Jump to: Reviews | The Roguish Rapier, Chapter 8: Four Farthings

Put on your drinking shoes and eating socks and get ready to fill your belly with today’s Groupon: $15 for $30 worth of food and drinks at Four Farthings Tavern & Grill located in the heart of Lincoln Park. This family-owned neighborhood gem has been serving locals since 1981 and is best know for made-to-order dishes and an extensive beer and wine list. Like the mythical gryssifix (half gryphon, half animal), it’s a two-part establishment rolled into one—half for foodies, half for tipplers.

On the bar side of things, you’ll find a plethora of flat screens equipped with Direct TV’s football package (if the resolution looks higher than usual, you're right—those are actual tiny football players inside). Lubricate your friendly wagers with selections from the beer and wine lists. Beer lovers can choose from 12 beers on tap and 12 bottled beers. If you like your alcohol more grape-y than bar-ley, there are more than 50 wines by the bottle and 12 by the glass. To use your Groupon toward drinks, you’ll need to purchase at least one food item. Luckily, that’s more of a bonus than a stipulation, and it’s always a good idea to pad the stomach so you can still kick tailfin in the amateur airshow the next morning.

There’s a traditional sit-down section where Sunday brunch, lunch, and dinner are served. The same menus are offered at the bar for those preferring that scene. Lunch and dinner are similarly delicious, with appetizers and finger food at lunchtime. If you’re feeling pubtastic, go for the Angus beef burger ($9), or if you must feast like a king, sink your teeth into the filet mignon ($24.95) or the grilled salmon ($18.50). Joining these choice meats are plenty of other pastas ($11.50–$17.25), salads ($5.95–$14.95), and appetizers ($6.75–$13.95) to choose from. Be forewarned that the cozy dining room of Four Farthings only seats 70 ravenous diners, so you’ll have to make reservations beforehand.

Sunday brunch starts at 10 a.m. and includes a plethora of egg dishes as well as other breakfast fare. Gorge on omelettes such as the smoked salmon or the ham and cheese ($9). Benedicts and egg specialties such as the grilled flank steak and eggs are in the $9.50–$12.95 range. Get your morning drink on and pry loose the freshest gossip from friends with a spicy and delicious bloody mary.

Go in for live music on Friday, or sing your worst rendition of “Living on a Prayer” on Thursday- and Saturday-night karaoke. You’re welcome to go in any other time during regular hours, but you’ll only have the bar’s warm atmosphere, vast beer and wine list, and delicious menu to entertain yourself. So, good luck with that.

Reviews

The Chicago Reader reviews Four Farthings:

• Raters think the service is great, the atmosphere is inviting, and the food (with an emphasis on steak and seafood) exceeds expectations. – Holly Greenhagen

Four Farthings earns an impressive 4.5 stars on Citysearch, with one reviewer even defending the bar’s honor.

• Really, really good. The one bad review on this board, is because the place was already full. What does that mean? It means its good. – chi_guy
• If you like live music, free party room, great beer, and amazing local flavor, you must check out this place! – SSpringsGal