Citrine Café

Couldn’t wait to write this review. Literally writing this in the car as we drive away 😆. What a great experience! From the moment we walked in, to the moment we left. It’s rare to have genuine interaction with people, yet alone in a restaurant. Lauren was AMAZING. Hands down. She is sweet, knowledgeable, and I can tell is a great human being. She makes you feel like you are one of her friends, and I love that! Thank you for making my husbands birthday dinner ❤️. We are about making memories, and you helped make a perfect one ☺️. Also - if you are looking for cocktail recommendations definitely take hers!

I wanted to try this place for brunch. It's nicely in the heart of Oak Park. The host and servers we encountered were awesome. I ordered the chicken and beignets. My friend ordered the shrimp and grits. Her meal was great, not so much mine. The chicken looked like tenders, and the beignets weren't cooked all the way and were doughy in the middle. I just didn't mention it because the kitchen was already closed. It looks like their dinner menu is the highlight. So maybe I'd have to come back for that.

We come here for brunch quite often and will continue to do so. The beignets are loved by all. Today we loved the food, although the spicy chicken surprised us (but also yummy) we asked if next time we could get the chicken plain next time, she said yes! When Gabi our server dropped the check, she offered my son gelato on the house, 100/10.

Exquisite dining experience. I wish I could come again. We ordered the shrimp n grits, the beignets with Nutella and the sausage hash. Photos are attached. Parking is free outside for up to 2 hours. The server was ultra friendly and nice. The downside of the service was that we had two requests for our food (cheese on the side for the hash and the eggs to be scrambled and not over easy). Both were ignored. We were hungry so we didn’t want to have the food remade. This kinda was a bummer as my husband did not do well with the cheese. The other two meals, shrimp and grits and the beignets were awesome though. 10/10 on my food.

Octopus app was as good as advertised. Food overall was delicious and well made. The gnocchi was pillowy and flavorful. Also had the risotto special which had short rib and rock shrimp. Delightful. Loved the cocktails and wine selection also. Service was prompt and attentive. Vibe was lively but not loud. Had a great time!

We had an absolutely wonderful dinner experience. The food was incredible, the drinks were actually perfect, and the ambience was just the right mix of casual and cozy with an upscale vibe. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and on top of everything.

The cocktails were great. Ordered the sea bass deboned and it was the best fish I’ve ever eaten. The server was friendly. I will definitely come back to this restaurant really soon.

This was a good restaurant. We did have to return one of the filets for being overcooked, but the second attempt was much better. They octopus and the lamb sausage appetizers were fantastic, and the squid ink spaghetti was great. The filets were good, and the overall meal was good. The price point is a bit much for the atmosphere. The portions are a proper size, enough to fill you up without overserving you. I would try this place again.

Brunch was excellent today. Chicken and beignets. Chicken had just the right spice and beignets just the perfect sweet. Will be returning for more goodies, service was above and beyond excellent.

We went back to Citrine for pre-concert eats on our way to Chicago. This is a Mediterranean-type restaurant. Cocktails are good, food is good. Service is impeccable. Our server this visit was Theo, and he was attentive and friendly. The other staff from the young woman who sat us to the guys who delivered food and cleared the table were attentive and always gave us a smile. My husband and I started out with a glass of wine and a cocktail. We decided once again to share small plates together. We had the New York strip steak tartare. It's absolutely fabulous so we had to have it again. Fresh steak with a raw egg on top that oozes into the steak as you break it, it's perfection. We also got the homemade lepinja bread served warm with a couple spreads. I can't eat nuts or seeds and it came out covered with sesame seeds. No problem, Theo was more than happy to take it back and have bread made just for me without seeds. That's great service. We then shared the roasted beet salad which had arugula, goat cheese, avocado, and orange. It was a very small salad for the price of $14. Having said that, the salad was fresh and I liked the different textures, but it was the size of a small side salad and not worth the price. I would pass on this my next visit. The final dish we shared was the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were large and grilled perfectly, the grits were creamy. This dish was packed with flavor and some heat. Delicious. Citrine accepts reservations and parking is paid street parking. I definitely recommend this restaurant and you must try the steak tartare. So damn delicious!

