Summer House Santa Monica Reviews

Family friendly restaurant with excellent food and drinks! Great kids menu selection and close to Lincoln park zoo.

I was in a group of six meeting for a book group. It was not at all crowded at 6 PM on a cold winter Monday night. I loved the atmosphere and the fact that they were not blasting music. The calamari and brussel sprouts hors d'oeuvres were very good as was the beef burger which was very filling as well. The cole slaw was tasteless. It could have used some dijon mustard and a bit of sweetness. The ice cream sandwich was quite large and not particularly tasty. The service was good, though the waitress poured my husband a second glass of wine, not clearly asking if he wanted it. There was a range of prices for the entrees, but any extras added up fast, making it more expensive that it seemed.

awesome place to go in the winter at really transports you to summer and california a lot on the menu for vegetarians whatever we ate was flavorful and light would love to go back again

Nice atmosphere and pretty good service, food is hit or miss. Been here several times over the past year.Can be delicious or average. As everything in this neighborhood, pricey. Gave me the wrong bakery order on the way out...didn’t notice till I got home, some horrible pumpkin freakish brownie...yuck!

I have found past Summer House to be pleasant with fresh food... Last night three of us dined before the theatre to great disappointment: Halibut special was served 1/2 raw. Instead of french fries, I order cauliflower puree with my burger (which was done well and as expected)... The puree had no flavor--tasted like flour (did the chef use cauliflower flour?) with a watery consistency and no seasoning... The waiter had promised to see if I liked it... he didn't check until end of meal... Friend ordered scallops which came with the cauliflower puree, but had added seasoning...she said the consistency and mouth feel was mediocre! Waiter was not very attentive... The usual busy place, was almost empty... Is there a change in the kitchen? not a good one!

We can for a late lunch, closer to 2pm - there was a wait when I called so I jumped on Open Table and reserved a table. Very friendly service all around and the atmosphere is just amazing. Tons of windows and light and open ceiling, great decor and feel set the tone for the farm fresh food on its way out. We loved the Rose cart of different kinds of rose, and started with fresh guacamole and crispy chips. I went with the club salad and my wife had the gnocchi - both were fresh and delicious! As we walked out we grabbed a chocolate walnut cookie from the dessert/coffee bar. Great experience and food, we will definitely be back!

Four of us ate different items. The Mexican breakfast tostados were great. The turkey burger was tasty, although seemed a little on the small size. The wood-grilled prime burger was excellent and the three egg breakfast was fine. Dessert was the cookie ice cream sandwish, which we substituted chocolate ice cream for vanilla ice cream. The ice cream sandwhich was good, not great. Service was excellent, and we did not have to wait more than ten minutes to be seated with a reservation.

Cool venue but definitely noisy! Even on a Monday evening, this place was full. Enjoyed our selections: Fried oysters, Brussels sprouts, chicken tacos, trout, sushi rolls, ice cream sandwich, wines and cocktails. Food good and very good...simply prepared...not huge portions, appetizers pricey as are wines and alcohol. No gratis bread on table. Service fine. Tab adds up!

Having tried to get in here for dinner but not wanted to wait over an hour for a table we tried again for lunch the next day. It seemed like even if you had made a booking for dinner you’d still have some wait. At 1pm on a Wednesday there was thankfully no wait and we were seated right away. If you do want to go for dinner definitely book well in advance. Our server was great, very friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is very nicely decorated and has a relaxing atmosphere. It does somewhat feel like you’re in California, it is very summery. The menu is extensive and expensive. This was an anniversary meal so we were willing to spend a bit more. I chose the bucatini pomodoro having had similar meal the day before and been disappointed. For the price and amount of Italian dishes on the menu I was expecting a top tier dish. Thankfully I had not set my expectations too high. The portion was generous for the price. The pasta was a tad over cooked but the sauce made up for it. It’s hard to cook bucatini perfectly. The sauce was delicious, rich and flavorful just like one I had made on a cookery course in Italy. To finish I got a cookie to take away. I’m somewhat of a cookie connoisseur as I’m am on the search of the perfect cookie since my favorite place closed. I went for the brown butter chocolate chip which was huge and very good. It had the perfect edge to soft middle ratio but I would have liked it a little smaller and thicker. All in all the meal was near perfect. I can see why this place is so popular. It’s Instagramable yet actually has great food.

Had the pizza and the pasta on separate occasions, and both were pretty average. The pizza specifically is not up to Chicago standards. Not sure what the big deal about this place is. It's a pleasant vibe but not worth the prices at all, even for this neighborhood. Go to Pasta Palazzo or Cafe Ba Ba Reeba instead. Also their valet parking is chaos, blocks traffic, and creates a serious hazard for cyclists. Seems like they have cars parked in the bike lane more often than not.

We split the ribeye and squash soup. We received individual cups of delicious soup, and two perfectly plated steaks and crispy frites.

Happened across this place whilst in the area. Restaurant is very cool and plantation style. You are welcomed with a takeaway counter filled with delicious cookies and sweet treats. The menu was compact but that makes me think the food offerings are done well. And they were. Guac and chips with salsa and 2 sauces. Absolutely delicious. I had a Cobb Salad which was visually beautiful as well as delicious. A nice range of textures with crisp lettuce, juicy chicken, toasted corn etc. The Rigatoni carbonara had a nice twist with Spring veg added. The only thing I didn’t enjoy were the fries. They were cold and rubbery at first and when changed, they were still rubbery although hotter. Our server, Jen T was phenomenal. So easy going and personable but very professional. Would come back again to try the pizzas. They looked lovely.

They have an entree named Skirt Steak Frittes. At $38.50 it consisted of a pre-cut square piece of steak(?) about the size of a Ridge wallet with loads of shoestring fries to cover the otherwise empty dinner plate and compensate for the lack of a steak. Maybe the use of the word ‘skirt’ meant they intended to skirt providing a legitimate meal for just under $40.00. There are many restaurants in Chicago. Do not waste your time or money on this establishment…unless you just really like $40.00 fries.

I came with my wife and adult children on a visit to Chicago when my youngest was graduating Northwestern University, and this was his choice. Bright, breezy, fun and delicious. I recommend it.

Four of us enjoyed lunch there in December, when it's cold and grey outside it is bright and lively inside this restaurant!!

Very busy on Saturday morning. Ate at the bar. Bloody Mary good. Omelet ok. Three egg breakfast better choice

Everyone seems to love this place. It's always packed---been 4 or 5 times, both for dinner and brunch, and always crowded. -Space is spectacular, amazing large skylight in main dining room lets in a ton of sunshine and natural light--you feel like you're outside -Everyone who works here is good looking--it's like they're all Abercrombie models on the side--but sometimes I think they were hired more for their looks than their experience -We did have an extremely nice waitress on our last visit who was very efficient and friendly---though honestly this was a bit of an exception -I'm always wary of a menu that has burgers, sushi, and tacos--nobody does all of those well---they are all fine, but not amazing -ordered the burrata--it was good, but pretty small portion and a little bland--could use some pizzazz -the bread the burrata came with was very fresh--which was a nice surprise (so often you see cheese served with stale bread at restaurants!) -the burger was decent---but they used to serve it on an English muffin which was so good--almost like an English muffin patty melt--I'm so mad they changed it! -fries were disappointing--served lukewarm and cold by the middle of my meal I'm sure I'll be back, because everyone always suggests this place.

I have a rule when I dine out: don’t order chicken. I broke my rule and ordered the roasted chicken breast with creamy mushroom polenta. I’m so glad I did—it was delicious! Our server was so helpful and friendly. The atmosphere was great. Don’t forget to grab a brown butter rice krispy treat on your way out. I can’t wait to come back.

We always enjoy Summer House. The food is always great. This is the seventh time we have eaten there and the second year we have visited in order to eat the Passover menu. The handmade gefilte fish is delicious. I really enjoyed it. The real chopped liver is better than the vegetarian. The brisket is the most tender I have ever had!! The only reason I didn’t give five stars is the noise level. It’s not deafening, but it’s difficult to carry on a conversation.

