open table reservation made in advance. Arrived on time at 7. Restaurant shorthanded when arrived. Open tables but had to wait. Sloppy table. Wet. Sticky. mentioned to staff and received argument that it was just cleaned. (In contradiction to my need to stand away from the table to avoid getting wet). for an evening after the opera i was unprepared to have the sleeves of my jacket and cuff collars soiled. Inattentive. arrived ahead or another reservation but received less desirable seating. Unsuccessful in having staff correct or move to another one of the 6 unoccupied tables. i was informed that the restaurant was understaffed Not what I or my wife expected. bad impression. wondered about the quality of service and food preparation that would follow. Left restaurant for another while the evening was still young.
Joseph M.
I always get the French Onion soup. Everything I have tried was great! The stuffed pork chop is amazing. Brussel sprouts are not on my wishlist, but they are very good here. I will be back.
Jennifer M.
The food at Little Gem Cafe is always so good. The service is great even though they are always super crowded. Stuffed pork chop with Brussel sprouts, so awesome! Fun little joint with usually some jazz playing in the background. Thumbs up!
P T.
Avoid going here. Overpriced mediocre quality meals. Arrogant staff. Not what was expected, nor delivered. Poor customer experience.
DebbieB
We came in after the jazz thaw. A bit disappointed that there wasn't any live music but we got over that. Food was amazing, service was spot on. I love this little warm and cozy place. My only regret is I don't live closer. Definitely recommend this to anyone who's is looking for a great meal in Oak Park. You won't be disappointed.
DianeM
The food was good, I had the omelette which was tasty. My husband had the eggs Benedict. He thought the sauce was a little spicy for his taste. He likes things fairly bland. We'll be back.
Carleen T.
I went here with my husband years ago for lunch. The food was wonderful and the ambiance was great. A nice little place to have a delicious meal. Very romantic.
Summer Chavez
Went for brunch ordered a simple order of pancakes and received a stack of raw pancakes. Other items to note was the choice of fruit on top of my pancakes were melon and grapes which I found odd and the plate for the stack was small barely enough room for the stack. Overall, if they are unable to cook a pancake correctly I cannot trust anything else. That was my first visit to this restaurant and it was my last.I will say the waitress was very nice about it and comped the pancakes accordingly, but the rating is based on the food which was raw and inedible.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
yolandaj
I had made a reservation because I saw that Harold Dawson would be there and I was interested in hearing his music. When I arrived I was told that there were no tables and I would have to go to the restaurant next door. I saw at least 3 tables unoccupied. I was then told that they were being held for reservations, which is what I had. I stood there as non black patrons came in and were immediately seated. I noted that my reservation time was prior to theirs. I felt that Little Gem practiced discrimination in this instance and I will not be returning to spend my money at a place that I am not welcomed.
My wife and I spent a lovely evening enjoying appetizers, drinks, and dessert, while listening to good jazz. Service was efficient and helpful, the fig and brie crostini are not to be missed, and the drinks, including my citrus basil Manhattan, were very well crafted. It's all in a great, cozy, darkened space, with a speakeasy vibe. Very highly recommended.
Susan Ramos
I truly love this Gem in the heart of Oakpark, and absolutely recommend them! The service was exceptional, the food absolutely delicious, the wine was also amazing, thank you for the recommendation! The ambianceperfect enough to savor the food, enjoy the wine, and enthralling conversation.I made a reservation and was running very late, i am most grateful to them for accommodating me either way.I have been here numerous times and will definitely return. I sure recommend them!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Schmidt
A perfect Valentines like I’ve never had before!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John D. - Chicago
Wonderful evening. The entrees, especially the steaks, were excellent, and the ambiance is really cozy and welcoming. Our only disappointment was my wife’s mojito. She claimed afterwards that it was just water with some muddled mint. She thinks they forgot to add the rum - it was our anniversary and our daughters were with us and my wife didn’t want to make a fuss, so she just drank it and said nothing. My Old Fashioned was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak
CHMC
Went for brunch and the pancakes came out with melon on top that I found odd, plate for the pancakes was small and the cherry on top of it all was that the pancakes were completely raw when I cut into them. Would not recommend to anyone after my brunch experience if pancakes could not be cooked right I am skeptical of anything else.
