02/17/08

Over priced and under food restaurant

by SBIELLER

After reading the reviews, and achieving a reservation on a Saturday night, we were excited about the opportunity to eat at one of Chicago?s finest restaurants. We were well aware of the price points and fully expected the evening was going to be a $500 night. Upon arrival, Tru is everything you expect it to be. The ambiance is extraordinary, the service is impeccable, and the wine list is impressive. We selected the chef?s selection for our dinner and two medium priced Bordeaux?s. When the food started to arrive we began to realize Tru is much like the commercial where the people eat at a great restaurant, then have to purchase food for the way home as they are still hungry. There was not a single portion served that was over 2 ounces, none of it was hot, and every course was delivered on a plate that dwarfed the dish. Even the ?Main Course? of Salmon and Venison were each less than 2 ounces. The food tasted exceptional, and clearly the chef is a magician blending taste together that is unexpected, and wonderful. But at the end of the night and $700, we remained hungry. Tru is a place to be seen and enjoy some fabulous tastes, but if you are hungry and expect a meal, you are at the wrong place.

• Pros: The wine list is unbelievable and the explosions of taste in their dishes is unbelievable
• Cons: You will spend $700 and not receive a full meal as the portions are embarrassingly small, and you will leave unfulfilled.

08/30/08

Good food; stiff atmosphere

by ymw

The food was lovely but the portions very small and the prices very high. The atmosphere was stiff. When we arrived, we had a hard time getting anyone to acknowledge our presence, offer us a cocktail or give us a menu. In fairness, the service improved as the evening went on. Bottom line: great food in a sterile atmoshpere.

05/31/08

expensive, disappointing food without flavor

by crazypoodle

The food a Tru was truly a let down. The food was interestingly presented but there was a distinct lack of flavor in most dishes, especially considering the $110 cost of the basic tasting menu without wine. Even worse, everyone was still not really full because of the exceptionally small portions, even for this type of dining. The best dishes were fresh sushi fish pieces and the cheese, which is source externally. The jacket required attitude reflects that the old school attitude towards food that may once have been great. The service was excellent though.

• Pros: cheese cart, service
• Cons: food without much flavor, tiny, tiny portions for a very high price, stuffy jacket only requirement

03/30/08

The Emperor's New Restaurant?

by nyc2chicago

Wow--my husband and I couldn't believe our good fortune getting a table at what is supposedly one of the best restaurants in Chicago. It was our first dining experience in Chicago after moving here from New York. We both LOVE amazing dining experiences, but this one was TOTALLY off the mark.

The evening we went was cold--it was snowing and blustery. The appetizers and the "amuse bouche" that came out were all tiny, cold little blobs of what I can only describe as tasteless gelatin. The rest of the meal was also very disappointing, and the service, which has been described here as impeccable, was actually comical, as you could almost see the two waiters who were synchronized in removing and setting plates on the table counting as they did so--very stilted--it made us both uncomfortable.

Having spend $700 on our meal, we thought we would have one of the most memorable evenings of our lives. Four months later, I'm still fuming at the amount of money we spent at a restaurant that obviously is resting on its laurels (we were told Rick Tramonto no longer works at the restaurant, and that a new chef has taken his place).

We were sorely disappointed.

01/31/08

Run, don't walk, to Tru for special occasions or when you don't mind paying to be pampered and tastefully thrilled