The restaurant is very cozy and makes you feel like being in California. They might be full so reserve in advance. The cookies are amazing and more with the icecream. Try the Breakfast Tostada or the Spycy Avocado Grilled Cheese. For a better experience I recommend sharing ;)

the service, the ambiance, the food, everything was wonderful. It was my first time eating there......I cannot rave enough about it.

I do like the decor and atmosphere here. I also like most of the food. However, when I order a $20.00 prime rib french dip sandwich I expect a respectable portion of meat. Another person at the table ordered the sandwich and we discussed how little meat was on a $20.00 sandwich. Last time at the restaurant I ordered the ribeye steak frites and the $37.00 steak was so so. I will not order the french dip or steak frites again. I have had the chicken taco platter on another occasion and that was delicious. The sushi appetizers have always been good. The bill seemed high so keep in mind this is a casual place, but that does not mean inexpensive!

Wonderful Lunch at a Bright Beautiful and Airy Restaurant. We came to town for a few days and wanted to visit this restaurant. We had heard about it and were more than happy. It was a bright and sunny October day and this restaurant certainly is the place to be. The whole atmosphere was bright and open. The floral arrangements and plants were beautiful. The food was great. We had the shishito peppers, the tuna watermelon tartar and the Asian noodle salad. The tuna watermelon Tartar was fantastic. Such a wonderful blend of flavors. The Asian noodle salad was a wonderful combination of tastes and smells. It is a seasonal special and is not always on the menu. But get it. When we were leaving we were given a special treat... an amazing salted butterscotch cookie that was so fantastic. I wish we bought more. And last but not least was our fabulous waitress Alycia. This young lady could not have been more patient and helpful. One of the best waitresses I've had in years.

Returned to summerhouse with my family for a birthday dinner. Had a great experience last time and pleased to say still first class. Service was friendly & attentive, not intrusive. Food came quickly, was hot and good portions. Dessert was obviously cookies and didn’t disappoint. We vowed to return again as we love this place. Great atmosphere, service and food; what more could you ask for?

We came here for lunch, it was perfect! We both had the ahi tuna sandwich which was excellent…. A very large portion of tuna with a spicy mayo and avocado. I was surprised at how large the portion was for the price, quite reasonable. It also came with a large side of fries. We also had the asparagus which was very good, and again, quite a large portion. The only complaint was my husband had the sweet potato fries which were obviously frozen and not very good. They have a lot of different items on their menu so there is something for everyone. Service was spot on, no shortage of workers at this restaurant. Great atmosphere as well. Don’t forget to get a few cookies on your way out, they have a bakery with cookies as big as your head….they were so good …a bit pricey but worth it. I can’t wait to come back!

This bright busy gem has a charming casual atmosphere that attracts families and young professionals alike . We were warming greeted and seated near the open kitchen , which was spotless and efficiently operated. Appetizers included roasted Brussel sprouts with balsamic drizzle and tender fried calamari. The brick chicken served with roasted potato wedges was tender and tasty. Salmon with garlic spinach was a hit as was the grilled Trout. The steak is a thin tender cut in a light glaze and accompanied by thin crispy fries. Water glasses were kept filled and our waiter brought a surprise birthday treat of a warm giant cookie with vanilla bean ice cream after hearing we were there to celebrate a birthday. We will certainly return!

Went for lunch with friends. Burger was delicious, perfectly cooked with lovely crispy onions. Good service and bright and airy restaurant. We were all very happy with our food

Great place for a meal. We had our lunch in the restaurant and spend a nice time. Delicious food and nice service.

Light and airy space, and a really great vibe for….summer! The waiter indicated that they had recently assumed some space that was formerly occupied by an Italian restaurant and as a nod to the former tenant had added a pretty expansive menu of pizza and pasta to their California themed menus. We really enjoyed the shaved mushroom pizza. They also have some fun cocktails, the False Idol with the spiced cranberry skull should not be missed. Would definitely return.

I have been to dinner here but the Rice Crispy Treats are to die for! I crave them as they are baked using brown sugar and so most, they will almost melt in your mouth! The food is good, don't get me wrong, but if you are craving a Rice Crispy Treat, you will be hard pressed to find another better! OMG delicious...

Feels like you landed in California when you walk into this restaurant. The food was pretty good but a little on the pricey side. I had a sushi roll as well as a salad and really enjoyed my meal with friends.

We grabbed an Impossible Burger and fries here during a layover, and honestly? I was impressed. The burger came out hot and fast, perfectly cooked, with that just-off-the-grill flavor you don’t expect at an airport. The fries though… eh. They were hot but plain and boring — and if you don’t eat them immediately, forget it. Within a minute the steam builds up in the paper container and they turn soggy. No lie. I tried the apple oatmeal cookie, and it wasn’t quite as good as the one at the Walt Disney Springs location. My favorite cookie there is the peanut butter one with the almost Reese’s-like center — absolutely incredible if you ever get the chance. They don’t serve the French vanilla lattes at this O’Hare spot, which is a bummer. I usually order mine “not too sweet” — I know, ironic after a giant cookie — but I portion those cookies out into 4–6 pieces and freeze them at home so I don’t go overboard. Sadly, this location only has plain coffee. That said, the service was super friendly and fast. They even pointed me toward Starbucks around the corner for a latte (which, sorry, I hate Starbucks — ugh). Overall: if you’re stuck at the airport, it’s a solid stop. For under $30, you’ll get a decent meal and a giant cookie to take on your flight.

Never been there before,, A pleasant surprise, Saturday morning, very crowded, very popular I think, Unique and charming, open to the outdoors too… lots of light all over, liked that,,, Waitresses and Waiters were awesome and helpful and patient… There is a adjacent bar area with tables and chairs and a back outdoor garden that is so nice and can rent out the whole outdoor patio area for a special occasion… Nice… All in All a positive experience,,, Would definitely return and will recommend to friends.. Thank You All at Summer House….. Your the Best….

Went here for dinner on a busy Saturday. We ordered the chickpea fritters and were really impressed with them at first - piping hot and delicious. However, one fritter in the middle of the stack was cold. It can only have been from a previous batch, and shoved in with ours in the hope that we wouldn't notice. We told our server - he said it must have been on the edge and not under the heat lamp! So much wrong with that response - it wasn't on the edge, it was in a carefully presented stack, and leaving fresh cooked food under a heat lamp? I then had the truffled lobster cavatelli, which had the potential to be amazing, but wow - so much salt!! This place had a great ambience, but was let down by the quality of the food.

We had a wonderful table by the open window. The chicken tacos and the avocado toast were delicious as was the watermelon smash. After lunch we enjoyed browsing through the many cute shops in the neighborhood.

Usually this is an "OK" experience - it's a fun neighborhood place. One of the specials last week was Spicy Lobster Roll. Two out of three: spicy? yes. Roll? yes. Lobster? barely visible. It was a tiny portion, perhaps 20% or less of what you would find in a lobster roll at Shaw's Crab House, one of LEYE's truly spectacular venues. And it was more expensive (by $1) than Shaw's lobster-loaded roll. I dined there with family several weeks before. The pizza was OK but certainly not a reason to go there..

Well rounded menu with lots of tasty options! We decided to order a few items and share which I highly recommend because everything was super tasty! Brussel Sprouts were FANTASTIC! Also recommend the burrata, pizza, and corn bread. Additionally they're got a great spread of cookies and bars that you can grad there or to go for later which was fun. The vibes were great and the atmosphere is really nice. You feel like you've taken a step into somewhere new.

A see and be seen venue. Decent food, but nothing to write home about. Service can be spotty during busy times.

Pleasant atmosphere, young fun crowd. Bright, noisy, friendly waitress. The food was completely forgettable. A green salad served in a cup like bowl with no discernible dressing. Gummy risotto. Trout was above average. Still, I’d pass on a repeat.

We had a reservation for two at 2:00 p.m. for Sunday brunch. We were greeted and seated promptly. Our waitress came and says she would give us a chance to look at the menu. My friend ordered one of the brunch cocktails and I had a delicious Bloody Mary which was not on the menu. I had the avocado toast with poached eggs and a side salad. My friend had the kale omelet. We really enjoyed the food and service and had plenty of time for a leisurely meal before the 3:30 show. Very good experience!

