The restaurant is convenient to Orchestra Hall, which is why we chose it. But it was by far the worst meal we’ve had in Chicago. The prix fixe menu was limited, and expensive. Bread and olives were brought, the bread had a yellow “blob” on top of each piece - which turned out to be a warm cherry tomato? The olive oil wasn’t good quality, and tasted a little old. I ordered a fig and spinach salad, which was served in a small flat bowl that made cutting the spinach difficult. The salmon was good, though somewhat undercooked. The couscous was as dry as a bone - and kind of crunchy, which was weird, and the green beans were raw - not even warm. I had raspberry sorbet for dessert and it tasted like it had been pre-scooped and frozen in the serving dish so its flavor was diminished. All in all, I can’t recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Joshua Kramer
I was charged for another table's meal -- the same dish had overcooked scallops and undercooked couscous -- my friend had to request his drink three times before it arrived.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
charmaine calvino
Jackson was my server. He was amazing. Charmed the whole table, an absolute delight. Very knowledgeable on both menu and drinks. Made suggestions and was very helpful in every way. Food was delicious. Drinks were incredible. Will be going back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
akili Sosa
What a nice place to start the concert
Jackson Mcgehee
Best FRENCH TOAST!!! Dinner entrees are awesome too! All the servers are great and the mangers and chef as well! If you’re attending the symphony eating here before is a great choice!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claressa Slaughter
My husband and I came in for brunch on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Everything we tried was delicious and well priced for a brunch in the heart of the city. Chef Leo has created a menu that has a nice balance of sweet and savory options with a little something for everyone. Highly recommend the Shakshouka and adding on the donut!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Pichler
Amazing dining experience! We went for brunch and had excellent food. If you go, you absolutely have to get the donut, it's out of this world. The french toast and biscuits were also amazing. If you're thinking of going you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reccio DeVeris
The staff was very polite and all seemed to have good knowledge about the menu. I asked a few questions they broke the menu down for me. The drink menu wasn't for me but my waitress was able to get me right... Big ups Kyra... Salmon was a hit and the French toast took
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cod
Guillermo Qq
It was amazing to experience the first Brunch. I was amazed for the menu. Very tasty and worth to try it. We will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nausherwan Tirmizi
The wait staff and the ambiance was wonderful. But the food was sweet. Like it was all weirdly sweet. The baba ganoush was sweet. The red pepper dip was sweet. The Harissa sauce with the lamb was sweet. The sauce with the scallops was sweet. EVEN THE FALAFEL WAS SWEET. The bass, focaccia and olives were excellent.
We ate there before a CSO concert. We were running late due to parking issue, but called to let host know. We arrived, in a bit of a time crunch, but the host was super sweet and accommodating, even suggesting " quicker" menu items Waiter took our drink order, then food order... We quickly had soups and appetizers delivered by host. Then main course was delivered, by another staff member. Then the Waiter appeared, and said "I'll be right back with your white wine." We had to remind him we requested a sangria. We are almost done with our meals and he delivers the sangria. Do if you want to skip your cocktails and opt for an after dinner drink instead, ask for our Waiter... Lol. At this point our focus was on attending the CSO, as most patrons had exited already. We didn't scrutinize the bill, paid with card and left a excessive cash tip, hoping the host and other staff members were part of tip share. The Waiter was really sub par. We left and only later did we realize we were charged for both the white wine that we did not order and the sangria we did. I contacted restaurant via web page, but heard nothing back. Tried calling, left a message, and crickets. It is our fault for not checking the bill, but it has been our experience that "higher end" restaurants make fewer mistakes. Needless to say, the 13 dollar overcharge and slightly lower grade of service will be our strongest memory of Forte. There are other options, proximity is not always the optimal choice.... If you are looking for a light meal before your CSO event, find another venue or lower your expectations, look forward to being overcharged, and settle for Forte... It's not our Forte anymore.
Alex Schwartz
Now my favorite place to eat before attending the performances at the CSO. The only hesitation I have in making this review is that it may make it harder for me to get a reservation!
The service is excellent and they'll go above and beyond to make sure you'll make the show. It makes the evening so much more enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liz Steeb
With 1.5 hour dining time until performance, they could not produce satisfactory wine or food! We took dinners in go bags and the bill was astronomical! No wine. No food, no service? Out of business?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
kathy raczynska
Absolutely wonderful experience. Delicious food (we had carnivores and vegans in our party, everyone was equally happy!) in an exquisite setting, and I can’t say enough about the attentive, amazing service. We will be back soon - thank you for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jacqueline Fisher
The experience was everything that one could ask for! The food is amazing and the servers was extremely friendly and professional. I recommend the rosemary foccaccia!!!
