After having several friends rave about the Lobby my wife and I finally made it for dinner tonight; now I see what everyone is talking about, this place is the total package and is truly fantastic. Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen has an impressive resume (stints at famed venues such as Moto, El Bulli and most recently he was sous chef at Eleven Madison Park). He definitely has learned from the best and is doing an amazing job running the show at the Lobby. The Lobby is aptly named; literally set inside the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. Live music plays in the background, a tall ceiling with an impressive looking chandelier and large windows gazing into downtown Chicago set a nice, upscale but comfortable ambiance. Service was the perfect mix of personable, polished and attentive; our primary server Karen was so friendly that we definitely will request her again next visit. The menu features contemporary American cuisine; there are about eight appetizers ($15 on average), ten mains ($26 to $39), and a half dozen desserts (mostly $13; a new pastry chef was just brought on board). The luxurious chocolate buffet is available Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00pm to midnight; those having dinner may partake for half price - $20. The menu has great variety; one is far more likely to find multiple dishes appealing than struggle to find something. Hotel restaurants often have to be versatile due to serving a diverse array of guests and the Lobby's menu is perfect for this endeavor; several approachable items for picky and unsophisticated palates yet enticing to someone serious about fine dining. For $85 one may opt for the five course tasting menu; as a nice touch the tasting is customized based on one's preferences and aversions. Regardless if you choose a la carte or the tasting menu one also receives an amuse bouche, bread service (three different selections tonight; a baguette, multigrain and an outstanding brioche bacon bun), mignardises and even a small cake to take home as a parting gift. Most cocktails run $15 and wines by the glass are mainly in the $12 to $20 range. While the Lobby is not inexpensive, it is actually quite a value considering all the extras, the upscale ambiance, largish portions (we definitely left stuffed) and most importantly the high end cuisine. Certainly an experience worthy of a special occasion, but affordable enough for a romantic date night. Having greatly enjoyed the whole duck course at Eleven Madison Park last year and the famous whole chicken with foie gras and black truffle stuffing at sister venue The NoMad we were really eager to try the Lobby's incarnation of this dish, the Whole Roasted Chicken for Two. This dish is a must! A stuffing is placed under the skin sealing in all the moisture and enhancing the flavor; crispy skin and wonderfully juicy meat with a delicious sauce, ramps and morel mushrooms. This is one sexy chicken dish! My octopus appetizer with smoked ham was nicely charred and had wonderful textures and flavors; my wife was equally happy with her ricotta gnocchi. Even the desserts were phenomenal; I greatly enjoyed the coconut custard with black sesame, citrus cake, sorbet and candied yuzu. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and again a perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. While usually I try new things when I make a return visit to a venue, tonight's meal was so ridiculously good that I might very well repeat the same three courses! Even though this was our first time at the Lobby we were made to feel special and felt like regulars; we were both blown away by the experience and are already planning on returning next month. Chef Lee Wolen and his staff really have something special at the Lobby; they are truly deserving of a Michelin star this fall. read more

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I absolutely love the open space The Lobby has. You're not covered in a restaurant surrounding, but more of an open, let's relax kind of feng shui. The servers are very tentative and friendly. I had an extremely hard time deciding went to get since they had a deliciously looking display of hor d'ourves and desserts, which comes with an entree. I was very tempted, but decided to split the Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich: gruyere, tomato soup, french fries and The Peninsula Club: shaved turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, egg, tomato, avocado with my co-worker. The grilled cheese (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/VZRNSAoPrg_CNiCtMNSlyw?userid=GEkww4CD1di7LZkNvoayJw) sounded and looked really good, it even came on a pretzel bun, but the cheese itself lacked flavored. The tomato soup was delicious, cream-less I might add and the fries were crispy. I am in love with their Peninsula Club, first time having egg in any club sandwich it made a difference! We also asked for no middle bread. The bread itself was thin and toasted just right. I did get to try some of my co-workers grilled baby octopus appetizer and WOW this is was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! Also tried some of the truffled mac & cheese and this just might be my new favorite place for mac & cheese, yum! Only complaint is it took quite a long time to receive our 2nd course after we were done with our 1st course. P.s. I definitely want to try their sushi options next time. read more

