We were seeing the show at the Lyric Opera House so we decided to eat at the restaurant Florian. I see everybody rated it very well. I wish I had their experience. We walked in got seated, and the chair was broken. The chair was switched out. We ordered a prime rib sandwich a chicken salad sandwich which we were going to split. The prime rib sandwich was Full of gristle and was not edible, the chicken salad sandwich was OK. We ordered tea which was fine, but when we asked for a refill, we never got it. Since we didn’t eat the lunch We ordered a dessert. An orange tart. The orange tart was a piece of flaky dough with nothing in it. We did complain about the dinner. I told them that the prime rib was not edible. We also asked where the orange cream was in the tart. Nobody could really tell us anything. We got the bill and nothing was taken off for a meal that we did not eat! Very very Disappointing! $70 meal that we could not eat. The maître d’ was so cold and rude and made it known that we were not liked. I’m Disgusted!!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
F M C M
Awful. Couldn't get service. Couldn't get order right. A dinner should be able to cook egg
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Crystal Salazar
Came to see the nutcracker and before the show we went upstairs to the bar/restaurant. I asked the lady if we could sit at table which was not busy and that table never got booked. She had glasses and was a bit rude and directed us to the bar. Yet a party of three Caucasian people walked in and she wanted to direct them to the dinning room but they choose to sit in the bar. The food was okay and bartender was nice but overall I would rate it a two.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
kathy clark
Cute space before a show with light bites or something more substantial. Quick service!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup, Cline Chardonnay
jan k
I had lunch with a friend before the opera on Wednesday, 10/2. We ordered the same item. The quiche was dry and tasteless, the crust dried and burned. The salad, also dry and tasteless. Child sized portion. Terrible dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Michelle
Located on the "Dress Circle" Floor, next to "Aisle One". The convenience of pre-ordering food and having it waiting during intermission is a unique and luxurious experience. Had the strawberry tart with gold leaf and prosecco. I was in and out with time to spare.
I also had changed my reservation last minute and they were most accommodating. I called and left a message and someone called back within a couple hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seth Stevenson
Star ratings are a problematic way to rate online. We all know that five stars means someone was really satisfied, a one star means someone was unhappy...but almost no one leaves a 3 star review for an average experience. Also, Star ratings are relevant to the type of place. A 5 star hot dog stand isn't the same as a 5 star fine dining establishment.All that is to say, this rating is contextual for what The Florian is within context.The biggest reason to choose The Florian is its location at the Lyric. The sheer convenience of being to stroll out the door directly to your seats is...delicious. The ability to order snacks and drinks in advance and have them available at your table, ready and waiting is even more delightful.Service when I was there with my daughter was great. The place was packed, but food and drinks were ordered and delivered promptly. More impressive, when I had to cancel our intermission reservation, I called to let them know, but no one answered...until they called me back! They were very understanding, and I was impressed they had taken the time to call, just based on a missed call with no message.The food ranges from good to above average, with a few low points. The prime rib, sauce, and mashed potatoes were tasty and well made. The accompanying mushrooms were under seasoned, though, and rather unappetizing as a result.The starter salad was a surprising high point, though, perfectly seasoned with interesting textures and flavors and one of the best dressings I've had of late.Prices are fairly high, I should note. Not way out of line, but higher than they're be for similar fare at another locationSo, is this fine dining five stars? No, it isn't going to compare with some of Chicago's best restaurants...but for its location, yes. Ultimately, this rating reflects that I intend to return as my default when we get to attend shows at the Lyric. I'd say to give it a shot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Laura Brantley
Everything was wonderful from the minute we got there till the end of the evening. The food & service were excellent. Started with an amuse-bouche then enjoyed tomato soup along with fantastic bread that was served with two kinds of butter, sea salt butter & Parmesan pepper butter, both fantastic. We enjoyed the pancetta with parsnip purée. Wine and cocktails were excellent. Our coffee and olive oil cake we’re waiting for us when we returned during intermission. All excellent. I will definitely do it again!
