Excellent service! Ubaldo waited on us today, it made our annual afternoon tea outing special. The atmosphere was beautiful and the food was very good! They were even kind enough to have food made special on a last minute dietary restriction. We had kids with us too and they treated them extra special with kiddie cocktails and each were given a stuffed bear to take home! We will return because the service was outstanding! Well done!
(5)
Maggie Z.
Went for afternoon tea. Service is great. Beautiful music and environment. Pastries are delicate but for me it's too much. I was so full that for the third layer I could not savor the full flavor...
(4)
Jen H.
Love this place! Always top notch service. The price matches the superior experience.
(5)
Jessica P.
I came here for restaurant week (2015) with friends on a Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were given options to either sit at the bar, sit at the table (while waiting for our friends to arrival), or sit at the side. The customer service was great from the start to end. Restaurant Week Food -great presentation and great food! Appetizer: Beet Salad: a variety of different beets (including beet marshmallow), yum.. absolutely enjoyed it! Enjoyed the entree options as well as dessert options. Portions: small - especially for big eaters, you might be hungry after the meal. Great date location! :) I would come here again.
(5)
Colleen C.
Pinky up. When a dear friend suggested the girls do high tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel) on my short trip to my beloved Chicago, I squealed with delight, replied immediately, invited my mother and went out to buy a new dress. Priorities. Of course, we opted for the sparkly version...($68/pp) CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Traditional Afternoon Tea + a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (I die of happiness). My mother isn't into bubbles (I know, where did I come from?) and they were very happy to substitute white wine for her. I will say, I don't know if this is common but the "top ups" on the champagne and wine were gracious. It wasn't expected but it was absolutely welcome. Insider tip -- being polite and looking the part (faking it is fine! I do!) invites some insider perks. Maybe they do this for everyone!? I don't know but it certainly prolonged our very enjoyable experience. And it was all it was cracked up to be. The service absolutely impeccable from start to finish. These guys have it on LOCK. It's spendy, but you'll leave your afternoon tea experience feeling full of far more than delicious tea and small sandwiches/petit desserts -- it's an experience to be savored and enjoyed. To slow down and enjoy the company you are with. To wear something nicer than usual. To indulge and be delighted for an afternoon. I suggest you make a booking, cheers! *Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Children's Afternoon Tea menus available upon request.
(5)
Mike L.
We came for Sunday Brunch - I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me; 1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact - not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever - I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor. We've never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed He's the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure 'everything' was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!! You don't have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons - my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer - never. 2) The food was excellent; don't get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more - they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3-4 times. And there weren't that many people dining. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above. Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back.
(4)
K I.
We reserved for the dinner. It was empty and so I was puzzled. The male host knew that we came for dinner. The waiter took the order for the drink for my husband, and we waited for it. This waiter disappeared. We started to wonder around 5 min...but it was the Peninsula Hotel and so we tried our best to be patient. Finally we asked about the drink and we decided to leave since we even didn't get the menu. The host was lazy obviously, and the waiter who took our order didn't come back and other one delivered the drink after 20 min. It was the worst service we have ever had. The Lobby isn't the place for dinner. The desert they had looks good and cute, but they were not as tasty as they looked when we had for lunch at other time. I overlooked the patio downstair which seems to be the better place to eat at this hotel. The Lobby don't have the Peninsula hotel's quality. The service will be the disgrace for the Peninsula hotel's reputation. I hope they review and fix it in the near future. It is just a matter of managements. In addition, I, as a woman, hold the door for the porter and doorman this time since they looked very busy, and he didn't thank me. The hotel workers lost all the manners as the 5 star hotel. They were supposed to help the guests instead of being helped by the guests.
(1)
Diana D.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel's Lobby is so fun and unique! For about $65 per person, you can pretend to be fancy British people enjoying your afternoon tea and finger foods. And it's UNLIMITED, yes, ALL YOU CAN!! They don't really advertise that part, but when our waiter came by to check on us he asked if there was any particular dish we wanted more of. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I blurted out, "Is it free?" LOL! I'm such a commoner! How did I not know this was a buffet? Because there isn't any sign that says so. It doesn't even mention it on the menu. Anyway, I did take advantage of AYCE and I even snatched a to go box stuffed with more food. Yes, I'm so ghetto. So the food is actually really tasty little bites of sandwiches, desserts, and scones. My favorites were the fried risotto balls and smoked salmon thingy. I love tea and they had a bunch to pick from. Service was great. Other patrons were mainly tourists and old people. There was a ADA convention going on at the hotel that weekend, so there were tons of dentists there. I would definitely recommend afternoon tea at The Lobby! We made reservations a few weeks in advance.
(5)
ms t.
Great service. Grande ambiance. String duet. Amazing teas. Average biscuits and sandwiches. I can't say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn't even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service.
(4)
T T.
Afternoon Tea is the most beautuful experience! The ambience, the finger foods, the scones and especially the tea. Great for a cold wintery day in Chicago
(5)
Jackie M.
I came here for the chef week lunch special $22 which was a good deal for the food and ambiance. The salad and dessert were self serve/buffet style and you get a choice of entree (diver scallop, housemade paste, or apricot glazed pork tenderloin). Salad bar - charchuterie choices include various meat and brie cheese, cooked lobster/rice noodle in a martini glass (I had 2!), pasta salad, creamless tomatoe soup, shitake, cucumbers, green salad, variety of dressing (housemade?), seasoned fried califlower. These choices may sound simple, but the flavor and presentation was fancy. Dessert - diced fresh fruit bowl, nutella macaron (OMG), pistachio macaron (meh), pistachio chocolate opera, brandied cherry creme brulee/custard, chocolate pudding/mousse, strawberry tart (GOOOOD), and 2 choices of chocolate (dark or almond). It was European style pastry and they were all goood!!! It came with 2 diver jumbo scallop and was cooked just right. The sauce, purple yam, and bacon was a good compliment to the scallop. The pasta was good, but the portion was quite small. Overall, the ambiance was really nice and relaxing. However, it did took awhile before the waitress took our order. Well she did seem busy attending to multiple table. Overall, the waitress was attentive afterward. Will definitely go back to try the afternoon tea or dessert buffet!
(5)
Mindy H.
I've been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :) The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I've been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette... and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets! For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts. All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I've heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :)
(5)
Alfred L.
First time for everything! Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know....one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn't say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical. So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2-4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite. Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place.
(3)
Mehran F.
GROSS and not worth the price. Guys, please train your people on basic hygiene. The server was sweaty on his face, wiped sweat off his face and touched the menu and dishes. Come on, get real. (this review is on behalf of my wife who was disappointed with her experience today. My wife has been going to Penninsula Lobby last few years, maybe twice or three times a year, normally taking out of country guests there. Her mother in particular likes the place....but today is last time. Reservation made. They had to wait around 15 or 20 minutes still to be seated. In fact, the hostess had even confused them with another party. Food, in comparison with prior times: less variety, not as good as before. And certainly the sweat experience did not make the whole thing such an appetizing afternoon tea for her and her three friends. For about $120 per person, one gotta have the decency and integrity to create some value... As much as I'd avoid Starbucks, i tend to imagine you get a more consistent "value" and certainly hygiene there, and if you do not, the dent in your pocket would not leave you wondering, WTF.
(1)
Cindy H.
Read on yelp afternoon tea was "all you can eat". For $55/person I was happy to hear it. Called to check, lady told me "no, but we will refill the plate once". I was charged double for an extra plate of food for a child. Probably won't be back. Used to love this place. Meh.
(2)
Safina Z.
Went for brunch...the food s not bad. The waitress was very nice...dunt like the view...
Okay, fine. The afternoon tea is actually pretty stellar.
(3)
Christine L.
Ambience - A little hotel-y, but very swanky so perfect. Food - Perfect Service - Perfect I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time. One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs. The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu! As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke puree with tempura'ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal. Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians...) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :) I can't wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both??
(5)
Christina B.
Impeccable service and even better brunch spot. Now, the prices are little bit more than your average Chicago brunch place but the quality of food and service matches. The french toast was the real deal and the side of thick bacon was perfect. For coffee lovers, the coffee was pretty solid too. Great spot to "wow" out of towners and entertain business partners.
(5)
Happiness L.
I have been to the Lobby on numerous occasions throughout the past 8 years. Let me say that I love Francisco! He is absolutely one of the most stellar waiters who has ever helped me anywhere I have ever dined. In the past service was usually excellent yet at times was below par at this location. Today we went for high tea and so far it is the very best one in Chicago that I have experienced. I can understand why they sell out over the holiday season. In addition I have been to the Lobby for breakfast and their executive lunch in the past. I also had the pleasure of enjoying their chocolate night with music. I highly recommend dining here especially during the holidays when they have their gorgeous tree in the dining room. Happy!
(5)
Kitt R.
Beautiful place for breakfast and lunch in the lobby of the penisula. The food is good and the service is great. It's a very bright and open space in the lobby and is a great place to start your day.
(5)
Linda T.
My initial impression was to give The Lobby 3 or 4 stars. The setting was nothing notable at first glance (simply a large hotel lobby), and the prices are sky high. However, as our experience progressed, I became more and more impressed to the point where I felt the price tag was justified, and a 5 star review is warranted. We were seated next to the window, which overlooked an ice skating rink. Adorbs... In the middle of our lunch, I looked up and noticed a balcony with a cellist and a violinist! I thought the ambient music was pre-recorded until then. The string duo definitely added charm. As for our food, I was blown away. I ordered the full tea service. At first glance, the tower was not so impressive. But as I took each piece onto my plate, I was able to appreciate how delicate everything was, especially the desserts. There was this one cake in particular that had a decorative white chocolate piece placed on top; it was a thin, triangular plate with orange marbling... It was beautiful. Of course, presentation aside, everything tasted delicious! In addition to my perfect meal, I had a bite of my friend's lobster sandwich, and wow... I'm salivating just thinking about it! So so juicy!! I also loved their tea. We had the lychee and the ginger. Both were good, but I liked the lychee a little better. All in all, I was glad I got to experience The Lobby! I'll shoot to come back around Christmas next time. It just strikes me as a place that can deliver overwhelming holiday cheer! So yes... I intend to write an update review.
(5)
Lisa B.
If you can't stay at the Pen, head on over in the morning to have a lovely breakfast in the Lobby. The decor is five star fabulous, the service is stellar and the food is consistently above the bar. I'm a bit of a bore at breakfast. When I travel I always have one poached egg on wheat toast with a tomato and steamed spinach. I wash that down with a fine cup of Joe while I peruse the NYT and enjoy the serene surroundings. Sadly the day I was there I was harassed by a monster of a child who was allowed not only by the child's mother, but by the rest of the staff to run wild around our tables screaming at the top of his lungs. This went on for nearly thirty minutes. Everyone in the restaurant was bothered and I was really annoyed that the family was not asked to keep the child quiet. Had it been five minutes, it would have been one thing, but it went on for the entire time I was in the restaurant and it ruined my meal. I believe my breakfast cost me well over $50 and for an egg and a piece of toast, a high-end restaurant has the responsibility of making sure its guests are comfortable. Other than that....great place.
(3)
Chary H.
Brunch here is amazing. Though I prefer to come around the holidays because it is beautifully decorated, brunch here is great any time of year. The only aspect I don't like is how disorganized the set up seemed this time. It's pricey but we'll worth it. Definitely make reservations in advance.
(4)
Isabelle L.
I have a great experience having high tea with my sister on Sunday afternoon. The setting is nice and server is super friendly . We stay there for 2 hours and we enjoy the tea and food .
(4)
Horace L.
When I was young, my aunt told me that the best way to judge a restaurant is by the bread. Because of this I knew instantly that my dinners at The Lobby would be great - they used to have a bread basket that would knock your socks off. A couple years ago they served a small whole wheat seeded baguette with several kinds of phenomenal butter. Recently they changed to generic crap butter and a seeded braided monstrosity that used to only plague room service orders. This is clearly not the most important thing to take away from a restaurant, but it's my main concern now. Especially since the service and the rest of the food is generally terrific, the current breadbasket is a massive stain on The Lobby's sterling reputation. My wife and daughter agree, so the only conclusion is that a brainless executive is trying to save money, not make the full experience a pleasure.
(3)
Karma K.
You simply cannot have a bad dining experience here! I've been here for lunch and afternoon tea. Both experiences were phenomenal and I don't use that word often. The setting is lovely and just what you would expect from the Peninsula. The food, oh the food...presented beautifully and tastes even better. I would love to return for dinner with my husband. He's more of a diner and beer type guy but I'll bribe him to come here!
(5)
Haibei Z.
1. Very nice place to have dinner for lovers; also good for business dinners. 2. Waiter was nice, polite and helpful. 3. Oysters were served with 3 flavor a and were among the best ones I've ever had. 4. Duck breast is not recommended especially if you have ever tasted the real Beijing duck. 5. For $20 per person you can have a "chocolate buffet" after dinner. Dozens of choices and the presentations were spectacular. Chocolate and the desserts in the buffet were too sweet for my own preference though. Overall a very good place to go if you have a short trip to Chicago and don't want to spent $500 pp in the 3-star Micheline.
(5)
Laura P.
Hosted my sisters bridal shower here and it could not have been more amazing. It is true the service here is a little bit more than some other places, but it is completely worth it. After coming here I wouldn't even spend money on tea service at any other place. The staff was so nice and accommodating. We had several special requests and they met everyone of our needs. We got there early to set up. We brought in our own floral centerpieces. They gave us special chairs and table cloths and as requested were seated in the corner by the window. It was just so perfect! We also had several special dietary requests (unfortunately one was last minute) but they were sure to accommodate everyone. We had both vegetarians gluten free ladies in our group. The food and tea were really good. The ambiance and decor is impeccable. They have live musicians playing in the background. You feel like royalty just being there. They even brought out a special piece of cake just for the bride. After we finished the tea out waiter was kind enough to organize our large group for a picture which turned out really well. They even packed up all my sisters gifts and took them down to our car for us. We used valet parking, which might be expensive but parking in this area can be really difficult so I recommend using it. Even the valet staff was just so nice. When it comes to tea service this will be my go to spot. And I should mention before selecting this place I tired several others in the city but nothing that was as fantastic as this!
(5)
Umair H.
While I had earmarked a number of venues for my 1st anniversary, celebrating at The Lobby at the Peninsula was the right choice for all the key reasons: ambiance, service, cuisine quality and choice, and uniqueness. We were seated in the best section of the room - the table overlooking the Terrace through floor to ceiling windows. Our waiter was both attentive and very helpful in terms of selection of both drinks and food items. We started by ordering a few appetizers but most noteworthy was the Australian Smoked Beef Carpaccio. For entrees, my wife ordered the much recommended Jumbo Prawns prepared East Asian style while I ordered Veal Cheeks, which were delicious and moist, with an expected consistency of short rib and flavor profiles blending savory, smoky, and light saltiness. For dessert, we were treated with an anniversary strawberry sorbet and also ordered the flourless chocolate cake. Overall, a memorable night to mark a significant personal milestone.
(5)
Jennie C.
Love the afternoon tea here, even though it's an indulgence I can't afford too often. I opted for coffee instead of tea and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee. However, it is less convenient than tea because you have to wait for the waiter to refill, rather than at your own pace, and the coffee gets cold faster. The sandwiches and desserts were all top-notch - beautiful to look at and taste equally good. Having just tried the Drake not long ago, I have to say Peninsula wins hands down (in terms of food quality)!
(4)
Stephanie L.
Meh...I was wanting to love the "absolute must" of afternoon tea, but it left me lackluster and disappointed. I took my mom and sister's here for afternoon tea. I had read all of the reviews and it just seemed like something different, fun, upscale, etc. The Lobby is on OpenTable, however you cant make reservations for afternoon tea on there. So I had to call and talk to someone, which I dont like doing. Boo. When we arrived at 330, the room wasnt quite ready so they pointed to a sitting area until they could seat us. We waited and saw several others getting seated. We waited and waited. Finally I started to give the server's the eye...WTH??? This is not what I expected when they charge $50 a head for tea. The hostess came over and said that our table was ready...clearly, she had forgotten about us. She even had to ask for the reservation name again. Annoying for this "caliber" of restaurant. Boo. The tea and the food left much to be desired. It definitely tasted mass produced, sitting in the cooler for awhile. Meh. The sandwiches were disappointed. The desserts faired a little better. I did like the tea, but they didnt give you sugar, cream, etc unless you asked...which again, I find interesting. Boo. Now the one thing that I can say that I loved was our server. He was excellent at explaining the menu, giving suggestions and trying to accommodate everyone. Two thumbs up to Eric. YAY. Lastly, they automatically charge a 20% authorization with a credit card??? So I called because they clearly overcharged me on my account, but they stated that they authorize an extra 20% but it will only be charged the base...?? Never heard of such a thing. Boo. I definitely think this is a SKIP...go somewhere else...this is less than impressive.
(2)
Tiffany L.
For some strange reason whenever I think of afternoon tea, I picture little Michelle Tanner tap-dancing frenetically and singing "tea for two and two for tea". (Actually now Downton Abbey is back on, I just picture having tea with the Dowager while she makes sassy comments to me.) I have been to the Peninsula for tea twice and unfortunately there is no little girl dancing and serenading me, nor is Professor Gonagall there. C'mon, I hear the Drake has a harpist for entertainment! Fortunately the service is very good and the tea set and silverware is all silver, and I imagine they have their own Mr. Carson in the back polishing all the silver. The tea sandwiches and mini desserts are all very pleasant to look at, but I am torn otherwise. While I understand it must take an enormous amount of work to create all these delicacies, I was sad to bite into slightly stale bread on my cucumber sandwich and a cold mini empanada. And I would have loved to see sugar cubes instead of sugar packets. Also I think you have to specifically ask for butter and jam for the scones. Bonus stars if they offered clotted cream. The $50 price tag includes three tiers of finger foods and a pot of tea (tea might be unlimited, I'm not sure, I decided to try two different types, but really, how much tea could your stomach possibly hold?). I was actually really full and even took the scones home, It's fun to go at least once for the experience. Be fun and wear a fancy hat!
(4)
Vaidehi T.
3 and a half stars! Visited The Lobby last Saturday for their restaurant week menu. The setting is beautiful and luxurious. The ambiance will sweep you over for sure. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. The salad bar was ok - nothing jumped out at me as mind blowing. There was a variety of stuff, something for every palate. For the main course my hubby chose the potato gnocchi, and I chose the arctic char in chicken jus. The potato gnocchi dish was pretty flavorful with all the components, but the gnocchi itself was quite dense and doughy. But we still enjoyed that dish. The arctic char was a bit of a disappointment. It came with the celery root, onions and brussel sprouts. I did not enjoy the texture of the onions and the celery root. Also the fish was a bit strong for my taste. Next was the dessert - this is their strongest course. The dessert buffet looked beautiful and enticing. There was macaroons, fruit salads, different kind of cakes, mousse... basically something for everybody. All in all it was an enjoyable experience because of the beautiful ambiance and great service.
Went here for afternoon tea. I think it was way too hyped up, I've been to afternoon teas that cost less than half as much and are just as good. Service and ambiance was very good, I would give it 4.5 stars. Had to wait a while in the beginning because I came 5 minutes early. One I was seated though, the servers were very prompt and attentive, offering me things without me having to ask. I was seated by the window and there was a cute view of an ice-rink. The actual tea and food did not impress me though. I had chosen the vanilla scented black tea and the tea was weak compared to what I was used to. The best part of the food was the scones. They were fresh and warm and came with really delicious cream lemon curd. The sandwiches and desserts were disappointing. The sandwiches were meh, not bad but not great, none of them really stood out. Didn't taste freshly made. The desserts were really pretty, but flavor wise, I only liked this mini apple tart. I couldn't taste any filling in the lime macaron, I was expecting it to be much more tart but it was just sweet. It was a good experience, but I don't think I will be returning. I'd recommend going to Pierrot Gourmet instead (also at the Peninsula). Similar food, but better value and tastes less ready-made.
(3)
Menglu W.
I went to The Lobby restaurant last weekend. It is a really good place to have a lunch. The Lobby is in the Peninsula hotel, which is a Michelin one star restaurant. I went there for the restaurant week, so I had the special restaurant week menu and price. It was a good experience. The serves are so nice and food is tasty. Also, the price was just $22. The first time I can't book a seat on Sunday that because all the seats were full. But the stuff is really nice and patient. I booked a seat on Monday. She answered my entire question about the location, the food, and the price. When I arrived there, the stuff helped me chose a wonderful seat which beside the window. I love the good snow view outside the window. My friend and I felt so comfortable because the service. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. I choose the beef loin with beans. The beef was tender and pretty flavorful. But the beans were a little bit salty. The appetizer and dessert are beautiful and luxurious. There were some dishes with several of fruits, Spanish sausage, vegetable salads and kinds of cakes and chocolates. Also, we spent a wonderful afternoon teatime after the lunch. We ordered the coffee which was nearly $6 per cup. The lunch's price for restaurant week was just $22. It was very cheap for a Michelin restaurant and it was valuable. All in all, it was a lovely and enjoyable experience here. I will be back there in the future.
(4)
Tom M.
Executive lunch menu: accurately priced at 32$. The appetizers and desserts buffet is limited but largely enough to satisfy all appetites and curiousity. Various salades, charcuteries and cheeses. All is fresh, tasty, simple but original. The desserts are well done, especially the "verrines", very delicate. Our entree was a chicken breast perfectly cooked. Juicy and flavourful. It comes with some crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet and melting onions balanced with bacon. This is very good, but not really coherent. Service is discreet and the place is splendid. The tables are large, the glass-walls bring a great luminosity and the decoration is refined. Excellent overall.
(4)
Erick N.
After having several friends rave about the Lobby my wife and I finally made it for dinner tonight; now I see what everyone is talking about, this place is the total package and is truly fantastic. Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen has an impressive resume (stints at famed venues such as Moto, El Bulli and most recently he was sous chef at Eleven Madison Park). He definitely has learned from the best and is doing an amazing job running the show at the Lobby. The Lobby is aptly named; literally set inside the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. Live music plays in the background, a tall ceiling with an impressive looking chandelier and large windows gazing into downtown Chicago set a nice, upscale but comfortable ambiance. Service was the perfect mix of personable, polished and attentive; our primary server Karen was so friendly that we definitely will request her again next visit. The menu features contemporary American cuisine; there are about eight appetizers ($15 on average), ten mains ($26 to $39), and a half dozen desserts (mostly $13; a new pastry chef was just brought on board). The luxurious chocolate buffet is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00pm to midnight; those having dinner may partake for half price - $20. The menu has great variety; one is far more likely to find multiple dishes appealing than struggle to find something. Hotel restaurants often have to be versatile due to serving a diverse array of guests and the Lobby's menu is perfect for this endeavor; several approachable items for picky and unsophisticated palates yet enticing to someone serious about fine dining. For $85 one may opt for the five course tasting menu; as a nice touch the tasting is customized based on one's preferences and aversions. Regardless if you choose a la carte or the tasting menu one also receives an amuse bouche, bread service (three different selections tonight; a baguette, multigrain and an outstanding brioche bacon bun), mignardises and even a small cake to take home as a parting gift. Most cocktails run $15 and wines by the glass are mainly in the $12 to $20 range. While the Lobby is not inexpensive, it is actually quite a value considering all the extras, the upscale ambiance, largish portions (we definitely left stuffed) and most importantly the high end cuisine. Certainly an experience worthy of a special occasion, but affordable enough for a romantic date night. Having greatly enjoyed the whole duck course at Eleven Madison Park last year and the famous whole chicken with foie gras and black truffle stuffing at sister venue The NoMad we were really eager to try the Lobby's incarnation of this dish, the Whole Roasted Chicken for Two. This dish is a must! A stuffing is placed under the skin sealing in all the moisture and enhancing the flavor; crispy skin and wonderfully juicy meat with a delicious sauce, ramps and morel mushrooms. This is one sexy chicken dish! My octopus appetizer with smoked ham was nicely charred and had wonderful textures and flavors; my wife was equally happy with her ricotta gnocchi. Even the desserts were phenomenal; I greatly enjoyed the coconut custard with black sesame, citrus cake, sorbet and candied yuzu. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and again a perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. While usually I try new things when I make a return visit to a venue, tonight's meal was so ridiculously good that I might very well repeat the same three courses! Even though this was our first time at the Lobby we were made to feel special and felt like regulars; we were both blown away by the experience and are already planning on returning next month. Chef Lee Wolen and his staff really have something special at the Lobby; they are truly deserving of a Michelin star this fall.
(5)
Emily J.
Tea at The Lobby is a must for anyone visiting or living in Chicago. The Peninsula is such a gorgeous hotel and The Lobby is one of the highlights of the hotel. I went to tea here the other week with my friend and we had such a lovely time. Our server was fantastic and explained everything in our giant tea tower, as well as keeping our champagne glasses full! I would suggest getting the addition of a glass of champagne, it's fun and adds a little more festivity to the whole experience. The food is delicious here, I would suggest taking a bite of everything, even if you can't eat the whole thing (you will get stuffed eating at tea!). I loved the tuna salad sandwich, and you can't beat the croissants either. The cranberry ones are especially tasty. I saved the pastries and desserts for last, and I could only take a bite from each, but those bites were amazing. I loved the strawberry eclair and the macaroons are to die for. All in all, tea at The Lobby has been one of the most fun and most delicious dining experiences I have had in Chicago thus far.
(5)
Amerie C.
My numerous visits to the The Lobby for afternoon tea and it was never a disappointment. Good service and excellent tea choices. They change their offerings every now and then and you will be amazed of the quality and varieties. Best afternoon tea in the city. Just make a reservation and go on a weekday to avoid the crowd on weekends. Good job to the chefs and staff who made every afternoon tea experience at The Lobby a delight.
(5)
Mark C.
Great service, good focused menu, and fun wine list! Overall, was a great experience. Definitely not cheap, but you don't go fancy for a cheap meal.
(4)
Joe S.
Not what you would expect from a Michelin star, I have a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu and have worked in restaurants more deserving of a star then this place. I was excited to eat here, the ambiance was amazing (The music was soo cool) The chocolate bar was impressive at first glance. However the waiter asked my wife if she wanted tap or sparkling water. Without hesitation he ran off to retrieve Pelegrino for the entire table (I don't like sparkling water) He poured it for me and my 5 year old son. I was like whatever.. My wife is pregnant and I didn't want to order wine without her so I was debating what I was going to do.. I read over the wine menu and was considering a glass regardless when he came back and asked me if wanted more Pelegrino. My glass was half full.. my sons was untouched and I ordered him a glass of milk as well which was still untouched and my wives was half full.. I obviously did not want it, I said no thank you but I asked my wife and she also said no thank you. Well he disappeared for a minute then returned with another bottle "On the house" Maybe it is just me but I found this to be as rude as it can get, here I am sitting in a Michelin Star restaurant and the waiter is treating me like I can't afford a $10 bottle of water.... Yes Mr. Waiter I am just going to forgo the rest of my meal without a beverage and only my half glass of sparkling water because I can not afford another bottle of pelegrino because I am a poor bum... Rude. The rest of the night was a let down. Appetizer came I wish I would have stopped here.. The cavatelli was amazing, no denying it. Entree's I ordered the Poached Halibut, the fish was cooked nicely but whatever was underneath it looked and tasted like crap, the only way to explain it is to say that it tasted like someone who doesn't know how to make stir fry, made me stir fry (Just soggy bell pepper blend)... My Wifes orderedJumbo Prawns and simply put they tasted exactly like orange chicken from Panda Express just Nasty. And The Peninsula is supposed to be the most kid friendly Hotel... Well they must not like kids too much because my sons kids menu spaghetti and meatballs was what tasted like bland freezer meatballs with tomato paste and no seasoning what so ever. After finishing our crappy meal I was vaguely looking forward to going to the chocolate bar.. maybe it could save this place.. But instead I just got more from my rude waiter.. I simply asked him "We're OK to just help ourselves to this now?" Mainly just letting him know we would be having it..... To which he replied "It's $20 a person" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuÂuuccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously are you still treating me like I can't afford anything here? All because I didn't want sparkling water? You pissed me off so bad I didn't order the glass of wine I wanted because it made me feel like I would be trying to compensate for my free bottle of water. The truth about the chocolate bar.. It's mediocre and kind of dumb.. It costs $20 so people act like they have to be enjoying it soooooooooo much.. but the truth is I would gladly have just enjoyed a real fresh dessert from another restaurant vs all the mediocre desserts I could eat. The waiter brought the check only after I asked for it... This guy was retarded or something as I was just sitting there and he walked past a couple times and never brought it. He brought the check and some more handouts... Not sure if everyone got these or just me because I am poor but he gave us a little box with some chocolate truffles and peanut butter filled chocolates. The chocolates were good but nothing could salvage this. In their defense the rest of the wait staff was polite as was the management, but the food is crap.. I spent $240 and was dissappointed beyond belief, this was supposed to be Michelin Star but it was a Michelin let down.. I am a middle class guy but I take being a chef seriously, $240 is cheap compared to a lot places I've eaten.. If it is under $300 I don't even bat an eye and I spent $50 for us to get the chocolate bar alone, I could easily have bought a bottle of wine and it still would have barely broke $300 with tip. But don't waste your money. For what we got $85 seems like a fair price..
(1)
Nancy C.
The Lobby at the Peninsula is gorgeous, especially when the ginormous Christmas tree is up. I recently had the afternoon tea service here and it was just as amazing as I had remembered it the first time, albeit more expensive. Let's just say as far as pricing goes, this is definitely more like a Christmas-gift-to-yourself type of place, unless you regularly shell out $50 for tea and finger sandwiches, but I digress. Even being the cheapskate I am, I thought it was a very worthwhile experience. The lobby itself is breathtaking, almost other-worldly. The soaring ceilings and old-world furniture makes the space so grand. There is a live string duo that plays in the balcony while you sip on tea, and the waitstaff is very vigilant on keeping your teapot filled. Random sidenote: their teapots can keep the tea warm for a ridiculously long time! I was very impressed. The tea selection and the tea itself were excellent. As far as the food goes, the items are literally works of art, especially the dessert. A couple of which were topped with a gold leaf and another one with a slither of thin, artistically crafted plate of white chocolate. It looked so beautiful I almost didn't have the heart to eat it. Aside from their tea service, the lobster roll off their lunch menu is absolutely delicious, with huge chunks of lobster tumbling off the sandwich. I definitely recommend it. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask for a window seat, which looks out to a cute little ice skating rink atop the peninsula hotel and the magnificent mile. It was quite magical.
(5)
Patty C.
I love the chocolate buffet on Saturdays here. It's like chocolate heaven. Service is great too!
(4)
Marilyn G.
I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Lobby. I was seated right away. The waiter was very nice. He brought me the tea menu. I had the orange jasmine, great flavor. Then i was brought the 3 tiered tower of savories and sweets. Everything was amazing! The waiter brought me more sandwiches and let me take a couple of scones home. The devon cream and lemon curd were very good. I had a great experience but i think the Drake was better. Beware if you're paying with credit or debit card because they charge you a 20% charge which they dont bother telling you about until after a few days or when you check your bank account. So that made me angry. I recommend paying cash. Great tea and food but not really sure i'd go back.
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Good: perfectly roasted venison, tender scallop served with kale and sausage, cheese gnocchi with parmesan and porcini mushroom, and a generous amuse bouche porcini mushroom soup with chestnut; wonderful, unpretentious staff who makes you feel welcome; warm, crusty multigrain bread, gazillion courses for the "5 course" tasting menu, chestnut theme dessert of chestnut cake/mousse/actual chestnut with cassis sorbet and blackberries. I'd suggest one area of improvement: I almost gave them 4 stars due to the following. Especially for guests who ordered the tasting menu, I think the staff could provide a bit more details or attention when describing the dishes/ingredients for each dish. I probably would have appreciated the Spanish octopus dish more had I known it's a Spanish theme as I thought the almonds were unnecessary for the dish originally. Overall, it's solid food, beautiful high ceiling ambiance, friendly unpretentious staff that I'd recommend to others. The food showcases solid cooking and good balance of taste. It's not the shishi 50 ingredient dish stacked high to your nose kind of restaurant.
(5)
Najia Y.
Chocolate at the Pen should be referred to as chocolate paradise. Need I say more? As far as the afternoon tea is considered, it was good but not great. The clotted cream wasn't like the kind in London (which to me is a key part of afternoon tea). But I have yet to find the perfect afternoon tea in Chicago, so this is definitely a good choice.
(4)
Chuan G.
Great food! Great service! Great decoration! Great view!
(5)
Evelyn Z.
Excellent food and service. I love the bird eye chili sauce served on prawns; I'm never a fan of prawns but this one is brilliant. The setting is also very cozy and romantic.
(5)
Grace E.
Sunday brunch at the Pen is fantastic. Set up around the dining tables, several food stations offer everything from breakfast pastries, dim sum, roasted meats, cold cheeses, and made-to-order omelets. There's even a little buffet line catering to the little ones. Additionally, the dessert station in the middle of the lobby boasts a large array of sweets, similar to those found on the afternoon tea trays. Service is top notch, as the servers will often anticipate your needs before you ask for anything (e.g. new silverware, more coffee, valet calls, etc.) Also, the string duet on the balcony makes for nice background music. If $75 a person doesn't hurt your wallet, make brunch at the Peninsula a routine thing. Otherwise, head over on special occasions (request a seat by the window if you reserve early!)
(5)
Mark D.
Calgon, take me away to Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. A string quartet playing high above us in an alcove balcony, glasses of champagne, a three tiered plate of utterly divine finger foods, and of course, tea service. Prices are exorbitant and not for the faint of heart. The experience is priceless. For a moment, I thought maybe the Queen was a few tables away. Do this at least once in your life. You won't regret it.
(5)
Alice H.
I love this place. It is a first class dining experience. The wait staff is incredibly attentive. My favorite dish is the chicken two ways for two. It is so delectable. They also carry my favorite wine, Hall. I actually love the open design of the space. I hate feeling crammed into a small space with someone I don't even know listening in on my dinner conversation. Here, because it is so open, there does actually feel like there is more privacy with the person you are dining with (particularly if you get one of the seats by the window). I've been for afternoon tea and for the chocolate bar as well. Both are worth trying. They can be a bit pricey, but it's probably worth the experience to try it at least once. Not sure if I would go back on a regular basis for either, but that's mostly because I can't consume enough dessert to justify the chocolate bar for myself in one sitting. In terms of afternoon tea, I think you can find better and cheaper alternatives in the city that have equal quality in tea and food. Think simple foods is a new place that popped up that actually is a very nice alternative to afternoon tea. But for dinner, I do love coming to the lobby. It is always consistently outstanding food and service. I will keep coming back.
(5)
Andrew R.
Phew. Ok. Where to start? First off, holy fucking white people. I felt like I was at a Ronald Reagan Memorial convention hosted by AARP. I've never seen so many pairs of khaki pants in my life. LL Bean should have sent a photographer. Anyway. The experience was not good. Maybe it's because I went for Restaurant Week and they don't care about the poors, but everything was pretty disappointing. Apple and endive salad? So-so. Short rib was pretty damn dry. Then, we had the pleasure of waiting 30+ minutes between our entree and desert. No exaggeration. Every time our waiter came to the table he gave the impression that desert was on its way. After 10 minutes the plates were cleared. 10 minutes later the silverware was set out. 10 minutes later our desert arrived. Guys I don't even like desert that much. 2 stars for the nice space and the fact that being white, I fit right in.
(2)
Elina S.
Wooohooo, my 300th review goes to such a fun place, that's gotta be a good sign. I've been dying to go to the lobby at the Peninsula for quite some time for afternoon tea since I'm just a big fan of the hotel itself, the other restaurants it has to offer and I've always wanted to try afternoon tea since I'm such a classy girl at heart whose always dreaming about tea time in London. Anyways, wow, is it gorgeous in here, from the moment you walk into the lobby (which you take the elevator to get to) you're just blown away from majestic royalty. The super tall windows bring in so much light, the gorgeous plating and silverware, everything is just high end and breathtaking. You just get this feeling that you want to stay here for hours and hours and just take in all the beauty. We got a nice table for the six of us since we were here for my friend's birthday. You get to choose your own tea (I chose the only white Jasmine) which was delicious, simple and really good quality. They do have a lot of choices so there's definitely something here for everyone. The afternoon tea package comes to $45 plus tax and tip, so it's definitely not cheap, but for the amount you get, it's definitely worth it. I thought it would be all hoity toity but I was wrong, I was definitely stuffed by the end of it and as pretentious as it is, there's something charming about having afternoon tea with your ladies on a Saturday afternoon. I'm already planning a trip back for a special occasion since coming here every weekend is definitely out of my budget. Now onto what you get in the package, a bunch of scones, little sandwiches and pastries. The scones were my favorite, served warm and they give you refills if you ask which is always a bonus. They also come with jam and butter, they go the best with tea in my opinion. The sandwiches from cucumber, to smoked salmon, tuna, roast beef were all honesty okay, they didn't wow me, but presentation on those beautiful 3 plated tiers were gorgeous. The pastries, like the scones were super yummy, something for everyone. They were all so beautiful that you have to save room to try them all. I'm telling you that you do get your money's worth from the amount you get, plus tea with the added atmosphere. They also bring out this raspberry sorbet later on for each person which is super yummy. Our server was on top of it, but how can he not be working at such a place. It was definitely a one of a kind experience and I'm curious as to see what other hotels in Chicago offer in comparison for afternoon tea. Peninsula, I will be back :)
(4)
Stephen R.
chocolate bar thats the only reason to eat here. forget the ambiance, the live music, etc.. go eat at the chocolate bar. treats galore, ranging from classics to culinary works of art. dont miss it, it is very steep...so you get a break if you eat dinner there but make it an event.
(5)
Tiffany R.
Not to miss: Octopus, scallops, chocolate bar... Not that this place needs another great review, but just a suggestion for those going on date night... We went for an early reservation (5:30), then went on our way (to the Bulls game - they won, was one of the last games Derek Rose played in...frowny face), THEN returned for the chocolate bar after the game. It was perfect.
(5)
Rosanna L.
I absolutely love the open space The Lobby has. You're not covered in a restaurant surrounding, but more of an open, let's relax kind of feng shui. The servers are very tentative and friendly. I had an extremely hard time deciding went to get since they had a deliciously looking display of hor d'ourves and desserts, which comes with an entree. I was very tempted, but decided to split the Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich: gruyere, tomato soup, french fries and The Peninsula Club: shaved turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, egg, tomato, avocado with my co-worker. The grilled cheese ( yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… ) sounded and looked really good, it even came on a pretzel bun, but the cheese itself lacked flavored. The tomato soup was delicious, cream-less I might add and the fries were crispy. I am in love with their Peninsula Club, first time having egg in any club sandwich it made a difference! We also asked for no middle bread. The bread itself was thin and toasted just right. I did get to try some of my co-workers grilled baby octopus appetizer and WOW this is was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! Also tried some of the truffled mac & cheese and this just might be my new favorite place for mac & cheese, yum! Only complaint is it took quite a long time to receive our 2nd course after we were done with our 1st course. P.s. I definitely want to try their sushi options next time.
(4)
Fay H.
We ordered the afternoon tea. While the tea was rather good, the dessert was so-so. I don't think it deserves its price. However, the service was really great.
(3)
Alan S.
My wife and I have always enjoyed breakfast places and seek out those touted as the best wherever we are. Someone told us about breakfast at The Peninsula and they may have been the two best breakfasts we enjoyed all last year. First day my wife enjoyed the French Toast and I had the waffles. Second day she got the pancakes and I got the French Toast. If there are better breakfast foods of this type PLEASE let us know where. Everything was beyond perfect-including the service. I have few culinary skills so maybe it's not a great secret, but I have NO idea how one makes such incredible tasting food. Yes, it's going to cost you what dinner costs at a lot of places but we felt it was worth every penny and can't wait to return. Also, from what we saw, The Peninsula is likely a fabulous place to stay and we plan on finding out later this year. Simple: If you're looking for a casual, bring the kids and have fun breakfast place that won't break the bank, visit Sunny Side Up which is just down the street and EXCELLENT. If you want a truly special meal in an elegant (and, yes, some might say "stuffy") setting, The Lobby at The Peninsula is spectacular.
(5)
Cannelle T.
Stupid Michelin. Every time they give a restaurant a star the portions shrink...But, the lunch here is excellent. It is perfect for business or a nice family lunch downtown. The bouillabaisse was excellent. And, this is coming from someone who lived on the French Riviera. The atmosphere is understated and just the right amount of posh. You can take your parents here and they will appreciate not having to wait in line for "tapas" at some of the hipper downtown restaurants. Dinner is great too. But, the dining room gets dark.
(4)
Tara P.
Only fair to update how well they have improved on their customer service. Attention of the staff improved immensely. Had afternoon tea today with friends and it was great. Service couldn't be better. Our waiter was very attentive always refilling our hot water. The apricot scones were delicious along with the creativity of their delicious sandwiches. I especially liked the salmon. The desserts were designed beautiful but just a tad too sweet, but included chocolate. Fantastic selection of teas. Since I live walking distance from the Peninsula, I have come many times since my last review, including going to the chocolate buffet and am now very impressed with their improvement in service. The chocolate buffet is magnificent and service there is also impeccable.
(4)
Michael S.
So this review is solely for the chocolate bar, but after the chocolate bar experience I would definitely come back for dinner! First off, thank you Peninsula for your ingenius names such as The Bar, The Lobby, The Terrace, etc. Very original... Joking aside the place is just so elegant, but welcoming. Decor is really nice and I loved how they used the lobby as the dining setting. When we went for our after anniversary dinner, there was a celloist and guitarist playing songs from the top 40's to older goodies, like Brown Eyed Girl and Smooth Operator. It was a fun night just for the gf and I to figure out the songs that were being played. Just such happy music! Service was good and bad which is why I just couldn't give a 5 star. Our server was attentive at times, but not so much at others. He forgot my Johnnie Walker with a splash of soda water. I didn't mind because of the coffee I was gulping down, but he did bring us a bottle of a dessert wine which he said was compliments of the house since he forgot all about my drink. Too bad he didn't refill our glasses with the rest of the wine. Ah well. All the other waitstaff was impressive. The special plate of desserts that said Happy Anniversary was a really nice touch as well. On to the chocolate: Well, it's not Hershey's... that's for sure! The chocolate is so rich and so good that it is really hard to really sample everything... that's why I overloaded on coffee.. Just needed something to cleanse my tastebuds. I don't really think I can pick a favorite from all the chocolates, but they were all really good! I know the gf was really happy with the selection. Overall, yes service had some sore spots, but the music and chocolate combined with the service in good times makes me really like the lobby. Is it worth $40 pp? Well, it's the experience. I know we will definitely be back although it will be quite some time before I can look at a piece of chocolate.
(4)
Maria M.
We went there for Christmas dinner just yesterday night 12/23/14..the food was disappointing...Pork Shoulder was dry, the Jumbo prawns, you can have some prawns that's more tasty in some other places for less money. If you are a foodie don't bother. You are paying for the name Peninsula and maybe for the service but the food was not that great.
(2)
Shweta C.
I have done many tea services around Chicago over the years including the Peninsula Lobby a long time ago, however, this time around I was extremely disappointed. There were many reasons, and I have included a few in my review. Firstly, despite the place being nearly empty our table was not ready for a good 15 minutes after our reservation time. Secondly, once we sat down it took a very long time to actually get our tea and food. The teapots were very large, heavy and kept spilling tea down the sides onto the table. Furthermore, the holes in the tea strainer/sieve were so large that it allowed the tea leaves right through into our cups. My family and I requested vegetarian sandwiches two of which were good but the rest were literally bread with slices of tofurkey on them!!! I actually felt embarrassed for the Peninsula for thinking this was actually an acceptable item to serve at a high end hotel. When we ordered more of the two types of sandwiches we did like (fully expecting to pay extra if they asked), they brought us a couple and said that was all they had left! Not sure why they could not make more. The only reason I am even giving this experience a 2 is because the host offered to take pictures of us both while seated and near the flower arrangements as we were leaving, and took some of the best photos of my family with an iphone that we have ever had. But overall, this experience was not even remotely close to worth the atrocious prices. I am disappointed to say that after all these years of trying tea services around Chicago, I always go back to the Drake, where the service, food, and ambiance is all impeccable. The set up is more appropriate for a tea with sofas and low tables, and a harpist most days. The teapots are appropriately sized and weighted and their strainers actually do their job. They actually come up with creative vegetarian sandwiches that incorporate vegetables and dairy instead of fake meat, and most importantly, I have never had anyone tell me in the 10 years I have been going there that we could not have seconds (and never charged for them either). Overall, I would not recommend this experience to anyone. You will have a much better experience for a lower cost at The Drake.
(2)
Megan G.
This review is exclusively for their restaurant week experience. My boyfriend and I decided to try a few of Chicago's classics for the 2014 restaurant week. Therefore, we ended up at The Lobby for dinner. First off, try to get a table close to the large window, as the rest of the decor isn't much to look at (since you are, of course, eating in the hotel lobby). They had a cello/guitar duet playing top 40 songs that we made a game of guessing the song first. As for the food, it was delicious (though I did think the fennel overwhelmed the olive oil poached tuna in the appetizer). You have an option of two dishes for the appetizer, main course, and dessert. The portions are fairly small (the dessert might be the largest and the most filling). However, they serve you as much bread as you'd like- the bacon brioche and the goat butter were absolutely to die for! And they sent us both home with a wrapped mini loaf of their lemon pound cake that was amazing the next morning with tea for breakfast. Overall, would highly recommend going to The Lobby for restaurant week. It lost a star for the decor and the portion sizes for the restaurant week menu.
(4)
Claudia M.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was really disappointed. The ambiance is very nice, quiet ad romantic, quite possibly the only memorable thing about it. The food is not what I expected from a starred restaurant. We had the restaurant week menu and a couple more items from their regular menu: nothing stood out. Their cooking style is very classic, not to say boring, but the execution is sloppy and the service was seriously lacking professionalism. Our bread was cold and a bit stale, for example. When we complained that the roasted potatoes around our meat main were severely undercooked (as in crunchy feeling, like a cucumber, seriously) we received barely a nod. I had the impression my waiter did not understand English so well, to be honest. I asked for the spirits menu and they had less choice than my own bar cabinet. I am really not sure whether that was an off night or I had too high expectations or restaurant week was the wrong time... one thing I have no doubt about, though: we will not be back.
(2)
Jenny H.
Restaurant Week lunch at The Lobby far exceeded my expectations-- sunlit, high ceiling grandeur with delightful varieties of tiny bites! APPETIZER BAR self serve of butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My friends enjoyed sampling rock shrimp from delicately arranged martini glasses SEARED SCALLOPS tender and perfectly seared with scrumptious parsnip puree DESSERT BAR self serve of tarts, cupcakes, mousse, and cheesecake. I loved sampling all of them; however their chocolate cupcake was a little too dry for my liking. Overall, a wonderful girls' lunch! I loved the space. I thought it was hilarious that every single time we got up and left our napkin, we'd return with them neatly folded! I will be back for afternoon tea!
(4)
Sangeeta K.
My husband and I went to The Lobby as part of the restaurant week a couple of days ago. My husband is a vegetarian so he was forced to order a la carte. He got the succulent melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi for appetizer and grilled cauliflower for main course. He loved both the items though I did think that the cauliflower was a bit too charred. I got the endive apple and ham salad with shrimp bouillabaisse! Both items were delicious. Since it was the Chinese new year, they had an AMAZING dessert buffet on the house. The decor is grandiose and the live band was great. We really had a good time and we will definitely come back for more.
(4)
Gretchen D.
Lovely place. Great decor. Surprisingly quiet for such a large room. As others have mentioned--the cello-guitar duo is great fun to listen to. The floral arrangements were lovely. Went on Friday night. The service was perfect. Friendly and attentive. Husband had mixed greens salad which was perfectly dressed. I had the squash salad which was wonderful. Delightful toasted wild rice. Nice perfectly cooked hunks of winter squash. Husband had the short ribs which was really good. I had the Tagliolini. The pasta was fresh and good texture. I could have done with a bit more Parmesan and fewer mushrooms, but it is a good dish. We shared a sticky toffee pudding. We asked to switch the ice cream for another flavor. They happily complied. By the way, the raisins give new meaning to the phrase 'rum soaked"! After dinner, they brought maroons and chocolates. then as we were preparing to go, the server brought little wrapped pound cakes to take with us. Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Really 4.5 stars, because I try to be stingy with the fives...
(4)
Matt O.
This place is amazing! The food is excellent and reasonably priced considering it's the Peninsula Hotel. We sat by the windows overlooking the ice skating rink which was really well decorated for the Holiday season and it was snowing outside - so it just looked idyllic. There was a string duo playing live music during dinner which was really very nice. There were only three or maybe four other tables having dinner while we were there on a Saturday night. If you don't want to deal with a loud and cramped dining room and want good food for about $25 - $30 an entree, then go to the Lobby! The strip steak was delicious! The pork entree was very good too. They give you an amuse which is a small cup of mushroom soup - at least it was for us last weekend - and that was delicious too. We unfortunately did not have the infamous Chicken, but we'll be back to try it!
(5)
Jen W.
I love going to afternoon tea here. The service is impeccable and so accommodating. My mother is lactose and they made a special tea set for her. Furthermore, I love how the sandwiches and finger foods always change. I would definitely recommend coming here for high tea.
(5)
Brooke B.
Went here for a dinner on a Thursday evening w/ some girlfriends. This place is beautiful. High ceilings, chandeliers and the first class service you'd expect from the Peninsula. Here's my most memorable thoughts of the evening: #1 I love that mini symphony. I believe there were two violinists and cello player. They were amazing. Playing the most atypical music you'd expect. Rihanna, Cream, Queen...and they were so good that you could easily identify the song just a few notes in. I could've listened to them all night. #2 The service was great. Our server was a young man, friendly, not stuffy like you may expect in a place like this. At the end of the evening, he even brought us extra truffles. Just a nice guy. Other than that, there were different people clearing plates, filling waters and bringing warm breads. Nothing but the best, of course! #3 Are we really the youngest ones here?? Yes. We were. Most of the diners were probably guests at the hotel. This may be a romantic dinner spot because it's quiet, intimate and dimly lit. But if a bunch of gray hairs isn't your scene, you may want to choose otherwise. #4 I guess I should mention that food! Beautiful presentations, not super small portions, but not huge either. I enjoyed an Heirloom Carrot salad with bulgar wheat which was flavorful and just right. The crunch of the bulgar wheat (like it was toasted) left me feeling cozy. And the Mushroom Tagliatelle was also delicious. I think the pasta was homemade and the sauce was just right. Not too heavy and not too light. Just a blissful dinner! #5 Did I really just pay $23 to valet my car for TWO HOURS? Indeed, I did. If you can find street parking, walk the block or so. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I know I could've round-tripped a cab for less!
(4)
Lauren S.
I am not sure how I feel. I went here on Friday night. We were in and out in 45 minutes. Very attentive service & very accommodating. I wanted the mushroom tagliatele with no mushroom (ie pasta with butter and cheese) and they did so. The salad was pretty good too. I went here tonight. WHOMP. It took them 3 hours, the service was absolutely awful this time. 4 star experience first time, 2 star second time (because the food itself was good) so an average of 3 stars
(3)
Agnes L.
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula = ultra classy yet overrated. With live string quartet music in the background and the fancy hats for display, the atmosphere is formal and austere. I was happy we had a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows to let in a lot of light and help us feel not so stuffy. My group of six ordered the champagne with our tea service and thoroughly enjoyed the plethora of tea choices. (Each one of us got a different pot.) The server was extremely helpful in suggesting flavors that catered to our taste buds. However, the food was honestly disappointing. The sweet treats were beautiful, but out of all of them, the one with the most depth in flavor was the chocolate/peanut butter cake with gold flake. It was rich, decadent, but not too sweet. The others (tarts, marzipan, etc.) were not terrible but also did not really stand out too much to me. In fact, they all felt a bit flat or expected. What was worse were the tea sandwiches. There were four or five varieties, all decked out in heavy mayo - chicken salad in mayo, smoked salmon with mayo, tuna with mayo, etc. They were small in size but not at all dainty in flavor. And, again, all pretty bland. It was definitely worth the experience of trying out the place, but I would probably only return for a special occasion.
(3)
Jessica N.
I came to Afternoon Tea for a bridal shower and had a fantastic time. The food and service were both top notch, so am surprised to see some of the negative service reviews listed! Also, while it seems awkward to have a private event in a large room with passersby, it really had an intimate feel because the noise level of others events is not too noticeable. Our server Don was amazing (would recommend requesting him in the future if you go, he's been there for 8 years. Scones were delicious, came with creamed butter, raspberry jam, and lemon curd. Then the tea service came out. I got the jasmine tea which was very good. They came by midway through to refill the pots with water. And the food was also quite good. 4 items on the savory side all good: Smoked Salmon/Asparagus - One of my favorite things all day. Everything really well balanced Mini ham sandwich - Nice hint of arugula to make it a little different Roasted vegetable tea sandwich - who wouldn't like portabella, peppers, and squash on a sandwich? There were a ton of desserts and despite the food all looking small and dainty it was quite filling. Hands down the best dessert was a hazelnut tiramisu looking bite with a chocolate crisp on top. SO good. It seems like a splurge for a regular afternoon, but was great for a special occasion. Service staff was extremely accommodating (getting us garbage bags for the wrapping paper, scissors and tape for our ribbon project, bellman to help bring the presents down). All done quite well!
(4)
David T.
Few restaurant experiences have lived up to the expectations my wife & I had for "The Lobby." Visiting Chicago for just one night (away from our four children) we were initially overwhelmed by the list of great options. Ultimately we decided against trendy (i.e. LOUD) for something more comfortable. The Lobby was Awesome! Let's start with the space: simply stunning, HUGE, yet comfortable. Service? Fantastic. No fewer than 7 different personnel assisted us throughout our apps (on the couch) to our dinner (at one of the stunning window seats). And why about the reason for going out...the food? I was concerned that it might be too conservative / simple for me. Wrong The intensity of flavors / ingredients in every dish were amazing! A few favs: Lobster Roll App (loved the tarragon) - Shaved Carrot Salad (too much to describe) and finally the chicken for two. Yes...it is that good. Literally the first time I have ever ordered pollo in a fancy restaurant and it was EPIC. Hands down the best meat ever. Long story short if you want a classy night out with beautiful food in an incredible space...you can't do much better than The Lobby. - David (Cleveland)
(5)
Rebecca M.
I LOVE THE LOBBY! Classy and delicious! The service here is impeccable and they definitely aim to please! We missed Tea Time by an hour but the waiter was so kind and gave us a sampling of their cute pastries anyway :) So glad we got to experience lunch here!
So, nothing called "The Lobby" should be this nice. It isn't a lobby--it is the dining space of a five star hotel. Something I wish I knew before we sauntered in looking for an upscale but casual lunch. The basic idea is for $29, you get an all-you-can-eat appetizer and dessert bar, and a pick of one of the three specials. I'm not a huge fan of buffets but it made absolute zero sense to order a $25 a la carte entree, especially when you have a freakin' cornucopia of gourmet-looking goodies in the center of the room. I got scallops, she got short ribs. They were both awesome. I was expecting Restaurant Week action specials and was happy to find my scallops perfect. The appetizers were great. Though I probably should've hammered home a few crab salad shots, I spent the majority of my stomach space eating grilled veggies, asparagus, and cold cuts (you will see from my next few reviews and my last few reviews that I ate an absurd amount of pig in a 7-day period). The dessert bar, on the other hand, was much more fun to look at then to eat. Desserts looked gourmet. All sorts of little tort cakes, some weak macaroons, mini lemon desserts, chocolate covered almonds. A lot of fruit. It looked good but was pretty weak. Good news is it was the only weak spot of the lunch. Service was good, the place was beautiful overlooking the little oriental garden, and if we had more time, we should have meandered through the halls and explored the classy ass hotel.
(4)
Holly G.
I admire the way The Lobby at The Peninsula caters for a wide variety of guests without any fuss because it's based in a hotel and you'll have residents dining as well. That said, there is nothing I could place at fault with them. The interior is not overstated in design and is appropriate for dinners that prefer a quiet setting with a romantic touch. There is the option of the a la carte or five course menus but either way you'll get stuffed. The quality of food is up there and my wife and I are regular dinners here because of the fantastic food and quality service plus the parting gifts that we always get as a bonus. The Lobby offers a great collection of drinks and live music that is not intrusive but just right. I can't think of a better restaurant located in a hotel within Chicago.
(5)
Daniel M.
Excellent service as expected! Had Sunday brunch - oh so many great food to eat and the dessert table was equally great! We will be back soon! Went back for afternoon tea. Celebrated New Year 2015. Occasionally stopped by for more food and cafe.
(5)
Anthony Z.
For dinner last night, we had the chicken for two, which was truly outstanding...maybe the best chicken I have ever had. How the chef was able to maintain the integrity of the thin layer of brioche placed between the meat of the breast and the perfectly lacquered skin is beyond me. The starters of octopus and foie gras were very good, but the custard dessert was as transcendentally good as the chicken. The prices are fair for what you get, the room is great, the table is well set, and the servers graciously accommodated our conversation. This is seriously crave-worthy food and I look forward to returning soon.
(5)
Izzy N.
Lordy. I've been to the lobby at the Peninsula a couple times for lunch and brunch but never for the chocolate bar or afternoon tea. Afternoon tea- you're up next on my calendar. The chocolate bar didn't disappoint even though there is no longer a chocolate fountain offered. *weeps* Here's my summary on what's important to know when it comes to doing the chocolate bar: *reservations -it's better to be safe than sorry imo. *it's offered from 8pm-midnight -when they start to close the lobby and clean up. Fridays and Saturdays only. *at least come here in business casual attire. *it's 40/person *pace yourself. You have all night. Even though I'd cover my plate with a lot, I spaced this out with a lot of lingering and conversation with my friends at the table. It's not an eating competition but I did want to try all that was offered, except I forgot the crepes! oh well next time.. *to survive and withstand all that sweetness, I ordered something savory on the side. In this case I ordered truffle fries with an herby aioli to cut all that chocolate and sugar. It was fantastic by the way and I was ready for round 3. *it's not all chocolate that's offered. That was nice and it helped with not becoming too chocolated out. *go with a cocktail that's not chocolate influenced. I paired my desserts with their cocktail, strawberry fields. It's stiff and wonderful. With lime and crushed strawberries. I would love to return again for this and looking at the pictures, it looks like they offer different selections sometimes. (hello picture with chocolate covered strawberries and what looks like creme brulee) This was a wonderful end to a busy work week and to kick off the weekend. There is a jazz band playing and it makes for a very relaxing evening. Loved. It.
(5)
George D.
A truly amazing experience everything was good and the service is really splendid.. I do recommend making a reservation specially for dinner and also have been to the brunch (buffet style) really worth it.. Although kind of expensive.
(5)
Sue D.
Food was delicious! Went there for dinner. Loved the chicken dish and the shrimp dish! Fois grais appetizer was good. The dessert sampler was a treat. Great and friendly service! Ambience was relaxing and nice. There was live music which was a nice touch.
(5)
Jason A.
My quest of ticking all the Michelin's lead me here on a celebratory evening. I know there's a new chef since Lee left, but after glowing reviews online I was hoping for much better. First of, ambiance wise this place blows. Its literally a hotel lobby, with no restaurant feel, its generic as can be. Piano music, hotel guests, I was about 50 years to young to be here. The menu is boring and uninspiring, few choices jump off the menu as must tries. I started with the foie, classically prepared, very solid, but its tough to mess up foie. My wife had the salad, which was a total flop of mostly just mixed greens and light dressing which you could barely taste. I was excited by my entree a dover wrapped scallop. The scallop was quite good but way to small and expensive for a quarter dollar sized meal for $31. The pea sauce was overly salty and ruined the dish. Service was good. Overall, terrible atmosphere, overpriced and unimaginative. A skip.
(3)
Lana R.
Hubby and I went last night for our 6th wedding anniversary...granted, it was a Monday night, so we pretty much had the (huge ) place to ourselves, but I have to say that the service (as well as the food) went above and beyond... We were greeted warmly and seated immediately, by the window. Our waitress, Amber, gave some recommendations for appetizers as well as wine (my husband had octupus, which he loved, and I had the chilled asparagus soup, which was served beautifully, and tasted just as perfect). We ordered the whole roasted chicken for two, based on previous Yelp recommendations...and it was as incredible as everyone said it would be...we usually never get chicken at restaurants, because we always figure that it'll be boring and the usual...this was totally not. Tender, perfectly seasoned chicken with the most delicious baby potatoes on the side.. My husband told them that it was our anniversary, so they brought us two glasses of an amazing champagne, complimentary...as well as a beautiful (and seriously delicious) chocolate/hazelnut dessert, with "Happy Anniversary" written on a piece of white chocolate...so sweet...we ordered coffee and they brought out truffles to go with it. When we said that we were totally full and asked to take the truffles home to our daughter, they not only packaged them up, but also brought 2 small packaged carrot cakes to take home AND a box of chocolates as gifts. WAY Above and Beyond...oh, and the bill was way less than we expected for such a nice place... We were really impressed and truly had an amazing dinner with perfect romantic ambiance (I forgot to mention that there was really (not elevator, but popular) nice music playing, and impeccable service. Huge props to Amber and the rest of the staff last night. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Keney C.
After our not-so-amazing dinner at Shanghai Terrace, we were told by our waiter that we must go to the Lobby for the chocolate bar. Let me tell you - it does not disappoint. For someone with a big sweet tooth, it was awesome! Basically it's a dessert buffet where you can "sample" all the different chocolates, etc they have. There's a hot chocolate station, various bite sized chocolates, and other desserts. The set up is absolutely stunning. Their attention to detail is fantastic and the service and "food" was excellent. Immediately after we were seated, a waiter came over to ask if we wanted a drink and/or cappuccino, etc. They were so polite and helpful. There is so much seating available that it wasn't cramped or overwhelming. It's $40 a person but if you go to Shanghai Terrace for dinner or drinks, it's $20 a person which isn't bad. It's definitely a must try spot at least once in your lifetime! I haven't seen anything quite like it. Great job!!
(5)
Luis L.
We went to The Lobby to have "Dia de Las Madres" (Mothers Day) breakfast with mom and I must say the family and I will most definitely be back again. The beautiful view of the city, the food was delicious but the best part of our experience was the service provided to us. From the young woman welcomed us and showed us our table to our server Jose. He took very good care of us. Helping out parents decide what they should order to making sure we had what we needed and not needing to look for him if we needed anything because he was on top of it all. The pastries before our food arrived were delicious. Thank you for making our Mother feel special as well as us.
(5)
Shing H.
I am a big fan of the whole afternoon tea thing in general. This time my brother, parents, and I were just stopping by between other meals (Xoco for lunch, Henri for dinner), so we just ordered a la carte and they were totally cool with that. We each ordered a pot of tea and shared some tea sandwiches and scones (okay, I ate three out of four of the scones). My usual english breakfast tea wasn't on the menu, but they did have it when I asked, so that was good. It did make me wonder what else isn't listed -- my guess is they have all of the "usual" stuff, plus what's on the menu, so if there's something you like and it's not listed, don't be afraid to ask. Great service.
(4)
Julie L.
I am really impressed with the dinner here at restaurant week. The 3 course menu is $44 plus tips and tax. While the main course and appetizer was relative small in portion, the delicate taste makes up for it. With the lovely butter/bread, I couldn't even finish dessert. Easily satisfied and happy :)
(5)
David L.
Food: 4 Decor: 5 Service: 5 I came here for Saturday lunch, $22, during Chicago Restaurant Week with three of my friends. Parking at the Peninsula is $26, $23 with validation, but there is garage next door that's only $12 for all-day parking if you arrive before noon. 1. Assorted appetizers yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Delicious. As Jenny H mentioned, there were butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My favorite were probably the salad and crackers. Those crackers were so addicting. 2. Seared scallops yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Okay. Good scallops, but I would have liked them seared a lot more. Only the top was seared. 3. Assorted desserts yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Pretty good. Cupcakes, mousse, macarons, chocolate expresso beans, and chocolate-covered almonds. Macarons were a bit dry. Service was excellent. The scallops and desserts were the only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars.
(4)
Chris L.
Two days later, and we are still talking about the gnocchi...so I had to take the time to acknowledge what they offer here. Coming in, we knew it wasn't going to be a cheap dinner, but honestly you can see where the upcharge goes into the ambience, services, and attention to detail. (I never saw someone iron a tablecloth until we came here) You feel like you're in a high class locale, being pampered above your average fancy dining experience, and did I mention the food is excellent? At the end of the night we both said to each other: "I had a really great time tonight". Nailed it.
(5)
Jen R.
I like going here for tea & lunch for Mom or friends. Yes its $$ is you add on the glass of bubbly, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. Service is formal, but not stuffy & if you go alone, they offer you a newspaper to read a nice touch. Food is tasty, I had a Turkey Club, it was the most beautiful & best I even had, granted it was $22, but you only live once. Check out the website for the menu, it changes....but its great to go & the view is nice & I always go to the gift shop afterwards & buy something...
(4)
Shradha A.
Weekend chocolate buffet review: nice ambiance - check. exclusive and unique experience - check. those are the 2 stars awarded. Where are the other 3 stars? service - it took 20 minutes and a trip to the hostess stand to finally get some water in our glasses. Another 10 mnts and very rude waving to get a menu. chocolates - from reading the other Yelpers' reviews, seems like we had an exceptionally bad night here - just a few truffles, 4 cakes and some chocolate-covered nuts/spices. We were expecting a chocolate fountain, some fruits, a few real desserts and something, anything, at least one thing, to eat and say WOW... but there was none. value for money - seriously, $38 per person for a couple of pieces of truffle i can buy at a store, of my own choice!? That money cannot be justified being paid for ambiance alone!! They said nothing besides black coffee was included to drink.. to me, that's already ruining the chocolate-buffet experience because after paying $38, they expect you to pay for milk and/or tea and/or cappuccino and/or champagne!? Great idea, but very poorly run! I wonder if their real pastry chef has left and now they have a mediocre novice as a replacement?
(2)
Jay I.
Updated 3/13/2012: The food director of the hotel contacted me via email and informed me they either corrected or are in the process of correcting the issues addressed below. At least they try their best to accomodate the diners. Hope the future diners have a better experience at the chocolate bar. The reason for the 1 more star is because of the restaurant's effort to meet the customers' expectation. So I can let go of the mistakes some of the staffers made. At this point this is as far as I can go. Hope I change my mind after trying their famous afternoon tea.
(3)
Beth J.
By far, the best upscale Sunday brunch in town, and I think I have been to all of them! I loved the Four seasons before allium took over. And I was unimpressed with sixteen at the Trump. This was great. Peking duck was delicious. It wasn't a huge selection but they had a lot of delicious items and the service was impeccable. They gave our kids coloring books, teddy bears, etc. And the price wasn't too bad, either. I would go again. The music was great, too. A string quartet playing modern pop.
(5)
Lily L.
In chicago for business the next two weeks and was excited to go to the Peninsula from all the reviews and from referrals of friends in town. Went for brunch this past weekend 9/30 and was expecting to be wowed. Unfortnately, the experience was not. Service as we came in was so slow. They workers seemed more concerned about some internal issue rather than actually greeting us. They all were talking amongst themselves and just talked loudly on their own. After I finally flagged someone down, the slow and unusually not nice service continued the whole meal. The service experience carried over to our thoughts on the meal and spoiled it for us. I wish we had a better experience with service to really enjoy the meal. We are suppose to come back this coming weekend with other colleagues in the area but I think I may ask them for other place.
(1)
Candace C.
The Skinny: excellent tea, great food, fabulous view of the city (4.5), service - impeccable (5), value - it's a cultural tradition that is generally overpriced but worth it in this case (4). I popped my hubby's afternoon tea cherry... and what better place to do it than The Lobby at the Peninsula? "No, I'm not really interested but if you want to go, that's fine with me." Uh huh. Changed his mind pretty quick after that first bite of warm, buttery scone with Devonshire cream/preserves. Take that, you unbeliever! It was worth the money just to see that silly, happy, goofy grin on his face. Afternoon tea culture is a colonial British thing. Take a break in the middle of the day for a nice hearty snack and have a lighter dinner later. Coming from a family that has roots in Hong Kong, you can see why my family loves to indulge in this age old tradition. This spot is definitely a quiet oasis from the hectic city streets below. I relaxed with a nice pot of tea on my side, enjoying my pastries (which were all excellent), souffle, scones and finger sandwiches (you can ask for more if you'd like).
(4)
Boon K.
Sunday Brunch- Love it, I love that they don't make things in large quantity, everything they service you is of the highest quality and honestly think it is better than the buffets in LV. There was stone crab( already crack), Omlette station with so much to choose from, 3 types of egg benedict, is little section for kids with really go petite size hot dog and sliders, fries, mac & cheese, and finger sandwiches. There was a little asian section with vietnamese crepe( which was really good), dim sum, etc. Plus amazing selection of pastry, dessert, and voges chocolate to end your meal. Chocolate Buffet- My friend really wanted her bachelorette party to start here. It's not as large as the sunday buffet but it was on the pricey side of about $35-40. It was a meal of it's own. There are crepes, chocolate pastry, mousses, an amazing hot chocolate, truffles, and pre-made dipped chocolate fruits. It was a great experience to do with your girlfriend but I can't afford to do it all the time. Afternoon Tea- Love it, the tea selection are all the best leaves you can find from tradtional to new combination of leaves. They give you this amazing 3 tier platters of savory and sweet and it's just an amazing experience, from the view to the service. Best this to do for any of these things is the make reservation and the hours and vary.
(5)
Michael U.
I didn't eat here, but I did enjoy a coffee while waiting for my family to pick me up after dinner at Avenues. Even though the Saturday evening Chocolate Bar was going on I was treated like a valued guest and the coffee was provided free of charge as I sat and sipped while listening to live jazz. Service like that is the sort of reason places like the Peninsula are so highly regarded and all things being equal even though I tend to stay at lesser hotels, they are the things that seperate a "good" hotel from a "great" hotel. For what its worth, the chocolates actually looked excellent and the setting was lovely. More on Avenues, a reason in and of itself to visit the Peninsula, to come.
(5)
Natalie P.
Went this past Friday for dinner and it was outstanding. I had the artichoke soup to start-slightly heavy but still very good. For my entree, I had the roasted sea scallops which were perfectly cooked. The service was attentive but not overbearing. I believe there was a violinist playing songs written by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift etc. It was very good. Definitely not an every weekend spot but great for special occasions.
(5)
Robert R.
We went here on 1/18/2014. We were slightly early for our reservation and had to wait, even though there were at least ten open tables. We were sat between a table of ten and 16, quite loud. It seems as though that every table finished about the same time. I had to flag a server down to get dessert, I head to flag another server down to order a dessert wine, and still had to flag a server down to get the check. They were too busy clearing and re-setting tables. Also, the table to my right, the chef, Lee Wolen visited at least once, and the two sous chefs visited, one for at least a 1/2 hour. Once we received our entrees, we were ignored. The service at the end was horrible. I would not recommend this restaurant because of their terrible service. This is supposed to be a four star restaurant, sadly it is not. The chef also visited two other tables while we were there. Apparently, regulars are treated specially. The food was really good, but the service was considerably lacking. Also, a long walk to the restrooms. We were not offered the tasitng menu. The two women to my right were treated specially by the chef. That is unreasonable. The chef also visited two tables of regulars , while ignoring us. The service was terrible The management for the front of service is horrible. As a 4 four star restaurant, they should have impeccable service .
(2)
Paul H.
Made advance reservations, took 15 minutes to get seated while there were many open tables, took another 20 minutes to get a waiter. Had afternoon tea at 3:45 and finally got served at 4:30pm. Sandwiches were stale - probably made in the early afternoon and sat out all afternoon. Tea was bagged tea and left in the bag, I would compare the quality of the afternoon tea, to a poorly organized Girl Scout event. Definitely not worth the price of $50 / person.
(2)
Tres B.
One of the lovelier rooms in Chicago, and the service, typical of the Peninsula, was excellent. But a restaurant has to be judged on the food and our expensive lunch was a disappoitment. Bland and uninspired. I had chciken wok dish that was loaded in salt and soy, heavy, thick and unimpressive Shcoking for a Chinese owned entereprize. My wife had a hamburger that was decent, but a $20+ burger should be better than just "OK".
(2)
C W.
I'm conflicted about this location. We visited for brunch and I'm not sure I can justify the price. I honestly think this is a place you go to for a comically expensive dining experience made complete with a live quartet. To put the price into perspective, we ended up adopting a dog from the shelter after we left brunch. The adoption fee, as well as everything needed for a pet, cost less than brunch at the peninsula.
(3)
Robert S.
Three strong stars for a very nice afternoon traditional tea service but with severe reservations. I'll be honest: visiting London recently and experiencing two formal English tea services really spoiled me into expecting more than the level of service and the quality of tiny pastries I received at The Lobby. I don't have anything else to compare my experience against except tea at Harrods and Brown's. If you've experienced traditional tea in the tea room at Brown's, you'll agree that The Lobby's tea isn't really as magical as you'd expect for the price. When they say The Lobby, they aren't kidding. You're right there in that big open room with god knows what other event swirls around you--noisy or quiet. We were surprised--no, shocked--that "smart casual" means women in low-ride jeans, belly shirts and wet hair pulled up with a scrunchy. The nouveau riche staying here are a "come as they are" set and don't dress like the grande dames in the Ritz Carlton, so forget all that blah blah on the Peninsula's website about the stuffy dress code. I also didn't enjoy being seated next to a giggling, noisy baby in a highchair either. The tot threw its pacifier on the floor three times, and each time, the grandmother would say, "good boy!" and summon a waiter to pick it up for them. When the waiter took our order, I asked him to help me decide which tea would be a sweet, floral aroma. He looked at me and said that he didn't know. Um...BAD. The menu gave me a hint of suggestion, but I needed more clarification. For $40 per person, the waiters should know about the teas. The actual tea was good but not spectacular. You're there for the goodies, right? Well, tiny desserts do not equal excellence, and the three tiered tray was a letdown. We had to ask for cucumber sandwiches (expected in English traditional afternoon tea). And goodness, would it have killed them to include more than just two of each thing? I realize we were two people, but it was sort of a joke--we're two hungry guys expecting more than tiny morsels of food. The service was good, but again, that's expected at a place like The Peninsula, no matter how much you're paying. So for all these wonderful reviews, I have to be the honest, tea time weary guy who expected more but received less.
(3)
Rachel N.
When I die, I want wherever I go to look like this buffet. Lovely setting, excellent selection of savories and sweets, darling service. Worth every penny. Oh, the chocolate buffet on Saturdays is equally luscious. Hit both in 24 hours and you're my hero.
(5)
Chuck K.
You get for you pay for! Well not necessarily with The Lobby Restaurant. Was here last Thursday as part of Restaurant Week in Chicago. The hotel looks amazing and the restaurant was a wonderful spot to enjoy a meal and conversation with friends. You feel like you're eating in luxury here and the service is top notch! Beef Short rib Won-ton was perfect. With amazing flavors and cooked to perfection. Roasted fingerling potatoes for a side were great! Peanut Butter Crunch Dessert was the BOMB! Here's the thing, this place is Extremely Expensive and portions are Extremely Small! You will walk away from your meal with empty stomach as well as an empty wallet. This was a difficult review since the quality of the food and service was so great, however the price is just too much. If you can afford it, you should eat here, but don't expect a cheap meal if you are looking to stretch your budget.
(4)
Andrea R.
The Lobby at the Peninsula offers the best Afternoon Tea in the city...and I've compared it to lots of other teas at the fancy schmancy hotels in the area. Unfortunately, the Peninsula don't offer tea before 2:30pm so my mom and I were out of luck when we stopped in on a Friday at 12:30pm on a whim. We opted for their regular lunch menu instead, which still looked pretty good, although nothing beats those little tea sandwiches and pastries. They have lots of salads, sandwiches and even sushi to choose from on the lunch menu, but the best deal was the $25 prix fixe menu where you could choose any appetizers from their salad buffet, an entree and then back to the buffet table for dessert. While we waited for our swordfish entree, we sure got our $25 worth of salad. Mmm...caprese salad, pasta salad, a super yummy rice salad among others. This would have been plenty of food, but it was just the beginning.The display was beautiful and my mom was taking notes of how to copy it for my daughter-to-be's baby naming in a few months. The swordfish was quite good, although it was a little rare inside, which made me a bit nervous being pregnant. I decided it probably didn't make much of a difference being just a week away from my due and gobbled it all up. And then it was back to the buffet to satisfy our sweet tooth. We tried a bit of everything and it was all beyond delish, but the flourless chocolate cake was the clear winner. I still think the Afternoon Tea is the best reason to visit the Lobby at the Peninsula, but turns out they have a pretty good regular lunch menu as well. Sometimes it's fun to be a lady who lunches!
(4)
Sahar M.
If you want to pamper yourself ladies with decedent pastries, this place is your heaven. Love to go there with my girlfriends.
(5)
M P.
Came here for a bridal shower afternoon tea and it was very lovely. Live classical music, delicious and abundant food, and amazing service. We had a few special requests and they were so gracious in helping us. This is the best tea experience I've had in Chicago (better than The Drake, sorry Drake).
(5)
Mary L.
I had high tea at the Lobby at the Peninsula with my son last Saturday and it was such a nice experience. Neither of us had ever had high tea so it was new for us. The Peninsula sure didn't disappoint us either. We were able to sit right down even without a reservation. We both ordered the entire tea service. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of food we received. There were finger sandwiches, fresh scones, lovely deserts. We couldn't finish everything as there was so much. But we were able to take home what we didn't finish. The tea selection was just incredible and I had a wonderful jasmine tea which I'd love to have again. The service here is wonderful & polite & friendly. High tea is a bit expensive, but not something we would do often--a special treat so it was well worth what we spent. A nice place to go and spend time with family or friends in the middle of downtown Chicago. Do try it if you can.
(5)
Jelena Z.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula? I can't think of a more indulgent, fabulous way to spend a Sunday. I usually don't even spend this much on dinner, but from the surroundings to the service to the premium tea and pretty food, high tea is definitely worth three of those crisp twenty dollar bills. And that does include tax, gratuity and a glass of champagne... did I just write tea AND champagne? Mais, bien sûr! The room itself is open, full of natural beaming light and is full-on gorgeous. Not a detail is overlooked! Our table was formally set with the finest of tea china... fancy, indeed! But what's on the table is what ultimately seduced me: a collection of exquisite scones, Parisian macaroons, tarts, dainty sandwiches, and accoutrements including jellies and my favorite, the creamy lemon curd. I would've slathered this on everything, if only it was ladylike to do so! Of course, the Peninsula's tea collection is deep and impressive. I sipped on the ginger herbal and for once, I think I preferred this over champagne. I highly recommend it! The best part of the experience is lingering over this elegant spread for a good couple of hours. Really, this is lady bonding at its best. So, make a reservation with your best girls, grab your pearls, don your finest frocks and get ready to be dazzled! I can't wait until my sister moves here so we can do this together!
(5)
char y.
Was there for afternoon tea and it was wonderful. The petite sandwiches and dessert was fantastic. The price for Afternoon Tea is $45 per person. I paid with a debit card and saw that the hotel debited my card an additional 20%. When I called to talk to the the manager I was told it's an account process and they do it all the time. They charge everyone an additional 20% of the charge amount and they will credit you the difference within 3 -4 days. I don't feel that this should happen. I have never been to a restaurant/hotel that charges me an additional 20% and hold it for a few days.
************* REVIEW 140 **************** What not to like about this hotel lobby? Gorgeous design/layout, high ceiling, spacious & superior service makes you feel like a queen. $38 for an afternoon traditional high tea, plenty of scones, mini cookies, light sandwiches & an amazing selection of tea. The black & orange scones are to die for, fresh bake & it still warm when they are served! Plenty to serve for two! Live violinists playing up stair at the balcony, simply wonderful.
(5)
Chrissy S.
Oh, I want to go here everyday. The service is just so nice...it's hard to find polished service like this even at the best restaurants in Chicago. And the tea and little cakes/sandwiches -- so delicate and delicious! And best of all, it's not snooty like you would expect.
(5)
Amy H.
I know that I have the reputation of being a beer garden lovin' strong 'Sconnie gal, but sometimes I like to class it up and get all fancy. A group of my lady friends and I go to tea once a month at various places around town. This month we took it to the next level and went to The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. Divine! You wouldn't think that little finger sandwiches would fill you up, but they do. The lobster egg salad sandwich was my favorite. It was accompanied by a turkey sandwich and a salmon dill sandwich. Yummers! There were also assorted sweets and pastries along with scones and little mini brioche breads. Of course I slathered everything with lemon curd and jam, which tasted like it was freshly made. Tea? Oh yeah, we drank that too. I chose the Marrakesh Mint tea, which came in a giant Wedgwood china teapot. You also have the option of adding a glass of Brut or Rose champagne, which I did (natch!) This tea is kind of high end, so it's an indulgence and not something that I would do every day. Also, there was a weird mix up with the bill. Our server decided to average the cost out per person, which meant that the three girls who didn't have champagne had to pay a portion of the tab for the two girls who did. Weird. We rectified that immediately.
(5)
Joann K.
Came here for their Valentine's Day pre-fixed menu and it was unbelievable... My mouth is watering just thinking back to this happy day :) - Braised Short Ribs w/butternut squash ravioli, organic honey, sage, red wine jus. This appetizer I could've eaten all night long. The short ribs were so soft and tender. Perfectly paired with the butternut squash which didn't over power the short ribs. Match made in heaven. - Green Field Baby Beet Salad w/grilled goat cheese sandwich, walnut The salad was complimentary from the chef and it was amazing. Not because it was free but the thinly sliced beets went so well with the goat cheese. I was really glad that we received this dish because it isn't something I would normally order but I LOVED IT! - 8 oz Filet Mignon - New Zealand Lamb Loi - Housemade Mashed Potatoes - Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoe The filet was extremely thick but cooked perfectly medium throughout. It literally melts in your mouth. By far one of the best steaks. The lamb was beautifully cooked and seasoned as well. Both of the sides I could not have been happier with. - Apple "Tarte Tatin" salted caramel ice cream, caramel tuile, sage cris Let me start of by saying I love any desserts with apple. And this dessert was incredible. It's pretty much an apple crisp but injected with luxury.
(5)
Shirley L.
After my initial review, the team contacted me and offered to provide me with a complimentary afternoon tea for myself and a guest. Service was great, food was good, and all in all my initial experience was probably due to one waiter on an off day.
(4)
Betty C.
