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Avaspi
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Avaspi
8.2
Avaspi brings an Anatolian slant to Lakeview with tapas-style mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and a polished room of velvet seating and cocktails. It’s where locals upgrade a neighborhood dinner into something closer to a night out without leaving the zip code.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed meze appetizer, Grilled halloumi meze, Anatolian Breakfast for Two
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Design-forward Anatolian spot where mezze, cocktails, and brunch meet in a chic space.
Who should go: Couples or groups wanting an upscale but still relaxed night.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings or late brunch for fuller energy.
What to order: Mixed meze appetizer, grilled halloumi, Anatolian Breakfast for Two.
Insider tip: Build the meal around shared mezze first; mains are rich and filling.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby side streets; availability tight during peak dinner hours. No regular valet reported.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine but most guests lean dressy for weekends.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables, louder during peak brunch and late evenings.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during prime seating blocks.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait when open for daytime service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several mezze, salads, and cheese-focused plates can work well.
Vegan options: Limited — a few mezze can be adapted, but mains skew dairy- and grill-focused.
Gluten-free options: Some options available (grilled meats, salads, select mezze); confirm preparation with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished room, cocktails, and shareable mezze create an easy conversational pace without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — early evenings and late seats are your best bet; peak weekends generally require a reservation to avoid a long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and early seatings are fine, but the space and menu skew more adult and evening-oriented.
Best For
Better for: Upscale-meets-neighborhood nights with strong cocktails, design-forward ambiance, and shareable mezze that work well for groups and dates.
Skip if: You’re seeking casual pricing, very quiet conversation, or a menu with broad vegan or allergy-specific coverage.
Avaspi
8.5
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Avaspi turns Anatolian small plates into a polished, cocktail-friendly night out with black marble tables, velvet seating, and a mezze-heavy menu built for sharing. Halloumi, sarma, and mixed grills skew richer, but service and pacing make it feel relaxed rather than stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Meze Platter, Grilled Halloumi Meze, Katmer Dessert
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Anatolian tapas-style dining with one of Lakeview’s sharper rooms.
Who should go: Couples and groups who want mezze, cocktails, and atmosphere.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings or brunch for a livelier room.
What to order: Mixed meze platter, grilled halloumi, katmer to finish.
Insider tip: Order one extra mezze per person; portions run tapas-sized.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street and metered parking in the surrounding Lakeview blocks; availability tight after 6pm on weekends — plan a few extra minutes to circle. No dedicated lot or consistently offered valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine if styled; many guests opt for elevated date-night attire.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively during peak dinner; conversational at smaller two-tops earlier in the evening, louder during prime hours.
Weekend wait: Commonly 30–60 minutes for walk-ins during peak; reservations strongly recommended for groups.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is limited/varies; on days it’s offered, waits are uncommon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several mezze and cheese-based plates can form a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of plant-forward mezze can be adapted; confirm details with your server.
Gluten-free options: Select dishes are naturally gluten-free and others can be modified, but cross-contact is possible — request guidance from staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — polished design, shareable mezze, and relaxed pacing create an easy conversation setting, especially at earlier seatings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — small parties may snag an early or late walk-in table, but peak weekend hours usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults and older teens; no kid-focused menu and the room trends lively during dinner service.
Best For
Better for: Stylish, share-plate dining with stronger cocktails, polished service, and a more celebratory atmosphere than casual Middle Eastern spots.
Skip if: You want very large portions, a quiet low-energy room, strictly vegan dining, or a quick in-and-out meal.
Avaspi
8.1
Avaspi is a newer Anatolian tapas restaurant where shareable meze, kebabs, and Kurdish-influenced dishes are served in a dark, moody room with velvet seating and a strong wine and cocktail program. It reads as a modern, slightly under-the-radar date-night choice, especially for couples who like grazing through small plates and lingering over drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Meze Platter, Grilled Halloumi Meze, Stuffed Dates with Goat Cheese
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Dark, design-forward Anatolian tapas with a meze-driven menu built for sharing and lingering over wine.
