Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

One of my favorite places in Chicago! Great food and beautiful views!

We got the last 2 seats at the bar - last minute - and had a wonderful time. Full jazz ensemble, right volume, delicious food and the bar tender was awesome. We will be back!

Food was incredible!! We had the muscles and the ravioli and both exceeded our expectations. The Christmas decor was up and it was so festive and cute. Our server Paul was so attentive and the entire staff was so nice from the minute we entered to when we left!

Visiting from London, my partner and I were looking for somewhere exceptional but not stuffy, for a reasonable price. Sepia fit the bill on all three counts. The space is ambient and intimate while remaining elevated. We were in the second seating and must admit it was almost too loud at the start of our service but quietened to a comfortable level over the course of the evening. The menu had brilliant selections, and taking the plunge on the wine pairing was a good idea for our choices in particular. Lovely service from start to finish - very personable, and the staff we met were a huge part of what made the experience so enjoyable. The food itself was wonderful, and at $110/pp it's a carefully considered and interesting menu which won't break the bank. Between myself and my partner we ordered 8 of the 16 dishes on offer and are still changing which was our favourite on an almost daily basis (my current frontrunner is the chocolate creme catalana paired with the Uruguayan Alcyone - completely indulgent but you only live once). There's a sense of humour to the menu, and without being too outre, creative flourishes hide in every dish - whether that's a reimagined classic, interesting flavour pairing, new texture, or thoughtful presentation. This was a relaxed treat night for us and we were delighted by the experience on every front. A wonderful evening, a highlight of our Chicago trip, and a great memory to take home with us (plus an Espresso Martini to die for).

I cannot count the number of visits we've had to The Girl and the Goat, but it continues to be a favorite for both personal and professional dining. I brought three colleagues, who have never been, to the restaurant for dinner. One diner is vegetarian, but there are menu offerings and options available to provide them with enough to eat. All three were quite impressed with the food. My only complaint would be our table was right next to the kitchen, which can be loud. However, we made due, and had an enjoyable meal. Service is always very good, and the cocktails are fun. If you're interested in dining, make sure you book way ahead, as there is almost no chance to get a table day of.