The Peninsula Hotel Lobby restaurant is a wonderful place to go for any occasion. Have a nice lunch with friends after a shopping spree. Meet a business colleague and hammer out some details. Regardless of why you are there it is a very nice atmosphere and the food is delicious. The lunch salad and dessert buffet with one of three entree choices for $26 is a steal. There are numerous fresh and delicious salad options, cheeses, breads, charcuterie and a daily homemade soup. The butternut squash was velvety and full of flavor. The desserts are all miniatures but packed with flavor as well. The entree choices rotate daily. When we were there we had short ribs, a vegetarian dish of couscous with curried cauliflower and grilled scallops - all delicious. The service is outstanding as well, even for a buffet and the surroundings make you feel like royalty. The floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light and you overlook the Shanghai Terrace. Special Dishes: Braised short ribs, butternut squash soup, chicken with basil, any of the burgers
(4)
kristal m.
I truly love the ambiance of this place. The waitress was super nice and very attentive. there is something about tea and finger sandwiches that make me feel all house wifey. I would love to come here more except its a bit pricy and most of my friends are underpaid college students. when we save our pennies get get all dolled up and have an afternoon of the good life.
(5)
neal s.
As you enter, you walk into a beautiful, large airy room that has tables far enough apart that you can comfortably talk while a two piece musical group plays softly in the background. .... and it just keeps getting better. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They are in line with the other nicer places in River North. Three of us went and split several items. The chicken for two dish was the best chicken any of the three of us have ever had. The short ribs were rich ,elegant and quite tasty. The three appetizers that we also shared were all excellent and enjoyable. We had a couple of very nice wines including a very nice boutique brut champagne, a Larmandier-Bernier that I strongly recommend. My only regret of the evening is that I didn't save room for the dessert Chocolate Bar. It is a buffet containing a vast array of alluring chocolates. The next time I come here, I am going to make a meal of the desserts. Also, the Chef, Lee Wolen is currently a candidtate for Time Out's Breakout Chef of the Year. Try to get taste his food before he wins this title- then you will have to wait weeks to get in here.
(5)
Raymond H.
Great food and drinks in a elegant casual hotel. Also check out the masculine, dark and sophisticated bar lounge. Huge fireplace with cozy couches and amazing cocktails and apps. Mini burgers and the Spicy Asian Chicken app are big hits done right.
(4)
Johnny P.
Delicious brunch, excellent service in an elegant yet casual environment. Plus the doors of the restroom stalls go all the way to the floor. First class!
(5)
Douglas S.
Had dinner at the Lobby at the Peninsula. More like dined. It was an overall fantastic experience. I went with 2 other chefs and we were all blown away. Recommendations? The ricotta gnocchi were absolutely fabulous. They are almost entirely cheese but feel like soft gnocchi. Presented with black truffle shavings and in truffle oil. The Chicken was unique as well. Stuffed under the skin with a lining of fine breading. How in the world did they do that? Essentially everything that Chef Lee Wolen touched was golden. Finished up with the Peninsula's famous chocolate bar. It was truly unbelievable the selection of top notch deserts on the chocolate bar. As a side note, the Chocolate bar would make a fantastic end to a first date. I guess you can go just for that.
(5)
Valerie M.
This was our 2nd time to dine at The Lobby at The Peninsula for the chocolate bar. It's a lovely finish to a day of sightseeing, go-go-going and possibly an early, light dinner. They have a live jazz ensemble playing music, you can see some night skyline through a bank of windows, it's pretty inside with attentive servers, comfortable seating and a "come as you are" kind of atmosphere. On this particular evening, we saw a woman in a cocktail dress and another in jeans and a sweatshirt and both seemed perfectly comfortable and welcome. The all-you-dare-to-eat chocolate bar offers hot cocoa, freshly made madelines, a crepe bar (with your choice of toppings) and a large bar/spread in the middle offering many different one-biters, tiny parfait cups, etc...all in the chocolate vein. The cost is $40 per person so you need to go a little hungry and also have a sweet tooth to get your money's worth. But it's fun, romantic and definitely something to add to your "I did that" list.
(4)
Rob M.
Really poor experience. Do not make a reservation via OpenTable, because they will not honor it. Really frustrating when you have planned a date. Honestly there are much better restaurants on Michigan Ave and Rush Street...dont waste your time.
(1)
Carmen K.
My first tea experience was here and I went back again this past weekend. The elegant ambiance made the experience all the more worthwhile. The food was yummy and the amount of food was sufficient for a meal. Service was okay, they could improve on friendliness, eye contact, and better food presentation (when introducing the foods, they are too quick and non-descriptive).
(4)
Stephanie K.
Every Christmas, my sister and I take my mom to Chicago for afternoon tea. This past year we chose The Peninsula because of its world class reputation and great menu. And I was not disappointed. I've been to The Drake and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and The Peninsula is definitely my favorite. Not only did they serve the traditional finger sandwiches and scones associated with tea service, they also served other delicious "small bites" including goat cheese and fennel quiche. The waitstaff was attentive and unpretentious, and the food was exceptional. Call ahead for reservations and to plan your afternoon during one of their fashion shows. Cheerio!
(5)
Rander P.
FYI:The Chocolate bar is open only on Fridays and Saturdays :(
(3)
Josh V.
I went here with three friends for dinner on a Friday evening. The restaurant is located in the lobby at the Peninsula (thus the name). They are similarly creative with the name of the hotel bar: The Bar. The space is elegant; you definitely feel like you're in a nice restaurant. If you're looking for wine by the bottle, their wine list is a book, with a table of contents and everything. There are many, many choices from all over the world. I was the only one having wine, so I went with something from their much smaller by-the-glass selection. Everyone in my group liked their food. The highlight of the meal for me was the truffled mac & cheese, which I ordered an appetizer-sized portion of to start. It was freaking delicious. Like lick-your-bowl-clean good. But it was a nice restaurant, so I didn't actually lick my bowl clean. I do have SOME class! Others started with a soup or salad, and reported they were good as well. I had the pork chop for dinner. The presentation was nice. The chop was a good, hearty cut but was a little plain. I asked for it medium-well but it seemed like it came out well-done to me; it was just a touch dry. It was still good, but fell short of being 5-star worthy. My companions reported their entrees were good as well. We were too full for dessert. The service was good. We weren't kept waiting and water glasses were refilled regularly. I think this place is kind of hidden away up in the Peninsula lobby. I'm not sure how many people know it exists. If you're looking for a good meal downtown on a weekend night and didn't make reservations somewhere, check out The Lobby.
(4)
Denise B.
I came here for Sunday brunch the last time I was in Chicago, as a last hurrah before heading home later that day. Wow, was this fancy! Thankfully, I was prepared from having experienced the Pen's chocolate bar in The Lobby last year (see other review). I was lukewarm on the chocolate bar, but I really liked Sunday brunch, which had a lot of the better chocolate treats, along with a much wider overall selection of food, including tasty eggs benedict, sushi (yum!), oysters, fruit, and a delectable selection of cheeses. And of course, great coffee and the usual selection of beverages at a brunch. Eating brunch at The Lobby felt like a really classy experience, with the piano playing in the background, beautiful decor, and nice views of the streets of Chicago. We were well taken care of by the staff, even though this was a buffet. The Lobby is a good alternative to fancy chain like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons for brunch.
(4)
Nancy H.
Afternoon Tea review: What a lovely grown-up tea party in a pretty, pretty room! Every lady must try this. The service is impeccable; you feel so pampered. $38/pp gets you little sandwiches, scones, bite-sized desserts, and a pot of tea. You can get refills too, so there's no way you'll leave still hungry. Weekday hours are 3:30-5:30 PM. You should call ahead and reserve a seating time.
(5)
Char Y.
came back for chocolate buffet and am still loving it!
(4)
Sanjeev m.
I took my wife there for her birthday, called ahead to reserve and they asked what was the special occasion. I wasn't sure what they would do with that info... but they used it to decorate a special dessert plate with her name in chocolate and even a candle (without all the hoopla). They reserved a nice table for two close to the band and the dance floor with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Band was nice, lounge singer was ok. Our server was very attentive and made us feel welcome. Although we had reserved for the Chocolate buffet, there was no pressure, we could have changed our mind and had anything we wanted (or nothing at all). As it turned out we had appetizers (Flat bread and Risotto) before going for the desert buffet which was pricey ($38). While we enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the decadent buffet, we might have beeen better off picking one of the nice selections from the dessert menu (most were $12). My wife is a big fan of Creme Brulee which wasn't on the D buffet, though good coffee was included especially capachinos. In short, if you are looking for a romantic evening with music, dance, good food and a great ambiance you should really give this a try, but you don't need to feel compelled to join the full dessert buffet, instead order single servings with other specials like the Chocolate Martinis.
(4)
Jon L.
Good, but not Michelin-worthy. Prix Fixe was just okay: the lentil soup was fine, but the cavatelli with mushroom sauce was too salty and funky. Caramel creme (essentially flan) was forgettable. I also tried some seafood bouillabaisse - not bad.
(3)
Parker L.
Overrated. I had been looking forward to going to the chocolate buffet for years, and while it was a nice evening, and 400'+ dollars later, I wouldn't recommend. The selection was ok, or group of 6, started off with the chocolate martinis. Next to us was a dog, a dog with diamond studded earrings, chowing down food in a dish the hotel provided for him. I love dogs, I just didn't expect to be eating next t o one. The chocolate buffet had bunch of macrons, candies, and a crepe station. The crepes were pre made, and just reheated with fillings of your choice. I had a passion fruit tart, that was probably my favorite. We also had cappuccinos, which were great. There was a jazz ensemble playing, they were good. Then the bill came, ouch. That was some pricey chocolate. Wish I had room to eat more than a piece or two of dessert, there is only so much chocolate you can eat.
(2)
Kevin L.
I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. All the reviews and info suggest that this is a quiet, upscale fine dining experience, yet the horror I encountered when I showed up for my reservation at 8PM on a Friday night was more like American Girl Place meets Chuck E Cheese dropped into the brightly lit lobby of one of Chicago's busiest hotels. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the din that can only result from too many over-caffenated children crammed into a small area. At the host stand, a group of children were building a fort out of novelty sleeping bags. At least two tables had place settings for dolls, who appeared to sharing grilled cheese sandwhiches with their owners. One feral child in a princess cosutme was crawling from table to table, no doubt looking for her negligent parents. Again, is this some kind of joke? Quiet? Upscale? Fine Dining? 0 for 3. -
(1)
Jeremy C.
Received a gift card from my sister to spend an afternoon over tea at the peninsula. Definitely not cheap, but heck! it's great for a special occasion and we felt that it was well worth it. Beautiful ambience and enjoyed the live string music. We were not expecting such ample amount of food for the tea...came with three tiers of delicious...OMG! DELICIOUS!!!...little sandwiches and sweets as well as some perfect scones with jams and butters. My husband and I each received a full pot of tea from their long list of teas. The server was very helpful in accommodating my special dietary needs since I am pregnant and am not able to have certain teas or food items. Between the two of us, we were not able to finish all of the food and were surprisingly full! After the tea time, we headed over to their spa to end the afternoon with some massages....great experience!
(5)
Jane R.
Wow, I've been to afternoon tea here three times now for celebrations of various occasions, and every time the food, tea, service and atmosphere were spectacular. They can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Their gluten free food was absolutely delicious. They even gave a little extra treat to the person being celebrated!
(5)
Kaaren D.
Lovely place to have a quiet and elegant meal, even if it is a casual brunch. But be sure to bring a big wallet, because you will dump a cash load before you leave. I had the creamy grits, poached egg, and fruit, and it was all nicely done. My companion had the eggwhite fritatta, and the server suggested adding veggies. When it came out, they were all piled on top of her fritatta. She said it was good, but it looked like a square of egg whites topped with a salad. Not what I had expected at all. The service was lovely, and it was a special meal.
(4)
Service P.
Went here for a little Tea Party with friends. The vibe was nice--very old money. Service was EXCELLENT! The little mini whatever we got with our teas were all delish. Be prepared to get your own Fancy, Porcelain Tea Pot (with the tea of your choice).
(5)
k E.
Entertained six people for breakfast here. It was very pricey, slow, pretentious service, and after waiting a full hour for our eggs, they came out cold. We explained this to our server who offered no apology and simply brought out the check. We won't be back!
(1)
Kwoky L.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is probably the best treat I gave to myself in a while. We were seated right away even though we came quite early. The Lobby is exquisitely decorated with a modern touch. The windows were large, allowing every inch of the sunlight to shine right into the dining area. It's very comfortable especially with the musicians playing classical tunes in the mezzanine. We each get a choice of our very own pot of tea, which is large enough to give us at least five full cups of refills. I chose the soothing chamomile to go with the assortment of pastries and sweets. There's orange scented scones, cucumber sandwiches, pastry squares and plenty of other delectable titbits plus madeleines on the house from the chef. For $38 per pax, there's more than enough food to keep our tummy happy. The service was spot on; It's pampering yet very approachable. Not stuffy at all! I would love to come back again soon.
(5)
Brett F.
Coming from a serious hotel enthusiast, it's easy to call The Peninsula in Chicago one of the best and finest in hospitality locales. They are one in a handful of lavish hotels striving to set the bar in what you've come to expect in world class luxury right here in the Midwest... luxe accommodations, warm service, top notch wellness facilities, sumptuous dining... and yes, of course, traditional afternoon high tea as well. The Lobby at The Pen is the setting for weekend Sunday "Royal Tea" and you'll easily see why once you arrive. The room is positively grand... sky-high ceilings, soft carpet, buttery walls, gold and cream tones, sunlight streaming in through the amazing architecture outside the floor to ceiling windows.... needless to say, it makes an impression. Whether you're there with a girlfriend or hosting a small group out (baby shower... bridal shower... this is the perfect venue), you'll be delighted and feeling stylishly European in no time. Wondering where to wear your prada... or frauda (aka faux prada)? Add your own chic style soundtrack to the outing and don those Italian duds here! Tea service includes your favorite standards like tea sandwiches - I was given a mix of veggie, salmon and chicken salad dainty bites - and of course the fabulous petit fours, pastries, scones, lemon curd, devonshire cream and jam. All magnificent, all decadent. The Pen also throws in a signature additional twist all their own; homemade mini souffles for each guest!! Mine was a blushing sour cherry and it was everything you'd ever want to write home about... ahhhmazing!! Thank God their pocket size, next time I'll wear bigger pants! Even our server was every bit as delicious as the savories, he kept my champagne glass no less than half full throughout my meal - Atta Boy!!! The way to my heart must be written on my sleeve... bubbles ftw every time! Tea? What tea? Oh, yes... my vanilla rooibos was heavenly and served in the most beautiful Villeroy & Boch teapot... I wanna steal me one! Tea at The Pen (or anything at The Pen) won't be cheap, but will be charming and fabulous, just like you - so splurge!
(5)
Jenny B.
I had a great experience here, wonderful food and wonderful wine, service generally good just very slow but they made up for us good. overall great ! will back for brunch, afternoon tea dinner and drink again.
(5)
Sam A.
I went to The Lobby at the Peninsula for brunch and for the first time I could breath after eating brunch! I was so satisfied with the food that I could actually stop eating before I felt like waffles were coming out of my ears! (FYI I love breakfast food so that's how I usually feel after going out for breakfast or brunch). There is a great selection of food and after my huge disappointment with the signature room brunch, it was a breath of fresh air to have brunch at the Peninsula. Very friendly and professional staff as always and surprisingly quick! My favorite was when I couldn't figure out why certain items were so close to the ground (probably because my brain was still recovering from the Ciroc). Just as I was thinking someone must have been drunk and forgot to put these items on a table, I realized I was in the kids' area! These people actually have a little area where everything is low enough to the ground that kids can reach in and unload their germs!!!! lol Definitely made my day to see it but no screaming lil ones around so if you like the "screaming lil ones" as you try to bury your hangover headache at brunch, you would have been disappointed. They take reservations, have live music, serve from 10a-2p on Sundays, valet is $23, brunch is $65/person.
(5)
Taryn T.
This review is specifically for the Chocolate Bar... The chocolate and vanilla fondue fountains (and the fruit and marshmallow cubes for dipping) really pushed this experience from four to five stars. This is a GREAT place to go with a hot date and killer shoes - just make sure to come hungry and leave any calorie-driven guilt at the door. Yes, it's expensive at $40 per person for full access to the chocolate buffet (which, in addition to the fondue, includes little slices of cakes, brownies, truffles, tarts, and a made-to-order crepe station), but the overall ambiance - including live jazz music, stellar people watching, and the Lobby with its 20-ft ceilings and windows - is definitely factored into the cost. Pro tip - don't order a chocolate drink to go with all of your chocolaty goodies, because it will be overkill and impede your ability to consume mass amount of chocolate. Stick with coffee or water instead! And definitely make reservations, because if your name is not on the list you'll likely be stuck with at least a 40-minute wait. Worst case scenario, though, just head on over to the bar (on the same floor) for a drink in the mean time - it's worth the wait! (Lastly, just remember that the chocolate bar is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-midnight.)
(5)
FM G.
The Peninsula is my absolute favorite place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago. The service is impeccable, the tea and sweets are DELISH and the room is beautiful. It's such a lovely way to treat yourself, or a fabulous way to BE treated as I was last week for my birthday. They knew it was my birthday and brought an extra treat with a candle... no tacky singing though, just pure elegance. Also, I like that they offer extra sandwiches if you'd like. No other place I've been in Chicago does that.
An very proper Tea experience and brunch is tops too.
(4)
Nate H.
Came in for the evening chocolate buffet from 8-midnight on Friday and Saturday. They put out a very impressive assortment of different forms of chocolate delights, and turned the lights down low. Then a great jazz combo started up. Wonderful vocalist and band, fitting of the Peninsula. The crowd was a bit tacky toward the end of the evening, not acknowledging the wonderful work of the artists, no polite applause...like it was Musak in the background (tacky tourists). Anyway, the chocolate was fun, but only a couple choices were quality enough to remember. The mousse was tops. Overall, a wonderful experience for a low key evening in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel.
(3)
Jason H.
I had lunch here with the company I work for. The ambience is really what makes the place. Very very open and spacious. The chairs and tables are classy and comfortable and the beauty of the building surrounds you. We could hear a violin playing just off in the distance which was a great touch. The food was light healthy and fresh, although not mind-blowing, it was simply good (I had the salmon, but the other menu items on the table had the same feel). The server seemed to have a great knack for giving us our space because we spent 4 hours there enjoying conversation.
(5)
Saira K.
The afternoon tea is perfect - the ambiance, the perfect harp music, the food. The waiter brought me serving after serving of food, and I was just in heaven. Exceptional food. Luxurious, peaceful, and elegant - the way an afternoon tea should be.
(5)
Unity O.
SERIOUSLY, I am not understanding the people who say they cannot eat $30 worth of delectable chocolates. Oh my, I thought I had died & gone to heaven--or at least one of my versions of heaven. Some girlfriends treated me to the chocolate bar at the peninsula for my birthday & lets just say it was one of the best b-day treats EVER!! The ambiance is warm & romantic (this would be perfect for a date night), the wait staff were fantastic, the live music (jazz) was a nice touch, and the CHOCOLATE was YUMMY. They had a wide variety of sweets--dark, white, & milk chocolate. My favorite was of course the ganache treat--but you should go & discover your favorite.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Went here for my birthday and had the chocolate buffet, which was delicious. It's a splurge, for sure, but worth it every once in a while. I could have eaten nine dozen of their churros, but it's a classy place, so I held it together.
(4)
Lenny C.
one of the best services you will get. there are better places for food in chicago but Peninsula will always have its charm and ambiance.
(5)
sandra h.
Had a delicious brunch with the parents when they were staying at the Peninsula. I hear that there is a chocolate buffet with live jazz every weekend . . . . I would definitely go back to check it out. I also heard that they have a nice tea service.
Picture this: You have been dating the man of your dreams for a full year. Life is blitz so you move in together. Where should you go out for a beautiful and romantic afternoon tea time on your anniversary? I know! I know! Take your loved one to the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. I went there and it was very romantic, very delicious and all together a tea time to remember. When you enter the building, you need to make your way to the lobby and look right. There, you will see the seating area for the Lobby restaurant. When you are seated you may hear the sound of beautiful violin music play overhead by the live preformer on the overhead stage. We ordered the wonderful afternoon tea and ~i guess~ appetizer selection. I believe it was $38 per person, but well worth it. You get three tiers of bite sized sweets, scones and sandwiches along with a very large single person pot of tea. You choose what type of tea you desire. The pot had around five full cups of tea. So if you like tea or if you have a special someone in your life, then go to the Lobby in the Peninsula to have a spot of tea and Have Fun!!!
(5)
Katrina B.
The environment in this restaurant is grand and beautiful, while still being very comfortable. The service is excellent and friendly, as you would expect from the Peninsula. We came in for the restaurant week menu which offered two choices for each course, so the two of us sampled each of them. All were exquisitely executed. From lobster bisque to a surprisingly wonderful chicken breast, we enjoyed them all. The only hiccup was with a bland tiramisu. Highly recommended if you'd like to drop some cash on a lovely dining experience.
(5)
Amanda Z.
Tea at the Lobby is quite the experience. From the light-soaked room and the comfy chairs at the tables that are far enough away from the other tables so as to create your own little world of tea time to the beautifully presented finger food, the ambiance is simply lovely. Classy. Elegant. At my table were some very lovely ladies, all decked out in their Sunday's finest, and on our best behavior. Our very long table was adorned with three-tiered trays displaying the most lovely little finger food. From beautiful little sandwiches with turkey, brie and cranberries to the macaron-like coconut cookies, each morsel was beautiful and quite tasty. The tea was lovely and served in beautiful ceramic tea pots with matching tea cups. Pinkies up, ladies. No slouching in here. My choice was ginger, an herbal tea, that was so delightful, I didn't require any sort of sweetener. Marvelous. Oh, and did I mention that you can opt for a glass of champagne with your tea? Well, everyone knows that the most refined ladies serve tea with champagne (at least in my world) so we all imbibed on a bit of the bubbly as well. Very pricey, at least for this lady. I spent $60 for the lot which included the bubbles. Lovely for a special occasion or celebration, tea at the Lobby will not disappoint the refined ladies in your life. Or the not-so-refined ladies that can clean up nicely (like moi!)
(4)
Ja V.
I can't believe all of these great reviews and wonder what they were eating so great??? What planet was I on because I have gone to all the high class restaurants and honestly I would have been happy going to "NATIVE CAFE" and eaten their fries instead.. These people either ate something so divine or I am crazy..... So let's begin with the bread - hard as rock. The bread has been sitting out for a while. The butter was gross.. The sample choice was a pea soup which was absolutely disgusting!!! Whoever made the Pea Soup had to be dumb..... No one in their right mind would say this pea soup was delicious... just because I am vegetarian does not mean I like all veggies... Next, the entree and apps menu is slim with absolutely no vegetarian options!! Can you believe such a high rated and class restaurant would have NOOOO Vegetarian options?? So they made some pasta for me and it was OILY and over cooked tomatoes. This place is way over priced, oily, and hard bread!!!!! Service was average at best and I gave him a 30% tip since we got a huge discount on our food. Lastly the desert menu option was shockingly unappetizing!!! I wanted to order some desert since their portions were small on the entrees. Overall, I will NOT be going there for a nice dinner.. No wonder the restaurant hardly had anyone around 5-7pm.. . That's a huge red flag - when restaurant is not busy during prime time hours!
(1)
Venkatesh B.
Last year, Erica and I enjoyed the chocolate buffet here at the Peninsula Hotel. We had never experienced anything like that before, the buffet is filled with sweet, hearty, aromatic foods of differing types of chocolate. The price is extremely reasonable given that this is like an event rather than a dinner. The ambiance is quite romantic and when we were there they had a live pianist playing and a small dance floor for those interested in working off the choco-calories :) I would go any time I can!
(5)
Foodie A.
We had afternoon tea here to celebrate my birthday on a Saturday. Been at the Drake for afternoon tea and wanted to try another high-end tea place. We arrived at The Lobby, and noticed it is an open space restaurant. So, not too cozy and warm, but comfortable. Loved the elegance. The hostess was pleasant. I had the traditional afternoon tea. It was nothing to be excited about. The sandwiches, sweets, and savories were not fresh. Maybe because it was late in the afternoon, but it should't matter. The only thing fresh and hot was the banana souffle they serve to everyone. Our waitress was ok. Service could be better. I loved the surprise treat in the end. Make a reservation and they will ask you what's the occasion. No star sightings, just bride and groom. I don't think I would come back for afternoon tea, but I will for drinks, lunch, or dinner and will update.
(3)
Hannah W.
2.5 stars. A couple of friends and I hit the chocolate buffet on a Saturday night, and I must admit... not so spectacular as I had hoped. The music was great (we're pretty big fans of jazz) except that whenever the vocalist came back on the mic, she'd drown out every other sound in the room, including our voices in the middle of conversation. Service was also a bit slow, especially considering that there weren't terribly many people there that night (although, in 4 degree weather it takes a huge amount of will power to even think about leaving the house). I actually tried to time my trips back to the chocolates so that I'd be sure the catch the attention of someone who would clear my plate away before I got back to our table. The desserts were OK, not the greatest, especially considering that better ones can be had for a better price. I was intrigued, though, by the almond white hot chocolate, which didn't taste like almond but was surprisingly tasty. Unfortunately, my definition of hot chocolate has been altered by the deliciously sludgy concoctions found at the City Bakery and Jacques Torres in NY, so I did come in with rather high expectations on that front. I'm not quite sure if there was a theme to the selection, but if it was fruit, then they might want to stock up on the chocolate covered strawberries to avoid running out again. Nice rich flavor in the earl grey & anise truffles, and ganache lollipops. Bad red velvet cake. Summing it up: definitely not a good bargain (but then, you already knew that). Don't go for the chocolates, or the conversation factor. Go because you're giving yourself one opportunity to splurge and schmooze at the Pen and know that you'll probably never go back for anything so frivolous. Good for the eyes, not so much for the wallet or taste buds.
(2)
Pooja S.
Only chocolate for dinner, sounds perfect. Decadent but perfect.Tried out the chocolate buffet here last night. it was great, lots of diferent things to choose from. But I think everyone reached their limit after taking about 4 different pieces of dessert in their plate.I for one was chocolated out and thats really saying something since I am a choco addict. A bottle of Merlot completed our meal perfectly. Candlelight, great conversation with friends and a different table centerpiece completed the evening.
(4)
Honora L.
Can't resist the elegance of this top-notch hotel! Accompanied by a live string band, I enjoyed the finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, scones with my choice of tea Tei Kwun Yin in the Lobby. The Macaroon is my favorite pick. We were offered four more upon request! Not bad ^.^~~
(5)
Irina B.
Wonderful afternoon tea. I love afternoon tea, namely because of the scones and lemon curd. I stopped by to have a relaxing afternoon by myself and I got the chai. I've been to a couple of hotels for tea and I enjoyed the pastries here the most. Although there were some components I strongly disliked, it left the best overall taste in my mouth. I really enjoyed the passion fruit tart, the scones were great (not the best, but still delicious and could've been warmer), the lemon curd had enough tartness and sweetness. What disappointed me was the chocolate chestnut pot de creme that seemed so special when a waiter brought it around. It was awful. No flavor and the chestnut tasted quite odd. The waiters were not as attentive as I've experienced previously, but there were a lot of people. I would definitely go back though!
(4)
Diana B.
Today was a five star day because a friend and I spent a good portion of the afternoon enjoying tea at the Peninsula. The occasion was a birthday celebration and the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I have been to tea in Chicago, New York and London. It is a favorite thing to do and the Lobby at the Peninsula is my favorite place to do it! In addition to the customary sandwiches, scones and sweets, we had quiche and a fruit sorbet of some sort. The setting, food and service is always impeccable and today that standard was surpassed. Many thanks to our excellent server Eric and his assistant for all they did to enhance an already divine celebration.
(5)
Kristen S.
I cannot say enough wonderful, positive things about my experience at the Peninsula. We had the most amazing Thanksgiving buffet here. And, yes, it was gluten free friendly. Our server had Chef Joelle walk me through the *entire* buffet to show me what was and what was not safe for me to eat. Most of the buffet was edible! Oh, heaven! And Pastry Chef Nicole did an amazing job of walking me through the dessert buffet. I was stuffed. Three times. I went a bit overboard! But it was totally worth it. They made me gluten free bread. The service was attentive and perfect. Everyone was beyond nice. The food was beyond good - it was out of this world. And, best of all, it was totally safe. Thank you, Peninsula, for being so great. I hear you have a gluten free high tea, so I will be back soon!
(5)
Brie Y.
This is now the 2nd time that I have had a bad experience at the Peninsula in the last month. I really wanted the lobby to be my new "work spot" for breakfast and lunch, but sad to say the service is miserable for having such great expectations! The first time for breakfast I sat alone for more than 15 mins because the hostess failed to check me in and my guest was waiting behind the holiday tree thinking I wasn't there since the host told them I wasn't sat yet...Which I was..... nothing was done about this. Then here comes high tea, with 3 girlfriends of mine, 2 of us arrive early 4:15 they sit us and I make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again after the host seats us. We have water poured for us.... this is the highlight of my time there. My next guest arrives at 4:30 the time of our reservation. Still no one comes to the table, final guest arrives at 4:35..... wait wait wait nothing we decide to leave after another 10 minutes, seems we must be invisible to the staff, we got up and left. No one questioned us, we took ourselves to the bar on the same level and had a much better experiences except ti was a bit slow since there was only one server for about 15 tables, but we didn't mind we were there to chat and have a good time. Wish that could have been said at Tea. There won't be a next time I plan on taking my business to other establishments that have much better service and cheaper prices. Too bad I thought it was such a nice place for holiday parties and weddings, guess when the chance does arrive I will be looking elsewhere. Sad sad day in Chicago.
(1)
Winnie C.
Overall Bad service, good place to hang with friends and talk. This is a pretty place for afternoon tea. My out of town friends enjoyed it very much, but the service is not as good as I expected. We waited for more than 10 mins before we can haunted someone (who was not our server) down to take out check with 100 dollar bill when it was 88 dollars. We were expected some change back, so that we know it was paid since we didn't give it to our server. When we asked for the change, she said, "Oh, you need change back?". We were like.. 'huh'?? I was amazed how she can assumed we needed no change at all when the bill was 88. We were gonna leave more tips than 12 dollars, but still there is no way she can assumed we need no change. Also, I went with 3 people at 4pm, we had dinner reservation at 7pm. We were just gonna hang there and have as little food as we could, when I ordered 1 set of afternoon tea set, the server was like "Huh, 1?" I know it looks cheap to order one, but I don't think server should make comment like that when there is 4 star hotel.
(2)
Holly L.
Love. Top notch all the way.
(5)
Amy X.
a few weeks ago, it was my birthday, and this very pretty little lady was treated to afternoon tea at the peninsula. like, YAY! i put on a pink lacy dress and got myself ready to throw back some cucumber sandwiches. the thing is, tea at the peninsula is not a meal. to be honest, it's not even about the sandwiches or pastries or even the tea. the experience is 80% ambiance, the feeling of relaxation knowing that you're doing something so utterly indulgent that even the bougiest of the bourgeois are gaping a bit in their chinos and boat shoes. in short, it's an unwise way to spend money, but booooy oh boy does it feel nice. thanks, boyfriend! the experience and service were both lovely. we were seated by the windows, which looked out into the gardens. the only tense moment in the time we were there was when the tray of sandwiches and pastries first came out. ... are the sandwiches really that small? at first, i thought it was because i was watching the trays come in from the distance. however, the size did not greatly increase once the food was fully in view. in short, small sandwiches. know this, expect it, eat them slowly. but, also know this -- when the very, very, very proper waiter asks you if there's anything else he can bring you, shoot the question right back, i.e. "is there anything else to bring us?" what they don't tell you is that sometimes, the waiter will bring you extras of the sandwiches/pastries that you like. SSSHHH. . (..sorry, Lionel! I had to tell just a few of my closest friends. thanks for the two extra smoked salmon sandwiches -- scrumptious!)
(4)
Misse D.
I finally made it to the Peninsula for afternoon tea. What was supposed to be a mini-reunion of sorts turned into an intimate gathering when everyone bailed at the last minute. Determined to have a lovely time, my sister-in-law and I oohed and ahhed as soon as we walked to the Lobby. The decor for the holidays was lovely. After being seated almost immediately, we ordered our tea selections. I was impressed with the modern additions to the menu (red velvet cupcakes). I thought, briefly, that the tea service might actually beat out my current favorite, The Four Seasons. While our service was very good, I was a bit put off that we had so many different people help us over the course of our meal. As soon as we were given our pots of tea, another person came over 2 minutes later to try to refill them. And then, no one came for the rest of the service. This is not to say that the tea service was bad. It is just that I have had such fantastic tea experiences in the past, that tea service at the Lobby was, in my opinion, slightly better than average. I will continue to recommend going to the Lobby for the chocolate buffet.
(4)
Jill G.
I dined here for afternoon tea on a Monday. The ambience was superb, with live music and a great view. The decor was classy and the service friendly. The tea selection was abundant and the food was delicious. Having been to several afternoon teas in the Bay Area, this was by far the best afternoon tea I've experienced. I wish I could find one comparable to the Lobby in the Northern California!
(5)
Robyn T.
I have a craving to visit the Peninsula every few months. I start to think about their traditional tea service or the mouthwatering chocolate buffet. I gather a group of friends and mentally prepare for what I know will be a delicious experience. That's the way I think of it...this is just tea or chocolate or cocktails...this is a true experience. With the exception of my most recent visit the service is usually excellent (this past visit it was like pulling teeth to get the waiter's attention and he wasn't particularly helpful at that). For tea expect ladies who lunch and reverlers celebrating a baby or wedding shower. Tea sandwiches and scones are elegantly stacked, so visually appealing you can't help but continue eating. The chocolate buffet is no slacker when it comes to visual presentation with a seasonally changing plethora of options. I love the viscous hot chocolate (regardless of the time of year), the truffles, mousses and little cookies. I would recommend at least 3 hours here. Have a drink, eat some treats, listen to the wonderful live music, relax, digest and eat again.
(4)
Krystsina D.
Just a quick note: this review is for the Chicago restaurant menu week! Let's start with pluses: the place is beautiful, peaceful, quiet. We loved it. The entrees were good. The dessert was pretty decent. Service was O.K. On the negative side: appetizers tasted like nothing, I mean no flavor whatsoever. The entrees though good, tiny, I am talking bite size. Wine: meh... Overpriced and just o.k. tasting. I get it, it is restaurant menu week, but the portion size - really? I am not American and I do not like those Denny size portions, but seriously! Also, I would think that may be you create the restaurant menu week for people to come try, and want to come back. Frankly speaking, after tasting their food I have no desire for coming back. If it going to be 3 times more expensive, and tasting just as mediocre - not worth it. Sorry, The Lobby, I am disappointed.
(3)
Eman A.
Came here on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday to the Chocolate Bar or whatever it's called, and honestly it was the most amazing experience. The only thing I was disappointed about was the coffee. It could have been better, but I could have had that coffee at any hotel or bfast place. But it was an awesome experience. It's a flavor adventure. Pricy, but worth the experience. Definitely would like to go again, but for a special occasions only.
(5)
Maestro M.
This place has AMAZING Afternoon Tea, it beats any other hotel in Chicago. The tea is amazing and the selection is astonishing! They even have a vegetarian/vegan menu you can request! :)
(5)
P R.
Outstanding food, presentation, ambiance and service! I have dined at the Lobby many times and have never been dissapointed. The Sunday Brunch is the best I've ever had, no question!
(5)
Jessie D.
This was probably the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in, and the circumstances around it were pretty spectacular, so I already had a pretty high expectation of this place. The first impression of the place was astounding: marble everywhere, friendly and helpful concierge, great views. The concierge were so helpful that they offered to phone us and hold our bags until our room was ready for occupation. Definitely didn't expect that. But, I don't normally swing by 5-star luxury hotels. Sadly, this is something I could get used to, haha. The design of the place is amazing, so the industrial design nerd in me was going BONKERS. natural light filling almost every spot in the lobby... gorgeous. If you can swing staying here (or even swing just having tea here), I'd HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)
Laurie C.
Went to afternoon tea here on a Saturday afternoon. My group all got the champagne option so it was about $60/person, including tax and tip. We each got a pot of tea, scones, four miniature sandwiches, and four tiny desserts. It was all incredibly delicious and we left feeling full. I was really impressed with how responsive they were to different dietary needs - I'm a vegetarian and my friend is allergic to nuts and we both got personalized treats that weren't just modified versions of the meat options. It was all delicious, especially the scones. Very fun way (albeit a splurge!) to spend an afternoon in Chicago.
(4)
Jackie S.
I went to the The Lobby for dinner yesterday and had a mixed experience. Let me get the negative out of the way and say that the service was absolutely terrible. There appeared to be one waiter and he had absolutely no pep in his step. He also almost smacked my mom in the face with the dessert menu and would leave the table before getting everyones order a few occasions. He also licked his fingers to turn a page on his pad of paper and then touched a spoon which was also really gross for a germaphobe like me. In regards to the atmosphere it is very cozy and comfortable. Definitely a relaxing dinner at least on a Sunday night. In regards to the food I had the chestnut soup which was a little too sweet but the duck in the soup was the best duck I have ever had. It was so crispy and and a great contrast with the sweet soup. We also had the truffle macaroni and cheese which was of course good. How can a dish like that be bad. Given the amazing ingredients I think they could do something a little more special though. Think top chef season one, truffles on the bottom of the mac and cheese baking dish. I also shared the pike with my mom. The fish was a little dry but had a nice crisp. Also it was fun to figure out what all the flavors were. They also split the dish for us and both plates looked beautiful. My boyfriend had the scallops which looked great but I didn't try them. For the desert we had the creme brulee and apple pie. Neither were that great. The creme brulee could have used a little bit more heat as only one part had that nice burnt look to it. I think that the cafe at that hotel does much better desserts.
(3)
patrick l.
I went here during restaurant week for lunch. Very well lit dining with lots of space and professional wait staff. We had the special menu which consisted of a help yourself to appetizers/soup/salad. I tasted the squash soup and it was a little bit under seasoned but sweet and thick. The salads were fresh and had medley of different greens but the crab salad was the best. Filled with generous potions of crab and a salsa type concoction on the bottom. Just the onions were a tad bit strong for this dish. Main entree was a scallop on a turnip puree. Very nicely done and tasty dish but there was only two large scallops and my tummy wanted more! But for dessert you again helped yourself in the middle of the room was assortment of desserts but there was nothing too fancy and rememberable there. Overall I enjoyed the dining experience and thought it was decent for restaurant week deal. I hope to return on another occasion
(4)
Josh G.
My boyfriend and I love chocolate. When I heard about the chocolate bar at the Lobby I know this was where i was taking him for his birthday dinner. Our mouths watered for a week in anticipation of all the chocolate options and we were absolutely not disappointed with the spread. There was everything from traditional to completely unexpected and it was all delicious, creative, and almost worth the price you pay per person. Almost. It's very hard to eat $35 worth of chocolate in one sitting but we sure as hell did our best. The rest of the experience was a disappointment. The service was ok but not phenomenal. Frankly the person that took my reservation over the phone two weeks prior to dinner was more friendly than our server. Speaking of reservations, I mentioned to them at the time that it was a birthday celebration. I didn't expect them to do anything extravagant, but they did absolutely nothing for us. No special greeting, no happy birthday from the server, no complimentary dessert. Several months ago during my birthday celebration all of the above happened at a different restaurant and I guess I expected a place as reputable as the Peninsula to do at least the same. But... nope. Not a word. Dinner was just ok. The salmon was slightly dry and overcooked but my fillet was wonderful although it was basically the only thing on the plate with some sauce and a few slices of tomato. Presentation was completely lacking. Of course the Peninsula is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic feeling of luxury. The chocolate bar was amazing and the live jazz performance was a great and I enjoyed one of the best cappuccinos I've ever had in my life. But overall I just wasn't that impressed.
(3)
Giggly C.
Delicious, wonderful tea time. From sweets to sandwiches, it ended up being too much food for me to finish. Great ambiance, and live music. I wanted to shout 'encore' to the players, but it wouldn't match the mood of the room. So why not 5 stars? Because the way the tea is in the pot, the tea became extremely bitter. Most teas should only seep for 2-3 min, and when my tea is seeping for 30 min +, it's an aweful taste. Don't they know better? Also, we were unfortunate to sit next a table who ordered some deluxe tea, which included hard boiled egg, chocolate covered strawberries and other delights we didn't get on our tea. The comparison was so extreme, and I glanced over many times during our meal. Sigh. what bad luck to sit next to them. I be they spent over $100 per person on that menu!
(4)
Caroline A.
Live jazz + unlimited amounts of chocolate + beautiful decor + dancing with a charming guy = bliss. I am in love with this hotel. Everything about it is beautiful and the service is excellent. The decor is elegant and traditional, but not on that stuffy Ritz Carlton type of way. After a few glasses of wine, I kept touching the place settings because they were so beautiful... need to find out where they are from. We came to see Stephanie Browning perform this past Saturday. I was surprised to see so many people there. The crowd is very diverse - older couples celebrating a night on the town, groups of people perhaps guests of the hotel, young couples scoping out the chocolate bar, and regulars dancing the night away. I have not tried the chocolate bar, but would probably die of sensory overload if I did. However, we did have the chocolate tart, which was very good. Comes with a scoop of espresso ice cream that is out of this world yummy. Chocolate martini's are strong! +++++++++++++ My bf and I had afternoon tea at the Lobby over the weekend. It was excellent! The selection of Peninsula collection teas and premium teas were fantastic - we both had a hard time deciding which one to enjoy. I had the orange jasmine and he had the chamomile. Though the chamomile was very nice, I definitely picked the better one :P The tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes were all very delicious and we were even surprised by a complimentary blackberry souffle! Amazing! Service was flawless - attentive, timely and very courteous. Tea at the Peninsula is a great way to spend an afternoon with your significant other or girlfriends. It is also a great place to bring your mother!
(5)
Alan S.
Got engaged at lunch here yesterday. I have to say the service was superlative. They took great careof us and made the occasion extra special. The food was very tasty, I particularly liked the spicy jumbo prawns although the salac nicoise was also outstanding.
(5)
Kai R.
Had breakfast at the Lobby while staying at the hotel. They deliver what you expect here - impecable service, well-prepared food, big price tag. Get a table by the window if possible.
(3)
Tom S.
They say confession is good for the soul. I can find the joy of eating food at Arby's just as much as I can at The Signature Room. Both places do what they do very well and while I would never compare the two outside of Yelp, it does bring to the table an interesting point about what you claim to do and what you actually do. Arby's never makes a claim to offer the finest cuts of meat or boast about outstanding service or white table cloths. In the same vain, The Signature Room can boast about those things, but wouldn't lay claim to offering fast service at a great price, something Arby's can turn into a feather and stick in their cap. As a person who dines out across the board, from Arby's to The Signature Room and beyond, I understand the concept of being true to who you are and offering your customers the best food and service for the type of venue you run. So what in the world is wrong with the hoity toity Peninsula Hotel? This is a 5 star hotel, doesn't that automatically say to you they earned those stars based on service and detail? FAIL! I called the hotel 6 weeks before a special occasion to secure a table at one of their famous brunches. The woman on the other end of the phone asked me if I was securing the table for a special occasion. I told her that I was typically reluctant to mention birthdays or anniversaries because it never meant anything in the end. She assured me that in fact The Peninsula not only went above and beyond to ensure their guests had the best experiences possible, but went even further to bring a special experience to anyone celebrating. I confessed that it was a special occasion and she assured me up and down that I wouldn't regret having divulged as much. Six weeks later, my date and I walked to the hotel and entered the lobby-cum-restaurant for a sunny Sunday brunch. First of all, there was no maitre d' or host to be found and when a group of employees finally showed up it was impossible to get anyone's attention. They all seemed busy with something else and couldn't be bothered with checking us in at that moment ... this, despite the fact that there were other people seated and eating. It wasn't like we were early or anything. When I finally got the attention of the host to check in, I gave him my name and he searched for the reservation. There was no reservation. My name, number, my special occasion were nowhere to be found in their system. Fortunately he could still seat us, but it soon became apparent that they were going to be full in no time and that the perimeter table (read "no man's land") was indeed the worst table in the room and that we were being punished for apparently not making a reservation. We decided to have a glass of Champagne with brunch, but after I swilled mine, it became clear we should just have one of the servicepersons bring us the entire bottle. That request took forever. Maybe someone can explain to me how hard it is to bring a bottle of Champagne to two people perfectly willing to pay the $10 for each of the two glasses and for a whole new bottle. The waitperson could hardly believe anyone would be willing to do that which I found shocking! If I want to buy 3 bottles of Champagne you have no cause to question me. The food, in general, was typically brunch-like, nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary though I will say that the chef's at the stations were very friendly and professional and willing to do their part to ensure you didn't leave with a bad taste in your mouth. But I still think the hotel brunch at the now-defunct Dining Room at The Ritz was light-years ahead of anything The Peninsula was offering. The bottom line is that the service at a hotel known for service was appalling, even worse than the experience on the actual day was the promises made by the telephone representative who didn't even secure the reservation causing me embarrassment, suspicion and a bad table with even worse service. I can forgive mediocre food if the service is stellar, at the same time, even the most glorious meal can be marred by bad service. I'm officially taking away 4 of The Peninsula's 5 stars.
(1)
Angie E.
Love it. TREAT yourself and go. Everyone needs to try this place, particularly for the chocolate buffet. Came for my birthday and threw a bday gathering here. Live band, elegant atmosphere, amazing buffet. Must try.
This review is for high tea. I try to find a 'proper' tea service wherever I go, and I've heard this was one of those "must see/go" spots. For about $36, I was served my choice of tea plus a multi-tiered selection of bite-sized sweets and savories. Our window seats overlooked an outdoor seating area, and all would've been quite special if not for F. F was not a very good service provider. F took over 10 minutes to bring the check. Note: It was NOT crowded in the dining room...what, ten tables or less total? They weren't the only server either. F was just kind of there. The stars are for the food and view, but that's about it. Very nice MOD comped our meal, but that's because we recognized service that should've met our expectations, but didn't.
(3)
cindy k.
4.5 stars, really! I've never been to the Lobby at the Peninsula and I loved it! I came for Restaurant Week, 2012 with 2 girlfriends. We loved the appetizer bar. I could have just eaten that for my meal. I went up several times for their fresh salad, grilled vegetables, cheese and they had the most delectable guacamole with crabmeat served in a martini glass. 2 of us ordered the scallops and 1 ordered the short rib with pasta. The serving was just right, especially after the appetizers we devoured. The desserts were just okay. The mini red velvet cupcake I had was a bit dry, but the fruit salad was scrumptious as well as the chocolate covered espresso beans! Although the website says the dress code is 'Smart Casual', many people were really dressed down. I don't think they will turn you away if you aren't dressed appropriately but it's probably best to err on the side of caution. The service was superb. They quickly cleared our plates and were courteous throughout our meal. I'll definitely go again before next year's restaurant week!
(4)
Annette P.
I am usually pretty easy going, but I had a very disappointing Sunday Brunch at the Peninsula. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible/non-existent. When we arrived no one told us what to do ( go help ourselves, explain the set up of the buffets, etc.). Once we "got it," as we went back for additional servings, no one was clearing the table. They just let the plates accumulate. Once someone finally did clear the table they left us no flatware. We ended up having to find a manager for help. After that the waiter was so obnoxious that during our next trip to the buffet he put every possible utensil on our table - even soup spoons (there was no soup being served). We went there on a whim. Thank heavens it was not a special occasion as it would have ruined our day. This place gets ZERO STARS from me and I will never go back!
(1)
Christa R.
The Chocolate Bar is really the best ever. Great for a date, great for a girls night. Probably the most fun I have ever had with food. I went with a group of girls and it was perfect. We asked them to put us in the corner as we knew we'd be a little noisy. They were pleased to do so. There was an AMAZING variety of chocolate, bons bons, macaroons, crepes, fountains, martinis, hot chocolate and much, much more. There was a Frank Sinatra type band that was very good. The Lobby itself is BEAUTIFUL. We had a reservation but probably didn't need one. They also have a dinner that you can add on to the all you can eat chocolate goodness. Each of the courses incorporate chocolate in some way. We didn't order the whole dinner but we were intrigued while looking at the menu. They had this butternut squash soup with white chocolate and it was unbelievably tasty. I cannot wait to go back. So good. Not cheap but worth every single penny. They know how to do it right at the Pen. You can even include your valet charge in your bill so you don't have to worry about cash. :) Try this!
(5)
Diana P.
We had tea time in the afternoon for our baby shower and it was wonderful. Everyone gets their own beautiful pot of tea of choice (they use Mighty Leaf) and an assortment of sandwiches, sweets and scones with dips (yum) & cookies. They refil upon request and the atmosphere is very pleasant. This is a wondeful place for a special event with an intimate crowd. They have either long or round tables. Definitely something to try at least once.
(5)
Kristin S.
Took my mom here for the afternoon tea on Sunday for her birthday. She was visiting from Ohio and I wanted to take her somewhere she couldn't go back home. The Lobby at the Peninsula was it! We originally had plans to go on Saturday, which I maybe would have preferred because the dining area was pretty empty on Sunday. Still, since the Sunday tea is later (4:00-6:00pm), we did get to see the view in the day and all lit up at night (and they bring out candles for the tables when it gets darker). We both got the traditional tea for $36. My biggest and practically only complaint (and the reason why I knocked off a star) is that they only offer TWO green tea selections (gunpowder and sencha) in their proprietary tea listing. The tea selection leaves quite a bit to be desired in my opinion. Both the teas we ordered were good, but with tea becoming the sensation it is, I can't believe I'm the only one who would like a larger pool to choose from. Other than that, it was astounding. They brought out the selection of savories (curry chicken wrap, grilled veggie sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich, potato quiche) with the sweets (plate full of tiny, perfect deserts from mini key lime pie to cheesecake brownie) in a pretty tower of plates. You also get a basket of cookies and scones with the lemon curd, devonshire cream (swoon!) and a homemade jelly (good, but I couldn't lay off the lemon curd and cream). They also brought out a sour cherry souffle which was the best I've ever had. My mom got a special dessert to celebrate her birthday which I thought was a nice touch. The service was incredible. I never felt rushed or over attended-to. I hate when servers hover. One employee saw my mom picking the cilantro out of her chicken curry wrap (she detests the stuff, but I love it) and immediately brought her another quiche to replace it along with two extra cucumber sandwiches. (I was so happy about this because what's high tea without cucumber sandwiches, right?) All in all, it was a great time and I recommend it for any girly special occasion or celebration.
(4)
Jacob K.
I went to this elegant hotel restaurant during the second Chicago restaurant week. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and the decor was fairly chic. There was a 3 course price fixed option, however it was different from what was available on their website and I had to request a special menu for the price fixed option as it was not initially given to me. First was the bread basket which came with delicious pretzel rolls, some flat bread and some spiced corn bread. The salad with bacon, prosciutto, dates and baby greens was exceptional... one of the best salads I have had in a while. Unfortunately the main course left much to be desired. I had hand cut pasta with meat sauce. The pasta was good, but not exceptional, the meat sauce was lacking and the portion was pretty small especially for pasta. I was hoping the dessert would redeem my impression.. but alas that hope was dashed. The platter came with 3 beautiful presented desserts- miniature versions of cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate pastry. The cheesecake was so-so, the carrot cake was great, but the chocolate was very disappointing (it tasted dried out. For a place that boasts a chocolate buffet I would expect more. The best thing there was the iced tea. probably the best ice tea I have ever had. The waitress said it was a black tea with rose, vanilla and another ingredient... but for $6 a glass... it should have been pretty damn good. I might try The Lobby again, but for the price and quantity i would be hesitant to recommend it.
(3)
Kiera D.
This is a beautiful restaurant. I come here for lunch quite often and it has never failed to disappoint. Very elegant.
(5)
Karan V.
A beautiful space, especially during the holidays with all of the Christmas decorations.
(4)
Richard O.
This was a very luxurious night out. I came for the chocolate buffet and tea and it was spectacular. The tea was incredible and served in a traditional tea set high class. The desert was so delicious the chocolate was so fresh and the display was impressive. The entertainment consisted of a pianist cello and singer performing in the lobby. When we were standing outside waiting for the valet Cindy Crawford came out of a limo and we were lucky enough to have a photo taken with her. If supermodels come here you know this is the place to be. I cant wait to come here again.
(5)
MyChau N.
Even though Da Bears lost in the play-offs today, this place made it all better! Came here with some friends for their high tea and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful ambiance and great service! We stayed for 3 hours. What great place to sit and catch up with old friends! They had an array of different teas and we all enjoyed the respective teas that we chose. I had the lychee flavored black tea and it was soooo good (and I am an avid coffee drinker who usually does not drink tea). The finger food that came with the tea made us full and I was even able to bring the left-over home (I felt embarrassed asking for a box since the place was so fancy, but I hate throwing out food =). Overall, you need to experience this place at least once if you live in Chicago. Not too often though since it is quite fancy and not cheap. I will have to find occasions to come back here...
Beautiful hotel and lobby, but the food was just okay and overpriced.
(3)
Heidi J.
Came here for the afternoon tea. Definitely was a very nice set up. Pros/Cons: Cons: I expected service to be a LITTLE more than what I got. The waiter was nice enough, but was a little slow at times and not as attentive as I would have liked. -For the $$, I would expect more.. just more. While the finger foods they provide with the tea are GREAT (that's a Pro), the quantity is very small, especially if you come with two or three people. You come with two people, they charge you $40/each and give you two of each little finger food. Not really worth the $80 -The live musicians playing upstairs during tea time were great! (pro) but, when they would stop playing or would take a break, the room would become creepily quiet and if you were having a conversation suddenly you were yelling and everyone was listening to you. Overall, great experience and something you should definitely try if you are into the "afternoon tea". If you could take it or leave it though, then I would leave it
(4)
Tina W.
We hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Restaurant to celebrate my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. My in-laws were so impressed with the room, the food, and the tea. My sister-in-law even requested that we host her baby shower there someday. It was all divine. My one complaint would be that they didn't inform us that the second glass of champagne that they offered to pour would be an additional charge of $9/glass. That added another $50 to our bill. I was very appreciative of the Lobby hostess, Stephanie. I dropped off our menus and party favors the day before our event. Stephanie had the items laid out at each place setting when we arrived. My in-laws loved it.
(5)
Margaret L.
I was pretty skeptical about coming to here for the chocolate bar. I'm not a fan of buffets but I must say it was a lovely evening. My husband and I enjoyed the night with the live jazz band and delicious chocolates. My favorite is the banana eclair and my husband's is the white chocolate mousse. Beautiful lobby with fabulous jazz music. The service was exceptional! They also have a wide selection of fresh tea. It' a must-try. We had the Green Tea called Sencha from Japan. Very relaxing!
(4)
Mela R.
I've never liked hummus but now I do. I enjoyed the lamb with pickled onions and goat cheese. Beautiful ambience. Orchestra type band playing on a balcony seemed like the Titanic.
(3)
Kathy K.
Excellent afternoon tea. The scones, finger sandwiches and desserts were delicious. I had a green tea that was just perfect. A wonderful place to spend any afternoon.
(5)
Perry V.
Go for the Chocolate Buffet and jazz and enjoy a blissful evening.
(5)
Amanda C.
I went to the lobby for tea with my mom on her birthday, and it was the perfect way to spend the day. I definitely recommend going here for a special occasion! I don't know how it compares to other teas in the city since it was my first tea experience, but I was not disappointed. When we arrived after shopping, we had several bags which the front desk attendant graciously checked for us. I had mentioned it was my mom's birthday when I made the reservation, and they seated us at a great table right next to the window. The atmosphere was great- not too crowded, live violinists, and a fashion show! I'm not used to being treated the way the staff treats patrons, but I could get used to it! For $40 per person, the tea is certainly not something I would do regularly. However, I will say they bring you a LOT of food and we were too full to finish it so took some of the cute cakes home. You will want to eat a light lunch or skip lunch beforehand. Each person gets their own pot of tea and you can choose from around 50 varieties... I got Celebration (very floraly- almost like perfume but grew on me) and my mom got Orange Jasmine (just how it sounds, and very good). There are so many it's almost overwhelming, but chances are it won't be bad, and I'm sure they would have replaced the pot if we had wanted. Each person gets 1 pot, which is probably around 5-6 cups of tea. It would be nice if there was a sampler option, but they do have a champagne option for $10 more per glass. We didn't opt for this... I'm sure it would be great but as it was we couldn't finish our tea. We had just an hour here before our manicure appointment and I really think an hour and a half would be ideal. The three-tiered platter they brought with our treats had a tier for sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. Sandwiches were crabmeat on white bread with sliced apples on top, ham and brie on a mini pretzel roll, and salmon and cucumber layered on dark rye. Quiche was egg, cheese and spinach, and desserts included carrot cake, some pistachio mousse thing, and a shortbread filled with custard, topped with fresh raspberries and a white chocolate bar with "The Peninsula" printed in dark chocolate. In addition, everyone got a Baba Rum cake, with an eyedropper filled with rum to drizzle on the cake, AND they brought an ice cream/caramel/chocolate creation on a beautiful platter with a candle for my mom's birthday! ALL of these items were delicious... I don't know if they switch around the menu but if they do I'm sure the other options would be just as good. Definitely a great place to visit for a special occasion- make sure you call ahead and explain your situation and they will make it extra special for you!
(5)
Tom F.
Got $65 (not including tax and gratuity) burning a hole in your pocket? Then hit the Sunday brunch at the Peninsula. The Peninsula is the ultimate in brunch opulence. Want lobster? Yes! An omelet with sushi? Got it. A plate with brioche French toast on one side, and prime rib on the other? Done. Truffled herb-roasted chicken and petit fours for dessert? No problem. Seriously, though, this is a hell of a brunch. The variety and quality of the food is mindblowing. It is perfect for impressing the in-laws when they're visiting from Cleveland, or if you don't have in-laws, it will work just as well as your mom or that Gold Coast debutante that you're trying to win over. The Lobby restaurant is approachably elegant, with soaring ceilings and spectacular views of the Magnificant Mile. The service, as is typical of the Peninsula, is flawless.
(5)
Rachel B.
The table was covered with desserts. Adorable tiny desserts. Adorable tiny chocolate desserts. I was in heaven. I was at the chocolate bar at the Peninsula. I can only give 4 stars because I'm a dark chocolate kind of girl, and the dark chocolate options were actually quite limited. But there was a delicious white chocolate mousse cup with raspberries. And a teeny tiny chocolate creme brulee. And juicy, perfectly ripe chocolate-covered strawberries. Chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels provided a little break in the chocolate intensity. There were cream puffs and lollipops and little bitty chocolate cakes. As I said - heaven. My chocolate martini was as decadent as the desserts, and the wait staff was really nice and attentive - it's the kind of place where they fold your napkin for you when you go to the bathroom to purge so you can make another buffet run. In other words, an awesome birthday retreat from the ordinary.
(4)
Natalie B.
I had one little day to enjoy Chicago while in the area for my cousin's wedding. I decided that I would finally try High Tea at the Peninsula --unfortunately, we do not have any lovely hotels that offer high tea in Jax! So with my good friend S and sister in tow, we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at The Lobby. The ambiance is very elegant. The service is terrific and unobtrusive. The food was a wonderful mix of sweets and savories. The chicken salad was divine (just like Yelpers said it would be!) but I especially loved the Baguetts with herbed cheese, edamame, and grape tomatoes. The tea itself as delicious and served beautifully. All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday in the city!
(5)
Sarah Z.
I have had high tea here many times. And tea/food wise, I think they offer the best high tea experience in all of Chicago! I would have given the Peninsula 5 stars.. but everytime I go the waitstaff seems to disappear at some point and I have always had to flag them down and ask for the check, or something else. I understand the desire to not hound your guests- but don't neglect them either! The only times this hasn't happened was during the holiday season when the lobby is packed.
(4)
Kathleen C.
I've been to high tea in the Peninsula twice now, and couldn't imagine a more wonderful experience. The tea is phenomenal, and they have so many choices, including caffeine free. The food is also yummy, from the little sandwiches to the scones and tiny little chocolate cake. Service is of course, impeccable. We had twenty for tea and asked to bring some of the extra food back for some coworkers that couldn't join us, and they gave us ALL of the extra food. Beautiful ambience and nice live music too.
(5)
courtney g.
We dropped in on a Saturday night, rather early, and were able to get a table without much ado. The food was excellent -- my lamb was perfectly done, quite rare and incredibly tender. My companions each enjoyed their salmon and baby roast chicken; don't miss the brussels sprouts ... I'm not usually a big fan, but they prepare them with bacon, and how can you miss with that? The service was very pleasant, although a bit uneven; occasionally we were left adrift. They were so kind as to bring us (unsolicited) a small selection of tiny lovely bites from the chocolate buffet, which was unexpected and delightful. And need I mention tasty.The live jazz on Saturday was nice also. On the whole, totally worth a trip: pricey, but delicious; in a big open space so not particularly intimate or romantic, but well-appointed and not, to my mind, particularly snobby or intimidating as some fancy pants hotel restaurants can seem.
(4)
Gfiddy F.
When the sun is shining in that big pretty room, it's my favorite place to eat brunch.
(5)
Jesse B.
female jazz singer w/ excellent trio (friday and saturday nights) the Tea, & the Chocolate Buffet = my favorite place in Chicago.
(5)
Gunner F.
This will be an unforgettable brunch experience for you. Go on a special occasion if the price isn't right, but everyone who loves food needs to try this place at least once in their life. Incredible food in a magnificent setting. That's the best way I can describe it.
(5)
Jeetu P.
Best mac & cheese in the city of Chicago. Great restaurant, fantastic service from Eric, our server!! Highly recommend it!
(5)
Chris B.
Jacky and I hit The Lobby last night after some evening shopping, and for the first time - decided to do dinner here...interestingly, I see that nobody has mentioned the amazing dinner menu!? We come here every Christmas for Tea, and that is a five star experience, no question. No further details needed...it's Chicago's 'tea in the big city at a fancy hotel' experience (better than The Drake...sorry, native Chicagoans). SO -- dinner last night -- Jacky got our rezz because of the Chocolate Bar, and we did dinner beforehand: WHAT A MENU!!! Phenomenal selection... First, there were some great froofy drinks to go along with the normal hotel fare: strawberry, champagne and campari cordials, etc. etc. -- Asian influence throughout: try 'The Tryst' - you won't be sorry! Then -- we got some 'savouries,' and all of them looked good: cheese plate, homemade tortilla chips, sushi/sashimi, duck rolls, etc. We got the sushi and sashimi, and it was unbelievable fresh and beautiful: ebi, unagi, hamachi, california roll, salmon, spicy tuna roll, octopus salad -- very satisfied. For entrees, Jacky was torn between the Szechwan Prawns (their signature dish), or a special diver scallop and fava bean cassoulet that sounded incredible. She opted for the Prawns and was in heaven -- she loved it. For me -- who eats everything -- I was torn...Osso Bucco, Steaks, the scallops, Vietnamese Market noodles with Kobe beef, chicken and shrimp -- augh! But Iris, our server who is here from Hong Kong for a one year internship guided me well...to the Kobe Burger served with aged stilton with sweet potato fries and a white truffle aioli....best. burger. ever. I'm not kidding -- Moody's, Monk's, In 'N Out, forget it...competition over. This burger was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Now -- HUGE disclaimer...huge. It was $28. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...grotesque. That's too much for anything that has 'burger' in the title. But folks: it was worth every penny. I can't rave about this enough. Then, we moved to the chocolate bar. meh. The theme for May (different chocolate theme each month) was "flowers." yech! So everything had some flower element associated with it...as in, half of the pieces on the decadent table tasted like dish soap. Verbena, violets, lavender, capsicum, petunias, blah blah...decorations? Yes. In my mousse, apple strudel, creme brulee or tart? No. So thumbs down for May's floral rendition of choco-fest from me. But overall, a five star experience. It ain't a cheap date, but it was well worth the extravagant setting, the gorgeous jazz (don't forget the live jazz...they were tremendous...), the amazing dinner and ambience.
(5)
Koizumi Y.
We took breakfast here not too long ago with a fellow Yelper and her beau. It was divine. The Peninsula is a delightful locale on its own, but our experience at The Lobby was pure gastronomical lust. Though the egg white frittata was perfect with its inclusion of asparagus, spinach, leeks, Portobello mushrooms and tomatoes, my accommodated request to add aged white cheddar kicked it up a notch to Sin City. My spouse had the almond ricotta hot cakes with a Grand Marnier sauce, and had to continually swat us away from his platter. Ridiculously beautiful Kellan allowed us to sample her stuffed French Toast, which was lovely but a bit too sweet for my taste. Attentive service was complemented by breathtaking surroundings, including our occasional pause to take in the Michigan Avenue view. By the time we were done with all this and mimosas, the rest of the day was icing. There's no way to go wrong here. We'll certainly return.
(5)
Catherine B.
I have been wanting to check out the Peninsula's chocolate bar for ages, and I finally got my chance over the weekend. Make a reservation, and make sure you don't fill up on a big dinner! The treats were delicious, and were made up of a significant variety of types of chocolate and presentation. The service was great, and the live band playing Frank Sinatra-esque music was really good. Their white hot chocolate drink was super sweet, and actually tasted like it was a melted bar of white chocolate, so be warned that it's not for the faint of heart! We ordered cocktails as well (chocolate martini and signature martini), and be aware that the drinks are VERY strong - you get your $14 worth. That's the only drawback to to the chocolate bar, in my mind - the price is quite steep. But if you have something to celebrate (it was my birthday), it's a fun unique place to treat yourself to.
(4)
A B.
My husband and I decided to have our Christmas day brunch at the Peninsula and couldn't be happier with our choice. The food was fantastic and there was such a variety to choose from. They has Sushi, Lobster, Caviar, breakfast station, Prime Rib, Short Ribs and on and on and on.....it was so good. The only issue I had was the price, it was $125 and which did not include our Bellini's or Cappuccino. The Bellini's were ridiculously priced at almost $19!!! So needless to say our bill was the price of a designer purse, which I wasn't happy about. However, the food was great and the atmosphere was beautiful and I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Url R.
The afternoon tea was not as good as Hong Kong, but still worth the price. Don't be boring and take ordinary green tea, try something really funky. This isn't snooty east coast old lady tea service either. This is a great place to take a date if you want a non-alcohol alternative and show your lady that you have some class.
(4)
t.n. t.
I love upscale restaurants, but hate pretentious environments. Some people really need to pry their foot out their ass. The food is good and the wine selection is nice as well. If you'd like to be entertained, I enjoy watching the desperate women and men try to find their wives and husbands here. It is quite entertaining!!!!!!!!
(4)
Carrie S.
Went here for my birthday (Valentine's Day) almost three years ago and it's still such a memorable experience. They had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner. I had an awesome filet mignon with the other courses. They had the best seared foie gras when you could still serve it in the city limits. The chocolate bar is a a chocolate lovers dream come true. All sorts of chocolate in all sorts of forms from truffles to hot chocolate. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I want to go back for the chocolate bar on the weekend because it's so good.
(5)
Kayee I.
My family and I dined at The Lobby on Mother's Day and enjoyed, what I've been informed to be, a rare buffet dinner. Although we were personally late arriving to dinner an hour late, we were very promptly seated by the hostess and then greeted by our server. As starters, our server took our order for drinks (three mimosas), then brought us a an an asparagus nioise with a side garnish of fresh kelp and red wine-vinegar marinated mushroom. A three-tiered tray of sushi and sashimi promptly followed. After the starters, each of us roamed the dining room scoping the tasty goods. There's easily a dozen different stations serving a cornucopia of foods. I managed to sample fresh salad with homemade dressings, different aged cheeses (one was aged for four years but was to sharp for my taste), dim sum (with crescent-shaped lobster dumplings, scallop shui mai, etc.), roasted free-range baby chicken with grilled spring vegetables, five spice lamb rack, roasted wild salmon, perfectly moist beef tenderloin and fresh pan-fried soft shell crab. Staff were quick to help us with our selections and to recommend items to try. By far, my favorite part of the meal were the desserts. Granted I managed to only make way to two of the tables (there were at least two other tables on the other end of the room), I did do a bit of damage: lavendar creme brulee, espresso chocolate mousse eclair, lemon merengue tartlet and a single scoop of white peach sorbet on a mini ice cream cone rimmed with chocolate shavings.
(4)
Briana J.
A few girlfriends and I had high tea and we all enjoyed it. The service was prompt and friendly. We did order the least expensive option but we were still treated like good costumers. One friend is a veg head and our waiter was very willing to create some delicious veggie options for her. As our waiter walked passed and heard me praise a specific type of cookie, he returned with a plate full. I very much enjoyed my time here and I recommend it highly!
(5)
Daisy T.
So I'm at the peninsula with some friends and so far I am not impressed. The chocolate buffet is overrated and frankly not that good. The service was OK especially since we waited 15min for them to bring us our coffee. Personally I think it's extremely over priced for what you get but I did have a great time that night!
(3)
Robert S.
The chocolate buffet is a sight to behold. If you like chocolate, this is the place for you. I prefer more casual places, however. This place is about as uptight and pretentious as things get. Kind of a "look at me, I'm dining at the Peninsula" kind of thing. I did enjoy the Jazz band that performed. Meh.
(3)
woofgang q.
Imagine Willy Wonka shacking up in a French colonial plantation and you get the gist of the weekend choco-rama at the Peninsula. Nevertheless, service lacks and can be spacey, which could be excusable at any place but here. During visits at peak times the lack of staff slowed service which noticeably hindered my alcohol imbibing. Once the service was so horrid that I left the smallest tip ever ($6 tip on a $114 tab). However like a tweaking meth junkie, I just can't say no to the Peninsula's intoxicating, gilded opulence and chocolate decadence. +6 for the chocolate, ambiance, entertainment and enough space so that you won't be bothered by poseurs; -2 for the unpredictable service and liberal guilt for spending so much money on nothing but alcohol and chocolate; -2 for failing to meet the higher standard to which the Peninsula should be held. Visit the original or Bangkok Peninsula and you'll understand. Can't wait til the Shangri-La and the Mandarin Oriental open.
(2)
Victoria T.
This was, by far, the most decadent and wonderful brunch I have ever been to! I don't usually like buffets... but this was a class all its own. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere was classy, and the food was amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
(5)
Marie L.
I went to the Lobby at the Peninsula to celebrate my birthday and I was not disappointed. We just wanted to have lunch since we were with a baby and it's hard to find a nice place to have dinner where a baby would be welcome. The Lobby was bright and airy , had plenty of room to park a baby stroller next to the table and was not nearly as snooty as I would have expected. Most of the people at our table ordered high tea but a few ordered from the regular lunch menu, which is a nice option for those who crave something more traditional like a huge, juicy burger. (I had a bite of that huge, juicy burger and it was tasty) The high tea was excellent although the service was a little confusing as at least four different people took care of our table at some point. Also, at times it was hard to flag someone down to order something but the food and overall experience far outweighs any inconvenience caused by that. With high tea, you of course get to choose your tea from an extensive list. Then you are served a tiered platter of bite-sized sweet and savory things or to put it elegantly, "snackies." I believe the variety is always similar so here is what I can recall that was on our plates: bottom plate- beef wraps with vegetables, quiches, salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with caviar; middle plate - chocolate cheesecake, apricot crumble, chocolate covered cake w/raspberry, mango cream tart; top platter - macaroon, assorted scones. There are a handful of things I can't remember but let me assure you everything was DELICIOUS. Those mango cream tarts still call out to me in my dreams. The best part is that you can request to have more of anything on your platter, so it is really an all-you-can-eat affair lest you're afraid that dainty sandwiches and desserts aren't going to fill you up. Let's just say I waddled out of there clutching my distended stomach. To sum up this monster of a review , I loved the high tea at The Lobby. I'd recommend it for anyone celebrating a special occasion or to anyone who has $28 burning a hole in their pocket. I recommend reservations, especially because they ask you if you're celebrating something special and if you are they'll surprise you with something special at the end. I guess this is also a decent place to spot whatever celebrity may be in town, my mom saw the brother from "Everybody Loves Raymond" in the elevator if that's any incentive.
(5)
Emily D.
My mom, husband and I decided to enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon at The Peninsula for High Team. Staying at the hotel is not accessible for me, but it's good to see how the other half lives and feel like a queen for a couple hours while eating some of the most fantastic finger foods ever. Such care and precision went in to each and every edible it was an honor to eat. Truly! The teas were delicious (my husband is a connoisseur) and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a delightful experience and though not cheap, well worth it for creating fantastic memories.
(5)
Shep L.
First of all, I should say that I could never afford to stay at the Peninsula. And if I could, I wouldn't anyway. It's just not my kind of place. That being said, last night my boyfriend dragged me into the lobby only to discover that every Thursday night there is an ice cream social. It was unclear to us whether you actually have to buy the ice cream, but the scooper lady was happy to give us samples. The samples consisted of a tiny cone of homemade gelato or ice cream, and was the perfect amount of dessert for me. So, for all the poor people like me: Thursday night + Peninsula lobby = free ice cream.
(4)
Laura H.
Classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I love the peninsula! I have dined in the lobby twice: once for high tea with a friend and once for dessert, martinis and jazz with my mom. I've also lounged in the cigar bar after a dinner date. High tea was perfect. We did make a reservation, which I would recommend doing on the weekend. They offer sweets or savories with your tea while a string quartet serenades you from the balcony. The perfect way to spend an afternoon or to take a break from shopping on Michigan avenue. I also went here on a saturday night with my mom after we'd gone to see a play. They have a full dessert buffet, but we just opted for dessert martinis. A live jazz band and singer were performing, and I actually got asked to dance by some random guy. Kind of funny, and a great way to end a night out. The cigar bar is also pretty fun. It feels like a lounge at a hunting lodge. Again, the martinis are awesome. I highly recommend the Peninsula for both afternoon and evening activities.
(5)
Manja C.
The Chocolate Buffet: my advice is to go there when you are at least mildly hungry and not just looking for a little dessert because $28 per person for sweets is pricey. Yes, it is all you can eat heavenly chocolate and a creative drink list (additional $12--$15) but 3 people can run up a high bill very quickly without being substantially filled. Price bitchin out of the way...the thought of endless chocolate on a cold winter day (while in hibernation mode) is delectable and worth checking out at least once while in Chicago.
(3)
Celia S.
Love! Love! To start this place is stunning! The epitemy of high end luxury. My friends and I came here for the chocolate buffet for some after dinner dessert and also cause I've been obsessing over this place since I heard of it. The chocolate buffett was awesome! OMG the chocolate goodness could have been overwhelming to anyone else but being the chocoholic that I am it wasnt. High quality chocolate, fruits, cakes, nuts, etc. They even had pretty innovative desserts like chocolate pops made with pop rocks! How cool! Passionfruit infused marshmallows. Awesome. Anyway, this place is definitely as good as it gets. A must go!
(5)
Eva M.
my people! people who have money and admire art, and dress the part.
(5)
Diana S.
I came here for the chocolate buffet. This is some serious indulgence. It was under $30 bucks a person, but really there is no way you can come close to eating that much dessert. It's quite romantic though. There's live jazz and the place is dimly lit and pretty. It's definitely something to experience.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
If you know someone who really enjoys sweets, they will appreciate being taken to the dessert buffet. Cheap, it isn't but well worth it for special occasions. The ambiance is spectacular with the opulent lobby, live music, and everyone dressed to the 9s. Great fancy date place as any girl will surely be impressed.
(5)
J. C.
Having tea is my "thing". I love it and the Peninsula does it well. My bffs have also treated me to the chocolate bar. I was in heaven.
(5)
Heather L.
Okay, fine. The afternoon tea is actually pretty stellar.
I went to The Lobby at the Peninsula for brunch and for the first time I could breath after eating brunch! I was so satisfied with the food that I could actually stop eating before I felt like waffles were coming out of my ears! (FYI I love breakfast food so that's how I usually feel after going out for breakfast or brunch). There is a great selection of food and after my huge disappointment with the signature room brunch, it was a breath of fresh air to have brunch at the Peninsula. Very friendly and professional staff as always and surprisingly quick! My favorite was when I couldn't figure out why certain items were so close to the ground (probably because my brain was still recovering from the Ciroc). Just as I was thinking someone must have been drunk and forgot to put these items on a table, I realized I was in the kids' area! These people actually have a little area where everything is low enough to the ground that kids can reach in and unload their germs!!!! lol Definitely made my day to see it but no screaming lil ones around so if you like the "screaming lil ones" as you try to bury your hangover headache at brunch, you would have been disappointed. They take reservations, have live music, serve from 10a-2p on Sundays, valet is $23, brunch is $65/person.
(5)
Taryn T.
This review is specifically for the Chocolate Bar... The chocolate and vanilla fondue fountains (and the fruit and marshmallow cubes for dipping) really pushed this experience from four to five stars. This is a GREAT place to go with a hot date and killer shoes - just make sure to come hungry and leave any calorie-driven guilt at the door. Yes, it's expensive at $40 per person for full access to the chocolate buffet (which, in addition to the fondue, includes little slices of cakes, brownies, truffles, tarts, and a made-to-order crepe station), but the overall ambiance - including live jazz music, stellar people watching, and the Lobby with its 20-ft ceilings and windows - is definitely factored into the cost. Pro tip - don't order a chocolate drink to go with all of your chocolaty goodies, because it will be overkill and impede your ability to consume mass amount of chocolate. Stick with coffee or water instead! And definitely make reservations, because if your name is not on the list you'll likely be stuck with at least a 40-minute wait. Worst case scenario, though, just head on over to the bar (on the same floor) for a drink in the mean time - it's worth the wait! (Lastly, just remember that the chocolate bar is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-midnight.)
(5)
FM G.
The Peninsula is my absolute favorite place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago. The service is impeccable, the tea and sweets are DELISH and the room is beautiful. It's such a lovely way to treat yourself, or a fabulous way to BE treated as I was last week for my birthday. They knew it was my birthday and brought an extra treat with a candle... no tacky singing though, just pure elegance. Also, I like that they offer extra sandwiches if you'd like. No other place I've been in Chicago does that.
Came in for the evening chocolate buffet from 8-midnight on Friday and Saturday. They put out a very impressive assortment of different forms of chocolate delights, and turned the lights down low. Then a great jazz combo started up. Wonderful vocalist and band, fitting of the Peninsula. The crowd was a bit tacky toward the end of the evening, not acknowledging the wonderful work of the artists, no polite applause...like it was Musak in the background (tacky tourists). Anyway, the chocolate was fun, but only a couple choices were quality enough to remember. The mousse was tops. Overall, a wonderful experience for a low key evening in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel.
(3)
Jason H.
I had lunch here with the company I work for. The ambience is really what makes the place. Very very open and spacious. The chairs and tables are classy and comfortable and the beauty of the building surrounds you. We could hear a violin playing just off in the distance which was a great touch. The food was light healthy and fresh, although not mind-blowing, it was simply good (I had the salmon, but the other menu items on the table had the same feel). The server seemed to have a great knack for giving us our space because we spent 4 hours there enjoying conversation.
(5)
Saira K.
The afternoon tea is perfect - the ambiance, the perfect harp music, the food. The waiter brought me serving after serving of food, and I was just in heaven. Exceptional food. Luxurious, peaceful, and elegant - the way an afternoon tea should be.
(5)
Unity O.
SERIOUSLY, I am not understanding the people who say they cannot eat $30 worth of delectable chocolates. Oh my, I thought I had died & gone to heaven--or at least one of my versions of heaven. Some girlfriends treated me to the chocolate bar at the peninsula for my birthday & lets just say it was one of the best b-day treats EVER!! The ambiance is warm & romantic (this would be perfect for a date night), the wait staff were fantastic, the live music (jazz) was a nice touch, and the CHOCOLATE was YUMMY. They had a wide variety of sweets--dark, white, & milk chocolate. My favorite was of course the ganache treat--but you should go & discover your favorite.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Went here for my birthday and had the chocolate buffet, which was delicious. It's a splurge, for sure, but worth it every once in a while. I could have eaten nine dozen of their churros, but it's a classy place, so I held it together.
(4)
Carmen K.
My first tea experience was here and I went back again this past weekend. The elegant ambiance made the experience all the more worthwhile. The food was yummy and the amount of food was sufficient for a meal. Service was okay, they could improve on friendliness, eye contact, and better food presentation (when introducing the foods, they are too quick and non-descriptive).
Picture this: You have been dating the man of your dreams for a full year. Life is blitz so you move in together. Where should you go out for a beautiful and romantic afternoon tea time on your anniversary? I know! I know! Take your loved one to the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. I went there and it was very romantic, very delicious and all together a tea time to remember. When you enter the building, you need to make your way to the lobby and look right. There, you will see the seating area for the Lobby restaurant. When you are seated you may hear the sound of beautiful violin music play overhead by the live preformer on the overhead stage. We ordered the wonderful afternoon tea and ~i guess~ appetizer selection. I believe it was $38 per person, but well worth it. You get three tiers of bite sized sweets, scones and sandwiches along with a very large single person pot of tea. You choose what type of tea you desire. The pot had around five full cups of tea. So if you like tea or if you have a special someone in your life, then go to the Lobby in the Peninsula to have a spot of tea and Have Fun!!!
(5)
Jen H.
Love this place! Always top notch service. The price matches the superior experience.
(5)
Amanda Z.
Tea at the Lobby is quite the experience. From the light-soaked room and the comfy chairs at the tables that are far enough away from the other tables so as to create your own little world of tea time to the beautifully presented finger food, the ambiance is simply lovely. Classy. Elegant. At my table were some very lovely ladies, all decked out in their Sunday's finest, and on our best behavior. Our very long table was adorned with three-tiered trays displaying the most lovely little finger food. From beautiful little sandwiches with turkey, brie and cranberries to the macaron-like coconut cookies, each morsel was beautiful and quite tasty. The tea was lovely and served in beautiful ceramic tea pots with matching tea cups. Pinkies up, ladies. No slouching in here. My choice was ginger, an herbal tea, that was so delightful, I didn't require any sort of sweetener. Marvelous. Oh, and did I mention that you can opt for a glass of champagne with your tea? Well, everyone knows that the most refined ladies serve tea with champagne (at least in my world) so we all imbibed on a bit of the bubbly as well. Very pricey, at least for this lady. I spent $60 for the lot which included the bubbles. Lovely for a special occasion or celebration, tea at the Lobby will not disappoint the refined ladies in your life. Or the not-so-refined ladies that can clean up nicely (like moi!)
(4)
Ja V.