Great food. We shared the burrata for an appetizer and it was absolutely fresh and delicious. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture, if you can- do try! Fun location. Conveniently located in Oak Park. Along with the steak we split the kale salad 3 ways and it was a great decision!

I went here years ago and had a nice experience, but haven't been back since the pandemic. Good food, but for what you get, a little on the pricey side.

Went again tonight. Again, everything was excellent. That said, it was very loud inside - we might not have stuck around if outside hadn't been an option. Nice patio. Beet / goat cheese / arugula salad was great. Steak tartare was very good but a little salt would have brought out the flavor a bit. The sauces were both very good. Moroccan short rib was fall apart tender, not fatty, very flavorful, but looking back, didn't seem particularly "Moroccan spiced." Still very good. My sage and Saler cocktail was good, gingery like a pisco mule, girlfriend's was even better, had several thyme sprigs sticking out of it so you got a big herbal whiff while drinking it. Server was very nice and brought us each a small homemade limoncello after, free of charge.

The outside seating is comfortable and enjoyable to watch people walking past. Inside is trendy looking and nice music. The set ice was nice and a friendly-attentive server and host. The food was good, nice flavor and was fresh. The beverage choices are nice, however the wine goblets are too big for the amount of wine in the glass. It made it hard to drink and felt it was going to pour out. That is the only complaint. A nice place to eat all around.

Enjoyed brunch on Sunday with the family. 3 of us had the chilaquiles and one had crab cakes. And don't forget the beignets for dessert. No complaints on the food, service or ambiance. Can't wait to go back!

Beautiful looking classy restaurant in the middle of downtown close to nightlife and fun. Citrine is only open in the evenings usually, so hit it up late. It's among the nicest restaurants in Oak Park. Lots of great cocktails so have one or a few but probably not too many because these are expensive. The food prices are kind of high but save some by getting the appetizers and shareables. After getting off at the Green Line station we made the quick walk to here a few blocks away. It's convenient to get to by public transportation so no need to drive. The place had just opened for the evening. It wasn't busy yet and we got seats at the bar. The cocktail menu is what people seem to like most about this place. It's about $13 for the cheapest cocktails. The one I got was the Concentrated Lightning. Kind of spicy and sweet concoction. This was made with chili liqueur, elderflower, ginger syrup, lemon, and Prairie vodka. As for the food, most of the entree menu is meaty. The appetizers as well. At least there was the Hummus. It's $13 for a pretty big portion. There's feta, but you can get it with just the cucumbers, olives, pitas, red onions, and tomatoes. For a classy good time stop in here after getting off the Green Line. It's only open for the evening except for brunch on Sundays. The menu is mostly carnivorous stuff but there's a few things for vegetarians.

Came here for drinks with a friend and ended up grabbing a bite to eat. I ordered an appetizer (crispy Spanish octopus) and the Sage & Saler drink to compliment it. My friend ordered a red wine to pair with the squid ink spaghetti (per the request of our server). Making a reservation and being seated were no issue. For a Friday evening, there was an adequate amount of people here. This establishment can fit all types of occasions so that's a plus! The space is large and open and the bar is beautiful. I would like to sit at the bar should I return. Our sever was a gentlemen who knew the menu and definitely knew his wines and how to pair them with foods. So huge shout out to our server. Great job! The food was good but I have mixed reviews about my app. I ate it as a meal rather than a shareable. This dish can definitely serve as both. Parts of my octopus were superrrr chewy and there were other parts cooked to perfection. I wasn't a fan of the tzatziki sauce that was added to the dish. Felt that the spicy peppers gave depth to the dish. Also, the random green beans to match the small batch of potatoes was ehhh. Remove the green bean and sauce and it would've been perfect (in my opinion). My friend devoured his dish but he rated it a 7.5/10. Something enjoyable but not worth $25.00. It's good but not memorable and gravitating to want to return. Overall, I enjoyed my time at the establishment but I would return for the cocktails and maybe a small app if I were to go with a coworker or needed to kill time.

