First I need to say I normally really love this place. The service is impeccable. That being said, I can't say the same for the food. We ordered primarily from the 4 course Restaurant Week prix fix menu. I started with the lyonnaise potato appetizer that was incredibly rich and very salty. Not to mention only lukewarm. It was a strange concoction of potatoes, something similar to a bechamel sauce and bacon. My main course was the short ribs. My first clue should have been that the short ribs are not on the regular menu, just featured for Restaurant Week. Fatty and once again salty, served with puréed potatoes. Such a small amount of the potatoes it seemed like a sauce rather than an accompaniment. Desert was the sweet potato cheesecake with ice cream. Served with a meringue topping, it was the best part of the meal, which is not saying much. $44 for three courses is a bargain there, but the quality is lacking. On a positive note, I had a glass of champagne and they were very generous with the pour. Glass filled table side to the very tippy top of the flute! That part was amazing :) read more

Just a quick note: this review is for the Chicago restaurant menu week! Let's start with pluses: the place is beautiful, peaceful, quiet. We loved it. The entrees were good. The dessert was pretty decent. Service was O.K. On the negative side: appetizers tasted like nothing, I mean no flavor whatsoever. The entrees though good, tiny, I am talking bite size. Wine: meh... Overpriced and just o.k. tasting. I get it, it is restaurant menu week, but the portion size - really? I am not American and I do not like those Denny size portions, but seriously! Also, I would think that may be you create the restaurant menu week for people to come try, and want to come back. Frankly speaking, after tasting their food I have no desire for coming back. If it going to be 3 times more expensive, and tasting just as mediocre - not worth it. Sorry, The Lobby, I am disappointed. read more

A truly amazing experience everything was good and the service is really splendid.. I do recommend making a reservation specially for dinner and also have been to the brunch (buffet style) really worth it.. Although kind of expensive. read more

The Lobby - Lobster!! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Few restaurant experiences have lived up to the expectations my wife & I had for "The Lobby." Visiting Chicago for just one night (away from our four children) we were initially overwhelmed by the list of great options. Ultimately we decided against trendy (i.e. LOUD) for something more comfortable. The Lobby was Awesome! Let's start with the space: simply stunning, HUGE, yet comfortable. Service? Fantastic. No fewer than 7 different personnel assisted us throughout our apps (on the couch) to our dinner (at one of the stunning window seats). And why about the reason for going out...the food? I was concerned that it might be too conservative / simple for me. Wrong The intensity of flavors / ingredients in every dish were amazing! A few favs: Lobster Roll App (loved the tarragon) - Shaved Carrot Salad (too much to describe) and finally the chicken for two. Yes...it is that good. Literally the first time I have ever ordered pollo in a fancy restaurant and it was EPIC. Hands down the best meat ever. Long story short if you want a classy night out with beautiful food in an incredible space...you can't do much better than The Lobby. - David (Cleveland) read more

Calgon, take me away to Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. A string quartet playing high above us in an alcove balcony, glasses of champagne, a three tiered plate of utterly divine finger foods, and of course, tea service. Prices are exorbitant and not for the faint of heart. The experience is priceless. For a moment, I thought maybe the Queen was a few tables away. Do this at least once in your life. You won't regret it. read more

I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Lobby. I was seated right away. The waiter was very nice. He brought me the tea menu. I had the orange jasmine, great flavor. Then i was brought the 3 tiered tower of savories and sweets. Everything was amazing! The waiter brought me more sandwiches and let me take a couple of scones home. The devon cream and lemon curd were very good. I had a great experience but i think the Drake was better. Beware if you're paying with credit or debit card because they charge you a 20% charge which they dont bother telling you about until after a few days or when you check your bank account. So that made me angry. I recommend paying cash. Great tea and food but not really sure i'd go back. read more

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The Lobby is everything you could ask for in a meal. The staff was skilled and attentive. They even offered me reading material since I was dining alone. The greens salad and gnocchi were excellent. I hope to come back soon! read more