I can't believe all of these great reviews and wonder what they were eating so great??? What planet was I on because I have gone to all the high class restaurants and honestly I would have been happy going to "NATIVE CAFE" and eaten their fries instead.. These people either ate something so divine or I am crazy..... So let's begin with the bread - hard as rock. The bread has been sitting out for a while. The butter was gross.. The sample choice was a pea soup which was absolutely disgusting!!! Whoever made the Pea Soup had to be dumb..... No one in their right mind would say this pea soup was delicious... just because I am vegetarian does not mean I like all veggies... Next, the entree and apps menu is slim with absolutely no vegetarian options!! Can you believe such a high rated and class restaurant would have NOOOO Vegetarian options?? So they made some pasta for me and it was OILY and over cooked tomatoes. This place is way over priced, oily, and hard bread!!!!! Service was average at best and I gave him a 30% tip since we got a huge discount on our food. Lastly the desert menu option was shockingly unappetizing!!! I wanted to order some desert since their portions were small on the entrees. Overall, I will NOT be going there for a nice dinner.. No wonder the restaurant hardly had anyone around 5-7pm.. . That's a huge red flag - when restaurant is not busy during prime time hours!
(1)
Venkatesh B.
Last year, Erica and I enjoyed the chocolate buffet here at the Peninsula Hotel. We had never experienced anything like that before, the buffet is filled with sweet, hearty, aromatic foods of differing types of chocolate. The price is extremely reasonable given that this is like an event rather than a dinner. The ambiance is quite romantic and when we were there they had a live pianist playing and a small dance floor for those interested in working off the choco-calories :) I would go any time I can!
(5)
Kwoky L.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is probably the best treat I gave to myself in a while. We were seated right away even though we came quite early. The Lobby is exquisitely decorated with a modern touch. The windows were large, allowing every inch of the sunlight to shine right into the dining area. It's very comfortable especially with the musicians playing classical tunes in the mezzanine. We each get a choice of our very own pot of tea, which is large enough to give us at least five full cups of refills. I chose the soothing chamomile to go with the assortment of pastries and sweets. There's orange scented scones, cucumber sandwiches, pastry squares and plenty of other delectable titbits plus madeleines on the house from the chef. For $38 per pax, there's more than enough food to keep our tummy happy. The service was spot on; It's pampering yet very approachable. Not stuffy at all! I would love to come back again soon.
(5)
Irina B.
Wonderful afternoon tea. I love afternoon tea, namely because of the scones and lemon curd. I stopped by to have a relaxing afternoon by myself and I got the chai. I've been to a couple of hotels for tea and I enjoyed the pastries here the most. Although there were some components I strongly disliked, it left the best overall taste in my mouth. I really enjoyed the passion fruit tart, the scones were great (not the best, but still delicious and could've been warmer), the lemon curd had enough tartness and sweetness. What disappointed me was the chocolate chestnut pot de creme that seemed so special when a waiter brought it around. It was awful. No flavor and the chestnut tasted quite odd. The waiters were not as attentive as I've experienced previously, but there were a lot of people. I would definitely go back though!
(4)
Diana B.
Today was a five star day because a friend and I spent a good portion of the afternoon enjoying tea at the Peninsula. The occasion was a birthday celebration and the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I have been to tea in Chicago, New York and London. It is a favorite thing to do and the Lobby at the Peninsula is my favorite place to do it! In addition to the customary sandwiches, scones and sweets, we had quiche and a fruit sorbet of some sort. The setting, food and service is always impeccable and today that standard was surpassed. Many thanks to our excellent server Eric and his assistant for all they did to enhance an already divine celebration.
(5)
Kristen S.
I cannot say enough wonderful, positive things about my experience at the Peninsula. We had the most amazing Thanksgiving buffet here. And, yes, it was gluten free friendly. Our server had Chef Joelle walk me through the *entire* buffet to show me what was and what was not safe for me to eat. Most of the buffet was edible! Oh, heaven! And Pastry Chef Nicole did an amazing job of walking me through the dessert buffet. I was stuffed. Three times. I went a bit overboard! But it was totally worth it. They made me gluten free bread. The service was attentive and perfect. Everyone was beyond nice. The food was beyond good - it was out of this world. And, best of all, it was totally safe. Thank you, Peninsula, for being so great. I hear you have a gluten free high tea, so I will be back soon!
(5)
Brie Y.
This is now the 2nd time that I have had a bad experience at the Peninsula in the last month. I really wanted the lobby to be my new "work spot" for breakfast and lunch, but sad to say the service is miserable for having such great expectations! The first time for breakfast I sat alone for more than 15 mins because the hostess failed to check me in and my guest was waiting behind the holiday tree thinking I wasn't there since the host told them I wasn't sat yet...Which I was..... nothing was done about this. Then here comes high tea, with 3 girlfriends of mine, 2 of us arrive early 4:15 they sit us and I make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again after the host seats us. We have water poured for us.... this is the highlight of my time there. My next guest arrives at 4:30 the time of our reservation. Still no one comes to the table, final guest arrives at 4:35..... wait wait wait nothing we decide to leave after another 10 minutes, seems we must be invisible to the staff, we got up and left. No one questioned us, we took ourselves to the bar on the same level and had a much better experiences except ti was a bit slow since there was only one server for about 15 tables, but we didn't mind we were there to chat and have a good time. Wish that could have been said at Tea. There won't be a next time I plan on taking my business to other establishments that have much better service and cheaper prices. Too bad I thought it was such a nice place for holiday parties and weddings, guess when the chance does arrive I will be looking elsewhere. Sad sad day in Chicago.
(1)
Winnie C.
Overall Bad service, good place to hang with friends and talk. This is a pretty place for afternoon tea. My out of town friends enjoyed it very much, but the service is not as good as I expected. We waited for more than 10 mins before we can haunted someone (who was not our server) down to take out check with 100 dollar bill when it was 88 dollars. We were expected some change back, so that we know it was paid since we didn't give it to our server. When we asked for the change, she said, "Oh, you need change back?". We were like.. 'huh'?? I was amazed how she can assumed we needed no change at all when the bill was 88. We were gonna leave more tips than 12 dollars, but still there is no way she can assumed we need no change. Also, I went with 3 people at 4pm, we had dinner reservation at 7pm. We were just gonna hang there and have as little food as we could, when I ordered 1 set of afternoon tea set, the server was like "Huh, 1?" I know it looks cheap to order one, but I don't think server should make comment like that when there is 4 star hotel.
(2)
Holly L.
Love. Top notch all the way.
(5)
Chrissy S.
Oh, I want to go here everyday. The service is just so nice...it's hard to find polished service like this even at the best restaurants in Chicago. And the tea and little cakes/sandwiches -- so delicate and delicious! And best of all, it's not snooty like you would expect.
(5)
Amy X.
a few weeks ago, it was my birthday, and this very pretty little lady was treated to afternoon tea at the peninsula. like, YAY! i put on a pink lacy dress and got myself ready to throw back some cucumber sandwiches. the thing is, tea at the peninsula is not a meal. to be honest, it's not even about the sandwiches or pastries or even the tea. the experience is 80% ambiance, the feeling of relaxation knowing that you're doing something so utterly indulgent that even the bougiest of the bourgeois are gaping a bit in their chinos and boat shoes. in short, it's an unwise way to spend money, but booooy oh boy does it feel nice. thanks, boyfriend! the experience and service were both lovely. we were seated by the windows, which looked out into the gardens. the only tense moment in the time we were there was when the tray of sandwiches and pastries first came out. ... are the sandwiches really that small? at first, i thought it was because i was watching the trays come in from the distance. however, the size did not greatly increase once the food was fully in view. in short, small sandwiches. know this, expect it, eat them slowly. but, also know this -- when the very, very, very proper waiter asks you if there's anything else he can bring you, shoot the question right back, i.e. "is there anything else to bring us?" what they don't tell you is that sometimes, the waiter will bring you extras of the sandwiches/pastries that you like. SSSHHH. . (..sorry, Lionel! I had to tell just a few of my closest friends. thanks for the two extra smoked salmon sandwiches -- scrumptious!)
(4)
Misse D.
I finally made it to the Peninsula for afternoon tea. What was supposed to be a mini-reunion of sorts turned into an intimate gathering when everyone bailed at the last minute. Determined to have a lovely time, my sister-in-law and I oohed and ahhed as soon as we walked to the Lobby. The decor for the holidays was lovely. After being seated almost immediately, we ordered our tea selections. I was impressed with the modern additions to the menu (red velvet cupcakes). I thought, briefly, that the tea service might actually beat out my current favorite, The Four Seasons. While our service was very good, I was a bit put off that we had so many different people help us over the course of our meal. As soon as we were given our pots of tea, another person came over 2 minutes later to try to refill them. And then, no one came for the rest of the service. This is not to say that the tea service was bad. It is just that I have had such fantastic tea experiences in the past, that tea service at the Lobby was, in my opinion, slightly better than average. I will continue to recommend going to the Lobby for the chocolate buffet.
(4)
Robyn T.
I have a craving to visit the Peninsula every few months. I start to think about their traditional tea service or the mouthwatering chocolate buffet. I gather a group of friends and mentally prepare for what I know will be a delicious experience. That's the way I think of it...this is just tea or chocolate or cocktails...this is a true experience. With the exception of my most recent visit the service is usually excellent (this past visit it was like pulling teeth to get the waiter's attention and he wasn't particularly helpful at that). For tea expect ladies who lunch and reverlers celebrating a baby or wedding shower. Tea sandwiches and scones are elegantly stacked, so visually appealing you can't help but continue eating. The chocolate buffet is no slacker when it comes to visual presentation with a seasonally changing plethora of options. I love the viscous hot chocolate (regardless of the time of year), the truffles, mousses and little cookies. I would recommend at least 3 hours here. Have a drink, eat some treats, listen to the wonderful live music, relax, digest and eat again.
(4)
Krystsina D.
Just a quick note: this review is for the Chicago restaurant menu week! Let's start with pluses: the place is beautiful, peaceful, quiet. We loved it. The entrees were good. The dessert was pretty decent. Service was O.K. On the negative side: appetizers tasted like nothing, I mean no flavor whatsoever. The entrees though good, tiny, I am talking bite size. Wine: meh... Overpriced and just o.k. tasting. I get it, it is restaurant menu week, but the portion size - really? I am not American and I do not like those Denny size portions, but seriously! Also, I would think that may be you create the restaurant menu week for people to come try, and want to come back. Frankly speaking, after tasting their food I have no desire for coming back. If it going to be 3 times more expensive, and tasting just as mediocre - not worth it. Sorry, The Lobby, I am disappointed.
(3)
Eman A.
Came here on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday to the Chocolate Bar or whatever it's called, and honestly it was the most amazing experience. The only thing I was disappointed about was the coffee. It could have been better, but I could have had that coffee at any hotel or bfast place. But it was an awesome experience. It's a flavor adventure. Pricy, but worth the experience. Definitely would like to go again, but for a special occasions only.
(5)
Maestro M.
This place has AMAZING Afternoon Tea, it beats any other hotel in Chicago. The tea is amazing and the selection is astonishing! They even have a vegetarian/vegan menu you can request! :)
(5)
P R.
Outstanding food, presentation, ambiance and service! I have dined at the Lobby many times and have never been dissapointed. The Sunday Brunch is the best I've ever had, no question!
(5)
Jessie D.
This was probably the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in, and the circumstances around it were pretty spectacular, so I already had a pretty high expectation of this place. The first impression of the place was astounding: marble everywhere, friendly and helpful concierge, great views. The concierge were so helpful that they offered to phone us and hold our bags until our room was ready for occupation. Definitely didn't expect that. But, I don't normally swing by 5-star luxury hotels. Sadly, this is something I could get used to, haha. The design of the place is amazing, so the industrial design nerd in me was going BONKERS. natural light filling almost every spot in the lobby... gorgeous. If you can swing staying here (or even swing just having tea here), I'd HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)
Laurie C.
Went to afternoon tea here on a Saturday afternoon. My group all got the champagne option so it was about $60/person, including tax and tip. We each got a pot of tea, scones, four miniature sandwiches, and four tiny desserts. It was all incredibly delicious and we left feeling full. I was really impressed with how responsive they were to different dietary needs - I'm a vegetarian and my friend is allergic to nuts and we both got personalized treats that weren't just modified versions of the meat options. It was all delicious, especially the scones. Very fun way (albeit a splurge!) to spend an afternoon in Chicago.
(4)
Jackie S.
I went to the The Lobby for dinner yesterday and had a mixed experience. Let me get the negative out of the way and say that the service was absolutely terrible. There appeared to be one waiter and he had absolutely no pep in his step. He also almost smacked my mom in the face with the dessert menu and would leave the table before getting everyones order a few occasions. He also licked his fingers to turn a page on his pad of paper and then touched a spoon which was also really gross for a germaphobe like me. In regards to the atmosphere it is very cozy and comfortable. Definitely a relaxing dinner at least on a Sunday night. In regards to the food I had the chestnut soup which was a little too sweet but the duck in the soup was the best duck I have ever had. It was so crispy and and a great contrast with the sweet soup. We also had the truffle macaroni and cheese which was of course good. How can a dish like that be bad. Given the amazing ingredients I think they could do something a little more special though. Think top chef season one, truffles on the bottom of the mac and cheese baking dish. I also shared the pike with my mom. The fish was a little dry but had a nice crisp. Also it was fun to figure out what all the flavors were. They also split the dish for us and both plates looked beautiful. My boyfriend had the scallops which looked great but I didn't try them. For the desert we had the creme brulee and apple pie. Neither were that great. The creme brulee could have used a little bit more heat as only one part had that nice burnt look to it. I think that the cafe at that hotel does much better desserts.
(3)
patrick l.
I went here during restaurant week for lunch. Very well lit dining with lots of space and professional wait staff. We had the special menu which consisted of a help yourself to appetizers/soup/salad. I tasted the squash soup and it was a little bit under seasoned but sweet and thick. The salads were fresh and had medley of different greens but the crab salad was the best. Filled with generous potions of crab and a salsa type concoction on the bottom. Just the onions were a tad bit strong for this dish. Main entree was a scallop on a turnip puree. Very nicely done and tasty dish but there was only two large scallops and my tummy wanted more! But for dessert you again helped yourself in the middle of the room was assortment of desserts but there was nothing too fancy and rememberable there. Overall I enjoyed the dining experience and thought it was decent for restaurant week deal. I hope to return on another occasion
(4)
Josh G.
My boyfriend and I love chocolate. When I heard about the chocolate bar at the Lobby I know this was where i was taking him for his birthday dinner. Our mouths watered for a week in anticipation of all the chocolate options and we were absolutely not disappointed with the spread. There was everything from traditional to completely unexpected and it was all delicious, creative, and almost worth the price you pay per person. Almost. It's very hard to eat $35 worth of chocolate in one sitting but we sure as hell did our best. The rest of the experience was a disappointment. The service was ok but not phenomenal. Frankly the person that took my reservation over the phone two weeks prior to dinner was more friendly than our server. Speaking of reservations, I mentioned to them at the time that it was a birthday celebration. I didn't expect them to do anything extravagant, but they did absolutely nothing for us. No special greeting, no happy birthday from the server, no complimentary dessert. Several months ago during my birthday celebration all of the above happened at a different restaurant and I guess I expected a place as reputable as the Peninsula to do at least the same. But... nope. Not a word. Dinner was just ok. The salmon was slightly dry and overcooked but my fillet was wonderful although it was basically the only thing on the plate with some sauce and a few slices of tomato. Presentation was completely lacking. Of course the Peninsula is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic feeling of luxury. The chocolate bar was amazing and the live jazz performance was a great and I enjoyed one of the best cappuccinos I've ever had in my life. But overall I just wasn't that impressed.
(3)
Giggly C.
Delicious, wonderful tea time. From sweets to sandwiches, it ended up being too much food for me to finish. Great ambiance, and live music. I wanted to shout 'encore' to the players, but it wouldn't match the mood of the room. So why not 5 stars? Because the way the tea is in the pot, the tea became extremely bitter. Most teas should only seep for 2-3 min, and when my tea is seeping for 30 min +, it's an aweful taste. Don't they know better? Also, we were unfortunate to sit next a table who ordered some deluxe tea, which included hard boiled egg, chocolate covered strawberries and other delights we didn't get on our tea. The comparison was so extreme, and I glanced over many times during our meal. Sigh. what bad luck to sit next to them. I be they spent over $100 per person on that menu!
(4)
Caroline A.
Live jazz + unlimited amounts of chocolate + beautiful decor + dancing with a charming guy = bliss. I am in love with this hotel. Everything about it is beautiful and the service is excellent. The decor is elegant and traditional, but not on that stuffy Ritz Carlton type of way. After a few glasses of wine, I kept touching the place settings because they were so beautiful... need to find out where they are from. We came to see Stephanie Browning perform this past Saturday. I was surprised to see so many people there. The crowd is very diverse - older couples celebrating a night on the town, groups of people perhaps guests of the hotel, young couples scoping out the chocolate bar, and regulars dancing the night away. I have not tried the chocolate bar, but would probably die of sensory overload if I did. However, we did have the chocolate tart, which was very good. Comes with a scoop of espresso ice cream that is out of this world yummy. Chocolate martini's are strong! +++++++++++++ My bf and I had afternoon tea at the Lobby over the weekend. It was excellent! The selection of Peninsula collection teas and premium teas were fantastic - we both had a hard time deciding which one to enjoy. I had the orange jasmine and he had the chamomile. Though the chamomile was very nice, I definitely picked the better one :P The tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes were all very delicious and we were even surprised by a complimentary blackberry souffle! Amazing! Service was flawless - attentive, timely and very courteous. Tea at the Peninsula is a great way to spend an afternoon with your significant other or girlfriends. It is also a great place to bring your mother!
(5)
Alan S.
Got engaged at lunch here yesterday. I have to say the service was superlative. They took great careof us and made the occasion extra special. The food was very tasty, I particularly liked the spicy jumbo prawns although the salac nicoise was also outstanding.
(5)
Kai R.
Had breakfast at the Lobby while staying at the hotel. They deliver what you expect here - impecable service, well-prepared food, big price tag. Get a table by the window if possible.
(3)
Tom S.
They say confession is good for the soul. I can find the joy of eating food at Arby's just as much as I can at The Signature Room. Both places do what they do very well and while I would never compare the two outside of Yelp, it does bring to the table an interesting point about what you claim to do and what you actually do. Arby's never makes a claim to offer the finest cuts of meat or boast about outstanding service or white table cloths. In the same vain, The Signature Room can boast about those things, but wouldn't lay claim to offering fast service at a great price, something Arby's can turn into a feather and stick in their cap. As a person who dines out across the board, from Arby's to The Signature Room and beyond, I understand the concept of being true to who you are and offering your customers the best food and service for the type of venue you run. So what in the world is wrong with the hoity toity Peninsula Hotel? This is a 5 star hotel, doesn't that automatically say to you they earned those stars based on service and detail? FAIL! I called the hotel 6 weeks before a special occasion to secure a table at one of their famous brunches. The woman on the other end of the phone asked me if I was securing the table for a special occasion. I told her that I was typically reluctant to mention birthdays or anniversaries because it never meant anything in the end. She assured me that in fact The Peninsula not only went above and beyond to ensure their guests had the best experiences possible, but went even further to bring a special experience to anyone celebrating. I confessed that it was a special occasion and she assured me up and down that I wouldn't regret having divulged as much. Six weeks later, my date and I walked to the hotel and entered the lobby-cum-restaurant for a sunny Sunday brunch. First of all, there was no maitre d' or host to be found and when a group of employees finally showed up it was impossible to get anyone's attention. They all seemed busy with something else and couldn't be bothered with checking us in at that moment ... this, despite the fact that there were other people seated and eating. It wasn't like we were early or anything. When I finally got the attention of the host to check in, I gave him my name and he searched for the reservation. There was no reservation. My name, number, my special occasion were nowhere to be found in their system. Fortunately he could still seat us, but it soon became apparent that they were going to be full in no time and that the perimeter table (read "no man's land") was indeed the worst table in the room and that we were being punished for apparently not making a reservation. We decided to have a glass of Champagne with brunch, but after I swilled mine, it became clear we should just have one of the servicepersons bring us the entire bottle. That request took forever. Maybe someone can explain to me how hard it is to bring a bottle of Champagne to two people perfectly willing to pay the $10 for each of the two glasses and for a whole new bottle. The waitperson could hardly believe anyone would be willing to do that which I found shocking! If I want to buy 3 bottles of Champagne you have no cause to question me. The food, in general, was typically brunch-like, nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary though I will say that the chef's at the stations were very friendly and professional and willing to do their part to ensure you didn't leave with a bad taste in your mouth. But I still think the hotel brunch at the now-defunct Dining Room at The Ritz was light-years ahead of anything The Peninsula was offering. The bottom line is that the service at a hotel known for service was appalling, even worse than the experience on the actual day was the promises made by the telephone representative who didn't even secure the reservation causing me embarrassment, suspicion and a bad table with even worse service. I can forgive mediocre food if the service is stellar, at the same time, even the most glorious meal can be marred by bad service. I'm officially taking away 4 of The Peninsula's 5 stars.
(1)
Angie E.
Love it. TREAT yourself and go. Everyone needs to try this place, particularly for the chocolate buffet. Came for my birthday and threw a bday gathering here. Live band, elegant atmosphere, amazing buffet. Must try.
(5)
Cj A.
Excellent service! Ubaldo waited on us today, it made our annual afternoon tea outing special. The atmosphere was beautiful and the food was very good! They were even kind enough to have food made special on a last minute dietary restriction. We had kids with us too and they treated them extra special with kiddie cocktails and each were given a stuffed bear to take home! We will return because the service was outstanding! Well done!
(5)
Maggie Z.
Went for afternoon tea. Service is great. Beautiful music and environment. Pastries are delicate but for me it's too much. I was so full that for the third layer I could not savor the full flavor...
(4)
Stephanie K.
Every Christmas, my sister and I take my mom to Chicago for afternoon tea. This past year we chose The Peninsula because of its world class reputation and great menu. And I was not disappointed. I've been to The Drake and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and The Peninsula is definitely my favorite. Not only did they serve the traditional finger sandwiches and scones associated with tea service, they also served other delicious "small bites" including goat cheese and fennel quiche. The waitstaff was attentive and unpretentious, and the food was exceptional. Call ahead for reservations and to plan your afternoon during one of their fashion shows. Cheerio!
(5)
Rander P.
FYI:The Chocolate bar is open only on Fridays and Saturdays :(
(3)
Stu G.
An very proper Tea experience and brunch is tops too.
(4)
Lenny C.
one of the best services you will get. there are better places for food in chicago but Peninsula will always have its charm and ambiance.
(5)
sandra h.
Had a delicious brunch with the parents when they were staying at the Peninsula. I hear that there is a chocolate buffet with live jazz every weekend . . . . I would definitely go back to check it out. I also heard that they have a nice tea service.
This review is for high tea. I try to find a 'proper' tea service wherever I go, and I've heard this was one of those "must see/go" spots. For about $36, I was served my choice of tea plus a multi-tiered selection of bite-sized sweets and savories. Our window seats overlooked an outdoor seating area, and all would've been quite special if not for F. F was not a very good service provider. F took over 10 minutes to bring the check. Note: It was NOT crowded in the dining room...what, ten tables or less total? They weren't the only server either. F was just kind of there. The stars are for the food and view, but that's about it. Very nice MOD comped our meal, but that's because we recognized service that should've met our expectations, but didn't.
(3)
cindy k.
4.5 stars, really! I've never been to the Lobby at the Peninsula and I loved it! I came for Restaurant Week, 2012 with 2 girlfriends. We loved the appetizer bar. I could have just eaten that for my meal. I went up several times for their fresh salad, grilled vegetables, cheese and they had the most delectable guacamole with crabmeat served in a martini glass. 2 of us ordered the scallops and 1 ordered the short rib with pasta. The serving was just right, especially after the appetizers we devoured. The desserts were just okay. The mini red velvet cupcake I had was a bit dry, but the fruit salad was scrumptious as well as the chocolate covered espresso beans! Although the website says the dress code is 'Smart Casual', many people were really dressed down. I don't think they will turn you away if you aren't dressed appropriately but it's probably best to err on the side of caution. The service was superb. They quickly cleared our plates and were courteous throughout our meal. I'll definitely go again before next year's restaurant week!
(4)
Annette P.
I am usually pretty easy going, but I had a very disappointing Sunday Brunch at the Peninsula. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible/non-existent. When we arrived no one told us what to do ( go help ourselves, explain the set up of the buffets, etc.). Once we "got it," as we went back for additional servings, no one was clearing the table. They just let the plates accumulate. Once someone finally did clear the table they left us no flatware. We ended up having to find a manager for help. After that the waiter was so obnoxious that during our next trip to the buffet he put every possible utensil on our table - even soup spoons (there was no soup being served). We went there on a whim. Thank heavens it was not a special occasion as it would have ruined our day. This place gets ZERO STARS from me and I will never go back!
(1)
Katrina B.
The environment in this restaurant is grand and beautiful, while still being very comfortable. The service is excellent and friendly, as you would expect from the Peninsula. We came in for the restaurant week menu which offered two choices for each course, so the two of us sampled each of them. All were exquisitely executed. From lobster bisque to a surprisingly wonderful chicken breast, we enjoyed them all. The only hiccup was with a bland tiramisu. Highly recommended if you'd like to drop some cash on a lovely dining experience.
(5)
Christa R.
The Chocolate Bar is really the best ever. Great for a date, great for a girls night. Probably the most fun I have ever had with food. I went with a group of girls and it was perfect. We asked them to put us in the corner as we knew we'd be a little noisy. They were pleased to do so. There was an AMAZING variety of chocolate, bons bons, macaroons, crepes, fountains, martinis, hot chocolate and much, much more. There was a Frank Sinatra type band that was very good. The Lobby itself is BEAUTIFUL. We had a reservation but probably didn't need one. They also have a dinner that you can add on to the all you can eat chocolate goodness. Each of the courses incorporate chocolate in some way. We didn't order the whole dinner but we were intrigued while looking at the menu. They had this butternut squash soup with white chocolate and it was unbelievably tasty. I cannot wait to go back. So good. Not cheap but worth every single penny. They know how to do it right at the Pen. You can even include your valet charge in your bill so you don't have to worry about cash. :) Try this!
(5)
Diana P.
We had tea time in the afternoon for our baby shower and it was wonderful. Everyone gets their own beautiful pot of tea of choice (they use Mighty Leaf) and an assortment of sandwiches, sweets and scones with dips (yum) & cookies. They refil upon request and the atmosphere is very pleasant. This is a wondeful place for a special event with an intimate crowd. They have either long or round tables. Definitely something to try at least once.
(5)
Kristin S.
Took my mom here for the afternoon tea on Sunday for her birthday. She was visiting from Ohio and I wanted to take her somewhere she couldn't go back home. The Lobby at the Peninsula was it! We originally had plans to go on Saturday, which I maybe would have preferred because the dining area was pretty empty on Sunday. Still, since the Sunday tea is later (4:00-6:00pm), we did get to see the view in the day and all lit up at night (and they bring out candles for the tables when it gets darker). We both got the traditional tea for $36. My biggest and practically only complaint (and the reason why I knocked off a star) is that they only offer TWO green tea selections (gunpowder and sencha) in their proprietary tea listing. The tea selection leaves quite a bit to be desired in my opinion. Both the teas we ordered were good, but with tea becoming the sensation it is, I can't believe I'm the only one who would like a larger pool to choose from. Other than that, it was astounding. They brought out the selection of savories (curry chicken wrap, grilled veggie sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich, potato quiche) with the sweets (plate full of tiny, perfect deserts from mini key lime pie to cheesecake brownie) in a pretty tower of plates. You also get a basket of cookies and scones with the lemon curd, devonshire cream (swoon!) and a homemade jelly (good, but I couldn't lay off the lemon curd and cream). They also brought out a sour cherry souffle which was the best I've ever had. My mom got a special dessert to celebrate her birthday which I thought was a nice touch. The service was incredible. I never felt rushed or over attended-to. I hate when servers hover. One employee saw my mom picking the cilantro out of her chicken curry wrap (she detests the stuff, but I love it) and immediately brought her another quiche to replace it along with two extra cucumber sandwiches. (I was so happy about this because what's high tea without cucumber sandwiches, right?) All in all, it was a great time and I recommend it for any girly special occasion or celebration.
(4)
Jacob K.
I went to this elegant hotel restaurant during the second Chicago restaurant week. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and the decor was fairly chic. There was a 3 course price fixed option, however it was different from what was available on their website and I had to request a special menu for the price fixed option as it was not initially given to me. First was the bread basket which came with delicious pretzel rolls, some flat bread and some spiced corn bread. The salad with bacon, prosciutto, dates and baby greens was exceptional... one of the best salads I have had in a while. Unfortunately the main course left much to be desired. I had hand cut pasta with meat sauce. The pasta was good, but not exceptional, the meat sauce was lacking and the portion was pretty small especially for pasta. I was hoping the dessert would redeem my impression.. but alas that hope was dashed. The platter came with 3 beautiful presented desserts- miniature versions of cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate pastry. The cheesecake was so-so, the carrot cake was great, but the chocolate was very disappointing (it tasted dried out. For a place that boasts a chocolate buffet I would expect more. The best thing there was the iced tea. probably the best ice tea I have ever had. The waitress said it was a black tea with rose, vanilla and another ingredient... but for $6 a glass... it should have been pretty damn good. I might try The Lobby again, but for the price and quantity i would be hesitant to recommend it.
(3)
Kiera D.
This is a beautiful restaurant. I come here for lunch quite often and it has never failed to disappoint. Very elegant.
(5)
Karan V.
A beautiful space, especially during the holidays with all of the Christmas decorations.
(4)
Richard O.
This was a very luxurious night out. I came for the chocolate buffet and tea and it was spectacular. The tea was incredible and served in a traditional tea set high class. The desert was so delicious the chocolate was so fresh and the display was impressive. The entertainment consisted of a pianist cello and singer performing in the lobby. When we were standing outside waiting for the valet Cindy Crawford came out of a limo and we were lucky enough to have a photo taken with her. If supermodels come here you know this is the place to be. I cant wait to come here again.
(5)
MyChau N.
Even though Da Bears lost in the play-offs today, this place made it all better! Came here with some friends for their high tea and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful ambiance and great service! We stayed for 3 hours. What great place to sit and catch up with old friends! They had an array of different teas and we all enjoyed the respective teas that we chose. I had the lychee flavored black tea and it was soooo good (and I am an avid coffee drinker who usually does not drink tea). The finger food that came with the tea made us full and I was even able to bring the left-over home (I felt embarrassed asking for a box since the place was so fancy, but I hate throwing out food =). Overall, you need to experience this place at least once if you live in Chicago. Not too often though since it is quite fancy and not cheap. I will have to find occasions to come back here...
Beautiful hotel and lobby, but the food was just okay and overpriced.
(3)
Heidi J.
Came here for the afternoon tea. Definitely was a very nice set up. Pros/Cons: Cons: I expected service to be a LITTLE more than what I got. The waiter was nice enough, but was a little slow at times and not as attentive as I would have liked. -For the $$, I would expect more.. just more. While the finger foods they provide with the tea are GREAT (that's a Pro), the quantity is very small, especially if you come with two or three people. You come with two people, they charge you $40/each and give you two of each little finger food. Not really worth the $80 -The live musicians playing upstairs during tea time were great! (pro) but, when they would stop playing or would take a break, the room would become creepily quiet and if you were having a conversation suddenly you were yelling and everyone was listening to you. Overall, great experience and something you should definitely try if you are into the "afternoon tea". If you could take it or leave it though, then I would leave it
(4)
Tina W.
We hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Restaurant to celebrate my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. My in-laws were so impressed with the room, the food, and the tea. My sister-in-law even requested that we host her baby shower there someday. It was all divine. My one complaint would be that they didn't inform us that the second glass of champagne that they offered to pour would be an additional charge of $9/glass. That added another $50 to our bill. I was very appreciative of the Lobby hostess, Stephanie. I dropped off our menus and party favors the day before our event. Stephanie had the items laid out at each place setting when we arrived. My in-laws loved it.
(5)
Margaret L.
I was pretty skeptical about coming to here for the chocolate bar. I'm not a fan of buffets but I must say it was a lovely evening. My husband and I enjoyed the night with the live jazz band and delicious chocolates. My favorite is the banana eclair and my husband's is the white chocolate mousse. Beautiful lobby with fabulous jazz music. The service was exceptional! They also have a wide selection of fresh tea. It' a must-try. We had the Green Tea called Sencha from Japan. Very relaxing!
(4)
Mela R.
I've never liked hummus but now I do. I enjoyed the lamb with pickled onions and goat cheese. Beautiful ambience. Orchestra type band playing on a balcony seemed like the Titanic.
(3)
Kathy K.
Excellent afternoon tea. The scones, finger sandwiches and desserts were delicious. I had a green tea that was just perfect. A wonderful place to spend any afternoon.
(5)
Perry V.
Go for the Chocolate Buffet and jazz and enjoy a blissful evening.
(5)
Amanda C.
I went to the lobby for tea with my mom on her birthday, and it was the perfect way to spend the day. I definitely recommend going here for a special occasion! I don't know how it compares to other teas in the city since it was my first tea experience, but I was not disappointed. When we arrived after shopping, we had several bags which the front desk attendant graciously checked for us. I had mentioned it was my mom's birthday when I made the reservation, and they seated us at a great table right next to the window. The atmosphere was great- not too crowded, live violinists, and a fashion show! I'm not used to being treated the way the staff treats patrons, but I could get used to it! For $40 per person, the tea is certainly not something I would do regularly. However, I will say they bring you a LOT of food and we were too full to finish it so took some of the cute cakes home. You will want to eat a light lunch or skip lunch beforehand. Each person gets their own pot of tea and you can choose from around 50 varieties... I got Celebration (very floraly- almost like perfume but grew on me) and my mom got Orange Jasmine (just how it sounds, and very good). There are so many it's almost overwhelming, but chances are it won't be bad, and I'm sure they would have replaced the pot if we had wanted. Each person gets 1 pot, which is probably around 5-6 cups of tea. It would be nice if there was a sampler option, but they do have a champagne option for $10 more per glass. We didn't opt for this... I'm sure it would be great but as it was we couldn't finish our tea. We had just an hour here before our manicure appointment and I really think an hour and a half would be ideal. The three-tiered platter they brought with our treats had a tier for sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. Sandwiches were crabmeat on white bread with sliced apples on top, ham and brie on a mini pretzel roll, and salmon and cucumber layered on dark rye. Quiche was egg, cheese and spinach, and desserts included carrot cake, some pistachio mousse thing, and a shortbread filled with custard, topped with fresh raspberries and a white chocolate bar with "The Peninsula" printed in dark chocolate. In addition, everyone got a Baba Rum cake, with an eyedropper filled with rum to drizzle on the cake, AND they brought an ice cream/caramel/chocolate creation on a beautiful platter with a candle for my mom's birthday! ALL of these items were delicious... I don't know if they switch around the menu but if they do I'm sure the other options would be just as good. Definitely a great place to visit for a special occasion- make sure you call ahead and explain your situation and they will make it extra special for you!
(5)
Tom F.
Got $65 (not including tax and gratuity) burning a hole in your pocket? Then hit the Sunday brunch at the Peninsula. The Peninsula is the ultimate in brunch opulence. Want lobster? Yes! An omelet with sushi? Got it. A plate with brioche French toast on one side, and prime rib on the other? Done. Truffled herb-roasted chicken and petit fours for dessert? No problem. Seriously, though, this is a hell of a brunch. The variety and quality of the food is mindblowing. It is perfect for impressing the in-laws when they're visiting from Cleveland, or if you don't have in-laws, it will work just as well as your mom or that Gold Coast debutante that you're trying to win over. The Lobby restaurant is approachably elegant, with soaring ceilings and spectacular views of the Magnificant Mile. The service, as is typical of the Peninsula, is flawless.
(5)
Rachel B.
The table was covered with desserts. Adorable tiny desserts. Adorable tiny chocolate desserts. I was in heaven. I was at the chocolate bar at the Peninsula. I can only give 4 stars because I'm a dark chocolate kind of girl, and the dark chocolate options were actually quite limited. But there was a delicious white chocolate mousse cup with raspberries. And a teeny tiny chocolate creme brulee. And juicy, perfectly ripe chocolate-covered strawberries. Chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels provided a little break in the chocolate intensity. There were cream puffs and lollipops and little bitty chocolate cakes. As I said - heaven. My chocolate martini was as decadent as the desserts, and the wait staff was really nice and attentive - it's the kind of place where they fold your napkin for you when you go to the bathroom to purge so you can make another buffet run. In other words, an awesome birthday retreat from the ordinary.
(4)
Natalie B.
I had one little day to enjoy Chicago while in the area for my cousin's wedding. I decided that I would finally try High Tea at the Peninsula --unfortunately, we do not have any lovely hotels that offer high tea in Jax! So with my good friend S and sister in tow, we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at The Lobby. The ambiance is very elegant. The service is terrific and unobtrusive. The food was a wonderful mix of sweets and savories. The chicken salad was divine (just like Yelpers said it would be!) but I especially loved the Baguetts with herbed cheese, edamame, and grape tomatoes. The tea itself as delicious and served beautifully. All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday in the city!
(5)
Sarah Z.
I have had high tea here many times. And tea/food wise, I think they offer the best high tea experience in all of Chicago! I would have given the Peninsula 5 stars.. but everytime I go the waitstaff seems to disappear at some point and I have always had to flag them down and ask for the check, or something else. I understand the desire to not hound your guests- but don't neglect them either! The only times this hasn't happened was during the holiday season when the lobby is packed.
(4)
Kathleen C.
I've been to high tea in the Peninsula twice now, and couldn't imagine a more wonderful experience. The tea is phenomenal, and they have so many choices, including caffeine free. The food is also yummy, from the little sandwiches to the scones and tiny little chocolate cake. Service is of course, impeccable. We had twenty for tea and asked to bring some of the extra food back for some coworkers that couldn't join us, and they gave us ALL of the extra food. Beautiful ambience and nice live music too.
(5)
courtney g.
We dropped in on a Saturday night, rather early, and were able to get a table without much ado. The food was excellent -- my lamb was perfectly done, quite rare and incredibly tender. My companions each enjoyed their salmon and baby roast chicken; don't miss the brussels sprouts ... I'm not usually a big fan, but they prepare them with bacon, and how can you miss with that? The service was very pleasant, although a bit uneven; occasionally we were left adrift. They were so kind as to bring us (unsolicited) a small selection of tiny lovely bites from the chocolate buffet, which was unexpected and delightful. And need I mention tasty.The live jazz on Saturday was nice also. On the whole, totally worth a trip: pricey, but delicious; in a big open space so not particularly intimate or romantic, but well-appointed and not, to my mind, particularly snobby or intimidating as some fancy pants hotel restaurants can seem.
(4)
Gfiddy F.
When the sun is shining in that big pretty room, it's my favorite place to eat brunch.
(5)
Jesse B.
female jazz singer w/ excellent trio (friday and saturday nights) the Tea, & the Chocolate Buffet = my favorite place in Chicago.
(5)
Gunner F.
This will be an unforgettable brunch experience for you. Go on a special occasion if the price isn't right, but everyone who loves food needs to try this place at least once in their life. Incredible food in a magnificent setting. That's the best way I can describe it.
(5)
Jeetu P.
Best mac & cheese in the city of Chicago. Great restaurant, fantastic service from Eric, our server!! Highly recommend it!
(5)
Chris B.
Jacky and I hit The Lobby last night after some evening shopping, and for the first time - decided to do dinner here...interestingly, I see that nobody has mentioned the amazing dinner menu!? We come here every Christmas for Tea, and that is a five star experience, no question. No further details needed...it's Chicago's 'tea in the big city at a fancy hotel' experience (better than The Drake...sorry, native Chicagoans). SO -- dinner last night -- Jacky got our rezz because of the Chocolate Bar, and we did dinner beforehand: WHAT A MENU!!! Phenomenal selection... First, there were some great froofy drinks to go along with the normal hotel fare: strawberry, champagne and campari cordials, etc. etc. -- Asian influence throughout: try 'The Tryst' - you won't be sorry! Then -- we got some 'savouries,' and all of them looked good: cheese plate, homemade tortilla chips, sushi/sashimi, duck rolls, etc. We got the sushi and sashimi, and it was unbelievable fresh and beautiful: ebi, unagi, hamachi, california roll, salmon, spicy tuna roll, octopus salad -- very satisfied. For entrees, Jacky was torn between the Szechwan Prawns (their signature dish), or a special diver scallop and fava bean cassoulet that sounded incredible. She opted for the Prawns and was in heaven -- she loved it. For me -- who eats everything -- I was torn...Osso Bucco, Steaks, the scallops, Vietnamese Market noodles with Kobe beef, chicken and shrimp -- augh! But Iris, our server who is here from Hong Kong for a one year internship guided me well...to the Kobe Burger served with aged stilton with sweet potato fries and a white truffle aioli....best. burger. ever. I'm not kidding -- Moody's, Monk's, In 'N Out, forget it...competition over. This burger was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Now -- HUGE disclaimer...huge. It was $28. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...grotesque. That's too much for anything that has 'burger' in the title. But folks: it was worth every penny. I can't rave about this enough. Then, we moved to the chocolate bar. meh. The theme for May (different chocolate theme each month) was "flowers." yech! So everything had some flower element associated with it...as in, half of the pieces on the decadent table tasted like dish soap. Verbena, violets, lavender, capsicum, petunias, blah blah...decorations? Yes. In my mousse, apple strudel, creme brulee or tart? No. So thumbs down for May's floral rendition of choco-fest from me. But overall, a five star experience. It ain't a cheap date, but it was well worth the extravagant setting, the gorgeous jazz (don't forget the live jazz...they were tremendous...), the amazing dinner and ambience.
(5)
Koizumi Y.
We took breakfast here not too long ago with a fellow Yelper and her beau. It was divine. The Peninsula is a delightful locale on its own, but our experience at The Lobby was pure gastronomical lust. Though the egg white frittata was perfect with its inclusion of asparagus, spinach, leeks, Portobello mushrooms and tomatoes, my accommodated request to add aged white cheddar kicked it up a notch to Sin City. My spouse had the almond ricotta hot cakes with a Grand Marnier sauce, and had to continually swat us away from his platter. Ridiculously beautiful Kellan allowed us to sample her stuffed French Toast, which was lovely but a bit too sweet for my taste. Attentive service was complemented by breathtaking surroundings, including our occasional pause to take in the Michigan Avenue view. By the time we were done with all this and mimosas, the rest of the day was icing. There's no way to go wrong here. We'll certainly return.
(5)
Catherine B.
I have been wanting to check out the Peninsula's chocolate bar for ages, and I finally got my chance over the weekend. Make a reservation, and make sure you don't fill up on a big dinner! The treats were delicious, and were made up of a significant variety of types of chocolate and presentation. The service was great, and the live band playing Frank Sinatra-esque music was really good. Their white hot chocolate drink was super sweet, and actually tasted like it was a melted bar of white chocolate, so be warned that it's not for the faint of heart! We ordered cocktails as well (chocolate martini and signature martini), and be aware that the drinks are VERY strong - you get your $14 worth. That's the only drawback to to the chocolate bar, in my mind - the price is quite steep. But if you have something to celebrate (it was my birthday), it's a fun unique place to treat yourself to.
(4)
A B.
My husband and I decided to have our Christmas day brunch at the Peninsula and couldn't be happier with our choice. The food was fantastic and there was such a variety to choose from. They has Sushi, Lobster, Caviar, breakfast station, Prime Rib, Short Ribs and on and on and on.....it was so good. The only issue I had was the price, it was $125 and which did not include our Bellini's or Cappuccino. The Bellini's were ridiculously priced at almost $19!!! So needless to say our bill was the price of a designer purse, which I wasn't happy about. However, the food was great and the atmosphere was beautiful and I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Url R.
The afternoon tea was not as good as Hong Kong, but still worth the price. Don't be boring and take ordinary green tea, try something really funky. This isn't snooty east coast old lady tea service either. This is a great place to take a date if you want a non-alcohol alternative and show your lady that you have some class.
(4)
t.n. t.
I love upscale restaurants, but hate pretentious environments. Some people really need to pry their foot out their ass. The food is good and the wine selection is nice as well. If you'd like to be entertained, I enjoy watching the desperate women and men try to find their wives and husbands here. It is quite entertaining!!!!!!!!
(4)
Carrie S.
Went here for my birthday (Valentine's Day) almost three years ago and it's still such a memorable experience. They had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner. I had an awesome filet mignon with the other courses. They had the best seared foie gras when you could still serve it in the city limits. The chocolate bar is a a chocolate lovers dream come true. All sorts of chocolate in all sorts of forms from truffles to hot chocolate. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I want to go back for the chocolate bar on the weekend because it's so good.
(5)
Kayee I.
My family and I dined at The Lobby on Mother's Day and enjoyed, what I've been informed to be, a rare buffet dinner. Although we were personally late arriving to dinner an hour late, we were very promptly seated by the hostess and then greeted by our server. As starters, our server took our order for drinks (three mimosas), then brought us a an an asparagus nioise with a side garnish of fresh kelp and red wine-vinegar marinated mushroom. A three-tiered tray of sushi and sashimi promptly followed. After the starters, each of us roamed the dining room scoping the tasty goods. There's easily a dozen different stations serving a cornucopia of foods. I managed to sample fresh salad with homemade dressings, different aged cheeses (one was aged for four years but was to sharp for my taste), dim sum (with crescent-shaped lobster dumplings, scallop shui mai, etc.), roasted free-range baby chicken with grilled spring vegetables, five spice lamb rack, roasted wild salmon, perfectly moist beef tenderloin and fresh pan-fried soft shell crab. Staff were quick to help us with our selections and to recommend items to try. By far, my favorite part of the meal were the desserts. Granted I managed to only make way to two of the tables (there were at least two other tables on the other end of the room), I did do a bit of damage: lavendar creme brulee, espresso chocolate mousse eclair, lemon merengue tartlet and a single scoop of white peach sorbet on a mini ice cream cone rimmed with chocolate shavings.
(4)
Briana J.
A few girlfriends and I had high tea and we all enjoyed it. The service was prompt and friendly. We did order the least expensive option but we were still treated like good costumers. One friend is a veg head and our waiter was very willing to create some delicious veggie options for her. As our waiter walked passed and heard me praise a specific type of cookie, he returned with a plate full. I very much enjoyed my time here and I recommend it highly!
(5)
Daisy T.
So I'm at the peninsula with some friends and so far I am not impressed. The chocolate buffet is overrated and frankly not that good. The service was OK especially since we waited 15min for them to bring us our coffee. Personally I think it's extremely over priced for what you get but I did have a great time that night!
(3)
Robert S.
The chocolate buffet is a sight to behold. If you like chocolate, this is the place for you. I prefer more casual places, however. This place is about as uptight and pretentious as things get. Kind of a "look at me, I'm dining at the Peninsula" kind of thing. I did enjoy the Jazz band that performed. Meh.
(3)
woofgang q.
Imagine Willy Wonka shacking up in a French colonial plantation and you get the gist of the weekend choco-rama at the Peninsula. Nevertheless, service lacks and can be spacey, which could be excusable at any place but here. During visits at peak times the lack of staff slowed service which noticeably hindered my alcohol imbibing. Once the service was so horrid that I left the smallest tip ever ($6 tip on a $114 tab). However like a tweaking meth junkie, I just can't say no to the Peninsula's intoxicating, gilded opulence and chocolate decadence. +6 for the chocolate, ambiance, entertainment and enough space so that you won't be bothered by poseurs; -2 for the unpredictable service and liberal guilt for spending so much money on nothing but alcohol and chocolate; -2 for failing to meet the higher standard to which the Peninsula should be held. Visit the original or Bangkok Peninsula and you'll understand. Can't wait til the Shangri-La and the Mandarin Oriental open.
(2)
Victoria T.
This was, by far, the most decadent and wonderful brunch I have ever been to! I don't usually like buffets... but this was a class all its own. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere was classy, and the food was amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
(5)
Marie L.
I went to the Lobby at the Peninsula to celebrate my birthday and I was not disappointed. We just wanted to have lunch since we were with a baby and it's hard to find a nice place to have dinner where a baby would be welcome. The Lobby was bright and airy , had plenty of room to park a baby stroller next to the table and was not nearly as snooty as I would have expected. Most of the people at our table ordered high tea but a few ordered from the regular lunch menu, which is a nice option for those who crave something more traditional like a huge, juicy burger. (I had a bite of that huge, juicy burger and it was tasty) The high tea was excellent although the service was a little confusing as at least four different people took care of our table at some point. Also, at times it was hard to flag someone down to order something but the food and overall experience far outweighs any inconvenience caused by that. With high tea, you of course get to choose your tea from an extensive list. Then you are served a tiered platter of bite-sized sweet and savory things or to put it elegantly, "snackies." I believe the variety is always similar so here is what I can recall that was on our plates: bottom plate- beef wraps with vegetables, quiches, salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with caviar; middle plate - chocolate cheesecake, apricot crumble, chocolate covered cake w/raspberry, mango cream tart; top platter - macaroon, assorted scones. There are a handful of things I can't remember but let me assure you everything was DELICIOUS. Those mango cream tarts still call out to me in my dreams. The best part is that you can request to have more of anything on your platter, so it is really an all-you-can-eat affair lest you're afraid that dainty sandwiches and desserts aren't going to fill you up. Let's just say I waddled out of there clutching my distended stomach. To sum up this monster of a review , I loved the high tea at The Lobby. I'd recommend it for anyone celebrating a special occasion or to anyone who has $28 burning a hole in their pocket. I recommend reservations, especially because they ask you if you're celebrating something special and if you are they'll surprise you with something special at the end. I guess this is also a decent place to spot whatever celebrity may be in town, my mom saw the brother from "Everybody Loves Raymond" in the elevator if that's any incentive.
(5)
Emily D.
My mom, husband and I decided to enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon at The Peninsula for High Team. Staying at the hotel is not accessible for me, but it's good to see how the other half lives and feel like a queen for a couple hours while eating some of the most fantastic finger foods ever. Such care and precision went in to each and every edible it was an honor to eat. Truly! The teas were delicious (my husband is a connoisseur) and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a delightful experience and though not cheap, well worth it for creating fantastic memories.
(5)
Shep L.
First of all, I should say that I could never afford to stay at the Peninsula. And if I could, I wouldn't anyway. It's just not my kind of place. That being said, last night my boyfriend dragged me into the lobby only to discover that every Thursday night there is an ice cream social. It was unclear to us whether you actually have to buy the ice cream, but the scooper lady was happy to give us samples. The samples consisted of a tiny cone of homemade gelato or ice cream, and was the perfect amount of dessert for me. So, for all the poor people like me: Thursday night + Peninsula lobby = free ice cream.
(4)
Laura H.
Classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I love the peninsula! I have dined in the lobby twice: once for high tea with a friend and once for dessert, martinis and jazz with my mom. I've also lounged in the cigar bar after a dinner date. High tea was perfect. We did make a reservation, which I would recommend doing on the weekend. They offer sweets or savories with your tea while a string quartet serenades you from the balcony. The perfect way to spend an afternoon or to take a break from shopping on Michigan avenue. I also went here on a saturday night with my mom after we'd gone to see a play. They have a full dessert buffet, but we just opted for dessert martinis. A live jazz band and singer were performing, and I actually got asked to dance by some random guy. Kind of funny, and a great way to end a night out. The cigar bar is also pretty fun. It feels like a lounge at a hunting lodge. Again, the martinis are awesome. I highly recommend the Peninsula for both afternoon and evening activities.
(5)
Manja C.
The Chocolate Buffet: my advice is to go there when you are at least mildly hungry and not just looking for a little dessert because $28 per person for sweets is pricey. Yes, it is all you can eat heavenly chocolate and a creative drink list (additional $12--$15) but 3 people can run up a high bill very quickly without being substantially filled. Price bitchin out of the way...the thought of endless chocolate on a cold winter day (while in hibernation mode) is delectable and worth checking out at least once while in Chicago.
(3)
Celia S.
Love! Love! To start this place is stunning! The epitemy of high end luxury. My friends and I came here for the chocolate buffet for some after dinner dessert and also cause I've been obsessing over this place since I heard of it. The chocolate buffett was awesome! OMG the chocolate goodness could have been overwhelming to anyone else but being the chocoholic that I am it wasnt. High quality chocolate, fruits, cakes, nuts, etc. They even had pretty innovative desserts like chocolate pops made with pop rocks! How cool! Passionfruit infused marshmallows. Awesome. Anyway, this place is definitely as good as it gets. A must go!
(5)
Eva M.
my people! people who have money and admire art, and dress the part.
(5)
Diana S.
I came here for the chocolate buffet. This is some serious indulgence. It was under $30 bucks a person, but really there is no way you can come close to eating that much dessert. It's quite romantic though. There's live jazz and the place is dimly lit and pretty. It's definitely something to experience.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
If you know someone who really enjoys sweets, they will appreciate being taken to the dessert buffet. Cheap, it isn't but well worth it for special occasions. The ambiance is spectacular with the opulent lobby, live music, and everyone dressed to the 9s. Great fancy date place as any girl will surely be impressed.
(5)
J. C.
Having tea is my "thing". I love it and the Peninsula does it well. My bffs have also treated me to the chocolate bar. I was in heaven.
(5)
Foodie A.
We had afternoon tea here to celebrate my birthday on a Saturday. Been at the Drake for afternoon tea and wanted to try another high-end tea place. We arrived at The Lobby, and noticed it is an open space restaurant. So, not too cozy and warm, but comfortable. Loved the elegance. The hostess was pleasant. I had the traditional afternoon tea. It was nothing to be excited about. The sandwiches, sweets, and savories were not fresh. Maybe because it was late in the afternoon, but it should't matter. The only thing fresh and hot was the banana souffle they serve to everyone. Our waitress was ok. Service could be better. I loved the surprise treat in the end. Make a reservation and they will ask you what's the occasion. No star sightings, just bride and groom. I don't think I would come back for afternoon tea, but I will for drinks, lunch, or dinner and will update.
(3)
Hannah W.
2.5 stars. A couple of friends and I hit the chocolate buffet on a Saturday night, and I must admit... not so spectacular as I had hoped. The music was great (we're pretty big fans of jazz) except that whenever the vocalist came back on the mic, she'd drown out every other sound in the room, including our voices in the middle of conversation. Service was also a bit slow, especially considering that there weren't terribly many people there that night (although, in 4 degree weather it takes a huge amount of will power to even think about leaving the house). I actually tried to time my trips back to the chocolates so that I'd be sure the catch the attention of someone who would clear my plate away before I got back to our table. The desserts were OK, not the greatest, especially considering that better ones can be had for a better price. I was intrigued, though, by the almond white hot chocolate, which didn't taste like almond but was surprisingly tasty. Unfortunately, my definition of hot chocolate has been altered by the deliciously sludgy concoctions found at the City Bakery and Jacques Torres in NY, so I did come in with rather high expectations on that front. I'm not quite sure if there was a theme to the selection, but if it was fruit, then they might want to stock up on the chocolate covered strawberries to avoid running out again. Nice rich flavor in the earl grey & anise truffles, and ganache lollipops. Bad red velvet cake. Summing it up: definitely not a good bargain (but then, you already knew that). Don't go for the chocolates, or the conversation factor. Go because you're giving yourself one opportunity to splurge and schmooze at the Pen and know that you'll probably never go back for anything so frivolous. Good for the eyes, not so much for the wallet or taste buds.
(2)
Pooja S.
Only chocolate for dinner, sounds perfect. Decadent but perfect.Tried out the chocolate buffet here last night. it was great, lots of diferent things to choose from. But I think everyone reached their limit after taking about 4 different pieces of dessert in their plate.I for one was chocolated out and thats really saying something since I am a choco addict. A bottle of Merlot completed our meal perfectly. Candlelight, great conversation with friends and a different table centerpiece completed the evening.
(4)
Honora L.
Can't resist the elegance of this top-notch hotel! Accompanied by a live string band, I enjoyed the finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, scones with my choice of tea Tei Kwun Yin in the Lobby. The Macaroon is my favorite pick. We were offered four more upon request! Not bad ^.^~~
(5)
Jessica P.
I came here for restaurant week (2015) with friends on a Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were given options to either sit at the bar, sit at the table (while waiting for our friends to arrival), or sit at the side. The customer service was great from the start to end. Restaurant Week Food -great presentation and great food! Appetizer: Beet Salad: a variety of different beets (including beet marshmallow), yum.. absolutely enjoyed it! Enjoyed the entree options as well as dessert options. Portions: small - especially for big eaters, you might be hungry after the meal. Great date location! :) I would come here again.
(5)
Patty C.
I love the chocolate buffet on Saturdays here. It's like chocolate heaven. Service is great too!
(4)
Emily J.
Tea at The Lobby is a must for anyone visiting or living in Chicago. The Peninsula is such a gorgeous hotel and The Lobby is one of the highlights of the hotel. I went to tea here the other week with my friend and we had such a lovely time. Our server was fantastic and explained everything in our giant tea tower, as well as keeping our champagne glasses full! I would suggest getting the addition of a glass of champagne, it's fun and adds a little more festivity to the whole experience. The food is delicious here, I would suggest taking a bite of everything, even if you can't eat the whole thing (you will get stuffed eating at tea!). I loved the tuna salad sandwich, and you can't beat the croissants either. The cranberry ones are especially tasty. I saved the pastries and desserts for last, and I could only take a bite from each, but those bites were amazing. I loved the strawberry eclair and the macaroons are to die for. All in all, tea at The Lobby has been one of the most fun and most delicious dining experiences I have had in Chicago thus far.
(5)
Amerie C.
My numerous visits to the The Lobby for afternoon tea and it was never a disappointment. Good service and excellent tea choices. They change their offerings every now and then and you will be amazed of the quality and varieties. Best afternoon tea in the city. Just make a reservation and go on a weekday to avoid the crowd on weekends. Good job to the chefs and staff who made every afternoon tea experience at The Lobby a delight.
(5)
Mark C.
Great service, good focused menu, and fun wine list! Overall, was a great experience. Definitely not cheap, but you don't go fancy for a cheap meal.
(4)
Joe S.
Not what you would expect from a Michelin star, I have a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu and have worked in restaurants more deserving of a star then this place. I was excited to eat here, the ambiance was amazing (The music was soo cool) The chocolate bar was impressive at first glance. However the waiter asked my wife if she wanted tap or sparkling water. Without hesitation he ran off to retrieve Pelegrino for the entire table (I don't like sparkling water) He poured it for me and my 5 year old son. I was like whatever.. My wife is pregnant and I didn't want to order wine without her so I was debating what I was going to do.. I read over the wine menu and was considering a glass regardless when he came back and asked me if wanted more Pelegrino. My glass was half full.. my sons was untouched and I ordered him a glass of milk as well which was still untouched and my wives was half full.. I obviously did not want it, I said no thank you but I asked my wife and she also said no thank you. Well he disappeared for a minute then returned with another bottle "On the house" Maybe it is just me but I found this to be as rude as it can get, here I am sitting in a Michelin Star restaurant and the waiter is treating me like I can't afford a $10 bottle of water.... Yes Mr. Waiter I am just going to forgo the rest of my meal without a beverage and only my half glass of sparkling water because I can not afford another bottle of pelegrino because I am a poor bum... Rude. The rest of the night was a let down. Appetizer came I wish I would have stopped here.. The cavatelli was amazing, no denying it. Entree's I ordered the Poached Halibut, the fish was cooked nicely but whatever was underneath it looked and tasted like crap, the only way to explain it is to say that it tasted like someone who doesn't know how to make stir fry, made me stir fry (Just soggy bell pepper blend)... My Wifes orderedJumbo Prawns and simply put they tasted exactly like orange chicken from Panda Express just Nasty. And The Peninsula is supposed to be the most kid friendly Hotel... Well they must not like kids too much because my sons kids menu spaghetti and meatballs was what tasted like bland freezer meatballs with tomato paste and no seasoning what so ever. After finishing our crappy meal I was vaguely looking forward to going to the chocolate bar.. maybe it could save this place.. But instead I just got more from my rude waiter.. I simply asked him "We're OK to just help ourselves to this now?" Mainly just letting him know we would be having it..... To which he replied "It's $20 a person" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuÂuuccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously are you still treating me like I can't afford anything here? All because I didn't want sparkling water? You pissed me off so bad I didn't order the glass of wine I wanted because it made me feel like I would be trying to compensate for my free bottle of water. The truth about the chocolate bar.. It's mediocre and kind of dumb.. It costs $20 so people act like they have to be enjoying it soooooooooo much.. but the truth is I would gladly have just enjoyed a real fresh dessert from another restaurant vs all the mediocre desserts I could eat. The waiter brought the check only after I asked for it... This guy was retarded or something as I was just sitting there and he walked past a couple times and never brought it. He brought the check and some more handouts... Not sure if everyone got these or just me because I am poor but he gave us a little box with some chocolate truffles and peanut butter filled chocolates. The chocolates were good but nothing could salvage this. In their defense the rest of the wait staff was polite as was the management, but the food is crap.. I spent $240 and was dissappointed beyond belief, this was supposed to be Michelin Star but it was a Michelin let down.. I am a middle class guy but I take being a chef seriously, $240 is cheap compared to a lot places I've eaten.. If it is under $300 I don't even bat an eye and I spent $50 for us to get the chocolate bar alone, I could easily have bought a bottle of wine and it still would have barely broke $300 with tip. But don't waste your money. For what we got $85 seems like a fair price..
(1)
Nancy C.
The Lobby at the Peninsula is gorgeous, especially when the ginormous Christmas tree is up. I recently had the afternoon tea service here and it was just as amazing as I had remembered it the first time, albeit more expensive. Let's just say as far as pricing goes, this is definitely more like a Christmas-gift-to-yourself type of place, unless you regularly shell out $50 for tea and finger sandwiches, but I digress. Even being the cheapskate I am, I thought it was a very worthwhile experience. The lobby itself is breathtaking, almost other-worldly. The soaring ceilings and old-world furniture makes the space so grand. There is a live string duo that plays in the balcony while you sip on tea, and the waitstaff is very vigilant on keeping your teapot filled. Random sidenote: their teapots can keep the tea warm for a ridiculously long time! I was very impressed. The tea selection and the tea itself were excellent. As far as the food goes, the items are literally works of art, especially the dessert. A couple of which were topped with a gold leaf and another one with a slither of thin, artistically crafted plate of white chocolate. It looked so beautiful I almost didn't have the heart to eat it. Aside from their tea service, the lobster roll off their lunch menu is absolutely delicious, with huge chunks of lobster tumbling off the sandwich. I definitely recommend it. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask for a window seat, which looks out to a cute little ice skating rink atop the peninsula hotel and the magnificent mile. It was quite magical.
(5)
Marilyn G.
I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Lobby. I was seated right away. The waiter was very nice. He brought me the tea menu. I had the orange jasmine, great flavor. Then i was brought the 3 tiered tower of savories and sweets. Everything was amazing! The waiter brought me more sandwiches and let me take a couple of scones home. The devon cream and lemon curd were very good. I had a great experience but i think the Drake was better. Beware if you're paying with credit or debit card because they charge you a 20% charge which they dont bother telling you about until after a few days or when you check your bank account. So that made me angry. I recommend paying cash. Great tea and food but not really sure i'd go back.
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Good: perfectly roasted venison, tender scallop served with kale and sausage, cheese gnocchi with parmesan and porcini mushroom, and a generous amuse bouche porcini mushroom soup with chestnut; wonderful, unpretentious staff who makes you feel welcome; warm, crusty multigrain bread, gazillion courses for the "5 course" tasting menu, chestnut theme dessert of chestnut cake/mousse/actual chestnut with cassis sorbet and blackberries. I'd suggest one area of improvement: I almost gave them 4 stars due to the following. Especially for guests who ordered the tasting menu, I think the staff could provide a bit more details or attention when describing the dishes/ingredients for each dish. I probably would have appreciated the Spanish octopus dish more had I known it's a Spanish theme as I thought the almonds were unnecessary for the dish originally. Overall, it's solid food, beautiful high ceiling ambiance, friendly unpretentious staff that I'd recommend to others. The food showcases solid cooking and good balance of taste. It's not the shishi 50 ingredient dish stacked high to your nose kind of restaurant.
(5)
Najia Y.
Chocolate at the Pen should be referred to as chocolate paradise. Need I say more? As far as the afternoon tea is considered, it was good but not great. The clotted cream wasn't like the kind in London (which to me is a key part of afternoon tea). But I have yet to find the perfect afternoon tea in Chicago, so this is definitely a good choice.
(4)
Chuan G.
Great food! Great service! Great decoration! Great view!
(5)
Evelyn Z.
Excellent food and service. I love the bird eye chili sauce served on prawns; I'm never a fan of prawns but this one is brilliant. The setting is also very cozy and romantic.
(5)
Grace E.
Sunday brunch at the Pen is fantastic. Set up around the dining tables, several food stations offer everything from breakfast pastries, dim sum, roasted meats, cold cheeses, and made-to-order omelets. There's even a little buffet line catering to the little ones. Additionally, the dessert station in the middle of the lobby boasts a large array of sweets, similar to those found on the afternoon tea trays. Service is top notch, as the servers will often anticipate your needs before you ask for anything (e.g. new silverware, more coffee, valet calls, etc.) Also, the string duet on the balcony makes for nice background music. If $75 a person doesn't hurt your wallet, make brunch at the Peninsula a routine thing. Otherwise, head over on special occasions (request a seat by the window if you reserve early!)
(5)
Mark D.
Calgon, take me away to Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. A string quartet playing high above us in an alcove balcony, glasses of champagne, a three tiered plate of utterly divine finger foods, and of course, tea service. Prices are exorbitant and not for the faint of heart. The experience is priceless. For a moment, I thought maybe the Queen was a few tables away. Do this at least once in your life. You won't regret it.
(5)
Alice H.
I love this place. It is a first class dining experience. The wait staff is incredibly attentive. My favorite dish is the chicken two ways for two. It is so delectable. They also carry my favorite wine, Hall. I actually love the open design of the space. I hate feeling crammed into a small space with someone I don't even know listening in on my dinner conversation. Here, because it is so open, there does actually feel like there is more privacy with the person you are dining with (particularly if you get one of the seats by the window). I've been for afternoon tea and for the chocolate bar as well. Both are worth trying. They can be a bit pricey, but it's probably worth the experience to try it at least once. Not sure if I would go back on a regular basis for either, but that's mostly because I can't consume enough dessert to justify the chocolate bar for myself in one sitting. In terms of afternoon tea, I think you can find better and cheaper alternatives in the city that have equal quality in tea and food. Think simple foods is a new place that popped up that actually is a very nice alternative to afternoon tea. But for dinner, I do love coming to the lobby. It is always consistently outstanding food and service. I will keep coming back.
(5)
Andrew R.
Phew. Ok. Where to start? First off, holy fucking white people. I felt like I was at a Ronald Reagan Memorial convention hosted by AARP. I've never seen so many pairs of khaki pants in my life. LL Bean should have sent a photographer. Anyway. The experience was not good. Maybe it's because I went for Restaurant Week and they don't care about the poors, but everything was pretty disappointing. Apple and endive salad? So-so. Short rib was pretty damn dry. Then, we had the pleasure of waiting 30+ minutes between our entree and desert. No exaggeration. Every time our waiter came to the table he gave the impression that desert was on its way. After 10 minutes the plates were cleared. 10 minutes later the silverware was set out. 10 minutes later our desert arrived. Guys I don't even like desert that much. 2 stars for the nice space and the fact that being white, I fit right in.
(2)
Elina S.
Wooohooo, my 300th review goes to such a fun place, that's gotta be a good sign. I've been dying to go to the lobby at the Peninsula for quite some time for afternoon tea since I'm just a big fan of the hotel itself, the other restaurants it has to offer and I've always wanted to try afternoon tea since I'm such a classy girl at heart whose always dreaming about tea time in London. Anyways, wow, is it gorgeous in here, from the moment you walk into the lobby (which you take the elevator to get to) you're just blown away from majestic royalty. The super tall windows bring in so much light, the gorgeous plating and silverware, everything is just high end and breathtaking. You just get this feeling that you want to stay here for hours and hours and just take in all the beauty. We got a nice table for the six of us since we were here for my friend's birthday. You get to choose your own tea (I chose the only white Jasmine) which was delicious, simple and really good quality. They do have a lot of choices so there's definitely something here for everyone. The afternoon tea package comes to $45 plus tax and tip, so it's definitely not cheap, but for the amount you get, it's definitely worth it. I thought it would be all hoity toity but I was wrong, I was definitely stuffed by the end of it and as pretentious as it is, there's something charming about having afternoon tea with your ladies on a Saturday afternoon. I'm already planning a trip back for a special occasion since coming here every weekend is definitely out of my budget. Now onto what you get in the package, a bunch of scones, little sandwiches and pastries. The scones were my favorite, served warm and they give you refills if you ask which is always a bonus. They also come with jam and butter, they go the best with tea in my opinion. The sandwiches from cucumber, to smoked salmon, tuna, roast beef were all honesty okay, they didn't wow me, but presentation on those beautiful 3 plated tiers were gorgeous. The pastries, like the scones were super yummy, something for everyone. They were all so beautiful that you have to save room to try them all. I'm telling you that you do get your money's worth from the amount you get, plus tea with the added atmosphere. They also bring out this raspberry sorbet later on for each person which is super yummy. Our server was on top of it, but how can he not be working at such a place. It was definitely a one of a kind experience and I'm curious as to see what other hotels in Chicago offer in comparison for afternoon tea. Peninsula, I will be back :)
(4)
Stephen R.
chocolate bar thats the only reason to eat here. forget the ambiance, the live music, etc.. go eat at the chocolate bar. treats galore, ranging from classics to culinary works of art. dont miss it, it is very steep...so you get a break if you eat dinner there but make it an event.
(5)
Tiffany R.
Not to miss: Octopus, scallops, chocolate bar... Not that this place needs another great review, but just a suggestion for those going on date night... We went for an early reservation (5:30), then went on our way (to the Bulls game - they won, was one of the last games Derek Rose played in...frowny face), THEN returned for the chocolate bar after the game. It was perfect.
(5)
Rosanna L.
I absolutely love the open space The Lobby has. You're not covered in a restaurant surrounding, but more of an open, let's relax kind of feng shui. The servers are very tentative and friendly. I had an extremely hard time deciding went to get since they had a deliciously looking display of hor d'ourves and desserts, which comes with an entree. I was very tempted, but decided to split the Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich: gruyere, tomato soup, french fries and The Peninsula Club: shaved turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, egg, tomato, avocado with my co-worker. The grilled cheese ( yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… ) sounded and looked really good, it even came on a pretzel bun, but the cheese itself lacked flavored. The tomato soup was delicious, cream-less I might add and the fries were crispy. I am in love with their Peninsula Club, first time having egg in any club sandwich it made a difference! We also asked for no middle bread. The bread itself was thin and toasted just right. I did get to try some of my co-workers grilled baby octopus appetizer and WOW this is was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! Also tried some of the truffled mac & cheese and this just might be my new favorite place for mac & cheese, yum! Only complaint is it took quite a long time to receive our 2nd course after we were done with our 1st course. P.s. I definitely want to try their sushi options next time.
(4)
Fay H.
We ordered the afternoon tea. While the tea was rather good, the dessert was so-so. I don't think it deserves its price. However, the service was really great.
(3)
Alan S.
My wife and I have always enjoyed breakfast places and seek out those touted as the best wherever we are. Someone told us about breakfast at The Peninsula and they may have been the two best breakfasts we enjoyed all last year. First day my wife enjoyed the French Toast and I had the waffles. Second day she got the pancakes and I got the French Toast. If there are better breakfast foods of this type PLEASE let us know where. Everything was beyond perfect-including the service. I have few culinary skills so maybe it's not a great secret, but I have NO idea how one makes such incredible tasting food. Yes, it's going to cost you what dinner costs at a lot of places but we felt it was worth every penny and can't wait to return. Also, from what we saw, The Peninsula is likely a fabulous place to stay and we plan on finding out later this year. Simple: If you're looking for a casual, bring the kids and have fun breakfast place that won't break the bank, visit Sunny Side Up which is just down the street and EXCELLENT. If you want a truly special meal in an elegant (and, yes, some might say "stuffy") setting, The Lobby at The Peninsula is spectacular.
(5)
Cannelle T.
Stupid Michelin. Every time they give a restaurant a star the portions shrink...But, the lunch here is excellent. It is perfect for business or a nice family lunch downtown. The bouillabaisse was excellent. And, this is coming from someone who lived on the French Riviera. The atmosphere is understated and just the right amount of posh. You can take your parents here and they will appreciate not having to wait in line for "tapas" at some of the hipper downtown restaurants. Dinner is great too. But, the dining room gets dark.
(4)
Tara P.
Only fair to update how well they have improved on their customer service. Attention of the staff improved immensely. Had afternoon tea today with friends and it was great. Service couldn't be better. Our waiter was very attentive always refilling our hot water. The apricot scones were delicious along with the creativity of their delicious sandwiches. I especially liked the salmon. The desserts were designed beautiful but just a tad too sweet, but included chocolate. Fantastic selection of teas. Since I live walking distance from the Peninsula, I have come many times since my last review, including going to the chocolate buffet and am now very impressed with their improvement in service. The chocolate buffet is magnificent and service there is also impeccable.
(4)
Michael S.
So this review is solely for the chocolate bar, but after the chocolate bar experience I would definitely come back for dinner! First off, thank you Peninsula for your ingenius names such as The Bar, The Lobby, The Terrace, etc. Very original... Joking aside the place is just so elegant, but welcoming. Decor is really nice and I loved how they used the lobby as the dining setting. When we went for our after anniversary dinner, there was a celloist and guitarist playing songs from the top 40's to older goodies, like Brown Eyed Girl and Smooth Operator. It was a fun night just for the gf and I to figure out the songs that were being played. Just such happy music! Service was good and bad which is why I just couldn't give a 5 star. Our server was attentive at times, but not so much at others. He forgot my Johnnie Walker with a splash of soda water. I didn't mind because of the coffee I was gulping down, but he did bring us a bottle of a dessert wine which he said was compliments of the house since he forgot all about my drink. Too bad he didn't refill our glasses with the rest of the wine. Ah well. All the other waitstaff was impressive. The special plate of desserts that said Happy Anniversary was a really nice touch as well. On to the chocolate: Well, it's not Hershey's... that's for sure! The chocolate is so rich and so good that it is really hard to really sample everything... that's why I overloaded on coffee.. Just needed something to cleanse my tastebuds. I don't really think I can pick a favorite from all the chocolates, but they were all really good! I know the gf was really happy with the selection. Overall, yes service had some sore spots, but the music and chocolate combined with the service in good times makes me really like the lobby. Is it worth $40 pp? Well, it's the experience. I know we will definitely be back although it will be quite some time before I can look at a piece of chocolate.
(4)
Maria M.
We went there for Christmas dinner just yesterday night 12/23/14..the food was disappointing...Pork Shoulder was dry, the Jumbo prawns, you can have some prawns that's more tasty in some other places for less money. If you are a foodie don't bother. You are paying for the name Peninsula and maybe for the service but the food was not that great.
(2)
Shweta C.
I have done many tea services around Chicago over the years including the Peninsula Lobby a long time ago, however, this time around I was extremely disappointed. There were many reasons, and I have included a few in my review. Firstly, despite the place being nearly empty our table was not ready for a good 15 minutes after our reservation time. Secondly, once we sat down it took a very long time to actually get our tea and food. The teapots were very large, heavy and kept spilling tea down the sides onto the table. Furthermore, the holes in the tea strainer/sieve were so large that it allowed the tea leaves right through into our cups. My family and I requested vegetarian sandwiches two of which were good but the rest were literally bread with slices of tofurkey on them!!! I actually felt embarrassed for the Peninsula for thinking this was actually an acceptable item to serve at a high end hotel. When we ordered more of the two types of sandwiches we did like (fully expecting to pay extra if they asked), they brought us a couple and said that was all they had left! Not sure why they could not make more. The only reason I am even giving this experience a 2 is because the host offered to take pictures of us both while seated and near the flower arrangements as we were leaving, and took some of the best photos of my family with an iphone that we have ever had. But overall, this experience was not even remotely close to worth the atrocious prices. I am disappointed to say that after all these years of trying tea services around Chicago, I always go back to the Drake, where the service, food, and ambiance is all impeccable. The set up is more appropriate for a tea with sofas and low tables, and a harpist most days. The teapots are appropriately sized and weighted and their strainers actually do their job. They actually come up with creative vegetarian sandwiches that incorporate vegetables and dairy instead of fake meat, and most importantly, I have never had anyone tell me in the 10 years I have been going there that we could not have seconds (and never charged for them either). Overall, I would not recommend this experience to anyone. You will have a much better experience for a lower cost at The Drake.
(2)
Megan G.
This review is exclusively for their restaurant week experience. My boyfriend and I decided to try a few of Chicago's classics for the 2014 restaurant week. Therefore, we ended up at The Lobby for dinner. First off, try to get a table close to the large window, as the rest of the decor isn't much to look at (since you are, of course, eating in the hotel lobby). They had a cello/guitar duet playing top 40 songs that we made a game of guessing the song first. As for the food, it was delicious (though I did think the fennel overwhelmed the olive oil poached tuna in the appetizer). You have an option of two dishes for the appetizer, main course, and dessert. The portions are fairly small (the dessert might be the largest and the most filling). However, they serve you as much bread as you'd like- the bacon brioche and the goat butter were absolutely to die for! And they sent us both home with a wrapped mini loaf of their lemon pound cake that was amazing the next morning with tea for breakfast. Overall, would highly recommend going to The Lobby for restaurant week. It lost a star for the decor and the portion sizes for the restaurant week menu.
(4)
Claudia M.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was really disappointed. The ambiance is very nice, quiet ad romantic, quite possibly the only memorable thing about it. The food is not what I expected from a starred restaurant. We had the restaurant week menu and a couple more items from their regular menu: nothing stood out. Their cooking style is very classic, not to say boring, but the execution is sloppy and the service was seriously lacking professionalism. Our bread was cold and a bit stale, for example. When we complained that the roasted potatoes around our meat main were severely undercooked (as in crunchy feeling, like a cucumber, seriously) we received barely a nod. I had the impression my waiter did not understand English so well, to be honest. I asked for the spirits menu and they had less choice than my own bar cabinet. I am really not sure whether that was an off night or I had too high expectations or restaurant week was the wrong time... one thing I have no doubt about, though: we will not be back.
(2)
Jenny H.
Restaurant Week lunch at The Lobby far exceeded my expectations-- sunlit, high ceiling grandeur with delightful varieties of tiny bites! APPETIZER BAR self serve of butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My friends enjoyed sampling rock shrimp from delicately arranged martini glasses SEARED SCALLOPS tender and perfectly seared with scrumptious parsnip puree DESSERT BAR self serve of tarts, cupcakes, mousse, and cheesecake. I loved sampling all of them; however their chocolate cupcake was a little too dry for my liking. Overall, a wonderful girls' lunch! I loved the space. I thought it was hilarious that every single time we got up and left our napkin, we'd return with them neatly folded! I will be back for afternoon tea!
(4)
Sangeeta K.
My husband and I went to The Lobby as part of the restaurant week a couple of days ago. My husband is a vegetarian so he was forced to order a la carte. He got the succulent melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi for appetizer and grilled cauliflower for main course. He loved both the items though I did think that the cauliflower was a bit too charred. I got the endive apple and ham salad with shrimp bouillabaisse! Both items were delicious. Since it was the Chinese new year, they had an AMAZING dessert buffet on the house. The decor is grandiose and the live band was great. We really had a good time and we will definitely come back for more.
(4)
Gretchen D.
Lovely place. Great decor. Surprisingly quiet for such a large room. As others have mentioned--the cello-guitar duo is great fun to listen to. The floral arrangements were lovely. Went on Friday night. The service was perfect. Friendly and attentive. Husband had mixed greens salad which was perfectly dressed. I had the squash salad which was wonderful. Delightful toasted wild rice. Nice perfectly cooked hunks of winter squash. Husband had the short ribs which was really good. I had the Tagliolini. The pasta was fresh and good texture. I could have done with a bit more Parmesan and fewer mushrooms, but it is a good dish. We shared a sticky toffee pudding. We asked to switch the ice cream for another flavor. They happily complied. By the way, the raisins give new meaning to the phrase 'rum soaked"! After dinner, they brought maroons and chocolates. then as we were preparing to go, the server brought little wrapped pound cakes to take with us. Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Really 4.5 stars, because I try to be stingy with the fives...
(4)
Matt O.
This place is amazing! The food is excellent and reasonably priced considering it's the Peninsula Hotel. We sat by the windows overlooking the ice skating rink which was really well decorated for the Holiday season and it was snowing outside - so it just looked idyllic. There was a string duo playing live music during dinner which was really very nice. There were only three or maybe four other tables having dinner while we were there on a Saturday night. If you don't want to deal with a loud and cramped dining room and want good food for about $25 - $30 an entree, then go to the Lobby! The strip steak was delicious! The pork entree was very good too. They give you an amuse which is a small cup of mushroom soup - at least it was for us last weekend - and that was delicious too. We unfortunately did not have the infamous Chicken, but we'll be back to try it!
(5)
Jen W.
I love going to afternoon tea here. The service is impeccable and so accommodating. My mother is lactose and they made a special tea set for her. Furthermore, I love how the sandwiches and finger foods always change. I would definitely recommend coming here for high tea.
(5)
Brooke B.
Went here for a dinner on a Thursday evening w/ some girlfriends. This place is beautiful. High ceilings, chandeliers and the first class service you'd expect from the Peninsula. Here's my most memorable thoughts of the evening: #1 I love that mini symphony. I believe there were two violinists and cello player. They were amazing. Playing the most atypical music you'd expect. Rihanna, Cream, Queen...and they were so good that you could easily identify the song just a few notes in. I could've listened to them all night. #2 The service was great. Our server was a young man, friendly, not stuffy like you may expect in a place like this. At the end of the evening, he even brought us extra truffles. Just a nice guy. Other than that, there were different people clearing plates, filling waters and bringing warm breads. Nothing but the best, of course! #3 Are we really the youngest ones here?? Yes. We were. Most of the diners were probably guests at the hotel. This may be a romantic dinner spot because it's quiet, intimate and dimly lit. But if a bunch of gray hairs isn't your scene, you may want to choose otherwise. #4 I guess I should mention that food! Beautiful presentations, not super small portions, but not huge either. I enjoyed an Heirloom Carrot salad with bulgar wheat which was flavorful and just right. The crunch of the bulgar wheat (like it was toasted) left me feeling cozy. And the Mushroom Tagliatelle was also delicious. I think the pasta was homemade and the sauce was just right. Not too heavy and not too light. Just a blissful dinner! #5 Did I really just pay $23 to valet my car for TWO HOURS? Indeed, I did. If you can find street parking, walk the block or so. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I know I could've round-tripped a cab for less!
(4)
Lauren S.
I am not sure how I feel. I went here on Friday night. We were in and out in 45 minutes. Very attentive service & very accommodating. I wanted the mushroom tagliatele with no mushroom (ie pasta with butter and cheese) and they did so. The salad was pretty good too. I went here tonight. WHOMP. It took them 3 hours, the service was absolutely awful this time. 4 star experience first time, 2 star second time (because the food itself was good) so an average of 3 stars
(3)
Agnes L.
