Visited a few times for happy hour during my stay the ambience is fantastic especially on the deck the fire pits are warm and cozy, food average bar food with the exception of the shrimp- big juicy and delicious from the hostess to the servers everyone was plant and accommodating if your are looking for a good happy hour experience on a beautiful day - make it a stop read more

Here's a revised version with the view included: I've visited VU Rooftop several times and it's always a great experience overall. The ambience is one of my favorite things about this place -- the atmosphere, the music, and the beautiful view from the 22nd floor always make it feel like a special night out in the city. The service during my most recent visit was great. Sarah, our server, was amazing -- attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Unfortunately, this was the first time I didn't enjoy my food. I ordered the grilled chicken skewer appetizer, and while it looked good, something about the flavor just didn't sit well with my taste buds. It may simply come down to personal preference, but it wasn't something I particularly enjoyed. One thing I do appreciate about VU Rooftop is that their menu changes seasonally, which always allows for a new experience each time I patronize. Even though the food didn't quite hit the mark for me this time, it won't stop me from returning. The ambience, service, and those 22nd-floor views of the city are always worth the visit. I'll definitely be back -- I'll just probably skip the grilled chicken skewer appetizer next time. read more

VU Rooftop - Grilled Chicken Skewers - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is still in business because your guest are travelers. The food is prepared from frozen, like Applebees. Hostess and gentleman who top your water are lively. But the older female waitress is rude and no grace. No matter the party size, gratuity is added to the bill. We're guest at the Hilton. As we inquired about the restaurant next door , the host by the elevator suggested Vu. After we stated we didn't want drinks, i inquired about dining options. But she appeared annoyed and ask if we were sure. Yes, no drinks... well, "what do you want". After answering a couple questions, she just walked away... She (Sarah?, older woman), said to ignore the Restaurant Week ($60 fix price) menu, that it was wrong and not good options. So I ordered shrimp appetizer and truffle fries, husband ordered salad and burger. She asked no questions. Later brought my shrimp and his salad. Um, shrimp & fries were my entree. Oh, I'll put in your fry order! By the time that huge bowl of fries arrived, I only consumed 1/4. Taking them home, no.. "why not". Don't want to! Really? I don't know why I'm still sitting. While discussing the chocolate cake, place raspberries on the side. "It's only a couple raspberries, are you allergic" no, just place them on the side... why? Are you kidding me! Icing... auto gratuity for a party of 2! Done! read more

Went to this venue for an event and the views from the rooftop are amazing. Definitely social media picture worthy. My only drawback was paying $11 for fries that weren't really that good. The drinks I had were so good but expensive than most. I'm not sure if this was regular pricing or up charged for the event. I would definitely go back though strictly for the vibes. read more

This is my first time having a Danish pancake. What was cool about this one is the peaches that were used to top it. It was served warm and was flavorful, but not overbearing. The pancake was pretty airy, but not thick like a traditional pancake, almost like a crêpe. The service was great and the view of the city made everything about this breakfast great. I will say I wasn't that impressed by the quality of the bacon. But other than that, everything was great. read more

VU Rooftop - Danish pancake - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've always have a spectacular time at the VU! This year I had my Golden 50th Birthday here at the club. We were provide with an amazing seating area, City View. Our service was top notch! My specialty drink was superb! The DJ was on point! Danced all night and got in a few photo shoots with friends and family! read more

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We went up to the rooftop around sunset, and what a great view! You overlook the south end of the city. We sat outside at a fireplace and had almost the whole outdoor space to ourselves. This is definitely a great vibe and atmosphere to relax. The drink selection, however, is relatively standard and straightforward. I would love to see more innovative cocktails here in the future. Service can be slow as there was just one bartender at the bar, but he was very friendly! Definitely would recommend going up for the views. read more

The view from the VU is fantastic! This is my new go to for a mid-week drink. I went on a Wednesday so it wasn't packed so I have no frame of reference for a more popular time like the weekend. I like that the bartenders free pour, big bonus! read more