I never would've guessed that I'd return to Citrine for a work dinner, but it was the midway point for all the attendees. We started out with drinks and appetizers. We ordered the hummus, cauliflower, and burrata. I tried a little of each and they were all good, but I probably could've made a whole meal out of the hummus. The nice, warm soft pita, thinly sliced radish and pita complimented the creamy hummus nicely. For my main I got the squid ink pasta, the dish was very good, but I'd have preferred it with regular instead of baby shrimp. Baby shrimp are really hard to get on the fork. I opted out of dessert, but a few folks opted for the carrot cake. Service was pretty good, but there were a few lulls where we were trying to pin him down. Overall though, this is a great option in Oak Park.

Food was just ok. Butternut squash ravioli had a tough exterior which is abnormal for pasta. I found a hair in the to-go amish chicken order which was unappetizing. Cocktails we tried were great, but likely won't be returning.

The location is great, near the CTA on Oak Park Ave. The ambiance is active and classy, with exposed brick and big windows. We enjoyed the cocktails and there is a unique wine list. The menu has a Balkan twist. We enjoyed our evening though the food didn't blow me away. I'd go back for the drinks and atmosphere.

Delicious food and cocktails. Salad servings were smaller so if that is dinner order add meat. My hubby ordered eggplant and just about licked the plate. Only negative extremely loud with high ceilings and brick walls. Put TVs on mute with closed captioning and turn down music for dinner service.

Great food! I have been here at least 5x. The menu is fantastic. I always have trouble ordering as everything sounds so good. But what I order has been great! I love menus with an upscale Mediterranean lean, which this definitely has. Some favorite dishes have included: crispy cauliflower, braised short rib, seasonal chef's risotto. I recommend checking the specials as well. In the summer of 2022 I overheard the hostess saying that her father owns the place and she runs the front of house while her brother runs the kitchen. Not sure if this is still the case but I have only had great meals here!

Overall the food is good not great and the service is terrible. Food: - I've come here a few times as this is one of the fancier places in Oak Park. Depending on the item, you'll either get something really good or really basic that's not worth the price. I did like their pasta and enjoyed that meal more than others. Vibe: - the vibe is great. It's airy and spacious with lots of natural light! Service: - There were times when we didn't see our server for 30-40 minutes. This was NOT because the place was busy or they were understaffed. During this time of the day, it was about 1/3 or less full. My party had finished its meal, waited a while for the check, and continued to wait for the card to be charged. Overall, what should have been an hour brunch ended up being 2.5 hrs where at least 1 hr was waiting around for someone. I feel less and less inclined to go here because of the poor service.

Gorgeous spot whether you sit indoors or out. Quick service and friendly staff. We enjoyed our apps and cocktails at the bar but will be back to enjoy a full meal! :) Would be a fun date night.

Pretty gosh darn lovely. In typical hipster doofus fashion, I had just enough information to not be wrong, but not enough information to be right; and if you're wondering what the heck that's supposed to mean, relax, I'm getting there. I came to Citrine for a rehearsal dinner, parked on the street, paid for parking, and walked into the restaurant a good hour, hour and a half before everyone else was supposed to be getting there. Apparently. A case of right place, wrong time. So here I was, with rampant opportunity for awkwardness and unease. But there was none of that on the menu. No, I felt like I mattered. Alone in a private room that would seat ~30 of us by the night's end, I was tended to with genuine warmth and hospitality. As guests did start arriving (often at different times) food and drink were brought out in a timely fashion, keeping everyone happy. Extra servings were readily available. And goodness, the menu our hosts picked was immaculate, from the salad to the sweet dessert, I'd have no qualms about eating the same thing five nights a week.

Everything about this place is classy, but relaxed. The food is above average. The wine list is full of exciting new discoveries from around the world. The staff is very friendly. And the atmosphere is jazzy.

