the middle of the week and it has a summery atmosphere that is welcome in winter, but did not seem like it was worth the expensive price for the food.
(1)Aly W.
Atmosphere: 5 Food: 3.5 Service: 1 I was a server at several different restaurants during high school and college and while sometimes it is terrible, you need to know what you're doing. The food was ok, not great but not bad by any means. The atmosphere is really cool - you feel like you are in Santa Monica. But the service, was awful. Our waiter had no idea what he was doing. We had five in our party and they repeatedly brought us 4 of everything - plates, silverware, glasses, and we needed to remind them of the one we were missing. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and at the end of the meal, our waiter told us that our "birthday dessert would be coming soon" and thus, spoiled the surprise. Last but worst of all, we ordered a bottle of sparkling rose and it came out room temperature. When we asked our server about why it wasn't cold, he said that he didn't think they stored the bottles in the cooler. Long story short, we talked to the manager to try to get a cold bottle of champagne (like normal people) and he proceeded to charge us for it. Bottom line, unless they seriously up the waitstaff, don't waste your time with this place. Sub-par at best.
(2)Emily S.
I have been wanting to go here for a while, and I finally did last night. If you want to go during primetime on a weekend night, prepare to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. At least. I made my sunday night, 7pm reservation a week in advance. When I arrived, the place was busy. People were waiting to be seated and both dining rooms looked full. They have valet, yes. That's a plus for me. We waited a few minutes to be seated, not bad. My friend and I sat at a tall table on the darker, left side by the bar. I wanted to sit in the bigger room, but it didn't seem to have many smaller tables. The decor was lovely. It looked like an actual beach house in all white with soft yellow lighting, greenery, and a full skylight roof. Our waitress came after a few minutes and poured us water from the glass bottle that appeared on our table only minutes before. She explained the menu and pointed out her favorites in each section. She was very attentive to coming back when we needed more time and knowing when we were ready to order. I was tempted to order one of the delicious looking cocktails, but wanted to keep the bill down. We ordered the caramelized Brussels sprouts with pancetta and olive oil, the lobster pasta and the english muffin burger with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. I liked how you could either do french fries with the burger or a salad. We chose fries of course. We split everything and it was plenty of food. I was almost too full for the rice krispie treat chocolate chip cookie I order for dessert. Everything tasted amazing. I was get it all again. My only complaint is that the food came pretty much all at the same time. They split every dish for us, which is nice. But our pasta came before the Brussels, which we ordered as an appetizer. That was the first bad sign. Then, as I was taking my first bite of the pasta, our sprouts were set down on the table. I didn't know which to eat first because both were perfectly hot. I told the person who brought us our food (not or original waitress) to please hold off on the burger for a while. He said okay, but I still felt rushed which eating my sprouts and pasta. And I had the right to, because the burger was set down when I still had half of my pasta dish left. And I was rushing to eat it! That really pissed me off. I would have felt like they were rushing us out, but I think it was just that our waitress put our order in all at the same time. It was not even 7:30 and we were almost done with our meal. Like, what? Anyway, I would be more mad, but the food was so delicious. I'll probably go back.
(4)Erica W.
I went to Summer House today for brunch and my overall impression is that the hype is mainly about the beautiful ambiance, because the food is just ok. The ambiance immediately transports you to California. The use of light and the decor is just so bright and sunny that you can't help but to imagine that you aren't in Chicago anymore. Everyone in the dining room somehow looked like they were from LA as well. It was so strange - I definitely felt like I was among the "beautiful people". That said, the food is just ok, the service is just ok, and the attitude of the staff is just ok (they aren't overly friendly, I noticed). I had the caramelized french toast, some eggs and their chicken sausage. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. I also tasted the pancakes, which were fluffy, but nothing spectacular. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream that came for free by checking in on Yelp (good, but my eyes didn't roll to the back of my head), and I later tried the brown butter rice krispie treat, which was way too marshmallowy, but the brown butter was delicious. Good place to go if you want to be a part of the scene, if you want to "see and be seen", but don't go with high expectations of culinary greatness.
(3)Mary R.
The food is only okay. Very small plates and expensive. Tacos good, beet salad not good at all (do not order). Mussels ok but for the price go somewhere else
(3)Emily W.
this is exactly the kind of place to go in the dead of a long chicago winter. food was great for brunch!! highly recommend the short rib hash, entire group agreed that was best. went with my mom and sisters for a girls weekend and this was the highlight. as many other reviews say, do not skip the dessert bar in front!
