Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar

“We took a chance walking in on a busy Thursday night with no reservations, hoping the chef’s...”

We took a chance walking in on a busy Thursday night with no reservations, hoping the chef’s special reputation would hold up and it did! We found seats at the bar and ordered the crab Rangoon’s, string beans, and spicy dry chili chicken. Every dish was fantastic, and the portions were impressively large. Such a great place for Chinese food.

Lesley Chavez

Dec 2025

“Such a cute place with amazing food.”

Such a cute place with amazing food. Came here for a drink and a bite to eat with a friend and it was perfect. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the bartenders were very nice and always available. I got the potstickers and Mongolia beef and I was very pleased. Definitely coming back

Joey Giovannetti

Dec 2025

“Food was great, the service was better.”

Food was great, the service was better. Plus you gotta love the $12 Hamm's, whiskey shot, and egg roll happy hour special.

Patrick Schulze

Dec 2025

“Food was amazing, place was cute and music was groovy.”

Food was amazing, place was cute and music was groovy. They also had a drink on the menu that was for good cause by donating to the IFRP. Can't wait to come back with more friends.

Rosa Q

Dec 2025

“Really delicious food, loved the hand rolled noodles and the snap pea salad.”

Really delicious food, loved the hand rolled noodles and the snap pea salad! The green beans was also great. I love how they use garlic crispies on a lot of dishes, gives it a really nice crunch. I wish they labeled their vegan options better because they're super flexible with veganizing the dishes and the staff is well informed on making everything vegan. Nothing is labeled but if you mention you're vegan they'll tell you everything you can veganize.

Vegan reviewer

Oct 2025

“Great place they accommodated us there was 7 we ordered a variety of food all was fabulous really...”

Great place they accommodated us there was 7 we ordered a variety of food all was fabulous really tasty they will tub if u don't finish chicken dish we did have to ask for. The drinks there's a good selection too

Angela Bateson

Oct 2025

“I’ve dined here several times now and have recommended Chef’s Special to many local friends and visitors.”

I’ve dined here several times now and have recommended Chef’s Special to many local friends and visitors. The decor is beautifully artsy, tastefully retro yet contemporary. Food has been consistently excellent. Every dish meets or exceeds expectations with enough flavor/unami. My personal favorites are the pork + cabbage potstickers, hand pulled noodles with short rib, and the three sauces that accompany the scrumptious crab rangoon. Service is generally fast and efficient. The bussers and kitchen staff clearly form the backbone of the operation—they keep things running smoothly. That being said, I’ve waited to write this review because something has always felt slightly off, which seemed out of place given how deliciously dankkk the food is. I’ve realized now how the hosts and wait staff over several visits have consistently lacked warmth. While they’re polite on the surface and have been trained to say the bare minimum of ‘right things’, interactions are rather rushed and more automated than a personal experience. It’s one small trade-off for the quality of food.

Bao Pham

Oct 2025

“Amazing experience, excellent service and the food was perfect sizes and exquisite use of flavors.”

Erin Marie

Sep 2025

“Where do I begin!!?? We celebrated Haley’s birthday here.”

Where do I begin!!?? We celebrated Haley’s birthday here. I can not even begin to tell those of you who are reading this review how incredible the food was!! I wish we would’ve taken picture of the food, but I was so excited we all dug in immediately !! We had egg rolls and crab rangoons..(best ever) We had charred snap pea salad, smashed cucumbers…and that was just the beginning! For dinner: Mongolian beef, shrimp Kung Pao, hand pulled noodles and rolled noodles!! Be prepared to share dishes! DO NOT SKIP DESSERT! The banana custard and black sesame cake were AMAZING!!! But honestly, if you don’t have good service , it doesn’t matter how delicious the food is. We had the MOST AMAZING SERVICE!! Everyone was fantastic and so friendly!! From the moment we walked in until we walked out, we were treated so kindly. I can’t wait to go back!!

Ivon Webster

Aug 2025

“Easily one of our favorite spots in the city.”

Easily one of our favorite spots in the city. The food is incredible, staff is great and attentive, everything is done exceptionally well. I'd recommend all of their highlighted dishes -- everything we had was bursting with flavor. Cocktails were strikingly balanced and an overall joy to drink. It is a bit cramped, but still very much a vibe. They still earned a rare 5/5 from me.

Terrance Harris

Aug 2025

“Best egg rolls ever.”

Best egg rolls ever. The hand pulled noodles were amazing, Great service, delicious cocktails. Awesome happy hour everyday.

Rachel S

Jul 2025

“Trendy vintage vibe.”

Trendy vintage vibe. Pretty loud so don't plan to have a real serious conversation. The drink menu goes on and on. Everything is made fresh, so be warned, they ran out of the specialty noodles by the time we ate. Otherwise, delicious!

Alisa Ortiz

Jul 2025