High tea was perfect. We did make a reservation, which I would recommend doing on the weekend. They offer sweets or savories with your tea while a string quartet serenades you from the balcony. The perfect way to spend an afternoon or to take a break from shopping on Michigan avenue. I also went here on a saturday night with my mom after we'd gone to see a play. They have a full dessert buffet, but we just opted for dessert martinis. A live jazz band and singer were performing, and I actually got asked to dance by some random guy. Kind of funny, and a great way to end a night out. read more

a few weeks ago, it was my birthday, and this very pretty little lady was treated to afternoon tea at the peninsula. like, YAY! i put on a pink lacy dress and got myself ready to throw back some cucumber sandwiches. the thing is, tea at the peninsula is not a meal. to be honest, it's not even about the sandwiches or pastries or even the tea. the experience is 80% ambiance, the feeling of relaxation knowing that you're doing something so utterly indulgent that even the bougiest of the bourgeois are gaping a bit in their chinos and boat shoes. in short, it's an unwise way to spend money, but booooy oh boy does it feel nice. thanks, boyfriend! the experience and service were both lovely. we were seated by the windows, which looked out into the gardens. the only tense moment in the time we were there was when the tray of sandwiches and pastries first came out. ... are the sandwiches really that small? at first, i thought it was because i was watching the trays come in from the distance. however, the size did not greatly increase once the food was fully in view. in short, small sandwiches. know this, expect it, eat them slowly. but, also know this -- when the very, very, very proper waiter asks you if there's anything else he can bring you, shoot the question right back, i.e. "is there anything else to bring us?" what they don't tell you is that sometimes, the waiter will bring you extras of the sandwiches/pastries that you like. SSSHHH. . (..sorry, Lionel! I had to tell just a few of my closest friends. thanks for the two extra smoked salmon sandwiches -- scrumptious!) read more

female jazz singer w/ excellent trio (friday and saturday nights) the Tea, & the Chocolate Buffet = my favorite place in Chicago. read more

Was there for afternoon tea and it was wonderful. The petite sandwiches and dessert was fantastic. The price for Afternoon Tea is $45 per person. I paid with a debit card and saw that the hotel debited my card an additional 20%. When I called to talk to the the manager I was told it's an account process and they do it all the time. They charge everyone an additional 20% of the charge amount and they will credit you the difference within 3 -4 days. I don't feel that this should happen. I have never been to a restaurant/hotel that charges me an additional 20% and hold it for a few days. read more

Seems like my yearly update of the Peninsula lobby is a little early this year....but what the heck?!? (yes, heck. Let us please remain polite and distinguished here, we are talking poshy-posh-posh here) No chocolate bar this time. Jazz brunch please! Same scenery, different lightning (it's day light!) and another crowd.....exit romance, hello kids and heirs in the making following around their Botoxed moms in their impeccable pressed jacket. Quite entertaining for those of us who are prompt to bad-mouthing (I am not one of them). Anyway - the brunch display is quite impressive and left me K.O. To give it its whole measure I am going to go list-style: - Traditional station : hashbrowns, truffled egg benedicts, bacon, sausages, waffles, omelet station, muffins, bagels, cream cheeses, fruits (berries, cantaloupe, citrus segments, pineapple...), yogurt, parfait, oatmeal, nuts, muesli, chicken tenders, sliders, ham, - Chinese station: veggie dumplings, seafood dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, orange chicken, soup, Peking duck, seafood fried rice - Seafood station: oysters, jumbo shrimp, sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, crab salad, white anchovies, lox - Saladcold cuts and grilled veggies........too many to list here - Hot station: prime rib, mac-n-cheese, veal loin, salmon, cioppino, casseroles - Desserts station: a mini version of the chocolate bar my lovelies.....brownies, blondies, mousses, verrines, macaron lollipops, home-made marshmallows, plum and almond tart, vanilla éclairs, ricotta beignets, madeleines, chocolate bark/covered almonds/raisins/orange zests, and all the most delicate treats you can think of. And I forgot some. Coffee is included. Beware: it's pricey. But you can linger for hours and just enjoy the surroundings. It was snowing when I was there and it was just absolutely delectable. A wonderful and unique treat for you and you man or your besties. read more

