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Avenues at The Peninsula Chicago - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
108 E Superior St(between Michigan Ave & Rush St)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Near North Side
(312) 573-6754
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chicago-red (Red Line)
Grand-red (Red Line)
- Parking:
- Valet
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for Avenues at The Peninsula Chicago
Review Highlights
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"...table this evening enjoyed the Alaskan King Crab ("Amazing." In 5 reviews -
"Everything on the tasting menu was enjoyable." In 18 reviews -
"but were less impressed by the Wagyu Beef Ribeye." In 2 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Eric V.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2011
Avenues is closed and Chef Duffy has already moved on to his next project, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic evening my wife and I had here for my 30th birthday. Simply put, the meal was a master class in gastronomic artistry, balance, and creativity. The thoughtful, perfectly executed food (the King Crab, Steelhead Roe, Kalamansi, and Togaroshi course was as amazing as you may have heard and then some) paired with top notch service made for a truly memorable evening. The champagne cart brought extravagance to another level (with the price tag to match), but hey you only turn the big 3-0 once!
I'll save the dinner details for another review since another restaurant concept will soon take Avenues' place. I'll just end by saying Chef Duffy puts amazing food on the plate and hopefully he gets that third Michelin star when Grace opens in the West Loop. Cheers! -
Review from Anthony N.
Playa del Rey, CA
***I was able to visit Avenues before their well respected chef left; the tasting menu was very good with great flavors across a wide variety of dishes; too bad the restaurant is now closed as The Peninsula begins to transform the dining room into something else***
Now closed, Avenues was located on the 5th floor of The Peninsula hotel, which provided a nice (though not great) view of The Magnificent Mile. Unfortunately, the room had a standard luxury hotel dining room (traditional carpet, traditional lights, etc.). The open kitchen though was very nice as well as warm and inviting. If they could have just built off of that, they might have been able to turn that room into a really good and more unique dining atmosphere.
Thankfully, the food was very good. Avenues was probably the Chicago restaurant that reminded me most of some of NorCal's fine dining spots, which focus on fresh, light and vibrant flavors.
They did an extensive bread service here including a crusty and chewy baguette, a pretzel roll and a coconut and basil waffle. The waffle was a nice touch and had a great crisp outside center. Unfortunately, it was a tad dry and bland (some maple syrup would have helped).
The spreads for the bread were great. There was a very creamy butter as well as a flavorful lemon and olive oil spread (there was also a herb spread).
The amuse bouche was just okay. It was a mix of uni and rhubarb. The rhubarb was good, but the uni lacked flavor. The first starter was great though. It was like a cocktail of citrus and very soft and fresh crab. It was topped with a nice crispy sheet, which provided a pleasing texture to the dish.
This was followed by a scallop dish. The scallops (served chilled) were soft and fresh and were paired with a fragrant and slightly sweet marmalade as well as refreshing and light milk.
The next dish was my least favorite of the night. It was a barley soup mixed with oats, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts. It tasted okay, but it was too reminiscent of an everyday barley soup.
My fish entree was good. It was a seared yellowtail, which was moist and flavorful (with a cooked texture that was similar to mackerel). While the quality of the fish here might not stand up to top California spots, the sides were great; there was some nicely cooked carrots as well as a creamy and sweet toasted meringue.
The Wagyu beef entree was also satisfying. The beef was good (nice sear, juicy inside), but it was not as good as the beef I've had at fine dining California restaurants like Providence and Baume.
The sides included a good red wine reduction (also some flavorful mustard seeds) as well as morel mushrooms and morel meringue. The potato fondant was just a garnish, but the inside was noticeably undercooked.
Desserts were done nicely here. The dessert amuse was a candy shell that held a burst of vibrant yuzu. My first desert was a coconut cylinder filled with a creamy and rich custard (great slightly mellow egg yolk color). The dessert was cool and refreshing (good for summer).
The second dessert was just okay. There was a chocolate ganache as well as some hazelnut cake, sorbet and huckleberries. It was sweet and tasty, but it lacked the flavor of the coconut cylinder. They also provided housemade chocolates at the end of the meal (caramel, Meyer lemon, pistachio) and they were all good.
Service was good--very professional and polite. I felt the service was a little too stuffy for my tastes, but the staffed loosened up considerably throughout the meal, which provided a more enjoyable experience.
Prices were high but reasonable. They only did tasting menus here (vegetarian or proteins), but they were a much better value than the tasting menus at Alinea, Ria and L2O (mainly because they featured a lot of proteins and portions were generous).
Unfortunately, the very well respected head chef left and then The Peninsula decided to close the restaurant. This might have been my most satisfying dining experience in Chicago (along with Ria) and I would put it up there with some of my favorite meals (Sona, Providence and Baume).
Parking does not matter now, but I imagine they did valet and it was probably expensive. -
Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
Full review in the blog - highlights below:
Arriving at Avenues just moments early for my 7:00pm reservation and greeted by a young woman who greeted me by name (perhaps I was the only party of one that evening?) I was led swiftly to the otherwise empty chef's counter - to a seat perhaps 5 feet from Duffy and even closer to the rest of his team.
With the menu explained - chef's tasting, vegetarian tasting, or any/all of the choices available ALC - and a small modification requested ordering was a breeze and with greetings by a number of the chefs as they did their work plus an invitation to ask questions about any dish or technique it would be a short wait before things would begin - first with a glass entitled "Toblerone" and without exaggerating a drink that tasted almost identical to the celebrated candy bar with notes of thick cream and honey muffling the almond and coffee tones of a blend of Frangelico, Bailey's, and Kahlua.
Moving next to the tasting menu proper, the first course of the night is perhaps Chef Duffy's most famous - a layered dish titled "Alaskan King Crab - Golden Brook Trout Roe, Kalamansi, Lemon Mint" with so many textures and flavors that it really must be experienced to be understood. Deliverd with the roe, mint, and other creams and textures atop a sugar chip with the supple crab, more roe, and refreshing cucumber broth below the diner is instructed to crack the chip and "explore" the dish - a great suggestion as truly no two bites are alike with some sweet, some briny, and all entirely delicious.
