Nettare

Nettare is deceptive. At first glance, this West Town spot looks like it's nothing but a boutique liquor store with a bottle line-up your Obscure Wine Of The Month Club would envy. When, really, the bottle shop is just one part of this great all-day cafe, bar, and seasonal American restaurant.

There's a hallway that doubles as the chef’s table, and a casual dining room decked out like Design Within Reach: Jungle Edition. Back here is where you’ll find a crowd that complements Nettare’s jack-of-all-trades persona. Dates debate whether to get the $65 tasting menu. Groups of friends fight over the last morsel of grilled bread and umami-packed sweet potato baba ganoush. Solo diners down crispy-skinned walleye or beef cheek swimming in a white BBQ sauce. The large bar also churns out surprisingly drinkable seasonal cocktails considering they use ingredients like pear brandy, grappa, and good old Malört (not all in one glass, thankfully). So the next time you find yourself in West Town with a group of plan-commitment-phobes, consider this cafe and restaurant-bar. It's a good slashie solution to any dining or drinking indecisiveness.

photo credit: Matthew Reeves

photo credit: Kim Kovacik

photo credit: Kim Kovacik