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula = ultra classy yet overrated. With live string quartet music in the background and the fancy hats for display, the atmosphere is formal and austere. I was happy we had a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows to let in a lot of light and help us feel not so stuffy. My group of six ordered the champagne with our tea service and thoroughly enjoyed the plethora of tea choices. (Each one of us got a different pot.) The server was extremely helpful in suggesting flavors that catered to our taste buds. However, the food was honestly disappointing. The sweet treats were beautiful, but out of all of them, the one with the most depth in flavor was the chocolate/peanut butter cake with gold flake. It was rich, decadent, but not too sweet. The others (tarts, marzipan, etc.) were not terrible but also did not really stand out too much to me. In fact, they all felt a bit flat or expected. What was worse were the tea sandwiches. There were four or five varieties, all decked out in heavy mayo - chicken salad in mayo, smoked salmon with mayo, tuna with mayo, etc. They were small in size but not at all dainty in flavor. And, again, all pretty bland. It was definitely worth the experience of trying out the place, but I would probably only return for a special occasion.
(3)
Jessica N.
I came to Afternoon Tea for a bridal shower and had a fantastic time. The food and service were both top notch, so am surprised to see some of the negative service reviews listed! Also, while it seems awkward to have a private event in a large room with passersby, it really had an intimate feel because the noise level of others events is not too noticeable. Our server Don was amazing (would recommend requesting him in the future if you go, he's been there for 8 years. Scones were delicious, came with creamed butter, raspberry jam, and lemon curd. Then the tea service came out. I got the jasmine tea which was very good. They came by midway through to refill the pots with water. And the food was also quite good. 4 items on the savory side all good: Smoked Salmon/Asparagus - One of my favorite things all day. Everything really well balanced Mini ham sandwich - Nice hint of arugula to make it a little different Roasted vegetable tea sandwich - who wouldn't like portabella, peppers, and squash on a sandwich? There were a ton of desserts and despite the food all looking small and dainty it was quite filling. Hands down the best dessert was a hazelnut tiramisu looking bite with a chocolate crisp on top. SO good. It seems like a splurge for a regular afternoon, but was great for a special occasion. Service staff was extremely accommodating (getting us garbage bags for the wrapping paper, scissors and tape for our ribbon project, bellman to help bring the presents down). All done quite well!
(4)
David T.
Few restaurant experiences have lived up to the expectations my wife & I had for "The Lobby." Visiting Chicago for just one night (away from our four children) we were initially overwhelmed by the list of great options. Ultimately we decided against trendy (i.e. LOUD) for something more comfortable. The Lobby was Awesome! Let's start with the space: simply stunning, HUGE, yet comfortable. Service? Fantastic. No fewer than 7 different personnel assisted us throughout our apps (on the couch) to our dinner (at one of the stunning window seats). And why about the reason for going out...the food? I was concerned that it might be too conservative / simple for me. Wrong The intensity of flavors / ingredients in every dish were amazing! A few favs: Lobster Roll App (loved the tarragon) - Shaved Carrot Salad (too much to describe) and finally the chicken for two. Yes...it is that good. Literally the first time I have ever ordered pollo in a fancy restaurant and it was EPIC. Hands down the best meat ever. Long story short if you want a classy night out with beautiful food in an incredible space...you can't do much better than The Lobby. - David (Cleveland)
(5)
Rebecca M.
I LOVE THE LOBBY! Classy and delicious! The service here is impeccable and they definitely aim to please! We missed Tea Time by an hour but the waiter was so kind and gave us a sampling of their cute pastries anyway :) So glad we got to experience lunch here!
So, nothing called "The Lobby" should be this nice. It isn't a lobby--it is the dining space of a five star hotel. Something I wish I knew before we sauntered in looking for an upscale but casual lunch. The basic idea is for $29, you get an all-you-can-eat appetizer and dessert bar, and a pick of one of the three specials. I'm not a huge fan of buffets but it made absolute zero sense to order a $25 a la carte entree, especially when you have a freakin' cornucopia of gourmet-looking goodies in the center of the room. I got scallops, she got short ribs. They were both awesome. I was expecting Restaurant Week action specials and was happy to find my scallops perfect. The appetizers were great. Though I probably should've hammered home a few crab salad shots, I spent the majority of my stomach space eating grilled veggies, asparagus, and cold cuts (you will see from my next few reviews and my last few reviews that I ate an absurd amount of pig in a 7-day period). The dessert bar, on the other hand, was much more fun to look at then to eat. Desserts looked gourmet. All sorts of little tort cakes, some weak macaroons, mini lemon desserts, chocolate covered almonds. A lot of fruit. It looked good but was pretty weak. Good news is it was the only weak spot of the lunch. Service was good, the place was beautiful overlooking the little oriental garden, and if we had more time, we should have meandered through the halls and explored the classy ass hotel.
(4)
Holly G.
I admire the way The Lobby at The Peninsula caters for a wide variety of guests without any fuss because it's based in a hotel and you'll have residents dining as well. That said, there is nothing I could place at fault with them. The interior is not overstated in design and is appropriate for dinners that prefer a quiet setting with a romantic touch. There is the option of the a la carte or five course menus but either way you'll get stuffed. The quality of food is up there and my wife and I are regular dinners here because of the fantastic food and quality service plus the parting gifts that we always get as a bonus. The Lobby offers a great collection of drinks and live music that is not intrusive but just right. I can't think of a better restaurant located in a hotel within Chicago.
(5)
Daniel M.
Excellent service as expected! Had Sunday brunch - oh so many great food to eat and the dessert table was equally great! We will be back soon! Went back for afternoon tea. Celebrated New Year 2015. Occasionally stopped by for more food and cafe.
(5)
Izzy N.
Lordy. I've been to the lobby at the Peninsula a couple times for lunch and brunch but never for the chocolate bar or afternoon tea. Afternoon tea- you're up next on my calendar. The chocolate bar didn't disappoint even though there is no longer a chocolate fountain offered. *weeps* Here's my summary on what's important to know when it comes to doing the chocolate bar: *reservations -it's better to be safe than sorry imo. *it's offered from 8pm-midnight -when they start to close the lobby and clean up. Fridays and Saturdays only. *at least come here in business casual attire. *it's 40/person *pace yourself. You have all night. Even though I'd cover my plate with a lot, I spaced this out with a lot of lingering and conversation with my friends at the table. It's not an eating competition but I did want to try all that was offered, except I forgot the crepes! oh well next time.. *to survive and withstand all that sweetness, I ordered something savory on the side. In this case I ordered truffle fries with an herby aioli to cut all that chocolate and sugar. It was fantastic by the way and I was ready for round 3. *it's not all chocolate that's offered. That was nice and it helped with not becoming too chocolated out. *go with a cocktail that's not chocolate influenced. I paired my desserts with their cocktail, strawberry fields. It's stiff and wonderful. With lime and crushed strawberries. I would love to return again for this and looking at the pictures, it looks like they offer different selections sometimes. (hello picture with chocolate covered strawberries and what looks like creme brulee) This was a wonderful end to a busy work week and to kick off the weekend. There is a jazz band playing and it makes for a very relaxing evening. Loved. It.
(5)
George D.
A truly amazing experience everything was good and the service is really splendid.. I do recommend making a reservation specially for dinner and also have been to the brunch (buffet style) really worth it.. Although kind of expensive.
(5)
Sue D.
Food was delicious! Went there for dinner. Loved the chicken dish and the shrimp dish! Fois grais appetizer was good. The dessert sampler was a treat. Great and friendly service! Ambience was relaxing and nice. There was live music which was a nice touch.
(5)
Jason A.
My quest of ticking all the Michelin's lead me here on a celebratory evening. I know there's a new chef since Lee left, but after glowing reviews online I was hoping for much better. First of, ambiance wise this place blows. Its literally a hotel lobby, with no restaurant feel, its generic as can be. Piano music, hotel guests, I was about 50 years to young to be here. The menu is boring and uninspiring, few choices jump off the menu as must tries. I started with the foie, classically prepared, very solid, but its tough to mess up foie. My wife had the salad, which was a total flop of mostly just mixed greens and light dressing which you could barely taste. I was excited by my entree a dover wrapped scallop. The scallop was quite good but way to small and expensive for a quarter dollar sized meal for $31. The pea sauce was overly salty and ruined the dish. Service was good. Overall, terrible atmosphere, overpriced and unimaginative. A skip.
(3)
Lana R.
Hubby and I went last night for our 6th wedding anniversary...granted, it was a Monday night, so we pretty much had the (huge ) place to ourselves, but I have to say that the service (as well as the food) went above and beyond... We were greeted warmly and seated immediately, by the window. Our waitress, Amber, gave some recommendations for appetizers as well as wine (my husband had octupus, which he loved, and I had the chilled asparagus soup, which was served beautifully, and tasted just as perfect). We ordered the whole roasted chicken for two, based on previous Yelp recommendations...and it was as incredible as everyone said it would be...we usually never get chicken at restaurants, because we always figure that it'll be boring and the usual...this was totally not. Tender, perfectly seasoned chicken with the most delicious baby potatoes on the side.. My husband told them that it was our anniversary, so they brought us two glasses of an amazing champagne, complimentary...as well as a beautiful (and seriously delicious) chocolate/hazelnut dessert, with "Happy Anniversary" written on a piece of white chocolate...so sweet...we ordered coffee and they brought out truffles to go with it. When we said that we were totally full and asked to take the truffles home to our daughter, they not only packaged them up, but also brought 2 small packaged carrot cakes to take home AND a box of chocolates as gifts. WAY Above and Beyond...oh, and the bill was way less than we expected for such a nice place... We were really impressed and truly had an amazing dinner with perfect romantic ambiance (I forgot to mention that there was really (not elevator, but popular) nice music playing, and impeccable service. Huge props to Amber and the rest of the staff last night. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Keney C.
After our not-so-amazing dinner at Shanghai Terrace, we were told by our waiter that we must go to the Lobby for the chocolate bar. Let me tell you - it does not disappoint. For someone with a big sweet tooth, it was awesome! Basically it's a dessert buffet where you can "sample" all the different chocolates, etc they have. There's a hot chocolate station, various bite sized chocolates, and other desserts. The set up is absolutely stunning. Their attention to detail is fantastic and the service and "food" was excellent. Immediately after we were seated, a waiter came over to ask if we wanted a drink and/or cappuccino, etc. They were so polite and helpful. There is so much seating available that it wasn't cramped or overwhelming. It's $40 a person but if you go to Shanghai Terrace for dinner or drinks, it's $20 a person which isn't bad. It's definitely a must try spot at least once in your lifetime! I haven't seen anything quite like it. Great job!!
(5)
Colleen C.
Pinky up. When a dear friend suggested the girls do high tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel) on my short trip to my beloved Chicago, I squealed with delight, replied immediately, invited my mother and went out to buy a new dress. Priorities. Of course, we opted for the sparkly version...($68/pp) CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Traditional Afternoon Tea + a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (I die of happiness). My mother isn't into bubbles (I know, where did I come from?) and they were very happy to substitute white wine for her. I will say, I don't know if this is common but the "top ups" on the champagne and wine were gracious. It wasn't expected but it was absolutely welcome. Insider tip -- being polite and looking the part (faking it is fine! I do!) invites some insider perks. Maybe they do this for everyone!? I don't know but it certainly prolonged our very enjoyable experience. And it was all it was cracked up to be. The service absolutely impeccable from start to finish. These guys have it on LOCK. It's spendy, but you'll leave your afternoon tea experience feeling full of far more than delicious tea and small sandwiches/petit desserts -- it's an experience to be savored and enjoyed. To slow down and enjoy the company you are with. To wear something nicer than usual. To indulge and be delighted for an afternoon. I suggest you make a booking, cheers! *Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Children's Afternoon Tea menus available upon request.
(5)
Mike L.
We came for Sunday Brunch - I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me; 1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact - not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever - I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor. We've never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed He's the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure 'everything' was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!! You don't have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons - my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer - never. 2) The food was excellent; don't get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more - they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3-4 times. And there weren't that many people dining. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above. Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back.
(4)
K I.
We reserved for the dinner. It was empty and so I was puzzled. The male host knew that we came for dinner. The waiter took the order for the drink for my husband, and we waited for it. This waiter disappeared. We started to wonder around 5 min...but it was the Peninsula Hotel and so we tried our best to be patient. Finally we asked about the drink and we decided to leave since we even didn't get the menu. The host was lazy obviously, and the waiter who took our order didn't come back and other one delivered the drink after 20 min. It was the worst service we have ever had. The Lobby isn't the place for dinner. The desert they had looks good and cute, but they were not as tasty as they looked when we had for lunch at other time. I overlooked the patio downstair which seems to be the better place to eat at this hotel. The Lobby don't have the Peninsula hotel's quality. The service will be the disgrace for the Peninsula hotel's reputation. I hope they review and fix it in the near future. It is just a matter of managements. In addition, I, as a woman, hold the door for the porter and doorman this time since they looked very busy, and he didn't thank me. The hotel workers lost all the manners as the 5 star hotel. They were supposed to help the guests instead of being helped by the guests.
(1)
Diana D.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel's Lobby is so fun and unique! For about $65 per person, you can pretend to be fancy British people enjoying your afternoon tea and finger foods. And it's UNLIMITED, yes, ALL YOU CAN!! They don't really advertise that part, but when our waiter came by to check on us he asked if there was any particular dish we wanted more of. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I blurted out, "Is it free?" LOL! I'm such a commoner! How did I not know this was a buffet? Because there isn't any sign that says so. It doesn't even mention it on the menu. Anyway, I did take advantage of AYCE and I even snatched a to go box stuffed with more food. Yes, I'm so ghetto. So the food is actually really tasty little bites of sandwiches, desserts, and scones. My favorites were the fried risotto balls and smoked salmon thingy. I love tea and they had a bunch to pick from. Service was great. Other patrons were mainly tourists and old people. There was a ADA convention going on at the hotel that weekend, so there were tons of dentists there. I would definitely recommend afternoon tea at The Lobby! We made reservations a few weeks in advance.
(5)
ms t.
Great service. Grande ambiance. String duet. Amazing teas. Average biscuits and sandwiches. I can't say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn't even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service.
(4)
T T.
Afternoon Tea is the most beautuful experience! The ambience, the finger foods, the scones and especially the tea. Great for a cold wintery day in Chicago
(5)
Jackie M.
I came here for the chef week lunch special $22 which was a good deal for the food and ambiance. The salad and dessert were self serve/buffet style and you get a choice of entree (diver scallop, housemade paste, or apricot glazed pork tenderloin). Salad bar - charchuterie choices include various meat and brie cheese, cooked lobster/rice noodle in a martini glass (I had 2!), pasta salad, creamless tomatoe soup, shitake, cucumbers, green salad, variety of dressing (housemade?), seasoned fried califlower. These choices may sound simple, but the flavor and presentation was fancy. Dessert - diced fresh fruit bowl, nutella macaron (OMG), pistachio macaron (meh), pistachio chocolate opera, brandied cherry creme brulee/custard, chocolate pudding/mousse, strawberry tart (GOOOOD), and 2 choices of chocolate (dark or almond). It was European style pastry and they were all goood!!! It came with 2 diver jumbo scallop and was cooked just right. The sauce, purple yam, and bacon was a good compliment to the scallop. The pasta was good, but the portion was quite small. Overall, the ambiance was really nice and relaxing. However, it did took awhile before the waitress took our order. Well she did seem busy attending to multiple table. Overall, the waitress was attentive afterward. Will definitely go back to try the afternoon tea or dessert buffet!
(5)
Mindy H.
I've been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :) The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I've been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette... and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets! For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts. All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I've heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :)
(5)
Alfred L.
First time for everything! Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know....one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn't say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical. So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2-4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite. Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place.
(3)
Mehran F.
GROSS and not worth the price. Guys, please train your people on basic hygiene. The server was sweaty on his face, wiped sweat off his face and touched the menu and dishes. Come on, get real. (this review is on behalf of my wife who was disappointed with her experience today. My wife has been going to Penninsula Lobby last few years, maybe twice or three times a year, normally taking out of country guests there. Her mother in particular likes the place....but today is last time. Reservation made. They had to wait around 15 or 20 minutes still to be seated. In fact, the hostess had even confused them with another party. Food, in comparison with prior times: less variety, not as good as before. And certainly the sweat experience did not make the whole thing such an appetizing afternoon tea for her and her three friends. For about $120 per person, one gotta have the decency and integrity to create some value... As much as I'd avoid Starbucks, i tend to imagine you get a more consistent "value" and certainly hygiene there, and if you do not, the dent in your pocket would not leave you wondering, WTF.
(1)
Cindy H.
Read on yelp afternoon tea was "all you can eat". For $55/person I was happy to hear it. Called to check, lady told me "no, but we will refill the plate once". I was charged double for an extra plate of food for a child. Probably won't be back. Used to love this place. Meh.
(2)
Safina Z.
Went for brunch...the food s not bad. The waitress was very nice...dunt like the view...
Ambience - A little hotel-y, but very swanky so perfect. Food - Perfect Service - Perfect I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time. One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs. The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu! As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke puree with tempura'ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal. Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians...) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :) I can't wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both??
(5)
Christina B.
Impeccable service and even better brunch spot. Now, the prices are little bit more than your average Chicago brunch place but the quality of food and service matches. The french toast was the real deal and the side of thick bacon was perfect. For coffee lovers, the coffee was pretty solid too. Great spot to "wow" out of towners and entertain business partners.
(5)
Happiness L.
I have been to the Lobby on numerous occasions throughout the past 8 years. Let me say that I love Francisco! He is absolutely one of the most stellar waiters who has ever helped me anywhere I have ever dined. In the past service was usually excellent yet at times was below par at this location. Today we went for high tea and so far it is the very best one in Chicago that I have experienced. I can understand why they sell out over the holiday season. In addition I have been to the Lobby for breakfast and their executive lunch in the past. I also had the pleasure of enjoying their chocolate night with music. I highly recommend dining here especially during the holidays when they have their gorgeous tree in the dining room. Happy!
(5)
Kitt R.
Beautiful place for breakfast and lunch in the lobby of the penisula. The food is good and the service is great. It's a very bright and open space in the lobby and is a great place to start your day.
(5)
Linda T.
My initial impression was to give The Lobby 3 or 4 stars. The setting was nothing notable at first glance (simply a large hotel lobby), and the prices are sky high. However, as our experience progressed, I became more and more impressed to the point where I felt the price tag was justified, and a 5 star review is warranted. We were seated next to the window, which overlooked an ice skating rink. Adorbs... In the middle of our lunch, I looked up and noticed a balcony with a cellist and a violinist! I thought the ambient music was pre-recorded until then. The string duo definitely added charm. As for our food, I was blown away. I ordered the full tea service. At first glance, the tower was not so impressive. But as I took each piece onto my plate, I was able to appreciate how delicate everything was, especially the desserts. There was this one cake in particular that had a decorative white chocolate piece placed on top; it was a thin, triangular plate with orange marbling... It was beautiful. Of course, presentation aside, everything tasted delicious! In addition to my perfect meal, I had a bite of my friend's lobster sandwich, and wow... I'm salivating just thinking about it! So so juicy!! I also loved their tea. We had the lychee and the ginger. Both were good, but I liked the lychee a little better. All in all, I was glad I got to experience The Lobby! I'll shoot to come back around Christmas next time. It just strikes me as a place that can deliver overwhelming holiday cheer! So yes... I intend to write an update review.
(5)
Lisa B.
If you can't stay at the Pen, head on over in the morning to have a lovely breakfast in the Lobby. The decor is five star fabulous, the service is stellar and the food is consistently above the bar. I'm a bit of a bore at breakfast. When I travel I always have one poached egg on wheat toast with a tomato and steamed spinach. I wash that down with a fine cup of Joe while I peruse the NYT and enjoy the serene surroundings. Sadly the day I was there I was harassed by a monster of a child who was allowed not only by the child's mother, but by the rest of the staff to run wild around our tables screaming at the top of his lungs. This went on for nearly thirty minutes. Everyone in the restaurant was bothered and I was really annoyed that the family was not asked to keep the child quiet. Had it been five minutes, it would have been one thing, but it went on for the entire time I was in the restaurant and it ruined my meal. I believe my breakfast cost me well over $50 and for an egg and a piece of toast, a high-end restaurant has the responsibility of making sure its guests are comfortable. Other than that....great place.
(3)
Chary H.
Brunch here is amazing. Though I prefer to come around the holidays because it is beautifully decorated, brunch here is great any time of year. The only aspect I don't like is how disorganized the set up seemed this time. It's pricey but we'll worth it. Definitely make reservations in advance.
(4)
Isabelle L.
I have a great experience having high tea with my sister on Sunday afternoon. The setting is nice and server is super friendly . We stay there for 2 hours and we enjoy the tea and food .
(4)
Horace L.
When I was young, my aunt told me that the best way to judge a restaurant is by the bread. Because of this I knew instantly that my dinners at The Lobby would be great - they used to have a bread basket that would knock your socks off. A couple years ago they served a small whole wheat seeded baguette with several kinds of phenomenal butter. Recently they changed to generic crap butter and a seeded braided monstrosity that used to only plague room service orders. This is clearly not the most important thing to take away from a restaurant, but it's my main concern now. Especially since the service and the rest of the food is generally terrific, the current breadbasket is a massive stain on The Lobby's sterling reputation. My wife and daughter agree, so the only conclusion is that a brainless executive is trying to save money, not make the full experience a pleasure.
(3)
Karma K.
You simply cannot have a bad dining experience here! I've been here for lunch and afternoon tea. Both experiences were phenomenal and I don't use that word often. The setting is lovely and just what you would expect from the Peninsula. The food, oh the food...presented beautifully and tastes even better. I would love to return for dinner with my husband. He's more of a diner and beer type guy but I'll bribe him to come here!
(5)
Haibei Z.
1. Very nice place to have dinner for lovers; also good for business dinners. 2. Waiter was nice, polite and helpful. 3. Oysters were served with 3 flavor a and were among the best ones I've ever had. 4. Duck breast is not recommended especially if you have ever tasted the real Beijing duck. 5. For $20 per person you can have a "chocolate buffet" after dinner. Dozens of choices and the presentations were spectacular. Chocolate and the desserts in the buffet were too sweet for my own preference though. Overall a very good place to go if you have a short trip to Chicago and don't want to spent $500 pp in the 3-star Micheline.
(5)
Laura P.
Hosted my sisters bridal shower here and it could not have been more amazing. It is true the service here is a little bit more than some other places, but it is completely worth it. After coming here I wouldn't even spend money on tea service at any other place. The staff was so nice and accommodating. We had several special requests and they met everyone of our needs. We got there early to set up. We brought in our own floral centerpieces. They gave us special chairs and table cloths and as requested were seated in the corner by the window. It was just so perfect! We also had several special dietary requests (unfortunately one was last minute) but they were sure to accommodate everyone. We had both vegetarians gluten free ladies in our group. The food and tea were really good. The ambiance and decor is impeccable. They have live musicians playing in the background. You feel like royalty just being there. They even brought out a special piece of cake just for the bride. After we finished the tea out waiter was kind enough to organize our large group for a picture which turned out really well. They even packed up all my sisters gifts and took them down to our car for us. We used valet parking, which might be expensive but parking in this area can be really difficult so I recommend using it. Even the valet staff was just so nice. When it comes to tea service this will be my go to spot. And I should mention before selecting this place I tired several others in the city but nothing that was as fantastic as this!
(5)
Umair H.
While I had earmarked a number of venues for my 1st anniversary, celebrating at The Lobby at the Peninsula was the right choice for all the key reasons: ambiance, service, cuisine quality and choice, and uniqueness. We were seated in the best section of the room - the table overlooking the Terrace through floor to ceiling windows. Our waiter was both attentive and very helpful in terms of selection of both drinks and food items. We started by ordering a few appetizers but most noteworthy was the Australian Smoked Beef Carpaccio. For entrees, my wife ordered the much recommended Jumbo Prawns prepared East Asian style while I ordered Veal Cheeks, which were delicious and moist, with an expected consistency of short rib and flavor profiles blending savory, smoky, and light saltiness. For dessert, we were treated with an anniversary strawberry sorbet and also ordered the flourless chocolate cake. Overall, a memorable night to mark a significant personal milestone.
(5)
Jennie C.
Love the afternoon tea here, even though it's an indulgence I can't afford too often. I opted for coffee instead of tea and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee. However, it is less convenient than tea because you have to wait for the waiter to refill, rather than at your own pace, and the coffee gets cold faster. The sandwiches and desserts were all top-notch - beautiful to look at and taste equally good. Having just tried the Drake not long ago, I have to say Peninsula wins hands down (in terms of food quality)!
(4)
Stephanie L.
Meh...I was wanting to love the "absolute must" of afternoon tea, but it left me lackluster and disappointed. I took my mom and sister's here for afternoon tea. I had read all of the reviews and it just seemed like something different, fun, upscale, etc. The Lobby is on OpenTable, however you cant make reservations for afternoon tea on there. So I had to call and talk to someone, which I dont like doing. Boo. When we arrived at 330, the room wasnt quite ready so they pointed to a sitting area until they could seat us. We waited and saw several others getting seated. We waited and waited. Finally I started to give the server's the eye...WTH??? This is not what I expected when they charge $50 a head for tea. The hostess came over and said that our table was ready...clearly, she had forgotten about us. She even had to ask for the reservation name again. Annoying for this "caliber" of restaurant. Boo. The tea and the food left much to be desired. It definitely tasted mass produced, sitting in the cooler for awhile. Meh. The sandwiches were disappointed. The desserts faired a little better. I did like the tea, but they didnt give you sugar, cream, etc unless you asked...which again, I find interesting. Boo. Now the one thing that I can say that I loved was our server. He was excellent at explaining the menu, giving suggestions and trying to accommodate everyone. Two thumbs up to Eric. YAY. Lastly, they automatically charge a 20% authorization with a credit card??? So I called because they clearly overcharged me on my account, but they stated that they authorize an extra 20% but it will only be charged the base...?? Never heard of such a thing. Boo. I definitely think this is a SKIP...go somewhere else...this is less than impressive.
(2)
Tiffany L.
For some strange reason whenever I think of afternoon tea, I picture little Michelle Tanner tap-dancing frenetically and singing "tea for two and two for tea". (Actually now Downton Abbey is back on, I just picture having tea with the Dowager while she makes sassy comments to me.) I have been to the Peninsula for tea twice and unfortunately there is no little girl dancing and serenading me, nor is Professor Gonagall there. C'mon, I hear the Drake has a harpist for entertainment! Fortunately the service is very good and the tea set and silverware is all silver, and I imagine they have their own Mr. Carson in the back polishing all the silver. The tea sandwiches and mini desserts are all very pleasant to look at, but I am torn otherwise. While I understand it must take an enormous amount of work to create all these delicacies, I was sad to bite into slightly stale bread on my cucumber sandwich and a cold mini empanada. And I would have loved to see sugar cubes instead of sugar packets. Also I think you have to specifically ask for butter and jam for the scones. Bonus stars if they offered clotted cream. The $50 price tag includes three tiers of finger foods and a pot of tea (tea might be unlimited, I'm not sure, I decided to try two different types, but really, how much tea could your stomach possibly hold?). I was actually really full and even took the scones home, It's fun to go at least once for the experience. Be fun and wear a fancy hat!
(4)
Vaidehi T.
3 and a half stars! Visited The Lobby last Saturday for their restaurant week menu. The setting is beautiful and luxurious. The ambiance will sweep you over for sure. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. The salad bar was ok - nothing jumped out at me as mind blowing. There was a variety of stuff, something for every palate. For the main course my hubby chose the potato gnocchi, and I chose the arctic char in chicken jus. The potato gnocchi dish was pretty flavorful with all the components, but the gnocchi itself was quite dense and doughy. But we still enjoyed that dish. The arctic char was a bit of a disappointment. It came with the celery root, onions and brussel sprouts. I did not enjoy the texture of the onions and the celery root. Also the fish was a bit strong for my taste. Next was the dessert - this is their strongest course. The dessert buffet looked beautiful and enticing. There was macaroons, fruit salads, different kind of cakes, mousse... basically something for everybody. All in all it was an enjoyable experience because of the beautiful ambiance and great service.
Went here for afternoon tea. I think it was way too hyped up, I've been to afternoon teas that cost less than half as much and are just as good. Service and ambiance was very good, I would give it 4.5 stars. Had to wait a while in the beginning because I came 5 minutes early. One I was seated though, the servers were very prompt and attentive, offering me things without me having to ask. I was seated by the window and there was a cute view of an ice-rink. The actual tea and food did not impress me though. I had chosen the vanilla scented black tea and the tea was weak compared to what I was used to. The best part of the food was the scones. They were fresh and warm and came with really delicious cream lemon curd. The sandwiches and desserts were disappointing. The sandwiches were meh, not bad but not great, none of them really stood out. Didn't taste freshly made. The desserts were really pretty, but flavor wise, I only liked this mini apple tart. I couldn't taste any filling in the lime macaron, I was expecting it to be much more tart but it was just sweet. It was a good experience, but I don't think I will be returning. I'd recommend going to Pierrot Gourmet instead (also at the Peninsula). Similar food, but better value and tastes less ready-made.
(3)
Menglu W.
I went to The Lobby restaurant last weekend. It is a really good place to have a lunch. The Lobby is in the Peninsula hotel, which is a Michelin one star restaurant. I went there for the restaurant week, so I had the special restaurant week menu and price. It was a good experience. The serves are so nice and food is tasty. Also, the price was just $22. The first time I can't book a seat on Sunday that because all the seats were full. But the stuff is really nice and patient. I booked a seat on Monday. She answered my entire question about the location, the food, and the price. When I arrived there, the stuff helped me chose a wonderful seat which beside the window. I love the good snow view outside the window. My friend and I felt so comfortable because the service. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. I choose the beef loin with beans. The beef was tender and pretty flavorful. But the beans were a little bit salty. The appetizer and dessert are beautiful and luxurious. There were some dishes with several of fruits, Spanish sausage, vegetable salads and kinds of cakes and chocolates. Also, we spent a wonderful afternoon teatime after the lunch. We ordered the coffee which was nearly $6 per cup. The lunch's price for restaurant week was just $22. It was very cheap for a Michelin restaurant and it was valuable. All in all, it was a lovely and enjoyable experience here. I will be back there in the future.
(4)
Tom M.
Executive lunch menu: accurately priced at 32$. The appetizers and desserts buffet is limited but largely enough to satisfy all appetites and curiousity. Various salades, charcuteries and cheeses. All is fresh, tasty, simple but original. The desserts are well done, especially the "verrines", very delicate. Our entree was a chicken breast perfectly cooked. Juicy and flavourful. It comes with some crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet and melting onions balanced with bacon. This is very good, but not really coherent. Service is discreet and the place is splendid. The tables are large, the glass-walls bring a great luminosity and the decoration is refined. Excellent overall.
(4)
Erick N.
After having several friends rave about the Lobby my wife and I finally made it for dinner tonight; now I see what everyone is talking about, this place is the total package and is truly fantastic. Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen has an impressive resume (stints at famed venues such as Moto, El Bulli and most recently he was sous chef at Eleven Madison Park). He definitely has learned from the best and is doing an amazing job running the show at the Lobby. The Lobby is aptly named; literally set inside the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. Live music plays in the background, a tall ceiling with an impressive looking chandelier and large windows gazing into downtown Chicago set a nice, upscale but comfortable ambiance. Service was the perfect mix of personable, polished and attentive; our primary server Karen was so friendly that we definitely will request her again next visit. The menu features contemporary American cuisine; there are about eight appetizers ($15 on average), ten mains ($26 to $39), and a half dozen desserts (mostly $13; a new pastry chef was just brought on board). The luxurious chocolate buffet is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00pm to midnight; those having dinner may partake for half price - $20. The menu has great variety; one is far more likely to find multiple dishes appealing than struggle to find something. Hotel restaurants often have to be versatile due to serving a diverse array of guests and the Lobby's menu is perfect for this endeavor; several approachable items for picky and unsophisticated palates yet enticing to someone serious about fine dining. For $85 one may opt for the five course tasting menu; as a nice touch the tasting is customized based on one's preferences and aversions. Regardless if you choose a la carte or the tasting menu one also receives an amuse bouche, bread service (three different selections tonight; a baguette, multigrain and an outstanding brioche bacon bun), mignardises and even a small cake to take home as a parting gift. Most cocktails run $15 and wines by the glass are mainly in the $12 to $20 range. While the Lobby is not inexpensive, it is actually quite a value considering all the extras, the upscale ambiance, largish portions (we definitely left stuffed) and most importantly the high end cuisine. Certainly an experience worthy of a special occasion, but affordable enough for a romantic date night. Having greatly enjoyed the whole duck course at Eleven Madison Park last year and the famous whole chicken with foie gras and black truffle stuffing at sister venue The NoMad we were really eager to try the Lobby's incarnation of this dish, the Whole Roasted Chicken for Two. This dish is a must! A stuffing is placed under the skin sealing in all the moisture and enhancing the flavor; crispy skin and wonderfully juicy meat with a delicious sauce, ramps and morel mushrooms. This is one sexy chicken dish! My octopus appetizer with smoked ham was nicely charred and had wonderful textures and flavors; my wife was equally happy with her ricotta gnocchi. Even the desserts were phenomenal; I greatly enjoyed the coconut custard with black sesame, citrus cake, sorbet and candied yuzu. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and again a perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. While usually I try new things when I make a return visit to a venue, tonight's meal was so ridiculously good that I might very well repeat the same three courses! Even though this was our first time at the Lobby we were made to feel special and felt like regulars; we were both blown away by the experience and are already planning on returning next month. Chef Lee Wolen and his staff really have something special at the Lobby; they are truly deserving of a Michelin star this fall.
(5)
Luis L.
We went to The Lobby to have "Dia de Las Madres" (Mothers Day) breakfast with mom and I must say the family and I will most definitely be back again. The beautiful view of the city, the food was delicious but the best part of our experience was the service provided to us. From the young woman welcomed us and showed us our table to our server Jose. He took very good care of us. Helping out parents decide what they should order to making sure we had what we needed and not needing to look for him if we needed anything because he was on top of it all. The pastries before our food arrived were delicious. Thank you for making our Mother feel special as well as us.
(5)
Shing H.
I am a big fan of the whole afternoon tea thing in general. This time my brother, parents, and I were just stopping by between other meals (Xoco for lunch, Henri for dinner), so we just ordered a la carte and they were totally cool with that. We each ordered a pot of tea and shared some tea sandwiches and scones (okay, I ate three out of four of the scones). My usual english breakfast tea wasn't on the menu, but they did have it when I asked, so that was good. It did make me wonder what else isn't listed -- my guess is they have all of the "usual" stuff, plus what's on the menu, so if there's something you like and it's not listed, don't be afraid to ask. Great service.
(4)
Julie L.
I am really impressed with the dinner here at restaurant week. The 3 course menu is $44 plus tips and tax. While the main course and appetizer was relative small in portion, the delicate taste makes up for it. With the lovely butter/bread, I couldn't even finish dessert. Easily satisfied and happy :)
(5)
David L.
Food: 4 Decor: 5 Service: 5 I came here for Saturday lunch, $22, during Chicago Restaurant Week with three of my friends. Parking at the Peninsula is $26, $23 with validation, but there is garage next door that's only $12 for all-day parking if you arrive before noon. 1. Assorted appetizers yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Delicious. As Jenny H mentioned, there were butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My favorite were probably the salad and crackers. Those crackers were so addicting. 2. Seared scallops yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Okay. Good scallops, but I would have liked them seared a lot more. Only the top was seared. 3. Assorted desserts yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Pretty good. Cupcakes, mousse, macarons, chocolate expresso beans, and chocolate-covered almonds. Macarons were a bit dry. Service was excellent. The scallops and desserts were the only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars.
(4)
Chris L.
Two days later, and we are still talking about the gnocchi...so I had to take the time to acknowledge what they offer here. Coming in, we knew it wasn't going to be a cheap dinner, but honestly you can see where the upcharge goes into the ambience, services, and attention to detail. (I never saw someone iron a tablecloth until we came here) You feel like you're in a high class locale, being pampered above your average fancy dining experience, and did I mention the food is excellent? At the end of the night we both said to each other: "I had a really great time tonight". Nailed it.
(5)
Jen R.
I like going here for tea & lunch for Mom or friends. Yes its $$ is you add on the glass of bubbly, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. Service is formal, but not stuffy & if you go alone, they offer you a newspaper to read a nice touch. Food is tasty, I had a Turkey Club, it was the most beautiful & best I even had, granted it was $22, but you only live once. Check out the website for the menu, it changes....but its great to go & the view is nice & I always go to the gift shop afterwards & buy something...
(4)
Anthony Z.
For dinner last night, we had the chicken for two, which was truly outstanding...maybe the best chicken I have ever had. How the chef was able to maintain the integrity of the thin layer of brioche placed between the meat of the breast and the perfectly lacquered skin is beyond me. The starters of octopus and foie gras were very good, but the custard dessert was as transcendentally good as the chicken. The prices are fair for what you get, the room is great, the table is well set, and the servers graciously accommodated our conversation. This is seriously crave-worthy food and I look forward to returning soon.
(5)
Shradha A.
Weekend chocolate buffet review: nice ambiance - check. exclusive and unique experience - check. those are the 2 stars awarded. Where are the other 3 stars? service - it took 20 minutes and a trip to the hostess stand to finally get some water in our glasses. Another 10 mnts and very rude waving to get a menu. chocolates - from reading the other Yelpers' reviews, seems like we had an exceptionally bad night here - just a few truffles, 4 cakes and some chocolate-covered nuts/spices. We were expecting a chocolate fountain, some fruits, a few real desserts and something, anything, at least one thing, to eat and say WOW... but there was none. value for money - seriously, $38 per person for a couple of pieces of truffle i can buy at a store, of my own choice!? That money cannot be justified being paid for ambiance alone!! They said nothing besides black coffee was included to drink.. to me, that's already ruining the chocolate-buffet experience because after paying $38, they expect you to pay for milk and/or tea and/or cappuccino and/or champagne!? Great idea, but very poorly run! I wonder if their real pastry chef has left and now they have a mediocre novice as a replacement?
(2)
Jay I.
Updated 3/13/2012: The food director of the hotel contacted me via email and informed me they either corrected or are in the process of correcting the issues addressed below. At least they try their best to accomodate the diners. Hope the future diners have a better experience at the chocolate bar. The reason for the 1 more star is because of the restaurant's effort to meet the customers' expectation. So I can let go of the mistakes some of the staffers made. At this point this is as far as I can go. Hope I change my mind after trying their famous afternoon tea.
(3)
Beth J.
By far, the best upscale Sunday brunch in town, and I think I have been to all of them! I loved the Four seasons before allium took over. And I was unimpressed with sixteen at the Trump. This was great. Peking duck was delicious. It wasn't a huge selection but they had a lot of delicious items and the service was impeccable. They gave our kids coloring books, teddy bears, etc. And the price wasn't too bad, either. I would go again. The music was great, too. A string quartet playing modern pop.
(5)
Lily L.
In chicago for business the next two weeks and was excited to go to the Peninsula from all the reviews and from referrals of friends in town. Went for brunch this past weekend 9/30 and was expecting to be wowed. Unfortnately, the experience was not. Service as we came in was so slow. They workers seemed more concerned about some internal issue rather than actually greeting us. They all were talking amongst themselves and just talked loudly on their own. After I finally flagged someone down, the slow and unusually not nice service continued the whole meal. The service experience carried over to our thoughts on the meal and spoiled it for us. I wish we had a better experience with service to really enjoy the meal. We are suppose to come back this coming weekend with other colleagues in the area but I think I may ask them for other place.
(1)
Candace C.
The Skinny: excellent tea, great food, fabulous view of the city (4.5), service - impeccable (5), value - it's a cultural tradition that is generally overpriced but worth it in this case (4). I popped my hubby's afternoon tea cherry... and what better place to do it than The Lobby at the Peninsula? "No, I'm not really interested but if you want to go, that's fine with me." Uh huh. Changed his mind pretty quick after that first bite of warm, buttery scone with Devonshire cream/preserves. Take that, you unbeliever! It was worth the money just to see that silly, happy, goofy grin on his face. Afternoon tea culture is a colonial British thing. Take a break in the middle of the day for a nice hearty snack and have a lighter dinner later. Coming from a family that has roots in Hong Kong, you can see why my family loves to indulge in this age old tradition. This spot is definitely a quiet oasis from the hectic city streets below. I relaxed with a nice pot of tea on my side, enjoying my pastries (which were all excellent), souffle, scones and finger sandwiches (you can ask for more if you'd like).
(4)
Boon K.
Sunday Brunch- Love it, I love that they don't make things in large quantity, everything they service you is of the highest quality and honestly think it is better than the buffets in LV. There was stone crab( already crack), Omlette station with so much to choose from, 3 types of egg benedict, is little section for kids with really go petite size hot dog and sliders, fries, mac & cheese, and finger sandwiches. There was a little asian section with vietnamese crepe( which was really good), dim sum, etc. Plus amazing selection of pastry, dessert, and voges chocolate to end your meal. Chocolate Buffet- My friend really wanted her bachelorette party to start here. It's not as large as the sunday buffet but it was on the pricey side of about $35-40. It was a meal of it's own. There are crepes, chocolate pastry, mousses, an amazing hot chocolate, truffles, and pre-made dipped chocolate fruits. It was a great experience to do with your girlfriend but I can't afford to do it all the time. Afternoon Tea- Love it, the tea selection are all the best leaves you can find from tradtional to new combination of leaves. They give you this amazing 3 tier platters of savory and sweet and it's just an amazing experience, from the view to the service. Best this to do for any of these things is the make reservation and the hours and vary.
(5)
Michael U.
I didn't eat here, but I did enjoy a coffee while waiting for my family to pick me up after dinner at Avenues. Even though the Saturday evening Chocolate Bar was going on I was treated like a valued guest and the coffee was provided free of charge as I sat and sipped while listening to live jazz. Service like that is the sort of reason places like the Peninsula are so highly regarded and all things being equal even though I tend to stay at lesser hotels, they are the things that seperate a "good" hotel from a "great" hotel. For what its worth, the chocolates actually looked excellent and the setting was lovely. More on Avenues, a reason in and of itself to visit the Peninsula, to come.
(5)
Natalie P.
Went this past Friday for dinner and it was outstanding. I had the artichoke soup to start-slightly heavy but still very good. For my entree, I had the roasted sea scallops which were perfectly cooked. The service was attentive but not overbearing. I believe there was a violinist playing songs written by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift etc. It was very good. Definitely not an every weekend spot but great for special occasions.
(5)
Robert R.
We went here on 1/18/2014. We were slightly early for our reservation and had to wait, even though there were at least ten open tables. We were sat between a table of ten and 16, quite loud. It seems as though that every table finished about the same time. I had to flag a server down to get dessert, I head to flag another server down to order a dessert wine, and still had to flag a server down to get the check. They were too busy clearing and re-setting tables. Also, the table to my right, the chef, Lee Wolen visited at least once, and the two sous chefs visited, one for at least a 1/2 hour. Once we received our entrees, we were ignored. The service at the end was horrible. I would not recommend this restaurant because of their terrible service. This is supposed to be a four star restaurant, sadly it is not. The chef also visited two other tables while we were there. Apparently, regulars are treated specially. The food was really good, but the service was considerably lacking. Also, a long walk to the restrooms. We were not offered the tasitng menu. The two women to my right were treated specially by the chef. That is unreasonable. The chef also visited two tables of regulars , while ignoring us. The service was terrible The management for the front of service is horrible. As a 4 four star restaurant, they should have impeccable service .
(2)
Paul H.
Made advance reservations, took 15 minutes to get seated while there were many open tables, took another 20 minutes to get a waiter. Had afternoon tea at 3:45 and finally got served at 4:30pm. Sandwiches were stale - probably made in the early afternoon and sat out all afternoon. Tea was bagged tea and left in the bag, I would compare the quality of the afternoon tea, to a poorly organized Girl Scout event. Definitely not worth the price of $50 / person.
(2)
Tres B.
One of the lovelier rooms in Chicago, and the service, typical of the Peninsula, was excellent. But a restaurant has to be judged on the food and our expensive lunch was a disappoitment. Bland and uninspired. I had chciken wok dish that was loaded in salt and soy, heavy, thick and unimpressive Shcoking for a Chinese owned entereprize. My wife had a hamburger that was decent, but a $20+ burger should be better than just "OK".
(2)
Robert S.
Three strong stars for a very nice afternoon traditional tea service but with severe reservations. I'll be honest: visiting London recently and experiencing two formal English tea services really spoiled me into expecting more than the level of service and the quality of tiny pastries I received at The Lobby. I don't have anything else to compare my experience against except tea at Harrods and Brown's. If you've experienced traditional tea in the tea room at Brown's, you'll agree that The Lobby's tea isn't really as magical as you'd expect for the price. When they say The Lobby, they aren't kidding. You're right there in that big open room with god knows what other event swirls around you--noisy or quiet. We were surprised--no, shocked--that "smart casual" means women in low-ride jeans, belly shirts and wet hair pulled up with a scrunchy. The nouveau riche staying here are a "come as they are" set and don't dress like the grande dames in the Ritz Carlton, so forget all that blah blah on the Peninsula's website about the stuffy dress code. I also didn't enjoy being seated next to a giggling, noisy baby in a highchair either. The tot threw its pacifier on the floor three times, and each time, the grandmother would say, "good boy!" and summon a waiter to pick it up for them. When the waiter took our order, I asked him to help me decide which tea would be a sweet, floral aroma. He looked at me and said that he didn't know. Um...BAD. The menu gave me a hint of suggestion, but I needed more clarification. For $40 per person, the waiters should know about the teas. The actual tea was good but not spectacular. You're there for the goodies, right? Well, tiny desserts do not equal excellence, and the three tiered tray was a letdown. We had to ask for cucumber sandwiches (expected in English traditional afternoon tea). And goodness, would it have killed them to include more than just two of each thing? I realize we were two people, but it was sort of a joke--we're two hungry guys expecting more than tiny morsels of food. The service was good, but again, that's expected at a place like The Peninsula, no matter how much you're paying. So for all these wonderful reviews, I have to be the honest, tea time weary guy who expected more but received less.
(3)
Rachel N.
When I die, I want wherever I go to look like this buffet. Lovely setting, excellent selection of savories and sweets, darling service. Worth every penny. Oh, the chocolate buffet on Saturdays is equally luscious. Hit both in 24 hours and you're my hero.
(5)
Chuck K.
You get for you pay for! Well not necessarily with The Lobby Restaurant. Was here last Thursday as part of Restaurant Week in Chicago. The hotel looks amazing and the restaurant was a wonderful spot to enjoy a meal and conversation with friends. You feel like you're eating in luxury here and the service is top notch! Beef Short rib Won-ton was perfect. With amazing flavors and cooked to perfection. Roasted fingerling potatoes for a side were great! Peanut Butter Crunch Dessert was the BOMB! Here's the thing, this place is Extremely Expensive and portions are Extremely Small! You will walk away from your meal with empty stomach as well as an empty wallet. This was a difficult review since the quality of the food and service was so great, however the price is just too much. If you can afford it, you should eat here, but don't expect a cheap meal if you are looking to stretch your budget.
(4)
Andrea R.
The Lobby at the Peninsula offers the best Afternoon Tea in the city...and I've compared it to lots of other teas at the fancy schmancy hotels in the area. Unfortunately, the Peninsula don't offer tea before 2:30pm so my mom and I were out of luck when we stopped in on a Friday at 12:30pm on a whim. We opted for their regular lunch menu instead, which still looked pretty good, although nothing beats those little tea sandwiches and pastries. They have lots of salads, sandwiches and even sushi to choose from on the lunch menu, but the best deal was the $25 prix fixe menu where you could choose any appetizers from their salad buffet, an entree and then back to the buffet table for dessert. While we waited for our swordfish entree, we sure got our $25 worth of salad. Mmm...caprese salad, pasta salad, a super yummy rice salad among others. This would have been plenty of food, but it was just the beginning.The display was beautiful and my mom was taking notes of how to copy it for my daughter-to-be's baby naming in a few months. The swordfish was quite good, although it was a little rare inside, which made me a bit nervous being pregnant. I decided it probably didn't make much of a difference being just a week away from my due and gobbled it all up. And then it was back to the buffet to satisfy our sweet tooth. We tried a bit of everything and it was all beyond delish, but the flourless chocolate cake was the clear winner. I still think the Afternoon Tea is the best reason to visit the Lobby at the Peninsula, but turns out they have a pretty good regular lunch menu as well. Sometimes it's fun to be a lady who lunches!
(4)
Sahar M.
If you want to pamper yourself ladies with decedent pastries, this place is your heaven. Love to go there with my girlfriends.
(5)
M P.
Came here for a bridal shower afternoon tea and it was very lovely. Live classical music, delicious and abundant food, and amazing service. We had a few special requests and they were so gracious in helping us. This is the best tea experience I've had in Chicago (better than The Drake, sorry Drake).
(5)
Mary L.
I had high tea at the Lobby at the Peninsula with my son last Saturday and it was such a nice experience. Neither of us had ever had high tea so it was new for us. The Peninsula sure didn't disappoint us either. We were able to sit right down even without a reservation. We both ordered the entire tea service. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of food we received. There were finger sandwiches, fresh scones, lovely deserts. We couldn't finish everything as there was so much. But we were able to take home what we didn't finish. The tea selection was just incredible and I had a wonderful jasmine tea which I'd love to have again. The service here is wonderful & polite & friendly. High tea is a bit expensive, but not something we would do often--a special treat so it was well worth what we spent. A nice place to go and spend time with family or friends in the middle of downtown Chicago. Do try it if you can.
(5)
Jelena Z.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula? I can't think of a more indulgent, fabulous way to spend a Sunday. I usually don't even spend this much on dinner, but from the surroundings to the service to the premium tea and pretty food, high tea is definitely worth three of those crisp twenty dollar bills. And that does include tax, gratuity and a glass of champagne... did I just write tea AND champagne? Mais, bien sûr! The room itself is open, full of natural beaming light and is full-on gorgeous. Not a detail is overlooked! Our table was formally set with the finest of tea china... fancy, indeed! But what's on the table is what ultimately seduced me: a collection of exquisite scones, Parisian macaroons, tarts, dainty sandwiches, and accoutrements including jellies and my favorite, the creamy lemon curd. I would've slathered this on everything, if only it was ladylike to do so! Of course, the Peninsula's tea collection is deep and impressive. I sipped on the ginger herbal and for once, I think I preferred this over champagne. I highly recommend it! The best part of the experience is lingering over this elegant spread for a good couple of hours. Really, this is lady bonding at its best. So, make a reservation with your best girls, grab your pearls, don your finest frocks and get ready to be dazzled! I can't wait until my sister moves here so we can do this together!
(5)
char y.
Was there for afternoon tea and it was wonderful. The petite sandwiches and dessert was fantastic. The price for Afternoon Tea is $45 per person. I paid with a debit card and saw that the hotel debited my card an additional 20%. When I called to talk to the the manager I was told it's an account process and they do it all the time. They charge everyone an additional 20% of the charge amount and they will credit you the difference within 3 -4 days. I don't feel that this should happen. I have never been to a restaurant/hotel that charges me an additional 20% and hold it for a few days.
************* REVIEW 140 **************** What not to like about this hotel lobby? Gorgeous design/layout, high ceiling, spacious & superior service makes you feel like a queen. $38 for an afternoon traditional high tea, plenty of scones, mini cookies, light sandwiches & an amazing selection of tea. The black & orange scones are to die for, fresh bake & it still warm when they are served! Plenty to serve for two! Live violinists playing up stair at the balcony, simply wonderful.
(5)
C W.
I'm conflicted about this location. We visited for brunch and I'm not sure I can justify the price. I honestly think this is a place you go to for a comically expensive dining experience made complete with a live quartet. To put the price into perspective, we ended up adopting a dog from the shelter after we left brunch. The adoption fee, as well as everything needed for a pet, cost less than brunch at the peninsula.
(3)
Amy H.
I know that I have the reputation of being a beer garden lovin' strong 'Sconnie gal, but sometimes I like to class it up and get all fancy. A group of my lady friends and I go to tea once a month at various places around town. This month we took it to the next level and went to The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. Divine! You wouldn't think that little finger sandwiches would fill you up, but they do. The lobster egg salad sandwich was my favorite. It was accompanied by a turkey sandwich and a salmon dill sandwich. Yummers! There were also assorted sweets and pastries along with scones and little mini brioche breads. Of course I slathered everything with lemon curd and jam, which tasted like it was freshly made. Tea? Oh yeah, we drank that too. I chose the Marrakesh Mint tea, which came in a giant Wedgwood china teapot. You also have the option of adding a glass of Brut or Rose champagne, which I did (natch!) This tea is kind of high end, so it's an indulgence and not something that I would do every day. Also, there was a weird mix up with the bill. Our server decided to average the cost out per person, which meant that the three girls who didn't have champagne had to pay a portion of the tab for the two girls who did. Weird. We rectified that immediately.
(5)
Joann K.
Came here for their Valentine's Day pre-fixed menu and it was unbelievable... My mouth is watering just thinking back to this happy day :) - Braised Short Ribs w/butternut squash ravioli, organic honey, sage, red wine jus. This appetizer I could've eaten all night long. The short ribs were so soft and tender. Perfectly paired with the butternut squash which didn't over power the short ribs. Match made in heaven. - Green Field Baby Beet Salad w/grilled goat cheese sandwich, walnut The salad was complimentary from the chef and it was amazing. Not because it was free but the thinly sliced beets went so well with the goat cheese. I was really glad that we received this dish because it isn't something I would normally order but I LOVED IT! - 8 oz Filet Mignon - New Zealand Lamb Loi - Housemade Mashed Potatoes - Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoe The filet was extremely thick but cooked perfectly medium throughout. It literally melts in your mouth. By far one of the best steaks. The lamb was beautifully cooked and seasoned as well. Both of the sides I could not have been happier with. - Apple "Tarte Tatin" salted caramel ice cream, caramel tuile, sage cris Let me start of by saying I love any desserts with apple. And this dessert was incredible. It's pretty much an apple crisp but injected with luxury.
(5)
Shirley L.
After my initial review, the team contacted me and offered to provide me with a complimentary afternoon tea for myself and a guest. Service was great, food was good, and all in all my initial experience was probably due to one waiter on an off day.
(4)
Betty C.
The Peninsula Hotel Lobby restaurant is a wonderful place to go for any occasion. Have a nice lunch with friends after a shopping spree. Meet a business colleague and hammer out some details. Regardless of why you are there it is a very nice atmosphere and the food is delicious. The lunch salad and dessert buffet with one of three entree choices for $26 is a steal. There are numerous fresh and delicious salad options, cheeses, breads, charcuterie and a daily homemade soup. The butternut squash was velvety and full of flavor. The desserts are all miniatures but packed with flavor as well. The entree choices rotate daily. When we were there we had short ribs, a vegetarian dish of couscous with curried cauliflower and grilled scallops - all delicious. The service is outstanding as well, even for a buffet and the surroundings make you feel like royalty. The floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light and you overlook the Shanghai Terrace. Special Dishes: Braised short ribs, butternut squash soup, chicken with basil, any of the burgers
(4)
kristal m.
I truly love the ambiance of this place. The waitress was super nice and very attentive. there is something about tea and finger sandwiches that make me feel all house wifey. I would love to come here more except its a bit pricy and most of my friends are underpaid college students. when we save our pennies get get all dolled up and have an afternoon of the good life.
(5)
neal s.
As you enter, you walk into a beautiful, large airy room that has tables far enough apart that you can comfortably talk while a two piece musical group plays softly in the background. .... and it just keeps getting better. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They are in line with the other nicer places in River North. Three of us went and split several items. The chicken for two dish was the best chicken any of the three of us have ever had. The short ribs were rich ,elegant and quite tasty. The three appetizers that we also shared were all excellent and enjoyable. We had a couple of very nice wines including a very nice boutique brut champagne, a Larmandier-Bernier that I strongly recommend. My only regret of the evening is that I didn't save room for the dessert Chocolate Bar. It is a buffet containing a vast array of alluring chocolates. The next time I come here, I am going to make a meal of the desserts. Also, the Chef, Lee Wolen is currently a candidtate for Time Out's Breakout Chef of the Year. Try to get taste his food before he wins this title- then you will have to wait weeks to get in here.
(5)
Raymond H.
Great food and drinks in a elegant casual hotel. Also check out the masculine, dark and sophisticated bar lounge. Huge fireplace with cozy couches and amazing cocktails and apps. Mini burgers and the Spicy Asian Chicken app are big hits done right.
(4)
Johnny P.
Delicious brunch, excellent service in an elegant yet casual environment. Plus the doors of the restroom stalls go all the way to the floor. First class!
(5)
Douglas S.
Had dinner at the Lobby at the Peninsula. More like dined. It was an overall fantastic experience. I went with 2 other chefs and we were all blown away. Recommendations? The ricotta gnocchi were absolutely fabulous. They are almost entirely cheese but feel like soft gnocchi. Presented with black truffle shavings and in truffle oil. The Chicken was unique as well. Stuffed under the skin with a lining of fine breading. How in the world did they do that? Essentially everything that Chef Lee Wolen touched was golden. Finished up with the Peninsula's famous chocolate bar. It was truly unbelievable the selection of top notch deserts on the chocolate bar. As a side note, the Chocolate bar would make a fantastic end to a first date. I guess you can go just for that.
(5)
Valerie M.
This was our 2nd time to dine at The Lobby at The Peninsula for the chocolate bar. It's a lovely finish to a day of sightseeing, go-go-going and possibly an early, light dinner. They have a live jazz ensemble playing music, you can see some night skyline through a bank of windows, it's pretty inside with attentive servers, comfortable seating and a "come as you are" kind of atmosphere. On this particular evening, we saw a woman in a cocktail dress and another in jeans and a sweatshirt and both seemed perfectly comfortable and welcome. The all-you-dare-to-eat chocolate bar offers hot cocoa, freshly made madelines, a crepe bar (with your choice of toppings) and a large bar/spread in the middle offering many different one-biters, tiny parfait cups, etc...all in the chocolate vein. The cost is $40 per person so you need to go a little hungry and also have a sweet tooth to get your money's worth. But it's fun, romantic and definitely something to add to your "I did that" list.
(4)
Rob M.
Really poor experience. Do not make a reservation via OpenTable, because they will not honor it. Really frustrating when you have planned a date. Honestly there are much better restaurants on Michigan Ave and Rush Street...dont waste your time.
(1)
Service P.
Went here for a little Tea Party with friends. The vibe was nice--very old money. Service was EXCELLENT! The little mini whatever we got with our teas were all delish. Be prepared to get your own Fancy, Porcelain Tea Pot (with the tea of your choice).
(5)
k E.
Entertained six people for breakfast here. It was very pricey, slow, pretentious service, and after waiting a full hour for our eggs, they came out cold. We explained this to our server who offered no apology and simply brought out the check. We won't be back!
(1)
Jill G.
I dined here for afternoon tea on a Monday. The ambience was superb, with live music and a great view. The decor was classy and the service friendly. The tea selection was abundant and the food was delicious. Having been to several afternoon teas in the Bay Area, this was by far the best afternoon tea I've experienced. I wish I could find one comparable to the Lobby in the Northern California!
(5)
Josh V.
I went here with three friends for dinner on a Friday evening. The restaurant is located in the lobby at the Peninsula (thus the name). They are similarly creative with the name of the hotel bar: The Bar. The space is elegant; you definitely feel like you're in a nice restaurant. If you're looking for wine by the bottle, their wine list is a book, with a table of contents and everything. There are many, many choices from all over the world. I was the only one having wine, so I went with something from their much smaller by-the-glass selection. Everyone in my group liked their food. The highlight of the meal for me was the truffled mac & cheese, which I ordered an appetizer-sized portion of to start. It was freaking delicious. Like lick-your-bowl-clean good. But it was a nice restaurant, so I didn't actually lick my bowl clean. I do have SOME class! Others started with a soup or salad, and reported they were good as well. I had the pork chop for dinner. The presentation was nice. The chop was a good, hearty cut but was a little plain. I asked for it medium-well but it seemed like it came out well-done to me; it was just a touch dry. It was still good, but fell short of being 5-star worthy. My companions reported their entrees were good as well. We were too full for dessert. The service was good. We weren't kept waiting and water glasses were refilled regularly. I think this place is kind of hidden away up in the Peninsula lobby. I'm not sure how many people know it exists. If you're looking for a good meal downtown on a weekend night and didn't make reservations somewhere, check out The Lobby.
(4)
Denise B.
I came here for Sunday brunch the last time I was in Chicago, as a last hurrah before heading home later that day. Wow, was this fancy! Thankfully, I was prepared from having experienced the Pen's chocolate bar in The Lobby last year (see other review). I was lukewarm on the chocolate bar, but I really liked Sunday brunch, which had a lot of the better chocolate treats, along with a much wider overall selection of food, including tasty eggs benedict, sushi (yum!), oysters, fruit, and a delectable selection of cheeses. And of course, great coffee and the usual selection of beverages at a brunch. Eating brunch at The Lobby felt like a really classy experience, with the piano playing in the background, beautiful decor, and nice views of the streets of Chicago. We were well taken care of by the staff, even though this was a buffet. The Lobby is a good alternative to fancy chain like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons for brunch.
(4)
Nancy H.
Afternoon Tea review: What a lovely grown-up tea party in a pretty, pretty room! Every lady must try this. The service is impeccable; you feel so pampered. $38/pp gets you little sandwiches, scones, bite-sized desserts, and a pot of tea. You can get refills too, so there's no way you'll leave still hungry. Weekday hours are 3:30-5:30 PM. You should call ahead and reserve a seating time.
(5)
Char Y.
came back for chocolate buffet and am still loving it!
(4)
Sanjeev m.
I took my wife there for her birthday, called ahead to reserve and they asked what was the special occasion. I wasn't sure what they would do with that info... but they used it to decorate a special dessert plate with her name in chocolate and even a candle (without all the hoopla). They reserved a nice table for two close to the band and the dance floor with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Band was nice, lounge singer was ok. Our server was very attentive and made us feel welcome. Although we had reserved for the Chocolate buffet, there was no pressure, we could have changed our mind and had anything we wanted (or nothing at all). As it turned out we had appetizers (Flat bread and Risotto) before going for the desert buffet which was pricey ($38). While we enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the decadent buffet, we might have beeen better off picking one of the nice selections from the dessert menu (most were $12). My wife is a big fan of Creme Brulee which wasn't on the D buffet, though good coffee was included especially capachinos. In short, if you are looking for a romantic evening with music, dance, good food and a great ambiance you should really give this a try, but you don't need to feel compelled to join the full dessert buffet, instead order single servings with other specials like the Chocolate Martinis.
(4)
Jon L.
Good, but not Michelin-worthy. Prix Fixe was just okay: the lentil soup was fine, but the cavatelli with mushroom sauce was too salty and funky. Caramel creme (essentially flan) was forgettable. I also tried some seafood bouillabaisse - not bad.
(3)
Parker L.
Overrated. I had been looking forward to going to the chocolate buffet for years, and while it was a nice evening, and 400'+ dollars later, I wouldn't recommend. The selection was ok, or group of 6, started off with the chocolate martinis. Next to us was a dog, a dog with diamond studded earrings, chowing down food in a dish the hotel provided for him. I love dogs, I just didn't expect to be eating next t o one. The chocolate buffet had bunch of macrons, candies, and a crepe station. The crepes were pre made, and just reheated with fillings of your choice. I had a passion fruit tart, that was probably my favorite. We also had cappuccinos, which were great. There was a jazz ensemble playing, they were good. Then the bill came, ouch. That was some pricey chocolate. Wish I had room to eat more than a piece or two of dessert, there is only so much chocolate you can eat.
(2)
Kevin L.
I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. All the reviews and info suggest that this is a quiet, upscale fine dining experience, yet the horror I encountered when I showed up for my reservation at 8PM on a Friday night was more like American Girl Place meets Chuck E Cheese dropped into the brightly lit lobby of one of Chicago's busiest hotels. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the din that can only result from too many over-caffenated children crammed into a small area. At the host stand, a group of children were building a fort out of novelty sleeping bags. At least two tables had place settings for dolls, who appeared to sharing grilled cheese sandwhiches with their owners. One feral child in a princess cosutme was crawling from table to table, no doubt looking for her negligent parents. Again, is this some kind of joke? Quiet? Upscale? Fine Dining? 0 for 3. -
(1)
Jeremy C.
Received a gift card from my sister to spend an afternoon over tea at the peninsula. Definitely not cheap, but heck! it's great for a special occasion and we felt that it was well worth it. Beautiful ambience and enjoyed the live string music. We were not expecting such ample amount of food for the tea...came with three tiers of delicious...OMG! DELICIOUS!!!...little sandwiches and sweets as well as some perfect scones with jams and butters. My husband and I each received a full pot of tea from their long list of teas. The server was very helpful in accommodating my special dietary needs since I am pregnant and am not able to have certain teas or food items. Between the two of us, we were not able to finish all of the food and were surprisingly full! After the tea time, we headed over to their spa to end the afternoon with some massages....great experience!
(5)
Jane R.
Wow, I've been to afternoon tea here three times now for celebrations of various occasions, and every time the food, tea, service and atmosphere were spectacular. They can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Their gluten free food was absolutely delicious. They even gave a little extra treat to the person being celebrated!
(5)
Kaaren D.
Lovely place to have a quiet and elegant meal, even if it is a casual brunch. But be sure to bring a big wallet, because you will dump a cash load before you leave. I had the creamy grits, poached egg, and fruit, and it was all nicely done. My companion had the eggwhite fritatta, and the server suggested adding veggies. When it came out, they were all piled on top of her fritatta. She said it was good, but it looked like a square of egg whites topped with a salad. Not what I had expected at all. The service was lovely, and it was a special meal.
(4)
Brett F.
Coming from a serious hotel enthusiast, it's easy to call The Peninsula in Chicago one of the best and finest in hospitality locales. They are one in a handful of lavish hotels striving to set the bar in what you've come to expect in world class luxury right here in the Midwest... luxe accommodations, warm service, top notch wellness facilities, sumptuous dining... and yes, of course, traditional afternoon high tea as well. The Lobby at The Pen is the setting for weekend Sunday "Royal Tea" and you'll easily see why once you arrive. The room is positively grand... sky-high ceilings, soft carpet, buttery walls, gold and cream tones, sunlight streaming in through the amazing architecture outside the floor to ceiling windows.... needless to say, it makes an impression. Whether you're there with a girlfriend or hosting a small group out (baby shower... bridal shower... this is the perfect venue), you'll be delighted and feeling stylishly European in no time. Wondering where to wear your prada... or frauda (aka faux prada)? Add your own chic style soundtrack to the outing and don those Italian duds here! Tea service includes your favorite standards like tea sandwiches - I was given a mix of veggie, salmon and chicken salad dainty bites - and of course the fabulous petit fours, pastries, scones, lemon curd, devonshire cream and jam. All magnificent, all decadent. The Pen also throws in a signature additional twist all their own; homemade mini souffles for each guest!! Mine was a blushing sour cherry and it was everything you'd ever want to write home about... ahhhmazing!! Thank God their pocket size, next time I'll wear bigger pants! Even our server was every bit as delicious as the savories, he kept my champagne glass no less than half full throughout my meal - Atta Boy!!! The way to my heart must be written on my sleeve... bubbles ftw every time! Tea? What tea? Oh, yes... my vanilla rooibos was heavenly and served in the most beautiful Villeroy & Boch teapot... I wanna steal me one! Tea at The Pen (or anything at The Pen) won't be cheap, but will be charming and fabulous, just like you - so splurge!
(5)
Jenny B.
I had a great experience here, wonderful food and wonderful wine, service generally good just very slow but they made up for us good. overall great ! will back for brunch, afternoon tea dinner and drink again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner, Dessert Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Cj A.
Excellent service! Ubaldo waited on us today, it made our annual afternoon tea outing special. The atmosphere was beautiful and the food was very good! They were even kind enough to have food made special on a last minute dietary restriction. We had kids with us too and they treated them extra special with kiddie cocktails and each were given a stuffed bear to take home! We will return because the service was outstanding! Well done!
(5)Maggie Z.
Went for afternoon tea. Service is great. Beautiful music and environment. Pastries are delicate but for me it's too much. I was so full that for the third layer I could not savor the full flavor...
(4)Jen H.
Love this place! Always top notch service. The price matches the superior experience.
(5)Jessica P.
I came here for restaurant week (2015) with friends on a Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were given options to either sit at the bar, sit at the table (while waiting for our friends to arrival), or sit at the side. The customer service was great from the start to end. Restaurant Week Food -great presentation and great food! Appetizer: Beet Salad: a variety of different beets (including beet marshmallow), yum.. absolutely enjoyed it! Enjoyed the entree options as well as dessert options. Portions: small - especially for big eaters, you might be hungry after the meal. Great date location! :) I would come here again.
(5)Colleen C.
Pinky up. When a dear friend suggested the girls do high tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel) on my short trip to my beloved Chicago, I squealed with delight, replied immediately, invited my mother and went out to buy a new dress. Priorities. Of course, we opted for the sparkly version...($68/pp) CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Traditional Afternoon Tea + a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (I die of happiness). My mother isn't into bubbles (I know, where did I come from?) and they were very happy to substitute white wine for her. I will say, I don't know if this is common but the "top ups" on the champagne and wine were gracious. It wasn't expected but it was absolutely welcome. Insider tip -- being polite and looking the part (faking it is fine! I do!) invites some insider perks. Maybe they do this for everyone!? I don't know but it certainly prolonged our very enjoyable experience. And it was all it was cracked up to be. The service absolutely impeccable from start to finish. These guys have it on LOCK. It's spendy, but you'll leave your afternoon tea experience feeling full of far more than delicious tea and small sandwiches/petit desserts -- it's an experience to be savored and enjoyed. To slow down and enjoy the company you are with. To wear something nicer than usual. To indulge and be delighted for an afternoon. I suggest you make a booking, cheers! *Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Children's Afternoon Tea menus available upon request.
(5)Mike L.
We came for Sunday Brunch - I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me; 1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact - not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever - I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor. We've never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed He's the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure 'everything' was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!! You don't have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons - my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer - never. 2) The food was excellent; don't get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more - they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3-4 times. And there weren't that many people dining. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above. Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back.
(4)K I.
We reserved for the dinner. It was empty and so I was puzzled. The male host knew that we came for dinner. The waiter took the order for the drink for my husband, and we waited for it. This waiter disappeared. We started to wonder around 5 min...but it was the Peninsula Hotel and so we tried our best to be patient. Finally we asked about the drink and we decided to leave since we even didn't get the menu. The host was lazy obviously, and the waiter who took our order didn't come back and other one delivered the drink after 20 min. It was the worst service we have ever had. The Lobby isn't the place for dinner. The desert they had looks good and cute, but they were not as tasty as they looked when we had for lunch at other time. I overlooked the patio downstair which seems to be the better place to eat at this hotel. The Lobby don't have the Peninsula hotel's quality. The service will be the disgrace for the Peninsula hotel's reputation. I hope they review and fix it in the near future. It is just a matter of managements. In addition, I, as a woman, hold the door for the porter and doorman this time since they looked very busy, and he didn't thank me. The hotel workers lost all the manners as the 5 star hotel. They were supposed to help the guests instead of being helped by the guests.
(1)Diana D.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel's Lobby is so fun and unique! For about $65 per person, you can pretend to be fancy British people enjoying your afternoon tea and finger foods. And it's UNLIMITED, yes, ALL YOU CAN!! They don't really advertise that part, but when our waiter came by to check on us he asked if there was any particular dish we wanted more of. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I blurted out, "Is it free?" LOL! I'm such a commoner! How did I not know this was a buffet? Because there isn't any sign that says so. It doesn't even mention it on the menu. Anyway, I did take advantage of AYCE and I even snatched a to go box stuffed with more food. Yes, I'm so ghetto. So the food is actually really tasty little bites of sandwiches, desserts, and scones. My favorites were the fried risotto balls and smoked salmon thingy. I love tea and they had a bunch to pick from. Service was great. Other patrons were mainly tourists and old people. There was a ADA convention going on at the hotel that weekend, so there were tons of dentists there. I would definitely recommend afternoon tea at The Lobby! We made reservations a few weeks in advance.
(5)ms t.
Great service. Grande ambiance. String duet. Amazing teas. Average biscuits and sandwiches. I can't say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn't even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service.
(4)T T.
Afternoon Tea is the most beautuful experience! The ambience, the finger foods, the scones and especially the tea. Great for a cold wintery day in Chicago
(5)Jackie M.
I came here for the chef week lunch special $22 which was a good deal for the food and ambiance. The salad and dessert were self serve/buffet style and you get a choice of entree (diver scallop, housemade paste, or apricot glazed pork tenderloin). Salad bar - charchuterie choices include various meat and brie cheese, cooked lobster/rice noodle in a martini glass (I had 2!), pasta salad, creamless tomatoe soup, shitake, cucumbers, green salad, variety of dressing (housemade?), seasoned fried califlower. These choices may sound simple, but the flavor and presentation was fancy. Dessert - diced fresh fruit bowl, nutella macaron (OMG), pistachio macaron (meh), pistachio chocolate opera, brandied cherry creme brulee/custard, chocolate pudding/mousse, strawberry tart (GOOOOD), and 2 choices of chocolate (dark or almond). It was European style pastry and they were all goood!!! It came with 2 diver jumbo scallop and was cooked just right. The sauce, purple yam, and bacon was a good compliment to the scallop. The pasta was good, but the portion was quite small. Overall, the ambiance was really nice and relaxing. However, it did took awhile before the waitress took our order. Well she did seem busy attending to multiple table. Overall, the waitress was attentive afterward. Will definitely go back to try the afternoon tea or dessert buffet!
(5)Mindy H.
I've been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :) The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I've been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette... and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets! For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts. All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I've heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :)
(5)Alfred L.
First time for everything! Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know....one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn't say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical. So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2-4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite. Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place.
(3)Mehran F.
GROSS and not worth the price. Guys, please train your people on basic hygiene. The server was sweaty on his face, wiped sweat off his face and touched the menu and dishes. Come on, get real. (this review is on behalf of my wife who was disappointed with her experience today. My wife has been going to Penninsula Lobby last few years, maybe twice or three times a year, normally taking out of country guests there. Her mother in particular likes the place....but today is last time. Reservation made. They had to wait around 15 or 20 minutes still to be seated. In fact, the hostess had even confused them with another party. Food, in comparison with prior times: less variety, not as good as before. And certainly the sweat experience did not make the whole thing such an appetizing afternoon tea for her and her three friends. For about $120 per person, one gotta have the decency and integrity to create some value... As much as I'd avoid Starbucks, i tend to imagine you get a more consistent "value" and certainly hygiene there, and if you do not, the dent in your pocket would not leave you wondering, WTF.
(1)Cindy H.
Read on yelp afternoon tea was "all you can eat". For $55/person I was happy to hear it. Called to check, lady told me "no, but we will refill the plate once". I was charged double for an extra plate of food for a child. Probably won't be back. Used to love this place. Meh.
(2)Safina Z.
Went for brunch...the food s not bad. The waitress was very nice...dunt like the view...
(3)Nisha P.
Went here for a romantic dinner date with my fiancé. The food was great! The goat cheese tortellini appetizer was amazing. I got the short ribs entree which was truly delicious. The bread they gave us at the beginning of the meal was bacon brioche which was godly. Overall, the food was delicious but not worth the price. Our meal ended up being nearly 75 per person which was unnecessary. Definitely a "white table cloth" kind of restaurant. I tend to prefer a trendier, hipster vibe :)
(4)Heather L.
Okay, fine. The afternoon tea is actually pretty stellar.
(3)Christine L.
Ambience - A little hotel-y, but very swanky so perfect. Food - Perfect Service - Perfect I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time. One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs. The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu! As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke puree with tempura'ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal. Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians...) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :) I can't wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both??
(5)Christina B.
Impeccable service and even better brunch spot. Now, the prices are little bit more than your average Chicago brunch place but the quality of food and service matches. The french toast was the real deal and the side of thick bacon was perfect. For coffee lovers, the coffee was pretty solid too. Great spot to "wow" out of towners and entertain business partners.
(5)Happiness L.
I have been to the Lobby on numerous occasions throughout the past 8 years. Let me say that I love Francisco! He is absolutely one of the most stellar waiters who has ever helped me anywhere I have ever dined. In the past service was usually excellent yet at times was below par at this location. Today we went for high tea and so far it is the very best one in Chicago that I have experienced. I can understand why they sell out over the holiday season. In addition I have been to the Lobby for breakfast and their executive lunch in the past. I also had the pleasure of enjoying their chocolate night with music. I highly recommend dining here especially during the holidays when they have their gorgeous tree in the dining room. Happy!
(5)Kitt R.
Beautiful place for breakfast and lunch in the lobby of the penisula. The food is good and the service is great. It's a very bright and open space in the lobby and is a great place to start your day.
(5)Linda T.
My initial impression was to give The Lobby 3 or 4 stars. The setting was nothing notable at first glance (simply a large hotel lobby), and the prices are sky high. However, as our experience progressed, I became more and more impressed to the point where I felt the price tag was justified, and a 5 star review is warranted. We were seated next to the window, which overlooked an ice skating rink. Adorbs... In the middle of our lunch, I looked up and noticed a balcony with a cellist and a violinist! I thought the ambient music was pre-recorded until then. The string duo definitely added charm. As for our food, I was blown away. I ordered the full tea service. At first glance, the tower was not so impressive. But as I took each piece onto my plate, I was able to appreciate how delicate everything was, especially the desserts. There was this one cake in particular that had a decorative white chocolate piece placed on top; it was a thin, triangular plate with orange marbling... It was beautiful. Of course, presentation aside, everything tasted delicious! In addition to my perfect meal, I had a bite of my friend's lobster sandwich, and wow... I'm salivating just thinking about it! So so juicy!! I also loved their tea. We had the lychee and the ginger. Both were good, but I liked the lychee a little better. All in all, I was glad I got to experience The Lobby! I'll shoot to come back around Christmas next time. It just strikes me as a place that can deliver overwhelming holiday cheer! So yes... I intend to write an update review.
(5)Lisa B.
If you can't stay at the Pen, head on over in the morning to have a lovely breakfast in the Lobby. The decor is five star fabulous, the service is stellar and the food is consistently above the bar. I'm a bit of a bore at breakfast. When I travel I always have one poached egg on wheat toast with a tomato and steamed spinach. I wash that down with a fine cup of Joe while I peruse the NYT and enjoy the serene surroundings. Sadly the day I was there I was harassed by a monster of a child who was allowed not only by the child's mother, but by the rest of the staff to run wild around our tables screaming at the top of his lungs. This went on for nearly thirty minutes. Everyone in the restaurant was bothered and I was really annoyed that the family was not asked to keep the child quiet. Had it been five minutes, it would have been one thing, but it went on for the entire time I was in the restaurant and it ruined my meal. I believe my breakfast cost me well over $50 and for an egg and a piece of toast, a high-end restaurant has the responsibility of making sure its guests are comfortable. Other than that....great place.
(3)Chary H.
Brunch here is amazing. Though I prefer to come around the holidays because it is beautifully decorated, brunch here is great any time of year. The only aspect I don't like is how disorganized the set up seemed this time. It's pricey but we'll worth it. Definitely make reservations in advance.
(4)Isabelle L.
I have a great experience having high tea with my sister on Sunday afternoon. The setting is nice and server is super friendly . We stay there for 2 hours and we enjoy the tea and food .
(4)Horace L.
When I was young, my aunt told me that the best way to judge a restaurant is by the bread. Because of this I knew instantly that my dinners at The Lobby would be great - they used to have a bread basket that would knock your socks off. A couple years ago they served a small whole wheat seeded baguette with several kinds of phenomenal butter. Recently they changed to generic crap butter and a seeded braided monstrosity that used to only plague room service orders. This is clearly not the most important thing to take away from a restaurant, but it's my main concern now. Especially since the service and the rest of the food is generally terrific, the current breadbasket is a massive stain on The Lobby's sterling reputation. My wife and daughter agree, so the only conclusion is that a brainless executive is trying to save money, not make the full experience a pleasure.
(3)Karma K.
You simply cannot have a bad dining experience here! I've been here for lunch and afternoon tea. Both experiences were phenomenal and I don't use that word often. The setting is lovely and just what you would expect from the Peninsula. The food, oh the food...presented beautifully and tastes even better. I would love to return for dinner with my husband. He's more of a diner and beer type guy but I'll bribe him to come here!
(5)Haibei Z.
1. Very nice place to have dinner for lovers; also good for business dinners. 2. Waiter was nice, polite and helpful. 3. Oysters were served with 3 flavor a and were among the best ones I've ever had. 4. Duck breast is not recommended especially if you have ever tasted the real Beijing duck. 5. For $20 per person you can have a "chocolate buffet" after dinner. Dozens of choices and the presentations were spectacular. Chocolate and the desserts in the buffet were too sweet for my own preference though. Overall a very good place to go if you have a short trip to Chicago and don't want to spent $500 pp in the 3-star Micheline.
(5)Laura P.
Hosted my sisters bridal shower here and it could not have been more amazing. It is true the service here is a little bit more than some other places, but it is completely worth it. After coming here I wouldn't even spend money on tea service at any other place. The staff was so nice and accommodating. We had several special requests and they met everyone of our needs. We got there early to set up. We brought in our own floral centerpieces. They gave us special chairs and table cloths and as requested were seated in the corner by the window. It was just so perfect! We also had several special dietary requests (unfortunately one was last minute) but they were sure to accommodate everyone. We had both vegetarians gluten free ladies in our group. The food and tea were really good. The ambiance and decor is impeccable. They have live musicians playing in the background. You feel like royalty just being there. They even brought out a special piece of cake just for the bride. After we finished the tea out waiter was kind enough to organize our large group for a picture which turned out really well. They even packed up all my sisters gifts and took them down to our car for us. We used valet parking, which might be expensive but parking in this area can be really difficult so I recommend using it. Even the valet staff was just so nice. When it comes to tea service this will be my go to spot. And I should mention before selecting this place I tired several others in the city but nothing that was as fantastic as this!
(5)Umair H.
While I had earmarked a number of venues for my 1st anniversary, celebrating at The Lobby at the Peninsula was the right choice for all the key reasons: ambiance, service, cuisine quality and choice, and uniqueness. We were seated in the best section of the room - the table overlooking the Terrace through floor to ceiling windows. Our waiter was both attentive and very helpful in terms of selection of both drinks and food items. We started by ordering a few appetizers but most noteworthy was the Australian Smoked Beef Carpaccio. For entrees, my wife ordered the much recommended Jumbo Prawns prepared East Asian style while I ordered Veal Cheeks, which were delicious and moist, with an expected consistency of short rib and flavor profiles blending savory, smoky, and light saltiness. For dessert, we were treated with an anniversary strawberry sorbet and also ordered the flourless chocolate cake. Overall, a memorable night to mark a significant personal milestone.