The Lobby - Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sunday Brunch: 5 stars. Absolutely Amazing. Weekday Dinner: 3 stars. Nothing special. So I split the difference. Sunday Brunch: It's pricey, but the selection is truly incredible. There's a whole station just dedicated to different kinds of salmon! There's also a meat carving station and a fresh sashimi station. Don't even get me started on the amazing desserts in the middle of the room. I loaded two plates just full of different desserts, including little shooter glasses full of cake/pudding, creme brulee, marshmallows, and chocolate mousse! If you're trying to go the more traditional route, they also have a giant bread station, and lots of the more traditional breakfast foods (including a tasty benedict option). They even have a kid's table right next to a giant teddy bear! Great food with a live string quartet created an amazing meal. Unfortunately when we came back for dinner, it was only ok and definitely not as memorable. We went right after Thanksgiving so the Christmas tree was up and beautiful, but the meal was only so-so. My boyfriend got the Lobby Burger, which came with dry aged wagyu, white cheddar and bacon. It was ok as far as burgers go, a little on the dry side. I got the black truffle risotto and the risotto was a little undercooked for my taste. I'd definitely recommend Sunday brunch with no reservations. I think you can skip dinner. read more

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SERIOUSLY, I am not understanding the people who say they cannot eat $30 worth of delectable chocolates. Oh my, I thought I had died & gone to heaven--or at least one of my versions of heaven. Some girlfriends treated me to the chocolate bar at the peninsula for my birthday & lets just say it was one of the best b-day treats EVER!! The ambiance is warm & romantic (this would be perfect for a date night), the wait staff were fantastic, the live music (jazz) was a nice touch, and the CHOCOLATE was YUMMY. They had a wide variety of sweets--dark, white, & milk chocolate. My favorite was of course the ganache treat--but you should go & discover your favorite. read more

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The staff is professional and aim for this to be a "don't need to lift a finger" high-end experience. They serve a selection of traditional tea sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, turkey + guyere), scones (traditional, orange), and pastries (macarons and other bite-sized cream puffs and desserts). Overall, it was a nice experience, but I was shocked when I spent $70 (including tax and tip) for tea. For that price, I felt that some part of it should have left me really impressed. read more

Sunday Brunch- Love it, I love that they don't make things in large quantity, everything they service you is of the highest quality and honestly think it is better than the buffets in LV. There was stone crab( already crack), Omlette station with so much to choose from, 3 types of egg benedict, is little section for kids with really go petite size hot dog and sliders, fries, mac & cheese, and finger sandwiches. There was a little asian section with vietnamese crepe( which was really good), dim sum, etc. Plus amazing selection of pastry, dessert, and voges chocolate to end your meal. Chocolate Buffet- My friend really wanted her bachelorette party to start here. It's not as large as the sunday buffet but it was on the pricey side of about $35-40. It was a meal of it's own. There are crepes, chocolate pastry, mousses, an amazing hot chocolate, truffles, and pre-made dipped chocolate fruits. It was a great experience to do with your girlfriend but I can't afford to do it all the time. Afternoon Tea- Love it, the tea selection are all the best leaves you can find from tradtional to new combination of leaves. They give you this amazing 3 tier platters of savory and sweet and it's just an amazing experience, from the view to the service. Best this to do for any of these things is the make reservation and the hours and vary. read more

The Christmas decor, tea, and service were great. Big thank you to Annie for taking care of us. Unfortunately the food was very mediocre, making the experience not worth the price. read more

Three strong stars for a very nice afternoon traditional tea service but with severe reservations. I'll be honest: visiting London recently and experiencing two formal English tea services really spoiled me into expecting more than the level of service and the quality of tiny pastries I received at The Lobby. I don't have anything else to compare my experience against except tea at Harrods and Brown's. If you've experienced traditional tea in the tea room at Brown's, you'll agree that The Lobby's tea isn't really as magical as you'd expect for the price. When they say The Lobby, they aren't kidding. You're right there in that big open room with god knows what other event swirls around you--noisy or quiet. We were surprised--no, shocked--that "smart casual" means women in low-ride jeans, belly shirts and wet hair pulled up with a scrunchy. The nouveau riche staying here are a "come as they are" set and don't dress like the grande dames in the Ritz Carlton, so forget all that blah blah on the Peninsula's website about the stuffy dress code. I also didn't enjoy being seated next to a giggling, noisy baby in a highchair either. The tot threw its pacifier on the floor three times, and each time, the grandmother would say, "good boy!" and summon a waiter to pick it up for them. When the waiter took our order, I asked him to help me decide which tea would be a sweet, floral aroma. He looked at me and said that he didn't know. Um...BAD. The menu gave me a hint of suggestion, but I needed more clarification. For $40 per person, the waiters should know about the teas. The actual tea was good but not spectacular. You're there for the goodies, right? Well, tiny desserts do not equal excellence, and the three tiered tray was a letdown. We had to ask for cucumber sandwiches (expected in English traditional afternoon tea). And goodness, would it have killed them to include more than just two of each thing? I realize we were two people, but it was sort of a joke--we're two hungry guys expecting more than tiny morsels of food. The service was good, but again, that's expected at a place like The Peninsula, no matter how much you're paying. So for all these wonderful reviews, I have to be the honest, tea time weary guy who expected more but received less. read more

