Erwin

I moved to Chicago about 8 months ago and this is the first restaurant I can actually say that I would recommend people from out of town to visit. The food was great and had anything anyone could ever want. We are vegetarian and they had plenty of options (including things that aren’t on the menu) and they were all fantastic.
We had the groupon so it made the prices more reasonable. We did hear they are closing on July 1 though, which is disappointing since we finally found a great place.
The interior is a little weird and feels like it came from a nautical restaurant in the 90s. Overall still 5 stars.

I came here to meet up with a college friend and his new boyfriend. Upon arrival, I immediately patted myself on the back for choosing a brunch spot that wasn’t please-​take-​a-​pager-​and-​wait-​for-​30-​minutes.
On Laila C.‘s recommendation, I ordered the flank steak and eggs. I’m always a little hesitant about ordering this combo at brunch places, because I’ve been burned too many times by steaks that were so dry and flavorless you can build decks with them. But oh boy, these were AMAZING. Try them rare; they’re a little sweet, but with a texture that almost reminded me of sashimi. I have fallen in love.
The steak was so good that I nearly forgot about the potatoes, but ah, the potatoes. Now, if there’s anything one needs to know about me, it’s the fact that I live and die by potatoes. These were perfect — big, chunky pieces that were just the right amount of mushy, with skin and onions and all kind of delicious herbiness.
The portions were big, but all three of us finished our plates; that was how good it was. Other niceties: they dropped off an entire carafe of coffee at our table, along with a glass bottle of water. The whole place was cleanly decorated and pleasantly lit, contributing to a cozy, happy feeling even when it was raining and gloomy outside.

After walking past this place for years, I finally made a reservation for an anniversary dinner. We had a short wait for a table, which we passed at the bar with great drinks and delicious, complimentary house-​made chips. The bartender was really friendly and made the short wait fly by.
Once we were seated, we started with the fresh bread and white bean spread. delish! bacon wrapped figs came next. I loved that they were served with a salad (though it was a bit overdressed for my date.) The blue cheese filling was an interesting touch, and the bacon was perfectly crispy. For our mains, we got the soft shelled crab special and the flank steak. Each was basically perfect.
My only gripe with Erwin is it skews pretty old. Particularly for this neighborhood, it just felt old. The décor was cute and lovely, but nothing stand out. even if it didn’t feel totally current, the great staff and amazing food more than made up for it. Plus, an older crowd meant plenty of quiet to enjoy our conversation!

Erwin is the first neighborhood restaurant that I tried when I moved to Chicago’s fabulous Lakeview East neighborhood.
I use to travel Monday– Thursday for my job, so on Thursday nights, I would drop my bag off at my apartment and walk the ½ block to Erwin and after 4 years it has me going back again and again. Never a disappoint always an extraordinary dining pleasure.
First off they make the best Dirty Martini hands down any where in the city. I do not know if they have little magic pixie dust they throw in that makes this splendid emulsion a preface for wanting to sing, «if your happy and you know it clap your hands» resist the hand clapping, just enjoy your warm glow and have another sip.
The menu is small and creative, ingredients are local. They have great prefixes, you will find yourself saying they are going to mix the wha with wha? Believe me, it all blends together nicely for a meal that will have your palate craving more of their unique cuisine designs.
The staff is great at Erwins, Robert the congciere always has one of his cool music mixes playing. Elaine Dame one of their fabulous bartenders provides entertainment on certain Thursdays by singing your jazz favorites with her beautiful sultry voice. The owner and Chef Erwin comes out often to visit with patrons. The whole staff goes out of their way to make sure your dining experience is divine.
You have to do dessert at Erwins– the Michigan sour cherry pie– to die for, Like the martinis, you not find a more delicious cherry pie in the city. Top your dessert off with coffee and sambuca, the three coffee beans will be present, sending you off for the evening with the well wishes of the beans; health, happiness and proseperity.
When you leave– you will be happy and you will know it :)

Went in after a long St Patricks day of bar hopping and wanted a great meal to cap the night. Erwin delivered.
Everything is local, and you can tell.
You have to try the bacon wrapped dates. I could eat them by the pound.
I got the pork chop and was blown away. The texture and flavor was outstanding.
Also got to try the pike fish. Flaky, cooked to perfection and full of flavor.
Desserts were great as well.

