The Vig Chicago

Right in the heart of Old Town on Wells. Sort of a fusion of gastropub and fine dining. Salmon BLT was good. Pretty big drink list. Our server was excellent, she handled 10 of us on her own—and it was a family gathering—couldn’t have been easy since everyone was busy catching up with one another. Thanks for having us!

To clarify, since my husband was speaking to her and I couldn't hear, I asked if that applied to reservations as well. She responded with a long, drawn-out "yes" in a mocking tone. I simply stared at her and said we would wait at the bar without any issue. Just a few minutes later, another hostess—who actually had people skills—warmly informed us that our table would be ready shortly. Our waitress was very kind, and the food was delicious. However, the unpleasant vibe we experienced at the door left a lasting negative impression. As we left, most of the staff wished us a goodnight, except for the same disgruntled brunette who had greeted us at the entrance. Aside from her openly displaying her frustration, the venue itself was enjoyable, making it a great place for dinner and drinks.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience here, from the service to the food. We wanted to sit outside, and a table became available almost right away. It was nice to see other people bringing their dogs to dine al fresco, and we had the chance to meet several of them.

The restaurant offers solid American cuisine. The chicken salads are hearty and prepared nicely, and my friend enjoyed his pasta as well. However, I deducted one star because the host seated a family with a small child using a loud iPad without headphones right behind us in an otherwise empty dining room. It made it difficult to have a conversation. We would have liked to stay for another drink, but it was quite frustrating, so we decided to leave.

The food and drinks are good (albeit overpriced but the owners charge a ‘3% surcharge’ on the bill. Not sure why they do that and seems scummy. So I just take that 3% off the waiter/waitress tip, you’re only screwing over your own employees ownership :