Taste Food & Wine — Restaurant in Rogers Park Township

Racist. Short story: our group of primarily Black and brown people sat down outdoors nearby (R public house) and this white man (the owner of Taste Food & Wine, based on what he said) talked down to multiple members of our group after we tried to adjust the lighting from the "open" sign.

Long story: our group of 6 sat down outdoors next door to Taste and two members of our party were having issues with the blinking "open" sign that was facing them directly. We thought to move another sign in front of it to block the light, so two of us got up to move it. This man (we are assuming the owner based on the way he talked to us after) comes out right as we go to sit down and moves it back. So I get up to go ask if we can leave it and explain that we have people who are photosensitive. He proceeds to launch in that we should never move things and that store owners are usually happy to help with that sort of thing. I just say ok but he goes on and says that it is a common courtesy to ask and that it is never ok to just do things ourselves. I say ok again and he say that he would be happy to stop the sign. So I'm like.... ok? And go sit back down. He goes back inside, turns off the sign (dark), but then turns it back on to be non-blinking a minute later. So not really addressing the issue. Anyway, another member of our party (who is Black) went in to express her concern to him and he proceeded to dismiss her by using AAVE and then said "go on girl" and waves her off. So he managed to talk down to us, not actually address the issue he said that usually the owner would be happy to address, and was openly racist when...

I went in this establishment today at approximately 2:30pm. As I entered the business there was a white male sitting behind the counter. I asked him was the wine tasting experience like at the above location. The white male respond on Tuesday and Thursday’s were the only days the wine tasting services were offered or provided. I further asked the gentle well what do you have available. He informed that that he was out of wine and that the weather was hindering the business day. Now this business was open but yet he told me an African American male that basically he wasn’t in service on todays date on 04 nov 2022 ( Friday). I believe this white male and this business is racist and doesn’t want to serve African Americans and residents of the the rogers park community. It’s the year 2022 and racism is act of hatred and a coward. After the white male basically refused to service me or offer service I exited the business and told him thank you. To the white male I didn’t catch your name but be careful how you treat future members of that community and potential customers never know who your dealing with that comes into...

Fabulous store with wonderful selection of wine and spirits. You’ll find local vodka, gin, etc. as well as incredible imported wines. Brandon is consistently the most thoughtful and informed individual I’ve ever interacted with in retail. One aspect I particularly appreciate is that when I ask for a recommendation, he doesn’t start with “well, what’s your price point? (Like every other store). Instead, asking what wines I enjoy and making recommendations at at a variety of price points which allows me to make an informed decision whether I’m purchasing a special occasion bottle or the Tuesday night bottle of wine. As of March 2022 Taste offers wine tastings on Tuesdays and Friday nights from 5:30-7:00 for $5. We enjoyed the tasting with friends and noticed there were couples with kids and people in all life stages...