etc.

10/10 would wholeheartedly recommend! We kicked off our evening with delightful Lemon Drops and expertly crafted Espresso Martinis, thanks to the talented mixologists Zach and Marco, who truly know how to set the mood for a memorable night. Our server, Connor, was incredibly sweet and attentive, ensuring that our experience was nothing short of exceptional. His warm demeanor added a special touch to our visit. For dinner, we indulged in a fabulous selection of dishes. The Half Chicken was succulent and perfectly cooked, while the burger was bursting with flavor—my friend described it as "very juicy and flavorful." The salmon was nothing short of perfection, and the oxtails paired with rich grits though they might come off as less visually appealing, were an explosion of deep, rich flavors that left me in awe. They may just be my favorite dish of the night! As it was my friend's birthday, we were treated to a delightful array of desserts courtesy of the extraordinary Chef Dre. We savored the tangy Key Lime Pie, the comforting Apple Pie Cobbler, and the decadent Chocolate Mousse. While the 'Not Your Mama's Banana Pudding' didn't quite capture my taste buds, it certainly had its admirers among us. Ultimately, the star of the dessert spread was the Key Lime Pie, which stole the show with its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. This place is undoubtedly one for the books, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy a wonderful dining experience!

Celebrated New Year’s Eve with my wife here, and we absolutely loved it! Our server, Connor, was incredibly attentive but didn’t hover. He and the GM “conspired” and gave me a free, completely custom off-menu cocktail that was delicious. The NYE prix fixe menu was superb, with the highlights being the duck and the catfish bisque. The place is brand-new, so we experienced a very few (and very minor) operational speed bumps that I’m absolutely sure they’ll iron out (only been open less than a month). This will now be one of our go-tos for special occasions, taking visiting friends & family, and when we’re just in the mood for a night out. Would absolutely recommend, and most of all, we love to see exciting things happening in this corner of the Loop.

Connor was an amazing server and you can tell all of the fine details it took to curate this beautiful restaurant. The catfish dip alone knocked my socks off. The drinks are far from basic and the food is prepared and executed with an eye for detail and flavor pairing. Chef Lamar and his team have outdone themselves!!!!

I went to ETC to have a quick dinner. I ended up having the catfish dip which was delicious. It comes with saltine crackers with a twist (spiced and salted differently) which paired well with the dip. The real star of the show was the lamb t-bone! Such great flavors with the mashed potato and asparagus! It was so good I actually picked up the bone to ensure I got all the meat. Highly recommend this place. The service and food is phenomenal and you won’t be disappointed.

I decided to celebrate my birthday by trying a new restaurant in the area. I was blown away by Etc. Their cocktail menu had many classics, but with their own creative twists which really upped the game on taste. The deviled egg with caviar is a MUSTTT! The best deviled egg I’ve ever had. For entrees, we tried the oxtail and grits and the whole fish special which ended up being red snapper. Both were very tasty. Definitely recommend trying out this restaurant if you haven’t already. Wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

Dined in house for a birthday gathering. Very tight seating arrangements. Service was extremely slow. Food was less than stellar for the price point. Purchased dishes to go for someone else to try and the amount I received to go was not remotely close to what came if ordered at the table. A box full of grits and 3 SMALL chopped pieces of oxtail meat for almost $50. Insane. When I addressed this with the waiter, he left to talk to the owner and I saw the owner just shrugged his shoulders and shooed the waiter away. Shocking! I gave them a try to support the business but I will never return. I do not recommend.

I had an amazing experience at Etc. and I would highly recommend it. The host was pleasant. We were promptly seated and quickly greeted by wait staff. Coat check was a nice check, especially in a chicago winter! The food was delicious! What we had: - Old Fashioned (Boozy) - WTF Tommy (Mezal drink 👌🏾) - Mississippi Catfish Drip (good flavor, seasoned crackers add a nice touch) - Oxtail & Grits (Flavorful and tender) - Half Chicken (tender, juicy with lightly crisp skin) I'll be back!

Went to dinner for my mother's birthday and the service was exceptional from the time we arrived to the conclusion of our meal! We ordered quite a few dishes. The standouts were the Whole Fish, Oxtail & Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes and Green Beans. The only critiques we had were the Collard Greens which were a little spicy and the biscuits, herbed rolls and deviled eggs were just ok. Overall based on the service and the standout dishes, I would definitely return.