(5)Katie A.
Came to Summer House with a couple friends for Chicago Restaurant Week. We made the reservation several weeks in advance and were excited for the pre-fix menu options. When we sat down to order our server told us they were no longer offering the RW menu. (How is this happening? We already had a full blown conversation via text about what we all planned to select). Anyway, we were disappointed there was no mention of limited availability when booking (normally it's a 2 week offering) and we specifically chose Summer House because of RW. Lucky for us, the food and ambiance ended up being great and we had a good experience. As many other reviews mention, the decor makes you feel like you're in Cali (or at least not in snowy Chicago). The staff seemed friendly enough and although they were extremely busy, it wasn't overly loud like some other popular spots. You could definitely still carry a conversation. As far as food goes, we shared several menu items. Ahi tuna tostadas are fresh and flavorful, spicy calamari is perfectly breaded and seasoned, and the home made biscuits are perfectly complimented with a drop of honey. Would definitely order any (all) of those again. The sea bass entree was lacking in flavor and had a consistency like tofu. It wasn't terrible, but I would not recommend it either. Sides: beets with goat cheese and caramelized brussel sprouts were both good. Desserts (because who skips dessert!?): pineapple tostatda had an awesome flavor and was a nice change from the normal chocolate laden options. Of course, we had a chocolate laden dessert as well (duh). They have a huge cookie counter where you can essentially create your own sundae. It was awesome. Bonus: wine pours are generous to say the least. We will definitely be back, but hope Summer House improves communication about events/specials in the future.
(4)Amanda D.
I really liked Summer House Santa Monica. The staff here gets huge kudos - we were seated very late, and they gave us five free appetizers and a free bottle of prosecco to make up for it. For a starving group of 4 girls, this made us extremely happy! It is definitely a fun place to be and take a group of friends or celebrate something. I wasn't completely in love with it since the room is a very large space and the scene is very sceney. I prefer mellow, cozier places, but if you're looking for a night out on the town I would highly recommend it. The French Dip sandwich is the best I have ever had.
(4)Julie B.
The ambiance is great but the food was so so. WAY over priced for pedestrian dishes. The food was fine, but you could get much better, unique, creative food elsewhere for much more reasonably priced.
(2)robert b.
Not one of the better Lettuce Entertain You places. The menu is annoyingly eclectic In an attempt to be different. The salads were good, as was the burrata e cheese appetizer. The chicken taco was ordinary, even though I added pico de gallo and hot sauce. The server was terrific, but it would have been better to have her serve terrific food. The highlight was the cookie I bought at the bakery counter on the way out.
(3)Stan P.
Perfect! We are so in need of happy, yummy, neighbor restaurants. Summer House has arrived to fill the void. Beautiful, Santa Monica feeling; light wood, airy but not cold feeling. Can't wait to eat there in summer when the roof opens and the garage door opens onto the sidewalk. Summer breezes. But, even on the November drizzly opening night, it was cheery and warm inside. The food is great. It is not fussy in an Alinea way -- but it is delicious without being heavy and salty. We had the "hot mess" which was a bit decadent; the calamari was divine and the cauliflower was good too. I enjoyed the hamachi appetizer as an entree -- it was light and tangy. Others had the skate and the tuna which were all great. An abundance of fish and veggies on the menu -- but comfort food as well. It was all really good. Felt like eating at the home of a friend who is a great chef. The best part was that while there was high energy in the restaurant, we could easily have a conversation. And we did. I felt a little guilty holding the table for as long as we did -- but the staff was wonderful and never made us feel pressure to leave. Don't forget to order the chocolate chip cookie and the homemade ice cream for dessert!
(5)Katie C.
This place was nice, but fell short of expectations. We waited 40 minutes past our reservation and the staff could have cared less. Food was good but not great and I found it weird that the lights are so bright. Not in a hurry to get back here anytime soon.
(3)David W.
The atmosphere was wonderful! The servers were all very attentive, and they brought out delicious food. I'm a little surprised by the mediocre rating of this place. I've heard that the place is relatively new, so it must have improved a lot since its opening.
(4)kari n.
