Tortoise Supper Club — Restaurant in Chicago

Our evening here started off promising, but slid downhill quickly. The hosts greeted us warmly, we got seated right away, and the Jazz ensemble and interior were lovely.

We were a table of 3, seated in the center of the room between two large parties who were having a wonderful time and receiving excellent service from their servers, who were warmly interacting with them and regularly looping around the room to anticipate their needs. The table behind us was extremely loud, but they were having a good time; so we tried not to let it bother us.

Our server warned us they were out of the prime rib, and came back in a timely manner to take our order, where we found out they were also out of the beef wellington, so some in our party had to pivot twice on their order.

After the order was taken and we received our cocktails, our servers more or less disappeared. They did not appear overwhelmed or overly busy, just disinterested. I believe we were their last assigned table for the night.

Our front waiter was rarely in the room, and frequently came in from the bar, or stood up front with a manager. Our back waiter was more preoccupied with resetting tables and helping out with one of the large parties to remember we existed.

I ordered lobster bisque and wasn’t offered ground pepper (and there was none on the table) so we had to wait for our servers to come back in the room and flag them down after roughly 10 minutes to ask. The soup was flavorful and had lots of meat, but it tasted “fishy” at first and was very thin for a bisque. There was also a 2 inch bone in my soup.

We paid for the fancy bread, but my plate was swept away with my last bite still on it when the entrees came.

The entrees were delivered and that’s almost the last we saw of our servers. Again, we weren’t offered fresh pepper, which I wanted for my mashed potatoes, and had to wait until our servers came back to check on us to ask for it. The potatoes were otherwise flavorless.

My mom also only had water to drink, and both she and I ran out of water less than half way into our entrees (We tried making eye contact and gesturing to our back waiter and other servers who were standing off to the side near the parties around us, but were ignored)

To avoid making this review any longer, in short: • They were out of two entrees • We had to ask for pepper, twice • There was a large bone in my soup • We were without water for most of our entree and had to ask for refills, twice • My Bees Knees cocktail was delicious at first and a great size, but something caused it to become so sour throughout the meal I couldn’t finish it. • No one asked if we wanted another round of drinks (2 of us did), or why I left my first cocktail only half finished. • We were not offered boxes, even though we all had leftover food. • When the other small table next to us left, that table was completely broken down and cleared out of the room within inches of my aunt, which was distracting and disrupted the fine dining atmosphere • As we waited for our server to come back to take our cards, another back waiter noticed our plates hadn’t been cleared and was kind enough to clear them out • When I used the restroom, it was a mess. There were multiple rolls of toilet paper on the floor in the two open stalls, and several paper towels on the floor around the sink and water all over the counter. • Despite several managers and head servers on the floor, no one came by to ask how our meal was going.

All in all, we came into what felt like it was supposed to be a fine dining experience, based on the atmosphere, the service structure, the menu items, and the menu prices. We had plenty of time to observe the parties and other tables around us receive top notch service but left feeling disappointed and like we’d grossly overpaid for the food and experience we received.

It’s clear our experience was not the norm, and perhaps our servers were new, or having an off night, but it was enough to dampen our last evening in the city, and we will not be coming back on future...

As a regular at Tortoise Supper Club in Chicago, I cannot recommend it enough. This iconic establishment has become my go-to destination for exceptional dining experiences and has consistently exceeded my expectations.

First and foremost, the ambiance at Tortoise Supper Club is unparalleled. From the moment you walk through the doors, you are transported to a swanky, jazz era vibe. The candlelit dining room, with its rich wood accents and cozy leather booths, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. It's like stepping into a time capsule where every detail has been meticulously curated to capture the essence of a classic American supper club. In addition, they just recently renovated their dining room with a beautiful hand-painted mural featuring swanky drawings.

