(312) 461-0161
1301 S Wabash Ave
Chicago,
IL
60605
41.8657
-87.6256
Neighborhoods: Central, Near South Side
Opera
What People Are Saying About Opera
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – Restaurateur Jerry Kleiner strikes again with this wild Asian dining room, where touches like red silk light fixtures and velvet curtains blend with graffiti-sprayed walls and distressed paint for a gritty, South Loop-chic feel. The crowd is mostly local hipsters from the neighborhood. – – The Food – Fans of Chef Paul Wildermuth's fun Asian fare at Red Light will dig the menu here, which boasts the same Far Eastern influence, creative presentation and, for the most part, delicious results. Like crispy prawns, crusted with almonds and hiding under greens in…
07/12/09
Good, but scary in back
by eaterouters
Ok, I was sooo looking forward to a fine Asian meal. The food was ok at best. The service was great, except for the seating. We were taken to a back room where there are these little cubby holes . I'm thinking, ok, this might be romantic (a la Como Inn). Wrong!! If anything, it was horribly dark, the walls looked and made me feel like I was in some prison or something. Defnintely not romantic. You couldn't even see the main dining room at all. I mean, it was oppressive back there. My guest and I will NEVER go back. If you don't have claustrophobia, you will have it by the time you're done with your appetizer (which was not special enough to even mention here.)
- Pros: nice upscale neighborhood
- Cons: Cells in the back
04/29/09
Used to love this place
by kumakap
Well it used to be my favorite restaurant, however, I do agree with some of the recently posted reviews. The food quality had gone completely south.. there used to be a time when I used to think their Field Green Salad was the bomb... tasted it this evening... not sure what they did to it, but it was horrible. How can you mess up a good salad? Peking Duck Service has been taken off the prix fixe menu... why not just keep it and charge extra for it, if it really costs them that much. Anyway, stay away from the whitefish and beef/asparagus - we tried them and both were terrible, especially the whitefish was bland and at best average. The desserts were both terrible - some cornbread like concoction for 8 bucks and the worst key lime pie I have ever had. The best part of the meal was golden shrimp which I have had many times before. I wonder how long it will take for them to mess that up. Guess, I won't know, because I am definitely not going back there.
- Pros: Golden Shrimp
- Cons: Most food is mediocre to bad and wine list is very poor
06/29/08
Decent, but not extraordinary
by Truthsayerlives
Opera aims to dazzle, but the food is far from extraordinary. I was excited about trying this place, but it is indeed a fact that there cuisine lacks sophistication. There are great upscale chinese places in New York that far outshine anything the chef can muster up at Red Light or Opera, which have great decor but neglect what is of paramount importance to a great dining experience- the food. I realized immediately after tasting the food that this had to be a part of a franchise. The ingredients lacked freshness. The flavors were not creatively matched, and lacked depth of flavor. Last year, I went to a restaurant called Swagath in Defense Colony, New Delhi (that's India, so it's a ways from here). But, i must say, it will be worth your trip. The chef specializes in regional Indian fare and Chinese Fare, and excels in his execution. Brilliant combinations of flavor and ingredients await you in every single dish you try. This is exceptional Chinese (and Indian). One trip to a restaurant like Swagath, and you'll understand that cuisine can be far more enriching and creative than one experiences at Opera or Red Light.
- Pros: Decent Food
- Cons: Very Good Service
The Details on Opera
Where to Sit:
Three sexy, semi-private vaults (tables 142-147) seat four apiece; there's also a private dining room hidden behind an eight-foot by six-foot foot oil painting that accommodates up to 12.
Parking:
Valet your car for $9.
When to Go:
Switch up your usual sandwich and chips routine for a lunch box filled with hot and sour soup or duck wonton soup, a choice of veggie fried rice, steamed jasmine rice or steamed brown rice; and either fresh fruit or creme brulee for dessert. The cost is $14.95.
Smoking Permitted:
Bar
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