I struggle with this review, because this restaurant has a lot of potential. When we arrived, there was maybe 4 other occupied tables in the section so it was pretty empty. We ordered our drinks, and after 25 minutes, only 2 drinks came out. The waitress (after we'd waited 25 minutes) then told us that they were out of 4 of the 7 cocktails on the menu which was surprising given the restaurant has only been open a week. She also didn't take our order until we had been sitting for over 40 minutes, still waiting on the additional two cocktails, and we had to ask if she could take our order. All in all, the food is really pretty good which is why I say the restaurant has potential. The flavors are unique and they don't feel like standard dishes you could get anywhere in Chicago. However, I will note that the portions are very small for the price, so if you're a big eater, you should either expect to spend quite a bit of money or will need to grab something else to eat after. Hopefully with time, the restaurant will improve the service and some of the kinks! read more

Tarra is absolutely gorgeous inside! The space feels elevated, stylish, and perfect for a dinner out with friends or a special occasion. The food and drinks were both delicious. We went with a group, which gave us the opportunity to try about half a dozen different dishes, and it was such a great way to experience the menu. Everything we tried was flavorful, beautifully presented, and fun to share. It is definitely on the higher end price-wise, especially once you add cocktails, but the quality of the food, atmosphere, and overall experience made it feel worthwhile. I'd recommend going with a group so you can order several dishes and try a little bit of everything. Beautiful atmosphere, great drinks, delicious food, and an overall really enjoyable night. Definitely a spot I'd return to! read more

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still feels like vinyl in there :)... this review is for both tarra and sura-- the awkward placing of the bar in the middle of dining room reminds me that this used to be a club. although the service was good, there seems to be a lot of humans walking around without a real purpose. the owner (?) of the restaurant spent at least 30 mins talking to the table behind us and i swear i counted 4 hosts. food was delicious - best papaya salad i've had in a while - the right crunch of papaya and the right amount of tang and sweet. i appreciated that several dishes could be prepared vegetarian, however, since thai/asian food is so versatile (tofu instead of meat, most vegetables compliment a thai dish) i hoped for more variety. i opted for the tofu eggplant curry (subbed in for fish). it was delicious and well plated. eater beware - there's no pad thai here (pad thai "noodles" are papaya) and not many traditional items. my husband enjoyed the beef skewer, fish balls and crab curry. downstairs = sura is definitely a scene. the cocktail menu was interesting enough without being over the top. again, lots of people seemed to roam around - chatted with clients and moved chairs while there was one server----who crushed it! fun and chatty while keeping up with all the tabs. weird takeaway - the takeaway bags! they aren't your usual paper or plastic. a nice touch (but necessary?...) read more

Tarra left me a little confused, so let's talk about the interiors first. The plants and the fountain, combined with the bright lighting, gave the space more of a tacky feel than an upscale one. The loud piano music playing throughout was also completely killing the vibe. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, so we were asked to wait either inside near the desk, where there was no seating, or outside. I asked the host if we could wait by the bar and order a drink. She said we couldn't stand or sit by the bar, which would have been fine--except the bar was completely empty. There were empty seats throughout the entire time we were there, not just when we first arrived. She then told us we could go downstairs to Sura, their speakeasy, and order a drink. So we went down, sat at the bar, and ordered our drinks. A few minutes later, the host came down and told us we couldn't sit at the bar and had to take our drinks to the waiting area on the side of the stairs. It honestly felt like being put in time-out. It was especially obnoxious because we had paid for our drinks, there were empty seats at the bar, and there were multiple open tables throughout the speakeasy. As for the food, it wasn't bad. The shrimp appetizer was decent, the sea bass entrée was delicious, and the prawns entrée was just okay. The margarita we ordered was pretty weak, and the bubbly they brought us wasn't very good. I know it's their first week, so hopefully they'll take some of this feedback into consideration. There's definitely potential, but the overall experience didn't feel as upscale or polished as I expected. read more

