Aster Hall — Restaurant in Chicago

Probably one of the most elegant "food courts" I've ever seen. Spread over three floors Aster Hall begins on the ground floor with a "Donut Vault" and espresso bar. Take an elevator up to the fifth floor and you find the main food "vaults". Your order food from an automated kiosk, which is super easy to use. Aster has such a variety of food options, from Texas BBQ, Detroit Style Pizza and Al Pastor Tacos to Japanese Ramen and Sushi. Pay at the kiosk and the screen will tell you where to pick up your meal. It took 4 minutes for my food to come out from order. This was very impressive as I waited in a ten minute line to order (it was during a soft open and food was being given out free. I dont expect lines to normally be this long). The power move from here is to take your food up to the 6th floor where Aster really shines. A lounge area and bar, complete with views of Michigan Ave and the Lake unfolds around you. Grab a glass of wine, a beer or one of their phenomenal cocktails. I tried the Vesper Martini (pictured) and a Whiskey Sour. Both Spectacular! Food was reasonable especially for the neighborhood. Most entrees where around $10 or less. Cocktails averaged $13-14 which I think is a solid deal given the quality, as well as the neighborhood and ambiance of the lounge. They are CREDIT/DEBIT CARD ONLY. No cash makes transactions a little more streamlined especially on the automated kiosks. Overall definitely recommended this place if you're in the neighborhood, at least to enjoy a cocktail...

Second review: We returned one year after our first visit. Appreciated all the same things as on our first visit - easy kiosk ordering and customizing, hand wash station, etc. were very disappointed that the Chocolate Bar was empty with no desserts. Tried a couple new vendors. The shawarma chicken salad was delicious. Was expecting more tabouli but there was very little. Wings were good and the size of the side of rice was substantial. Very clean bathrooms.

First review: We went at lunchtime the first week of January and there were plenty of seats available and no lines at any of the ordering kiosks. Loved being able to make orders for all options at one spot for all members of our family! All of our food was good and we would definitely return when in Chicago again. We tried Lost Lily’s sweet and sour chicken (very hot and fresh, lots of peppers and onions and pineapple with the chicken), the Rotisserie waffle fries (best waffle fries we’ve tried), Aster Sushi (amazing bowl - fresh and great flavors), Small Cheval (tasty and easy to customize), and the Chocolate Bar (giant cookies!). Hand washing station near the seating area is genius! Lots of easily accessible water cups, condiments, napkins...

This is a great concept but horribly run and I sampled a couple of places and. The food was bland. I got a middle eastern salad that was almost entirely parsley and very little tomato, cucumber and onion. The lemon dressing tasted like lemon flavored water. The fried dumplings were deeper fried, I think, because they were extremely hard! Lived all over Asia and never had a dumpling like that. Miso soup was fine tasting but cold. Finally the tie sides are separated. The kiosk machine asks for a tip but you have run from side to side to see if your food is ready???? They have complimentary water but will NOT give you a cup? They say people help themselves to the soda so they don’t give out cups for water??? They take your phone number but do not notify you when the food is ready. A guy tells you number out so you better be by him when he does it no way you’ll know the food is there. Plus if you order from locations on opposite sides you’ll just have to guess. Stupid system and very...