Reviews & Ratings for Stetson's Chop House & Bar

07/26/09

Unfortunate

by klberndt at Citysearch

3 of us staying at the hotel decided to splurge on a nice steak dinner. We did not have reservations, but were promptly seated. (Hey, someone's got to sit near the kitchen). Unfortunately, the elderly waitress seemed to be a bit overwhelmed. There were long pauses between her visits. Even worse was the other service. Waterglasses went unfilled for up to 15 minutes at a time. The first steak was supposed to be medium rare, but was well done. The other items ordered were OK, but not worth the money or the wait. The only exception for the evening was the avocado/lobster salad. It was delicious. The soup was way oversalted and overconcentrated. It was really inedible. The sommelier was nice, and helpful. Unfortunately, even he could not salvage what was a VERY disappointing experience. I would hop in a cab and go to any other steakhouse in Chicago rather than return here.

• Pros: Excellent lobster and avocado salad
• Cons: Overcooked steak, oversalted bisque

03/18/08

Fantastic Food and Outstanding Service

by Hayze at Citysearch

My family was staying at the Hyatt as a guest of the Make-a-Wish Foundation after our son beat cancer. We decided to dine at Stetson's on the recommendation of the Hotel General Manager, Patrick Donelly. The service was prompt, but not overbearing. The food was exceptional. My wife and I split/shared our appetizers and entree's. Everything was prepared to perfection! Our waiter made outstanding recommendations regarding appetizers and side dishes, and was spot on with his recommendation of entree's. I had Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs and Lobster Bisque to start with, and my wife had French Onion Soup and a Caesar Salad Served In A Baked Parmesan Bowl. I tasted her soup and salad, and they were as perfect as my crab legs and lobster bisque! The waiter recommended side dishes to our table that he considered "must tries," and he was correct: Sauteed Spinach, Steamed Broccoli, the Chef's specially prepared Cream Corn, and Sauteed Mushrooms. Again, I tasted all four side dishes and they were delectable! The entree's--WOW! Absolutely perfectly prepared medium rare NY Strip for my son. A mouthwatering, tender and juicy Kansas City Steak - 16oz for my wife. (I actually ate half of it because it was delicious!) My daughter had the Roasted Chicken and it was moist and quite tasty. I had the Twin Lobster Tails (I gave one to my wife since I ate half her steak). The lobster was not overcooked as frequently occurs, and was outstanding! I cannot believe that this restraint has received negative reviews, particularly the review the characterized it as "definitely not a top steak house." NONESENSE! This place is a must for fine dining in Chicago. We have eaten in all the best steak houses in Chicago--Ruth's, Gibson's, Morton's, Kinzie St., Gene & Georgettee's, and others. I had never heard of, or been to Stetson's, but have sent all of my friends there since we dined there. I, no we HIGHLY RECCOMMEND STETSON'S for your dining pleasure! Mr. Donelly, thank you: it was great!

• Pros: The OUTSTANDING food and service.
• Cons: The Bar was full and a bit loud.

04/24/07

Definitely not a top steak house

by cellydaniel at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Stetson's for our anniversary dinner. We made a reservation for 8pm and they didn't seat us until 8:45. I was pregnant in my third trimester and I had to stand for 45 minutes since there were no room to sit anywhere and none of the staff even seemed to care about my condition. The waiter seemed nice and the ambiance of the restaurant was great. Dimmed lights, somewhat quiet atmosphere.

When we got our steaks, we were very dissapointed. My husband asked for a medium rare and his came over cooked. My steaks was undercooked. For the money that we paid for the steaks and from their reputation of being one of the best steak houses, I would expect them to know the difference between medium and medium rare.

No one apologized to us for the dissapointing meal and the waiter didn't seem to care that we were unhappy. If you want great steaks, don't come here, go to Gibson's instead.

• Pros: nice atmosphere, romantic setting, live music
• Cons: too expensive for what you get, below average service, poorly cooked steaks

04/15/07

Exceeded Expectations

by chocthundr at Citysearch

When a website like OpenTable dot com offers additional incentives to dine in a particular restaurant, one feels a little hesitation in eating there. Plus the reviews on this site was also mixed. But to my pleasant surprise, the restaurant was very, very good. We started with grilled calamari with Tuscan white beans (delicious!) followed by the brouchette of mixed meats and seafood and a 14 oz prime rib. With the exception of the lobster (undercooked but later returned perfectly cooked, the dishes turned out great! Other pluses include: a sorbet to cleanse the palette after the appetizer, warm towels after the entree, and complimentary chocolate covered strawberries. Prices aren't cheap but are on par with a steakhouse. There was a good selection of wine, but the mark up looked a little steep.

• Pros: Service and food were great.
• Cons: Mark up on wines -- there were no good bottles under $40.

12/04/06

Rate It Not Recommended Below Average Average Recommended Highly Recommended

by cinciny at Citysearch

Rate It Not Recommended Below Average Average Recommended Highly Recommended

Outdoor Bar

After-Work Bar

Service

Atmosphere

Food and Drinks

Value

Pros/ConsWe found a few glitches.

Thumbs up? Thumbs down? List highlights and drawbacks. (Examples: Ambience, Parking, Service)

Pros:

Cons:

Comments Yes No N/A

The bar was crowded.

The bar was popular and trendy.

The bar was romantic.

This was a good after-work bar.

This bar was a good place to dance.

This bar was a good place to meet people.

The bar had a good happy hour.

A classically up-scale steakhouse located in the Hyatt Regency hotel.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Upholstered furnishings, wood paneling and a tin ceiling lend sophistication to this contemporary steakhouse, while an exhibition kitchen creates a buzz in the dining room. With a focus on prime USDA steaks, the menu features traditional chop house fare like ribeye, New York strip, filet, swordfish, jumbo prawns, lobster and more. A la carte sides include creamed corn, horseradish mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. Mud pie and a cheesecake trio are among the decadent finishes.

11/03/05

Super Surprise

by tulsathumper at Citysearch

Certainly a nice surprise. One of the best Filet Mignon's I've ever had, in any city. The service was exemplary, and the accompanying food items were terrific. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant for a special treat!

• Pros: Steak, Service, Wine List
• Cons: Lighting, Table Placement

03/01/05

Nice Surprise

by jimmys1 at Citysearch

In town for a regional meeting, normally the Rush street glare grabs someones attention. We decided on Stetsons and were nicely surprised. The live entertainment was very nice before and after the meal. Service was above expectations and I was very happy with the entire meal - 14 oz Filet / asparagus and dessert big enough to share. Definitely recommend and will return.

02/21/05

sadly disappointed

by renaelynn at Citysearch

The service was good but I was sorely disappointed in the quality of the beef. It may have been a fluke---but the bone-in ribeye (beautiful raw on the sample tray) was terribly tough and riddled with grizzle. I have never sent a steak back but I found it necessary to do so this time. The replacement rib eye was of the same quality and inedible. A disappointing experience to end our stay in Chicago.

02/08/05

Great food and Atmosphere

by pschreib at Citysearch

Great food and Great Atmosphere. I will definitely look forward to returning!!!