Good Measure

"This River North spot looks like a dive bar, but it has fantastic food, and usually feels like a party. This is the kind of spot you hit up spontaneously after a successful visit to the salon, when you have a great blowout but are still wearing sweatpants. Ideally you’ll also be pretty hungry, because everything from the Nashville hot fried duck livers to the sweet corn rigatoni is great." - adrian kane

"There’s a lot of mis-direction happening at Good Measure. First, it looks like a dive bar in Wicker Park, but it’s actually a brand new spot in River North. Second, despite the bar-like atmosphere, it’s just as much a fantastic restaurant as it is a place to drink (just try the Nashville hot fried duck livers or rarebit with potato and sage donuts, and you’ll understand). In fact, the food here is better than what you’ll find at most of the nicer restaurants in the neighborhood. Normally we don’t like being tricked, but we forgive Good Measure." - adrian kane

"On the surface, Good Measure seems like it’s just a cooler-than-average bar in River North. It’s dark with red lighting, and has an overall dive-y atmosphere. But it also serves really great food - with small plates like curried hummus and a non-boring burrata with pickled peach puree, and larger ones like a fantastic burger and some very good fried chicken. This spot is fun, but you might want to check your date’s opinion on punk music before you come, since that’s all they play." - adrian kane

"You want to show that you put some effort into planning the night, but don’t want your date to know it’s the only thing you’ve been thinking about all week. Good Measure in River North is great for this - it feels like a dive bar, but is actually a restaurant with excellent food. There are dishes like Nashville hot duck livers and burrata with plum jam, and the loud punk music will keep your date from your hearing your shrill, nervous laughter." - josh barnett, sam faye

"Good Measure, a dive bar with an eclectic menu and a popular DIY burger, has permanently closed after four years. It was operated by Orbit Group and held its last service in May." - Naomi Waxman