Loved it. Warm atmosphere, great music, delicious wine and the meal far exceeded our expectations. We were just planning to stay for a drink and move on... So glad we didn't! I can't wait to return. I'm still dreaming about those Grit Cakes...
(5)
Livvy O.
I'm not a big fan of wine, but my friend had a gift certificate here so I went along. The place has a very nice, intimate feel but it's small so the smoke from the kitchen started to swarm the room. The staff opened the doors, but it was still pretty smoky. I know it's a wine bar, but they had a pretty small menu. I got the oysters for an appetizer and the grit cakes for my "large plate". Guess I was in a NOLA kinda mood. The oysters were okay, nicely presented though on a large mound of salt. I didn't know what to expect of the grit cakes, but it was okay. Everything had a nice flavor, but the actual grit cakes were very airy and fluffy which left me still hungry. The portions are small for the price you pay. My friends steak looked good with brussel sprouts. She wasn't too happy - her steak was too rare for her liking and she wasn't a fan of brussel sprouts. I would have rather had that meal though. I love both. Her meal looked more fulfilling. I didn't get wine because I'm not a wine drinker, but ginger ale was good! lol Apparently, the place is closing soon. They are in the process of looking for a new location.
(3)
Rui C.
Had an OK experience here. The wine was good and the charcuterie plate was decent, however, the service we received was underwhelming. After reading the other positive reviews for this place I was expecting a knowledgeable sommelier to guide us through choosing wines, but what we actually had was someone who could care less about our experience. Maybe it was because me and my companion look young? Much younger than the other clientele anyway. The server along with who I would assume was the owner, didn't want to pay us the same attention as the other patrons. Overall, we did not feel like it was a welcoming experience and would not be back.
(3)
Lindsey E.
House Red is one of my favorite spaces in the Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park area! Sometimes, wine bars can be a bit uppity, but not House Red! The owner, Neb, is invariably friendly and welcoming and boy can he pick wine! His selections are varied and eclectic...and reasonably priced. If you tell him what kinds of flavors you like, he will help you select a flight of wines to taste or a bottle to take home that will be right on the money. I promise! Their selection of appetizers and sharing plates complement the wines well and the space is cozy and warm. I even hosted a wine tasting birthday party here once and working with house red to plan my events was easy breezy. And above all, my guests were floored by the quality of the service and selections. Can't recommend it highly enough!
On a recent business visit to the area, I happened upon House Red. Mostly for the atmospheric photos posted by other reviewers, and the promise of a nice glass of wine and pre-dinner antipasti. Well, I love, love, LOVED this place and was not disappointed in the find! In fact, I was welcomed so kindly by the establishment's gracious owner on a cold and snowy night (despite my lack of a reservation), and enjoyed the appetizer and cozy setting SO much, that I decided to stay for dinner and a whole (small) flight of their wonderful, hand-picked wines. The food (I ordered the scallop) was terrific and though the portion was quite dainty, it was just the right amount of food for me after eating an ENTIRE heaping plate of cheeses and meats by myself. And the cheerful conversation and good company of the restaurant's regulars (and host) were equally as enjoyable. I will definitely be back again!
(5)
Erika C.
Great little romantic place. Great wines and great food. Service was on point. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Nektaria R.
We arrived at 9:45 not paying attention that they really close at 10. :-) Not a problem. The bartender (not sure if that's what they are called at a wine bar if they are not really a sommelier, then again, I didn't ask for her credentials) was very pleasant and helpful. Got us a glass of water and a wine menu. She then asked if we needed help deciding on the wine. It was Tuesday night so the glasses of wine were 1/2 off, that's a plus, and she took my thoughts on the type of red I like and suggested two different types that were in my price range... although, at 1/2 off for a nice pour, everything falls into my price range. The boy and I picked both of her suggestions, and thus had the opportunity to taste both. Funny, he liked the one I picked (Montepulciano ) and I liked the one he picked (Merlot) so we just switched. It would have been nice to have arrived sooner so we could of sampled some of the menu items... It's god to know that the have 1/2 price bottles on Wednesdays...or maybe it was Thursdays... not sure, it was a really nice glass of wine so I've kind of forgotten those details. We will definitely return and relax and enjoy the cool decor, love the cork end tables.
(4)
Roberta S.
Big fan and so sorry it's gone. Can't wait until the owner Neb is able to create a new tasting space elsewhere. Gentrification sucks :-)
(5)
Rick I.
Had great time here tonight. Spanish wine and tapas dinner. Was incredible ! Looking forward to next wine dinner event.
(5)
Michael N.
Food was awesome no wait time for a table the owner / wine master is always friendly had a wonder date here impressed by this place
(5)
Deborah and Robert B.
Having one last glass of wine at this location. Looking forward to Neb's next venture.
(5)
L. Danovia ..
Oh man, how I thought I would love this place. NOT! Wine was very over priced, food was okay but service was horrible. As soon as I mentioned that I had a coupon, the waitress seemed like she wanted to escort me out the door. At the close of our meal, we proceeded to pay the bill and the waitress told my husband how much to tip. REALLY? You can be sure that we will not return anytime soon.
(1)
Jim P.
Why haven't we discovered this place until now? Quaint, in the greatest sense of the word. Seasonal quality menu with smaller plates that allow you to try and share several items. We loved the build-your-own charcuterie plate. Reasonable and unique wines by the bottle and glass, with a choose-three flight (an excellent Serbian red, who knew?). We'll be back!
(4)
Jordan K.
My wife and I dropped in here on a Tuesday evening as a pre-vacation kick-off dinner. We had been meaning to try it for a few months now and finally had an occasion to get out. Being a Tuesday the place wasn't busy, though we did make a reservation online. We walked in and were promptly greeted and had our coats taken and hung up for us and were offered our choice of seats. Being in a quieter place like this on a mid-week evening was a bit awkward, but we settled in after not too long. Our waitress came to ask for our drink order and was very accommodating to my wife's desire for a sweeter wine. She brought something off the menu rather than trying to pin us down to the current specials. I knew pretty quickly that I wanted the skirt steak, but my wife wanted the scallop appetizer. We decided to get them as entrees even though her portion would be pretty small. I was able to abscond with a small morsel and it was excellent. The sauce was well balanced and had a great mix of flavors while not being too complicated. I love steak. I have not had a good steak in Chicago (I can list bona fides, but look at my reviews instead). I mention this knowing that I'll have to go edit a couple dozen reviews once I do find one. That being said, I don't consider a skirt steak in the family of "steak". Skirt steak is a completely different cut of meat that can be very tough and chewy when cooked and (more importantly) cut poorly. This dish is not that. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly medium rare, well sliced on the bias to eliminate chewiness while allow for a tactile and tasteful bite. The parsnip puree made me mistake it for excellent mashed potatoes. I need to research parsnip more. The sauce on the top was excellently paired with the dish and I don't care for sauces on my cuts of beef. The potato, candied bacon, and (ew) mushroom platform upon which it was all built upon was delicious. I know that is vague, but everything melds well together including the mix of textures. I made the mistake of eating most of the meat first (my meat-centric mindset), but this dish would be best represented by grabbing a good portion of everything on the plate. One thing that is easily apparent is that these guys have found a quality chef that cares a lot about his/her food. I would pay more money for this food at a different venue easily. (owners don't get greedy! I like these prices and they work well for FoPa). I think my only critique is that the wine by the glass prices seem a bit steep. Now here is something that I'm not certain about. After having a great evening and a great dinner, my impression is that this place is best suited for a double date, two bottles of wine, and a charcuterie platter despite having never tasted the options. Definitely want to come back, absolutely loved the food, but probably won't come back for a meal. I'm confused by this. I may have to chalk it up to something as vague as 'atmosphere'. I have avoided calling this place a "hole in the wall" as was mentioned to us. I see no reason to believe this place won't become a prominent fixture on Madison Street. We certainly plan on returning with lots of friends.
(5)
Liz H.
The length of my review will match the quantity of food on my plate: I had delicious flatbread & skirt steak.
(3)
Bjorn H.
Unreal selection of off the beaten path wines. Rustic ambiance, intimate atmosphere. This a great date place or for a quiet drink with friends. Truly a great establishment!!!! Two thumbs way, way up.
(5)
samantha b.
I actually used to LOVE this place. Been here a bunch of times. I recently bought my mom a restaurant.com gift certificate to take her here for her birthday! We were so excited and went in and ordered some appetizers and wine. When it was time to pay and we handed the certificate to them they said they were no longer accepting the gift certificate and that the DAY BEFORE was the last day. We asked to speak with the owner because we thought well maybe there would be some wiggle room since we were only a day late and there wasn't anything posted on their website (since I was on it earlier that day). Well a woman came to us saying the same thing and we just said "well that is disappointing" and she says "yeah I'm not really sure WHY that's so disappointing....." in a very rude tone. So I go to exchange the gift certificate on restaurant.com and it wasn't allowing me to so I followed up with a restaurant.com representative and House Red Vinoteca actually signed an AGREEMENT that they are to ACCEPT ALL GIFT CERTIFICATES SOLD. Although they are moving locations, they are supposed to accept the gift certificate regardless. This is TERRIBLE customer service on their part, and I was able to exchange my certificate. I'm sorry, but this type of customer service is unacceptable. We will not be going to the new location.
(1)
Bridget B.
Was a little hesitant to come in here for a while because we figured the wine would be overpriced for a limited selection - we couldn't have been more wrong! First of all, I can't say enough positive things about the staff - always friendly, helpful and patient. I don't know too much about wine except that I really like drinking it, but there is one gentleman in particular that always points me in the right direction taste-wise and budget-wise. They offer me a little taste of wines I'm not sure about before purchasing and if I'm going with a white, they will check to see if they have a chilled bottle to send me home with so I'm not having to bring home a warm bottle and I can pop it open and enjoy right away! The selection is amazing and ever-changing. There are always new wines from different countries to try and I don't think I've spent more than $30 on a bottle. We're always impressed and happy with our wine. I've recommended Red House vinoteca to many and will continue to do so!
(5)
Grace N.
What a charming little establishment....a place where "everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came," and they work hard to make sure you find a wine that suits your mood or your palate. My husband is not a wine drinker (I'm the family wino), but they were able to find a red that was sweet enough even for him, and I was thrilled to be able to taste a Moldovian red and a S. African white. As for the food, the charcuterie plate was nice (I've never met a charcuterie plate I didn't like), but the pizza came with an odd crispy crust, and the small plates are certainly...well, small. We weren't able to cobble together a fulfilling dinner, especially for my husband who has a heartier appetite, so I would consider it more of a "snacking" menu to enhance the wine, rather than a restaurant. It is a small space, so I would make reservations or arrive early.
(4)
Poushali B.
This is a cozy place with friendly people and generous pours. We had a few appetizers - the panzanella and carpaccio, both were excellent. We had a wonderful time and are looking to return soon.
(5)
Patricia F.
We came on Wednesday night for the wine flight and had charcuterie along with it. Meat and cheese selection was wonderful. Wines were fine, nothing special. We were never told about the vintners. Comfortable.
(4)
Rhonda G.
