inkwell – American
Bathed in a sophisticated, low-lit glow, inkwell serves as a stylish retreat where the ritual of the cocktail meets a curated parade of elevated snacks. Guests linger over decadent caviar service and airy honey-whipped ricotta, while the kitchen transforms comfort into art through buttery crab toast and molten chocolate lava cakes. Whether sipping a clever "Not An Espresso Martini" or sharing a board of artisanal salumi, the experience is one of effortless elegance and lingering conversation.
1043 West Lake Street, Chicago IL 60607 https://inkwellbar.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegetarian, gluten-free, pescatarian
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM
- Tuesday - Thursday
- 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
- Friday - Saturday
- 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
What diners are saying
Diners rave about the delectable seafood, which guests highlight as being cooked to perfection and consistently fresh. Celebrated for its comfortable setting and polite staff, the experience is frequently praised for offering high-quality flavors at reasonable prices that make it a standout choice for a relaxed meal.
Menu
- Bar Mix - $7: Marcona almonds, chocolate, dried sweet cranberry Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Pescatarian
- Olives - $8: Cerignola olives with olive oil, Calabrian chili, citrus
- Caviar Service - $95: Served with Lay’s, crème fraiche and capers
- Salumi Selection - $21: Selection of beef and pork salumi and one cheese with toasted sourdough, mustard and pickles
- Honey Whipped Ricotta - $13: Toasted sourdough, pistachio, fig jam
- Grilled Cheese - $12: Muenster and Tillamook sharp cheddar on sourdough, duck fat toasted
- Crab Toast - $17: Crab with lemon, crème fraiche, Old Bay, and shallot
- Chocolate Lava Cake - $9: Warm chocolate cake with molten chocolate center, served with Grand Marnier
- Lemon Tartlets - $9: Meyer lemon tartlets, served with Limoncello
- Not An Espresso Martini - $16: Wheatley Vodka, Mr. Black, Coffee, Lemon
- Kick Push - $16: Hennessy Cognac, Cherry, Pineapple, Ten to One Dark Rum, Angostura Bitters
- Rosa Infernal - $16: Divino Mezcal, Aperol, Jalapeno, Fruitful Ginger Liqueur, Honey, Orange, Strawberry
- Backseat Driver - $16: Compass Box Blended Scotch, Lemon, Falernum, Ten to One Dark Rum, Coconut, Pineapple
- Little Edie's Garden - $16: Ford’s Gin, Arugula, Mint, Lavender, Lemon, Cucumber
- Oaxacan Folklore - $16: Divino Mezcal, Batavia Arrack, Montenegro, Agave, Lime, Mint, Orange Bitters
- Killer Bees - $16: Ford’s Gin, Pineapple, Honey, Lemon, Spice
- Tijuana Brass - $18: Mijenta Blanco, Agave, Lime, Cucumber
- Loop Lift - $16: Aperol, Letherbee 2025 Vernal Gin, Peach, Citrus, Bubbles
- Root & Ritual - $18: El Tequileno Reposado, Falernum, Norden Aquavit, Orgeat, Cream, Pineapple, Carrot, Lime
- Old Fashioned - $15
- Manhattan - $15
- Martini - $15
- Negroni - $15
- Daiquiri - $15
- Sloe Gin Fizz - $15
- Margarita - $15
- Espresso Martini - $15
- Paloma - $15
- Moscow Mule - $15
- Irish Coffee - $15
- Caviar Martini - $50: Belvedere 10 Vodka, Dolin Dry, Caviar Dream Oscetra Caviar
- Old Fashioned 451 - $30: Lucky Strike Bourbon, Bitters, Cherrywood Smoke
- Cristal Clear - $30: Mijenta Cristalino Tequila, Curacao, Lime, Saline
- Peach Pop (no) - $10: Peach, Lemon, Bubbles
- Sandhills Sunset 2.0 (no) - $12: Sandhills Elixir Jalapeno, Lime, Honey, Pineapple
- Pimms & Black (lo) - $15: Pimms #1, Strawberry, Lemon, Black Tea
- Montsarra Cava - $14
- Tyrrell’s Semillon - $15
- L’Ecole Chenin Blanc - $16
- Gramona ‘Mart’ Rose - $18
- Domaine Dupeuble Gamay - $18
- St Cosme Cote du Rhone Syrah - $15
Frequently Asked Questions about inkwell
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Diners highly recommend the fresh seafood, caviar service, honey-whipped ricotta, buttery crab toast, and decadent chocolate lava cakes.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- The restaurant has an average rating of 4.0/5 based on customer feedback and experiences.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for inkwell does not include specific information regarding its daily hours of operation.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Customers rave about the fresh, perfectly cooked seafood, high-quality flavors, reasonable prices, and the comfortable setting with polite staff.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Bar Mix is the featured dish that accommodates multiple diets, specifically categorized as vegetarian, gluten-free, and pescatarian.
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- With a 4.0/5 rating, this sophisticated, low-lit retreat offers effortless elegance and decadent caviar service perfect for intimate dates.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Inkwell offers a sophisticated, low-lit, and stylish atmosphere characterized by effortless elegance, comfortable seating, and a relaxed, conversational setting.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include caviar service, honey-whipped ricotta, buttery crab toast, grilled cheese, salumi selections, and molten chocolate lava cakes.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Diners consistently praise the fresh, perfectly cooked seafood, high-quality flavors, and reasonable prices within a comfortable and polite setting.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Inkwell offers a comfortable setting for a relaxed meal, though its sophisticated, low-lit atmosphere and cocktail-focused menu cater primarily to adults.