Opera

The Scene
Restaurateur Jerry Kleiner strikes again with this wild Asian dining room, where touches like red silk light fixtures and velvet curtains blend with graffiti-sprayed walls and distressed paint for a gritty, South Loop-chic feel. The crowd is mostly local hipsters from the neighborhood.

The Food
Fans of Chef Paul Wildermuth's fun Asian fare at Red Light will dig the menu here, which boasts the same Far Eastern influence, creative presentation and, for the most part, delicious results. Like crispy prawns, crusted with almonds and hiding under greens in a sweet-and-sour blood orange sauce; lobster Cantonese, served in the shell with a fragrant, curry-scented lobster sauce; and kung pao beef, tender chunks of N.Y. strip plated simply with broccoli in a super-hot chili-garlic black bean sauce. The perfect cool off? Tao of Chocolate dessert, with white chocolate ice cream and milk chocolate sticks side-by-side with flourless chocolate cake.

High Marks
"Opera is not traditional Chinese food, it has a modern take on Chinese food by infusing bold flavors and odd twists that bring a sense of renewal a dish." (luvjewel2, Citysearch user)

"Specialty cocktails are quite good and a perfect pairing...and the Tao of chocolate dessert is postively orgasmic." (ladyrae966, Citysearch user)

"Great portion sizes, beautiful plate presentations. Wide variety of foods, even vegan! The service is great as well." (rnealis, Citysearch user)

"The atmosphere was funky and hip without being overwhelming." (DocRose, Citysearch user)
Low Marks
"Opera aims to dazzle, but the food is far from extraordinary...it is indeed a fact that there cuisine lacks sophistication." (Truthsayerlives, Citysearch user)

"Terribly slow service - perhaps it improves over time - but the kitchen apparently isn't equipped to handle the size of the restaurant." (aisens, Citysearch use