The restaurant is convenient to Orchestra Hall, which is why we chose it. But it was by far the worst meal we’ve had in Chicago. The prix fixe menu was limited, and expensive. Bread and olives were brought, the bread had a yellow “blob” on top of each piece - which turned out to be a warm cherry tomato? The olive oil wasn’t good quality, and tasted a little old. I ordered a fig and spinach salad, which was served in a small flat bowl that made cutting the spinach difficult. The salmon was good, though somewhat undercooked. The couscous was as dry as a bone - and kind of crunchy, which was weird, and the green beans were raw - not even warm. I had raspberry sorbet for dessert and it tasted like it had been pre-scooped and frozen in the serving dish so its flavor was diminished. All in all, I can’t recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
I was charged for another table's meal -- the same dish had overcooked scallops and undercooked couscous -- my friend had to request his drink three times before it arrived.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Jackson was my server. He was amazing. Charmed the whole table, an absolute delight. Very knowledgeable on both menu and drinks. Made suggestions and was very helpful in every way. Food was delicious. Drinks were incredible. Will be going back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a nice place to start the concert
Best FRENCH TOAST!!! Dinner entrees are awesome too! All the servers are great and the mangers and chef as well! If you’re attending the symphony eating here before is a great choice!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I came in for brunch on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Everything we tried was delicious and well priced for a brunch in the heart of the city. Chef Leo has created a menu that has a nice balance of sweet and savory options with a little something for everyone. Highly recommend the Shakshouka and adding on the donut!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing dining experience! We went for brunch and had excellent food. If you go, you absolutely have to get the donut, it's out of this world. The french toast and biscuits were also amazing. If you're thinking of going you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff was very polite and all seemed to have good knowledge about the menu. I asked a few questions they broke the menu down for me. The drink menu wasn't for me but my waitress was able to get me right... Big ups Kyra... Salmon was a hit and the French toast took
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cod
It was amazing to experience the first Brunch. I was amazed for the menu. Very tasty and worth to try it. We will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The wait staff and the ambiance was wonderful. But the food was sweet. Like it was all weirdly sweet. The baba ganoush was sweet. The red pepper dip was sweet. The Harissa sauce with the lamb was sweet. The sauce with the scallops was sweet. EVEN THE FALAFEL WAS SWEET. The bass, focaccia and olives were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We ate there before a CSO concert. We were running late due to parking issue, but called to let host know. We arrived, in a bit of a time crunch, but the host was super sweet and accommodating, even suggesting " quicker" menu items Waiter took our drink order, then food order... We quickly had soups and appetizers delivered by host. Then main course was delivered, by another staff member. Then the Waiter appeared, and said "I'll be right back with your white wine." We had to remind him we requested a sangria. We are almost done with our meals and he delivers the sangria. Do if you want to skip your cocktails and opt for an after dinner drink instead, ask for our Waiter... Lol. At this point our focus was on attending the CSO, as most patrons had exited already. We didn't scrutinize the bill, paid with card and left a excessive cash tip, hoping the host and other staff members were part of tip share. The Waiter was really sub par. We left and only later did we realize we were charged for both the white wine that we did not order and the sangria we did. I contacted restaurant via web page, but heard nothing back. Tried calling, left a message, and crickets. It is our fault for not checking the bill, but it has been our experience that "higher end" restaurants make fewer mistakes. Needless to say, the 13 dollar overcharge and slightly lower grade of service will be our strongest memory of Forte. There are other options, proximity is not always the optimal choice.... If you are looking for a light meal before your CSO event, find another venue or lower your expectations, look forward to being overcharged, and settle for Forte... It's not our Forte anymore.
Now my favorite place to eat before attending the performances at the CSO. The only hesitation I have in making this review is that it may make it harder for me to get a reservation!
The service is excellent and they'll go above and beyond to make sure you'll make the show. It makes the evening so much more enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
With 1.5 hour dining time until performance, they could not produce satisfactory wine or food! We took dinners in go bags and the bill was astronomical! No wine. No food, no service? Out of business?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely wonderful experience. Delicious food (we had carnivores and vegans in our party, everyone was equally happy!) in an exquisite setting, and I can’t say enough about the attentive, amazing service. We will be back soon - thank you for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The experience was everything that one could ask for! The food is amazing and the servers was extremely friendly and professional. I recommend the rosemary foccaccia!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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