(5)Jennie C.
Love the afternoon tea here, even though it's an indulgence I can't afford too often. I opted for coffee instead of tea and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee. However, it is less convenient than tea because you have to wait for the waiter to refill, rather than at your own pace, and the coffee gets cold faster. The sandwiches and desserts were all top-notch - beautiful to look at and taste equally good. Having just tried the Drake not long ago, I have to say Peninsula wins hands down (in terms of food quality)!
(4)Stephanie L.
Meh...I was wanting to love the "absolute must" of afternoon tea, but it left me lackluster and disappointed. I took my mom and sister's here for afternoon tea. I had read all of the reviews and it just seemed like something different, fun, upscale, etc. The Lobby is on OpenTable, however you cant make reservations for afternoon tea on there. So I had to call and talk to someone, which I dont like doing. Boo. When we arrived at 330, the room wasnt quite ready so they pointed to a sitting area until they could seat us. We waited and saw several others getting seated. We waited and waited. Finally I started to give the server's the eye...WTH??? This is not what I expected when they charge $50 a head for tea. The hostess came over and said that our table was ready...clearly, she had forgotten about us. She even had to ask for the reservation name again. Annoying for this "caliber" of restaurant. Boo. The tea and the food left much to be desired. It definitely tasted mass produced, sitting in the cooler for awhile. Meh. The sandwiches were disappointed. The desserts faired a little better. I did like the tea, but they didnt give you sugar, cream, etc unless you asked...which again, I find interesting. Boo. Now the one thing that I can say that I loved was our server. He was excellent at explaining the menu, giving suggestions and trying to accommodate everyone. Two thumbs up to Eric. YAY. Lastly, they automatically charge a 20% authorization with a credit card??? So I called because they clearly overcharged me on my account, but they stated that they authorize an extra 20% but it will only be charged the base...?? Never heard of such a thing. Boo. I definitely think this is a SKIP...go somewhere else...this is less than impressive.
(2)Tiffany L.
For some strange reason whenever I think of afternoon tea, I picture little Michelle Tanner tap-dancing frenetically and singing "tea for two and two for tea". (Actually now Downton Abbey is back on, I just picture having tea with the Dowager while she makes sassy comments to me.) I have been to the Peninsula for tea twice and unfortunately there is no little girl dancing and serenading me, nor is Professor Gonagall there. C'mon, I hear the Drake has a harpist for entertainment! Fortunately the service is very good and the tea set and silverware is all silver, and I imagine they have their own Mr. Carson in the back polishing all the silver. The tea sandwiches and mini desserts are all very pleasant to look at, but I am torn otherwise. While I understand it must take an enormous amount of work to create all these delicacies, I was sad to bite into slightly stale bread on my cucumber sandwich and a cold mini empanada. And I would have loved to see sugar cubes instead of sugar packets. Also I think you have to specifically ask for butter and jam for the scones. Bonus stars if they offered clotted cream. The $50 price tag includes three tiers of finger foods and a pot of tea (tea might be unlimited, I'm not sure, I decided to try two different types, but really, how much tea could your stomach possibly hold?). I was actually really full and even took the scones home, It's fun to go at least once for the experience. Be fun and wear a fancy hat!
(4)Vaidehi T.
3 and a half stars! Visited The Lobby last Saturday for their restaurant week menu. The setting is beautiful and luxurious. The ambiance will sweep you over for sure. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. The salad bar was ok - nothing jumped out at me as mind blowing. There was a variety of stuff, something for every palate. For the main course my hubby chose the potato gnocchi, and I chose the arctic char in chicken jus. The potato gnocchi dish was pretty flavorful with all the components, but the gnocchi itself was quite dense and doughy. But we still enjoyed that dish. The arctic char was a bit of a disappointment. It came with the celery root, onions and brussel sprouts. I did not enjoy the texture of the onions and the celery root. Also the fish was a bit strong for my taste. Next was the dessert - this is their strongest course. The dessert buffet looked beautiful and enticing. There was macaroons, fruit salads, different kind of cakes, mousse... basically something for everybody. All in all it was an enjoyable experience because of the beautiful ambiance and great service.
(4)J B.
We went on a Friday evening for a couple glasses of wine and the Chocolate Buffet. Décor: Beautiful looking room, wonderful display of all the desserts, nice live background music Food / Drinks: the wine was very good and the Chocolate Buffet...DIVINE! Service: Has to be some of the BEST service in all of Chicago. No detail goes untouched. Pricing: It is definitely up there, but well worth it Overall, it was a 5 STAR experience at the Best Hotel in Chicago. Look forward to returning soon!
(5)Yi-Jie W.
Went here for afternoon tea. I think it was way too hyped up, I've been to afternoon teas that cost less than half as much and are just as good. Service and ambiance was very good, I would give it 4.5 stars. Had to wait a while in the beginning because I came 5 minutes early. One I was seated though, the servers were very prompt and attentive, offering me things without me having to ask. I was seated by the window and there was a cute view of an ice-rink. The actual tea and food did not impress me though. I had chosen the vanilla scented black tea and the tea was weak compared to what I was used to. The best part of the food was the scones. They were fresh and warm and came with really delicious cream lemon curd. The sandwiches and desserts were disappointing. The sandwiches were meh, not bad but not great, none of them really stood out. Didn't taste freshly made. The desserts were really pretty, but flavor wise, I only liked this mini apple tart. I couldn't taste any filling in the lime macaron, I was expecting it to be much more tart but it was just sweet. It was a good experience, but I don't think I will be returning. I'd recommend going to Pierrot Gourmet instead (also at the Peninsula). Similar food, but better value and tastes less ready-made.
(3)Menglu W.
I went to The Lobby restaurant last weekend. It is a really good place to have a lunch. The Lobby is in the Peninsula hotel, which is a Michelin one star restaurant. I went there for the restaurant week, so I had the special restaurant week menu and price. It was a good experience. The serves are so nice and food is tasty. Also, the price was just $22. The first time I can't book a seat on Sunday that because all the seats were full. But the stuff is really nice and patient. I booked a seat on Monday. She answered my entire question about the location, the food, and the price. When I arrived there, the stuff helped me chose a wonderful seat which beside the window. I love the good snow view outside the window. My friend and I felt so comfortable because the service. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. I choose the beef loin with beans. The beef was tender and pretty flavorful. But the beans were a little bit salty. The appetizer and dessert are beautiful and luxurious. There were some dishes with several of fruits, Spanish sausage, vegetable salads and kinds of cakes and chocolates. Also, we spent a wonderful afternoon teatime after the lunch. We ordered the coffee which was nearly $6 per cup. The lunch's price for restaurant week was just $22. It was very cheap for a Michelin restaurant and it was valuable. All in all, it was a lovely and enjoyable experience here. I will be back there in the future.
(4)Tom M.
Executive lunch menu: accurately priced at 32$. The appetizers and desserts buffet is limited but largely enough to satisfy all appetites and curiousity. Various salades, charcuteries and cheeses. All is fresh, tasty, simple but original. The desserts are well done, especially the "verrines", very delicate. Our entree was a chicken breast perfectly cooked. Juicy and flavourful. It comes with some crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet and melting onions balanced with bacon. This is very good, but not really coherent. Service is discreet and the place is splendid. The tables are large, the glass-walls bring a great luminosity and the decoration is refined. Excellent overall.
(4)Erick N.
After having several friends rave about the Lobby my wife and I finally made it for dinner tonight; now I see what everyone is talking about, this place is the total package and is truly fantastic. Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen has an impressive resume (stints at famed venues such as Moto, El Bulli and most recently he was sous chef at Eleven Madison Park). He definitely has learned from the best and is doing an amazing job running the show at the Lobby. The Lobby is aptly named; literally set inside the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. Live music plays in the background, a tall ceiling with an impressive looking chandelier and large windows gazing into downtown Chicago set a nice, upscale but comfortable ambiance. Service was the perfect mix of personable, polished and attentive; our primary server Karen was so friendly that we definitely will request her again next visit. The menu features contemporary American cuisine; there are about eight appetizers ($15 on average), ten mains ($26 to $39), and a half dozen desserts (mostly $13; a new pastry chef was just brought on board). The luxurious chocolate buffet is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00pm to midnight; those having dinner may partake for half price - $20. The menu has great variety; one is far more likely to find multiple dishes appealing than struggle to find something. Hotel restaurants often have to be versatile due to serving a diverse array of guests and the Lobby's menu is perfect for this endeavor; several approachable items for picky and unsophisticated palates yet enticing to someone serious about fine dining. For $85 one may opt for the five course tasting menu; as a nice touch the tasting is customized based on one's preferences and aversions. Regardless if you choose a la carte or the tasting menu one also receives an amuse bouche, bread service (three different selections tonight; a baguette, multigrain and an outstanding brioche bacon bun), mignardises and even a small cake to take home as a parting gift. Most cocktails run $15 and wines by the glass are mainly in the $12 to $20 range. While the Lobby is not inexpensive, it is actually quite a value considering all the extras, the upscale ambiance, largish portions (we definitely left stuffed) and most importantly the high end cuisine. Certainly an experience worthy of a special occasion, but affordable enough for a romantic date night. Having greatly enjoyed the whole duck course at Eleven Madison Park last year and the famous whole chicken with foie gras and black truffle stuffing at sister venue The NoMad we were really eager to try the Lobby's incarnation of this dish, the Whole Roasted Chicken for Two. This dish is a must! A stuffing is placed under the skin sealing in all the moisture and enhancing the flavor; crispy skin and wonderfully juicy meat with a delicious sauce, ramps and morel mushrooms. This is one sexy chicken dish! My octopus appetizer with smoked ham was nicely charred and had wonderful textures and flavors; my wife was equally happy with her ricotta gnocchi. Even the desserts were phenomenal; I greatly enjoyed the coconut custard with black sesame, citrus cake, sorbet and candied yuzu. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and again a perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. While usually I try new things when I make a return visit to a venue, tonight's meal was so ridiculously good that I might very well repeat the same three courses! Even though this was our first time at the Lobby we were made to feel special and felt like regulars; we were both blown away by the experience and are already planning on returning next month. Chef Lee Wolen and his staff really have something special at the Lobby; they are truly deserving of a Michelin star this fall.
(5)Emily J.
Tea at The Lobby is a must for anyone visiting or living in Chicago. The Peninsula is such a gorgeous hotel and The Lobby is one of the highlights of the hotel. I went to tea here the other week with my friend and we had such a lovely time. Our server was fantastic and explained everything in our giant tea tower, as well as keeping our champagne glasses full! I would suggest getting the addition of a glass of champagne, it's fun and adds a little more festivity to the whole experience. The food is delicious here, I would suggest taking a bite of everything, even if you can't eat the whole thing (you will get stuffed eating at tea!). I loved the tuna salad sandwich, and you can't beat the croissants either. The cranberry ones are especially tasty. I saved the pastries and desserts for last, and I could only take a bite from each, but those bites were amazing. I loved the strawberry eclair and the macaroons are to die for. All in all, tea at The Lobby has been one of the most fun and most delicious dining experiences I have had in Chicago thus far.
(5)Amerie C.
My numerous visits to the The Lobby for afternoon tea and it was never a disappointment. Good service and excellent tea choices. They change their offerings every now and then and you will be amazed of the quality and varieties. Best afternoon tea in the city. Just make a reservation and go on a weekday to avoid the crowd on weekends. Good job to the chefs and staff who made every afternoon tea experience at The Lobby a delight.
(5)Mark C.
Great service, good focused menu, and fun wine list! Overall, was a great experience. Definitely not cheap, but you don't go fancy for a cheap meal.
(4)Joe S.
Not what you would expect from a Michelin star, I have a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu and have worked in restaurants more deserving of a star then this place. I was excited to eat here, the ambiance was amazing (The music was soo cool) The chocolate bar was impressive at first glance. However the waiter asked my wife if she wanted tap or sparkling water. Without hesitation he ran off to retrieve Pelegrino for the entire table (I don't like sparkling water) He poured it for me and my 5 year old son. I was like whatever.. My wife is pregnant and I didn't want to order wine without her so I was debating what I was going to do.. I read over the wine menu and was considering a glass regardless when he came back and asked me if wanted more Pelegrino. My glass was half full.. my sons was untouched and I ordered him a glass of milk as well which was still untouched and my wives was half full.. I obviously did not want it, I said no thank you but I asked my wife and she also said no thank you. Well he disappeared for a minute then returned with another bottle "On the house" Maybe it is just me but I found this to be as rude as it can get, here I am sitting in a Michelin Star restaurant and the waiter is treating me like I can't afford a $10 bottle of water.... Yes Mr. Waiter I am just going to forgo the rest of my meal without a beverage and only my half glass of sparkling water because I can not afford another bottle of pelegrino because I am a poor bum... Rude. The rest of the night was a let down. Appetizer came I wish I would have stopped here.. The cavatelli was amazing, no denying it. Entree's I ordered the Poached Halibut, the fish was cooked nicely but whatever was underneath it looked and tasted like crap, the only way to explain it is to say that it tasted like someone who doesn't know how to make stir fry, made me stir fry (Just soggy bell pepper blend)... My Wifes orderedJumbo Prawns and simply put they tasted exactly like orange chicken from Panda Express just Nasty. And The Peninsula is supposed to be the most kid friendly Hotel... Well they must not like kids too much because my sons kids menu spaghetti and meatballs was what tasted like bland freezer meatballs with tomato paste and no seasoning what so ever. After finishing our crappy meal I was vaguely looking forward to going to the chocolate bar.. maybe it could save this place.. But instead I just got more from my rude waiter.. I simply asked him "We're OK to just help ourselves to this now?" Mainly just letting him know we would be having it..... To which he replied "It's $20 a person" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuÂuuccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously are you still treating me like I can't afford anything here? All because I didn't want sparkling water? You pissed me off so bad I didn't order the glass of wine I wanted because it made me feel like I would be trying to compensate for my free bottle of water. The truth about the chocolate bar.. It's mediocre and kind of dumb.. It costs $20 so people act like they have to be enjoying it soooooooooo much.. but the truth is I would gladly have just enjoyed a real fresh dessert from another restaurant vs all the mediocre desserts I could eat. The waiter brought the check only after I asked for it... This guy was retarded or something as I was just sitting there and he walked past a couple times and never brought it. He brought the check and some more handouts... Not sure if everyone got these or just me because I am poor but he gave us a little box with some chocolate truffles and peanut butter filled chocolates. The chocolates were good but nothing could salvage this. In their defense the rest of the wait staff was polite as was the management, but the food is crap.. I spent $240 and was dissappointed beyond belief, this was supposed to be Michelin Star but it was a Michelin let down.. I am a middle class guy but I take being a chef seriously, $240 is cheap compared to a lot places I've eaten.. If it is under $300 I don't even bat an eye and I spent $50 for us to get the chocolate bar alone, I could easily have bought a bottle of wine and it still would have barely broke $300 with tip. But don't waste your money. For what we got $85 seems like a fair price..
(1)Nancy C.
The Lobby at the Peninsula is gorgeous, especially when the ginormous Christmas tree is up. I recently had the afternoon tea service here and it was just as amazing as I had remembered it the first time, albeit more expensive. Let's just say as far as pricing goes, this is definitely more like a Christmas-gift-to-yourself type of place, unless you regularly shell out $50 for tea and finger sandwiches, but I digress. Even being the cheapskate I am, I thought it was a very worthwhile experience. The lobby itself is breathtaking, almost other-worldly. The soaring ceilings and old-world furniture makes the space so grand. There is a live string duo that plays in the balcony while you sip on tea, and the waitstaff is very vigilant on keeping your teapot filled. Random sidenote: their teapots can keep the tea warm for a ridiculously long time! I was very impressed. The tea selection and the tea itself were excellent. As far as the food goes, the items are literally works of art, especially the dessert. A couple of which were topped with a gold leaf and another one with a slither of thin, artistically crafted plate of white chocolate. It looked so beautiful I almost didn't have the heart to eat it. Aside from their tea service, the lobster roll off their lunch menu is absolutely delicious, with huge chunks of lobster tumbling off the sandwich. I definitely recommend it. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask for a window seat, which looks out to a cute little ice skating rink atop the peninsula hotel and the magnificent mile. It was quite magical.
(5)Patty C.
I love the chocolate buffet on Saturdays here. It's like chocolate heaven. Service is great too!
(4)Marilyn G.
I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Lobby. I was seated right away. The waiter was very nice. He brought me the tea menu. I had the orange jasmine, great flavor. Then i was brought the 3 tiered tower of savories and sweets. Everything was amazing! The waiter brought me more sandwiches and let me take a couple of scones home. The devon cream and lemon curd were very good. I had a great experience but i think the Drake was better. Beware if you're paying with credit or debit card because they charge you a 20% charge which they dont bother telling you about until after a few days or when you check your bank account. So that made me angry. I recommend paying cash. Great tea and food but not really sure i'd go back.
(4)Yvonne Y.
Good: perfectly roasted venison, tender scallop served with kale and sausage, cheese gnocchi with parmesan and porcini mushroom, and a generous amuse bouche porcini mushroom soup with chestnut; wonderful, unpretentious staff who makes you feel welcome; warm, crusty multigrain bread, gazillion courses for the "5 course" tasting menu, chestnut theme dessert of chestnut cake/mousse/actual chestnut with cassis sorbet and blackberries. I'd suggest one area of improvement: I almost gave them 4 stars due to the following. Especially for guests who ordered the tasting menu, I think the staff could provide a bit more details or attention when describing the dishes/ingredients for each dish. I probably would have appreciated the Spanish octopus dish more had I known it's a Spanish theme as I thought the almonds were unnecessary for the dish originally. Overall, it's solid food, beautiful high ceiling ambiance, friendly unpretentious staff that I'd recommend to others. The food showcases solid cooking and good balance of taste. It's not the shishi 50 ingredient dish stacked high to your nose kind of restaurant.
(5)Najia Y.
Chocolate at the Pen should be referred to as chocolate paradise. Need I say more? As far as the afternoon tea is considered, it was good but not great. The clotted cream wasn't like the kind in London (which to me is a key part of afternoon tea). But I have yet to find the perfect afternoon tea in Chicago, so this is definitely a good choice.
(4)Chuan G.
Great food! Great service! Great decoration! Great view!
(5)Evelyn Z.
Excellent food and service. I love the bird eye chili sauce served on prawns; I'm never a fan of prawns but this one is brilliant. The setting is also very cozy and romantic.
(5)Grace E.
Sunday brunch at the Pen is fantastic. Set up around the dining tables, several food stations offer everything from breakfast pastries, dim sum, roasted meats, cold cheeses, and made-to-order omelets. There's even a little buffet line catering to the little ones. Additionally, the dessert station in the middle of the lobby boasts a large array of sweets, similar to those found on the afternoon tea trays. Service is top notch, as the servers will often anticipate your needs before you ask for anything (e.g. new silverware, more coffee, valet calls, etc.) Also, the string duet on the balcony makes for nice background music. If $75 a person doesn't hurt your wallet, make brunch at the Peninsula a routine thing. Otherwise, head over on special occasions (request a seat by the window if you reserve early!)
(5)Mark D.
Calgon, take me away to Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. A string quartet playing high above us in an alcove balcony, glasses of champagne, a three tiered plate of utterly divine finger foods, and of course, tea service. Prices are exorbitant and not for the faint of heart. The experience is priceless. For a moment, I thought maybe the Queen was a few tables away. Do this at least once in your life. You won't regret it.
(5)Alice H.
I love this place. It is a first class dining experience. The wait staff is incredibly attentive. My favorite dish is the chicken two ways for two. It is so delectable. They also carry my favorite wine, Hall. I actually love the open design of the space. I hate feeling crammed into a small space with someone I don't even know listening in on my dinner conversation. Here, because it is so open, there does actually feel like there is more privacy with the person you are dining with (particularly if you get one of the seats by the window). I've been for afternoon tea and for the chocolate bar as well. Both are worth trying. They can be a bit pricey, but it's probably worth the experience to try it at least once. Not sure if I would go back on a regular basis for either, but that's mostly because I can't consume enough dessert to justify the chocolate bar for myself in one sitting. In terms of afternoon tea, I think you can find better and cheaper alternatives in the city that have equal quality in tea and food. Think simple foods is a new place that popped up that actually is a very nice alternative to afternoon tea. But for dinner, I do love coming to the lobby. It is always consistently outstanding food and service. I will keep coming back.
(5)Andrew R.
Phew. Ok. Where to start? First off, holy fucking white people. I felt like I was at a Ronald Reagan Memorial convention hosted by AARP. I've never seen so many pairs of khaki pants in my life. LL Bean should have sent a photographer. Anyway. The experience was not good. Maybe it's because I went for Restaurant Week and they don't care about the poors, but everything was pretty disappointing. Apple and endive salad? So-so. Short rib was pretty damn dry. Then, we had the pleasure of waiting 30+ minutes between our entree and desert. No exaggeration. Every time our waiter came to the table he gave the impression that desert was on its way. After 10 minutes the plates were cleared. 10 minutes later the silverware was set out. 10 minutes later our desert arrived. Guys I don't even like desert that much. 2 stars for the nice space and the fact that being white, I fit right in.
(2)Elina S.
Wooohooo, my 300th review goes to such a fun place, that's gotta be a good sign. I've been dying to go to the lobby at the Peninsula for quite some time for afternoon tea since I'm just a big fan of the hotel itself, the other restaurants it has to offer and I've always wanted to try afternoon tea since I'm such a classy girl at heart whose always dreaming about tea time in London. Anyways, wow, is it gorgeous in here, from the moment you walk into the lobby (which you take the elevator to get to) you're just blown away from majestic royalty. The super tall windows bring in so much light, the gorgeous plating and silverware, everything is just high end and breathtaking. You just get this feeling that you want to stay here for hours and hours and just take in all the beauty. We got a nice table for the six of us since we were here for my friend's birthday. You get to choose your own tea (I chose the only white Jasmine) which was delicious, simple and really good quality. They do have a lot of choices so there's definitely something here for everyone. The afternoon tea package comes to $45 plus tax and tip, so it's definitely not cheap, but for the amount you get, it's definitely worth it. I thought it would be all hoity toity but I was wrong, I was definitely stuffed by the end of it and as pretentious as it is, there's something charming about having afternoon tea with your ladies on a Saturday afternoon. I'm already planning a trip back for a special occasion since coming here every weekend is definitely out of my budget. Now onto what you get in the package, a bunch of scones, little sandwiches and pastries. The scones were my favorite, served warm and they give you refills if you ask which is always a bonus. They also come with jam and butter, they go the best with tea in my opinion. The sandwiches from cucumber, to smoked salmon, tuna, roast beef were all honesty okay, they didn't wow me, but presentation on those beautiful 3 plated tiers were gorgeous. The pastries, like the scones were super yummy, something for everyone. They were all so beautiful that you have to save room to try them all. I'm telling you that you do get your money's worth from the amount you get, plus tea with the added atmosphere. They also bring out this raspberry sorbet later on for each person which is super yummy. Our server was on top of it, but how can he not be working at such a place. It was definitely a one of a kind experience and I'm curious as to see what other hotels in Chicago offer in comparison for afternoon tea. Peninsula, I will be back :)
(4)Stephen R.
chocolate bar thats the only reason to eat here. forget the ambiance, the live music, etc.. go eat at the chocolate bar. treats galore, ranging from classics to culinary works of art. dont miss it, it is very steep...so you get a break if you eat dinner there but make it an event.
(5)Tiffany R.
Not to miss: Octopus, scallops, chocolate bar... Not that this place needs another great review, but just a suggestion for those going on date night... We went for an early reservation (5:30), then went on our way (to the Bulls game - they won, was one of the last games Derek Rose played in...frowny face), THEN returned for the chocolate bar after the game. It was perfect.
(5)Rosanna L.
I absolutely love the open space The Lobby has. You're not covered in a restaurant surrounding, but more of an open, let's relax kind of feng shui. The servers are very tentative and friendly. I had an extremely hard time deciding went to get since they had a deliciously looking display of hor d'ourves and desserts, which comes with an entree. I was very tempted, but decided to split the Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich: gruyere, tomato soup, french fries and The Peninsula Club: shaved turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, egg, tomato, avocado with my co-worker. The grilled cheese ( yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… ) sounded and looked really good, it even came on a pretzel bun, but the cheese itself lacked flavored. The tomato soup was delicious, cream-less I might add and the fries were crispy. I am in love with their Peninsula Club, first time having egg in any club sandwich it made a difference! We also asked for no middle bread. The bread itself was thin and toasted just right. I did get to try some of my co-workers grilled baby octopus appetizer and WOW this is was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! Also tried some of the truffled mac & cheese and this just might be my new favorite place for mac & cheese, yum! Only complaint is it took quite a long time to receive our 2nd course after we were done with our 1st course. P.s. I definitely want to try their sushi options next time.
(4)Fay H.
We ordered the afternoon tea. While the tea was rather good, the dessert was so-so. I don't think it deserves its price. However, the service was really great.
(3)Alan S.
My wife and I have always enjoyed breakfast places and seek out those touted as the best wherever we are. Someone told us about breakfast at The Peninsula and they may have been the two best breakfasts we enjoyed all last year. First day my wife enjoyed the French Toast and I had the waffles. Second day she got the pancakes and I got the French Toast. If there are better breakfast foods of this type PLEASE let us know where. Everything was beyond perfect-including the service. I have few culinary skills so maybe it's not a great secret, but I have NO idea how one makes such incredible tasting food. Yes, it's going to cost you what dinner costs at a lot of places but we felt it was worth every penny and can't wait to return. Also, from what we saw, The Peninsula is likely a fabulous place to stay and we plan on finding out later this year. Simple: If you're looking for a casual, bring the kids and have fun breakfast place that won't break the bank, visit Sunny Side Up which is just down the street and EXCELLENT. If you want a truly special meal in an elegant (and, yes, some might say "stuffy") setting, The Lobby at The Peninsula is spectacular.
(5)Cannelle T.
Stupid Michelin. Every time they give a restaurant a star the portions shrink...But, the lunch here is excellent. It is perfect for business or a nice family lunch downtown. The bouillabaisse was excellent. And, this is coming from someone who lived on the French Riviera. The atmosphere is understated and just the right amount of posh. You can take your parents here and they will appreciate not having to wait in line for "tapas" at some of the hipper downtown restaurants. Dinner is great too. But, the dining room gets dark.
(4)Tara P.
Only fair to update how well they have improved on their customer service. Attention of the staff improved immensely. Had afternoon tea today with friends and it was great. Service couldn't be better. Our waiter was very attentive always refilling our hot water. The apricot scones were delicious along with the creativity of their delicious sandwiches. I especially liked the salmon. The desserts were designed beautiful but just a tad too sweet, but included chocolate. Fantastic selection of teas. Since I live walking distance from the Peninsula, I have come many times since my last review, including going to the chocolate buffet and am now very impressed with their improvement in service. The chocolate buffet is magnificent and service there is also impeccable.
(4)Michael S.
So this review is solely for the chocolate bar, but after the chocolate bar experience I would definitely come back for dinner! First off, thank you Peninsula for your ingenius names such as The Bar, The Lobby, The Terrace, etc. Very original... Joking aside the place is just so elegant, but welcoming. Decor is really nice and I loved how they used the lobby as the dining setting. When we went for our after anniversary dinner, there was a celloist and guitarist playing songs from the top 40's to older goodies, like Brown Eyed Girl and Smooth Operator. It was a fun night just for the gf and I to figure out the songs that were being played. Just such happy music! Service was good and bad which is why I just couldn't give a 5 star. Our server was attentive at times, but not so much at others. He forgot my Johnnie Walker with a splash of soda water. I didn't mind because of the coffee I was gulping down, but he did bring us a bottle of a dessert wine which he said was compliments of the house since he forgot all about my drink. Too bad he didn't refill our glasses with the rest of the wine. Ah well. All the other waitstaff was impressive. The special plate of desserts that said Happy Anniversary was a really nice touch as well. On to the chocolate: Well, it's not Hershey's... that's for sure! The chocolate is so rich and so good that it is really hard to really sample everything... that's why I overloaded on coffee.. Just needed something to cleanse my tastebuds. I don't really think I can pick a favorite from all the chocolates, but they were all really good! I know the gf was really happy with the selection. Overall, yes service had some sore spots, but the music and chocolate combined with the service in good times makes me really like the lobby. Is it worth $40 pp? Well, it's the experience. I know we will definitely be back although it will be quite some time before I can look at a piece of chocolate.
(4)Maria M.
We went there for Christmas dinner just yesterday night 12/23/14..the food was disappointing...Pork Shoulder was dry, the Jumbo prawns, you can have some prawns that's more tasty in some other places for less money. If you are a foodie don't bother. You are paying for the name Peninsula and maybe for the service but the food was not that great.
(2)Shweta C.
I have done many tea services around Chicago over the years including the Peninsula Lobby a long time ago, however, this time around I was extremely disappointed. There were many reasons, and I have included a few in my review. Firstly, despite the place being nearly empty our table was not ready for a good 15 minutes after our reservation time. Secondly, once we sat down it took a very long time to actually get our tea and food. The teapots were very large, heavy and kept spilling tea down the sides onto the table. Furthermore, the holes in the tea strainer/sieve were so large that it allowed the tea leaves right through into our cups. My family and I requested vegetarian sandwiches two of which were good but the rest were literally bread with slices of tofurkey on them!!! I actually felt embarrassed for the Peninsula for thinking this was actually an acceptable item to serve at a high end hotel. When we ordered more of the two types of sandwiches we did like (fully expecting to pay extra if they asked), they brought us a couple and said that was all they had left! Not sure why they could not make more. The only reason I am even giving this experience a 2 is because the host offered to take pictures of us both while seated and near the flower arrangements as we were leaving, and took some of the best photos of my family with an iphone that we have ever had. But overall, this experience was not even remotely close to worth the atrocious prices. I am disappointed to say that after all these years of trying tea services around Chicago, I always go back to the Drake, where the service, food, and ambiance is all impeccable. The set up is more appropriate for a tea with sofas and low tables, and a harpist most days. The teapots are appropriately sized and weighted and their strainers actually do their job. They actually come up with creative vegetarian sandwiches that incorporate vegetables and dairy instead of fake meat, and most importantly, I have never had anyone tell me in the 10 years I have been going there that we could not have seconds (and never charged for them either). Overall, I would not recommend this experience to anyone. You will have a much better experience for a lower cost at The Drake.
(2)Megan G.
This review is exclusively for their restaurant week experience. My boyfriend and I decided to try a few of Chicago's classics for the 2014 restaurant week. Therefore, we ended up at The Lobby for dinner. First off, try to get a table close to the large window, as the rest of the decor isn't much to look at (since you are, of course, eating in the hotel lobby). They had a cello/guitar duet playing top 40 songs that we made a game of guessing the song first. As for the food, it was delicious (though I did think the fennel overwhelmed the olive oil poached tuna in the appetizer). You have an option of two dishes for the appetizer, main course, and dessert. The portions are fairly small (the dessert might be the largest and the most filling). However, they serve you as much bread as you'd like- the bacon brioche and the goat butter were absolutely to die for! And they sent us both home with a wrapped mini loaf of their lemon pound cake that was amazing the next morning with tea for breakfast. Overall, would highly recommend going to The Lobby for restaurant week. It lost a star for the decor and the portion sizes for the restaurant week menu.
(4)Claudia M.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was really disappointed. The ambiance is very nice, quiet ad romantic, quite possibly the only memorable thing about it. The food is not what I expected from a starred restaurant. We had the restaurant week menu and a couple more items from their regular menu: nothing stood out. Their cooking style is very classic, not to say boring, but the execution is sloppy and the service was seriously lacking professionalism. Our bread was cold and a bit stale, for example. When we complained that the roasted potatoes around our meat main were severely undercooked (as in crunchy feeling, like a cucumber, seriously) we received barely a nod. I had the impression my waiter did not understand English so well, to be honest. I asked for the spirits menu and they had less choice than my own bar cabinet. I am really not sure whether that was an off night or I had too high expectations or restaurant week was the wrong time... one thing I have no doubt about, though: we will not be back.
(2)Jenny H.
Restaurant Week lunch at The Lobby far exceeded my expectations-- sunlit, high ceiling grandeur with delightful varieties of tiny bites! APPETIZER BAR self serve of butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My friends enjoyed sampling rock shrimp from delicately arranged martini glasses SEARED SCALLOPS tender and perfectly seared with scrumptious parsnip puree DESSERT BAR self serve of tarts, cupcakes, mousse, and cheesecake. I loved sampling all of them; however their chocolate cupcake was a little too dry for my liking. Overall, a wonderful girls' lunch! I loved the space. I thought it was hilarious that every single time we got up and left our napkin, we'd return with them neatly folded! I will be back for afternoon tea!
(4)Sangeeta K.
My husband and I went to The Lobby as part of the restaurant week a couple of days ago. My husband is a vegetarian so he was forced to order a la carte. He got the succulent melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi for appetizer and grilled cauliflower for main course. He loved both the items though I did think that the cauliflower was a bit too charred. I got the endive apple and ham salad with shrimp bouillabaisse! Both items were delicious. Since it was the Chinese new year, they had an AMAZING dessert buffet on the house. The decor is grandiose and the live band was great. We really had a good time and we will definitely come back for more.
(4)Gretchen D.
Lovely place. Great decor. Surprisingly quiet for such a large room. As others have mentioned--the cello-guitar duo is great fun to listen to. The floral arrangements were lovely. Went on Friday night. The service was perfect. Friendly and attentive. Husband had mixed greens salad which was perfectly dressed. I had the squash salad which was wonderful. Delightful toasted wild rice. Nice perfectly cooked hunks of winter squash. Husband had the short ribs which was really good. I had the Tagliolini. The pasta was fresh and good texture. I could have done with a bit more Parmesan and fewer mushrooms, but it is a good dish. We shared a sticky toffee pudding. We asked to switch the ice cream for another flavor. They happily complied. By the way, the raisins give new meaning to the phrase 'rum soaked"! After dinner, they brought maroons and chocolates. then as we were preparing to go, the server brought little wrapped pound cakes to take with us. Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Really 4.5 stars, because I try to be stingy with the fives...
(4)Matt O.
This place is amazing! The food is excellent and reasonably priced considering it's the Peninsula Hotel. We sat by the windows overlooking the ice skating rink which was really well decorated for the Holiday season and it was snowing outside - so it just looked idyllic. There was a string duo playing live music during dinner which was really very nice. There were only three or maybe four other tables having dinner while we were there on a Saturday night. If you don't want to deal with a loud and cramped dining room and want good food for about $25 - $30 an entree, then go to the Lobby! The strip steak was delicious! The pork entree was very good too. They give you an amuse which is a small cup of mushroom soup - at least it was for us last weekend - and that was delicious too. We unfortunately did not have the infamous Chicken, but we'll be back to try it!
(5)Jen W.
I love going to afternoon tea here. The service is impeccable and so accommodating. My mother is lactose and they made a special tea set for her. Furthermore, I love how the sandwiches and finger foods always change. I would definitely recommend coming here for high tea.
(5)Brooke B.
Went here for a dinner on a Thursday evening w/ some girlfriends. This place is beautiful. High ceilings, chandeliers and the first class service you'd expect from the Peninsula. Here's my most memorable thoughts of the evening: #1 I love that mini symphony. I believe there were two violinists and cello player. They were amazing. Playing the most atypical music you'd expect. Rihanna, Cream, Queen...and they were so good that you could easily identify the song just a few notes in. I could've listened to them all night. #2 The service was great. Our server was a young man, friendly, not stuffy like you may expect in a place like this. At the end of the evening, he even brought us extra truffles. Just a nice guy. Other than that, there were different people clearing plates, filling waters and bringing warm breads. Nothing but the best, of course! #3 Are we really the youngest ones here?? Yes. We were. Most of the diners were probably guests at the hotel. This may be a romantic dinner spot because it's quiet, intimate and dimly lit. But if a bunch of gray hairs isn't your scene, you may want to choose otherwise. #4 I guess I should mention that food! Beautiful presentations, not super small portions, but not huge either. I enjoyed an Heirloom Carrot salad with bulgar wheat which was flavorful and just right. The crunch of the bulgar wheat (like it was toasted) left me feeling cozy. And the Mushroom Tagliatelle was also delicious. I think the pasta was homemade and the sauce was just right. Not too heavy and not too light. Just a blissful dinner! #5 Did I really just pay $23 to valet my car for TWO HOURS? Indeed, I did. If you can find street parking, walk the block or so. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I know I could've round-tripped a cab for less!
(4)Lauren S.
I am not sure how I feel. I went here on Friday night. We were in and out in 45 minutes. Very attentive service & very accommodating. I wanted the mushroom tagliatele with no mushroom (ie pasta with butter and cheese) and they did so. The salad was pretty good too. I went here tonight. WHOMP. It took them 3 hours, the service was absolutely awful this time. 4 star experience first time, 2 star second time (because the food itself was good) so an average of 3 stars
(3)Agnes L.
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula = ultra classy yet overrated. With live string quartet music in the background and the fancy hats for display, the atmosphere is formal and austere. I was happy we had a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows to let in a lot of light and help us feel not so stuffy. My group of six ordered the champagne with our tea service and thoroughly enjoyed the plethora of tea choices. (Each one of us got a different pot.) The server was extremely helpful in suggesting flavors that catered to our taste buds. However, the food was honestly disappointing. The sweet treats were beautiful, but out of all of them, the one with the most depth in flavor was the chocolate/peanut butter cake with gold flake. It was rich, decadent, but not too sweet. The others (tarts, marzipan, etc.) were not terrible but also did not really stand out too much to me. In fact, they all felt a bit flat or expected. What was worse were the tea sandwiches. There were four or five varieties, all decked out in heavy mayo - chicken salad in mayo, smoked salmon with mayo, tuna with mayo, etc. They were small in size but not at all dainty in flavor. And, again, all pretty bland. It was definitely worth the experience of trying out the place, but I would probably only return for a special occasion.
(3)Jessica N.
I came to Afternoon Tea for a bridal shower and had a fantastic time. The food and service were both top notch, so am surprised to see some of the negative service reviews listed! Also, while it seems awkward to have a private event in a large room with passersby, it really had an intimate feel because the noise level of others events is not too noticeable. Our server Don was amazing (would recommend requesting him in the future if you go, he's been there for 8 years. Scones were delicious, came with creamed butter, raspberry jam, and lemon curd. Then the tea service came out. I got the jasmine tea which was very good. They came by midway through to refill the pots with water. And the food was also quite good. 4 items on the savory side all good: Smoked Salmon/Asparagus - One of my favorite things all day. Everything really well balanced Mini ham sandwich - Nice hint of arugula to make it a little different Roasted vegetable tea sandwich - who wouldn't like portabella, peppers, and squash on a sandwich? There were a ton of desserts and despite the food all looking small and dainty it was quite filling. Hands down the best dessert was a hazelnut tiramisu looking bite with a chocolate crisp on top. SO good. It seems like a splurge for a regular afternoon, but was great for a special occasion. Service staff was extremely accommodating (getting us garbage bags for the wrapping paper, scissors and tape for our ribbon project, bellman to help bring the presents down). All done quite well!
(4)David T.
Few restaurant experiences have lived up to the expectations my wife & I had for "The Lobby." Visiting Chicago for just one night (away from our four children) we were initially overwhelmed by the list of great options. Ultimately we decided against trendy (i.e. LOUD) for something more comfortable. The Lobby was Awesome! Let's start with the space: simply stunning, HUGE, yet comfortable. Service? Fantastic. No fewer than 7 different personnel assisted us throughout our apps (on the couch) to our dinner (at one of the stunning window seats). And why about the reason for going out...the food? I was concerned that it might be too conservative / simple for me. Wrong The intensity of flavors / ingredients in every dish were amazing! A few favs: Lobster Roll App (loved the tarragon) - Shaved Carrot Salad (too much to describe) and finally the chicken for two. Yes...it is that good. Literally the first time I have ever ordered pollo in a fancy restaurant and it was EPIC. Hands down the best meat ever. Long story short if you want a classy night out with beautiful food in an incredible space...you can't do much better than The Lobby. - David (Cleveland)
(5)Rebecca M.
I LOVE THE LOBBY! Classy and delicious! The service here is impeccable and they definitely aim to please! We missed Tea Time by an hour but the waiter was so kind and gave us a sampling of their cute pastries anyway :) So glad we got to experience lunch here!
(5)Eric D.
The Lobby at The Peninsula, and Chef Lee Wolen in particular, have made it clear to me that customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to their success. In fact, as beautiful as its cuisine is-- and to be clear, The Lobby serves some of the most expertly prepared food I've ever enjoyed-- hospitality at The Lobby occupies a realm of excellence that few restaurants achieve. After a previous dining experience to celebrate a friend's birthday, we were invited back to celebrate my big day, as well. Birthdays are one of the few luxuries most of us get to enjoy, and I'm very appreciate of establishments that understand the privilege of celebrating special occasions with their patrons. Personally speaking, I just enjoyed one of my most memorable birthday dinners, and I have Chef Wolen and his staff to thank for such an exceptional experience. Upon arriving, we were seated immediately, and received visits from several staff members who took a genuine interest in insuring our comfort and satisfaction. I've dined at restaurants where this behavior can quickly become unwelcome, but the staff of The Lobby are polite without being overbearing, and in my experience, only serve to augment the dining experience. If the food weren't so damn good, one could easily write an entire review based on the service alone. But the food really is that good. I've been very fortunate to eat well, and eat well globally; The Lobby's cuisine is among the best à la carte I've eaten. Chef Wolen doesn't rest on the reputation he's established; I can only eat in the here and now, and what I have during each visit to The Lobby is outstanding beyond compare. Foods are expertly prepared, plated like works of art, and taste every bit as good as one could hope. I continue to find myself stunned by the quality and consistency of Chef Wolen's dishes. Even when I enjoy a great meal, it's rare that every plate is a winner. Dinner at The Lobby is frequently such a meal, however, and it certainly was this evening. We began with an amuse of corn soup and lobster (a sizable chunk, too), and were then treated to a work-in-progress artichoke + fennel salad that satisfied on many levels (salt, sweet, fragrant, blah blah blah). For appetizers, we enjoyed plates of octopus + chorizo, foie gras + blueberry, and ricotta gnochi. Each dish was excellent individually, complemented one another, and left us hungering for seconds. Realistically though, we had so much damn food tonight that we were not left wanting for anything more. Following appetizers, we were offered a gorgeous plate of skate cheek and tomato consomme. Fish cheek is a delicacy (and yields a small serving in comparison to the fish as a whole), so I was touched that the kitchen would send our table such an outstanding dish. We were then served our mains: lamb loin for my friend, tagliolini + truffle for me. I needn't write that each dish was excellent, but each was. The lamb was cooked to perfection and served with medallions of sausage; my pasta was topped with ample truffle and a cream sauce that bathed my tongue in a joy. We finished our evening with two desserts: a passion fruit soufflé, and a chocolate cremeux that was somewhere between a pudding and a fudge-- and supremely decadent. We all have a choice when it comes to where we dine, and where we celebrate life's special occasions. Chef Wolen and his staff have demonstrated, beyond a doubt, that The Lobby is a worthy host for any special celebration, and a must for dining at its very best.
(5)David C.
So, nothing called "The Lobby" should be this nice. It isn't a lobby--it is the dining space of a five star hotel. Something I wish I knew before we sauntered in looking for an upscale but casual lunch. The basic idea is for $29, you get an all-you-can-eat appetizer and dessert bar, and a pick of one of the three specials. I'm not a huge fan of buffets but it made absolute zero sense to order a $25 a la carte entree, especially when you have a freakin' cornucopia of gourmet-looking goodies in the center of the room. I got scallops, she got short ribs. They were both awesome. I was expecting Restaurant Week action specials and was happy to find my scallops perfect. The appetizers were great. Though I probably should've hammered home a few crab salad shots, I spent the majority of my stomach space eating grilled veggies, asparagus, and cold cuts (you will see from my next few reviews and my last few reviews that I ate an absurd amount of pig in a 7-day period). The dessert bar, on the other hand, was much more fun to look at then to eat. Desserts looked gourmet. All sorts of little tort cakes, some weak macaroons, mini lemon desserts, chocolate covered almonds. A lot of fruit. It looked good but was pretty weak. Good news is it was the only weak spot of the lunch. Service was good, the place was beautiful overlooking the little oriental garden, and if we had more time, we should have meandered through the halls and explored the classy ass hotel.
(4)Holly G.
I admire the way The Lobby at The Peninsula caters for a wide variety of guests without any fuss because it's based in a hotel and you'll have residents dining as well. That said, there is nothing I could place at fault with them. The interior is not overstated in design and is appropriate for dinners that prefer a quiet setting with a romantic touch. There is the option of the a la carte or five course menus but either way you'll get stuffed. The quality of food is up there and my wife and I are regular dinners here because of the fantastic food and quality service plus the parting gifts that we always get as a bonus. The Lobby offers a great collection of drinks and live music that is not intrusive but just right. I can't think of a better restaurant located in a hotel within Chicago.
(5)Daniel M.
Excellent service as expected! Had Sunday brunch - oh so many great food to eat and the dessert table was equally great! We will be back soon! Went back for afternoon tea. Celebrated New Year 2015. Occasionally stopped by for more food and cafe.
(5)Anthony Z.
For dinner last night, we had the chicken for two, which was truly outstanding...maybe the best chicken I have ever had. How the chef was able to maintain the integrity of the thin layer of brioche placed between the meat of the breast and the perfectly lacquered skin is beyond me. The starters of octopus and foie gras were very good, but the custard dessert was as transcendentally good as the chicken. The prices are fair for what you get, the room is great, the table is well set, and the servers graciously accommodated our conversation. This is seriously crave-worthy food and I look forward to returning soon.
(5)Izzy N.
Lordy. I've been to the lobby at the Peninsula a couple times for lunch and brunch but never for the chocolate bar or afternoon tea. Afternoon tea- you're up next on my calendar. The chocolate bar didn't disappoint even though there is no longer a chocolate fountain offered. *weeps* Here's my summary on what's important to know when it comes to doing the chocolate bar: *reservations -it's better to be safe than sorry imo. *it's offered from 8pm-midnight -when they start to close the lobby and clean up. Fridays and Saturdays only. *at least come here in business casual attire. *it's 40/person *pace yourself. You have all night. Even though I'd cover my plate with a lot, I spaced this out with a lot of lingering and conversation with my friends at the table. It's not an eating competition but I did want to try all that was offered, except I forgot the crepes! oh well next time.. *to survive and withstand all that sweetness, I ordered something savory on the side. In this case I ordered truffle fries with an herby aioli to cut all that chocolate and sugar. It was fantastic by the way and I was ready for round 3. *it's not all chocolate that's offered. That was nice and it helped with not becoming too chocolated out. *go with a cocktail that's not chocolate influenced. I paired my desserts with their cocktail, strawberry fields. It's stiff and wonderful. With lime and crushed strawberries. I would love to return again for this and looking at the pictures, it looks like they offer different selections sometimes. (hello picture with chocolate covered strawberries and what looks like creme brulee) This was a wonderful end to a busy work week and to kick off the weekend. There is a jazz band playing and it makes for a very relaxing evening. Loved. It.
(5)George D.
A truly amazing experience everything was good and the service is really splendid.. I do recommend making a reservation specially for dinner and also have been to the brunch (buffet style) really worth it.. Although kind of expensive.
(5)Sue D.
Food was delicious! Went there for dinner. Loved the chicken dish and the shrimp dish! Fois grais appetizer was good. The dessert sampler was a treat. Great and friendly service! Ambience was relaxing and nice. There was live music which was a nice touch.
(5)Jason A.
My quest of ticking all the Michelin's lead me here on a celebratory evening. I know there's a new chef since Lee left, but after glowing reviews online I was hoping for much better. First of, ambiance wise this place blows. Its literally a hotel lobby, with no restaurant feel, its generic as can be. Piano music, hotel guests, I was about 50 years to young to be here. The menu is boring and uninspiring, few choices jump off the menu as must tries. I started with the foie, classically prepared, very solid, but its tough to mess up foie. My wife had the salad, which was a total flop of mostly just mixed greens and light dressing which you could barely taste. I was excited by my entree a dover wrapped scallop. The scallop was quite good but way to small and expensive for a quarter dollar sized meal for $31. The pea sauce was overly salty and ruined the dish. Service was good. Overall, terrible atmosphere, overpriced and unimaginative. A skip.
(3)Lana R.
Hubby and I went last night for our 6th wedding anniversary...granted, it was a Monday night, so we pretty much had the (huge ) place to ourselves, but I have to say that the service (as well as the food) went above and beyond... We were greeted warmly and seated immediately, by the window. Our waitress, Amber, gave some recommendations for appetizers as well as wine (my husband had octupus, which he loved, and I had the chilled asparagus soup, which was served beautifully, and tasted just as perfect). We ordered the whole roasted chicken for two, based on previous Yelp recommendations...and it was as incredible as everyone said it would be...we usually never get chicken at restaurants, because we always figure that it'll be boring and the usual...this was totally not. Tender, perfectly seasoned chicken with the most delicious baby potatoes on the side.. My husband told them that it was our anniversary, so they brought us two glasses of an amazing champagne, complimentary...as well as a beautiful (and seriously delicious) chocolate/hazelnut dessert, with "Happy Anniversary" written on a piece of white chocolate...so sweet...we ordered coffee and they brought out truffles to go with it. When we said that we were totally full and asked to take the truffles home to our daughter, they not only packaged them up, but also brought 2 small packaged carrot cakes to take home AND a box of chocolates as gifts. WAY Above and Beyond...oh, and the bill was way less than we expected for such a nice place... We were really impressed and truly had an amazing dinner with perfect romantic ambiance (I forgot to mention that there was really (not elevator, but popular) nice music playing, and impeccable service. Huge props to Amber and the rest of the staff last night. We will definitely be back!
(5)Keney C.
After our not-so-amazing dinner at Shanghai Terrace, we were told by our waiter that we must go to the Lobby for the chocolate bar. Let me tell you - it does not disappoint. For someone with a big sweet tooth, it was awesome! Basically it's a dessert buffet where you can "sample" all the different chocolates, etc they have. There's a hot chocolate station, various bite sized chocolates, and other desserts. The set up is absolutely stunning. Their attention to detail is fantastic and the service and "food" was excellent. Immediately after we were seated, a waiter came over to ask if we wanted a drink and/or cappuccino, etc. They were so polite and helpful. There is so much seating available that it wasn't cramped or overwhelming. It's $40 a person but if you go to Shanghai Terrace for dinner or drinks, it's $20 a person which isn't bad. It's definitely a must try spot at least once in your lifetime! I haven't seen anything quite like it. Great job!!
(5)Luis L.
We went to The Lobby to have "Dia de Las Madres" (Mothers Day) breakfast with mom and I must say the family and I will most definitely be back again. The beautiful view of the city, the food was delicious but the best part of our experience was the service provided to us. From the young woman welcomed us and showed us our table to our server Jose. He took very good care of us. Helping out parents decide what they should order to making sure we had what we needed and not needing to look for him if we needed anything because he was on top of it all. The pastries before our food arrived were delicious. Thank you for making our Mother feel special as well as us.
(5)Shing H.
I am a big fan of the whole afternoon tea thing in general. This time my brother, parents, and I were just stopping by between other meals (Xoco for lunch, Henri for dinner), so we just ordered a la carte and they were totally cool with that. We each ordered a pot of tea and shared some tea sandwiches and scones (okay, I ate three out of four of the scones). My usual english breakfast tea wasn't on the menu, but they did have it when I asked, so that was good. It did make me wonder what else isn't listed -- my guess is they have all of the "usual" stuff, plus what's on the menu, so if there's something you like and it's not listed, don't be afraid to ask. Great service.
(4)Julie L.
I am really impressed with the dinner here at restaurant week. The 3 course menu is $44 plus tips and tax. While the main course and appetizer was relative small in portion, the delicate taste makes up for it. With the lovely butter/bread, I couldn't even finish dessert. Easily satisfied and happy :)
(5)David L.
Food: 4 Decor: 5 Service: 5 I came here for Saturday lunch, $22, during Chicago Restaurant Week with three of my friends. Parking at the Peninsula is $26, $23 with validation, but there is garage next door that's only $12 for all-day parking if you arrive before noon. 1. Assorted appetizers yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Delicious. As Jenny H mentioned, there were butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My favorite were probably the salad and crackers. Those crackers were so addicting. 2. Seared scallops yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Okay. Good scallops, but I would have liked them seared a lot more. Only the top was seared. 3. Assorted desserts yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Pretty good. Cupcakes, mousse, macarons, chocolate expresso beans, and chocolate-covered almonds. Macarons were a bit dry. Service was excellent. The scallops and desserts were the only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars.
(4)Chris L.
Two days later, and we are still talking about the gnocchi...so I had to take the time to acknowledge what they offer here. Coming in, we knew it wasn't going to be a cheap dinner, but honestly you can see where the upcharge goes into the ambience, services, and attention to detail. (I never saw someone iron a tablecloth until we came here) You feel like you're in a high class locale, being pampered above your average fancy dining experience, and did I mention the food is excellent? At the end of the night we both said to each other: "I had a really great time tonight". Nailed it.
(5)Jen R.
I like going here for tea & lunch for Mom or friends. Yes its $$ is you add on the glass of bubbly, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. Service is formal, but not stuffy & if you go alone, they offer you a newspaper to read a nice touch. Food is tasty, I had a Turkey Club, it was the most beautiful & best I even had, granted it was $22, but you only live once. Check out the website for the menu, it changes....but its great to go & the view is nice & I always go to the gift shop afterwards & buy something...
(4)Shradha A.
Weekend chocolate buffet review: nice ambiance - check. exclusive and unique experience - check. those are the 2 stars awarded. Where are the other 3 stars? service - it took 20 minutes and a trip to the hostess stand to finally get some water in our glasses. Another 10 mnts and very rude waving to get a menu. chocolates - from reading the other Yelpers' reviews, seems like we had an exceptionally bad night here - just a few truffles, 4 cakes and some chocolate-covered nuts/spices. We were expecting a chocolate fountain, some fruits, a few real desserts and something, anything, at least one thing, to eat and say WOW... but there was none. value for money - seriously, $38 per person for a couple of pieces of truffle i can buy at a store, of my own choice!? That money cannot be justified being paid for ambiance alone!! They said nothing besides black coffee was included to drink.. to me, that's already ruining the chocolate-buffet experience because after paying $38, they expect you to pay for milk and/or tea and/or cappuccino and/or champagne!? Great idea, but very poorly run! I wonder if their real pastry chef has left and now they have a mediocre novice as a replacement?
(2)Jay I.
Updated 3/13/2012: The food director of the hotel contacted me via email and informed me they either corrected or are in the process of correcting the issues addressed below. At least they try their best to accomodate the diners. Hope the future diners have a better experience at the chocolate bar. The reason for the 1 more star is because of the restaurant's effort to meet the customers' expectation. So I can let go of the mistakes some of the staffers made. At this point this is as far as I can go. Hope I change my mind after trying their famous afternoon tea.
(3)Beth J.
By far, the best upscale Sunday brunch in town, and I think I have been to all of them! I loved the Four seasons before allium took over. And I was unimpressed with sixteen at the Trump. This was great. Peking duck was delicious. It wasn't a huge selection but they had a lot of delicious items and the service was impeccable. They gave our kids coloring books, teddy bears, etc. And the price wasn't too bad, either. I would go again. The music was great, too. A string quartet playing modern pop.
(5)Lily L.
In chicago for business the next two weeks and was excited to go to the Peninsula from all the reviews and from referrals of friends in town. Went for brunch this past weekend 9/30 and was expecting to be wowed. Unfortnately, the experience was not. Service as we came in was so slow. They workers seemed more concerned about some internal issue rather than actually greeting us. They all were talking amongst themselves and just talked loudly on their own. After I finally flagged someone down, the slow and unusually not nice service continued the whole meal. The service experience carried over to our thoughts on the meal and spoiled it for us. I wish we had a better experience with service to really enjoy the meal. We are suppose to come back this coming weekend with other colleagues in the area but I think I may ask them for other place.
(1)Candace C.
The Skinny: excellent tea, great food, fabulous view of the city (4.5), service - impeccable (5), value - it's a cultural tradition that is generally overpriced but worth it in this case (4). I popped my hubby's afternoon tea cherry... and what better place to do it than The Lobby at the Peninsula? "No, I'm not really interested but if you want to go, that's fine with me." Uh huh. Changed his mind pretty quick after that first bite of warm, buttery scone with Devonshire cream/preserves. Take that, you unbeliever! It was worth the money just to see that silly, happy, goofy grin on his face. Afternoon tea culture is a colonial British thing. Take a break in the middle of the day for a nice hearty snack and have a lighter dinner later. Coming from a family that has roots in Hong Kong, you can see why my family loves to indulge in this age old tradition. This spot is definitely a quiet oasis from the hectic city streets below. I relaxed with a nice pot of tea on my side, enjoying my pastries (which were all excellent), souffle, scones and finger sandwiches (you can ask for more if you'd like).
(4)Boon K.
Sunday Brunch- Love it, I love that they don't make things in large quantity, everything they service you is of the highest quality and honestly think it is better than the buffets in LV. There was stone crab( already crack), Omlette station with so much to choose from, 3 types of egg benedict, is little section for kids with really go petite size hot dog and sliders, fries, mac & cheese, and finger sandwiches. There was a little asian section with vietnamese crepe( which was really good), dim sum, etc. Plus amazing selection of pastry, dessert, and voges chocolate to end your meal. Chocolate Buffet- My friend really wanted her bachelorette party to start here. It's not as large as the sunday buffet but it was on the pricey side of about $35-40. It was a meal of it's own. There are crepes, chocolate pastry, mousses, an amazing hot chocolate, truffles, and pre-made dipped chocolate fruits. It was a great experience to do with your girlfriend but I can't afford to do it all the time. Afternoon Tea- Love it, the tea selection are all the best leaves you can find from tradtional to new combination of leaves. They give you this amazing 3 tier platters of savory and sweet and it's just an amazing experience, from the view to the service. Best this to do for any of these things is the make reservation and the hours and vary.
(5)Michael U.
I didn't eat here, but I did enjoy a coffee while waiting for my family to pick me up after dinner at Avenues. Even though the Saturday evening Chocolate Bar was going on I was treated like a valued guest and the coffee was provided free of charge as I sat and sipped while listening to live jazz. Service like that is the sort of reason places like the Peninsula are so highly regarded and all things being equal even though I tend to stay at lesser hotels, they are the things that seperate a "good" hotel from a "great" hotel. For what its worth, the chocolates actually looked excellent and the setting was lovely. More on Avenues, a reason in and of itself to visit the Peninsula, to come.
(5)Natalie P.
Went this past Friday for dinner and it was outstanding. I had the artichoke soup to start-slightly heavy but still very good. For my entree, I had the roasted sea scallops which were perfectly cooked. The service was attentive but not overbearing. I believe there was a violinist playing songs written by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift etc. It was very good. Definitely not an every weekend spot but great for special occasions.
(5)Robert R.
We went here on 1/18/2014. We were slightly early for our reservation and had to wait, even though there were at least ten open tables. We were sat between a table of ten and 16, quite loud. It seems as though that every table finished about the same time. I had to flag a server down to get dessert, I head to flag another server down to order a dessert wine, and still had to flag a server down to get the check. They were too busy clearing and re-setting tables. Also, the table to my right, the chef, Lee Wolen visited at least once, and the two sous chefs visited, one for at least a 1/2 hour. Once we received our entrees, we were ignored. The service at the end was horrible. I would not recommend this restaurant because of their terrible service. This is supposed to be a four star restaurant, sadly it is not. The chef also visited two other tables while we were there. Apparently, regulars are treated specially. The food was really good, but the service was considerably lacking. Also, a long walk to the restrooms. We were not offered the tasitng menu. The two women to my right were treated specially by the chef. That is unreasonable. The chef also visited two tables of regulars , while ignoring us. The service was terrible The management for the front of service is horrible. As a 4 four star restaurant, they should have impeccable service .
(2)Paul H.
Made advance reservations, took 15 minutes to get seated while there were many open tables, took another 20 minutes to get a waiter. Had afternoon tea at 3:45 and finally got served at 4:30pm. Sandwiches were stale - probably made in the early afternoon and sat out all afternoon. Tea was bagged tea and left in the bag, I would compare the quality of the afternoon tea, to a poorly organized Girl Scout event. Definitely not worth the price of $50 / person.
(2)Tres B.
One of the lovelier rooms in Chicago, and the service, typical of the Peninsula, was excellent. But a restaurant has to be judged on the food and our expensive lunch was a disappoitment. Bland and uninspired. I had chciken wok dish that was loaded in salt and soy, heavy, thick and unimpressive Shcoking for a Chinese owned entereprize. My wife had a hamburger that was decent, but a $20+ burger should be better than just "OK".
(2)C W.
I'm conflicted about this location. We visited for brunch and I'm not sure I can justify the price. I honestly think this is a place you go to for a comically expensive dining experience made complete with a live quartet. To put the price into perspective, we ended up adopting a dog from the shelter after we left brunch. The adoption fee, as well as everything needed for a pet, cost less than brunch at the peninsula.
(3)Robert S.
Three strong stars for a very nice afternoon traditional tea service but with severe reservations. I'll be honest: visiting London recently and experiencing two formal English tea services really spoiled me into expecting more than the level of service and the quality of tiny pastries I received at The Lobby. I don't have anything else to compare my experience against except tea at Harrods and Brown's. If you've experienced traditional tea in the tea room at Brown's, you'll agree that The Lobby's tea isn't really as magical as you'd expect for the price. When they say The Lobby, they aren't kidding. You're right there in that big open room with god knows what other event swirls around you--noisy or quiet. We were surprised--no, shocked--that "smart casual" means women in low-ride jeans, belly shirts and wet hair pulled up with a scrunchy. The nouveau riche staying here are a "come as they are" set and don't dress like the grande dames in the Ritz Carlton, so forget all that blah blah on the Peninsula's website about the stuffy dress code. I also didn't enjoy being seated next to a giggling, noisy baby in a highchair either. The tot threw its pacifier on the floor three times, and each time, the grandmother would say, "good boy!" and summon a waiter to pick it up for them. When the waiter took our order, I asked him to help me decide which tea would be a sweet, floral aroma. He looked at me and said that he didn't know. Um...BAD. The menu gave me a hint of suggestion, but I needed more clarification. For $40 per person, the waiters should know about the teas. The actual tea was good but not spectacular. You're there for the goodies, right? Well, tiny desserts do not equal excellence, and the three tiered tray was a letdown. We had to ask for cucumber sandwiches (expected in English traditional afternoon tea). And goodness, would it have killed them to include more than just two of each thing? I realize we were two people, but it was sort of a joke--we're two hungry guys expecting more than tiny morsels of food. The service was good, but again, that's expected at a place like The Peninsula, no matter how much you're paying. So for all these wonderful reviews, I have to be the honest, tea time weary guy who expected more but received less.
(3)Rachel N.
When I die, I want wherever I go to look like this buffet. Lovely setting, excellent selection of savories and sweets, darling service. Worth every penny. Oh, the chocolate buffet on Saturdays is equally luscious. Hit both in 24 hours and you're my hero.
(5)Chuck K.
You get for you pay for! Well not necessarily with The Lobby Restaurant. Was here last Thursday as part of Restaurant Week in Chicago. The hotel looks amazing and the restaurant was a wonderful spot to enjoy a meal and conversation with friends. You feel like you're eating in luxury here and the service is top notch! Beef Short rib Won-ton was perfect. With amazing flavors and cooked to perfection. Roasted fingerling potatoes for a side were great! Peanut Butter Crunch Dessert was the BOMB! Here's the thing, this place is Extremely Expensive and portions are Extremely Small! You will walk away from your meal with empty stomach as well as an empty wallet. This was a difficult review since the quality of the food and service was so great, however the price is just too much. If you can afford it, you should eat here, but don't expect a cheap meal if you are looking to stretch your budget.
(4)Andrea R.
The Lobby at the Peninsula offers the best Afternoon Tea in the city...and I've compared it to lots of other teas at the fancy schmancy hotels in the area. Unfortunately, the Peninsula don't offer tea before 2:30pm so my mom and I were out of luck when we stopped in on a Friday at 12:30pm on a whim. We opted for their regular lunch menu instead, which still looked pretty good, although nothing beats those little tea sandwiches and pastries. They have lots of salads, sandwiches and even sushi to choose from on the lunch menu, but the best deal was the $25 prix fixe menu where you could choose any appetizers from their salad buffet, an entree and then back to the buffet table for dessert. While we waited for our swordfish entree, we sure got our $25 worth of salad. Mmm...caprese salad, pasta salad, a super yummy rice salad among others. This would have been plenty of food, but it was just the beginning.The display was beautiful and my mom was taking notes of how to copy it for my daughter-to-be's baby naming in a few months. The swordfish was quite good, although it was a little rare inside, which made me a bit nervous being pregnant. I decided it probably didn't make much of a difference being just a week away from my due and gobbled it all up. And then it was back to the buffet to satisfy our sweet tooth. We tried a bit of everything and it was all beyond delish, but the flourless chocolate cake was the clear winner. I still think the Afternoon Tea is the best reason to visit the Lobby at the Peninsula, but turns out they have a pretty good regular lunch menu as well. Sometimes it's fun to be a lady who lunches!
(4)Sahar M.
If you want to pamper yourself ladies with decedent pastries, this place is your heaven. Love to go there with my girlfriends.
(5)M P.
Came here for a bridal shower afternoon tea and it was very lovely. Live classical music, delicious and abundant food, and amazing service. We had a few special requests and they were so gracious in helping us. This is the best tea experience I've had in Chicago (better than The Drake, sorry Drake).
(5)Mary L.
I had high tea at the Lobby at the Peninsula with my son last Saturday and it was such a nice experience. Neither of us had ever had high tea so it was new for us. The Peninsula sure didn't disappoint us either. We were able to sit right down even without a reservation. We both ordered the entire tea service. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of food we received. There were finger sandwiches, fresh scones, lovely deserts. We couldn't finish everything as there was so much. But we were able to take home what we didn't finish. The tea selection was just incredible and I had a wonderful jasmine tea which I'd love to have again. The service here is wonderful & polite & friendly. High tea is a bit expensive, but not something we would do often--a special treat so it was well worth what we spent. A nice place to go and spend time with family or friends in the middle of downtown Chicago. Do try it if you can.
(5)Jelena Z.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula? I can't think of a more indulgent, fabulous way to spend a Sunday. I usually don't even spend this much on dinner, but from the surroundings to the service to the premium tea and pretty food, high tea is definitely worth three of those crisp twenty dollar bills. And that does include tax, gratuity and a glass of champagne... did I just write tea AND champagne? Mais, bien sûr! The room itself is open, full of natural beaming light and is full-on gorgeous. Not a detail is overlooked! Our table was formally set with the finest of tea china... fancy, indeed! But what's on the table is what ultimately seduced me: a collection of exquisite scones, Parisian macaroons, tarts, dainty sandwiches, and accoutrements including jellies and my favorite, the creamy lemon curd. I would've slathered this on everything, if only it was ladylike to do so! Of course, the Peninsula's tea collection is deep and impressive. I sipped on the ginger herbal and for once, I think I preferred this over champagne. I highly recommend it! The best part of the experience is lingering over this elegant spread for a good couple of hours. Really, this is lady bonding at its best. So, make a reservation with your best girls, grab your pearls, don your finest frocks and get ready to be dazzled! I can't wait until my sister moves here so we can do this together!
(5)char y.
Was there for afternoon tea and it was wonderful. The petite sandwiches and dessert was fantastic. The price for Afternoon Tea is $45 per person. I paid with a debit card and saw that the hotel debited my card an additional 20%. When I called to talk to the the manager I was told it's an account process and they do it all the time. They charge everyone an additional 20% of the charge amount and they will credit you the difference within 3 -4 days. I don't feel that this should happen. I have never been to a restaurant/hotel that charges me an additional 20% and hold it for a few days.
(3)Angie M.
There are times in my life I'm happy to put on a dress and heels, do my hair and makeup and have an all-out fancy, decedent, girlie kind of day. When the mood strikes, there is absolutely no better place to make your classy fantasies come true than afternoon tea at The Lobby in the Peninsula Hotel. Boasting hands down the most luxurious and beautiful décor I've witnessed in a hotel restaurant, The Lobby is stunning. When you walk out of the elevator into The Lobby, you can't help but take a deep breath in and take in the immaculate surroundings. I'm talking floor to vaulted ceiling windows, lush carpets, real wood tables, comfy chairs even little sitting areas with luxe couches, pretty vases and elegant touches. Truly, it's gorgeous. The tea service is made to make a girl feel special. The delightful finger sandwiches including lobster egg salad, smoked salmon and turkey and brie were amazing. I mean, really. Lobster in the egg salad? It's so very right. And let's not forget the bread basket brimming with fresh scones, biscuits and tasty baked treats. On their own they're a treat. But when paired with luscious lemon curd, whipped butter, raspberry jam and tiny tins of fresh honey, they are 100% delectable. I could have licked the dish of the tart lemon curd clean. But I didn't. Because The Lobby is a fancy place. The only slight disappointment (and honestly, since I'd eaten approximately 2500 calories worth of finger sandwiches and baked goods I really didn't even need a sweet ending to the tea) were the pastries. Dare I say they were TOO rich? Too sweet? Too... almost undercooked in some cases (like these cute little chocolate treats that tasted like brownie batter) to overcooked and slightly dried out (like the red velvet mini-cupcakes)? Perhaps I'm more of a salt girl, but the sweets left me less than titillated. Another SLIGHT point of contention was the service. Now, I would think that a table of fourteen hot women would be any male server's every fantasy. However our server was less than warm and fuzzy towards our table. Sure, the service was perfectly adequate, but it wasn't special in any way. Kind of a bummer. As I waited for the valet to bring around my car when the tea was all said and done I reflected on my afternoon of luxury. It really is great to be a girlie girl sometimes!
(4)Manda Bear B.
************* REVIEW 140 **************** What not to like about this hotel lobby? Gorgeous design/layout, high ceiling, spacious & superior service makes you feel like a queen. $38 for an afternoon traditional high tea, plenty of scones, mini cookies, light sandwiches & an amazing selection of tea. The black & orange scones are to die for, fresh bake & it still warm when they are served! Plenty to serve for two! Live violinists playing up stair at the balcony, simply wonderful.
(5)Chrissy S.
Oh, I want to go here everyday. The service is just so nice...it's hard to find polished service like this even at the best restaurants in Chicago. And the tea and little cakes/sandwiches -- so delicate and delicious! And best of all, it's not snooty like you would expect.
(5)Amy H.
I know that I have the reputation of being a beer garden lovin' strong 'Sconnie gal, but sometimes I like to class it up and get all fancy. A group of my lady friends and I go to tea once a month at various places around town. This month we took it to the next level and went to The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. Divine! You wouldn't think that little finger sandwiches would fill you up, but they do. The lobster egg salad sandwich was my favorite. It was accompanied by a turkey sandwich and a salmon dill sandwich. Yummers! There were also assorted sweets and pastries along with scones and little mini brioche breads. Of course I slathered everything with lemon curd and jam, which tasted like it was freshly made. Tea? Oh yeah, we drank that too. I chose the Marrakesh Mint tea, which came in a giant Wedgwood china teapot. You also have the option of adding a glass of Brut or Rose champagne, which I did (natch!) This tea is kind of high end, so it's an indulgence and not something that I would do every day. Also, there was a weird mix up with the bill. Our server decided to average the cost out per person, which meant that the three girls who didn't have champagne had to pay a portion of the tab for the two girls who did. Weird. We rectified that immediately.
(5)Joann K.
Came here for their Valentine's Day pre-fixed menu and it was unbelievable... My mouth is watering just thinking back to this happy day :) - Braised Short Ribs w/butternut squash ravioli, organic honey, sage, red wine jus. This appetizer I could've eaten all night long. The short ribs were so soft and tender. Perfectly paired with the butternut squash which didn't over power the short ribs. Match made in heaven. - Green Field Baby Beet Salad w/grilled goat cheese sandwich, walnut The salad was complimentary from the chef and it was amazing. Not because it was free but the thinly sliced beets went so well with the goat cheese. I was really glad that we received this dish because it isn't something I would normally order but I LOVED IT! - 8 oz Filet Mignon - New Zealand Lamb Loi - Housemade Mashed Potatoes - Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoe The filet was extremely thick but cooked perfectly medium throughout. It literally melts in your mouth. By far one of the best steaks. The lamb was beautifully cooked and seasoned as well. Both of the sides I could not have been happier with. - Apple "Tarte Tatin" salted caramel ice cream, caramel tuile, sage cris Let me start of by saying I love any desserts with apple. And this dessert was incredible. It's pretty much an apple crisp but injected with luxury.
(5)Shirley L.
After my initial review, the team contacted me and offered to provide me with a complimentary afternoon tea for myself and a guest. Service was great, food was good, and all in all my initial experience was probably due to one waiter on an off day.
(4)Betty C.
The Peninsula Hotel Lobby restaurant is a wonderful place to go for any occasion. Have a nice lunch with friends after a shopping spree. Meet a business colleague and hammer out some details. Regardless of why you are there it is a very nice atmosphere and the food is delicious. The lunch salad and dessert buffet with one of three entree choices for $26 is a steal. There are numerous fresh and delicious salad options, cheeses, breads, charcuterie and a daily homemade soup. The butternut squash was velvety and full of flavor. The desserts are all miniatures but packed with flavor as well. The entree choices rotate daily. When we were there we had short ribs, a vegetarian dish of couscous with curried cauliflower and grilled scallops - all delicious. The service is outstanding as well, even for a buffet and the surroundings make you feel like royalty. The floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light and you overlook the Shanghai Terrace. Special Dishes: Braised short ribs, butternut squash soup, chicken with basil, any of the burgers
(4)kristal m.
I truly love the ambiance of this place. The waitress was super nice and very attentive. there is something about tea and finger sandwiches that make me feel all house wifey. I would love to come here more except its a bit pricy and most of my friends are underpaid college students. when we save our pennies get get all dolled up and have an afternoon of the good life.
(5)neal s.
As you enter, you walk into a beautiful, large airy room that has tables far enough apart that you can comfortably talk while a two piece musical group plays softly in the background. .... and it just keeps getting better. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They are in line with the other nicer places in River North. Three of us went and split several items. The chicken for two dish was the best chicken any of the three of us have ever had. The short ribs were rich ,elegant and quite tasty. The three appetizers that we also shared were all excellent and enjoyable. We had a couple of very nice wines including a very nice boutique brut champagne, a Larmandier-Bernier that I strongly recommend. My only regret of the evening is that I didn't save room for the dessert Chocolate Bar. It is a buffet containing a vast array of alluring chocolates. The next time I come here, I am going to make a meal of the desserts. Also, the Chef, Lee Wolen is currently a candidtate for Time Out's Breakout Chef of the Year. Try to get taste his food before he wins this title- then you will have to wait weeks to get in here.
(5)Raymond H.
Great food and drinks in a elegant casual hotel. Also check out the masculine, dark and sophisticated bar lounge. Huge fireplace with cozy couches and amazing cocktails and apps. Mini burgers and the Spicy Asian Chicken app are big hits done right.
(4)Johnny P.
Delicious brunch, excellent service in an elegant yet casual environment. Plus the doors of the restroom stalls go all the way to the floor. First class!
(5)Douglas S.
Had dinner at the Lobby at the Peninsula. More like dined. It was an overall fantastic experience. I went with 2 other chefs and we were all blown away. Recommendations? The ricotta gnocchi were absolutely fabulous. They are almost entirely cheese but feel like soft gnocchi. Presented with black truffle shavings and in truffle oil. The Chicken was unique as well. Stuffed under the skin with a lining of fine breading. How in the world did they do that? Essentially everything that Chef Lee Wolen touched was golden. Finished up with the Peninsula's famous chocolate bar. It was truly unbelievable the selection of top notch deserts on the chocolate bar. As a side note, the Chocolate bar would make a fantastic end to a first date. I guess you can go just for that.
(5)Valerie M.
This was our 2nd time to dine at The Lobby at The Peninsula for the chocolate bar. It's a lovely finish to a day of sightseeing, go-go-going and possibly an early, light dinner. They have a live jazz ensemble playing music, you can see some night skyline through a bank of windows, it's pretty inside with attentive servers, comfortable seating and a "come as you are" kind of atmosphere. On this particular evening, we saw a woman in a cocktail dress and another in jeans and a sweatshirt and both seemed perfectly comfortable and welcome. The all-you-dare-to-eat chocolate bar offers hot cocoa, freshly made madelines, a crepe bar (with your choice of toppings) and a large bar/spread in the middle offering many different one-biters, tiny parfait cups, etc...all in the chocolate vein. The cost is $40 per person so you need to go a little hungry and also have a sweet tooth to get your money's worth. But it's fun, romantic and definitely something to add to your "I did that" list.
(4)Rob M.
Really poor experience. Do not make a reservation via OpenTable, because they will not honor it. Really frustrating when you have planned a date. Honestly there are much better restaurants on Michigan Ave and Rush Street...dont waste your time.
(1)Carmen K.
My first tea experience was here and I went back again this past weekend. The elegant ambiance made the experience all the more worthwhile. The food was yummy and the amount of food was sufficient for a meal. Service was okay, they could improve on friendliness, eye contact, and better food presentation (when introducing the foods, they are too quick and non-descriptive).
(4)Stephanie K.
Every Christmas, my sister and I take my mom to Chicago for afternoon tea. This past year we chose The Peninsula because of its world class reputation and great menu. And I was not disappointed. I've been to The Drake and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and The Peninsula is definitely my favorite. Not only did they serve the traditional finger sandwiches and scones associated with tea service, they also served other delicious "small bites" including goat cheese and fennel quiche. The waitstaff was attentive and unpretentious, and the food was exceptional. Call ahead for reservations and to plan your afternoon during one of their fashion shows. Cheerio!
(5)Rander P.
FYI:The Chocolate bar is open only on Fridays and Saturdays :(
(3)Josh V.
I went here with three friends for dinner on a Friday evening. The restaurant is located in the lobby at the Peninsula (thus the name). They are similarly creative with the name of the hotel bar: The Bar. The space is elegant; you definitely feel like you're in a nice restaurant. If you're looking for wine by the bottle, their wine list is a book, with a table of contents and everything. There are many, many choices from all over the world. I was the only one having wine, so I went with something from their much smaller by-the-glass selection. Everyone in my group liked their food. The highlight of the meal for me was the truffled mac & cheese, which I ordered an appetizer-sized portion of to start. It was freaking delicious. Like lick-your-bowl-clean good. But it was a nice restaurant, so I didn't actually lick my bowl clean. I do have SOME class! Others started with a soup or salad, and reported they were good as well. I had the pork chop for dinner. The presentation was nice. The chop was a good, hearty cut but was a little plain. I asked for it medium-well but it seemed like it came out well-done to me; it was just a touch dry. It was still good, but fell short of being 5-star worthy. My companions reported their entrees were good as well. We were too full for dessert. The service was good. We weren't kept waiting and water glasses were refilled regularly. I think this place is kind of hidden away up in the Peninsula lobby. I'm not sure how many people know it exists. If you're looking for a good meal downtown on a weekend night and didn't make reservations somewhere, check out The Lobby.
(4)Denise B.
I came here for Sunday brunch the last time I was in Chicago, as a last hurrah before heading home later that day. Wow, was this fancy! Thankfully, I was prepared from having experienced the Pen's chocolate bar in The Lobby last year (see other review). I was lukewarm on the chocolate bar, but I really liked Sunday brunch, which had a lot of the better chocolate treats, along with a much wider overall selection of food, including tasty eggs benedict, sushi (yum!), oysters, fruit, and a delectable selection of cheeses. And of course, great coffee and the usual selection of beverages at a brunch. Eating brunch at The Lobby felt like a really classy experience, with the piano playing in the background, beautiful decor, and nice views of the streets of Chicago. We were well taken care of by the staff, even though this was a buffet. The Lobby is a good alternative to fancy chain like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons for brunch.
(4)Nancy H.
Afternoon Tea review: What a lovely grown-up tea party in a pretty, pretty room! Every lady must try this. The service is impeccable; you feel so pampered. $38/pp gets you little sandwiches, scones, bite-sized desserts, and a pot of tea. You can get refills too, so there's no way you'll leave still hungry. Weekday hours are 3:30-5:30 PM. You should call ahead and reserve a seating time.
(5)Char Y.
came back for chocolate buffet and am still loving it!
(4)Sanjeev m.
I took my wife there for her birthday, called ahead to reserve and they asked what was the special occasion. I wasn't sure what they would do with that info... but they used it to decorate a special dessert plate with her name in chocolate and even a candle (without all the hoopla). They reserved a nice table for two close to the band and the dance floor with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Band was nice, lounge singer was ok. Our server was very attentive and made us feel welcome. Although we had reserved for the Chocolate buffet, there was no pressure, we could have changed our mind and had anything we wanted (or nothing at all). As it turned out we had appetizers (Flat bread and Risotto) before going for the desert buffet which was pricey ($38). While we enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the decadent buffet, we might have beeen better off picking one of the nice selections from the dessert menu (most were $12). My wife is a big fan of Creme Brulee which wasn't on the D buffet, though good coffee was included especially capachinos. In short, if you are looking for a romantic evening with music, dance, good food and a great ambiance you should really give this a try, but you don't need to feel compelled to join the full dessert buffet, instead order single servings with other specials like the Chocolate Martinis.
(4)Jon L.
Good, but not Michelin-worthy. Prix Fixe was just okay: the lentil soup was fine, but the cavatelli with mushroom sauce was too salty and funky. Caramel creme (essentially flan) was forgettable. I also tried some seafood bouillabaisse - not bad.
(3)Parker L.
Overrated. I had been looking forward to going to the chocolate buffet for years, and while it was a nice evening, and 400'+ dollars later, I wouldn't recommend. The selection was ok, or group of 6, started off with the chocolate martinis. Next to us was a dog, a dog with diamond studded earrings, chowing down food in a dish the hotel provided for him. I love dogs, I just didn't expect to be eating next t o one. The chocolate buffet had bunch of macrons, candies, and a crepe station. The crepes were pre made, and just reheated with fillings of your choice. I had a passion fruit tart, that was probably my favorite. We also had cappuccinos, which were great. There was a jazz ensemble playing, they were good. Then the bill came, ouch. That was some pricey chocolate. Wish I had room to eat more than a piece or two of dessert, there is only so much chocolate you can eat.
