Truth Be Told — Restaurant in Hyde Park Township

Our dinner experience on Valentine’s Day night was poor and disappointing. Arriving at the restaurant and being seated were fine. The host took us (3 of us) to our table right away and as he was dropping off the menu, he recognized he had the wrong menu (he mentioned this) and went back to the host stand to get the Standard Menus. As we were sitting, we noticed there was a counter with a large pile of unfolded napkins sitting right near us. Not very welcoming, for a restaurant of this type but rather something I’d expect in a family owned restaurant, tucked away in a neighborhood.

After some time had passed, the waiter came around to at least acknowledge us. A little later, he brought out a complimentary oyster dish that was barely warm. Mind you there were also only two place settings for the table and it took a minute before I could ask for another one. Even longer passed before he came back around to take our orders. After we started to share our order, he said that we could not order off the Standard Menu and we needed to order off the Valentine’s Menu. I shared with him the message you sent to me, but he insisted the other menu was not available. He went to talk to the host and they deliberate just over by the kitchen, which was right behind us. After several minutes he came back and mentioned we had to order off the Valentine’s Menu. Ordering off the menu was very confusing and perhaps he wasn’t explaining how it worked.

Appetizers came out in relatively short order. Still no plates though so had to wait for someone to come around where I could ask for some. Also, they kept ignoring the fact there were three of us at the table and only brought back two plates. Salads also came out in a timely fashion after the appetizer, so no issues there. Entree came out and was very underwhelming and disappointing. Sauce on the tenderloin was over-salted. The meal was more reflective on a single dish at most restaurants around town rather than a shared dish. Again, no clean plates without request. Into the entree, my wife and I ordered the Apple Cider Margarita and the Uncle Nearest Old Fashion. These drinks never came by the end of our meal, and we ended up informing our waiter to cancel them. He was surprised we never got them, which is interesting because he brought out drinks to the table behind us and was really the only waiter in our side of the restaurant. He mentioned the bar was missing a lot of orders that night. Dessert came out (shared chocolate cake) which was huge (that’s a good thing). Clean plates still an issue and needed to request it. Cake was cold; very firm to the touch.

Throughout the dinner, the kitchen was doing their thing by calling out orders. The turnoff though was that the chef was constantly complaining about the orders coming in, from both menus! Essentially, the restaurant was still taking orders off the Standard Menu, you just had to be seated on the bar side. The chef was making comments to the staff that he was going to write a long email about the menu issues all while continually complaining very loudly.

The waiter throughout the night was very nice, and possibly just understaffed as there was a lot of waiting. Dinner for the three of us took just over 2 hours, and where were several empty tables, so it was not extraordinarily busy. I did not short him on a tip, but overall our meal and dining experience was nowhere near the cost of the meal! For that same amount, there are plenty of more upscale restaurants and dining experiences available; even on Valentine’s Day. I felt the restaurant forced me to order from the Prix Fixe menu when there were clearly others ordering from the standard menu. The up-charge for the menu didn’t seem to align with the meal or the experience, and most of the meal felt designed for one on a normal day. For the few quality restaurants in the Hyde Park neighborhood, we were extremely disappointed with our meal at Truth Be Told and do not intend on returning or referring...

Truth Be Told is a hidden gem of a restaurant that left me utterly captivated with its exceptional menu and culinary prowess. From the moment I stepped foot into this gastronomic haven, I knew I was in for an extraordinary dining experience.

My journey began with the Tandoori Roast Chicken, a dish that perfectly exemplified the mastery of flavors at Truth Be Told. The chicken, marinated to perfection with aromatic spices, emerged from the tandoor oven with a tantalizing smoky essence. Each bite revealed tender, succulent meat that melted in my mouth, leaving me yearning for more.

Next, I ventured into the realm of seafood and indulged in the Mussels Tikka Masala. Served in a delightful coconut broth that boasted a harmonious blend of flavors, the plump mussels were a true delight. The vibrant lime and cilantro added a refreshing zest, while the grilled naan bread provided the perfect vessel for savoring every last drop of the luscious sauce. It was a symphony of tastes that danced on my palate with every bite.

However, the highlight of my culinary expedition was the Slow Roast Pork Belly. This dish was a masterpiece of culinary artistry. The pork belly, cooked to a heavenly level of tenderness, boasted a crispy crackling exterior that unleashed a symphony of textures. The accompanying sauce, with its delicate balance of sweet and savory notes, elevated the dish to extraordinary heights. Each bite was a revelation, a harmonious blend of flavors that left an indelible impression on my taste buds.

The dedication to quality and attention to detail that Truth Be Told demonstrates in their dishes is truly commendable. From the impeccable execution of traditional flavors to the inventive and masterful combinations, this restaurant has undoubtedly carved its place among the culinary elite.

In addition to the remarkable flavors, the ambiance of Truth Be Told was enchanting. The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with attentive and knowledgeable staff, created an experience that was both comfortable and refined.

If you're seeking a dining adventure that will transport you to the realm of culinary excellence, Truth Be Told is an absolute must-visit. Prepare to embark on a captivating journey of flavors that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a craving for more.

Thanks to Ana Belaval, from WGN, that put me onto the...

Adjoining the Study Hotel on the campus of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park is a restaurant named Truth Be Told (“TBT”). Our recent visit was deeply disappointing. Upon arrival, there was no greeter and no clear view of the dining room, leading to an awkward and unnecessary wait. Service was extremely slow—25 minutes for water, over an hour for food, and long delays for both black coffee (15 minutes) and a cappuccino (20 minutes). The open kitchen revealed chefs without hairnets, raising concerns about hygiene.

Most disturbing was the loud obnoxious waitress, who adopted a performative, stereotyped persona with us as a Black couple—behavior she noticeably toned down when serving the white woman next to us. Her inappropriate comments about her “Black baby daddy” were offensive and unprofessional — no kidding she thought it was okay to chat us up like that!

There was a positive— Spinach & English Cheddar Quiche: Egg Custard, spinach, English cheddar cheese, shallot, garlic, served with a mixed green salad. The pastry puff the quiche was prepared in was a huge surprise (not described on the menu) and it made for an outstanding unique quiche, but also resulted in an hour long wait for our meal. Our waitress did not think to tell us the dish took an hour to prepare when we ordered it. When it was finally ready the other routine breakfast had not been prepared! (“Study Breakfast” — Two eggs, sausage, home fries, wheat toast). Even when they finally brought the food out it was short the side of bacon that I ordered! The oysters were served with a magnificent pickled beetroot and champagne mignonette, but were tiny in size and definitely not worth $5 an oyster! BTW $5 for a cup of simple black coffee is downtown prices — $2.95 at Salonica’s a few blocks away!

Jasmine Y. “Very disappointing experience,” Elaine H. “Slow service,” and MATT T. “Our dinner experience … was poor and disappointing” all describe my experience which is in stark contrast to that of one reviewer who stated that he can’t say enough about his positive experience at TBT. I will not likely return for breakfast—maybe a...