For my 3rd course, "Chestnut - Perigord Truffle, Quince, Garden Herbs" was served in a hand-blown double glass vessel looking quite like the start of a potted plant this amazing dish featured a creamy chestnut pudding at its base topped with large chunks of summer truffle, small micro herbs, and cubes of quince gelee. Ornate and again focused on multiple textures and flavors the dish was subsequently finished with shaved truffle powder and a mildly acidic vinaigrette just prior to service and with the flavors all melding into a sweet earthy porridge it was the scent of this dish that thrilled me the most - the scent of truffles that met you a good two feet away and perfumed the palate with each bite.
Course four was another of Duffy's more famous dishes, a service entitled "Grains, Seeds, Nuts" and featuring no less than six variations of those ingredients including a 'veil' of toasted Amaranth and Herbs paired with roasted sunflower seeds, sultana raisins, hazelnut-oil powder and sunflower blossoms resting atop a blend of texturally complex barley, quinoa and chopped hazelnuts. Again presented with a broth added tableside, this time 'sunflower seed tea' the aroma was something like a fresh field during summer in Ohio while the tastes and textures were light, complex, and lightly sweet.
Progressing towards heavier proteins my next dish would feature "Hamachi - Lardo, Yuzu, Rainbow Chard" but that limited list of ingredients told nothing of the story of this dish - my second favorite of the night and one of the best fish preparations I've ever tasted. With the tender hamachi first grilled and then topped with a drape of melting lardo before rainbow chard and balls of yuzu were added the smoky centerpiece of this dish was further complimented with a dollop of carrot froth, sliced kumquats, grilled morels, poached rhubarb, and a buleed cardamom marshmallow all adding a significant degree of variability to individual bites. It was sweet, it was smoky, it was savory, and although complex nothing on the plate seemed extraneous or out of place with each component contributing to the overall effect.
Moving to sweets - "Sambirano Valley Chocolate - Brown Butter, Mandarin, Stevia" proved to be even more texturally interesting than dessert #1. Clearly unwilling to settle for subtle presentations, this dessert centered on dense 'noodles' of chocolate ganache traversing the long plate and intermingling first with hazelnut cake and freeze-dried mandarin orange, then frozen blood orange sorbet followed by sliced citrus and chocolate cake, and finally flaked stevia and huckleberries - a veritable roller coaster ride that served not only to keep the presentation interesting, but also to highlight the myriad nuances of the chocolate.
With a copy of the menu gathered and bid farewell by the team (both in the kitchen and the front of the house) I made my way back out to the lobby where the chocolate bar was still hopping and met my family outside the hotel to tell them what they had just missed out on - a meal that blew "NEXT" out of the water and rivals L2o (under Gras) and Alinea for best in the city with a Chef every bit as capable as his pedigree would suggest...a chef whose next venture will not take me nearly as long to visit.Listed in: Most memorable meals.
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Review from Adam S.
8/6/2011 2 photos
Overall Verdict: This place is fantastic, well deserving of the recognition from Michelin. And, it is now taking the first place slot in my list of Michelin restaurants in Chicago. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it and will likely go back next season.
LONG VERSION:
Continuing on my Michelin star restaurant quest and admitting up front that this review is biased based on comparison to the other Michelin star restaurants at which I have dined. See all reviews of the list here
http://bit.ly/nGR9Vc
Most relevant comparisons: L20 (taste and appearance of the food); Boka (boring bland decor); Ria (Service and friendliness of the staff; though NOT for the sommolier who was friendly but NOWHERE NEAR Dan from Ria).
Food: 5
The food here was amazing. I had the Vegetarian Tasting Menu at $115 while another friend had the largely seafood based Tasting Menu @ $125 each. A few items were on both menus. Highlights include my favorite the Cauliflower with swiss chard and black cardamom; along with the unique vegan treat "Grain, Seeds, Nuts". The two meat eaters at the table this evening enjoyed the Alaskan King Crab ("Amazing!") but were less impressed by the Wagyu Beef Ribeye. EVERYONE loved the chocolate dessert (2nd of 2) while the Sheep's Milk dessert on the vegetarian menu seemed to beat out the frozen like a rock Coconut concoction on the regular menu.
Decor: 4
YAWN!!!! This place really does look like someone said "what should we do with that random space?" and they decided to put in a restaurant. For pure aesthetics, I would give this place a 3, because really it is NOTHING SPECIAL. However, due to the quiet, good ambiance, and ease of parking and dining, I bumped it up a bit.
Service: 5
Where L2O #failed miserably, this place got it perfect. The servings came out in a timely and well-organized manner. Our glasses were always filled, and there was never (like Topolo) a moment where our table had no food. Friendly and attentive but not overbearing. I felt the staff here were working on the same team and actually liked working together. And the kitchen staff looked like they enjoyed what they were doing as well. Where L2O was a bit depressing, this place was upbeat.
Value: 4
Pricing of this place is more like Boka and the Tasting Menu is pretty steep. However, unlike L2O, you do not feel pressured to do a wine paired tasting so you can choose a nice bottle of wine that can go with all courses and keep your bill relatively reasonable. Somehow, we were full, happy, and had great service for $225 each versus $350 each at L2O. Still not as good a value as Takashi and much more pricey than Sepia, but this is the place you would want to splurge on rather than L2O.
Overall: 5
I'm going out of a limb and giving this place a 5. I think that the food is great, service spectacular and the boring decor does not matter as much when you are comfortable and satisfied. Compared to the other Michelin starred restaurants, this place comes out of top thus far. Therefore, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it and will likely go back next season for a new Tasting Menu. -
Review from Amy M.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2011
A friend and I had dinner at Avenues this past Tuesday and it was simply OUTSTANDING. Chef Duffy is a genius... the food is fresh, inventive and playful. The service is attentive, sincere and perfectly timed. This is cuisine in it's highest art form and Chef Duffy should be compared to Picasso.
It is definitely pricey.... but you are paying not only for the entire experience, but for food that is a work of art.... and just as a Picasso fetches a high price, so should the food at Avenues.
I BEG you to treat yourself soon... you won't regret it. -
Review from Emily B.
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh, no.
