A step back in time at the Armitage Ale House

From the outside, you would walk right past it and not even notice. But step through the doors of the Armitage Ale House at the northwest corner of Armitage and Sheffield and you have entered a whole new world. One you probably thought didn’t exist anymore in these modern times. Think London, circa 1926, a favorite neighborhood pub, but oh so much more.

Steeped in ambiance, the restaurant's attention to detail is astounding. The woodwork you could even call masterful, from the rolled columns to the beadboard pass-throughs, even the secret places where only the help goes has not been left unattended. The fireplace in the dining room warmly reflects the delight on the diners’ faces as they tuck into tandoori-style roasted chicken, English-cut prime rib, truffle bucatini, pot pies (steak and ale, chicken, spiced lamb, pheasant and morel, oxtail and red wine) and so much more.

The booths are cozy and spacious with each one lit by tiny, vintage looking shaded lamps. The room lights are perfectly dimmed and you just never know when a customer might get busy on the antique piano in the corner of the charming bar. The background music, thankfully, matches the ambiance to a tee.

This spot is one of my new favorites, but be forewarned, reservations are hard to come by. A friend of mine even made reservations before she had guests to invite, just to be safe. (Opened October 2022, armitagealehouse.com, 1000 W. Armitage, resy.com, open for brunch).