Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar - A Culinary Blend of Chinese and Seafood Delights

Such a cute place with amazing food. Came here for a drink and a bite to eat with a friend and it was perfect. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the bartenders were very nice and always available. I got the potstickers and Mongolia beef and I was very pleased. Definitely coming back

Great place they accommodated us there was 7 we ordered a variety of food all was fabulous really tasty they will tub if u don't finish chicken dish we did have to ask for. The drinks there's a good selection too

We took a chance walking in on a busy Thursday night with no reservations, hoping the chef’s special reputation would hold up and it did! We found seats at the bar and ordered the crab Rangoon’s, string beans, and spicy dry chili chicken. Every dish was fantastic, and the portions were impressively large. Such a great place for Chinese food.

*I am Asian, so my standard for Chinese food is quite high.* Came here for the Happy Hour two weeks ago. At least 10 people were waiting in line before it opened at 5 pm. Cocktails were pretty solid. We especially enjoyed "Roger Rabbit." The dry-fried green beans and pork/shrimp egg rolls were very tasty. Highly recommended. Dan dan noodles were not bad, but it was the first time I had this dish with udon noodles. The only dish we found unimpressive was Kung Pao Chicken from the regular menu. It was not authentic, and I didn't like the jasmine rice that came with it (I usually prefer sushi rice). Overall, it was a good dining experience!

Easily one of our favorite spots in the city. The food is incredible, staff is great and attentive, everything is done exceptionally well. I'd recommend all of their highlighted dishes -- everything we had was bursting with flavor. Cocktails were strikingly balanced and an overall joy to drink. It is a bit cramped, but still very much a vibe. They still earned a rare 5/5 from me.

Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is a highly delectable experience that every Chicagoan must try. My friend and I went in hungry and left utterly mind-blown. We started off with Cocktails (and Old Fashioned) and a wonderful N/A THC option (Choom - Solar Lite) both were reasonably priced and exceedingly delicious. Our server Jen was wildly attentive and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the menu. We started with their Smashed Cumbers and worked our way into the special which was the Dry Rub Lamb Ribs. The Smashed Cucumbers were zingy and fresh - the Lamb Ribs were out of this world. For our Entree we split the Rolled Noodles which came with spiced short ribs as the protein and it was dense and highly incredible. For desert we enjoyed the Hong Kong Spice Cake (pictured) and our bartender Nora had us set up and ready for desert before we could even blink. All in all. Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is an exemplary dining experiences with a robust and delicious menu, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and lastly a highly impactful playlist of some of the best music I’ve heard in a while. Everyone should enjoy a cozy night in at this establishment. I assure you - you will leave satiated and ready for your next visit.

Really delicious food, loved the hand rolled noodles and the snap pea salad! The green beans was also great. I love how they use garlic crispies on a lot of dishes, gives it a really nice crunch. I wish they labeled their vegan options better because they're super flexible with veganizing the dishes and the staff is well informed on making everything vegan. Nothing is labeled but if you mention you're vegan they'll tell you everything you can veganize.

Food was amazing, place was cute and music was groovy. They also had a drink on the menu that was for good cause by donating to the IFRP. Can't wait to come back with more friends.