X/O

A group of friends and I are considering dining at X/O tomorrow evening. It hasn't been discussed on the forum, and as a rule of thumb, I don't make a move until the LTH bloggers hash it out. We're also considering Red Light. I'm leaning more toward X/O. Anyone been?
X/O - 3441 N. Halsted - Chicago - 773/348.9696
www.xochicago.com

Maybe you ARE the LTH "blogger" who will hash it out.

Anyway, wherever you go, please report. I haven't been to either one, myself.

We've been a few times and have had great experiences each time. I would recommend the rock shrimp and noodle salad, the spicy duck leg, and the chocolate orgasm for dessert. It has been several months since our last visit so the menu may have changed.

Edited to add: Does this make me part of the blogosphere now?

I have been to X/O many times for drinks as the bar and restaurant are beautiful. I have eaten there three times, and I unfortunatley have been more than disappointed every time. I find the food bland and poorly executed, and by poorly executed I mean horrible and in a few cases inedible. My dining companions have always agreed with me. Maybe I'm the odd man out, however I would recommend Schwa, Scylla, or Sweets and Savories before ever returning to X/O for dinner. If others disagree, I'm sorry for such harsh words, just my opinion.

I have been to X/O a few times and have liked the food on each occasion . . . I just have not loved it. But I would definitely recommend that you try it. They have a creative and interesting menu (many Asian flavors) and the fact that they offer small plates gives you an opportunity to try many different items. Moreover, their prices are very reasonable, in my opinion. And contrary to finding the food bland, I actually found some of the flavors to be a tad overpowering in some of the dishes where subtlety would have worked better. Yet, I would be shocked to find anyone that found any flavor whatsoever in the artichoke heart and ricotta fritters. Of course, I cannot take fault with someone recommending the food at Scylla or Schwa over X/O, but I would argue that the cuisine is so different at each one of these places so why not try all three. X/O is also a fun, lively place for a group and has a nice martini menu as well as some interesting wine choices.

As for Red Light, I love the look of the place but I find both the food and service to be so up and down. When it's good, it's outstanding . . . but when they're off their game, it can be an unpleasant evening (moreso with service -- I've never found the food to be bad, although I have found it to be mediocre on occasions).

a little late to the party, i see i am... ...did you end up going?

i've gone there more often for drinks than for dining... but usually eat a little something when i'm there anyway.

i've found the food at X/O to be "just OK" ..everything seemed overly thought and overly seasoned...

.. my original problem with it was that its supposed to be Tapas, yet everything was over $12... at $12/plate, ordering a few of these per person (plus drinks) can quickly add up to a check where the money on food is better spent elsewhere. though admitedly their portions are bigger than some other places tapas portions... it now seems that they have changed their menu (as of late last year, i think?) from what their original menu was...

i've had a number of things from their menu, but nothing is that memorable. i do remember that everything seemed to be over-seasoned... everything comes with sauces that overpower the meat, etc..

that said... they are open very late, and at after 10 or 11 they have a late night menu that has less adventurous food that is decent (decent wood fired oven pizza, etc...)

in the summer, they have a great outdoor patio in back... half is a tiki bar and half is for dining only...

and they do have great drinks!

i go back, but more for the atmosphere and drinks than the food..

Sadly, plans were a bust. We didn't make it out. Thanks for the replies. It seems like X/O is a great place for drinks, but skip the food.

Anyone ever had their brunch? How is it? My friends want to go this weekend, and it's not really convenient for me to go, but I can make it work if it's worth checking out before they close. Thanks.

Pucca wrote:...but I can make it work if it's worth checking out before they close. Thanks.

X/O is closing? First I've heard of it. I hope not. They're an excellent restaurant.

I had their brunch once and it was pretty good. When we went, the brunch came with a transvestite lounge singer. Just a warning in case you are looking for something quiet, which he/she most definitely was not.

riddlemay wrote:

Pucca wrote:...but I can make it work if it's worth checking out before they close. Thanks.

X/O is closing? First I've heard of it. I hope not. They're an excellent restaurant.

It is true. It was announced in a couple different media, most recently in Chicago Mag's Dish newsletter.

Best,
Michael

riddlemay wrote:

Pucca wrote:...but I can make it work if it's worth checking out before they close. Thanks.

X/O is closing? First I've heard of it. I hope not. They're an excellent restaurant.

Yes, they are closing on 4/22. It's on their website. According to their website, they will relocate elsewhere downtown and renovate their current space into something more casual for the neighborhood. It was also in 4/11 Chicago Magazine's "Dish" Newsletter:

X/O KO’ed
X/O (3441 N. Halsted St.; 773-348-9696), after two and a half good years in Boys Town, will close on April 22nd. “Ultimately we found that the neighborhood was looking for something more moderately priced,” says Mark Liberson, the owner. “My most frustrating memory was during the Bears playoffs. We did 20 people for brunch, and saw people watch the game at other places in the neighborhood. Our environment didn’t lend itself to watching the game.” So . . . goodbye, intricate small plates like jumbo sea scallops with sage, hazelnut/brown butter, and homemade pumpkin dumplings; and hello, Halsted’s Bar & Grill, a more casual concept with burgers, sandwiches, and grilled pizza. “Our goal is to reopen by Mother’s Day [May 13th],” says Liberson, “because my mom is coming to town.”

riddlemay wrote: First I've heard of it. I hope not. They're an excellent restaurant.

Here is a bit about it from the TOC blog:
Boystown bids farewell to small plates and big attitudes

We're getting yet another sports bar full of TVs. Oh Boy.

Pucca wrote:Yes, they are closing on 4/22. It's on their website. According to their website, they will relocate elsewhere downtown and renovate their current space into something more casual for the neighborhood.

Oh well. There goes one out of the three answers to the question, "Where is there a good place to eat in Lakeview?" (The other two being Yoshi's Cafe and Erwin's, both of which will hopefully stick around for a while.)