by margolis

The entire staff makes you feel welcome and pampered with their warm, efficient service. It is highly unusual that every member of a restaurant staff is superb, but Tru manages to deliver that. The valet was friendly and courteous. The hostess/coat check girl was a smiling bit of welcome who ushered us into Tru's zen-like dining room. The banquette was comfy and luxuriously upholstered. The fine modern art on the walls was a sight to behold. The captain truly run s a tight ship. Your water glass will never even approach empty, let alone half-full. Elana (sp?), the sommelier is knowledgeable and friendly. She is a pleasant departure from the usual stuffy, pretentious sommeliers one encounters when fine-dining. She chose a Cabernet for us that was sublime. The wait staff was very warm and extremely efficient. As for the food, we chose the $95 three course Prix Fixe option. It is actually more than three courses. Every time we thought we had a respite, they brought us another culinary wonder. The cuisines spanned the gamut from melt-in-your-mouth to a party on your tongue. The lobster bisque was extraordinary. Tru's food is fun and delicious which is what truly fine food should be. The pop rocks in one of the treats they brought to us put a smile on our faces. The cheese course was outstanding. My chocoholic self favored the candy cart at the end of our dinner. The captain handed us caramel chocolate truffle suckers that were amazing. Holy Toledo! Gale Gand's sweet-making talent is unsurpassed. The tiny ice cream sandwiches are to die for. It is true that Tru is a serious investment. By the time we paid for our meals, beverages, tip, and valet, we were out $450, but it was worth every penny and we've had higher tabs. We will definitely return. If you seek a special occasion experience (saw lots of birthday celebrations going on) or are fortunate enough to be in a position to dine here on a regular day, run, don't walk. Tru is an experience not to be missed.

• Pros: superb service, outstanding cuisine, lovely atmosphere, good location
• Cons: price

09/16/07

for a TRUly memorable evening

by jenjordan75

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this restaurant. In fact, to even call it a restaurant is like calling the Mona Lisa a painting or the Grand Canyon a big hole. It has everything - high-quality, well thought out preparations, class, decor (including amazing art), expertly-trained serving staff, etc. etc. I will be honest and say I have had better food in my life (at least for the appetizer and entree. I have NEVER had better desserts. Pastry chef, Gail Gand is a sweet genius. And I don't even "like sweets"!). But the entire package is unsupassed. The price tag is considerable for the average diner but well worth it. I would eat frozen vegatables and eggs for a month straight to go there again. It is a place where dining is considered an art form. The staff took such care in our experience. For example, it was my dining companion's 60th birthday and besides the candle and birthday note in chocolate at the end of our meal, they presented us with personalized menus, wishing him a happy Birthday. He was fully stunned! Our waiters were so well-trained (but I think I said that already...). I also admire the layout of the room. Tru could easily fit a few extra tables in there and increase the headcount by 10 or 15/night. But instead they allow the diners plenty of room and privacy to enjoy the meal in the beautiful surroundings. Ah - and one last note. THey are one of the few restaurants that offer TRUly gender egalitarian service. My male dining companion and I were always served at the EXACT SAME TIME (including the water). I was even the wine taster. Thank goodness for dining in the 21st Century!

If you have a special occasion coming up or just want to experience a meal in a way that counters the "stuff yourself" mentality that dining in America has sadly become, I recommend that you go to Tru. I admit that the meal would not be appreciated by someone who prefers more hefty flavors and portions. But for those who see dining as art, Tru is the place to go.

• Pros: amazing service, quality, and attention to detail
• Cons: Ummm... can't think of any real "cons"

05/20/07

Overrated food and oppressive service

by mindthegap76

I have been using this site for years, but this is the first time I have been motivated to post a review.

Food: Mostly unimpressive. While hardly a die-hard foody, I've been to a fair number of high end restaurants in Chicago across a range of price levels. The food at TRU, while appealingly presented, was almost uniformly disappointing. At this level of price and sophistication, I expect food that is not only well-prepared but also interesting to eat. Of the 9 courses, only a small handful met the latter goal, and shockingly, a few even failed the former. Emblematic was a lobster dish smothered in some sort of broth that rendered the entire course a monochrome of bland.

Service: Obnoxious. A stark contrast to the warm service I have received at other high (and low!) end restaurants, the staff at TRU was cold and seethed with a sense superiority. I constantly felt like I was being judged as a diner. For example, waiters repeatedly stopped by the table to adjust wine glasses so that they were perfectly in line. In one particularly irritating display of condescension, a drop of wine rolled down the side of my glass onto the tablecloth. The waiter who came by to micromanage my glasses glared at the spot with disdain. He returned a few minutes later and?while I was eating!?lifted up my plate to put a napkin over the spot in the manner of putting a piece of newspaper over doggy doo on the carpet.

Overall: Based on the food alone, I would have given the restaurant three stars. But the offputting service and exorbitant prices have resulted in an overall "Not Recommended" review. Shortly after my visit, a friend went for a business dinner and had similar comments. I now warn away anyone I can.