Let me break it down:
FOOD/ATMOSTPHERE: Amazing. 4-5 stars. Literally, was dreaming about some of the dishes we had later that night and thought about them the next day. Easily, l can say that the crab soup (first course) was one of THE BEST things I've ever eaten. Hats off, Duffy.
SERVICE: No stars. A fatal error was made during the last coure of our service. We had a 9pm reso on a Saturday, so by this time it was 11pm and only 2 tables were left eating in the dining room. In the beginning of the meal, they of course survey for allergies or conditions - we had a serious no-alcohol request that was accommodated first by a complimentary glass of sparkling cider. Somehow between then and the end of the meal, the server forgot about the sobriety going on at the table and dropped the final dessert, which features raw amaretto brandy, haphazardly. One bite in and the entire "special occasion" night was shot. For a $300 meal for two, the service has to be as on-point - if not more - as the kitchen.
Such a serious slip up from a two-star Michelin restaurant. Totally inexcusable, would never happen at Alinea....or Olive Garden, honestly. Will not return and would suggest another venue if you want to truly relax with the type of service that knows your needs before even you know them. -
Review from David M.
Ladera Ranch, CA
8/5/2011 17 photos
Holy Toledo! This easily ranks among my top restaurants I've ever been to. Beautiful restaurant, very upscale and swanky decor, with a nice view of the city. And the service was attentive and impeccable.
They have a large and splendid selection of wines. I didn't get to see the full menu, there were really only two choices, a 7 course chef's tasting menu with meat, and a 7 course chef's tasting menu vegetarian style.
On the one hand this was an exhausting experience. We sat for about two and a half hours through the seven courses, including the amuse bouche and the final treats at the end. But what a great way to spend it. I was truly amazed by each course, but especially one of our starter courses that included suspending items on a platform of thin caramelized sugar in a glass. Each course, was so intricate and each plate executed with such attention to detail. Wish I could post my pics.
Highly recommend this place, The chef and the staff are amazing. -
Review from Mike S.
Naperville, IL
5/29/2011 6 photos
My wife and I went to Avenues last night and we could not be more disappointed. We should have known we were trouble when we arrived for our 7pm reservation and we were told that our table wasn't ready...meanwhile the dining room was only about 25% full! After waiting 10 minutes to get seated, we had to wait another 10 minutes or so for a waiter to grace us with his presence.
We started with two glasses of champagne from the cart. While the drinks were excellent, the prices were not! $24 for my wife's glass and $34 for my glass of champagne. Yikes.
After the champagne, we had to wait even longer to order which is outrageous considering there are only TWO menu options (chef's tasting or vegetarian chef's tasting). The menus appeared to be printed on a home color laser printer, which doesn't jive with their four-star rating.
We had the chef's tasting (with protein), and we felt all of the courses were pretty bad. The presentation of each course was nice, but the flavors and tastes really stunk the joint out. Some of the lowlights included the Grains/Seeds/Nuts soup and the Wagyu Beef Ribeye. Shockingly, even the desserts were pretty horrible.
My wife wanted to order a drink to go with dessert and she requested the drink menu when they served coffee. However by the time the drink menu arrived 10 minutes later, our guests had already finished their coffee and everyone had finished their desserts! Therefore we passed on the dessert drinks.
Considering this is an EXPENSIVE four-star restaurant, the service was appalling and the food was below average. If you're looking for a great high end dinner, I would pass on Avenues and go to Ria or Alinea instead. -
Review from Karen L.
Chicago, IL
12/27/2010
This was definitely the fanciest restaurant I have ever been to and my first time in the Peninsula. What a gorgeous hotel and a nice, elegant restaurant. The service is amazing... we had about 10 different servers wait on us. Every time we finished a course, they were there right away to take away the plates and serve us the next. They even show you the way to the restroom and the way back to your table (that is a little much if you ask me.) We had a gorgeous view of Michigan avenue on a beautiful snowy night... and were able to dine on a delicious 8 course meal on a romantic date.
Upon being seated, we were presented with the tasting menu, either a vegetarian or non-vegetarian option. However, later on that night we noticed other tables did not do the tasting menu. We had thought that was the only option and thus went with it, however I would have much preferred ordering a la carte. The tasting menu was good, but there were a couple dishes that I didn't quite care for. The portions were good, the dishes were inventive, fresh and tasty. I can't even remember all the dishes but my favorites were a king crab and the steak dish. Overall it was a great experience, but also a very pricey experience. I would recommend to go on a special occasion. -
Review from Basem A.
Chicago, IL
4/7/2011
WOW! Avenues was one of my first molecular gastronomy experiences and I can say that everything from service to the food was amazing.
I will generally re-visit a restaurant when the food is good, but the service has to be great. All of the staff were very attentive and I had to ask for nothing.
The food was beyond unbelievable. I had a nine course meal with wine pairings and I can honestly say that I savored every bite. My favorite dishes were the king crab, english pea chilled soup and the wagyu beef.
Great job Avenues, Chef Curtis Duffy and the team at Avenues truly deserves my 5 stars. -
Review from Winston G.
Chicago, IL
4/2/2011
Go for the chef's tasting menu - you won't be disappointed. 8 courses for $135 per person is actually well priced, especially since the portions were better than most tasting menus I have had. Additionally, they provide you with a tasting of different breads, paired with some unique and amazing butters.
Service is top notch as expected. Wine selection is also extensive. A nice place to go for a special occasion, or if you want to try some amazingly creative dishes!
Pictures here: http://www.thegluttono... -
Review from Caroline A.
Chicago, IL
8/25/2010 Seated via OpenTable
The Peninsula Hotel is my happy place in Chicago, my luxurious urban oasis where I always feel pampered and fabulous.
I had dinner here with one of my besties, and we had a positively lovely time. Our host was incredibly gracious and welcomed us to the restaurant the most charming French accent. The dining room is super elegant, much like the rest of the hotel. The lighting is perfect and makes your skin look radiant (aka, perfect pores). We were seated in the corner of the restaurant by the window, and had a very nice view of the city.
Right away, we were presented with the Champagne cart, where we had a choice of one Champagne and three different sparkling wines. I went with a light and fruity Italian sparkling wine (sorry, the name escapes me) and later switched over to something a little drier.
While we did have a terrific dinner, there were a few gliches along the way. It did take about 15 minutes for our server to come back, when there were really only two options - vegetarian or not.
The eight courses went by pretty fast, but we enjoyed them very much! I have to say that the Alaskan King Crab (1st course) as my favorite, and really set the bar high for the rest of the meal. Named the "Best Dish of the James Beard Gala" by the editor of Food & Wine, this dish certainly lived up to the hype!
Other highlights of the meal include - the goats butter and two different olive oil emulsions served with the bread, Elysian Lamb Loin (Japanese eggplant was fantastic) and Strawberry Tube with Chambord (heaven). The braised shortribs were just ok in my book. It was a bit too salty and was a little dry. I still ate the whole thing.
My friend ordered a cocktail and I ordered another glass of Champagne. The empty glass made it to the table, but was never filled. Le sad. They realized this when they brought out the check. How unfortunate.
They did end up giving us a complimentary glass of bubbly, which was delicious. We left with a small bag of chocolates.... it was a lovely treat.
I do think the servers need an updated wardrobe here (and the rest of the Pen). Who's idea was that?!
Overall, we had a very nice time. Avenues is incredibly romantic, so fellas... bookmark this one for your next special occasion!Listed in: **Swoon**
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Review from Stephen F.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2011
Avenues offers an outstanding chef's tasting menu, and truly deserves its reputation and Michelin rating. I find it most helpful to compare my meal here with recent dining at Spiaggia and L20.
Where the other top restaurants serve substantial portions, I found myself leaving Avenues only moderately full. This wasn't a disappointment, but certainly a difference in approach among the kitchens.
The courses at Avenues came quickly, I think no more than 7 minutes separating the last plates cleared and the next presented -- a fine dining land speed record.
The service was essentially flawless, but also picks up the attitude of the Peninsula Hotel in which Avenues resides. I found the the service to be fawning -- nearly lickspittle -- and was slightly uncomfortable as this type of service is rare in 2011.
I most enjoyed the famous Alaskan king crab soup, with a sugar tuile elevating some cool ingredients out of the broth when it is served. For a few dishes I wasn't thrilled with the flavor and texture pairings, but still enjoyed the dishes as art and sustenance.
Here are my overall tips:
-Expect to spend at least $200 a person.
-If you are a cooking fan, ask to sit at the bar overlooking the plating area.
-Don't you dare enter the Peninsula Hotel in jeans, sneakers, or a t-shirt. Wear your best.
-Though I stand by the five stars, if you aren't accustomed to this type of restaurant I suggest starting with a different one -- perhaps Spiaggia. You might find the food at Avenues too unfamiliar and the service too uncomfortable. -
Review from LK P.
Chicagoland, IL
4/13/2011 8 photos
Thank you Avenues for restoring our faith in what Chicago has to offer in the fine dining arena. (We had a somewhat discouraging experience at Spiaggia). Our entire dining experience was spectacular, and we can't wait to return.
We both had the chef's tasting menu, which was superb. Chef Duffy is unbelievably talented, clearly knows his food and devised an extremely well-thought-out, amazing menu. I can't rave enough about the food. We really appreciated the inventiveness and I was tickled several times with the playfulness of some of the dishes. Despite the cutting edge execution, every dish tasted wonderful and delightful and satisfying, every ingredient meshed with all the others. By the end, we were so stuffed we had to take the chocolates to go.
Superb service at the level we expect from a restaurant of this caliber. Everything was perfectly timed and smooth, from the very friendly sommelier who instantly materialized at our side right when we were discussing the list, to the servers who presented and described each dish, to our water and even the different breads we were served during the meal.
Just writing this review is making me so happy again. -
Review from Jamie S.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2011
I really liked the food here. Everything on the tasting menu was enjoyable. There were things in the dishes I would not normally elect to eat (like sea urchin) but everything was delicious in the chef's capable hands. The dishes arrived and they were beautiful and when tasted, it was like a party in my mouth.
It was a tad bit pretentious in décor and staff but I was able to look past it - out the big floor to ceiling windows and onto my ever full bread plate and water glass. I felt a little bit rushed but when we mentioned it to each other I think the ever present staff overheard and adjusted accordingly.
I would recommend this place. -
Review from Amanda B.
6/1/2010 29 photos
************* REVIEW 158 ***************
I often tell my friends, I follow the chefs, I don't follow the restaurants. If the chefs left, I'll follow his footsteps.
I've been anxiously waiting to try out this dish "Alaskan King Crab" was the talk of the town at the James Beard Awards gala. His team earned the Food & Wine's best dish of the night, & right when I read about it, I thought to myself, I have to take to trip Chicago for this.
I've been to French Laundry when he was there. I've been to Charlie Trotter when he was there. I've been to Aliena when he Chef de Cuisine there. So here I go again.
The Peninsula is 1 of the finest hotels in the world, so I honestly didn't know what to expect, but let the chef surprised me:
1. Grains, Seeds, Nuts - amaranth veil, puffed, sunflower - clean & a fresh start.
2. Alaskan King Crab - lightly poached in citrus with elements of spring cucumbers, wild steelhead row, kalamasi puree with floral note, lemon mint - THE DISH I've been dying to try since the James Beard Foundation Award event in NYC. Let me tell you, hard to describe when I crack that sugar tuile layer to get to the bottom of the glass for the piece of crab. It all made sense! It was such a gratifying feeling. I did it!
3. English Peas - chilled soup of English peas with frozen coconut dome, toasted pumpernickel, pressed pineapple, golden pea shoots - amazing, refreshing & I felt like I was in a park playing, it was that much fun!
4. Alsatian White Asparagus, toasted milk, rhubard, sweet woodruff - the dish like an art work, so beautiful to eat! & the asparagus was really nice.
5. Homemade Tofu, smoked paprika, majool dates, parsley root. I thought of my mom with this dish, she would enjoy it tremendously.
6. Black Cod - brandade, pommery mustard, fennel blossom - oh so nice & buttery tasty.
7. Acquerello Risotto - 4 mushroom risotto with braised spring ramps, red wine, morels, sweet garlic - love the broth, so sweet & well balance.
8. Elysian Field Lamb Loin - hibicus poached majool dates, raw parsley root, pickled mustard seed, eggplant, nasturtium - this dish was so gorgeous & memorable photographic - & the lamb was so tender, tasty & perfect cooked. This was probably on my top 3 dishes of the night.
9. Ohmi Gyu, with black truffle creme caramel, summer truffle, braised pistachios, scallions - I placed the truffles on my face & couldn't stop sniffing it. This dish was amazing. The beef was unbelievable tender, the truffle was pairing so well with it. Just simply a delectable dish! I could eat this dish alone all night!
10. Passion fruit, tapioca, rose, lemon balm - it brought out on an ice tray, I love it.
11. Dark Chocolate, saffron, honey, bergamot - this desert looks like my jewelry, seriously it was just so beautifully plating, that I just didn't want to eat! It was sweetness from heaven!
12. Raspberry, Thai black pepper, mascarpone, African blue basil - another art piece, I was guilty to break it open to eat it!
Finally, another 6 pieces of chocolates to go!
Wine pairing was also phenomenal. The service was undeniable for me as the class to Thomas Keller & Joel Robuchon impeccable service. The night was so amazing for me, & probably 1 of the most memorable dining experiences of my life.
Chef Duffy was named one of the 'legacy chefs' at the James Beard Award & I'm sure it's just a beginning for him. I'm looking forward to his summer & fall menus. Next time, I'll bring my parents with me.Listed in: Michelin Star, Chi Town w/Manda Bear
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Review from Kate S.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2007
I really can't figure out why people are complaining that the food here isn't on par with Trotters or Tru. I agree with Chris B. (and the legion of obsessive foodies-in-the-know over at LTHforum)--Avenues is the most grossly overlooked restaurant in Chicago. In fact, it may be edging out Trotters for the top spot on my personal list of top Chicago restaurants.
I don't want to sound like a snob, but if you're reading my review I figure you need some basis for assuming my opinion is worth considering. Gambling a significant amount of cash on what you hope will be a significantly awesome restaurant isn't something most people do without some reassurance it's worth it. And I do have a real basis for saying Avenues is fabulous because I have a lot to compare it to. In Chicago, I've been to Alinea, Trotters, Tru, Everest, Les Nomades, Avenues; further afield, I've been to the French Laundry, Per Se, Chez Panisse, Gary Danko, Le Bernardin, Alain Ducasse, Jean Georges, Daniel, Nobu, Masa, and others I am forgetting. What can I say? Some women spend on shoes and handbags. I spend on restaurants because I really enjoy dining out and take food really seriously.
I kept forgetting Avenues existed, despite seeing the name pop up on LTH quite regularly as a top contender among Chicago restaurants. Maybe I overlooked it because it's in a hotel. Maybe I overlooked it because the chef isn't a celebrity, or because the name isn't that memorable. I don't know WHY I overlooked it, but when I finally got around to visiting, I realized I'd been making a mistake. Avenues is absolutely wonderful.
The food is nothing even close to boring. It's not Alinea or Moto, but experimentation is not the sole measure of what makes food memorably good. My favorite restaurants tend to be places like this or like Trotters--places that experiment with tradition but don't go crazy with it. So many of the courses at Avenues were stand-out amazing--the squab with huckleberries and ricotta, or pork "barbecue" with sassafras, or lighter courses like fennel gazpacho--and even the less-explosive courses were perfect in their sequence. But then, I'm easy. An upgrade to a full ounce of golden Iranian osetra for my first course had me in such a good mood I'd say my judgment may have been clouded if my husband didn't agree with me.
All this comes at a price. A 15-course menu, without wine or water or coffee or upgrades, is $175 a person. Add in an aperitif, bottled water, wine, coffee--and it starts to add up a lot higher. Do something like I did, and upgrade to osetra over domestic caviar, for example, and with tax and tip you're walking away having spent WELL over $1000 for two. (Avenues did call the next day to apologize because they had double-charged for something and to tell us they were deducting it from our bill. I thought that was pretty nice, given that there was no way I would ever have noticed that.)
The service is very, very good. It's more invisible than friendly, and exceedingly professional and competent. The decor is likewise not obtrusive in any way, but is quiet and subdued with well-spaced tables. I liked both, and thought them definite pluses.
In short, I can't fathom why people overlook Avenues, and I certainly can't figure out what's going on with the negative reviews about the food. Sure, Avenues isn't the dazzling culinary pyrotechnics people seem to expect out of restaurants today, but I don't trash Everest just because very traditional french food disagrees with me (in fact, I puked my guts out all over Chicago Street afterwards). I don't declare that Tru sucks just because I was majorly underwhelmed by what I considered pointlessly different but not very well-thought-through dishes. My only guess is that some reviewers spend a whole lot of money for a special dinner expect it to meet some subjective ideal, and then decide that the restaurant objectively fails because they personally aren't thrilled.
And that's really very silly. -
Review from Chris B.
Chicago, IL
8/11/2006
What is the deal with this restaurant??? The only five star seafood in Chicago, and it is GROSSLY underrated, and ALWAYS overlooked when talking about the top restaurants in Chicago...
We've been to Charlie Trotter's, Ambria, Tru, et al., and we would go back to Avenues before any of those. Dover Sole carved tableside, Anniversary style service (esp. if you actually go for your anniversary), trolling drink carts, Chef's menu and ambience that transports you to the most elegant place in your imagination, and you have Avenues. Will you pay for this experience? Oh yes -- expect a $300+ check on the scale of Trotter's, but it is a fabulous dining experience.
In discussing this restaurant with friends, I get blank stares from many who have never even heard of this gem.
Okay -- here's the plan -- the next big event -- Anniversary, milestone birthday, promotion, out of town client -- take them here.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Jojo J.
Cook, IL
1/16/2010
Food, service, ambiance, decor, music, people, drinks... What can I say, I was floored by this place when I went there as a gift from my boyfriend (A spa day and lunch at the Peninsula). Best day ever!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
Easily one of my favorite places in Chicago. If you can afford it you should definitely make a day of it with some girl friends - or indulge yourself. -
Review from Carol K.
10/3/2008
Avenues. Who knew that this little gem was nestled in the Peninsula Hotel? Obviously not many people as we were only one of four occupied tables on a recent Wednesday night.
