Reviews
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This is one of the restaurants I have wanted to visit since moving back to Chicago. Everyone has heard of Chef Duffy's fascinating and tragic history and rise to where he is now. You kind of want this place to thrive. But, this is Chicago, so backstory or not, the food and service must be stellar. And I was impressed. The food was spectacular. It was showy without being too over the top (I don't really want a pillow on my plate). And I left more satisfied than when I dined at Alinea, albeit less so than L20 or Everest.
FOOD: 5
DECOR: 5
SERVICE: 4
VALUE: 3
OVERALL: 4
Grace is a great addition to the West Loop culinary scene and its nice to have another high-end restaurant over there versus in the Gold Coast / River North area. Grace is ideal for a very special date, not business in my opinion. More for celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary. Given the prices, this clearly could not be a regular dining spot for most people and I personally would not see myself returning anytime soon given the tremendous number of other choices in Chicago, many of them significantly less pricey. That said, the chef's story, the great food and tasteful decor, and the strong level of service make this highly worth trying if you are a foodie.
full review at blogDOTalswhartonDOTcom -
Meh. It was empty. Food was ok but not amazing. Service was really good and friendly. Just underwhelming relative to other options in West Loop.
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Laurie the host is fabulous. Food was good. Service was ok.
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Having recently moved back to chicago after an almost two year assignment in London, I was anxious to find a new massage therapist. I immediately looked up Sir Spa, having been a regular prior to my move. I read all of the negative reviews and freaked out. I tried Revive, mind liked the therapist (Brady) a lot but didn't like the owners attitude nor did I like the fact there was no locker to store my clothing during multiple treatments. Further, the facial therapist i used and really liked (Chad Bessignano) apparently is no longer there. So, I decided to give Sir Spa a chance despite the negative ratings of late. I was glad i did.
Bottom line, it sounds like during the transition to new owners, there was a rough patch. Sir Spa likely made some painful, poorly executed, but necessary changes to move on. Lots of people were ticked off, and reviewed the spa not for the services themselves but for the policy issue. I understand, and I have been there. When you get screwed by a vendor, you want to make sure everyone knows.
That said, if you are looking for a spa for men, this still really is the best place in chicago. I have now gone back twice (including for my birthday Spa day), since I moved back in July 2013. On the first visit, I had a foot detail, hot towel facial and signature massage. On the second visit, I had a Sir Scrub and signature massage. Chris Hennessy was my massage therapist both times and may just be my new regular. He is good, funny, and continuously asks if all is going well throughout the treatment. Scott was excellent and informative with the facial. The women who did my nails, while I admit I do not recall her name, was pleasant and professional.
I enjoy the ability to relax in a steam room at the spa, and the steam room seems to be in good working order. The showers are back in business, though temp control is still a bit confusing. Towels are fluffy and white and the guy cleaning the locker room works his tail off (tip him!)
The folks at the front desk are helpful if not overly friendly, and the rooms are nice, quiet, and comfortable. Prices are in line with other spas, and if you use coupons or packages, you can get great deals.
I still highly recommend this place and suggest you ignore the rough patch of reviews in late 2011.
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if you have never had the experience of a proper English afternoon tea, then by all means you should try out in afternoon at the Drake. It will be a unique and relaxing experience with great service and beautiful music. However, if you have had proper tea before you will quickly realize that the Palm Court does not serve proper English tea. Actually quite average in my opinion.
While the service is exceptional, the food itself is quite below standard. The scones do not deserve to be called scones and look more like the type of packaged snacks you perhaps would buy from a local grocery. I have never before had madeleines quite as tasteless and dry. Even the clotted cream and jams left much to be desired. The selection of teas were actually quite good and all of those with me enjoyed the actual tea notwithstanding the poor food.
For the experience, music, the decor, and the service, I would say by all means you should try out afternoon tea here. There are not many options in Chicago and therefore you may have to lower your standards a bit. A suggestion, however, to the Drake: you must work on your scones, the centerpiece of any English afternoon tea. They, along with the rest of the pastries, were dreadful. -
Awful, awful, awful.
I ordered for delivery so perhaps eating in is better, however:
Chicken - boring, lacking crunch
Shrimp - tiny tiny tiny and covered with too much batter
Gourmet Beans and Rice - SALTY horror.
