The Perch Kitchen and Tap — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Patronized this establishment yesterday during westown restaurant week. Sat at the bar, it was busy. Wicker Park, Friday, nice weather equates busy. So... at the bar got the menu, first time there. The bartender, a woman short w/ nice tattoos, have me a quick run down of the beers. I told her, i was wanting a cocktail but needed food first. She understood, came back in a beat, and took my order. She never checked on me in terms of the cocktail. Fast forward... I'm eating, the food is good. I got the salmon w/broccoli rabe. As I'm eating midday through my meal. There's a hair as I'm cutting into my salmon, i see it. It was disheartening cause this food was good, and cooked perfectly! I don't feel it was a cleanliness issue overall, now like a hustle & bustle cause it could have been on the plate prior to plating and went unnoticed. So, i let the aforementioned bartender know what's up. She came back and said, "They're making you a new one," I replied. "I don't need another one." She now asked, " You don't want another one?" I stated I was full... so then she says, " Well, what do you want?!" Her energy changed to irritation (rudeness), and it was due to the business, but that's not my problem, and it isn't helpful. My intention wasn't to escalate the issue, I'd assumed from my years of experience (Hospitality & Spa Wellness industry) that some things don't have to escalate and of they do, not in a derogatory space; but here we are. Manager Sergio comes over and apologizes and explains that he don't know how to prorate the pre-fixe menu cause it's pre-fixed which I get. I told him about the exc with the bartender and he made excuses that it was busy, which I'd already given that grace. I had the small app course, and my meal had the hair, and 3rd course, dessert was included. So, I'm talking to him and letting him know, I didn't want another meal, I'm full but, i also wanted to work with them and didn't want to cause any inconvenience (it was busy as hell, in there and again in in service so i get it) i offered to pay for my 2 shrimp....i didn't get the cocktail cause the bartender never came back until i asked for assistance with the hair in my food. In talking to the manager we agreed that I'd take a new main course home (cause that was easier for them cause of the pre-fixe) as well as the dessert and he offered me the(complimentary) cocktail i wanted to try, i was torn between 2 and told him whomever made it can surprise me with either. The original bartender made it, dropped it off, didn't look at me etc... childish. I paid, tipped & left. I won't be back because I don't feel comfortable referring clients to this establishment after my experience. It's a busy area, if you can't...

Updating review...

Overall, the service here can be hit or miss - sometimes a little slow, even when it seems they have plenty of workers.

Previously I marked my review as 1 star with a bad experience with staffing issues (one server that was also the only hostess and bartender for 17 tables) while the manager on duty (Sergio) was not helping and unprofessional. I still think he needs additional management training to include how to treat customers and how to be a team player in assisting the employees.

After the bad experience, the new manager Victoria reached out (from my negative online reviews) and offered a free meal to make up for the horrible experience we had. We go here often, so making the negative review wasn't for a free meal, it was to warn others that if there is a staffing shortage, they may want to take their business elsewhere.

After the bad incident, we went back on the following Saturday afternoon. There were plenty of workers. We did not ask for Victoria when we went in. We wanted to see what the experience would be like as regular customers. We were sat quickly, waiter was quick to bring water (although I am not sure why they do not provide ice with water). We ordered some appetizers and iced tea. (Iced tea was weak/watered down, so we asked for something else - this is our every experience, so now we know to skip the tea here unless they change how they make it).

The manager Victoria came around (as she was to all tables to check in, she was helping to clear tables, etc.) several times.

On one of Victoria's trips around, we introduced ourselves and let her know we were in the area, so we stopped in and the current experience was much better than the time before.

We have been in several times. Most times the food and service are excellent. There is a decent drink selection during the week for happy hour. Also, looks like kids eat free during the week from 4-6. We don't have little ones, but still a good offering since most restaurants no longer offer this.

Food that we love: skillet cornbread, croquettes, black bean chicken chili, ribs (ask for extra sauce) with mashed potatoes, and the chicken dip sandwich. I recommend asking for ice with your water and not ordering the iced tea as it is not good. Food wise - we haven't had anything that we don't like.

TLDR: The Perch has redeemed themselves after a bad experience. We will be back. Hopefully with the new manger, Victoria, there will not be severe staffing shortages. Get the cornbread...

Last night was the first time I have been here and let me tell you I WILL be back. We ordered “ the buffet” we had the ribs, I’m from the south so I’m picky about BBQ, the ribs were fall off the bone tender, didn’t care a whole lot about the bbq sauce but the ribs were tender and cooked to perfection, the only thing that could have made them better is if they were dry rub. We had Calypso shrimp, I’ve been to several caribbean islands numerous times and this shrimp would rival any I’ve ever had there. The Brussel Sprouts were this delectable, savory , crunchy, yet tender with a little sweetness to them that made you want to eat everyone of your vegetables. We also had the Buffalo cauliflower that was delish , imo could have been flash fried a hair but was delish the way it was. We also had the Maryland crab cakes that were better than most I have ever had. Not a lot of breading and a ton of crab meat so it made them amazing. The remoulade sauce was not perfection to go with those perfect crab cakes but then they were so delicious you did not need the sauce. Now on to dessert , the home made ice cream sandwich cookie was something I had never experienced as perfection, like ice cream sandwiches to me when I was child just never needed to be perfected , but let me tell you they have perfected this to the child inside of every adults taste buds!! I had the prickly pear margarita, if you try this order it with the reposada tequila because the first one I had was with the silver while it was good I wouldn’t recommend but with the reposada tequilia it took it to a level and that just set it off!! The atmosphere here is perfect, while it was just me and a good friend I saw many families here and it was a great place. The service is off the chains from the manager who started out taking care of us to our server and I do believe his name was Jim ( I hope I’m right) from the team checking back to take plates and see if we needed anything. Our server was very knowledgeable, friendly and efficient! I give this place 50 thumbs up and a million stars!! Go...