TAO Chicago — Restaurant in Chicago

Parking: we did valet for $20 which was for approximately 3hrs. I felt it was a good deal and the longer you stayed the price goes up per hour approximately $25. There was only valet guy so you may have to wait but he was fast for 1 guy.

Service: I had a reservation for 1:30p for endless brunch for 2 this past Sunday. I called a day before out of realization the time posted is until 3p so I was concerned we might not have enough time to take full advantage due to also not really knowing the specific buffet items and size. The lady who answered said the kitchen closes either at 3 or 330p so she thought we would have plenty of time as you can still partake. Cool so day of i call ajar because we are behind and new eta is 1:40p i call at like 1:15p because the site says just let them know and they'll seat you asap. We pull up literally at 1:40p we are done with basket at like 1:45p we check in she says we will be seated asap.

The hosts were polite but not really warm, we ended up waiting almost 30m which to me would have been crucial to know when making my decision regarding keeping the reservation or going some where else.

We had stairwell seating which is at a half circle booth which was really nice considering the other available options. The lighting overall is DIM keep this in mind for your visually needy counterparts. This is also not wheel chair friendly, the decor is tasteful though for sure. Even in the bathrooms. The rest of the dressing is Asian style seating which is very aesthetically pleasing it appeared uncomfortable to others. They are like half couches that appeared low to the ground with a equally measured table do a lot of bending over at the waist to eat.

Floor dressing while traditional table and chairs the floor space is TIGHT.

Server was a young Asian guy who introduced himself and asked us what we wanted to drink. He offered no recommendations and didn't let us know their basic availability on his own. I ordered pepsi no ice and water no ice. My lady got the phoneix drink and a water with ice. I received a Pepsi with ice and my ladies order was correct. He apologized and brought what i requested.

The food was great, didn't try the sushi. Not bc we don't like it but just bc. 5th here aren't any traditional American breakfast items outside of omlets, and a bacon egg and cheese egg roll. Everything else is basically dinner. Didn't try the soup or duck unfortunately. The roast beef or sirloin was flavored well but dry.

Somehow you can and will miss getting a fork at least once. For my neuro divergent people- the forks are uncovered. They only give you the one linen napkin already on the table unless you ask. When i asked our server for napkins he pointed to the linen on the table i guess he didn't think i knew what 1 linen napkin looked like. I said paper napkins not linen. He said yeah he could be would get them from the bar.

Desserts were great in terms of variety. Taste was very good, we don't like macarons and don't really do chocolate fountains which were of the greatest variety.

Overall the food taste was great and maybe because of the premium options like the salmon and pork belly and duck etc. Is what gives the $65 the value and the sushi and oysters of course. But id of prefered like at least waffles or pancake if some sort and warmer service.

We will be trying again at...

Reserved a booth and chocolates for Valentine's Day at a cost of $125. Reservations were at 6pm. Arrived on time but they did not have me on the list. I provided my confirmation email. I was told by the host he was going to take care of us and to wait in the lounge. By 6:30pm no one has checked on us. I check back with the host who repeated the same thing...he will take care of us. By 7pm we were still waiting and no one has checked on us. We were starving, our kids were with the babysitter and we had to work the next day. So we told the bar area server, who was fantastic, that we were willing to stay with her, but I wanted to talk to a manager, because the $125 should be applied to the bill and there should be some other compensation for the inconvenience. The manager never came out but the server stated she spoke with the manager and it was fine. The dinner went well without issue and the server Belle was amazing. However, the bill comes out and the $125 was not applied to the bill. I ask to speak to a manager and a young female approaches. This female had walked by our table numerous times throughout the dinner and never once stopped. Her first words to us was, "since you decided to stay here". I immediately stopped her and told her what happened and do not imply we "decided" to stay here. The manager leaves and returns with the host, and the host then asked, what is the problem. I told the host you should know. We waited an hour and you never checked on us and we did not know when if ever we would be seated after you said you would take care of us. He then informed me that he would refund the $125. I told him that was unacceptable and to apply the $125 to the bill, because I will have to check my statement everyday and if the refund never gets processed then I have to call the restaurant and speak with 10 different people who will have no clue what I am talking about. The female manager then brings out free champagne. I told her I already had my drinks and dinner, and I am ready to leave. What do you want me to do with the drinks? Should I down the drinks and then drive? They then leave and a minute later a gentleman walks up to our table and states, I heard you are being rude and made "one of my girls cry". I said - how? He repeats himself and I stated, I am sorry, who are you and what are you trying to accomplish with that statement? He then asked what is the problem, and I informed him to go speak to the manager. He repeats himself and I repeat myself. He then states he is the manager... although he looked like security. I then state to him if you are the manager then where were you when I asked long ago and just recently. He then gets upset and starts speaking rudely to me and my wife, which was ludicrous since that is why he approached the table. He then asked us to leave "get out of here". So we leave. However, I did ask if I can tip our server, which of course he allowed that. Thankfully I had $40 on me. And that is how the day was ruined. Belle was amazing and needs to find a better establishment to work at. The service and whoever was the manager are not qualified for the job. Chilli's has 1000x better service and people skills than this restaurant...

Went to Tao for my partner's birthday on a Saturday night. We were tickled to see that the restaurant is in the building that used to be Excalibur! The space itself is truly stunning. I would say this is hands-down the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to.

The overall vibe was "different". You definitely feel like you're walking into a very poshe downtown restaurant. The staff at the host stand was nice enough, but by no means warm - a bit different feel than what you'd typically find at say a high-end Chicago steakhouse. There was an air of pretentiousness, but in a way that was fitting for what I believe this restaurant wants to be, which is a trendy, hip place for young, attractive people to hang out at. That overall feel extended to the clientele as well, as I watched lots of very young patrons in clubbing attire filter in throughout the night.

That being said, none of that bothered my partner and I. We're in our 40's and not really concerned with whether or not we're cool enough to eat somewhere. It was fun to watch the scene and see what all the beautiful people are doing on Saturday night.

Our server was pleasant and efficient. I'd say that probably applies to the waitstaff in general . . . very good, but also very unremarkable, service.

Now to the food. We ordered the imperial veggie egg rolls, the shrimp lettuce cups, and the crispy bao buns to start. My partner thought all of these were really good, but I have to say I thought each item was just ok. And that remained the theme for everything else we ordered; my partner thought the food was pretty outstanding, but I wasn't as impressed. The $38 rainbow roll was our next dish, and I'd say that was one of my favorites of the night. Very expensive? Yes. But come on, they have to pay the rent on this place somehow! Next we tried triple pork fried rice, the filet mignon with marrow topping, Chinese broccoli, and the crispy orange chicken. My favorite of these four items was the filet. Not only was the meat excellent, but the flavor was phenomenal. I didn't care for the other items, but that's really down to my own personal palate. The flavors were all just a bit weird to me.

The piece de resistance was the "potted carrot cake" dessert. The entire dessert, including the "pot" and "dirt," was edible, and it was really good.

This place is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something different. If you're not into the cuisine, stop in for some cocktails at the bar and just enjoy the...