The Little Gem Restaurant

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1. KC

   KaylaC

   Chicago

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food5service4ambience4

   The food came out too fast and we felt rushed but everything was pleasant and delicious

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   My friend and I sat outside. Another shade umbrella would have been welcome, but the table and umbrella we had were 80% adequate. The meals were very tasty. I was pleased that the grilled chicken on my salad was cooked perfectly, succulent and perfectly seasoned, rather than being an afterthought. The service from Anna was attentive and professional.

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC

   54 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   54 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent food and service! Thanks as ever! Little Gem is one of our go-to places in Oak Park.

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on August 12, 2022

   overall3food1service3ambience3

   Our dinners came within 5 minutes of ordering, so were not made to order, but were just reheated. 5 minutes! The dinner listed as short ribs appeared to be roast beef. Was not like any short ribs we have ever seen. Crispy onions on top of polenta were cool, obviously not freshly fried. Really disappointing and not cheap. We have previously liked this restaurant, but won’t be back anytime soon.

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5. B

   Bridget

   Chicago

   8 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on August 10, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful! Always a great experience! Food service all great!

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6. LB

   LoriBri

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on August 4, 2022

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   Guy playing in encore was way too loud could not have any type of conversation at the table…… food wasn’t up to normal par for Little Gem either

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7. JF

   JudyF

   Chicago

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on August 2, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I wish I could remember our servers name! She was fantastic!! Attentive without being invasive, informative and cheerful.

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8. KC

   KarenC

   Chicago

   22 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined on July 31, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Chef Martin is back and my salmon was delicious. I was too hungry to take a photo. Dug into the food as it was served!

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9. l

   laurac

   Chicago

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on July 31, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great service and delicious brunch/breakfast

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10. HM

    HelenM

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Not our first time but it had been a while since we'd been for dinner. Drinks, appetizers, entrees ... all delicious. Everyone in our party was happy with their order. Our server was friendly and attentive. Very pleasant dinner out.

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11. L

    Lisa

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 29, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience3

    Excellent service. Almost no spacing between appetizer and entree, which meant that my friend’s entree sat on the table getting cold while she at her appetizer. My entree was fine but very under seasoned and bland- steak was cooked how I asked. Side was an Al dente broccoli stalk that tasted like it was seasoned w lemon juice and that was all. Florettes were yellowing. Overall, was fine but nothing to write home about.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful place — a real “gem”. Food was delish and our server Carlos was excellent. We will definitely be back!

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13. DR

    DamianR

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The restaurant has an intimate space which doesn’t overwhelm. The food was fresh and well prepared. The service was also excellent.

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 27, 2022

    overall2food5service4ambience4

    Food was outstanding, We were celebrating our anniversary. The restaurant knew it was our anniversary, but never gave us the opportunity to order coffee or dessert. Little gem rushed us through the dinner. I will go there but not for a special occasion.

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience3

    Great food & cool live music! Highly recommend!

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16. K

    Kelly

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food, great presentation. The little gem martini was perfectly made.

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17. JD

    JohnD

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Overall very good. It was a very warm evening and it was very warm in the restaurant. One of our guests had to go outside to cool down during our meal. But otherwise the service and food and drinks were good. The host was unfriendly and sarcastic but maybe because it was so warm in there.

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18. JM

    JanM

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First time here for brunch. The server was really nice and the food was good. Not enough for leftovers but that was ok. Will come back again!

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Very nice experience. The band gets a little loud, though. It was my birthday and I was TREATED quite nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. The calamari appetizer was amazing. And then the dessert…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

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20. A

    Anne

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We ate at Encore, which is located just south of Little Gem. You must enter at a separate entrance one door down from Little Gem. I was with a party of 4 on a Thursday night. We were entertaining some out of town guests in their 60s, who were hungry at a bit of an earlier hour (we ate at 6:15 pm). The benefit of Encore is the live music (otherwise the menu is the same as at Little Gem). That said the live music doesn't start until 7:30 pm, at least that was the schedule on the night we were there. So something to be mindful of if you are eating a bit earlier. The dishes on the menu all sounded delicious, and there was a good mix of meat and seafood options. Everyone loved the complimentary garlic bread to start the meal. I occasionally eat vegetarian/vegan and they have one vegan option, which you must inquire about. I asked what the dish was and the server said risotto with vegetables. If you know vegans you know most would want to know what type of vegetables. I asked and the server explained the veggie mix. In the end I went with the salmon. I appreciated that they asked what type of cook I wanted. It arrived medium rare to my request with a side of delicious seasonal vegetables and a tasty pesto. The others in my party enjoyed the flank steak, gouda stuffed pork chop and sea bass. The hostess was also very attentive in filling our water glasses which I appreciated. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We did not partake in desserts but they sounded appetizing. We got to hear some of the live music before we left and it created a beautiful setting. I would definitely go back to Encore again!