Dietary restrictions: Several options on the menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup
Kelli Nakagama
Opera intermission at the Florian just changed the game! We pre-ordered drinks and dessert and it was ready at a table for us the minute we arrived. Instead of stressfully standing in line for a drink and rushing to finish it like usual, we spent the intermission relaxed and peacefully enjoying drinks and dessert (which was delicious). Won’t do an opera any other way again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
WhiskiedWanderlust
Opera intermission at the Florian just changed the game! We pre-ordered drinks and dessert and it was ready at a table for us the minute we arrived. Instead of stressfully standing in line for a drink and rushing to finish it like usual, we spent the intermission relaxed and peacefully enjoying drinks and dessert (which was delicious). Won’t do an opera any other way again!
Pleasantly surprised meal with outstanding service and nicely crafted cocktails. I read some previous reviews and had not expected much. I wanted to eat here before a performance and because of the history. Entrance is near the valet stand go in and you show your ticket for the night and you're escorted to the third floor. A small but nicely updated dinning room awaits. A few things to note. When you make reservations you're asked to choose your main from a Prefix menu. Great choices from fish to pasta to a prime rib. I ordered the prime but when I arrived, the bread and the tomato soup was excellent and filled me a bit so I changed my main (not a problem) to a tortellini. Which turned out to be excellent and hit the spot. My husband had the sea bass and it was flaky, moist and cooked very well. The sides were fingerling potatoes and a nice salad. I heard the menu is seasonal so it changes. That evening we started with a complementry Amuse-bouche of a beet panacotta with some nutty tones. This was for the evenings performance of Frankenstein. ( Frankenstein's monster foraging in the forest) . I am a fan of this dining experience and will make this my choice when I attend future performances at the Opera house. One of the other perks is you get preferred entry to the hall in addition you can preselect cocktails and snacks for the intermission and they await you at your table. Super nice to have cocktails and a place to sit. Big shout out to our server Colin who recommended a lovely white for the fish. Did I mention they have an excellent selection of wine by the glass and bottle.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
John Gorey
Excellent food and drink option when you are at the Lyric Opera.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
danny nokic
Worst food ever, could not believe !
Nicoline Shoffer
The only reason I am giving ANY stars is because of the service. They were just lovely, very attentive and pleasant. Fom the hostess desk to payment, they attended us very well. Unfortunately, they could not help the food quality. The food, sadly, paled in comparison to the service.The salad was fine, but I preferred to nibble my sons with no dressing than my own that was drowning in it. The wild mushrooms were slathered in truffle oil until it was so overpowering they were inedible. It even overpowered the horseradish for the prime rib. I'm so glad I avoided the truffle risotto. I imagine a bowl of oil and a few grains of rice. The prime rib was covered in sauce, chives and other items, I assume to cover up the mediocre meat quality. My son's quail was a dried little hockey puck, yet I was still concerned it was undercooked. The mashed potatoes had so much butter they were practically soup on the plate. For the amount of money you spend to dine here, it is surprising how little they know of preparing a balanced ingredient entree. Especially when there is an included tip. Over $200 for two people is understandable when you are getting delicious, high-quality food, but not when they are trying to cover up mediocrity with sauce, truffle oil, and butter. The space is nice and of course very convenient, so there is that. The one saving moment was the lemon sorbet at intermission, but it was waiting at the table before we arrived and was melty beyond my preference. I promised my son the next time we attended the opera that I would find a different dining option. As I stated previously, I don't mind spending the money if the food is good, and Chicago has many options with higher quality food at this price. It would definitely be worth the Uber cost to dine elsewhere.
Barbara Wirz-Ellsworth
Not comparable with Florian before Covid!! An intermission with desert, already on the table, Gourmet selection, excellent coffee..that is how it was. Wonderful! Classy! Under the new owner The Desserts, only Four, were mediocre -not any good! I’m so disappointed and dissatisfied with my experience two days ago After The Carmen Matinee.