The menu at Tortoise Supper Club is a treasure trove of culinary delights. From the perfectly aged steaks to the freshest seafood, each dish is crafted with precision and care. As a regular, I have had the opportunity to explore the extensive menu, and I can confidently say that everything I have tried has been outstanding. The steaks, cooked to perfection, are always a highlight. My fiancé and I especially enjoy the Prime Rib, which is the best in Chicago! Another favorite is the Chilean Sea Bass, which is bursting with flavor. The attention to detail in the preparation and presentation of each dish is evident, and the quality of the ingredients shines through with every bite.

What truly sets Tortoise Supper Club apart is its exceptional service. The staff, many of whom I have come to know over my visits, feel like family. Their genuine warmth, attentiveness, and professionalism make each visit feel like a special occasion. From the moment you are greeted at the door to the final farewell, you are treated with the utmost care and respect. The servers are incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and always offer helpful recommendations, ensuring that every dining experience is tailored to your preferences.

The bar at Tortoise Supper Club is equally impressive. The skilled mixologists create cocktails that are masterpieces in themselves. Whether you're in the mood for a “Martini Your Way” or a creative concoction, the bartenders deliver with precision and flair. Their attention to detail elevates the overall dining experience.

In addition to the outstanding food and service, Tortoise Supper Club offers a range of special events and live entertainment that add a touch of excitement and charm to the evenings. From live jazz performances to themed dinner nights, there is always something new and delightful to experience. In addition, Tortoise Supper Club is the best place to host a private event in Chicago. Your guests will love it.

In conclusion, as a regular at Tortoise Supper Club, I can confidently say that it is an exemplary dining destination in Chicago. The timeless ambiance, exceptional cuisine, and impeccable service make every visit a memorable one. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an extraordinary dining experience, Tortoise Supper Club delivers on all fronts. It has become my second home, and I cannot recommend it...

Went to Tortoise for the 1st, ambiance was good, the low dimmed lighting needs to be improved because u really cannot see the menu, waiter was nice needs to work on his tack, attitude and customer service skills, I ordered the salad wedge I got a regular salad it needs more dressing seemed lack luster, my main was the Dover Sole Meunière apparently when i asked the waiter how was the Sole Meunière he looked at me and said oh the salmon is good I said no the Dover Sole and then he was ok yea its good, seriously I had Sole Meunière in some of the best French Restaurants in France and in New York, and I never needed to say Dover Sole, it was 4 thin and I mean thin strips of Dover sole sitting on a very watered down lemon butter parsley sauce emphasis on the watered down, it’s disappointing when a simple butter sauce is ruined and the asparagus was alright nothing exciting the Bernaise Sauce was simple maybe I’m spoiled but the Sole shouldn’t have any bones especially since u r removing the filets off the carcass of the sole in 2 steps u slice the fish down the middle and remove the filets and then u should easily remove the skeleton from the remainder of the fish but at last I had bones mentioned it to waiter and he was not pleased. Now my buddy ordered the Prime Rib which was kept warm but a thick Au jus sauce the prime rib was cold to the touch and salty told the waiter and man the attitude was just hilarious with him, he brought out a second plate and this time it was worst than the first time my buddy said he was done, this waiter proceeded to bring the same Prime Rib with more Au jus lol the mash potatoes again nothing special the drinks where good the chocolate martinis was very chocolaty and strong, Cherry Pie was nothing special burnt crust and now I see why they dim the lights so low, to hide the mistake. I really wanted to love this place, seriously even the name is amazing and they have a tortoise in the waiting area which was cute but I feel he needs to be front and center, no manager came to the table the waiter removed the Prime Rib and said please accept a free dessert, most restaurants a member of management would’ve walked over and apologized and chatted but I feel like the waiter probably didn’t bother to inform the managers. Especially with bones still residing in my Dover Sole could’ve choked on those bones but our waiter didn’t care his lovely attitude was just so amazing when he came over and I informed him that my buddy didn’t even eat the sides he ordered just the salad and drink is all he had. He was upset because he had to remove them from the bill, Dinner a failure. Would i come back probably not and I really wanted to come and...