HB

The best BYOB in Chicago. I have eaten there 4 times and everything has been spot on with no exception. I have quickly made friends with the owner and staff which makes each visit like going to my family's house for dinner. Menu favorites: everything so far! The Crisp Fried Oysters and the Artichoke Fritters are hard to pass up. And then there are the Mussels, the Salmon, and the Scallop and Snapper Specials. Ridiculous. And the Dates do not forget the Dates. This is not Gastro-Molecular-BS, this is well prepared food. It is wholesome and succulent. Make Reservations, take a couple bottles of your favorite juice, go say hi to Joncarl and EAT! Pros: BYOB, Tasty Menu, Excellent Staff Cons: Can't get enough more

My friends and I wanted to go to Kafka for a wine tasting event featuring vino from Italy. The event was a great hit and we bought a bottle of the... more

My friends and I wanted to go to Kafka for a wine tasting event featuring vino from Italy. The event was a great hit and we bought a bottle of the... more

After being rained out of the cubs game we stumbled into this byob gem! We were soaked and not dressed to par, but we were greeted with smiles and warmth. Dinner was wonderful, the photography and decor is just gorgeous. I can't remember the last restaurant I was at where EVERYONE was so friendly and accommodating. I look forward to going back. Pros: The great food, ambience and waitstaff Cons: I don't live closer more

Had many meals at HB and always look forward to the next. The menu selections are limited but the specials are creative and always pleasing. Favorite starters include the baked Haloumi cheese, chicken liver and hazelnut pate, and catfish nuggets (special). The almond stuffed dates are sweet, but always good. The sometimes featured soft-shell crab main course is good, but a lot of messy work. Fish special is a favorite. Moroccan spiced lentil dish a disappointment. Mussels and broth lacked flavor last time. Desserts sometimes miss the target, however the maple bread pudding was scrumptious. Cozy, appealing atmosphere, can get loud. Service friendly, efficient and accomodating. Been to brunch once, great twists on some classics. BYOB a plus. Prices and portions reasonable. Pros: creative specials, fun atmosphere, Sunday brunch, byob Cons: sometimes inconsistant quality more

HB is the Best place for brunch with friends.\r You want savory and sweet!\r Decadent and light!\r home made and simple, with a gourmet twist...meet your friends for an early Sunday brunch at HB. \r Service is friendly, attentive, and forgetful. Just like Mom.\r Their truffle fries are To DIE 4!!! Better than anything that I've had at Tru, moto, or Trotter.\r Snack on them or beignets (Sp?) served with chocolate, carmel, and powder sugar. ..before your breakfast. Hang overs disappear. Friday heartbreak - who cares? Don't count calories, just eat! And at the price, order both.\r Only problem- they stay packed after 12, and people refuse to give up their tables. If you don't get in early, you're out of luck. They'll stop taking names at 2...but there's always dinner. Pros: Delicious with fun service Cons: very small and often busy for brunch more

I visited the HB on my one of my last nights in Chicago (moved back to Houston) on April 26, 2008 with my neighbor once again. This time we got to sit in the dining room away from the front windows and it was really even more comfortable! The staff continues to be the BEST! They are passionate about their food and attention to guests and it really makes the dining experience at HB a treat. Kudos to HB! Now for the goodies?Yes, we had the baked Halloumi again, and this time it was changed up a bit with an orange marmalade glaze...ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! I am still blown away with HB?screativity with this superb cheese. And, of course, the presentation right on perfect! We also ordered the Artichoke and Edamame fritters with roasted garlic aioli...Holy Mother of Mary they are beyond AMAZING! I was in the mood to be really impressed and HB smacked me right on the head, and we are just talking about the appetizers. I decided to have my entree selected by the staff just like last time. The recommendation, a lamb kefta topped with a garlic potato mash and with an elegantly fluffed layered pastry crown. The dish was PERFECTLY BALANCED and absolutely SAVORY DELICIOUS!!! I almost did not share with my neighbor, but I wanted to try her Stripped Bass, and WOW this was EXPERTLY PREPARED SUCCULENT fish! My neighbor treated our meal to two wonderful bottles of French wine (red). Both wines paired so very well with the meal, I almost cried, since I knew that Jon Carl had noticed our wine and based his recommendations on them. I truly extend the highest compliments and thanks to Jon Carl and the awesome staff at Home Bistro. Again, my experience was a FLAVOR EXPLOSION and a BEAUTIFUL TIME. I personally rank this restaurant as A MUST VISIT, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and SHUT UP...GET YOURSELF IN HERE SOON AS POSSIBLE. I know that every time I visit Chicago, I am coming back! Pros: Food, atmosphere and the wonderful staff! more