Live jazz + unlimited amounts of chocolate + beautiful decor + dancing with a charming guy = bliss. I am in love with this hotel. Everything about it is beautiful and the service is excellent. The decor is elegant and traditional, but not on that stuffy Ritz Carlton type of way. After a few glasses of wine, I kept touching the place settings because they were so beautiful... need to find out where they are from. We came to see Stephanie Browning perform this past Saturday. I was surprised to see so many people there. The crowd is very diverse - older couples celebrating a night on the town, groups of people perhaps guests of the hotel, young couples scoping out the chocolate bar, and regulars dancing the night away. I have not tried the chocolate bar, but would probably die of sensory overload if I did. However, we did have the chocolate tart, which was very good. Comes with a scoop of espresso ice cream that is out of this world yummy. Chocolate martini's are strong! +++++++++++++ My bf and I had afternoon tea at the Lobby over the weekend. It was excellent! The selection of Peninsula collection teas and premium teas were fantastic - we both had a hard time deciding which one to enjoy. I had the orange jasmine and he had the chamomile. Though the chamomile was very nice, I definitely picked the better one :P The tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes were all very delicious and we were even surprised by a complimentary blackberry souffle! Amazing! Service was flawless - attentive, timely and very courteous. Tea at the Peninsula is a great way to spend an afternoon with your significant other or girlfriends. It is also a great place to bring your mother! read more

This review is specifically for the Chocolate Bar... The chocolate and vanilla fondue fountains (and the fruit and marshmallow cubes for dipping) really pushed this experience from four to five stars. This is a GREAT place to go with a hot date and killer shoes - just make sure to come hungry and leave any calorie-driven guilt at the door. Yes, it's expensive at $40 per person for full access to the chocolate buffet (which, in addition to the fondue, includes little slices of cakes, brownies, truffles, tarts, and a made-to-order crepe station), but the overall ambiance - including live jazz music, stellar people watching, and the Lobby with its 20-ft ceilings and windows - is definitely factored into the cost. Pro tip - don't order a chocolate drink to go with all of your chocolaty goodies, because it will be overkill and impede your ability to consume mass amount of chocolate. Stick with coffee or water instead! And definitely make reservations, because if your name is not on the list you'll likely be stuck with at least a 40-minute wait. Worst case scenario, though, just head on over to the bar (on the same floor) for a drink in the mean time - it's worth the wait! (Lastly, just remember that the chocolate bar is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-midnight.) read more

There are times in my life I'm happy to put on a dress and heels, do my hair and makeup and have an all-out fancy, decedent, girlie kind of day. When the mood strikes, there is absolutely no better place to make your classy fantasies come true than afternoon tea at The Lobby in the Peninsula Hotel. Boasting hands down the most luxurious and beautiful décor I've witnessed in a hotel restaurant, The Lobby is stunning. When you walk out of the elevator into The Lobby, you can't help but take a deep breath in and take in the immaculate surroundings. I'm talking floor to vaulted ceiling windows, lush carpets, real wood tables, comfy chairs even little sitting areas with luxe couches, pretty vases and elegant touches. Truly, it's gorgeous. The tea service is made to make a girl feel special. The delightful finger sandwiches including lobster egg salad, smoked salmon and turkey and brie were amazing. I mean, really. Lobster in the egg salad? It's so very right. And let's not forget the bread basket brimming with fresh scones, biscuits and tasty baked treats. On their own they're a treat. But when paired with luscious lemon curd, whipped butter, raspberry jam and tiny tins of fresh honey, they are 100% delectable. I could have licked the dish of the tart lemon curd clean. But I didn't. Because The Lobby is a fancy place. The only slight disappointment (and honestly, since I'd eaten approximately 2500 calories worth of finger sandwiches and baked goods I really didn't even need a sweet ending to the tea) were the pastries. Dare I say they were TOO rich? Too sweet? Too... almost undercooked in some cases (like these cute little chocolate treats that tasted like brownie batter) to overcooked and slightly dried out (like the red velvet mini-cupcakes)? Perhaps I'm more of a salt girl, but the sweets left me less than titillated. Another SLIGHT point of contention was the service. Now, I would think that a table of fourteen hot women would be any male server's every fantasy. However our server was less than warm and fuzzy towards our table. Sure, the service was perfectly adequate, but it wasn't special in any way. Kind of a bummer. As I waited for the valet to bring around my car when the tea was all said and done I reflected on my afternoon of luxury. It really is great to be a girlie girl sometimes! read more