************* REVIEW 140 **************** What not to like about this hotel lobby? Gorgeous design/layout, high ceiling, spacious & superior service makes you feel like a queen. $38 for an afternoon traditional high tea, plenty of scones, mini cookies, light sandwiches & an amazing selection of tea. The black & orange scones are to die for, fresh bake & it still warm when they are served! Plenty to serve for two! Live violinists playing up stair at the balcony, simply wonderful. read more

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I've been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :) The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I've been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette... and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets! For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts. All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I've heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :) read more

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I came here for afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends. The Lobby was under construction, so afternoon tea was held in the Avenues ballroom. Everything was absolutely beautiful, and this was some of the best service and food! The servers were so attentive and friendly. You definitely won't leave afternoon tea hungry. We were so full! The scones were so good and came with a spread of toppings. There were a few finger sandwiches - cucumber, shrimp salad, smoked salmon, and chicken salad. The shrimp salad and cucumber sandwhiches were my favorite! One of my friends kept kosher, so they brought her out other sandwiches. They also have a vegetarian menu. They're very accommodating! There were also small quiches and an array of pastries that were AMAZING. And I mean all of them. Amazing. After all of that, they brought out tiny soufflés and another birthday dessert, both of which were, again, amazing. The Lobby deserves a second Michelin star in my opinion. I'll definitely be back for the dinner. I came back for dinner, and it was awesome! We had the lobster soup and carbonara with the chocolate buffet. The food and service were once again amazing! The chocolate buffet is a fantastic way to celebrate something! I came back a third time for my fiancé's birthday for the brunch buffet! It's a little pricy, but the food and service is still so excellent! Definitely celebration worthy. There are so many options. There's a kids station, an omelet station, hot breakfast items like waffles, sausage, and truffled eggs Benedict (amazing), cold items like salad and fruit, a charcuterie station, a sushi station, a smoked salmon/bagel bar station, a hot food station (veggies, cioppino, beef tenderloin, crispy chicken thighs (amazing), Wagyu sirloin with mushrooms (even more amazing!), a Peking Duck station, dim sum, chicken fingers, sliders, Mac and cheese, and a dessert bar! There is food for everyone! It's a great experience coming to The Lobby. It makes celebrating special occasions all the more special! read more

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I went for high tea and found it not living to expectations. First off, I was experiencing it solo and was seated at a table for four. There was a window table for two open (it remained available throughout my entire experience). Not fun looking at other tables when I'd rather look out the window. The tables with seats for four were equipped with the smallest cloth napkins I've ever seen at a restaurant. It was a square that didn't cover but a toddler's lap. When the tier arrived I wasn't given an explanation of what's what. My tea wasn't accompanied with honey (left that alone since I don't take tea with honey). Two spoons for three scone spreads (asked a server who was apologetic and overall everyone became more attentive after that). Very strange. The sandwiches were fine. I've had better and I've had worse. Scones were delicious, probably my favorite. Desserts were overly sweet and didn't pair well with one another. read more

Delicious, wonderful tea time. From sweets to sandwiches, it ended up being too much food for me to finish. Great ambiance, and live music. I wanted to shout 'encore' to the players, but it wouldn't match the mood of the room. So why not 5 stars? Because the way the tea is in the pot, the tea became extremely bitter. Most teas should only seep for 2-3 min, and when my tea is seeping for 30 min +, it's an aweful taste. Don't they know better? Also, we were unfortunate to sit next a table who ordered some deluxe tea, which included hard boiled egg, chocolate covered strawberries and other delights we didn't get on our tea. The comparison was so extreme, and I glanced over many times during our meal. Sigh. what bad luck to sit next to them. I be they spent over $100 per person on that menu! read more

