Chef Art Smith’s Reunion

This was my first time checking out Chef Art Smith and I had a tantalizing culinary experience for Restaurant Week. The Sweater Weather seasonal cocktail was perfectly balanced. For appetizers we tried the fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, and deviled eggs and each dish was delectable. For the entree, my fried chicken was flavorful and tender and the mashed potatoes were easily the best I have ever had. The hummingbird cake was a unique exploratory experience. The cake was reminiscent of carrot cake due to the succulent consistency, yet the notes of banana and pineapple propelled the cake into its own category of decadence. My heart skipped a beat as I took the first bite and the fresh fruit did a delicate dance with the cream cheese frosting. I became short of breath with excitement as my taste buds rejoiced to the effortless balance of flavors. I could only think one thing: I need this recipe! What a wonderful experience. I will surely be back.

Reunion was magnificent! I went for Restaurant Week! I had the crab cake! Excellent! I had the short ribs, mash potatoes and carrots! Delicious! The hummingbird cake is called that for a reason! My tastebuds were humming!

The food was really good. It is such a cute restaurant right in front Navy Pier. You must have the craft cocktail flight!!!

Chicago Restaurant Week #2 Review...... Chef Art Smith's Reunion This was a wonderful dinner with great service, graceful ambiance, and a delicious selection for dinner. Our server Jasmine was knowledgeable about all of the selections, made sure our food was to our liking at each course and overall her team treated us with such grace and southern hospitality. Our dinner selections were from the CRW menu and we ordered a few extras to try and everything was exceptional. If you get the chance please go see Jasmine and her team at Chef Art Smith's Reunion inside Navy Pier it will be worth it. See the photos for dish details.

The food was good, but it was all brought out at once, after a significant wait time. Perhaps it was because I had the last reservation of the night that service was as it was. I will be back, as I enjoyed the ambiance and the company l was with.

A Ladies Birthday Brunch. Shared appetizer wheel was fun and delicious. Hush puppies were awesome. So we're the Bellinis.

The food is not delicious as Dave Chappell might say. It’s filling. The service is attentive yet the kitchen is slow. Very slow.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

I’ve seen many good reviews about the Disney Springs restaurant and just found out that there’s a Chef Art Smith restaurant at the Navy Pier so I placed a pickup order the very same day.

No one was at the front when I arrived. I stepped inside near the “please wait to be seated” sign and tried to get a staff member’s attention, but several employees ignored me and walked away before I could even finish speaking. Eventually, I had to grab my order from the front myself. The service was ridiculous. Even people who arrived after me, walked right in and were immediately seated. I was only there to pick up my order and assumed I needed to notify a staff member first, but no one could be bothered.

The food wasn’t great either and I’m actually glad, because I never want to be back again. I was planning to go to the Disney Springs restaurant if this was good. Extremely disappointing and unwelcoming. Looks like other reviewers have had the same experience.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Great food and service! The chicken, especially, is always perfectly cooked. My 3rd time here, and hopefully many more to come.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Well prepared and presented Southern cooking. Nice ambience and service. Very reasonably priced.

The biscuits are great, the dark meat fried chicken was yummy. The chicken and dumplings it's clearly being used to help get rid of access chicken and there are no dumpings. Server was very sweet. Drinks were good. Mashed potatoes are good. Shrimp and grits are over sauces so I would ask them to go easy. It wasn't loud because it wasn't busy when we were there, but it's clearly a tourism restaurant in a tourism place. Are there better places in Chicago sure but if you're at Navy pier it's not a bad option.

Found this place by chance and was happy to stumble upon it. Their happy hour is a bit of a gimmick and I wouldn't go there for this reason as it is wordsmithing at its worst BUT if you can look away from that and get in a cocktail or 3, you would be happy with what you imbibe. The goat cheese biscuits are great. Chicken wings flavor is good, but look beyond that and get the shrimp and grits. Nice way to spend an afternoon with a friend on the pier. Mind the fruit flies you see along the windows.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chef Art's Famous Fried Chicken, Goat Cheese Buttermilk Drop Biscuits, Goat Cheese, French Fries

The food was the best we had by far during this Chicago visit. A non-exhaustive list of top tier sampling include: fried chicken, pan-seared salmon, chimichurri skirt steak, fish sandwich, short rib, mashed potatoes, world famous Mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, chicken wings, and last but not least -- the deviled eggs topped with caviar. My wife loved this place so much that I think we ate 5 meals here during our stay!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What an incredible restaurant — everything from the atmosphere to the food and service was exceptional. The moment you walk in, you feel the warmth and energy of a place that truly celebrates great cooking and genuine hospitality.
The service was flawless, with every team member making sure you felt welcome and cared for. And the food... simply phenomenal! The steak was perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor, the grilled chicken and shrimp salad was light yet full of character, and the deviled eggs topped with caviar were an absolute masterpiece — creative, elegant, and delicious.
Chef Art Smith is a true artist in the kitchen. You can taste the passion and precision in every bite — this is comfort food elevated to fine dining perfection. Add a great glass of wine and a beautiful setting overlooking the Navy Pier, and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable evening.
If you’re in Chicago and want a restaurant that combines soul, flavor, and heart, Reunion is a must-visit. I can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was not worth it chicken tasted like it was some leftover chicken I wouldn’t come back again plus it’s over priced

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2