10/06/09

Good food, great staff, fun atmosphere

by vulrich

Hubby and I popped in for an early dinner on a Saturday...knew the dining room was full but were ok with sitting in the lounge-found a table in the corner. With the drinks, bread, and salads on the table it was a good fit-when the food came, it was cramped. I understand lounge tables are meant to be small, so this is a tiny gripe. I had the jumbo shrimp with the square pasta in a pink cream sauce and found it delicious, good portion. Husband had the NY strip, which he said was good, and the garlic mashed which I can also attest to being FANTASTIC. Hubby is a steak expert so steak was just an '8', but he did enjoy it and it was cooked as ordered. Waittress and staff were friendly and attentive. Would return to this restaurant if in the area again.

• Pros: Food was very good-garlic mashed potatoes to die for!
• Cons: Table was really tiny in lounge-that's all!

06/09/09

very disappointed

by joycegsimon

My husband and I were so excited to come back to Chicago and have a special meal at Tavern on Rush. We had eaten there 5 years ago and loved it. From the moment we got upstairs the restaurant was freezing cold and only a few tables had customers. Our waiter came right over took our drink order and we told him to give us 5 minutes and he disappeared. for 25 minutes. Apparently the owner had come in and he was now on his table. Someone else finally took our order and when it was delivered he showed up but never check on us again. The steak was undercooked, the crab cake was black on the top and the crouton in out tomato soup was burned. The kitchen was having quality control issues to which most of our issues could have been resolved if he had checked on us after the food was served. Such a bummmer! Will try one of the many other great steak houses in Chicago next time.

• Cons: bad service and average food

12/07/08

Tavern on Rush - The Hottest Bar Scene on Chicago's Gold Coast

by SteakCritic

The Tavern is the social hang out on the Gold Coast. Here's the ironic part - the food is actually good. While the purist may not consider The Tavern's steaks as good as Gibson's - the hopping bar scene plus the delectable food makes up for it.

French Fried Lobster to start things off is a must have appetizer. Depending on the season - the oysters on the half shell are wonderfully fresh and a gastronomical treat.

A fantastic selection of wines and beers - and the classic bone in rib eye is very well aged and seasoned. Heaven knows they drowned this is a vat of pure butter for weeks to give it the flavor but it is simply done right.

Dessert selections - their chocolate cake is very decadent - if the meal hasn't blown your caloric budget the cake will definitely do it. Surprising the key lime pie, while not as good as I have had in Florida, is a tart treat as well.

And of course half the fun of dining at the Tavern is who you see there - politicians, athletes, movie stars - there always is someone famous dining at the Tavern.

• Pros: Location, Location, Location
• Cons: It's Not Free :)