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Charlie Trotter's
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
816 W Armitage Ave(between Halsted St & Dayton St)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, DePaul
(773) 248-6228
- Nearest Transit:
-
Armitage (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Fullerton (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 6 pm - 12:30 am
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 12:30 am
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
232 reviews for Charlie Trotter's
Review Highlights
"...an awesome tour of the kitchen, wine cellar, studio house."
(in 26 reviews)
"Perhaps the world's most perfect dining experience."
(in 39 reviews)
"Of course we selected the Grand Tasting Menu."
(in 24 reviews)
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232 reviews in English
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Review from Nick R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2012
One of the best culinary experiences of my life. I have visited CT a few times with family to celebrate special occasions. When my sister mentioned that CT would be closing, I knew I had to dine here one last time before I left for LA. As always the food, staff and atmosphere were exceptional. I have never tasted better sauces on any entree anywhere!
Charlie put Chicago on the culinary map and he will forever be a legend. -
Review from J C.
New York, NY
1/16/2012
After reading Trotter's books I knew I had to convince my boyfriend to take a trip to Chicago and go eat at this place. After hearing that this place would be closed this year we booked a flight ASAP!
The experience really was magical. So much attention to detail was carefully thought of. The food and wine pairings were completely delectable. Honestly, an orgasm in your mouth. Staff were very professional, courteous and made you feel right at home. Also, how cool is it that this place is in a townhouse in Lincoln Park?
The wine pairings were magical. Seriously, there wasn't anything that I could criticize about this place. We got a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar. This place really is run how Trotter describes in his book and it was great to see that in person. -
Review from Tim H.
1/15/2012
I have been deciding whether to try out Charlie Trotter's for years, but always decided not to. When I heard it was closing, i figured I better try it before it is gone in August.
I would say the food is 4 or 5 star. More likely 4 star, but I want to start this review out as positively as possible. The preparations, presentation, and flavors were very good.
Here is why I wouldn't come back or even come in the first place. Restaurants in this price range and stratosphere of fine dining need flawless service. Service was a joke here. I wasn't seated until 20 minutes after my reservation time without an apology. Butter was not brought to the table by a server until the second piece of bread was served by the bread chef. Dishes were attempted to be coordinated for drop down at the table, but every dish delivery seemed like an uncoordinated dance by two people with left feet. The meal took over three and a half hours when it should have taken closer to two if they properly paced it according to my preference.
The three star review is to give them the benefit of the doubt that this was an off day. This is more likely a two star or lower review if what I saw was the norm. -
Review from Kian A.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
This was a treat to myself for passing the halfway point in driving from Los Angeles to New York. After a slice of Chicago pizza (that's for another post), I checked in to Charlie Trotter's and sat down for the most expensive meal I'd bought myself at that point. I had the Grand Tasting Menu, without wine pairings - I was 22, and still thought it was a great idea to drink Vodka Red Bulls with meals - and everything lived up to the name. Sad to hear the restaurant is closing.
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Review from Julie Z.
1/9/2012 ROTD 1/29/2012
My birthday surprise dinner was here and I could not have been more excited! Props to my bf! Good work!
Let me preface by saying I will do a lot of comparing to Alinea. Why you may ask? B/c they are both pricey and extravagant and they deserve to be compared. Also, I think a lot of people debate whether to go to Trotters, Alinea, Tru or L2O. So, let's get started.
Trotters takes the cake for service. The sommelier and all servers were fantastic. As we were seated, we were greeted promptly and I was wished a happy birthday by 2 staffers. I understand they probably have to do this but it seemed very sincere and it made me feel very special. Also, the menu I got to take home had "Happy Birthday Julie" and the date on it. Great memento.
Also, right away we were asked about allergies (standard) but also asked to look over the menu and if we didn't like an ingredient to let them know b/c they will substitute it for something else. It was all about us and I loved that.
I prefer Trotters for service b/c I felt like they were on our schedule. The timing was impeccable. It wasn't one dish immediately after the other. They gave us time to talk and appreciate our surroundings. At Alinea, we were definitely on their schedule and I understand this b/c they have 21 courses but twice while I was there they tried to take my plate before I was done. Tsk Tsk. At Trotters, they always asked if you were finished before taking your plate.
I was at the latest seating (8:45 p.m.) and the crowd was lively in there, which I appreciated. The gentlemen working our table were very professional but I also enjoyed that they talked to us and answered our questions genuinely. At Alinea, it was very formal, too formal for me.
Wine: If you are debating ordering bottles of wine or the wine pairing, GET the wine pairings. Holy smokes...they are on point and as another yelper mentions, the pours are generous and they fill you up if you have finished your glass before you are done with the course.
Food: It's beautiful and delicious. Is it as creative as Alinea? No. But it's damn good.
At the end, we got a tour of the entire restaurant including the wine cellars where we saw a bottle from 1870. Cost $35K. Yikes! Javier (pronounced with a "J") gave us the tour and he was so down-to-earth and friendly.
It's sad that they are closing. Our sommeliler has worked there 20 years and Javier for 12 years. They really love their jobs and it's evident in their service.
If you have a chance to go before they close, please do. You will not regret it. -
Review from Jonah G.
Evanston, IL
2/5/2012 88 photos
Had the kitchen table. indescribable. best experience of my life.
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Review from Maureen M.
Western Springs, IL
1/8/2012
I'm feeling a little nostalgic after reading that Charlie Trotter's will be closing. My visit to this restaurant was in 1994. Yelp, check-ins and smart phones didn't exist.
My husband took me here for my birthday and we were lucky enough to have the table in the kitchen. (It was a big deal back in the 90"s) We each had the tasting menu. They had a vegetarian tasting, so my husband chose that menu. I remember we had wonderful service. Our waitress was great and made wonderful wine selections for us. I don't remember anything about the food except that I ate barnacles. It seemed gross but they were quite good.
I'm very glad I had this dining experience. -
Review from Erica W.
1/31/2012
When my friend told me that Charlie Trotters was closing, we decided to go. We didn't have a special occasion to celebrate at the time, we just wanted to visit this legendary institution before it closes. I can honestly say that this is one of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had. The service was absolutely amazing. The menu was creative and witty. It had us intrigued at every bite. Flavor combinations I've never had before. Charlie and his wife Rochelle treat everyone like a VIP. We also got a tour of the restaurant, which I loved. It's run like a well-oiled machine. It's hard to articulate - you really just need to go to experience it. Definitely visit Charlie Trotters if you can before they close. It's worth every penny. Don't wait for a special occasion - you only live once. Just go.
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Review from Tera D.
12/22/2011
I liked it, really I did. It's very very good food. But $700 good? To be fair, it's likely there's no food on earth that's $700 good, so perhaps I shouldn't be giving a review, or shouldn't have gone in the first place. But we did, and I don't regret it, but I certainly wouldn't do it again.
The service is outstanding, exactly what you'd expect. Really above and beyond what you'd see anywhere else. The food was good. We had the grand tasting, which was about 8 or 9 courses. To be honest, the only one that stood out was the meat course. Everything else was good, but not "OMG what is in my mouth" good. It was sort of heavy on dessert, with 3 sweet courses. We also had the wine pairings, which were probably the most reasonably priced thing on the menu, for what you get. They weren't stingy with the pours at all, and if you finished you glass before the course was over they gave you a refill, which is awesome.
In the end, my experience didn't make me think poorly of Charlie Trotters, per se, but it did make me reconsider the super-high-end restaurant concept altogether. -
Review from Stephen S.
Valparaiso, IN
1/29/2012
This is almost a posthumous review, I hear. We were there several years ago and was my first high end Chicago restaurant. Our meal was outrageously expensive and worth every penny. Everything service, food, or wine was perfect and outstanding. Give Charlie Trotter kudos. He is an outstanding restaurant man.
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Review from Erika C.
Lombard, IL
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
What an amazing New Year's celebration!
Spectacular food coming out of a legendary kitchen. Guests had run of the restaurant with a constant stream of wine, champagne and cocktails as well as glorious bites that would barely make it out of the kitchen. The lamb chop appetizer was some of the best lamb I have had, cooked to perfection. Spring rolls with lemongrass were a bite of heaven. Added to the passed appetizers there were four stations throughout the restaurant, Shabu Shabu, Raw bar, Risotto and sashimi and charcuterie upstairs. The most amazing bites were received directly from the chef's as they prepared them in the pristine kitchen.
I suppose I should have started with this but at Charlie Trotter's 25th anniversary New Year's celebration he made the announcement to his staff and guests that he will be closing his legendary Chicago restaurant in August of 2012!
It was an historic evening in the career of this acclaimed chef.
What an amazing evening the staff was so gracious and everyone truly had a wonderful time. My husband and I were lucky enough to Polka in the test kitchen at this usually restrained and understated elegant restaurant. What an experience!
If you can, check it out before this culinary mecca is gone. It was a must eat. Quintessential Chicago. -
Review from Patricia L.