We came for the soft opening so take it with a grain of salt - I'm sure they'll start working out the kinks! Interior is gorgeous and great for photos and ambiance, really does feel upscale. Our server was super helpful with recommendations! They were good with keeping our waters topped and switching out plates/tableware. I wish they had brought out knives with the entree set though, we had to ask for them. The entrees were just okay. I think the appetizers had the best flavors and the desserts were the most unique and impressive. We also saw the table adjacent to us receive a noodle dish that wasn't on our menu and we were bummed it wasn't available to us. It is fine dining and small plates style, however I didn't believe we got the full value of what we paid (about $100pp) considering what we got. The dishes were tasty and beautifully presented but I didn't think there were any particularly special ingredients or wow-factor presentation that justified the price. Our entrees were also a little cold and I wish they had come out piping hot. We left hungry (even after two appetizers, two rice portions, two entrees, and two desserts between us) and ended up getting more food on the way home. It's a very cool space and the flavors are definitely there, just waiting to be brought out. Would definitely still recommend stopping in for appetizers and a drink to check it out. read more

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Came in for the soft opening and have some mixed feelings. Overall, I see the potential, but they have some things they need to iron out. First off, we started with drinks. I got the Toki-O Banana. It was described as tropical and spiced. It just tasted like a whisky sprite. No spice or tropical taste as stated in the menu. Not even a hint of banana. Next we got an amuse bouche - Mah Hor. These were absolutely delicious. Perfect balance of sweet and salty. The lychee was such a unique base. Would order this again without a doubt. For the hot appetizer we ordered the Tod Mun Goong . It was described as a deep fried shrimp cake. It was way smaller than anticipated. It was not a cake, it was more like 2 small croquettes. Description is a little misleading. Taste-wise, it was okay. Not bad but not my favorite. I would not order this one again. Then we got a grilled skewer - Gai Got Lae. It was two small pieces of chicken thigh. These were good. A little bigger than bite size. However, the server did not bring them out with a much needed knife and then was nowhere to be found. For the entree, we shared the Massaman Nuea (braised short rib). This was absolutely delicious. Flavors were exquisite, but I have to remove a point because the meat was not tender enough to fall off the bone and was kind of cold. Seemed like it was left on the counter for a while before it was brought to the table. This was also not served with a much needed knife. Halfway through, another server (not ours) brought a knife when she saw us struggling. We also got the Pad Thai Ma La Gor as a side dish. Interesting take on the pad Thai. It was good and would order again. As for service, the waitress didn't really check on us or how the food was. She never refilled water for the table. No knives were brought out with the chicken or braised short rib and service was a little slow. They did bring out a complimentary prosecco for our anniversary which was nice, but honestly was not good and we didn't finish it. The restaurant is beautiful, but we were not able to enjoy it as we were sat in a weird dark area with black walls next to a wine fridge and kitchen/back of house doors. There were only 2 tables in this weird hallway. In my opinion, this area should not be used for seating at all. TLDR: cool space, subpar service, okay food with a lot of potential. Will come back after a few months when they get the hang of things. read more

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I was excited to try this because Chicago does not have any high-end Thai restaurants to my knowledge. The interior is beautiful, and I very much liked the food I tried from the Pad Thai, to the Lamb Curry, to the grilled chicken skewers. I'm excited to go back, I do wish they would expand their menu as I think the options are generally kind of limited. read more

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Honestly, a truly exceptional meal. The food here is top notch and tastes like the food I had in Thailand. I have found it's almost impossible to find somewhere that tastes like true Thai food. We got to sit in the chef room and it was a really cool experience. You get to see Chef work and my tablemate said it's like watching an artist paint. The service here was also quite nice. Our server was very knowledgeable on the menu and you could tell she cared about what she was doing. She checked in regularly as well. The flavors here do not compromise and the presentation is gorgeous. You can tell a lot of effort went into plating and glassware. The little details really do make the table come to life in different way. The architecture and designe of the place really lets you forget about life for awhile and just enjoy. You feel transported when you walk in the door. I wish I could give more of an in-depth on the food but honestly everything I tried was phenomenal. Once you finish a bite you immediately want to go in for the next. It tastes like happy memories in Bangkok. I can't wait to go back as many times as it takes to try everything on the menu. Don't sleep on the Amuse Bouche, they were some truly memorable bites that make you excited for the meal. My recommendation is to be curious and try what looks good. Chef Chowcharoen won't leave you wanting. The cocktails were also splendid and well thought out. I have a pretty broad palate when it comes to cocktails and I liked every one that I tried. They are presented beautifully and Thai inspired. It seems also like they used a lot of contemporary bar techniques for different expressions of taste and presentation. I 10 out out of 10 will be returning to Tarra and Sura (The cocktail lounge downstairs which mind you is worth a full review on its own.) Chicago really needed a restaurant like this and finally we have one. No more trips to New York or LA to find real Thai flavor. If you love Thai food or are Thai curious, please visit, you will not be disappointed! read more