Greens - dry, flavourless
Nothing about this meal deserves even one star. I give them 2 stars SOLELY because the delivery was fast and driver friendly. I would NEVER eat here, even though perhaps they just had a very bad day, July 17, when I ordered. I am shocked by the positive reviews so that must have been an incredibly off day.
1 10-Piece Fried Shrimp $ 9.99
1 4-Piece Dark Fried Chicken $ 5.99
1 Collard Greens in Garlic and Olive Oil $ 5.95
2 Corn Bread $ 1.50
1 Gourmet Beans and Rice Large $ 3.99
Subtotal $27.42
Delivery $4.50
Tax $2.88 Tip $0.00
TOTAL $34.80 -
This review makes me a bit sad. I really want this place to succeed because Chicago needs more wine and cheese spots. Having just moved back here from London, I was excited to see this spot right across from shopping and Del Friscos. The first time I tried to go, there seemed to be no one working there. I walked in and looked around and there was no one. Odd. The second time I went, there was an incredibly friendly young man there who greeted me and brought me wine list and menu. I don't remember his name but I do know that he was not the owner or sommelier and his knowledge of wine was fairly limited (kind of bad for a wine bar, but forgiven because he was very professional, courteous and friendly)
Good:
- Wine flights are generous pours and well worth it for the price.
- Server guy was friendly if not overly knowledgable
Bad:
- Individual glasses of wine are strangely RIDICULOUS. I mean like prices I saw in London at some of the private clubs like Annabel's and Arts Club.
- Apparently only the owner knows about wine and he does not seem to be there very often. Or at least, the three times i have tried he was nowhere to be found.
- they served Carr's table water crackers with cheese, along with fig and other accompaniments that looked like they got them from Jewel's or Dominick's. The to be a snob, but when I go for wine and cheese, I want something a bit more upscale than aisle 3 at the local grocer.
- hasn't been there for long, but it is already looking dated. The flowers were dried out and looking sad. The paint was chipping.
Predicting this place will close soon unless the owner is independently wealthy and does this just for a hobby. I did hear there is a private club that is "invite only" with costs to rival the best clubs in New York and London. Good luck with that. -
Summary: Highly Recommended / Special Occasion
Because the food is exquisitely near perfect, decor is fabulous, and service is exceptional, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental for a special occasion. A bit pricey (£30 - £40 for a main; £15 - £20 for a starter) and thus less of a value than somewhere like Avenue or Vivat Bachhus, it still is a much better experience for the money than Galvin La Chapelle. And you will only spend a bit less around the corner at Buddha Bar, an overpriced, overly trendy, good but not great food, disappointment.
I would be more than happy to go to "Dinner" again, with friends or colleagues, and especially to celebrate a special occasion or a visitor from the States. You will love it, I'm certain. Let me know what you think!
full review is available at blogDOTalswhartonDOTcom
blog.alswharton.com/2013… -
There are WAY TOO MANY good tapas restaurants in London now to waste your time with this tourist attracting random spot. The food is average at best, you get crammed into the room, prices are ok but no better than other spots. Service is inconsistent. Not worth it and leaves a bad rep for London if people think this is a good tapas spot.
not recommended unless you are starving and all else on the strip is booked. Go to Cocochan instead. Similar sharing concept there but better food.
I have now tried this place 3 times and each time I walk away saying I will never come back. I finally decided to write a quick review and commit to closing this chapter of my restaurant life!
Not recommended. -
FOOD: 3
Average. We had Oysters, french onion soup, tiger prawns, and a sirloin. All were pretty good but not spectacular. The apple walnut crumble desert was actually kind of gross.
DECOR: 3
This place could use an overhaul. But more than the decor was the crowd. The bar was the focus of the room which is disconcerting when dining. But to be fair, it is a BAR and grill. The crowd was interesting to say the least, with lots of "mating games" going on at the bar between several very older guys with younger women and one reverse situation. Not judging at all, just commenting.
SERVICE: 3
As you would expect at a place like this, service was not above and beyond but they delivered. You didn't feel special but also didn't feel neglected. I did get the sense that perhaps we were the only ones not from the neighborhood. Like going into the famous television bar called "Cheers".
VALUE: 4
Very reasonably priced place, especially for Chelsea/Fulham area.
Would I go back? No.
Should you? Only if you live nearby.
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