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21. TS

    TarraS

    Chicago

    17 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on July 19, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Good spot for lunch. Small outside patio with umbrellas to provide some shade.

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22. TO

    TOMM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 17, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Great menu. Great mussels appetizers. I ordered the short ribs and wife ordered the salmon. Both plates were delicious.

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23. VC

    VickyC

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Server was great…. Good brunch options too! Space to eat outside

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24. DY

    DavidYale

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Quality food and professional service.

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25. EC

    Eli4Carole

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Anniversary dinner. Service let us dine at our own pace and it made the experience so much more Would recommend and go back again

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26. O

    Oakparkbob

    Chicago

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience4

    Little Gem is one of my favorite restaurants. I Had dinner with my wife & daughter on a beautiful Sunday evening. Due to COVID, we ate outside. The weather was perfect. My wife wanted the sea bass but they sold the last one & she settled for Lake Superior whitefish made the same way. My daughter had the 1/2 chicken & I had the seafood risotto. The food was excellent! Although my wife’s entree was smaller than the sea bass. She knew this because they served her the sea bass when they brought my daughter’s entree and they then took it back from our table! Our entrees arrived 15-20 minutes after my daughter’s. She was basically done when ours arrived. The server said she didn’t know they brought out my daughter’s entree and she was waiting for it to come up. If that was true, it means our entrees were sitting under a heat lamp for 20 minutes-not good. They comp’d our second drinks after I asked them to which made it better. I know restaurants have help issues, but a really good restaurant has to do better!

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27. RR

    RobertR

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    Service was adequate but they really need real bartenders. Mixed drink not very good. Had to send back the first one. Also, in the past when I asked for a different side did with my meal they graciously did it. This time I was told “we never do that”. If I wanted something different there would be a charge.

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28. L

    Luv2eat

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    Having been here multiple times in the last few months, the food never disappoints. Staffing and service were not up to par on this last visit, But I’m sure that’s just temporary. The ongoing issues with the noise level remain even when it was only approximately half full. Bottom line is if the food is wonderful and worth a visit as long as conversation is not a critical focus of your visit

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29. L

    Love4food

    Chicago

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely restaurant. We will definitely go back. The menu is great and lots to choose from. Our waitress went out of her way. She was awesome!

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30. ME

    MichaelE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Live Jazz and music from the 1920's every Thursday, Friday and Saturday

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31. EK

    EllenK

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious cocktails, entrees and desserts plus a friendly and helpful staff. It's always a special occasion when I go there.

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32. BD

    BradD

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of our favorite neighborhood places. The food is always good and the service friendly.

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33. BB

    BillB

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on July 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went here for lunch with friends we have not been able to visit with due to Covid for over 2 years. The food that each of us ordered was delicious, and two of us had to take some home because the amount provided was too much for lunch. They will have another meal with the take home amount they did not consume on site.

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34. L

    Lagomorph

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2022

    overall3food5service2ambience4

    It was a mediocre experience.

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35. d

    diner

    Wilmington

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always the food, service and accommodations were excellent. I have been many times and take out of town visitors all the time.

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36. F

    Franklineats

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall3food3service1ambience2

    Way too noisy. Food quality and portions have slipped. Service was awful. Slow, disinterested server. I realize these are challenging times in the food industry, but service really was terrible. We used to eat at LG a few times a month but we'll rethink our options for sure.

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37. EC

    EmilyC

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Lovely ambiance. We enjoyed the Date Night Dinner. The food and service were both very good.

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38. EW

    EricW

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Charming cafe with full bar and lovely menu. We were early diners so noise level ok but imagined that if full it might be a little bit loud. But service (Alicia) was attentive and responsive; allowed us to drink and dine at our own comfortable pace. Can recommend the cucumber/smoked salmon/cream cheese starter; light and delicious with a cocktail. Overall a “5”. Parking convenient.

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39. PD

    PickyDiner

    Chicago

    46 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on June 21, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    The calamari and crostini appetizers were very good. The beet salad could have used more goat cheese. It features prominently in the description but was barely noticeable. We had chosen this restaurant for outdoor seating but the weather proved too hot for that. Indoors was fine, but a bit louder than I prefer.

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40. l

    loveinc3

    Chicago

    43 reviews

    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    Normally I don't find anything wrong with this restaurant but this time they gave me a table next to the back by the cash register. The bar tender was my server even though there were other servers. She gave me pretty good service but for instance she promised to bring me bread for my meal and I never got it because she was busy at the bar. I gave up once I had eaten over half of my steak. She also asked if I was ready for my check when what I wanted was another drink and dessert. This was probably my most disappointing time at this restaurant!

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