Summerhouse gets four stars for brunch. Mostly because the decor and ambiance are definitely kicking it, especially in the midst of this terrible winter. It felt like we were on vaca somewhere warm. The food was decent. The ideas in the menu are great. Execution could be better. Like my omelette was a bit dry. Sat under the heat lamps a big too long before making it to our table? And the beet salad was lacking in the beets texture- too mushy actually. Also our server was a smiley girl who didn't do the best job taking care of us/ just a little too MIA. However the bakery bar in the entry had some worth-the-calorie treats that we brought home with us and really enjoyed. Go for the ambiance, stay for the apple crumble cookie.
(4)mark s.
Pros: Great atmosphere, professional service, tasty food. Cons: Can be Loud for middle age or older people, pricey, it's a bit of a scene, very busy so you may have to wait even if you have a reservation.
(4)Danielle T.
I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and this was hands down one of the best meals I've eaten. We ordered the pork ravioli, burrata, calamari and cauliflower. All 4 things were simply amazing. I don't eat seafood and I couldn't get enough of the calamari. Pork ravioli was a little salty-- but we loved it!! Then our waiter, Scott! We just loved him. He really knew his shit! Recommended everything, knew wine pairings, etc... Wonderful ambiance! We will be back!
(5)Cristina T.
We came to Summer House for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Luckily we made reservations but were not seated until our whole party was there. Servers we kind and helpful, wearing trendy jean shirts and aprons. The kitchen is exposed which adds to some of the liveliness of this place. I personally felt a little rushed with our service, as our waitress came back every three minutes to take our orders. Our food also came out extremely fast. I ordered the Korean style skate wing that was situated on top of noodles. It was a decently sized portion but for almost 30 dollars, it was definitely overpriced. Though it was good and I ate most of it, I found the skate wing to be a little over salted and not a standout by any means. I think that the selling point of Summer House is the interior, not the food. None of our party of 7 had rave reviews. I think I would come back in the future for drinks, but nothing more than that.
(3)Jaime M.
Been to Summer House twice already and I look forward to coming back, what a great place! The food, ambiance and service, everything was great. The only thing I wanted to suggest to management is that when you serve tacos that the tortillas come in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a cloth. Tortillas go cold very fast and that can detract from an otherwise perfect experience (at Summer House they bring you the tortillas piled on top of each other, uncovered on an open plate) Just food for thought. This is a really awesome place!
(5)R R.
I heard this was the place to checkout. Upon arrival, the place was packed. And many appeared to be waiting for their tables. We had a late reservation 9:30pm and when we arrived we still had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. Strike 1. The food better be awesome! We were seated in the main room which was really cold. They even said they kept that room "breezy" and in the future we should ask to be seated in the bar area, Strike 2. We had the burrata as the app. It was good. Not great but good. For our main, I had the ahi tuna tostadas. They were flavorful enough. The BF had the Thai curry mussels. He enjoyed them. So the food was good not phenomenal for all the hype but still good. This seems to be a place to be seen and be in the trendy aesthetics rather than about fabulous food. But if you are a millennial this would be your spot. As for the service, our server disappeared for 10 minutes and we had to flag down a busboy for a request. Strike 3. So in conclusion, not a seen for the true foodie, more the wannabe cool kid that can say they scored a reservation on a Saturday night. I usually like LEY restaurants but this place is off my list. Go if you want to be seen!
(2)Maria D.
Beautiful decor and even better food! I have been here twice in the past week and a half! The food is great. Some must haves are the tuna tostadas, the burger, the spicy calamari, fish tacos, and definitely hit up the cookie bar when you leave! Both times we had great service. Both of our servers were very attentive, helpful, and gave great recommendations. I loved it and cant wait to come back. And just one more tip...the watermelon smash with vodka is great!! Try it!
(5)Jet S.
Great spot, Great food. Expensive, but not crazy. The only criticism it that the lights are too bright.
(5)Brenna N.
All in all, I enjoyed my evening at the Summer House, but I have a few complaints. I arrived at the restaurant at 6:40 with a reservation and were sat immediately. Our waitress approached us and we knew immediately what appetizers we wanted. We received one of the two, a little confused because both should have came at the same time. Anyways, we finished the first one and the second one was still MIA. Still no appetizer, we proceeded to put in our main courses. From the time we put in the appetizers 45 minutes passed. I asked about 3 times where our second app. was. Seemed to me, they didn't know. By the time the second app. came out, our main course trailed right behind. Wasn't too happy but whatever. I had the filet and my boyfriend had the short rib. Both very good. The food is good but I think the service needs some improvements. Upon leaving, the lost appetizer was comped off the bill and the manager brought of cookies for our anniversary. Great atmosphere, pretty good food, and iffy service.
