avec Restaurant

"When all else fails, Avec. You can never go wrong here, and we encourage you to eat at Avec every now and then to remind yourself how reliably outstanding it is. New menu items keep the romance alive and interesting, but it’s the staples like chorizo-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates and the taleggio flatbread that we’ll always come back for." - sam faye, adrian kane, veda kilaru, nick allen

"When all else fails, go to Avec. We’ve said this for years, and the writers at FX agree because that’s where they sent Syd for some light corporate espionage. OK, she was clearly invited, and swapping out the fish of the day isn’t exactly a trade secret. Either way, the food at this West Loop Mediterranean small-plates place is always great—particularly staple dishes like the bacon-stuffed, chorizo-wrapped dates, and the taleggio flatbread. The communal dining room feels like a wooden shoebox, so unless your mentor also happens to be owner Donnie Madia, you’ll probably be sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers. " - adrian kane, nick allen

"It’s easy to meet strangers with similar great taste at Avec, a restaurant in the West Loop with communal tables and Mediterranean dishes. But accidentally nudging someone while reaching for the last dab of short rib hummus is common here, as consistent as the excellence of their rotating small plates. The space is all about sleek wood—for its stools, tables, and bar—which keeps the atmosphere bright, even when Avec inevitably gets busy with people. Get a reservation in advance, and plan on talking to seat neighbors also fixated on Avec’s must-order chorizo-stuffed medjool dates. " - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen

"When all else fails, go to Avec. The food at this West Loop Mediterranean small-plates place always makes us happy—particularly staple dishes like the bacon-stuffed, chorizo-wrapped dates, and the taleggio flatbread. The communal dining room feels like a wooden shoebox, so you’ll probably be sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers. But these strangers are having a wonderful meal, which means this crowded place is always enjoyable whether you’re here celebrating a birthday, or on a 76th date with the person you share a Netflix account with. It’s imperative to eat at Avec at least once a year to remind yourself how reliably outstanding it is. " - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

"There are a few things we continue to love about the West Loop. One of them is that despite the fact the neighborhood keeps changing and new restaurants continually come into the mix, Avec stays the same. The menu is focused around small plates rooted in European traditions, but with some Midwestern twists that incorporate seasonal ingredients. At Avec, you can always expect a few of the same great dishes—like chorizo-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates or taleggio and ricotta focaccia with a hint of truffle oil—as well as a mix of new and interesting items to keep the feeling from going stale. It’s this combination of familiarity and innovation combined with Avec’s relaxed yet busy atmosphere that keeps us wanting to come back beyond the honeymoon stage. The design is minimal, with the same sleek wood making up the floors, walls, and bar throughout the long rectangular room. Considering how busy this place gets, we’re grateful that Avec now takes reservations. But even if you walk in and have to wait, order a cocktail or two before you get seated and transition to one of the many reasonably-priced bottles of wine. Don’t overlook this new classic. Get yourself to Avec. Food Rundown photo credit: Sandy Noto Focaccia Arguably Avec’s signature dish, even more so than the dates. The focaccia comes stuffed with taleggio and ricotta cheese, and the truffle oil and fresh herbs give it a unique taste. It’s a large order and best for sharing between a group, but sometimes you need to overindulge a bit even for a party of two. photo credit: Sandy Noto Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates Dates, stuffed with chorizo, wrapped in bacon, and swimming in a piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. Salty, sweet, and comforting, all wrapped up into one. photo credit: Sandy Noto Paella A delicious paella served with confit chicken, boudin, and clams. Consider ordering a half portion if you’re trying to maximize the number of dishes you can try. photo credit: Sandy Noto. Brandade The potato and salt cod brandade is a comforting must-order. It's rich and silky, and comes with thick slices of toasted garlic bread. photo credit: Sandy Noto Whole Roasted Fish Keep an eye out for the whole roasted fish, which is a great option as a larger dish to share. It’s always perfectly cooked and flavorful." - Sam Faye