Great little wine shop that I visited on this past Small Business Saturday. I appreciate how helpful (and non-pushy) the staff is. They don't have anything that I really recognized which is good, made me feel like I was experiencing something a little different than I would at your run of the mill booze emporium (not that I have anything against them). I tasted a couple of wines and walked away with a few bottles of wine for the holidays (or before if I can't wait which is probably more likely). I would really like to visit again with a couple of girlfriends and sit and stay for a while and enjoy a few more of the offerings. Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in my book.
(5)
Larry K.
High quality Illinois and Wisconsin meats and cheeses compliment unpretentious atmosphere and wine list. Entrees are beautifully presented and delicious. Will be back.
(5)
James P.
Good atmosphere, friendly knowledgeable owner, great wine, great food!
(5)
Tina C.
Panzenella salad with octopus was light and refreshing. Octopus was grilled nicely. Flavor profile was great. Also had the creme brulee...honestly not enough custard..and to much sugar :( but the taste was there. Brisket was nicely done. Ill be back :)
(4)
Samantha K.
There's something simple and elegant about Small plates. House Red does it right! They have wine tastings weekly which is a great way to start a night or catchup with friends. The wine flights are decently priced and all of their staff is very knowledgable. This place is wall to walk fermented grapes and lots to taste and purchase!
(5)
Cheree M.
I recently came here with a group of mom's from the western suburbs and I really enjoyed myself. The menu is limited but I think everyone could find something that they liked. I was delighted by the prices and the food was really good. The service was grade A and I like the ambiance a lot. I spent much more than I anticipated ( $50) but I had a cheese plate $16, and 3 glasses of wine. I look forward to returning with my hubby!
(4)
Donna S.
I have been there 3 times now and tried the evolving menu. Loved the wine flights, things i have never tried before or seen in the store. Great waitress new a lot about what she was serving. I like others wish this was open just one hour later every evening. Heard a nice jazz trio one evening. Will be there again soon. During the vortex this past winter it was a bit chilly. Heads up it is coming again.
(5)
amanda m.
Yesterday was my first time at House Red, and I really enjoyed it. I will definetly go back.
(4)
Dena M.
Nice atmosphere, great food and decent wine selection by glass...waitstaff pleasant.
(5)
Eddie B.
We sat on the sidewalk patio and enjoyed two small plates and one each of their red and white wine flights. The service was excellent and the wine was very good. If you're like me and don't do well making choices, I suggest getting a flight so you can try several things at once. They brought us toast and spiced nuts as a palate cleanser upon request. We didn't order any hot entrees so I can't speak to the dinner menu. We did order the chummus plate, which had a goodly helping of delicious smoked paprika covering all, as well as the rich and spreadable mojo verde goat cheese plate. One unfortunate side effect of sitting on the sidewalk is that Madison Street is ringed with bars, and bars mean 40-something harpy smokers standing six feet away from you and then tossing their butts to the sidewalk before heading back in. The owner of House Red Vinoteca was kind enough to ask the business next store to chase the harpies away when they regrouped to ruin our dinner, but there was only so much he could do. The effort was still appreciated. We came on Friday night expecting live music, but as of 8:45 when we had finished our dinner, the music hadn't begun. Not sure when or whether that was going to happen. Overall this is a solidly above-average spot and especially good for wine fans. We will be back. Updated 10/14/2013: We came back, and I was blown away by the service. We ordered a half bottle of malbec, but the waitress informed us they had only a single glass left. We ordered a half bottle of something else, and wouldn't have thought twice about it, until they brought out the remainder of the malbec to us gratis along with our meal. I feel highly valued here and we will absolutely return often.
(5)
Cathleen F.
I really kind of love this place ... a lot. [This is completely irrelevant info, but here goes: celebrities hang out here. Well, not really. But once, recently, when we stopped in for a drink and snack, "David from Roseanne" walked in with a bunch of friends. I said to my husband, "That's David from Roseanne," and he said, "Yeah, that looks like him," and I was all, "No, that IS him." It was. He and his friends stayed for awhile; they were still there when we left, in fact, about 45 minutes later. Apparently (as I learned from my scolding FB friends), he's now known as "Leonard from Big Bang Theory," but I don't watch that show. So, cool and crazy, right? No? Why am I the only one who cares about this? ... OK, I've wasted enough of your time with this story.) The things that I LOVE (besides celebrity-spottings ... er spotting): 1. Great FOOD! Seriously, gourmet quality nibblings and entrees. Excellent cheese plate. 2. Great selection of Eastern European wine. And if you're on the fence about what to order or a complete novice, ask for recommendations. 3. Cool atmosphere. It's small, well-lit but still has this fantastic, cozy, neighborhoody wine bar feel. 4. While it's not really a place for kids, if you stroll in with a little one in tow for a quick glass of wine, assuming you have a well-behaved kid, the staff is quite welcoming. 5. As a Forest Parker, I just dig that this place is in "my" neighborhood. I call it "my local wine bar" and ... I don't know. I'm just kind of proud of it. If you haven't yet, check it out. Oh, and a tip: Sit at the bar and chat with the owner/staff. Good conversation, good times! The things I DON'T love about this place: 1. It closes too early.
(5)
David B.
Really love this place! First time we went there was on a Thursday night for the free tastings, The owner really took the time to talk about the wine and was really friendly. The look and feel of the place makes you just want to hang out there for hours. The wine selection is great albeit a bit overpriced, but considering it's a small business I was Ok with it. The atosmspere is laid back, the music playing is really cool and service was top notch. We've been back several times and will continue to support this great little wine bar!!
(4)
robert a.
Fan Yep Why Wine. I had some idea that this place existed, I also had some inclination that I may enjoy it. I did nothing about it for a good while. Some weeks back me and the misses decided to go on a little stroll of the RF area of our world. For those of you from other parts of the world (of just uppity mother sons a bitches from the city) [calm down I love the city, and you too]. The RF is apart of the little "park / forest" area west Chicago. Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Elmwood Park. So anyway me and the misses were strolling down Madison street doing a progressive crawl from joint to joint. we just happened to stop in to House Red, mainly because it was hot, and we wanted break from the light cannon above us. The place was quaint, charming, and well put together. It seemed like it would somewhere you could listen to Neil Diamond, or Miles Davis and feel alright about either. The staff was very helpful, the wine flights were pleasant, and nice small plate food that pared well with the wine. I have been back many times since that day, and will continue to go back.
(4)
Jodie K.
What a wonderful evening of wine and dine. I was there by myself so sat at the bar and enjoyed feeling like part of the family between the Thursday night wine tasting, lots of passion for wine, lots to learn about wine and great food to go along with it all. Thank you to the cast and crew of House Red.
(5)
Lola K P.
I LOVE this absolutely sleek chic but oh-so-accessible, casual neighborhood wine bar/shop! I love stopping in just for a nice glass, some cheese and a chat with Neb when he has the time, and sampling all of Laura's culinary creations (the s'mores are heavenly). Whether you're a seasoned Sonoma snob (me) or brand-new to wine, Neb will ask you what you like and is uncanny about his choices for you. He truly enjoys and knows wine and he's just as happy and enthusiastic discussing my Amarone as he did with my girlfriend's budget Reisling. There's a wide variety of boutique and small-batch wines here, many from places I didn't know made wines (Croatia?) so I'm always on a little adventure with his samples. There's often special events like dessert nights, winemaker highlights/visits, and painting classes (love!), to keep you coming back over and over again. I love this place!
(5)
Simon R.
Great place for a romantic dinner- intimate setting, superb food, extensive wine selection, friendly and efficient staff, reasonable prices , and an owner who is present and truly cares about all aspects of service- what else can one ask for ? Highly recommended !!!
(5)
Jelena Z.
Update: House Red is now House Red Vinoteca. Still the same friendly neighborhood wine shop you've come to know and love, but they now offer food. God knows I could use a liberal bite or ten when I'm here for their prolific complimentary wine tastings. My sister and her husband just moved to neighboring Oak Park and I met my brother-in-law here this past Friday evening for the Vinejoy tasting. I'm pretty sure my sister would have preferred us staying home and unpacking three trillion boxes, but we needed a "relax". And my relaxes typically consist of juicy red wine and ooooh-inducing cheeses. We settled in with a couple of glasses of red (featured wines are only $5/glass from 4-7 on Fridays!) and were soon presented with a beautiful plate of olives, prosciuitto, soppressata, flatbread and two types of cheese. No exaggeration - the truffled cheese will be one of the best things you'll ever eat. Easily the best cheese, anyway! We tried to purchase some to take home from owner Neb, but as it turns out he buys it for consumption on the premises only from an Italian importer who doesn't skimp on quality. Really, we're desperate to have this cheese again... addiction is real. Next time you're walking by House Red Vinoteca on bustling Madison Ave, give them a try! I'm certain you'll be happy you did.
(5)
Brett C.
What a great little find in Forest Park. Located in the heart of Forest Park this small wine shop, now upgraded to Vinoteca is a fabulous establishment that I would recommend to any wine lover. Small and quaint with a great selection of wines. Neb, is incredibly knowledgeable and is a pleasure to talk to. They consistently have tasting and pairing events that are a must attend if you have the time. Stopped in with friends for a Spanish wine tasting a few weeks ago and I am a true fan of this place. If you are ever in the Forest Park area you need to check out House Red. ** Update It says I have 11 check-ins here, realistically it's probably closer to 20. I have yet to have a bad evening here. Menu is constantly updated with tasty small plates from their chef. I may be disappointed that something is taken off but happy to see the new items. We attend the Friday tastings or the entertainment they have scheduled. It's such a fun place. We never look at the wine list anymore. We tell Neb what we are in the mood for and he brings a wine to our table that is always on point. Cheers!
(5)
Jenny Z.
I've been to House Red a handful of times now-it's always an outstanding experience with great wine and food (the cheese plate is excellent). It is a gorgeous wine bar with a laid back and unpretentious feel-and of course a wine shop as well. I don't consider myself a wine expert in the least-you can describe what type of wine you want without using the wine expert lingo and I've always gotten exactly what I'd hoped for:) The owner, Neb, will pick out a great wine for you if you ask him. There are tons of events (some free!) and jazz on Friday evenings, which is great. My friends and I always end up here whenever we go out and it's a great way to end or start an evening!
(5)
Kevin S.
