Cru Cafe & Wine Bar

I never hang out in the downtown district because it’s usually so much more expensive than local watering holes /​wine bars, but was invited to come here to bid bon voyage to my good friend’s husband.
I enjoyed my experience here — tasted some very nice wines (pinots were spot on) and the food was pretty good. I remember the cheese plate was absolutely decadent — with REALLY amazing blue cheese.
Thinking about doing a birthday party here…

This is the perfect spot for drinks and light food after work. Good wine selection, and knowledgeable wait staff. We missed several of the old items after the menu was redone earlier in 2008, but have now become fans of the new items, especially the flat breads. The cheese portions are now large enough to share, and the cheese choices broad enough to be interesting. Everyone we take for out-​of-​town loves it. But definitely not for the steak and beer crowd.

I used to love the old Cru and was sad when they remodeled. I boycotted it for awhile and then couldn’t remember why. Silly me.
Last night, I hosted a small party in their backroom. Everyone had a great time. The staff was extremely accommodating. The food was very good. When the bartender wasn’t too busy, he would walk around to fill everyone’s drinks.
I’m excited to go back!

Went here for lunch.
My rating is just for the food — the Cru burger is awesome! Deliciously
prepared with a truffle aioli, you really get a flavorful edge on the burger.
We also got a grilled chicken sandwich which was tasty and had a rosemary or sage infused mayo, with a strip of bacon and sliced green apples! Very tasty… the side salad I got was a pile of wilted lettuce that I wouldn’t eat.
Service was slow, but I would go back for the burger.

We have had good food and wine here. The ravioli has been a hit, and I always love the cheese plate. I’ve had good syrah and merlot, too. The ambience is pretty swell, too.
However, the service is, sorry to say, bad. But it’s inconsistently bad (if that helps?) The waitress we had outside one time was wonderful, all smiley and quick to assist. But the waitress we had inside just recently made us feel like unwanted guests. Considering the place was pretty empty, it took a lot not to say «Chill out, lady.»
(All this at the height of Gold Coast tourist season…)

Owners and Managers of Cru: remember you’re a wine bar… which means/​requires a couple items:
1. Good wine/​good wine selection («good» it hasn’t been in awhile as every time I’m there, I’m served wine that some might consider «rustic» while I consider it «not good» to «downright awful» or «unbalanced»). Work on it… especially your selections by the glass.
2. Nice to pleasant service (which I never ever get anymore). Seriously, what’s up with everyone’s attitude over there? If I’m at the bar, I’m ignored until I hunt someone down and lean over the bar and scream «excuse me.» And half the time, when not ignored, you just don’t have servers around… twice now, I’ve gotten up and left after having waited almost 10 minutes each time for someone to come by!
I love wine and especially wine bars, but Cru needs some work in order to keep us locals committed to coming by.

I enjoyed the ambiance and the ability to watch very desperate middle agers try to pick up very irritated women.
Very cozy interior, decent wait staff. Beer selection is limited, but there are a few good brews not found on your typical TGI Friday’s menu. Wine selection is respectable.
I’d come back, likely not so much for a hearty meal as a few drinks and casual chit-​chat in a warm atmosphere conducive to conversation and relaxation.

From the minute I walked in this place the bartender/​server had a huge attitude. We’ll call her Jan because that’s pretty close to her name without being her actual name. «Wanna see a wine list» (As she is slapping it down in front of me.) And by the way, just because I said I am waiting for my friend before I order my food, does not mean that I want to be ignored.
While I waited I had the opportunity to watch the pretentious and ridiculous crowd at Cru. Could they be any cooler? I doubt they think so.
The setup of this place leaves much to be desired. It felt cold and barren to me. The separate rooms were not inviting at all. Too bad the dishwasher has to be right there at the bar banging away nonstop.
Lucky for Cru was the fact that I quite enjoyed the wine and food. (Thus the 2 stars) I had a nice bold Cabernet at $ 10 and a juicy burger at $ 12. I thought it was a very good value and rather tasty too!
MAYBE I will be back to sit outside and enjoy the food on a nice day.

