The Lobby at The Peninsula - 8/24/13

Okay....

Let me tell you a secret.

One of the best restaurants in Chicago is located in a hotel lobby.   Literally.    Now, it's The Peninsula lobby, a comically expensive hotel...go ahead, check out their site, look up room prices for a night and tell me you didn't think "did I accidentally ask for a week?   Nope, that's the one night rate!  

Anyway, here's the funny thing.....that place?   Its restaurant is among the top bargains of Chicago fine dining!   Seriously.

The tasting menu is slightly different than many places in that it's not set - you can give input.   The sole request we gave was that one course had sweetbreads......

Amuse bouche

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Bread service

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Salad #1 - featuring summer squash

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Salad #2 - featuring artichoke

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Foie gras

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Gnocchi

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Grilled octopus

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Sweebreads

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Lamb!

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Palate cleanser of lemon sorbet and passionfruit gel

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Cheesecake ice cream, roasted peach, granola, almond cake

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Chocolate and and chocolate with some more chocolate

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You may not be able to tell, but the amount of food here was.....substantial.  The photos do none of these dishes justice, but you get the idea.

If I was forced to create a list of "favorite places" - there are an array of factors....quality of food and service, value for what you get, and my desire to return.     I don't have a #1 place and a #2 place...I have a group of three or four "these are the best in Chicago" - and The Lobby is there.   Amazing all around.