Always does not disappoint. Great atmosphere and excellent staff.Features: Staff are masked. Clients optional upon arrival
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Filet, Chocolate Mousse Dine in: Yes Outdoor seating: Yes Takeout: Yes Delivery: Yes Curbside pickup: Yes
open table reservation made in advance. Arrived on time at 7. Restaurant shorthanded when arrived. Open tables but had to wait. Sloppy table. Wet. Sticky. mentioned to staff and received argument that it was just cleaned. (In contradiction to my need to stand away from the table to avoid getting wet). for an evening after the opera i was unprepared to have the sleeves of my jacket and cuff collars soiled. Inattentive. arrived ahead or another reservation but received less desirable seating. Unsuccessful in having staff correct or move to another one of the 6 unoccupied tables. i was informed that the restaurant was understaffed Not what I or my wife expected. bad impression. wondered about the quality of service and food preparation that would follow. Left restaurant for another while the evening was still young.
I always get the French Onion soup. Everything I have tried was great! The stuffed pork chop is amazing. Brussel sprouts are not on my wishlist, but they are very good here. I will be back.
The food at Little Gem Cafe is always so good. The service is great even though they are always super crowded. Stuffed pork chop with Brussel sprouts, so awesome! Fun little joint with usually some jazz playing in the background. Thumbs up!
Avoid going here. Overpriced mediocre quality meals. Arrogant staff. Not what was expected, nor delivered. Poor customer experience.
We came in after the jazz thaw. A bit disappointed that there wasn't any live music but we got over that. Food was amazing, service was spot on. I love this little warm and cozy place. My only regret is I don't live closer. Definitely recommend this to anyone who's is looking for a great meal in Oak Park. You won't be disappointed.
The food was good, I had the omelette which was tasty. My husband had the eggs Benedict. He thought the sauce was a little spicy for his taste. He likes things fairly bland. We'll be back.
I went here with my husband years ago for lunch. The food was wonderful and the ambiance was great. A nice little place to have a delicious meal. Very romantic.
Went for brunch ordered a simple order of pancakes and received a stack of raw pancakes. Other items to note was the choice of fruit on top of my pancakes were melon and grapes which I found odd and the plate for the stack was small barely enough room for the stack. Overall, if they are unable to cook a pancake correctly I cannot trust anything else. That was my first visit to this restaurant and it was my last.I will say the waitress was very nice about it and comped the pancakes accordingly, but the rating is based on the food which was raw and inedible.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
I had made a reservation because I saw that Harold Dawson would be there and I was interested in hearing his music. When I arrived I was told that there were no tables and I would have to go to the restaurant next door. I saw at least 3 tables unoccupied. I was then told that they were being held for reservations, which is what I had. I stood there as non black patrons came in and were immediately seated. I noted that my reservation time was prior to theirs. I felt that Little Gem practiced discrimination in this instance and I will not be returning to spend my money at a place that I am not welcomed.
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I spent a lovely evening enjoying appetizers, drinks, and dessert, while listening to good jazz. Service was efficient and helpful, the fig and brie crostini are not to be missed, and the drinks, including my citrus basil Manhattan, were very well crafted. It's all in a great, cozy, darkened space, with a speakeasy vibe. Very highly recommended.
I truly love this Gem in the heart of Oakpark, and absolutely recommend them! The service was exceptional, the food absolutely delicious, the wine was also amazing, thank you for the recommendation! The ambianceperfect enough to savor the food, enjoy the wine, and enthralling conversation.I made a reservation and was running very late, i am most grateful to them for accommodating me either way.I have been here numerous times and will definitely return. I sure recommend them!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A perfect Valentines like I’ve never had before!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful evening. The entrees, especially the steaks, were excellent, and the ambiance is really cozy and welcoming. Our only disappointment was my wife’s mojito. She claimed afterwards that it was just water with some muddled mint. She thinks they forgot to add the rum - it was our anniversary and our daughters were with us and my wife didn’t want to make a fuss, so she just drank it and said nothing. My Old Fashioned was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak
Went for brunch and the pancakes came out with melon on top that I found odd, plate for the pancakes was small and the cherry on top of it all was that the pancakes were completely raw when I cut into them. Would not recommend to anyone after my brunch experience if pancakes could not be cooked right I am skeptical of anything else.