06/16/08

What happened ?

by chgofoody

We wanted to try Cornelia's since its last makeover, which I don't think did the establishment any favors. It had a respectful reputation for food and service in the past. The weather was great to dine outside this past Sunday evening, so we decided to give it a try since there were several tables outside available. We stepped inside the front door to find a host to seat us. Staff was not present as well as not a single customer inside, after 4 minutes a waiter appeared to greet us and seat us outside. The menu was uninspiring for being "Mediterranean", wine selections were limited and all overpriced. It took 10 minutes for wine to arrive, another 20 for the appetizer, then an additional 45 minutes for the main course. There was only one other table seated and they were inquiring where their food was as well. The pumpkin soup (typically a fall menu item) was served luke warm and tasted the equivalent to pie filling. Was that supposed to be garlic infused olive oil served with the bread? If so, it was tasteless. The stuffed chicken was dry and bland. The stuffed pork tenderloin lacked the flavors of the ingrediants as described on the menu. Both were served warm at best when finally brought to the table. The waiter was nowhere to be found between courses check on us or for us to comment on the food. My knife for cutting my food arrived as I took my last bite...we shared the only one we had. Sensing our displeasure the server kindly appologized and somehow directed the blame on the dishwashing staff...I did't ask for details. Our $80 check arrived with only a food and beverage total, no itemization or detail of what we ordered. In an effort to end this dragged-out dining experience we just paid the bill without questioning, included tip and left. My partner and I concurrently agreed this was our worst dining out of several hundred in the past year or so.

• Pros: Alfresco dining appealing. Charming if you ignore the buiding facade.
• Cons: Slow, unattentive service, food lacked flavor and temperature.

06/11/07

do you like faux lounges with banquet food?

by mgbear1

If so, definitely check out Cornelia's. The bread was flavorless, as was the "garlic" oil. The wine list is uninspired, overpriced, and (I sensed) geared toward a sweet tooth. I ordered a wine described as "dry" and "semillon/sauvignon blanc" and it tasted like a super-oaky chardonnay. The food (I had the stuffed chicken) looks and tastes like the food you get at a pop warner football banquet or a cheap cookie-cutter wedding - complete with demi-glaze-type sauces and the requisite handful of unexotic vegetables. And I second the other reviewers' take on the potatoes: definitely from a box. I have not eaten at a restaurant in Chicago this bad (especially given the steep prices) in a long time - possibly ever. The patio is charming - if you can't resist the building's cute paint job and the jazz piano singers, then just have martinis out there. The food is a complete waste of time.

04/24/06

Take it as a waring !!!

by chicagoclaus

On Friday Apr. 7 a colleague and I looked for a restaurant where we can sit outside.

We found the Cornelias Restaurant located on Cornelia and Halsted.

So, please take it as a kind of warning. If you are hungry and you think a Dinner for two which contains one Salad as the starter for both of us, 3 small glasses wine ( 10 $ each glass ) , one steak and 4 very small lamp chops totaling 120 $ a kind of pricy then stay away from this restaurant.

Greetings,

Chicago Claus

08/28/05

new ownership = bad

by mattlap_2000

Cornelias used to have the greatest pork chops I had ever tasted, friendly service, and great drinks. When ownership changed (the new owners wants it to be a piano bar - what's that about?), the food took a steep decline. I went with a few people - the menu became infinitely less interesting, the brisket was tasteless, the pork chops were overcooked, and the formerly amazing potatoes are now made from a box. Still, friendly service, and great martinis - but that's not enough.

• Pros: drinks, friendly service
• Cons: terrible food

08/01/05

Great Dinner and Love the Cucumber Martini's!!!!

by jvillebrown

I took my mother and sister to Cormelia's for dinner last week. The food was delicious and the martini's were out of this world!!( Cucumber and Chocolate)

We loved the cheese platter as an appetizer and our waiter, was the BEST!!!

We also enjoyed the piano and vocalist very much!! Don't change a thing!!! I will be back!!

• Pros: atmosphere, entertainment, food
• Cons: NONE

07/30/05

Great, romantic eatery

by asilenna7

I have eaten at Cornelia's on three separate occasions and each time it has been fabulous. The service is superb, the menu creative, and the cocktails are phenomenal. Environment is great for dates, but if you don't have any company request a seat at the bar and you will have plenty of enjoyable chatting to do.

• Pros: Great cocktails, Great environment

07/06/05

Never Again

by bonnielance

I had dinner at Cornelia's last weekend, and it is without a doubt, the worst meal I have ever had in the city of Chicago for the money. Actually, I've had much better food at diners and paid one third the price. Lousy food.

Cornelia's should be ashamed of themselves.

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: food, service, price

08/14/03

Slip away from the bustle of Boys Town at this rustic Mediterranean hideaway.

by Contributor

The Scene
In the shadow of a giant birch tree just steps from Halsted Street, quiet Cornelia's is a world apart. Outside, a lush patio draws summer crowds; inside feels like a rustic old farmhouse, with washed gray walls, a tin ceiling, and an abundance of other charming country touches (check out the rake-as-towel-rack in the men's room).

The Food
Cornelia's hearty Mediterranean fare is simple, clean and consistently good. One intriguing starter dresses moist, flavorful shiitake mushroom pancakes with sweet balsamic syrup and sun-dried tomato butter; seafood Neapolitana plates succulent shrimp with zesty cilantro cream over lemon linguine. Pork chops are the specialty here, and for good reason--Dijon mustard gives the lean, tender meat a pleasant zing, while crisp green beans and creamy mashed potatoes with the skins on round out this satisfying plate.

• Pros: cozy, quaint spaceromantic