Totally impressed by this place, and more importantly, my girlfriend was. NOTE TO GUYS: Take a girl here, it's easy to get to, not crazy expensive, and just a cool little place. They'll be impressed, it will make your life a lot easier. I came here on a Thursday night. They do a free wine tasting from 5-7. I made a reservation for dinner at 6:30, but when we walked in it was mostly empty (Sometimes that can be a bad sign, but I think we were just early. By the end of our meal, it had filled up quite a bit later) We got our table when we arrived and then asked about the wine tasting. The owner / sommelier does it at the wine bar. He was featuring several different wines from the Baltic region. Now I'm a craft beer guy, but I'll venture into the wine realm from time to time. Everything he offered was tasty and he was pretty much a wine historian. They have a large selection, but not overly large. Talking to the owner it seems like there is a reason every single wine they serve is there. I hope to one day know as much about something as he knows about wine, Our server, Jessica, was awesome. Very attentive and quite knowledgeable. She was friendly and gave us lots of recommendations when asked, which we pretty much went with for our food and wine, all of which were excellent. AND NOW TO THE FOOD: The menu is small but offers a variety of choices. Everything's on there for a reason, and you want to try every dish. Unfortunately it was only the two of us so that was not in the cards tonight. Small plates/starters will run $10-$12 and the entrees in the $15-$20 range. We split 5 dishes. The Pork Patte, Beet Salad, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Shrimp, and molten chocolate cabernet cake. Quinoa Beet Salad- Nice, light starter. A good mix of beets an arugula tossed in a light vinagrette. It was the perfect amount of dressing, and a nice light way to start the dinner off. I'm not a huge fan of Quinoa, so it didn't add a ton to the dish for me, but it was worth getting. Pork Pate- AWESOME. I really enjoyed this. Served with toasted french bread and some stone ground mustard and shopska (basically a diced mixture of vegetables, cheese and vinegar). Get this. Sweet Potato Gnocchi- I could eat this for the next year and not get tired of it. My favorite dish. The Gnocchi had the perfect texture. Just a little bit crisp on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. Add in a little chicken sausage with wilted kale and this dish was ridiculous. Shrimp Bazura- The waitress described this as "stupid good". I would definitely agree, the shrimp was well prepared. I only wish there was a little more of the garlic-tomato broth for the toast points to soak up. Molten Chocolate Cabernet Cake- Quite tasty. Not a huge portion, but enough for two people to split if they want some desert. Everything tasted good, our cake didn't particularly have the "gooey center" the menu lists, but the texture was more like a brownie. Raspberry coulis and ice cream all paired well. Those dishes, a bottle of wine, and two glasses of wine all together cost us about $106 + tip. To sum it up: Check this place out. I'll be back.
(5)
Tina T.
If you hadn't realized, I am a wine fanatic. So much so that I'm finally studying for my sommelier certification, so that I can talk, taste, and write intelligently about it. And House Red is a great wine bar. The thing I love about independently owned Wine Bars is that their selection of wines, food, and events is a direct reflection of the appetites of the owners. And that's what makes each wine bar so unique in the types of wine they carry, etc. So House Red intrigues me because they emphasize a great selection of Old world wines, along with the New world selection. Even better, they don't just carry the typical French and Italian wines. This is the first place that I discovered the wines of Croatia. Never even thought about their wines, but the server explained that since they are right across from Puglia, Italy, they also are well known for their great Primitivo wines (which is simply a young Zinfandel). Who knew? We tried a fabulous wine that I am sold on - love learning and finding out unusual things like this! Their food is great, plus the atmosphere is warm and intimate. I highly recommend them if you are near the hood!
(5)
Bill K.
My wife and I had walked by House Red many times but not being wine connoisseurs we had never ventured in. Last night wanting to try something different we decided to give it a go. I usually get a headache from wine but the owner Neb after asking a few questions about my past reaction to different wines guided our selections and I sipped happily with no headache later on. The Balkan Night menu was delicious. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with delightful strolling guitars which added to the fun without challenging our ability to hear one another. Neb provided a bit of an education about wines from small European vineyards and I can now say I love wine from Macedonia. We had a great night at House Red Vinoteca and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Victoria L.
This is better than Flight 112 (which is practically next door). The owner is very knowledgeable about wine and will even give you free samples. The food is outstanding and dessert is handmade in house. A great place for dates, for an intimate setting. They have live music as well on some nights.
(4)
Juxtapoz B.
We love Vinoteca. Currently having wine at the bar: the owner is usually here and he knows wine. Eaten here three times and love the food. Great atmosphere, love the lounge decor, tasteful art, and friendly service. Can't go wrong. There's even a couch.
(5)
maggie l.
A wonderful parade of food and wine. The owner Neb and chef Scott were both so very personable. There was live music also. You really can't go wrong at this place. The atmosphere is really cool. Go!
(5)
Emily D.
To me, HRV is the perfect place to start a party. From book club to bachelorette. Nice and slow, let them pick the pour and collapse onto the couch. Your head thrown back in laughter but also to guzzle the impressive selection of grapey delights. I know it's not meant to be sloshed about so haphazardly, but the white wine pour of the night was yumzies. Gulp. As were the small plates. We shared the baked brie (you've never had it like this) and the tomato flatbread (I would get the chorizo one next time, sizzle). We noshed, we spoke of escapades abroad and our own vulnerabilities. . . we enjoyed each others' company which is exactly what makes HRV special. Inviting. To me, it felt like sitting in my best friend's kitchen. The service was attentive and friendly. Like "Pull up a chair and join us!" friendly. And if you choose, the wine keeps flowing and you keep chatting. . . and then the sun comes up.
(5)
Gordon P.
Very cool. Not really my kind of place but my girl loved it. Incredible selection of wine. The cheese and meat platter is delish. Have that and some wine, then got to Duffy's where you can afford to drink!
(4)
K. E.
This place consistently impresses me. We recently got a Groupon Now and tried sitting down for a light meal for the first time. The owner put together two wine flights based on our tastes, and we were completely delighted. Be sure to try the house red Malbec, which the owner worked with a winemaker to create just for the store - you can't get it anywhere else!! The food was very nice. The cheese plate was quite wonderful - I am not really a huge fan of brie but it was excellent, light and creamy at the same time, and the blue was not too strong. We tried a salad and a crab dip special, both very good as well. The chef herself comes out and will talk to you about the food. We left with two bottles of wine at amazingly reasonable prices, considering the quality. I don't see how you can go wrong here. I love the way the shop is evolving into a relaxing cafe. The seating is also interesting, different levels and styles of tables and chairs, plus a small bar. Great, great, all great.
(5)
Gayle F.
This place is a must if you like wine. We are regulars and are always amazed at the variety and excellence Neb (the owner) packs into this place. The prices are fabulous too. You can get an amazing bottle of wine for under $20. No more warehouse shopping (at least for wine!) You can also eat/do happy hour/hang out at House of Red. These are relatively recent additions to the store. It is a beautiful (and comfortable) wine bar that we can walk too - love it.
(5)
Nick D.
House Red is a nice place to go on a short date for a couple glasses of wine and some wine snacks. Sometimes they have special event tastings where you can try new wines and mingle. The store is very clean and open. It just a short walk from my home in Oak Park so it makes a great spot for frequent visits in the spring and summer.
(3)
C S.
Great place for wine and live music during the weekend!
(4)
Keith B.
House Red Vinoteca is my favorite restaurant in the OP/RF/FP area. The food is excellent, the wine selection is very intelligent, and the venue is great. We recently held our rehearsal dinner here. It was tremendous. Planning the menu with the chef, Scott, was fun. He was great to work with. The owner, Neb, is always a pleasure, and the rest of the staff are always friendly and knowledgeable. The feedback from our guests was uniformly enthusiastic, and we had a great time. Highest recommendation.
(5)
Christina G.
I like this place a lot, especially the concept. Unfortunately I came on a night when there was some sort of holiday festival on Madison street so it was a lot of people with kids wandering in, big families. However, the owner was there and talked to us about the wines and what we might like or not, with a couple of good picks. The food was okay--it came out really fast which is an indicator of pre-prepared instead of fresh. Personally I liked the soup butternut squash or pumpkin, can't remember) but the flat bread could have been more robust. Looking forward to trying this place again on a regular night.
(3)
Karen Anne B.
What a stooge I am for not reviewing House Red before. Geez. I was more on beer for a bit hadn't been in the the store for a long time, but when we returned we were glad to find it unchanged. A nice selection of wines, many reasobably priced (great wines $20 or less or in the $20-30 range). Of course, if you are looking for a bottle of higher end/higher priced wine they have some great options there as well. The owner is friendly and happy to inform you about some of the wines and answer any questions. They have a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Definitely go check it out, they do lots of tastings too.
(5)
Walt D.
House Red has an identity problem. All of their communications say "wine experts or "wine bar," but the wine list wasn't large or impressive and the expertise was nowhere to be found. But the killer was the mediocre guitarist with no vocal technique struggling with easy listening standards from the 40s to the 90s for the whole evening. Consistently annoying. Worse was his awkward visit to every table asking if we were enjoying the music. We'd have been honest but we were enjoying Mothers' Day and didn't want to make a scene. But the good news was how terrific the food was. Everything from the shortish menu was delicious and even inventive. They'd get us back if they'd recognize their strengths as a restaurant, expand the menu, focus their energy, and lose the awful music. Especially the music.
(2)
Anne P.
We did a fun run on 3/17 and added House Red as one of our stops. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us, despite the stinky running clothes. The sparkling wine was great and Scott, the executive chef, was helpful and friendly. Couldn't have been more impressed.
(5)
Julie A.
My soon to be family-in-law hosted our engagement party here, and it was great. They don't provide food, so you need to bring your own, but the people working here were very laid back and told everyone about the wines when we went up to get a glass. I love the feeling of this store - very rustic, earthy, and there is a lot of wine to look at. The people working here are very knowledgeable, and overall it was a great experience. I would come back in a heart beat to buy wine - they have a wonderful, affordable selection. And the party was great, too!
(4)
Mary Ann C.
Love this place! Affordable wine (unique too) and helpful staff. Love the new bar set up, as we have purchased wine here for years at the shop. Relaxing and lovely!
(5)
Christine K.
Good food, great wine, good service.
(4)
D S D.
Great food, very quaint and made to order.
(5)
James T.
I have been coming to House Red for the past 4 years. This place has schooled me in wine. Some of the best wines, everyday wines, and so many amazing experiences to be had here. The dinner pairings, the tastings and music events at House Red are amazing! A must for anyone who loves wine.
(5)
Amaliya L.
I was recently invited to a "Mom's Night Out' outing by one of the mums in my son's preschool. The event was hosted at House of Red. The store is very warm and inviting. Neb selected 5 wines for us to try. He also put together a table of Cheese and fruits to complement our tasting. My favorite was actually their house white table wine. It was crisp and clean on the palate. Bonus, a bottle only cost $12. Proof positive that many good and favorites wines can be found for under $15. I highly recommend House Red. I am not an avid drinker. I only drink/ taste to enhance a meal. Before this event, I had not had a drop of alcohol for over a year. For me to enjoy and actually like a wine requires quite a lot. I refuse to drink bad wine. House Red sold me. Be sure to join their email list or fan their Facebook page. House Red often hosts wine dinners and tastings throughout the month.
(5)
Tina K.
House Red is my favorite Chicago-area wine store! My husband and I have been going to House Red for years and belong to one of their wine clubs. The collection of wine is small, but diverse. The owners do a great job of selecting a nice variety of wine that mostly includes smaller wine makers from all over the world, rather than the mass-produced wines available at places like Binny's. The owners are friendly and very helpful. When we've gone in for recommendations, they have always been spot on. Plus, they host free tastings on Saturdays... it's nice to wander in and discover a new favorite wine!
(5)
Brian P.
