Next Door Bistro

This place is popular and cozy. I liked service and attention to how food is furnished. On Friday evening place was packed by patrons, employees were polite and in 5 minutes we were seated at a nice table. Even though place was packed service was lightning fast. We had a great time here. Food was good but was lacking flavor.

Came across this place randomly while out in Northbrook for the afternoon, and we loved it. The vibe is cool and the food was great. There was no wait for a table, but I'm sure we just came at the right time, cuz it's not a very large place. Also, I don't know what the person below was going on about re: not being able to get a table if you're under 60. We were a group of 20/30 somethings and got seated immediately. Food is not exorbitantly priced but isn't cheap. Check it out if you're looking for something to do after the Botanic Gardens or hitting the outlets.

The place is definitely on the smaller side, but they fit as many tables as they can that for sure. It's not the best for us taller folks are you basically rubbing elbows with the table next to you. The service is good and the food has been delicious each time I have been here. I had the sea bass and it was very good. I recommend getting in early as it will fill up and typically reservations get kind of messed up not sure why.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 60 YEARS OLD, STEER CLEAR Summary: Me and my group were polite and courteous. We called ahead and made a “preferred seating” reservation. We came on time and were told to wait an hour while older people who had times after us were seated before us. I found this place on maps like I normally do. We called ahead and put down our name. The man on the line told us “Calling does not guarantee you a table on time”. Fair enough, I put down my name anyways. I arrived a few minutes early and found no parking, so I had to park in the mall across the street and run across the road. I got in and told the man at the front that we we were here and had our name down. He robotically told us, “The wait is an hour”. I told him we had our names down and he acknowledged it but told us they were full still. Fair enough, they told us it wasn’t a for sure table. I assumed he highballed the estimate and it would be a bit less. I was wrong. After about 20 minutes a group of 4 came in and we’re immediately seated. I assumed they had put their name on earlier but we had too, so why were they seated before us? Another 10 minutes later another group came in and put their name down on the list. They had not called in before us but they had clearly been here before as they knew the guy. After another 10 minutes, a table was cleared and the washed up waitress came to seat the next group. Did she go for the group who had been waiting longer and had put their name down first, or did she go for the group that came in later? She seated the group that was placed behind us on the list. Of the 4 groups that came in after us, they had all been seated before us. The only striking difference? All of them are old. Not a single head was under 50 in this restaurant. The man at the front told us that we would have to wait but that was enough. We we’re the only ones in the queue and had well surpassed the 1 hour told at the start. This restaurant favors old people and regulars. How you become a regular is beyond me. The cheap potato chips they give for people in queue is a slap in the face to those forced to stand and wait. If your over 60, like the smell of pungent alcohol hanging in the air and like being elbow to elbow with the table next to you, go to this place. If you have any standards or are under 60, don’t even try this place. This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to, and you can expect the same should you dare try. Service: 0/10 Food: N/A Vibe/Decor: 6/10 - Bit dated but that seems to work in their favor, doesn't subtract but doesn't wow