Summer House was a fun place to meet friends for brunch. The interior decor is well done. Loved sitting in the area with the glass ceiling; its so bright and cheerful. Food was good, staff was friendly. I would definitely go back.

The atmosphere was exactly what we weee looking for Sunday brunch! The cinnamon roll bread pudding was a great idea to share. The lox were excellent and the Black and Tan coffee made the meal perfect. If your in the area make a reservation !!

It’s cold outside but always summer at Summer House! The mimosas, pastries, homemade English muffins, hash browns and service were all top shelf! A delightful environment to enjoy brunch with your friends. Our waitress, Lainee was great and very accommodating.

Sit outside if the weather is mild - it's still hard to talk surrounded by the young, vibrant crowd. Great Hummus appetizer served with interesting and generous veggies. Tasty mahi-mahi tacos that you can get vegetarian, plus several other veggie options. Others liked their trout and salmon. Four of us tried 3 desserts, all yummy. Not cheap but nice for celebrating.

It’s always a pleasure visiting this restaurant, It’s been 5 years from my last visit. The standard of quality is incredible. Impecable service from our waiter. Can’t say enough good things about this place. I simply love it !

Summer House is still a casual but hip place with a great summer-y California atmosphere. And crowded as heck! But this time the limited menu seemed - more limited - and not very California-centric (except for the 3 taco items and the sushi). My husband got the fried chicken (must be from the SOUTHERN part of California!), our couple friend had the chicken taco and Prime Rib French dip sandwich, which I also had. All good. We got our food fast and then pretty much never saw the waiter. And even more annoying - we asked for a table NOT near the kitchen. Guess where we sat? Right in front of the kitchen. When we pointed out the vacant booth toward the front of the restaurant, the hostess informed us those were reserved for larger parties (we were four) and then proceeded to seat a couple there! That was irritating and marred the experience.

The atmosphere in this restaurant is light and airy. Perfect for a brunch location. Food was good, especially the hash.

For 130.00 for dinner for 2, we had 1-glass red wine special of each , 1- Brussels sprout appetizer (best part of meal ), 2- chicken breast polenta and mushroom (not seasoned well , just ok nothing special , 1- shared desert chocolate not a lot of flavor . I gave it a 3 star because it very open bright , service good

Summer House is a decor of refreshing lighting and summer cottage feeling. It was -20 windchill and we loved the escape into this wonderful decor. Matt, our server, was fantastic. He helped figure out my paleo diet requirement for the trout and it was fantastic. My husbands steak was delicious, I tasted it. Great place for dinner.

We enjoyed our time! For our appetizers we’re ordered the sourdough bread, calamari, Brussels sprouts, and the guacamole. The entrees included skirt steak, fish tacos, and chicken sandwich which were all delicious. Highly recommend if you are looking for good food and service.

I liked the "vibe" of this restaurant. We had an early dinner - 4:00 p.m.. It's crowded and noisy, but it doesn't seem to be a bother. The service was excellent and the food was tasty. They gave me a wonderful birthday dessert which five of us shared.

My wife and I visited this restaurant because it was recommended by a friend based on the quality of food. First, I will say that the menu was great overall. No real complaints about the food. Had calamari, sushi, center cut steak, and salmon. Cocktails were all of the sweet variety (I guess summer = sweet?) but ordered a manhattan and my wife ordered a wine and they were both solid. There were TVs playing sports which I thought an odd contrast to the caliber of food and the price point- but that's not unheard of in Chicago. The biggest issue was the service. For a dining experience where the meal is $150+tip, I expect the service to be friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient (on at least some level). We were there for 10 minutes before even having our water poured and I think it was another 10 before our server came by to get our drink order. When she did arrive our server seemed disinterested and supercilious. The whole experience from the service perspective was extremely cursory and we felt like an annoyance, despite our being relaxed and very undemanding. The restaurant was not overly busy and our server did not appear to be in the weeds- she just seemed apathetic. I have had far better dining experiences for less money and will not be returning.

This place is so pretty and I love the open concept but it was a little cool now that it’s fall, bring a jacket. We went with eating the shared and small plates instead of ordering a traditional meal. Shared the Burrata, cauliflower, tostadas, king spring roll and Sushi Nigiri. All were excellent I maybe would skip the King spring roll not worth $21.95. Service was fine nothing really special about it though.

We had great food and service. Our server David O walked us through the entrees and wine list and throughout the dinner he provided excellent service. We shared a nice California Sangiovese with David's recommendation. The entrees we shared included, the flank steak special, wood-grilled mahi mahi, caramelized brussels sprouts, a real cali roll sushi, a taco platter, and various house baked cookies for desert. All were splendid. A great pre mothers day dining experience was enjoyed by all. The English muffins we purchased from the bakery added to our nice breakfast the next day.

We had Carbonara, Salmon, and Potato Gnocchi, all were prepared well, served at the right temperature, and the portions were just right. We felt the price was perfect for the portion size.

Great brunch experience from the food, ambiance and especially our waiter Tony! He was attentive, fun and started off our weekend with many laughs!

We were visiting family in Chicago that took us here for breakfast. My bacon and eggs were delicious, and the service was excellent. My only dislike was my order of hashbrowns. It was more like a brick of flavorless potatoes. My husband had the Commuter Breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg and tomato. He said it was really good.

This is a lovely restaurant. Food is pricey but unique and delicious. Very bright and open atmosphere. Recommend a reservation several days in advance. We called a day ahead and they were booked. Must buy a cookie on the way out for dessert. They are amazing!!!

We had lunch there and ordered appetizers first. We ordered calamari, caramelized Brussel sprouts and guac n chips. We all love the guac and chips. Its really good , the chips is so crisp n fresh. The calamari is ok but Brussels sprouts was not good. It was not crispy and undercooked. For entree, we had the salmon, tacos and chicken and waffles. We tried each others food. We all loved the chicken and waffles. The waffles with poblano butter is so good! Waffles melt in your mouth. We didn't get dessert since we were all full but they did give us chocolate chip cookies w vanilla ice cream for my bday and it was good as well. Unfortunately we were not seated at the "Vit D " room. But overall , the place is neat, feels like you're in California. I wld love to visit again in winter time.

Nice atmosphere. A bit loud. Food was fine, but nothing special. Food quality and inventiveness was not commensurate with the hype.

I would highly recommend this restaurant for a nice girls brunch or afternoon drinks. The cocktails were delicious and the food equally so. The environment is absolutely amazing and the service was great as well! Lots of fun shopping in the area for a fun filled day.

We were in town for DePaul parents' weekend and took our daughter there for dinner. Love the atmosphere-- has a great Hamptons summer house vibe that was executed down to the smallest detail. The service was excellent and the food was well-priced and very tasty. We had the guacamole appetizer and it was very fresh. Our entrees included the skirt steak, the trout and the filet mignon. Everything was cooked perfectly and flavored well. The chimichurri served with the skirt steak was some of the best I've had and the truffle mashed potatoes that came with the filet were awesome. We were too full for dessert, but their baked goods looked amazing. We'll definitely make this a regular stop for future trips to Chicago.

Chicago has become a routine visit for me, for everything from sister trips, to Christmas in City, as well as Lollapalooza. We stay at amazing hotels, and wander the city for endless adventures. The one thing that never changes... lunch at The Summerhouse! The amazing wait staff and their blue gingham shirts are hands down the friendliest around. What can I even say about the Vitamin D room? You just have to go and soak up the sun in this amazing treasure and experience it for yourself! Absolute musts would be one of the cocktails, and the brusselsprouts to start the meal. One of my favorites will always be the fish tacos! So to start a visit to Chicago or just to enjoy a day out, this is a must!

Waiter was excellent and supplied the panache. Beautiful vibe inside on a cold Chicago night. Everyone’s food came out in good time and was delicious. Spicy Salami & Burrata was excellent! Summer House is on the short list for a return visit!

