Avec

If you enjoy wine and small plates, I would recommend Avec on Randolph.  This place is amazing.  Expect to wait, and on any given day it is packed. However, they will set you up nicely outside with a server to bring you your choice of wine or beer from the menu.  I started out with some bubbly (2008 Saint-Hilaire, Blanc de Blancs, Brut ) and was loving life on a beautiful Wednesday evening.  The hostess took my name, and as my little sister and I waited for my better half, we enjoyed our drinks and people watched.

Inside, it is long and narrow.  The tables are situated so that you are sharing the table and actually sitting pretty close to strangers.  If you are not a person that can handle getting cozy with someone you don't know, perhaps this place is not for you - but you would be missing out.  They do have a bar that you can eat at as well, and the best part of the restaurant is that you are watching the chefs prepare your food.  The wood burning oven has amazing smells coming out of it, and immediately my mouth started to water. You have a choice of small plates and large plates, which are very tapas like. We went with the small plates to try and sample as much as we could. The antipasto of the day was wonderful, and the bread was warm and delightful.


If you are in a rush, don't bother showing up. This is place is for savoring the wine and the food. It is also a place to sit and enjoy the company you are with. I loved that the staff was welcoming and were never rushing you to get out. If you are familiar with Spain, this place will certainly take you back to your favorite spot there. The service was pleasant and I will go back, after all, I didn't have the opportunity to try everything on the menu. If you have the opportunity, check it out.


http://www.avecrestaurant.com/
615 w. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60661
p 312-377-2002
f 312-377-2008