avec River North — Restaurant in Chicago

TLDR - Management (0/5) - Microaggressive, condescending, and dishonest. Service (2/5) - One lovely server helped us at the beginning, but after her shift ended, we were met with a very disrespectful, condescending, and passive aggressive server. Food (4/5) - I would be more thorough, but management was so disrespectful that it ruined my entire experience.

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I recently chose to celebrate my birthday at Avec, a restaurant I'd heard many great things about. While the food lived up to expectations, my overall experience was ruined by the disrespectful and dishonest treatment from both management and service staff. It left a sour impression, and I was deeply disappointed.

We had followed all the restaurant's guidelines, even emailing ahead to ensure everything was in order. Despite our efforts, we were treated poorly, most likely because we appeared "young." I also noticed a stark contrast in how we were treated compared to the restaurant's white, "wealthy-looking" patrons. It was clear that appearance played a role in the level of respect given, which is unacceptable for any establishment.

As a lover of Middle Eastern food with experience in the service industry, I was shocked by the restaurant's greed and lack of transparency. Our party of 14 followed every guideline they provided via email and in-person. Before the meal, we even clarified with the hostess about any dessert fees and were told it would only cost $3 to store our cake in the fridge.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse after the meal. When we asked for to-go boxes, the bussers threw dirty napkins onto the plates we wanted to pack. I saw this blatant cross-contamination, and only then did they awkwardly remove the napkins. This was completely unacceptable and set the stage for the issues that followed.

When it came time for the cake, we asked if we could cut it ourselves. The staff refused, insisting that they had everything prepared. After much back and forth, we reluctantly agreed, only to be hit with a surprise $3 per slice "cutting fee." We had two cakes along with 4 sample slices (fortunately, the four slices we had already cut ourselves were not charged). However, this cutting fee was never mentioned to us beforehand.

When we confronted the manager about this fee, she initially lied, claiming the hostess had informed us. After we repeated exactly what the hostess had said, the manager backtracked, claiming she had been present during the conversation. When I reiterated the details of our interaction with the hostess, the manager again changed her story, admitting she wasn't there and hadn't heard what was said. She then hid behind "policy," refusing to acknowledge the lack of communication. Eventually, after much back and forth, the manager agreed to cut the fee in half, but this was not a reasonable solution given the situation. Any other restaurant, faced with such a blatant miscommunication, would have waived the fee entirely.

To make matters worse, the service after our initial server left was horrendous. The new server was visibly angry, passive-aggressive, and condescending when we asked for clarification about the cutting fee. She rolled her eyes, spoke to us with a disrespectful tone, and treated our reasonable questions as though they were an inconvenience. This unprofessional behavior only added to the disappointment of the entire experience.

What should have been a special occasion was ruined by dishonest management and rude service. The disrespectful treatment, compounded by their greed and lack of transparency, left a bad taste in my mouth. I would expect far better from a restaurant of this...

EDIT:

After I posted my experience at Avec River North, I was contacted by the management team and not only did they apologize, they wanted to make it right.

So last night, my boyfriend and I went back as their guests and my goodness, we were in heaven.

Our server was Gabe. What can I say about Gabe? Not enough good, I’m sure. He was lovely and so kind to us. Beyond that, he was incredibly knowledgeable about food and wine pairings as well as all of the flavor profiles of the dishes we were served.

We started with a tomato and plum salad that had reserved lemon, mint, some crunchy bits, tahini… it was one of the best things I’ve ever eating. I was thinking about it when I woke up today.

We then got the hummus which we had gotten the first time and it’s a star dish for sure. It does come with 1 piece of pita bread for 2 people, but it’s such a great piece of pita bread that you just wish there was more.

We then got a flatbread and some (possibly) broiled cabbage? The cabbage had a poppy yogurt on it I believe with onions and golden raisins. It was the most wild flavor explosion in the mouth. Unbelievably good. And the cheese in the flatbread with the crunch of the actual bread. Dreamy.

We finished off with 2 desserts, one of them on a burnt vanilla cream and the other being almost a croissant texture with all kinds of berry goodness inside.

This meal was beyond anything we expected and everyone, down to the young man who kindly refilled my water glass again and again, made us feel warm and welcome.

We would come back to sit at Gabe’s table any time at all and we’re both still glowing about the whole thing today.

Thank you so much for having us back and absolutely blowing us away! We’ll see you again soon!

My bf took me here last night to celebrate something and he was so excited but I didn’t have the heart to let him know what a disappointment it was.

First, we got sat and waited probably 10 minutes before anyone came to greet us. The guy pouring our water was super attentive and great tho.

Eventually, a disinterested man came over and asked what we wanted to drink. I asked if they had any spirit free beverages and he went to get a menu for them then came back, dropped it off, and we didn’t see him again for probably another 10 minutes. Menus were closed and on the table indicating we were ready. Nothin.

Finally he returns and we order our drinks and hummus. The hummus comes out with one piece of pita bread. Which is insane. The hummus itself was very good.

We ordered a second app and then eventually put our food in. They brought my boyfriend’s dish out and then we sat there for a good 20 minutes before the server came back and asked how my pasta was. To which I replied that I hadn’t gotten it yet. So my bfs food is getting cold, I’m begging him to start without me but he’s very polite.

No one apologized. He just walked over, dropped the most lackluster plate of pasta I’ve ever seen, and left. The pasta was bland and looked like somebody just threw it on a plate real quick.

For a restaurant with a reputation like Avec, the whole thing was entirely underwhelming.

My chocolate affogato was very...

Avec restaurant in Chicago is a true testament to the culinary brilliance of Donnie Madia and his innovative group, One Off Hospitality. Donnie himself is a wonderful person, time and time again, this group has managed to strike the perfect balance between quality and innovation, and Avec is a shining example of their mastery.

From the moment you step foot into Avec, you're met with an atmosphere that exudes sophistication and warmth. The attention to detail in both the decor and the menu is immediately apparent, showcasing the team's dedication to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

What truly sets Avec apart is their unwavering commitment to quality. Every dish that graces their menu is a testament to the thoughtful sourcing of ingredients and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into their preparation. The flavors are robust and inviting, showcasing a deep understanding of culinary artistry that leaves a lasting impression. I once asked for something to take home to my wife after an event (throw an event because they are awesome help with that!) and they made fresh flatbreads on the spot to go with extra things they but in a box!

But it's not just about the food at Avec; the service they provide sets a standard that others in the industry should strive to meet. The staff is not only knowledgeable about the menu but also passionate about ensuring that every guest's visit is memorable. The level of attentiveness and care truly enhances the overall dining experience.

Donny Madia and One Off Hospitality's achievements are not to be taken lightly. With at least four James Beard Awards under their belt, their track record speaks volumes about their dedication to excellence. This level of recognition doesn't come by chance; it's a result of their unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of culinary innovation while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

In conclusion, Avec restaurant in Chicago is a shining star in the culinary landscape, and Donny Madia and his group, One Off Hospitality, deserve all the praise they receive. Their ability to consistently deliver exceptional dining experiences that balance innovation with quality is nothing short of remarkable. If you're seeking a dining experience that is both a feast for the senses and a celebration of culinary artistry, look no...