TRUDiorama diningChicago must be having a culinary crisis. While everything about the restaurant was very good, we could not understand why Chicago is undergoing silly serving dishes. 1st our appetizer was served in a bowl that had a glowing blue light in it, followed by a wood box with sand,fern & and chip of wood holding our next dish. The best one was a log (yes, a log) with a glass top for our meat dish. They had to put a napkin underneath it so when they poured the sauce it ran off on the table.I know it's Lincoln country but really.
I can't imagine Jean George or Le Bernardin copying this style.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ExperienceWe chose TRU to celebrate a college graduation and it was a great experience. Custom menus with 'congratulations graduate' greeted us. We chose the 7 course dinner and every dish was fantastic in taste and appearance. Food presentation was particularly interesting. The staff were very attentive. At the end of the night, we received a summary of the food we ate printed on another custom menu card with "Congratulations Jeff on your Graduation". On the downside, the restaurant was quite expensive, so this will definitely be a 'special event' location for us.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellentTwo Prix Fixe menu options with or without wine pairings. We had the smaller menu with wine and it was a good amount. The presentations were above and beyond the usual. The exceptional service was almost choreographed in that it is often during the evening that more than one server will in a coordinated fashion deliver or remove dishes from the table. This is kind of night out is something that we would reserve for a very special occasion.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent but very expensivewe did the shorter cheaper 7 course menu with wine pairings, but stiil $333 per person including gratuity. had one round of drinks before. food was creative, outstanding, elegant6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA True (TRU) DelightThe whole meal experience was exceptional by any measure. Every course (at least seven) was an intriguing and delicious combination of foods, superbly presented and all with an artistic flair. We selected the wine pairing option - the wines were exceptional, perfectly complementing the food and adding grace and elegance to the experience. The service could not have been better - attentive without hovering and totally gracious.
An evening to be long remembered.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingTRU is simply one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Our dinner was spectacular, both in terms of the food and the presentation. The service was impeccable--the wait staff was unobtrusive but attentive, and they even had a sense of humor. The dining room is beautiful with a restrained sense of decoration. It was easy to have a conversation, as the noise level was very low. The price tag for dinner makes TRU for us a special occasion destination, but it is worth every penny. Go there.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe've been to Tru severalWe've been to Tru several times. The service remains outstanding as ever. This trip the chef was serving a 7 or 14 course tasting menu. We opted for the full menu. Dinner took four hours, and seemed to drag at times. Perhaps because the novelty has worn off, some of the presentations and dishes didn't impress us as much as they have in the past. But dining at Tru remains, nonetheless, always an enjoyable and interesting experience. Just be prepared for the bill at the end!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ServiceStaffs had great service even thought we had additional attendants in the middle of the course. They present us the great customers satisfaction.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBest of the BestTru is definitely among the best of the best restaurants in Chicago. Think of it as combining the creativity of Alinea with the eatable enjoyment of Les Nomade. The service may be better than the food, if that's possible. If you are interested in learning about intricate aspects of the food preparation and presentation, the waiters enjoy explaining the carefully constructed aspects of those areas, which far exceded my humble expectations.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerI and my bf decided to try out Tru for our 2nd anniversary. First impression: very good. They seated us and said "happy anniversary". Also on the menu (which they will let you bring home), they wrote Happy Anniversary and the date. I think this is a nice touch. Another nice touch: the valet parking got your car ready roght when you walked out the door.
NEGATIVE side of Tru: the couple next to us brougt their kids to Tru. Nothing's wrong with it, as long as they're not crying and whining in the restaurant. Especially when you spend over $500 for your meal, CRYING KIDS/BABIES is the least you want to hear. Such a let down. The ambience went down from a nice romantic dinner to an IHOP.
Food portion was on the smaller side.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ExperienceWe had a fantastic experience at Tru. The service was extremely professional, but also approachable and comfortable. The food was outstanding, and the wine pairings were fantastic. The small things like personalized menus and purse stands exemplify how every detail of the dining experience is considered. While expensive Tru is definitely worth every penny.
PS Jackets required5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMTRU-ly impressiveA wonderful experience for special occasions. Impressive wine list. Great service and food. Sure the dinner takes sometime but it is worth it.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AM45th Wedding Anniversary DinnerA personal chef in Grand Rapids told us to try TRU Restaurant, when we were in Chicago, celebrating our 45th Wedding Anniversary. From the moment we walked in our experience was more than we ever expected.
Each course was an artistic presentation that was pleasing to the palate and the eye. The attention to details was something we both appreciated.
The service was exceptional, and the entire wait staff was professional, as well as warm and friendly.
