Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine

Last Saturday I went to Venus with a couple of friends for the first time and it will be probably my last.... First off the food was bland tasting and very expensive. Second the staff is not very attentive. I asked my waiter for bread 2 times and still didn't get it. Obviously he had a great conversation going with some girl at another table that didn't even look like a customer. I think she was part of the staff. That's not a way to treat your customers. Next time I'm going to Greek Islands instead!

Pros: Located in greektown

Cons: Too Expensive

Posted 07/29/09

I went to Venus a couple of weeks ago with my wife and let me tell you it was awful! The decor was beautiful however the food was bland and the customer service was awful. Our drinks were given to us promptly but the food wasn't. Our waiter hardly paid attention to us . He never came back to ask us if we wanted fresh wine or anything. Why should I go back?

Pros: great decor

Posted 05/31/09

We went here last thursday evening with a party of 3. Were promptly seated and decor was very nice. Beautiful bar ship! However, it stops here. Food was below average at best. Not going back.

Pros: nice bar

Cons: below-average food

Posted 05/22/08

I went for last Valentine's Day with my girlfriend. We got some spreads as appetizer and then salmon for her and mousaka for me. The spreads and the mousaka were rather bland. The fish was better. Everything was freshly prepared. The service was correct, except for the wine recommendations. Instead of explaining you the choices the waiter would try to force you to have one wine, it was kind of funny.
The surprise came one month later: They overcharged my debit card. I had my copy of the receipt, I had left a 15% tip. They charged a 20%. The difference was ridiculously low (less than 5 bucks), but I just cannot believe it.
For tastier food I would go to Greek Islands Restaurant on Halsted. Venus has a nicer ambience but the food is not worth it. May be visit their bar only if you are around Greektown. And pay cash (just in case).

Pros: Ambience, nice bar, friendly service (except wine recommendations)

Cons: Bland food, overcharged my debit card, don't know about wine pairings

Posted 03/13/08

I took my cousin from out of town to Greektown and saw that Venus was highly rated. It's around the corner from Halsted, and it turned out to be a hidden gem. We were warmly greeted and promptly seated. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful and the food was delicious. Someone checked in with us every 10 minutes or so to make sure our water was filled, everything was good, and to see if we needed anything else. An excellent experience, highly recommended!

Pros: Excellent decor, food, service

Posted 10/16/07

As the first time Greek-Cypriot cuisine visitor, can't comment if it was authentic. But now I am really greek food lover :) So I would suggest everybody to try this place. Food was no doubt delicious, but more attracting was the ambience & homely atmosphere. U gotta taste greek wines, they are amazing.

Posted 01/30/07

There is certainly not a shortage of Greek restaurants in Chicago. However, Cypriot restaurants are hard to find, and authentic Cypriot food that stands out is really rare. After eating at Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine, I do know it exists. This food is such a unique twist on Greek food. The spices have subtle differences but still have the oomph of traditional Greek spices. The people could not have been friendlier honestly, and the free valet parking was certainly nice. It's an amazing place that really has to be tried

Pros: Helpful staff, fun setting, great food and nice drink selection

Posted 09/21/06

Stay away from this restaurant if you want your money's worth, not to mention quality and excellent service. Firstly, our waiter fumbled quite a bit - didn't get my order right and forgot to bring what we ordered. In addition to that, there were things in our wine glasses (I won't mention what they were, for the sake of the restaurant's reputation) and also I ordered a shrimp entree of $20 that only came with 5 pieces of shrimp on the skewer....are you kidding! And at the end of the night, we spent $75 for a party of 2 and it so wasn't worth it.
One good feature about the restaurant though was the free valet service. But even the valet guys can't get it right also; our valet guy gave us someone else's car when it was time to leave. He had to go back and get us our car.
If you want some good Mediterranean food, go to Cedars of Lebanon in Hyde Park - great food! fantastic atmosphere, free parking in the lot, and great kick for your money....believe me, you'll thank me for it!!

Pros: great location

Cons: service, price and quality

Posted 09/19/06

Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine,
(820 W. Jackson, 312-714-1001), just named Chicagos best Mediterranean restaurant by Cityseach, is offering a terrific lunch buffet for only $9.95 per person, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Venus Greek-Cypriots eclectic and freshly made food features the subtle, refined herbs and spices that distinguish Cypriot cuisine.

The lunch buffet includes a salad bar, soup, and a variety of entrees such as: Pastitsio (ground beef tossed with pasta topped with homemade bechamel sauce), Mousakas (eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and ground beef, topped with homemade bechamel sauce), Greek Style chicken, Oven-baked Potatoes, Vegetable side dishes such as Braised Green Beans and Braised Okra, Rice Pilaf, Lamb; Vegetarian dishes such as Vegetarian Mousakas and Stuffed Eggplant, and a variety of pasta dishes. A Baklava Dessert is also included.

Other bargains at Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine include $3 appetizers 4 p.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Friday. On Wednesday nights, special bottles of wine are offered at half price, and seniors receive a 15% discount on all food if guests dine between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

Live piano music is offered 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and live Greek music is offered 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday.

Planning a party? Venus Greek-Cypriot is also an excellent venue for a lunch or dinner party. Lunch and dinner group party menus are available for parties of 15 or more. Venus is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m Monday - Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m Friday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m Sunday. Complimentary valet parking is offered. Catering and private parties are also available. For more information or to make a reservation, please call Venus at (312) 714-1001.

Pros: Free Valet Parking, live music Wednesday through Saturday, Open Late

Cons: Absolutely none.

Posted 08/31/06

We dined on a Friday Evening with our 8 year old daughter. The food was FANTASTIC, and the service even better. The live music took us back to our trip to Greece. Everyone made sure our experience was the best possible -- the manager noticed our daughter picking at her chosen kids' meal, and insisted that he bring her something else -- which she loved. Excellent food, attentive service, and fair prices. By far the best meal we've had our entire trip! Don't miss this place!

Pros: Quality, Freshness, Service

Posted 07/07/05

Simply the freshest food in Greektown! You won't find any mass produced Greek foods here....I have been there twice and both times the food was outstanding!!!! The moussaka is homemade, NOT from a factory. The octopus, out of this world! Also, their trademark goat's cheese is a must try!!!!! Out of all of the Mediterranean/Greek restaurants in Chicago, this one is simply the best.

Pros: beautiful decor, free valet, value

Posted 04/14/05

I work in Greek Town and have tried numerous restaurants in the area. This is quality fresh food and the decor reminds me of being on vacations somewhere. I would definitley try this place out if you're looking for some good Mediterranean food and great service.

Pros: large menu, fresh food, great wait staff

Posted 04/10/05