Cru Kitchen and Bar

I came here on a Saturday night and was very pleased with the experience, especially on a Saturday night. I’d say it was moderately busy. The speed of the service was above my expectations, but the friendliness could use a little work.
Though, the food made up for it.
A couple of the best things I’ve ever had at a restaurant… The chips and guacamole, and the sweet potato fries. Whoa. Because I’m writing this review a month after the meal, I don’t remember anything else I had eaten.
If I make it to Chicago anytime soon, I will definitely be heading to Cru again. And, I’ve recommended Cru to most of my friends heading to Chicago.

Awesome! The gnocchi is better then any I have tasted. The menu has wide variety to different tastes as well as the mood you want to create. I came here for dinner and the staff was very attentive. Maybe they are too busy for brunch and you are not immediately attended too but I have not confirmed that. Everything for dessert I would eat and had the warm apple and cranberry pie.
Am going to come here again as there was much left on the menu to try. Highly recommend the CRU kitchen and bar.

Really delicious. Four of us had brunch here after a tour of the Newberry Library. Fantastic crab benedict, excellent fresh salad greens, great coffee. Nice service. Really friggin expensive. Rents gotta be high, I’m sure.
The people I dined with had the chop salad, and cru breakfast, and french toast. All were happy.
Love the outdoor tables, open windows if you sit inside — very calming. I would come back.

Good place for brunch in the Mag Mile area. It’s a little on the pricey side with alcohol, but I did have two mimosas (which were okay). I had the Cru breakfast ($ 12) and it was a lot of food. The potatoes were amazing, and the biscuit was decent. The breakfast also came with bacon and sausages. We dined al fresco – this block had a lot of good people watching as well! My friends had the Salmon Gravalox and Turkey Burger. The burger was humongous – and I will go back to check it out :-)

It’s been a tough week and the only thing on my mind: wining and dining. Mostly the wining. Like, an insane amount. I’d begun imagining a glorious, Cougar Town «Big Joe» glass o vino enveloped around with my fingertips. Unbeknownst to me, they had since rescinded their «wine bar» name and revamped their menu towards in-​house, local ingredients. We did get a glass and ordered a couple of starters. Their house pickles were best described as raw veggies doused in vinegar, coupled with some bagel-​esque chips and a fluffy schmear. Decent. We also shared the escolar and grilled shrimp & baby octopus. Decent x 2.
On a friday night, Cru was a bit sparse and quiet enough for catch-​up conversations, or for a family-​oriented dinner. We ended up continuing the night at ‘lil M. It’s inevitable that Cru and Little Market would go head-​to-​head on this block. You could argue that both places offer different experiences. For our night, it was bit lacking.

After aimlessly wandering all over downtown Chicago looking for a sophisticted, tucked away place for a gourmet turkey burger and glass of red, i spotted this former Feast location.
Their moist, flavorful turkey burger is among the best. It hit the spot with a sip of cab franc this beautiful afternoon.
Bar service is syrupy sweet. ;)
Going back!

*********************** 791 *************************
3.5 stars
This cute wine bar is across the street from the Talbott Hotel where I stayed. It was a raining afternoon, so we decided to cross the street for quick food and some vino. Cru Café & Wine Bar is charming, intimate, and a nice spot for a glass or 2 of wines on a lazy afternoon.
We stayed at the bar area instead of the café side. Cute spot for people watching. The lunch menu for the weekend was a lot of food. My friend and I just want something to share.
— Caesar salad romaine, white anchovy, shaved parmesan, romaine, croutons with Amish chicken, it was a bit soggy.
— Cru lobster club poached lobster, roast beef tenderloin, avocado, watercress,
remoulade, brioche — The lobster was perfect. The Beef was nice, the Fries was too much oil, and there was only 5 leaves of watercress. I wish there was more watercress and less fries — see photo. I didn’t eat any of the fries.
As their concept mentioned on their website:” We proudly support small producers and sustainable farming. every wine on the menu has a story and a soul. Whether it’s a grower champagne, small family owned domaines, winemakers from multiple generations or just passionate winemakers, they all share a common philosophy about farming and wine making.
There was about 12 cocktails, 5 or so beers on the menu. The wine list by the glass: 5 spakling, 10 white, 12 red, and 2 flights are high mark up.
The white wine by the bottle, range from $ 36-​$ 72, about 20 styles. The red wine range from $ 36-​$ 125, about less than 30 styles. That is a very decent list, the mark up is not so bad by the bottle.
On Sunday, they offer industry night, so you can have special discount on drinks. The server Gregory was very sincere and attentive to us. Will come back next time I’m back to Chi Town.