Table for 4

Coobah
3423 N. Southport

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 3423 N. Southport. A few steps from the Southport El stop.

When it’s open: Weekend brunch: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Soups, salads and appetizers served 3-5 p.m. Dinner: 5-10 p.m. Sunday; 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesday through Friday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Closed on Mondays until the spring.

Reservations: Accepted, but not neccesarily needed during the week.

What you’ve heard: Good things: good drink specials, food and atmosphere. ... A refreshing blend of spicy night life, fine dining and value. ... The weekend brunch is worth a stop. ... Influences from Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines.

Visual Aids
First impressions: A small venue that includes a front section with a bar and tables and a smaller back room for dining only. Definitely a tight fit, but very comfortable. ... You’re immediately surrounded by a mix of Cuban and modern style, right down to the bathroom faucets. ... Limited seating and a cozy atmosphere, so sit down early.

The atmosphere: Casual, fun atmosphere with a great blend of trendy and casual guests, along with the type of diversity that makes Chicago the great place that it is. ... Dimly lit, oranges and reds infused on the wall, big leaf fans swaying back and forth above the bar. Warming, yet contemporary. ... You can enjoy the music and still hear yourself and others speak.

The Experience
At your service: The service is quite impressive. Your glass is rarely left empty, if ever. The server brought us glasses of ice and fruit to refresh our drinks. Requests are immediately accommodated. ... We were moved to the front at our request, as the back was too tight for the size of our size group. After not really caring for a certain dessert dish, it was immediately replaced with another at no charge. ... Impeccable.

Get your drink on: Can’t lose with $5 sangria pitchers on Tuesdays, served in a nice pewter number that seems to be bottomless. ... Mojitos, several specialty rum drinks and a good-sized wine list.

Menu variety and prices: Everything from appetizers to main courses and dessert. The menu included tamales ranging from under $3 to duck for over $20. ... Entree variety is limited with moderate prices; however, the dessert and appetizer menu is quite extensive.

Description of what you did decide on: For appetizers, we had the calamari and cheese dish — very tasty. ... In our group, many chose to have the hand-rolled tamales, with a choice of pork, chicken, beef or vegetarian. They’re big in size and loaded with seasoning. ... Try the duck chorizo as part of the Fundido appetizer. ... I ordered a very good chicken dish (Negra Modelo) that was tender, full of flavor and served over a bed of mashed potatoes that was mixed with garlic and cheese. It was to die for. Delicious. The meal was $18, which I didn’t frown about; it was worth it. ... As nothing jumped out at me, I opted for the Caesar salad with a sweet sugar dressing — a break from the traditional. ... The steak and the Pork Tenderloin Bicol stuffed with bacon, coconut, pineapple and shrimp were so good and served with jasmine rice. Very tender. They know what it means to cook something medium, unlike a lot of restaurants. ... The presentation of the food is creative too. ... For dessert, our table had the Belgian Waffle and Espresso Brulee. The flourless chocolate cake with berries and an anglaise sauce was recommended by staff over the brulee, and after sampling the brulee, we ordered the cake as a replacement. Rule of thumb: Always listen to the staff!

Something that caught your eye: You must check out the cool bathrooms. ... Call me a country bumpkin, but the plasma screens on the wall broadcasting scenes of a wood-burning fireplace were very trendy yet inviting.

What you’ll tell your friends: Pretty good sangria for $5, and worth a trip on a Tuesday night. ... For a party of six, and numerous pitchers of sangria, you can’t beat a $105 bill. ... Note that the dining area is converted into a dance floor with local DJs spinning mixes after 11 p.m. If you’re there for any other reason than to dance after 11, it may be tough. The small back room remains open for dining and conversation. ... It would make for a good first-date place. It’s got kind of a romantic, stylish feel to it. You could impress someone by taking them there.

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