The Lobby

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.

We came here for lunch yesterday and ordered off the restaurant week menu. So much was great; the room is lovely, the service is excellent, most of the food was great. «Most» being the operative word. I ordered the salmon done medium but it came fairly dry; you could tell by look, taste and texture. There was an offer to redo it but we didn’t have a lot of extra time. Staff were very nice about it, the manager came by. Well done on their part. We loved every other item that we ordered (the in house smoked cream cheese on the carrot salad was delicious). Though we also thought the salmon plate looked a bit bare, just the salmon, a small slice of fruit and some brussel sprouts. When we got home, we looked at the menu card we took as we left. The salmon dish was supposed to also have a caraway miso slaw and cabbage on it!!! I probably should have taken off more than one star for the two slips but really, this place is great. Go for Restaurant Week to give it a try.

A friend of mine and I were in Chicago to take the board certification exam in surgery. We figured we would need a study break while in Chicago, so we made reservations for the Pink Afternoon Tea at the Lobby. The Lobby is located in the Peninsula Hotel and traditionally serves classic afternoon tea. We were fortunate enough to be in town during October, also known as Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we were able to take advantage of their pink themed afternoon tea in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Afternoon tea is served in one seating and is pretty pricey, but well worth it. As part of the tea, you get your option of tea and are offered scones and a variety of sandwiches and pastries. Our waiter was very friendly and very attentive. We were even offered more sandwiches and pastries when were done with what we had been served. Of course, we ordered more! Will definitely be back again the next time I’m in Chicago. I’m a sucker for afternoon tea. It makes me feel all fancy and proper.

Unfortunate tea selection for hi tea! One would expect a much higher quality than might leaf! All of the high end restaurants supple rare tea cellars, shocked The Penninsula does not follow suit! Truly disappointed for $ 75!!!

Went here for dinner and everything was great! My carrot salad was on another level! It included fresh organic artisanal carrots, and it also had quinoa… a combination of baked and fried quinoa that gave just the right amount of crunch. My pork chops with truffle soy butter dip was awesome, and my family’s dishes did not disappoint. The crowds go to the Oak Room at Macy’s, but the Lobby at the Peninsula is really the place for holiday memories. Our waiter even gave my daughter a Peninsula Teddy Bear as a holiday present. Well done!

I have been to the Lobby on numerous occasions throughout the past 8 years. Let me say that I love Francisco and Leo! They are absolutely some of the most stellar waiters who have ever helped me anywhere I have dined. In the past service was usually excellent at the Lobby yet at times was below par for the fine dining experience that you should expect. Their high tea is the very best one in Chicago that I have experienced. I can understand why they sell out over the holiday season. In addition I have been to the Lobby for breakfast and their executive lunch in the past which are both fantastic. I also had the pleasure of enjoying their chocolate night with music. I highly recommend dining here especially during the holidays when they have their gorgeous tree in the dining room. Happy!

My mom and I have a tradition of going to High Tea every year around the holidays and this year we chose The Lobby. I am only giving The Lobby 3 stars because compared to a few other high tea spots in the city I felt as though it was just average. For $ 60/​pp I expected a better experience. I thought the service was just okay, nothing extraordinary and definitely slow at times.
The tea itself was amazing (5 stars in itself)! I ordered the Orange Jasmine and my mom had the Mandarin Rose Petal both were exceptional. I loved that the hot water was refilled quite frequently but I think I drank way too much tea at the end of the experience.
The food was just average; I have had better at high tea service. We had cucumber sandwiches (I thought they lacked in flavor), a shrimp sandwich in a mini brioche bowl (too fishy), Smoked Salmon sandwich (average), butternut squash (it was baked in a mini pie crust, it was good!) and there was also a ham and cheese sandwich with a cranberry garnish (surprisingly it was my favorite and I don’t typically eat pork). They offered to refill the sandwiches and I did ask for seconds of the ham and cheese. Aside from the sandwiches there were fresh baked scones and pastries. I absolutely loved all the pastries (they were perfect) and the scones were absolutely delicious. At the end of our tea service they brought out a chocolate soufflé that was to die for it was chocolate heaven. It came out a little too late and we did not have room for it but we managed a bite and wow!!!
All in all, the tea and pastries were delicious but I did not love the tea sandwiches or the environment. I think my expectations were a tad bit too high and the experience did not match the price of the package.