If you loved House Red as your go to wine shop, you'll love it even more now that Neb and his partners have added a Vinoteca. We went in with friends last night (there are only about 10 seating areas, so reservations are recommended) around 8 pm and were immediately greeted (and remembered by) Neb. It is only their second weekend of being a wine bar and usually you expect things to be a little slow, but the opposite was true. We actually had Neb and two other servers all check on us! The four of us each tried a different wine flight which were extremely well priced at about $12 for three different 2.5 ounces servings of wine. We also had a cheese plate which came with red peppers, bread, and a selection of olives. The meat plate we shared was also very good with a selection of different cured meats including a chicken pate infused with cognac which was excellent. I think it goes without saying that all the wine selections were top notch as well. Neb clearly knows his vinos so we are all very comfortable with him making our selections and we weren't disappointed. All in all, the vinoteca is welcome addition to House Red and a great extension of Neb's passion for wine and making sure everyone enjoys themselves whenever they stop in. Great place, great ambiance, and great service. Check it out soon, we will be back often.
(5)
Rasmus N.
My husband and I were there after a horrific experience at Jimmy's place to tie a few on and we had a great time! The place was packed which I was happy to see. If you haven't been there, it's very cozy and looks exactly what you'd expect and want a local, privately owned wine shop to look like. We sat at the little bar area they now have and were served by the owner who apologized because they were short staffed by agreed to open a bottle of cava for me as a "staff pick" (I was delighted because staff pick Thursdays are $5 glasses but sparkling is rarely included in wine bars' discounted glass specials). YIPPEEE - mama's got her cava! Owner was very personable and very smart about all of his wines. Served us a very nice Croatian red that he also counted as a $5 staff pick...and also had a really interesting story to tell behind it. Brought out complimentary pita chips for us to snack on. Furthermore, they serve in Reidel glassware which I love. To me, the presentation is 70% of the hospitality experience. One suggestion to the owner - how about piping in some music when you don't have live musicians?? Just a thought ;) All in all a WONDERFUL experience.
(5)
Alice H.
House Red is a little gem of a place. Intimate and casual feeling like being in your own living room. Neb (owner), Linda (sommelier), and the wait staff are more like hosts than servers, and they encourage new wines, opening up our tastes, etc. The little plates/ tapas are excellent. Go discover new wines! It's a big wine world out there and Neb brings wines from Serbia, etc, to our attention.
(5)
Pete L.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Excellent food and wine. Great atmosphere especially for a date!
(5)
Christina S.
I love this place. Every time I've been in they've been so helpful and kind, even though I rarely, if ever, buy a bottle that costs more than $15. I love wine, but I find pairing to be kind of intimidating sometimes, and the staff is great at suggesting wines that will go well with what I'm making. And they get one extra star for being chill enough to let me bring my dog into the store. We were out for a walk and my boyfriend went in to get a bottle of wine for dinner. When the guy working saw me waiting outside with the pooch, he came out and told me I could come in. I thought that was nice. Crazy, seeing as my dog is a spaz, but nice. :) I know this sounds silly, but it's a huge plus for us, because we pass the store all the time, but most of those times are when we are walking the dog, so it's nice to know we can just stop in, animal in tow. Yay for unstuffy, pet-friendly wine stores!
(5)
Melissa K.
House Red has such a warm and quant feeling. The staff in general are friendly when approached. However, they aren't proactive in helping you if you don't approach them first. They have a email dist list that you can sign-up for to receive info about events. On another note, they were supposed to call me when they received more of a certain white (that's always sold-out). Needless to say, I never received a call, which was annoying.
(2)
Cristina T.
Bought a Groupon deal & decided to check out House Red with some family from out of town. We both got wine flights & a cheese plate along with dessert. Service was extremely friendly and comfortable and everything was delicious. We especially enjoyed the s'mores that were made with a pretzel graham cracker. The cheeses were high quality as well as the wine selections that were made for us. They have specials a few days a week, which I will be coming back for. Great local establishment!
(4)
Tee S.
I just discovered this place last week and want to share my experience. I was invited to a dinner party where I was not told what food would be served, but was asked to bring a specific, slighty-obscure type of wine to pair with one of the courses. I called House Red to see if they had dry Riesling in stock, and Neb picked up the phone. He was so patient, knowledgeable, and helpful, I told him I'd be in later that afternoon. When I arrived at the store a few hours later, Neb had 3 different bottles of wine on the counter, waiting for me to inspect. Wow. I've never experienced that kind of service, anywhere, AND, the wine was fantastic and reasonably priced. You seriously can't go wrong here. I totally agree with other reviewers - Neb's knowledge and passion are unmatched. House Red has my wine business from now on.
(5)
Vava B.
We stopped here on a whim while in the area. Glad we stopped in! Marco and Neb were so gracious. We had a white and red wine flight w/cheese plate. They were very knowledgable w/the wines. The make a great apricot preserve that goes with the domestic cheese platter...a must try!
(5)
Kelly S.
I stopped in here while out exploring the shops on Madison Ave on a rare 60 degree day in February. Such a pretty shop! I am not sure if they do private events, but it is a great setting for a small gathering. On this particular day, they had a few wines open for tasting. I sampled through them all and ended up buying a bottle. Of course.. the wine I liked the most is $40. I will come back for it on a special occasion. They have over 50 wines under $12.50... two separate tables dedicated to reds and whites in this price point. The staff was welcoming, and I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door. The girl who was leading the tasting was very personable and conversational. I felt very welcome... almost like I had been a long time customer and not a new-comer. I would also like to check out some of the store events. It looks like most of the tastings are complimentary. The more special events and tastings are in the $30 range. Lovely shop! Highly recommended to both wine connoisseurs, novices, and the in-betweens (like me).
(5)
Stephen D.
This is a good wine shop with a decent staff. . . I was about to give up on the prospect of finding one in this area until I stumbled upon this place. For those of you that aren't wine folk, it can be kind of intimidating to walk into a wine boutique. It really doesn't have to be. Questions I've asked have included, "Hey, what's your best cheap red?" or my personal favorite, "I'm going to a garden party what's a good porch pounding white?" Generally, I've been greeted with a smirk and been turned on to delicious wines and no attitude. . . Cheers.
(4)
Joe C.
Neb and his wine shop are the best. They have a great selection of wine at a range of prices. When we needed suggestions for pairing with food, they were dead on. I was abit hesitant with what Neb suggested but decided to give it a shot. I won't doubt him again! We tell everyone we know who is into wine to check it out.
(5)
Marete S.
I was never a big wine drinker until I started shopping at House Red. Neb is very knowledgeable about all sorts of wines and how to pair them. The wine selection at House Red is wonderful and not overwhelming. But the best part about shopping there is the free wine tasting and not feeling pushed into purchasing one of the tasted wines. The price point is also perfect. You can get a great bottle of wine for $15.
(5)
G. S.
What a great atmosphere!! Founded by a group of friends who love chamber music and wine, this shop is a labor of love. Several times a month they host concerts in the intimate concert space in the back of the store (which sports a top-notch grand piano!). The staff is friendly (I really don't know who Yelp reviewer David J. encountered as I know all of the staff) and the service excellent. A particular shout-out to their certified sommelier, Isaiah Estell, who knows his stuff hands-down without being snooty. He's happy to help you find the perfect wine no matter your budget. David J. -- give House Red a second chance!
(5)
Sarah M.
I was so excited to discover my new neighborhood had a wine bar, and this place seemed to have the ambiance I was seeking. Unfortunately, everything that was good about it was limited to the music and the decor. Our server wasn't very natural and didn't make eye contact, which threw me off. The white wine flight I initially tried (the new world I believe it was called) was pretty awful. I never send things back, but my boyfriend said that I should as he wanted me to like the place. One of the other servers offered to bring me another flight, which I appreciated, but it was also disappointing but drinkable. The food we had was a shrimp dish that had the most unappealing sauce on it. We followed that by a white flat bread that had an offensive amount of garlic and onion on it. I love garlic and onion and never thought you could really overdo it; well, I was wrong because after multiple tooth-brushing and mouth-washing sessions, I could still taste it. The owner asked us for our opinion, and we were honest that we didn't enjoy the food due to the amount of garlic and onion (I didn't have the heart to tell him the wine that his place specializes in was also unpalatable). My boyfriend joked that we would need to sleep separately due to the food; the owner just accepted what we had to say, which was puzzling. I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
David J.
I moved to Forest Park from San Francisco and I have been desperately trying to find a source to keep our home flowing with a nice house red and white. While we purchase great wines often and store about 150- 200 great bottles at any one time in our cellar, that is not what I was looking for on this particular day. I walked in on a weekday afternoon as I am lucky enough to have a lot of off hours shopping time. There were no other customers in the store and evidently I wasn't dressed appropriately or I was looking for the wrong item, because I was treated with disdain and dismissed before I could even start speaking about the real wine that I would have purchased from this store. Clearly their business is doing well enough for them to turn me down. I wanted to order 1-2 cases of a reasonably priced wine per month and find a great resource for the good bottles to add to my collection. This is not the place that will make that happen.
(1)
K B.
It's so nice to find a local wine shop with proprietors who really care about their product, their clients, and the atmosphere of their shop. I love this place because Neb is generous with his knowledge of wine, but not pretentious at all. And he makes great recommendations of delicious wines that won't break your bank. I'm so happy to have this place near-by!
(5)
Erin V.
My favorite thing about House Red is that the owner will recognize you and recommend wines based on what you've bought before. He will never steer you wrong with a recommendation. I love that they stock unique items and wines from smaller wineries. And yet, prices are comparable if not better than larger stores. If you're in the area and looking to buy wine, please patronize House Red. If you just like trying a few new wines every month, think about joining their wine club. I did and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)
Scott H.
They carry dozens of new wines every time I visit. The owner's are extremely nice and love giving recommendations and tastings. The store itself is tough for shy people to look around, because of the layout and size, but I would highly recommend asking. You can usually get a short history and geography lesson if you ask about any wine in the store. They are excellent at finding a bottle (or 6) that will fit in your price range, food pairing, or mood.
(5)
Peter N.
This place was already great before the transformation and now it's even better! The owner is a great guy and treated my friend and I like VIP's, when we were last there. The rest of the staff, wine, and food is great as well. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jill D.
I went into this place a few days after they had opened. There were 2 people there working. One person was helping a couple and the other person was...doing nothing. I was looking around for a while and thought at some point the salesperson would approach me but they never did. I was coming from work and was dressed in business clothing. SO I went to Famous Liquor down the block instead to buy my wine.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Sarah J.
Loved it. Warm atmosphere, great music, delicious wine and the meal far exceeded our expectations. We were just planning to stay for a drink and move on... So glad we didn't! I can't wait to return. I'm still dreaming about those Grit Cakes...
(5)Livvy O.