Meh...I was wanting to love the "absolute must" of afternoon tea, but it left me lackluster and disappointed. I took my mom and sister's here for afternoon tea. I had read all of the reviews and it just seemed like something different, fun, upscale, etc. The Lobby is on OpenTable, however you cant make reservations for afternoon tea on there. So I had to call and talk to someone, which I dont like doing. Boo. When we arrived at 330, the room wasnt quite ready so they pointed to a sitting area until they could seat us. We waited and saw several others getting seated. We waited and waited. Finally I started to give the server's the eye...WTH??? This is not what I expected when they charge $50 a head for tea. The hostess came over and said that our table was ready...clearly, she had forgotten about us. She even had to ask for the reservation name again. Annoying for this "caliber" of restaurant. Boo. The tea and the food left much to be desired. It definitely tasted mass produced, sitting in the cooler for awhile. Meh. The sandwiches were disappointed. The desserts faired a little better. I did like the tea, but they didnt give you sugar, cream, etc unless you asked...which again, I find interesting. Boo. Now the one thing that I can say that I loved was our server. He was excellent at explaining the menu, giving suggestions and trying to accommodate everyone. Two thumbs up to Eric. YAY. Lastly, they automatically charge a 20% authorization with a credit card??? So I called because they clearly overcharged me on my account, but they stated that they authorize an extra 20% but it will only be charged the base...?? Never heard of such a thing. Boo. I definitely think this is a SKIP...go somewhere else...this is less than impressive. read more

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The Peninsula is one the best hotels in Chicago. Service is impeccable. I have come here with my family for holiday's and special occasions. The food is phenomenal, and the ambience is first-class. Note* on the pricier end, but worth every penny! read more

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I love this place so much - making some new reservations now for next month! This time i am bringing the kids. The Lobby is gorgeous and a great place to wow you guests. The service is spectacular and the kids area - i can't wait for next month!! read more

One of the lovelier rooms in Chicago, and the service, typical of the Peninsula, was excellent. But a restaurant has to be judged on the food and our expensive lunch was a disappoitment. Bland and uninspired. I had chciken wok dish that was loaded in salt and soy, heavy, thick and unimpressive Shcoking for a Chinese owned entereprize. My wife had a hamburger that was decent, but a $20+ burger should be better than just "OK". read more

The Lobby - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

4 stars for the ambiance and great service, 1 star less because the afternoon teatime menu isn't as impressive as I hoped. The sandwich is underwhelming, the sweets are good. read more

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Ambience - A little hotel-y, but very swanky so perfect. Food - Perfect Service - Perfect I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time. One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs. The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu! As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke puree with tempura'ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal. Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians...) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :) I can't wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both?? read more

I came to Afternoon Tea for a bridal shower and had a fantastic time. The food and service were both top notch, so am surprised to see some of the negative service reviews listed! Also, while it seems awkward to have a private event in a large room with passersby, it really had an intimate feel because the noise level of others events is not too noticeable. Our server Don was amazing (would recommend requesting him in the future if you go, he's been there for 8 years. Scones were delicious, came with creamed butter, raspberry jam, and lemon curd. Then the tea service came out. I got the jasmine tea which was very good. They came by midway through to refill the pots with water. And the food was also quite good. 4 items on the savory side all good: Smoked Salmon/Asparagus - One of my favorite things all day. Everything really well balanced Mini ham sandwich - Nice hint of arugula to make it a little different Roasted vegetable tea sandwich - who wouldn't like portabella, peppers, and squash on a sandwich? There were a ton of desserts and despite the food all looking small and dainty it was quite filling. Hands down the best dessert was a hazelnut tiramisu looking bite with a chocolate crisp on top. SO good. It seems like a splurge for a regular afternoon, but was great for a special occasion. Service staff was extremely accommodating (getting us garbage bags for the wrapping paper, scissors and tape for our ribbon project, bellman to help bring the presents down). All done quite well! read more

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chocolate bar thats the only reason to eat here. forget the ambiance, the live music, etc.. go eat at the chocolate bar. treats galore, ranging from classics to culinary works of art. dont miss it, it is very steep...so you get a break if you eat dinner there but make it an event. read more

First time for everything! Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know....one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn't say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical. So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2-4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite. Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place. read more

