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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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

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

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

RPM steak, nope. Bavettes, no a chance. Alinea, take a seat. The Exchange, is the greatest new thing on the block. If you haven't been you've been sleeping under a rock. The staff, ambiance, food, alcoholic beverages are straight up top tier. The burrata is the Tom Brady of appetizers. Then as we lead into the main courses... if you don't order the chicken thighs, Cauliflower, carrots and tofu (to name a few) you're a straight up buffoon. Then, last but certainly not least. There is a baker they have there by the name of Matt Pontarelli, who will literally put you 6ft under with a simple baguette. Dare you ask for a county loaf... you will be walking into the doors of heaven read more

Amazing food in an architectural jewel piece! Brunch on Saturday morning is awesome and you can order a set menu or selection from menu

Very good environment and music. However with Very bad food. The chicken is so dry and overpriced.

New bar/restaurant in the bottom floor of my ancient office building the RR Exchange. There is a bar on the Michigan Ave side called the Listening Room where they play LPs on a turntable. The sound is incredible. Small but very comfortable bar with fantastic service. Great drinks. Nice whisky selection. Nice wine-by-the-glass selection. Classy crowd. I don't know where they come from as the most offices in the building have been shut down over COVID (not ours-lawyers according to the Gov are thought to be essential). Maybe the offices are filling up again, but I don't recognize any of them, or maybe word is out that this is a classy after work bar and bringing people to this quit corner of the Loop. Been there twice now (haven't ordered the food yet) and both times a blast. Can get a little crowded, but always manage to find a table and get immediate service by very friendly servers who really know what they are doing. You should give it a shot(s) after work. Go with some friends. You will like it. read more

My first dining experience for a dinner venue at this establishment. Newly established and an asset to our Cultural Mile community in the Chicago Loop. I started with the Black Manhattan, a blend of Rye, averna, braulio and cherry. Well crafted with perfect notes. For my main entree I selected the Boneless Farm Chicken Thighs with summer squash, coriander chutney, pan jus and fregola. All prepared and presented exquisitely. The chicken thighs (3) with crisp skin and succulent, juicy meat, flavorful and tantalizing. The flavors balanced and presentation spot on. Dessert consisted of strawberry rhubarb cornmeal crisp, sweet yet tart, warmed interior with that perfect crunch topping. I requested a slice of the in-house baked Country Loaf bread with fresh churned butter. Toasted and crisp with a soft center and browned edges. The staff were friendly, efficient and attentive, yet not over bearing. Music was played on vinyl records celebrating a wide cultural diversity. Service is based upon a European style in that the check is brought upon request so as to not rush or pressure the guest. The ambiance of the establishment is trendy, American design with ample seating. The front of the restaurant includes a full bar and cafe seating. The back section a more formal intimate dining experience with European flare. The Exchange is located in the historic Railway Exchange Building on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson. Route 66 begins here! This is the Cultural Mile, with views from the restaurant of the South Garden of the Art Institute across the street and just steps from Symphony Center. The perfect setting for the leisure traveler or avid culinary explorer. Do not miss this -exquisite culinary experience. read more

So much potential but not well executed! First, there is no sign anywhere either on premises or on their website, but it's RESERVATION ONLY. Now, I've seen Google reviews where people said they walked in on a Sat evening without reservations, so I don't know if it's because we are people of color or just bad luck, but when we went there on a Friday around 6 pm, we walked in to a 75% empty space and were told they only take reservations so they could not seat us. We were pretty puzzled, walked out, looked online and saw that there were easily available reservation spots for every 15 min block that evening. We made a reservation for the next block (6:15 pm). We walked around the block, came back and said, well we have a reservation now! What a silly and unnecessary system. Also, bad business - there are so many places to get a drink/dinner in the area, if you are mostly empty, why turn away paying customers (unless you don't like the color of their skin?). We got in, and seated (away from the window even though there were plenty of two person tables near the window... maybe they don't want to advertise people of color in their establishment?). Drinks were... okay. I've had better in terms of flavor combination and quality of liquor. We paired this with a few desserts which were not memorable. The whipped cream on the side was weak in quality and quantity, felt like grocery store quality Cool Whip. Finally, a comment on the fact that it says "vegetarian friendly" about this place... not so much. One main - black pepper tofu, $22 in 2022 - does not make a place vegetarian friendly. Give me a good pasta option, make your burger available with a vegetarian option, etc... more options in general, please. Two drinks and two desserts = $67 (tip included). Yikes. We live in the neighborhood and were excited about the potential of a neighborhood joint we could come back to frequently. The interior is absolutely beautiful and we would have loved to bring our frequently visiting family and friends. We left with the impression we were not welcome and would not want to come back to experience the very imbalanced quality/quantity/price ratio here. read more

