Arun's Restaurant

Awesome Experience - delicious food!

by judiMur at Citysearch

We ate at Arun's on a Sunday at 5 PM and the restaurant was very quiet, which made the experience even better. The outside is very plain but when you come inside you will be quite pleased with the atmosphere. We had 4 servers taking care of us throughout our 3 hour experience. We had a strict vegetarian with us and she was very happy with all her dishes. 2 of us wanted spicey and 2 wanted mild and they always were clear on which dishes had the spicey or mild sauces. We were asked if we had any preferences were told they could easily substitute something else for the fish or any of the meats. Parking was easy and we were told there is valet parking on Fridays and Saturdays. The 12 courses were delicious and the presentation was amazing. Lots of little extra touches of flowers made out of veggies. We were given fresh silverware with each course. The goldfish made out of carrots were such a fun touch and the waiter asked if we would like to take them home and he placed them in a carryout container with water. I have already recommended this place to so many people. Allow lots of time and let it be your only experience that night, don't try to squeeze it in when you have tickets or a tight schedule. Sit back and enjoy this fantastic food experience! Bring a camera and be sure to take photos of each course. The staff even offered to take pictures of us too.

• Pros: Great service and presentation.

Expensive for Typical Thai Food

by rubyfruit76 at Citysearch

For the price I paid, I expect exceptional, unique food, attention to detail and excellent service. I also expect to be served all my courses. I arrived with a group of 4 and asked for a menu so we would know what would be served to us. I was told by a waiter that they would verbal describe it when they serve each dish. The set $85 price includes 6 appetizers, 4 entrees (served family style) and 2 deserts. Unfortunately the staff at Arun’s is unable to count up to 12 and missed serving us one of the courses all together. The service was disorganized. We didn’t have a primary waiter but different people bringing out each course. There were times when the food would come out but we had no utensils or plates. When I initially was seated, there are these beautiful plates set out. The staff promptly removed them since they were just for show and never came back with any plates or utensil. Our first course came out and we had nothing to eat it on or with.

The portions were small and what was served was good but it wasn’t anything exceptional. I could have found it at any typical Thai restaurant. I was excepting Thai food that I can’t get anywhere else. I got served Basil Thai Chicken as an entrée!?

Appetizer 1 – One bite salad: The description explains it

Appetizer 2 – Rolled chicken stuff with mushrooms: It was soy chicken! You can get this in any Thai or Chinese restaurants

Appetizer 3 – Single Dumpling in broth: reminds me of the glutinous crepe you get at dim sum

Appetizer 4 – Noodles with a Single shrimp: It was a deconstructed Pad Thai!

Appetizer 5 – Spicy pork soup

Entrée 1 – Seared Scallop on a bed of asparagus – how is this unique Thai dish?

Entrée 2 – Fried fish with sweet & sour source – also served at my neighborhood Thai restaurant. .

Entrée 3 – Basil Thai Chicken – I can get this at any typical Thai restaurant

Entrée 4 – Braised beef curry – by far the best dish

Desert 1 - Baby pear with a small crepe – extremely small dish, it was a single bite

Desert 2 – Lycee sorbet – again a single bite dish

There were suppose to be 12 courses but as I mentioned above, only served us 11.

For the price, I highly suggest you go elsewhere. If you want a good typical Thai restaurant, I suggest you find a place that doesn’t cost over $150 per person for food, drinks and taxes.

• Pros: Decor is nice
• Cons: Horrible Service!

The worst meal I've had in years

by Foodie1woman at Citysearch

I just left arun and felt extremely compelled to share my review. The 12-course tasting was by far one of the worst meals I've ever had. My dining partner, who is a classically trained chef, said the food was no better than what you would eat at a food court. Nothing tasted fresh, many items were soggy, and some were spiced so much that the flavors masked the integrity of the food. As I paid the bill, I felt completely ripped off. Never, never go there. (I should have known upon seeing all the restaurant's empty seats when we entered the establishment).

• Pros: Good service
• Cons: Terrible food

OVERrated

by josisand at Citysearch

I have heard about this restaurant over the years and after seeing it listed in the book "1000 Places to See Before You Die", I made a reservation. It was the worst meal. I could have ordered from my neighborhood thai restuarant and thoroughly enjoyed myself and saved $270.00. The presentation is lovely but if the food doesn't taste fresh, what is the point of carving carrots for hours to look like Nemo. I would rather spend my money at Nomi, Shanghai Terrace or Le Colonial. I felt really bad for the staff. They were very attentive and nice but seem unaware of the horrible food.

• Pros: nice servers
• Cons: awful food, very bright - needs dimmer

Phenomenal Dining!

by pjs2780 at Citysearch

When my parents were visiting, my husband and I wanted to take them to the best restaurants Chicago had to offer, and Arun's did not disappoint. Each appetizer was more tasty than the one before (and the presentation was great -- a cute carrot basket on one plate, an abstract fish on another), and the four entrees were each standouts in their own way (I loved the Massman beef and the lobster). And the two desserts were absolutely delicious! It truly was like being royalty in Thailand. I can't wait to go back!

• Pros: fantastic cuisine, attentive staff
• Cons: parking, not very romantic