Chicago, IL
12/31/2011
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I walked in, but I enjoyed eating here. The atmosphere was quiet and calm (we sat upstairs) and the service was outstanding. The most impressive part for me was the efficient manner that the wait staff served each course. In a few other places I might've had to wait for what seems like an eternity between courses, but not here. I had just enough time to finish enjoying the previous course when the next course arrived. That also helps for keeping the meal moving along (and not spending upwards of 3 hours at one meal...).
The desserts were quite boring for me, which probably is why this review doesn't have five stars. They were all some sort of ice cream made with an unusual ingredient and a chocolate filler. Meh. (Also, not a fan of the orange marmalade underneath the sunflower seed ice cream. It was way too tart.) However, the bison tenderloin was absolutely delicious!
Yes, it's expensive, but I think you know that going in, so why count that against it? In short, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and well worth the try. -
Review from jesy b.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2011
I was really super stoked to eat at Trotters for the first time earlier this month. Maybe if I hadn't been so excited, the few issues would not have been so disappointing.
I'm a vegetarian, so I was looking forward to trying the vegetable tasting menu. The waiter was careful to explain that the dishes are vegetable focused, but not necessarily vegetarian. He said he would be sure to instruct the kitchen to prepare mine all-veg. How kind of him.
...except that didn't happen. A few courses in, I noticed something smokey, something crunchy, something bacon-like in my supposedly vegetarian dish. Meat-eaters confirmed it was in fact bacon. Now, truth be told, I couldn't possibly have cared less, but there are plenty of vegetarians out there who take it much more seriously than I do and would have had every right to be upset. Plus, for a hundred dollar meal, it does seem like the kind of detail that should be taken care of.
The other nick in an otherwise stellar evening was the service. Not bad, just... odd. I think we may have had some trainees. There was a lot of staring at the plates while describing them, as in "umm, there's some... sweet potato? Uhh, No, carrot... yeah, carrot." That was when they bothered to explain the dishes at all. We were handed a few without comment, as well as multiple wine pairings that were poured and served unannounced. I sort of expected a more knowledgeable staff. Plus, they took away my bread plate at one point and I really don't take kindly to people who get in between me and my carbs.
Afterwards, we got a full tour of the kitchen and special event space, which was a nice treat. Most every course was amazing and we had a great evening, with a few minor bumps. -
Review from Mike H.
Santa Monica, CA
1/1/2012
This is a top shelf place in a top shelf city. my visit to LP was short but perfect
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Review from Emmanuel B.
Deerfield, IL
1/1/2012
Excellent service and beautiful looking food made for a great experience, made even more memorable by meeting Charlie Trotter on the way out.
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Review from George N.
Barrington, IL
1/16/2012
Phenomenal experience from the service to the food to the ambiance. This is what fine dining should be.
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Review from Holly F.
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
We came to Chicago for a surprise birthday trip....for the food, you guessed it. Charlie Trotter's is a Chicago institution so we knew we had to try it. While I am glad we went, I won't go again.
The food was ok. Reading the reviews, maybe my hopes were too high, or maybe we got there on a bad night. But nothing, I mean nothing, during our tasting experience here wowed me. Even the brownie with fresh ice cream on top was dry. It was just an ok meal.
For an OK meal, I'd rather not get dressed up and pay a decent tab. I will skip here on my next visit. -
Review from Mickey M.
New York, NY
11/22/2011
It wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't great either. For the price you pay, there are better options out there. We got the tasting menu ("Grand Menu") for $165 per person. Water service was $8, which I found unreasonable. They do not have a cocktail list, which I found ASTOUNDING. Highlight of the night? The three dessert courses. Total came out to $485, which included the mandatory 18% service charge. NOT RECOMMENDED.
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Review from Tina L.
Fremont, CA
9/7/2011
10 stars for the service and 5 stars for the atmosphere, the presentation of the food, and the kitchen/wine cellar tour afterwards; but unfortunately the taste was way overrated - for the food alone, I would give barely a star for how much I paid. I want to say we went on an off night. Yeah, let's just say that.
Thanks to the ridiculous wine pairing though, I was plenty happily inebriated by the end of the night. My brain pretty much neglected the terrible taste of the food and retained the best memories of that night. The charming little house that was the perfect setting for an intimate meal. The super-professional, ninja-like, mind-reading, accommodating staff. The wines...
Due to the taste of the food and the price, it's unlikely I'll ever be back again, but I'm glad to have had this exquisite dining experience. -
Review from Sue M.
