A Friday Night Surprise: Our Dinner at Sifr, Chicago
Some of the best nights are the ones you don’t plan. This past Friday started as a lazy, do-nothing kind of day at home — I genuinely had no idea what we were doing for dinner. Hubby and my son were already in
Chicago for the day, and out of nowhere, I got the sweetest surprise: an invitation to come join them in the city for dinner. Naturally, I said yes before I even knew the plan.
Now, anyone who’s driven into Chicago on a Friday knows it’s a special kind of chaos, so I skipped the car entirely. A quick outfit change, five minutes of makeup (a personal record), and I drove to the station and hopped on the Metra into Union Station. The timing could not have been more perfect — we caught the
USA vs. Australia match on the big screen downtown, and the entire city was electric when USA pulled out the win. To celebrate, we decided dinner needed to match the energy of the night.
Hubby had quietly made a reservation at Sifr, a River North restaurant I’d been wanting to try for a while now. Getting there was its own adventure — we walked about a mile and a half through the city, weaving through celebrations spilling out of every bar and street corner. Our reservation was for 5:40, but the restaurant had just opened at 5, and even though we expected to wait at the bar, they seated us right away. Already, a good sign.
A Little About Sifr
For anyone unfamiliar, Sifr is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant in River North from chefs Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi — the same team behind the Michelin-starred Indienne. Since opening in 2023, it’s earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand two years running, and it’s easy to see why: the kitchen leans on a wood-fired and charcoal hearth to bring together flavors from across the Levant, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Everything felt thoughtful, from the open kitchen to the way each course was paced.
The Food: Course by Course
To Start — We decided to go for the chef’s tasting menu, and it did not disappoint. They started us off with warm, fresh pita and the creamiest hummus I think I’ve ever had in the US. Then came the halloumi, made in molasses and served over sweet beets — they had us at first bite. Super flavorful, beautifully balanced,and exactly the kind of dish that sets the tone for the rest of the meal.
The Kababs — Easily one of the highlights. I ordered the chicken, my husband went for the lamb, and my son did the angus beef. All three were delish — succulent, tender, and full of flavor without ever overpowering the natural taste of the meat. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a good kabab and a great one.
Mains — I chose the branzino, and it was everything I wanted — soft and flaky on the inside with a perfectly crisp skin on the outside. We also ordered the manti and morel dish, because we love morels and couldn’t resist. It came with little ravioli-like dumplings, and the sauce was so good that we genuinely did not miss having meat in it.
The lamb shank was tender and falling off the bone, but by this point we were so full that it had to be boxed up for later — a sign of just how generous the portions were. Dessert — Light and lovely, exactly how a meal like this should end. I had a bite of the mango sorbet, which was good, but the real winner was the strawberry cream — light, creamy, and perfectly sweet without being heavy.
Ambiance & Service
The space itself is light and airy, with an open feel that makes it just as good for a celebratory night out as it would be for a quieter dinner. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely cordial throughout — never rushed, even though we lingered over a four-course tasting menu and several cocktails.
The Price Tag
I’ll be upfront — Sifr is on the pricier side. Between the chef’s tasting menu and a round of cocktails, we paid just over $300 for food alone. It’s an investment, but for the quality, portions, and experience, it felt worth it for a special-occasion kind of night.
The Verdict
I would go back to Sifr in a heartbeat. What started as a lazy day with zero plans turned into one of my favorite dinners of the year — good food, good company, and a city still buzzing from a big win. If you’ve been wanting an excuse to try this place, consider this it.
QUICK FACTS
Address: 660 N. Orleans St., River North, Chicago, IL 60654
Cuisine: Modern Middle Eastern / Levant, North African & Mediterranean
Cooking style: Charcoal & wood-fired hearth
Recognition: Michelin Bib Gourmand, 2024 & 2025
What we ordered: Pita & hummus, halloumi with beets, four-course chef’s tasting menu
(chicken / lamb / angus beef kababs, branzino, mango & morel, lamb shank), mango sorbet,
strawberry cream, cocktails
Price range: $$ — budget $250–$350+ for two to three people with the tasting menu and drinks
Good to know: They seated us early even though our reservation was for 5:40.
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