The Little Gem Restaurant

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1. RT

   RossT

   Chicago

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall5food4service5ambience4

   The food was great and the service excellent. We had a very enjoyable time.
   

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2. d

   donna5844

   New York Area

   19 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Beautiful bistro with great food, nice ambiance and attentive staff.
   

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3. q

   queenofhearts22

   Chicago

   17 reviews

   3.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on May 23, 2023

   overall3food3service2ambience2

   Disappointed in the lack of gluten free options. Would not recommend.
   

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4. M

   Momo

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   Very loud room. Not crowded, but there was a large group that were very loud.
   

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5. MW

   MelissaW

   Chicago

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on May 20, 2023

   overall3food4service2ambience4

   Took over an hour for us to get Brie on bread. And it wasn’t busy at that point. But a nice environment as usual.
   

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6. DM

   DanM

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 20, 2023

   overall2food4service1ambience2

   Horribly slow service and rude waitress. Food was great, as always, except the cold scallops!!!
   

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7. MO

   MaryO

   Chicago

   23 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   23 reviews

   Dined on May 18, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Its name is so appropriate - a gem in the neighborhood! Prices have gone up since the pandemic, but it was still worth it. Ambiance offers a European feel that I really appreciate.
   

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8. I

   Iris

   Chicago

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on May 17, 2023

   overall3food2service3ambience3

   We came in to take advantage of the early discounted drinks and to have dinner. Unfortunately, even though very few people were there, we had to actually sit at the bar in order to get the drinks at that price, and then we moved back to the table to get our dinner. The food was rather salty. The meat was nice and tender though.
   

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9. BB

   BostonBred

   Chicago

   19 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on May 16, 2023

   overall2food3service3ambience1

   We eat at this restaurant a lot. When we made our reservation we reserved for the encore side because it’s a much quieter restaurant. Unfortunately, when we arrived, there was a sign saying the encore is closed to go to the little gym side. Which we did. It was a Tuesday night and very crowded. There was a four piece, jazz band playing and on top of that a lot of loud customers, it made it impossible to talk amongst ourselves And to top it off the waitress had to go back several times to fix our orders. We normally have a waiter named Kyle who is terrific. I just don’t think it’s right to have us reserved for one room and put us in another room with such a bad experience. Hopefully management reads this and takes it seriously because it was a very subpar event for us.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Took my mum for a lovely Mother's Day brunch and it was a fabulous experience - food and service were excellent!
    

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11. AH

    AdeleH

    Phoenix

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great music on Saturday night at the location next door. Same kitchen, but if you want music the little encore is the place to go. I ordered the half boneless chicken and it was fabulous.
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    My fav dirty martini’s in town, especially when drinking with the Martini Mamas. Yesterday, our friend arrived for her birthday brunch and our gracious server literally ran to the bar to serve her up her fav drink. Way to make a great friend feel special! And the brie & honey crostini’s are always a hit!
    

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13. s

    susieq

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Returning to Encore at Little Gem did not disappoint. Atmosphere -great vibes. Music very good. Noise level that evening was extreme but we did have a lovely post theatre meal. Nice wine list. Caesar salad delicious. Branzino excellent.
    

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14. JG

    JoanG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Charming atmosphere, lovely presentation of food and we weren’t rushed!
    

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15. DT

    DanTheMan

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A very nice restaurant just a few blocks away from the central part of downtown Oak Park. But still easy to get to. Our server was very nice and attentive. The food was great and the ambiance is very nice.
    

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16. CL

    CherylL

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a pleasant surprise at how fabulous Little Gem was for dinner. Everything was delicious!!
    

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17. M

    Mona

    Los Angeles

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food (Salad, Salmon, & Steak) and wine pairing plus a live jazz made for a wonderful date night!
    

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18. V

    Vicki

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    I like parts of the new menu. The seared tuna was very good. I ordered the roasted vegetables pasta. It was delicious and very light-which I appreciated. We also ordered the filet which was cooked perfectly and short ribs-also very good. We were disappointed that the seafood risotto was taken off the menu. The drinks were very good, but martinis serving is small. The service was outstanding and it was a perfect night to sit outside.
    

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19. m

    m2pg

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nice from top to bottom. The purple rice was a new thing to my palate ... and it is fantastic.
    

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20. DH

    DavidH

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A favorite in Oak Park-- great menu, they do what they do to perfection.
    

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21. TW

    ToniW

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We enjoyed our dinner. The food was good service was wonderful.
    