The service and food were impeccable The space beautiful and we had a great table by the windows.
After being seated- we were offered our choice of one of 5 champagnes from the champagne cart. I chose a sparkling rose that was fruity and delicious. Just a note of caution- this place can get very expensive very quickly so know what you want to spend before walking in. The glass of champagne was $32 alone. Thank heaven I didn't go with my first instinct to drink champagne all night instead of going with a nice bottle of wine!
There are three tasting menus to choose from- a 4, 8 or 15 course option. We chose the 8 courses even after being assured from our server that if we went with the 15 course that he could get us out in about 2 hours. I'm not sure how that would be possible given it took us over 2 hours to move through the 8 courses.
I loved the presentation of the food. Little planks made out of bacon, foam gracing the plates and multiple flavors and textures all mingling together to create taste sensations that were as interesting as they were delicious. A few of my favorites on this night were the sea scallop with huckleberries, the hato mugi which was almost risotto like and the Wagyu which was the most flavorful beef I have ever had.
The sommelier was helpful in finding us a bottle of wine that was the perfect pairing for our meal and was actually at the lower end of the price range of their wine list. There was also a wide variety of breads that came out with each of the courses that were delicious.
I would save Avenues for that perfect place for that special evening- after all- dinner for two came to around $550 including the champagne and wine so I doubt I will be a regular here. But with the impeccable service and great food- I'd definitely consider it for my next special occasion. -
Review from Jeanne J.
Chicago, IL
3/18/2010
Don't think I'm really qualified as a culinary connoisseur to describe what I ate while giving all due deference to the flavors, textures, originality, presentation, etc etc etc. the chef hopes to create. I'm going to admit that I often didn't know what I was eating and had to refer to the menu afterwards to even remember the entire night,
but in any case, as your average joe (jeanne), my 15-course tasting at Avenues was....wonderful, special, unique, memorable, and....so filling. -
Review from Norman C.
New York, NY
12/16/2007
I have to agree with most of the reviewers on this one. It's a great, make that incredible dining experience.
My wife and I went a few days ago for my birthday and we were blown away at both the quality and creativeness of the food as well as the high level of service. Yes, it's not cheap but when you paying that kind of money you had better receive the "invisible" service (the staff is almost one step ahead of you) that Avenues delivers.
We tried a wonderful bottle of pinot noir recommended by our server and opted for the 15 course dinner. if I go back, I would probably try the 5 or 10 course but everything looked great. It's a great special event restaurant and we really enjoyed our four hour dinner. I highly recommend it. -
Review from leyla a.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2008
In order to celebrate the holidays with my special someone, we opted to have an intimate, holiday dinner versus buying each other expensive gifts. It was a special night, so I phoned the restaurant ahead of time and spoke to the sommelier in order to pre-select a nice bottle of champagne to pair with our first two courses. Upon his recommendation, I selected a 1/2 bottle of Krug and gave my American Express in order to pre-pay for the bottle so that m date would not be charged for the bottle. The champagne was also part of his Holiday gift.
We walked over to the Peninsula hotel, arriving a few minutes early, our table was not quite ready so the hostess took our coats and we headed to the lounge. I ordered a Basil Hayden's on the rocks and my date a Stoli Soda and headed back as we finished our drinks.
When we got back to the restaurant, we were told that we still had a few more minutes so I sat at the Kitchen Bar while our table was being readied. I am glad I sat down for that brief minute because I learned that you can order any item from the tasting menu for $17 a course if you sit at the kitchen bar. This is great news, you can sit there and have an abbreviated version of the tasting menu and have two courses if you like!
Shortly after we were seated our server brought over the champagne and we toasted the New Year. I remember having the chestnut soup, which was fantastic. And the sturgeon was remarkable as well - light in comparison to other preparations of sturgeon I have had at various other restaurants. I was a little disappointed by the short rib (which is usually a favorite dish of mine), it was over cooked - medium well.
We only did the five course tasting and those were the courses that stood out the most. I don't recall dessert but all in all, I thought the food was fantastic.
Ultimately, I would say that when I go back, I will most certainly sit at the Kitchen bar. I love sitting in front of an open kitchen where the opportunity to converse with the chef exists. I love to watch them prepare the food with such precision and attention to detail. Best of all, I love the fact I can still have a four star meal in a more casual setting - and have the ability to pick and choose which courses I prefer. -
Review from Carine M.
Chicago, IL
11/29/2007
I went to Avenues about 3 months ago with my boyfriend. He actually proposed right before dinner, so we were excited and looking forward to a great meal. We only had about 2.5 hours because friends were meeting at our apartment to celebrate, and we didn't want to have them waiting there forever for us.
Our server was nice and congratulated us. We wanted to do the largest tasting menu but were concerned about time. Our server said that we could do it in 2-2.5 hours as long as we didn't mind if the courses came out a little faster than normal. We were totally fine with that and very excited to eat.
My boyfriend and I are very big foodies. I kinda suck because I don't eat meat, but I love all seafood. We've been to countless prix fixe restaurants, and I always let them know I don't eat meat but do eat seafood and I'm always really pleasantly surprised with the chef's substitutions. Avenues was a whole new experience...and not in a good way.
The first few courses were either vegetarian or contained no meat. And to be fair, they were mostly very good. Then came the squab with huckleberry, ricotta and truffle. The server put the plates down and explained the components of the dish. Since I obviously knew I was not having squab, I asked, while she was walking away, "oh, and what am I having?" This is honestly what she said, "...everything but the squab."
I almost started histerically laughing. I've never been somewhere that they haven't substituted a protein. I mean sear a scallop or something. Grill a shrimp, no biggie, just do something! Before this even happened the dishes were coming out slower and slower and we had no chance of leaving at the time they said we could. Our server was also present less and less. We had to leave 3 courses early. They did take some money off since we weren't able to eat the last few courses, which is fine, but I'd rather have had the chance to eat them!
Another nice thing Avenues did do was print out our menus with the date and a note of congratulations as a keepsake. Wish I wanted to remember the menu more.
Long (really long, sorry) story short, I was really disappointed in Avenues, and I just think there are WAY too many great restaurants in Chicago to recommend it. -
Review from Ashley S.