The very first thing you need to know about Cru Café is that you should never, ever expect to eat «dinner» here. I chose this place for my out-​of-​town friends because it was the least expensive «meal» I could find online at a decent place in the Gold Coast. Don’t be fooled by the menu — what you would take to be meals are in actuality only appetizers.
Knowing that, it’s a great place. The couches and fireplaces are very cool, even though I sat and stared with a passionate envy of the couple who snagged the last open couch as I walked in. The food (although miniscule) was tasty and very carefully presented.
The ceiling in the middle room is just awesome. It provided a welcome preoccupation when conversation lulled, and when staring at it you appear to have a meaningful gaze going on. Our waitress, who did a fantastic job, said it used to be part of the lobby of the apartment building next door and the restaurant expanded into it and kept the ceiling. Good call on the ceiling-​keep.
I had a flight of scotch, and the Bowmore 15 was my favorite. I recommend it over the Aberlour 16 they had.
Playful Anecdote: I arrived first, and when I was seated I noticed a rather scantily clad prostitute at the table next to mine. I’m immature enough to allow that type of novelty to distract me the entire night, so I simply sat with my back to her and her «companion» and told everyone about it when they got there. We all had a good chuckle at her (and his) expense.

Loved it!
–Cozy couches, warm fireplaces and a vast list of wines makes Cru one of my new favorite winter spots!
–Food was pretty good, service was fabulous and atmosphere was welcoming.
Wish I knew about this place when my wino friend was in town!

Cru gets five stars for one reason only and it starts with a P and ends with an atrick.
I think that Cru has an OK menu, could be much better, particularly the cheese plate (since I always eat the cheese plate, I wish it would be better). I love the décor and ambiance — the fire place is a nice touch. I love the bathrooms, they are clean and pretty :)
But most of all, I love, love, love Patrick. He is so funny and always puts me in a good mood. Often times, if Patrick is not there, I will leave. You may be saying «this girls is clearly friends with Patrick» and you’re right — but only through the restaurant. He is usually my server.
In the summer, I watch Patrick serve a section with five to ten tables with ease. Once he suggested a bottle of wine to our table on the Patio and we were not sure about that bottle in particular or a different one on the menu. The table next to ours was drinking the one we were questioning and he negotiated a trade between our two tables. We offered them 2 glasses in exchange for 2 glasses of their comparably priced wine. Everyone was happy and we all made friends and had an even better time due to P — atrick.
And another thing, Patrick does know his wine and he is not faking it. I once started to describe a wine to him that I had at a tasting elsewhere and he called it right away.
If you’re in the mood for some wine and a low key, chill atmosphere I think Cru is a great spot. Especially in the summer when the patio is open.

I went to cru last night for a belated birthday celebration and to get some inside info on Dale from Top Chef. Most things were really great. We started with the crab and artichoke dip. It came with thick but airy big peices of toast. I do have to say I kinda felt like I was eating tuna salad. But it was good (the bread was the best part) We split a bottle of the Geyser (?) German Reisling. It was really reasonably priced ($ 36). In fact all over their bottle list there were plenty of good bottles under $ 40, at least two from each category.
I was trying to eat light and ordered the nooise salad which was good. It was visually aspiring and good flavors but the tuna was slightly over cooked.
Our genius of a waiter suggested my friend have the chicken entrée. Side note: I don’t care how good that chicken is, as miss waitron USA, I would never suggest chix, its boring and never the best item on the menu. Most Chefs include it for the unadventurous diner. Well he raved about it telling us it was his favorite. She ordered it and well… it sucked. Very plain and served with dry steamed vegetables and white rice… it seemed like an expensive lean cuisine dish. Oh yeah and Mr. bad suggestion didn’t know squat about Dale, how disappointing :(
Our desert was amazing. We had the chocolate shards with the caramel dipping sauce. The dish presented white dark and milk chocolates with various accompaniments and the caramel sauce had decently sized pieces of course salt in it… the perfect touch. Overall I liked cru… a little pricey but the integrity of the ingredients were there.

I went to Cru late on a Friday night, and it was pretty crowded, but we had no problem getting a table. The décor really sets this place apart from the competition. The rooms are small, intimate, and cozy with fireplaces, comfortable chairs, and dim lighting. There is also a larger bar room, which is also very upscale. The wine menu has various offerings by the glass and several tasting selections. The menu also has some appetizers and jazzed up bar food, but I did not eat there so I cannot speak to that. The place is perfect for a night of catching up with the girls or for a date.

No complaints, my second time at Cru.
My first visit, was with a group of intoxicated friends who were so enjoyinhg each other’s company, surroundings were merely a sidenote.
My second and most recent visit — more underwhelming. Service was. «actually, not even noteworthy»… wine selection, rather poor.
Whatever, if you’re in the area and it’s a chilly night, sure, pop in for a cab to warm you up. But, don’t go out of your way to seek out this place.