I came here for the chocolate buffet. This is some serious indulgence. It was under $30 bucks a person, but really there is no way you can come close to eating that much dessert. It's quite romantic though. There's live jazz and the place is dimly lit and pretty. It's definitely something to experience. read more

I am usually pretty easy going, but I had a very disappointing Sunday Brunch at the Peninsula. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible/non-existent. When we arrived no one told us what to do ( go help ourselves, explain the set up of the buffets, etc.). Once we "got it," as we went back for additional servings, no one was clearing the table. They just let the plates accumulate. Once someone finally did clear the table they left us no flatware. We ended up having to find a manager for help. After that the waiter was so obnoxious that during our next trip to the buffet he put every possible utensil on our table - even soup spoons (there was no soup being served). We went there on a whim. Thank heavens it was not a special occasion as it would have ruined our day. This place gets ZERO STARS from me and I will never go back! read more

I went to the lobby for tea with my mom on her birthday, and it was the perfect way to spend the day. I definitely recommend going here for a special occasion! I don't know how it compares to other teas in the city since it was my first tea experience, but I was not disappointed. When we arrived after shopping, we had several bags which the front desk attendant graciously checked for us. I had mentioned it was my mom's birthday when I made the reservation, and they seated us at a great table right next to the window. The atmosphere was great- not too crowded, live violinists, and a fashion show! I'm not used to being treated the way the staff treats patrons, but I could get used to it! For $40 per person, the tea is certainly not something I would do regularly. However, I will say they bring you a LOT of food and we were too full to finish it so took some of the cute cakes home. You will want to eat a light lunch or skip lunch beforehand. Each person gets their own pot of tea and you can choose from around 50 varieties... I got Celebration (very floraly- almost like perfume but grew on me) and my mom got Orange Jasmine (just how it sounds, and very good). There are so many it's almost overwhelming, but chances are it won't be bad, and I'm sure they would have replaced the pot if we had wanted. Each person gets 1 pot, which is probably around 5-6 cups of tea. It would be nice if there was a sampler option, but they do have a champagne option for $10 more per glass. We didn't opt for this... I'm sure it would be great but as it was we couldn't finish our tea. We had just an hour here before our manicure appointment and I really think an hour and a half would be ideal. The three-tiered platter they brought with our treats had a tier for sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. Sandwiches were crabmeat on white bread with sliced apples on top, ham and brie on a mini pretzel roll, and salmon and cucumber layered on dark rye. Quiche was egg, cheese and spinach, and desserts included carrot cake, some pistachio mousse thing, and a shortbread filled with custard, topped with fresh raspberries and a white chocolate bar with "The Peninsula" printed in dark chocolate. In addition, everyone got a Baba Rum cake, with an eyedropper filled with rum to drizzle on the cake, AND they brought an ice cream/caramel/chocolate creation on a beautiful platter with a candle for my mom's birthday! ALL of these items were delicious... I don't know if they switch around the menu but if they do I'm sure the other options would be just as good. Definitely a great place to visit for a special occasion- make sure you call ahead and explain your situation and they will make it extra special for you! read more