Philadelphia, PA
12/4/2008
If you're willing to drop a lot of money on food just for the experience like I am, then this is the place to go. Service is impeccable, food is inventive, atmosphere is decadent and ritzy--what's not to like?
If you're going to a place like this, I recommend you go for the glory and try the 15 course tasting menu with wine pairings. It's honestly the best I've ever had--three times. I've eaten at all the big players in Chi-town: Trotters, Alinea, Everest, Tru...Avenues beats 'em by a fair bit.
Easily the best dish I've ever had was served here after my graduation--steak tartare with smoked ice cream. Delicious. Exquisite. Amazing.
One of the tasting menus BF and I did was composed of Chef Bowles' spins on comfort foods like mac and cheese, ribs, fried chicken, etc. They were really fun to eat and provided great fodder for conversation.
Like I said, I've been here three times. Each time was awesome. Go here if you've got a special occasion; I don't think it's possible to be disappointed if you truly love food.
That being said, be sure to schedule in a full day of digestion before you plan on any nooky... 15 courses is a lot. -
Review from mindy m.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2007
I love the attention to detail that is inherent with being in a Peninsula Hotel, and Avenues doesn't disappoint in that regard. Service was outstanding, from the personalized menus, to the gift of (amazing) shortbread as we left.
The food was very good, and the sommelier was very helpful as well. I kind of needed it since the wine list was literally a book, and a weighty one at that.
My husband was bored with his Pheasant Pot eu Feu, and while it was delicious, I didn't really blame him. It wasn't very exciting.
My Kobe beef (for a supplement charge) was very good as well. The quail appetizer was delicate and moist inside, while maintaining a perfectly seasoned crisp outside--amazing with those tiny little things. I ordered the Vanilla souffle as my desert, but to be honest, I could have just had the small scoop of rosewater ice cream that accompanied it and been satisfied, that was fantastic.
Here's my problem: I could have flown to Europe for the cost of our three course meal, and while it was lovely, I just feel that I've had more memorable dining experiences elsewhere. I'm glad we went, but I don't think we need to go back again. Definitely worth experiencing. -
Review from James K.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2007 1 Check-in Here
I love the Peninsula Hotel. I love the amazingly graceful and anticipatory service. I love the Lobby Restaurant. I love Shanghai Terrace. I love everything about this hotel. Except Avenues.
I really wanted to love Avenues, too. But, I just couldn't. The thoughtful servers at Avenues really tried to make our experience good, but the food prepared by Chef Bowles just flat out poor. My first experience at Avenues was at a Prix Fixe Valentine's Dinner ($175/person) where I was unimpressed by all but 1 of the 14 courses tried between my guest and I (the now banned foie gras lollipop) and borderline revolted by several (the worst being a flat out nasty, rubbery sturgeon over oatmeal.)
The wine director, however, was very knowledgeable and fun, and tasted our '69 Gaja with us and passionately discussed his takes on its taste and evolution as it aerated. He also suggested a stunning, obscure dessert wine that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Additionally, we were nickeled and dimed for another $16 dollars for bottled water, were quoted a $35 dollar corkage fee, which appeared on the check at $50, and when it came to the dish entitled simply "TRUFFLE" on the Hers menu, were told we could "purchase an upgrade to real truffles" for an undisclosed price.
The chef and management tried their hardest to improve the experience, replacing my guest's main course with an alternate entree (which still failed to deliver) and inviting us back for a second chance at a discount. But, even on our reluctant second visit, the food wholly missed its mark and even the Kobe beef was bland and dull. -
Review from eileen b.
San Francisco, CA
8/31/2007
"US Weekly said Brad and Angeliina ate here." That was why I chose this place on my recent trip to Chicago.
I was sadly disappointed and now I question Brad and Angelina's taste in food. My boyfriend and I decided to splurge on this place and took no shortcuts -- we got the 15 course tasting, a bottle of wine + two extra glasses of wine.
Fifteen courses gives the chef 15 opportunities to impress us and well... there were only 2 real stand out dishes. I liked the Lobster course while my boyfriend liked the very chocolatey dessert. The remaining 13 dishes were fine, but I've had better for a LOT cheaper.
The presentation was pretty and the service was fine (although they could've done better with the drink refills), but I don't think Chef Bowles, is one that matches my tastes. I'll save my hundreds of dollars on Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller or Thomas Keller instead. -
Review from Tom F.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2007
Don't get me wrong, I liked this restaurant. The food was mostly excellent, the wine list impressive in breadth and depth, and how can you not love the Peninsula Hotel? It's a beautiful, beautiful place.
That said, I believe that Avenues falls short of reaching the Trotter's/Tru/Alinea pantheon of Chicago fine dining. The dining room (which I understand was recently renovated) is unrelentingly stuffy, surprisingly dated, and way too quiet for my liking. The food, which is well-prepared and of above-average quality, did not have the "wow factor" that I demand of a meal costing in excess of $100. This was especially surprising to me, given Chef Bowles's current status as one of the rising stars in the culinary universe.
So, in passing, my review will be of little use to anyone, as my criticisms of Avenues are fairly vague. But all I can say is that if I have $500 to drop on a meal, I'm going to Trotter's or Alinea. Or Spiaggia. Or Everest. Or Topolobampo. -
Review from Tammy H.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2009
I don't go out to fancy places like this often, but got a $50 gift certificate towards a tasting menu there, so Joe and I went for an anniversary and it was a great experience.
The food was delicious (except the beets, but that's because I don't like beets) and rich.
It was much more laid back than I had expected and our wait staff were happy to joke around with us about our inexperience with fine dining and just let us have our fun. We sat at the bar (real romantic, right?? But that's how we roll) to watch the chefs. Thinking back on it, our only regret is that we didn't take advantage of the mostly empty bar and move around to watch different chefs at different stations.
Not an everyday type restaurant, but excellent for a special occasion :)Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Denise S.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2010
Just amazing. Food, Service, champagne, wine choices etc.