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.

We came for Sunday Brunch — I would have given them 5 starts but there were 2 things that really bothered me;
1) The woman at the central desk was our first point of contact — not the happiest camper it seemed, but then we met the bald Manager of the dining room, who definitely had no personality whatsoever — I cannot understand how anyone in positions like these, and at a hotel of this caliber would hire such seemingly unfriendly people. Do rich people not smile? I know most are nice, and some are really demanding and mean, but not everyone is demanding or mean, whether they be rich or poor.
We’ve never been to this brunch before so we were not sure what we were supposed to do or where to go when we walked in as there was no podium, the guy appeared to be hurried, even though he was doing nothing, although it seemed
He’s the type of kiss ass who hovers over the older, more affluent regulars making sure ‘everything’ was to their liking. Uhm HELLO, we too were paying $ 75 per person plus a ridiculous Mayor Emanuel 10.5 Tax for FOOD!
You don’t have to be a prick just because you are a manager serving mostly affluent patrons — my God crack a smile. And shame on the HR department of the Peninsula. I would never hire unfriendly people if I were an employer — never.
2) The food was excellent; don’t get me wrong, however, the main hot courses seemed to always be empty every time I went up to the carving station. I had 2 small pieces of grilled calamari, and the plates were empty each time I came back to the carving staving for more — they did have roast beef, as well some other items, but they never had more than half the items available at any one time when I went up there 3 – 4 times. And there weren’t that many people dining.
The ambiance was beautiful, the food was very good, the desserts were beautiful and amazing, the 4 piece string music was nice, and everything was nice except for what I mentioned above.
Great place to bring someone or a group on a special occasion. I would definitely go back.

Pinky up.
When a dear friend suggested the girls do high tea at The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel) on my short trip to my beloved Chicago, I squealed with delight, replied immediately, invited my mother and went out to buy a new dress. Priorities.
Of course, we opted for the sparkly version…($ 68/​pp)
CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Traditional Afternoon Tea + a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (I die of happiness).
My mother isn’t into bubbles (I know, where did I come from?) and they were very happy to substitute white wine for her. I will say, I don’t know if this is common but the «top ups» on the champagne and wine were gracious. It wasn’t expected but it was absolutely welcome. Insider tip — being polite and looking the part (faking it is fine! I do!) invites some insider perks. Maybe they do this for everyone?! I don’t know but it certainly prolonged our very enjoyable experience.
And it was all it was cracked up to be. The service absolutely impeccable from start to finish. These guys have it on LOCK.
It’s spendy, but you’ll leave your afternoon tea experience feeling full of far more than delicious tea and small sandwiches/​petit desserts — it’s an experience to be savored and enjoyed. To slow down and enjoy the company you are with. To wear something nicer than usual. To indulge and be delighted for an afternoon.
I suggest you make a booking, cheers!
*Gluten-​Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Children’s Afternoon Tea menus available upon request.

Read on Unilocal afternoon tea was «all you can eat». For $ 55/​person I was happy to hear it. Called to check, lady told me «no, but we will refill the plate once». I was charged double for an extra plate of food for a child. Probably won’t be back. Used to love this place. Meh.

I came here for restaurant week (2015) with friends on a Sunday evening. Upon arrival, we were given options to either sit at the bar, sit at the table (while waiting for our friends to arrival), or sit at the side. The customer service was great from the start to end.
Restaurant Week Food
–great presentation and great food!
Appetizer: Beet Salad: a variety of different beets (including beet marshmallow), yum. absolutely enjoyed it!
Enjoyed the entrée options as well as dessert options.
Portions: small — especially for big eaters, you might be hungry after the meal.
Great date location! :)
I would come here again.