I'm not a big fan of wine, but my friend had a gift certificate here so I went along. The place has a very nice, intimate feel but it's small so the smoke from the kitchen started to swarm the room. The staff opened the doors, but it was still pretty smoky. I know it's a wine bar, but they had a pretty small menu. I got the oysters for an appetizer and the grit cakes for my "large plate". Guess I was in a NOLA kinda mood. The oysters were okay, nicely presented though on a large mound of salt. I didn't know what to expect of the grit cakes, but it was okay. Everything had a nice flavor, but the actual grit cakes were very airy and fluffy which left me still hungry. The portions are small for the price you pay. My friends steak looked good with brussel sprouts. She wasn't too happy - her steak was too rare for her liking and she wasn't a fan of brussel sprouts. I would have rather had that meal though. I love both. Her meal looked more fulfilling. I didn't get wine because I'm not a wine drinker, but ginger ale was good! lol Apparently, the place is closing soon. They are in the process of looking for a new location.
(3)Rui C.
Had an OK experience here. The wine was good and the charcuterie plate was decent, however, the service we received was underwhelming. After reading the other positive reviews for this place I was expecting a knowledgeable sommelier to guide us through choosing wines, but what we actually had was someone who could care less about our experience. Maybe it was because me and my companion look young? Much younger than the other clientele anyway. The server along with who I would assume was the owner, didn't want to pay us the same attention as the other patrons. Overall, we did not feel like it was a welcoming experience and would not be back.
(3)Lindsey E.
House Red is one of my favorite spaces in the Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park area! Sometimes, wine bars can be a bit uppity, but not House Red! The owner, Neb, is invariably friendly and welcoming and boy can he pick wine! His selections are varied and eclectic...and reasonably priced. If you tell him what kinds of flavors you like, he will help you select a flight of wines to taste or a bottle to take home that will be right on the money. I promise! Their selection of appetizers and sharing plates complement the wines well and the space is cozy and warm. I even hosted a wine tasting birthday party here once and working with house red to plan my events was easy breezy. And above all, my guests were floored by the quality of the service and selections. Can't recommend it highly enough!
(5)Marianne D.
What a great little restaurant with fantastic food and good wine. House Red is small and intimate. You can get wine by the glass, flight or bottle. The menu offers charcuterie of cheeses and meats, as well as small plates and large plates. I like that this restaurant sources from local farmers and markets. Upon arrival, we were shown our table and our coats were taken and hung up for us. We started with charcuterie of three cheeses and two meats served with fig jam, grainy mustard and bread. We shared a bottle of a 2009 Brunello di Montalcino, which was an outstanding smooth sangiovese wine. The owner of the restaurant, Neb, uncorked the bottle for us and poured our tasting and then decanted the bottle for us. Neb was hands-on with his customers and very friendly..he was the one who greeted us and took our coats. The staff was attentive and friendly as well. We shared a small plate and two large plates for our dinner. The small plate of duck hash was wonderful...smoked duck with duck fat potatoes, quail egg over micro greens with a vinaigrette. The bite of the quail egg yolk oozing over the hash was perfection. We also had the large plate of butternut squash ravioli, which were delightful little handmade pasta pillows filled with butternut purée and served with mushrooms and Parmesan. Our final selection was a large plate of skirt steak served over a parsnip purée, brussels sprouts, portobello and candied bacon...yum! The steak was very tender and cooked to perfection at medium rare. All the food creations were beautifully presented and layered with flavors that worked so well together. I really enjoyed our first visit here. The food is fantastic, the service great with the personal touch of the owner, and who can deny how good a Brunello di Montalcino is to enjoy with dinner? Make reservations, though, as the space is limited.
(4)Jessie A.
On a recent business visit to the area, I happened upon House Red. Mostly for the atmospheric photos posted by other reviewers, and the promise of a nice glass of wine and pre-dinner antipasti. Well, I love, love, LOVED this place and was not disappointed in the find! In fact, I was welcomed so kindly by the establishment's gracious owner on a cold and snowy night (despite my lack of a reservation), and enjoyed the appetizer and cozy setting SO much, that I decided to stay for dinner and a whole (small) flight of their wonderful, hand-picked wines. The food (I ordered the scallop) was terrific and though the portion was quite dainty, it was just the right amount of food for me after eating an ENTIRE heaping plate of cheeses and meats by myself. And the cheerful conversation and good company of the restaurant's regulars (and host) were equally as enjoyable. I will definitely be back again!
(5)Erika C.
Great little romantic place. Great wines and great food. Service was on point. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Nektaria R.
We arrived at 9:45 not paying attention that they really close at 10. :-) Not a problem. The bartender (not sure if that's what they are called at a wine bar if they are not really a sommelier, then again, I didn't ask for her credentials) was very pleasant and helpful. Got us a glass of water and a wine menu. She then asked if we needed help deciding on the wine. It was Tuesday night so the glasses of wine were 1/2 off, that's a plus, and she took my thoughts on the type of red I like and suggested two different types that were in my price range... although, at 1/2 off for a nice pour, everything falls into my price range. The boy and I picked both of her suggestions, and thus had the opportunity to taste both. Funny, he liked the one I picked (Montepulciano ) and I liked the one he picked (Merlot) so we just switched. It would have been nice to have arrived sooner so we could of sampled some of the menu items... It's god to know that the have 1/2 price bottles on Wednesdays...or maybe it was Thursdays... not sure, it was a really nice glass of wine so I've kind of forgotten those details. We will definitely return and relax and enjoy the cool decor, love the cork end tables.
(4)Roberta S.
Big fan and so sorry it's gone. Can't wait until the owner Neb is able to create a new tasting space elsewhere. Gentrification sucks :-)
(5)Rick I.
Had great time here tonight. Spanish wine and tapas dinner. Was incredible ! Looking forward to next wine dinner event.
(5)Michael N.
Food was awesome no wait time for a table the owner / wine master is always friendly had a wonder date here impressed by this place
(5)Deborah and Robert B.
Having one last glass of wine at this location. Looking forward to Neb's next venture.
(5)L. Danovia ..
Oh man, how I thought I would love this place. NOT! Wine was very over priced, food was okay but service was horrible. As soon as I mentioned that I had a coupon, the waitress seemed like she wanted to escort me out the door. At the close of our meal, we proceeded to pay the bill and the waitress told my husband how much to tip. REALLY? You can be sure that we will not return anytime soon.
(1)Jim P.
Why haven't we discovered this place until now? Quaint, in the greatest sense of the word. Seasonal quality menu with smaller plates that allow you to try and share several items. We loved the build-your-own charcuterie plate. Reasonable and unique wines by the bottle and glass, with a choose-three flight (an excellent Serbian red, who knew?). We'll be back!
(4)Jordan K.
My wife and I dropped in here on a Tuesday evening as a pre-vacation kick-off dinner. We had been meaning to try it for a few months now and finally had an occasion to get out. Being a Tuesday the place wasn't busy, though we did make a reservation online. We walked in and were promptly greeted and had our coats taken and hung up for us and were offered our choice of seats. Being in a quieter place like this on a mid-week evening was a bit awkward, but we settled in after not too long. Our waitress came to ask for our drink order and was very accommodating to my wife's desire for a sweeter wine. She brought something off the menu rather than trying to pin us down to the current specials. I knew pretty quickly that I wanted the skirt steak, but my wife wanted the scallop appetizer. We decided to get them as entrees even though her portion would be pretty small. I was able to abscond with a small morsel and it was excellent. The sauce was well balanced and had a great mix of flavors while not being too complicated. I love steak. I have not had a good steak in Chicago (I can list bona fides, but look at my reviews instead). I mention this knowing that I'll have to go edit a couple dozen reviews once I do find one. That being said, I don't consider a skirt steak in the family of "steak". Skirt steak is a completely different cut of meat that can be very tough and chewy when cooked and (more importantly) cut poorly. This dish is not that. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly medium rare, well sliced on the bias to eliminate chewiness while allow for a tactile and tasteful bite. The parsnip puree made me mistake it for excellent mashed potatoes. I need to research parsnip more. The sauce on the top was excellently paired with the dish and I don't care for sauces on my cuts of beef. The potato, candied bacon, and (ew) mushroom platform upon which it was all built upon was delicious. I know that is vague, but everything melds well together including the mix of textures. I made the mistake of eating most of the meat first (my meat-centric mindset), but this dish would be best represented by grabbing a good portion of everything on the plate. One thing that is easily apparent is that these guys have found a quality chef that cares a lot about his/her food. I would pay more money for this food at a different venue easily. (owners don't get greedy! I like these prices and they work well for FoPa). I think my only critique is that the wine by the glass prices seem a bit steep. Now here is something that I'm not certain about. After having a great evening and a great dinner, my impression is that this place is best suited for a double date, two bottles of wine, and a charcuterie platter despite having never tasted the options. Definitely want to come back, absolutely loved the food, but probably won't come back for a meal. I'm confused by this. I may have to chalk it up to something as vague as 'atmosphere'. I have avoided calling this place a "hole in the wall" as was mentioned to us. I see no reason to believe this place won't become a prominent fixture on Madison Street. We certainly plan on returning with lots of friends.
(5)Liz H.
The length of my review will match the quantity of food on my plate: I had delicious flatbread & skirt steak.
(3)Bjorn H.
Unreal selection of off the beaten path wines. Rustic ambiance, intimate atmosphere. This a great date place or for a quiet drink with friends. Truly a great establishment!!!! Two thumbs way, way up.
(5)samantha b.
I actually used to LOVE this place. Been here a bunch of times. I recently bought my mom a restaurant.com gift certificate to take her here for her birthday! We were so excited and went in and ordered some appetizers and wine. When it was time to pay and we handed the certificate to them they said they were no longer accepting the gift certificate and that the DAY BEFORE was the last day. We asked to speak with the owner because we thought well maybe there would be some wiggle room since we were only a day late and there wasn't anything posted on their website (since I was on it earlier that day). Well a woman came to us saying the same thing and we just said "well that is disappointing" and she says "yeah I'm not really sure WHY that's so disappointing....." in a very rude tone. So I go to exchange the gift certificate on restaurant.com and it wasn't allowing me to so I followed up with a restaurant.com representative and House Red Vinoteca actually signed an AGREEMENT that they are to ACCEPT ALL GIFT CERTIFICATES SOLD. Although they are moving locations, they are supposed to accept the gift certificate regardless. This is TERRIBLE customer service on their part, and I was able to exchange my certificate. I'm sorry, but this type of customer service is unacceptable. We will not be going to the new location.
(1)Bridget B.
Was a little hesitant to come in here for a while because we figured the wine would be overpriced for a limited selection - we couldn't have been more wrong! First of all, I can't say enough positive things about the staff - always friendly, helpful and patient. I don't know too much about wine except that I really like drinking it, but there is one gentleman in particular that always points me in the right direction taste-wise and budget-wise. They offer me a little taste of wines I'm not sure about before purchasing and if I'm going with a white, they will check to see if they have a chilled bottle to send me home with so I'm not having to bring home a warm bottle and I can pop it open and enjoy right away! The selection is amazing and ever-changing. There are always new wines from different countries to try and I don't think I've spent more than $30 on a bottle. We're always impressed and happy with our wine. I've recommended Red House vinoteca to many and will continue to do so!
(5)Grace N.
