graham elliot

I made reservations almost two weeks ago, anticipating a rather horrendous work week and hoping a good meal... more

I made reservations almost two weeks ago, anticipating a rather horrendous work week and hoping a good meal would balance out the days. Like I pre... more

I don't care WHAT kind of reputation Mr. Elliot has, NOTHING can make up for bad service. I am SO turned off by this place, that this is the very first review I've ever written about a restaurant. First off, it was my 40th birthday, which they knew, and you'd expect some kind of recognition for that. NOPE. When we asked to have a 4-top instead of a 2-top (the restaurant was EMPTY, 5:30, before we went to a play), she said, no, we need all the 4-tops tonight. HMMM... When we left an hour later, the place was STILL empty. Now I know why... Service was HORRIBLE, to say the least. Servers and hostesses should NOT be arrogant, especially at a restaurant where the food is just so-so. My husband is a chef, he said he enjoyed the Sturgeon, but everything else was forgettable. There is no excuse for bad service. When you read all the other reviews, you will see a common theme. BAD SERVICE. over and over again. I wish I had paid attention to all of the other reviews before I went here. This place will NOT last. Probably why I hadn't heard of this place before, because it just downright stinks. NEVER AGAIN! I plan on posting this type of review as many places as I can, that's how offended I was upon leaving that place last night. Mr. Elliott, MAKE SOME CHANGES in your staff and menu, or you will be out of business VERY soon. Pros: ??? Cons: ARROGANT staff, horrible service. not a lot of food choices more

After watching Top Chef Masters, talked my fiancee into taking me to my 30th birthday dinner there, and it was everything I wanted and more. Have since returned with future inlaws and they are all fans as well. The popcorn they start off with is good enough that I would've been happy just eating that, but we had scallops, kung pao sweetbreads, lobster corn dog, deconstructed caprese salad and more over two visits that mostly made me think I have never eaten good food before in my life or it would all have exploded with taste on my tongue like this! The staff was courteous, worried about food sensitivities and allergies, and on my birthday they added a little candle to my plate which I thought was a wonderful personal touch for such a hip place. Pros: lobster corn dog, food, awesome staff Cons: says casual dress, casual millionaire dress more like more

I've Been here a few times, a couple times with my mother and brothers, and once with the wife. So anyways, It can be a bit difficult to find this place just because it doesn't seem to advertise it's whereabouts everywhere. Walk inside and its a new-modern-ish-feel... I don't know what it's considered, but anyways, greeted by a great pair of hostesses who were very inviting and sit you at the best possible seat, not whats most convenient. At first glance at the menu i thought "What in the hell have i got myself into?"- the combination of food and the chef's desire to "deconstruct" things like a Ruben Sandwich is just amazing. First bite of food whatever it is will take your breath away, i have never had anything as delicious as i have had at graham elliot. Not to mention- The BEST specialty drinks in the city... So good! PS: Foie Gras Popsicle coated in Pop-Rocks... Sounds strange... Tastes Amazing! Pros: Food is great, laid-back environment, Great people Cons: Expensive? But worth every penny more

They should wait until about 10 pm to crank the music up. It is way too loud to have any kind of conversation. Pros: Good Chef Cons: Loud music more

decided to come here after the top chef masters episode. the menu seems understated but the execution of entrees in our visit (sea bass, halibut) was flawless, and we dined on a monday night. the staff was a bit snooty at first but came down to earth as the night unfolded and the place cleared out. pacing was a bit slow but that was OK since it was our first anniversary dinner. to the reviewer that didn't get popcorn: save your appetite; the menu items were much more enjoyable! Pros: tasteful, unique combinations of components to entrees Cons: too hard to decide? more

Went to Graham Elliot on a double date and while I was very disappointed with our table (huge round in the corner for four people...) the service made up for it. The food was amazing, as expected, but I confess the deconstructed snickers was a little off. I think the peanuts were too salty. At any rate, a great addition to the Chicago restaurant scene and totally worth a try. Pros: Food is perfectfly created; really cool atmosphere Cons: Maybe too cool? more

My husband and I were really excited to go to Graham Elliot and maybe we were too excited, but it wasn't... more

My husband and I were really excited to go to Graham Elliot and maybe we were too excited, but it wasn't what we had in mind based on all that we h... more

Having only a couple nights in Chicago, I did plenty of research on where to eat some good food. The night before Graham Elliot, my girlfriend and I ate at Avec, which was a fantastic experience--great food, laid-back atmosphere, and surprisingly reasonable prices. Graham Elliot, however, proved to be very disappointing. I had read about the chef's credentials and philosophy, and the menu options looked wonderful on their website. But in the end, the food was just okay. Maybe it was heightened expectations, or the fact that it was a Sunday night, but the whole experience just didn't seem to be what it could've been. I was very interested in the spicy buffalo chicken, which seemed to be the epitome of Graham Elliot's "haute-meets-low cuisine". While the chicken was well prepared and tasty, it really just tasted like good buffalo chicken, not unlike what I could get at any decent bar and grill. I was expecting "haute," but got stuck with "low." I also had the short rib stroganoff, which sounds like the absolute perfect food in my mind, and I was excited to see what this hot Chicago chef could do with the dish. But the meat was charred on the outside and mushy in the middle, and the mushroom sauce was bland. The dish just didn't come together at all (although the mushrooms were delicious). My girlfriend's fish was decent, and our gnocchi was probably the best dish of the night. But all in all, I can't help but feel let down by what I hoped would be a unique and tasty dinner. I should also point out that we never received the table popcorn basket, which our waiter was so proud to offer us, and that every other table received. And while we were informed that the dress standard was "casual," I couldn't help but feel out-of-place in my polo shirt and tennis shoes (despite the fact that the wait staff all wore Converse All Stars). I guess I got my "haute" and "low" mixed up. Pros: Great menu potential, nice space Cons: Poor food execution, slightly pompous waiters more