South Water Kitchen

312-239-0087

225 N Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60601

www.southwaterkitchen.com

view the menu
An accomplished comfort-food menu makes this Hotel Monaco eatery worth checking into.

Categories:

Restaurants, Hotels & Motels

Details:

$, Breakfast, Brunch, Business Dining, Date Spot, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Hotel Dining

Bookmark and Share See hours

Mon-Thu 7am-3pm Fri 7am-10:30am-3pm Sat-Sun 7am-2pm, 5pm-10pm

Message from South Water Kitchen

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South Water Kitchen, adjacent to Chicago's hip Hotel Monaco, is a neighborhood restaurant offering American Home Cooking. Located on the Chicago River's south bank, South Water Kitchen is centered by the city's business loop, the Marina Tower Residences, the Theater District, and a selection of retail shops on both State Street and Michigan Avenue. As a tribute to the kitchen table, South Water Kitchen remembers the time when the kitchen was the center of the home and the family meal was the most important time of the day. South Water Kitchen offers a connection to this American heritage. Restaurant designer Bob Puccini Design, Inc. recreates this memory at the 169 seat South Water Kitchen through warm colors, masculine columns and intimate lighting. The restaurant, reminiscent of a classic Chicago saloon, brings the comforts of home to the bustling streets of this great city.

Editorial by Citysearch

The Scene
This bi-level restaurant boasts a classy, comfortable bistro feel, with roomy booths, rich wood accents and a buzzing open kitchen. Corporate types power-lunch alongside a pre-theater and post-shopping crowd on two levels. Considering the hip location, the menu is surprisingly budget-friendly. The upper-level wine bar attracts a relaxed after-work crowd, enjoying daily drink specials and light bar menu.

The Food
The smart, sophisticated comfort-food menu offers starters like mussels steamed in chowder-style broth with bacon, leeks, potatoes and celery, and seafood scampi redolent of garlic butter, parsley and lemon. Popular entrees include braised lamb shank with creamy goat cheese grits and sauteed spinach, and tilapia served with mashed potatoes and caper butter sauce. Budget diners will appreciate the daily blue-plate specials, which feature tempting plates like sauteed sweet shrimp with spicy sausage and grits on Tuesdays, and a fish fry on Fridays.

Key Points

  • Private Dining
  • Tavern Specials
  • Just for Kids

The Inside Scoop

  1. Save Money - Every night features a different daily wine, beer, and pint special
  2. Know Before You Go - A seasonal prix-fixe menu offers three courses for $35.
  3. The Extras - Kids get a chef's hats, paper and crayons, and a menu that features pepperoni or cheese pizza, crispy chicken and mac and cheese. Priced at less than $10, the meal also includes a drink and ice cream.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Insider Pages Reviews for South Water Kitchen

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Great place for lunch

by Valerie L. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 3,289

I went here with a couple of friends for lunch. Their lunch prices are reasonable. ( It is more expensive during dinner time.) The atmosphere was relaxing and friendly. The service was great, even though they were busy when I was there.

Posted 12/08/08 | Report Abuse

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

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New Chef... Better Food... I'll Be Back

by sarahmill

We had a FANTASTIC meal before going to theatre. I wanted to stay for dessert, but it was getting late, so we''l be back and try some sweets next time. I also appreciated the large selection of wines by the glass and not named Mondavi. Great place to stop when in the Loop.

Pros: Very Affordable Loop Restaurant

Cons: Dining Room Closes at 10PM

Posted 07/25/09

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Great location, not so great food or service

by topchef_aj

We sat in a great table outside on a Saturday night, however, overall, our party of three was disappointed with the quality of the food, as well as the service. The filet was overcooked and had to be sent back, and upon return, it was overcooked yet again and the quality of the filet was far less than you would receive at a wedding reception ("bad"). The pork chop was oversalted, but mac and cheese side was pretty tasty. Our waitress was disinterested and unfriendly, even though we were one of her only tables that evening. The after dinner coffee was cold. The dessert was probably the best part of the evening. We would not return, as there are definitely many higher quality restaurants in the area for similar prices.

Pros: Location

Cons: Food, service

Posted 08/18/07

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"watered down" on flavor and service

by joankiser

disappointing...food is fair, at best; service slow; not crowded on a saturday evening and we know why! spinach artichoke dip was bland, dinner salad soaked in dressing-unedible, potato leek soup, again, bland ....even the iced tea and coffee were weak. the only saving grace was the dessert. avoid it, too many other great places to eat in the same vacinity!

Posted 03/23/07

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Good food, but restaurant is too smoky

by raedward

Upscale American comfort food - we had excellent prime rib and a fork-tender braised lamb shank. The berry cobbler for dessert was delicious.

This restaurant has a very large bar area up front that permits smoking. All the non-smoking seats are downstairs from the bar, and the cigarette smoke descends and is quite noticeable.

Pros: well-prepared food, large portions, great desserts

Cons: smoky, erratic service

Posted 06/02/06

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So charming!

by rvandoren

We were very pleased with our visit to South Water Chicken. Nice atmosphere and ambience and the servixe was excellent!! Price/Quality of the food was excellent as well. We will definetely return on our next visit to Chicago. An absolute must for people that like this bistro atmosphere

Posted 11/26/05

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Well Kept Secret!!!!!!!

by robertbracklin

Loved this location, the room was so much fun. The service was extremely attentive and the food was moderately priced for the quality and quantity. I'll be back soon.

Pros: food, service, value

Posted 05/12/05

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