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22. J

    John

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Meagan was on her game great service made a good drink on top of it. We appreciate you thank you made our anniversary date a great night. Will be back! JH.
    

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23. FH

    FoodieHits

    Chicago

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Great meal and music 5 nights a week. Great atmosphere, Gypsy jazz on Tues night is terrific. Makes dining out a bit more special with entertainment!
    

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24. T

    Taymonet

    Cincinnati

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The name says it all! Can’t believe it took us so long to go! The food/drinks were absolutely delicious, service was great and ambiance was quiet and cozy for a later dinner. They also have live jazz next door which we didn’t partake in this visit but look forward to seeing in the future. Definitely will be back with friends!
    

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Delightful find. The place was welcoming and relaxed.
    

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26. BB

    BillB

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My wife and I invited a friend to join us for lunch at The Little Gem because we have been pleased with the food in the past. The food and service were great. There was no need for a reservation on the day and time we picked. Most diners were at outside tables, we decided to eat inside. Has a lot to talk about so we were there about two hours with no one asking us to leave. I recommend this restaurant for a quiet lunch with friends.
    

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27. J

    John

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    To whom it may concern; John the bartender was diligent at his craft. Alicia was hospitable and welcoming food was delicious!😋. Appreciate you John & Flor
    

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28. EB

    EchoBravo

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience2

    We've been here a few times, and each time the experience has gotten worse. Yesterday was the final straw. Our server was rude and completely disengaged. Never once did she come back to ask how everything was. The cuisine was undistinguished at best, but it was the poor service that has really turned us off to this place, which used to be quite nice.
    

    The Little Gem RestaurantResponded on April 14, 2023Hi EchoBravo I am so sorry your visit started out on a sour note. Hearing this and how your server behaved saddens me deeply, I am so sorry. I will talk with louise and share your concern with mine. I would like to guarantee that this kind of welcome will never happen again. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
    

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29. M

    Marsha

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful place for lunch, and food was delicious. Our server (don't know her name, unfortunately) was great. We were there on 4/4/2023.
    

    The Little Gem RestaurantResponded on April 14, 2023Thank You Marsha
    

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30. BL

    BarryL

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience5

    Food and ambiance excellent. Our waitress was arrogant and condescending towards us. Example: My guest asked for plain bread and was told there was none as “every morning all bread is toasted”. About 15 min later some plain bread appeared without garlic. She responded to questions in a superior and haughty manner. There’s more but suffice it to say I was embarrassed as I was entertaining.
    

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31. LC

    LauraC

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Fantastic restaurant! This was our 1st time, and we enjoyed our visit immensely. The food was tasty. We had the "Date Night" menu, and felt it was a great value. Will definitely be back.
    

    The Little Gem RestaurantResponded on April 14, 2023Thank you ~ This makes our day!
    

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32. RS

    RichS

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Extremely great atmosphere, service and the music was special
    

    The Little Gem RestaurantResponded on April 14, 2023Thank you ~ This makes our day!
    

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33. SM

    SusanM

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was great and the server was very attentive. It was a birthday celebration for a friend, and the complimentary dessert was a real treat.
    

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34. KB

    KarmannB

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Date Night Menu was a great value. The food, wine and service were excellent.
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    The waitstaff seemed annoyed with us every time we ordered.
    

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36. MR

    ManuelR

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Definitely a little gem, great jaz and food. We will go again
    

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37. RR

    RobertR

    Chicago

    43 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Server was very nice but service was slow. One of my party wanted to take her leftovers home but server took it and disposed of it. When she said something nothing was done about it.
    

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38. B

    Bere

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great drinks and the roasted chicken was amazing! Loved the ambiance and service. Next time I’ll have to check out the jazz bar next door.
    

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39. NW

    NancyW

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great evening with great service. We were there quite awhile and were never rushed. Can’t wait to go back.
    

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40. MP

    MPMP

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience3

    Beware what you’re booking—I wanted the main restaurant not the music club. They hide the fact that you’re booking the Club. Despite booking several days in advance our table was TERRIBLE. Right by the door and my chair was constantly knocked. There were other options. Food was great. Music was good and not too loud. Space needs some work though. If it’s going to be a music club, they have to know how to serve drinks. We ordered after dinner drinks—lots of back and forth about what they had. Then when a single malt scotch was ordered, asked for large rock, they don’t have them. They brought it in a tiny glass. And they brought a B&B in a rocks glass. Snobby bar review but if you want people sitting around, ordering drinks, listening to live music, put them at decent tables, and get the drinks right. The Music combo that played was good though.
    

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