Cite Restaurant

The Scene – Perched atop the Lake Point Tower, overlooking Navy Pier, Cite boasts spectacular views in all directions. The elegant dining room has a luxurious feel with carpeted floors, cream-colored banquettes and tuxedoed waiters. Shimmering gold columns and sheer fabric flowing from underneath starched white table linens add whimsy. – – The Food – French cuisine with bold flavors gets high marks. A quail appetizer with wild rice and a citrus-tinged sauce is delicate and delicious; silky foie gras melts in the mouth. Notable entrees include tender duck-breast…

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Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:: The banquettes facing the windows put you side-by-side with your dining partner, but provide the best views.
The Extras:: During the summer, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, try to get a table overlooking Navy Pier--you'll be treated to a fireworks show. You won't have much privacy, though, as other diners wander over to take in the scene.

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User Reviews (25)

ambiance	90.0% positive	“The view was spectacular, and the atmosphere was very romantic.” “The view was nice” “If you want a nice view, come for a drink at the bar (next to the photo of the woman!)” “The view was great.” “Best view, worst food” “Cite is really elegant for a romantic dinner, the appetizers, main course and desserts were all awesome but our server was a lil snotty and felt like he was doing us a favor by serving us.” “The atmosphere was amazing.” “The views were first class, the food was excellent (I had Filet Oscar, my wife had the sea bass and my Daughter had the seafood tortellini).” “Over all a nice place to go to get a nice view of the city but don't expect not to be hungry at the end of the meal.” “Great food, great service and excellent views” “The place is awesome #1 for it's view of the city then it's food and lastly the service.” “really romantic place.” “Wow, The views here are amazing, however the restaurant misses the mark on everything else.” “Not only was the food great but combined with the great view, it was worth every penny!” “all in all, just being in the restaurant was romantic-you know what you are getting yourself into before you go--downtown busy 'upperclass' atmosphere, and expensive fine dining.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“our bill was like $220 ( not including tip ), but we got a good bottle of pinot noir, appetizer, salad, filet mignon for my boyfriend, and NY Strip for me, and creme brulle for dessert.” “We had an 8:00 P.M. reservation, which was perfect because at the time desert arrives, the Navy Pier fireworks begins (Saturday @ 10:15 PM).” “Cite is really elegant for a romantic dinner, the appetizers, main course and desserts were all awesome but our server was a lil snotty and felt like he was doing us a favor by serving us.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“If you want a nice view, come for a drink at the bar (next to the photo of the woman!)” “The server and the SA were giving us great attention; making sure our drinks were replenished and that we were having a good time.” “The meal was a great value; with the total bill per couple ranging from $100 to $140 (can be greatly exceeded depending on what you order, especially in the wine category).” “This restaurant is not as expensive as everyone believes unless you get a pricy bottle of wine; my daughter already wants to come back.”
food quality	80.29999732971191% positive	“The food was very good, and included a few chefs extras that were a pleasant and tasty surprise.” “Not only was the food great but combined with the great view, it was worth every penny!” “The food was cold & boring.” “Great food, great service and excellent views” “Overall i recommend the food and experience but they need to shape up thier service.” “Over all a nice place to go to get a nice view of the city but don't expect not to be hungry at the end of the meal.” “We had the chef's tasting menu, which is an excellent value six course meal.” “The food selections are unique and flavorful.” “The meal was a great value; with the total bill per couple ranging from $100 to $140 (can be greatly exceeded depending on what you order, especially in the wine category).” “The food preperation was fantastic as was the hospitality.” “The food is about as good as I would expect for a $25 buffet.” “The views were first class, the food was excellent (I had Filet Oscar, my wife had the sea bass and my Daughter had the seafood tortellini).” “our bill was like $220 ( not including tip ), but we got a good bottle of pinot noir, appetizer, salad, filet mignon for my boyfriend, and NY Strip for me, and creme brulle for dessert.” “but customer service must be improved, and food should be at least tasty and not bland.” “would like to recommend this place, however the food is positively awful.” “Best view, worst food” “The place is awesome #1 for it's view of the city then it's food and lastly the service.” “was skeptical to try this place since I read so many reviews here about poor service and bad food.” “Don't get me wrong, the food was great and tasty but not worth what we paid for.” “They put an amazing rasberry sauce on it and the meat was so tender.” “Seafood was clearly not fresh.” “Heavenly food but ok service!”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“If price is not your criteria come and enjoy a great dinner and good service in this place,good menu selection” “The food selections are unique and flavorful.” “We had the chef's tasting menu, which is an excellent value six course meal.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Honestly, the venue is a great restaurant waiting to happen.” “If price is not your criteria come and enjoy a great dinner and good service in this place,good menu selection” “This once good place has degraded into a dump with about as much going for it as your local greasy spoon.” “Over all a nice place to go to get a nice view of the city but don't expect not to be hungry at the end of the meal.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“My kid was so happy and loved the place he want's to go back.” “This restaurant is not as expensive as everyone believes unless you get a pricy bottle of wine; my daughter already wants to come back.”
service	73.33000183105469% positive	“The server and the SA were giving us great attention; making sure our drinks were replenished and that we were having a good time.” “but customer service must be improved, and food should be at least tasty and not bland.” “was skeptical to try this place since I read so many reviews here about poor service and bad food.” “The place is awesome #1 for it's view of the city then it's food and lastly the service.” “customer service though sucked.” “Heavenly food but ok service!” “If price is not your criteria come and enjoy a great dinner and good service in this place,good menu selection” “Lame service.” “The service was horrible.” “Cite is really elegant for a romantic dinner, the appetizers, main course and desserts were all awesome but our server was a lil snotty and felt like he was doing us a favor by serving us.” “The whole staff was absolutely fantastic.” “Great food, great service and excellent views” “Overall i recommend the food and experience but they need to shape up thier service.” “Our server was Lydia who was excellent.” “The service was the best Ive experienced.”
value	77.08000183105469% positive	“Not only was the food great but combined with the great view, it was worth every penny!” “If price is not your criteria come and enjoy a great dinner and good service in this place,good menu selection” “The meal was a great value; with the total bill per couple ranging from $100 to $140 (can be greatly exceeded depending on what you order, especially in the wine category).” “all in all, just being in the restaurant was romantic-you know what you are getting yourself into before you go--downtown busy 'upperclass' atmosphere, and expensive fine dining.” “Everything is overpriced, even for good quality (which this wasn't).” “We had the chef's tasting menu, which is an excellent value six course meal.” “This restaurant is not as expensive as everyone believes unless you get a pricy bottle of wine; my daughter already wants to come back.” “Don't get me wrong, the food was great and tasty but not worth what we paid for.”