VU Rooftop - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My family saw this place near the hotel where we were staying. It was well worth the visit. Great views, great food and excellent service. We tried different dishes and had one of their cocktails as well as beer, and it was amazing. We highly recommend this place. read more

Summertime Chi is here, so you know the rooftop lounges are always a win. An organization I'm part of had happy hour here from 5 to 8 PM, and this is the perfect location for a Memorial Day celebration. There was also a Sky game happening across the street, and if people showed their tickets to the game, they got discounts on their food, which was amazing. The food and drinks are a bit on the pricey side, but they do automatically include gratuity and other service charges, which is understandable in this economy. Be prepared to spend some money even on small bar items. This venue is very chic, and I didn't have to wait long for my food to be delivered at all. I floated between the inside and outside because it was rather chilly, and since there were so many people at the bar, it would get hot inside. Whenever I needed a breather, I would go outside and take in the amazing views. read more

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Went there for their RnB day party. My friends and I had a booth, one of the workers stopped my friend about her outfit that was to code while there were many people in there completely out of code. They served dry, hard sliders that was cold. The menu was limited idk why. Now it might have just been the event but the owners need to not book them again. Im only giving them one star because the views were nice. read more

I came here with coworkers for a happy hour on Thursday. We were in town for a conference and wanted to explore the city as much as possible afterwards. This was a neat rooftop spot (I honestly perferred it to Cindy's- although I haven't been there in years so may need to revisit again) with some great food and drink options. We had a few appetizers - truffle fries, spicy soppressata flatbread, chicken thighs, and corn fritters - and a couple cocktails/wine. I really liked the flatbread, it had some great, flavorful heat and my boss lady drink was delicious, refreshing, and packed just the right punch. The chicken thighs were also pretty tasty too. Waitstaff was attentive, refilling waters and checking in on us periodically. All in all, I enjoyed this spot and would definitely come back. read more

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Perfect Vibes & Elevated Experience at VU Rooftop! If you're looking for a stunning rooftop with incredible views, delicious food, and top-tier cocktails, VU Rooftop Bar is the place to be! My friend and I spent an amazing content day here, and everything--from the chic ambiance to the top-notch service--was absolutely flawless. We started with cocktails, the Violetta & Boss Lady, and let's just say, I had to run that Boss Lady back! For food, we shared the soppressata flatbread (so good!) before diving into our entrees. My VU burger with that comeback sauce was a game-changer, and my friend's shrimp romesco pasta was just as incredible. To top it all off, Hennessy was in the building serving up seasonal drink samples like the Paloma and Hennessy Sidecar--the perfect way to end the night! I'm already counting down the days until summer so I can experience it all over again. If you're looking for a rooftop with great energy, stellar drinks, and breathtaking views, VU Rooftop is a must-visit! read more

Came here for a birthday brunch Saturday morning for a party of 8. So of course you know bottomless mimosas were flowing around during the duration of the event. I'll start by saying customer service needs to be improved drastically. As much as The Top flight security team downstairs is TSA checking you to get in the building and up the elevator, you would think service on the rooftop would be top tier and it wasn't. Our server, Lorena, did not do her best job to ensure we were well taken care. At times I felt we had to chase her down to get additional things during our time there. The food: my boyfriend and I ordered the breakfast sandwich and chilaquiles with a coffee and side of comeback sauce. The breakfast sandwich was amazing. Flavorable and seasoned. It was filling and the textures were on point. The comeback sauce shouldn't have been charged as extra but whatever. The potatoes were amazing. Best thing on the menu besides the sandwich. The chilaquiles were horrible. The tortilla shells were to crispy. You couldn't cut through them; heck couldn't even bite through it. The beans were thick and water simultaneously yet no flavor. The chicken was given in abundance but dry. I didn't know you could over charge a dish yet mess up chilaquiles but apparently you can. I would only be inclined to return to get a cocktail and catch up with a friend. Maybe sneak a photo on the rooftop in but that's it. The prices and service don't give space enough to warrant a visit let alone a return. read more

