D4 Irish Pub & Café isn’t just a pub. And it’s not just a café. It’s also not just a restaurant. It’s an experience. And perhaps the best culinary one you’ll have while visiting the windy city.
The Back Story
How did it all start? You might ask with an upward curl in your pronunciation – as the Irish tend to do.
Going back many years (and we don’t need to discuss just how many) a man and woman met (as they tend to do) at an Irish pub in the greater Chicago area. Brendan McNeill, who was the owner of said pub, was an immigrant straight from Dublin, and fell quickly for his now long-time partner Deb Zalesiak. The two decided in 2007, that while Brendan’s business had been going well, they wanted something that was of a bit more challenging.
Why not a pub and a restaurant? They wondered. And what would set them apart, was something even more upscale, yet approachable for the general public.
The great thing about D4, both owner Deb, and Executive chef Leo will tell you, is that D4 is one of those places that is unpretentious yet classy. It’s the type of place where everyone feels welcome, but also feels sophisticated dining here.
The food is no different. While the ambiance might blow you away when you first walk in (high vaulted ceilings, stunning chandeliers, and a bar that was actually designed, built and shipped all the way from San Francisco), the main menu is what it’s all about.
Staff is the most detailed oriented, pleasant and accommodating I’ve seen in possibly years, and the level of service is unparralled to any you will find in Chicagoland.
The Name
D4 might throw you off – where did the name come from? My guess was left up to my imagination just as anyone else’s might be, but the answer was not one I expected. Being from Dublin, Brendan’s zip code in the famed Irish capital was – you guessed it – Dublin 4. D4 then become the titled name of this now well established and fairly long standing fixture in the upscale district of Chicago. Now you know.
The Books
Seated in the library section of the restaurant, the environment was cozy and welcoming. Obviously though, all those books had to come from somewhere, and naturally we were curious what the story was. Deb informed me that the books are a love of hers – noting that she reads approximately a book a week – and they decided to create a space for fellow book lovers. And in fact, the books guests see displayed in the library, are those that have been left by other patrons. With a take a book/leave a book philosophy, anyone who brings a book and leaves it, can then take a book as well. I unfortunately didn’t have any books to leave, but Deb was kind enough to let me take a book anyway. Given the hundreds they have there, I’m sure someone will be along shortly to replace the one I took.
The Service
Service is not a strong enough word for what I experienced at D4. The formally polite disposition of all the staff members here is one that I have scarcely seen in the United States. With a very precise attention to detail and strong effort to please their customers, D4 goes above and beyond any expectations you may have before walking in. Their manager Rui, who worked alongside our server, to meet any needs I or my guest may have had while dining that day, was exceptionally courteous and eager to assist in any way possible. The servers are incredibly friendly, the bartender on point with his drink service, and the overall feeling of hospitality is unmatched anywhere I’ve been in the city.
The Environment
Located in the upper crust section of the city, D4 is in kind of the perfect location. Within walking distance of the heart of Chicago, you can’t get much more downtown than here. Conveniently, their pub is downstairs from a parking garage – and it could not have been any better for us while visiting. The parking garage is astronomically expensive – but luckily D4 validates, so you’re in for a real treat with price. We were there on a Saturday and ended up with the deal of the century – only $10 for 3 hours. That’s pretty much unheard of in Chicago.
The décor inside of D4 is impeccable to what I experienced when I visited Dublin twice; first in 2007 (ironically when D4 opened) and then again in 2018. The sleek, dark brown furniture, matched with the vintage looking chandeliers, and topped off with a couple of perfectly situated fireplaces make for a true Irish pub feel. Added to this, they still had their Christmas decorations up from a few weeks ago, making it all the more cozy, comfortable and beautiful.
The Food
Now onto the real reason we’re all here. The food. Chef Leo is new to the team, just having started with the pub a couple of months ago (this article being written in January of 2023). But his execution of each dish is truly phenomenal and noteworthy. Be advised, you must try everything off this menu, because you just have to . There’s nothing on here that should be left a mystery to your tastebuds. And while everything is delicious, I do have a top 5 that need to be recognized more than the rest.
5. The Blackberry Brownie
Yes, we’re starting with dessert first and working our way backward in a sense. If you’re going to stay for a full on meal, you cannot leave here without having one of their desserts. Now, by me telling you that the blackberry brownie was my favorite dessert, this should not draw attention away from their aptly named “Ooey Gooey Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie” because that was almost just as good (I mean, come on, with a name like that, it has to be, right?). But the blackberry brownie was so decadently delicious, you can’t go wrong. And because blackberries are my favorite fruit, and chocolate is my favorite anything – it was kind of a foregone conclusion this would be my favorite. Make sure you also order their Affogato on the side, which will blow your mind.
4. The D4 Burger
This is tough because the burger was so amazing when I first bit into it, I just naturally assumed this would be my favorite thing on the food odyssey I had just began embarking on. The reason it was so good was because of the quality of beef, the flavor of the beef, and the fact that even without any sauces on the burger, somehow the chef was able to make the flavors of each of the items in the burger stand out incredibly. The pretzel bun itself was something of its own, but again – it’s all about the beef. If you’re a burger and beer kind of guy or gal, this signature burger of theirs is definitely not to be missed.
3. The Fish n’ Chips
Again, this is difficult. Quite possibly the best fish n’ chips I’ve ever eaten, Chef Leo’s impressive ability to get the batter just right will win anyone over. Not greasy, crispy, flaky and, according to owner Deb, fresh cod, unlike so many other restaurants around – making the fish all the more desirable and tasty.
2. The Beef, and finally,
1. Mushroom Mashed Potatoes
But regardless of my opinion or what you choose to order here, D4 absolutely does not disappoint. Every single dish and dessert was mouthwatering and I wouldn’t skip this place if you are visiting Chicago. Frankly, a must stop no matter your reason for being in the famous city.
And it’s not just their food that should entice you to visit. Their hospitable and friendly staff are all the more reason to throw them some business. Just remember that when you do stop in, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
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