Our menu was printed noting our anniversary, and will be a lovely keepsake of a delightful evening in every way.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food but...The food and service were stellar. However, the overall experience wasn't very exciting or special. It's a pretty sleepy dining room (which is good for a date/romantic) -- but if you're looking for a somewhat more hip, exciting restaurant I'd go to NEXT. Kudos to the chef for amazing food.. The wine was so-so (little skimpy on the 'pours'). Go for the food, not the ambience.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMTru dedicationThis place is tufty, unpleasant (they forced me to wear an ugly polyester jacket - smooth brand). But the food was absolutely delicious.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOur #1 Global Gavorite Tasting ReatExquisite, artistic, flavorful, and inventive offerings. Tasting menus are the offering and correct focus of this incredible restaurant. Knowledgeable, well-orchestrated service without artificial pretense. A favored repeat choice and assured to provide a memorable dining experience.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMDuring our dinner, we wereDuring our dinner, we were selected to go to the kitchen to meet the chef. This was such a special treat since we had the opportunity to witness the heart and soul of talented young Chef Anthony Martin. With precision, he demonstrated for us a dish that consisted of sunchoke, sorrel topped with arctic char roe and needless to say, it was divine!!! It was also amazing to see such a great and energetic team working alongside with Chef Martin. Our meal was unforgettable and this unique experience was TRUly one we will always treasure.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a fabulous experience.We had a fabulous experience. Food was unique in flavors and presentation. There was nothing on the menu wewould not eat several times over. Service was superb. Thoroughly enjoyed our main server. Celebrated a birthday and graduation and everyone made it memorable. Return-YES!!!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day BrunchGreat service and made it a very memorable Mother's Day 2013!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is an incredible experience!This is our second visit and it was as good and wonderful as ever.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlmost Great, but Needs Gale GandI last ate at Tru when Tramonto-Gand were in charge. I was not so impressed. But Gale's desserts were terrific. Service was indifferent. Now everything is turned around. We ordered eight courses (seven and a morel custard), and five were terrific. The scallop crudo was divine as was the salmon in ginger broth. The Waygu beef was boring; beef courses often are. The problem were the two desserts (a dry pistachio cake and English peas and strawberries) were mediocre at best; the peas were unpleasant. Anthony Martin is a terrific progressive and restrained modernist chef, but whoever is doing the desserts need to rethink them. Service was cheery and professional, but we worried about being up-sold - on the caviar, the cheese, and tea (twice).5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMPretty Good, but Not Worth $700We've eaten at a dozen or more nice restaurants with tasting menus, mostly in CA and NY. TRU offers a similar experience, but at a slightly higher price and with less-impressive food. That's not to say the food wasn't good - it was - it's just that for $700 (including a $200 bottle of wine) we expected to be wowed. We weren't.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a unique experience!Came here for our anniversary celebration and it was my second visit.
It was always a great experience.
Will def come back for another special occasion.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food Great ServiceGet the full course set menu, Totally worth it!
Service was to Par for the restaurant of this caliber .
-1 star for the Manager - should have been more accommodating or at least offer a solution.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA Terrific EveningMy wife and I had dinner here last evening, she is not big on tasting menus so I had to twist her arm a little. She also doesn't like salmon or carrots. The menu included both. Harrington our waiter and the kitchen were most accomodating substituing courses she liked. The 7 plus 1 course tasting menu was delightful and the wine list extensive. We had to forgo the last two courses (dessert) as we were quite full but they packaged them for us to take away. All in all a terrific dinner. Expensive but hightly recommended.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMImpeccable service & presentationOur group of six had an amazing experience this Saturday. We like to show our California friends that the Midwest is not just a "flyover" zone, and places like Tru really do the job. The wine list was extensive, the sommalier knowledgeable, and the presentation of each course was a delight. As an art fan, I enjoyed the contemporary decor. The attention to detail -- synchronized pouring of drinks, purse ottomans, and customized menu -- are unmatched. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I look forward to another visit. Just beware: the bill is not for the weak of heart! (But it's worth it!)5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways OutstandingWe've dined at Tru many times over the years and are always glad we did. Servers always read us quite well, knowing that we want the high end experience but also friendly words or banter. Our server this time went beyond all before her, noticing that I was using my left hand to eat. She asked if it woudl be preferrable for her to set the table differently to suit!
As usual, we had the tasting menu and were not dispointed. Chef continues to be very inventive with textures, flavors and presentation without putting one above the other just for effect.
The only area not beyond reproach was the wine pariring. It is difficult to match Tru dishes, but some of the wines were less than stellar in character on their own or with the food.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for anniversary and birthdayWent for anniversary and birthday celebration, they had it printed on the menus! Food was incredible. Subtle but so very special and delicate tastes and incredible presentations. Only wished some dishs came with much larger servings!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGood, but not GreatDefinitely a memorable dining experience... but I TRUly don't believe it was worth the cost. I've got no problem spending lots of money on great things, even on a single meal, but TRU's ambiance, aesthetic appeal and the overall conduct of our servers seemed very underwhelming for such an "extravagant" and expensive restaurant. My expectations were certainly high, and I'd love to go on and on as to why our experience wasn't up to par, but this website will cut me off before I can finish... so I'll just leave it at that.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExpensive but amazing.HadExpensive but amazing.Had one of the best meals I have ever had at Tru - impeccably prepared and presented, exceptional service. While it was also one of the most expensive meals I've ever had (about $600 for 2 people, including wine, tip etc), it was a culinary experience, memorable for years to come.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for my birthday andWe went for my birthday and I was treated like royalty. Food and service were both outstanding.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMNot as good as expected!We were not satiesfied with the food, we had the 13 course tasting meny, the desciption of each course did not live up to what each dish actually tastet like, the dishes were generally blend and it was difficult to separate the flavours, it was a little bit that they "overdo" everything. Out of 13 courses 3 were very good. Service was very good.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent meal as has alwaysExcellent meal as has always been the case. I like the new menu but do miss the bread at the beginning of the meal.
