Best Restaurants for Birthdays in Portage Park

This was our first visit. The service was superb in all aspects. The food is inventive and well prepared. Not all dishes were fully successful but all displayed creativity. The deserts wrere wonderful. The ambience was very comfortable and inviting. All staff. were friendly and welcoming. A word of caution. The City of Chicago in their infinite wisdom has installed bike lanes on Milwaukee Ave. and effectively reduced street parking by 50 percent. There is valet parking next door and save yourself aggravation by using it.

Cantarito paint night was so much fun! Even though we were sitting next to strangers, by the end of the night we were all laughing and dancing and exchanging social media. A blast!

Always enjoy the experience at Farm Bar either eating at the bar or seated at a table. The challah bread appetizer with flavored butter is great. Fried cheese curds were solid. Only app that we haven't enjoyed are the various renditions of hummous. The salmon dishes, either on salad or in a main, are very tasty. The sunchoke puree, steak and cabbage was great for the meat eater. There are 2 solid veg entrees. Overall, it's just a solid restaurant, priced appropriately with good bevvies and service.

The Duplex has been on our list for awhile and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint. It all started with our server Josh S., who was fantastic- he was very personable and attentive without being overbearing, made great suggestions and even brought us a couple after brunch cocktails on the house. The chicken and donuts with hot honey were unbelievable. The chilaquiles with chicken tinga were also very good, just not on the same level. The Bloody Mary was just ok- the bacon was a nice touch but no celery, pickle or olives to really give it flavor. Loved the Blind Monkey banana infused cocktail. All that said, what really made it stand out for us (besides Josh) was the live DJ. It was a bit loud but we loved hearing our old school favorites - it just brought such a great energy to the space.

I recently dined at a charming Turkish Mediterranean restaurant, and it was a delightful experience. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with earthy tones and traditional touches that made for a cozy setting. The menu featured a great variety of fresh, flavorful dishes, from savory kebabs to tender lamb and perfectly seasoned mezze. The hummus and babaganoush were standout appetizers, while the baklava offered a sweet, rich finish to the meal. Service was attentive and friendly, making the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Turkish Mediterranean cuisine!