Ok, we have several gripes with this place.
1) We were only seated on the condition of ordering a dinner. Ha.
2) Our server, name starts with a P and ends with an –atrick, led us to believe that he was quite the wine connoisseur and knew his wines. I am usually willing to let someone have 1 shot, but if they screw it up, that’s it. He screwed it up. My red was just NOT anything like the bold, dry red wine i requested — I got unflavorful and not dry. My friend wanted something sweet and fruity — we got floral and watered down. Blech.
3) When we only ordered an appetizer ($ 14 mind you), P – atrick turned his nose up at us and proceeded to ignore us for the rest of the evening, except to get his bill payed.
Overall: NOT impressed with this place. Juicy was better. The bar at Stetson’s is better. Don’t waste your time or money. Oh! and if you do go, don’t listen to P – atrick.

Excellent service and very chill, in the midst of the Viagra Triangle and tourist madness. I love coming here and just chililng out with a glass of wine. I never feel rushed. Best of all, I can bring my dog and sit outside. It is the most dog-​friendly place in Chicago.

Went here late on a Friday evening — a wonderful set up with couches, tables and a fireplace, very cozy. My wine was very good and we got some food too. Wait staff was a bit quirky but this place is great to chat and relax.
***
During my second trip to Chicago, I went back here with a huge group and lucky us — we got the little back corner room all to ourselves. The staff and waiters was very accommodating and we were total pains — so that was nice. I think the small plates here are soo good and they have such a great wine selection.
SIDE NOTE: The head chef guy is on TOP CHEF MIAMI right now!!!

I spent many nights at the old Cru. It was a very popular date spot and I always got a good laugh when guys thought they were being oh so original by taking me to Cru. I was a fan of the extensive wine menu and loved getting their cheese platter (I have a thing for cheese). Besides the cheese platter there wasn’t really much on the menu to choose from.
Last night my boyfriend and I checked out the new and improved Cru. It’s much more spacious, just as many wines as before (if not more), and a large menu to choose from (although rather expensive). We weren’t very hungry after devouring popcorn and twizzlers at the movies earlier so we went the wine and cheese route. I was happy with the French cheese flights, but then again put any cheese in front of me and I’m happy.
The service was just OK (not overly impressed) and it was absolutely freezing in there– I did ask them to turn off the fans (who has fans the week of Christmas), but my request seemed to be ignored.
My boyfriend said the new Cru is definitely a 3 star place, but I do love wine bars so I’m giving them 4 stars in the spirit of Christmas (and hoping that the service gets better to make this a 4 star establishment).

I like this wine bar, it’s glam — on the Gold Coast! I always seem to get the sparkling wine, and really love it. The food is delish too, but they could pump up the portion size just a bit. Love the décor — it does get busy on weekends, perfect place for an «after shopping» drink!
That said, sometimes the service can be really bad. I don’t think they have enough bartenders for when it gets busy.

We stopped in last night for a late snack/​meal after an event at LUMA. Having visited before the renovation and really enjoying the experience, my girlfriend and I were really looking forward to the new location. Unfortunately, it was not as enjoyable as anticipated.
The renovations have taken a larger area and created smaller seating areas that allow more patrons whilst also making each group’s experience more intimate. The dark earth tones and warm lighting is very nice, though at times makes it difficult to read the menu.
On our last trip, we ordered a cheese plate to munch on while contemplating our full meal. After partaking of the cheese, we were satisfied by the ample cheese, breads, crackers, fruits and nuts; we didn’t even need an entrée. On this visit, we kept that in mind and ordered a glass of wine each and the French cheese plate. Unfortunately, the cheese plate was not nearly as big as last time. The crackers were completely gone and the bread was not nearly sufficient.
Not only was there less food, there was no explanation of the cheeses. We were able to quickly identify the bleu, but the other two soft cheeses (Brie and something I have since forgotten) were hard to distinguish by appearance. When you have multiple cheeses on one plate, how can you not explain which is which? That was poor.
We enjoyed our experience but it couldn’t hold a candle to our last trip. The food was good, but the portion size seems to have dropped and the service wasn’t quite what you’d hope for in a place like this. Otherwise it was a good time. It certainly was intimate and a nice atmosphere for a date.