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I visited here for my friend's birthday and we were well taken care of. I am very critical of food's seasoning and everything I had here was extremely good. We shared apps and they were filling and delicious. My favorites were the fried chicken thighs and the flatbread pizza. Staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. My only downside was how burnt the outside of the corn fritters were, although the inside filling was delicious. read more

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My friends and I loved the vibe of VU rooftop bar to enjoy the 4th of July evening. First off, the ambiance was tough to beat with so many people dancing to some good music, the balance of indoor and outdoor space depending on where you wanted to be, and the views of Chicago from the Southside were great! The service was fine given how busy it was, there was nothing really to complain about there, and we were also not there for food. However, it was a great place to celebrate the 4th, and couldn't have found a better atmosphere! read more

Invited to VIP event for Procore Conference. The rooftop is 22 stories high and has a beautiful view of the city. Plush seating, fire pit tables. Service Excellent. Staff was walking around with appetizers, sliders were so tasty. Open bar, cocktails spirit forward. Food Chicken thighs, pasta, sautéed green beans, roasted potatoes, salad. It was all good but the chicken thighs were the best I have tasted in recent memory, topped with red bell pepper. The entrance to restroom is like a house of mirrors optical illusion. To reiterate, the view was stunning and memorable. Upscale establishment for sure. read more

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Been two times and each time was amazing! Every single employee is so professional and friendly. Had a great time. If you like good music, good food, and good drinks, go! Not to mention the beautiful view from the 22nd floor. Ok let's get into the food. The shrimp were my favorite! They came with a really good dipping sauce. The flat bread pizza was definitely my second favorite. The hot honey sauce on top was perfect! The chicken thighs dish was one of my favorites very well seasoned and delicious. The shrimp pasta my friend got was very bland. The hush puppies were burnt and not good at all. The honey cake I got for my birthday was the best desert I've ever had!!! Managers please try to get more music on the rooftop portion! You can barely hear any music out there. That's really my only complaint. I love it here! read more

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If you're visiting the McCormick area this place definitely provides great views, spacious and comfortable seating, beautiful decor and decent drinks and food. I stopped by the VU after wrapping up a work event at a nearby hotel. I settled on drinks and a few apps since I was having dinner nearby shortly after. For my drink I tried the Banana Nana. It was pretty good. I was worried it would be pretty sweet but everything balanced out well. Definitely would welcome for an after dinner cocktail. For my apps I had the fries and Akara (Black-eyed pea fritters). The fries were good. Well seasoned and crunchy with a nice sauce. The Akara was every bland. I don't see it on the menu anyone. The service was okay. You have to go through security downstairs before heading up. read more

Went for brunch to celebrate a birthday and had a good time. We sat at a table by the window and the view was nice. The food was ok but the mimosas were perfectly made. Our waitress was nice enough and made sure our glasses were filled. Nothing really stood out to me. I think I need to go in the evening to see if the food and vibe is better. read more

I'd say the best part of VU is the view. The rest is less than impressive. There was a group of women that came in, took pictures, and then left. This seems like probably the best way to experience VU. Before going upstairs to the rooftop, we had to be scanned down and have our bags checked like we were at the airport or Disneyland. Odd. Upstairs, we had a reservation, but our table outside was just a couch and coffee table. This was ok, since they had pillows, just not what we were expecting. Everything was pretty pricy, which is normal for rooftop bars, but in this case probably not warranted. First we got parmesan fries which were hard and cold. The flavor was there, but for what we were paying, we would have wanted fresh fries. The popcorn shrimp appetizer we got was good. The rosé we got was also good, actually probably the best rosé I've had. That was a redeeming factor. Other reviews mention bad service. For us, it wasn't terrible, so maybe they have changed since the last reviews were written. Altogether, not a horrible experience, but we probably won't come back. read more

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Friend brought me here. BEAUTIFUL Views!! We only had a drink and watched some of the basketball game. Bartender was nice! The Bathroom is a funhouse of mirrors! lol all Mirrors, I was so confused then had a ball playing around in the mirrors by myself in there lol We paid for valet read more