We were seeing the show at the Lyric Opera House so we decided to eat at the restaurant Florian. I see everybody rated it very well. I wish I had their experience. We walked in got seated, and the chair was broken. The chair was switched out. We ordered a prime rib sandwich a chicken salad sandwich which we were going to split. The prime rib sandwich was Full of gristle and was not edible, the chicken salad sandwich was OK. We ordered tea which was fine, but when we asked for a refill, we never got it. Since we didn’t eat the lunch We ordered a dessert. An orange tart. The orange tart was a piece of flaky dough with nothing in it. We did complain about the dinner. I told them that the prime rib was not edible. We also asked where the orange cream was in the tart. Nobody could really tell us anything. We got the bill and nothing was taken off for a meal that we did not eat! Very very Disappointing! $70 meal that we could not eat.
The maître d’ was so cold and rude and made it known that we were not liked. I’m Disgusted!!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Awful. Couldn't get service. Couldn't get order right. A dinner should be able to cook egg
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Came to see the nutcracker and before the show we went upstairs to the bar/restaurant. I asked the lady if we could sit at table which was not busy and that table never got booked. She had glasses and was a bit rude and directed us to the bar. Yet a party of three Caucasian people walked in and she wanted to direct them to the dinning room but they choose to sit in the bar. The food was okay and bartender was nice but overall I would rate it a two.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Cute space before a show with light bites or something more substantial.
Quick service!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup, Cline Chardonnay
I had lunch with a friend before the opera on Wednesday, 10/2. We ordered the same item. The quiche was dry and tasteless, the crust dried and burned. The salad, also dry and tasteless. Child sized portion. Terrible dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Located on the "Dress Circle" Floor, next to "Aisle One". The convenience of pre-ordering food and having it waiting during intermission is a unique and luxurious experience. Had the strawberry tart with gold leaf and prosecco. I was in and out with time to spare.
I also had changed my reservation last minute and they were most accommodating. I called and left a message and someone called back within a couple hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Star ratings are a problematic way to rate online. We all know that five stars means someone was really satisfied, a one star means someone was unhappy...but almost no one leaves a 3 star review for an average experience. Also, Star ratings are relevant to the type of place. A 5 star hot dog stand isn't the same as a 5 star fine dining establishment.All that is to say, this rating is contextual for what The Florian is within context.The biggest reason to choose The Florian is its location at the Lyric. The sheer convenience of being to stroll out the door directly to your seats is...delicious. The ability to order snacks and drinks in advance and have them available at your table, ready and waiting is even more delightful.Service when I was there with my daughter was great. The place was packed, but food and drinks were ordered and delivered promptly. More impressive, when I had to cancel our intermission reservation, I called to let them know, but no one answered...until they called me back! They were very understanding, and I was impressed they had taken the time to call, just based on a missed call with no message.The food ranges from good to above average, with a few low points. The prime rib, sauce, and mashed potatoes were tasty and well made. The accompanying mushrooms were under seasoned, though, and rather unappetizing as a result.The starter salad was a surprising high point, though, perfectly seasoned with interesting textures and flavors and one of the best dressings I've had of late.Prices are fairly high, I should note. Not way out of line, but higher than they're be for similar fare at another locationSo, is this fine dining five stars? No, it isn't going to compare with some of Chicago's best restaurants...but for its location, yes. Ultimately, this rating reflects that I intend to return as my default when we get to attend shows at the Lyric. I'd say to give it a shot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Everything was wonderful from the minute we got there till the end of the evening. The food & service were excellent. Started with an amuse-bouche then enjoyed tomato soup along with fantastic bread that was served with two kinds of butter, sea salt butter & Parmesan pepper butter, both fantastic. We enjoyed the pancetta with parsnip purée. Wine and cocktails were excellent. Our coffee and olive oil cake we’re waiting for us when we returned during intermission. All excellent. I will definitely do it again!
