"You normally need to make a reservation two months out for a table at Bavette’s. But on Mondays, same-day reservations are usually achievable (and if you can’t make one, you still have a good chance of walking in). The space is dimly lit, the upstairs dining room has jazz that makes you feel like you’re in a speakeasy, and everything on the French-style steakhouse menu is fantastic. This is the perfect place to eat a kind of fancy dinner when you’re having trouble accepting that the weekend is truly over. Reservations are released online 21 days in advance at 9am. They have bar seating and a couple of tables in the bar area available for walk-ins, and if you get here early (they now open at 4pm Monday-Thursday and 3pm on Friday-Sunday) you’re likely to get one." - adrian kane, john ringor