Chicago｜Gilt Bar — Incredible Mussels & Same Menu as Bavette’s 🍸✨

If you can’t get into Bavette’s or Ciccio Mio, come to Gilt Bar — they’re under the same group, share the same kitchen, and the food is literally identical!! Gilt Bar’s menu is basically Ciccio Mio + Bavette’s combined, and way easier to book. Walk-ins usually fine around 4–5 PM. Highly Recommend: 🥘 Steamed Mussels Best mussels I’ve had in Chicago so far!! Broth made with dill-infused vermouth + lemon 🍋, paired with thyme garlic bread — absolute perfection. Happy hour small portion at $11.99 is a steal — and honestly not enough for me 😂 🐟 Whole Grilled Branzino This dish is on all three menus — but priced differently?? (The fish is the exact same though!) Perfectly grilled, Moroccan herb sauce complements it beautifully. One of the few fish dishes in Chicago I genuinely enjoyed. 🐷 Pork Belly Confit Gives off Cantonese char siu vibes — sweet-savory flavor profile, perfect for Jiangsu/Zhejiang tastebuds. Served over slightly tangy lentils — cuts the richness, adds texture. Writing this already makes me drool again 🤤 🧀 Truffle Mozzarella Sticks Life-changing fried cheese sticks!! Heavy truffle aroma, must dip in tomato sauce for the ultimate experience ✨ (Proven — this is Ciccio Mio’s signature dish, same presentation and taste.) College cafeteria mozz sticks? Compared to this, they’re basically slop. 🦴 Wood Fired Bone Marrow Another Bavette’s classic, exact same flavor and presentation. Available à la carte during happy hour. I’m a bone marrow addict — that one bite of pure richness? Onion jam + parsley take it to another level. Always order two. 🍫 Chocolate Cream Pie Yep — Bavette’s version again. Chicago dessert royalty 👑. Before, I’d have to walk into Bavette’s and wait an hour just to satisfy this craving. Now? Gilt Bar has the exact same pie, no wait, and even does takeout!! Rich cocoa flavor, silky ganache-like texture, topped with light whipped cream — perfect. My go-to comfort dessert. Meh / Skip: 🍔 Meatball Slider Cheap, ordinary — not worth the stomach space. 🍓 Strawberry and Cream Twice now I’ve ordered this just because the menu photo looked gorgeous. Regretted it both times. The meringue is WAY too sweet. Cream is heavy. Just no. #ChicagoEats #GiltBar #Bavettes #CiccioMio #HiddenGem #Mussels #BoneMarrow