What a charming little establishment....a place where "everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came," and they work hard to make sure you find a wine that suits your mood or your palate. My husband is not a wine drinker (I'm the family wino), but they were able to find a red that was sweet enough even for him, and I was thrilled to be able to taste a Moldovian red and a S. African white. As for the food, the charcuterie plate was nice (I've never met a charcuterie plate I didn't like), but the pizza came with an odd crispy crust, and the small plates are certainly...well, small. We weren't able to cobble together a fulfilling dinner, especially for my husband who has a heartier appetite, so I would consider it more of a "snacking" menu to enhance the wine, rather than a restaurant. It is a small space, so I would make reservations or arrive early.
(4)Poushali B.
This is a cozy place with friendly people and generous pours. We had a few appetizers - the panzanella and carpaccio, both were excellent. We had a wonderful time and are looking to return soon.
(5)Patricia F.
We came on Wednesday night for the wine flight and had charcuterie along with it. Meat and cheese selection was wonderful. Wines were fine, nothing special. We were never told about the vintners. Comfortable.
(4)Rhonda G.
Great little wine shop that I visited on this past Small Business Saturday. I appreciate how helpful (and non-pushy) the staff is. They don't have anything that I really recognized which is good, made me feel like I was experiencing something a little different than I would at your run of the mill booze emporium (not that I have anything against them). I tasted a couple of wines and walked away with a few bottles of wine for the holidays (or before if I can't wait which is probably more likely). I would really like to visit again with a couple of girlfriends and sit and stay for a while and enjoy a few more of the offerings. Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in my book.
(5)Larry K.
High quality Illinois and Wisconsin meats and cheeses compliment unpretentious atmosphere and wine list. Entrees are beautifully presented and delicious. Will be back.
(5)James P.
Good atmosphere, friendly knowledgeable owner, great wine, great food!
(5)Tina C.
Panzenella salad with octopus was light and refreshing. Octopus was grilled nicely. Flavor profile was great. Also had the creme brulee...honestly not enough custard..and to much sugar :( but the taste was there. Brisket was nicely done. Ill be back :)
(4)Samantha K.
There's something simple and elegant about Small plates. House Red does it right! They have wine tastings weekly which is a great way to start a night or catchup with friends. The wine flights are decently priced and all of their staff is very knowledgable. This place is wall to walk fermented grapes and lots to taste and purchase!
(5)Cheree M.
I recently came here with a group of mom's from the western suburbs and I really enjoyed myself. The menu is limited but I think everyone could find something that they liked. I was delighted by the prices and the food was really good. The service was grade A and I like the ambiance a lot. I spent much more than I anticipated ( $50) but I had a cheese plate $16, and 3 glasses of wine. I look forward to returning with my hubby!
(4)Donna S.
I have been there 3 times now and tried the evolving menu. Loved the wine flights, things i have never tried before or seen in the store. Great waitress new a lot about what she was serving. I like others wish this was open just one hour later every evening. Heard a nice jazz trio one evening. Will be there again soon. During the vortex this past winter it was a bit chilly. Heads up it is coming again.
(5)amanda m.
Yesterday was my first time at House Red, and I really enjoyed it. I will definetly go back.
(4)Dena M.
Nice atmosphere, great food and decent wine selection by glass...waitstaff pleasant.
(5)Eddie B.
We sat on the sidewalk patio and enjoyed two small plates and one each of their red and white wine flights. The service was excellent and the wine was very good. If you're like me and don't do well making choices, I suggest getting a flight so you can try several things at once. They brought us toast and spiced nuts as a palate cleanser upon request. We didn't order any hot entrees so I can't speak to the dinner menu. We did order the chummus plate, which had a goodly helping of delicious smoked paprika covering all, as well as the rich and spreadable mojo verde goat cheese plate. One unfortunate side effect of sitting on the sidewalk is that Madison Street is ringed with bars, and bars mean 40-something harpy smokers standing six feet away from you and then tossing their butts to the sidewalk before heading back in. The owner of House Red Vinoteca was kind enough to ask the business next store to chase the harpies away when they regrouped to ruin our dinner, but there was only so much he could do. The effort was still appreciated. We came on Friday night expecting live music, but as of 8:45 when we had finished our dinner, the music hadn't begun. Not sure when or whether that was going to happen. Overall this is a solidly above-average spot and especially good for wine fans. We will be back. Updated 10/14/2013: We came back, and I was blown away by the service. We ordered a half bottle of malbec, but the waitress informed us they had only a single glass left. We ordered a half bottle of something else, and wouldn't have thought twice about it, until they brought out the remainder of the malbec to us gratis along with our meal. I feel highly valued here and we will absolutely return often.
(5)Cathleen F.
I really kind of love this place ... a lot. [This is completely irrelevant info, but here goes: celebrities hang out here. Well, not really. But once, recently, when we stopped in for a drink and snack, "David from Roseanne" walked in with a bunch of friends. I said to my husband, "That's David from Roseanne," and he said, "Yeah, that looks like him," and I was all, "No, that IS him." It was. He and his friends stayed for awhile; they were still there when we left, in fact, about 45 minutes later. Apparently (as I learned from my scolding FB friends), he's now known as "Leonard from Big Bang Theory," but I don't watch that show. So, cool and crazy, right? No? Why am I the only one who cares about this? ... OK, I've wasted enough of your time with this story.) The things that I LOVE (besides celebrity-spottings ... er spotting): 1. Great FOOD! Seriously, gourmet quality nibblings and entrees. Excellent cheese plate. 2. Great selection of Eastern European wine. And if you're on the fence about what to order or a complete novice, ask for recommendations. 3. Cool atmosphere. It's small, well-lit but still has this fantastic, cozy, neighborhoody wine bar feel. 4. While it's not really a place for kids, if you stroll in with a little one in tow for a quick glass of wine, assuming you have a well-behaved kid, the staff is quite welcoming. 5. As a Forest Parker, I just dig that this place is in "my" neighborhood. I call it "my local wine bar" and ... I don't know. I'm just kind of proud of it. If you haven't yet, check it out. Oh, and a tip: Sit at the bar and chat with the owner/staff. Good conversation, good times! The things I DON'T love about this place: 1. It closes too early.
(5)David B.
Really love this place! First time we went there was on a Thursday night for the free tastings, The owner really took the time to talk about the wine and was really friendly. The look and feel of the place makes you just want to hang out there for hours. The wine selection is great albeit a bit overpriced, but considering it's a small business I was Ok with it. The atosmspere is laid back, the music playing is really cool and service was top notch. We've been back several times and will continue to support this great little wine bar!!
(4)robert a.
Fan Yep Why Wine. I had some idea that this place existed, I also had some inclination that I may enjoy it. I did nothing about it for a good while. Some weeks back me and the misses decided to go on a little stroll of the RF area of our world. For those of you from other parts of the world (of just uppity mother sons a bitches from the city) [calm down I love the city, and you too]. The RF is apart of the little "park / forest" area west Chicago. Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Elmwood Park. So anyway me and the misses were strolling down Madison street doing a progressive crawl from joint to joint. we just happened to stop in to House Red, mainly because it was hot, and we wanted break from the light cannon above us. The place was quaint, charming, and well put together. It seemed like it would somewhere you could listen to Neil Diamond, or Miles Davis and feel alright about either. The staff was very helpful, the wine flights were pleasant, and nice small plate food that pared well with the wine. I have been back many times since that day, and will continue to go back.
(4)Jodie K.
What a wonderful evening of wine and dine. I was there by myself so sat at the bar and enjoyed feeling like part of the family between the Thursday night wine tasting, lots of passion for wine, lots to learn about wine and great food to go along with it all. Thank you to the cast and crew of House Red.
(5)Lola K P.
I LOVE this absolutely sleek chic but oh-so-accessible, casual neighborhood wine bar/shop! I love stopping in just for a nice glass, some cheese and a chat with Neb when he has the time, and sampling all of Laura's culinary creations (the s'mores are heavenly). Whether you're a seasoned Sonoma snob (me) or brand-new to wine, Neb will ask you what you like and is uncanny about his choices for you. He truly enjoys and knows wine and he's just as happy and enthusiastic discussing my Amarone as he did with my girlfriend's budget Reisling. There's a wide variety of boutique and small-batch wines here, many from places I didn't know made wines (Croatia?) so I'm always on a little adventure with his samples. There's often special events like dessert nights, winemaker highlights/visits, and painting classes (love!), to keep you coming back over and over again. I love this place!
(5)Simon R.
Great place for a romantic dinner- intimate setting, superb food, extensive wine selection, friendly and efficient staff, reasonable prices , and an owner who is present and truly cares about all aspects of service- what else can one ask for ? Highly recommended !!!
(5)Jelena Z.
Update: House Red is now House Red Vinoteca. Still the same friendly neighborhood wine shop you've come to know and love, but they now offer food. God knows I could use a liberal bite or ten when I'm here for their prolific complimentary wine tastings. My sister and her husband just moved to neighboring Oak Park and I met my brother-in-law here this past Friday evening for the Vinejoy tasting. I'm pretty sure my sister would have preferred us staying home and unpacking three trillion boxes, but we needed a "relax". And my relaxes typically consist of juicy red wine and ooooh-inducing cheeses. We settled in with a couple of glasses of red (featured wines are only $5/glass from 4-7 on Fridays!) and were soon presented with a beautiful plate of olives, prosciuitto, soppressata, flatbread and two types of cheese. No exaggeration - the truffled cheese will be one of the best things you'll ever eat. Easily the best cheese, anyway! We tried to purchase some to take home from owner Neb, but as it turns out he buys it for consumption on the premises only from an Italian importer who doesn't skimp on quality. Really, we're desperate to have this cheese again... addiction is real. Next time you're walking by House Red Vinoteca on bustling Madison Ave, give them a try! I'm certain you'll be happy you did.
(5)Brett C.
What a great little find in Forest Park. Located in the heart of Forest Park this small wine shop, now upgraded to Vinoteca is a fabulous establishment that I would recommend to any wine lover. Small and quaint with a great selection of wines. Neb, is incredibly knowledgeable and is a pleasure to talk to. They consistently have tasting and pairing events that are a must attend if you have the time. Stopped in with friends for a Spanish wine tasting a few weeks ago and I am a true fan of this place. If you are ever in the Forest Park area you need to check out House Red. ** Update It says I have 11 check-ins here, realistically it's probably closer to 20. I have yet to have a bad evening here. Menu is constantly updated with tasty small plates from their chef. I may be disappointed that something is taken off but happy to see the new items. We attend the Friday tastings or the entertainment they have scheduled. It's such a fun place. We never look at the wine list anymore. We tell Neb what we are in the mood for and he brings a wine to our table that is always on point. Cheers!
(5)Jenny Z.
I've been to House Red a handful of times now-it's always an outstanding experience with great wine and food (the cheese plate is excellent). It is a gorgeous wine bar with a laid back and unpretentious feel-and of course a wine shop as well. I don't consider myself a wine expert in the least-you can describe what type of wine you want without using the wine expert lingo and I've always gotten exactly what I'd hoped for:) The owner, Neb, will pick out a great wine for you if you ask him. There are tons of events (some free!) and jazz on Friday evenings, which is great. My friends and I always end up here whenever we go out and it's a great way to end or start an evening!
(5)Kevin S.