Tried to make reservation online but got the message it was booked. I called and they were able to take a reservation over the phone. When we got there, they had nothing. No track record of my reservation at all. The place was empty anyway so they sat us immediately. They sat us down and didn't have us menus and there aren't QR codes either. We sat for 10 mins until our waiter finally showed up and asked us what drinks we wanted. We then had to ask for drink menus. When I ordered milk for my 4 year old daughter, the waiter offered chocolate or regular. We went with chocolate to make it a treat. It came out in a glass, fancy cup, which she thought was special but isn't necessarily age appropriate. It was milk with Hersey syrup, ice cubes, and a paper straw. My daughter loved it :) they charged us $7 for the chocolate milk :( Ordering went fine, the food came out pretty much as expected. They are not in tune to the kids experience- my daughters grilled cheese was kept under a warmer and the plate was so hot i transferred it to a cooler plate once it got to the table. In the end, we sat for about 20 mins waiting for our check, without the waiter walking by, we couldn't flag him down. Finally half our party started to get up to leave so he ran over and asked if we wanted the check. They had plenty of staff for the amount of patrons there- so not sure what the issue is Overall, food was good, but would go somewhere else for a dining experience

Beautiful space! Lots of couples great for a date night. We started off with cocktails. I had an espresso martini which was delicious. We then had the steak tartare which came with sourdough toast and an egg yoke. It was perfectly seasoned with a great texture. My boyfriend had the white fish and I had the seasonal risotto. Both were lovely, I'm fairly sure you could order anything on the menu and have a great night. But the best part was the panna cotta. It came with cranberry sauce and ginger snap cookies. We ate it so quickly that our server was worried we never got it. Would completely go back- save it for a special occasion because it's not cheap but worth it.

My wife and I stopped in for a couple of cocktails and some apps. Awesome, friendly, fun bartender who played some really chill, cool music. The interior decor is really cool but unpretentious. We will be back for dinner!

Celebrated my mothers birthday! Private dining for 18. Food was outstanding, service impeccable, decor top end.

Great Ambiance. Me and the kids usually go to Georges family restaurant but something told me to make a stop here. At first the kids were looking at the brunch menu strange due to the unique entrees but they got it together and everything we ate was delicious.

Great food! Nice place... BUT, you can't fix your drapery hanging in the party room windows? Cmon. It's for all to see every day on oak park Ave. It's the difference between looking clean and organized or looking sloppy and careless. Just sayin

What a sweet welcome by the hostess, followed by a thoroughly exceptional dinner. Sublime food-- seriously scrumptious salmon, veal scaloppine, steak frites, filet mignon, and Lake Superior whitefish entrees after a cauliflower appetizer. Simon was an attentive waiter, bar is extensive and drinks were solid. We loved the round tables and that they turned down the music when we asked. One of our guests is a former Four Seasons chef and he cleaned his plate_ we all did! Bravo to all involved.

Consistently great food and great service. Highlights: Bloody Mary, saylor cocktail Burger, white fish, truffle pizza, all there salads. Joey is also continuously a great server. Very welcoming on the patio to our baby and our dog.

Romantic ambiance with incredible service and delicious food. Favorite spot in Oak Park so far!

Love, love, LOVE this place! always a good time. food and service are first-rate, you feel like a regular immediately. Balkan wines are a hidden treasure, check them out.

I want to start the post off with that our waitress was attentive and her service was great but the other dining experience not so much. I made a reservation a day ahead and specified it was for a date night. They sat us in the back of the restaurant in a booth near the table where they stacked dirty dishes and brought the clean cups and utensils out to give out to customers. It was not romantic at all. We ordered the branzino fish and it was almost given to another table on accident before being brought to ours. It wasn't bad but not good. Not much flavor at all. Our main dishes were the pork shank which was decent and the veal which was covered in way too much sauce and the capers were so salty that it threw off the whole dish. I asked for a box to go for the veal and I was going to put it in the box myself but the waitress took it to the table where there were both clean and dirty dishes and packaged it which made me uneasy about taking it home. I think our waitress noticed we weren't really enjoying ourselves and they kept trying to do service recovery asking if we wanted to take home a bottle of wine or have shots on the house or free dessert. We respectfully declined and they still brought out a dessert which was kind but we really just wanted our check and to leave. Pretty expensive for not good quality food or dining experience.

Delicious food and yummy cocktails. The ambience inside is calming and outdoor space cute.