10/10 would wholeheartedly recommend! We kicked off our evening with delightful Lemon Drops and expertly crafted Espresso Martinis, thanks to the talented mixologists Zach and Marco, who truly know how to set the mood for a memorable night. Our server, Connor, was incredibly sweet and attentive, ensuring that our experience was nothing short of exceptional. His warm demeanor added a special touch to our visit. For dinner, we indulged in a fabulous selection of dishes. The Half Chicken was succulent and perfectly cooked, while the burger was bursting with flavor--my friend described it as "very juicy and flavorful." The salmon was nothing short of perfection, and the oxtails paired with rich grits though they might come off as less visually appealing, were an explosion of deep, rich flavors that left me in awe. They may just be my favorite dish of the night! As it was my friend's birthday, we were treated to a delightful array of desserts courtesy of the extraordinary Chef Dre. We savored the tangy Key Lime Pie, the comforting Apple Pie Cobbler, and the decadent Chocolate Mousse. While the 'Not Your Mama's Banana Pudding' didn't quite capture my taste buds, it certainly had its admirers among us. Ultimately, the star of the dessert spread was the Key Lime Pie, which stole the show with its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. This place is undoubtedly one for the books, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy a wonderful dining experience!

A very cool, relatively new restaurant in the Loop that you'll want to try out. The theme is Southern cuisine, with a contemporary edge. The space is modern but warm, with original art work adorning the walls, and high ceilings with modern fixtures. Tables for two are nicely separated throughout the restaurant, so it feels intimate, even in the large space. We had reservations and were ushered straight to our table by the convivial host. Our server came quickly and introduced us to the menu and speciality drink menu. They were very friendly and enthusiastic (maybe a tad too enthusiastic), and were quite knowledgeable. etc has only been open for about two months, but they were clearly prepared and on their game. My partner had a margarita and I tried a speciality drink--a Cognac Manhattan. Tasty! I also liked the low rocks glass it was served in and the unique single ice cube (which had etc stamped on it). We then started with catfish dip with fried saltines--big portion, but it was mostly filler of potato and flour. It tasted fine, but I think a smaller portion and with a higher percentage of catfish would have been more satisfying. For the main course, I chose the Lamb T-Bone and my partner had the Hoppin' John. The lamb was wonderfully prepared, with delicious whipped potatoes and asparagus (which, alas, was a bit over-cooked). The Hoppin' John is a plate of smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, okra, on a bed of Carolina rice. I got a taste and it was very good--the smoke was excellent! We each had a glass of wine with dinner--there's a solid selection of wines by the bottle and glass. For dessert, we split a Key Lime pie, which was quite good. I'm very picky about Key Lime pie, and this one measured up. Light, good but not over-powering taste of lime, a thin and sweet crust. It was also a good portion, one slice more than satisfying for two. Overall, this is a good restaurant and (for Chicago) quite reasonable prices. FYI, 20% gratuity is INCLUDED in the bill. I appreciated that, but would like to have been told that when we got the introductions. We will definitely be back to try out more of the menu, sit at the sleek bar, and just vibe with the eclectic Chicago crowd!

We just left from our Valentines dinner. There was a prefix menu tonight that we were unaware of until we sat down. Let me start with the good. The service was impeccable! Our server, Precious was so sweet and very accommodating! No complaints about service whatsoever. The ambiance and vibe of the restaurant is top tier- perfect for date night for sure! Now the food... I was able to try the caviar deviled eggs thanks to our wonderful server putting in a special request for this pregnant mama.. they were very very good! I thoroughly enjoyed them! The crab cakes were also absolutely delicious and both my husband and I enjoyed them greatly! The sauce it comes with has a nice Smokey flavor that just set the crab cakes off. Loved them! The main courses were very underwhelming. It's not what we had in mind to order to begin with but the fact that mostly everything was under seasoned, undercooked, or over seasoned was very disappointing. The steak had no flavor and I do not believe they are actually dry aged for 45 days. This was a steak that you drown in A1... I will not order that again The scallop and shrimp risotto would've been great but the risotto was slightly undercooked and not seasoned enough... the scallops were delicious! With a nice char but slightly oversalted. The shrimp were huge and perfectly seasoned but needed to come out of the skillet a few seconds earlier. Neither of us finished our main courses- it just wasn't that good. Will we be back? Sooner or later yea because I really want to try the catfish dip and Green tomatoes and the service and vibe of the place was really great... but it's not a top priority of mine. Everyone sitting next to us had the same exact sentiments and we all felt bamboozled that we had no idea that there was a special menu tonight and regular items were unavailable. Hopefully the food is better next time we visit.