Totally impressed by this place, and more importantly, my girlfriend was. NOTE TO GUYS: Take a girl here, it's easy to get to, not crazy expensive, and just a cool little place. They'll be impressed, it will make your life a lot easier. I came here on a Thursday night. They do a free wine tasting from 5-7. I made a reservation for dinner at 6:30, but when we walked in it was mostly empty (Sometimes that can be a bad sign, but I think we were just early. By the end of our meal, it had filled up quite a bit later) We got our table when we arrived and then asked about the wine tasting. The owner / sommelier does it at the wine bar. He was featuring several different wines from the Baltic region. Now I'm a craft beer guy, but I'll venture into the wine realm from time to time. Everything he offered was tasty and he was pretty much a wine historian. They have a large selection, but not overly large. Talking to the owner it seems like there is a reason every single wine they serve is there. I hope to one day know as much about something as he knows about wine, Our server, Jessica, was awesome. Very attentive and quite knowledgeable. She was friendly and gave us lots of recommendations when asked, which we pretty much went with for our food and wine, all of which were excellent. AND NOW TO THE FOOD: The menu is small but offers a variety of choices. Everything's on there for a reason, and you want to try every dish. Unfortunately it was only the two of us so that was not in the cards tonight. Small plates/starters will run $10-$12 and the entrees in the $15-$20 range. We split 5 dishes. The Pork Patte, Beet Salad, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Shrimp, and molten chocolate cabernet cake. Quinoa Beet Salad- Nice, light starter. A good mix of beets an arugula tossed in a light vinagrette. It was the perfect amount of dressing, and a nice light way to start the dinner off. I'm not a huge fan of Quinoa, so it didn't add a ton to the dish for me, but it was worth getting. Pork Pate- AWESOME. I really enjoyed this. Served with toasted french bread and some stone ground mustard and shopska (basically a diced mixture of vegetables, cheese and vinegar). Get this. Sweet Potato Gnocchi- I could eat this for the next year and not get tired of it. My favorite dish. The Gnocchi had the perfect texture. Just a little bit crisp on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. Add in a little chicken sausage with wilted kale and this dish was ridiculous. Shrimp Bazura- The waitress described this as "stupid good". I would definitely agree, the shrimp was well prepared. I only wish there was a little more of the garlic-tomato broth for the toast points to soak up. Molten Chocolate Cabernet Cake- Quite tasty. Not a huge portion, but enough for two people to split if they want some desert. Everything tasted good, our cake didn't particularly have the "gooey center" the menu lists, but the texture was more like a brownie. Raspberry coulis and ice cream all paired well. Those dishes, a bottle of wine, and two glasses of wine all together cost us about $106 + tip. To sum it up: Check this place out. I'll be back.
(5)Tina T.
If you hadn't realized, I am a wine fanatic. So much so that I'm finally studying for my sommelier certification, so that I can talk, taste, and write intelligently about it. And House Red is a great wine bar. The thing I love about independently owned Wine Bars is that their selection of wines, food, and events is a direct reflection of the appetites of the owners. And that's what makes each wine bar so unique in the types of wine they carry, etc. So House Red intrigues me because they emphasize a great selection of Old world wines, along with the New world selection. Even better, they don't just carry the typical French and Italian wines. This is the first place that I discovered the wines of Croatia. Never even thought about their wines, but the server explained that since they are right across from Puglia, Italy, they also are well known for their great Primitivo wines (which is simply a young Zinfandel). Who knew? We tried a fabulous wine that I am sold on - love learning and finding out unusual things like this! Their food is great, plus the atmosphere is warm and intimate. I highly recommend them if you are near the hood!
(5)Bill K.
My wife and I had walked by House Red many times but not being wine connoisseurs we had never ventured in. Last night wanting to try something different we decided to give it a go. I usually get a headache from wine but the owner Neb after asking a few questions about my past reaction to different wines guided our selections and I sipped happily with no headache later on. The Balkan Night menu was delicious. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with delightful strolling guitars which added to the fun without challenging our ability to hear one another. Neb provided a bit of an education about wines from small European vineyards and I can now say I love wine from Macedonia. We had a great night at House Red Vinoteca and we will definitely be back!
(5)Victoria L.
This is better than Flight 112 (which is practically next door). The owner is very knowledgeable about wine and will even give you free samples. The food is outstanding and dessert is handmade in house. A great place for dates, for an intimate setting. They have live music as well on some nights.
(4)Juxtapoz B.
We love Vinoteca. Currently having wine at the bar: the owner is usually here and he knows wine. Eaten here three times and love the food. Great atmosphere, love the lounge decor, tasteful art, and friendly service. Can't go wrong. There's even a couch.
(5)maggie l.
A wonderful parade of food and wine. The owner Neb and chef Scott were both so very personable. There was live music also. You really can't go wrong at this place. The atmosphere is really cool. Go!
(5)Emily D.
To me, HRV is the perfect place to start a party. From book club to bachelorette. Nice and slow, let them pick the pour and collapse onto the couch. Your head thrown back in laughter but also to guzzle the impressive selection of grapey delights. I know it's not meant to be sloshed about so haphazardly, but the white wine pour of the night was yumzies. Gulp. As were the small plates. We shared the baked brie (you've never had it like this) and the tomato flatbread (I would get the chorizo one next time, sizzle). We noshed, we spoke of escapades abroad and our own vulnerabilities. . . we enjoyed each others' company which is exactly what makes HRV special. Inviting. To me, it felt like sitting in my best friend's kitchen. The service was attentive and friendly. Like "Pull up a chair and join us!" friendly. And if you choose, the wine keeps flowing and you keep chatting. . . and then the sun comes up.
(5)Gordon P.
Very cool. Not really my kind of place but my girl loved it. Incredible selection of wine. The cheese and meat platter is delish. Have that and some wine, then got to Duffy's where you can afford to drink!
(4)K. E.
This place consistently impresses me. We recently got a Groupon Now and tried sitting down for a light meal for the first time. The owner put together two wine flights based on our tastes, and we were completely delighted. Be sure to try the house red Malbec, which the owner worked with a winemaker to create just for the store - you can't get it anywhere else!! The food was very nice. The cheese plate was quite wonderful - I am not really a huge fan of brie but it was excellent, light and creamy at the same time, and the blue was not too strong. We tried a salad and a crab dip special, both very good as well. The chef herself comes out and will talk to you about the food. We left with two bottles of wine at amazingly reasonable prices, considering the quality. I don't see how you can go wrong here. I love the way the shop is evolving into a relaxing cafe. The seating is also interesting, different levels and styles of tables and chairs, plus a small bar. Great, great, all great.
(5)Gayle F.
This place is a must if you like wine. We are regulars and are always amazed at the variety and excellence Neb (the owner) packs into this place. The prices are fabulous too. You can get an amazing bottle of wine for under $20. No more warehouse shopping (at least for wine!) You can also eat/do happy hour/hang out at House of Red. These are relatively recent additions to the store. It is a beautiful (and comfortable) wine bar that we can walk too - love it.
(5)Nick D.
House Red is a nice place to go on a short date for a couple glasses of wine and some wine snacks. Sometimes they have special event tastings where you can try new wines and mingle. The store is very clean and open. It just a short walk from my home in Oak Park so it makes a great spot for frequent visits in the spring and summer.
(3)C S.
Great place for wine and live music during the weekend!
(4)Keith B.
House Red Vinoteca is my favorite restaurant in the OP/RF/FP area. The food is excellent, the wine selection is very intelligent, and the venue is great. We recently held our rehearsal dinner here. It was tremendous. Planning the menu with the chef, Scott, was fun. He was great to work with. The owner, Neb, is always a pleasure, and the rest of the staff are always friendly and knowledgeable. The feedback from our guests was uniformly enthusiastic, and we had a great time. Highest recommendation.
(5)Christina G.
I like this place a lot, especially the concept. Unfortunately I came on a night when there was some sort of holiday festival on Madison street so it was a lot of people with kids wandering in, big families. However, the owner was there and talked to us about the wines and what we might like or not, with a couple of good picks. The food was okay--it came out really fast which is an indicator of pre-prepared instead of fresh. Personally I liked the soup butternut squash or pumpkin, can't remember) but the flat bread could have been more robust. Looking forward to trying this place again on a regular night.
(3)Karen Anne B.
What a stooge I am for not reviewing House Red before. Geez. I was more on beer for a bit hadn't been in the the store for a long time, but when we returned we were glad to find it unchanged. A nice selection of wines, many reasobably priced (great wines $20 or less or in the $20-30 range). Of course, if you are looking for a bottle of higher end/higher priced wine they have some great options there as well. The owner is friendly and happy to inform you about some of the wines and answer any questions. They have a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Definitely go check it out, they do lots of tastings too.
(5)Walt D.
House Red has an identity problem. All of their communications say "wine experts or "wine bar," but the wine list wasn't large or impressive and the expertise was nowhere to be found. But the killer was the mediocre guitarist with no vocal technique struggling with easy listening standards from the 40s to the 90s for the whole evening. Consistently annoying. Worse was his awkward visit to every table asking if we were enjoying the music. We'd have been honest but we were enjoying Mothers' Day and didn't want to make a scene. But the good news was how terrific the food was. Everything from the shortish menu was delicious and even inventive. They'd get us back if they'd recognize their strengths as a restaurant, expand the menu, focus their energy, and lose the awful music. Especially the music.
(2)Anne P.
We did a fun run on 3/17 and added House Red as one of our stops. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us, despite the stinky running clothes. The sparkling wine was great and Scott, the executive chef, was helpful and friendly. Couldn't have been more impressed.
(5)Julie A.
My soon to be family-in-law hosted our engagement party here, and it was great. They don't provide food, so you need to bring your own, but the people working here were very laid back and told everyone about the wines when we went up to get a glass. I love the feeling of this store - very rustic, earthy, and there is a lot of wine to look at. The people working here are very knowledgeable, and overall it was a great experience. I would come back in a heart beat to buy wine - they have a wonderful, affordable selection. And the party was great, too!
(4)Mary Ann C.
Love this place! Affordable wine (unique too) and helpful staff. Love the new bar set up, as we have purchased wine here for years at the shop. Relaxing and lovely!
(5)Christine K.
Good food, great wine, good service.
(4)D S D.
Great food, very quaint and made to order.
(5)James T.
I have been coming to House Red for the past 4 years. This place has schooled me in wine. Some of the best wines, everyday wines, and so many amazing experiences to be had here. The dinner pairings, the tastings and music events at House Red are amazing! A must for anyone who loves wine.
(5)Amaliya L.
I was recently invited to a "Mom's Night Out' outing by one of the mums in my son's preschool. The event was hosted at House of Red. The store is very warm and inviting. Neb selected 5 wines for us to try. He also put together a table of Cheese and fruits to complement our tasting. My favorite was actually their house white table wine. It was crisp and clean on the palate. Bonus, a bottle only cost $12. Proof positive that many good and favorites wines can be found for under $15. I highly recommend House Red. I am not an avid drinker. I only drink/ taste to enhance a meal. Before this event, I had not had a drop of alcohol for over a year. For me to enjoy and actually like a wine requires quite a lot. I refuse to drink bad wine. House Red sold me. Be sure to join their email list or fan their Facebook page. House Red often hosts wine dinners and tastings throughout the month.