The Lobby - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Peninsula is my absolute favorite place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago. The service is impeccable, the tea and sweets are DELISH and the room is beautiful. It's such a lovely way to treat yourself, or a fabulous way to BE treated as I was last week for my birthday. They knew it was my birthday and brought an extra treat with a candle... no tacky singing though, just pure elegance. Also, I like that they offer extra sandwiches if you'd like. No other place I've been in Chicago does that. read more

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Thanks to Chef Week, I had the opportunity to dine here for only $22 (around 28 with tip and tax). I came here for lunch with a friend on the Friday around 12:15. It was pretty empty so we were seated right away. It's inside the Peninsula hotel, but it has a very spacious and open feel. We had a nice view right next to the window. The food itself was phenomenal! We started off with the deviled eggs. Flavorful but not too salty. Egg texture was also on point. For the entree, I got the cavatelli. The portion was smaller than I expected, at least compared to the Lobby Burger that my friend got. It did not disappoint though! I've never tasted anything quite like it before. It was very flavorful. There's a very very subtle tangy taste as well. The Lobby Burger was like a gourmet burger. It was huge!! Probably the size of my face. It comes with a large side of fries as well. They also provide cute mini mayo and ketchup bottles. I don't think the dessert we got is on the normal menu. It was mango gelato, some sort of a macaroon pastry type thing, and pineapples that was soaked in passionfruit juice with macademia nut crumbs. Overall, it was a great experience! read more

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We got taken to our seats by the hostess who didn't even greet us or say hello or smile. My friends seat was covered in crumbs which they had to brush off before sitting down. Our cutlery was dirty and had to be replaced, our glasses were still dirty too. Food options for vegan high tea were very poor. Bread with a slice of cucumber, bread with slice of beetroot, bread with slice of bought cheese. The"tart" they gave us was a bit of melted cheese on a little plate... I will post pictures below. The scone and dessert were the only highlight. Our server did not ask us once how we were/how the food was. Not even at the end as he cleared our plates. I commend the lobby for having a vegan option but when the price point is 80+ USD I honestly expected way better. I see good comments on Yelp for the regular high tea and for the same cost I expect similar spread and the same experience having vegan high tea. read more

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Great service. Grande ambiance. String duet. Amazing teas. Average biscuits and sandwiches. I can't say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn't even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service. read more

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We came for Sunday Brunch - I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me; 1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact - not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever - I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor. We've never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed He's the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure 'everything' was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!! You don't have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons - my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer - never. 2) The food was excellent; don't get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more - they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3-4 times. And there weren't that many people dining. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above. Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back. read more

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When you go here, you enter a new world where only wondrous desserts need exist, and the walls ooze cacao, berries, and caramel; egg, flour and flower. Spices flare around you as textures break apart against silver spoons coveted under jealous tongues and teeth that await the wet zest and love hidden somewhere inside each precious bite for which you decide you still have just a little room. That one last bite before the next one last bite as you turn to see another decadent piece of art deemed acceptable for your palate. Even through the sadness of watching them disappear from this wonderful world you've somehow stumbled into, you will yet destroy another masterful display of this craft you now know to be noble: the pastry chef's heart has become this place. There is nothing you can do. They call to you from the center of the expansive chamber, romantically lit and slowly feeling filled with the accompaniment of live musicians and living laughter as your heart hums nostalgia for all the desserts you've once had: your mother's Christmas cookies stolen from a hot pan as they burned their flavor in, a memory on your tongue; your grandmother's cheesecake, the recipe reclaimed at her passing and connecting you back to her smiling face in that old wicker chair, and that parfait you'd shared on one rainy day outside your small town movie theater as leftover fries sat in their little white take-home container beside the two of you, still warm. You're there again. You're in those places again. (Try the chocolate bar. I'd recommend it.) read more

I went to The Lobby at the Peninsula for brunch and for the first time I could breath after eating brunch! I was so satisfied with the food that I could actually stop eating before I felt like waffles were coming out of my ears! (FYI I love breakfast food so that's how I usually feel after going out for breakfast or brunch). There is a great selection of food and after my huge disappointment with the signature room brunch, it was a breath of fresh air to have brunch at the Peninsula. Very friendly and professional staff as always and surprisingly quick! My favorite was when I couldn't figure out why certain items were so close to the ground (probably because my brain was still recovering from the Ciroc). Just as I was thinking someone must have been drunk and forgot to put these items on a table, I realized I was in the kids' area! These people actually have a little area where everything is low enough to the ground that kids can reach in and unload their germs!!!! lol Definitely made my day to see it but no screaming lil ones around so if you like the "screaming lil ones" as you try to bury your hangover headache at brunch, you would have been disappointed. They take reservations, have live music, serve from 10a-2p on Sundays, valet is $23, brunch is $65/person. read more

