Cafe 103: User Reviews

Just OK
By chick13 from Logan Square, September 21, 2008

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I was excited to try this new place in Beverly!!! Sadly, it is definitely not somewhere that I will go back to. The service and atmosphere were excellent, but the food truly didn't follow suit. The mixed green salad was excellent for starters, but after that it all fell apart. I had the chicken and my friends had the halibut. My chicken was dry even for chicken and seasonless. My friends' halibut was far too small and over simplified for the $26 price tag. Not enough originality to be considered fine dining. We went home poorer and just as hungry as when the night started out. With a little work this place could be excellent and I hope that it gets there.

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Awesome food, still hungry
By rowley from bucktown, August 15, 2008

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My wife and I were excited to read about a decent place in Beverly, an area where most consider Wendy’s fine dining (sorry, we grew up there). We were initially thrown off by the nondescript storefront, closet sized room and perplexing décor, but the typical trappings of fine dining were revealed soon enough, with the smooth white tablecloths, guitar pick shaped appetizer plates and attentive wait staff. We split the seared scallop appetizer, then she ordered the Amish Chicken and I had the 8 oz. filet. We sampled each other’s meal, and everything was absolutely terrific, all the food was truly well prepared. But at the risk of sounding like a boorish oaf, it simply wasn’t enough food. I realize you don’t come to these places to chow down, but there’s something disconcerting about dropping $90 and 90 minutes later you’re as hungry as when you walked in. We actually had to grab a second meal before calling it a night. Again, if you’re looking for a tantalizing taste experience, you should check this place out. But the portions are simply samplers, so be sure to ‘fill up’ before you arrive.

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Great lunch & service then back to work
By cj from Beverly, August 13, 2008

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I went into Cafe 103 for lunch and was surprised by the great service and great food. I was in a hurry to get back to work and was only going to order the Gazpacho and Mixed Green Salad but the waitress asked what I really wanted. She told me she'd make sure I would be able to enjoy the food I wanted and be back at work on time. She was very passionate and knowledgeable about the food and place. Come to find out she is the owner's daughter. So I ordered the Gazpacho and the new 'Cafe 103 BLT'. Wow! The BLT was amazing! The bacon was sweet but smokey served with avocado slices and a slight hint of garlic aioli. The Gazpacho was so refreshing especially on that hot day. A co-worker noticed a table of ladies that did have a bottle of wine and looked liked they were enjoying a leisure afternoon. But for us it was great to be able to get in and out and still enjoy a good quality lunch. We'll definitely be back...often!

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Top Restaurant!
By Isabella from Chicago, Beverly, May 6, 2008

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Recently I read in the Chicago Magazine that Cafe 103 is one of the Best New Restaurants in 2008 and they really proved to be! The dinning area is small but so comfortable! It was nice not to be an over-sized, over-crowded restaurant where we are lost in the shuffle. The wait staff and owner were attentive to everybody’s needs. The food was unbelievable! We started with the Buffalo Soft Shell Crab. What an explosion of great flavors! Shared the soup and a salad. I ordered the steak entrée in the red wine demi. Never have I tasted such great quality meat! A friend ordered the 14oz pork chop with homemade späetzle. It was the best pork chop I’ve ever tasted! Normally I don’t eat dessert but the server convinced us to split the banana split! I am so glad he did! What a great twist on such an old-time dessert. We were surprised to see the corkage feel is only $5. You never see it that low. I will recommend Café 103 to everyone! It’s so nice to finally have a great quality restaurant with great food and service in Beverly!

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Inhospitable or Arrogant?
By Bottlebot from DuPage , April 29, 2008

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Online reviews, that I read before going to Cafe 103 for dinner, seemed to indicate that they do not serve any bread or rolls. So, when we arrived, I asked if that was true. The hostess said that they do not. I then asked if we could bring in our own bread, and was immediately told NO. Several of their sauces were excellent, but the absence of something to soak up the goodness really detracted from an enjoyable dining experience. They allow you to bring your own wine, but why not your own bread? Ambiance is just so-so, and value is poor.

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Fantastic Addition to Southside
By Steve from Evergreen Park, March 1, 2008

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A true dining gem. We had an amazing beet salad, lobster "lasagna" and tandori salmon. Extremely fresh ingredients, and very well prepared. Service was up to the food and very informative regarding the menu, the attached cooking school, and upcoming events in the area. Somewhere below someone tries to compare this to Koda, also in the neighberhood, but it's an apples and oranges comparison. Koda is a French bistro, casual food. This is a fine dining experience. I can't wait to get back.

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Good food but...
By mmc from Oak lawn, November 30, 2007

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I thought the food at Cafe 103 was excellent. I had salmon the was one of the best meals I have every had. However, in this price range for this local, I would expect to at least get some bread or something prior to dinner. I don't mind paying for a good meal, but to me that means a good atmosphere in addition to good good. The atmosphere at Cafe 103 leaves much to be desired. Very non-descript store front.

I think people are so surprised to get a decent meal on the southside, that other amenities have been overlooked.

In addition, while it wasn't a problem for my party, some may have trouble finding somethin they want to eat on the very limited menu.

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Interesting flavors
By foodluva from foodluva, October 29, 2007

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If you go, and I wouldn't say this is a place you have to try, the roasted pheasant appetizer has wonderful flavors.

Rachel, the waitress, really made the evening for me. The food was decent, but I marvel at what I spent for one person. Yesterday I spent the same amount at a diner for four meals, three of which left enough for doggie bags. The food yesterday was filling, and though it didn't tantalize my tastebuds, I felt the value was better.. Depends on what you're looking for - an experience or a value.

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What an amazing restaraunt to...
By Frankie from Hickory Hills, IL, September 6, 2007

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What an amazing restaraunt to add to the repertoir in Beverly! Service was wonderful (Rachel was a marvelous server, even while taking care of every table in the place), the host/owner was a pleasure and Tom (the chef) was more than willing to talk with us after dinner about our experience and even took us back to the kitchen for a look at how things are run and a taste of what he is thinking about for the Fall menu. Food was phenomenal, all of it. My main complaint? There were ridges on one of the plates so I couldn't collect all of the sauce that gathered at the bottom without resorting to licking my plate clean. Excellent presentation, impeccable food, fabulous staff and NO corkage fee on the BYOB wine. What more could a girl ask for?