Went to Virtue, when I was last in Chicago. What can I say, but wow. It lives up to every aspect of the hype. The food was delicious and my server Henry was brilliant. I was seated at a beautiful table. It was all really wonderful.
Y'all... This place!!! "So nice, we did it twice". Yes... we enjoyed our first time there so much that we booked a second reservation... and we were only in the city for four days. The portion sizes are large enough to share. Day One (my greedy self didn't take any Day One photos) Fried green tomatoes- crispy and yummy. The shrimp with remoulade was tasty but I would probably have them separate if I ordered again because I truly value the crispness of a well cooked fried green tomato. And, they do a good job. Gizzards and dirty rice - I don't like fried gizzards. I almost fought my husband over the last one! These were SOOOO good. I want some now. Fish and Grits- I don't usually like savory grits. I'm still dreaming about this one. The fish was firm yet flaky. The crab etoufee made me think of the Gullah meals that we had in Charleston. And, the grits were creamy and well seasoned. Collard greens- yum and yum. I used to hate greens and recently started eating them. These made me think of every holiday meal and I immediately regretted not getting cornbread to host that delicious pot likker. Carrot cake - I am a picky carrot cake lover. I don't like hunks of fruit in mine and expect it to be rich, buttery, and full of spice with a creamy vanilla-y, tart frosting. This one didn't disappoint and made me happy enough to bounce my knee as I ate it. Day Two Gumbo - my husband (with his Creole roots) loved this. He said that it is the best restaurant gumbo he's ever had. And, we had a house in New Orleans for 5 years. Gizzards and dirty rice - yes... I did it again. I forgot to mention that they have a house-made hot sauce that I dip them in. I didn't even eat the rice because it slowed me down... lol. Short rib - ridiculously tender and seasoning was right on. They brought us knives but we didn't need it. We actually served it with a spoon! Collard greens- yes and yes. And, this time, we ordered cornbread and as you can see, I had a plan for them both. Carrot cake - I'm still giggling. 7up cake - let's just call this "family and friends day" cake because it brought up every one of my Missionary Baptist Church days where the Mother of the Church baked a special cake for the guest ministers for Family and Friends Day and IF you worked the kitchen that day, you could share a slice with three other volunteer kitchen workers... and, it was worth it. BOOK YOUR RESERVATION TODAY because Virtue is worth it. If you can, ask for Raj. She delivered fine dining service both nights. I want to hug her for the way that she treated us.
Virtue made my past birthday really special. The place has high class southern food. I was really impressed by the gumbo, but every dish my girlfriend or I tried was excellent. Be warned, you will need to get a reservation in advance! The ambiance is dimly lit and it's a really nice atmosphere to enjoy some company. Highly recommend this place for a special occasion!
Virtue is nestled in a charming neighborhood that exudes a welcoming vibe. Reservations are a must here, and once you're inside, expect a lively atmosphere with close seating that adds to the cozy charm (though not the place for a quiet dinner). The ambiance is top-notch, setting a perfect backdrop for a memorable evening. The staff goes above and beyond, providing attentive and friendly service throughout. The menu at Virtue truly matches its reputation. The chicken was impeccably cooked, showcasing their culinary expertise. The mac and cheese is a standout, hearty enough to be a meal in itself. The grits were among the best I've ever tasted, and the collard greens were absolutely delicious. Be aware that parking is limited to street-only, as Virtue is situated in a bustling part of town. Despite this, it's an ideal spot for a date night, offering impeccable service, fantastic food, and a warm atmosphere that sets the stage for a delightful dining experience.
Virtue offers southern-style food with a nicer ambiance than most. The waitstaff is friendly with a southern flair, as if you were in someone's home. Each dish is packed full of flavor and the portions were reasonable. I especially liked the short rib and cornbread. The minus one star is for having to wait about 15 minutes despite having a reservation, and feeling the pressure to leave after we finished our food.
As soon as I know I have a visitor coming in town, I make our reservation here. Such a nice restaurant, staff is always friendly! I get the same thing every single time because I'm obsessed get the short rib, add Mac and cheese. You're welcome Super tender, great portion size! Drinks are also really nice. My favorite drink of theirs is the peach tree fizz. Come with some friends so you can pick off their plates anything I've tried, I've enjoyed! Definitely make a reservation though, and if you're trying to make the happy hour, be waiting at the door lol. So worth it!
We had a 6:30 reservation but walked in 30 minutes early asking if we could be seated earlier and they happily gave us a great table by the window. To start, ordered the Justify which was a delicious cocktail. We ordered 4 things and shared them all: 1. Gumbo 2. Mac n Cheese 3. Cornbread with Honey Butter 4. Short rib Everything was amazing. If I were to come back, I would get the gumbo and cornbread again. I'd love to try some of the other options. I also ordered the Uncle Honey which was another great bourbon based cocktail. The staff and service were great and we enjoyed the overall ambiance.
The closest thing I can get to my grandma's Southern cooking. Everything was amazing, however, the mac and cheese, banana pudding, and cornbread stood out to me as my top favorites. The restaurant was beautifully decorated but still had a sense of community and closeness with its clientele. The service was a little slow and they forgot to refill our drinks but they were incredibly busy so it wasn't a huge issue for us. I'll be coming back for that cornbread
This place lived up to all the hype and high praises I've been hearing about! A very popular spot - basically reservation heavy, it was bustling and popping up until closing time. Bonus points for the black artwork on the wall. Drinks: brown fashioned and the garden - both were fire! Really enjoyed their take on old fashioned with theirs using tequila and Mezcal, quite smooth. Appetizer: cornbread & honey butter - can't even begin to describe the way this melted in my mouth! Probably the best cornbread I've ever had. Pro tip: spread the butter and let it soak into the cornbread; once we discovered this, it was a game changer! Slight con of the cornbread presentation is that the tin made it difficult to get the cornbread out onto our plates. Entrees: lamb loin & short ribs with crushed potatoes - absolutely AMAZING!! Short ribs were seasoned to perfection and very tender. The accompanying sauce and potatoes made for the best combination.