Reunion — Oprah’s Personal Chef’s New Spot… What a Letdown

Two weeks ago, after watching The Notebook musical at Navy Pier, we decided to try Reunion — the new Southern comfort food spot by Oprah’s longtime personal chef, Art Smith. I figured even if it wasn’t amazing, it’d still be decent. I was wrong. 🍗 The server-recommended fried chicken arrived lukewarm — a drumstick, wing, and a huge breast. The breast was bland and dry inside, and the mashed potatoes came with celery bits (since when??). 🍤 Fried okra — whole pods, barely seasoned, with a soft, soggy coating (nothing like Gus’s crispy version). 🥩 The only okay dish: short ribs — fine but nothing special. The baby broccoli was practically raw. 🥬 Braised kale — tasted weirdly medicinal. 😤 The service was just as messy. Two servers argued in front of us about who should take our order. Later, they almost served us unordered fried catfish. For a not-even-busy restaurant, that’s just sloppy. Overall, another reminder: Navy Pier restaurants are tourist traps. Skip if you can. But seriously — is this what Oprah’s personal chef serves? Lukewarm fried chicken? 🧐 Reunion: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 #ChicagoEats #ReunionChicago #SouthernFood #NavyPier #TouristTrap #Disappointing