Tru Restaurant

08/30/08

Good food; stiff atmosphere

by ymw at Citysearch

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.

02/17/08

Over priced and under food restaurant

by SBIELLER at Citysearch

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.

05/21/05

decent, but inconsistent

by farazj at Citysearch

We went for my fiance's birthday. The service, while a bit stiff, was impeccable. The food however, was hit or miss. We went with the Chef's tasting. The soups were amazing, and creatively presented. The main course(s) of venison and steak were delicious. The fish courses were unremarkable, and a foie gras on french toast, competes as one of the worst things we've ever eaten - soggy, slimy and unbearably rich. Overall, the food was pretty good, but at the prices hardly inspiring. I can't imagine we'd go back.

• Pros: service
• Cons: expensive, uptight

05/09/05

Too uptight

by slgalt at Citysearch

Although the food was quite delightful. There was something very tense about this place. We were there until late, and at some point the mood relaxed, The waiter seemed human, I believe the chef had left for the evening.

One of the most expensive meals I ever had, but doesn't rate in my top food list at all.

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: very expensive

06/21/04

Overambitious

by guy_dubeau at Citysearch

Good concepts but faltering execution. Granted most dishes were very good, and the foie gras was the best I ever had, but others, like the raw tuna and chorizo, were inedible. The fighting fish in the bowl look tired of being caged next to other dead fish parts and the effect was lost. Caviar had been opened too long and was starting to taste rank. Made specific menu request, which were ignored until pointed out. It's nice that staff is instructed to call guests by their name, but if you can't pronounce my French surname, don't bother faking the French accent. Way too expensive to tolerate any mistakes and this place had quite a few.

• Pros: attentive service, lovely decor and art
• Cons: , uneven execution, did I mention price

11/25/03

Not worth the price

by chemistz at Citysearch

Tru is a good restaurant, don't get me wrong. However, it would be impossible for any restaurant to be worth $400+. It is a beautiful place with impeccable service. The flatware and tableware are exquisite. The food itself is visually stunning. The taste left something to be desired. If this meal had cost me $200 less than it did then I would have given Tru a perfect score on all accounts but sadly I just can not convince myself that it was worth the price.

• Pros: impeccable service, beautiful decor, stunning food present
• Cons: PRICE, PRICE, PRICE

07/29/02

That much!!!! For What?!?

by drummerdan at Citysearch

I have dined at some of the best restaraunts in Chicago and I have never felt more overcharged than I had at Tru. It is beautiful. The service is superb. However, it is still a restaraunt and food comes first. I don't doubt that there was an extrodinary amount of time spent on each dish. However, there was nothing that either my wife or I ate that was anything more than hype. Even though Les Frances is much less trendy, they deliver on the promise of fantastic food. My tab with tip (Chefs Table Menu) was $513.00. That is for two people. For that kind of money for Dinner, I should at least be able to rave about one of the 20 courses my wife and I had eaten combined. Beware, this is the Emporers new clothes of dining!

• Pros: Service, Wine, Service
• Cons: Price, Value, Food