Erwin is my new best friend, and he captures everything I want in a relationship.
First, he accepts me as I am, whether I’m in jeans, stretchy pants, or my Saturday best. He’s warm, cozy and chic, without an ounce of attitude, and he rarely keeps me waiting.
Second, he feeds my stomach and my soul with hearty meals tickled by delicate flavors. The bread is served with a savory bean purée, a fresh alternative to butter. The porkchops were juicy with a delicious au gratin and kale side, and the flank steak came perched gloriously on a mound (yes, a mound!) of gouda mashed potatoes and a mouthwatering barbecue sauce. I asked for extra sauce, and would have taken a bottle home if possible.
Whoever said that «less is more» had a horrible cook for a mother. This is not a mini-​food place. You will leave with a full belly, happy heart, and a doggie bag.
Third, he’s a cheap date. I came with a
certificate, and the server was classy enough not to add the automatic gratuity. Of course we tipped her well anyway.
Erwin may be a 45 minute drive away for me, but I’m considering making him a regular part of my life.

The place:
Had a fantastic time at this cozy gem. The décor is a little confusing, maybe rustic? We saw a fisherman’s hat with a hole in it hanging nearby, and some other greenery and bird related paraphernalia. Still, felt warm, nice colors, and goes back farther than I expected, upon looking at it from the street. It seems pretty unassuming.
The taste:
Shared the caramelized onion tart (would eat this once a week, if I could).
Also had the duck confit, flank steak, and ended with the lemon goat-​cheese soufflé cake.
All were excellent.
The garnish on the duck confit (cranberry-​ginger relish) was like a small slice of Thanksgiving.
The gruyère infused mashed potatoes that came with the steak were rich, and soul-​filled.
The Balsamic syrup on the lemon goat cheese soufflé cake was a tantalizing surprise.
My face:
I will be going back. The bill came out to $ 65, and worth every penny.

Adriane:
A very classy yet casual place. Great for a cozy date.
We had a weeknight reservation and after a moment were sat in a spacious booth in the front window.
The first thing I uttered to my partner was, «I already like this place.» The décor was cute and a mix of modern with shabby chic. And although it was busy it was well planned so that each group had a bit of privacy and it wasn’t too loud.
We ordered:
Beers, I think ciders.
I wanted to get for a starter the Medjool dates stuffed with with Gorgonzola, wrapped in Bacon, wood grilled with apples and frisee and cider vinegrette. But since I’m a caring friend and know he dislikes bacon wrapped dates (that’s Willy Wonka talk!) we got the Fried Green Tomatoes with cornmeal crust, bacon, arugula, and buttermilk dressing. Whoa. When we cut into them the crust entirely flaked off, leaving just the tomatoes on the plate. It was so awkward and a disapointment.
He ordered the Grilled Flank Steak with Goada mashed potatoes and chipotle BBQ sauce.
I got the Burger with cheddar added and brussel sprouts.
I cut into the burger and it crumbled on the plate. I found it inedible. The fantastic server asked how it was and I rather bluntly blurted my opinion. She totally was unfazed and sweet. The owner came over and quickly offered me something else.
I ordered my partner’s choice and as I waited ate the brussel sprouts with lardons. Those were flippin awesome!
Interestingly, my steak and potatoes were hotter, more flavorful, and cooked more to specification than my partners. I tried his and can see why he got sad face syndrome. They tasted very different, though we ended up with the same entrée ordered to be cooked the same way.
Fantastic service.
Erwin:
I put my customers first and ensure they are all satisfied.
Server:
I’m do a great job and make it look effortless.
Partner:
I wasn’t that wowed with the food. I really hoped I would be. But who cares, right? I have some smartly pretty arm candy.
Epilogue:
Adriane and her companion will probably go and give it a shot again. (Hint)