(2)Kevin L.
I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. All the reviews and info suggest that this is a quiet, upscale fine dining experience, yet the horror I encountered when I showed up for my reservation at 8PM on a Friday night was more like American Girl Place meets Chuck E Cheese dropped into the brightly lit lobby of one of Chicago's busiest hotels. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the din that can only result from too many over-caffenated children crammed into a small area. At the host stand, a group of children were building a fort out of novelty sleeping bags. At least two tables had place settings for dolls, who appeared to sharing grilled cheese sandwhiches with their owners. One feral child in a princess cosutme was crawling from table to table, no doubt looking for her negligent parents. Again, is this some kind of joke? Quiet? Upscale? Fine Dining? 0 for 3. -
(1)Jeremy C.
Received a gift card from my sister to spend an afternoon over tea at the peninsula. Definitely not cheap, but heck! it's great for a special occasion and we felt that it was well worth it. Beautiful ambience and enjoyed the live string music. We were not expecting such ample amount of food for the tea...came with three tiers of delicious...OMG! DELICIOUS!!!...little sandwiches and sweets as well as some perfect scones with jams and butters. My husband and I each received a full pot of tea from their long list of teas. The server was very helpful in accommodating my special dietary needs since I am pregnant and am not able to have certain teas or food items. Between the two of us, we were not able to finish all of the food and were surprisingly full! After the tea time, we headed over to their spa to end the afternoon with some massages....great experience!
(5)Jane R.
Wow, I've been to afternoon tea here three times now for celebrations of various occasions, and every time the food, tea, service and atmosphere were spectacular. They can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Their gluten free food was absolutely delicious. They even gave a little extra treat to the person being celebrated!
(5)Kaaren D.
Lovely place to have a quiet and elegant meal, even if it is a casual brunch. But be sure to bring a big wallet, because you will dump a cash load before you leave. I had the creamy grits, poached egg, and fruit, and it was all nicely done. My companion had the eggwhite fritatta, and the server suggested adding veggies. When it came out, they were all piled on top of her fritatta. She said it was good, but it looked like a square of egg whites topped with a salad. Not what I had expected at all. The service was lovely, and it was a special meal.
(4)Service P.
Went here for a little Tea Party with friends. The vibe was nice--very old money. Service was EXCELLENT! The little mini whatever we got with our teas were all delish. Be prepared to get your own Fancy, Porcelain Tea Pot (with the tea of your choice).
(5)k E.
Entertained six people for breakfast here. It was very pricey, slow, pretentious service, and after waiting a full hour for our eggs, they came out cold. We explained this to our server who offered no apology and simply brought out the check. We won't be back!
(1)Kwoky L.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is probably the best treat I gave to myself in a while. We were seated right away even though we came quite early. The Lobby is exquisitely decorated with a modern touch. The windows were large, allowing every inch of the sunlight to shine right into the dining area. It's very comfortable especially with the musicians playing classical tunes in the mezzanine. We each get a choice of our very own pot of tea, which is large enough to give us at least five full cups of refills. I chose the soothing chamomile to go with the assortment of pastries and sweets. There's orange scented scones, cucumber sandwiches, pastry squares and plenty of other delectable titbits plus madeleines on the house from the chef. For $38 per pax, there's more than enough food to keep our tummy happy. The service was spot on; It's pampering yet very approachable. Not stuffy at all! I would love to come back again soon.
(5)Brett F.
Coming from a serious hotel enthusiast, it's easy to call The Peninsula in Chicago one of the best and finest in hospitality locales. They are one in a handful of lavish hotels striving to set the bar in what you've come to expect in world class luxury right here in the Midwest... luxe accommodations, warm service, top notch wellness facilities, sumptuous dining... and yes, of course, traditional afternoon high tea as well. The Lobby at The Pen is the setting for weekend Sunday "Royal Tea" and you'll easily see why once you arrive. The room is positively grand... sky-high ceilings, soft carpet, buttery walls, gold and cream tones, sunlight streaming in through the amazing architecture outside the floor to ceiling windows.... needless to say, it makes an impression. Whether you're there with a girlfriend or hosting a small group out (baby shower... bridal shower... this is the perfect venue), you'll be delighted and feeling stylishly European in no time. Wondering where to wear your prada... or frauda (aka faux prada)? Add your own chic style soundtrack to the outing and don those Italian duds here! Tea service includes your favorite standards like tea sandwiches - I was given a mix of veggie, salmon and chicken salad dainty bites - and of course the fabulous petit fours, pastries, scones, lemon curd, devonshire cream and jam. All magnificent, all decadent. The Pen also throws in a signature additional twist all their own; homemade mini souffles for each guest!! Mine was a blushing sour cherry and it was everything you'd ever want to write home about... ahhhmazing!! Thank God their pocket size, next time I'll wear bigger pants! Even our server was every bit as delicious as the savories, he kept my champagne glass no less than half full throughout my meal - Atta Boy!!! The way to my heart must be written on my sleeve... bubbles ftw every time! Tea? What tea? Oh, yes... my vanilla rooibos was heavenly and served in the most beautiful Villeroy & Boch teapot... I wanna steal me one! Tea at The Pen (or anything at The Pen) won't be cheap, but will be charming and fabulous, just like you - so splurge!
(5)Jenny B.
I had a great experience here, wonderful food and wonderful wine, service generally good just very slow but they made up for us good. overall great ! will back for brunch, afternoon tea dinner and drink again.
(5)Sam A.
I went to The Lobby at the Peninsula for brunch and for the first time I could breath after eating brunch! I was so satisfied with the food that I could actually stop eating before I felt like waffles were coming out of my ears! (FYI I love breakfast food so that's how I usually feel after going out for breakfast or brunch). There is a great selection of food and after my huge disappointment with the signature room brunch, it was a breath of fresh air to have brunch at the Peninsula. Very friendly and professional staff as always and surprisingly quick! My favorite was when I couldn't figure out why certain items were so close to the ground (probably because my brain was still recovering from the Ciroc). Just as I was thinking someone must have been drunk and forgot to put these items on a table, I realized I was in the kids' area! These people actually have a little area where everything is low enough to the ground that kids can reach in and unload their germs!!!! lol Definitely made my day to see it but no screaming lil ones around so if you like the "screaming lil ones" as you try to bury your hangover headache at brunch, you would have been disappointed. They take reservations, have live music, serve from 10a-2p on Sundays, valet is $23, brunch is $65/person.
(5)Taryn T.
This review is specifically for the Chocolate Bar... The chocolate and vanilla fondue fountains (and the fruit and marshmallow cubes for dipping) really pushed this experience from four to five stars. This is a GREAT place to go with a hot date and killer shoes - just make sure to come hungry and leave any calorie-driven guilt at the door. Yes, it's expensive at $40 per person for full access to the chocolate buffet (which, in addition to the fondue, includes little slices of cakes, brownies, truffles, tarts, and a made-to-order crepe station), but the overall ambiance - including live jazz music, stellar people watching, and the Lobby with its 20-ft ceilings and windows - is definitely factored into the cost. Pro tip - don't order a chocolate drink to go with all of your chocolaty goodies, because it will be overkill and impede your ability to consume mass amount of chocolate. Stick with coffee or water instead! And definitely make reservations, because if your name is not on the list you'll likely be stuck with at least a 40-minute wait. Worst case scenario, though, just head on over to the bar (on the same floor) for a drink in the mean time - it's worth the wait! (Lastly, just remember that the chocolate bar is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-midnight.)
(5)FM G.
The Peninsula is my absolute favorite place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago. The service is impeccable, the tea and sweets are DELISH and the room is beautiful. It's such a lovely way to treat yourself, or a fabulous way to BE treated as I was last week for my birthday. They knew it was my birthday and brought an extra treat with a candle... no tacky singing though, just pure elegance. Also, I like that they offer extra sandwiches if you'd like. No other place I've been in Chicago does that.
(5)Lauren B.
Came for lunch today, I would give this particular lunch 4.5 stars. Service was not quite as perfect as usual and food had a couple of flaws but still an amazing experience (as usual)! So my husband ordered the truffle Mac and cheese. Oh. My. Gosh. This was in the top 5 dishes I have ever had, and could possibly be a last meal choice for me. I am incredibly critical with food and I could sit there for hours and not find a single flaw. It is a perfectly creamy béchamel sauce with lots of truffle throughout and a great crispy bread topping. Baked and served in a cute dish, a very large portion too. Heaven! Mine was a little less impressive but still enjoyable. Ordered the grilled cheese with tomato soup, it came with fries and a side salad. It was a huge meal! Shocking amount of food for such a high end place. Grilled cheese was not very good, just French bread with gryerre cheese, just not special, could have used an additional type of cheese. Tomato soup, amazing! It was creamless but still rich with wonderful flavor. Really good fries, maybe the best i have had. Didn't even need to add salt, and I don't think that has ever happened. Side salad was under seasoned, it just wasn't worth eating given all of the other great stuff I had to try. But the Mac and cheese, fries and tomato soup made up for some of the flaws. The service was just adequate, waitress was polite but didn't go above and beyond as they usually do at The Peninsula.
(5)Stu G.
An very proper Tea experience and brunch is tops too.
(4)Nate H.
Came in for the evening chocolate buffet from 8-midnight on Friday and Saturday. They put out a very impressive assortment of different forms of chocolate delights, and turned the lights down low. Then a great jazz combo started up. Wonderful vocalist and band, fitting of the Peninsula. The crowd was a bit tacky toward the end of the evening, not acknowledging the wonderful work of the artists, no polite applause...like it was Musak in the background (tacky tourists). Anyway, the chocolate was fun, but only a couple choices were quality enough to remember. The mousse was tops. Overall, a wonderful experience for a low key evening in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel.
(3)Jason H.
I had lunch here with the company I work for. The ambience is really what makes the place. Very very open and spacious. The chairs and tables are classy and comfortable and the beauty of the building surrounds you. We could hear a violin playing just off in the distance which was a great touch. The food was light healthy and fresh, although not mind-blowing, it was simply good (I had the salmon, but the other menu items on the table had the same feel). The server seemed to have a great knack for giving us our space because we spent 4 hours there enjoying conversation.
(5)Saira K.
The afternoon tea is perfect - the ambiance, the perfect harp music, the food. The waiter brought me serving after serving of food, and I was just in heaven. Exceptional food. Luxurious, peaceful, and elegant - the way an afternoon tea should be.
(5)Unity O.
SERIOUSLY, I am not understanding the people who say they cannot eat $30 worth of delectable chocolates. Oh my, I thought I had died & gone to heaven--or at least one of my versions of heaven. Some girlfriends treated me to the chocolate bar at the peninsula for my birthday & lets just say it was one of the best b-day treats EVER!! The ambiance is warm & romantic (this would be perfect for a date night), the wait staff were fantastic, the live music (jazz) was a nice touch, and the CHOCOLATE was YUMMY. They had a wide variety of sweets--dark, white, & milk chocolate. My favorite was of course the ganache treat--but you should go & discover your favorite.
(5)Jennifer B.
Went here for my birthday and had the chocolate buffet, which was delicious. It's a splurge, for sure, but worth it every once in a while. I could have eaten nine dozen of their churros, but it's a classy place, so I held it together.
(4)Lenny C.
one of the best services you will get. there are better places for food in chicago but Peninsula will always have its charm and ambiance.
(5)sandra h.
Had a delicious brunch with the parents when they were staying at the Peninsula. I hear that there is a chocolate buffet with live jazz every weekend . . . . I would definitely go back to check it out. I also heard that they have a nice tea service.
(4)Carolynne M.
You know, there just isn't a lot of room for Fancy in this world anymore. Doesn't it seem that way? Gone are the days of wearing a tux to the opera, gone are the days of actually "dressing for dinner". Heck, you are lucky if you attend a wedding where someone doesn't show up in khaki's or a jean skirt anymore. Which is why... with a delightfully long, content sigh... afternoon tea is still Fancy. (That's Fancy with a capital "F" for all you people who insist on wearing sweatpants on an airplane.) The Lobby at the Peninsula is decidedly Fancy. You have two story ceilings, complete with gilded domes, a sharp-looking waitstaff, a gorgeous set of china to dine from, and classical music played live from a balcony overlooking the dining room. Not to mention the tea itself! TELL ME if this isn't super-duper! Black Currant Scones Parisian Macarons Hazelnut Almond Financiers Cannelé Bordelais Pistachio Raspberry Tarts Golden Chocolate Tarts Smoked Salmon, Cucumber & Caviar on Pain de Mie Lobster Egg Salad on Dark Rye Roasted Turkey, Cranberry-Citrus Chutney & Brie on Multi-Grain "Gougères"-Comté Cheese Puffs Hello! Half this stuff is in French! Fantaisie, ooh-la-la and all that yo! Myself, I had the Peninsula Chai, which was delicious and required no superfluous crap like milk or sugar to enhance it. Extend pinky...now! Things were a bit on the pricey side, but heck, Fancy don't come free or cheap, so suck it up. Just go, and make the memory your happy place to go to next time you are in a high end restaurant and the guy at the next table is wearing flip flops and belching.
(5)Christian H.
Picture this: You have been dating the man of your dreams for a full year. Life is blitz so you move in together. Where should you go out for a beautiful and romantic afternoon tea time on your anniversary? I know! I know! Take your loved one to the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. I went there and it was very romantic, very delicious and all together a tea time to remember. When you enter the building, you need to make your way to the lobby and look right. There, you will see the seating area for the Lobby restaurant. When you are seated you may hear the sound of beautiful violin music play overhead by the live preformer on the overhead stage. We ordered the wonderful afternoon tea and ~i guess~ appetizer selection. I believe it was $38 per person, but well worth it. You get three tiers of bite sized sweets, scones and sandwiches along with a very large single person pot of tea. You choose what type of tea you desire. The pot had around five full cups of tea. So if you like tea or if you have a special someone in your life, then go to the Lobby in the Peninsula to have a spot of tea and Have Fun!!!
(5)Katrina B.
The environment in this restaurant is grand and beautiful, while still being very comfortable. The service is excellent and friendly, as you would expect from the Peninsula. We came in for the restaurant week menu which offered two choices for each course, so the two of us sampled each of them. All were exquisitely executed. From lobster bisque to a surprisingly wonderful chicken breast, we enjoyed them all. The only hiccup was with a bland tiramisu. Highly recommended if you'd like to drop some cash on a lovely dining experience.
(5)Amanda Z.
Tea at the Lobby is quite the experience. From the light-soaked room and the comfy chairs at the tables that are far enough away from the other tables so as to create your own little world of tea time to the beautifully presented finger food, the ambiance is simply lovely. Classy. Elegant. At my table were some very lovely ladies, all decked out in their Sunday's finest, and on our best behavior. Our very long table was adorned with three-tiered trays displaying the most lovely little finger food. From beautiful little sandwiches with turkey, brie and cranberries to the macaron-like coconut cookies, each morsel was beautiful and quite tasty. The tea was lovely and served in beautiful ceramic tea pots with matching tea cups. Pinkies up, ladies. No slouching in here. My choice was ginger, an herbal tea, that was so delightful, I didn't require any sort of sweetener. Marvelous. Oh, and did I mention that you can opt for a glass of champagne with your tea? Well, everyone knows that the most refined ladies serve tea with champagne (at least in my world) so we all imbibed on a bit of the bubbly as well. Very pricey, at least for this lady. I spent $60 for the lot which included the bubbles. Lovely for a special occasion or celebration, tea at the Lobby will not disappoint the refined ladies in your life. Or the not-so-refined ladies that can clean up nicely (like moi!)
(4)Ja V.
I can't believe all of these great reviews and wonder what they were eating so great??? What planet was I on because I have gone to all the high class restaurants and honestly I would have been happy going to "NATIVE CAFE" and eaten their fries instead.. These people either ate something so divine or I am crazy..... So let's begin with the bread - hard as rock. The bread has been sitting out for a while. The butter was gross.. The sample choice was a pea soup which was absolutely disgusting!!! Whoever made the Pea Soup had to be dumb..... No one in their right mind would say this pea soup was delicious... just because I am vegetarian does not mean I like all veggies... Next, the entree and apps menu is slim with absolutely no vegetarian options!! Can you believe such a high rated and class restaurant would have NOOOO Vegetarian options?? So they made some pasta for me and it was OILY and over cooked tomatoes. This place is way over priced, oily, and hard bread!!!!! Service was average at best and I gave him a 30% tip since we got a huge discount on our food. Lastly the desert menu option was shockingly unappetizing!!! I wanted to order some desert since their portions were small on the entrees. Overall, I will NOT be going there for a nice dinner.. No wonder the restaurant hardly had anyone around 5-7pm.. . That's a huge red flag - when restaurant is not busy during prime time hours!
(1)Venkatesh B.
Last year, Erica and I enjoyed the chocolate buffet here at the Peninsula Hotel. We had never experienced anything like that before, the buffet is filled with sweet, hearty, aromatic foods of differing types of chocolate. The price is extremely reasonable given that this is like an event rather than a dinner. The ambiance is quite romantic and when we were there they had a live pianist playing and a small dance floor for those interested in working off the choco-calories :) I would go any time I can!
(5)Foodie A.
We had afternoon tea here to celebrate my birthday on a Saturday. Been at the Drake for afternoon tea and wanted to try another high-end tea place. We arrived at The Lobby, and noticed it is an open space restaurant. So, not too cozy and warm, but comfortable. Loved the elegance. The hostess was pleasant. I had the traditional afternoon tea. It was nothing to be excited about. The sandwiches, sweets, and savories were not fresh. Maybe because it was late in the afternoon, but it should't matter. The only thing fresh and hot was the banana souffle they serve to everyone. Our waitress was ok. Service could be better. I loved the surprise treat in the end. Make a reservation and they will ask you what's the occasion. No star sightings, just bride and groom. I don't think I would come back for afternoon tea, but I will for drinks, lunch, or dinner and will update.
(3)Hannah W.
2.5 stars. A couple of friends and I hit the chocolate buffet on a Saturday night, and I must admit... not so spectacular as I had hoped. The music was great (we're pretty big fans of jazz) except that whenever the vocalist came back on the mic, she'd drown out every other sound in the room, including our voices in the middle of conversation. Service was also a bit slow, especially considering that there weren't terribly many people there that night (although, in 4 degree weather it takes a huge amount of will power to even think about leaving the house). I actually tried to time my trips back to the chocolates so that I'd be sure the catch the attention of someone who would clear my plate away before I got back to our table. The desserts were OK, not the greatest, especially considering that better ones can be had for a better price. I was intrigued, though, by the almond white hot chocolate, which didn't taste like almond but was surprisingly tasty. Unfortunately, my definition of hot chocolate has been altered by the deliciously sludgy concoctions found at the City Bakery and Jacques Torres in NY, so I did come in with rather high expectations on that front. I'm not quite sure if there was a theme to the selection, but if it was fruit, then they might want to stock up on the chocolate covered strawberries to avoid running out again. Nice rich flavor in the earl grey & anise truffles, and ganache lollipops. Bad red velvet cake. Summing it up: definitely not a good bargain (but then, you already knew that). Don't go for the chocolates, or the conversation factor. Go because you're giving yourself one opportunity to splurge and schmooze at the Pen and know that you'll probably never go back for anything so frivolous. Good for the eyes, not so much for the wallet or taste buds.
(2)Pooja S.
Only chocolate for dinner, sounds perfect. Decadent but perfect.Tried out the chocolate buffet here last night. it was great, lots of diferent things to choose from. But I think everyone reached their limit after taking about 4 different pieces of dessert in their plate.I for one was chocolated out and thats really saying something since I am a choco addict. A bottle of Merlot completed our meal perfectly. Candlelight, great conversation with friends and a different table centerpiece completed the evening.
(4)Honora L.
Can't resist the elegance of this top-notch hotel! Accompanied by a live string band, I enjoyed the finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, scones with my choice of tea Tei Kwun Yin in the Lobby. The Macaroon is my favorite pick. We were offered four more upon request! Not bad ^.^~~
(5)Irina B.
Wonderful afternoon tea. I love afternoon tea, namely because of the scones and lemon curd. I stopped by to have a relaxing afternoon by myself and I got the chai. I've been to a couple of hotels for tea and I enjoyed the pastries here the most. Although there were some components I strongly disliked, it left the best overall taste in my mouth. I really enjoyed the passion fruit tart, the scones were great (not the best, but still delicious and could've been warmer), the lemon curd had enough tartness and sweetness. What disappointed me was the chocolate chestnut pot de creme that seemed so special when a waiter brought it around. It was awful. No flavor and the chestnut tasted quite odd. The waiters were not as attentive as I've experienced previously, but there were a lot of people. I would definitely go back though!
(4)Diana B.
Today was a five star day because a friend and I spent a good portion of the afternoon enjoying tea at the Peninsula. The occasion was a birthday celebration and the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I have been to tea in Chicago, New York and London. It is a favorite thing to do and the Lobby at the Peninsula is my favorite place to do it! In addition to the customary sandwiches, scones and sweets, we had quiche and a fruit sorbet of some sort. The setting, food and service is always impeccable and today that standard was surpassed. Many thanks to our excellent server Eric and his assistant for all they did to enhance an already divine celebration.
(5)Kristen S.
I cannot say enough wonderful, positive things about my experience at the Peninsula. We had the most amazing Thanksgiving buffet here. And, yes, it was gluten free friendly. Our server had Chef Joelle walk me through the *entire* buffet to show me what was and what was not safe for me to eat. Most of the buffet was edible! Oh, heaven! And Pastry Chef Nicole did an amazing job of walking me through the dessert buffet. I was stuffed. Three times. I went a bit overboard! But it was totally worth it. They made me gluten free bread. The service was attentive and perfect. Everyone was beyond nice. The food was beyond good - it was out of this world. And, best of all, it was totally safe. Thank you, Peninsula, for being so great. I hear you have a gluten free high tea, so I will be back soon!
(5)Brie Y.
This is now the 2nd time that I have had a bad experience at the Peninsula in the last month. I really wanted the lobby to be my new "work spot" for breakfast and lunch, but sad to say the service is miserable for having such great expectations! The first time for breakfast I sat alone for more than 15 mins because the hostess failed to check me in and my guest was waiting behind the holiday tree thinking I wasn't there since the host told them I wasn't sat yet...Which I was..... nothing was done about this. Then here comes high tea, with 3 girlfriends of mine, 2 of us arrive early 4:15 they sit us and I make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again after the host seats us. We have water poured for us.... this is the highlight of my time there. My next guest arrives at 4:30 the time of our reservation. Still no one comes to the table, final guest arrives at 4:35..... wait wait wait nothing we decide to leave after another 10 minutes, seems we must be invisible to the staff, we got up and left. No one questioned us, we took ourselves to the bar on the same level and had a much better experiences except ti was a bit slow since there was only one server for about 15 tables, but we didn't mind we were there to chat and have a good time. Wish that could have been said at Tea. There won't be a next time I plan on taking my business to other establishments that have much better service and cheaper prices. Too bad I thought it was such a nice place for holiday parties and weddings, guess when the chance does arrive I will be looking elsewhere. Sad sad day in Chicago.
(1)Winnie C.
Overall Bad service, good place to hang with friends and talk. This is a pretty place for afternoon tea. My out of town friends enjoyed it very much, but the service is not as good as I expected. We waited for more than 10 mins before we can haunted someone (who was not our server) down to take out check with 100 dollar bill when it was 88 dollars. We were expected some change back, so that we know it was paid since we didn't give it to our server. When we asked for the change, she said, "Oh, you need change back?". We were like.. 'huh'?? I was amazed how she can assumed we needed no change at all when the bill was 88. We were gonna leave more tips than 12 dollars, but still there is no way she can assumed we need no change. Also, I went with 3 people at 4pm, we had dinner reservation at 7pm. We were just gonna hang there and have as little food as we could, when I ordered 1 set of afternoon tea set, the server was like "Huh, 1?" I know it looks cheap to order one, but I don't think server should make comment like that when there is 4 star hotel.
(2)Holly L.
Love. Top notch all the way.
(5)Amy X.
a few weeks ago, it was my birthday, and this very pretty little lady was treated to afternoon tea at the peninsula. like, YAY! i put on a pink lacy dress and got myself ready to throw back some cucumber sandwiches. the thing is, tea at the peninsula is not a meal. to be honest, it's not even about the sandwiches or pastries or even the tea. the experience is 80% ambiance, the feeling of relaxation knowing that you're doing something so utterly indulgent that even the bougiest of the bourgeois are gaping a bit in their chinos and boat shoes. in short, it's an unwise way to spend money, but booooy oh boy does it feel nice. thanks, boyfriend! the experience and service were both lovely. we were seated by the windows, which looked out into the gardens. the only tense moment in the time we were there was when the tray of sandwiches and pastries first came out. ... are the sandwiches really that small? at first, i thought it was because i was watching the trays come in from the distance. however, the size did not greatly increase once the food was fully in view. in short, small sandwiches. know this, expect it, eat them slowly. but, also know this -- when the very, very, very proper waiter asks you if there's anything else he can bring you, shoot the question right back, i.e. "is there anything else to bring us?" what they don't tell you is that sometimes, the waiter will bring you extras of the sandwiches/pastries that you like. SSSHHH. . (..sorry, Lionel! I had to tell just a few of my closest friends. thanks for the two extra smoked salmon sandwiches -- scrumptious!)
(4)Misse D.
I finally made it to the Peninsula for afternoon tea. What was supposed to be a mini-reunion of sorts turned into an intimate gathering when everyone bailed at the last minute. Determined to have a lovely time, my sister-in-law and I oohed and ahhed as soon as we walked to the Lobby. The decor for the holidays was lovely. After being seated almost immediately, we ordered our tea selections. I was impressed with the modern additions to the menu (red velvet cupcakes). I thought, briefly, that the tea service might actually beat out my current favorite, The Four Seasons. While our service was very good, I was a bit put off that we had so many different people help us over the course of our meal. As soon as we were given our pots of tea, another person came over 2 minutes later to try to refill them. And then, no one came for the rest of the service. This is not to say that the tea service was bad. It is just that I have had such fantastic tea experiences in the past, that tea service at the Lobby was, in my opinion, slightly better than average. I will continue to recommend going to the Lobby for the chocolate buffet.
(4)Jill G.
I dined here for afternoon tea on a Monday. The ambience was superb, with live music and a great view. The decor was classy and the service friendly. The tea selection was abundant and the food was delicious. Having been to several afternoon teas in the Bay Area, this was by far the best afternoon tea I've experienced. I wish I could find one comparable to the Lobby in the Northern California!
(5)Robyn T.
I have a craving to visit the Peninsula every few months. I start to think about their traditional tea service or the mouthwatering chocolate buffet. I gather a group of friends and mentally prepare for what I know will be a delicious experience. That's the way I think of it...this is just tea or chocolate or cocktails...this is a true experience. With the exception of my most recent visit the service is usually excellent (this past visit it was like pulling teeth to get the waiter's attention and he wasn't particularly helpful at that). For tea expect ladies who lunch and reverlers celebrating a baby or wedding shower. Tea sandwiches and scones are elegantly stacked, so visually appealing you can't help but continue eating. The chocolate buffet is no slacker when it comes to visual presentation with a seasonally changing plethora of options. I love the viscous hot chocolate (regardless of the time of year), the truffles, mousses and little cookies. I would recommend at least 3 hours here. Have a drink, eat some treats, listen to the wonderful live music, relax, digest and eat again.
(4)Krystsina D.
Just a quick note: this review is for the Chicago restaurant menu week! Let's start with pluses: the place is beautiful, peaceful, quiet. We loved it. The entrees were good. The dessert was pretty decent. Service was O.K. On the negative side: appetizers tasted like nothing, I mean no flavor whatsoever. The entrees though good, tiny, I am talking bite size. Wine: meh... Overpriced and just o.k. tasting. I get it, it is restaurant menu week, but the portion size - really? I am not American and I do not like those Denny size portions, but seriously! Also, I would think that may be you create the restaurant menu week for people to come try, and want to come back. Frankly speaking, after tasting their food I have no desire for coming back. If it going to be 3 times more expensive, and tasting just as mediocre - not worth it. Sorry, The Lobby, I am disappointed.
(3)Eman A.
Came here on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday to the Chocolate Bar or whatever it's called, and honestly it was the most amazing experience. The only thing I was disappointed about was the coffee. It could have been better, but I could have had that coffee at any hotel or bfast place. But it was an awesome experience. It's a flavor adventure. Pricy, but worth the experience. Definitely would like to go again, but for a special occasions only.
(5)Maestro M.
This place has AMAZING Afternoon Tea, it beats any other hotel in Chicago. The tea is amazing and the selection is astonishing! They even have a vegetarian/vegan menu you can request! :)
(5)P R.
Outstanding food, presentation, ambiance and service! I have dined at the Lobby many times and have never been dissapointed. The Sunday Brunch is the best I've ever had, no question!
(5)Jessie D.
This was probably the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in, and the circumstances around it were pretty spectacular, so I already had a pretty high expectation of this place. The first impression of the place was astounding: marble everywhere, friendly and helpful concierge, great views. The concierge were so helpful that they offered to phone us and hold our bags until our room was ready for occupation. Definitely didn't expect that. But, I don't normally swing by 5-star luxury hotels. Sadly, this is something I could get used to, haha. The design of the place is amazing, so the industrial design nerd in me was going BONKERS. natural light filling almost every spot in the lobby... gorgeous. If you can swing staying here (or even swing just having tea here), I'd HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)Laurie C.
Went to afternoon tea here on a Saturday afternoon. My group all got the champagne option so it was about $60/person, including tax and tip. We each got a pot of tea, scones, four miniature sandwiches, and four tiny desserts. It was all incredibly delicious and we left feeling full. I was really impressed with how responsive they were to different dietary needs - I'm a vegetarian and my friend is allergic to nuts and we both got personalized treats that weren't just modified versions of the meat options. It was all delicious, especially the scones. Very fun way (albeit a splurge!) to spend an afternoon in Chicago.
(4)Jackie S.
I went to the The Lobby for dinner yesterday and had a mixed experience. Let me get the negative out of the way and say that the service was absolutely terrible. There appeared to be one waiter and he had absolutely no pep in his step. He also almost smacked my mom in the face with the dessert menu and would leave the table before getting everyones order a few occasions. He also licked his fingers to turn a page on his pad of paper and then touched a spoon which was also really gross for a germaphobe like me. In regards to the atmosphere it is very cozy and comfortable. Definitely a relaxing dinner at least on a Sunday night. In regards to the food I had the chestnut soup which was a little too sweet but the duck in the soup was the best duck I have ever had. It was so crispy and and a great contrast with the sweet soup. We also had the truffle macaroni and cheese which was of course good. How can a dish like that be bad. Given the amazing ingredients I think they could do something a little more special though. Think top chef season one, truffles on the bottom of the mac and cheese baking dish. I also shared the pike with my mom. The fish was a little dry but had a nice crisp. Also it was fun to figure out what all the flavors were. They also split the dish for us and both plates looked beautiful. My boyfriend had the scallops which looked great but I didn't try them. For the desert we had the creme brulee and apple pie. Neither were that great. The creme brulee could have used a little bit more heat as only one part had that nice burnt look to it. I think that the cafe at that hotel does much better desserts.
(3)patrick l.
I went here during restaurant week for lunch. Very well lit dining with lots of space and professional wait staff. We had the special menu which consisted of a help yourself to appetizers/soup/salad. I tasted the squash soup and it was a little bit under seasoned but sweet and thick. The salads were fresh and had medley of different greens but the crab salad was the best. Filled with generous potions of crab and a salsa type concoction on the bottom. Just the onions were a tad bit strong for this dish. Main entree was a scallop on a turnip puree. Very nicely done and tasty dish but there was only two large scallops and my tummy wanted more! But for dessert you again helped yourself in the middle of the room was assortment of desserts but there was nothing too fancy and rememberable there. Overall I enjoyed the dining experience and thought it was decent for restaurant week deal. I hope to return on another occasion
(4)Josh G.
My boyfriend and I love chocolate. When I heard about the chocolate bar at the Lobby I know this was where i was taking him for his birthday dinner. Our mouths watered for a week in anticipation of all the chocolate options and we were absolutely not disappointed with the spread. There was everything from traditional to completely unexpected and it was all delicious, creative, and almost worth the price you pay per person. Almost. It's very hard to eat $35 worth of chocolate in one sitting but we sure as hell did our best. The rest of the experience was a disappointment. The service was ok but not phenomenal. Frankly the person that took my reservation over the phone two weeks prior to dinner was more friendly than our server. Speaking of reservations, I mentioned to them at the time that it was a birthday celebration. I didn't expect them to do anything extravagant, but they did absolutely nothing for us. No special greeting, no happy birthday from the server, no complimentary dessert. Several months ago during my birthday celebration all of the above happened at a different restaurant and I guess I expected a place as reputable as the Peninsula to do at least the same. But... nope. Not a word. Dinner was just ok. The salmon was slightly dry and overcooked but my fillet was wonderful although it was basically the only thing on the plate with some sauce and a few slices of tomato. Presentation was completely lacking. Of course the Peninsula is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic feeling of luxury. The chocolate bar was amazing and the live jazz performance was a great and I enjoyed one of the best cappuccinos I've ever had in my life. But overall I just wasn't that impressed.
(3)Giggly C.
Delicious, wonderful tea time. From sweets to sandwiches, it ended up being too much food for me to finish. Great ambiance, and live music. I wanted to shout 'encore' to the players, but it wouldn't match the mood of the room. So why not 5 stars? Because the way the tea is in the pot, the tea became extremely bitter. Most teas should only seep for 2-3 min, and when my tea is seeping for 30 min +, it's an aweful taste. Don't they know better? Also, we were unfortunate to sit next a table who ordered some deluxe tea, which included hard boiled egg, chocolate covered strawberries and other delights we didn't get on our tea. The comparison was so extreme, and I glanced over many times during our meal. Sigh. what bad luck to sit next to them. I be they spent over $100 per person on that menu!
(4)Caroline A.
Live jazz + unlimited amounts of chocolate + beautiful decor + dancing with a charming guy = bliss. I am in love with this hotel. Everything about it is beautiful and the service is excellent. The decor is elegant and traditional, but not on that stuffy Ritz Carlton type of way. After a few glasses of wine, I kept touching the place settings because they were so beautiful... need to find out where they are from. We came to see Stephanie Browning perform this past Saturday. I was surprised to see so many people there. The crowd is very diverse - older couples celebrating a night on the town, groups of people perhaps guests of the hotel, young couples scoping out the chocolate bar, and regulars dancing the night away. I have not tried the chocolate bar, but would probably die of sensory overload if I did. However, we did have the chocolate tart, which was very good. Comes with a scoop of espresso ice cream that is out of this world yummy. Chocolate martini's are strong! +++++++++++++ My bf and I had afternoon tea at the Lobby over the weekend. It was excellent! The selection of Peninsula collection teas and premium teas were fantastic - we both had a hard time deciding which one to enjoy. I had the orange jasmine and he had the chamomile. Though the chamomile was very nice, I definitely picked the better one :P The tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes were all very delicious and we were even surprised by a complimentary blackberry souffle! Amazing! Service was flawless - attentive, timely and very courteous. Tea at the Peninsula is a great way to spend an afternoon with your significant other or girlfriends. It is also a great place to bring your mother!
(5)Alan S.
Got engaged at lunch here yesterday. I have to say the service was superlative. They took great careof us and made the occasion extra special. The food was very tasty, I particularly liked the spicy jumbo prawns although the salac nicoise was also outstanding.
(5)Kai R.
Had breakfast at the Lobby while staying at the hotel. They deliver what you expect here - impecable service, well-prepared food, big price tag. Get a table by the window if possible.
(3)Tom S.
They say confession is good for the soul. I can find the joy of eating food at Arby's just as much as I can at The Signature Room. Both places do what they do very well and while I would never compare the two outside of Yelp, it does bring to the table an interesting point about what you claim to do and what you actually do. Arby's never makes a claim to offer the finest cuts of meat or boast about outstanding service or white table cloths. In the same vain, The Signature Room can boast about those things, but wouldn't lay claim to offering fast service at a great price, something Arby's can turn into a feather and stick in their cap. As a person who dines out across the board, from Arby's to The Signature Room and beyond, I understand the concept of being true to who you are and offering your customers the best food and service for the type of venue you run. So what in the world is wrong with the hoity toity Peninsula Hotel? This is a 5 star hotel, doesn't that automatically say to you they earned those stars based on service and detail? FAIL! I called the hotel 6 weeks before a special occasion to secure a table at one of their famous brunches. The woman on the other end of the phone asked me if I was securing the table for a special occasion. I told her that I was typically reluctant to mention birthdays or anniversaries because it never meant anything in the end. She assured me that in fact The Peninsula not only went above and beyond to ensure their guests had the best experiences possible, but went even further to bring a special experience to anyone celebrating. I confessed that it was a special occasion and she assured me up and down that I wouldn't regret having divulged as much. Six weeks later, my date and I walked to the hotel and entered the lobby-cum-restaurant for a sunny Sunday brunch. First of all, there was no maitre d' or host to be found and when a group of employees finally showed up it was impossible to get anyone's attention. They all seemed busy with something else and couldn't be bothered with checking us in at that moment ... this, despite the fact that there were other people seated and eating. It wasn't like we were early or anything. When I finally got the attention of the host to check in, I gave him my name and he searched for the reservation. There was no reservation. My name, number, my special occasion were nowhere to be found in their system. Fortunately he could still seat us, but it soon became apparent that they were going to be full in no time and that the perimeter table (read "no man's land") was indeed the worst table in the room and that we were being punished for apparently not making a reservation. We decided to have a glass of Champagne with brunch, but after I swilled mine, it became clear we should just have one of the servicepersons bring us the entire bottle. That request took forever. Maybe someone can explain to me how hard it is to bring a bottle of Champagne to two people perfectly willing to pay the $10 for each of the two glasses and for a whole new bottle. The waitperson could hardly believe anyone would be willing to do that which I found shocking! If I want to buy 3 bottles of Champagne you have no cause to question me. The food, in general, was typically brunch-like, nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary though I will say that the chef's at the stations were very friendly and professional and willing to do their part to ensure you didn't leave with a bad taste in your mouth. But I still think the hotel brunch at the now-defunct Dining Room at The Ritz was light-years ahead of anything The Peninsula was offering. The bottom line is that the service at a hotel known for service was appalling, even worse than the experience on the actual day was the promises made by the telephone representative who didn't even secure the reservation causing me embarrassment, suspicion and a bad table with even worse service. I can forgive mediocre food if the service is stellar, at the same time, even the most glorious meal can be marred by bad service. I'm officially taking away 4 of The Peninsula's 5 stars.
(1)Angie E.
Love it. TREAT yourself and go. Everyone needs to try this place, particularly for the chocolate buffet. Came for my birthday and threw a bday gathering here. Live band, elegant atmosphere, amazing buffet. Must try.
(5)Aurore L.
Seems like my yearly update of the Peninsula lobby is a little early this year....but what the heck?!? (yes, heck. Let us please remain polite and distinguished here, we are talking poshy-posh-posh here) No chocolate bar this time. Jazz brunch please! Same scenery, different lightning (it's day light!) and another crowd.....exit romance, hello kids and heirs in the making following around their Botoxed moms in their impeccable pressed jacket. Quite entertaining for those of us who are prompt to bad-mouthing (I am not one of them). Anyway - the brunch display is quite impressive and left me K.O. To give it its whole measure I am going to go list-style: - Traditional station : hashbrowns, truffled egg benedicts, bacon, sausages, waffles, omelet station, muffins, bagels, cream cheeses, fruits (berries, cantaloupe, citrus segments, pineapple...), yogurt, parfait, oatmeal, nuts, muesli, chicken tenders, sliders, ham, - Chinese station: veggie dumplings, seafood dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, orange chicken, soup, Peking duck, seafood fried rice - Seafood station: oysters, jumbo shrimp, sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, crab salad, white anchovies, lox - Saladcold cuts and grilled veggies........too many to list here - Hot station: prime rib, mac-n-cheese, veal loin, salmon, cioppino, casseroles - Desserts station: a mini version of the chocolate bar my lovelies.....brownies, blondies, mousses, verrines, macaron lollipops, home-made marshmallows, plum and almond tart, vanilla éclairs, ricotta beignets, madeleines, chocolate bark/covered almonds/raisins/orange zests, and all the most delicate treats you can think of. And I forgot some. Coffee is included. Beware: it's pricey. But you can linger for hours and just enjoy the surroundings. It was snowing when I was there and it was just absolutely delectable. A wonderful and unique treat for you and you man or your besties.
(5)Jason V.
I recently had the pleasure of joining four of my friends for Royal Tea at The Lobby restaurant in The Peninsula. After having a cup of tea after dinner during my stay at the hotel in 2001 and enjoying informal tea with a friend just last year, my expectations were high. I guaranteed my friends a memorable experience and, to their credit, The Lobby delivered. Afternoon tea started, ironically, with a glass of champagne--Laurent-Perrier, Cuvée Grand Siècle Brut. The first course was truffled scrambled eggs in eggshell cups, which were very delicious. The eggs were accompanied by their own little ivory spoons, not unlike the flat wooden spoons that come with ice cream cups. If my memory is correct, tea came after the first course. I had the genmaicha, which was a first for me. It was very good, with the rice balancing out the green tea which, at least in my opinion, can too easily become overpowering. Some of the other teas that were served included Orchid Oolong, Orange Jasmine, Mandarin Rose Petal, and (I think) African Amber. Everyone had positive things to say about their teas. On that note, each person is served their tea in his or her own pot, about the right size for one person to accompany--what you will see--turns out to be a fairly large meal. The staff was more than happy to add hot water or make adjustments to the teapots as necessary as the meal went on. The main course featured a three-tiered tray of various finger-sized items. On the top tier were chocolate and cherry scones that were separately accompanied by curds, jellies, preserves, and Devonshire cream. Definitely go after the scones first while they are still warm. Along with the scones were confetti shortbread cookies with dried fruits halfway dipped in chocolate. On the second tier were long-stem strawberries dipped in Manjari chocolate and accented with edible gold leaf; ginger madeleines; a fruit tart; and an incredibly sweet tea cake. The fruit tart was probably the weakest link on the whole menu, but I suppose some unlucky item had to take that position. The tea cake, while very sweet, was just the perfect size so that the sweetness really was not a bother to deal with. Anything bigger would have been too much. On the bottom tier were the heavier items: Chive blini with American caviar and crème fraîche; smoked salmon terrine and leek marmalade on brioche; warm baby artichokes with camembert cheese and roasted pepper; and, finally, parma ham and fig pinwheels with sauternes and mint gelee on pumpernickel. I was not a big fan of the ham and fig pinwheels, but the other items on the bottom tier were each fantastic. For the final course, each person had a small trio of crème brulèe--Tahitian vanilla bean, Jivara milk chocolate, and passion fruit. Sadly, by that point in the meal, having gone through no less than twelve other items, it was really hard to get full enjoyment of the crème brulèe. As for the non-food aspects of the meal, the space at The Lobby is very nice. The fact the restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel lends itself to a certain serene openness. Service was solid, although the timing in between courses seemed to be a little off. To say there was a lack of attentiveness would be far too harsh, but, considering the level The Peninsula is aspiring to, I think improvements could be made. I did appreciate, however, that the staff made a quick adjustment to the menus early on, removing the price from the menus before the others arrived. And, as for that price, it runs $95 per person. In its defense, however, the amount of food served for this mid-afternoon tea nearly spoiled my appetite for my late dinner reservations at 10:00pm.
(5)Anne Marie P.
This review is for high tea. I try to find a 'proper' tea service wherever I go, and I've heard this was one of those "must see/go" spots. For about $36, I was served my choice of tea plus a multi-tiered selection of bite-sized sweets and savories. Our window seats overlooked an outdoor seating area, and all would've been quite special if not for F. F was not a very good service provider. F took over 10 minutes to bring the check. Note: It was NOT crowded in the dining room...what, ten tables or less total? They weren't the only server either. F was just kind of there. The stars are for the food and view, but that's about it. Very nice MOD comped our meal, but that's because we recognized service that should've met our expectations, but didn't.
(3)cindy k.
4.5 stars, really! I've never been to the Lobby at the Peninsula and I loved it! I came for Restaurant Week, 2012 with 2 girlfriends. We loved the appetizer bar. I could have just eaten that for my meal. I went up several times for their fresh salad, grilled vegetables, cheese and they had the most delectable guacamole with crabmeat served in a martini glass. 2 of us ordered the scallops and 1 ordered the short rib with pasta. The serving was just right, especially after the appetizers we devoured. The desserts were just okay. The mini red velvet cupcake I had was a bit dry, but the fruit salad was scrumptious as well as the chocolate covered espresso beans! Although the website says the dress code is 'Smart Casual', many people were really dressed down. I don't think they will turn you away if you aren't dressed appropriately but it's probably best to err on the side of caution. The service was superb. They quickly cleared our plates and were courteous throughout our meal. I'll definitely go again before next year's restaurant week!
(4)Annette P.
I am usually pretty easy going, but I had a very disappointing Sunday Brunch at the Peninsula. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible/non-existent. When we arrived no one told us what to do ( go help ourselves, explain the set up of the buffets, etc.). Once we "got it," as we went back for additional servings, no one was clearing the table. They just let the plates accumulate. Once someone finally did clear the table they left us no flatware. We ended up having to find a manager for help. After that the waiter was so obnoxious that during our next trip to the buffet he put every possible utensil on our table - even soup spoons (there was no soup being served). We went there on a whim. Thank heavens it was not a special occasion as it would have ruined our day. This place gets ZERO STARS from me and I will never go back!
(1)Christa R.
The Chocolate Bar is really the best ever. Great for a date, great for a girls night. Probably the most fun I have ever had with food. I went with a group of girls and it was perfect. We asked them to put us in the corner as we knew we'd be a little noisy. They were pleased to do so. There was an AMAZING variety of chocolate, bons bons, macaroons, crepes, fountains, martinis, hot chocolate and much, much more. There was a Frank Sinatra type band that was very good. The Lobby itself is BEAUTIFUL. We had a reservation but probably didn't need one. They also have a dinner that you can add on to the all you can eat chocolate goodness. Each of the courses incorporate chocolate in some way. We didn't order the whole dinner but we were intrigued while looking at the menu. They had this butternut squash soup with white chocolate and it was unbelievably tasty. I cannot wait to go back. So good. Not cheap but worth every single penny. They know how to do it right at the Pen. You can even include your valet charge in your bill so you don't have to worry about cash. :) Try this!
(5)Diana P.
We had tea time in the afternoon for our baby shower and it was wonderful. Everyone gets their own beautiful pot of tea of choice (they use Mighty Leaf) and an assortment of sandwiches, sweets and scones with dips (yum) & cookies. They refil upon request and the atmosphere is very pleasant. This is a wondeful place for a special event with an intimate crowd. They have either long or round tables. Definitely something to try at least once.
(5)Kristin S.
Took my mom here for the afternoon tea on Sunday for her birthday. She was visiting from Ohio and I wanted to take her somewhere she couldn't go back home. The Lobby at the Peninsula was it! We originally had plans to go on Saturday, which I maybe would have preferred because the dining area was pretty empty on Sunday. Still, since the Sunday tea is later (4:00-6:00pm), we did get to see the view in the day and all lit up at night (and they bring out candles for the tables when it gets darker). We both got the traditional tea for $36. My biggest and practically only complaint (and the reason why I knocked off a star) is that they only offer TWO green tea selections (gunpowder and sencha) in their proprietary tea listing. The tea selection leaves quite a bit to be desired in my opinion. Both the teas we ordered were good, but with tea becoming the sensation it is, I can't believe I'm the only one who would like a larger pool to choose from. Other than that, it was astounding. They brought out the selection of savories (curry chicken wrap, grilled veggie sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich, potato quiche) with the sweets (plate full of tiny, perfect deserts from mini key lime pie to cheesecake brownie) in a pretty tower of plates. You also get a basket of cookies and scones with the lemon curd, devonshire cream (swoon!) and a homemade jelly (good, but I couldn't lay off the lemon curd and cream). They also brought out a sour cherry souffle which was the best I've ever had. My mom got a special dessert to celebrate her birthday which I thought was a nice touch. The service was incredible. I never felt rushed or over attended-to. I hate when servers hover. One employee saw my mom picking the cilantro out of her chicken curry wrap (she detests the stuff, but I love it) and immediately brought her another quiche to replace it along with two extra cucumber sandwiches. (I was so happy about this because what's high tea without cucumber sandwiches, right?) All in all, it was a great time and I recommend it for any girly special occasion or celebration.
(4)Jacob K.
I went to this elegant hotel restaurant during the second Chicago restaurant week. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and the decor was fairly chic. There was a 3 course price fixed option, however it was different from what was available on their website and I had to request a special menu for the price fixed option as it was not initially given to me. First was the bread basket which came with delicious pretzel rolls, some flat bread and some spiced corn bread. The salad with bacon, prosciutto, dates and baby greens was exceptional... one of the best salads I have had in a while. Unfortunately the main course left much to be desired. I had hand cut pasta with meat sauce. The pasta was good, but not exceptional, the meat sauce was lacking and the portion was pretty small especially for pasta. I was hoping the dessert would redeem my impression.. but alas that hope was dashed. The platter came with 3 beautiful presented desserts- miniature versions of cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate pastry. The cheesecake was so-so, the carrot cake was great, but the chocolate was very disappointing (it tasted dried out. For a place that boasts a chocolate buffet I would expect more. The best thing there was the iced tea. probably the best ice tea I have ever had. The waitress said it was a black tea with rose, vanilla and another ingredient... but for $6 a glass... it should have been pretty damn good. I might try The Lobby again, but for the price and quantity i would be hesitant to recommend it.
(3)Kiera D.
This is a beautiful restaurant. I come here for lunch quite often and it has never failed to disappoint. Very elegant.
(5)Karan V.
A beautiful space, especially during the holidays with all of the Christmas decorations.
(4)Richard O.
This was a very luxurious night out. I came for the chocolate buffet and tea and it was spectacular. The tea was incredible and served in a traditional tea set high class. The desert was so delicious the chocolate was so fresh and the display was impressive. The entertainment consisted of a pianist cello and singer performing in the lobby. When we were standing outside waiting for the valet Cindy Crawford came out of a limo and we were lucky enough to have a photo taken with her. If supermodels come here you know this is the place to be. I cant wait to come here again.
(5)MyChau N.
Even though Da Bears lost in the play-offs today, this place made it all better! Came here with some friends for their high tea and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful ambiance and great service! We stayed for 3 hours. What great place to sit and catch up with old friends! They had an array of different teas and we all enjoyed the respective teas that we chose. I had the lychee flavored black tea and it was soooo good (and I am an avid coffee drinker who usually does not drink tea). The finger food that came with the tea made us full and I was even able to bring the left-over home (I felt embarrassed asking for a box since the place was so fancy, but I hate throwing out food =). Overall, you need to experience this place at least once if you live in Chicago. Not too often though since it is quite fancy and not cheap. I will have to find occasions to come back here...
(5)Stef P.
My fiancé proposed to me during a meal at The Lobby, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. However, this past Sunday while attending a ladies brunch, I was completely blown away by the food. It may be my favorite brunch buffet. We started at the cold meats and cheeses, which were beautifully displayed along with lox, different kinds of cracker and bagels. The raw bar had shrimp (very nice size), crab legs and oysters with a variety of sauces and a mignonette. I appreciate how the only egg dishes are a Truffled Eggs Benedict and an omelet station. The reason being that scrambled eggs sitting in a warmer, even a beautiful warmer, get tough. There was also a chicken sausage, pork sausage and bacon. I skipped the hash browns and breakfast pastries because there were too many other delectable options to waste time on fillers. There was an entree station that included carved sirloin (delicious with wine sauce), bacon-wrapped filet (a little dry) and two fish. From the cold salad station I had the crab salad, which was fantastic and the rock shrimp. And there is an Asian food station with delectable Peking duck and steamed buns that were a very welcomed surprised. We drank mimosas and Bloody Mary's which I believe are around $10 each. Juice, coffee and tea are included in the $75 per person fee. Yes, this is pricey for most, but for a beautiful brunch with bountiful fresh food I would not make at home, it was well worth it, especially around the holidays. My only complaint is that we made a reservation on Open table for 10:15. When we were seated, we were handed breakfast menus. We mentioned that we thought we were making the reservation for brunch. The hostess said that brunch started at 11am and they were fully committed and could wait until 11:30 if we wanted. There was no way we were ordering breakfast while watching delicious brunch items being arranged. We spoke to a manager who apologized and said that Open table is working to clearly differentiate meal times. He let us stay at the table and wait for the brunch to begin. Throughout brunch, the dining room was at least 1/3 empty the entire time. This irked me because it is a pricey brunch and, having worked in restaurants, you never show hesitation is satisfying a customer. All in all, this was a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to return!
(5)Kevin P.
Beautiful hotel and lobby, but the food was just okay and overpriced.
(3)Heidi J.
Came here for the afternoon tea. Definitely was a very nice set up. Pros/Cons: Cons: I expected service to be a LITTLE more than what I got. The waiter was nice enough, but was a little slow at times and not as attentive as I would have liked. -For the $$, I would expect more.. just more. While the finger foods they provide with the tea are GREAT (that's a Pro), the quantity is very small, especially if you come with two or three people. You come with two people, they charge you $40/each and give you two of each little finger food. Not really worth the $80 -The live musicians playing upstairs during tea time were great! (pro) but, when they would stop playing or would take a break, the room would become creepily quiet and if you were having a conversation suddenly you were yelling and everyone was listening to you. Overall, great experience and something you should definitely try if you are into the "afternoon tea". If you could take it or leave it though, then I would leave it
(4)Tina W.
We hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Restaurant to celebrate my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. My in-laws were so impressed with the room, the food, and the tea. My sister-in-law even requested that we host her baby shower there someday. It was all divine. My one complaint would be that they didn't inform us that the second glass of champagne that they offered to pour would be an additional charge of $9/glass. That added another $50 to our bill. I was very appreciative of the Lobby hostess, Stephanie. I dropped off our menus and party favors the day before our event. Stephanie had the items laid out at each place setting when we arrived. My in-laws loved it.
(5)Margaret L.
I was pretty skeptical about coming to here for the chocolate bar. I'm not a fan of buffets but I must say it was a lovely evening. My husband and I enjoyed the night with the live jazz band and delicious chocolates. My favorite is the banana eclair and my husband's is the white chocolate mousse. Beautiful lobby with fabulous jazz music. The service was exceptional! They also have a wide selection of fresh tea. It' a must-try. We had the Green Tea called Sencha from Japan. Very relaxing!
(4)Mela R.
I've never liked hummus but now I do. I enjoyed the lamb with pickled onions and goat cheese. Beautiful ambience. Orchestra type band playing on a balcony seemed like the Titanic.
(3)Kathy K.
Excellent afternoon tea. The scones, finger sandwiches and desserts were delicious. I had a green tea that was just perfect. A wonderful place to spend any afternoon.
(5)Perry V.
Go for the Chocolate Buffet and jazz and enjoy a blissful evening.
(5)Amanda C.
I went to the lobby for tea with my mom on her birthday, and it was the perfect way to spend the day. I definitely recommend going here for a special occasion! I don't know how it compares to other teas in the city since it was my first tea experience, but I was not disappointed. When we arrived after shopping, we had several bags which the front desk attendant graciously checked for us. I had mentioned it was my mom's birthday when I made the reservation, and they seated us at a great table right next to the window. The atmosphere was great- not too crowded, live violinists, and a fashion show! I'm not used to being treated the way the staff treats patrons, but I could get used to it! For $40 per person, the tea is certainly not something I would do regularly. However, I will say they bring you a LOT of food and we were too full to finish it so took some of the cute cakes home. You will want to eat a light lunch or skip lunch beforehand. Each person gets their own pot of tea and you can choose from around 50 varieties... I got Celebration (very floraly- almost like perfume but grew on me) and my mom got Orange Jasmine (just how it sounds, and very good). There are so many it's almost overwhelming, but chances are it won't be bad, and I'm sure they would have replaced the pot if we had wanted. Each person gets 1 pot, which is probably around 5-6 cups of tea. It would be nice if there was a sampler option, but they do have a champagne option for $10 more per glass. We didn't opt for this... I'm sure it would be great but as it was we couldn't finish our tea. We had just an hour here before our manicure appointment and I really think an hour and a half would be ideal. The three-tiered platter they brought with our treats had a tier for sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. Sandwiches were crabmeat on white bread with sliced apples on top, ham and brie on a mini pretzel roll, and salmon and cucumber layered on dark rye. Quiche was egg, cheese and spinach, and desserts included carrot cake, some pistachio mousse thing, and a shortbread filled with custard, topped with fresh raspberries and a white chocolate bar with "The Peninsula" printed in dark chocolate. In addition, everyone got a Baba Rum cake, with an eyedropper filled with rum to drizzle on the cake, AND they brought an ice cream/caramel/chocolate creation on a beautiful platter with a candle for my mom's birthday! ALL of these items were delicious... I don't know if they switch around the menu but if they do I'm sure the other options would be just as good. Definitely a great place to visit for a special occasion- make sure you call ahead and explain your situation and they will make it extra special for you!
(5)Tom F.
Got $65 (not including tax and gratuity) burning a hole in your pocket? Then hit the Sunday brunch at the Peninsula. The Peninsula is the ultimate in brunch opulence. Want lobster? Yes! An omelet with sushi? Got it. A plate with brioche French toast on one side, and prime rib on the other? Done. Truffled herb-roasted chicken and petit fours for dessert? No problem. Seriously, though, this is a hell of a brunch. The variety and quality of the food is mindblowing. It is perfect for impressing the in-laws when they're visiting from Cleveland, or if you don't have in-laws, it will work just as well as your mom or that Gold Coast debutante that you're trying to win over. The Lobby restaurant is approachably elegant, with soaring ceilings and spectacular views of the Magnificant Mile. The service, as is typical of the Peninsula, is flawless.
(5)Rachel B.
The table was covered with desserts. Adorable tiny desserts. Adorable tiny chocolate desserts. I was in heaven. I was at the chocolate bar at the Peninsula. I can only give 4 stars because I'm a dark chocolate kind of girl, and the dark chocolate options were actually quite limited. But there was a delicious white chocolate mousse cup with raspberries. And a teeny tiny chocolate creme brulee. And juicy, perfectly ripe chocolate-covered strawberries. Chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels provided a little break in the chocolate intensity. There were cream puffs and lollipops and little bitty chocolate cakes. As I said - heaven. My chocolate martini was as decadent as the desserts, and the wait staff was really nice and attentive - it's the kind of place where they fold your napkin for you when you go to the bathroom to purge so you can make another buffet run. In other words, an awesome birthday retreat from the ordinary.
(4)Natalie B.
I had one little day to enjoy Chicago while in the area for my cousin's wedding. I decided that I would finally try High Tea at the Peninsula --unfortunately, we do not have any lovely hotels that offer high tea in Jax! So with my good friend S and sister in tow, we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at The Lobby. The ambiance is very elegant. The service is terrific and unobtrusive. The food was a wonderful mix of sweets and savories. The chicken salad was divine (just like Yelpers said it would be!) but I especially loved the Baguetts with herbed cheese, edamame, and grape tomatoes. The tea itself as delicious and served beautifully. All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday in the city!
(5)Sarah Z.
I have had high tea here many times. And tea/food wise, I think they offer the best high tea experience in all of Chicago! I would have given the Peninsula 5 stars.. but everytime I go the waitstaff seems to disappear at some point and I have always had to flag them down and ask for the check, or something else. I understand the desire to not hound your guests- but don't neglect them either! The only times this hasn't happened was during the holiday season when the lobby is packed.
(4)Kathleen C.
I've been to high tea in the Peninsula twice now, and couldn't imagine a more wonderful experience. The tea is phenomenal, and they have so many choices, including caffeine free. The food is also yummy, from the little sandwiches to the scones and tiny little chocolate cake. Service is of course, impeccable. We had twenty for tea and asked to bring some of the extra food back for some coworkers that couldn't join us, and they gave us ALL of the extra food. Beautiful ambience and nice live music too.
(5)courtney g.
We dropped in on a Saturday night, rather early, and were able to get a table without much ado. The food was excellent -- my lamb was perfectly done, quite rare and incredibly tender. My companions each enjoyed their salmon and baby roast chicken; don't miss the brussels sprouts ... I'm not usually a big fan, but they prepare them with bacon, and how can you miss with that? The service was very pleasant, although a bit uneven; occasionally we were left adrift. They were so kind as to bring us (unsolicited) a small selection of tiny lovely bites from the chocolate buffet, which was unexpected and delightful. And need I mention tasty.The live jazz on Saturday was nice also. On the whole, totally worth a trip: pricey, but delicious; in a big open space so not particularly intimate or romantic, but well-appointed and not, to my mind, particularly snobby or intimidating as some fancy pants hotel restaurants can seem.
(4)Gfiddy F.
When the sun is shining in that big pretty room, it's my favorite place to eat brunch.
(5)Jesse B.
female jazz singer w/ excellent trio (friday and saturday nights) the Tea, & the Chocolate Buffet = my favorite place in Chicago.
(5)Gunner F.
This will be an unforgettable brunch experience for you. Go on a special occasion if the price isn't right, but everyone who loves food needs to try this place at least once in their life. Incredible food in a magnificent setting. That's the best way I can describe it.
(5)Jeetu P.
Best mac & cheese in the city of Chicago. Great restaurant, fantastic service from Eric, our server!! Highly recommend it!
(5)Chris B.
Jacky and I hit The Lobby last night after some evening shopping, and for the first time - decided to do dinner here...interestingly, I see that nobody has mentioned the amazing dinner menu!? We come here every Christmas for Tea, and that is a five star experience, no question. No further details needed...it's Chicago's 'tea in the big city at a fancy hotel' experience (better than The Drake...sorry, native Chicagoans). SO -- dinner last night -- Jacky got our rezz because of the Chocolate Bar, and we did dinner beforehand: WHAT A MENU!!! Phenomenal selection... First, there were some great froofy drinks to go along with the normal hotel fare: strawberry, champagne and campari cordials, etc. etc. -- Asian influence throughout: try 'The Tryst' - you won't be sorry! Then -- we got some 'savouries,' and all of them looked good: cheese plate, homemade tortilla chips, sushi/sashimi, duck rolls, etc. We got the sushi and sashimi, and it was unbelievable fresh and beautiful: ebi, unagi, hamachi, california roll, salmon, spicy tuna roll, octopus salad -- very satisfied. For entrees, Jacky was torn between the Szechwan Prawns (their signature dish), or a special diver scallop and fava bean cassoulet that sounded incredible. She opted for the Prawns and was in heaven -- she loved it. For me -- who eats everything -- I was torn...Osso Bucco, Steaks, the scallops, Vietnamese Market noodles with Kobe beef, chicken and shrimp -- augh! But Iris, our server who is here from Hong Kong for a one year internship guided me well...to the Kobe Burger served with aged stilton with sweet potato fries and a white truffle aioli....best. burger. ever. I'm not kidding -- Moody's, Monk's, In 'N Out, forget it...competition over. This burger was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Now -- HUGE disclaimer...huge. It was $28. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...grotesque. That's too much for anything that has 'burger' in the title. But folks: it was worth every penny. I can't rave about this enough. Then, we moved to the chocolate bar. meh. The theme for May (different chocolate theme each month) was "flowers." yech! So everything had some flower element associated with it...as in, half of the pieces on the decadent table tasted like dish soap. Verbena, violets, lavender, capsicum, petunias, blah blah...decorations? Yes. In my mousse, apple strudel, creme brulee or tart? No. So thumbs down for May's floral rendition of choco-fest from me. But overall, a five star experience. It ain't a cheap date, but it was well worth the extravagant setting, the gorgeous jazz (don't forget the live jazz...they were tremendous...), the amazing dinner and ambience.
(5)Koizumi Y.
We took breakfast here not too long ago with a fellow Yelper and her beau. It was divine. The Peninsula is a delightful locale on its own, but our experience at The Lobby was pure gastronomical lust. Though the egg white frittata was perfect with its inclusion of asparagus, spinach, leeks, Portobello mushrooms and tomatoes, my accommodated request to add aged white cheddar kicked it up a notch to Sin City. My spouse had the almond ricotta hot cakes with a Grand Marnier sauce, and had to continually swat us away from his platter. Ridiculously beautiful Kellan allowed us to sample her stuffed French Toast, which was lovely but a bit too sweet for my taste. Attentive service was complemented by breathtaking surroundings, including our occasional pause to take in the Michigan Avenue view. By the time we were done with all this and mimosas, the rest of the day was icing. There's no way to go wrong here. We'll certainly return.
(5)Catherine B.
I have been wanting to check out the Peninsula's chocolate bar for ages, and I finally got my chance over the weekend. Make a reservation, and make sure you don't fill up on a big dinner! The treats were delicious, and were made up of a significant variety of types of chocolate and presentation. The service was great, and the live band playing Frank Sinatra-esque music was really good. Their white hot chocolate drink was super sweet, and actually tasted like it was a melted bar of white chocolate, so be warned that it's not for the faint of heart! We ordered cocktails as well (chocolate martini and signature martini), and be aware that the drinks are VERY strong - you get your $14 worth. That's the only drawback to to the chocolate bar, in my mind - the price is quite steep. But if you have something to celebrate (it was my birthday), it's a fun unique place to treat yourself to.
(4)A B.
My husband and I decided to have our Christmas day brunch at the Peninsula and couldn't be happier with our choice. The food was fantastic and there was such a variety to choose from. They has Sushi, Lobster, Caviar, breakfast station, Prime Rib, Short Ribs and on and on and on.....it was so good. The only issue I had was the price, it was $125 and which did not include our Bellini's or Cappuccino. The Bellini's were ridiculously priced at almost $19!!! So needless to say our bill was the price of a designer purse, which I wasn't happy about. However, the food was great and the atmosphere was beautiful and I would highly recommend it.
(4)Url R.
The afternoon tea was not as good as Hong Kong, but still worth the price. Don't be boring and take ordinary green tea, try something really funky. This isn't snooty east coast old lady tea service either. This is a great place to take a date if you want a non-alcohol alternative and show your lady that you have some class.
(4)t.n. t.
I love upscale restaurants, but hate pretentious environments. Some people really need to pry their foot out their ass. The food is good and the wine selection is nice as well. If you'd like to be entertained, I enjoy watching the desperate women and men try to find their wives and husbands here. It is quite entertaining!!!!!!!!
(4)Carrie S.
Went here for my birthday (Valentine's Day) almost three years ago and it's still such a memorable experience. They had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner. I had an awesome filet mignon with the other courses. They had the best seared foie gras when you could still serve it in the city limits. The chocolate bar is a a chocolate lovers dream come true. All sorts of chocolate in all sorts of forms from truffles to hot chocolate. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I want to go back for the chocolate bar on the weekend because it's so good.
(5)Kayee I.
My family and I dined at The Lobby on Mother's Day and enjoyed, what I've been informed to be, a rare buffet dinner. Although we were personally late arriving to dinner an hour late, we were very promptly seated by the hostess and then greeted by our server. As starters, our server took our order for drinks (three mimosas), then brought us a an an asparagus nioise with a side garnish of fresh kelp and red wine-vinegar marinated mushroom. A three-tiered tray of sushi and sashimi promptly followed. After the starters, each of us roamed the dining room scoping the tasty goods. There's easily a dozen different stations serving a cornucopia of foods. I managed to sample fresh salad with homemade dressings, different aged cheeses (one was aged for four years but was to sharp for my taste), dim sum (with crescent-shaped lobster dumplings, scallop shui mai, etc.), roasted free-range baby chicken with grilled spring vegetables, five spice lamb rack, roasted wild salmon, perfectly moist beef tenderloin and fresh pan-fried soft shell crab. Staff were quick to help us with our selections and to recommend items to try. By far, my favorite part of the meal were the desserts. Granted I managed to only make way to two of the tables (there were at least two other tables on the other end of the room), I did do a bit of damage: lavendar creme brulee, espresso chocolate mousse eclair, lemon merengue tartlet and a single scoop of white peach sorbet on a mini ice cream cone rimmed with chocolate shavings.
(4)Briana J.
A few girlfriends and I had high tea and we all enjoyed it. The service was prompt and friendly. We did order the least expensive option but we were still treated like good costumers. One friend is a veg head and our waiter was very willing to create some delicious veggie options for her. As our waiter walked passed and heard me praise a specific type of cookie, he returned with a plate full. I very much enjoyed my time here and I recommend it highly!
(5)Daisy T.
So I'm at the peninsula with some friends and so far I am not impressed. The chocolate buffet is overrated and frankly not that good. The service was OK especially since we waited 15min for them to bring us our coffee. Personally I think it's extremely over priced for what you get but I did have a great time that night!
(3)Robert S.
The chocolate buffet is a sight to behold. If you like chocolate, this is the place for you. I prefer more casual places, however. This place is about as uptight and pretentious as things get. Kind of a "look at me, I'm dining at the Peninsula" kind of thing. I did enjoy the Jazz band that performed. Meh.
(3)woofgang q.
Imagine Willy Wonka shacking up in a French colonial plantation and you get the gist of the weekend choco-rama at the Peninsula. Nevertheless, service lacks and can be spacey, which could be excusable at any place but here. During visits at peak times the lack of staff slowed service which noticeably hindered my alcohol imbibing. Once the service was so horrid that I left the smallest tip ever ($6 tip on a $114 tab). However like a tweaking meth junkie, I just can't say no to the Peninsula's intoxicating, gilded opulence and chocolate decadence. +6 for the chocolate, ambiance, entertainment and enough space so that you won't be bothered by poseurs; -2 for the unpredictable service and liberal guilt for spending so much money on nothing but alcohol and chocolate; -2 for failing to meet the higher standard to which the Peninsula should be held. Visit the original or Bangkok Peninsula and you'll understand. Can't wait til the Shangri-La and the Mandarin Oriental open.
(2)Victoria T.
This was, by far, the most decadent and wonderful brunch I have ever been to! I don't usually like buffets... but this was a class all its own. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere was classy, and the food was amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
(5)Marie L.
I went to the Lobby at the Peninsula to celebrate my birthday and I was not disappointed. We just wanted to have lunch since we were with a baby and it's hard to find a nice place to have dinner where a baby would be welcome. The Lobby was bright and airy , had plenty of room to park a baby stroller next to the table and was not nearly as snooty as I would have expected. Most of the people at our table ordered high tea but a few ordered from the regular lunch menu, which is a nice option for those who crave something more traditional like a huge, juicy burger. (I had a bite of that huge, juicy burger and it was tasty) The high tea was excellent although the service was a little confusing as at least four different people took care of our table at some point. Also, at times it was hard to flag someone down to order something but the food and overall experience far outweighs any inconvenience caused by that. With high tea, you of course get to choose your tea from an extensive list. Then you are served a tiered platter of bite-sized sweet and savory things or to put it elegantly, "snackies." I believe the variety is always similar so here is what I can recall that was on our plates: bottom plate- beef wraps with vegetables, quiches, salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with caviar; middle plate - chocolate cheesecake, apricot crumble, chocolate covered cake w/raspberry, mango cream tart; top platter - macaroon, assorted scones. There are a handful of things I can't remember but let me assure you everything was DELICIOUS. Those mango cream tarts still call out to me in my dreams. The best part is that you can request to have more of anything on your platter, so it is really an all-you-can-eat affair lest you're afraid that dainty sandwiches and desserts aren't going to fill you up. Let's just say I waddled out of there clutching my distended stomach. To sum up this monster of a review , I loved the high tea at The Lobby. I'd recommend it for anyone celebrating a special occasion or to anyone who has $28 burning a hole in their pocket. I recommend reservations, especially because they ask you if you're celebrating something special and if you are they'll surprise you with something special at the end. I guess this is also a decent place to spot whatever celebrity may be in town, my mom saw the brother from "Everybody Loves Raymond" in the elevator if that's any incentive.
(5)Emily D.
My mom, husband and I decided to enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon at The Peninsula for High Team. Staying at the hotel is not accessible for me, but it's good to see how the other half lives and feel like a queen for a couple hours while eating some of the most fantastic finger foods ever. Such care and precision went in to each and every edible it was an honor to eat. Truly! The teas were delicious (my husband is a connoisseur) and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a delightful experience and though not cheap, well worth it for creating fantastic memories.
(5)Shep L.
First of all, I should say that I could never afford to stay at the Peninsula. And if I could, I wouldn't anyway. It's just not my kind of place. That being said, last night my boyfriend dragged me into the lobby only to discover that every Thursday night there is an ice cream social. It was unclear to us whether you actually have to buy the ice cream, but the scooper lady was happy to give us samples. The samples consisted of a tiny cone of homemade gelato or ice cream, and was the perfect amount of dessert for me. So, for all the poor people like me: Thursday night + Peninsula lobby = free ice cream.
(4)Laura H.
Classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I love the peninsula! I have dined in the lobby twice: once for high tea with a friend and once for dessert, martinis and jazz with my mom. I've also lounged in the cigar bar after a dinner date. High tea was perfect. We did make a reservation, which I would recommend doing on the weekend. They offer sweets or savories with your tea while a string quartet serenades you from the balcony. The perfect way to spend an afternoon or to take a break from shopping on Michigan avenue. I also went here on a saturday night with my mom after we'd gone to see a play. They have a full dessert buffet, but we just opted for dessert martinis. A live jazz band and singer were performing, and I actually got asked to dance by some random guy. Kind of funny, and a great way to end a night out. The cigar bar is also pretty fun. It feels like a lounge at a hunting lodge. Again, the martinis are awesome. I highly recommend the Peninsula for both afternoon and evening activities.
(5)Manja C.
The Chocolate Buffet: my advice is to go there when you are at least mildly hungry and not just looking for a little dessert because $28 per person for sweets is pricey. Yes, it is all you can eat heavenly chocolate and a creative drink list (additional $12--$15) but 3 people can run up a high bill very quickly without being substantially filled. Price bitchin out of the way...the thought of endless chocolate on a cold winter day (while in hibernation mode) is delectable and worth checking out at least once while in Chicago.
(3)Celia S.
Love! Love! To start this place is stunning! The epitemy of high end luxury. My friends and I came here for the chocolate buffet for some after dinner dessert and also cause I've been obsessing over this place since I heard of it. The chocolate buffett was awesome! OMG the chocolate goodness could have been overwhelming to anyone else but being the chocoholic that I am it wasnt. High quality chocolate, fruits, cakes, nuts, etc. They even had pretty innovative desserts like chocolate pops made with pop rocks! How cool! Passionfruit infused marshmallows. Awesome. Anyway, this place is definitely as good as it gets. A must go!
(5)Eva M.
my people! people who have money and admire art, and dress the part.
(5)Diana S.
I came here for the chocolate buffet. This is some serious indulgence. It was under $30 bucks a person, but really there is no way you can come close to eating that much dessert. It's quite romantic though. There's live jazz and the place is dimly lit and pretty. It's definitely something to experience.
(4)Elizabeth H.
If you know someone who really enjoys sweets, they will appreciate being taken to the dessert buffet. Cheap, it isn't but well worth it for special occasions. The ambiance is spectacular with the opulent lobby, live music, and everyone dressed to the 9s. Great fancy date place as any girl will surely be impressed.
(5)J. C.
Having tea is my "thing". I love it and the Peninsula does it well. My bffs have also treated me to the chocolate bar. I was in heaven.
(5)Heather L.
Okay, fine. The afternoon tea is actually pretty stellar.
(3)Aurore L.
Seems like my yearly update of the Peninsula lobby is a little early this year....but what the heck?!? (yes, heck. Let us please remain polite and distinguished here, we are talking poshy-posh-posh here) No chocolate bar this time. Jazz brunch please! Same scenery, different lightning (it's day light!) and another crowd.....exit romance, hello kids and heirs in the making following around their Botoxed moms in their impeccable pressed jacket. Quite entertaining for those of us who are prompt to bad-mouthing (I am not one of them). Anyway - the brunch display is quite impressive and left me K.O. To give it its whole measure I am going to go list-style: - Traditional station : hashbrowns, truffled egg benedicts, bacon, sausages, waffles, omelet station, muffins, bagels, cream cheeses, fruits (berries, cantaloupe, citrus segments, pineapple...), yogurt, parfait, oatmeal, nuts, muesli, chicken tenders, sliders, ham, - Chinese station: veggie dumplings, seafood dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, orange chicken, soup, Peking duck, seafood fried rice - Seafood station: oysters, jumbo shrimp, sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, crab salad, white anchovies, lox - Saladcold cuts and grilled veggies........too many to list here - Hot station: prime rib, mac-n-cheese, veal loin, salmon, cioppino, casseroles - Desserts station: a mini version of the chocolate bar my lovelies.....brownies, blondies, mousses, verrines, macaron lollipops, home-made marshmallows, plum and almond tart, vanilla éclairs, ricotta beignets, madeleines, chocolate bark/covered almonds/raisins/orange zests, and all the most delicate treats you can think of. And I forgot some. Coffee is included. Beware: it's pricey. But you can linger for hours and just enjoy the surroundings. It was snowing when I was there and it was just absolutely delectable. A wonderful and unique treat for you and you man or your besties.
(5)Sam A.
I went to The Lobby at the Peninsula for brunch and for the first time I could breath after eating brunch! I was so satisfied with the food that I could actually stop eating before I felt like waffles were coming out of my ears! (FYI I love breakfast food so that's how I usually feel after going out for breakfast or brunch). There is a great selection of food and after my huge disappointment with the signature room brunch, it was a breath of fresh air to have brunch at the Peninsula. Very friendly and professional staff as always and surprisingly quick! My favorite was when I couldn't figure out why certain items were so close to the ground (probably because my brain was still recovering from the Ciroc). Just as I was thinking someone must have been drunk and forgot to put these items on a table, I realized I was in the kids' area! These people actually have a little area where everything is low enough to the ground that kids can reach in and unload their germs!!!! lol Definitely made my day to see it but no screaming lil ones around so if you like the "screaming lil ones" as you try to bury your hangover headache at brunch, you would have been disappointed. They take reservations, have live music, serve from 10a-2p on Sundays, valet is $23, brunch is $65/person.
(5)Taryn T.
This review is specifically for the Chocolate Bar... The chocolate and vanilla fondue fountains (and the fruit and marshmallow cubes for dipping) really pushed this experience from four to five stars. This is a GREAT place to go with a hot date and killer shoes - just make sure to come hungry and leave any calorie-driven guilt at the door. Yes, it's expensive at $40 per person for full access to the chocolate buffet (which, in addition to the fondue, includes little slices of cakes, brownies, truffles, tarts, and a made-to-order crepe station), but the overall ambiance - including live jazz music, stellar people watching, and the Lobby with its 20-ft ceilings and windows - is definitely factored into the cost. Pro tip - don't order a chocolate drink to go with all of your chocolaty goodies, because it will be overkill and impede your ability to consume mass amount of chocolate. Stick with coffee or water instead! And definitely make reservations, because if your name is not on the list you'll likely be stuck with at least a 40-minute wait. Worst case scenario, though, just head on over to the bar (on the same floor) for a drink in the mean time - it's worth the wait! (Lastly, just remember that the chocolate bar is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-midnight.)
(5)FM G.
The Peninsula is my absolute favorite place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago. The service is impeccable, the tea and sweets are DELISH and the room is beautiful. It's such a lovely way to treat yourself, or a fabulous way to BE treated as I was last week for my birthday. They knew it was my birthday and brought an extra treat with a candle... no tacky singing though, just pure elegance. Also, I like that they offer extra sandwiches if you'd like. No other place I've been in Chicago does that.
(5)Lauren B.
Came for lunch today, I would give this particular lunch 4.5 stars. Service was not quite as perfect as usual and food had a couple of flaws but still an amazing experience (as usual)! So my husband ordered the truffle Mac and cheese. Oh. My. Gosh. This was in the top 5 dishes I have ever had, and could possibly be a last meal choice for me. I am incredibly critical with food and I could sit there for hours and not find a single flaw. It is a perfectly creamy béchamel sauce with lots of truffle throughout and a great crispy bread topping. Baked and served in a cute dish, a very large portion too. Heaven! Mine was a little less impressive but still enjoyable. Ordered the grilled cheese with tomato soup, it came with fries and a side salad. It was a huge meal! Shocking amount of food for such a high end place. Grilled cheese was not very good, just French bread with gryerre cheese, just not special, could have used an additional type of cheese. Tomato soup, amazing! It was creamless but still rich with wonderful flavor. Really good fries, maybe the best i have had. Didn't even need to add salt, and I don't think that has ever happened. Side salad was under seasoned, it just wasn't worth eating given all of the other great stuff I had to try. But the Mac and cheese, fries and tomato soup made up for some of the flaws. The service was just adequate, waitress was polite but didn't go above and beyond as they usually do at The Peninsula.
(5)Nate H.
Came in for the evening chocolate buffet from 8-midnight on Friday and Saturday. They put out a very impressive assortment of different forms of chocolate delights, and turned the lights down low. Then a great jazz combo started up. Wonderful vocalist and band, fitting of the Peninsula. The crowd was a bit tacky toward the end of the evening, not acknowledging the wonderful work of the artists, no polite applause...like it was Musak in the background (tacky tourists). Anyway, the chocolate was fun, but only a couple choices were quality enough to remember. The mousse was tops. Overall, a wonderful experience for a low key evening in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel.
(3)Jason H.
I had lunch here with the company I work for. The ambience is really what makes the place. Very very open and spacious. The chairs and tables are classy and comfortable and the beauty of the building surrounds you. We could hear a violin playing just off in the distance which was a great touch. The food was light healthy and fresh, although not mind-blowing, it was simply good (I had the salmon, but the other menu items on the table had the same feel). The server seemed to have a great knack for giving us our space because we spent 4 hours there enjoying conversation.
(5)Saira K.
The afternoon tea is perfect - the ambiance, the perfect harp music, the food. The waiter brought me serving after serving of food, and I was just in heaven. Exceptional food. Luxurious, peaceful, and elegant - the way an afternoon tea should be.
(5)Unity O.
SERIOUSLY, I am not understanding the people who say they cannot eat $30 worth of delectable chocolates. Oh my, I thought I had died & gone to heaven--or at least one of my versions of heaven. Some girlfriends treated me to the chocolate bar at the peninsula for my birthday & lets just say it was one of the best b-day treats EVER!! The ambiance is warm & romantic (this would be perfect for a date night), the wait staff were fantastic, the live music (jazz) was a nice touch, and the CHOCOLATE was YUMMY. They had a wide variety of sweets--dark, white, & milk chocolate. My favorite was of course the ganache treat--but you should go & discover your favorite.
(5)Jennifer B.
Went here for my birthday and had the chocolate buffet, which was delicious. It's a splurge, for sure, but worth it every once in a while. I could have eaten nine dozen of their churros, but it's a classy place, so I held it together.
(4)Carmen K.