Hollister, CA
9/24/2011
Charlie Trotter's...wow! What I loved about CT's is that you have some amazing, incredible dishes that you can not recreate at home unless you are a classically trained chef on your way to becoming an Iron Chef. it was truly an amazing experience. I recommend this to anyone and everyone who can afford to go at least once.
Now for the nitty gritty...It is a Prix Fixe menu with a vegetarian option. Each dish is exquisitely prepared, plated and presented. The staff is very knowledgable and friendly without being snooty. I think we had 9 courses because they added a few that were not on the menu. My favorite was the Hearts of Palm with an aged balsamic and mango reduction...I can't remember exactly and it was something that was not on the menu. We did not opt for the wine pairing but in retrospect I think we should have. They were out of 2 of the wines by the glass that we wanted.
So why not 5 stars you ask? The bar is set extremely high for me when you are paying almost $300 per person for a meal. We had empty wine glasses for a little while...Okay, I'm changing it to 5 because I see that is just too picky of me! We did get an awesome tour of the kitchen, wine cellar, studio house...the staff was great and I loved their team approach, we got a different artisan bread with each course, the flavors were out of this world, the gastronomy fusion was not excessive but existed...yea, 5 stars for sure.
Thanks Charlie Trotter's for an unforgettable evening. -
Review from Stephen R.
Chicago, IL
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
i am almost forced to give it 5 stars
but not without some downsides
sat at the chefs table in the kitchen
and let me say, thats pretty cool..its like being the show "chopped" and they explain to you every course.
The reality is, its not very nice in the kitchen, but its very fun to see the innerworkings
I find the dining room a tad drab.
the food was excellent
the bill was amazing if you are american express....its like i broke a window or something, i wish they gave me a plaque for the bill. -
Review from Victoria A.
Orlando, FL
9/7/2011
Truly an experience to...well, experience!
The location is in a cute little neighborhood nestled between other large buildings. Almost like a small scale neighborhood in NYC.
We had our choice between a vegetarian and Grand Tasting Menu. Of course we selected the Grand Tasting Menu. One thing I regret very, very much is not saving the menu or sneaking a picture of each entree before I inhaled the amazing mixture of flavors and unique food combinations.
The plates were flawless, the food was delicious- even some of the items that tasted odd were still fabulous. They may have not been something I would eat every day or order ever again- but the experience was worth every bite.
The service? WOW. The service is much more vivid to me more than the food! Five years later I am still wishing I could find some place in Orlando that could use a napkin to wipe off the top of my Fiji water after refilling my glass from my first sip.
I am planning another trip to Chicago with my boyfriend and the first place we will be dining at is Charlie Trotters. Many may be in shock with the price ranges of the menu from $165-$200+ or even $500+ per person for a kitchen table, etc....but after trying it once...the price will not even phase you anymore. You will be made into a food snob and remember the service forever.
Bon appetit! -
Review from Jenny T.
7/30/2011
Came here for free with my HS Concert Choir. I think it's a charity thing that Charlie Trotter's does with Public Schools. MAN it was such a legit experience. I still think about the amazing 12-courses...it's been a WHILE since that, though.
Have never had anything quite as fantastical. You can taste the excellent blend of flavors in each bite of every course, and all the dishes are carefully arranged and look beautiful. Portion sizes are just right so you can eat it and crave it, but move on to the next meal.
Will go back when I have money...or feel like throwing some away... -
Review from Alan L.
Huntington Woods, MI
Updated - 11/16/2011
I returned to Charlie Trotter's about six months ago. I went with great hopes. I'm pleased to say the service was perfect. Sadly, the food, although not awful, was disappointing. Our most enjoyable course was the the cheese course, and I say that with all seriousness.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2009
Even taking into account that this was Valentines Day Weekend there is no excuse for the mediocre… Read more »
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Review from Imrickjamesbc h.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2011
Table of 4 last Friday, special occasion. Textbook perfect service. 3 Grand Tastings and 1 Vegetarian, 1 wine pairing, and 1 nonalcoholic drink pairing. $1098 total out the door. We enjoyed an excellent meal that was enhanced by the great service had by all. But I feel extremely guilty about spending so much money for one meal, don't see the value, and simply don't feel it was worth the price of admission. I won't return because this place is too rich for my blood. True story..
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Review from Melissa M.
Elmhurst, IL
11/14/2011
Delicious. Really amazing seafood dishes - a great variety of fish, shellfish, and mollusks. I recommend that you stop reading and make a reservation to go eat there. Get the Kitchen Table (service is excellent and you get to interact with Executive Chef), but I must warn you that it gets very warm, so go in the winter. It's a lot of food and about a 3.5 hour meal.