GROSS and not worth the price.
Guys, please train your people on basic hygiene. The server was sweaty on his face, wiped sweat off his face and touched the menu and dishes. Come on, get real.
(this review is on behalf of my wife who was disappointed with her experience today.
My wife has been going to Penninsula Lobby last few years, maybe twice or three times a year, normally taking out of country guests there. Her mother in particular likes the place… but today is last time.
Reservation made. They had to wait around 15 or 20 minutes still to be seated. In fact, the hostess had even confused them with another party.
Food, in comparison with prior times: less variety, not as good as before. And certainly the sweat experience did not make the whole thing such an appetizing afternoon tea for her and her three friends.
For about $ 120 per person, one gotta have the decency and integrity to create some value…
As much as I’d avoid Starbucks, i tend to imagine you get a more consistent «value» and certainly hygiene there, and if you do not, the dent in your pocket would not leave you wondering, WTF.

I came here for the chef week lunch special $ 22 which was a good deal for the food and ambiance. The salad and dessert were self serve/​buffet style and you get a choice of entrée (diver scallop, housemade paste, or apricot glazed pork tenderloin).
Salad bar — charchuterie choices include various meat and brie cheese, cooked lobster/​rice noodle in a martini glass (I had 2!), pasta salad, creamless tomatoe soup, shitake, cucumbers, green salad, variety of dressing (housemade?), seasoned fried califlower. These choices may sound simple, but the flavor and presentation was fancy.
Dessert — diced fresh fruit bowl, nutella macaron (OMG), pistachio macaron (meh), pistachio chocolate opera, brandied cherry crème brûlée/​custard, chocolate pudding/​mousse, strawberry tart (GOOOOD), and 2 choices of chocolate (dark or almond). It was European style pastry and they were all goood!!!
It came with 2 diver jumbo scallop and was cooked just right. The sauce, purple yam, and bacon was a good compliment to the scallop. The pasta was good, but the portion was quite small.
Overall, the ambiance was really nice and relaxing. However, it did took awhile before the waitress took our order. Well she did seem busy attending to multiple table. Overall, the waitress was attentive afterward. Will definitely go back to try the afternoon tea or dessert buffet!

Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel’s Lobby is so fun and unique! For about $ 65 per person, you can pretend to be fancy British people enjoying your afternoon tea and finger foods. And it’s UNLIMITED, yes, ALL YOU CAN! They don’t really advertise that part, but when our waiter came by to check on us he asked if there was any particular dish we wanted more of. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I blurted out, «Is it free?»
LOL! I’m such a commoner! How did I not know this was a buffet? Because there isn’t any sign that says so. It doesn’t even mention it on the menu. Anyway, I did take advantage of AYCE and I even snatched a to go box stuffed with more food. Yes, I’m so ghetto.
So the food is actually really tasty little bites of sandwiches, desserts, and scones. My favorites were the fried risotto balls and smoked salmon thingy. I love tea and they had a bunch to pick from. Service was great. Other patrons were mainly tourists and old people. There was a ADA convention going on at the hotel that weekend, so there were tons of dentists there. I would definitely recommend afternoon tea at The Lobby! We made reservations a few weeks in advance.

First time for everything!
Came here to try the Afternoon High Tea. You know… one of those places that they show in fancy Hong Kong shows and British television. It was none of that here, in fact, my detective skills revealed (on the back of) every utensil was made in Italy. I wouldn’t say that the ambiance was great as there were a lot of middled aged women, tourists, and suits. Music was lovely since it played a lot of low paced classical.
So to start, I choose my choice of tea and finger foods. Mini sandwiches and small cakes are presented in a tower of plates. Overall, the food was good and you kind of get a lot for what you pay for, which around 2 – 4 bites each and about 12 servings. Scones were delicious, but the sweet desserts were not my favorite.
Once I get around to trying the Drake, I can probably give a more experienced review of this place.