(3)Michael G.
Great place. Food and service is excellent. I also found the restaurant to be light filled and relaxing. Each of the people in my party had a different entree and we all enjoyed what we ordered. The dessert was excellent. I had the cake with the peanut butter fudge. I will definitely be back.
(5)Kalee H.
I went here on Monday, just 72 hours after the grand opening and I was super impressed! The food, serve and atmosphere are wonderful! I highly recommend the guacamole, fish tacos and seared ahi tuna. The desserts looked wonderful too! Great place in LP and perfect for large and small groups!
(5)Jane S.
I am a frequent visitor to Chicago and I always like to try new restaurants when I'm here. Last night, I went to Summer House on recommendation from my daughter. What a treat! When you enter Summer House you are transformed to a place far from the blustery cold of Chitown. It is eternal summer in decor without being kitschy . There is a countdown to summer( only 180 more days) displayed on the far wall. A very cool vibe in general. I was informed, that the glass ceiling retracts in the summer to dine alfresco. We were greeted by our friendly waiter, Erik B. He explained the menu and drink specials. Don't pass up the exotic fruit punch made with Titos vodka . Now on to the food- there are small plate options along with traditional offerings. My daughter and I shared the Ahi Tuna Tostados upon recommendation from our waiter ,Erik. They were fantastic! The tuna was fresh, topped with chopped avacado,cilantro and fresh lemon juice. Then I had the grilled salmon and my daughter the steak fritte which was cooked to perfection. We also had the roasted cauliflower which had a nice kick to it. Not one to pass up dessert, we shared the cranberry apple crumble that was terrific. At the entrance to the restaurant, there is their bakery filled with oversized cookies and cookie bars. We took a few home for later consumption. They are not your grandmothers cookies! Chocolate chip with bacon or dotted with rice Krispy treats, oatmeal-apple cookies, etc.. Ambiance and service are first rate here. So, if you are n Chicago, eating at Summer House is a must!
(5)EH B.
Had brunch here today. An awful experience. If this is really a Lettuce place, their management skills have been seriously compromised. Details? Where shall I start? My pancake dish arrived15 minutes after the rest of the food at our table of 4. Of course the side order of sausage arrived with the rest of the food and was cold 15 minutes later. Did not occur to our waitress or management to address that. But it gets worse. The pancakes contained pieces of something green, perhaps lettuce, that should not have been there. Seemed likely to be the result of unwashed serving equipment in the kitchen., it was a true appetite killer. Oh, did I mention the failure of our young server to refill my ice tea glass that I consumed waiting for those late and awful pancakes? I will not be returning there any time soon.
(1)Dani K.
Love this neighbor spot. Bright and cheerful. Great menu with a special menu for gluten free diners. The tacos are my fave. Can't wait to back !
(5)Marina G.
I went to Summer House for Sunday brunch after the recommendation of a friend. The place is nice, sunny in a cold Chicago day which made my day. The food was OK, nothing special and our server was really nice. I will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.
(4)Sarah S.
In the dead of winter-this was a wonderfully inexpensive vacation. Great ambiance and the food was great. Had the hamachi green apple app as well as the tuna tostadas. The hamachi was out of this world. Also shared the fish tacos and lobster. Amazing. Can't wait to go again and in the summer.
(4)Marilyn A.
Four of us dined here last night and it was an expensive disappointment. While the food was acceptable it was very overpriced. I had the fish taco's and they were just ok my husband had trout and mashed potatoes, the other two diners also ordered fish. We had one bottle of wine and two side orders of vegetables. One person ordered a coffee and we had two cookies. The bill was $236 for 4 people . Not at all worth the money. I will not dine here again.
(2)Chris B.