Beautiful place at the Peninsula, Chicago. High ceiling, beautiful flowers and arts display all just beautiful. Food was good. Service was friendly. read more

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The Lobby at the Peninsula is gorgeous, especially when the ginormous Christmas tree is up. I recently had the afternoon tea service here and it was just as amazing as I had remembered it the first time, albeit more expensive. Let's just say as far as pricing goes, this is definitely more like a Christmas-gift-to-yourself type of place, unless you regularly shell out $50 for tea and finger sandwiches, but I digress. Even being the cheapskate I am, I thought it was a very worthwhile experience. The lobby itself is breathtaking, almost other-worldly. The soaring ceilings and old-world furniture makes the space so grand. There is a live string duo that plays in the balcony while you sip on tea, and the waitstaff is very vigilant on keeping your teapot filled. Random sidenote: their teapots can keep the tea warm for a ridiculously long time! I was very impressed. The tea selection and the tea itself were excellent. As far as the food goes, the items are literally works of art, especially the dessert. A couple of which were topped with a gold leaf and another one with a slither of thin, artistically crafted plate of white chocolate. It looked so beautiful I almost didn't have the heart to eat it. Aside from their tea service, the lobster roll off their lunch menu is absolutely delicious, with huge chunks of lobster tumbling off the sandwich. I definitely recommend it. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask for a window seat, which looks out to a cute little ice skating rink atop the peninsula hotel and the magnificent mile. It was quite magical. read more

Ate breakfast here two mornings while staying as a hotel guest. One morning did the breakfast buffet which was perfect...do wish they had more egg options that just scrambled, but I will let that slide as the fruit options and meat sides were bountiful. The next morning I had a egg white frittata with green veggies, was light, but filling. Perfect for those watching their waist line. My husband had the huevos rancheros which I of course tried. Delicious!!!!! Service was top notch in usual peninsula fashion. read more

The Lobby - Green Frittata** - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I took my wife there for her birthday, called ahead to reserve and they asked what was the special occasion. I wasn't sure what they would do with that info... but they used it to decorate a special dessert plate with her name in chocolate and even a candle (without all the hoopla). They reserved a nice table for two close to the band and the dance floor with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Band was nice, lounge singer was ok. Our server was very attentive and made us feel welcome. Although we had reserved for the Chocolate buffet, there was no pressure, we could have changed our mind and had anything we wanted (or nothing at all). As it turned out we had appetizers (Flat bread and Risotto) before going for the desert buffet which was pricey ($38). While we enjoyed the guilty pleasure of the decadent buffet, we might have beeen better off picking one of the nice selections from the dessert menu (most were $12). My wife is a big fan of Creme Brulee which wasn't on the D buffet, though good coffee was included especially capachinos. In short, if you are looking for a romantic evening with music, dance, good food and a great ambiance you should really give this a try, but you don't need to feel compelled to join the full dessert buffet, instead order single servings with other specials like the Chocolate Martinis. read more

The Lobby - birthday special - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent service as expected! Had Sunday brunch - oh so many great food to eat and the dessert table was equally great! We will be back soon! Went back for afternoon tea. Celebrated New Year 2015. Occasionally stopped by for more food and cafe. read more

The service here is amazing. Unfortunately the entrees aren't up to par for the price. Came here for restaurant week and was quite impressed, and did a return visit not long after. Outside of the restaurant week menu, we had the scallops, crab toast, and a grilled prawn dish that was supremely disappointing. The crab toast came out first and was an enjoyable start, but with the two entrees both volume and quality were lacking for 30+ dollar entrees. The prawns were offered in a Thai-Chinese style along a side of low quality rice, overcooked and tough without a the signature intensity that you would find in a Bangkok Singaporean restaurant. This all resulted in a boring dish that's hardly a step up from some higher end take out. The scallops were adequate, but quantity was lacking and there was little done to make them more interesting than your typical scallop dish. Perhaps their brunch buffet or afternoon tea service would be a better experience, but I would not come here again for a typical dinner. Service was excellent. What you'd expect from The Peninsula. read more

