The ANNEX Restaurant & Lounge

Review summary

1. J

   Jeff

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Decent atmosphere and our food was good, but they definitely need to hire more experienced wait staff and have a manager out on the floor.
   

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2. m

   melissa

   VIP

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   Food was incredible. Loved every bite. A bit pricey but worth it. Ambiance is nicer than youll think inside , judging from the location and signage.  However, ambience can be much improved with a little bit of music, a door or curtain closing off the kitchen and work area, and better signage and curb appeal. Needs more polished touches to match the elevated cuisine. Still - I’ll be returning for the delectable salmon!
   

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3. A

   Amy

   Chicago

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The Annex is a great addition to the area offering upscale food in a casual environment. The menu items are unique and packed with flavor. We dined as a group of 4 and had a great time sharing some apps and drinks before our main courses. We dined on eggplant parmesan bites (a special that day), crunchy feta (I almost passed on this because I thought it would be too much cheese, but it was delicious and it was split between the four of us!) We also had French onion and cream of chicken soups. They were both freshly made and had excellent flavors. For entrees, our group dined on the roasted beet salad, the classic steakhouse filet with mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes, a special steak fried rice dish with fresh hummus, tatziki, and veggies, and the Friday fish fry. Everyone was pleased with their dish and eager to share and try the other dishes at the table. The great thing about this restaurant is they are always creating new and exciting dishes with fresh ingredients, so you won’t get sick of having the same old thing every week (a rut that we get into often!) It was a packed house when we got there but we didn’t have any trouble hearing each other and never needed to raise our voices. Reservations are needed on Fridays and Saturdays especially, so make sure to reserve your table ahead of time!
   

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4. E

   Erin

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   This is such a lovely place, and I hope it succeeds! The food was excellent and the value is incredible. The front of the house was struggling with the basics, but I’m hopeful they’re just a bit new and will get it together, because I hope to go back in a few months to give it another shot!
   

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5. c

   chad

   Las Vegas

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Decent appetizers, great dinners, good service, lots of rat pack music!!
   

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6. D

   Donna

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were running late and called the restaurant and they graciously held are table for us. They make good craft cocktails. Try the octopus appetizer. You won’t be disappointed. Had the halibut for dinner and it was very good. They split the dinner for us no problem. Recommended a very nice wine to go with it. The carrot cake for dessert was excellent. Service was attentive and very pleasant. Atmosphere is ambient and quiet. They have a nice bar area where you can eat or drink. Definitely will come back again
   

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7. J

   John

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Service and ambience was ok. The onion soup needed a crispier cheeses top to it. It was more of a soggy mess of cheese and bread. The Rueben I had was way to bready. Should have been toasted and buttered and my preference is to have the corned beef sliced thin then the whole sandwich pressed. Wife had the salmon which she enjoyed.
   

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8. S

   Scott

   VIP

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service is wonderful- Alex is amazing! Appetizers were world class (Octopus and Saganaki) and entree were good (Salmon and Halibut). Definitely will be back!
   

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9. V

   Valerie

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had a great first experience at The Annex! Tiffany and Alex were amazing! Food was good and happy to hear there is a happy hour with 1/2 price small plates. We need more of these independent restaurants in our area! Nice job!
   

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10. C

    Charles

    VIP

    Chicago

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    This restaurant is in a strip mall and from the outside doesn't look like much. Our food was excellent. 2 of us had the filet classic which were very flavorful and tender. 1 had the snapper and he said it was very good. It was our first time and as it was New Year's Eve they were very busy and ran about 20 minutes late in seating us for our reservation.
    

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