Cafe Bionda — Restaurant in Chicago

I didn’t want to have to post this here, but I emailed the management of this restaurant a week ago and I didn’t get a reply. I can only assume that this means that I am correct that they actively try to discourage kids in their restaurant. Here’s the email I sent them last week:

“ I’ve been coming to cafe bionda for about 13 years and I finally had a bad experience tonight. I am sending this message here instead of sending a bad public review or something, because, like I said, I really do love this restaurant. My wife and I have been coming to Bionda on average once a month over all these years. You can see my previous 5 star reviews on google. Now, it’s our kids favorite restaurant too and they were particularly excited to dine at your establishment this evening.

We walked in the door and were pleasantly greeted by the two ladies working the service desk. We asked for a table for four. They asked us if we had a reservation and we said we did not. They said that they are unfortunately completely booked and could not seat us at a normal table and only had high top tables available (despite the fact that we have a 1 year old who would obviously need a high chair and can’t sit at a high top). Fair enough- except you were only about a third full at the time. Unquestionably it was less than half full at 5:55pm when I walked out to the street. We walked out side and started explaining to the kids we couldn’t eat there tonight and started to figure out where we could eat instead. Confounded by how you could be too booked and actually having been turned away from your empty restaurant 2 previous times in the last six months, I went on Tock to see if reservations were available. Sure enough, you had open regular table reservations for the next time slot - 6:15. I booked a table for 4 and headed inside. I asked them why they turned us away despite the fact that it was obvious they weren’t full. They couldn’t explain why, but said that it was probably possible if it was a 6:15 reservation that a table could be available. Obviously that doesn’t make sense: -if the table is available at 6:15 and you’re less than half full, it’s available at 6:00. -if it wasn’t available until 6:15, you could tell us it will be 20 minutes for some reason before we can be sat

We ended up eating at my place next store. At 6:40 when we left, you still had 5-6 4 person tables empty when we walked past

I guess I just want to know: do they not have the tools they need to be able to figure out if there is space for walk ins or is there something else going on? Since it’s happened to us 3 different times now (and only when our kids are with us), I’m starting to think it’s because we have kids and you don’t want them there. If that’s the case, that’s fine too. Just...

Been here a few times, the service is always middling and the food only decent but this time was the last straw. We had a chicken parmigiana and a Gnocchi. The chicken, which is supposed to be crispy, was drenched in marinara which rendered it quite soggy, not what you'd expect for $22. The gnocchi was more like soup of microwaved gnocchi. The thing was drowning in a very thin sauce that literally submerged all of the gnocchi. The crumbled sausage was nowhere to be found. Flavor wasn't awful, but it was very clearly microwaved. Certain areas were warm-ish, other areas were scalding hot. Add to that the soupy sauce that it was drowned in and you have a clear case of microwaved food. Again, not what you'd expect for $22.

Refills on drinks or comments about the food were not possible as our server was M.I.A. during the entire duration of our meal. It was a stretch of over 30 minutes that she never came over to us. After we were done eating we had to wait another long while for her to come over and pack our food and give us the check. '

At this point my dining partner was just absolutely fed up with this experience (her last night in the States and she wanted a nice Italian dining experience). She went up to the waitress while we were on our way out and asked for the manager. She gave a smirk and went over to get him. As my dining partner went over what was wrong with the manager, only two things happened: the only words to come out of his mouth were "oh i'm sorry," and he was smirking, bordering on smiling, the entire time. What that was all about is beyond me. I don't know if the pair were high, friends protecting each other or more, who knows. All i know is that this is the last time we're going here.

I know it's convenient for us south looper's when we don't feel like trekking out to the north side, but do yourself a favor, don't go here, make the trek up to the north side or UKV and have some real italian food that's actually good and that comes along with...

Cafe Bionda is the PERFECT Dining Experience!!! This restaurant takes great pride in every detail of their establishment and puts their customers front & center. From the moment we walked in the door we felt welcomed as we were greeted by the warm and beautiful Genesis and then seated at a cozy table by the window were within seconds our server Guy made us feel right at home. The food was all a Masterpiece, beyond delicious with stunning presentation. We started with the Caesar salad, short rib ravioli, grilled calamari & the caprese buratta and it was all large portions perfect for sharing, full of flavor & presented beautifully. Our entrees were Out of this World!!! We ordered the Colorado Lamb Chops, pork chops, and a gluten free penne pasta dish. The chef/chefs are Culinary Geniuses!!! We were on such a roll with everything being so wonderful that we could not leave without trying their desserts, so we decided to have one of everything for the table to share and it was all Devine!!! This place without question is the Total Package and what stands out equal to the food is the Exceptional Service and true care of our server Guy who saw to it that we never had to seek him out , he was so very attentive, filling our glasses ( we polished off four bottles of wine!;) checking on us and treating us like he would family. The busboys were also so on top of caring for us. This is a restaurant that you are sure to remember so very fondly as I did both times I had the pleasure of dining at while visiting Chicago. THANK YOU to each and every one of the Cafe Bionda Staff, you are all Extraordinary!!! See you again...