Of course this what you should expect from a restaurant of this quality but what i was most suprised is other than the maitre'd everyone was very warm and welcoming and did provide more expression than what I expected.
had a friend who was in town visiting and he knows one of the sous chefs. I really didn't want to go at first and suggested a few other choices. I am not a fan of the Peninsula. Don't get me wrong I love opulant and enjoy feeling spoiled at a hotel of this caliber but I can't stand staying at hotels that do not have an energy and life about them and The Pen just makes me Yawn. (the Trump, Kimpton Hotels, and a few Ritz Carltons can offer you both) the Lobby is not welcoming and most of the staff makes you feel like your stepping where you shoudln't be and god forbid you talk to anyone.
He knew that I would truly love the experience so I gave in. When we were the seated, the chef even he asked if he could choose our 8 course meal for us and we did the pairing menu along with it.
i won't bore you with all eight courses but at least 4 out of 8 were probably some of the most creative and wonderful flavors I have seen and tasted. the other four were still wonderful tasting, just not as creative. I will agree with most that the King Crab was my favorite. I have been to the James Beard house for several dinners (used to do PR for a chef) and I can see why this has won the awards it has.
I will leave at this. I expected great food and got it, expected great champagne and wine and got it. I expected stuffy and unpersonal service and really they were much more warm, talkative and welcoming than expected. Few small jokes were cracked and they truly had an interest in making our experience what we wanted it to be.
and of course spoiled by the chef menu goes along way as well- LOL!
It's expensive as it should be. But it is really worth an experince once in your life- whatever that celebration is for you. -
Review from John O.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2007
Chef Bowles is a genius and the dishes he is putting out right now really exemplify a chef at the top of his game. Beef tartare with smoke ice cream and bernaise panna cotta, Truffled risotto, maple-laquered breast of Quail, lobster and scallops seafood duet, it goes on and on...The avenues tasting menue experience is not one for the faint of heart (nor light of wallet) but for a special occassion it really fits the bill.
The restaurant service is as luxurious as the hotel service, which can only be described as "world class". Incidentally, if you get a chance to stay there you really should. I called last minute for a little mini getaway/shopping trip for me and the wife and they managed to get us a decent room rate (keep in mind "decent" is a relative term here). We felt pampered the entire time we were there and only wished we had the dough to stay longer. -
Review from J L.
Chicago, IL
3/12/2011
Had bit of expectation since they're 2 Michelin stars. Tried their chef's tasting course. They were all ok, nothing stood out. Maybe I'm being a snob :P However, I really liked their grain soup and basil ice cream. I also enjoyed their awesome service and liked how I was able to see their open kitchen. I'm not sure if I wanna come back here again.
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Review from Luke V.
Houston, TX
4/18/2007
My first experience at the Peninsula came at afternoon tea almost two years ago. Since that exquisite experience, I have returned for Father's Day brunch in the Lobby, dinner at Shanghai Terrace, and several drinks at The Bar and have been more than satisfied every time. However, it took almost two years before my first trip to Avenues. Even after such intense, chronic anticipation, I was absolutely blown away.
My date and I had picked out our meals from start to finish days in advance, and the reality surpassed both of our imaginations. From the pre-pre-appetizer (lemon and chive-flavored goat cheese mousse wrapped in a light pastry shell) to the parting gift (cherry-walnut shortbread), everything was exceptional. The plating was phenomenal, the aromas tantalizing, and the taste out of this world.
Unlike so many other restaurants in Chicago, the environment was extremely conducive to conversation (granted, the conversation degenerated to rapid-fire "this is so good, "this is unbelievable," "I think this ____ is the best ____ I've ever had," etc.). The dining room was neither brightly lit nor dark, allowing us to see the food that we were eating without being overwhelmed by light or lost in shadow. The tables were far enough apart that we could share our food without being mocked by the other patrons, although not far apart enough that we couldn't overhear the host and the waiters switching back and forth seamlessly between English and French. The chairs were extremely comfortable, remaining that way for the entirety of our three hour dinner.
The service was to the standard of the Peninsula: knowledgeable, attentive but not intrusive, and very friendly and accommodating. My guest and I were greeted by name as soon as we entered the restaurant and treated like family throughout the duration of our stay. Chef Bowles was happy to substitute an extra fish course for my date, who doesn't eat meat. The wait staff was able to explain the tiniest nuances of the cuisine, from ingredients to techniques.
In conclusion, my dinner at Avenues was the best meal I have ever had. Granted, I haven't been to Tru or many other "Pantheon" restaurants in Chicago, but I have been to some of the best in other cities across the world; Avenues definitely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. I can't recommend it highly enough. -
Review from Kathy K.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2011
This place is perfect for Valentine's day! It's intimate and the tables are spread out so it feels so you feel like you have some privacy. Each course was unique and tasty. I would recommend it for a business or romantic dinner .
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Review from Boones K.
Vernon Hills, IL
4/25/2011
A very satisfying dining experience. The service was very attentive but never interrupted our dining experience or conversation. The food was wonderful with fresh and vibrant flavors and the portions were a good size for a tasting menu. I didn't leave looking for some place to grab a quick bite like I have from other places. As we got up to leave the hostess was already waiting for us with our coats. Nice touch! I'll put this on my return list.
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Review from Samuel C.
Chicago, IL
4/4/2011
This restaurant had incredible food and service. Primo date location! Food was modern and inventive. Service was fast and not price fixe's usual slow pace. AWSOME!
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Review from PATRICIA A.
Chicago, IL
4/30/2011
Love Avenues. Excellent service, creative plates, intimate and quiet setting. Definitely worth every penny. Great place to impress someone...
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Review from Alexander G.
Chicago, IL
5/31/2010
Solid presentation and taste.
My wife and I decided to do the 5 course carnivore tasting available for our one month anniversary. The service was nice and very paced out for a total of around 3 hours.
There was an amuse bouche that absolutely floored us. The rest of the tastings hit right on the melody of this. We loved everything. I also remember an insane amount of delicious desserts. Seriously, I think there were at least 4 servings of dessert. The wine list is extensive & pricey ( and nothing available under $75/bottle), but we weren't really drinking that night so we settled for two glasses of pinot noir.
Pretty wonderful experience and ambiance. -
Review from Amanda M.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2011
fine dining, very fancy. Sat at the chef's bar and it was more than a meal, it was a culinary experience! Worth the price for a meal, entertainment and a cooking class!
