I’ve been to a lot of vegan restaurants, but PLANTA is by far one of my favorites. I ate dinner there with my husband last night. My husband is not a vegan like I am, but he still had an amazing experience and thoroughly enjoyed the food. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was effortlessly chic. The atmosphere was posh, modern, and vibrant, yet also warm and welcoming. The service was impeccable, making both of us feel valued and attended to throughout the entire evening.
The menu was a masterpiece of innovation. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing not only high-quality, fresh ingredients but also an unparalleled level of creativity. The plating was stunning. Each dish arrived looking like a work of art. More importantly, the flavors lived up to the presentation. Everything was cooked to perfection, with bold, exciting flavors that highlighted just how dynamic and diverse plant-based cuisine can be. Even my husband, who typically prefers non-vegan options, was blown away by the depth and richness of every bite.
A major highlight for me was PLANTA’s incredible cocktail and mocktail menu. As a sober person, I was thoroughly impressed by the mocktail selections. It’s rare for a restaurant to put so much thought into non-alcoholic drinks. These mocktails weren’t just afterthoughts, they were carefully curated, complex, and exciting drinks that stood on their own. The variety ensured that everyone, regardless of their drinking preferences, could enjoy a sophisticated beverage alongside their meal.
Beyond the exquisite flavors, PLANTA truly prioritized inclusivity when it came to dietary needs. They offered ample gluten-free and allergy-friendly options, including dishes free from cross-contamination, making it a fantastic choice for those with food allergies or sensitivities. It’s not often that a restaurant so seamlessly blends culinary artistry with thoughtful accommodations, but PLANTA did exactly that.
Whether you’re vegan or not, this restaurant is a must-visit. The creativity, quality, and execution made it a standout in Chicago’s dining scene. PLANTA wasn’t just a great vegan restaurant, it was an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to return the next time...
Read moreThe food was great, but the service was absolutely terrible. I went to Planta Queen on a Monday night in a group of 4. Our reservation was for 7:15pm and we were celebrating a special occasion. We arrived on time and the entrance was completely packed/overflowing with parties waiting to be seated. The host stand seemed very overwhelmed. We stood waiting for our table for over 30 minutes. My friend checked in twice over this time and was told each time that "tables were being bussed." No one was offered an apology, complimentary drinks, or any consideration while they waited. I am sure the support staff was doing what they could to get everyone seated, but it was clear management dropped the ball. After some more time, I finally went to speak to the host and said that we'd like to know if we were going to be seated, otherwise we'd just go somewhere else. They finally seated us and we placed our full order, drinks to mains. They brought out our drinks and the first 5 out of our 7 dishes relatively quickly. Around 20 minutes after finishing the first 5 dishes, our server asked if we were ready for the check. We explained we were missing 2 dishes and he went to check on them. Our server came back and said they forgot those dishes and one of them wasn't even available to begin with. We subbed the unavailable dish and the 2 remaining dishes were brought out. Again, we waited several minutes after we finished our food, this time for the celebratory dessert which we checked in with the server about beforehand. By this time, we had been there for over 2 hours and just wanted to go home, as it was clear the dessert had been forgotten. We got the check and saw they had comped the 2 forgotten dishes, but it was far too little, far far too late. Everyone left very disappointed, which is a shame because the food was quite good. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this venue to someone at the moment, as the lousy service completely overshadowed anything good the restaurant has going for it. Judging from other reviews and what fellow guests had to say at the restaurant, I think management needs to reevaluate how they are handling reservations and their...
Read moreI discovered Planta Queen in NYC 2 years ago. Our meal was so delicious, we went back multiple times and again last year and were always impressed. I have also visited Planta Queen in Toronto and was impressed there as well. But something about this Chicago location just doesn't do it. I've tried out this location 4x and it's consistently hit or miss. The smaller plates tend to be incredible, at least i thought that until my last visit. I've had the torched and pressed, the eggplant nigiri, the baked crab and the dragon roll. The torched and pressed was phenomenal, the eggplant Nigiri was excellent the first time i had it but not the second, dragon roll was great, and the baked crab left something to be desired especially for the price. I have also enjoyed the queen Caesar, the Japanese sweet potato, and the gyoza. The sweet corn dumplings and the 1000 layer potatoes were just okay. We have noticed that the entrees are always the most underwhelming dish - the worst we had was the General D's Cauliflower. For a vegan restaurant at the caliber of Planta Queen, I was shocked to find raw tofu chunks in this dish. Terrible watery texture and zero flavor. I would expect something like that in a cheap Chinese restaurant, but Planta Queen, really?! I was super excited to finally get to this Planta Queen location for brunch, as that's what made us fall in love with Planta Queen in NYC. We went yesterday and it was our final let down that told us that we won't be eating at Planta Queen Chicago again. I can't speak at length about the service, as I've only ever been seated at the bar. Even when I went at like 4pm on a Tuesday. Maybe this is my fault because I've never made a reservation, but I also never needed one in NYC or Toronto to be seated at a table and receive excellent service. Every time except once, being seated at the bar I felt like an after thought (maybe that's what you're signing up for being seated at the bar??). We recently went to the vegan restaurant Bloom in Chicago, and decided that Bloom will be replacing Planta Queen for us. I'm sad to say it, but I gave Planta Queen many chances and can't take...
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