Ariagreat romantic restaurantHad a great time had a special request and they had no problem making it happen people were very nice and attentive6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner at ariaWe had a very good waiter..Mo..knew about wine list. He also was helpful with menu. Place was not busy,Saturday night,early. However, we enjoyed our meal. Located in fairmont hotel, near river. Nice spot. We would go back.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful brunchThis place is a great special occasion treat. You order off a menu and also select items from an open buffet. The buffet included sensational smoked salmon, lots of salads, beautiful fresh fruit and tasty (but not spectacular) sushi. Be sure to moderate your consumption, because the main course is huge. Everyone at out table order the crab cakes with spinach and poached eggs. Coming from the Pacific Northwest I was a bit hesitant to try crab in Chicago but I needn't have worried. The dish was as good as any I have had in Portland.
After all this, dessert!. Small portions of lovely and decadent pastries.
The ambiance is very nice and service was great.
Small quibble--coffee is excellent and plentiful, but $5 a cup seems a bit pricey.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMSPECIAL DAYI was celebrating a surprise BDAY lunch and they went the extra mile to make sure it was memorable. Great job guys.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Choice in New East SideWe have been coming to Aria since we lived in the New East Side about 8 years ago and we have continued to return there when we visit. In the Fairmont Hotel, prices are moderate, the wait staff reliable and the food an eclectic interesting, tasty mixture of Chicago-style food. The Nan-bread served as bread, with several dipping sauces is good. Portions of food are big enough to share, especially if you are not in your 20's or 30's. I had the lamb chops this time, and my wife had grouper; both were excellent.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightfulEverything was wonderful, but have to especially complement the wait staff. They responded to every request and were very intune to the needs of our group. The room with large round table and beautiful stone wall was perfect for us. We will definitely recommend to our friends traveling to Cicago.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely wonderful beetAbsolutely wonderful beet salad and incredible lobster sushi. Service initially a bit slow but improved during the meal.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMInnovative sushi selection.Innovative sushi selection. Light menu versus the many steak houses in the area. Duck was very good. Nice quiet place where you can dine on good food at leisure and talk.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMI was worried when I saw theI was worried when I saw the new menu, but the chef delivered. Really delivered!
Every dish was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. We had the duck, grouper and scallops as entres. So much flavor....clean, fresh, crisp. Crab cakes and Fois gras as apps, yum. Killer french fries. Plates were licked clean.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe happened to be stayingWe happened to be staying at the Fairmont and were lucky to have such a good restaurant inside the hotel. The food was fresh, eclectic and delicious.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe staff is outstanding!The vivid lunch crowd was such, that my sushi order did not reach my table in time to enjoy. After 35 minutes of waiting, my waiter and the hostess decided to make my order "to go", complimentary. It was a truly sweet gesture as I was about to leave for the airport. The business of the restaurant and the lively crowd suggested, that the place is a truly successful and pleasant eatery!4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAria Is Chicago StyleAria is a very special place. Although in a well known hotel, the Fairmont, Aria is anything but ordinary. Low light focuses the diner's senses on the food and wine. Starting off with Enos, the wine bar, you enter the hotel knowing you are in for a treat. The wine bar is remarkable in selection, attention to detail, and quality. The restaurant guides you past the significant cocktail and sushi bar, both of which are excellent leading to the dinner table. Homemade bread and sauces complimented a remarkably nice cabernet. Grouper with chorizo and lentils in a colourful bowl presentation was a feast. Almond bark with coffee finished the excellent design of the chef and attendant staff. Aria is required relief for the weary guest.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFood 50-50, all the rest 200%Food was 50-50 and a little weak in lamb, side dish areas. Too spicy and not revealed on menu or by waiter. Sushi, however is reliably terrific and not cheap. We live in the area and would to come often. Will try mussels next.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is an 'Asian-flavor'This is an 'Asian-flavor' restauant..best blue-point lightly batter fried in a sabyon sauce oyster's I've ever eaten! absolutely succulent.
I ordered the Duck breast 'pho' which put it in a large bowl with some broath, nice piece of fois-gras and 3 duck meat balls..almost too much food. One member had the shrimp Thai curry..was a bit spicy. The beet salad was superb. Highly recommend. We dine early at 5:30 to miss the crowd and the noise. :-) Our waiter had been serving in this hotel (Fairmont) restaurant for 17 years..that says a lot, n'est ce pas?3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experience. TheGreat dining experience. The waiter was great and explained all the dishes and wine options. Was very honest and everything recommended was delicious.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen here a few times andBeen here a few times and love the ambiance and Asian-Indian fusion of the food3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely meal. AwesomeWe had a lovely meal. Awesome duck! Music a bit loud. Service outstanding!!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were celebrating my daughter'sWe were celebrating my daughter's 16th birthday and the staff went over and above to make the experience beyond memorable!2/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was excellent.The service was excellent. Aria is a very convenient location for the Harris Theater.2/1/2013 12:00:00 AMJuppeats4.5starHappy to see such an improvement in Aria several years since our last visit. Upscale yet comfortable decorating with wall of wine bottles in library like cases along many tables. Bread with four different available toppings was nice touch. Two of my guests had the monkfish and thought is was perfectly done with a wonderful sauce and accompanying vegetables. I had the curry shrimp dish. It too was excellent, with large shrimp properly cooked and very tasty sauce. Spectacular side of snap peas and mushrooms.11/29/2012 12:00:00 AMThe Food has a healthy aspectThe Food has a healthy aspect to it with good choices for all different ages. Of course the prices are sky high but that is typical of hotels in prime locations.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM