State and Lake Chicago Tavern — Restaurant in Chicago

I stopped by here on a night that an event was letting out from the theater down the street (this past Wednesday). It was about 10:40pm. Originally, I tried to go upstairs to the rooftop, but was advised that it was closed. When I walked into the restaurant, upon asking were they closing, a waiter (not the most pleasant) said they were closing in about 10 minutes. I assumed that he meant the kitchen because there were plenty of people still sitting at the bar and upon asking was told the bar was fine to grab a drink from and have a little more time.

I went to the bar to see about getting a drink and drinking it at a table like others who walked in around the same time opted to do as well. Getting a drink, the bartender (a woman/I think her name started with an N) advised that last call would be at 11 o’clock; no problem, I was just trying to wait for some of the traffic in the area to die down. I ordered a Sidecar - it wasn’t good. Tried an Old Fashioned- it wasn’t that good either.

Then there were the flies. Not just one, but multiple fruit flies and they were big! Apparently they have a drinking problem, because I couldn’t keep them away from my drink. Now, during the summer, I moreso expect flies from doors open and closing so much and it being warmer, but in the winter, for there to be so many flies was concerning.

Around 11, the bartender yelled my name out from the bar because I had taken a seat at one of the tables, since there was no space available at the bar. I made it up to the bar, I told her that I would like a final drink and then she could close out my tab. I got something simple (jack and coke), so that I wouldn’t risk it being another poor tasting drink.

After she finished making the drinks, she comes into my view (I was probably sitting 8 steps from the bar) and says loudly that she can’t bring me my tab because she has a bar full of customers and I have to come get it. Pause. I NEVER asked for her to bring me my tab NOR expected it, and clearly if I had no problem going back and forth before to order and retrieve drinks BEFORE, apparently I wouldn’t have a problem going to get my tab. I thought all of that was unnecessary.

Anywho, I left a tip and sat back down to finish my drink before getting attacked by the flies one final time. If I was eating food from there, I would’ve been sick to the stomach. I remember coming here some years ago and the experience was much more pleasant...

For the 17th annual Chicago Restaurant Week, I choose to go to State and Lake Chicago Tavern. Can you believe it? Me, being a self-proclaimed foodie participating in Chicago Restaurant Week for the first time!

Well it was a great experience, because I went there after work and met up with a great friend. I was able to enjoy a really nice drink and order from the Chicago Restaurant Week menu items.

The vibe of the restaurant was really nice. It's next to The Wit Hotel, and I was able to sit in there while waiting for the restaurant to open at 5pm. You can conveniently enter the restaurant from the hotel lobby.

Our waitress for this busy night was really nice and attentive.

Now for the food and drinks. The best thing was the cocktail, appetizer and dessert. My cocktail was the Winterfell with Absolut Vodka, cranberry, lemon jucie and grenadine. I tried the Burrata and Spiced Sweet Potato Bruschetta for the appetizer.

My friend ate the Winter Salad and Wild Mushroom Risotto and enjoyed everything.

For my entree, I decided to get the Braised Short Rib Bourguignon. This could have been so much better, but the potatoes were super watery, and I feel like short rib was missing seasoning, and could have been much more flavorful.

If I decide to go back, I'd really like to try the Steak Frites or the Prime New York Strip. I saw a few tables order, and it looked delicious.

Overall, I'll give this restaurant 3 stars and that's only because I feel the entree could have been much better. I'd definitely give it...

Visited at 4:45 PM on a Wednesday and sat at the bar. We were greeted—or rather, barely acknowledged—by a bartender named Daniel. He mumbled a greeting without making eye contact, and when we asked his name again, he responded without looking up.

We had come in specifically for their advertised happy hour, but the moment I inquired about it, his demeanor shifted completely. He abruptly said, “I don’t think we even have a happy hour since there’s a show tonight.” (Yes—we’re aware; we were headed to the Barenaked Ladies concert shortly after.)

He said he’d check, and after about 5–10 minutes, we watched as he asked what appeared to be a barback. She laughed and said “No,” with both of them clearly sharing the moment—right in front of us. It was uncomfortable and embarrassing, as if we were out of line for even asking. The whole vibe made it feel like we were asking for leftovers rather than a listed special.

We ended up leaving. The bar wasn’t full, but the way we were treated drew attention. People actually turned to look, adding to the awkwardness.

We were especially disappointed because we live in a high-rise directly across the street and had hoped this could be our go-to neighborhood spot. Instead, we’re now reluctant to return.

Overall, this was the most unwelcoming, elitist experience we’ve had in what has otherwise been a warm and hospitable city. Unfortunately, it also reinforced the negative stereotypes about the Loop compared to River North and other nightlife-friendly...