We visited The Exchange last night. Lovely atmosphere - we ate in the Listening Room. I ordered a French 75, delicious. I expect all the drinks were great judging from the comments of our nearby diners. The menu is focused - about a half-dozen starters, similar number of entrees and sides. I was really interested in eating since the reviews have been so strong. But I have to say this was totally, completely just an OK experience. Maybe unique to us, but here goes: Timing: We had a reservation before heading on to the symphony so arrived with a two hour window to leisurely dine. Good thing because our food arrived a little after the 90 minute mark! Yikes (despite having ordered within 20 minutes of being seated). So FYI if you have any kind of time constraint. Food: The kale caesar salad was a solid, predictable salad. Split three ways was just perfect for us. The two appetizers (including the country bread) were fine. Nothing stood out. Entrees: chicken thighs were juicy. We voted that the best. Mushroom pasta was fine. My walleye was served in a kind of soup bowl setting making it awkward to eat, was freshly seasoned with a bright cilantro / thai pepper in a thin sauce. It was fine. No time for dessert. The bill came to $200, we raced next door to the CSO getting there at the final seating, looked at each other and thought, meh. I hope we had an off night. But with all the great selections in Chicago, I likely will not return to find out. read more

Avoid this place if you plan to go to symphony. We arrived at 6pm. Concert was at 8pm, and we told our server. Ordered apps, and for main course ordered salads. At 7:35, the server told us that our main courses would not be out before the concert. So no dinner for us. read more

The Exchange - This is an empty table - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had a lovely experience at The Exchange. We grabbed a reservation in the atrium and it was the perfect place to grab dinner and drinks before the Symphony orchestra. Highly recommend the burrata, such a lovely combination of sweet and savory with the pea sauce. The bread was so fresh, crispy and delicious. We ordered another piece of bread so we could enjoy every bit of the dish. I really enjoyed the carrots with the coconut flavor, it was a lovely delicious and surprisingly filling. There was live music in the atrium which was a little loud, but also fun and enjoyable once we got adjusted to the volume. The ambiance was lovely, and I'll be excited to go back and try other areas of the restaurant. The restaurant was a little understaffed and our drinks arrived we'll after our appetizers and we did have to flag down our server to get our bill despite letting her know we needed to leave to make it to the 8pm orchestra show. They did have a card machine they brought out to the table which made settling up secure and efficient. They were out of the gnocchi which two of our guests would have ordered. We'll have to go back to try it. Overall, I'd recommend and would go back for drinks and appetizers. read more

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We have been here before and liked the place. Two months ago we booked for a dinner last week. We appeared at the appointed time. However the restaurant was closed for a "private event". The manager stated they had cancelled all reservations previously held for that night and I was "notified" by "email". Not so! So be aware that reservations are subject to cancellation without notice. read more

We were really looking forward to our dinner at The Exchange. Our waiter greeted us promptly and took our drink order. Our drinks arrived in an appropriate amount of time. Our waiter returned for our dinner order We ordered an olive appetizer, soup and Arctic char. From there things went awry. The olives arrived quickly but without serving utensils and without the bread the restaurant is proud of. Before we had even eaten a few olives our entrées arrived. Apparently the waiter or kitchen did not space out our courses so that we could enjoy the appetizer. we made it abundantly clear to our waiter how we wanted our courses served. My wife's bisque soup was barely warm. However the Arctic Char was hot so apparently the kitchen did not coordinate these coming out together. Disconcerting to us was the fact that our waiter did not check back on us to see how our food was. We waited and waited and he never came back to check on us. In fact our waiter came to tables next to us twice. These tables were only a couple feet away from our table. Our waiter who never gave us his name do not even look at our direction so we could get his attention. It' was quite a while before we could finally get another waiter's attention to the problem with the orders and by then we were ready to leave. The other tables around us did not seem to have a problem so I'm wondering if the waiter just didn't deem that we were worthy of his attention. Bottom line on this. We did not have a good experience. My wife's food did not come out of the kitchen hot and the Courses were not spaced as it should've been. And ....our waiter ignored us. I'm not sure why. I'd recommend that anybody eating at this restaurant order expensive drinks and entrées so that they will get good service. I tend to tip very well as my son was a waiter for a long time and I know how hard the work is. This waiter missed out on a large tip and the restaurant missed out on a good review read more

