The LobbyGo everytime you get a chance!!Great break from street activity with gracious surroundings...don't miss the Shanghai Terrace as well great spot for dinner and a drink after 5pm!!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMit has it all!fabulous food, elegant setting, thoughtful waitstaff. The room has the quiet I long for when I go out to dine after a long day.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMChocolate buffet a must!The chocolate buffet is a truly amazing selection of every chocolate you could ever want! A must do!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMElegant casual diningThe lobby is perfect for singles, couples and quartets. The ambience is understated and impeccable. The food portions are perfect and tastes are thoughtfully melded. No rush, little noise, just terrifically prepared and served food.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant in Chicago!!Every aspect of fine dining anywhere in the world is right here in Chicago at The Lobby.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFoodie gem in the roughWe got a recommend to the Lobby and it was phenomenal! Food was well thought out, well sourced, beautifully prepared and delicious. Our server Ruben was attentive, knowledgable and spot on with timing. I was only disappointed to see there were only a few other groups there -- people are missing out.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic Dinner!Just back from our first dinner at The Lobby; so many of our friends had been raving about this place and now I see why. After just one meal we are hooked and are sure to be regulars here. Very upscale cuisine with a top caliber chef (he has worked at some of the top restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park, Moto, El Bulli) yet for the quality extremely reasonable pricing. Nice ambiance and our server was so friendly. The chicken is a must; outstanding dish. In addition to the a la carte items you receive an amuse, bread service (loved the brioche with bacon), mignardises and even a little take home cake. We will be back soon to try the tasting menu (five courses that they customize based on your preferences). Deserving of a Michelin star!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a sure betThe room is stunning, the food is very good, and the service is attentive without being intrusive. It's a wonderful spot for a late breakfast.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAs nice as advertisedThe Lobby was as good as we had heard. The small menu had plenty to chose from and everything we tasted was excellent.
The service was impeccable and the room is quite grand. The wine list is a bit pricey, but they have some nice options sold by the glass. We will definitely be back!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSophisticated diningQuiet, elegant, superb food, excellent service. Wide open (it's a lobby) but perfect for two's and four's conversation without shouting.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMLuxuryEach little mouthful was a gem, as was the tea. Only one complaint: at $45 for high tea, they should not charge extra for Prius teas.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for afternoon teaTook my mom to The Lobby for Afternoon Tea for Mother's Day. I highly recommend it.
The atmosphere and food was fantastic!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMQuiet, attentive, tastyThe Lobby restaurant is a large but quiet space truly built into the lobby of the hotel. The staff's attention to detail was impeccable, starting with a delectable starting course, through the take-home orange pound cake. My entry was the lobster dish from the menu was already removed from the shell, presented nicely on the plate with tasty artichoke hearts, and was very tasty.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMA group of friends and I wereA group of friends and I were there to celebrate a birthday. I was thrilled that they offered a vegan option for afternoon tea. The quality and variety was outstanding. The service was wonderful and the staff could not have been nicer.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyed the chocolate barWe went for the chocolate bar on a Saturday night. The options are amazing. You could never try them all (unfortunately). I thought the chocolates and candies were best; the pastries were hit or miss. The hot chocolate was delicious. One thing that initially annoyed me: When we arrived it was not full yet we were seated at a table right by the waiters' station. This is a pet peave of mine. My husband asked for a new table (didn't want to look at my annoyance all night), and they put us at a lovely table right by the window.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMI am giving The Lobby my highestI am giving The Lobby my highest recommendation because, everything from food to service was spot on. I had read so much about the roast chicken @The Lobby that I had to have it. It's a whole roast chicken stuffed under the skin and bronzed to a beautiful mahogany. It indeed lived up to the praise. However, the roast chicken at Bavette's is just as good, and in some respects, better. The whole roast chicken (for two; I ate half and took the other half home) I believe is $52.00. The half roast chicken at Bavette's is $17.00. It's your call.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMVery light crowd for lunchVery light crowd for lunch when I went in. I ordered the special pre fixe menu and it was great.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience for SundayGreat experience for Sunday brunch. Its a little pricey but we still felt it was a great value for the food quality, options, and ambiance.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to the Chocolate Bar.We went to the Chocolate Bar. There was a large selection of desserts, candy and beverages. It was nice that the portions were small so you could sample multiple items.