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Sadly by the time I got there the kitchen was closed. The bar was still open as well as the rooftop. I ordered a drink I think it was called What the Henny. It got me THERE. An upscale restaurant, my drink was about $22. read more

VU Rooftop - Rooftop view - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good service and great views! Located on the 22nd floor of the Hilton it has two outdoor terraces with city sweeping views and a main dining room with a bar and tons of tv's to catch a game. Service was good and attentive Jacques was my server and made recommendations I had the mix green salad with had a corn bread crouton with fresno peppers and cherry tomatoes. For my main I tried the bucatini pasta which had muscles, shrimp and white fish in a green sauce. I paired that with a glass of albarino white wine. Overall great service and food with city views from the south loop! read more

VU Rooftop - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The view is great but the food was flavorless and the manner in which we received our food was horrible. The food came out one at a time. Ordered a chicken sandwich but did not receive the fries out the pickles. The popcorn shrimp was overcooked, fries hard as a brick and the chicken thighs were decent. The manager tried to rectify the situation by bringing a second order of popcorn shrimp, but still overcooked abs two huge orders of fries. Fries were decent. The Vu is excellent just for a drink and a view. read more

If you are looking for a happy hour spot in the south loop that isn't a sports bar, then the VU is your spot. It is a nice addition to the south loop and takes eating and hanging out to another level in the area. It's also across the street from the Wintrust Arena where the women's basketball team, the Chicago Sky, play and walking distance to the McCormick Center. The entrance to the Vu is not hidden but it feels like it. You enter on the right side of the hotel, through a black curtain and then take the elevator to the restaurant. Overall the Vu has an open and friendly vibe that seems to turn to a club atmosphere by night. But after working hours when I went with a work colleague, we were able to relax and have drinks in the open seating area next to the bar. I got the impression that the people sitting at the bar were regulars. They were dressed casually and stayed put the whole time so it might be hard to grab a seat at the bar on your visit. Our waitress was prompt with taking our food and drink order. The french fries were delicious! Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and served hot rather than lukewarm. They have a table runner so kudos to him for getting our food to the table promptly. Based on the fries alone I could tell I would be delighted by the rest of the menu. If I go back I plan to try the Black Eyed Pea fritters or maybe the Green Curry Mussels. But no matter your taste the menu offers something for everyone. read more

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The view is great. The atmosphere is nice. I would recommend a little more seasoning in some of the food. The nachos would be great with something added. The chicken thighs are amazing. The drinks are heavy pour. We had two waiters which were very knowledgeable about the menu. It's a go back for us when the weather breaks. read more

