John's Food and Wine — Restaurant in Chicago

Writing this with mixed feelings. My husband and I went to John’s last Friday and were delighted with everything we tasted. The strange part came with the service.

We ordered focaccia, duck fat fries, and gnocchi for starters. Those all came out in expected time. My husband ordered NY strip and I ordered Branzino as our mains. Branzino came out first so I waited for my husband’s plate before digging in. 30-40 minutes gone by and no sign of NY strip. We were so hungry by that time we both started picking at my Branzino.

My husband finally flagged someone down to ask the status and they mentioned they will get it squared right away. There must have been an error in the kitchen because the NY strip came out quickly after. Then another person (assume Manager) stopped by apologizing for the delay and offered us a complimentary bottle of wine. We thought this was a bit strange because we already ordered a bottle for ourselves so the make-good could have been something else. In any circumstance, the bottle of wine was dropped off at our table so we poured ourselves a glass each. Since we already had a bottle before this one, we wanted to share it with a table next to us who were still enjoying their meal. We flagged someone down to ask for 2 glasses for the couple at the next table and he made a strange comment basically saying we can pour how much we want from this bottle but intended for us. He then said he will give them a tasting and proceeded to pour the smallest amount for them.

The strangest part is here: HE TOOK THE BOTTLE AWAY FROM US AFTER. My husband and I only poured a glass from the bottle for the each of us. The couple next table for maybe a few tablespoons each in their glass. I have never encountered this situation in my life. Don’t even know what more to say other than be warned. We spent over $300 that night and can’t justify the treatment we...

Nearly perfect. I will say the food was something amazing. We started with the beet salad that was so sweet and balanced. The crème fresh and nuts in it were a perfect salad opener. We also got the foccacia which was delectable, however the butter was very yeasty and tasted like a goat cheese in a way - not my speed but if you want a strong butter it would be for you.

We then got the crab pasta and I will 100% come back for it. The menu changes often so definitely go in while it’s still available. The pasta was soo fresh, and perfectly chewy and cooked. The lobster sauce was so complex and had an amazing finish to it. Additionally, they add little croutons which give it an amazing balance of textures. A good portion overall.

Finally, we got the cod and though it tasted very good, it comes with some amazing beans and mushrooms but it’s a little light and could maybe use some carbs in it. I would explore the steak if you are non vegetarian.

The restaurant operates in a “no servers” way so all the food is ordered when you enter. However, thought it was very efficient - sometimes we didn’t get our water and the plates were not picked up. If you love restaurants with “service first” then this might throw you off for sure.

Finally, a comment on the dessert. The lemon parfait was not good. Extremly sour, and I would avoid it if you like a sweet dessert. Additionally it had a bunch of thyme which made it taste almost like pine needles. The textures were off and it ruined the nearly perfect experience. It felt like crunchy ice with...

John’s Food and Wine is a charming, woodsy space with a warm aesthetic and a casual yet elevated vibe. Orders are placed at the counter before seating (with 20% service charge), with both à la carte and tasting menus listed on the wall. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the printed menus were outdated and were initially drawn to dishes (like the branzino and scallops) that were no longer available - something that could have been more clearly communicated.

The meal had some real highlights, but also a few uneven moments. The lobster salad was a standout with refreshing flavors and generous portion. The cappelletti’s portion felt light and didn’t quite deliver the wow factor. The mackerel followed a similar pattern: beautifully sauced, but the fish itself lacked standout flavor. The Wagyu course was well seasoned and paired with a rich reduction, but was disappointingly tough and hard to cut through and enjoy. Dessert was a pleasant surprise - an almond cake with strawberry that was hearty and satisfying.

Overall, it was a thoughtful meal with some standout components, but at the price point, most of the dishes (particularly the proteins) fell short. I’d consider a return once the seasonal menu changes, but didn’t leave...