This is definitely a special occasion type of event. The desesrts and service were very good, but it is on the pricy side. I would definitely to it once just to say you did it.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat MenuWe had a wonderful time and enjoyed every single course of Mr. Wolen's menu. Great service, amazingly friendly staff and an enthusiastic sommeliere. We will certainly recommend your restaurant!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMvery very nice ambiance andvery very nice ambiance and really great food. The service was impeccable4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFinally!A really special restaurant with superb food at reasonable prices.Lovely atmosphere, excellent and friendly staff, relaxing , great for conversation .4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMBlown awayFood and service were both immaculate. We had the octopus, foie gras, roasted beets, gnocchi, braised rabbit cavatelli, whole roasted chicken and the passionfruit souffle. Every item was perfectly executed. Our server was there when he was needed and monitored the table very well4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMNice open area with fine linensNice open area with fine linens and a wide selection of choices -even three kinds of bottled still water! Food was tasty maybe better than what I ordered - I was trying to be good on the calorie side. A little pricey but very nice.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was lovely. Main courseFood was lovely.
Main course portions were small but
well prepared.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMichelin Star WorthyWow, this meal was absolutely dynamite. From an incredible mussels, razor clam, rock shrimp amuse bouche in lemongrass sauce to the last peanut butter truffle mignardise, there was nothing short of outstanding. The much vaunted whole roasted chicken breast for two lives up to its legend. Best roast chicken I've ever had. For spring, it's served with morels, onions & potatoes. The breast is kept ridiculously moist with a butter and brioche stuffing. The new spring salad is a perfect light start to the meal, and ricotta gnocchi are the best I've had in months. A string duo played live music, beautiful renditions of pop music. I couldn't believe how slow things were. Dinner for two with a glass of wine each was just $130.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful afternoon tea. SoWonderful afternoon tea. So tasty and such a lovely room.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waiter was not very responsive,Our waiter was not very responsive, however the ambience of the The Lobby is lovely. I was with an old friend and we really enjoyed talking quietly with each other without blaring music. I would certainly go again. Lucy Freund3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic as alwaysWonderful experience as always. Menu had new additions since our lunch a few weekends ago; the lobster roll is decadent and the bouillabase is a departure from the classic recipe, but silky and rich, with the most wonderfully fresh seafood. Looking forward to returning each weekend to try the new spring menu!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA true gemTop notch, under the steady and talented hand of chef Lee Wolen. Beautiful to look at and delicious to eat.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMChicago at it's best!The Penninsula would make anyone feel special. Their focus on detail and wait staff makes me proud to have grown up and stayed in Chicago. I am now able to share these treasures of the city with my daughter. Truly a wonderful experience!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMTry the Chicken-Really!They have a new chef and have refocused their weekend chocolate buffet. Both changes work very well. Our waiter (Who was great!) suggested the chicken; while we were disappointed that they no longer serve steak the chicken was wonderful, a must try. The chocolate buffet now starts an hour later (9pm and not 8pm as in the past) all the offerings were rich and delicious. The only thing missing was the jazz. The elevator style rendering of pop music while well executed was almost comical at times.
The Lobby is a sure bet for us, we have eaten here several times and are never disappointed.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMCluck-a-licoiusOnce again I had their chicken for two --- a delicious meal and so unique. Comfort food at it's best. Also had the beet salad which I thought was just ok. My husband had the red snapper and he thought it was ok but not great -- nothing compared to what he had down in Turks. The waiter's suggestions on wines were very good -- a nice Malbec and also my husband liked his recommendation for a dry white3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMNot inexpensive, but excellentNot inexpensive, but excellent value. Chef de cuisine Lee Wollen is a most welcome new arrival to Chicago. Great service, great food, beautiful presentation.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMLuxury luncheon on Mich AveLovely ambience, lovely service, and lovely cuisine. What more could we wish for during our ladies who lunch outing. Would be good for special business lunches or a night out as well - one doesn't feel like they are in an overly open Lobby. A nifty winter squash salad, Maine Lobster roll salad and a beautifully creamy and unctious bouilliabaisse finishing with a delightful cookie platter left us sated but longing for our next appointment at this special dining experience.3/6/2013 12:00:00 AMI went here with a formerI went here with a former manager and she was so thankful that I brought her there. The place was just so exquisite and perfect for special occasions. Go there famished so the buffet will be worth it. After all, the place is on the pricey side, so stuff yourself with what your money's worth. ;)2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Restaurant Week Meal!I had just an incredible Restaurant Week meal at The Lobby. $22 for three courses here was an incredible value and the service was just impeccable. My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals - the only minor quibbles was the chestnut soup was a little too creamy and not enough chestnut flavor, and the hazelnut financier was dry. Every other dish was spot on though. I'll definitely be back! The roasted rainbow trout was just beautiful and tasted as good as it looked! And the winter squash salad with crispy rice puffs and Greek yogurt was unlike anything I'd ever tried before. I also love the goat's milk herb salt butter served with bread. The sticky toffee pudding was amazing too - love the rum raisin ice cream accompaniment!2/4/2013 12:00:00 AM