Despite multiple visits, I cannot find any flaws with this restaurant. The atmosphere is upbeat very California vibe and the food is great! Brunch or lunch here, the services is wonderful, drinks flow and all menu items are delicious. I never feel rushed here no matter what time of day I come. They also have some specialty house drinks and are willing to accommodate your requests, i.e. substituting vodka for gin which a lot of places won't do. Definitely a must visit!

2 couples came for a light dinner before a show at Steppenwolf Theater 4 blocks south. Despite the other couple being nearly 1/2 hour late for our reservation, the waiter was helpful and cordial, took our order when they got there and managed to get us out in plenty of time for the show. Because we were pressed for time, we just had main courses and a couple desserts to share. My brussels sprout salad was very tasty and quite large. My spouse said his fish and chips was excellent and there was a large amount of very tasty cod on the plate; the shoestring fries were good, too. Our friend who ordered a mushroom pizza thought it was okay but not exceptional (though it looked good and was very large for a single person to eat). No comment was made about the fourth dish, rigatoni a la vodka; it did disappear off the plate, though. The desserts, chocolate layer cake and coconut layer cake slices, were good. As mentioned, service was very good. The restaurant is a bit loud but brightly lit (it was still daylight) and attractive in a California fern-bar way. It's a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant.

a fine restaurant. the food and setting were great. we had spring rolls, burrata, pomodoro, tostadas and salmon. All were quite good as were the drinks and service, though not cheap ($40 per person with beverages). the one problem was their ventilation system, which literally blasted cold air so forcefully that we were freezing and the vent outlet facing us was on the other side of a large room adjoining ours. That is how hard and cold it blew, so bring a sweater even in summer.

I came here for Brunch with a co-worker on a Sunday around 10 am. We were seated in the beautiful dining room which was full of light and airy decor. Our server was very attentive- TOO attentive- to the point where it felt a little weird. I really liked the avocado toast which had a cream cheese like spread under the avocado. I also had a Cafe Mocha which was delicious. Overall I'd like to come back and try the Mexican Hash and have some of their specialty cocktails.

Summer House sort of radiates southern California. It's decor is casual but with a special feel. The food is excellent with several wood fired choices, the service great, and the deserts are even better. It's a popular spot with good reason.

Ate in the version of this at O’Hare. Very impressed with the service and quality of food. My burger may have been one of the best things I have ever eaten in an airport. Located in terminal B.

I’m stop n the restaurant. And. I order appetizer meatballs was very good with a little blotches of spicy coming with in the sauce who give me a little ad flavors we order two salads, kale salad and Cobb salad. And. Coconut cake was very good the only thing was the service was very not attend it the food is very good deafly. You should give it a try. We were there for lunch. I think the food is very good. Very flavorful. Salad was very good. Added the chicken and the Nother salad adding a salmon and price point. They are very good. The only thing I’m say they call me off was a service, not attend it not even over you me a water one time not even check see if he everything‘s OK, what is the only problem everything else in my opinion was very good

Food was good, huge portions! Service was good, really great atmosphere. Very bright and airy, open air dining available. Got really loud and crowded but we’re ok with that. Easy street parking on a Tuesday. Bakery we bought to go, it was ok.

After iced herbal tea and samples and a new perfume on Armitage, one of my oldest friends, and her darling oldest daughter and I sad our goodbyes and then pressed on in the heat. We were three wilting, a little. SHSM was ideal. Here's what we liked: cucumber water while we waited to be seated; solid service; a seasonal menu. Here's what we loved: skylights; strong July sun; freezing AC; tuna cruda; tequila based cocktails; tuna poke; fish tacos. We left feeling full and happy enough to walk through the spray the local fighthouse offered, revived.

Had a great experience at Summer House Santa Monica in Chicago. The produce used to prepare everything was super fresh. I had a salad and the fish tacos, and one of their salted chocolate chip cookies. Great spot.

I loved this restaurant. I had a brunch date here and the Bloody Mary's were phenomenal. The indoor/outdoor seating style with courtyard reminded me of home in California. I will definitely be back.

Like all LEYE restaurants, this location is well managed and adequately staffed. The sky lit dining room is cheery, especially during the darker winter afternoons. Very busy (I recommend reservations regardless of day and time to be safe). Menu is a nice mix of sandwiches, entrees, and salads. Food and service excellent. 5 minute walk from CTA Armitage (Brown Line) station - bit further from Fullerton (Red Line) station, but walkable.

This restaurant is absolutely a must! Great for couples, families and friends. The atmosphere is welcoming, crisp with excitement and soothing for any occasion. The staff is attentive, most professional and accommodating. The food is incredible, presentation perfect and portions just fine.

We took a surprise vacation for our 10th anniversary, and the travel agency made reservations for us at Summer House. Or so we thought! When we arrived, they didn’t have our names in the system but they said it was no big deal and we super friendly about seating us right away anyway. The restaurant is beautiful and set in a very nice area. Everything was delicious, and our server and the manager were SO friendly! This is the exact type of place that we like to find when we visit new places - unassuming, great food, great drinks, and friendly staff!

They’ve really figured out how to bring Santa Monica to the middle of Chicago. Ocean breeze and all. The decor is on point. The food is fresh and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Their meats and fish are cooked in a wood-fired oven which is memorable. They’re salmon burger is my favorite. Make a reservation, it gets busy.

If You like great food, drinks and fantastic wine in stimulating ambiance this is the place for You. We have had dinner with friends and every one was very happy with orders. Can recommend fabulous brussel sprouts, fried calamari and chocolate tart. Yummy!!!

I went for lunch with a friend. Immediately loved the open feeling of the room - the roof is totally glass which gave a very outdoors feel. Interior is mostly white which added to the California feel. But come for the food! Mexican inspired menu but also has plainer American fare. We sampled the guacamole starter which was freshly made. My friend tried one of the nonalcoholic drinks which he said was delicious. For our meal we had one of the taco platters and the salmon. Plates were attractive and food was well prepared. Looking at other tables everything we saw looked really good and no one had food left on their plates. We could not eat the desserts due to food allergies so the waitress made beautiful bowls of berries for us. Service was excellent- attentive but not rushed. Valet parking available for lunch which was definitely a plus.

Wonderful lunch with friends. Vegan and vegetarian friendly. The Butternut Squash Soup was tasty and so flavorful. The guacamole with chips was a great side to share. Very crispy chips and fresh guacamole with corn, peppers, pepitas, cojito cheese and tomatoes. Fresh and crispy Summer Water Rosé. Would definitely come back. Reservations recommended.

First off, make a reservation for brunch. I did several days in advance and lucked out that a noon reservation that had to be the result of a cancelation as the only other times were 9:30 or 3:00. The place was packed when we arrived Saturday at 12. We were seated around 12:10. Greeted quickly by the server and ordered a drink. The atmosphere and menu is California all over. Bright, relaxing with health conscience options. I had a Bloody Mary which I only have occasionally since most don’t do it for me. This version was very good. I got the Spanish hashbrowns which have over easy eggs, avocado, cheese, peppers. It was just what I was looking for. I also go a side of the bacon and house made sausage. The bacon was excellent. Great smoked flavor, chewy and thick. The sausage had good flavor but a little on the dry side. My wife got a sandwich. She thought it came with a salad but the default is fries. We mentioned this to the server and brought the salad quickly and let us keep the fries at no charge. There is also a bakery up front of you want to grab a pastry. I really great place.

Loved the decor! Went here with 8 women for a celebratory dinner. Our waitress was wonderful...wish I could remember her name. The food was delicious, but the servings were on the small side and a bit pricey.

We tripped over this restaurant by accidentally walking into it thinking it was the restaurant we had reservations. the reservations we had we’re down the street. After stopping in that restaurant we immediately came back to summer house. The atmosphere food selections drinks are all superb this is a must go to restaurant. It’s also beneficial because it’s part of the lettuce entertain you family where if you’re a rewards member you can earn rewards points for dining at such an exquisite restaurant with an open air concept indoor That allows for the daylight to flood the dining space it also features outdoor dining. The restaurant is reminds me of being in the California sun.

I am flabbergasted by all the hype when there are so many great restaurants in Lincoln Park. I would have sent back the grilled artichoke that was missing the heart has our waitress bothered to check on us; though the acoustics are so bad I would have had to shout at her. Perhaps the close placement of all the tables prevented her from returning?? In all seriousness, I will never return there. I give 2 stars because the very accessible bakery at front is well presented and moderately priced; unlike the rest. Again, there so many better options close by.

This used to be one of our favorite places to dine. We used to eat here a minimum of once a week, usually 2-3 times. Most recent visits: Evening dining. Poor service from the time of arrival to leaving. A server was at the host stand when we arrived. Instead of greeting us, or assisting us, he told us to wait, then proceeded to stand around talking to his co-workers for several minutes. Host finally arrived and was rude, no smile, no greeting, felt like an imposition to her hanging out with other employees. Waited 10 minutes for water and longer to ask what we wanted to drink. During this time watched numerous servers hanging out chatting with each other, including ours. Server never checked on us throughout meal, other than to encourage us to order more. Never once asked how our meals were. Apparent that a couple people weren't eating because it was so bad. Some of our food seemed like it had been cooked and re-heated multiple times, or extremely over-cooked to begin with. Service, quality, and portions have gone down the tubes, while they continue to jack-up prices. If the service still maintained some semblance of quality, we wouldn't mind as much. The combination of poor training, poor service, poor food quality, additional surcharges to compensate for their losses during the pandemic, on top of sometimes half-portion size dishes to what they used to serve, that also lack the freshness and quality that once existed, is abhorant. Brown avocado, meat largely inedible (either overdone, or re-heated) impossible to swallow each bite without water, miniscule portions of chicken and burgers that cover less than 2/3 of the bun, missing ingredients, brown lettuce, brown avocado, soggy tomato; both tuna and yellowtail dishes were stringy, chewy, poor cuts, poor flavor, likely frozen, nothing like what the quality used to be, on top of a portion decrease; over-cooked or re-heated fries; burnt pizza ...

Not as good as expected. It's an in place now but won't last. Crowded, loud, and the food just OK. Was glad to leave. Nice building.

We recently took our family out for a Sunday breakfast at Summer House. Our server helped us make some fabulous selections which we all enjoyed. I had the tostados with a side of bacon. Although the bacon was a little over cooked, the tostados were fantastic. My son in law had the waffles, which he seemed to enjoy very much. My grandson had the pancakes. The restaurant has a Southern California vibe, hence the name.

We love Summer House and came today for lunch at 12:45. There’s nothing worse than bringing friends and family somewhere you love, to be greeted with attitude from an unfriendly hostess. No eye contact, smile or, welcome. There’s too many places to choose from and if the greeting stinks it set the tone and there’s no point in staying to find out what’s next. We left. First impressions matter.

Our daughter lives in Chicago and this place reminds of her of home (socal) so we always end up here when in town. The food is excellent and menu runs the gamut, as always I suggest tacos but the salmon is good choice too. Save room for dessert and bring cookies home! Always use the valet.

The restaurant is cute and has a great atmosphere, (even though my group sat next door at the neighboring restaurant). Outdoor/indoor seating. Good menu options and really delicious looking cookies. Recommend the chicken tacos, chicken sandwich and turkey club! Don’t forget the cocktails! Would definitely come back here!

Very fun night -- everyone in our group enjoyed their food, the restaurant has energy but isn't so loud that you have to yell to talk, and our server asked if we were celebrating anything, we mentioned it was our friend's birthday (before she showed up), and our server brought cookies, brownies and ice cream with a candle. Highly recommend.

It's always good to get back to this place. Relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, very good service and the best, they are not rushing one to use the table. The very rich salami and basil pizza... and the frozé boom

The menu here has healthier choices which is refreshing and gives it a west coast vibe. Dress casual and enjoy some sushi or salad with lots of wine!

Very LA vibe to this place and its patrons. Sunny, dynamic, and posh. Great food. Efficient service. Great wine list. Tempting bakery upfront. Nice spot for a Lincoln Park lunch for family or friends.

We came here on Monday night around 5 o’clock. I would highly recommend reservations as the restaurant quickly filled. They have a great selection of gluten-free items including pasta and pizza. We had the pepperoni and burrata pizza and which had a very thin crust. It was delicious. The crust was very thin yet held its shape. the brussels sprout salad had a little spice added to the chicken was also delicious. We started with truffle fries. The portion was huge. Great for a table of 4.

We had dinner with another couple. The reservation was for 7 pm and the hostess seated us promptly once everyone arrived. The sitting area is very comfortable, just in front of the amazing looking bakery. The server was very friendly and accommodating as we were taking much time ordering. Two of us ordered drinks: martini and their Prickly Paradise. My drink could used more booze. For starters we had the crab cakes and the spinach artichoke dip- both very filling and tasty. For main dishes 2 of us had turkey meatloaf and trout. The dishes had good flavor and well prepared. On the way out I had a blondie from the bakery- I bit too sweet for me, almost like candy. I was a bit disappointed. Overall, the dinning experience was great. The place is spacious, well-lit, and has a lively ambiance. We were very comfortable, and could have stayed longer. But, alas, the parking meter ran out of time. Again, the service was excellent.

This place has been on my.list for a long time. Glad to finally get there. Great ambiance. Service was ON IT. Really good even at 2pm when the lunch crowd was still hopping. Food was great...pizza, tuna sandwich and pasta. Chips and guac for an appetizer. Get a cookie for dessert. So good. Very gluten free friendly. The only drawback....my margarita pizza had only 4.5 pieces of basil...but 8 slices. More basil please.

I go here often for brunch with my sister since it's in between us. They have consistent food and service is usually great (have had a couple off days, but nothing too bad). They also have a good rosé selection. The brunch menu has upscale versions of basics (egg sandwiches, omelettes) while the dinner menu has more seafood options. The crowd is definitely Lincoln Park, so not good for sweats or just rolled out of bed. Their hashbrowns are a favorite! Gets busy on the weekend, so we always try to make a reservation, but they move pretty quickly once you're at your table.

Having been to this location several times now, I am amazed at the consistency of the good food and attentive service. A bit pricey for breakfast fare (on a regular basis), but a rare treat for a special occasion. Bright and cheery (covid-safe) environment and expect a bit of a wait if you arrive an hour after they open on a Saturday morning.

Stopped in for lunch based on recommendation which didn’t disappoint. Light and breezy restaurant, we sat outside because the day was so nice. Great service. Light lunch which was delicious. Didn’t have dessert but they looked so good wish would have tried something. Busy location in Lincoln Park, highly recommend

Summer House is a great place to meet up and have dinner with friends. Nice bright open atmosphere. Great vibe. Good food, great service! Bar area, valet service. Street parking if you are lucky. Prices are definitely on the higher side of average.

Summer House Santa Monica saved the night after the electricity went out on our daughter's rehearsal dinner at one of their sister restaurants. Summer House continued our meal in a wonderful private room with exemplary service and delicious food. The skirt steak frites melted in your mouth. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the pasta was perfect. We still are wondering how in the world they pulled off feeding 25 people with such short notice. The professionalism and welcoming staff started with the hostess and continued with our servers...over the top customer service. We will be back the next time we are in Chicago and will recommend to all of our friends.

I hosted a wedding shower last weekend at the Summer House Santa Monica. Mikaela was amazing as the point person. We had 2 servers for 48 guests and that worked out well. People are still talking about the "pretty room" and the food. I would recommend it for any event. Well organized, clean and friendly staff!