Its fantastic food! I will admit that the food is really good but for the price the portions don’t fit the bill! Martinis… excellent! If you screw up a martini in my party thats a major foul but they did well.
Décor is less than desired, for a fine dining restaurant i kinda felt like i was eating in a cracker barrel /​bob evans /​some kinda nasty chain est.
Wait service… lets just say our server was really really nice, but really really slow. Her charm made up for it though.
Will i be back? Maybe… Will I recommend to friends? To a few… i have some friends that are big food snobs and they would really hate this place and not be so kind to it on a review as i have
All and all I think i just had high expectations of this place from all the hype i have heard about it from alot of my clients and friends & was just seriously let down with its rustic /​im gonna eat a chain rest. slow wait staff charm.
BIG SIGH

This place really is a gem. The fact alone that the host ALWAYS remembers me when I come is mind-​blowing — especially when you consider that I only go a few times each year!
The food is really solidly good. It’s like home-​cooked food by your favorite family chef. What’s great is that the menu changes every month or two so I never get bored. M loves the cherry pie made with real cherries (not that canned stuff that is overly sweet). I am personally crazy about the bacon wrapped dates. Every once in a while we get food that doesn’t blow us away (it’s just food), but that’s okay. We are still pleased overall.
The libations also please. I’ve definitely gotten tipsy at least once because, boy oh boy! The drinks can be strong! Besides that, they don’t have a cocktail menu, so don’t expect anything too creative.
I think the service is particularly good too. Even on busy nights, the servers bust their chops to be attentive. Sometimes I even get to see Erwin, the chef and owner!
I usually don’t write about this in reviews, but the crowd at Erwin is usually elderly and white. The last time I was there, I looked around and felt as if I was in the dining room of an upscale senior citizen home. The people who work there much more diverse in age and race.

We came on a saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered
chicken livers — completely unexpected because it’s fried. We thought it was pâté. It was ok because the ironness of the liver is strong.
caramelized onion tart — ok, the onions are sweet but the tart was more like a pizza.
grilled flank steak — good, but the mashed potatoes were the best! it was cheesy and absolutely wonderful.
We were about to pay when I was informed that it was recorded that I had already used my groupon. I told the manager that I have never been to this restaurant and we were at a standstill. He finally gave in and let me use my groupon, but it was unpleasant. I don’t think the customer should be doubted when he/​she kept insisting the same thing.

REALLY GOOD!!!
i had the octopus & couscous appetizer special that was fantastic
and the bacon-​wrapped cheese stuffed figs AMAZING.
THE interior was kind of sad and empty… but maybe it wasnt very busy. but the food was so good and i cant wait to go back when i am super hungry so i can order alot more!!!

I came here with my parents and boyfriend for brunch on a Sunday morning. I’d heard it was one of the few places you could get a quality brunch without waiting in line. Since it was 45 degrees and pouring out (in May. stay classy, Chicago), waiting outside was not an option. So — to Erwin we go!
We were, as I’d hoped, seated immediately. I got some hot tea — you get a selection of Stash brand teas, and a large teapot filled with hot water for your convenience. They’re happy to refill with more water if you need it. I ended up getting the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, goat cheese, scallions, spinach, and peppers. I have to say — it was not my favorite brunch dish. The first few bites were good, but the richness from the cheese and the smokiness of the salmon made it a hard dish to finish! It’s clearly fresh and well-​made, but it is a substantial portion of strongly flavored food. I suppose it just wasn’t for me.
Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food more, my parents commenting that the basil sausage in particular was very good. Service is genuine and attentive.
I would recommend this place for brunch — I think my dish just wasn’t a good choice for me — but there’s no wait, and you get fresh, good-​quality food. I’d return again and try a different menu item, definitely.