Last Sat, I had the pleasure of dining at the Exchange, 224 S Michigan, CHicago Il. with two friends in the "Atrium". The space used to be occupied by The Architecture Chicago Center. On Saturdays only, they offer a "bottomless" array of many small plates called "Butler-Style Tray Passed" for a 90 min maximum stay. Here are the pluses and minuses, should you decide to try it out on a Saturday. Pros: *Great airy space. Plenty of room to spread out *Delicious food *They keep bringing out the food! Thus, the "bottomless" description *Plenty of vegetarian options *You will leave VERY full (that's a pro and a con) Cons: *Poor orientation to the set up. We wondered why at times, we got three small plates each and at other times did not. We were not told until we asked about it that when the small plates are served, they don't mean everyone gets a plate. It means that we share the two plates among us. Which turned out to be fine because the food kept coming. It would have helped to know this in advance. *Wait staff must be new (makes sense since the Atrium is about 3 months old). It's a small thing but I had to ask 3 times for salt and pepper. I finally went up to a counter and commented that 20 min of waiting for s/p was ridiculous. *We asked a few of the wait staff to describe what had been in the Atrium before and no one seemed to know (before we figured it out). COST! $55 per person & that doesn't count the tip. We left VERY full....hard to resist all the food!  Conclusion: It would be fun to go as a large group, with the understanding that you would need to come with a BIG appetite and money to spare! Advice--eat strategically--like when you go on a Food Tour. read more

We came to The Exchange for my Birthday dinner and what a delicious meal it was! The restaurant is located in a gorgeous iconic Chicago building (see photos) and being dimly lit with cool lounge like music, this was a pretty chill venue...although the music was a smidge on the loud side. The food though....WOW, so delicious. The whipped ricotta was delicious, the tomato and burrata were so fresh and the chicken thighs were so moist and flavorful! we will most definitely be back! read more

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Our server was amazing and so friendly. I was not impressed with the macaroni and cheese, which came highly recommended. It should be pre baked so that the sauce is not just sitting on top for the macaroni. Also, with the steak, I would recommend hot green beans and not cold ones. Just a consideration. It definitely is a vibe so if you are sitting in the listening room be prepared to talk loudly as it is hard to hear. Otherwise, once they get over the opening hump, I think this place will do well! read more

The Exchange - Macaroni and cheese - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The good--tenderest steak and chicken I have EVER eaten, romantic ambiance, full bar The bad--slower service. Plan on spending 1hr+ for a meal for two. But it'll be worth it. read more

I was very excited to check out the Exchange, as the restaurant scene in the Loop is lacking. We were seated in the Listening Room (bar/lounge area) but the space extends out to several other sections including the Atrium (main dining hall), Theo's (another bar area), and the Bakery. We shared a few dishes including the heirloom tomato and burrata, olives, carrots, black pepper tofu, and steamed halibut. My favorite was the carrots as the flavors of the chili and coconut were very unique and something that I haven't had at any other restaurant. The black pepper tofu was also pretty delicious but the ratio of tofu to sauce seemed a bit off, so we ended up having way more sauce than tofu. The other dishes were fine but nothing special. My actual main gripe was that one of the servers (I'm assuming someone who was training, as he was different from our first server) cleared our tomato/burrata and olives without asking if we were done, so we ended up not being able to eat almost half those dishes. It's not a huge deal, but it would have been nice to have been asked if we were done eating before clearing our plates. Overall, the food and experience were okay. I might consider coming back at another time to check out some other menu items. read more

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Perfect dessert: chocolate ganache drizzled with mild olive oil, sprinkled with flaked salt and served with toasted baguette slices... Mmmm

It is a beautiful location for brunch and the service is good. The menu is limited though. The are flexible for ordering a la carte too. You just need to accept that they have a menu that could be difficult if you have dietary restrictions. read more

Sat at the bar before a CSO event for a glass of wine & apps. The space is stunning. The bar is excellent. Food was very good. We had the meatballs, bread, & olives. Our bartender was excellent. The wait service can be a bit slow, but that maybe not their fault? read more

What an awesome experience. Went last night solo prior to a theater engagement and the energy of the place was bustling! Zooey the host was wonderfully calm as she explained my original reservation had been moved to another space in the sprawling venue . Initially disappointed I was ultimately won over by the service of Riley and Leah ! Both very hospitable and made me feel quite special! The food and beverage was superb guaranteeing a return visit . Another success story for David Morton . read more

