ÍLA’S Chicago
Address: 15 W Hubbard St. Chicago, IL 60654
Website: ilaschicago.com
Instagram: @ilaschicago
Written by Jessica Dalka
Chicago is full of incredible restaurants with award-winning chefs, jaw-dropping interior designs, and premium service. It’s not easy to stand out, but ÍLA’S Chicago manages to do it. How? By bringing back what I believe to be the essence of hospitality: feeling like home, but better.
At ÍLA’S Chicago, that feeling starts the moment you walk in. Nestled in River North, this new restaurant from restaurateur Kirtan Gandhi, also known for Porter Cullens in Evergreen Park, offers the kind of dining experience that feels personal, unhurried, and genuinely warm.
ÍLA’S is named after Gandhi’s mother, and it opened on the anniversary of her immigration to the United States, a detail that quietly sets the tone for everything about the space. It’s a restaurant built on heart, family, and the kind of hospitality that is the essence of the restaurant experience. “We wanted ÍLA’S to feel like home in the middle of the city, where food and hospitality go hand in hand,” Gandhi shared.
Quality Service and an Invitation to Stay Awhile
I first met Gandhi during ÍLA’S opening event, a lively evening designed to showcase the best the restaurant had to offer. Like most openings, it was full of excitement, energy, and guests eager to try the menu for the first time. I loved everything about the space, which had a clean yet styled layout that I could see lending itself well to events, but also plenty of room for branding opportunities for a group who loves extra décor and logos.
Kirtan was kind, and you could tell he truly put a lot of heart into this place. When it comes to restaurant reviews, I’ve been doing this a long time, so I’ve been to a lot of restaurants, and I can tell you that the ones where the owner is shaking your hand and willing to have a conversation with you, are the ones that make for a truly hospitable experience.
The food was actually unique. I had a lot of interesting bites that were approachable for any diner, but just different enough to stand out.
Everything about the opening experience left a strong impression, so I wanted to know what the experience would be like on a regular night. Kirtan let me know that they encourage people to stay awhile. I had a friend who was coming from out of town, and she asked me where to go. I knew we would want to catch up, and so
I thought I’d see if we really could enjoy a dinner at a restaurant and not feel the anxiety of being there for more than 90 minutes. I was not disappointed.
On the day, I didn’t make a reservation, but instead arrived a little early to make sure we could get a table before the dinner rush. I had no expectations, never gave my name – just requested a table for two like any other walk-in patron. I was greeted by a friendly, well-dressed hostess, and they kindly accommodated my request to be at a table near a plug, since my phone was almost dead. Our server was attentive, and the manager even stopped by. I let them know my friend was caught in traffic (the Cubs were playing), and no one acted annoyed or frustrated that I was holding up a table. I’d pre-ordered appetizers and got myself a cocktail, and when my friend arrived, she was grateful for a spread waiting. She ordered a drink when she arrived, we perused the menu, and had an incredible time reconnecting.
To my surprise, Kirtan came to the table, and he remembered me, and greeted me warmly. Later, he checked in during dinner to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. The care and attention that night weren’t because it was an event, it was just how they operate. The service, the food, and the pacing were all just as good as opening night.
In lieu of dessert, we were brought the most incredible sparkling wine I may have ever enjoyed; nearly two and a half hours had passed, and no one made us feel rushed or out of place. It’s rare these days to find a restaurant that lets guests simply enjoy themselves, and that’s exactly what ÍLA’S delivers.
As a planner and someone who has worked in restaurants, one of the biggest challenges when booking an event, even for a smaller business dinner, is finding a place that doesn’t push people out. For certain groups, they are having important discussions or simply don’t want to be disturbed. When there are limits, that can be hard to achieve. This is the place I recommend for those dinners.
Global Flavors with a Chicago Spirit
The menu at ÍLA’S reflects Gandhi’s approach to food: take familiar dishes and give them new life through bold but approachable flavors. The result is food that’s both comforting and exciting. Standouts include Birria Pierogies, Short Rib “Italian” Beef, and Sweet Corn Agnolotti, dishes that blend cultures seamlessly while staying grounded in taste.
Each one feels like a little story about Chicago itself: diverse, flavorful, and full of character. The pierogies celebrate the city’s global roots, the Italian beef pays tribute to a local classic, and the agnolotti honors the Midwest’s simple love of corn in a refined, unexpected way. Gandhi describes the menu as “taking flavors from different places and making them all feel familiar,” and that’s exactly what makes it work.
It’s food that feels personal, not performative. The flavors are layered but never complicated, and the presentation is polished without being pretentious. Everything about it feels thoughtful, honest, and grounded in care.
A Modern Take on Chicago Hospitality
In a city full of new concepts and ever-changing dining trends, ÍLA’S brings something quietly different. It’s not chasing buzzwords or showy presentations, it’s rooted in genuine care, good food, and the kind of hospitality that feels almost nostalgic.
It’s the place where you can spend hours catching up, order one more cocktail just because you can, and still feel welcome long after your plates are cleared. It’s a reminder of what Chicago dining used to be, and what so many of us still hope it can be.
Whether you’re planning a casual business dinner or just looking for a place that reminds you how good dining out can feel, ÍLA’S is worth every minute. Because sometimes, the best hospitality is simply knowing you’re welcome to stay awhile.
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