Went here for brunch with my $ 40 Groupon. It was 11:45 on a sunny Sunday morning and the restaurant was only ½ full, so we didn’t have to wait for a table. Excellent!
I got the special: corned beef hash. Our waitress advertised it as big chunks, not the crumbly little pieces, and she was right! It was very good. I wasn’t offered a choice in eggs, and they came out sunnyside up (which I hate). My mistake, I should have inquired, but I was disappointed I had not been offered an option.
My friend just got scrambled eggs with their specialty potatoes (which are delicious and rosemary-​y!).
We ordered the sour cherry pie for dessert (dessert with brunch, I know.) Apparently it had been better the last time, but it was still good. The ice cream that accompanied it was yellow and rich and tasted homemade. Delicious!
We also ordered a burger to go (my husband said it was good, not great). Altogether, after my $ 40 Groupon, the total was $ 4. It’s too pricey for what I got if I had paid menu prices, but I’m not complaining with my Groupon deal. I might come back to try their dinner menu, but it would not be a regular brunch spot for me.

Erwin’s location is kind of strange — a pretty empty (restaurant-​wise) area on Halsted. The restaurant is worth making the trip for however — this place is a culinary gem.
The seasonal vegetables are what really make Erwin shine. I have eaten here twice, and while the protein is awesome (and I love me some meat), the vegetables are the star.
Highlights:
Beet Salad — I have honestly never had beets that good in my entire life. It’s hard to get excited about a beet — but they are so fresh, delicious at Erwin you will end up telling your friends about em. The cheese they serve them with is also a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the beet.
Flank Steak — When I went with the fam my dad ordered this and told me it is one of the best steaks he has ever had (and he is quite a connoisseur). I tried a piece of it with the Chipotle Sauce accompaniment and I have to agree with him. Spicy, smoky, sweet flavor that is explosive but not overpowering, and the steak was cooked to medium-​rare perfection.
Mushroom Cake — This meatless wonder was the star of the show. Soft, almost crab-​cake like texture inside and a perfectly crispy exterior. I will be coming back for these.
Peanut Butter Mousse Cake — Whoa. This is one of the greatest things I have ever stuck down the olé throat hole. My date and I were both stuffed after dinner but wanted to try something from the desert menu. We practically licked the plate clean, and the slice they gave us was so massive I think it altered the gravitational field around our table.
The service was excellent, the wine list impressive, and the décor rustic, comfortable, and inviting. I should also add that of the two times I have been to Erwin, they gave me a $ 20 off coupon (applicable to the next visit) both times. Sweet deal.

Neighborhood gem, love that this is close by. Truly an american bistro with favorites such as flank steak and pork chops, but also refreshed with new life in dishes such as the mushroom cakes. Desserts are definitely big enough to share (we felt a bit silly, and overindulgent ordering two). The prix fixe menu looked tasty, and a great deal. We’ll probably come back to try mid-​week sometime.
Service was professional and attentive after we «started our relationship.» It took probably 10 – 15 minutes after we sat down for our waiter to greet us and take a drink order, but things quickly improved through the rest of the meal.

We used a groupon for this place, that’s why I’m giving it it a 4 instead of a 3 because we had to pay less. We went around 7 PM on a Saturday night.
This restaurant is beautiful and relaxing. It’s a calm, romantic setting, perfect for celebrating something special.
We both got the flank skirt steak. It was soo good! It had a bbq sauce, which had a little kick and was thin. perfect! It also included mashed potatoes (Cheesecake Factory style) which is my favorite! The lady next to me got a white fish which was crusted and she told me it was delicious. I’m guessing everyone enjoys what they get there.
The bread that served as soon as you sat on the table was my favorite too… I know we all love bread and butter… but the bread was perfectly baked and they served it with something that was really good… and sorry, I don’t remember what it was.
A lot of people ordered coffee at the end and continued to relax. The nice thing about the environment at this restaurant was that you don’t feel rushed at all. The waiters don’t communicate with you too much (Which i liked). Some people got dessert and it looked really good!
I could see the same people come there as the host was passing hugs to them.
Also – portions are small compared to most restaurants. This is in my friends perspective though. I’m a small eater, so it was fine with me!

