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Wood
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Wood
8.8
Wood is a Northalsted fixture and multi-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, specializing in seasonally driven small plates, house-butchered meats, and creative cocktails. Its dark wood-paneled room, lively bar, and patio make it a prime choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and celebratory nights out in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-aged steak frites, Wood 3.0 burger, Escargot vol-au-vent
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A Bib Gourmand–recognized Northalsted spot where seasonal plates, serious cocktails, and a polished-but-fun room feel built for celebrations.
Who should go: Guests wanting celebratory dinners with strong cocktails.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak Northalsted energy and patio use.
What to order: Dry-aged steak frites, Wood 3.0 burger, escargot vol-au-vent.
Insider tip: For birthdays or anniversaries, request a booth or the quieter back section when you reserve; it softens the bar noise without losing the atmosphere.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Halsted and side streets; availability becomes tight after 6pm on weekends. No consistent valet service reported.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets, dresses, and polished denim all appropriate for celebrations.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — bar area can be loud, but booth and back-room seating allows normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seating is sometimes available sooner.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant; no typical weekday lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options and seasonal vegetable plates are typically available, but selection varies by menu rotation.
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be modified, but fully vegan entrées are not always guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: Staff is accommodating and many dishes can be prepared gluten-free on request; confirm per item due to menu changes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished dining room, strong cocktail program, and shareable plates create an elevated but approachable atmosphere, especially if you request a booth or patio seat.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often possible on weeknights or earlier seatings; on weekends, walk-ins may face a wait and bar or patio seating is your best bet.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults and special-occasion groups; no dedicated kids’ menu and the atmosphere trends upscale and cocktail-focused.
Best For
Better for: Celebratory dinners with seasonal small plates, craft cocktails, and a lively Northalsted setting where the room feels special without going full fine dining.
Skip if: You want a quiet, budget-friendly meal, a kid-centric environment, or a menu with extensive vegan options.
Wood
8.9
Wood is a long-running Northalsted favorite pairing a wood-fired oven and seasonal Midwestern produce with a polished, urban dining room. With multiple years of Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition and consistently strong reviews, it’s the neighborhood’s go-to for chef-driven New American plates that still feel approachable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-roasted chicken, House charcuterie board, Seasonal wood-fired flatbread
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A Bib Gourmand–decorated, wood-fired New American spot that anchors Northalsted’s dining scene.
Who should go: Din ers wanting chef-driven plates in a polished neighborhood room.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings for full energy; weeknights for calmer dates.
What to order: Charcuterie board, wood-roasted chicken, seasonal flatbread.
Insider tip: Book later seatings for a livelier crowd but ask for a table away from the front windows if you prefer less street noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Halsted and nearby side streets; can be competitive after 6pm on weekends — allow extra time.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and sneakers are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy in the evenings.
Noise level: Moderate — conversational at smaller tables, but the room can get lively during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation depending on volume; bar seats sometimes open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait (limited daytime service depending on day).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — usually several veggie-forward small plates and seasonal entrées.
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be modified; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Multiple menu items are naturally gluten-free or can be adjusted; notify the staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lighting, polished dining room, and shareable plates create an elevated but comfortable first-date setting, especially on weeknights when the room is calmer.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes if you’re flexible — early or late seatings and bar spots are your best bet. During peak weekend hours, expect a wait or limited availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Not specifically — the vibe skews adult and date-night. Well-behaved older kids are fine, but it’s not optimized for strollers, kids’ menus, or large family parties.
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven seasonal plates, polished service, and a more refined Northalsted dining experience than casual neighborhood spots.
Skip if: You want very quiet dining, large-group seating at short notice, or a menu centered on basic comfort food over seasonal New American cooking.
Wood
8.8
Wood is a Northalsted farm-to-table fixture where Slagel Farms meats, house-cured charcuterie, and seasonal small plates anchor a polished New American menu. The dining room leans intimate but lively, making it a go-to for cocktails, shareable plates, and date-night dinners built around thoughtful sourcing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood’s Burger, Rigatoni Bolognese, Slagel Farms Chicken Breast
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: LGBTQ-owned farm-to-table spot built on Slagel Farms meats, charcuterie, and seasonal plates.
Who should go: Diners who want polished, seasonal New American with strong cocktails.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak energy; early weeknights for quieter dates.
What to order: Wood’s Burger, Slagel Farms Chicken Breast, Rigatoni Bolognese.
Insider tip: Use the bar for easier last-minute walk-ins and to sample happy hour snacks without a full reservation.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Halsted and nearby side streets; a mix of metered and residential-permit zones — expect spots to be limited after 6pm; no valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for evening dates and cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — you can hold a conversation at a two-top, but peak weekend hours get buzzy.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours; bar seating is often the best bet for walk-ins.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner service; early weeknights typically have little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several seasonal plates and pastas can be ordered vegetarian or adjusted on request.
Vegan options: Limited — usually 1–2 items can be modified, but the menu skews meat- and dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility — many proteins and salads are naturally gluten-free and the kitchen can accommodate, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lighting, polished service, and shareable seasonal plates create an intimate but not stuffy vibe that works well for a first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often — walk-ins may find space at the bar or patio earlier in the evening, but reservations are recommended for peak weekend times.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — it’s more adult-leaning and best for older kids or early seatings; there’s no kids’ menu and limited space for strollers or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Seasonal, farm-to-table cooking with thoughtfully sourced meats, strong cocktails, and a polished neighborhood date-night atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a very quiet dining room, large-group seating, extensive vegan options, or strict gluten-free controls with zero cross-contact risk.
Wood
8.8
Wood is a Northalsted date-night fixture where seasonal American cooking, serious cocktails, and a dry-aged steak frites anchor a polished-but-relaxed evening. Since 2012, it’s been a go-to for couples who want chef-driven plates and attentive hospitality without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood's Dry Aged Steak Frites, Steak Tartare, Grilled Slagel Farm Steak Bibimbap
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A chef-driven neighborhood spot where steak frites and cocktails feel genuinely occasion-worthy.
Who should go: Couples wanting polished plates without downtown formality.
When to visit: Prime Friday and Saturday nights for full dining room energy.
What to order: Steak tartare, Wood's Dry Aged Steak Frites, tiramisu dessert.
Insider tip: Book a later reservation and request a table away from the bar for a quieter, more intimate feel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Halsted and side streets; metered spots can be limited on weekends — allow extra time. No on-site valet.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine but most diners lean polished/date-night dressy.
Noise level: Moderate — lively near the bar, but two-tops in the dining room can comfortably hold conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours (7–9pm).
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner service restaurant.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several composed vegetarian plates and appetizers are typically available; ask staff for seasonal substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — may have 1–2 adaptable dishes depending on the menu; confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Multiple items can be prepared gluten-free on request; cross-contamination is possible as it is not a dedicated kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the space feels refined without being formal, service is attentive, and the noise level allows easy conversation at most tables.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the bar and limited tables may be available early evening or late night, but weekends book up; reservations are strongly recommended for prime hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the vibe skews adult/date-night and there’s no kids menu; older teens are fine, but it’s not ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Polished neighborhood date nights with chef-driven plates, strong cocktails, and a more intimate feel than larger steakhouses.
Skip if: You want large-format steakhouse cuts, ultra-quiet white-tablecloth formality, or a menu with extensive vegan options.