Living close-by, we watched Tilli's crumble to the ground...would walk by as the walls rose up anew...and couldn't wait until the doors finally opened for the new restaurant! The adjoining Stella Barra pizzeria isn't far behind. It was well worth the wait, and we were eager to among the first people to officially kick-off Summer House Santa Monica tonight. Fantastic atmosphere from the valet stand, to the lobby with sweet eats, through the lounge and wine bar, and into the warm, inviting (and LIGHT) dining room. Smiling servers and management were excited to finally be open to the public tonight, and the food didn't disappoint. Chef Jeff Mahin's California themed menu was a nice respite from the overplayed Italian fare on this side of Halsted: fish tacos, the freshest guacamole I've had, yuzu scallops, deep, rich, braised pork ravioli...we tried it all (VERY kid friendly as well -- from bento box grilled cheese on brioche, to breakfast for dinner and kid-cups). We left with some of those sweet eats...chocolate chip and bacon cookies, chocolate chip and banana and apple-oatmeal, too! Looking forward to spending many chilly Chicago nights thinking I'm in Santa Monica with a glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine in hand, and to sunny summer days when the retractable roof pulls back and it will feel like we're in CA, too!
(5)Arif S.
One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Great staff and food so good, you will want to have sex with it!
(5)Jeremy W.
The food was great and the waitress was phenomenal! The only reason I am taking away a star is because I ordered the Lobster Tagliatelle and it came with Bucatini noodles instead. It was toward the end of the dinner service and the chefs thought I wouldn't notice, but I did, and the waitress felt bad. She had the chefs go in back to find more tagliatelle noodles and made me a whole new dish while letting me keep the other one. I will tell you for one, that this dish did in fact work much better with the tagliatelle noodles as the executive chef designed. So the whole meal was great, but I'm taking away a star for chef laziness.
(4)Charlie M.
Our evening at Summer House was great. The room is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a cold Chicago evening. Because of the lighting, decor and design you actually feel like you're eating in Santa Monica on a warm summer night. The tuna tacos were delicious as well as many of the other appetizers we tried. And the desserts... fresh baked to perfection. Definitely a great new addition to the neighborhood.
(5)Meg F.
I was really excited to try this place and am overwhelmingly disappointed. First I ordered a fresh squeezed juice... And they come buy and pour me a wine glass about 1/3 full as though its a high end wine. Fine... I'm there for a good salad anyway so I order the 'super green' which was only true in that it was green.... On the menu it listed like 10 delicious ingredients and what arrived was an arugula pile with a few pieces of Parmesan. After my 3 sip juice and my 12 bite salad I was STARVING so ordered more... I think this place wants to be upscale casual but it's having a bit of an identity crisis. To be fair the breakfast looks much better in terms of portions but if you are looking for a good big salad THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. The one upside is the atmosphere.... Very well done.
(1)Meghan R.
I just had dinner here with a friend on Friday night. It was very easy to get reservations on a Friday night at a reasonable hour as well only a few days in advance. I love the interior and it makes you feel like you are in a beachy cozy town in California. The food was absolutely delicious! My friend and I had the ahi tuna tostada as an appetizer, the steamed cauliflower which was delicious, and the salmon for my entree. The portions were perfectly sized and very tasteful. I love that the food had so much flavor and I wasn't dying of fullness after dinner. I had room for dessert and coffee which was great as well! Highly recommended for a date night or girls night out. I will be going back soon!
(4)Ann C.
Very nice setting. food fair and very $$$. Prime rib sandwich $20. Our waiter rocked. I don't think we will be running back.
(2)KC C.
Fantastic restaurant -- would recommend it without hesitation. Went on a Saturday night and had a fantastic time. Love the decor and layout of the space; staff were accommodating, knowledgeable and fun without being overbearing; and the food was best of all: nicely varied menu and every one of our party loved what they got.
(5)anne m.
Overall experience was disappointing. Arrived at 9pm without a reservation and was told there was an hour and 45 minute wait. Most people would have left, which is bad for business, but we decided to have a drink at the bar. Within 30 mins there were several open tables. Ultimately, we stayed at the bar and ordered dinner. Bartenders were not friendly, non attentive and we had to listen to them shake drinks all night. My husband ordered the lobster pasta dish. It was basically a cup and a half of pasta and small handful of lobster pieces. It was $19.95 and not worth it. After he finished the entree, he was still hungry and asked for some bread. They charged us $1.95 for a small plate of sliced bread. Come on, really!!?? I had the chicken tacos. They were good but really expensive for what it was. The menu doesn't appear to have changed at all since they first opened. We valet parked the car and ended up paying downtown rates for the service. Cocktails were $11 and were heavy on the ice. The atmosphere is great and we love the design and decor, but I don't plan on going back to Summer House anytime soon.