Beautiful ambiance and location for brunch. The dim sum will fill you up faster than you realize. Service was super attentive. The jazz band that played was just okay. Overall a fun new place to try. read more

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My wife and I went here tonight for our anniversary and had an incredible time. The service was excellent, the space is gorgeous and the food was incredible. We tried 5 different things off the menu and they were each unique and delicious. I was really impressed and have already recommended it to other people. read more

The Exchange - The Atrium - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm not inclined to give reviews usually at the restaurants I eat at but I can't compelled. I have never been to a restaurant of this supposed caliber that had such a limited menu. The atrium space is beautiful, the staff adequate, the food was mediocre and way overpriced for what it was. Not worth your time or money. Maybe it is better as a weekday lunch spot. read more

EXCELLENT!! Great service, great food, great everything! I had a great time here, I would recommend as a local business. The staff was very friendly. What else could you need? Great food, great staff, great environment, great pricing. A hidden . read more

Had a birthday dinner there during the restaurant week. Amazing food, nice private room and wonderful friendly service. Highly recommend!

Delighted to have the Exchange as a wonderful option on symphony night, the proximity is key. However, I'd enjoy the Exchange any other time as well. The ambience and service is wonderful. Thrilled by the number of veggie options and the taste and quality of all the food, I recall the soup being particularly good, I thought the portions may have been a little small, except for my dining partner's burger which was huge. read more

The exchange has a good menu to please a mixed crowd. Our service was great and the food was consistently good. We sat in the atrium with my older mother and thought it would be loud but it was pleasantly easier to hear our table conversation than we expected. read more

My husband took me here for Valentine's Day and we had a wonderful time. He used Tock to make the reservation and he liked using the platform however, because we booked on that site we were seated in the very back of the restaurant even though it wasn't a full house. Erick, the manager, made sure we had a great experience despite the seating snafu. The food and drinks were innovative and delicious and we will definitely be back! read more

We went with our kids before going to a show nearby. It was a great stop for lunch. Everyone's food was great, service was good and ambiance is so nice! Would def recommend. read more

wow. where to begin. the food was good! however, we were not offered theo's room. only offered the atrium and the listening room. the experience was strange. it was as if we were being listened to or watched at all sides. we felt out of place. read more

The Exchange - grilled cheese - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay so this was part of our biweekly restaurant adventure and we were looking forward to check out the interior decor, along with the food, of course . The establishment is located in an architectural gem and it consists of multiple unique rooms and our reservations were at Theo's. We got to the restaurant around 8:30 and started with some strong gin cocktails. The place was a little busy so the service was kind of slow at the beginning, but we were able to order everything at the same time. It's a small menu so we wanted to try few things; we got Tuscan Salad (love the goat cheese), Mac & cheese (a little salty ), BURRATA (must get!), Crispy Potatoes (make sure you dip in sauce), BRUSSELS SPROUTS, and Tartine (a bit salty) overall the food was good and the drinks were great, but the pasta dishes were a little salty. Though the service started a little slow, it picked up afterwards and the waitress was very friendly and professional. The decor makes up the atmosphere and definitely makes the eating experience more enjoyable. read more

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My mom and I were in Chicago for a quick weekday getaway. We needed to find a spot for dinner before a show that would have a some good allergy friendly food. We both really enjoyed our dinner. The service was great and the atmosphere was also quite pleasant! Would definitely come back. read more

Came here for dinner. A lovely place, but not very big and would not recommend for large groups. Has a very living room social setting... fun and casual. Great music.. our favorite from what we ate was the mushroom tartini! read more

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Ate here twice while attending a conference at the Chicago Hilton. Food was excellent. They were willing to accommodate a large party with baby, without a reservation on Saturday night. Many vegetarian options on menu. Would highly recommend this to someone looking for a good meal that is walking distance to Symphony Center and the Art Institute. read more

The atmosphere inside is really cool, although it was completely dead when we went at 5 pm on a Saturday (like literally only 2 other tables there in a huuuge restaurant). My espresso martini was delicious and our bread appetizer was great too. But the salad I ordered was actually really bad and I couldn't even finish my meal. My husbands rigatoni tasted like chef boyardee and not in a good way. We spent almost $150 here on a meal for two and were really unimpressed. read more