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Chicago has a new Thai restaurant in River North, and Tarra is definitely making an entrance. The space is absolutely gorgeous, from the dramatic ceiling to the moody, elegant dining room. We kicked things off with the Khao Tang--crispy rice crackers topped with rich beef tartare, caviar, and gold leaf that literally melt in your mouth. Next up were the skewers: the Moo Satay was packed with peanut curry goodness, though the Gai Gor Lae chicken was unfortunately a bit undercooked. However, the absolute star of the night was the Massaman Nuea--tender braised short rib in a fragrant red-yellow curry that was pure comfort on a plate. We wrapped up with the Pad Thai Ma La Gor, featuring delicious crispy turnip cakes that added the perfect texture to the meal. The cocktails were a highlight, and the whole experience has a very polished, upscale feel. Tarra is new, so I'm curious to see how this place evolves -- but if you're looking for a beautiful new spot in River North, this one should be on your radar. Service is very kind! read more

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Incredible food and dining experience. Food tasted even better than it looked (and it the presentation was 10/10). They are a new restaurant and still getting their footing but the food did not disappoint. The negative reviews on here are from people who are clearly hard to please. See below for photographic evidence of the delicious food. read more

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Fantastic new Thai fusion restaurant! I visited their soft opening, and it was an absolute delight. From the moment I stepped in, the staff was incredibly attentive, helpful, and personable. The bartenders at the bar were equally impressive, providing excellent service. The menu offers a unique take on traditional Thai cuisine, featuring slightly less mainstream dishes. The chef personally explained that while he appreciates Thai street food, his intention is to create more home-style Thai cooking. This approach truly resonated with me. The sea bass in red curry sauce was my standout dish. The coconut ice cream with mango was equally delicious. The restaurant is constantly striving to improve, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. this elevated home-style Thai restaurant offers a great atmosphere and a unique culinary experience. read more

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Love this place! Unique Thai food in a beautiful new restaurant in River North! They even have a nightclub/bar below the restaurant which is an ideal place to hangout with friends for a drink before or after. Go now while you can get a resy and before it is "discovered" and the word gets out! read more

Our waitress Gigi and the restaurant manager Robert Shamblin gave an unforgettable experience. Talk about hospitality! They made a first time visit a great experience, cannot rave enough about the hospitality and how awesome the service was here by these two. If I lived in the area this would be a place I would frequent just by the service alone. Cannot wait to come here more in the future for drinks. Definitely a place to check out! read more

My sister and I went on August 20, a day after the soft opening. We were super excited to try it, as we're huge foodies and always hit the new spots in Chicago. When we walked in at 5pm, the place was pretty empty. We were seated immediately, but upon looking at the menu, it looked very limited. I would say about 75% of the menu had either fish sauce or fish powder, which I get is a Thai staple but does not need to be in every dish. Food overall was mediocre, at best. What got me was having to pay for white rice at $4/pp, and it's not even a big bowl. Rice doesn't come with any of the dishes, which is absolutely absurd. What Asian spot charges for WHITE RICE?! We ordered 2 apps (chicken thigh, which is half a chicken thigh at best, for like $7ea). We also got some salad, a prawn curry, and the sea bass. At ~$45ish, total ripoff for the small piece you get. And the kicker? No siracha or sambal. We asked for hot sauce or something to add heat..after much confusion, our waitress brought a chili spiced vinegar which was ok. Lots of kinks to work out. ~$110pp, we left disappointed and unsatisfied. In a city full of amazing Asian restaurants, I hope they take the feedback and make some changes in the foreseeable future. read more