Great food and atmosphere. Branco does a fantastic job. The food is delicious and the staff very personable. I recommend this to everyone

Extraordinary food service and ambiance, and great selection of wine. Enjoyed it with the extended family.

I had heard good things about this restaurant from a number of friends so we decided to check it out. The food was delicious, everything was fresh and the serving sizes were perfect. The cocktails were enjoyable. They also offer a variety of wines and beer. Our waitress was amazing. Although they were busy she was very attentive. We sat outside, the patio is on the side so you are not on the busy street. We would definitely come back!

We ate brunch at Citrine on the recommendation of a friend who is a local, and I was quite pleased with our meal. The brunch menu was not big but there was a little something for everyone, which I appreciated. There were eggs, french toast and such for the traditionalists. There were more entree type things for people who don't like to eat eggs after noon. There were also a lot of nice touches... -French toast: We ordered the french toast for the kids at the table, and it came with a delightful caramel sauce to spread on top of it, plus bananas, grilled pineapple and pecans. It looked so good that the adults ordered another serving so we could have one too! It was sweet of course but really good. Much better than your average french toast. -I got the Lox bagel, which is always a go-to when it appears on a brunch menu. It was really beautiful in presentation, and I appreciated both the onions and arugula on it. Made it feel a little more brunch-y and made it healthier too! I will say I expected the pickled onions to have a little more of a vinegar punch... they were pretty bland for something pickled. But they were still yummy. I ate every single one off my plate. -My husband got the shrimp and grits and cleared his plate without even offering me a bite, so I think that was a winner. -The Chorizo hash was a hit too though I did not taste any. -Coffee was good, strong and plentiful. I had a bellini, which was also lovely and refreshing. The service was very good and they accommodated our many special requests. I really appreciated the staff's flexibility. And even though there were a couple of weird hiccups (they brought a second bellini out and just gave it to me free of charge when it was clear there was a mixup), nothing major and we really felt taken care of. The space itself is open and airy. It really was a very nice place to have a meal.

THESE. DRINKS. ARE. LIFE. CHANGING! Went here on date during summer of last year and when I tell you we still talked about these drinks up until we finally went recently and they were even better which I didn't even know could happen. Do not skip out on the cocktails, trust me! We sat out on the patio which was perfect weather and enjoyed cocktails and small bites. Our favorite was the lamb sausage, so good that the camera didn't even get a chance to eat first. Service was great! Our waiter was so kind and friendly. They're going to see me as a regular quite often this summer lol please go try these drinks!

Been here numerous times. As a local I've been supportive and cheered them on and been forgiving when the food wasn't executed at a high level. After a recent good experience, tried it again. Ugh. My halibut special was very overcooked. This place does not know how to prepare fish -- so often its overdone and mushy. My dining partners had better experiences but nothing exciting. Mediocre seems to be the theme.

We had a recommendation to try this place. We were impressed! Charred Octopus - This dish included a nice portion of octopus given the price, a few roasted potatoes, some spicy pepper slices, a few additional vegetables and a green olive lemon vinaigrette. The octopus had a nice char to it and was cooked to perfection but not at all chewy. All yummy! Dinner was delicious but the octopus stole the show!

Anniversary Dinner...food and atmosphere was the best! Our server was perfect. We received complimentary Prosecco and homemade Limoncello to add to the celebration. Truly an amazing evening!

Absolutely amazing food, and impeccable service. I treated two friends to brunch, so I wanted a special place with a decent selection of gluten free choice. Can be hard! Again, the food was amazing!! I'll def return for a "special occasion" type meal!

Are they out of business? They are supposed to be open at 4:30pm on Saturdays, and it's now 5:50 and there phone is not answering. It's saying the voicemail is not even set up. I've checked the phone number carefully on the website. Can't they answer the phone?!?!?

My meal and waiter were great but the hostess on the morning of 9/17/23 should be mindful of seating black couples in the back while other more comfortable seating is available.

I had dinner here on a Wednesday evening. We had reservations at 6:15pm. The restaurant was busy but not jammed. I had the butternut squash pasta dish and my wife had the whitefish dinner. Both dinners were very good. The restaurant is a nice space and the service was excellent. The only negative comment I have is that bread was not included with the meal. I did notice bread as an appetizer for about $5. At the prices this restaurant charges, it seems a little bread and butter/olive oil on the table would be appropriate. I'd go back again.