(5)Tina K.
House Red is my favorite Chicago-area wine store! My husband and I have been going to House Red for years and belong to one of their wine clubs. The collection of wine is small, but diverse. The owners do a great job of selecting a nice variety of wine that mostly includes smaller wine makers from all over the world, rather than the mass-produced wines available at places like Binny's. The owners are friendly and very helpful. When we've gone in for recommendations, they have always been spot on. Plus, they host free tastings on Saturdays... it's nice to wander in and discover a new favorite wine!
(5)Brian P.
If you loved House Red as your go to wine shop, you'll love it even more now that Neb and his partners have added a Vinoteca. We went in with friends last night (there are only about 10 seating areas, so reservations are recommended) around 8 pm and were immediately greeted (and remembered by) Neb. It is only their second weekend of being a wine bar and usually you expect things to be a little slow, but the opposite was true. We actually had Neb and two other servers all check on us! The four of us each tried a different wine flight which were extremely well priced at about $12 for three different 2.5 ounces servings of wine. We also had a cheese plate which came with red peppers, bread, and a selection of olives. The meat plate we shared was also very good with a selection of different cured meats including a chicken pate infused with cognac which was excellent. I think it goes without saying that all the wine selections were top notch as well. Neb clearly knows his vinos so we are all very comfortable with him making our selections and we weren't disappointed. All in all, the vinoteca is welcome addition to House Red and a great extension of Neb's passion for wine and making sure everyone enjoys themselves whenever they stop in. Great place, great ambiance, and great service. Check it out soon, we will be back often.
(5)Rasmus N.
My husband and I were there after a horrific experience at Jimmy's place to tie a few on and we had a great time! The place was packed which I was happy to see. If you haven't been there, it's very cozy and looks exactly what you'd expect and want a local, privately owned wine shop to look like. We sat at the little bar area they now have and were served by the owner who apologized because they were short staffed by agreed to open a bottle of cava for me as a "staff pick" (I was delighted because staff pick Thursdays are $5 glasses but sparkling is rarely included in wine bars' discounted glass specials). YIPPEEE - mama's got her cava! Owner was very personable and very smart about all of his wines. Served us a very nice Croatian red that he also counted as a $5 staff pick...and also had a really interesting story to tell behind it. Brought out complimentary pita chips for us to snack on. Furthermore, they serve in Reidel glassware which I love. To me, the presentation is 70% of the hospitality experience. One suggestion to the owner - how about piping in some music when you don't have live musicians?? Just a thought ;) All in all a WONDERFUL experience.
(5)Alice H.
House Red is a little gem of a place. Intimate and casual feeling like being in your own living room. Neb (owner), Linda (sommelier), and the wait staff are more like hosts than servers, and they encourage new wines, opening up our tastes, etc. The little plates/ tapas are excellent. Go discover new wines! It's a big wine world out there and Neb brings wines from Serbia, etc, to our attention.
(5)Pete L.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Excellent food and wine. Great atmosphere especially for a date!
(5)Christina S.
I love this place. Every time I've been in they've been so helpful and kind, even though I rarely, if ever, buy a bottle that costs more than $15. I love wine, but I find pairing to be kind of intimidating sometimes, and the staff is great at suggesting wines that will go well with what I'm making. And they get one extra star for being chill enough to let me bring my dog into the store. We were out for a walk and my boyfriend went in to get a bottle of wine for dinner. When the guy working saw me waiting outside with the pooch, he came out and told me I could come in. I thought that was nice. Crazy, seeing as my dog is a spaz, but nice. :) I know this sounds silly, but it's a huge plus for us, because we pass the store all the time, but most of those times are when we are walking the dog, so it's nice to know we can just stop in, animal in tow. Yay for unstuffy, pet-friendly wine stores!
(5)Melissa K.
House Red has such a warm and quant feeling. The staff in general are friendly when approached. However, they aren't proactive in helping you if you don't approach them first. They have a email dist list that you can sign-up for to receive info about events. On another note, they were supposed to call me when they received more of a certain white (that's always sold-out). Needless to say, I never received a call, which was annoying.
(2)Cristina T.
Bought a Groupon deal & decided to check out House Red with some family from out of town. We both got wine flights & a cheese plate along with dessert. Service was extremely friendly and comfortable and everything was delicious. We especially enjoyed the s'mores that were made with a pretzel graham cracker. The cheeses were high quality as well as the wine selections that were made for us. They have specials a few days a week, which I will be coming back for. Great local establishment!
(4)Tee S.
I just discovered this place last week and want to share my experience. I was invited to a dinner party where I was not told what food would be served, but was asked to bring a specific, slighty-obscure type of wine to pair with one of the courses. I called House Red to see if they had dry Riesling in stock, and Neb picked up the phone. He was so patient, knowledgeable, and helpful, I told him I'd be in later that afternoon. When I arrived at the store a few hours later, Neb had 3 different bottles of wine on the counter, waiting for me to inspect. Wow. I've never experienced that kind of service, anywhere, AND, the wine was fantastic and reasonably priced. You seriously can't go wrong here. I totally agree with other reviewers - Neb's knowledge and passion are unmatched. House Red has my wine business from now on.
(5)Vava B.
We stopped here on a whim while in the area. Glad we stopped in! Marco and Neb were so gracious. We had a white and red wine flight w/cheese plate. They were very knowledgable w/the wines. The make a great apricot preserve that goes with the domestic cheese platter...a must try!
(5)Kelly S.
I stopped in here while out exploring the shops on Madison Ave on a rare 60 degree day in February. Such a pretty shop! I am not sure if they do private events, but it is a great setting for a small gathering. On this particular day, they had a few wines open for tasting. I sampled through them all and ended up buying a bottle. Of course.. the wine I liked the most is $40. I will come back for it on a special occasion. They have over 50 wines under $12.50... two separate tables dedicated to reds and whites in this price point. The staff was welcoming, and I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door. The girl who was leading the tasting was very personable and conversational. I felt very welcome... almost like I had been a long time customer and not a new-comer. I would also like to check out some of the store events. It looks like most of the tastings are complimentary. The more special events and tastings are in the $30 range. Lovely shop! Highly recommended to both wine connoisseurs, novices, and the in-betweens (like me).
(5)Stephen D.
This is a good wine shop with a decent staff. . . I was about to give up on the prospect of finding one in this area until I stumbled upon this place. For those of you that aren't wine folk, it can be kind of intimidating to walk into a wine boutique. It really doesn't have to be. Questions I've asked have included, "Hey, what's your best cheap red?" or my personal favorite, "I'm going to a garden party what's a good porch pounding white?" Generally, I've been greeted with a smirk and been turned on to delicious wines and no attitude. . . Cheers.
(4)Joe C.
Neb and his wine shop are the best. They have a great selection of wine at a range of prices. When we needed suggestions for pairing with food, they were dead on. I was abit hesitant with what Neb suggested but decided to give it a shot. I won't doubt him again! We tell everyone we know who is into wine to check it out.
(5)Marete S.
I was never a big wine drinker until I started shopping at House Red. Neb is very knowledgeable about all sorts of wines and how to pair them. The wine selection at House Red is wonderful and not overwhelming. But the best part about shopping there is the free wine tasting and not feeling pushed into purchasing one of the tasted wines. The price point is also perfect. You can get a great bottle of wine for $15.
(5)G. S.
What a great atmosphere!! Founded by a group of friends who love chamber music and wine, this shop is a labor of love. Several times a month they host concerts in the intimate concert space in the back of the store (which sports a top-notch grand piano!). The staff is friendly (I really don't know who Yelp reviewer David J. encountered as I know all of the staff) and the service excellent. A particular shout-out to their certified sommelier, Isaiah Estell, who knows his stuff hands-down without being snooty. He's happy to help you find the perfect wine no matter your budget. David J. -- give House Red a second chance!
(5)Sarah M.
I was so excited to discover my new neighborhood had a wine bar, and this place seemed to have the ambiance I was seeking. Unfortunately, everything that was good about it was limited to the music and the decor. Our server wasn't very natural and didn't make eye contact, which threw me off. The white wine flight I initially tried (the new world I believe it was called) was pretty awful. I never send things back, but my boyfriend said that I should as he wanted me to like the place. One of the other servers offered to bring me another flight, which I appreciated, but it was also disappointing but drinkable. The food we had was a shrimp dish that had the most unappealing sauce on it. We followed that by a white flat bread that had an offensive amount of garlic and onion on it. I love garlic and onion and never thought you could really overdo it; well, I was wrong because after multiple tooth-brushing and mouth-washing sessions, I could still taste it. The owner asked us for our opinion, and we were honest that we didn't enjoy the food due to the amount of garlic and onion (I didn't have the heart to tell him the wine that his place specializes in was also unpalatable). My boyfriend joked that we would need to sleep separately due to the food; the owner just accepted what we had to say, which was puzzling. I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)David J.
I moved to Forest Park from San Francisco and I have been desperately trying to find a source to keep our home flowing with a nice house red and white. While we purchase great wines often and store about 150- 200 great bottles at any one time in our cellar, that is not what I was looking for on this particular day. I walked in on a weekday afternoon as I am lucky enough to have a lot of off hours shopping time. There were no other customers in the store and evidently I wasn't dressed appropriately or I was looking for the wrong item, because I was treated with disdain and dismissed before I could even start speaking about the real wine that I would have purchased from this store. Clearly their business is doing well enough for them to turn me down. I wanted to order 1-2 cases of a reasonably priced wine per month and find a great resource for the good bottles to add to my collection. This is not the place that will make that happen.
(1)K B.
It's so nice to find a local wine shop with proprietors who really care about their product, their clients, and the atmosphere of their shop. I love this place because Neb is generous with his knowledge of wine, but not pretentious at all. And he makes great recommendations of delicious wines that won't break your bank. I'm so happy to have this place near-by!
(5)Erin V.
My favorite thing about House Red is that the owner will recognize you and recommend wines based on what you've bought before. He will never steer you wrong with a recommendation. I love that they stock unique items and wines from smaller wineries. And yet, prices are comparable if not better than larger stores. If you're in the area and looking to buy wine, please patronize House Red. If you just like trying a few new wines every month, think about joining their wine club. I did and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)Scott H.
They carry dozens of new wines every time I visit. The owner's are extremely nice and love giving recommendations and tastings. The store itself is tough for shy people to look around, because of the layout and size, but I would highly recommend asking. You can usually get a short history and geography lesson if you ask about any wine in the store. They are excellent at finding a bottle (or 6) that will fit in your price range, food pairing, or mood.
(5)Peter N.
This place was already great before the transformation and now it's even better! The owner is a great guy and treated my friend and I like VIP's, when we were last there. The rest of the staff, wine, and food is great as well. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Jill D.
I went into this place a few days after they had opened. There were 2 people there working. One person was helping a couple and the other person was...doing nothing. I was looking around for a while and thought at some point the salesperson would approach me but they never did. I was coming from work and was dressed in business clothing. SO I went to Famous Liquor down the block instead to buy my wine.
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