Somerset

"This restaurant is in the Viceroy Hotel in the Gold Coast, right in the middle of what’s unfortunately known as the “Viagra Triangle”—which should tell you everything you need to know about the area. Somerset fits right in, with its tall ceilings, art deco light fixtures (including a huge chandelier dominating the front room), and generally expensive feel. The nautical touches throughout make you feel a little like you’re at a yacht club, or otherwise water-adjacent. As far as the food goes, Somerset's menu is hit-or-miss. Some things, like the wagyu tartare and the housemade bread with whipped ricotta and honey are great. But most dishes fall short. The lobster spring roll has a thick undercooked wrapper and comes with a wet ginger coleslaw that bleeds all over the plate. The salty chicken schnitzel is served with bland spaetzle and pickled squash that has no flavor except "acid", and vegetable sides like glazed carrots are overdone and flavorless. While not the worst hotel restaurant in the city, there are much better options in the neighborhood." - Adrian Kane

"The ground floor restaurant of the Viceroy Chicago is worth visiting any time of day. Executive chef Verlord Laguatan serves excellent housemade kouign-amann and chocolate croissants in the morning, a three-course menu for the business lunch crowd, and seasonal cocktails infused with herbs and honey from the rooftop garden. Grab a seat on the Gold Coast sidewalk forsome great people watching. Make a reservation through OpenTable." - Samantha Nelson

"If you’re at the Viceroy, head downstairs to Somerset for La Colombe nitro coffee and fresh-baked kouign-amann or a croissant filled with gooey, warm chocolate and do some people-watching from the sidewalk." - Samantha Nelson

"We’re sure whatever show you’re seeing at Second City will be great, but just in case you need a guarantee that one part of your night won’t bomb, go to Somerset. This is one of the absolute best restaurants in Chicago, and also the fanciest spot on our list. Its upscale American menu manages to be interesting but still appeal to just about everyone - and nothing you eat will disappoint. Make sure to tell the server you have a time constraint, and you’ll easily get out in time for the show. It’s about a five-minute cab ride or 15-minute walk from here to Second City." - adrian kane

"Somerset, in the Gold Coast, isn’t just one of Chicago’s best new restaurants. It is the best new restaurant of 2017. Everything on the menu here is outstanding, and consistently so. The beet tartare, for instance, made of smoked beets with yogurt and gouda cheese, is so good it rivals any tartare (of any kind) you’ll eat. The squid ink chitarra pasta is one of the best things we ate all year, and entrees like venison and halibut are also 100% worth your time. This place is large, with fancy art deco lighting, nautical touches, and an open kitchen in the back, and it feels like a spot for a special occasion - but as far as we’re concerned, a meal here is a special occasion in itself." - adrian kane