Service is also excellent.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMTru - Mindblowingly PerfectThe food was just phenomenal. I am surprised it doesn't have at least one more michelin star. We eat at Alinea regularly and while the molecular gastronomy 'surprises' are not there - everything about the food, the ingredients, the melding of unique flavors, the stunning presentation - there was nothing left to be desired. It was gastronomical perfection. We had been to Tru 3 years ago and were underwhelmed - this time it was like we were at a whole new 3 Michelin star restaurant. Can't wait to go back.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was as good as L2O, FrenchFood was as good as L2O, French Laundrey, and other truly great restaurants. If you love great food you need to go.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and wine are my hobby.Food and wine are my hobby. I have eaten at many of the haute eateries of New York and Washington DC.
This was the most hedonistic meal in recent memory. The food was original and delicious; and the wine pairings on the tasting menu were original, and spot on. Kudos to the entire staff both in the kitchen, floor and wine cellar!!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative tasty foodThey were very accommodating with my dietary restrictions. I am sure it helped that I let them know more than 72 hours ahead. They were very creative. The salmon was melt in your mouth and the shortribs were so tender. The sommolier was very helpful with the wine selection.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic for fine dining.Fantastic for fine dining. My personal favorite spot in Chicago for a quiet, tasteful, well served meal. Best in Chicago.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was fantastic,Everything was fantastic, from the minute we walked in to the minute we walked out. Great service, wonderful food and lovely ambiance. We will definitely return.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent gourmet experienceTRU is possibly the best restaurant in Chicago with wonderfully prepared and served food, an excellent wine list and a quiet, sophisticated yet modern ambiance. The menu is structured as a tasting experience but you can abbreviate it and have only seven courses--don't worry, each plate is small but enough to reveal the creativity and talent of the chef. Wine pairings are offered if you prefer (although you should at least read the wine list!) and extras such as caviar and cheese can be added. It is not cheap but it is a TRU-ly wonderful experience and I can't wait to return.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were good.Food and service were good. But $25 for a cocktail seems outrageous.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMVeyr Enjoyable ExperienceI recently had the opportunity to dine at true. I had the full Chef's menu and wine pairing and it was a fantastic experience. My two friends who attended were also impressed.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMA unique dining experienceA unique dining experience - amazing service and the food is incomparable. Taste and presentation both combine for an incomparable dining evening.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service. VeryGreat food and service. Very pricey- special occasions only. Portions are very small. I was satisfied, but my fiancee was not very full. It's a shame to spend all that money to go back home and see him looking for a snack. Loved the details of a plate decorated with my name on my birthday.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing dinning experience.Amazing dinning experience. The full tasting menu with the wine pairings is the way to go! Be prepared to be full and a little tipsy though!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were celebrating a milestoneWe were celebrating a milestone birthday for a friend who is a foodie. It was a sensational dinner and evening! Each of the tasting courses was better than the last! The service was fabulous and very polished without being uptight or snooty. Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Absolutely! It was a dining experience which none of us will ever forget.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Experience!!!This really was a "Tru" experience!!! A dining experience provides top notch service and the food will blow your taste buds away! AMAZING!!!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMElegance with refined andElegance with refined and sophisticated cooking. Service is fantastic, though can be a bit scattershot only because so many different people are talking to you. This would be a minor negative although "negative" is too strong a word. My wife and I celebrated our first year anniversary for us and they treated us like royalty. Highlights were foie gras custard, sunchoke puree and Kobe 2-ways.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWOW!What a dining experience! Food, ambiance, service were all outstanding. From the moment you pull up for the valet parking until they return your car to you, everything is just perfect. Food is so creative and has so many unusual tastes and textures to be experienced. One of us had the small tasting menu and the other had the full tasting. This allowed us to sample everything and we were very happy with that combination. The vibe is elegant without being pretentious. Service is attentive without being overbearing. I felt like I was being welcomed into someone's home. Love the purse ottoman!3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was an excellent evening.This was an excellent evening. We were celebrating two birthdays. The food was delicious, we didn't feel rushed. The wait staff was, and has always been professional but friendly. I have food allergies and they were noted from previous dinners.3/2/2013 12:00:00 AM