This was my favorite place we went to on our trip to Chicago...it was such a happy, fresh, bright place...as soon as you walk in the pastries behind the glass counter are amazing...I wanted one of each...we were seated in the conservatory, it was lovely, I felt as though I was eating in someone's summer house, lol....the service was good, we got a lot of salads, and sweet potato waffle fries...all were perfect...so delicious. The kids loved their cute tray

We have a love/hate relationship going on with this restaurant, in our neighborhood. We love the food - great, fresh fare, you can have sushi or a great salad or something heartier, plus the yummy baked goods up front are always enticing. But we hate the loudness of the restaurant; the typical faddish restaurant with tables crammed together, loud surfaces and high ceilings that make cozy dinner conversation impossible. So while we'd love to return and recommend it, we don't often do so because of this. I wish restaurants would rethink the noise level.

The baked goods are amazing. Service is slow and they messed up my order twice. Don’t actually have a real gluten free menu. The food is good, if it’s right. Go on off times if you can.

I had dinner on Saturday, June 30. While eating dinner with my friends, we noticed a rat under the table next to us. We immediately alerted the waitress who let the manager know. She came back and said there was nothing they could do about it. They've had an issue with rodents because of the alley next door. We paid our bill and left 5 minutes later. They were coming in and out of the bushes next to our table. I took a picture and showed it to our manager. I live in New York City and I have never had to eat with rodents and nor should any paying customer. She shrugged her shoulders and admitted that it was an issue that she could not control it because of the alley next door. I informed her that the rat was coming from the enclosed bush next to our table. She offered me free cookies instead. WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO WITH COOKIES?? Should I feed them to the rats? She did not care that I was a paying customer ($150) and I did not finish or enjoy my meal. I WILL NEVER COME BACK TO THIS RESTAURANT. Is this how you treat your customers???? If you know you have a rodent issue let your customers know before you seat them and take their money. AND DONT OFFER THEM COOKIES as a way to resolve the issue. Insulting and unprofessional!!!!

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago! The Vitamin D room is absolutely stunning, and it's the perfect place to impress someone. It is my favorite brunch place! The "Very Good French Toast" is my favorite thing on the menu. And then for dinner- the burgers are awesome. At night they have beautiful twinkle lights. Then to finish it off, the Rice Krispy Cookies are the best!! Probably one of my favorite desserts ever!

Enjoyed Summer House...food was delicious, service was outstanding, and the atmosphere reminded us of summer! Order the sweet potato tots, for sure, no matter what else you order! Great craft cocktails!

It’s rare for me to dislike one of the LEY restaurants but I guess there’s a first for everything. This place makes no sense- I thought it was supposed to be continental, California, fresh, summer etc. So why am I eating pizza and pasta?? Why is the menu all Italian food? I came hoping for fish but there were only 3 fish options and one of them was fish fry. Don’t get me wrong I will belly up to the bar at a Wisconsin supper club for some fish fry any time but that’s not at all why I came here. Beyond that the service was not great. Mostly it was extremely slow. We were served wine immediately which was nice but then left with menus for a long while. We ordered an appetizer and told it would be “right out.” It didn’t actually come out for another 45 minutes so I had finished my wine before I’d even had a single bite. I realize a lot of people come here to basically just get drunk on rose but I was hoping for more. The burrata appetizer was fine, my husband’s pizza was fine, my pasta was ok. I’ve definitely had better. And at the end of the meal, I had seen huge stacks of big cookies at the coffee bar up front and told they bake them fresh in house every day. So I ordered a chocolate chip to go. It ended up being completely stale and didn’t taste good. Maybe that’s on me, ordering from a coffee bar at 9pm but if you know it’s not fresh, throw them out and don’t serve them! All in all, so confusing, so disappointing. I really don’t get the attraction here.

Summer House was the perfect spot for a recent girls brunch. It's like they bottled the sun in Chicago and funneled it into their restaurant. Their lighting and layout creates such a bright ambiance. Combine that with the flavorful food and ultra-friendly service, making this is a must-try in Chicago! I can't wait to go back.

Summer House has gone from mediocre to downright lousy. They never had good food. They have a great space. Beautiful decor. An underserved location. It's easy to meet there for lunch or dinner. Works equally well for friends or family. But the food was never good. It was mediocre at best. The last two times that I've visited, it's been inedible. Fish served cold. Salads that tasted awful (what do you do to a kale salad to make it taste bad..haha, yes I know...kale). On top of it all, my husband and I got so sick after lunch yesterday that he was up until 3am. The only item we shared was the guac. I lost two pounds. So, if you're looking for a weight loss plan that tastes awful....this might be your place. Oh..the cookies are still good 😊

I rolled through town cause it's between shows. (Lolla) Was walking around Lincoln Park when I came upon this place. It looked really good but was garbage. It's like going to a place on the ocean only to find that people are paying for the view and not the food. This only good thing about this place is the architect otherwise starve, it'd be better. Really, it's awful. You have to have the tastebuds of someone who eats frozen fish sticks to eat here. And I smoked cigarettes for years so you'd think I wouldn't know what food tastes like. I know that this food tastes as generic as you can get. The waiters and manager blow. There are many waiters who walk around and I don't know what they are doing I just know they are really good at ignoring everyone around me. Not sure if they have a real bartender either cause the dude/dudette couldn't make my drink which I sent back three times. Could have taken it off the bill but that's o.k. I made bank playing with Bowie back in the day. Ya'll suck donkey balls. My waiter was a downright tool as were the people around me who must never leave the midwest. Leave the midwest, there's a whole world out there....

Dined in for brunch an it's not the typical brunch selections. We ordered the fresh fruit waffle which came with so much fresh berries you could not even see the golden soft steaming waffle. The Egg White*house-made english muffin, arugula pesto, spinach, sharp cheddar was outstanding. The hash browns were crispy on the outside and the warm and soft on the inside. The Rose choices are enormous. Be sure and stop at the bakery on the way out for Summer House English Muffins and cookies.

What’s not to love about a place with a glass roof top?! Recommend the avocado toast, the truffle tater tots and the taco platter. The blueberry muffin was just about okay and the cocktails were better than average but not the best! I would do this once, when in Chicago. Please take a reservation before you visit. The wait is just crazy!

Brunch with friends on a Saturday morning. Too full and service a little slow. Very nice food and place. I'd be back but not on Saturday.

Been wanting to check out this California vibe restaurant for months and it was a fabulous experience. Food was delicious — I had the GF veggie burger and my friend had a regular burger. All very tasty including the sweet potato tater tots and the lemonade ice-tea. The airy decor does not disappoint. There’s a beautiful light-filled central atrium, gorgeous plants indoor and outdoor seating as well as “ almost outdoor.” Service was perfect. They also have bakery items for sale. Easily reached by public transportation.

From the time I was seated until the time I left, I thoroughly enjoyed Summer House. The server was so sweet and very knowledgable about the menu. She was attentive without being intrusive. The food was excellent. The best part? The restaurant got very crowded while we were there but we were still able to have a conversation without yelling! It was a perfect night. I will definitely go back.

You’ll feel you are in a beautiful summer cottage with magical servers and wonderful entrees. The entire staff are welcoming with fantastic service. The spicy calamari is fantastic. Our birthday day lunch couldn’t of been better! Don’t pass up the cookies - cookies are worth taking a dozen home!

Erica is a awesome Hostess. She maintains a jovial professional demeanor that makes you feel like a regular, even though it was my first time visiting. The food was prepared to a perfect medium rare and flavorful. I encountered a small hiccup towards the latter end of my dining experience. The manager Ashely rectified the issue immediately and even brought dessert. Residing in the neighborhood, I have walked by this place and never stopped by. Today thanks to Erica I'm glad I did. The airy ambience and the staff's attitude is so warm and welcoming I felt like I was in California. You need to try this place!

A bunch of us gathered for the recent PhD graduation celebration and had a great time. Service was top quality and we all enjoyed ourselves at this establishment. The apps, drinks and entrees were excellent and the attention we all received was awesome. The place was busy but we felt like we were the only ones being served. Everyone had a great time!!

Always a fun, lively atmosphere for brunch or dinner! Rare to see this place empty on the weekends and typically always need reservations in advance. The breakfast tostadas are as filling as they are tasty and this is one of the few places that really does deliver with its fresh fruit plate (in freshness and in bulk)! The menu won't knock your socks off but just a consistently solid menu top to bottom.