I've been here several times. Great drinks, love the ambiance. But do NOT get the cacio e pepe. Cacio e pepe is my favorite dish. I've had some of the most amazing dishes but his hands down was the worst. Cacio e pepe should HAVE PEPE!! It's a big pepper dish. I had a few flakes!! The lump crab was not lump. It was shredded crab you'd get out of a can. Very fishy. Just a big let down. I'll be back for sure, but if you're a cacio fan.... don't say I didn't warn you.

We went for dinner (dine in) in late January and were very impressed. Everything felt extremely safe. The food was all outstanding, from the bread to the pork shank to the cocktails. I got the Wagyu Burger medium rare and it was amazing- delicious and had that perfect smoky taste? Hard to describe. Our waiter was amazing and so helpful. We will be back a million times.

It is rare that you go to a restaurant where you live everything including the drinks but Citrine does it superbly. I came here for my birthday so it was four of us and everyone liked their food and licked their plates clean. I mean everything is just really good. The drinks were yummy as well. I had the Old fashioned which was very smooth. The service was really good as well. Our server came when necessary and gave everyone good suggestions. I personally went against every suggestion but that's just me. I like to try different things. We also share the gelato dessert which again was delicious. This is easy one of the best restaurants in Oak Park and in the burbs as a whole so it's a must try for everyone ! Thank me later.

Always enjoy the food and the service here. Conveniently close to the Green line station

Food was great, was first time. Portions were a little below other places. The service was not that great. We waited a little longer than expected. Waiter was a little on the slow side. Ambitious was very plain and simple. I think we might try this cafe again. Very nice for special occasions!!

Service and drinks are very nice. Quality of food has dropped drastically. Used to love the place, not sure if i want to come back. Sorry to see it happening to one of very few decent places in oak park.

We need more restaurants in Oak Park like this! I've been in Oak Park for almost 3 years and have jogged by Citrine so many times. After visiting, I'm sad that I didn't come years ago. It's such a nice establishment that ticks off all the wants and needs of a great restaurant. The decor is spot on. Very elegantly designed. Perfect lighting. The tables are spaced out enough that it feels open and airy. Not tight and stuffy. The music is a mood setter. Upbeat laid back lounge atmosphere. In the summer and fall, their patio is open which looks like the perfect spot for drinks or dinner outside. A+ The food was really good. We ordered calamari as an app, the whitefish, lobster risotto and brussel sprouts. The risotto was the only dish that needed a bit more seasoning but otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the food very much. They have an impressive cocktail menu for a smaller establishment and let me say, they make some killer drinks. Seriously. I was extremely impressed. Needless to say, I'm a fan and will be returning soon and often. They have happy hour 430-6p and daily specials M-Th.

We were very disappointed with our experience! The food was average at best. Some of our normal favorites seemed like they were missing ingredients and/or spices. My husband once thought the steak here was the best in Oak Park, but tonight, after looking forward all day to the steak he has always loved, he was extremely disappointed. They no longer put the peppercorn sauce with whole peppercorns on the steak, which is one of things that he loved and made this steak stick out so favorably. They now give just a little side of the sauce, no peppercorns, to pour on top of the steak. It wasn't cooked wi the sauce like before. He said it just wasn't the same at all, and was very disappointed! In the past I felt like Citrine had some of the best cocktails in Oak Park. Tonight, though, they seemed like they were missing ingredients, and it seemed like an amateur was making them. Finally, the service was subpar. Again it has always been pretty good in the past. Tonight, though, with it being half as busy as I've seen it in the past, we waited at least ten minutes with empty drinks without an asking if we wanted another. Our water was empty half the time. And while we were waiting to get our waiter's attention on several occasions, he was just standing around joking with other restaurant employees. Tonight's experience was so disappointing that I don't think my husband and I will go back for a long time, if ever. Again very sad, because this was always one of our favorite places to eat and drink in Oak Park.