Alternate suggestions: For about the same price, Moto is a much better way to spend your time. For less than half the price, Spring does a wonderful tasting menu.

• Pros: Cheese was excellent, and the restaurant itself is attractive
• Cons: Everything else (food, service, value)

03/21/07

Chicago Fine Dining: A Tru Story

by la_chi_love

Of all the restaurants in this city and elsewhere around the world. I have encountered nothing that has swayed me away from Tru being my favorite. The service is amazing. Everything is done like a dance. I recall once, someone in my party mumbling about her lack of reading glasses- and as soon as she turned her head, someone was there on knee with a box of reading glasses at her disposal. I've always done the 9 course spontaneous menu and was ALWAYS beyond please. The portions are perfect, though the cheese course is usually when the stomach signals the "Help! I'm getting too full for my own good and there's not even chocolate in here yet!" alert. Each experience here doesn't even take away from the last. Everyone I have brought here from the West Coast to Europe has declared it their favorite restaurant- and they're no strangers to fine dining, either. Some are saying it's too expensive, but honestly- especially at my age and being close to broke myself, it's definitely worth it. There are only a handful of uber-fine dining experiences that are offered in Chicago and this one's up at the top. So if you stop busting your brains about the pricey bill- which I think you should know about before you even enter- and let Tru's impeccable service and kitchen work their whimsical magic, you might actually enjoy yourself...a lot.

• Pros: Caviar Staircase, Service, FOOD
• Cons: Cons? What cons?

03/02/07

A Truly Unique Dining Experience

by insun

My experience at TRU was a once in lifetime expereince. To start, the wine selection was astounding, and, among other delicious wines, we had a 1990 Clois de Papes that was a wondering pairing with the beautiful and exquisite dishes that we had that evening. It was also refreshing to note that TRU had an extensive array of dessert wine as well. The presentation was beyond mystical and beautiful, and was a perfect accompanyment to the delicious fare. The service was fabulous, and the waiters seemed to know a great deal about the food its preparation, and explained the food & sauce preparation when we complimented a specific dish. There was one dish that we all found to be a bit salty, an oil poached salmon (although the white bean mousse it came with was like a silky cloud), and when my father noted that to one of our waiters. I was afraid of his reaction, as constructive criticism and fine dining do not usually go hand in hand, however, the waiter was extremely gracious, and genuinely seemed to welcome any input and comment to the food. He said that he would relay our comments to the kitchen. This was significant in that although it was a haute cuisine restaurant, it was open to suggestions and comments. Let's face it- we all need a little feedback now and then, and TRU's open and humble attitude was genuine and refreshing. My father's comment was true- a fish as rich as salmon does not need to be poached in oil to make it delicious- the texture was chewy and unpleasant, and the flavor was salty. The rest of the dishes were exquisite. It was a great experience, and the restaurant lives up to its reputation. The expereince did not end with the evening, as they gave us a delicious banana bread to enjoy the next morning for breakfast. TIP: This is not a place for the faint hearted- be prepared for a six hour assault to all five senses! My husband & family enjoyed TRU beyond words. P.S. My sister and I loved Gale Gand's Food Network show "Sweet Dreams."

• Pros: A global sensory experience & supremely extensive wine list
• Cons: Marathon dining not for the faint of heart

02/21/07

Management isn't hungry any more.

by sedler948

My husband always treats me to an extraordinary restaurant for our anniversary and my birthday. After experiencing Charlie Trotters, Everest, Trio, and Avenues, I looked forward to Tru.

After we were into the first course, another patron wearing far too much scent was seated near me. I could no longer taste my food due to the perfume. I saw no open tables, so I just dealt with it.

When I got home, I emailed customer service suggesting that the staff be trained to seat people wearing obvious scent in a designated area as I was sure that the staff had been trained not to wear scent. I did not ask for anything but acknowledgement of my idea.

I have yet to hear from anyone at Tru. This was nearly a year ago. Tru will not see me again.

We had the tasting menu. The courses that I could taste were good. The staff is a bit pompous. The atmosphere is a proper setting.

Spend your money with Charlie Trotter or Avenues. Those establishments care about their patrons.

• Pros: ambiance
• Cons: staff is overtrained in some areas and oblivious in others