We booked the restaurant for 8 persons. There was one waitress who did her best but it was slow . The food was decent The ambience is ok. When we got the bill it had an “Event”Charge of $15! We queried this and got an insulting explanation that 8 persons constituted an “Event “ The “Event “ was dinner for 8 persons with one overworked waitress. We asked for this rip off charge to be removed . To our dismay and the restaurants misfortune they refused . A simple gesture would have us potentially return . However who accepts being ripped off with BS excuses . Bad Form ! They must be desperate for a few Dollars ! Shame Avoid !

Needed a lunch and wanted real food. Had seared ahi sandwich and side salad. Perfectly prepared and highlighted with ginger and a spicy mayo. Delicious. The staff friendly, competent and a lively place for lunch. Would like to return again.

Lovely atmosphere, clean and nice place. Food is good and so is the service. If I want to feel in California again well you can have a little daydream at this place!

This is a fun, cheerful place that serves very good food. It's especially nice in the summer when they open the windows -- you're basically dining outside

We arrived at 11am for a party of 5 with no reservation. We didn’t think we would be in until the host said it would be a 45 min wait. It was a bar next door so we decided to have a few drinks. Well 1 she and 45 mins later our table still wasn’t ready so we left. I will NOT be returning.

Everything was delicious. We got cocktails, split a bunch of appetizers, and some of the cookies. The ambiance was great and they were very understanding when my two co-diners were 20 minutes late.

My husband and I dined at Summer House during a recent weekend visit to Chicago. The restaurant is in prime location, with easy walking access to cute, upscale shops, and transit. We made a reservation in advance for this visit, which I would advise, as it was very busy when we arrived and through out our visit. The restaurant itself has an upscale Malibu beachy vibe, as the name would suggest. The atmosphere was buzzy and fun, with lots of natural light in the space. We both really enjoyed our visit and most of the items we ordered were excellent. We ordered: Summer House Rose Modello Draft Potato Salad Deviled Eggs – Excellent Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos. – Excellent Wild Halibut w/ Tomato Reduction (Special of the Night ) – Good Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie – Excellent

I had read several not so great reviews of this restaurant but it looked like a place we wanted to try for ourselves. My husband had a burger which he said was okay and I had the Beach Club Salad which was really excellent. The cookies were indeed the best part. While others said the service was bad, ours was not. This isn't a place we would go back to any time soon but we would stop in to get a cookie, yum!

We took an Uber from the Sofitel to this restaurant in Lincoln Park and was happy we did. The restaurant is beautiful. You feel like you are in a garden. The seating is comfortable and service was very good. The lunch was delicious. We had salads and hamburgers and the turkey club. Chocolate cake for dessert which was delicious but I would say skimpy for the price, much larger at Cooper’s Hawk and the Brasserie at the Waldorf and much,much smaller then Grand Lux Cafe which is excellent. You should cut it a little bigger and not be so stingy.

My first visit to Chicago and was fortunate enough to have unexpectedly planned our trip around restaurant week. Through thorough research of menu offerings, my date had chosen the Summer House Santa Monica. Although a packed house, we were seated minutes shy of our reservation time. Our server, Liz, was beyond phenomenal! She was extremely informative, detailed oriented and personable. She set a new standard! (Servers across this country could learn a thing or two!!) Upon arriving, we had the intention of ordering from the prixe-fixe, yet ended up ordering from the menu. Tempura shrimp sushi for a starter, prime rib French dip for myself and the Mahi Mahi taco platter for him. We enjoyed every morsel. Also appreciated the select wines offered and for a surprise ending, a warm chocolate chip cookie. Thank you, Summer House, for an exceptional experience.

My husband, daughter and I just had a great late lunch at Summer House Santa Monica. We dined late for lunch, and were seated promptly after our arrival. Our server was courteous and friendly. We ordered our drinks, appetizer and lunches right away. Our deviled eggs appetizer arrived quickly and we devoured them, they were delicious! Capers were added to the yolk mixture, which was a nice touch. There is an extensive cocktail, liquor and wine list. My husband enjoyed his bourbon, my Pinot Grigio was fresh & crisp, and my daughter enjoyed her wine spritzer cocktail. For our meals my husband ordered a fish fry, I ordered a Cobb salad with seared salmon, and my daughter ordered a steak salad. My husband loved his fish fry, both the fish and fries were plentiful, hot & savory. My Cobb salad had all the right ingredients and was served with a light vinaigrette dressing, which was very tasty. The grilled salmon served atop the salad was perfectly prepared, and was a great addition to it. My daughter savored her steak salad, saying it was delicious. We’ll definitely be back!

We had a very good dinner here with a very good waiter. We both thought he was attentive in advise and making sure we had water and wine with our meal. My partner had a chicken breast that he very much enjoyed while I had the scallops that were very tender over a "just right" sauce. We finished up the meal with an ice cream sandwich made with their cookies and vanilla ice cream. I had a berry sorbet that was the best I've ever had! REALLY GOOD!

We popped in on a Sunday night. We made a reservation on Open Table. It said there was only one time spot left so we were grateful to snag it. When we got to the restaurant, there were many open tables which struck me as strange. Also the first table they wanted to sit us at was a tall cocktail table (which I would have thought would be for walk in and not a reservation). I asked if we could sit at a regular table and we were seated in the interior atrium. This was the setting for a lovely dinner. We both wanted a more protein based meal so we prefer the skirt steak which was very tasty. The truffle tots were great as was the corn/rice pilaf. The Brussel sprouts were ok. The service was attentive in all the right ways. A lovely place for a summer evening dinner.

We had heard some good things about this place, so we decided to meet up here for dinner to celebrate my birthday. It was just me and two friends. There was nothing on the menu that really got my attention. So, I went with the chicken. I wanted to try the pasta special, but glad that I didn’t. My friend ordered it and it was kind of bland. The drinks weren’t too good either. But, it may have just been what we ordered. Mine was called something like- the Justin bobby. I thought it tasted a little like soap. I had a few sips and just asked for a lemonade instead. The place is beautiful and the dessert was tasty, but I’m not sure that I would go back.

We had a great server named Ashley, she was very attentive and gave us time to select our choices. We had a variety of their offerings and found everything to be uniformly very good. Tables are tight and the restaurant is noisy - the wait line was long but we had a reservation. Table turnover was efficient and quick so I can't say what the wait time would have been today. Overall, a good choice for the brunch experience but make a reservation if you can. Valet parking offered, it's Old Town so finding a parking space can be very difficult. Go and enjoy.

The decor in this restaurant is unbeatable. There is so much natural light and everything is decorated to perfection. The food was also awesome and the baked goods are out of this world. It can get a bit pricey- especially if you are planning to drink alcohol (there are no brunch specials).

First, this restaurant is loud, so loud you cannot carry on a conversation with those with which you are sharing a meal. Second, the tables are far too close together to be comfortable and third, wait staff has a bad attitude. Food is average, not great but not terrible. Atmosphere other than being so loud is pleasant. Our female wait staff was soft spoken and even after being told by several members of our party that they where having issues hearing her she did not speak up. She took our beverage orders two at a time, there were twelve of us, which I found very strange. Since it was brunch two of our party asked for coffee and it was served twice, cold and old. After the second time it was served cold they drank water but the coffee remained on the bill. Entrees came out two at time just like the drink orders although we gave her our orders as a group. Once the entrees were served we never saw her again until it was time for the check. Since we were a large group the gratuity was added to our check but our server did not earn the 20% added to the bill. Not a place I would visit on my next Chicago trip.

Summer House Santa Monica gets a very attractive young clientele. It is very high energy. The food is very good and the prices are moderate. The menu is Mediterranean. The décor is lovely and is like a California ocean side restaurant, everything is white and light colored. The wait staff is very good and professional. The location is near the corner of Halsted and Armitage. I recommend this restaurant

Amazing place, energy vibe, and the food is fantastic, I will for sure come back again every time I come to Chicago is a must try !!

