It’s Saturday night. Your stomach is howling for the fancy stuff. But you don’t have reservations anywhere, and there’s no use in frantically calling around now. Don’t resign yourself to pizza and beer. Here’s what you do: Grab your coat and head to one of these restaurants, where walk-ins who don’t mind dining at the bar stand a chance against the prime-time crush.
Room 21
Jerry Kleiner’s latest is roomy, so booking a Saturday table usually isn’t a problem if you call by Tuesday. Of course, if you’re not the plan-ahead type, that’s not much help. No worries. Room 21 bartenders graciously accommodate weekend walk-ins, draping white linens in the lounge area and delivering tasty bites such as Berkshire pork cheeks and crab cakes to couples perched at the bar.
Call-ahead time for a reservation: Four days to a week for weekends
Wait for a seat in the bar: Most folks get seated right away; if you do have to wait, expect not more than a 20-minute wait.
Boka
For all its bar action, Lincoln Park can sometimes feel wanting for fine dining. That’s where this stylish spot enters. Don’t let the packed dining room discourage you—just say you’ll take the next available lounge spot. You’ll quickly be noshing chef Giuseppe Tentori’s creative contemporary American food in a plush swivel chair by the windows fronting Halsted Street.
Call-ahead time: At least one week for a Saturday-night reservation
Wait for a seat in the bar: About 30 minutes, tops—often much sooner
Brasserie Ruhlmann
This place is so opulent you might feel a little weird eating in the bar. You shouldn’t: The upscale River North brasserie encourages walk-ins—and who cares if you have to wait a bit? The lounge is a people-watching paradise. Throw your name on the list, order some juicy French wine and dream of the seafood platter you’re going to devour once a spot frees up at the bar.
Call-ahead time: A couple of weeks for a Saturday-night table
Wait for a seat in the bar: 30 minutes to an hour—sometimes more. But remember: Wine plus people-watching equals fun time-kill.
Want a weekend table at this hot West Loop restaurant? Good luck. The good news, however, is that Sepia has walk-in options. Your best bet: communal tables reserved specifically so procrastinators can still get a crack at tasty dishes such as pork rillettes with pistachio brittle. If that doesn’t work, opt for whatever space turns up at the small bar and lounge, where vintage details like reclaimed marble tables and weathered floor treatments cement the speakeasy vibe.
Call-ahead time: A month for a prime weekend reservation
Wait for a seat in the bar: If you’re lucky, you’ll snag something right away. Otherwise, expect to wait 30 minutes or so.
Terragusto
This Roscoe Village foodie fave is usually a madhouse, but it’s not impossible to score a seat at the bar on a busy night. We know what you’re thinking: What bar? Isn’t Terragusto BYOB? Indeed, it is—but don’t overlook the pasta bar, a cool butcher-block pasta table that can accommodate three, maybe four, desperate diners. With only a few seats available, this bar is a gamble. Chef Theo Gilbert’s made-from-scratch pasta, however, is a sure bet.
Call-ahead time: Two weeks to a month out for prime-time weekend seating; there’s a waiting list, so you might slip in if there’s a cancellation.
Wait for a seat in the bar: The pasta bar is hit or miss. Bit if you miss, stick around; dining on the quick between reservations isn’t unheard of here.
Fred Schlatter is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com