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Review from Chet M.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2011
A little too "culinary intense" for my tastes. Portions need to be 15% larger to justify $165 meal. Yes, quality is the priority but value puts a smile on your face. And no foie gras any more :(
Good to check out but no rush to return. -
Review from Stone C.
Naples, FL
3/8/2011
From the time I was greeted to the last "good night" this was a true class act. Service was friendly, attentive and professional, quick to answer questions, incredible food. Ingredients selected for taste as opposed to just being unique. Great desserts. If you appreciate fine food this is a must when you visit Chicago.
I could say more but it would never be sufficient to tell you how great this superlative restaurant is so I will just say it is perfect. -
Review from Kimberly P.
Pasadena, CA
10/27/2011
My husband's pick for his 30th birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! We both had the Grand Tasting Menu with the wine pairings and left with one of the best dining experiences in MY experience, second only to Alain Ducasse in Plaza Athenee in my husband's experience (I've never been). Great dinner for a special occasion.
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Review from Michael L.
Warrenville, IL
11/3/2011
Went here for high school culinary class field trip. Excellent.
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Review from Dominika D.
Chicago, IL
10/29/2011
Amazing! And I am not sure if that right word. We went to the restaurant on a Tuesday night for the first Kitchen Table seating. The whole evening was spectacular. The food was impeccable as well as the service and the kitchen staff was fantastic. We got to watch them prepare and inspect every dish that came off the line. It was incredible to see how they fuss over every dish to make sure that everything is just perfect. We ended up getting 17 courses which were all phenomenal. They started us off with 6 Asian dishes and then they went on to various light dishes, all of them amazing and paired very well with the white wine that we had brought. (Yes, you can bring your own wine, but you have to call them and tell them what you are bringing, they might veto your wine choices and you will also be charged a corkage fee) We then went into the red wine territory and again everything was just amazing! All of the dishes were well balanced, complex and interesting.
This was my second time at Charlie Trotter's and they managed to surpass my already high expectations. They are an expensive restaurant, but this is the place that everybody should go to at least once in their lives. It is amazing, from the moment that you walk in everything is taken care of. Would love to be back again, but it will probably be another 5 years before I can afford to go back. -
Review from Reva l.
Chicago, IL
12/14/2011
The food was amazing, wine list spectacular, and service was excellent! We even got a tour of the kitchen. Yes it was expensive but worth every penny. I would highly recommend it and will be making another visit.
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Review from Chrystell S.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011
Honestly, it has been a while since I have been here but I do have to say that when I ate there, it was a disappointment. Even the wine pairings were sub par. Perhaps it was an off night for them but I was unimpressed. I will say that the service was impeccable and we were appreciative of the kitchen tour that we were given at the end of our meal. I believe in second chances so I will definitely give them another try the next time I am in Chicago.
Listed in: Dining Under the Stars of…
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Review from Kathryn F.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2011
Being a high school teacher comes with its' benefits, and the Excellence program offered here has to be high on my list!
The Excellence Program allows a group of about 10 students to come in and experience fine dining. Many of my students had never experience organic food or even traveling north of the Water Tower, so this program was great for them.
Since I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to chaperone, I also got to eat for free. :)
Our 'grand menu' consisted of:
-Manila Calms with Fava Beans
-Tempura of Soft Shell Crab (fantastic)
-Steamed Ocean Trout with Green Tea & Coriander Garbanzo Beans
-Poache Guniea Hen
-Salt Crusted Pork with Maitake Mushrooms (that salt crust is still on my mind months later)
-Meyer Lemon Sorbet w/ Candied Basil
-Yogurt Gelato w/ Iranian Pistachios & Strawberries
-Venezuelan Chocolate w/ Lime & Pequin Peppers
I thought the food was good and the service was great and attentive. Of all the foods on the menu, the Yogurt Gelato w/ Iranian Pistachios & Strawberries is the dish I always discuss when I am asked about Charlie Trotter's. The Pistachios crushed and dusted along the plate that left a wonderful taste in my mouth (also secretly/shamefully made me want to scrape all the plates of my students who thought that pistachios were 'nasty') and I thought that the strawberries tasted as though they were picked off the plant minutes before serving.
Since I was with students, they did not offer a wine paring with each dish, which may have really completed the meal. I did enjoy the dishes, but would I have paid the premium for this meal? I'm uncertain. It's unlikely I'd go back since I've experienced them for free and don't have the "I have to go before I die" desire in me. -
Review from Daniel P.