I had high tea at the Lobby at the Peninsula with my son last Saturday and it was such a nice experience. Neither of us had ever had high tea so it was new for us. The Peninsula sure didn't disappoint us either. We were able to sit right down even without a reservation. We both ordered the entire tea service. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of food we received. There were finger sandwiches, fresh scones, lovely deserts. We couldn't finish everything as there was so much. But we were able to take home what we didn't finish. The tea selection was just incredible and I had a wonderful jasmine tea which I'd love to have again. The service here is wonderful & polite & friendly. High tea is a bit expensive, but not something we would do often--a special treat so it was well worth what we spent. A nice place to go and spend time with family or friends in the middle of downtown Chicago. Do try it if you can. read more

My mom, husband and I decided to enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon at The Peninsula for High Team. Staying at the hotel is not accessible for me, but it's good to see how the other half lives and feel like a queen for a couple hours while eating some of the most fantastic finger foods ever. Such care and precision went in to each and every edible it was an honor to eat. Truly! The teas were delicious (my husband is a connoisseur) and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a delightful experience and though not cheap, well worth it for creating fantastic memories. read more

This was Thanksgiving brunch for me and I really enjoyed their food. It was busy but worth the wait. I had the quiche and it was tasty. Great experience!! read more

I finally made it to the Peninsula for afternoon tea. What was supposed to be a mini-reunion of sorts turned into an intimate gathering when everyone bailed at the last minute. Determined to have a lovely time, my sister-in-law and I oohed and ahhed as soon as we walked to the Lobby. The decor for the holidays was lovely. After being seated almost immediately, we ordered our tea selections. I was impressed with the modern additions to the menu (red velvet cupcakes). I thought, briefly, that the tea service might actually beat out my current favorite, The Four Seasons. While our service was very good, I was a bit put off that we had so many different people help us over the course of our meal. As soon as we were given our pots of tea, another person came over 2 minutes later to try to refill them. And then, no one came for the rest of the service. This is not to say that the tea service was bad. It is just that I have had such fantastic tea experiences in the past, that tea service at the Lobby was, in my opinion, slightly better than average. I will continue to recommend going to the Lobby for the chocolate buffet. read more

Every Christmas, my sister and I take my mom to Chicago for afternoon tea. This past year we chose The Peninsula because of its world class reputation and great menu. And I was not disappointed. I've been to The Drake and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and The Peninsula is definitely my favorite. Not only did they serve the traditional finger sandwiches and scones associated with tea service, they also served other delicious "small bites" including goat cheese and fennel quiche. The waitstaff was attentive and unpretentious, and the food was exceptional. Call ahead for reservations and to plan your afternoon during one of their fashion shows. Cheerio! read more

The Lobby is true gem hidden within the city. Their menu had a variety of choices, the ambiance was extraordinaire, and the desserts that followed were unbelievable! The coffee mousse mini cake topped with chocolate chips has left me desiring more of it. One thing I would mention is that I was quite surprised how under-dressed fellow customers came. A lot were dressed down, compared to my SO and I who dressed up. We plan on going again! read more

This is now the 2nd time that I have had a bad experience at the Peninsula in the last month. I really wanted the lobby to be my new "work spot" for breakfast and lunch, but sad to say the service is miserable for having such great expectations! The first time for breakfast I sat alone for more than 15 mins because the hostess failed to check me in and my guest was waiting behind the holiday tree thinking I wasn't there since the host told them I wasn't sat yet...Which I was..... nothing was done about this. Then here comes high tea, with 3 girlfriends of mine, 2 of us arrive early 4:15 they sit us and I make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again after the host seats us. We have water poured for us.... this is the highlight of my time there. My next guest arrives at 4:30 the time of our reservation. Still no one comes to the table, final guest arrives at 4:35..... wait wait wait nothing we decide to leave after another 10 minutes, seems we must be invisible to the staff, we got up and left. No one questioned us, we took ourselves to the bar on the same level and had a much better experiences except ti was a bit slow since there was only one server for about 15 tables, but we didn't mind we were there to chat and have a good time. Wish that could have been said at Tea. There won't be a next time I plan on taking my business to other establishments that have much better service and cheaper prices. Too bad I thought it was such a nice place for holiday parties and weddings, guess when the chance does arrive I will be looking elsewhere. Sad sad day in Chicago. read more