ETC. Restaurant in Chicago brings a modern and elevated touch to Southern cuisine. We ordered: The perfectly plated Deviled Eggs with Caviar that were a fantastic way to start--creamy, tangy, and topped with a briny burst of osetra caviar that added just the right amount of luxury. The Greens were fine--not bad, but nothing particularly memorable. They had a decent flavor but being a Southern girl, these were Vegan, so they lacked the smokiness of smoked turkey or neck bones that elevates the taste I'm used to. If you are looking for a well seasoned and tasty Vegan dish, you will love these. The Mac & Cheese was pure comfort food bliss. Rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness, it was everything you'd want in a classic dish. The Oxtails & Grits, unfortunately, didn't quite live up to expectations. The grits were creamy and well-seasoned, but the oxtail itself was sparse, leaving the dish feeling incomplete. With a more generous portion of meat, this dish could be a real standout. Finally, the Key Lime Pie was just the right level of sweetness, and was the perfect refreshing dessert to close out the experience. The graham cracker crust was buttery and crisp, complementing the smooth, citrusy filling beautifully. Service was attentive and welcoming, and while not every dish was a knockout, the highlights--especially the deviled eggs, mac and cheese, and key lime pie--make ETC. worth a visit.

Six stars! It starts with Joey, the host with the most. Warm, charming, fun & funny, he greeted us like we were dear friends. Hard to believe this restaurant opened only 5 weeks and two days ago! It's impressive, not to mention beautifully designed. It's glamorous and inviting, and makes you feel beautiful to be in the space. Marvelous mixology served in gorgeous etched coupes. The Vesper is perfection. Obligatory Vodka Cocktail did not disappoint! Homemade biscuits with house made jam and pimiento cheese are addictive. My daughter commented, "I could eat 900 of these." Same, girl, same. Fried Green Tomatoes with burrata? Yes, please! Burger was savory and sweet and fries are crave worthy. Precious took excellent care of us. Thank you, new friend! We were sad to leave and cannot wait to return. Round of applause!

This place is beautiful so esthetically pleasing! I love the sexy swany vibe. They stole my heart with the vast happy hour offering! My hubby and order 2 drinks a piece and we're very pleased. My original pick had gin as the spirit of choice but agree to sub it out for vodka. My hubby choice the Manhatten's. The happy hour menu was great weekend had the brussels sprouts that included a sprinkle of nuts throughout really amazing. We also had the sponge dip with accompanying baguette. I did have a problem with them being overtosed, but they promptly took them away and bought more. My favorite ad of all the appetitesers had to be the lamb sliders.If this was offered as a main dish, I would definitely pick that! My entree, which was the salmon, was my least favorite, I did ask for not to be undercooked but lead it to be overcooked and lacked seasoning in my opinion. I was disappointed my hubby got the lamp steak which was word play and were mini chops placed to strategically together. The table next to me did rave about the catfish dip, which we cannot partake in and also the oxtails with grits. I definitely will revisit for the happy hour, the drinks were amazing The customer service was top-notch. I I like that they, uh, let me sub out my drink. Also, to be noted, Im not sure if it's on the website, but there is add a gratuity to your bill. This place definitely has a sexy vibe that date night. Or girls night will definitely suffice. I will be back.

My boyfriend and I went early February 2025. The food for the most part is good. We LOVED the catfish dip appetizer. The half chicken I got was just a little overcooked/dry. My boyfriend didn't like how the oxtails and grits were plated especially because the amount of oxtail was very slim (sorry I don't have a picture of that). They did forget or take forever to get us our drinks because they came to the table with the food after a reminder was given to the server. The espresso martini was good though. The chef did give us complementary deviled eggs for the inconvenience. What I didn't like is that when we got our coats back from coat check, they were FREEZING cold; I would have kept my coat on the back of my chair if I would have known that.

My family and I visited etc. and it was an exceptional experience. The food was absolutely delicious. The oxtails were tender & seasoned perfectly. The black eye pea hummus & Mississippi cat fish dip was mouthwatering. The steak and salmon were amazing. Everything was delicious the appetizers, our meal , desserts & drinks. Service was excellent, the ambience was intimate and inviting . P.S. don't forget the biscuits 10/10

Tried this new spot for NYE dinner (did the prix fix with the wine pairing) as I've just done some traveling in the South and had a craving for the kind of nourishing food I had there. Will definitely be back to order off the regular menu. Forgot to snap the first course of crab-stuffed deviled eggs but it was divine. I never though of the texture of the crab. Second course was a catfish bisque. A little on the thick side for a bisque but the favors were really strong. Main course: I ordered the cajun stuffed lobster with dirty rice and spinach and my partner had the Southern Spiced duck breast. The lobster was good but the duck breast was really special -- I'd do that over the lobster next time. Desserts were 10/10 -- I had the Budino (chocolate custard) and my partner had the Key Lime PIe. I'd do the Key Lime Pie next time as the torched Meringue and graham crust were great, texture and color wise. They're still tightening up their operations as I think they just opened a couple of weeks ago, but based on how friendly and invested their staff was, and the obvious care and quality put into the food and plating, I think this place has a real strong future. I know Loop restaurants are very hit or miss and this one is in an odd location so I hope they do well.