My family, friends and I dined in for my birthday brunch over the weekend. I should have heeded the advice of other reviews, but thought brunch would be just fine. However, I do not recommend this spot for brunch. I'll start with some of the good things. I did enjoy the view, the chicken in the chicken and waffles dish, and the fact that it was a Sunday and street/meter parking was free. But unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros. Sorry, this will be a long review. To start off, we DID bring our child to brunch with us, it was my birthday and I wanted to try this place out with my family. I did my research, I looked at their menu online and THERE IS A CHILDRENS MENU/DISH included and in there FAQ section, it's mentioned that those under 21 are welcome before 9pm. When we arrived we were sat at a high top table and I asked the waiter if they had a high chair or another table that would be more child friendly. The waiter said they don't have high chairs and when I asked why they have a kids menu but no high chairs, he was very curt and condescending in his response. We asked if there was a booth and he wasn't really helpful in that effort. So we sat at the high top table. It was fine. We were sat, given water and the waiter made his recommendation of the chicken and waffles, he was VERRRYY into it. So we leaned in! We did have a friend who joined us who is vegan and could only order one thing. But everyone else ordered what the waiter recommended. The waiter came back to ask if we wanted to order an appetizer first, and said "no thanks" but I did want a mimosa. To which his response was, "hold on I have 7 other tables". Back to the vegan diner, the one item in the menu he could order was the avocado toast (minus the feta-- that's not vegan) the menu lists the dish as (VG) FETA - PEAS - ASPARAGUS - WATERMELON RADISH - SERVED ON WEST TOWN BAKERY SOURDOUGH. I wish we took a photo because it was just one regular piece of bread and not in fact on a West Town Bakery Sourdough. And when my friends inquired, the waiter said "Yes thats just regular bread. Oh yeah - we must *cHaNgE* that on the menu." And he walked away kind of scoffing and audibly complained about my friends question. It was quite rude. The chicken and waffles were good, I'll give it that.The chicken was the best part, the dish is spicy, so make sure you have a tolerance for it. But good flavor in the chicken. The waffle was just ok. Last thing about the food: There were a couple side dishes, fruit and breakfast potatoes, that were ordered that came about 25 minutes after our main dishes. Wasn't even sure they'd actually arrive at one point, had to ask about it. A friend also ordered a hot tea that never arrived, actually. But I guess that's not a big deal. At one point, when the waiter checked on us, I asked if he's snap a quick Picture of us, I had the phone ready and everything. But he said "ohhhh yeah I have 7 tables, I'll have to do it later" I understand that he was alone on the floor in this section, but in the time it took to explain that again to us, he could have taken the pic and have been done with it. I'll say, he did offer to do it later but I didn't want to bug him, as he was so busy. At one point someone from our table needed to use the restroom, she got up and asked the gentleman at the host station where it was, and he didn't look up from his phone but just pointed in a general direction. So nice. Ohh - one semi pro of the morning. I *think* perhaps the waiter wanted to acknowledge it was my birthday and/or some of the unfortunate parts of the meal, so he brought a round of daiquiri shots for the adults. That was nice of him. Ok last thing and I promise I'm done. WARNING they charge 20% gratuity already. It does say on their online menu. Unfortunately for us, I was away from the table when my husband paid for and signed for the bill. And he didn't notice that so, for a mediocre meal that had many stress fractures, we left a fat tip. read more

VU Rooftop - Chicken and waffles - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Probably one of the worst experiences. Attitude from everyone working, our server completely ignoring us, they were out of half their signature cocktails and they forgot some of our food items. Lastly Beware of your bill, it's misleading. Besides them also taking an hour to give me a drink (old fashioned), they also gave us a bill that didn't seem to add up to the total stated. They said we ordered something that would not show up on our receipt and then proceeded to write it on the back of the receipt and when I tell you the math didn't math again we knew something sketch was up. Yes we spoke to a manager about it she was just as useless as this place. read more

VU Rooftop - The math isn't mathing - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ok so here's the background - We were in Chicago for two of my friends birthday weekend. My homeboy made reservations for 12:45 pm brunch on their bday. My homegirl got there before us and let the host know. We arrived 30 minutes later. (Yes we were late) Location: It's super cute in there, decor and views great for pics (only reason they received 2 stars). Only con with the location - it's in a hotel, we had to share the elevator with the service team - which isn't a problem but if I was trying to work and had to get on an elevator with 10 intoxicated ppl I would be annoyed. Parking: we Ubered Service: The guy at the host stand was super cool, very accommodating as much as he could be. As we were waiting on our table we went to take pics. We were then informed that the kitchen closed and no more food. We asked to speak to the manager, he came and did nothing. We left. Ambience/Crowd: Young professionals seemed laid back. Food/drink : 0/10 - I'm not rating water! That's all we got Will I be back? And Why - No. I don't do poor service and unprofessionalism read more

I'm sad to report that the food was very mid. The burger was dry and lacked flavor, and the flatbread was just sad -- dry, and def was not worth the $20. The cocktails were good but not good enough to make me visit again. Service and ambience were great, but sadly this is another establishment where the food does not match up to the ambience. read more

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We stopped by for dinner before attending a basketball game. I was truly impressed. The people who checked us in were really nice. The view was amazing!!! The food was exceptional. And our waiter was really nice and attentive. Even the manager came by too ask how things were going. I truly appreciated that special touch. Omg!! You have to try the Boss lady drink. Thank me later. We are definitely going back. Well worth it!!! read more