The environment in this restaurant is grand and beautiful, while still being very comfortable. The service is excellent and friendly, as you would expect from the Peninsula. We came in for the restaurant week menu which offered two choices for each course, so the two of us sampled each of them. All were exquisitely executed. From lobster bisque to a surprisingly wonderful chicken breast, we enjoyed them all. The only hiccup was with a bland tiramisu. Highly recommended if you'd like to drop some cash on a lovely dining experience. read more

We reserved for the dinner. It was empty and so I was puzzled. The male host knew that we came for dinner. The waiter took the order for the drink for my husband, and we waited for it. This waiter disappeared. We started to wonder around 5 min...but it was the Peninsula Hotel and so we tried our best to be patient. Finally we asked about the drink and we decided to leave since we even didn't get the menu. The host was lazy obviously, and the waiter who took our order didn't come back and other one delivered the drink after 20 min. It was the worst service we have ever had. The Lobby isn't the place for dinner. The desert they had looks good and cute, but they were not as tasty as they looked when we had for lunch at other time. I overlooked the patio downstair which seems to be the better place to eat at this hotel. The Lobby don't have the Peninsula hotel's quality. The service will be the disgrace for the Peninsula hotel's reputation. I hope they review and fix it in the near future. It is just a matter of managements. In addition, I, as a woman, hold the door for the porter and doorman this time since they looked very busy, and he didn't thank me. The hotel workers lost all the manners as the 5 star hotel. They were supposed to help the guests instead of being helped by the guests. read more

Truly a wonderful experience. My new High Tea favorite. My Aunt & I are big fans of high tea. We do it about once a month and love every second of it. The Lobby was absolutely outstanding. Very cool, formal-ish , and the food was top notch. I normally go to The Drake for Holiday tea by after a truly disastrous; disappointing experience. The lobby is my new go-to. Thank you for keeping the 5 star experience. It is important and so appreciated. read more

We had afternoon tea here to celebrate my birthday on a Saturday. Been at the Drake for afternoon tea and wanted to try another high-end tea place. We arrived at The Lobby, and noticed it is an open space restaurant. So, not too cozy and warm, but comfortable. Loved the elegance. The hostess was pleasant. I had the traditional afternoon tea. It was nothing to be excited about. The sandwiches, sweets, and savories were not fresh. Maybe because it was late in the afternoon, but it should't matter. The only thing fresh and hot was the banana souffle they serve to everyone. Our waitress was ok. Service could be better. I loved the surprise treat in the end. Make a reservation and they will ask you what's the occasion. No star sightings, just bride and groom. I don't think I would come back for afternoon tea, but I will for drinks, lunch, or dinner and will update. read more

I think I've been the victim of a practical joke. All the reviews and info suggest that this is a quiet, upscale fine dining experience, yet the horror I encountered when I showed up for my reservation at 8PM on a Friday night was more like American Girl Place meets Chuck E Cheese dropped into the brightly lit lobby of one of Chicago's busiest hotels. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the din that can only result from too many over-caffenated children crammed into a small area. At the host stand, a group of children were building a fort out of novelty sleeping bags. At least two tables had place settings for dolls, who appeared to sharing grilled cheese sandwhiches with their owners. One feral child in a princess cosutme was crawling from table to table, no doubt looking for her negligent parents. Again, is this some kind of joke? Quiet? Upscale? Fine Dining? 0 for 3. - read more