06/24/11

chicag's Biggest Failure

by Annabella2

Furgettaboutit. Spectacular view and wretched everything else. Undistinguished food spoiled by untrained waiters who wanted to know what "you guys" want to drink. Us guys were an 80 year old guy and a 73 year old non guy. The red wine (which should be served at the temperature of an unheated room in Europe i.e. about 60 degrees, came at about 80. The music was too loud. The waiter told us what he was going to do before he did anything. Intrusive, inelegant, all in all cheap trying to be pretentious and failing miserably. Where they seated us before we moved, the music was much too loud and that too was far too intrusive for what Cite tries to bill itself as. Save your Groupon money for something else.

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07/06/09

Wonderful!!!!!!

by mendoza969

I was skeptical to try this place since I read so many reviews here about poor service and bad food. But I had a GREAT experience. I went on a Sunday evening. We were greeted at the door right away and shown to our table. Our server was Lydia who was excellent. I had fois gras with strawberry and pistachio as an appetizer, filet mignon oscar, and chocolate fondue for dessert. And a glass of champagne. (it was my birthday) Everything was great!!! I even have leftover filet mignon so I'm having it for my lunch today.

Pros: Gorgeous views of the city, delicious food
Cons: Parking was $32

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04/13/09

Ridiculously horrible

by littlepip

Obviously the views are the only thing keeping this restaurant open....and given the number of people we saw, can't imagine that is even going to save this place for much longer.

The food was cold & boring. Seafood was clearly not fresh. The service was horrible. We constantly had to flag people down, and then we were just made to feel we were putting them out for asking for a drink of water or wine. There were more staff than guests and it still took a lot of effort to get anyone to help us.

Honestly, the venue is a great restaurant waiting to happen. We'd heard it wasn't great, but figured since we lived in the building we should at least try it. Needless to say our expectations were low, but they still managed to surprise us with how bad it could be. Everything is overpriced, even for good quality (which this wasn't).

Please heed the warnings. Never ever go to this restaurant. Save yourself the small fortune you'd spend making yourself miserable.

Pros: View
Cons: Everything else

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02/19/09

Go to the Sears Tower for the View, Stay Away from Cite

by Jmio

The view was great..........ok that was the only good thing I can say about this place. The service was horrible. Our waiter knew nothing about the wine or food on the menu. The kitchen sent out our meal before apps arrived. Worst of all the food was horrible. We went on a night they were only 1/4 full. They had no excuse for stealing our money that night. Do not ever go to this restraunt.

Pros: View
Cons: Ignorant service staff, Talentless chef, Overpriced for quality

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05/05/08

Great food, great service and excellent views

by Paul2019

I dined here last week with my wife and daughter; let me tell you this is one of those places you don?t hear about but once you go it feels like you?re in a different world. The views were first class, the food was excellent (I had Filet Oscar, my wife had the sea bass and my Daughter had the seafood tortellini). The service was even better than the views; we had a gentleman serving us, explained the menu and were making sure our every need was attended to. This restaurant is not as expensive as everyone believes unless you get a pricy bottle of wine; my daughter already wants to come back. The most wonderful part of our dining experience other than the food, view, and service was that Tom Cruise, Oprah, Katie Holmes and a few other people walked by our table with their security and that you don?t see everyday??.

Cite Restaurant

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What People Are Saying About Cite Restaurant

Robyn Galbos

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Editor's Tips

06/24/11

chicag's Biggest Failure

by Annabella2

07/06/09

Wonderful!!!!!!

by mendoza969

04/13/09

Ridiculously horrible

by littlepip

02/19/09

Go to the Sears Tower for the View, Stay Away from Cite

by Jmio

05/05/08

Great food, great service and excellent views

by Paul2019

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