We visited this hot spot on a recommendation. As you enter you are immediately tempted by their baked assortment. Once inside you are met by an airy, lively bar and dining room. The food, very tasty. We shared the roasted cauliflower which was very tasty and the butternut squash soup both with a bit of a kick at the finish. My main was the Short Rib Bolognese. It was rich and delicious! My husband had the carbonara, again very rich but filled with wonderful flavors. Our only criticism of the evening was that it appeared the staff was detached and didn’t match the feels the room evokes and food conjured.

My wife wanted a chocolate martini for dessert, so we walked a few blocks from our house to Summer House and sat at the bar. She got her martini; my son got an old fashion and I ordered 2oz of Buffalo Trace bourbon on the rocks. When the bill came, I was shocked the 2oz of Buffalo Trace was $44. Bourbon prices don't show up on their menu so I guess I should have asked. The other drinks were priced reasonably.

The place is beautiful. An indoor terrace with a great feeling, tasteful and fresh food. Wonderful experience for a night out.

We ate breakfast here on a Saturday and really enjoyed the fresh eggs, vegetables in the omelette, great English muffin, great service, fun atmosphere in a sunny room. What’s not to like?

Our first time, waiter, sadly,bad service, he didn't put ANY effort to be nice or kind, we order and our order was wrong or something was missing We were 6 people, we have to call him more than 4-5 times he just ignore us Burger was ok but overprice

I took my daughter and two of her friends here for dinner for her sweet 16. I enjoyed the variety on the menu, and the food was delicious. We had the guacamole with housemade chips. The girls all enjoyed their pasta, and I had the tofu bowl. I probably would not order that next time, not because it was bad but because there are other things that look better. The girls loved the atmosphere for the Instagram photos!

What a fun place to go for breakfast on the weekend. I will say that we were there on a very hot day. I'm pointing this out because they do not have a lot of shaded tables. They were busy so we had to wait a few minutes for a table with shade. The service was attentive but not pushy. Our table of 4 tried several different dishes. The pull away cinnamon roll was amazing and perfect for the 4 of us to share. Other dishes we loved were the salmon benedict, the bacon/has benedict and the pancakes. The food was great and portions were not too big. Highly recommend for breakfast.

The Main room of Summer House is bright and open. It's a fun place to go to people watch, along with eating a great meal. The fish tacos are fab and the Brussels sprouts are a go-to item, all the time. Nothing on the menu is shaky, all solid choices. They switch up some of the entrees seasonally (it seems) and the salads are a meal in and of themselves. The service is great, friendly waitstaff always at the ready. Be careful exiting, though, the baked goods are at a counter in the entrance and if you get by them coming in, you'll probably fall prey upon exit.

We ate dinner here on a Friday evening with a group of four women. The wait was about 15 minutes even though we had reservations. The decor is fun and has a California vibe. I love the huge atrium and white walls, but it's really loud inside and hard to hear conversations at the table. The food was fine -- we loved the guacamole, but you can get great guac a lot of places. Maybe you go for the atmosphere, not the food?

So perhaps you think you have tasted the best cookies in the world. Add Summer House Santa Monica to the list of places. They have a wide selection of interesting brunch items as well. Summer House Santa Monica is a good place to enjoy a nice meal with friends.

Brought our daughter, grand son and granddaughter for lunch here last week and we all loved it. The moment you enter you feel like you are in Santa Monica. It is beautiful. We started with a large Guacamole with House-made Chips appetizer, Summer House Cobb salads, a Stacked Turkey, and a Kids Cheeseburger! Large quantities, excellent service and being very kid friendly have made this our new go to lunch spot with the kids in Lincoln Park! Try it. You’ll love it too.

I have enjoyed this location for breakfast and lunch. I LOVE the lemon ricotta pancakes, they are delicious. This is a very active location, but they do take reservations and I would recommend getting them if you can.

I enjoyed this restaurant so much that I visited it twice in one week. The first time I went it was a lunch meeting on Monday and I ate appetisers and get nice salad to go period on Saturday that saying we coming back for dinner with girlfriends. They enjoyed it as much as I had. We all ordered their delicious guacamole and chips to go and a cookie for dessert. The music and ambiance are relaxing and open. Can't wait to go again.

My daughter and I ate her prior to seeing a show at the Steppenwolf theatre. We sat down and ordered drinks. $14 for each and my sangria was half full and mostly ice. My daughter’s spritz the same. Nice profit margin there. We ordered 2 apps and just before they arrived, put in our dinner choices. Apps came and the goat cheese one was so full of Wall it’s, we had to dig out the cubes beet pieces. No balance of ingredients there. The nigeri was fair. We had just started eating the apps when our entrees arrived! Not happy about that and when the waitress cane by and we complained about the timing, she said, “Oh, that was my fault.” What ? Are you new to serving? We both ordered grilled fish and the salmon was overcooked and had only a smidgeon of the basil butter smeared on the top of it offering no flavor to the rest of the filet. The bass was even worse with the shaved fennel having little to none of the lemon thyme vinaigrette. The prices are on the high end with the fish $29 and $33 which we are happy to pay for well made. The waitress offered us cookies gratis for her flub, and presented them in a to go bag, didn’t even ask if we wanted to eat them there. I don’t know, we’re they trying to get us in and out in a hurry? We had early reservations, 5:30, so you wouldn’t think so. I would avoid this place. Not one of the better Lettuce restaurants.

I had been here before for dinner but my wife and daughter and son-in-law went here for brunch. We asked to be seated in the more lighted middle area with glass above. It was very crowded. The service was very good. Two of us had the avocado toast, with a sunny side up egg. My wife had an egg dish but they have fresh ingredients in many dishes. I had a chicken with avocado and cheese sandwich and sweet potato fries. All of the food was delicious. They also have a bakery with many interesting cookie varieties- including gluten free desserts. We got the mated milk chocolate chip cookies and the gluten free chocolate chip cookies and the crispy chocolate chip cookies with chunks of rice crispy treats on top of the cookie. I recommend this place very much. Great atmosphere.

Lovely, bright ambiance with open kitchen and expansive brunch menu. Need to go back to try other menu items. Don't miss the basket (bucket) of mini cinnamon rolls! Service was good and prices were on par for area.

I wasn't wowed by the food. The ambiance is wonderful though and there is excellent service. The cookies are to DIE for. I get them every few weeks.

This is the place for a turkey burger. It is served juicy and delicious. The waitress was extremely helpful and attentive. She brought ice tea refills just on queue.

Came here with a group of girlfriends and it was D-licious. I wasn’t too excited about it at first because we came for brunch and I’m not a breakfast person. All my friends got eggs, omelettes, etc and loved it. But for me...the Green veggie burger was to die for! Only qualm was that when I asked the server how they make it, he was quite rude and wouldn’t offer any tips or ingredients. I get that the won’t/can’t give me the the recipe, but everywhere I’ve dined in the past, when you love something, they chef will give you SOME info on how to do it, especially as a tourist who can rarely make it back.

Our entire family visited SHSM using Lettuce Gift Cards we won in a charity raffle. As a California native, I appreciated the vibe upon entering this establishment, as the temperature was below zero outside - a much needed respite. While I did not appreciate the play on words (reference to the infamous Colombian drug lord), I started the evening with a Poblano Escobar specialty cocktail, which was absolutely wonderful. We shared the homeade guacamole and chips and crispy spicy calamari, which were both big hits with all. I very much enjoyed the fresh salmon from Scotland, while other members of our party also had the ribeye steak frites, burger and brussel sprouts salad. Our entire family came away satisfied. Service was timely, so that we still had time to walk around the corner to Jeni's ice cream on Armitage before heading to the theatre. Wonderful experience we would definitely recommend!

Burger and steak were delicious Also the staff are very helpfull and take care of you. Bakery and cookies have to be seen also

Dined at Summer House on Halstead for lunch. Servers and staff very friendly and prompt with service. We have dined here plenty of times, but today they were not on their A game. The egg sandwich on favorite English Muffins lacked the usual flavor and the egg was not cooked all the way. Was in a bit of a rush or would have sent back. The blueberry pancakes were light and fluffy as were the waffles. Will be back but need to rethink the egg sandwich selection.