Warm ambiance, friendly staff, & delicious food made for a perfect evening, as I entertained my out-of-town sister after an afternoon at the Art Institute's Cezanne exhibit. This was my first restaurant get-together since Feb 2020 (yes, due to my spouse's severely-immunosuppressed condition, 1 mo earlier than Chicago's initial pandemic shutdown...because some healthcare providers are smarter than others). So I was doubly impressed when the gracious and perceptive hostess, sensing my trepidation, volunteered a table outside on their patio, which was so newly-opened that it wasn't an option yet online. The weather cooperated, to boot, plus we had a fun table of ladies next to us. read more

I had the American grilled cheese and carrots for lunch. The grilled cheese was a tasty blend, and the hint of mayo and sourdough made it all the better. The carrots didn't stand out as much - I wasn't the biggest fan of the carrots' texture and sprinkled peanuts. read more

I came here with a group of friends a few weeks ago for dinner and drinks. We had a great time and really enjoyed the food and the vibe. Everything we had was good. Our server was Kathleen she was awesome, super funny and personable. She convinced us to try the short ribs, good call Kath they were super . We'll definitely be back when were in the area. read more

Very good experience. Excellent, well balanced cocktails (we sat in the Listening Room and I believe Theo's had a private event) followed by delicious food. We shared an outstanding loaf of bread w house made ricotta and honey (bread was outstanding and a great bread course in general) and the red leaf salad. We also shared the vegy lasagna, and the carrots and cauliflower. Highly recommend them all. Not surprised that the DMK group would put together a good restaurant, but it was lovely and service superior. And the space itself is gorgeous! Also perfect location for pre symphony, pre Pritzker shows and post Art Institute. read more

We live in the South Loop and it's great to have a restaurant that wows! Loved the ambience and I am excited for when the atrium will open. That being said the food and service were great! Each dish had intention and was flavorful. The Walleye was really outstanding! Savanah our server was conscientious and very attentive amd the server was also very helpful in answering questions! It is great to have such a memorable experience in South Loop! read more

Amazing brunch in a beautiful setting. Very elegant place. Portions were generous and lots of courses were served. Bring your appetite for sure. We will definitely be back!! read more

All the effort was put into the ambiance, which is definitely out of this world amazing!! The different dining areas and vibe was what made us choose this to celebrate our anniversary. But that's where the pros stops. We were sat in the very back by the wait staff prep area so it was a bit loud. Also the seats were super uncomfortable for me as a plus size women. The seats/tables throughout the restaurant looked so amazing, expensive and comfortable. But the two person tables at the back looked like a side walk cafe. The food was also very mediocre. Do not buy the skirt steak, so bland for the price. Overcooked and bland. The mushroom tartine and chicken dish were pretty good. Not worth the price unless you have money to blow. ALSO, towards the end of the night, around 8ish they started playing music really loudly and it was awful quality sound from the speakers. It was a laughably bad experience read more

I came here before a show at the Auditorium theater and while the food and drinks were delish, the place was struggling with management. We were seated in the front with cold air from the doors blowing on us every few minutes. There were plenty of empty tables in the back, warmer part of the restaurant. Plates were cleared while we were still eating off them. I hope they work out a few obvious issues. read more

I'm drooling just remembering the meal! We were there for the Saturday Prix fix brunch. the granola with fresh fruit and a touch of honey was the perfect mix of crunch, sweet and fruity deliciousness. Being gluten free and vegetarian thought I'd struggle and maybe leave hungry, but Ha! The joke was on me and my belly! 12 delicious courses, enjoyed by everyone- each better than the last. I was able to dive into four delectable tastes of joy. The cheesy eggs, the mushroom risotto, the Chilaquies...and one of the best desserts I've ever tasted in my life. Chocolate caramel ooziness. (I neglected the crust but the creamy caramel and chocolate on top...heavenly. We even got a quick hello from Brian Huston- the magician behind the magic. All around perfection. read more

Get the wild mushroom rigatoni. That's it. That's the review. That's all you need.