I recently had the pleasure of joining four of my friends for Royal Tea at The Lobby restaurant in The Peninsula. After having a cup of tea after dinner during my stay at the hotel in 2001 and enjoying informal tea with a friend just last year, my expectations were high. I guaranteed my friends a memorable experience and, to their credit, The Lobby delivered. Afternoon tea started, ironically, with a glass of champagne--Laurent-Perrier, Cuvée Grand Siècle Brut. The first course was truffled scrambled eggs in eggshell cups, which were very delicious. The eggs were accompanied by their own little ivory spoons, not unlike the flat wooden spoons that come with ice cream cups. If my memory is correct, tea came after the first course. I had the genmaicha, which was a first for me. It was very good, with the rice balancing out the green tea which, at least in my opinion, can too easily become overpowering. Some of the other teas that were served included Orchid Oolong, Orange Jasmine, Mandarin Rose Petal, and (I think) African Amber. Everyone had positive things to say about their teas. On that note, each person is served their tea in his or her own pot, about the right size for one person to accompany--what you will see--turns out to be a fairly large meal. The staff was more than happy to add hot water or make adjustments to the teapots as necessary as the meal went on. The main course featured a three-tiered tray of various finger-sized items. On the top tier were chocolate and cherry scones that were separately accompanied by curds, jellies, preserves, and Devonshire cream. Definitely go after the scones first while they are still warm. Along with the scones were confetti shortbread cookies with dried fruits halfway dipped in chocolate. On the second tier were long-stem strawberries dipped in Manjari chocolate and accented with edible gold leaf; ginger madeleines; a fruit tart; and an incredibly sweet tea cake. The fruit tart was probably the weakest link on the whole menu, but I suppose some unlucky item had to take that position. The tea cake, while very sweet, was just the perfect size so that the sweetness really was not a bother to deal with. Anything bigger would have been too much. On the bottom tier were the heavier items: Chive blini with American caviar and crème fraîche; smoked salmon terrine and leek marmalade on brioche; warm baby artichokes with camembert cheese and roasted pepper; and, finally, parma ham and fig pinwheels with sauternes and mint gelee on pumpernickel. I was not a big fan of the ham and fig pinwheels, but the other items on the bottom tier were each fantastic. For the final course, each person had a small trio of crème brulèe--Tahitian vanilla bean, Jivara milk chocolate, and passion fruit. Sadly, by that point in the meal, having gone through no less than twelve other items, it was really hard to get full enjoyment of the crème brulèe. As for the non-food aspects of the meal, the space at The Lobby is very nice. The fact the restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel lends itself to a certain serene openness. Service was solid, although the timing in between courses seemed to be a little off. To say there was a lack of attentiveness would be far too harsh, but, considering the level The Peninsula is aspiring to, I think improvements could be made. I did appreciate, however, that the staff made a quick adjustment to the menus early on, removing the price from the menus before the others arrived. And, as for that price, it runs $95 per person. In its defense, however, the amount of food served for this mid-afternoon tea nearly spoiled my appetite for my late dinner reservations at 10:00pm. read more

Even though Da Bears lost in the play-offs today, this place made it all better! Came here with some friends for their high tea and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful ambiance and great service! We stayed for 3 hours. What great place to sit and catch up with old friends! They had an array of different teas and we all enjoyed the respective teas that we chose. I had the lychee flavored black tea and it was soooo good (and I am an avid coffee drinker who usually does not drink tea). The finger food that came with the tea made us full and I was even able to bring the left-over home (I felt embarrassed asking for a box since the place was so fancy, but I hate throwing out food =). Overall, you need to experience this place at least once if you live in Chicago. Not too often though since it is quite fancy and not cheap. I will have to find occasions to come back here... read more