My first tea experience was here and I went back again this past weekend. The elegant ambiance made the experience all the more worthwhile. The food was yummy and the amount of food was sufficient for a meal. Service was okay, they could improve on friendliness, eye contact, and better food presentation (when introducing the foods, they are too quick and non-descriptive).
(4)Carolynne M.
You know, there just isn't a lot of room for Fancy in this world anymore. Doesn't it seem that way? Gone are the days of wearing a tux to the opera, gone are the days of actually "dressing for dinner". Heck, you are lucky if you attend a wedding where someone doesn't show up in khaki's or a jean skirt anymore. Which is why... with a delightfully long, content sigh... afternoon tea is still Fancy. (That's Fancy with a capital "F" for all you people who insist on wearing sweatpants on an airplane.) The Lobby at the Peninsula is decidedly Fancy. You have two story ceilings, complete with gilded domes, a sharp-looking waitstaff, a gorgeous set of china to dine from, and classical music played live from a balcony overlooking the dining room. Not to mention the tea itself! TELL ME if this isn't super-duper! Black Currant Scones Parisian Macarons Hazelnut Almond Financiers Cannelé Bordelais Pistachio Raspberry Tarts Golden Chocolate Tarts Smoked Salmon, Cucumber & Caviar on Pain de Mie Lobster Egg Salad on Dark Rye Roasted Turkey, Cranberry-Citrus Chutney & Brie on Multi-Grain "Gougères"-Comté Cheese Puffs Hello! Half this stuff is in French! Fantaisie, ooh-la-la and all that yo! Myself, I had the Peninsula Chai, which was delicious and required no superfluous crap like milk or sugar to enhance it. Extend pinky...now! Things were a bit on the pricey side, but heck, Fancy don't come free or cheap, so suck it up. Just go, and make the memory your happy place to go to next time you are in a high end restaurant and the guy at the next table is wearing flip flops and belching.
(5)Christian H.
Picture this: You have been dating the man of your dreams for a full year. Life is blitz so you move in together. Where should you go out for a beautiful and romantic afternoon tea time on your anniversary? I know! I know! Take your loved one to the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. I went there and it was very romantic, very delicious and all together a tea time to remember. When you enter the building, you need to make your way to the lobby and look right. There, you will see the seating area for the Lobby restaurant. When you are seated you may hear the sound of beautiful violin music play overhead by the live preformer on the overhead stage. We ordered the wonderful afternoon tea and ~i guess~ appetizer selection. I believe it was $38 per person, but well worth it. You get three tiers of bite sized sweets, scones and sandwiches along with a very large single person pot of tea. You choose what type of tea you desire. The pot had around five full cups of tea. So if you like tea or if you have a special someone in your life, then go to the Lobby in the Peninsula to have a spot of tea and Have Fun!!!
(5)Jen H.
Love this place! Always top notch service. The price matches the superior experience.
(5)Amanda Z.
Tea at the Lobby is quite the experience. From the light-soaked room and the comfy chairs at the tables that are far enough away from the other tables so as to create your own little world of tea time to the beautifully presented finger food, the ambiance is simply lovely. Classy. Elegant. At my table were some very lovely ladies, all decked out in their Sunday's finest, and on our best behavior. Our very long table was adorned with three-tiered trays displaying the most lovely little finger food. From beautiful little sandwiches with turkey, brie and cranberries to the macaron-like coconut cookies, each morsel was beautiful and quite tasty. The tea was lovely and served in beautiful ceramic tea pots with matching tea cups. Pinkies up, ladies. No slouching in here. My choice was ginger, an herbal tea, that was so delightful, I didn't require any sort of sweetener. Marvelous. Oh, and did I mention that you can opt for a glass of champagne with your tea? Well, everyone knows that the most refined ladies serve tea with champagne (at least in my world) so we all imbibed on a bit of the bubbly as well. Very pricey, at least for this lady. I spent $60 for the lot which included the bubbles. Lovely for a special occasion or celebration, tea at the Lobby will not disappoint the refined ladies in your life. Or the not-so-refined ladies that can clean up nicely (like moi!)
(4)Ja V.
I can't believe all of these great reviews and wonder what they were eating so great??? What planet was I on because I have gone to all the high class restaurants and honestly I would have been happy going to "NATIVE CAFE" and eaten their fries instead.. These people either ate something so divine or I am crazy..... So let's begin with the bread - hard as rock. The bread has been sitting out for a while. The butter was gross.. The sample choice was a pea soup which was absolutely disgusting!!! Whoever made the Pea Soup had to be dumb..... No one in their right mind would say this pea soup was delicious... just because I am vegetarian does not mean I like all veggies... Next, the entree and apps menu is slim with absolutely no vegetarian options!! Can you believe such a high rated and class restaurant would have NOOOO Vegetarian options?? So they made some pasta for me and it was OILY and over cooked tomatoes. This place is way over priced, oily, and hard bread!!!!! Service was average at best and I gave him a 30% tip since we got a huge discount on our food. Lastly the desert menu option was shockingly unappetizing!!! I wanted to order some desert since their portions were small on the entrees. Overall, I will NOT be going there for a nice dinner.. No wonder the restaurant hardly had anyone around 5-7pm.. . That's a huge red flag - when restaurant is not busy during prime time hours!
(1)Venkatesh B.
Last year, Erica and I enjoyed the chocolate buffet here at the Peninsula Hotel. We had never experienced anything like that before, the buffet is filled with sweet, hearty, aromatic foods of differing types of chocolate. The price is extremely reasonable given that this is like an event rather than a dinner. The ambiance is quite romantic and when we were there they had a live pianist playing and a small dance floor for those interested in working off the choco-calories :) I would go any time I can!
(5)Kwoky L.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is probably the best treat I gave to myself in a while. We were seated right away even though we came quite early. The Lobby is exquisitely decorated with a modern touch. The windows were large, allowing every inch of the sunlight to shine right into the dining area. It's very comfortable especially with the musicians playing classical tunes in the mezzanine. We each get a choice of our very own pot of tea, which is large enough to give us at least five full cups of refills. I chose the soothing chamomile to go with the assortment of pastries and sweets. There's orange scented scones, cucumber sandwiches, pastry squares and plenty of other delectable titbits plus madeleines on the house from the chef. For $38 per pax, there's more than enough food to keep our tummy happy. The service was spot on; It's pampering yet very approachable. Not stuffy at all! I would love to come back again soon.
(5)Irina B.
Wonderful afternoon tea. I love afternoon tea, namely because of the scones and lemon curd. I stopped by to have a relaxing afternoon by myself and I got the chai. I've been to a couple of hotels for tea and I enjoyed the pastries here the most. Although there were some components I strongly disliked, it left the best overall taste in my mouth. I really enjoyed the passion fruit tart, the scones were great (not the best, but still delicious and could've been warmer), the lemon curd had enough tartness and sweetness. What disappointed me was the chocolate chestnut pot de creme that seemed so special when a waiter brought it around. It was awful. No flavor and the chestnut tasted quite odd. The waiters were not as attentive as I've experienced previously, but there were a lot of people. I would definitely go back though!
(4)Diana B.
Today was a five star day because a friend and I spent a good portion of the afternoon enjoying tea at the Peninsula. The occasion was a birthday celebration and the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I have been to tea in Chicago, New York and London. It is a favorite thing to do and the Lobby at the Peninsula is my favorite place to do it! In addition to the customary sandwiches, scones and sweets, we had quiche and a fruit sorbet of some sort. The setting, food and service is always impeccable and today that standard was surpassed. Many thanks to our excellent server Eric and his assistant for all they did to enhance an already divine celebration.
(5)Kristen S.
I cannot say enough wonderful, positive things about my experience at the Peninsula. We had the most amazing Thanksgiving buffet here. And, yes, it was gluten free friendly. Our server had Chef Joelle walk me through the *entire* buffet to show me what was and what was not safe for me to eat. Most of the buffet was edible! Oh, heaven! And Pastry Chef Nicole did an amazing job of walking me through the dessert buffet. I was stuffed. Three times. I went a bit overboard! But it was totally worth it. They made me gluten free bread. The service was attentive and perfect. Everyone was beyond nice. The food was beyond good - it was out of this world. And, best of all, it was totally safe. Thank you, Peninsula, for being so great. I hear you have a gluten free high tea, so I will be back soon!
(5)Brie Y.
This is now the 2nd time that I have had a bad experience at the Peninsula in the last month. I really wanted the lobby to be my new "work spot" for breakfast and lunch, but sad to say the service is miserable for having such great expectations! The first time for breakfast I sat alone for more than 15 mins because the hostess failed to check me in and my guest was waiting behind the holiday tree thinking I wasn't there since the host told them I wasn't sat yet...Which I was..... nothing was done about this. Then here comes high tea, with 3 girlfriends of mine, 2 of us arrive early 4:15 they sit us and I make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again after the host seats us. We have water poured for us.... this is the highlight of my time there. My next guest arrives at 4:30 the time of our reservation. Still no one comes to the table, final guest arrives at 4:35..... wait wait wait nothing we decide to leave after another 10 minutes, seems we must be invisible to the staff, we got up and left. No one questioned us, we took ourselves to the bar on the same level and had a much better experiences except ti was a bit slow since there was only one server for about 15 tables, but we didn't mind we were there to chat and have a good time. Wish that could have been said at Tea. There won't be a next time I plan on taking my business to other establishments that have much better service and cheaper prices. Too bad I thought it was such a nice place for holiday parties and weddings, guess when the chance does arrive I will be looking elsewhere. Sad sad day in Chicago.
(1)Winnie C.
Overall Bad service, good place to hang with friends and talk. This is a pretty place for afternoon tea. My out of town friends enjoyed it very much, but the service is not as good as I expected. We waited for more than 10 mins before we can haunted someone (who was not our server) down to take out check with 100 dollar bill when it was 88 dollars. We were expected some change back, so that we know it was paid since we didn't give it to our server. When we asked for the change, she said, "Oh, you need change back?". We were like.. 'huh'?? I was amazed how she can assumed we needed no change at all when the bill was 88. We were gonna leave more tips than 12 dollars, but still there is no way she can assumed we need no change. Also, I went with 3 people at 4pm, we had dinner reservation at 7pm. We were just gonna hang there and have as little food as we could, when I ordered 1 set of afternoon tea set, the server was like "Huh, 1?" I know it looks cheap to order one, but I don't think server should make comment like that when there is 4 star hotel.
(2)Holly L.
Love. Top notch all the way.
(5)Chrissy S.
Oh, I want to go here everyday. The service is just so nice...it's hard to find polished service like this even at the best restaurants in Chicago. And the tea and little cakes/sandwiches -- so delicate and delicious! And best of all, it's not snooty like you would expect.
(5)Amy X.
a few weeks ago, it was my birthday, and this very pretty little lady was treated to afternoon tea at the peninsula. like, YAY! i put on a pink lacy dress and got myself ready to throw back some cucumber sandwiches. the thing is, tea at the peninsula is not a meal. to be honest, it's not even about the sandwiches or pastries or even the tea. the experience is 80% ambiance, the feeling of relaxation knowing that you're doing something so utterly indulgent that even the bougiest of the bourgeois are gaping a bit in their chinos and boat shoes. in short, it's an unwise way to spend money, but booooy oh boy does it feel nice. thanks, boyfriend! the experience and service were both lovely. we were seated by the windows, which looked out into the gardens. the only tense moment in the time we were there was when the tray of sandwiches and pastries first came out. ... are the sandwiches really that small? at first, i thought it was because i was watching the trays come in from the distance. however, the size did not greatly increase once the food was fully in view. in short, small sandwiches. know this, expect it, eat them slowly. but, also know this -- when the very, very, very proper waiter asks you if there's anything else he can bring you, shoot the question right back, i.e. "is there anything else to bring us?" what they don't tell you is that sometimes, the waiter will bring you extras of the sandwiches/pastries that you like. SSSHHH. . (..sorry, Lionel! I had to tell just a few of my closest friends. thanks for the two extra smoked salmon sandwiches -- scrumptious!)
(4)Misse D.
I finally made it to the Peninsula for afternoon tea. What was supposed to be a mini-reunion of sorts turned into an intimate gathering when everyone bailed at the last minute. Determined to have a lovely time, my sister-in-law and I oohed and ahhed as soon as we walked to the Lobby. The decor for the holidays was lovely. After being seated almost immediately, we ordered our tea selections. I was impressed with the modern additions to the menu (red velvet cupcakes). I thought, briefly, that the tea service might actually beat out my current favorite, The Four Seasons. While our service was very good, I was a bit put off that we had so many different people help us over the course of our meal. As soon as we were given our pots of tea, another person came over 2 minutes later to try to refill them. And then, no one came for the rest of the service. This is not to say that the tea service was bad. It is just that I have had such fantastic tea experiences in the past, that tea service at the Lobby was, in my opinion, slightly better than average. I will continue to recommend going to the Lobby for the chocolate buffet.
(4)Robyn T.
I have a craving to visit the Peninsula every few months. I start to think about their traditional tea service or the mouthwatering chocolate buffet. I gather a group of friends and mentally prepare for what I know will be a delicious experience. That's the way I think of it...this is just tea or chocolate or cocktails...this is a true experience. With the exception of my most recent visit the service is usually excellent (this past visit it was like pulling teeth to get the waiter's attention and he wasn't particularly helpful at that). For tea expect ladies who lunch and reverlers celebrating a baby or wedding shower. Tea sandwiches and scones are elegantly stacked, so visually appealing you can't help but continue eating. The chocolate buffet is no slacker when it comes to visual presentation with a seasonally changing plethora of options. I love the viscous hot chocolate (regardless of the time of year), the truffles, mousses and little cookies. I would recommend at least 3 hours here. Have a drink, eat some treats, listen to the wonderful live music, relax, digest and eat again.
(4)Krystsina D.
Just a quick note: this review is for the Chicago restaurant menu week! Let's start with pluses: the place is beautiful, peaceful, quiet. We loved it. The entrees were good. The dessert was pretty decent. Service was O.K. On the negative side: appetizers tasted like nothing, I mean no flavor whatsoever. The entrees though good, tiny, I am talking bite size. Wine: meh... Overpriced and just o.k. tasting. I get it, it is restaurant menu week, but the portion size - really? I am not American and I do not like those Denny size portions, but seriously! Also, I would think that may be you create the restaurant menu week for people to come try, and want to come back. Frankly speaking, after tasting their food I have no desire for coming back. If it going to be 3 times more expensive, and tasting just as mediocre - not worth it. Sorry, The Lobby, I am disappointed.
(3)Eman A.
Came here on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday to the Chocolate Bar or whatever it's called, and honestly it was the most amazing experience. The only thing I was disappointed about was the coffee. It could have been better, but I could have had that coffee at any hotel or bfast place. But it was an awesome experience. It's a flavor adventure. Pricy, but worth the experience. Definitely would like to go again, but for a special occasions only.
(5)Maestro M.
This place has AMAZING Afternoon Tea, it beats any other hotel in Chicago. The tea is amazing and the selection is astonishing! They even have a vegetarian/vegan menu you can request! :)
(5)P R.
Outstanding food, presentation, ambiance and service! I have dined at the Lobby many times and have never been dissapointed. The Sunday Brunch is the best I've ever had, no question!
(5)Jessie D.
This was probably the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in, and the circumstances around it were pretty spectacular, so I already had a pretty high expectation of this place. The first impression of the place was astounding: marble everywhere, friendly and helpful concierge, great views. The concierge were so helpful that they offered to phone us and hold our bags until our room was ready for occupation. Definitely didn't expect that. But, I don't normally swing by 5-star luxury hotels. Sadly, this is something I could get used to, haha. The design of the place is amazing, so the industrial design nerd in me was going BONKERS. natural light filling almost every spot in the lobby... gorgeous. If you can swing staying here (or even swing just having tea here), I'd HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)Laurie C.
Went to afternoon tea here on a Saturday afternoon. My group all got the champagne option so it was about $60/person, including tax and tip. We each got a pot of tea, scones, four miniature sandwiches, and four tiny desserts. It was all incredibly delicious and we left feeling full. I was really impressed with how responsive they were to different dietary needs - I'm a vegetarian and my friend is allergic to nuts and we both got personalized treats that weren't just modified versions of the meat options. It was all delicious, especially the scones. Very fun way (albeit a splurge!) to spend an afternoon in Chicago.
(4)Jackie S.
I went to the The Lobby for dinner yesterday and had a mixed experience. Let me get the negative out of the way and say that the service was absolutely terrible. There appeared to be one waiter and he had absolutely no pep in his step. He also almost smacked my mom in the face with the dessert menu and would leave the table before getting everyones order a few occasions. He also licked his fingers to turn a page on his pad of paper and then touched a spoon which was also really gross for a germaphobe like me. In regards to the atmosphere it is very cozy and comfortable. Definitely a relaxing dinner at least on a Sunday night. In regards to the food I had the chestnut soup which was a little too sweet but the duck in the soup was the best duck I have ever had. It was so crispy and and a great contrast with the sweet soup. We also had the truffle macaroni and cheese which was of course good. How can a dish like that be bad. Given the amazing ingredients I think they could do something a little more special though. Think top chef season one, truffles on the bottom of the mac and cheese baking dish. I also shared the pike with my mom. The fish was a little dry but had a nice crisp. Also it was fun to figure out what all the flavors were. They also split the dish for us and both plates looked beautiful. My boyfriend had the scallops which looked great but I didn't try them. For the desert we had the creme brulee and apple pie. Neither were that great. The creme brulee could have used a little bit more heat as only one part had that nice burnt look to it. I think that the cafe at that hotel does much better desserts.
(3)patrick l.
I went here during restaurant week for lunch. Very well lit dining with lots of space and professional wait staff. We had the special menu which consisted of a help yourself to appetizers/soup/salad. I tasted the squash soup and it was a little bit under seasoned but sweet and thick. The salads were fresh and had medley of different greens but the crab salad was the best. Filled with generous potions of crab and a salsa type concoction on the bottom. Just the onions were a tad bit strong for this dish. Main entree was a scallop on a turnip puree. Very nicely done and tasty dish but there was only two large scallops and my tummy wanted more! But for dessert you again helped yourself in the middle of the room was assortment of desserts but there was nothing too fancy and rememberable there. Overall I enjoyed the dining experience and thought it was decent for restaurant week deal. I hope to return on another occasion
(4)Josh G.
My boyfriend and I love chocolate. When I heard about the chocolate bar at the Lobby I know this was where i was taking him for his birthday dinner. Our mouths watered for a week in anticipation of all the chocolate options and we were absolutely not disappointed with the spread. There was everything from traditional to completely unexpected and it was all delicious, creative, and almost worth the price you pay per person. Almost. It's very hard to eat $35 worth of chocolate in one sitting but we sure as hell did our best. The rest of the experience was a disappointment. The service was ok but not phenomenal. Frankly the person that took my reservation over the phone two weeks prior to dinner was more friendly than our server. Speaking of reservations, I mentioned to them at the time that it was a birthday celebration. I didn't expect them to do anything extravagant, but they did absolutely nothing for us. No special greeting, no happy birthday from the server, no complimentary dessert. Several months ago during my birthday celebration all of the above happened at a different restaurant and I guess I expected a place as reputable as the Peninsula to do at least the same. But... nope. Not a word. Dinner was just ok. The salmon was slightly dry and overcooked but my fillet was wonderful although it was basically the only thing on the plate with some sauce and a few slices of tomato. Presentation was completely lacking. Of course the Peninsula is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic feeling of luxury. The chocolate bar was amazing and the live jazz performance was a great and I enjoyed one of the best cappuccinos I've ever had in my life. But overall I just wasn't that impressed.
(3)Giggly C.
Delicious, wonderful tea time. From sweets to sandwiches, it ended up being too much food for me to finish. Great ambiance, and live music. I wanted to shout 'encore' to the players, but it wouldn't match the mood of the room. So why not 5 stars? Because the way the tea is in the pot, the tea became extremely bitter. Most teas should only seep for 2-3 min, and when my tea is seeping for 30 min +, it's an aweful taste. Don't they know better? Also, we were unfortunate to sit next a table who ordered some deluxe tea, which included hard boiled egg, chocolate covered strawberries and other delights we didn't get on our tea. The comparison was so extreme, and I glanced over many times during our meal. Sigh. what bad luck to sit next to them. I be they spent over $100 per person on that menu!
(4)Caroline A.
Live jazz + unlimited amounts of chocolate + beautiful decor + dancing with a charming guy = bliss. I am in love with this hotel. Everything about it is beautiful and the service is excellent. The decor is elegant and traditional, but not on that stuffy Ritz Carlton type of way. After a few glasses of wine, I kept touching the place settings because they were so beautiful... need to find out where they are from. We came to see Stephanie Browning perform this past Saturday. I was surprised to see so many people there. The crowd is very diverse - older couples celebrating a night on the town, groups of people perhaps guests of the hotel, young couples scoping out the chocolate bar, and regulars dancing the night away. I have not tried the chocolate bar, but would probably die of sensory overload if I did. However, we did have the chocolate tart, which was very good. Comes with a scoop of espresso ice cream that is out of this world yummy. Chocolate martini's are strong! +++++++++++++ My bf and I had afternoon tea at the Lobby over the weekend. It was excellent! The selection of Peninsula collection teas and premium teas were fantastic - we both had a hard time deciding which one to enjoy. I had the orange jasmine and he had the chamomile. Though the chamomile was very nice, I definitely picked the better one :P The tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes were all very delicious and we were even surprised by a complimentary blackberry souffle! Amazing! Service was flawless - attentive, timely and very courteous. Tea at the Peninsula is a great way to spend an afternoon with your significant other or girlfriends. It is also a great place to bring your mother!
(5)Alan S.
Got engaged at lunch here yesterday. I have to say the service was superlative. They took great careof us and made the occasion extra special. The food was very tasty, I particularly liked the spicy jumbo prawns although the salac nicoise was also outstanding.
(5)Kai R.
Had breakfast at the Lobby while staying at the hotel. They deliver what you expect here - impecable service, well-prepared food, big price tag. Get a table by the window if possible.
(3)Tom S.
They say confession is good for the soul. I can find the joy of eating food at Arby's just as much as I can at The Signature Room. Both places do what they do very well and while I would never compare the two outside of Yelp, it does bring to the table an interesting point about what you claim to do and what you actually do. Arby's never makes a claim to offer the finest cuts of meat or boast about outstanding service or white table cloths. In the same vain, The Signature Room can boast about those things, but wouldn't lay claim to offering fast service at a great price, something Arby's can turn into a feather and stick in their cap. As a person who dines out across the board, from Arby's to The Signature Room and beyond, I understand the concept of being true to who you are and offering your customers the best food and service for the type of venue you run. So what in the world is wrong with the hoity toity Peninsula Hotel? This is a 5 star hotel, doesn't that automatically say to you they earned those stars based on service and detail? FAIL! I called the hotel 6 weeks before a special occasion to secure a table at one of their famous brunches. The woman on the other end of the phone asked me if I was securing the table for a special occasion. I told her that I was typically reluctant to mention birthdays or anniversaries because it never meant anything in the end. She assured me that in fact The Peninsula not only went above and beyond to ensure their guests had the best experiences possible, but went even further to bring a special experience to anyone celebrating. I confessed that it was a special occasion and she assured me up and down that I wouldn't regret having divulged as much. Six weeks later, my date and I walked to the hotel and entered the lobby-cum-restaurant for a sunny Sunday brunch. First of all, there was no maitre d' or host to be found and when a group of employees finally showed up it was impossible to get anyone's attention. They all seemed busy with something else and couldn't be bothered with checking us in at that moment ... this, despite the fact that there were other people seated and eating. It wasn't like we were early or anything. When I finally got the attention of the host to check in, I gave him my name and he searched for the reservation. There was no reservation. My name, number, my special occasion were nowhere to be found in their system. Fortunately he could still seat us, but it soon became apparent that they were going to be full in no time and that the perimeter table (read "no man's land") was indeed the worst table in the room and that we were being punished for apparently not making a reservation. We decided to have a glass of Champagne with brunch, but after I swilled mine, it became clear we should just have one of the servicepersons bring us the entire bottle. That request took forever. Maybe someone can explain to me how hard it is to bring a bottle of Champagne to two people perfectly willing to pay the $10 for each of the two glasses and for a whole new bottle. The waitperson could hardly believe anyone would be willing to do that which I found shocking! If I want to buy 3 bottles of Champagne you have no cause to question me. The food, in general, was typically brunch-like, nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary though I will say that the chef's at the stations were very friendly and professional and willing to do their part to ensure you didn't leave with a bad taste in your mouth. But I still think the hotel brunch at the now-defunct Dining Room at The Ritz was light-years ahead of anything The Peninsula was offering. The bottom line is that the service at a hotel known for service was appalling, even worse than the experience on the actual day was the promises made by the telephone representative who didn't even secure the reservation causing me embarrassment, suspicion and a bad table with even worse service. I can forgive mediocre food if the service is stellar, at the same time, even the most glorious meal can be marred by bad service. I'm officially taking away 4 of The Peninsula's 5 stars.
(1)Angie E.
Love it. TREAT yourself and go. Everyone needs to try this place, particularly for the chocolate buffet. Came for my birthday and threw a bday gathering here. Live band, elegant atmosphere, amazing buffet. Must try.
(5)Cj A.
Excellent service! Ubaldo waited on us today, it made our annual afternoon tea outing special. The atmosphere was beautiful and the food was very good! They were even kind enough to have food made special on a last minute dietary restriction. We had kids with us too and they treated them extra special with kiddie cocktails and each were given a stuffed bear to take home! We will return because the service was outstanding! Well done!
(5)Maggie Z.
Went for afternoon tea. Service is great. Beautiful music and environment. Pastries are delicate but for me it's too much. I was so full that for the third layer I could not savor the full flavor...
(4)Stephanie K.
Every Christmas, my sister and I take my mom to Chicago for afternoon tea. This past year we chose The Peninsula because of its world class reputation and great menu. And I was not disappointed. I've been to The Drake and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and The Peninsula is definitely my favorite. Not only did they serve the traditional finger sandwiches and scones associated with tea service, they also served other delicious "small bites" including goat cheese and fennel quiche. The waitstaff was attentive and unpretentious, and the food was exceptional. Call ahead for reservations and to plan your afternoon during one of their fashion shows. Cheerio!
(5)Rander P.
FYI:The Chocolate bar is open only on Fridays and Saturdays :(
(3)Stu G.
An very proper Tea experience and brunch is tops too.
(4)Lenny C.
one of the best services you will get. there are better places for food in chicago but Peninsula will always have its charm and ambiance.
(5)sandra h.
Had a delicious brunch with the parents when they were staying at the Peninsula. I hear that there is a chocolate buffet with live jazz every weekend . . . . I would definitely go back to check it out. I also heard that they have a nice tea service.
(4)Jason V.
I recently had the pleasure of joining four of my friends for Royal Tea at The Lobby restaurant in The Peninsula. After having a cup of tea after dinner during my stay at the hotel in 2001 and enjoying informal tea with a friend just last year, my expectations were high. I guaranteed my friends a memorable experience and, to their credit, The Lobby delivered. Afternoon tea started, ironically, with a glass of champagne--Laurent-Perrier, Cuvée Grand Siècle Brut. The first course was truffled scrambled eggs in eggshell cups, which were very delicious. The eggs were accompanied by their own little ivory spoons, not unlike the flat wooden spoons that come with ice cream cups. If my memory is correct, tea came after the first course. I had the genmaicha, which was a first for me. It was very good, with the rice balancing out the green tea which, at least in my opinion, can too easily become overpowering. Some of the other teas that were served included Orchid Oolong, Orange Jasmine, Mandarin Rose Petal, and (I think) African Amber. Everyone had positive things to say about their teas. On that note, each person is served their tea in his or her own pot, about the right size for one person to accompany--what you will see--turns out to be a fairly large meal. The staff was more than happy to add hot water or make adjustments to the teapots as necessary as the meal went on. The main course featured a three-tiered tray of various finger-sized items. On the top tier were chocolate and cherry scones that were separately accompanied by curds, jellies, preserves, and Devonshire cream. Definitely go after the scones first while they are still warm. Along with the scones were confetti shortbread cookies with dried fruits halfway dipped in chocolate. On the second tier were long-stem strawberries dipped in Manjari chocolate and accented with edible gold leaf; ginger madeleines; a fruit tart; and an incredibly sweet tea cake. The fruit tart was probably the weakest link on the whole menu, but I suppose some unlucky item had to take that position. The tea cake, while very sweet, was just the perfect size so that the sweetness really was not a bother to deal with. Anything bigger would have been too much. On the bottom tier were the heavier items: Chive blini with American caviar and crème fraîche; smoked salmon terrine and leek marmalade on brioche; warm baby artichokes with camembert cheese and roasted pepper; and, finally, parma ham and fig pinwheels with sauternes and mint gelee on pumpernickel. I was not a big fan of the ham and fig pinwheels, but the other items on the bottom tier were each fantastic. For the final course, each person had a small trio of crème brulèe--Tahitian vanilla bean, Jivara milk chocolate, and passion fruit. Sadly, by that point in the meal, having gone through no less than twelve other items, it was really hard to get full enjoyment of the crème brulèe. As for the non-food aspects of the meal, the space at The Lobby is very nice. The fact the restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel lends itself to a certain serene openness. Service was solid, although the timing in between courses seemed to be a little off. To say there was a lack of attentiveness would be far too harsh, but, considering the level The Peninsula is aspiring to, I think improvements could be made. I did appreciate, however, that the staff made a quick adjustment to the menus early on, removing the price from the menus before the others arrived. And, as for that price, it runs $95 per person. In its defense, however, the amount of food served for this mid-afternoon tea nearly spoiled my appetite for my late dinner reservations at 10:00pm.
(5)Anne Marie P.
This review is for high tea. I try to find a 'proper' tea service wherever I go, and I've heard this was one of those "must see/go" spots. For about $36, I was served my choice of tea plus a multi-tiered selection of bite-sized sweets and savories. Our window seats overlooked an outdoor seating area, and all would've been quite special if not for F. F was not a very good service provider. F took over 10 minutes to bring the check. Note: It was NOT crowded in the dining room...what, ten tables or less total? They weren't the only server either. F was just kind of there. The stars are for the food and view, but that's about it. Very nice MOD comped our meal, but that's because we recognized service that should've met our expectations, but didn't.
(3)cindy k.
4.5 stars, really! I've never been to the Lobby at the Peninsula and I loved it! I came for Restaurant Week, 2012 with 2 girlfriends. We loved the appetizer bar. I could have just eaten that for my meal. I went up several times for their fresh salad, grilled vegetables, cheese and they had the most delectable guacamole with crabmeat served in a martini glass. 2 of us ordered the scallops and 1 ordered the short rib with pasta. The serving was just right, especially after the appetizers we devoured. The desserts were just okay. The mini red velvet cupcake I had was a bit dry, but the fruit salad was scrumptious as well as the chocolate covered espresso beans! Although the website says the dress code is 'Smart Casual', many people were really dressed down. I don't think they will turn you away if you aren't dressed appropriately but it's probably best to err on the side of caution. The service was superb. They quickly cleared our plates and were courteous throughout our meal. I'll definitely go again before next year's restaurant week!
(4)Annette P.
I am usually pretty easy going, but I had a very disappointing Sunday Brunch at the Peninsula. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible/non-existent. When we arrived no one told us what to do ( go help ourselves, explain the set up of the buffets, etc.). Once we "got it," as we went back for additional servings, no one was clearing the table. They just let the plates accumulate. Once someone finally did clear the table they left us no flatware. We ended up having to find a manager for help. After that the waiter was so obnoxious that during our next trip to the buffet he put every possible utensil on our table - even soup spoons (there was no soup being served). We went there on a whim. Thank heavens it was not a special occasion as it would have ruined our day. This place gets ZERO STARS from me and I will never go back!
(1)Katrina B.
The environment in this restaurant is grand and beautiful, while still being very comfortable. The service is excellent and friendly, as you would expect from the Peninsula. We came in for the restaurant week menu which offered two choices for each course, so the two of us sampled each of them. All were exquisitely executed. From lobster bisque to a surprisingly wonderful chicken breast, we enjoyed them all. The only hiccup was with a bland tiramisu. Highly recommended if you'd like to drop some cash on a lovely dining experience.
(5)Christa R.
The Chocolate Bar is really the best ever. Great for a date, great for a girls night. Probably the most fun I have ever had with food. I went with a group of girls and it was perfect. We asked them to put us in the corner as we knew we'd be a little noisy. They were pleased to do so. There was an AMAZING variety of chocolate, bons bons, macaroons, crepes, fountains, martinis, hot chocolate and much, much more. There was a Frank Sinatra type band that was very good. The Lobby itself is BEAUTIFUL. We had a reservation but probably didn't need one. They also have a dinner that you can add on to the all you can eat chocolate goodness. Each of the courses incorporate chocolate in some way. We didn't order the whole dinner but we were intrigued while looking at the menu. They had this butternut squash soup with white chocolate and it was unbelievably tasty. I cannot wait to go back. So good. Not cheap but worth every single penny. They know how to do it right at the Pen. You can even include your valet charge in your bill so you don't have to worry about cash. :) Try this!
(5)Diana P.
We had tea time in the afternoon for our baby shower and it was wonderful. Everyone gets their own beautiful pot of tea of choice (they use Mighty Leaf) and an assortment of sandwiches, sweets and scones with dips (yum) & cookies. They refil upon request and the atmosphere is very pleasant. This is a wondeful place for a special event with an intimate crowd. They have either long or round tables. Definitely something to try at least once.
(5)Kristin S.
Took my mom here for the afternoon tea on Sunday for her birthday. She was visiting from Ohio and I wanted to take her somewhere she couldn't go back home. The Lobby at the Peninsula was it! We originally had plans to go on Saturday, which I maybe would have preferred because the dining area was pretty empty on Sunday. Still, since the Sunday tea is later (4:00-6:00pm), we did get to see the view in the day and all lit up at night (and they bring out candles for the tables when it gets darker). We both got the traditional tea for $36. My biggest and practically only complaint (and the reason why I knocked off a star) is that they only offer TWO green tea selections (gunpowder and sencha) in their proprietary tea listing. The tea selection leaves quite a bit to be desired in my opinion. Both the teas we ordered were good, but with tea becoming the sensation it is, I can't believe I'm the only one who would like a larger pool to choose from. Other than that, it was astounding. They brought out the selection of savories (curry chicken wrap, grilled veggie sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich, potato quiche) with the sweets (plate full of tiny, perfect deserts from mini key lime pie to cheesecake brownie) in a pretty tower of plates. You also get a basket of cookies and scones with the lemon curd, devonshire cream (swoon!) and a homemade jelly (good, but I couldn't lay off the lemon curd and cream). They also brought out a sour cherry souffle which was the best I've ever had. My mom got a special dessert to celebrate her birthday which I thought was a nice touch. The service was incredible. I never felt rushed or over attended-to. I hate when servers hover. One employee saw my mom picking the cilantro out of her chicken curry wrap (she detests the stuff, but I love it) and immediately brought her another quiche to replace it along with two extra cucumber sandwiches. (I was so happy about this because what's high tea without cucumber sandwiches, right?) All in all, it was a great time and I recommend it for any girly special occasion or celebration.
(4)Jacob K.
I went to this elegant hotel restaurant during the second Chicago restaurant week. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and the decor was fairly chic. There was a 3 course price fixed option, however it was different from what was available on their website and I had to request a special menu for the price fixed option as it was not initially given to me. First was the bread basket which came with delicious pretzel rolls, some flat bread and some spiced corn bread. The salad with bacon, prosciutto, dates and baby greens was exceptional... one of the best salads I have had in a while. Unfortunately the main course left much to be desired. I had hand cut pasta with meat sauce. The pasta was good, but not exceptional, the meat sauce was lacking and the portion was pretty small especially for pasta. I was hoping the dessert would redeem my impression.. but alas that hope was dashed. The platter came with 3 beautiful presented desserts- miniature versions of cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate pastry. The cheesecake was so-so, the carrot cake was great, but the chocolate was very disappointing (it tasted dried out. For a place that boasts a chocolate buffet I would expect more. The best thing there was the iced tea. probably the best ice tea I have ever had. The waitress said it was a black tea with rose, vanilla and another ingredient... but for $6 a glass... it should have been pretty damn good. I might try The Lobby again, but for the price and quantity i would be hesitant to recommend it.
(3)Kiera D.
This is a beautiful restaurant. I come here for lunch quite often and it has never failed to disappoint. Very elegant.
(5)Karan V.
A beautiful space, especially during the holidays with all of the Christmas decorations.
(4)Richard O.
This was a very luxurious night out. I came for the chocolate buffet and tea and it was spectacular. The tea was incredible and served in a traditional tea set high class. The desert was so delicious the chocolate was so fresh and the display was impressive. The entertainment consisted of a pianist cello and singer performing in the lobby. When we were standing outside waiting for the valet Cindy Crawford came out of a limo and we were lucky enough to have a photo taken with her. If supermodels come here you know this is the place to be. I cant wait to come here again.
(5)MyChau N.
Even though Da Bears lost in the play-offs today, this place made it all better! Came here with some friends for their high tea and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful ambiance and great service! We stayed for 3 hours. What great place to sit and catch up with old friends! They had an array of different teas and we all enjoyed the respective teas that we chose. I had the lychee flavored black tea and it was soooo good (and I am an avid coffee drinker who usually does not drink tea). The finger food that came with the tea made us full and I was even able to bring the left-over home (I felt embarrassed asking for a box since the place was so fancy, but I hate throwing out food =). Overall, you need to experience this place at least once if you live in Chicago. Not too often though since it is quite fancy and not cheap. I will have to find occasions to come back here...
(5)Stef P.
My fiancé proposed to me during a meal at The Lobby, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. However, this past Sunday while attending a ladies brunch, I was completely blown away by the food. It may be my favorite brunch buffet. We started at the cold meats and cheeses, which were beautifully displayed along with lox, different kinds of cracker and bagels. The raw bar had shrimp (very nice size), crab legs and oysters with a variety of sauces and a mignonette. I appreciate how the only egg dishes are a Truffled Eggs Benedict and an omelet station. The reason being that scrambled eggs sitting in a warmer, even a beautiful warmer, get tough. There was also a chicken sausage, pork sausage and bacon. I skipped the hash browns and breakfast pastries because there were too many other delectable options to waste time on fillers. There was an entree station that included carved sirloin (delicious with wine sauce), bacon-wrapped filet (a little dry) and two fish. From the cold salad station I had the crab salad, which was fantastic and the rock shrimp. And there is an Asian food station with delectable Peking duck and steamed buns that were a very welcomed surprised. We drank mimosas and Bloody Mary's which I believe are around $10 each. Juice, coffee and tea are included in the $75 per person fee. Yes, this is pricey for most, but for a beautiful brunch with bountiful fresh food I would not make at home, it was well worth it, especially around the holidays. My only complaint is that we made a reservation on Open table for 10:15. When we were seated, we were handed breakfast menus. We mentioned that we thought we were making the reservation for brunch. The hostess said that brunch started at 11am and they were fully committed and could wait until 11:30 if we wanted. There was no way we were ordering breakfast while watching delicious brunch items being arranged. We spoke to a manager who apologized and said that Open table is working to clearly differentiate meal times. He let us stay at the table and wait for the brunch to begin. Throughout brunch, the dining room was at least 1/3 empty the entire time. This irked me because it is a pricey brunch and, having worked in restaurants, you never show hesitation is satisfying a customer. All in all, this was a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to return!
(5)Kevin P.
Beautiful hotel and lobby, but the food was just okay and overpriced.
(3)Heidi J.
Came here for the afternoon tea. Definitely was a very nice set up. Pros/Cons: Cons: I expected service to be a LITTLE more than what I got. The waiter was nice enough, but was a little slow at times and not as attentive as I would have liked. -For the $$, I would expect more.. just more. While the finger foods they provide with the tea are GREAT (that's a Pro), the quantity is very small, especially if you come with two or three people. You come with two people, they charge you $40/each and give you two of each little finger food. Not really worth the $80 -The live musicians playing upstairs during tea time were great! (pro) but, when they would stop playing or would take a break, the room would become creepily quiet and if you were having a conversation suddenly you were yelling and everyone was listening to you. Overall, great experience and something you should definitely try if you are into the "afternoon tea". If you could take it or leave it though, then I would leave it
(4)Tina W.
We hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Restaurant to celebrate my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. It was SPECTACULAR. My in-laws were so impressed with the room, the food, and the tea. My sister-in-law even requested that we host her baby shower there someday. It was all divine. My one complaint would be that they didn't inform us that the second glass of champagne that they offered to pour would be an additional charge of $9/glass. That added another $50 to our bill. I was very appreciative of the Lobby hostess, Stephanie. I dropped off our menus and party favors the day before our event. Stephanie had the items laid out at each place setting when we arrived. My in-laws loved it.
(5)Margaret L.
I was pretty skeptical about coming to here for the chocolate bar. I'm not a fan of buffets but I must say it was a lovely evening. My husband and I enjoyed the night with the live jazz band and delicious chocolates. My favorite is the banana eclair and my husband's is the white chocolate mousse. Beautiful lobby with fabulous jazz music. The service was exceptional! They also have a wide selection of fresh tea. It' a must-try. We had the Green Tea called Sencha from Japan. Very relaxing!
(4)Mela R.
I've never liked hummus but now I do. I enjoyed the lamb with pickled onions and goat cheese. Beautiful ambience. Orchestra type band playing on a balcony seemed like the Titanic.
(3)Kathy K.
Excellent afternoon tea. The scones, finger sandwiches and desserts were delicious. I had a green tea that was just perfect. A wonderful place to spend any afternoon.
(5)Perry V.
Go for the Chocolate Buffet and jazz and enjoy a blissful evening.
(5)Amanda C.
I went to the lobby for tea with my mom on her birthday, and it was the perfect way to spend the day. I definitely recommend going here for a special occasion! I don't know how it compares to other teas in the city since it was my first tea experience, but I was not disappointed. When we arrived after shopping, we had several bags which the front desk attendant graciously checked for us. I had mentioned it was my mom's birthday when I made the reservation, and they seated us at a great table right next to the window. The atmosphere was great- not too crowded, live violinists, and a fashion show! I'm not used to being treated the way the staff treats patrons, but I could get used to it! For $40 per person, the tea is certainly not something I would do regularly. However, I will say they bring you a LOT of food and we were too full to finish it so took some of the cute cakes home. You will want to eat a light lunch or skip lunch beforehand. Each person gets their own pot of tea and you can choose from around 50 varieties... I got Celebration (very floraly- almost like perfume but grew on me) and my mom got Orange Jasmine (just how it sounds, and very good). There are so many it's almost overwhelming, but chances are it won't be bad, and I'm sure they would have replaced the pot if we had wanted. Each person gets 1 pot, which is probably around 5-6 cups of tea. It would be nice if there was a sampler option, but they do have a champagne option for $10 more per glass. We didn't opt for this... I'm sure it would be great but as it was we couldn't finish our tea. We had just an hour here before our manicure appointment and I really think an hour and a half would be ideal. The three-tiered platter they brought with our treats had a tier for sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. Sandwiches were crabmeat on white bread with sliced apples on top, ham and brie on a mini pretzel roll, and salmon and cucumber layered on dark rye. Quiche was egg, cheese and spinach, and desserts included carrot cake, some pistachio mousse thing, and a shortbread filled with custard, topped with fresh raspberries and a white chocolate bar with "The Peninsula" printed in dark chocolate. In addition, everyone got a Baba Rum cake, with an eyedropper filled with rum to drizzle on the cake, AND they brought an ice cream/caramel/chocolate creation on a beautiful platter with a candle for my mom's birthday! ALL of these items were delicious... I don't know if they switch around the menu but if they do I'm sure the other options would be just as good. Definitely a great place to visit for a special occasion- make sure you call ahead and explain your situation and they will make it extra special for you!
(5)Tom F.
Got $65 (not including tax and gratuity) burning a hole in your pocket? Then hit the Sunday brunch at the Peninsula. The Peninsula is the ultimate in brunch opulence. Want lobster? Yes! An omelet with sushi? Got it. A plate with brioche French toast on one side, and prime rib on the other? Done. Truffled herb-roasted chicken and petit fours for dessert? No problem. Seriously, though, this is a hell of a brunch. The variety and quality of the food is mindblowing. It is perfect for impressing the in-laws when they're visiting from Cleveland, or if you don't have in-laws, it will work just as well as your mom or that Gold Coast debutante that you're trying to win over. The Lobby restaurant is approachably elegant, with soaring ceilings and spectacular views of the Magnificant Mile. The service, as is typical of the Peninsula, is flawless.
(5)Rachel B.
The table was covered with desserts. Adorable tiny desserts. Adorable tiny chocolate desserts. I was in heaven. I was at the chocolate bar at the Peninsula. I can only give 4 stars because I'm a dark chocolate kind of girl, and the dark chocolate options were actually quite limited. But there was a delicious white chocolate mousse cup with raspberries. And a teeny tiny chocolate creme brulee. And juicy, perfectly ripe chocolate-covered strawberries. Chocolate-drizzled soft pretzels provided a little break in the chocolate intensity. There were cream puffs and lollipops and little bitty chocolate cakes. As I said - heaven. My chocolate martini was as decadent as the desserts, and the wait staff was really nice and attentive - it's the kind of place where they fold your napkin for you when you go to the bathroom to purge so you can make another buffet run. In other words, an awesome birthday retreat from the ordinary.
(4)Natalie B.
I had one little day to enjoy Chicago while in the area for my cousin's wedding. I decided that I would finally try High Tea at the Peninsula --unfortunately, we do not have any lovely hotels that offer high tea in Jax! So with my good friend S and sister in tow, we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at The Lobby. The ambiance is very elegant. The service is terrific and unobtrusive. The food was a wonderful mix of sweets and savories. The chicken salad was divine (just like Yelpers said it would be!) but I especially loved the Baguetts with herbed cheese, edamame, and grape tomatoes. The tea itself as delicious and served beautifully. All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday in the city!
(5)Sarah Z.
I have had high tea here many times. And tea/food wise, I think they offer the best high tea experience in all of Chicago! I would have given the Peninsula 5 stars.. but everytime I go the waitstaff seems to disappear at some point and I have always had to flag them down and ask for the check, or something else. I understand the desire to not hound your guests- but don't neglect them either! The only times this hasn't happened was during the holiday season when the lobby is packed.
(4)Kathleen C.
I've been to high tea in the Peninsula twice now, and couldn't imagine a more wonderful experience. The tea is phenomenal, and they have so many choices, including caffeine free. The food is also yummy, from the little sandwiches to the scones and tiny little chocolate cake. Service is of course, impeccable. We had twenty for tea and asked to bring some of the extra food back for some coworkers that couldn't join us, and they gave us ALL of the extra food. Beautiful ambience and nice live music too.
(5)courtney g.
We dropped in on a Saturday night, rather early, and were able to get a table without much ado. The food was excellent -- my lamb was perfectly done, quite rare and incredibly tender. My companions each enjoyed their salmon and baby roast chicken; don't miss the brussels sprouts ... I'm not usually a big fan, but they prepare them with bacon, and how can you miss with that? The service was very pleasant, although a bit uneven; occasionally we were left adrift. They were so kind as to bring us (unsolicited) a small selection of tiny lovely bites from the chocolate buffet, which was unexpected and delightful. And need I mention tasty.The live jazz on Saturday was nice also. On the whole, totally worth a trip: pricey, but delicious; in a big open space so not particularly intimate or romantic, but well-appointed and not, to my mind, particularly snobby or intimidating as some fancy pants hotel restaurants can seem.
(4)Gfiddy F.
When the sun is shining in that big pretty room, it's my favorite place to eat brunch.
(5)Jesse B.
female jazz singer w/ excellent trio (friday and saturday nights) the Tea, & the Chocolate Buffet = my favorite place in Chicago.
(5)Gunner F.
This will be an unforgettable brunch experience for you. Go on a special occasion if the price isn't right, but everyone who loves food needs to try this place at least once in their life. Incredible food in a magnificent setting. That's the best way I can describe it.
(5)Jeetu P.
Best mac & cheese in the city of Chicago. Great restaurant, fantastic service from Eric, our server!! Highly recommend it!
(5)Chris B.
Jacky and I hit The Lobby last night after some evening shopping, and for the first time - decided to do dinner here...interestingly, I see that nobody has mentioned the amazing dinner menu!? We come here every Christmas for Tea, and that is a five star experience, no question. No further details needed...it's Chicago's 'tea in the big city at a fancy hotel' experience (better than The Drake...sorry, native Chicagoans). SO -- dinner last night -- Jacky got our rezz because of the Chocolate Bar, and we did dinner beforehand: WHAT A MENU!!! Phenomenal selection... First, there were some great froofy drinks to go along with the normal hotel fare: strawberry, champagne and campari cordials, etc. etc. -- Asian influence throughout: try 'The Tryst' - you won't be sorry! Then -- we got some 'savouries,' and all of them looked good: cheese plate, homemade tortilla chips, sushi/sashimi, duck rolls, etc. We got the sushi and sashimi, and it was unbelievable fresh and beautiful: ebi, unagi, hamachi, california roll, salmon, spicy tuna roll, octopus salad -- very satisfied. For entrees, Jacky was torn between the Szechwan Prawns (their signature dish), or a special diver scallop and fava bean cassoulet that sounded incredible. She opted for the Prawns and was in heaven -- she loved it. For me -- who eats everything -- I was torn...Osso Bucco, Steaks, the scallops, Vietnamese Market noodles with Kobe beef, chicken and shrimp -- augh! But Iris, our server who is here from Hong Kong for a one year internship guided me well...to the Kobe Burger served with aged stilton with sweet potato fries and a white truffle aioli....best. burger. ever. I'm not kidding -- Moody's, Monk's, In 'N Out, forget it...competition over. This burger was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Now -- HUGE disclaimer...huge. It was $28. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...grotesque. That's too much for anything that has 'burger' in the title. But folks: it was worth every penny. I can't rave about this enough. Then, we moved to the chocolate bar. meh. The theme for May (different chocolate theme each month) was "flowers." yech! So everything had some flower element associated with it...as in, half of the pieces on the decadent table tasted like dish soap. Verbena, violets, lavender, capsicum, petunias, blah blah...decorations? Yes. In my mousse, apple strudel, creme brulee or tart? No. So thumbs down for May's floral rendition of choco-fest from me. But overall, a five star experience. It ain't a cheap date, but it was well worth the extravagant setting, the gorgeous jazz (don't forget the live jazz...they were tremendous...), the amazing dinner and ambience.
(5)Koizumi Y.
We took breakfast here not too long ago with a fellow Yelper and her beau. It was divine. The Peninsula is a delightful locale on its own, but our experience at The Lobby was pure gastronomical lust. Though the egg white frittata was perfect with its inclusion of asparagus, spinach, leeks, Portobello mushrooms and tomatoes, my accommodated request to add aged white cheddar kicked it up a notch to Sin City. My spouse had the almond ricotta hot cakes with a Grand Marnier sauce, and had to continually swat us away from his platter. Ridiculously beautiful Kellan allowed us to sample her stuffed French Toast, which was lovely but a bit too sweet for my taste. Attentive service was complemented by breathtaking surroundings, including our occasional pause to take in the Michigan Avenue view. By the time we were done with all this and mimosas, the rest of the day was icing. There's no way to go wrong here. We'll certainly return.
(5)Catherine B.
I have been wanting to check out the Peninsula's chocolate bar for ages, and I finally got my chance over the weekend. Make a reservation, and make sure you don't fill up on a big dinner! The treats were delicious, and were made up of a significant variety of types of chocolate and presentation. The service was great, and the live band playing Frank Sinatra-esque music was really good. Their white hot chocolate drink was super sweet, and actually tasted like it was a melted bar of white chocolate, so be warned that it's not for the faint of heart! We ordered cocktails as well (chocolate martini and signature martini), and be aware that the drinks are VERY strong - you get your $14 worth. That's the only drawback to to the chocolate bar, in my mind - the price is quite steep. But if you have something to celebrate (it was my birthday), it's a fun unique place to treat yourself to.
(4)A B.
My husband and I decided to have our Christmas day brunch at the Peninsula and couldn't be happier with our choice. The food was fantastic and there was such a variety to choose from. They has Sushi, Lobster, Caviar, breakfast station, Prime Rib, Short Ribs and on and on and on.....it was so good. The only issue I had was the price, it was $125 and which did not include our Bellini's or Cappuccino. The Bellini's were ridiculously priced at almost $19!!! So needless to say our bill was the price of a designer purse, which I wasn't happy about. However, the food was great and the atmosphere was beautiful and I would highly recommend it.
(4)Url R.
The afternoon tea was not as good as Hong Kong, but still worth the price. Don't be boring and take ordinary green tea, try something really funky. This isn't snooty east coast old lady tea service either. This is a great place to take a date if you want a non-alcohol alternative and show your lady that you have some class.
(4)t.n. t.
I love upscale restaurants, but hate pretentious environments. Some people really need to pry their foot out their ass. The food is good and the wine selection is nice as well. If you'd like to be entertained, I enjoy watching the desperate women and men try to find their wives and husbands here. It is quite entertaining!!!!!!!!
(4)Carrie S.
Went here for my birthday (Valentine's Day) almost three years ago and it's still such a memorable experience. They had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner. I had an awesome filet mignon with the other courses. They had the best seared foie gras when you could still serve it in the city limits. The chocolate bar is a a chocolate lovers dream come true. All sorts of chocolate in all sorts of forms from truffles to hot chocolate. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I want to go back for the chocolate bar on the weekend because it's so good.
(5)Kayee I.
My family and I dined at The Lobby on Mother's Day and enjoyed, what I've been informed to be, a rare buffet dinner. Although we were personally late arriving to dinner an hour late, we were very promptly seated by the hostess and then greeted by our server. As starters, our server took our order for drinks (three mimosas), then brought us a an an asparagus nioise with a side garnish of fresh kelp and red wine-vinegar marinated mushroom. A three-tiered tray of sushi and sashimi promptly followed. After the starters, each of us roamed the dining room scoping the tasty goods. There's easily a dozen different stations serving a cornucopia of foods. I managed to sample fresh salad with homemade dressings, different aged cheeses (one was aged for four years but was to sharp for my taste), dim sum (with crescent-shaped lobster dumplings, scallop shui mai, etc.), roasted free-range baby chicken with grilled spring vegetables, five spice lamb rack, roasted wild salmon, perfectly moist beef tenderloin and fresh pan-fried soft shell crab. Staff were quick to help us with our selections and to recommend items to try. By far, my favorite part of the meal were the desserts. Granted I managed to only make way to two of the tables (there were at least two other tables on the other end of the room), I did do a bit of damage: lavendar creme brulee, espresso chocolate mousse eclair, lemon merengue tartlet and a single scoop of white peach sorbet on a mini ice cream cone rimmed with chocolate shavings.
(4)Briana J.
A few girlfriends and I had high tea and we all enjoyed it. The service was prompt and friendly. We did order the least expensive option but we were still treated like good costumers. One friend is a veg head and our waiter was very willing to create some delicious veggie options for her. As our waiter walked passed and heard me praise a specific type of cookie, he returned with a plate full. I very much enjoyed my time here and I recommend it highly!
(5)Daisy T.
So I'm at the peninsula with some friends and so far I am not impressed. The chocolate buffet is overrated and frankly not that good. The service was OK especially since we waited 15min for them to bring us our coffee. Personally I think it's extremely over priced for what you get but I did have a great time that night!
(3)Robert S.
The chocolate buffet is a sight to behold. If you like chocolate, this is the place for you. I prefer more casual places, however. This place is about as uptight and pretentious as things get. Kind of a "look at me, I'm dining at the Peninsula" kind of thing. I did enjoy the Jazz band that performed. Meh.
(3)woofgang q.
Imagine Willy Wonka shacking up in a French colonial plantation and you get the gist of the weekend choco-rama at the Peninsula. Nevertheless, service lacks and can be spacey, which could be excusable at any place but here. During visits at peak times the lack of staff slowed service which noticeably hindered my alcohol imbibing. Once the service was so horrid that I left the smallest tip ever ($6 tip on a $114 tab). However like a tweaking meth junkie, I just can't say no to the Peninsula's intoxicating, gilded opulence and chocolate decadence. +6 for the chocolate, ambiance, entertainment and enough space so that you won't be bothered by poseurs; -2 for the unpredictable service and liberal guilt for spending so much money on nothing but alcohol and chocolate; -2 for failing to meet the higher standard to which the Peninsula should be held. Visit the original or Bangkok Peninsula and you'll understand. Can't wait til the Shangri-La and the Mandarin Oriental open.
(2)Victoria T.
This was, by far, the most decadent and wonderful brunch I have ever been to! I don't usually like buffets... but this was a class all its own. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere was classy, and the food was amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
(5)Marie L.
I went to the Lobby at the Peninsula to celebrate my birthday and I was not disappointed. We just wanted to have lunch since we were with a baby and it's hard to find a nice place to have dinner where a baby would be welcome. The Lobby was bright and airy , had plenty of room to park a baby stroller next to the table and was not nearly as snooty as I would have expected. Most of the people at our table ordered high tea but a few ordered from the regular lunch menu, which is a nice option for those who crave something more traditional like a huge, juicy burger. (I had a bite of that huge, juicy burger and it was tasty) The high tea was excellent although the service was a little confusing as at least four different people took care of our table at some point. Also, at times it was hard to flag someone down to order something but the food and overall experience far outweighs any inconvenience caused by that. With high tea, you of course get to choose your tea from an extensive list. Then you are served a tiered platter of bite-sized sweet and savory things or to put it elegantly, "snackies." I believe the variety is always similar so here is what I can recall that was on our plates: bottom plate- beef wraps with vegetables, quiches, salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with caviar; middle plate - chocolate cheesecake, apricot crumble, chocolate covered cake w/raspberry, mango cream tart; top platter - macaroon, assorted scones. There are a handful of things I can't remember but let me assure you everything was DELICIOUS. Those mango cream tarts still call out to me in my dreams. The best part is that you can request to have more of anything on your platter, so it is really an all-you-can-eat affair lest you're afraid that dainty sandwiches and desserts aren't going to fill you up. Let's just say I waddled out of there clutching my distended stomach. To sum up this monster of a review , I loved the high tea at The Lobby. I'd recommend it for anyone celebrating a special occasion or to anyone who has $28 burning a hole in their pocket. I recommend reservations, especially because they ask you if you're celebrating something special and if you are they'll surprise you with something special at the end. I guess this is also a decent place to spot whatever celebrity may be in town, my mom saw the brother from "Everybody Loves Raymond" in the elevator if that's any incentive.
(5)Emily D.
My mom, husband and I decided to enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon at The Peninsula for High Team. Staying at the hotel is not accessible for me, but it's good to see how the other half lives and feel like a queen for a couple hours while eating some of the most fantastic finger foods ever. Such care and precision went in to each and every edible it was an honor to eat. Truly! The teas were delicious (my husband is a connoisseur) and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a delightful experience and though not cheap, well worth it for creating fantastic memories.
(5)Shep L.
First of all, I should say that I could never afford to stay at the Peninsula. And if I could, I wouldn't anyway. It's just not my kind of place. That being said, last night my boyfriend dragged me into the lobby only to discover that every Thursday night there is an ice cream social. It was unclear to us whether you actually have to buy the ice cream, but the scooper lady was happy to give us samples. The samples consisted of a tiny cone of homemade gelato or ice cream, and was the perfect amount of dessert for me. So, for all the poor people like me: Thursday night + Peninsula lobby = free ice cream.
(4)Laura H.
Classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I love the peninsula! I have dined in the lobby twice: once for high tea with a friend and once for dessert, martinis and jazz with my mom. I've also lounged in the cigar bar after a dinner date. High tea was perfect. We did make a reservation, which I would recommend doing on the weekend. They offer sweets or savories with your tea while a string quartet serenades you from the balcony. The perfect way to spend an afternoon or to take a break from shopping on Michigan avenue. I also went here on a saturday night with my mom after we'd gone to see a play. They have a full dessert buffet, but we just opted for dessert martinis. A live jazz band and singer were performing, and I actually got asked to dance by some random guy. Kind of funny, and a great way to end a night out. The cigar bar is also pretty fun. It feels like a lounge at a hunting lodge. Again, the martinis are awesome. I highly recommend the Peninsula for both afternoon and evening activities.
(5)Manja C.
The Chocolate Buffet: my advice is to go there when you are at least mildly hungry and not just looking for a little dessert because $28 per person for sweets is pricey. Yes, it is all you can eat heavenly chocolate and a creative drink list (additional $12--$15) but 3 people can run up a high bill very quickly without being substantially filled. Price bitchin out of the way...the thought of endless chocolate on a cold winter day (while in hibernation mode) is delectable and worth checking out at least once while in Chicago.
(3)Celia S.
Love! Love! To start this place is stunning! The epitemy of high end luxury. My friends and I came here for the chocolate buffet for some after dinner dessert and also cause I've been obsessing over this place since I heard of it. The chocolate buffett was awesome! OMG the chocolate goodness could have been overwhelming to anyone else but being the chocoholic that I am it wasnt. High quality chocolate, fruits, cakes, nuts, etc. They even had pretty innovative desserts like chocolate pops made with pop rocks! How cool! Passionfruit infused marshmallows. Awesome. Anyway, this place is definitely as good as it gets. A must go!
(5)Eva M.
my people! people who have money and admire art, and dress the part.
(5)Diana S.
I came here for the chocolate buffet. This is some serious indulgence. It was under $30 bucks a person, but really there is no way you can come close to eating that much dessert. It's quite romantic though. There's live jazz and the place is dimly lit and pretty. It's definitely something to experience.
(4)Elizabeth H.
If you know someone who really enjoys sweets, they will appreciate being taken to the dessert buffet. Cheap, it isn't but well worth it for special occasions. The ambiance is spectacular with the opulent lobby, live music, and everyone dressed to the 9s. Great fancy date place as any girl will surely be impressed.
(5)J. C.
Having tea is my "thing". I love it and the Peninsula does it well. My bffs have also treated me to the chocolate bar. I was in heaven.
(5)Foodie A.
We had afternoon tea here to celebrate my birthday on a Saturday. Been at the Drake for afternoon tea and wanted to try another high-end tea place. We arrived at The Lobby, and noticed it is an open space restaurant. So, not too cozy and warm, but comfortable. Loved the elegance. The hostess was pleasant. I had the traditional afternoon tea. It was nothing to be excited about. The sandwiches, sweets, and savories were not fresh. Maybe because it was late in the afternoon, but it should't matter. The only thing fresh and hot was the banana souffle they serve to everyone. Our waitress was ok. Service could be better. I loved the surprise treat in the end. Make a reservation and they will ask you what's the occasion. No star sightings, just bride and groom. I don't think I would come back for afternoon tea, but I will for drinks, lunch, or dinner and will update.
(3)Hannah W.
2.5 stars. A couple of friends and I hit the chocolate buffet on a Saturday night, and I must admit... not so spectacular as I had hoped. The music was great (we're pretty big fans of jazz) except that whenever the vocalist came back on the mic, she'd drown out every other sound in the room, including our voices in the middle of conversation. Service was also a bit slow, especially considering that there weren't terribly many people there that night (although, in 4 degree weather it takes a huge amount of will power to even think about leaving the house). I actually tried to time my trips back to the chocolates so that I'd be sure the catch the attention of someone who would clear my plate away before I got back to our table. The desserts were OK, not the greatest, especially considering that better ones can be had for a better price. I was intrigued, though, by the almond white hot chocolate, which didn't taste like almond but was surprisingly tasty. Unfortunately, my definition of hot chocolate has been altered by the deliciously sludgy concoctions found at the City Bakery and Jacques Torres in NY, so I did come in with rather high expectations on that front. I'm not quite sure if there was a theme to the selection, but if it was fruit, then they might want to stock up on the chocolate covered strawberries to avoid running out again. Nice rich flavor in the earl grey & anise truffles, and ganache lollipops. Bad red velvet cake. Summing it up: definitely not a good bargain (but then, you already knew that). Don't go for the chocolates, or the conversation factor. Go because you're giving yourself one opportunity to splurge and schmooze at the Pen and know that you'll probably never go back for anything so frivolous. Good for the eyes, not so much for the wallet or taste buds.
(2)Pooja S.
Only chocolate for dinner, sounds perfect. Decadent but perfect.Tried out the chocolate buffet here last night. it was great, lots of diferent things to choose from. But I think everyone reached their limit after taking about 4 different pieces of dessert in their plate.I for one was chocolated out and thats really saying something since I am a choco addict. A bottle of Merlot completed our meal perfectly. Candlelight, great conversation with friends and a different table centerpiece completed the evening.
(4)Honora L.
Can't resist the elegance of this top-notch hotel! Accompanied by a live string band, I enjoyed the finger sandwiches, assorted pastries, scones with my choice of tea Tei Kwun Yin in the Lobby. The Macaroon is my favorite pick. We were offered four more upon request! Not bad ^.^~~
(5)Jessica P.
I came here for restaurant week (2015) with friends on a Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were given options to either sit at the bar, sit at the table (while waiting for our friends to arrival), or sit at the side. The customer service was great from the start to end. Restaurant Week Food -great presentation and great food! Appetizer: Beet Salad: a variety of different beets (including beet marshmallow), yum.. absolutely enjoyed it! Enjoyed the entree options as well as dessert options. Portions: small - especially for big eaters, you might be hungry after the meal. Great date location! :) I would come here again.
(5)Patty C.
I love the chocolate buffet on Saturdays here. It's like chocolate heaven. Service is great too!
(4)Emily J.
Tea at The Lobby is a must for anyone visiting or living in Chicago. The Peninsula is such a gorgeous hotel and The Lobby is one of the highlights of the hotel. I went to tea here the other week with my friend and we had such a lovely time. Our server was fantastic and explained everything in our giant tea tower, as well as keeping our champagne glasses full! I would suggest getting the addition of a glass of champagne, it's fun and adds a little more festivity to the whole experience. The food is delicious here, I would suggest taking a bite of everything, even if you can't eat the whole thing (you will get stuffed eating at tea!). I loved the tuna salad sandwich, and you can't beat the croissants either. The cranberry ones are especially tasty. I saved the pastries and desserts for last, and I could only take a bite from each, but those bites were amazing. I loved the strawberry eclair and the macaroons are to die for. All in all, tea at The Lobby has been one of the most fun and most delicious dining experiences I have had in Chicago thus far.
(5)Amerie C.
My numerous visits to the The Lobby for afternoon tea and it was never a disappointment. Good service and excellent tea choices. They change their offerings every now and then and you will be amazed of the quality and varieties. Best afternoon tea in the city. Just make a reservation and go on a weekday to avoid the crowd on weekends. Good job to the chefs and staff who made every afternoon tea experience at The Lobby a delight.
(5)Mark C.
Great service, good focused menu, and fun wine list! Overall, was a great experience. Definitely not cheap, but you don't go fancy for a cheap meal.
(4)Joe S.
Not what you would expect from a Michelin star, I have a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu and have worked in restaurants more deserving of a star then this place. I was excited to eat here, the ambiance was amazing (The music was soo cool) The chocolate bar was impressive at first glance. However the waiter asked my wife if she wanted tap or sparkling water. Without hesitation he ran off to retrieve Pelegrino for the entire table (I don't like sparkling water) He poured it for me and my 5 year old son. I was like whatever.. My wife is pregnant and I didn't want to order wine without her so I was debating what I was going to do.. I read over the wine menu and was considering a glass regardless when he came back and asked me if wanted more Pelegrino. My glass was half full.. my sons was untouched and I ordered him a glass of milk as well which was still untouched and my wives was half full.. I obviously did not want it, I said no thank you but I asked my wife and she also said no thank you. Well he disappeared for a minute then returned with another bottle "On the house" Maybe it is just me but I found this to be as rude as it can get, here I am sitting in a Michelin Star restaurant and the waiter is treating me like I can't afford a $10 bottle of water.... Yes Mr. Waiter I am just going to forgo the rest of my meal without a beverage and only my half glass of sparkling water because I can not afford another bottle of pelegrino because I am a poor bum... Rude. The rest of the night was a let down. Appetizer came I wish I would have stopped here.. The cavatelli was amazing, no denying it. Entree's I ordered the Poached Halibut, the fish was cooked nicely but whatever was underneath it looked and tasted like crap, the only way to explain it is to say that it tasted like someone who doesn't know how to make stir fry, made me stir fry (Just soggy bell pepper blend)... My Wifes orderedJumbo Prawns and simply put they tasted exactly like orange chicken from Panda Express just Nasty. And The Peninsula is supposed to be the most kid friendly Hotel... Well they must not like kids too much because my sons kids menu spaghetti and meatballs was what tasted like bland freezer meatballs with tomato paste and no seasoning what so ever. After finishing our crappy meal I was vaguely looking forward to going to the chocolate bar.. maybe it could save this place.. But instead I just got more from my rude waiter.. I simply asked him "We're OK to just help ourselves to this now?" Mainly just letting him know we would be having it..... To which he replied "It's $20 a person" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuÂuuccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously are you still treating me like I can't afford anything here? All because I didn't want sparkling water? You pissed me off so bad I didn't order the glass of wine I wanted because it made me feel like I would be trying to compensate for my free bottle of water. The truth about the chocolate bar.. It's mediocre and kind of dumb.. It costs $20 so people act like they have to be enjoying it soooooooooo much.. but the truth is I would gladly have just enjoyed a real fresh dessert from another restaurant vs all the mediocre desserts I could eat. The waiter brought the check only after I asked for it... This guy was retarded or something as I was just sitting there and he walked past a couple times and never brought it. He brought the check and some more handouts... Not sure if everyone got these or just me because I am poor but he gave us a little box with some chocolate truffles and peanut butter filled chocolates. The chocolates were good but nothing could salvage this. In their defense the rest of the wait staff was polite as was the management, but the food is crap.. I spent $240 and was dissappointed beyond belief, this was supposed to be Michelin Star but it was a Michelin let down.. I am a middle class guy but I take being a chef seriously, $240 is cheap compared to a lot places I've eaten.. If it is under $300 I don't even bat an eye and I spent $50 for us to get the chocolate bar alone, I could easily have bought a bottle of wine and it still would have barely broke $300 with tip. But don't waste your money. For what we got $85 seems like a fair price..
(1)Nancy C.
The Lobby at the Peninsula is gorgeous, especially when the ginormous Christmas tree is up. I recently had the afternoon tea service here and it was just as amazing as I had remembered it the first time, albeit more expensive. Let's just say as far as pricing goes, this is definitely more like a Christmas-gift-to-yourself type of place, unless you regularly shell out $50 for tea and finger sandwiches, but I digress. Even being the cheapskate I am, I thought it was a very worthwhile experience. The lobby itself is breathtaking, almost other-worldly. The soaring ceilings and old-world furniture makes the space so grand. There is a live string duo that plays in the balcony while you sip on tea, and the waitstaff is very vigilant on keeping your teapot filled. Random sidenote: their teapots can keep the tea warm for a ridiculously long time! I was very impressed. The tea selection and the tea itself were excellent. As far as the food goes, the items are literally works of art, especially the dessert. A couple of which were topped with a gold leaf and another one with a slither of thin, artistically crafted plate of white chocolate. It looked so beautiful I almost didn't have the heart to eat it. Aside from their tea service, the lobster roll off their lunch menu is absolutely delicious, with huge chunks of lobster tumbling off the sandwich. I definitely recommend it. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask for a window seat, which looks out to a cute little ice skating rink atop the peninsula hotel and the magnificent mile. It was quite magical.
(5)Marilyn G.
I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Lobby. I was seated right away. The waiter was very nice. He brought me the tea menu. I had the orange jasmine, great flavor. Then i was brought the 3 tiered tower of savories and sweets. Everything was amazing! The waiter brought me more sandwiches and let me take a couple of scones home. The devon cream and lemon curd were very good. I had a great experience but i think the Drake was better. Beware if you're paying with credit or debit card because they charge you a 20% charge which they dont bother telling you about until after a few days or when you check your bank account. So that made me angry. I recommend paying cash. Great tea and food but not really sure i'd go back.
(4)Yvonne Y.
Good: perfectly roasted venison, tender scallop served with kale and sausage, cheese gnocchi with parmesan and porcini mushroom, and a generous amuse bouche porcini mushroom soup with chestnut; wonderful, unpretentious staff who makes you feel welcome; warm, crusty multigrain bread, gazillion courses for the "5 course" tasting menu, chestnut theme dessert of chestnut cake/mousse/actual chestnut with cassis sorbet and blackberries. I'd suggest one area of improvement: I almost gave them 4 stars due to the following. Especially for guests who ordered the tasting menu, I think the staff could provide a bit more details or attention when describing the dishes/ingredients for each dish. I probably would have appreciated the Spanish octopus dish more had I known it's a Spanish theme as I thought the almonds were unnecessary for the dish originally. Overall, it's solid food, beautiful high ceiling ambiance, friendly unpretentious staff that I'd recommend to others. The food showcases solid cooking and good balance of taste. It's not the shishi 50 ingredient dish stacked high to your nose kind of restaurant.
(5)Najia Y.
Chocolate at the Pen should be referred to as chocolate paradise. Need I say more? As far as the afternoon tea is considered, it was good but not great. The clotted cream wasn't like the kind in London (which to me is a key part of afternoon tea). But I have yet to find the perfect afternoon tea in Chicago, so this is definitely a good choice.
(4)Chuan G.
Great food! Great service! Great decoration! Great view!
(5)Evelyn Z.
Excellent food and service. I love the bird eye chili sauce served on prawns; I'm never a fan of prawns but this one is brilliant. The setting is also very cozy and romantic.
(5)Grace E.
Sunday brunch at the Pen is fantastic. Set up around the dining tables, several food stations offer everything from breakfast pastries, dim sum, roasted meats, cold cheeses, and made-to-order omelets. There's even a little buffet line catering to the little ones. Additionally, the dessert station in the middle of the lobby boasts a large array of sweets, similar to those found on the afternoon tea trays. Service is top notch, as the servers will often anticipate your needs before you ask for anything (e.g. new silverware, more coffee, valet calls, etc.) Also, the string duet on the balcony makes for nice background music. If $75 a person doesn't hurt your wallet, make brunch at the Peninsula a routine thing. Otherwise, head over on special occasions (request a seat by the window if you reserve early!)
(5)Mark D.
Calgon, take me away to Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. A string quartet playing high above us in an alcove balcony, glasses of champagne, a three tiered plate of utterly divine finger foods, and of course, tea service. Prices are exorbitant and not for the faint of heart. The experience is priceless. For a moment, I thought maybe the Queen was a few tables away. Do this at least once in your life. You won't regret it.
(5)Alice H.
I love this place. It is a first class dining experience. The wait staff is incredibly attentive. My favorite dish is the chicken two ways for two. It is so delectable. They also carry my favorite wine, Hall. I actually love the open design of the space. I hate feeling crammed into a small space with someone I don't even know listening in on my dinner conversation. Here, because it is so open, there does actually feel like there is more privacy with the person you are dining with (particularly if you get one of the seats by the window). I've been for afternoon tea and for the chocolate bar as well. Both are worth trying. They can be a bit pricey, but it's probably worth the experience to try it at least once. Not sure if I would go back on a regular basis for either, but that's mostly because I can't consume enough dessert to justify the chocolate bar for myself in one sitting. In terms of afternoon tea, I think you can find better and cheaper alternatives in the city that have equal quality in tea and food. Think simple foods is a new place that popped up that actually is a very nice alternative to afternoon tea. But for dinner, I do love coming to the lobby. It is always consistently outstanding food and service. I will keep coming back.
(5)Andrew R.
Phew. Ok. Where to start? First off, holy fucking white people. I felt like I was at a Ronald Reagan Memorial convention hosted by AARP. I've never seen so many pairs of khaki pants in my life. LL Bean should have sent a photographer. Anyway. The experience was not good. Maybe it's because I went for Restaurant Week and they don't care about the poors, but everything was pretty disappointing. Apple and endive salad? So-so. Short rib was pretty damn dry. Then, we had the pleasure of waiting 30+ minutes between our entree and desert. No exaggeration. Every time our waiter came to the table he gave the impression that desert was on its way. After 10 minutes the plates were cleared. 10 minutes later the silverware was set out. 10 minutes later our desert arrived. Guys I don't even like desert that much. 2 stars for the nice space and the fact that being white, I fit right in.
(2)Elina S.
Wooohooo, my 300th review goes to such a fun place, that's gotta be a good sign. I've been dying to go to the lobby at the Peninsula for quite some time for afternoon tea since I'm just a big fan of the hotel itself, the other restaurants it has to offer and I've always wanted to try afternoon tea since I'm such a classy girl at heart whose always dreaming about tea time in London. Anyways, wow, is it gorgeous in here, from the moment you walk into the lobby (which you take the elevator to get to) you're just blown away from majestic royalty. The super tall windows bring in so much light, the gorgeous plating and silverware, everything is just high end and breathtaking. You just get this feeling that you want to stay here for hours and hours and just take in all the beauty. We got a nice table for the six of us since we were here for my friend's birthday. You get to choose your own tea (I chose the only white Jasmine) which was delicious, simple and really good quality. They do have a lot of choices so there's definitely something here for everyone. The afternoon tea package comes to $45 plus tax and tip, so it's definitely not cheap, but for the amount you get, it's definitely worth it. I thought it would be all hoity toity but I was wrong, I was definitely stuffed by the end of it and as pretentious as it is, there's something charming about having afternoon tea with your ladies on a Saturday afternoon. I'm already planning a trip back for a special occasion since coming here every weekend is definitely out of my budget. Now onto what you get in the package, a bunch of scones, little sandwiches and pastries. The scones were my favorite, served warm and they give you refills if you ask which is always a bonus. They also come with jam and butter, they go the best with tea in my opinion. The sandwiches from cucumber, to smoked salmon, tuna, roast beef were all honesty okay, they didn't wow me, but presentation on those beautiful 3 plated tiers were gorgeous. The pastries, like the scones were super yummy, something for everyone. They were all so beautiful that you have to save room to try them all. I'm telling you that you do get your money's worth from the amount you get, plus tea with the added atmosphere. They also bring out this raspberry sorbet later on for each person which is super yummy. Our server was on top of it, but how can he not be working at such a place. It was definitely a one of a kind experience and I'm curious as to see what other hotels in Chicago offer in comparison for afternoon tea. Peninsula, I will be back :)
(4)Stephen R.
chocolate bar thats the only reason to eat here. forget the ambiance, the live music, etc.. go eat at the chocolate bar. treats galore, ranging from classics to culinary works of art. dont miss it, it is very steep...so you get a break if you eat dinner there but make it an event.
(5)Tiffany R.
Not to miss: Octopus, scallops, chocolate bar... Not that this place needs another great review, but just a suggestion for those going on date night... We went for an early reservation (5:30), then went on our way (to the Bulls game - they won, was one of the last games Derek Rose played in...frowny face), THEN returned for the chocolate bar after the game. It was perfect.
(5)Rosanna L.
I absolutely love the open space The Lobby has. You're not covered in a restaurant surrounding, but more of an open, let's relax kind of feng shui. The servers are very tentative and friendly. I had an extremely hard time deciding went to get since they had a deliciously looking display of hor d'ourves and desserts, which comes with an entree. I was very tempted, but decided to split the Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich: gruyere, tomato soup, french fries and The Peninsula Club: shaved turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, egg, tomato, avocado with my co-worker. The grilled cheese ( yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… ) sounded and looked really good, it even came on a pretzel bun, but the cheese itself lacked flavored. The tomato soup was delicious, cream-less I might add and the fries were crispy. I am in love with their Peninsula Club, first time having egg in any club sandwich it made a difference! We also asked for no middle bread. The bread itself was thin and toasted just right. I did get to try some of my co-workers grilled baby octopus appetizer and WOW this is was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! Also tried some of the truffled mac & cheese and this just might be my new favorite place for mac & cheese, yum! Only complaint is it took quite a long time to receive our 2nd course after we were done with our 1st course. P.s. I definitely want to try their sushi options next time.
(4)Fay H.
We ordered the afternoon tea. While the tea was rather good, the dessert was so-so. I don't think it deserves its price. However, the service was really great.
(3)Alan S.
My wife and I have always enjoyed breakfast places and seek out those touted as the best wherever we are. Someone told us about breakfast at The Peninsula and they may have been the two best breakfasts we enjoyed all last year. First day my wife enjoyed the French Toast and I had the waffles. Second day she got the pancakes and I got the French Toast. If there are better breakfast foods of this type PLEASE let us know where. Everything was beyond perfect-including the service. I have few culinary skills so maybe it's not a great secret, but I have NO idea how one makes such incredible tasting food. Yes, it's going to cost you what dinner costs at a lot of places but we felt it was worth every penny and can't wait to return. Also, from what we saw, The Peninsula is likely a fabulous place to stay and we plan on finding out later this year. Simple: If you're looking for a casual, bring the kids and have fun breakfast place that won't break the bank, visit Sunny Side Up which is just down the street and EXCELLENT. If you want a truly special meal in an elegant (and, yes, some might say "stuffy") setting, The Lobby at The Peninsula is spectacular.
(5)Cannelle T.
Stupid Michelin. Every time they give a restaurant a star the portions shrink...But, the lunch here is excellent. It is perfect for business or a nice family lunch downtown. The bouillabaisse was excellent. And, this is coming from someone who lived on the French Riviera. The atmosphere is understated and just the right amount of posh. You can take your parents here and they will appreciate not having to wait in line for "tapas" at some of the hipper downtown restaurants. Dinner is great too. But, the dining room gets dark.
(4)Tara P.
Only fair to update how well they have improved on their customer service. Attention of the staff improved immensely. Had afternoon tea today with friends and it was great. Service couldn't be better. Our waiter was very attentive always refilling our hot water. The apricot scones were delicious along with the creativity of their delicious sandwiches. I especially liked the salmon. The desserts were designed beautiful but just a tad too sweet, but included chocolate. Fantastic selection of teas. Since I live walking distance from the Peninsula, I have come many times since my last review, including going to the chocolate buffet and am now very impressed with their improvement in service. The chocolate buffet is magnificent and service there is also impeccable.
(4)Michael S.