(3)Torrey S.
I came to Summer House the week it opened with two friends. The place buzzed with energy as the eclectic group of patrons dined in the summer-themed paradise, (despite the dropping temperatures outside). The high ceilings, smooth music, light wooden tables, and clean white décor make for a great night out. The staff was genuinely happy and the food was impeccable... my trout on a thin layer of mashed potatoes, doused in a buttery/almond topping melted in my mouth. The chicken on the bone looked great and sizeable as well. I wished the homemade guacamole came in a larger portion. The signature cocktails were generous and uniquely tasty. Overall this place gets an A in my book. The price is very high - but you get what you pay for...
(5)Steve M.
This is 4 1/2 stars with 5 for ambiance and service and a very solid 4 for the food. A great concept. The space is large with a high glass ceiling that brings in the sky surrounded by light wood and paint. The service was impecable. Our server was outstanding. She was extremly friendly and knowledgeable and was always there at all the right times. Not only did the sommelier come over and give us a free sample of an extremely good zinfandel, the manager also spent time with us, and at the end of the meal, he gave us a tour of their other pizza and more concept space next door that will be opening in two weeks and is done in darker wooden tables and has more of a tavern feel, all be it a very inviting tavern. The Summer House focuses on California wines and the space next door will focus on Italian wines. We each started with a glass of Cabernet and then shared a glass of that wonderful zinfandel. Now on to the food. Everything was very good and had great flavor. The concept is lots of different small plates to share as well as fish, pasta and meat entrees that can also we shared if so desired. Each dish we had we shared between the two of us. We started with the yellow beets so we could get our veggies. Now I am not a beet person but these were light with wonderful parsnips. This was followed by a wonderful Kale salad. With the healthy, but very tasty food out of the way we moved on to the entrees. Everything looked good. Out of the fish dishes the trout looked really good, but decided to go more for the comfort food. We went with the bison meatloaf and the pork ravioli. Wow. Both were really good with great flavor, cooked to perfection and just the right size. Also, the table next door got the calimari appetizer that looked amazing and they actually let us try one. Outstanding with a very unusual sweeter dressing that really worked. Will defintely get that next time. Now I'm a dessert person so couldn't forego. They all looked wonderful but being a chocoholic went that direction with a wonderful piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter and caramel and a wonderful cream topping. I also love everything pumpkin and they had a wonderful light pumpkin ice cream that we also shared along with an apple crumble bar from their baked pastry shelf that is at the front of the restaurant as you enter. Lots of inviting frsh baked goodies, cookies, etc. The two hours were a total joy. A great place to go whatever the occasion. The meal came to about $60 each, which was a very good value for the amount and quality of the food, wine and ambiance for the two hours we were there.
(4)Kelsey S.
I have been to Summer House several times and always have had a great experience. However, this morning changed my entire opinion- I will never go back. I had a noon reservation and called to see if it was possible to change to 10. After being placed on hold for 20 mins, I hung up and just went to talk to the hostess while the rest of my party waited in the car. The hostess told me they would just need 10 mins to figure things out and then they could take us. My party then valeted the car and came in. After a few mins, the hostess then said they actually could not take us at all! While the rest of my party went to go have the valet pick the car right back up, I spoke with a manager who said they could sit us- how is there just a disconnect from the hostess and manager? I have such a bad taste in my mouth for this place now and will be sure to tell everyone who will listen about this experience.
(1)Melissa T.
I made reservations a week in advance for the patio, we got there on time & the hostess said I see you made a note for the patio but that's going to be another 20 minutes so I am going to seat you close to there. She didn't ask how we felt about this and why have a notes section in the reservation if they aren't going to follow it? Our server took forever to come over, by the time she came over we all knew what drinks we wanted and were ready to order and she just took our drink order and ran off. She rarely came back to check on our drinks. My husband had to ask twice to have his coffee refilled and my friend ordered a muffin that never came. When she asked the server said "oh yea, I had them warm it up. Maybe it got lost? I will go find it" My friend had to specify that she wanted a fresh one and it took so long she ended up getting it to go. Food was good but the portions were very small.
(2)