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Nic & Junior’s
Master Critic Review
Nic & Junior’s
8.4
Nic & Junior’s is a River North Italian–Brazilian restaurant where a hidden back-room tasting menu runs alongside a lively bar offering à la carte plates and cocktails. The tasting side moves through courses like Dadinho tapioca fritters, scallop moqueca, and A5 wagyu picanha, positioning it as one of 60611’s more ambitious newer tasting experiences.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dadinho Tapioca Fritters, Scallop Moqueca, A5 Wagyu Picanha
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A dual-concept spot where a tucked-away dining room hosts a Brazilian–Italian chef’s tasting menu.
Who should go: Tasting-menu hunters seeking something newer and more experimental.
When to visit: Prime weekend seatings when the tasting room and bar both feel energized.
What to order: Commit to the tasting; expect Dadinho, a seafood course like Scallop Moqueca, and an A5 Wagyu finish.
Insider tip: Book explicitly for the tasting menu and mention you want the back-room experience—otherwise you may be seated in the à la carte bar area.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in River North; expect nearby paid garages and rideshare to be the easiest option. Limited metered street parking after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the tasting room vibe, elevated denim acceptable in the bar area.
Noise level: Moderate-lively — conversation is doable in the tasting room; the front bar can feel louder during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Tasting room is reservation-only; bar seats may see 20–45 min waits during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — tasting menu service is dinner-focused; bar area typically has no wait early evening.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice — some courses can be adapted but the menu is not fully vegetarian by default.
Vegan options: Very limited — tasting format is seafood- and meat-forward; call ahead to confirm feasibility.
Gluten-free options: Several courses can be adjusted with notice; mention gluten-free needs when booking so substitutions can be planned.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a special-occasion first date — the tucked-away tasting room feels intimate and paced, with enough energy from the adjoining bar to avoid stiffness.
Can I get a table without a reservation? For the back-room tasting menu, reservations are strongly recommended and often required; the front bar and à la carte side may have limited walk-in availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the multi-course tasting format and late evening pacing suit adults and older teens comfortable with longer meals.
Best For
Better for: Experimental Brazilian-Italian tasting courses, a more intimate chef-driven room than many River North spots, and a dual-concept setup that pairs cocktails and energy from the bar with a focused tasting experience.
Skip if: You prefer casual dining, large portions over progression-style menus, or want broad vegan/vegetarian flexibility without advance coordination.