Who should go: Couples exploring Turkish flavors in a moody, modern room.
When to visit: Weeknight and early-weekend evenings for relaxed, unhurried pacing.
What to order: Mixed meze platter, grilled halloumi, stuffed dates with goat cheese.
Insider tip: Book a two-top along the banquette or near the bar rail for the best balance of privacy and room ambience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; meters along major avenues — can be tight after 6pm, plan a few extra minutes.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — dark denim and nice tops are common for date night.
Noise level: Moderate — music-forward but you can hold a conversation at a two-top.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant; lunch service is uncommon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several meze, cheeses, and veggie plates work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of meze can be vegan or made vegan on request; confirm with staff.
Gluten-free options: Multiple gluten-free-friendly dishes (grilled items, select meze); no dedicated prep area, so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the moody lighting, smaller plates, and slower pacing make it well-suited for conversation and a shared-plates style first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often possible early evening or at the bar, but prime weekend times fill quickly — walk-ins should expect a wait or be flexible with seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the space skews adult, late-evening, and cocktail-focused; older teens may be fine, but it’s not designed for young children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Romantic, under-the-radar date nights where lingering over meze, wine, and cocktails matters more than rapid pacing or large entrées.
Skip if: You want big portions, bustling group energy, or extremely quiet acoustics — a brighter, family-style Mediterranean spot may fit better.
Avaspi
8.2
Avaspi is a Kurdish-Anatolian mezze bar where mixed meze platters, stuffed dates, and grilled meats land in a softly lit Lakeview room. Since opening in the mid-2020s, it’s developed a quiet following for date nights and small-group dinners that feel special without going full white-tablecloth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Meze platter, Stuffed Dates, Lamb Chops
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: An Anatolian-leaning mezze spot where mixed dips, grilled meats, and Kurdish touches feel both polished and personal.
Who should go: Small groups and dates wanting shareable mezze and wine.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings for full buzz; weeknights for quieter pacing.
What to order: Mixed Meze platter, Stuffed Dates, Lamb Chops.
Insider tip: Build the meal around mezze and one grilled platter to share instead of ordering separate mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding Lakeview blocks; availability can be limited on weekends and around peak dinner hours. No widely reported valet service — plan a few extra minutes to circle or use a nearby paid garage if needed.
Dress code: Smart casual — guests typically lean slightly dressy (nice jeans, casual dresses, button-downs) without feeling formal.
Noise level: Moderate — there’s background buzz during peak hours, but you can generally hold a conversation at normal volume.
Weekend wait: Often busy during prime hours; without a reservation, waits of 30–60 minutes are possible depending on the night.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — this restaurant operates primarily as a dinner destination, and weekday waits are typically minimal when it’s open.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several mezze, dips, salads, and sides work well for vegetarian diners, though mains skew meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable mezze and salads may be adaptable, but many dishes include dairy or honey; confirm with staff when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Moderate flexibility — grilled meats and select mezze can be suitable; some items rely on bread or wheat, so gluten-free diners should ask for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the softly lit room, shareable mezze format, and relaxed pacing make it a strong first-date pick if you want something polished but not overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are occasionally seated earlier in the evening or on weeknights, but weekend prime time typically favors reservations and may require a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the vibe leans adult, date-night, and small-group oriented. Older kids or teens may be fine, but it’s not designed for young children or large family meals.
Best For
Better for: Intimate mezze-driven dining with a personal, regional Anatolian/Kurdish touch — ideal for dates, small groups, and guests who enjoy sharing plates and wine.
Skip if: You want large entrée portions, a loud party scene, broad vegan menus, or kid-centric dining — in those cases, a more casual or family-style restaurant may fit better.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday4pm - 10pm
Wednesday4pm - 10pm
Thursday4pm - 10pm
Friday4pm - 10pm
Saturday10am - 10pm
Sunday10am - 10pm