The Little Gem Cafe - Oak Park

We had a wonderful experience at the restaurant. The atmosphere was great and our waitress Tanya was lovely and welcoming. The food was fresh and of good quality. We enjoyed the fried calamari, which was crispy and not burnt. The steak was cooked perfectly, better than what you would find at a chain restaurant, and the salmon with pesto was delicious. While it may not be a cheap restaurant, the quality of the food justifies the price. We would definitely return in the future.

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last Thursday at The Little Gem Cafe, our favorite restaurant. This was only our second visit, but as usual, we were not disappointed. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, and the food was exceptional. From the calamari appetizer to the honey Brussels sprouts and our main courses of Gouda stuffed pork chop and sausage orecchiette, everything was delicious. The standout dish, however, was the crispy, sweet, and perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts. The desserts were also fantastic, and we are grateful to our server Carlos for his attentive service.

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem! My mother, grandmother, and I enjoyed a spontaneous lunch date after commemorating the loss of a loved one. We were warmly greeted by the staff and the owner, who exuded all the warm and fuzzy feelings. We started with the mussels as an appetizer, which were impeccably cooked in a white wine sauce. We each ordered drinks; my mom had the Riesling she loved, I had the new old fashioned which was good but nothing out of the ordinary, and my grandma had a martini without vodka, as she isn't much of a drinker, but she still loved it. For the main course, I had the boneless, slow-roasted half chicken, which was perfectly juicy with crispy skin, although it was actually only a breast and thigh combo. My mom had the seafood risotto, which lived up to its reputation of being delicious and perfectly cooked, although there was a bit too much liquid in it causing it to absorb even more. My grandmother enjoyed her pan-seared salmon filet cooked medium well, leaving no leftovers. We are already planning our next visit for a double date. The service, ambiance, and food were all fantastic. Thank you for a delightful dining experience.

Service is good, food is also good and tasty (especially the mussels), but it is a little overpriced for what you actually get. $80 for two sandwiches, one appetizer, and one bottle sparkling water. Again, the place is very nice and the decoration isgood-looking, with a cute terrace, but the price is a little too much. Will recommend for a date or a business lunch, but notfor casual dining

I mean it was fine I wanted a nice sandwich and they had one and it was good (BLT bacon was perfect! Rest was textbook. Fries were tasteless. But service was slow and uninterested in a solo diner sitting at the bar. I had to ask for almosteverything and no one talked to me. I think it 's more of a make reservations to have lunch with your mother kind of place thana real hidden gem.