Living on the North side Belmont-Cragin area it is hard to find a good restaurant that can be so easily found in Logan Square, Wicker Park, River North or Bucktown. The options are limited to the normal fast-food chain or the many taqueria’s in the neighborhood.
For our Valentine’s Day celebration, and a much-needed break from our 14-month-old son, we decided on a dinner and movie. The most common way to spend much needed time with your special someone, this is our go-to and 2 out of the 5 top things we like to do together.
In Portage Park, a 10 minute drive, we found a great restaurant on Milwaukee just northwest of six corners we discovered Community Tavern an American food with a Korean flair. When walking into the establishment we were greeted by the General Manager with open arms. It is always nice to see a GM who is willing to greet the guests and not be in the back looking at the number all night.
The tables were nicely spaced and did not feel like you were going to be joining strangers for dinner. What I did have an issue was is that at the table the menus where already at the table. For me, this cluttered the table and gave the impression of order then quickly get out when I see this. The menus, and I do mean plural, stayed on our table through our entire stay.
We were one of the first few tables of the night and was seated towards the back with the bartender as our server. This is the only true complaint I did have of our entire dinner experience. The Bartender not only was tending the bar but was given a few tables as well and we were forgotten due to the rush of guests and cocktail requests. I hate feeling like a wallflower no one wants to dance with, trust me I am a wallflower and it’s always a joy to feel like the prom queen.
The cocktails are very good here and would recommend to at least try one. I will give it to our bartender, he knows how to make a drink and was educated on the taste profiles of each cocktail. I am not wine aficionado, but the list wasn’t too large that you will be scared away, always ask for help on wines specially if you do not know what will go well with your entrée.
The dinner menu was not overly populated with items but is broken out by small, medium, big and shared dishes. Small dishes can be for one but would not share with more than 2 people. We had the dumplings with chicken and kimchi. I found the dish to be a hit, however the dish needed more cilantro so each dumpling could be eaten with the cilantro and pickle. If you are not a pickle and cilantro person, the dumpling ate well without it.
Our second dish to share was the Short Ribs over Rissoto, we choose the smaller option for sharing. This hearty dish not a favorite of the night. I am a fan of a great short rib and have many great ones in the pass, but this did not make it due to salt. I will say this, the dish needed finishing salt or as my husband and I agreed maybe to be finished with Balsamic vinegar. This dish was missing a bit of acid.
For our Entrees, the Tomahawk pork chop and Tri-tip Steak I could only praise what they were doing here. We did have to rush through our dinner to catch our movie, but that food was so good I was sad it had to end. My only wish was that I could have savored the delicious flavors of each dish.
At this time I cannot have pork but the mmmmmm noises that we were making made up for the forgetful service. No dessert for me but will try these items out next time when we can commit to a longer sitting time.
The pricing could be better, but they are kid friendly and have a menu for the little ones. Check it out if you find your self in the neighborhood. I will be visiting again and potentially have my 34th birthday party here.
#Chicagoresturants #Portagepark
chi Gal's Retrospect 