Ambience — A little hotel-​y, but very swanky so perfect.
Food — Perfect
Service — Perfect
I have to say this was one of the best complete restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. I came with 4 friends for Chicago Restaurant Week and we had a great time.
One you enter the Peninsula, you take the elevators up to the lobby, and the Lobby is just down the hall to the right. As with any swanky hotel the Lobby has beautiful chandelier lighting, orchids centerpieces & displays, and big comfy chairs.
The great service actually began with the reservation process. I originally reserved through OpenTable, but had to call to adjust the reservation and they were super accommodating. They even made a note that we would be dining specifically for the Restaurant Week menu!
As mentioned we ordered from their restaurant week menu which consisted of quite a few ingredients I was not familiar with, but were absolutely delicious. I started with the cream of kohlrabi soup which was poured over smoked trout roe over apple over pumpernickel. So many flavors and textures it was an adventure in my mouth. The main course consisted of crispy wild striped bass on a sunchoke purée with tempura’ed hen of the woods. The fish was cooked to perfection, nice and crispy outside and soft and tender on the inside. Lastly dessert consisted of the mandarin cream, mandarin oranges with a yuzu sponge cake and coconut ice cream. It was a nice and tasty light way to finish off the meal.
Service was absolutely great, the waitstaff had such a good sense of humor throughout the meal (especially Alex!). I think it was the first time any restaurant staff has ever offered to take a picture for us without us asking (yes, we are those asians…) And Alex even helped us take some pictures after the meal, and of course we got him in our photo as well :)
I can’t wait to come back here again, it is my goal to come for either afternoon tea or the chocolate bar. Or maybe both?

Great service.
Grande ambiance.
String duet.
Amazing teas.
Average biscuits and sandwiches.
I can’t say any more around how beautiful The Peninsula hotel is. The afternoon tea was overall delicious and a wonderful experience. We didn’t even have a rsvp and they were very accommodating and sat us at a wonderful table. Top notch service.

I’ve been wanting to visit The Lobby for quite some time, but as a student, the menu is somewhat out of my price range, so I was planning on bookmarking it for a special occasion. However, a friend of mine made dinner reservations here during Chicago Restaurant Week, which was $ 33 for a solid three courses, and that was good enough of a special occasion for me. :)
The restaurant is located in The Peninsula, which is as high-​end as Chicago hotels get. The staff was extremely helpful in instructing us on how to get to the restaurant. The dining area was pristine, the chandeliers were breathtaking, and there was even live classical music to serenade us as we enjoyed our meal.
My favorite part of my meal was by far the appetizer. I had the roasted beets with red beet marshmallow, leek and truffle vinaigrette, an appetizer I’ve been dreaming about since I left the restaurant. The plating was beautiful and very colorful, and the texture of the beets was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention the divine truffle vinaigrette… and to think I never thought I was a fan of beets!
For the main course, I ordered the grilled hanger steak with rutabaga, charred scallion vierge, and fingerling chips. The steak was a very good size, and was seasoned wonderfully. For dessert, I was able to try both the mandarin cream (fresh mandarin, yuzu sponge, & coconut ice cream) and chocolate lime cream (mint sponge & milk ice cream). The chocolate was a little too rich for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. The mandarin was full of flavor; it was also fun being able to experience all the various textures in the desserts.
All in all, I had a lovely experience here. I’ve heard great reviews about their afternoon tea, so I am hoping to make another visit sometime in the near future. :)

If you can’t stay at the Pen, head on over in the morning to have a lovely breakfast in the Lobby. The décor is five star fabulous, the service is stellar and the food is consistently above the bar.
I’m a bit of a bore at breakfast. When I travel I always have one poached egg on wheat toast with a tomato and steamed spinach. I wash that down with a fine cup of Joe while I peruse the NYT and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Sadly the day I was there I was harassed by a monster of a child who was allowed not only by the child’s mother, but by the rest of the staff to run wild around our tables screaming at the top of his lungs. This went on for nearly thirty minutes. Everyone in the restaurant was bothered and I was really annoyed that the family was not asked to keep the child quiet. Had it been five minutes, it would have been one thing, but it went on for the entire time I was in the restaurant and it ruined my meal. I believe my breakfast cost me well over $ 50 and for an egg and a piece of toast, a high-​end restaurant has the responsibility of making sure its guests are comfortable.
Other than that… great place.