03/02/08

New Waitress was more than a little slow

by Cheryl1234

We had breakfast this morning after a night spent at the hotel. The restaurant is beautiful. The service, unlike what we experienced in the steak and seafood restaurant next door last night, was not very good. We were seated promptly, but after that, we waited a while for someone to come over. They gave us a shotglass sized sample of a raspberry smoothie, which I liked, although it was a little tart for my friend (I got to drink his then too!) The waitress finally showed up, and appeared to only want to take our drink order, but we proceeded to order our meal at that time.We both wanted a simple egg and sausage breakfast, but when we asked about the potatoes that came with, and had a funny name, the waitress said she didn't know, and that it was only her second day there. She did go and find someone that could answer our question. Turns out, the potatoes are red potatoes, twice baked, and then fried with some basil and/or other seasonings. They were delicious! The eggs were cooked to perfection, although I specifically asked for one egg, and was given two. The sausage was mild, and very good too. My friend asked for his milk with the meal, so it would be cold. but they delivered it well ahead of the meal. He asked for his toast to be buttered, so it would be buttered while hot, but they didn't do that. As a perfect contrast to the night before, where we had great service, and a little disappointment with the food, this was the complete opposite. When we received our bill, the waitress never reappeared to pick up the money. We had to go and find someone to get our change.

• Pros: The breakfast potatoes are incrediblly delicious
• Cons: The servce - or lack therof - Hopefully better at dinner

11/29/07

Very Good

by rna1970

For a suburban restaurant, the place is great. A little pricey but it's better than going all the way into Chicago. The assortment of cheeses are magnificent! The wine list and service is also solid. It's a great place for business dinners to a night out with the family...

• Pros: Food and Service
• Cons: Price

01/16/07

very high noise level

by josterme

The food was good, but not cheap. The noise level is very high, like the crab house south of there. No problems parking.

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: noise level

01/03/07

Great food, great service, free valet parking

by mchaeldavid

Have now eaten there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is exceptional, and portions are exactly the right size. The pizzas are wonderful, and with a salad, entree and dessert are more than enough to satisfy. The restaurant is beautiful and the service gets better and better all the time. Wine list is dazzling and sommeliers are always there to help. A great addition to the North Shore dining scene. The valet parking is FREE.

• Pros: Great food: great service: free valet parking

12/18/06

Tru chef Rick Tramonto cooks up an upscale-rustic Italian food fantasy in the north suburbs.

by Contributor

The Scene
There's nothing hotel-ish about this stylish, earth-toned setting, with a dramatic domed brick ceiling presiding over columns and arches, a massive chandelier, wood tables and an open kitchen with dining counter. The crowd blends North Shore families, dates, seniors and business diners. Inconsistent service can detract.

The Food
Rick Tramonto of Tru cooks marvelous multiregional Italian. Toothsome brown beans with crunchy vegetables, pancetta and wood-roasted radicchio put an earthy spin on bruschetta. Handcrafted, sun-dried rigatoni with roasted cauliflower in light Parmesan broth transcends its simple ingredients. Tramonto reprises his mom's satisfying surprise of lasagna stuffed with meat loaf. A moist, hefty hunk of braised, bone-in monkfish is bathed in herbaceous broth in a stout Staub casserole. Impossibly tender, succulent braised short ribs pair with sweet, creamy parsnip puree. Gale Gand's individual chocolate cake lacks flavor, but zuppa inglese is an indulgent parfait of white chocolate buttermilk cake, blueberry compote and lemon cream.

11/29/06

Very Average for this price

by david5

I visited this restaurant yesterday with my friends. Service was good. Food was expensive, nothing special and not much to eat. The entries are small. You have to order a lot to not be hungry. I am not a big guy and normally do not eat much