Private Affairs

“Visited during Chicago's restaurant week which provided us with a fixed price menu of 1 of 3...”

Visited during Chicago's restaurant week which provided us with a fixed price menu of 1 of 3 choices each for appetizer, main course and dessert. There is also an option to include a wine pairing for each which we added. We shared different choices to as to be able to have many tastes. A roasted beets with feta, and the baked cheese with tomatoes and pita triangles. Both were large portions and delicious. Next up was the bucatini (pasta) with mushroom sauce and shaved black truffles, and the panceta wrapped pork tenderloin with red cabbage and apples. Both equally delicious and had large portions. The wine pairings were good and went well with the dishes we ordered. For dessert we picked the same choice of chocolate almond cake which was outstanding. Multiple thin layers with almond cream and a chocolate ganache on top. We never saw a regular menu so cannot speak for that. The restaurant is located on the 5th floor of the Gwen hotel and took a little sleuthing to find. The dining room is comfortably modern and quiet enough for conversation.

Lisa Moore

Jan 2023

“We went during restaurant week so there was a set menu but we had a great time.”

We went during restaurant week so there was a set menu but we had a great time. Kayla provided amazing service and even gave us birthday girls some champagne on the house. The food was delicious, atmosphere was great and service is even better.

Linda Vang

Jan 2023

“Came here as a party of six and have to say, the cost for their NYE celebration was well worth it.”

Came here as a party of six and have to say, the cost for their NYE celebration was well worth it. I've very much enjoyed their charcuterie, bubbly drinks, 3 course meals, and the wine pairings for the meals. As a starter, I tried their Burrata paired with a Lebanese rosé. For the main course I had their Squid Ink Campanelle subbed it with a red wine (I didn't want their white wine selection for it). And for dessert I tried their Lemon-Mint sorbet. To be quite honest, I was very pleasantly surprised that their starters were quite large in portions! The Burrata was fantastic, I truly loved the sweet, fruity touch of pomegranate in it. Once the main dish arrived, I was excited to try the chorizo in a seafood dish. It wasn't as spicy as I thought, being that it has jalepeño (pesto) in it, but still enjoyed it. Although, I didn't finish it because I was full from the Burrata and eating charcuterie prior. Once the dessert arrived, I'd have to say it was disappointingly my least favorite of the three and it's odd because I thoroughly enjoy sweets like no other! I was under the impression that the sorbet would be garnished with mint leaves, only to find that the sorbet itself is lemon/mint. The flavor was strange, I'll be honest I didn't finish it. The mint just threw off my taste palette for the lemon. Other than that, everything else was amazing! We loved hanging out at the rooftop, really loved the champagne we drank during the countdown, and loved how they allowed us to honor my Mexican tradition of eating grapes with our meals. Thank you for a wonderful time in ringing in the new year at your restaurant!

Jennifer Figueroa

Jan 2023

“A delightful and delectable restaurant only to be found in a chic boutique hotel.”

A delightful and delectable restaurant only to be found in a chic boutique hotel. Everything was superb including the service.

Sonia Flotteron

Jun 2022

“The Tipsy Tea is everything!”

Michelle D

May 2022

“great food and service.”

great food and service. We both loved the cauliflower/broccoli fritto misto

katherine smith

Apr 2022

“The food was amazing.”

The food was amazing. We had the chickpea & potato beignets, broccoli/cauliflower fritto misto, the saffron campanelli and the special - lamb shank. The bartender Jacob was super awesome and very friendly. His drinks were perfect. Absolutely one of our favorite spots in the city for sure. They have great happy hour deals too. HIGHLY recommend. Service was so wonderful too, everyone from the host to the wait staff to the managers were really nice to us.

Meyyappan Ramu

Mar 2022

“All of the food items we got were so delicious and such friendly service!”

All of the food items we got were so delicious and such friendly service!! We will be back!

Sivu Suppiah Ramu

Mar 2022

“Simply incredible.”

Simply incredible! Kostali is located in the fifth-floor lobby of The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel. You cannot resist admiring the design and interior of the restaurant. But the FOOD! While so many fine dining establishments skip on small plates and spreads, Kostali took thoughtful preparation to create a small bites menu that will certainly excite. The entrees were great, I genuinely enjoyed the Prime rib. It was cooked to perfection. They also had an excellent dessert menu with traditional Greek flavors! If your'e looking for a wonderful date night or special occasion restaurant, I highly recommend you try Kostali.

Ashley M Lands

Dec 2021

“Wonderful dinner.”

Wonderful dinner. Beautiful atmosphere. Very kind staff. It was a slow evening as it was mid week.

Liz S

Jun 2023

“Definitely an awesome hotel restaurant - surprised this place isn’t more popular.”

Definitely an awesome hotel restaurant - surprised this place isn’t more popular. Drinks: A bit hit or miss. Had a bubbly rosé that had no complexity and the Kostali take on gin and tonic, which was on point. Food: Extremely wide range of dishes as it includes all regions of the Mediterranean, from Europe to Africa to the Middle East. I feel that the dishes don’t tie together well, but individually they all tasted great. One note is that the lamb ribs kinda tasted Asian because the sauce was like a sweet and sour sauce. Service: very attentive and quick Ambience: When we arrived, there was live music! It’s a quiet restaurant - great for dates or meetings. Also love that there are cozy circular seatings!

Lu Yao

Sep 2022

“Went for afternoon tea for 12pm seating on a Saturday.”

Went for afternoon tea for 12pm seating on a Saturday. Made reservations online via Tock and had to pay online for the afternoon tea + 20% surcharge prior to dining. I liked that Tock app asked for any dietary restrictions and if we were celebrating anything. I selected birthday and when arrived at the table, there was a card that stated "happy birthday (name) party". I was dining with a vegetarian friend and she was able to eat everything that was offered for the day. Ambiance- very small setting with limited number of tables for high tea. Bar area and live DJ were very cool. I wish we sat in a brighter location but unfortunately, we were seated in the area without direct lighting from top. I loved the table setting with a small hat hair pin accessory. Tea selections - tea bags with a large pot. I expected to be a loose tea but was disappointed to see tea served in tea bags. It was also rather a large pot so no refills were necessary in 90 minute experience. I left the pots were more for the table to share with the entire party. However, we each wanted our own tea and poured our own. I've done several afternoon teas around the city and this was the only place that offered tea bags for afternoon tea. Snack selection - more sweet than savory. Most were good. Service - it was ok. I would've tipped 20% regardless but it's also different to know that I already paid 20% tip and received minimal service, it was quite disappointing.

Allison Tang

Sep 2022