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Came here on a weekday afternoon for a drink. The bar and patio were open seating. The patio was pretty dirty. We were there a little over an hour and none of the tables were bussed during that time, leaving any open tables dirty. We had to sit at a table with someone else's old dishes on it as that was all that was open. There was quite a wait to be able to order drinks at the bar to take to the patio. The bartender that helped us was friendly though. At $45 for two cocktails, I wouldn't come by again. read more

I love love love Vu. It's always a vibe. The ambience is always on point. The inside is decorated so nicely and so elegant. The outside rooftop is beautiful giving you views of Lake Michigan and the downtown areas. What more can you ask for. Staff are always pleasant and service is always A1. The menu was changed this time I went and I'll be honest....I wasn't a fan. They've had better. But this doesn't take away from the amazing experience Vu has to offer. read more

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The city view from the rooftop was average, but the atmosphere was lively with large group gatherings. Make sure to request to sit outside upon making a reservation. As someone who loves sweets, I ordered from the dessert menu. I tried the white cake, which I can't recommend due to its doughy texture(dense doughy and tastes undone )--but to be fair the bar isn't for known for dessert. Unfortunately, the pina colada I ordered didn't quite hit the mark either. The ambiance also could be improved by removing the dead plant outside and adjusting some tables that were uncomfortably close to the edge. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall experience was saved by the good company and decent views. I wouldn't suggest VU for a date night, but it's a solid choice for an outing with friends and coworkers where the drinks, views, and conversations can be enjoyed. Cheers! read more

I had looked into and recommended Vu to my girlfriends friends who were taking her out for a day of fun in the area for her birthday. They made a reservation for 6 and were kinda rudely told that they were to split the group into 2 booths. It was a big thing with the hostess being rude to a group of 30 somethings out for brunch. They said the location was fantastic, food was a bit hit or miss but the staff made it a bad experience for all : ( I saw a couple reviews stating poor service, but know some can be pretty demanding. This group is not that. read more

I had a reservation for my Birthday and they canceled it 3hrs before my reservation by email! When I tried calling no one answered, so I left a message and no one has yet to call me back to explain as to why it was canceled. read more

I came here because this place came up on a few list for one of the best rooftops in the city. Unfortunately it had rained about 4 hours prior and they closed the rooftop. We decided to still come anyways, but definitely regretted it. The girl that took our order was nice and smiled all night so they get an two stars for the service, but that's about all the positive things I can say. Drinks were too expensive, I get it, it's the city, rooftop, prices are the same everywhere else, but I can get more creative and tasty drinks for the same at other places with a better atmosphere. There was too much light in this joint which didn't help set any mood. Will definitely not be returning. read more

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The view is spectacular however the prices are extremely expensive. For a shot of Remy Martin; $18 plus they add in additional fees on top of the base price and then ask for an additional tip. read more

Just had brunch with the family and I was very disappointed. We had a party of 6 for a 12:45 reservation. When we arrived the place was empty although brunch started at 11am. The hostess seemed confused where to seat us. At one point she attempted to seat us at a couch and small cocktail table. We were eventually seated on a high top in a bar area. The table and chairs had a sticky film on them. The glassware and water craft was dirty. The surrounding booths were visibly worn and needed repair or even replacement. There was also a bussing cart in the middle of the room with tubs. Overall the buffet looked unappealing, the mac n cheese was the only item that was interesting to me. The ala carte menu did not look any better. They also didn't offer anything other than potatoes with the omelettes. Our group had mostly the buffet and one omelette/potatoes that looked dry. The ones eating the buffet were expected to wear a paper wristband in one color and another one if you had the unlimited mimosas. The use of bands is tacky. The service was attentive and awkward at the same time, especially since the entire room was only us the whole time. It looked like they had a few more tables in the next room when we left a little before three. The view was very nice and we all enjoyed it. The website photos are deceiving, it's rundown and felt like a nightclub in daylight. Overpriced brunch with below average hotel banquet food in a rundown bar was my experience. I wouldn't recommend or return. read more