Storyville Chicago

Storyville is a beautifully decorated, quaint space with moody, dim lighting that sets a great atmosphere. However, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. The andouille sausage étouffée was incredibly flavorful, but the proportions were unfortunately way off, there wasn't nearly enough sauce for the amount of rice provided. This made the dish feel a bit dry toward the end. In general, portions here tend to be on the smaller side, so keep that in mind if you are arriving with a large appetite. On the plus side, the cornbread was absolutely delicious and likely the highlight of the meal. We finished with the sweet beignets, which were fine, but didn't quite steal the show like the cornbread did. I ordered a dirty martini which was served perfectly chilled and tasted great. Oddly, it was served without any olives. I had to flag someone down to ask for them, which felt like a strange oversight for that specific drink. It took a moment to get the server's attention, which added to the slightly disjointed feeling of the service that evening. While the staff was polite once reached, the attention to detail on the classic cocktail components was lacking. The aesthetic of the restaurant is its strongest suit, making it a nice spot for a quiet date or a drink if you prioritize ambiance. However, given the price point and the portion sizes, it wouldn’t be the first place I’d recommend in the area. It is worth eventually going to experience the decor, but there are more consistent options nearby if you are looking for a hearty, traditional Cajun-inspired meal.