The Listening Room: Excellent food with lots of vegetarian options on the menu as well. Very cool vibe and decor reminiscent of the 1950s (and maybe Japan during that era). Very high quality sound system, but the music was really loud, which is not the expectation of the traditional style "listening bar." We had to talk quite loud to hear, and an older couple near us asked to move to a different dining room. read more

we had dinner at the listening room on Friday evening. Here's the tea: the vibes are cozy, decor was well thought out and the drinks were great which is what you can only hope for given the price point. The downside is the food, I got the walleye and my friend got the gnocchi and it was SO salty. The flavors felt I was eating right out from the Atlantic Ocean. I would most probably not recommend as it is expensive and the food was not up to par. read more

I'm so sad that I don't live in Chicago--the food and ambiance are amazing. I was in Chicago for a three day weekend, so I ate out a lot, and this was the best food I'd had during that time (and honestly in a long time). The food is so well done, and tastes so good. I wish I could have taken the some of the potatoes with me back home (they remind of patatas bravas if you've ever had tapas/Spanish food). The chicken was also pretty good. Try the Orange wine if you can!! read more

The Exchange - Potatoes, Chicken, and Orange Wine - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The drinks were absolutely perfect. Great options for those with dietary restrictions (GF, vegetarian, and vegan options all clearly marked on the menu). Ordered the brussel sprouts and carrots, and both were fantastic side dishes. Love the atmosphere and the music. Can't wait to come back! read more

Hosts - perfect. Adorable. Personable. Fierce. There was a staff of four (4) for a FULL restaurant on a Friday night and you wouldn't even notice. Not harried at all, super funny, affable. Personalitiesssss. The portions - huge (PACE URSELF). Party of two adults - We shared 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 side and we had enough to box up at the end. Demi Country Loaf - 10/10 (get extra honey). Just sweet enough. If you consider ricotta cheese "sweet" Chicken Thighs - 9/10 - perfectly crisped. It comes on a bed of pellets that can only be described as overgrown quinoa. Yummy. Brussel Sprouts - 8.5/10 - the grapefruit was hitting. Very brussel-y and buttery. Wanted more grapefruit. A little burnt to ME. But if you like bitter you will LOVE. read more

This place was extremely disappointing. Went there for dinner, and the service was just terrible. The waitresses completely rushed us the entire time, took our plates before we were done eating, and were very rude in answering our questions. Onto the food. They advertise their special sourdough bread, but not only is it not complementary, but the price is astronomical and it comes with ricotta that is overwhelmingly drenched in honey. The steamed walleye had a weird assortment of spices that made me want to send it back one bite in, and the lamb was so rough I could barely chew it. The cheeseburger was small and extra greasy, and it came without a side. All in all, this place is so overpriced with extremely subpar food that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. read more

The Exchange - Exchange Cheeseburger - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is a kickass addition to the area. Impressed by both the food and decor. The menu is very small but full of heavy hitters. We got the mac and cheese + Tofu entrees and couldn't decide which was better! Being in the motorola building, the ambience was automatically classy. Hope the Exchange continues to do well over the next year and beyond. read more

we waited an hour for our food. the food was cold. they gave us a free piece of french toast, but my friend and i didn't even want them. the waitress mentioned there were issues in the back, and i understand things happen. at the end of the time we left, she asked if we wanted a box (it was clear we didn't eat much of anything) and i said, it wasn't very good at all. she said she was sorry. she came back with the check with no discount. i usually mention something, but i just wanted to go. she was kind and i know she was trying her best. i do wish she offered a discount after all of that. i will say that the space is beautiful, but i'll never eat there again. ever. read more

We are so disappointed in how this restaurant has changed for the worse since you first opened. You used to be one of our favorite restaurants due to your creative menu and warm hospitality. Now upon entering, I don't feel warmly welcome as you staff is constantly changing. Your menu used to be so fun and exciting and your food was outstanding. It is now sadly mediocre. We miss the original Exchange so much!! Sadly we may not return unless things change for the better. read more

Food was extremely disappointing--overpriced and mediocre quality. We got burrata, rigatoni, lamb meatballs, burger, and green salad, all of which were lackluster or just plain bad. Wine and cocktails both unexceptional, which was absurd for the price. read more

My husband and I ate here for the first time last night for our anniversary and it was phenomenal. The service, food and drink were impeccable and they made us feel so special for our anniversary. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back! read more