First experience/server was amazing. Second sever was AWFUL & we will never be back. Closes at 10pm on Satutdays- go to an established restaurant with servers who acknowledge your existence & are not indifferen. Do NOT waste your time. read more

We went for the dim sum brunch buffet and the food was unexpectedly mediocre! We tried almost all of the dishes and most of them were not good at all. The French toast was a bit better than the others. We never got the chance to try the steak and their famously advertised bread because they never brought it to us. However, if we assume that the bagel was also made in their house Bakery, we are glad that we didn't try the bread! It was the worst bagel in my life. The vibe of the atrium was really nice and most of the service was friendly and good. Looks of the foods are deceiving. read more

The exchange is a one of a kind restaurant. The interior is stunning and the food is outstanding. I dream about their sourdough bread and baguettes - I've never had better bread in my life! Tartine, Demi country loaf, Mac and cheese, and tofu are a must! read more

So me and my lady went here for brunch on a cold Saturday morning. We were very excited about this as the ambience is just amazing. We enter the place and the ambience is the only saving grace of this place ( hence the 2 stars). Our server and the staff was very nice and explained us how it works etc.. we were really excited to start gorging on all the food. 1st let down was the cappuccino then we had to wait for like 20-25 mins till the server stopped at our table and provided us with a first dish/ Dimsum (as the staff likes to call it). Then we got few more dishes like pancakes, French toast etc all of which were very disappointing . It almost felt like all the items were over cooked and just a tad shy of being burnt. We had to request the server to get us other things from the menu instead of just parfait and pancakes. Bottom line -Ambience is nice, the idea of the way they do brunch is unique but it's poorly executed and to add insult to injury the food is just bland and tasteless and overcooked. It's a no go for me and I would not recommend it (on a side note the Jazz music definitely was a treat as well) read more

I went here for my birthday and had a great time. Food was excellent and the service was just as good. The ambience was great.

We just discovered that the Exchange even existed (2 years after they opened!) and we're glad we did! We had a fantastic experience there. We went for an early dinner before a show and loved seeing the different spaces with different feels to them. We ate in the atrium and then decided to have another drink + dessert at the bar. Our service was great and we enjoyed everything we ordered -- food and drinks. We had their smokey old fashioned and manhattan drinks (and I had a glass of wine after dinner) and they were spot on. For dinner, we shared the lamb meatballs, chopped salad, and skirt steak. The lamb meatballs were some of the BEST ones we've ever had. They had a Greek taste to them (the sauce tasted just like saganaki that we fell in love with on our honeymoon) and it came with slices of bread that others have raved about. The chopped salad was refreshing and the candied walnuts were amazing. And our skirt steak was absolutely delicious. It was not a super thin piece as I was expecting; it was better! It had a bit of thickness and came out medium rare. The shishito peppers and rice were a perfect compliment to the steak. We also had the chocolate cake - delicious, but we were pretty full at that point. At the bar, we enjoyed watching the bartender who was both attentive and also a wiz at her craft of making drinks. We will definitely be returning here in the future! read more

From beginning to end we had a lovely experience. Had a few drinks at the bar and Leah was so welcoming and helpful we secretly didn't want to move to our reserved table. Once seated however Ben picked up right where we left off at the bar. I'm not a huge tofu fan but the black pepper tofu was delightful. The ambience is so unique and service was exceptional! read more

So, I came here with my sister for dinner. And we were welcomed so warmly by the staff. When I look around, I notice how beautiful the interior is. The ambiance is warm and inviting and it made me so curious about this resto. So, I was just observing while my sister was looking at the menu. I sense a high-quality resto with staff that are so friendly and informed about the cuisine. The waiter that is assigned to us made an excellent recommendation. He gave us their best dishes. According to him, we must try the Chicken Thighs, Rigatoni and Demi Country Loaf. And yeah, I guess they are right. They deserve to become their best dishes cause their taste was excellent, as were the wine and cocktail suggestions. I will try to bring my family here next time. Cause they will definitely love  this restaurant too. I highly recommend this, so if you are reading this, then visit now. You will not regret it for sure! read more