Best Healthy Restaurants in Lower West Side

Restaurant Review: The Girl and The Goat The Girl and The Goat continues to solidify its reputation as one of Chicago’s must-visit dining destinations. With a focus on bold flavors and a playful approach to globally inspired dishes, this restaurant delivers a truly memorable experience. Highlights: •Bread and Pimento: This dish is deceptively simple but executed to perfection. The warm, freshly baked bread pairs beautifully with the creamy, smoky pimento spread. It’s the kind of starter that sets the tone for an indulgent meal, leaving you reaching for seconds (or thirds). •Empanadas: Bursting with flavor, these are a standout. The flaky, golden crust envelops a perfectly seasoned filling that balances savory richness with a touch of spice. Each bite feels like a small, delicious adventure. Drinks to Complement Your Meal: While The Girl and The Goat boasts a full bar menu offering craft cocktails, wines, and beers to suit any palate, the non-alcoholic options are equally impressive. The menu features thoughtfully crafted mocktails, infused with fresh herbs, seasonal fruits, and house-made syrups. Standouts include a refreshing citrus-and-mint blend and a rich hibiscus and ginger cooler, each perfectly balanced to enhance the meal without overpowering the flavors of the food. Dessert Note: •Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dessert: A decadent and satisfying way to end your meal. The harmony of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate creates a nostalgic yet elevated experience. The textures—silky, crunchy, and smooth—make this dessert unforgettable. The Girl and The Goat’s ability to innovate while staying approachable is what makes it a perennial favorite. From small plates to desserts, and a drink menu that caters to every guest, every dish tells a story worth savoring.

One of the best places I’ve visited in Chicago! Delicious food, great service and cozy ambiance. My server Alysia was super helpful and had made our anniversary celebration absolutely special! It was really nice and thoughtful of her. Will definitely be back!

Walnut Room Holiday Brunch was fantastic. Of course the Christmas decorations are amazing. Service was very good. The wait staff professional and accommodating. The brunch lines were not long and food fresh. They served the typical breakfast foods with pastries and fresh fruit. All very good. There were complimentary photos with option to purchase others. I have to say photographer Ronit Bezalel did an amazing job capturing my husband and me. I expected the traditional stand in front of the tree type photo, but Ronit was much more creative. Don’t pass this up if offered. A great holiday breakfast. Cheers!

We were seated promptly at 11:00 when the event started. Most of the foods were very good; one of the little cakes was a bit tough, required a knife to break apart. Service was good, but I was surprised that there is usually a charge to change to a different type of tea than I started with. They said they’d make an exception for me, and I was not charged extra, but at other tea places I’ve visited one can sample several types of tea in one sitting. It’s almost expected. But on the whole I enjoyed the event very much.

Our waitress wasn’t the most helpful. She had a tone and vibe that felt unpleasant. For instance, when I asked what salad dressings were available it was like pulling teeth to get her to tell me simple information like that. And in the end she still couldn’t tell me the options. It also felt like we were in her way and an inconvenience to her. She wasn’t warm or welcoming at all. We were the large table of 10, maybe that stressed her out- but I expected better service for this type of ‘higher end’ restaurant. Everything else was outstanding the food, atmosphere etc. We will still visit again- Just hope we have a friendlier more helpful server next time.