Dietary restrictions: Several options on the menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup
Opera intermission at the Florian just changed the game! We pre-ordered drinks and dessert and it was ready at a table for us the minute we arrived. Instead of stressfully standing in line for a drink and rushing to finish it like usual, we spent the intermission relaxed and peacefully enjoying drinks and dessert (which was delicious). Won’t do an opera any other way again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Opera intermission at the Florian just changed the game! We pre-ordered drinks and dessert and it was ready at a table for us the minute we arrived. Instead of stressfully standing in line for a drink and rushing to finish it like usual, we spent the intermission relaxed and peacefully enjoying drinks and dessert (which was delicious). Won’t do an opera any other way again!
Restaurantji Recommends
Pleasantly surprised meal with outstanding service and nicely crafted cocktails. I read some previous reviews and had not expected much. I wanted to eat here before a performance and because of the history. Entrance is near the valet stand go in and you show your ticket for the night and you're escorted to the third floor. A small but nicely updated dinning room awaits. A few things to note. When you make reservations you're asked to choose your main from a Prefix menu. Great choices from fish to pasta to a prime rib. I ordered the prime but when I arrived, the bread and the tomato soup was excellent and filled me a bit so I changed my main (not a problem) to a tortellini. Which turned out to be excellent and hit the spot. My husband had the sea bass and it was flaky, moist and cooked very well. The sides were fingerling potatoes and a nice salad. I heard the menu is seasonal so it changes. That evening we started with a complementry Amuse-bouche of a beet panacotta with some nutty tones. This was for the evenings performance of Frankenstein. ( Frankenstein's monster foraging in the forest) . I am a fan of this dining experience and will make this my choice when I attend future performances at the Opera house. One of the other perks is you get preferred entry to the hall in addition you can preselect cocktails and snacks for the intermission and they await you at your table. Super nice to have cocktails and a place to sit. Big shout out to our server Colin who recommended a lovely white for the fish. Did I mention they have an excellent selection of wine by the glass and bottle.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Excellent food and drink option when you are at the Lyric Opera.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Worst food ever, could not believe !
The only reason I am giving ANY stars is because of the service. They were just lovely, very attentive and pleasant. Fom the hostess desk to payment, they attended us very well. Unfortunately, they could not help the food quality. The food, sadly, paled in comparison to the service.The salad was fine, but I preferred to nibble my sons with no dressing than my own that was drowning in it. The wild mushrooms were slathered in truffle oil until it was so overpowering they were inedible. It even overpowered the horseradish for the prime rib. I'm so glad I avoided the truffle risotto. I imagine a bowl of oil and a few grains of rice. The prime rib was covered in sauce, chives and other items, I assume to cover up the mediocre meat quality. My son's quail was a dried little hockey puck, yet I was still concerned it was undercooked. The mashed potatoes had so much butter they were practically soup on the plate. For the amount of money you spend to dine here, it is surprising how little they know of preparing a balanced ingredient entree. Especially when there is an included tip. Over $200 for two people is understandable when you are getting delicious, high-quality food, but not when they are trying to cover up mediocrity with sauce, truffle oil, and butter. The space is nice and of course very convenient, so there is that. The one saving moment was the lemon sorbet at intermission, but it was waiting at the table before we arrived and was melty beyond my preference. I promised my son the next time we attended the opera that I would find a different dining option. As I stated previously, I don't mind spending the money if the food is good, and Chicago has many options with higher quality food at this price. It would definitely be worth the Uber cost to dine elsewhere.
Not comparable with Florian before Covid!! An intermission with desert, already on the table, Gourmet selection, excellent coffee..that is how it was. Wonderful! Classy! Under the new owner The Desserts, only Four, were mediocre -not any good! I’m so disappointed and dissatisfied with my experience two days ago After The Carmen Matinee.
Loading...