I love me some Erwin’s! After not having eaten here in a long long time I finally went back and it is as good as it ever was.
We started out with the onion tart app, I wish it had a bit more blue cheese to cut down on the onion a bit. It was also a bit bigger than I imagined.
For dinner I had the trout and it was served with the head. I love when restaurants do that. I even took a pic of it and sent it to twitter. The ragout and snap peas it was served with were delicious and fresh and I only wish there were more of it.
Our sides were the hand cut french fries and the potato au gratin. I LOVED the potatoes and finished the dish while my sister loved the fries and ate more of them.
We also drank prosecco with dinner because I have been seeing it pop up more and more recently. I first had it at Chicago Gourmet then Alpana Singh recommended it as a gift to bring to a host at a party. I thought it complimented the dinner well and wasn’t too sweet or too heavy.
The thing I love about Erwin is the every changing menu of fresh seasonal ingredients. You will never have the same dish twice (unless you go rather frequently) and it is worth trying something you might not think you would like or it a bit on the edge because you will not be disappointed. The flavors and ingredients are there for a reason and they come out tasting great.

We went here at the husband’s request. The two of us used to eat at the restaurant that was in the old 1800 N Clybourn bldg.
We had several guests, it was the husband’s birthday.
The service was fine. The food was good. The atmosphere was nice.
However, we were truly disappointed overall.
If Erwin were open for lunch, we’d be back. However unless you’re in the neighborhood, it’s not worth a big effort to go to Erwin.

What a pleasant surprise! Who knew that erwin would deliver on such a delightful evening? After all, I have driven by this place countless times never giving it more than a passing glance, so when a friend suggested dinner here the other night, I jumped at the chance to check it out.
We went on a Friday night. We arrived a few minutes late for our reservation but the host was delightful, welcoming us to the restaurant asking if it was our first time and really making us feel like one of his regular customers.
The space is lovely, if not simple. A large mahogany cabinet separates the bar area from the dining room. The walls are painted a light green and there are murals that mimic the rooftops in the neighborhood painted throughout. Named after the chef, erwin (purposely with a small «e», and you will know why if you meet the chef) as it has always been about the customer, not about him.
We were seated in the back at a cozy corner table (next time I’m going to ask to sit in one of the booths by the front window) but on this night it was perfect. Our server was over in a flash with menus, a detailed explanation of the specials and then he sped off to grab us our drinks.
The menu is chock full of American specialties, from starters like wrapped dates to fried green tomatoes, and entrees that ranged from steak to fish.
We started with the fried green tomatoes. Perfectly crunchy, served with greens and buttermilk dressing, they were good, but didn’t rival the goat cheese topped ones that I had recently at the Southern.
As for our entrees, I went with the pork chop (served with mashed potatoes) and my friend had the burger which according to our server won the best burger contest from Time Out Magazine. I have to admit– it was really tasty (and I’ve eaten a few burgers in my day!) My pork chop was perfectly done, thick and juicy.
For dessert we just had to try the ice cream sandwich (chocolate chip banana bread served with cappuccino ice cream and caramel sauce. .. .really?) and the sour Michigan cherry pie served with vanilla ice cream. In my book the pie was certainly the winner (being a Michigan girl and all) but they were both delicious and certainly «calorie worthy»!
With entrees in the $ 13 to $ 25 range, our dinner with drinks, entrees and dessert came in around $ 100. If you drive, know that there is valet parking out in front, and depending on the night you go, once you pay if you go late enough, you may just be able to leave your car there on the street to visit other businesses in the area.
I love places that take care of the customer like I am dining in their own home. And erwin pulls that off beautifully. Outstanding food, great service, all served up in a little neighborhood place? This has winner written all over it, for sure.