This place was awesome! We went for dinner at 5:30 because we were going to see The Blue Man Group at 7:00. So it was extremely quiet when we walked in. The atmosphere was cute and cozy. Exposed brick walls, and earthy colors. It's a small space but not too cramped. We had a table for four in the window and it was the best place to people watch but also have a great view of the entire restaurant. Our waiter was awesome and very attentive. The food was amazing! I had the pasta with pesto, my husband had the lamb, one person had the tilapia and the other had the sausage. All of it was incredible! The prices per entree were about $18.00 and well worth it! Oh and don't forget it's a BYOB...which makes it even better!Didn't have room for dessert but the dessert menu looked really tasty! We'll definitely be back. You should go! Pros: BYOB more

what a fantastic meal!!! first off the byob deal is a great one, there was no corkage fee (very nice). the atmosphere was perfect, it was a small intimate dining room with perfect lighting and a really comfortable vibe. the service was excellent and very personal (not at all rehearsed) and there was only one server which didnt make the service slow at all, he was definately on top of his game. the meal was incredible, everything was delicious- coming from two graduates of the culinary institute of america and true food fanatics. all the food was outstanding! the prices were very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. the chef even came out and spoke with us a bit, he was very friendly and warm to match the ambiance. a truly delightful dining experience, i have zero complaints and will surely be going back soon! more

HB is the best value in the city. Not only is every menu item delicious, it is affordable. It's BYOB policy is great. You can get great food and choose bring your own bottle of wine. I am never disappointed with the quality of the food or the service. The menu rotation is great and the specials are always very adventurous and tempting. I have tried many foods I would not normally eat at HB because I know the preparation and presenations will be great. I could eat at HB at least once I week. It is the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or a fun group of 12. And, they have the best pomme frittes ever! more

I went to HB with a group of 12, and we all had a great experience. The service was excellent in my opinion. We were seated immediately, and before I knew it our wine bottles were open and served, we had appetizers on the table, and the water and wine never ran out. To be honest, not everyone was thrilled with their entrees (one person's pork was dry), but the catfish was delicious as were the salmon and lamb. Be sure to call ahead for reservations if you have a larger party as it is a small restaurant, and enjoy! more

Server was cheerfully inept but just shy of entertaining and the food wasn't even cheery. I understand that given the region (Boystown) the focus is on presentation over substance and the local competition is less than daunting, however I was expecting more from people who have a TV cooking show. more

I discovered Hearty Boys about a year ago. I loved it so much that I eat there everytime I am in Boystown. Pros: Great food, Friendly staff, Great location more

HB is the type of casual place you can bring a date or friends. The food is awesome. The presentation, the flavors, the complexity are all what food needs to be. I had a salmon dish that blew my top. Others at my table had the pork chop and the capreze salad, although skimp, was so tasty I smiled. For dessert you should go straight for the bread pudding. This place is byob which helps justify the prices. The servers are cute but dim, on different occassions serving room temp water and letting my plate sit for ten minutes after I was done. Some items are too pricey and no wine buckets for white wine. I love the food and have been back many times but would like to see some less expensive items and more detail to the service. HB restaurant has some of the best food in lakeview. Pros: food, byob Cons: servers nice but dim, too expensive more

I was looking for a place for brunch for some friends last weekend and we stumbled upon HB. OH MY GOD... the BEST brunch menu, food, and service anywhere. I love brunch so I know what I'm talking about. They have an crab cake eggs benedict to die for. The coffee and beignettes are straight from Cafe Du Mond in Nawlins (New Orleands). Since finding this place, I've taken friends for dinner there and that was just as amazing. I also learned on our second visit that the chef and owner just won his own cooking show on the Food Network. I can see why! The entire experience at HB was flawless. more

Walking into the restaurant I knew I would love it. You staff is extremely attentive and they really share a passion for the food. I have been there 3 times and the food is fantastic. I enjoy when Jon Paul and Ed sit down to talk to us they really care. Great job you have really figured it out. Pros: Price, atmosphere, service more