So this review is solely for the chocolate bar, but after the chocolate bar experience I would definitely come back for dinner! First off, thank you Peninsula for your ingenius names such as The Bar, The Lobby, The Terrace, etc. Very original... Joking aside the place is just so elegant, but welcoming. Decor is really nice and I loved how they used the lobby as the dining setting. When we went for our after anniversary dinner, there was a celloist and guitarist playing songs from the top 40's to older goodies, like Brown Eyed Girl and Smooth Operator. It was a fun night just for the gf and I to figure out the songs that were being played. Just such happy music! Service was good and bad which is why I just couldn't give a 5 star. Our server was attentive at times, but not so much at others. He forgot my Johnnie Walker with a splash of soda water. I didn't mind because of the coffee I was gulping down, but he did bring us a bottle of a dessert wine which he said was compliments of the house since he forgot all about my drink. Too bad he didn't refill our glasses with the rest of the wine. Ah well. All the other waitstaff was impressive. The special plate of desserts that said Happy Anniversary was a really nice touch as well. On to the chocolate: Well, it's not Hershey's... that's for sure! The chocolate is so rich and so good that it is really hard to really sample everything... that's why I overloaded on coffee.. Just needed something to cleanse my tastebuds. I don't really think I can pick a favorite from all the chocolates, but they were all really good! I know the gf was really happy with the selection. Overall, yes service had some sore spots, but the music and chocolate combined with the service in good times makes me really like the lobby. Is it worth $40 pp? Well, it's the experience. I know we will definitely be back although it will be quite some time before I can look at a piece of chocolate.
(4)Maria M.
We went there for Christmas dinner just yesterday night 12/23/14..the food was disappointing...Pork Shoulder was dry, the Jumbo prawns, you can have some prawns that's more tasty in some other places for less money. If you are a foodie don't bother. You are paying for the name Peninsula and maybe for the service but the food was not that great.
(2)Shweta C.
I have done many tea services around Chicago over the years including the Peninsula Lobby a long time ago, however, this time around I was extremely disappointed. There were many reasons, and I have included a few in my review. Firstly, despite the place being nearly empty our table was not ready for a good 15 minutes after our reservation time. Secondly, once we sat down it took a very long time to actually get our tea and food. The teapots were very large, heavy and kept spilling tea down the sides onto the table. Furthermore, the holes in the tea strainer/sieve were so large that it allowed the tea leaves right through into our cups. My family and I requested vegetarian sandwiches two of which were good but the rest were literally bread with slices of tofurkey on them!!! I actually felt embarrassed for the Peninsula for thinking this was actually an acceptable item to serve at a high end hotel. When we ordered more of the two types of sandwiches we did like (fully expecting to pay extra if they asked), they brought us a couple and said that was all they had left! Not sure why they could not make more. The only reason I am even giving this experience a 2 is because the host offered to take pictures of us both while seated and near the flower arrangements as we were leaving, and took some of the best photos of my family with an iphone that we have ever had. But overall, this experience was not even remotely close to worth the atrocious prices. I am disappointed to say that after all these years of trying tea services around Chicago, I always go back to the Drake, where the service, food, and ambiance is all impeccable. The set up is more appropriate for a tea with sofas and low tables, and a harpist most days. The teapots are appropriately sized and weighted and their strainers actually do their job. They actually come up with creative vegetarian sandwiches that incorporate vegetables and dairy instead of fake meat, and most importantly, I have never had anyone tell me in the 10 years I have been going there that we could not have seconds (and never charged for them either). Overall, I would not recommend this experience to anyone. You will have a much better experience for a lower cost at The Drake.
(2)Megan G.
This review is exclusively for their restaurant week experience. My boyfriend and I decided to try a few of Chicago's classics for the 2014 restaurant week. Therefore, we ended up at The Lobby for dinner. First off, try to get a table close to the large window, as the rest of the decor isn't much to look at (since you are, of course, eating in the hotel lobby). They had a cello/guitar duet playing top 40 songs that we made a game of guessing the song first. As for the food, it was delicious (though I did think the fennel overwhelmed the olive oil poached tuna in the appetizer). You have an option of two dishes for the appetizer, main course, and dessert. The portions are fairly small (the dessert might be the largest and the most filling). However, they serve you as much bread as you'd like- the bacon brioche and the goat butter were absolutely to die for! And they sent us both home with a wrapped mini loaf of their lemon pound cake that was amazing the next morning with tea for breakfast. Overall, would highly recommend going to The Lobby for restaurant week. It lost a star for the decor and the portion sizes for the restaurant week menu.
(4)Claudia M.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was really disappointed. The ambiance is very nice, quiet ad romantic, quite possibly the only memorable thing about it. The food is not what I expected from a starred restaurant. We had the restaurant week menu and a couple more items from their regular menu: nothing stood out. Their cooking style is very classic, not to say boring, but the execution is sloppy and the service was seriously lacking professionalism. Our bread was cold and a bit stale, for example. When we complained that the roasted potatoes around our meat main were severely undercooked (as in crunchy feeling, like a cucumber, seriously) we received barely a nod. I had the impression my waiter did not understand English so well, to be honest. I asked for the spirits menu and they had less choice than my own bar cabinet. I am really not sure whether that was an off night or I had too high expectations or restaurant week was the wrong time... one thing I have no doubt about, though: we will not be back.
(2)Jenny H.
Restaurant Week lunch at The Lobby far exceeded my expectations-- sunlit, high ceiling grandeur with delightful varieties of tiny bites! APPETIZER BAR self serve of butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My friends enjoyed sampling rock shrimp from delicately arranged martini glasses SEARED SCALLOPS tender and perfectly seared with scrumptious parsnip puree DESSERT BAR self serve of tarts, cupcakes, mousse, and cheesecake. I loved sampling all of them; however their chocolate cupcake was a little too dry for my liking. Overall, a wonderful girls' lunch! I loved the space. I thought it was hilarious that every single time we got up and left our napkin, we'd return with them neatly folded! I will be back for afternoon tea!
(4)Sangeeta K.
My husband and I went to The Lobby as part of the restaurant week a couple of days ago. My husband is a vegetarian so he was forced to order a la carte. He got the succulent melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi for appetizer and grilled cauliflower for main course. He loved both the items though I did think that the cauliflower was a bit too charred. I got the endive apple and ham salad with shrimp bouillabaisse! Both items were delicious. Since it was the Chinese new year, they had an AMAZING dessert buffet on the house. The decor is grandiose and the live band was great. We really had a good time and we will definitely come back for more.
(4)Gretchen D.
Lovely place. Great decor. Surprisingly quiet for such a large room. As others have mentioned--the cello-guitar duo is great fun to listen to. The floral arrangements were lovely. Went on Friday night. The service was perfect. Friendly and attentive. Husband had mixed greens salad which was perfectly dressed. I had the squash salad which was wonderful. Delightful toasted wild rice. Nice perfectly cooked hunks of winter squash. Husband had the short ribs which was really good. I had the Tagliolini. The pasta was fresh and good texture. I could have done with a bit more Parmesan and fewer mushrooms, but it is a good dish. We shared a sticky toffee pudding. We asked to switch the ice cream for another flavor. They happily complied. By the way, the raisins give new meaning to the phrase 'rum soaked"! After dinner, they brought maroons and chocolates. then as we were preparing to go, the server brought little wrapped pound cakes to take with us. Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Really 4.5 stars, because I try to be stingy with the fives...
(4)Matt O.
This place is amazing! The food is excellent and reasonably priced considering it's the Peninsula Hotel. We sat by the windows overlooking the ice skating rink which was really well decorated for the Holiday season and it was snowing outside - so it just looked idyllic. There was a string duo playing live music during dinner which was really very nice. There were only three or maybe four other tables having dinner while we were there on a Saturday night. If you don't want to deal with a loud and cramped dining room and want good food for about $25 - $30 an entree, then go to the Lobby! The strip steak was delicious! The pork entree was very good too. They give you an amuse which is a small cup of mushroom soup - at least it was for us last weekend - and that was delicious too. We unfortunately did not have the infamous Chicken, but we'll be back to try it!
(5)Jen W.
I love going to afternoon tea here. The service is impeccable and so accommodating. My mother is lactose and they made a special tea set for her. Furthermore, I love how the sandwiches and finger foods always change. I would definitely recommend coming here for high tea.
(5)Brooke B.
Went here for a dinner on a Thursday evening w/ some girlfriends. This place is beautiful. High ceilings, chandeliers and the first class service you'd expect from the Peninsula. Here's my most memorable thoughts of the evening: #1 I love that mini symphony. I believe there were two violinists and cello player. They were amazing. Playing the most atypical music you'd expect. Rihanna, Cream, Queen...and they were so good that you could easily identify the song just a few notes in. I could've listened to them all night. #2 The service was great. Our server was a young man, friendly, not stuffy like you may expect in a place like this. At the end of the evening, he even brought us extra truffles. Just a nice guy. Other than that, there were different people clearing plates, filling waters and bringing warm breads. Nothing but the best, of course! #3 Are we really the youngest ones here?? Yes. We were. Most of the diners were probably guests at the hotel. This may be a romantic dinner spot because it's quiet, intimate and dimly lit. But if a bunch of gray hairs isn't your scene, you may want to choose otherwise. #4 I guess I should mention that food! Beautiful presentations, not super small portions, but not huge either. I enjoyed an Heirloom Carrot salad with bulgar wheat which was flavorful and just right. The crunch of the bulgar wheat (like it was toasted) left me feeling cozy. And the Mushroom Tagliatelle was also delicious. I think the pasta was homemade and the sauce was just right. Not too heavy and not too light. Just a blissful dinner! #5 Did I really just pay $23 to valet my car for TWO HOURS? Indeed, I did. If you can find street parking, walk the block or so. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I know I could've round-tripped a cab for less!
(4)Lauren S.
I am not sure how I feel. I went here on Friday night. We were in and out in 45 minutes. Very attentive service & very accommodating. I wanted the mushroom tagliatele with no mushroom (ie pasta with butter and cheese) and they did so. The salad was pretty good too. I went here tonight. WHOMP. It took them 3 hours, the service was absolutely awful this time. 4 star experience first time, 2 star second time (because the food itself was good) so an average of 3 stars
(3)Agnes L.
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula = ultra classy yet overrated. With live string quartet music in the background and the fancy hats for display, the atmosphere is formal and austere. I was happy we had a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows to let in a lot of light and help us feel not so stuffy. My group of six ordered the champagne with our tea service and thoroughly enjoyed the plethora of tea choices. (Each one of us got a different pot.) The server was extremely helpful in suggesting flavors that catered to our taste buds. However, the food was honestly disappointing. The sweet treats were beautiful, but out of all of them, the one with the most depth in flavor was the chocolate/peanut butter cake with gold flake. It was rich, decadent, but not too sweet. The others (tarts, marzipan, etc.) were not terrible but also did not really stand out too much to me. In fact, they all felt a bit flat or expected. What was worse were the tea sandwiches. There were four or five varieties, all decked out in heavy mayo - chicken salad in mayo, smoked salmon with mayo, tuna with mayo, etc. They were small in size but not at all dainty in flavor. And, again, all pretty bland. It was definitely worth the experience of trying out the place, but I would probably only return for a special occasion.
(3)Jessica N.
I came to Afternoon Tea for a bridal shower and had a fantastic time. The food and service were both top notch, so am surprised to see some of the negative service reviews listed! Also, while it seems awkward to have a private event in a large room with passersby, it really had an intimate feel because the noise level of others events is not too noticeable. Our server Don was amazing (would recommend requesting him in the future if you go, he's been there for 8 years. Scones were delicious, came with creamed butter, raspberry jam, and lemon curd. Then the tea service came out. I got the jasmine tea which was very good. They came by midway through to refill the pots with water. And the food was also quite good. 4 items on the savory side all good: Smoked Salmon/Asparagus - One of my favorite things all day. Everything really well balanced Mini ham sandwich - Nice hint of arugula to make it a little different Roasted vegetable tea sandwich - who wouldn't like portabella, peppers, and squash on a sandwich? There were a ton of desserts and despite the food all looking small and dainty it was quite filling. Hands down the best dessert was a hazelnut tiramisu looking bite with a chocolate crisp on top. SO good. It seems like a splurge for a regular afternoon, but was great for a special occasion. Service staff was extremely accommodating (getting us garbage bags for the wrapping paper, scissors and tape for our ribbon project, bellman to help bring the presents down). All done quite well!
(4)David T.
Few restaurant experiences have lived up to the expectations my wife & I had for "The Lobby." Visiting Chicago for just one night (away from our four children) we were initially overwhelmed by the list of great options. Ultimately we decided against trendy (i.e. LOUD) for something more comfortable. The Lobby was Awesome! Let's start with the space: simply stunning, HUGE, yet comfortable. Service? Fantastic. No fewer than 7 different personnel assisted us throughout our apps (on the couch) to our dinner (at one of the stunning window seats). And why about the reason for going out...the food? I was concerned that it might be too conservative / simple for me. Wrong The intensity of flavors / ingredients in every dish were amazing! A few favs: Lobster Roll App (loved the tarragon) - Shaved Carrot Salad (too much to describe) and finally the chicken for two. Yes...it is that good. Literally the first time I have ever ordered pollo in a fancy restaurant and it was EPIC. Hands down the best meat ever. Long story short if you want a classy night out with beautiful food in an incredible space...you can't do much better than The Lobby. - David (Cleveland)
(5)Rebecca M.
I LOVE THE LOBBY! Classy and delicious! The service here is impeccable and they definitely aim to please! We missed Tea Time by an hour but the waiter was so kind and gave us a sampling of their cute pastries anyway :) So glad we got to experience lunch here!
(5)Eric D.
The Lobby at The Peninsula, and Chef Lee Wolen in particular, have made it clear to me that customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to their success. In fact, as beautiful as its cuisine is-- and to be clear, The Lobby serves some of the most expertly prepared food I've ever enjoyed-- hospitality at The Lobby occupies a realm of excellence that few restaurants achieve. After a previous dining experience to celebrate a friend's birthday, we were invited back to celebrate my big day, as well. Birthdays are one of the few luxuries most of us get to enjoy, and I'm very appreciate of establishments that understand the privilege of celebrating special occasions with their patrons. Personally speaking, I just enjoyed one of my most memorable birthday dinners, and I have Chef Wolen and his staff to thank for such an exceptional experience. Upon arriving, we were seated immediately, and received visits from several staff members who took a genuine interest in insuring our comfort and satisfaction. I've dined at restaurants where this behavior can quickly become unwelcome, but the staff of The Lobby are polite without being overbearing, and in my experience, only serve to augment the dining experience. If the food weren't so damn good, one could easily write an entire review based on the service alone. But the food really is that good. I've been very fortunate to eat well, and eat well globally; The Lobby's cuisine is among the best à la carte I've eaten. Chef Wolen doesn't rest on the reputation he's established; I can only eat in the here and now, and what I have during each visit to The Lobby is outstanding beyond compare. Foods are expertly prepared, plated like works of art, and taste every bit as good as one could hope. I continue to find myself stunned by the quality and consistency of Chef Wolen's dishes. Even when I enjoy a great meal, it's rare that every plate is a winner. Dinner at The Lobby is frequently such a meal, however, and it certainly was this evening. We began with an amuse of corn soup and lobster (a sizable chunk, too), and were then treated to a work-in-progress artichoke + fennel salad that satisfied on many levels (salt, sweet, fragrant, blah blah blah). For appetizers, we enjoyed plates of octopus + chorizo, foie gras + blueberry, and ricotta gnochi. Each dish was excellent individually, complemented one another, and left us hungering for seconds. Realistically though, we had so much damn food tonight that we were not left wanting for anything more. Following appetizers, we were offered a gorgeous plate of skate cheek and tomato consomme. Fish cheek is a delicacy (and yields a small serving in comparison to the fish as a whole), so I was touched that the kitchen would send our table such an outstanding dish. We were then served our mains: lamb loin for my friend, tagliolini + truffle for me. I needn't write that each dish was excellent, but each was. The lamb was cooked to perfection and served with medallions of sausage; my pasta was topped with ample truffle and a cream sauce that bathed my tongue in a joy. We finished our evening with two desserts: a passion fruit soufflé, and a chocolate cremeux that was somewhere between a pudding and a fudge-- and supremely decadent. We all have a choice when it comes to where we dine, and where we celebrate life's special occasions. Chef Wolen and his staff have demonstrated, beyond a doubt, that The Lobby is a worthy host for any special celebration, and a must for dining at its very best.
(5)David C.
So, nothing called "The Lobby" should be this nice. It isn't a lobby--it is the dining space of a five star hotel. Something I wish I knew before we sauntered in looking for an upscale but casual lunch. The basic idea is for $29, you get an all-you-can-eat appetizer and dessert bar, and a pick of one of the three specials. I'm not a huge fan of buffets but it made absolute zero sense to order a $25 a la carte entree, especially when you have a freakin' cornucopia of gourmet-looking goodies in the center of the room. I got scallops, she got short ribs. They were both awesome. I was expecting Restaurant Week action specials and was happy to find my scallops perfect. The appetizers were great. Though I probably should've hammered home a few crab salad shots, I spent the majority of my stomach space eating grilled veggies, asparagus, and cold cuts (you will see from my next few reviews and my last few reviews that I ate an absurd amount of pig in a 7-day period). The dessert bar, on the other hand, was much more fun to look at then to eat. Desserts looked gourmet. All sorts of little tort cakes, some weak macaroons, mini lemon desserts, chocolate covered almonds. A lot of fruit. It looked good but was pretty weak. Good news is it was the only weak spot of the lunch. Service was good, the place was beautiful overlooking the little oriental garden, and if we had more time, we should have meandered through the halls and explored the classy ass hotel.
(4)Holly G.
I admire the way The Lobby at The Peninsula caters for a wide variety of guests without any fuss because it's based in a hotel and you'll have residents dining as well. That said, there is nothing I could place at fault with them. The interior is not overstated in design and is appropriate for dinners that prefer a quiet setting with a romantic touch. There is the option of the a la carte or five course menus but either way you'll get stuffed. The quality of food is up there and my wife and I are regular dinners here because of the fantastic food and quality service plus the parting gifts that we always get as a bonus. The Lobby offers a great collection of drinks and live music that is not intrusive but just right. I can't think of a better restaurant located in a hotel within Chicago.
(5)Daniel M.
Excellent service as expected! Had Sunday brunch - oh so many great food to eat and the dessert table was equally great! We will be back soon! Went back for afternoon tea. Celebrated New Year 2015. Occasionally stopped by for more food and cafe.
(5)Izzy N.
Lordy. I've been to the lobby at the Peninsula a couple times for lunch and brunch but never for the chocolate bar or afternoon tea. Afternoon tea- you're up next on my calendar. The chocolate bar didn't disappoint even though there is no longer a chocolate fountain offered. *weeps* Here's my summary on what's important to know when it comes to doing the chocolate bar: *reservations -it's better to be safe than sorry imo. *it's offered from 8pm-midnight -when they start to close the lobby and clean up. Fridays and Saturdays only. *at least come here in business casual attire. *it's 40/person *pace yourself. You have all night. Even though I'd cover my plate with a lot, I spaced this out with a lot of lingering and conversation with my friends at the table. It's not an eating competition but I did want to try all that was offered, except I forgot the crepes! oh well next time.. *to survive and withstand all that sweetness, I ordered something savory on the side. In this case I ordered truffle fries with an herby aioli to cut all that chocolate and sugar. It was fantastic by the way and I was ready for round 3. *it's not all chocolate that's offered. That was nice and it helped with not becoming too chocolated out. *go with a cocktail that's not chocolate influenced. I paired my desserts with their cocktail, strawberry fields. It's stiff and wonderful. With lime and crushed strawberries. I would love to return again for this and looking at the pictures, it looks like they offer different selections sometimes. (hello picture with chocolate covered strawberries and what looks like creme brulee) This was a wonderful end to a busy work week and to kick off the weekend. There is a jazz band playing and it makes for a very relaxing evening. Loved. It.
(5)George D.
A truly amazing experience everything was good and the service is really splendid.. I do recommend making a reservation specially for dinner and also have been to the brunch (buffet style) really worth it.. Although kind of expensive.
(5)Sue D.
Food was delicious! Went there for dinner. Loved the chicken dish and the shrimp dish! Fois grais appetizer was good. The dessert sampler was a treat. Great and friendly service! Ambience was relaxing and nice. There was live music which was a nice touch.
(5)Jason A.
My quest of ticking all the Michelin's lead me here on a celebratory evening. I know there's a new chef since Lee left, but after glowing reviews online I was hoping for much better. First of, ambiance wise this place blows. Its literally a hotel lobby, with no restaurant feel, its generic as can be. Piano music, hotel guests, I was about 50 years to young to be here. The menu is boring and uninspiring, few choices jump off the menu as must tries. I started with the foie, classically prepared, very solid, but its tough to mess up foie. My wife had the salad, which was a total flop of mostly just mixed greens and light dressing which you could barely taste. I was excited by my entree a dover wrapped scallop. The scallop was quite good but way to small and expensive for a quarter dollar sized meal for $31. The pea sauce was overly salty and ruined the dish. Service was good. Overall, terrible atmosphere, overpriced and unimaginative. A skip.
(3)Lana R.
Hubby and I went last night for our 6th wedding anniversary...granted, it was a Monday night, so we pretty much had the (huge ) place to ourselves, but I have to say that the service (as well as the food) went above and beyond... We were greeted warmly and seated immediately, by the window. Our waitress, Amber, gave some recommendations for appetizers as well as wine (my husband had octupus, which he loved, and I had the chilled asparagus soup, which was served beautifully, and tasted just as perfect). We ordered the whole roasted chicken for two, based on previous Yelp recommendations...and it was as incredible as everyone said it would be...we usually never get chicken at restaurants, because we always figure that it'll be boring and the usual...this was totally not. Tender, perfectly seasoned chicken with the most delicious baby potatoes on the side.. My husband told them that it was our anniversary, so they brought us two glasses of an amazing champagne, complimentary...as well as a beautiful (and seriously delicious) chocolate/hazelnut dessert, with "Happy Anniversary" written on a piece of white chocolate...so sweet...we ordered coffee and they brought out truffles to go with it. When we said that we were totally full and asked to take the truffles home to our daughter, they not only packaged them up, but also brought 2 small packaged carrot cakes to take home AND a box of chocolates as gifts. WAY Above and Beyond...oh, and the bill was way less than we expected for such a nice place... We were really impressed and truly had an amazing dinner with perfect romantic ambiance (I forgot to mention that there was really (not elevator, but popular) nice music playing, and impeccable service. Huge props to Amber and the rest of the staff last night. We will definitely be back!
(5)Keney C.
After our not-so-amazing dinner at Shanghai Terrace, we were told by our waiter that we must go to the Lobby for the chocolate bar. Let me tell you - it does not disappoint. For someone with a big sweet tooth, it was awesome! Basically it's a dessert buffet where you can "sample" all the different chocolates, etc they have. There's a hot chocolate station, various bite sized chocolates, and other desserts. The set up is absolutely stunning. Their attention to detail is fantastic and the service and "food" was excellent. Immediately after we were seated, a waiter came over to ask if we wanted a drink and/or cappuccino, etc. They were so polite and helpful. There is so much seating available that it wasn't cramped or overwhelming. It's $40 a person but if you go to Shanghai Terrace for dinner or drinks, it's $20 a person which isn't bad. It's definitely a must try spot at least once in your lifetime! I haven't seen anything quite like it. Great job!!
(5)Colleen C.
Pinky up. When a dear friend suggested the girls do high tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel) on my short trip to my beloved Chicago, I squealed with delight, replied immediately, invited my mother and went out to buy a new dress. Priorities. Of course, we opted for the sparkly version...($68/pp) CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Traditional Afternoon Tea + a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (I die of happiness). My mother isn't into bubbles (I know, where did I come from?) and they were very happy to substitute white wine for her. I will say, I don't know if this is common but the "top ups" on the champagne and wine were gracious. It wasn't expected but it was absolutely welcome. Insider tip -- being polite and looking the part (faking it is fine! I do!) invites some insider perks. Maybe they do this for everyone!? I don't know but it certainly prolonged our very enjoyable experience. And it was all it was cracked up to be. The service absolutely impeccable from start to finish. These guys have it on LOCK. It's spendy, but you'll leave your afternoon tea experience feeling full of far more than delicious tea and small sandwiches/petit desserts -- it's an experience to be savored and enjoyed. To slow down and enjoy the company you are with. To wear something nicer than usual. To indulge and be delighted for an afternoon. I suggest you make a booking, cheers! *Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Children's Afternoon Tea menus available upon request.
(5)Mike L.
We came for Sunday Brunch - I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me; 1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact - not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever - I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor. We've never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed He's the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure 'everything' was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!! You don't have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons - my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer - never. 2) The food was excellent; don't get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more - they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3-4 times. And there weren't that many people dining. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above. Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back.
(4)K I.
We reserved for the dinner. It was empty and so I was puzzled. The male host knew that we came for dinner. The waiter took the order for the drink for my husband, and we waited for it. This waiter disappeared. We started to wonder around 5 min...but it was the Peninsula Hotel and so we tried our best to be patient. Finally we asked about the drink and we decided to leave since we even didn't get the menu. The host was lazy obviously, and the waiter who took our order didn't come back and other one delivered the drink after 20 min. It was the worst service we have ever had. The Lobby isn't the place for dinner. The desert they had looks good and cute, but they were not as tasty as they looked when we had for lunch at other time. I overlooked the patio downstair which seems to be the better place to eat at this hotel. The Lobby don't have the Peninsula hotel's quality. The service will be the disgrace for the Peninsula hotel's reputation. I hope they review and fix it in the near future. It is just a matter of managements. In addition, I, as a woman, hold the door for the porter and doorman this time since they looked very busy, and he didn't thank me. The hotel workers lost all the manners as the 5 star hotel. They were supposed to help the guests instead of being helped by the guests.
(1)Diana D.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel's Lobby is so fun and unique! For about $65 per person, you can pretend to be fancy British people enjoying your afternoon tea and finger foods. And it's UNLIMITED, yes, ALL YOU CAN!! They don't really advertise that part, but when our waiter came by to check on us he asked if there was any particular dish we wanted more of. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I blurted out, "Is it free?" LOL! I'm such a commoner! How did I not know this was a buffet? Because there isn't any sign that says so. It doesn't even mention it on the menu. Anyway, I did take advantage of AYCE and I even snatched a to go box stuffed with more food. Yes, I'm so ghetto. So the food is actually really tasty little bites of sandwiches, desserts, and scones. My favorites were the fried risotto balls and smoked salmon thingy. I love tea and they had a bunch to pick from. Service was great. Other patrons were mainly tourists and old people. There was a ADA convention going on at the hotel that weekend, so there were tons of dentists there. I would definitely recommend afternoon tea at The Lobby! We made reservations a few weeks in advance.
(5)ms t.
Great service. Grande ambiance. String duet. Amazing teas. Average biscuits and sandwiches. I can't say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn't even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service.
(4)T T.
Afternoon Tea is the most beautuful experience! The ambience, the finger foods, the scones and especially the tea. Great for a cold wintery day in Chicago
(5)Jackie M.
I came here for the chef week lunch special $22 which was a good deal for the food and ambiance. The salad and dessert were self serve/buffet style and you get a choice of entree (diver scallop, housemade paste, or apricot glazed pork tenderloin). Salad bar - charchuterie choices include various meat and brie cheese, cooked lobster/rice noodle in a martini glass (I had 2!), pasta salad, creamless tomatoe soup, shitake, cucumbers, green salad, variety of dressing (housemade?), seasoned fried califlower. These choices may sound simple, but the flavor and presentation was fancy. Dessert - diced fresh fruit bowl, nutella macaron (OMG), pistachio macaron (meh), pistachio chocolate opera, brandied cherry creme brulee/custard, chocolate pudding/mousse, strawberry tart (GOOOOD), and 2 choices of chocolate (dark or almond). It was European style pastry and they were all goood!!! It came with 2 diver jumbo scallop and was cooked just right. The sauce, purple yam, and bacon was a good compliment to the scallop. The pasta was good, but the portion was quite small. Overall, the ambiance was really nice and relaxing. However, it did took awhile before the waitress took our order. Well she did seem busy attending to multiple table. Overall, the waitress was attentive afterward. Will definitely go back to try the afternoon tea or dessert buffet!
(5)Mindy H.
I've been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :) The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I've been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette... and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets! For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts. All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I've heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :)
(5)Alfred L.
First time for everything! Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know....one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn't say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical. So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2-4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite. Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place.
(3)Mehran F.
GROSS and not worth the price. Guys, please train your people on basic hygiene. The server was sweaty on his face, wiped sweat off his face and touched the menu and dishes. Come on, get real. (this review is on behalf of my wife who was disappointed with her experience today. My wife has been going to Penninsula Lobby last few years, maybe twice or three times a year, normally taking out of country guests there. Her mother in particular likes the place....but today is last time. Reservation made. They had to wait around 15 or 20 minutes still to be seated. In fact, the hostess had even confused them with another party. Food, in comparison with prior times: less variety, not as good as before. And certainly the sweat experience did not make the whole thing such an appetizing afternoon tea for her and her three friends. For about $120 per person, one gotta have the decency and integrity to create some value... As much as I'd avoid Starbucks, i tend to imagine you get a more consistent "value" and certainly hygiene there, and if you do not, the dent in your pocket would not leave you wondering, WTF.
(1)Cindy H.
Read on yelp afternoon tea was "all you can eat". For $55/person I was happy to hear it. Called to check, lady told me "no, but we will refill the plate once". I was charged double for an extra plate of food for a child. Probably won't be back. Used to love this place. Meh.
(2)Safina Z.
Went for brunch...the food s not bad. The waitress was very nice...dunt like the view...
(3)Nisha P.
Went here for a romantic dinner date with my fiancé. The food was great! The goat cheese tortellini appetizer was amazing. I got the short ribs entree which was truly delicious. The bread they gave us at the beginning of the meal was bacon brioche which was godly. Overall, the food was delicious but not worth the price. Our meal ended up being nearly 75 per person which was unnecessary. Definitely a "white table cloth" kind of restaurant. I tend to prefer a trendier, hipster vibe :)
(4)Christine L.
Ambience - A little hotel-y, but very swanky so perfect. Food - Perfect Service - Perfect I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time. One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs. The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu! As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke puree with tempura'ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal. Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians...) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :) I can't wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both??
(5)Christina B.
Impeccable service and even better brunch spot. Now, the prices are little bit more than your average Chicago brunch place but the quality of food and service matches. The french toast was the real deal and the side of thick bacon was perfect. For coffee lovers, the coffee was pretty solid too. Great spot to "wow" out of towners and entertain business partners.
(5)Happiness L.
I have been to the Lobby on numerous occasions throughout the past 8 years. Let me say that I love Francisco! He is absolutely one of the most stellar waiters who has ever helped me anywhere I have ever dined. In the past service was usually excellent yet at times was below par at this location. Today we went for high tea and so far it is the very best one in Chicago that I have experienced. I can understand why they sell out over the holiday season. In addition I have been to the Lobby for breakfast and their executive lunch in the past. I also had the pleasure of enjoying their chocolate night with music. I highly recommend dining here especially during the holidays when they have their gorgeous tree in the dining room. Happy!
(5)Kitt R.
Beautiful place for breakfast and lunch in the lobby of the penisula. The food is good and the service is great. It's a very bright and open space in the lobby and is a great place to start your day.
(5)Linda T.
My initial impression was to give The Lobby 3 or 4 stars. The setting was nothing notable at first glance (simply a large hotel lobby), and the prices are sky high. However, as our experience progressed, I became more and more impressed to the point where I felt the price tag was justified, and a 5 star review is warranted. We were seated next to the window, which overlooked an ice skating rink. Adorbs... In the middle of our lunch, I looked up and noticed a balcony with a cellist and a violinist! I thought the ambient music was pre-recorded until then. The string duo definitely added charm. As for our food, I was blown away. I ordered the full tea service. At first glance, the tower was not so impressive. But as I took each piece onto my plate, I was able to appreciate how delicate everything was, especially the desserts. There was this one cake in particular that had a decorative white chocolate piece placed on top; it was a thin, triangular plate with orange marbling... It was beautiful. Of course, presentation aside, everything tasted delicious! In addition to my perfect meal, I had a bite of my friend's lobster sandwich, and wow... I'm salivating just thinking about it! So so juicy!! I also loved their tea. We had the lychee and the ginger. Both were good, but I liked the lychee a little better. All in all, I was glad I got to experience The Lobby! I'll shoot to come back around Christmas next time. It just strikes me as a place that can deliver overwhelming holiday cheer! So yes... I intend to write an update review.
(5)Lisa B.
If you can't stay at the Pen, head on over in the morning to have a lovely breakfast in the Lobby. The decor is five star fabulous, the service is stellar and the food is consistently above the bar. I'm a bit of a bore at breakfast. When I travel I always have one poached egg on wheat toast with a tomato and steamed spinach. I wash that down with a fine cup of Joe while I peruse the NYT and enjoy the serene surroundings. Sadly the day I was there I was harassed by a monster of a child who was allowed not only by the child's mother, but by the rest of the staff to run wild around our tables screaming at the top of his lungs. This went on for nearly thirty minutes. Everyone in the restaurant was bothered and I was really annoyed that the family was not asked to keep the child quiet. Had it been five minutes, it would have been one thing, but it went on for the entire time I was in the restaurant and it ruined my meal. I believe my breakfast cost me well over $50 and for an egg and a piece of toast, a high-end restaurant has the responsibility of making sure its guests are comfortable. Other than that....great place.
(3)Chary H.
Brunch here is amazing. Though I prefer to come around the holidays because it is beautifully decorated, brunch here is great any time of year. The only aspect I don't like is how disorganized the set up seemed this time. It's pricey but we'll worth it. Definitely make reservations in advance.
(4)Isabelle L.
I have a great experience having high tea with my sister on Sunday afternoon. The setting is nice and server is super friendly . We stay there for 2 hours and we enjoy the tea and food .
(4)Horace L.
When I was young, my aunt told me that the best way to judge a restaurant is by the bread. Because of this I knew instantly that my dinners at The Lobby would be great - they used to have a bread basket that would knock your socks off. A couple years ago they served a small whole wheat seeded baguette with several kinds of phenomenal butter. Recently they changed to generic crap butter and a seeded braided monstrosity that used to only plague room service orders. This is clearly not the most important thing to take away from a restaurant, but it's my main concern now. Especially since the service and the rest of the food is generally terrific, the current breadbasket is a massive stain on The Lobby's sterling reputation. My wife and daughter agree, so the only conclusion is that a brainless executive is trying to save money, not make the full experience a pleasure.
(3)Karma K.
You simply cannot have a bad dining experience here! I've been here for lunch and afternoon tea. Both experiences were phenomenal and I don't use that word often. The setting is lovely and just what you would expect from the Peninsula. The food, oh the food...presented beautifully and tastes even better. I would love to return for dinner with my husband. He's more of a diner and beer type guy but I'll bribe him to come here!
(5)Haibei Z.
1. Very nice place to have dinner for lovers; also good for business dinners. 2. Waiter was nice, polite and helpful. 3. Oysters were served with 3 flavor a and were among the best ones I've ever had. 4. Duck breast is not recommended especially if you have ever tasted the real Beijing duck. 5. For $20 per person you can have a "chocolate buffet" after dinner. Dozens of choices and the presentations were spectacular. Chocolate and the desserts in the buffet were too sweet for my own preference though. Overall a very good place to go if you have a short trip to Chicago and don't want to spent $500 pp in the 3-star Micheline.
(5)Laura P.
Hosted my sisters bridal shower here and it could not have been more amazing. It is true the service here is a little bit more than some other places, but it is completely worth it. After coming here I wouldn't even spend money on tea service at any other place. The staff was so nice and accommodating. We had several special requests and they met everyone of our needs. We got there early to set up. We brought in our own floral centerpieces. They gave us special chairs and table cloths and as requested were seated in the corner by the window. It was just so perfect! We also had several special dietary requests (unfortunately one was last minute) but they were sure to accommodate everyone. We had both vegetarians gluten free ladies in our group. The food and tea were really good. The ambiance and decor is impeccable. They have live musicians playing in the background. You feel like royalty just being there. They even brought out a special piece of cake just for the bride. After we finished the tea out waiter was kind enough to organize our large group for a picture which turned out really well. They even packed up all my sisters gifts and took them down to our car for us. We used valet parking, which might be expensive but parking in this area can be really difficult so I recommend using it. Even the valet staff was just so nice. When it comes to tea service this will be my go to spot. And I should mention before selecting this place I tired several others in the city but nothing that was as fantastic as this!
(5)Umair H.
While I had earmarked a number of venues for my 1st anniversary, celebrating at The Lobby at the Peninsula was the right choice for all the key reasons: ambiance, service, cuisine quality and choice, and uniqueness. We were seated in the best section of the room - the table overlooking the Terrace through floor to ceiling windows. Our waiter was both attentive and very helpful in terms of selection of both drinks and food items. We started by ordering a few appetizers but most noteworthy was the Australian Smoked Beef Carpaccio. For entrees, my wife ordered the much recommended Jumbo Prawns prepared East Asian style while I ordered Veal Cheeks, which were delicious and moist, with an expected consistency of short rib and flavor profiles blending savory, smoky, and light saltiness. For dessert, we were treated with an anniversary strawberry sorbet and also ordered the flourless chocolate cake. Overall, a memorable night to mark a significant personal milestone.
(5)Jennie C.
Love the afternoon tea here, even though it's an indulgence I can't afford too often. I opted for coffee instead of tea and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee. However, it is less convenient than tea because you have to wait for the waiter to refill, rather than at your own pace, and the coffee gets cold faster. The sandwiches and desserts were all top-notch - beautiful to look at and taste equally good. Having just tried the Drake not long ago, I have to say Peninsula wins hands down (in terms of food quality)!
(4)Stephanie L.
Meh...I was wanting to love the "absolute must" of afternoon tea, but it left me lackluster and disappointed. I took my mom and sister's here for afternoon tea. I had read all of the reviews and it just seemed like something different, fun, upscale, etc. The Lobby is on OpenTable, however you cant make reservations for afternoon tea on there. So I had to call and talk to someone, which I dont like doing. Boo. When we arrived at 330, the room wasnt quite ready so they pointed to a sitting area until they could seat us. We waited and saw several others getting seated. We waited and waited. Finally I started to give the server's the eye...WTH??? This is not what I expected when they charge $50 a head for tea. The hostess came over and said that our table was ready...clearly, she had forgotten about us. She even had to ask for the reservation name again. Annoying for this "caliber" of restaurant. Boo. The tea and the food left much to be desired. It definitely tasted mass produced, sitting in the cooler for awhile. Meh. The sandwiches were disappointed. The desserts faired a little better. I did like the tea, but they didnt give you sugar, cream, etc unless you asked...which again, I find interesting. Boo. Now the one thing that I can say that I loved was our server. He was excellent at explaining the menu, giving suggestions and trying to accommodate everyone. Two thumbs up to Eric. YAY. Lastly, they automatically charge a 20% authorization with a credit card??? So I called because they clearly overcharged me on my account, but they stated that they authorize an extra 20% but it will only be charged the base...?? Never heard of such a thing. Boo. I definitely think this is a SKIP...go somewhere else...this is less than impressive.
(2)Tiffany L.
For some strange reason whenever I think of afternoon tea, I picture little Michelle Tanner tap-dancing frenetically and singing "tea for two and two for tea". (Actually now Downton Abbey is back on, I just picture having tea with the Dowager while she makes sassy comments to me.) I have been to the Peninsula for tea twice and unfortunately there is no little girl dancing and serenading me, nor is Professor Gonagall there. C'mon, I hear the Drake has a harpist for entertainment! Fortunately the service is very good and the tea set and silverware is all silver, and I imagine they have their own Mr. Carson in the back polishing all the silver. The tea sandwiches and mini desserts are all very pleasant to look at, but I am torn otherwise. While I understand it must take an enormous amount of work to create all these delicacies, I was sad to bite into slightly stale bread on my cucumber sandwich and a cold mini empanada. And I would have loved to see sugar cubes instead of sugar packets. Also I think you have to specifically ask for butter and jam for the scones. Bonus stars if they offered clotted cream. The $50 price tag includes three tiers of finger foods and a pot of tea (tea might be unlimited, I'm not sure, I decided to try two different types, but really, how much tea could your stomach possibly hold?). I was actually really full and even took the scones home, It's fun to go at least once for the experience. Be fun and wear a fancy hat!
(4)Vaidehi T.
3 and a half stars! Visited The Lobby last Saturday for their restaurant week menu. The setting is beautiful and luxurious. The ambiance will sweep you over for sure. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. The salad bar was ok - nothing jumped out at me as mind blowing. There was a variety of stuff, something for every palate. For the main course my hubby chose the potato gnocchi, and I chose the arctic char in chicken jus. The potato gnocchi dish was pretty flavorful with all the components, but the gnocchi itself was quite dense and doughy. But we still enjoyed that dish. The arctic char was a bit of a disappointment. It came with the celery root, onions and brussel sprouts. I did not enjoy the texture of the onions and the celery root. Also the fish was a bit strong for my taste. Next was the dessert - this is their strongest course. The dessert buffet looked beautiful and enticing. There was macaroons, fruit salads, different kind of cakes, mousse... basically something for everybody. All in all it was an enjoyable experience because of the beautiful ambiance and great service.
(4)J B.
We went on a Friday evening for a couple glasses of wine and the Chocolate Buffet. Décor: Beautiful looking room, wonderful display of all the desserts, nice live background music Food / Drinks: the wine was very good and the Chocolate Buffet...DIVINE! Service: Has to be some of the BEST service in all of Chicago. No detail goes untouched. Pricing: It is definitely up there, but well worth it Overall, it was a 5 STAR experience at the Best Hotel in Chicago. Look forward to returning soon!
(5)Yi-Jie W.
Went here for afternoon tea. I think it was way too hyped up, I've been to afternoon teas that cost less than half as much and are just as good. Service and ambiance was very good, I would give it 4.5 stars. Had to wait a while in the beginning because I came 5 minutes early. One I was seated though, the servers were very prompt and attentive, offering me things without me having to ask. I was seated by the window and there was a cute view of an ice-rink. The actual tea and food did not impress me though. I had chosen the vanilla scented black tea and the tea was weak compared to what I was used to. The best part of the food was the scones. They were fresh and warm and came with really delicious cream lemon curd. The sandwiches and desserts were disappointing. The sandwiches were meh, not bad but not great, none of them really stood out. Didn't taste freshly made. The desserts were really pretty, but flavor wise, I only liked this mini apple tart. I couldn't taste any filling in the lime macaron, I was expecting it to be much more tart but it was just sweet. It was a good experience, but I don't think I will be returning. I'd recommend going to Pierrot Gourmet instead (also at the Peninsula). Similar food, but better value and tastes less ready-made.
(3)Menglu W.
I went to The Lobby restaurant last weekend. It is a really good place to have a lunch. The Lobby is in the Peninsula hotel, which is a Michelin one star restaurant. I went there for the restaurant week, so I had the special restaurant week menu and price. It was a good experience. The serves are so nice and food is tasty. Also, the price was just $22. The first time I can't book a seat on Sunday that because all the seats were full. But the stuff is really nice and patient. I booked a seat on Monday. She answered my entire question about the location, the food, and the price. When I arrived there, the stuff helped me chose a wonderful seat which beside the window. I love the good snow view outside the window. My friend and I felt so comfortable because the service. For the restaurant week lunch, appetizer and desserts were from the buffet and you could choose a main course from the menu. I choose the beef loin with beans. The beef was tender and pretty flavorful. But the beans were a little bit salty. The appetizer and dessert are beautiful and luxurious. There were some dishes with several of fruits, Spanish sausage, vegetable salads and kinds of cakes and chocolates. Also, we spent a wonderful afternoon teatime after the lunch. We ordered the coffee which was nearly $6 per cup. The lunch's price for restaurant week was just $22. It was very cheap for a Michelin restaurant and it was valuable. All in all, it was a lovely and enjoyable experience here. I will be back there in the future.
(4)Tom M.
Executive lunch menu: accurately priced at 32$. The appetizers and desserts buffet is limited but largely enough to satisfy all appetites and curiousity. Various salades, charcuteries and cheeses. All is fresh, tasty, simple but original. The desserts are well done, especially the "verrines", very delicate. Our entree was a chicken breast perfectly cooked. Juicy and flavourful. It comes with some crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet and melting onions balanced with bacon. This is very good, but not really coherent. Service is discreet and the place is splendid. The tables are large, the glass-walls bring a great luminosity and the decoration is refined. Excellent overall.
(4)Erick N.
After having several friends rave about the Lobby my wife and I finally made it for dinner tonight; now I see what everyone is talking about, this place is the total package and is truly fantastic. Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen has an impressive resume (stints at famed venues such as Moto, El Bulli and most recently he was sous chef at Eleven Madison Park). He definitely has learned from the best and is doing an amazing job running the show at the Lobby. The Lobby is aptly named; literally set inside the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. Live music plays in the background, a tall ceiling with an impressive looking chandelier and large windows gazing into downtown Chicago set a nice, upscale but comfortable ambiance. Service was the perfect mix of personable, polished and attentive; our primary server Karen was so friendly that we definitely will request her again next visit. The menu features contemporary American cuisine; there are about eight appetizers ($15 on average), ten mains ($26 to $39), and a half dozen desserts (mostly $13; a new pastry chef was just brought on board). The luxurious chocolate buffet is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00pm to midnight; those having dinner may partake for half price - $20. The menu has great variety; one is far more likely to find multiple dishes appealing than struggle to find something. Hotel restaurants often have to be versatile due to serving a diverse array of guests and the Lobby's menu is perfect for this endeavor; several approachable items for picky and unsophisticated palates yet enticing to someone serious about fine dining. For $85 one may opt for the five course tasting menu; as a nice touch the tasting is customized based on one's preferences and aversions. Regardless if you choose a la carte or the tasting menu one also receives an amuse bouche, bread service (three different selections tonight; a baguette, multigrain and an outstanding brioche bacon bun), mignardises and even a small cake to take home as a parting gift. Most cocktails run $15 and wines by the glass are mainly in the $12 to $20 range. While the Lobby is not inexpensive, it is actually quite a value considering all the extras, the upscale ambiance, largish portions (we definitely left stuffed) and most importantly the high end cuisine. Certainly an experience worthy of a special occasion, but affordable enough for a romantic date night. Having greatly enjoyed the whole duck course at Eleven Madison Park last year and the famous whole chicken with foie gras and black truffle stuffing at sister venue The NoMad we were really eager to try the Lobby's incarnation of this dish, the Whole Roasted Chicken for Two. This dish is a must! A stuffing is placed under the skin sealing in all the moisture and enhancing the flavor; crispy skin and wonderfully juicy meat with a delicious sauce, ramps and morel mushrooms. This is one sexy chicken dish! My octopus appetizer with smoked ham was nicely charred and had wonderful textures and flavors; my wife was equally happy with her ricotta gnocchi. Even the desserts were phenomenal; I greatly enjoyed the coconut custard with black sesame, citrus cake, sorbet and candied yuzu. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and again a perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. While usually I try new things when I make a return visit to a venue, tonight's meal was so ridiculously good that I might very well repeat the same three courses! Even though this was our first time at the Lobby we were made to feel special and felt like regulars; we were both blown away by the experience and are already planning on returning next month. Chef Lee Wolen and his staff really have something special at the Lobby; they are truly deserving of a Michelin star this fall.
(5)Luis L.
We went to The Lobby to have "Dia de Las Madres" (Mothers Day) breakfast with mom and I must say the family and I will most definitely be back again. The beautiful view of the city, the food was delicious but the best part of our experience was the service provided to us. From the young woman welcomed us and showed us our table to our server Jose. He took very good care of us. Helping out parents decide what they should order to making sure we had what we needed and not needing to look for him if we needed anything because he was on top of it all. The pastries before our food arrived were delicious. Thank you for making our Mother feel special as well as us.
(5)Shing H.
I am a big fan of the whole afternoon tea thing in general. This time my brother, parents, and I were just stopping by between other meals (Xoco for lunch, Henri for dinner), so we just ordered a la carte and they were totally cool with that. We each ordered a pot of tea and shared some tea sandwiches and scones (okay, I ate three out of four of the scones). My usual english breakfast tea wasn't on the menu, but they did have it when I asked, so that was good. It did make me wonder what else isn't listed -- my guess is they have all of the "usual" stuff, plus what's on the menu, so if there's something you like and it's not listed, don't be afraid to ask. Great service.
(4)Julie L.
I am really impressed with the dinner here at restaurant week. The 3 course menu is $44 plus tips and tax. While the main course and appetizer was relative small in portion, the delicate taste makes up for it. With the lovely butter/bread, I couldn't even finish dessert. Easily satisfied and happy :)
(5)David L.
Food: 4 Decor: 5 Service: 5 I came here for Saturday lunch, $22, during Chicago Restaurant Week with three of my friends. Parking at the Peninsula is $26, $23 with validation, but there is garage next door that's only $12 for all-day parking if you arrive before noon. 1. Assorted appetizers yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Delicious. As Jenny H mentioned, there were butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My favorite were probably the salad and crackers. Those crackers were so addicting. 2. Seared scallops yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Okay. Good scallops, but I would have liked them seared a lot more. Only the top was seared. 3. Assorted desserts yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRN… Pretty good. Cupcakes, mousse, macarons, chocolate expresso beans, and chocolate-covered almonds. Macarons were a bit dry. Service was excellent. The scallops and desserts were the only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars.
(4)Chris L.
Two days later, and we are still talking about the gnocchi...so I had to take the time to acknowledge what they offer here. Coming in, we knew it wasn't going to be a cheap dinner, but honestly you can see where the upcharge goes into the ambience, services, and attention to detail. (I never saw someone iron a tablecloth until we came here) You feel like you're in a high class locale, being pampered above your average fancy dining experience, and did I mention the food is excellent? At the end of the night we both said to each other: "I had a really great time tonight". Nailed it.
(5)Jen R.
I like going here for tea & lunch for Mom or friends. Yes its $$ is you add on the glass of bubbly, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. Service is formal, but not stuffy & if you go alone, they offer you a newspaper to read a nice touch. Food is tasty, I had a Turkey Club, it was the most beautiful & best I even had, granted it was $22, but you only live once. Check out the website for the menu, it changes....but its great to go & the view is nice & I always go to the gift shop afterwards & buy something...
(4)Anthony Z.
For dinner last night, we had the chicken for two, which was truly outstanding...maybe the best chicken I have ever had. How the chef was able to maintain the integrity of the thin layer of brioche placed between the meat of the breast and the perfectly lacquered skin is beyond me. The starters of octopus and foie gras were very good, but the custard dessert was as transcendentally good as the chicken. The prices are fair for what you get, the room is great, the table is well set, and the servers graciously accommodated our conversation. This is seriously crave-worthy food and I look forward to returning soon.
(5)Shradha A.
Weekend chocolate buffet review: nice ambiance - check. exclusive and unique experience - check. those are the 2 stars awarded. Where are the other 3 stars? service - it took 20 minutes and a trip to the hostess stand to finally get some water in our glasses. Another 10 mnts and very rude waving to get a menu. chocolates - from reading the other Yelpers' reviews, seems like we had an exceptionally bad night here - just a few truffles, 4 cakes and some chocolate-covered nuts/spices. We were expecting a chocolate fountain, some fruits, a few real desserts and something, anything, at least one thing, to eat and say WOW... but there was none. value for money - seriously, $38 per person for a couple of pieces of truffle i can buy at a store, of my own choice!? That money cannot be justified being paid for ambiance alone!! They said nothing besides black coffee was included to drink.. to me, that's already ruining the chocolate-buffet experience because after paying $38, they expect you to pay for milk and/or tea and/or cappuccino and/or champagne!? Great idea, but very poorly run! I wonder if their real pastry chef has left and now they have a mediocre novice as a replacement?
(2)Jay I.
Updated 3/13/2012: The food director of the hotel contacted me via email and informed me they either corrected or are in the process of correcting the issues addressed below. At least they try their best to accomodate the diners. Hope the future diners have a better experience at the chocolate bar. The reason for the 1 more star is because of the restaurant's effort to meet the customers' expectation. So I can let go of the mistakes some of the staffers made. At this point this is as far as I can go. Hope I change my mind after trying their famous afternoon tea.
(3)Beth J.
By far, the best upscale Sunday brunch in town, and I think I have been to all of them! I loved the Four seasons before allium took over. And I was unimpressed with sixteen at the Trump. This was great. Peking duck was delicious. It wasn't a huge selection but they had a lot of delicious items and the service was impeccable. They gave our kids coloring books, teddy bears, etc. And the price wasn't too bad, either. I would go again. The music was great, too. A string quartet playing modern pop.
(5)Lily L.
In chicago for business the next two weeks and was excited to go to the Peninsula from all the reviews and from referrals of friends in town. Went for brunch this past weekend 9/30 and was expecting to be wowed. Unfortnately, the experience was not. Service as we came in was so slow. They workers seemed more concerned about some internal issue rather than actually greeting us. They all were talking amongst themselves and just talked loudly on their own. After I finally flagged someone down, the slow and unusually not nice service continued the whole meal. The service experience carried over to our thoughts on the meal and spoiled it for us. I wish we had a better experience with service to really enjoy the meal. We are suppose to come back this coming weekend with other colleagues in the area but I think I may ask them for other place.
(1)Candace C.
The Skinny: excellent tea, great food, fabulous view of the city (4.5), service - impeccable (5), value - it's a cultural tradition that is generally overpriced but worth it in this case (4). I popped my hubby's afternoon tea cherry... and what better place to do it than The Lobby at the Peninsula? "No, I'm not really interested but if you want to go, that's fine with me." Uh huh. Changed his mind pretty quick after that first bite of warm, buttery scone with Devonshire cream/preserves. Take that, you unbeliever! It was worth the money just to see that silly, happy, goofy grin on his face. Afternoon tea culture is a colonial British thing. Take a break in the middle of the day for a nice hearty snack and have a lighter dinner later. Coming from a family that has roots in Hong Kong, you can see why my family loves to indulge in this age old tradition. This spot is definitely a quiet oasis from the hectic city streets below. I relaxed with a nice pot of tea on my side, enjoying my pastries (which were all excellent), souffle, scones and finger sandwiches (you can ask for more if you'd like).
(4)Boon K.
Sunday Brunch- Love it, I love that they don't make things in large quantity, everything they service you is of the highest quality and honestly think it is better than the buffets in LV. There was stone crab( already crack), Omlette station with so much to choose from, 3 types of egg benedict, is little section for kids with really go petite size hot dog and sliders, fries, mac & cheese, and finger sandwiches. There was a little asian section with vietnamese crepe( which was really good), dim sum, etc. Plus amazing selection of pastry, dessert, and voges chocolate to end your meal. Chocolate Buffet- My friend really wanted her bachelorette party to start here. It's not as large as the sunday buffet but it was on the pricey side of about $35-40. It was a meal of it's own. There are crepes, chocolate pastry, mousses, an amazing hot chocolate, truffles, and pre-made dipped chocolate fruits. It was a great experience to do with your girlfriend but I can't afford to do it all the time. Afternoon Tea- Love it, the tea selection are all the best leaves you can find from tradtional to new combination of leaves. They give you this amazing 3 tier platters of savory and sweet and it's just an amazing experience, from the view to the service. Best this to do for any of these things is the make reservation and the hours and vary.
(5)Michael U.
I didn't eat here, but I did enjoy a coffee while waiting for my family to pick me up after dinner at Avenues. Even though the Saturday evening Chocolate Bar was going on I was treated like a valued guest and the coffee was provided free of charge as I sat and sipped while listening to live jazz. Service like that is the sort of reason places like the Peninsula are so highly regarded and all things being equal even though I tend to stay at lesser hotels, they are the things that seperate a "good" hotel from a "great" hotel. For what its worth, the chocolates actually looked excellent and the setting was lovely. More on Avenues, a reason in and of itself to visit the Peninsula, to come.
(5)Natalie P.
Went this past Friday for dinner and it was outstanding. I had the artichoke soup to start-slightly heavy but still very good. For my entree, I had the roasted sea scallops which were perfectly cooked. The service was attentive but not overbearing. I believe there was a violinist playing songs written by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift etc. It was very good. Definitely not an every weekend spot but great for special occasions.
(5)Robert R.
We went here on 1/18/2014. We were slightly early for our reservation and had to wait, even though there were at least ten open tables. We were sat between a table of ten and 16, quite loud. It seems as though that every table finished about the same time. I had to flag a server down to get dessert, I head to flag another server down to order a dessert wine, and still had to flag a server down to get the check. They were too busy clearing and re-setting tables. Also, the table to my right, the chef, Lee Wolen visited at least once, and the two sous chefs visited, one for at least a 1/2 hour. Once we received our entrees, we were ignored. The service at the end was horrible. I would not recommend this restaurant because of their terrible service. This is supposed to be a four star restaurant, sadly it is not. The chef also visited two other tables while we were there. Apparently, regulars are treated specially. The food was really good, but the service was considerably lacking. Also, a long walk to the restrooms. We were not offered the tasitng menu. The two women to my right were treated specially by the chef. That is unreasonable. The chef also visited two tables of regulars , while ignoring us. The service was terrible The management for the front of service is horrible. As a 4 four star restaurant, they should have impeccable service .
(2)Paul H.
Made advance reservations, took 15 minutes to get seated while there were many open tables, took another 20 minutes to get a waiter. Had afternoon tea at 3:45 and finally got served at 4:30pm. Sandwiches were stale - probably made in the early afternoon and sat out all afternoon. Tea was bagged tea and left in the bag, I would compare the quality of the afternoon tea, to a poorly organized Girl Scout event. Definitely not worth the price of $50 / person.
(2)Tres B.
One of the lovelier rooms in Chicago, and the service, typical of the Peninsula, was excellent. But a restaurant has to be judged on the food and our expensive lunch was a disappoitment. Bland and uninspired. I had chciken wok dish that was loaded in salt and soy, heavy, thick and unimpressive Shcoking for a Chinese owned entereprize. My wife had a hamburger that was decent, but a $20+ burger should be better than just "OK".
(2)Robert S.
Three strong stars for a very nice afternoon traditional tea service but with severe reservations. I'll be honest: visiting London recently and experiencing two formal English tea services really spoiled me into expecting more than the level of service and the quality of tiny pastries I received at The Lobby. I don't have anything else to compare my experience against except tea at Harrods and Brown's. If you've experienced traditional tea in the tea room at Brown's, you'll agree that The Lobby's tea isn't really as magical as you'd expect for the price. When they say The Lobby, they aren't kidding. You're right there in that big open room with god knows what other event swirls around you--noisy or quiet. We were surprised--no, shocked--that "smart casual" means women in low-ride jeans, belly shirts and wet hair pulled up with a scrunchy. The nouveau riche staying here are a "come as they are" set and don't dress like the grande dames in the Ritz Carlton, so forget all that blah blah on the Peninsula's website about the stuffy dress code. I also didn't enjoy being seated next to a giggling, noisy baby in a highchair either. The tot threw its pacifier on the floor three times, and each time, the grandmother would say, "good boy!" and summon a waiter to pick it up for them. When the waiter took our order, I asked him to help me decide which tea would be a sweet, floral aroma. He looked at me and said that he didn't know. Um...BAD. The menu gave me a hint of suggestion, but I needed more clarification. For $40 per person, the waiters should know about the teas. The actual tea was good but not spectacular. You're there for the goodies, right? Well, tiny desserts do not equal excellence, and the three tiered tray was a letdown. We had to ask for cucumber sandwiches (expected in English traditional afternoon tea). And goodness, would it have killed them to include more than just two of each thing? I realize we were two people, but it was sort of a joke--we're two hungry guys expecting more than tiny morsels of food. The service was good, but again, that's expected at a place like The Peninsula, no matter how much you're paying. So for all these wonderful reviews, I have to be the honest, tea time weary guy who expected more but received less.
(3)Rachel N.
When I die, I want wherever I go to look like this buffet. Lovely setting, excellent selection of savories and sweets, darling service. Worth every penny. Oh, the chocolate buffet on Saturdays is equally luscious. Hit both in 24 hours and you're my hero.
(5)Chuck K.
You get for you pay for! Well not necessarily with The Lobby Restaurant. Was here last Thursday as part of Restaurant Week in Chicago. The hotel looks amazing and the restaurant was a wonderful spot to enjoy a meal and conversation with friends. You feel like you're eating in luxury here and the service is top notch! Beef Short rib Won-ton was perfect. With amazing flavors and cooked to perfection. Roasted fingerling potatoes for a side were great! Peanut Butter Crunch Dessert was the BOMB! Here's the thing, this place is Extremely Expensive and portions are Extremely Small! You will walk away from your meal with empty stomach as well as an empty wallet. This was a difficult review since the quality of the food and service was so great, however the price is just too much. If you can afford it, you should eat here, but don't expect a cheap meal if you are looking to stretch your budget.
(4)Andrea R.
The Lobby at the Peninsula offers the best Afternoon Tea in the city...and I've compared it to lots of other teas at the fancy schmancy hotels in the area. Unfortunately, the Peninsula don't offer tea before 2:30pm so my mom and I were out of luck when we stopped in on a Friday at 12:30pm on a whim. We opted for their regular lunch menu instead, which still looked pretty good, although nothing beats those little tea sandwiches and pastries. They have lots of salads, sandwiches and even sushi to choose from on the lunch menu, but the best deal was the $25 prix fixe menu where you could choose any appetizers from their salad buffet, an entree and then back to the buffet table for dessert. While we waited for our swordfish entree, we sure got our $25 worth of salad. Mmm...caprese salad, pasta salad, a super yummy rice salad among others. This would have been plenty of food, but it was just the beginning.The display was beautiful and my mom was taking notes of how to copy it for my daughter-to-be's baby naming in a few months. The swordfish was quite good, although it was a little rare inside, which made me a bit nervous being pregnant. I decided it probably didn't make much of a difference being just a week away from my due and gobbled it all up. And then it was back to the buffet to satisfy our sweet tooth. We tried a bit of everything and it was all beyond delish, but the flourless chocolate cake was the clear winner. I still think the Afternoon Tea is the best reason to visit the Lobby at the Peninsula, but turns out they have a pretty good regular lunch menu as well. Sometimes it's fun to be a lady who lunches!
(4)Sahar M.
If you want to pamper yourself ladies with decedent pastries, this place is your heaven. Love to go there with my girlfriends.
(5)M P.
Came here for a bridal shower afternoon tea and it was very lovely. Live classical music, delicious and abundant food, and amazing service. We had a few special requests and they were so gracious in helping us. This is the best tea experience I've had in Chicago (better than The Drake, sorry Drake).
(5)Mary L.
I had high tea at the Lobby at the Peninsula with my son last Saturday and it was such a nice experience. Neither of us had ever had high tea so it was new for us. The Peninsula sure didn't disappoint us either. We were able to sit right down even without a reservation. We both ordered the entire tea service. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of food we received. There were finger sandwiches, fresh scones, lovely deserts. We couldn't finish everything as there was so much. But we were able to take home what we didn't finish. The tea selection was just incredible and I had a wonderful jasmine tea which I'd love to have again. The service here is wonderful & polite & friendly. High tea is a bit expensive, but not something we would do often--a special treat so it was well worth what we spent. A nice place to go and spend time with family or friends in the middle of downtown Chicago. Do try it if you can.
(5)Jelena Z.
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula? I can't think of a more indulgent, fabulous way to spend a Sunday. I usually don't even spend this much on dinner, but from the surroundings to the service to the premium tea and pretty food, high tea is definitely worth three of those crisp twenty dollar bills. And that does include tax, gratuity and a glass of champagne... did I just write tea AND champagne? Mais, bien sûr! The room itself is open, full of natural beaming light and is full-on gorgeous. Not a detail is overlooked! Our table was formally set with the finest of tea china... fancy, indeed! But what's on the table is what ultimately seduced me: a collection of exquisite scones, Parisian macaroons, tarts, dainty sandwiches, and accoutrements including jellies and my favorite, the creamy lemon curd. I would've slathered this on everything, if only it was ladylike to do so! Of course, the Peninsula's tea collection is deep and impressive. I sipped on the ginger herbal and for once, I think I preferred this over champagne. I highly recommend it! The best part of the experience is lingering over this elegant spread for a good couple of hours. Really, this is lady bonding at its best. So, make a reservation with your best girls, grab your pearls, don your finest frocks and get ready to be dazzled! I can't wait until my sister moves here so we can do this together!
(5)char y.
Was there for afternoon tea and it was wonderful. The petite sandwiches and dessert was fantastic. The price for Afternoon Tea is $45 per person. I paid with a debit card and saw that the hotel debited my card an additional 20%. When I called to talk to the the manager I was told it's an account process and they do it all the time. They charge everyone an additional 20% of the charge amount and they will credit you the difference within 3 -4 days. I don't feel that this should happen. I have never been to a restaurant/hotel that charges me an additional 20% and hold it for a few days.
(3)Angie M.
There are times in my life I'm happy to put on a dress and heels, do my hair and makeup and have an all-out fancy, decedent, girlie kind of day. When the mood strikes, there is absolutely no better place to make your classy fantasies come true than afternoon tea at The Lobby in the Peninsula Hotel. Boasting hands down the most luxurious and beautiful décor I've witnessed in a hotel restaurant, The Lobby is stunning. When you walk out of the elevator into The Lobby, you can't help but take a deep breath in and take in the immaculate surroundings. I'm talking floor to vaulted ceiling windows, lush carpets, real wood tables, comfy chairs even little sitting areas with luxe couches, pretty vases and elegant touches. Truly, it's gorgeous. The tea service is made to make a girl feel special. The delightful finger sandwiches including lobster egg salad, smoked salmon and turkey and brie were amazing. I mean, really. Lobster in the egg salad? It's so very right. And let's not forget the bread basket brimming with fresh scones, biscuits and tasty baked treats. On their own they're a treat. But when paired with luscious lemon curd, whipped butter, raspberry jam and tiny tins of fresh honey, they are 100% delectable. I could have licked the dish of the tart lemon curd clean. But I didn't. Because The Lobby is a fancy place. The only slight disappointment (and honestly, since I'd eaten approximately 2500 calories worth of finger sandwiches and baked goods I really didn't even need a sweet ending to the tea) were the pastries. Dare I say they were TOO rich? Too sweet? Too... almost undercooked in some cases (like these cute little chocolate treats that tasted like brownie batter) to overcooked and slightly dried out (like the red velvet mini-cupcakes)? Perhaps I'm more of a salt girl, but the sweets left me less than titillated. Another SLIGHT point of contention was the service. Now, I would think that a table of fourteen hot women would be any male server's every fantasy. However our server was less than warm and fuzzy towards our table. Sure, the service was perfectly adequate, but it wasn't special in any way. Kind of a bummer. As I waited for the valet to bring around my car when the tea was all said and done I reflected on my afternoon of luxury. It really is great to be a girlie girl sometimes!
(4)Manda Bear B.
************* REVIEW 140 **************** What not to like about this hotel lobby? Gorgeous design/layout, high ceiling, spacious & superior service makes you feel like a queen. $38 for an afternoon traditional high tea, plenty of scones, mini cookies, light sandwiches & an amazing selection of tea. The black & orange scones are to die for, fresh bake & it still warm when they are served! Plenty to serve for two! Live violinists playing up stair at the balcony, simply wonderful.
(5)C W.
I'm conflicted about this location. We visited for brunch and I'm not sure I can justify the price. I honestly think this is a place you go to for a comically expensive dining experience made complete with a live quartet. To put the price into perspective, we ended up adopting a dog from the shelter after we left brunch. The adoption fee, as well as everything needed for a pet, cost less than brunch at the peninsula.
(3)Amy H.
I know that I have the reputation of being a beer garden lovin' strong 'Sconnie gal, but sometimes I like to class it up and get all fancy. A group of my lady friends and I go to tea once a month at various places around town. This month we took it to the next level and went to The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. Divine! You wouldn't think that little finger sandwiches would fill you up, but they do. The lobster egg salad sandwich was my favorite. It was accompanied by a turkey sandwich and a salmon dill sandwich. Yummers! There were also assorted sweets and pastries along with scones and little mini brioche breads. Of course I slathered everything with lemon curd and jam, which tasted like it was freshly made. Tea? Oh yeah, we drank that too. I chose the Marrakesh Mint tea, which came in a giant Wedgwood china teapot. You also have the option of adding a glass of Brut or Rose champagne, which I did (natch!) This tea is kind of high end, so it's an indulgence and not something that I would do every day. Also, there was a weird mix up with the bill. Our server decided to average the cost out per person, which meant that the three girls who didn't have champagne had to pay a portion of the tab for the two girls who did. Weird. We rectified that immediately.
(5)Joann K.
Came here for their Valentine's Day pre-fixed menu and it was unbelievable... My mouth is watering just thinking back to this happy day :) - Braised Short Ribs w/butternut squash ravioli, organic honey, sage, red wine jus. This appetizer I could've eaten all night long. The short ribs were so soft and tender. Perfectly paired with the butternut squash which didn't over power the short ribs. Match made in heaven. - Green Field Baby Beet Salad w/grilled goat cheese sandwich, walnut The salad was complimentary from the chef and it was amazing. Not because it was free but the thinly sliced beets went so well with the goat cheese. I was really glad that we received this dish because it isn't something I would normally order but I LOVED IT! - 8 oz Filet Mignon - New Zealand Lamb Loi - Housemade Mashed Potatoes - Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoe The filet was extremely thick but cooked perfectly medium throughout. It literally melts in your mouth. By far one of the best steaks. The lamb was beautifully cooked and seasoned as well. Both of the sides I could not have been happier with. - Apple "Tarte Tatin" salted caramel ice cream, caramel tuile, sage cris Let me start of by saying I love any desserts with apple. And this dessert was incredible. It's pretty much an apple crisp but injected with luxury.
(5)Shirley L.
After my initial review, the team contacted me and offered to provide me with a complimentary afternoon tea for myself and a guest. Service was great, food was good, and all in all my initial experience was probably due to one waiter on an off day.
(4)Betty C.
The Peninsula Hotel Lobby restaurant is a wonderful place to go for any occasion. Have a nice lunch with friends after a shopping spree. Meet a business colleague and hammer out some details. Regardless of why you are there it is a very nice atmosphere and the food is delicious. The lunch salad and dessert buffet with one of three entree choices for $26 is a steal. There are numerous fresh and delicious salad options, cheeses, breads, charcuterie and a daily homemade soup. The butternut squash was velvety and full of flavor. The desserts are all miniatures but packed with flavor as well. The entree choices rotate daily. When we were there we had short ribs, a vegetarian dish of couscous with curried cauliflower and grilled scallops - all delicious. The service is outstanding as well, even for a buffet and the surroundings make you feel like royalty. The floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light and you overlook the Shanghai Terrace. Special Dishes: Braised short ribs, butternut squash soup, chicken with basil, any of the burgers
(4)kristal m.
I truly love the ambiance of this place. The waitress was super nice and very attentive. there is something about tea and finger sandwiches that make me feel all house wifey. I would love to come here more except its a bit pricy and most of my friends are underpaid college students. when we save our pennies get get all dolled up and have an afternoon of the good life.
(5)neal s.
As you enter, you walk into a beautiful, large airy room that has tables far enough apart that you can comfortably talk while a two piece musical group plays softly in the background. .... and it just keeps getting better. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They are in line with the other nicer places in River North. Three of us went and split several items. The chicken for two dish was the best chicken any of the three of us have ever had. The short ribs were rich ,elegant and quite tasty. The three appetizers that we also shared were all excellent and enjoyable. We had a couple of very nice wines including a very nice boutique brut champagne, a Larmandier-Bernier that I strongly recommend. My only regret of the evening is that I didn't save room for the dessert Chocolate Bar. It is a buffet containing a vast array of alluring chocolates. The next time I come here, I am going to make a meal of the desserts. Also, the Chef, Lee Wolen is currently a candidtate for Time Out's Breakout Chef of the Year. Try to get taste his food before he wins this title- then you will have to wait weeks to get in here.
(5)Raymond H.
Great food and drinks in a elegant casual hotel. Also check out the masculine, dark and sophisticated bar lounge. Huge fireplace with cozy couches and amazing cocktails and apps. Mini burgers and the Spicy Asian Chicken app are big hits done right.
(4)Johnny P.
Delicious brunch, excellent service in an elegant yet casual environment. Plus the doors of the restroom stalls go all the way to the floor. First class!
(5)Douglas S.
Had dinner at the Lobby at the Peninsula. More like dined. It was an overall fantastic experience. I went with 2 other chefs and we were all blown away. Recommendations? The ricotta gnocchi were absolutely fabulous. They are almost entirely cheese but feel like soft gnocchi. Presented with black truffle shavings and in truffle oil. The Chicken was unique as well. Stuffed under the skin with a lining of fine breading. How in the world did they do that? Essentially everything that Chef Lee Wolen touched was golden. Finished up with the Peninsula's famous chocolate bar. It was truly unbelievable the selection of top notch deserts on the chocolate bar. As a side note, the Chocolate bar would make a fantastic end to a first date. I guess you can go just for that.
(5)Valerie M.
This was our 2nd time to dine at The Lobby at The Peninsula for the chocolate bar. It's a lovely finish to a day of sightseeing, go-go-going and possibly an early, light dinner. They have a live jazz ensemble playing music, you can see some night skyline through a bank of windows, it's pretty inside with attentive servers, comfortable seating and a "come as you are" kind of atmosphere. On this particular evening, we saw a woman in a cocktail dress and another in jeans and a sweatshirt and both seemed perfectly comfortable and welcome. The all-you-dare-to-eat chocolate bar offers hot cocoa, freshly made madelines, a crepe bar (with your choice of toppings) and a large bar/spread in the middle offering many different one-biters, tiny parfait cups, etc...all in the chocolate vein. The cost is $40 per person so you need to go a little hungry and also have a sweet tooth to get your money's worth. But it's fun, romantic and definitely something to add to your "I did that" list.
(4)Rob M.
Really poor experience. Do not make a reservation via OpenTable, because they will not honor it. Really frustrating when you have planned a date. Honestly there are much better restaurants on Michigan Ave and Rush Street...dont waste your time.
(1)Service P.
Went here for a little Tea Party with friends. The vibe was nice--very old money. Service was EXCELLENT! The little mini whatever we got with our teas were all delish. Be prepared to get your own Fancy, Porcelain Tea Pot (with the tea of your choice).
(5)k E.
Entertained six people for breakfast here. It was very pricey, slow, pretentious service, and after waiting a full hour for our eggs, they came out cold. We explained this to our server who offered no apology and simply brought out the check. We won't be back!
(1)Jill G.
I dined here for afternoon tea on a Monday. The ambience was superb, with live music and a great view. The decor was classy and the service friendly. The tea selection was abundant and the food was delicious. Having been to several afternoon teas in the Bay Area, this was by far the best afternoon tea I've experienced. I wish I could find one comparable to the Lobby in the Northern California!
(5)Josh V.
I went here with three friends for dinner on a Friday evening. The restaurant is located in the lobby at the Peninsula (thus the name). They are similarly creative with the name of the hotel bar: The Bar. The space is elegant; you definitely feel like you're in a nice restaurant. If you're looking for wine by the bottle, their wine list is a book, with a table of contents and everything. There are many, many choices from all over the world. I was the only one having wine, so I went with something from their much smaller by-the-glass selection. Everyone in my group liked their food. The highlight of the meal for me was the truffled mac & cheese, which I ordered an appetizer-sized portion of to start. It was freaking delicious. Like lick-your-bowl-clean good. But it was a nice restaurant, so I didn't actually lick my bowl clean. I do have SOME class! Others started with a soup or salad, and reported they were good as well. I had the pork chop for dinner. The presentation was nice. The chop was a good, hearty cut but was a little plain. I asked for it medium-well but it seemed like it came out well-done to me; it was just a touch dry. It was still good, but fell short of being 5-star worthy. My companions reported their entrees were good as well. We were too full for dessert. The service was good. We weren't kept waiting and water glasses were refilled regularly. I think this place is kind of hidden away up in the Peninsula lobby. I'm not sure how many people know it exists. If you're looking for a good meal downtown on a weekend night and didn't make reservations somewhere, check out The Lobby.
(4)Denise B.
I came here for Sunday brunch the last time I was in Chicago, as a last hurrah before heading home later that day. Wow, was this fancy! Thankfully, I was prepared from having experienced the Pen's chocolate bar in The Lobby last year (see other review). I was lukewarm on the chocolate bar, but I really liked Sunday brunch, which had a lot of the better chocolate treats, along with a much wider overall selection of food, including tasty eggs benedict, sushi (yum!), oysters, fruit, and a delectable selection of cheeses. And of course, great coffee and the usual selection of beverages at a brunch. Eating brunch at The Lobby felt like a really classy experience, with the piano playing in the background, beautiful decor, and nice views of the streets of Chicago. We were well taken care of by the staff, even though this was a buffet. The Lobby is a good alternative to fancy chain like the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons for brunch.
(4)Nancy H.
Afternoon Tea review: What a lovely grown-up tea party in a pretty, pretty room! Every lady must try this. The service is impeccable; you feel so pampered. $38/pp gets you little sandwiches, scones, bite-sized desserts, and a pot of tea. You can get refills too, so there's no way you'll leave still hungry. Weekday hours are 3:30-5:30 PM. You should call ahead and reserve a seating time.
(5)Char Y.
came back for chocolate buffet and am still loving it!
(4)Sanjeev m.
I took my wife there for her birthday, called ahead to reserve and they asked what was the special occasion. I wasn't sure what they would do with that info... but they used it to decorate a special dessert plate with her name in chocolate and even a candle (without all the hoopla). They reserved a nice table for two close to the band and the dance floor with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Band was nice, lounge singer was ok. Our server was very attentive and made us feel welcome. Although we had reserved for the Chocolate buffet, there was no pressure, we could have changed our mind and had anything we wanted (or nothing at all). As it turned out we had appetizers (Flat bread and Risotto) before going for the desert buffet which was pricey ($38). While we enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the decadent buffet, we might have beeen better off picking one of the nice selections from the dessert menu (most were $12). My wife is a big fan of Creme Brulee which wasn't on the D buffet, though good coffee was included especially capachinos. In short, if you are looking for a romantic evening with music, dance, good food and a great ambiance you should really give this a try, but you don't need to feel compelled to join the full dessert buffet, instead order single servings with other specials like the Chocolate Martinis.
(4)Jon L.
Good, but not Michelin-worthy. Prix Fixe was just okay: the lentil soup was fine, but the cavatelli with mushroom sauce was too salty and funky. Caramel creme (essentially flan) was forgettable. I also tried some seafood bouillabaisse - not bad.
(3)Parker L.
Overrated. I had been looking forward to going to the chocolate buffet for years, and while it was a nice evening, and 400'+ dollars later, I wouldn't recommend. The selection was ok, or group of 6, started off with the chocolate martinis. Next to us was a dog, a dog with diamond studded earrings, chowing down food in a dish the hotel provided for him. I love dogs, I just didn't expect to be eating next t o one. The chocolate buffet had bunch of macrons, candies, and a crepe station. The crepes were pre made, and just reheated with fillings of your choice. I had a passion fruit tart, that was probably my favorite. We also had cappuccinos, which were great. There was a jazz ensemble playing, they were good. Then the bill came, ouch. That was some pricey chocolate. Wish I had room to eat more than a piece or two of dessert, there is only so much chocolate you can eat.
(2)Kevin L.
I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. All the reviews and info suggest that this is a quiet, upscale fine dining experience, yet the horror I encountered when I showed up for my reservation at 8PM on a Friday night was more like American Girl Place meets Chuck E Cheese dropped into the brightly lit lobby of one of Chicago's busiest hotels. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the din that can only result from too many over-caffenated children crammed into a small area. At the host stand, a group of children were building a fort out of novelty sleeping bags. At least two tables had place settings for dolls, who appeared to sharing grilled cheese sandwhiches with their owners. One feral child in a princess cosutme was crawling from table to table, no doubt looking for her negligent parents. Again, is this some kind of joke? Quiet? Upscale? Fine Dining? 0 for 3. -
(1)Jeremy C.
Received a gift card from my sister to spend an afternoon over tea at the peninsula. Definitely not cheap, but heck! it's great for a special occasion and we felt that it was well worth it. Beautiful ambience and enjoyed the live string music. We were not expecting such ample amount of food for the tea...came with three tiers of delicious...OMG! DELICIOUS!!!...little sandwiches and sweets as well as some perfect scones with jams and butters. My husband and I each received a full pot of tea from their long list of teas. The server was very helpful in accommodating my special dietary needs since I am pregnant and am not able to have certain teas or food items. Between the two of us, we were not able to finish all of the food and were surprisingly full! After the tea time, we headed over to their spa to end the afternoon with some massages....great experience!
(5)Jane R.
Wow, I've been to afternoon tea here three times now for celebrations of various occasions, and every time the food, tea, service and atmosphere were spectacular. They can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Their gluten free food was absolutely delicious. They even gave a little extra treat to the person being celebrated!
(5)Kaaren D.
Lovely place to have a quiet and elegant meal, even if it is a casual brunch. But be sure to bring a big wallet, because you will dump a cash load before you leave. I had the creamy grits, poached egg, and fruit, and it was all nicely done. My companion had the eggwhite fritatta, and the server suggested adding veggies. When it came out, they were all piled on top of her fritatta. She said it was good, but it looked like a square of egg whites topped with a salad. Not what I had expected at all. The service was lovely, and it was a special meal.
(4)Brett F.
Coming from a serious hotel enthusiast, it's easy to call The Peninsula in Chicago one of the best and finest in hospitality locales. They are one in a handful of lavish hotels striving to set the bar in what you've come to expect in world class luxury right here in the Midwest... luxe accommodations, warm service, top notch wellness facilities, sumptuous dining... and yes, of course, traditional afternoon high tea as well. The Lobby at The Pen is the setting for weekend Sunday "Royal Tea" and you'll easily see why once you arrive. The room is positively grand... sky-high ceilings, soft carpet, buttery walls, gold and cream tones, sunlight streaming in through the amazing architecture outside the floor to ceiling windows.... needless to say, it makes an impression. Whether you're there with a girlfriend or hosting a small group out (baby shower... bridal shower... this is the perfect venue), you'll be delighted and feeling stylishly European in no time. Wondering where to wear your prada... or frauda (aka faux prada)? Add your own chic style soundtrack to the outing and don those Italian duds here! Tea service includes your favorite standards like tea sandwiches - I was given a mix of veggie, salmon and chicken salad dainty bites - and of course the fabulous petit fours, pastries, scones, lemon curd, devonshire cream and jam. All magnificent, all decadent. The Pen also throws in a signature additional twist all their own; homemade mini souffles for each guest!! Mine was a blushing sour cherry and it was everything you'd ever want to write home about... ahhhmazing!! Thank God their pocket size, next time I'll wear bigger pants! Even our server was every bit as delicious as the savories, he kept my champagne glass no less than half full throughout my meal - Atta Boy!!! The way to my heart must be written on my sleeve... bubbles ftw every time! Tea? What tea? Oh, yes... my vanilla rooibos was heavenly and served in the most beautiful Villeroy & Boch teapot... I wanna steal me one! Tea at The Pen (or anything at The Pen) won't be cheap, but will be charming and fabulous, just like you - so splurge!
(5)Jenny B.
I had a great experience here, wonderful food and wonderful wine, service generally good just very slow but they made up for us good. overall great ! will back for brunch, afternoon tea dinner and drink again.
(5)