Machine Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

What a fun place. Nicely decorated! Great location. Decently roomy inside and a large outdoor patio for you, friends, and furballs!

We sat in what felt like a birdcage, somewhat center of the room. The red leaves trees are a nice autumn touch. Floral bar backdrop at the front bar. The seating could straight be out of Wayfair lol with their blue microfibre chairs and gold tone hardware.

The device was simply outstanding. Santiago was so attentive and gave his thumbs up or down or thoughts on our choices as my friend and I decided to choose most of the small bites to share and one bigger plate as a share. Since I haven't dined out much where there's more than meets the eye for a standard cocktail, this was a bit of a treat. Think Aviary style thoughtfully crafted without Aviary prices.

They also have a florist that does their rounds offering fresh flowers to guests for a fee.

Drinks for me: We Dare You - Tropical spiced clementine infused maestro dobro diamante (say that tens times fast), note of cinnamon, triple syrup, amaro nonino, lime, soda, guard verde, grasshopper salt - Refreshing, not sweet at all, served with a "plant" pod?? A little on the dry side, but refreshing. Wouldn't drink more than one.

Dragon's Breath - Tenjaku whisky, spice note cinnamon tequila, lemon juice, triple syrup, in a cute decorative cup, with a curled orange rind. Tasty, but definitely on the sweet side. Would have loved this in place of dessert.

Food - Carmelized Baby Bok Choy, oh my word, this was delicious. Some of the outside leaves crispy and carmelized and on the inside tender with a slight crunch. Cooked perfectly and chargrilled to perfection. Cornbread crumble was a perfect addition.

BBQ smoked carrots - Long skinny carrots, crunchy and enough for 2. Really enjoyed the pistachio for it's nutty texture, the capers for that briney taste. Would have appreciated a base of some sort, a crepe fraiche, but I think as a vegan dish, that would be why they didn't include it.

Seared tuna with sesame and nasturium, coriander sesame crusted, black tahini aioli, chickpea crepe. The tuna itself was nice and even flaky. The nasturium is lovely to see now that it's in season. Unfortunately, the sesame was a bit over salted. The crepe was well, much to be desired, lacked a bit of flavor.

Roasted Faroe Island Salmon was indeed the winning dish. The Romesco purée and the crispy wilted brussel sprouts/ chips, was delightful. Salmon so moist with just the outside crispy, and served hot, lapped this up, a merriment of enjoyment.

We split the Firebird Sundae. Two generous scoops of "adult style" strawberry ice cream with a very tacky/ sticky sauce (texturally strange, but yums nonetheless), and a lemon pepper (I think) tuile, that became tacky and sticky when introduced to the humid air...wasn't crisp... it happens... A few spoonfuls and the flavor is nice, it's cleansing, but for me, a bit icy, some crystallization happening. Possibly the base wasn't cooled correctly when made, forming ice crystals once frozen. Or it could be that vodka is in the ice cream, and that's your culprit.

Not bad for 2 people sharing with drinks,...

Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink is a unique and trendy restaurant nestled between Wicker Park and East Village. Despite its peculiar name, the dining experience at Machine is nothing short of exceptional. From the great atmosphere and beautiful people to the top-notch service, this restaurant truly delivers on all fronts.

Upon entering Machine, I was immediately captivated by the stylish and modern ambiance. The interior design effortlessly blends industrial elements with contemporary touches, creating a chic and inviting space. The restaurant exudes a vibrant energy that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.

The service at Machine deserves special praise. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, ensuring that every guest felt well taken care of throughout their visit. Their genuine passion for the restaurant and its offerings was evident in their interactions, further enhancing the overall experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food and drinks. Machine's menu boasts a delightful array of culinary creations that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. I had the pleasure of trying two of their signature drinks, starting with the "Breakfast at Tiffany's." This enchanting concoction, made from gin, watermelon, blackberry, blueberry, lemon, and pink rose, was a true revelation. Sipping on it felt like indulging in a refreshing bouquet of flowers—it was a harmonious blend of flavors that left me wanting more.

Equally impressive was the "Head in the Clouds" drink, crafted from sake, lychee, gin, green tea, and lemon. The combination of these ingredients created a delicate balance that was both invigorating and soothing. Choosing between these two remarkable drinks was no easy task; they were both so delectable in their own unique ways.

Moving on to the food, the chicken tacos stole the show. Bursting with flavors of ginger and cilantro, each bite was a tantalizing explosion of taste. The chicken was perfectly cooked and tender, complemented by the fresh and vibrant toppings. It was an absolute pleasure to share this dish with my dining companions.

For my main course, I opted for the salmon on a bed of avocado puree, and it did not disappoint. The salmon was expertly prepared, flaky, and moist, while the creamy avocado puree added a luxurious touch. Every bite was a symphony of flavors that left me thoroughly satisfied.

Based on my outstanding experience at Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink, I can confidently say that I will be returning soon. This restaurant is a true gem, combining a great atmosphere, beautiful people, and exceptional service with an impressive culinary journey. Whether you're looking for a unique and refreshing drink or a mouthwatering dish that will leave you craving more, Machine is the...

I would give it 5/5 but where do I begin.... We were celebrating an anniversary... I had been wanting to go to this place but hadn't gotten the chance because Covid had gotten in the way. Made reservations and glad I did so because upon arriving another group tried getting dinner there and they were already booked up for two weeks! We were seated by the picturesque bar, art work is breathtaking!!! Our server, Grace introduce herself and only saw her less than a handful of times, once when she took our first drink and food order and towards the end. We were famished so when the food came out we finished fairly quickly, which I have to say the drinks are not only eye pleasing but also delicious! Food was well presented, cooked perfectly and so flavorful! (See picture for reference, just as good as it looks!) We finished our food and our plates were kindly removed by the other attentive staff. We had been ready to order another drink as we had finished our first before the food arrived, but our server was no where to be found and when she was about to walk past us, she would turn around and go the other way. An ample amount of time had passed and I was growing impatient, and it takes a lot to get me to that point having had worked in the service industry, I try to be plenty patient and understanding. I had to, as kindly as possible, flag down another staff member and let him know we had been trying to order another drink, he went and got her. I asked her if we could get another drink and she turned around to the register and gave us the check and walked away!! I had to get another server and asked him if they had a restriction on drinks because we couldn't seem to get another drink or even get any kind of service from our server. He kindly apologized for her and said he would get our drinks for us, even though we were not his responsibility. She came to our table shortly after and asked about our drinks and I let he know someone else had taken care or it, she said she would check on them, when she finally brought them back she didn't even bring the little hammer to break the sugar cage which is advertised on their website, I had to try to break it with my fingers and make due. On the way out I stopped to thank the other server for his attention and kindness, I did not get his name and I wish I would've, he had short blond hair and was very sweet and professional. I wish this would have been a better experience, and definitely want to go back with my girlfriends for a night out or other special celebration, I greatly recommend to go here but whatever you do, make sure you don't get Grace as your server if you want a...