Portland, OR
10/10/2010
The most insulting, poor meal we have ever had! We are sooo pissed!
We sent back one dish for being inedible, did not finish 4 of them and just wanted to skip the rest. Though nicely plated, they had very little or completely contrastingly poor flavors.
The wine pairing was the worst we have experienced, with each being a complete mismatch, either overpowering or being overpowered by the food; or just plain boring.
The Som was the snootiest prick we have experienced and obviously did not know what the hell it was doing when he paired the wines.
Our server was nice, but we learned after leaving that they are on salary (~$30K) and get no gratuity - so really have little incentive to serve. They must not be allowed to taste the food very often as they could not answer some of our basic questions.
We also learned that Trotter is not in the kitchen and it is all staffed by interns that want to learn how to cook....so we paid $600 to be served by !%#%! trainees!
How they maintain their accreditation completely blows my mind. I cannot believe Trotter, who obviously was a fantastic chef, let his place go completely to ....
And to top it off, sadly after going, a couple of people who we shared our experience with, have said they have had the same experience. F!!! Dang!
We want our $$$$$ back!
Oh yeah - the plates were scratched to death, the candles on the table were from a 70's garage sale and the general decor looks like a very old Hilton.
Don't believe the hype!! Check my other reviews for places to go if you are looking for a great, once in a life time meal.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! -
Review from Y A.
South Barrington, IL
9/8/2011
We were seated in the kitchen area and was directly served by Mr. Trotter. The food was good but I can't scream about it. The service was good but be mindful Mr. Trotter is a chef, not a server. He does put on a wonderful show in the kitchen. I will definitely go again and bring family and friends for a great dining experience.
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Review from Lucas P.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2011
Came here as a chaperone on a class field trip that charlie offers for students a few times a year and got the full package, however this is the first menu that I left hungry afterwards. Food was very good and it did have a fresh taste to it. They do not believe on fridgerators, so you will have fresh food. Not sure it is worth the full price tag of about 200 per persob with no wine for the tastong menu...
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Review from Will C.
Los Angeles, CA
9/14/2011
Service--perfect
ambiance--perfect
Food--so close to perfect that I bought a book...just beautiful. -
Review from Karen M.
New Lenox, IL
12/12/2010
My husband surprised me for our 30th wedding anniversary in August with dinner at this place on the recommendation of a friend. This was not the top restaurant she would have recommended, but he couldn't get a reservation in time at her first choice (which I still don't know the name of because my husband wants to surprise me again).
My opinion might change after I visit her first choice, but for now I'm giving Charlie Trotter's five stars. It was probably one of the top five high-end dining experiences I've had. (I see from some of the reviews that not everyone would agree with me, but we're all entitled to our opinion, and as this was my first visit, I can't compare it to what it would have been ten years ago, as some reviewers are doing.)
We had the eight-course Grand Menu, which included matched wine pairings. Everything tasted so good, I actually had to put my fork down after each bite in order to chew slowly and savor every flavor. The portions were tiny, but after eight courses we were more than satisfied. We're usually red wine people, but we enjoyed even the white wines they chose for us because they complimented the courses they accompanied so well. As for the reds, we liked the 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Bussola that came with the braised lamb shoulder so much, we had our wine dealer find some of it for us a few days later.
The service was flawless, which it should be if you're plunking down this much money on a meal. Someone was there to pull out my chair for me every time I visited the ladies' room. They even accompanied me there and held the door open for me. (I was almost afraid they would follow me in there to help me wipe myself, but luckily they didn't.) Before we left, we were also given a tour of the kitchen. We plan on trying the kitchen table menu, where you dine in the kitchen on spontaneously prepared food, some time in the future. -
Review from Janice S.
Houston, TX
3/1/2011
Superb service. Phenomenal food and presentation. My bestfriend and I went there on a trip to Chicago. We thought we'd indulge and spoil ourselves by going to Charlie Trotter's.
The staff was so kind, and the service was impeccable. The bill was steep, as expected, but trust me when I say that for the quality and taste of the food and for the dining experience, it was worth it. From my understanding, the menu changes every day, but we had an assortment of dishes. Despite the effort put into the menu selection, they will still, more than willingly, cater to your allergies and preferences.
In the end, we were given a tour of the restaurant, and we met the chef in the kitchen. It was truly a delightful experience and one that I will never forget. I hope to go back again one day when I return to the windy city.
