Magnolia Cafe

Hi all. I did a forum search to see if this restaurant on Wilson had been discussed previously and came up empty. So, I'm checking in to see if there are any of you with any views or recommendations to share on this place. We're celebrating my sister's birthday there and I would love to appear wordly....

Thanks!

I've had one dinner and a "Mother's Day" brunch there.

The dinner was excellent. Too long ago to remember specifics, but we were impressed with everything we had. Nice choices on a smallish overall menu. Not trying to do too much, or knock your socks off with high-concept dishes. High-end comfort foods were prominent: roast chicken and pork. A steak, I believe. Some seafood.

Smallish room. Can get a bit noisy when full. Staff was friendly and accomodating. We came w/out reservations and with a toddler (though at the very beginning of dinner).

Brunch was less great. They seemed to be doing it because they thought they should or something. Service was inattentive. Menu was uninspired and the breads and muffins, though described as freshly baked on-site, were not well done. Over-beaten, tough muffins.

I would certainly give them a try for dinner if la ow-key, well executed neighborhood style spot appeals.

P.S. I can't remember anything about the wine list at present.

Enjoy.

Superb meal last night at Magnolia.

Started with tuna tartar served in cucumber cups with chili aoli and wasabi caviar, miniature crab cakes with garlic aoli, and smoked salmon on bilinis with creme fraiche and chives. All excellent with a slight nod to the crab cakes.

Next was seared scallops served over white beans and watercress with an herbed beurre blanc. The vinagrette on the watercress was a terrific contrast to the richness of the scallops and white beans.

Proscuitto wrapped swordfish in a black peppercorn sauce was moist with amazing flavor. A fish dish that calls for red wine.

Grilled beef tenderloin with roasted tomato and rosemary risotto with haricot verts and bordelais sauce. Very rich, great quality meat, and the fresh rosemary added a distinctive note to the perfectly prepared risotto.

We finished with a tasting of chocolate desserts, flourless chocolate cake, mousse, and bread pudding. The standout was the chocolate bread pudding.

I love this place. Casual atmosphere, great service, and the food is better than many much more expensive places.

Magnolia Cafe
1224 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL
773.728.8785

My favorite entree at Magnolia are the short ribs. They've had a different preparation everytime I've eaten there so I'm not sure how often it changes but they are the best short ribs I've ever had. The last time they came with a cauliflour gratin that was extremely rich and delicious.

I LOVE Magnolia Cafe -- it's my second favorite Chicago restaurant, after North Pond. I have to qualify this statement that I haven't been to many of the more expensive places often discussed here, due to budgetary constraints.

The food is superb -- very sophisticated, delicate flavors, interesting ingredients and combinations. There are some Asian-inspired appetizers which I've particularly enjoyed, and the presentation was very nice. Great attention to detail in both aspects of the food. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, with exposed brick, deep colored walls and black and white prints of magnolias on the walls. And though the servers aren't warm-and-fuzzy friendly, they are very professional and knowledgeable. I have always gone with the servers' recommendations for wine by the glass, and they have always been great. I have been there for both brunch and dinner, and much prefer it at dinner -- it is quite noisy at brunch, because it gets PACKED. Many would say that this restaurant seems out of place in the neighborhood, but it has done well despite that. They have wonderful coffee, and when I inquired about it, the server came back with the Lavazza packaging, so I can go get the same for home use. I have also gone there for dessert only, and they were very gracious about it (it was a late weeknight).

I think this is a great venue for an intimate celebratory meal!

Enjoy!
asami

I just typed in 'Magnolia' to the search function (and selected "Eating Out in Chicagoland" for the forum)--just the one word and came up with a number of threads. I couldn't find my screed because, apparently, I never bothered to put finger to keyboard.

After hearing many good things for quite some time, the Lovely Dining Companion and I went there for dinner several months ago. Pleasant, small room. Fair service, no more. High prices (I'm speaking of dinner, now) considering the food, which I would give a C+ or a B-. (I just checked their menu online and am still surprised at the price of their apps.) I know that's not very specific but frankly, although I recall the dishes we had (pike and mahi mahi), they stood out not at all. (Okay, I relent slightly: the crab cakes were good--but very small.) My feeling that evening as we left was that we had paid far too much for okay, not at all creative or even interesting, food. Why would a place that gives every evidence of aspiring to the "fine dining experience" serve a twice-baked potato with bacon and cheddar with their beef tenderloin? That, to me, evinces a complete lack of imagination or creativity; I'm not looking for Moto or Alinea, but I'm not looking for fast food either.

We were disappointed because the place is not terribly far from us and we were hoping to find a place we could frequent. We haven't been back and I don't think we will; there are simply too many better alternatives that 1) have better and more interesting food at the same price point or 2) have better food and better service.

I know this runs counter to the experience of many, but this is what we got the night we went. (I would second much--though not all--of what asami writes, but give it a different emphasis, I suppose.) Believe me, I wish it had been otherwise.

I had a similar experience to Gypsy Boy. I live nearby and had been wanting to try it for some time and was really predisposed to liking it--but didn't. The food was fine but overpriced and our server was arrogant. I thought of a lot of excuses to justify the experience (my expectations, off night for the kitchen and/or server) but couldn't think of one reason why I'd return given the options in nearby neighborhoods. Food aside, condescension is enough to keep me away forever.

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