Lovely place. Great decor. Surprisingly quiet for such a large room. As others have mentioned--the cello-guitar duo is great fun to listen to. The floral arrangements were lovely. Went on Friday night. The service was perfect. Friendly and attentive. Husband had mixed greens salad which was perfectly dressed. I had the squash salad which was wonderful. Delightful toasted wild rice. Nice perfectly cooked hunks of winter squash. Husband had the short ribs which was really good. I had the Tagliolini. The pasta was fresh and good texture. I could have done with a bit more Parmesan and fewer mushrooms, but it is a good dish. We shared a sticky toffee pudding. We asked to switch the ice cream for another flavor. They happily complied. By the way, the raisins give new meaning to the phrase 'rum soaked"! After dinner, they brought maroons and chocolates. then as we were preparing to go, the server brought little wrapped pound cakes to take with us. Excellent restaurant with great service and food. Really 4.5 stars, because I try to be stingy with the fives... read more

Restaurant Week lunch at The Lobby far exceeded my expectations-- sunlit, high ceiling grandeur with delightful varieties of tiny bites! APPETIZER BAR self serve of butternut squash veloute, grilled veggies, salads, cheese and charcuterie, breads and crackers. My friends enjoyed sampling rock shrimp from delicately arranged martini glasses SEARED SCALLOPS tender and perfectly seared with scrumptious parsnip puree DESSERT BAR self serve of tarts, cupcakes, mousse, and cheesecake. I loved sampling all of them; however their chocolate cupcake was a little too dry for my liking. Overall, a wonderful girls' lunch! I loved the space. I thought it was hilarious that every single time we got up and left our napkin, we'd return with them neatly folded! I will be back for afternoon tea! read more

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The Skinny: excellent tea, great food, fabulous view of the city (4.5), service - impeccable (5), value - it's a cultural tradition that is generally overpriced but worth it in this case (4). I popped my hubby's afternoon tea cherry... and what better place to do it than The Lobby at the Peninsula? "No, I'm not really interested but if you want to go, that's fine with me." Uh huh. Changed his mind pretty quick after that first bite of warm, buttery scone with Devonshire cream/preserves. Take that, you unbeliever! It was worth the money just to see that silly, happy, goofy grin on his face. Afternoon tea culture is a colonial British thing. Take a break in the middle of the day for a nice hearty snack and have a lighter dinner later. Coming from a family that has roots in Hong Kong, you can see why my family loves to indulge in this age old tradition. This spot is definitely a quiet oasis from the hectic city streets below. I relaxed with a nice pot of tea on my side, enjoying my pastries (which were all excellent), souffle, scones and finger sandwiches (you can ask for more if you'd like). read more

The Lobby - Yummy Tea time sandwiches - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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For some strange reason whenever I think of afternoon tea, I picture little Michelle Tanner tap-dancing frenetically and singing "tea for two and two for tea". (Actually now Downton Abbey is back on, I just picture having tea with the Dowager while she makes sassy comments to me.) I have been to the Peninsula for tea twice and unfortunately there is no little girl dancing and serenading me, nor is Professor Gonagall there. C'mon, I hear the Drake has a harpist for entertainment! Fortunately the service is very good and the tea set and silverware is all silver, and I imagine they have their own Mr. Carson in the back polishing all the silver. The tea sandwiches and mini desserts are all very pleasant to look at, but I am torn otherwise. While I understand it must take an enormous amount of work to create all these delicacies, I was sad to bite into slightly stale bread on my cucumber sandwich and a cold mini empanada. And I would have loved to see sugar cubes instead of sugar packets. Also I think you have to specifically ask for butter and jam for the scones. Bonus stars if they offered clotted cream. The $50 price tag includes three tiers of finger foods and a pot of tea (tea might be unlimited, I'm not sure, I decided to try two different types, but really, how much tea could your stomach possibly hold?). I was actually really full and even took the scones home, It's fun to go at least once for the experience. Be fun and wear a fancy hat! read more

The Lobby - One standard, one special menu (proceeds to Philippines relief) - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I like going here for tea & lunch for Mom or friends. Yes its $$ is you add on the glass of bubbly, but sometimes you have to treat yourself. Service is formal, but not stuffy & if you go alone, they offer you a newspaper to read a nice touch. Food is tasty, I had a Turkey Club, it was the most beautiful & best I even had, granted it was $22, but you only live once. Check out the website for the menu, it changes....but its great to go & the view is nice & I always go to the gift shop afterwards & buy something... read more