The food here was really good. If you are a fan of Virtue then you will enjoy this place. For 2 people there was an hour and forty-five minute time limit so I would be aware of that. I tried several things on the menu and have no negative comments. The staff was also very friendly and knowledgeable about the food menu. The vibe is quiet and chill. The lighting is low with most of the light coming from the lamps on the tables.

Etc is excellent - good, service, and ambiance was great! We ordered the black eyed pea hummus and butter crackers (amazing!) along with the fried green tomatoes (breading was a bit heavy, but good overall with the burrata cheese), and the deviled eggs (delicious bite; well balanced, and sophisticated!) For dinner, we had the Hoppin' John (This is a must try!) , with smoked turkey meat, and the cook on the rice was perfect The oxtails and grits (delicious , and beautiful presentation with the heirloom grits - they are purplish!) and the whole fish, which was a red snapper (Fish was amazing - succulent , fresh, and melted in your mouth) For dessert, we tried the banana pudding; it was different , but good! Overall, definitely will go back - there's more things to try on the menu, and looking forward to brunch when it starts!

This is such a creative play on classic southern food. From the deviled eggs to the apple pie; this menu has been well curated. The ambiance is high glamour while still managing to be accessible. The cocktails are also quite creative and feature layers of flavor! Etc is just what that area needs.

Ahh! This used to be Terra e Mare, remember that! I had the Devil Eggs. The staff and service are wonderful.

Three stars for the ambiance and drinks 10/10. Food 4/10. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but per our server the most popular were oxtails and turkey dish. The turkey dish was inedible mushy, lacked seasoning no meat in it so I sent that back and the oxtails were flavorful but the grits were not good. I don't mind spending on a good dinner but the ratio of food/quality to the price was 20 dollars off per meal. The deviled eggs just had truffle oil on them for five dollars a piece also super tiny and the catfish dip also lacked seasoning to me. Mac and cheese was my dinner for the night which I also wasn't wowed by. I thought the servers were nice but thought I would see more diversity in the staff for a black owned restaurant. The head chef was there and sent a lot of items to people he knew to the table right next to us but never stopped by our table to say hi or check in on us after sending meal back. There would be no reason for me to return here also, there is an automatic 20 percent gratuity to all checks fyi.

We really enjoyed our time at Etc. The drinks were definitely the star of the show for us but the food was just as good! We ordered the corn-a-copia (twice lol) and also a gin mule based cocktail (we let the bartender get creative and have fun with it). The beef tartare was tasty but the biscuits were amazing. They were absolutely perfect! And the jam and pimento cheese were the perfect touch. For entrees we got the oxtail and purple grits (tbh we thought they could have included more oxtail). The grits were yummy and definitely more than enough. We also got the lamb t-bone which was good. We were celebrating so we didn't stop there. For dessert we ordered the upside down apple dish and that was good too. The caramelized sugar on top was cool. Overall a great experience. The staff were great. The food was yummy. The vibes were good. We will be back. Can't wait to see this place when it warms up!

A friend and I were looking for a new place to eat in the city and landed on this one because the online menu looked appealing and contained items we hadn't had anywhere else. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the hostess with a "We've been expecting you!" The interior of the restaurant is dark but there is a giant mural in the center that is so eye catching, that anything other sort of decorating would ruin the vibe. The wait staff was efficient, very friendly and attentive. The drinks - excellent! And the food......oh my goodness the food. There really aren't words to convey how good it was. We had the Mississippi Catfish appetizer - delicious. I had the CAB Filet and my friend had the Lamb T-Bone. I generally have leftovers, but I ate everything on my plate and wished I had been at home so I could lick the plate. The presentation of the food was just as amazing as the taste. My friend's meal was equally as delicious and went so far as to even clean the bones of his lamb. This meal was significantly better than many other meals we've had in the city at two or three times the price....and with MUCH better service. We can't wait to go back!

We had a great time. The food was amazing. Service was great and we will be back! Thank you Chef Lamar for sharing g your culinary talents!

Me and my girls walked in with no reservation. The place was packed but the owner asked us to be patient and eventually found a table for us. The food and service were amazing - definitely worth the wait!

One of the best new restaurants in Chicago. Great ambiance, chill music and the food is amazing. Zack at the bar makes some great drinks. Best mixologist I've ever seen.

Went there after a movie around 4:30p, Was seated quickly. Waiter I think name Aaron was sooo great. The impossible burger was impossibly delicious, along with the fries. Also had a glass of Cabernet that was great. The restaurant very clean & inviting. Loved my visit, Back again soon.