The Chocolate Bar is really the best ever. Great for a date, great for a girls night. Probably the most fun I have ever had with food. I went with a group of girls and it was perfect. We asked them to put us in the corner as we knew we'd be a little noisy. They were pleased to do so. There was an AMAZING variety of chocolate, bons bons, macaroons, crepes, fountains, martinis, hot chocolate and much, much more. There was a Frank Sinatra type band that was very good. The Lobby itself is BEAUTIFUL. We had a reservation but probably didn't need one. They also have a dinner that you can add on to the all you can eat chocolate goodness. Each of the courses incorporate chocolate in some way. We didn't order the whole dinner but we were intrigued while looking at the menu. They had this butternut squash soup with white chocolate and it was unbelievably tasty. I cannot wait to go back. So good. Not cheap but worth every single penny. They know how to do it right at the Pen. You can even include your valet charge in your bill so you don't have to worry about cash. :) Try this! read more

The Lobby - Chocolate at the Pen. Delish~ - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm conflicted about this location. We visited for brunch and I'm not sure I can justify the price. I honestly think this is a place you go to for a comically expensive dining experience made complete with a live quartet. To put the price into perspective, we ended up adopting a dog from the shelter after we left brunch. The adoption fee, as well as everything needed for a pet, cost less than brunch at the peninsula. read more

Went here for my birthday (Valentine's Day) almost three years ago and it's still such a memorable experience. They had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner. I had an awesome filet mignon with the other courses. They had the best seared foie gras when you could still serve it in the city limits. The chocolate bar is a a chocolate lovers dream come true. All sorts of chocolate in all sorts of forms from truffles to hot chocolate. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I want to go back for the chocolate bar on the weekend because it's so good. read more

Tea at The Lobby is a must for anyone visiting or living in Chicago. The Peninsula is such a gorgeous hotel and The Lobby is one of the highlights of the hotel. I went to tea here the other week with my friend and we had such a lovely time. Our server was fantastic and explained everything in our giant tea tower, as well as keeping our champagne glasses full! I would suggest getting the addition of a glass of champagne, it's fun and adds a little more festivity to the whole experience. The food is delicious here, I would suggest taking a bite of everything, even if you can't eat the whole thing (you will get stuffed eating at tea!). I loved the tuna salad sandwich, and you can't beat the croissants either. The cranberry ones are especially tasty. I saved the pastries and desserts for last, and I could only take a bite from each, but those bites were amazing. I loved the strawberry eclair and the macaroons are to die for. All in all, tea at The Lobby has been one of the most fun and most delicious dining experiences I have had in Chicago thus far. read more

The Lobby - Gorgeous desserts-I almost didn't want to eat them...but I did! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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As you enter, you walk into a beautiful, large airy room that has tables far enough apart that you can comfortably talk while a two piece musical group plays softly in the background. .... and it just keeps getting better. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They are in line with the other nicer places in River North. Three of us went and split several items. The chicken for two dish was the best chicken any of the three of us have ever had. The short ribs were rich ,elegant and quite tasty. The three appetizers that we also shared were all excellent and enjoyable. We had a couple of very nice wines including a very nice boutique brut champagne, a Larmandier-Bernier that I strongly recommend. My only regret of the evening is that I didn't save room for the dessert Chocolate Bar. It is a buffet containing a vast array of alluring chocolates. The next time I come here, I am going to make a meal of the desserts. Also, the Chef, Lee Wolen is currently a candidtate for Time Out's Breakout Chef of the Year. Try to get taste his food before he wins this title- then you will have to wait weeks to get in here. read more

Go for the Chocolate Buffet and jazz and enjoy a blissful evening.

Wow, I've been to afternoon tea here three times now for celebrations of various occasions, and every time the food, tea, service and atmosphere were spectacular. They can accomodate groups of up to 16 people. Their gluten free food was absolutely delicious. They even gave a little extra treat to the person being celebrated! read more

Had lunch here during restaurant week. Service was excellent but the food was ordinary. Nice well lit and bright ambiance. I had salad, salmon and milk and cookies. Not very impressive. read more