Charlie Trotter's Reviews (Chicago, Illinois)

Great Meal at One of Chicago's Top Restaurants

Calgary, Alberta

June 12, 2009

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo We had two special dinners planned at two of Chicago’s most highly regarded restaurants. The first we visited was Charlie Trotter’s. Our reservation was made online.We were running late and did not have enough time to walk to the restaurant as we ...Read more We had two special dinners planned at two of Chicago’s most highly regarded restaurants. The first we visited was Charlie Trotter’s. Our reservation was made online.

We were running late and did not have enough time to walk to the restaurant as we had planned, so hopped into a cab for the short ride in the Lincoln Park area. The cabbie seemed to know where we were going and dropped us outside a small two story building with no apparent signs even indicating we were at a restaurant. A valet led us up a small flight of stairs and on the door, not visible from the sidewalk, was the name of the restaurant.

We were led inside to what looked like a bar, but completely unoccupied, then immediately through a dining area, also unoccupied, and up a narrow steep staircase to a diningroom. They ask that men wear jackets and most of the diners were quite well dressed, many men in suit and tie, and notably more men than women. The room was comfortable but not particularly memorable. Natural light and white table cloths gave it a light feel.

We were presented with the menu which had two pre-fixe choices, the vegetarian menu and the grand degustation menu. While my DH contemplated ordering a Scotch whisky, the discovery there was only one choice and it was $150 led to our starting with a glass of champagne and kir royale. We opted for the degustation menu and wine pairings.

We found the courses and wines extremely interesting with unusual and unexpected combinations. Service was impeccable although I sometimes had trouble hearing the description and had to ask questions to clarify. Our server promised we would get a copy of the menu but somehow we did not.

We started with an oyster and wasabi, which was what sold me on this menu. It was lovely and tasted of the ocean with the surprise of a pickled radish as part of the taste. Wine was Jean Lallement "Grand Cru-Reserve" Brut NV. This was followed by freshwater eel with cilantro, roasted banana, soy and hazelnuts, with Grosset "Polish Hill" Riesling, Clare Valley 2007. The rest of the menu: Scottish Salmon Confit with Rose & Black Tea, with Condrieu "Les Cassines" Jaboulet 2005; Roasted Duck Breast with Kumquats, Wild Licorice, Szechuan Peppercorns & Duck Gizzards, with Davis Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2006; Salt-Crusted Veal Loin with Oregon Morel Mushrooms, Fermented Black Garlic & Thyme, with Ribera del Duero "Tinto Pesquera-Crianza" Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez 2005; Red Shiso Sorbet with Mango & Grains of Paradise;Poached Quince with Sesame Ice Cream & Rosemary Shortbread, with Tokaji-Aszu "5 Puttonyos" Chateau Pazjos 1999; Oloroso Sherry-Raisin Ice Cream with Chocolate Cotton Cake, Dried Plums & Ennis Hazelnuts, with Bodegas Castano "Dulce" Monastrell, Yecla 2005.

I was comfortably full at the end of our meal and quite pleased by the experience. It was very expensive, over $700, at least the gratuity was included. I would have rated it more highly if we had not gone to Alinea two nights later for an even more incredible meal. Close

From journal Four Days of Chicago Delights

It Doesn't Get Any Better

by Havana626

Havana, Illinois

March 27, 2009

Email
Print

I can not expand upon the current reviews other than to echo that the quality of the food, the quality of the service, and the quality of the environment are unsurpassed.

Charlie Trotter's Menu

by Chicago_Dave

Chicago, Illinois

July 18, 2006

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo Menu from Spring, 2006 (with wine accompaniment)Amuse Gueule (Gaston Chiquet “Tradition” Brut NV)An “amuse gueule” (or “amuse bouche”) is a small morsel, compliments of the kitchen, meant to start the meal with a unique and pleasing-to-the-eye ...Read more

From journal More Chicago Dining

Charlie Trotter's

by Chicago_Dave

Chicago, Illinois

July 18, 2006

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo Charlie Trotter’s namesake restaurant is consistently rated one of the top eateries in the United States, and with good reason. Relative newcomers such as Alinea and Moto (whose chefs spent some time in Charlie’s kitchen) feature far more flamboyant ...Read more Charlie Trotter’s namesake restaurant is consistently rated one of the top eateries in the United States, and with good reason. Relative newcomers such as Alinea and Moto (whose chefs spent some time in Charlie’s kitchen) feature far more flamboyant dishes. However, the presentation, service, and creativity in the kitchen at Charlie Trotter’s remain very strong.

Charlie Trotter’s has always been focused on tapping into local and regional suppliers, to ensure freshness. At the same time, the grand menu will include seafood (no oceans near Chicago of course), so the kitchen pulls together food from just about everywhere.

The kitchen serves two different degustation menus: the vegetarian menu and the grand menu. The grand menu includes seafood and meat courses, while obviously the vegetarian does not. The wait staff will ask about any food allergies or preferences, and they will modify the menu somewhat if required.

As of early 2006, the grand menu was $145, the wine accompaniment was $85 (the vegetable menu would be slightly less). The accompanying review has a course-by-course description, with personal comments, of the grand menu for the day we visited. This review provides an overview of the entire Trotter “experience.”

The restaurant is in an old “three-flat” apartment building, so there are multiple dining rooms in the restaurant, on multiple floors. There is no elevator, so when making reservations let them know if anyone in your party has difficulty getting up or down a flight of stairs. Each dining room holds fewer than ten tables or so, which provides a nice intimate setting. You enter on the first floor, into a foyer with a small bar (in numerous visits I have yet to see anyone actually have a drink at the bar). There is one dining room on the first floor, along with the kitchen. You will likely be invited to take a quick tour of the kitchen, perhaps by Charlie Trotter’s mother, who serves as a “maitre’d emeritus.” Some wines are stored here, along with their cheese cellar. A second kitchen and dining table, used for Charlie Trotter’s PBS television show, is also located on the first floor.

The décor in each room is simple and uncluttered, with wainscoted walls in light yellow or cream. A flower vase may decorate a serving station. The walls, in general, are unadorned. Some areas of the restaurant have signed menus from special events hosted by or attended by Charlie Trotter. One interesting item is the Multiple Listing Service real-estate listing for the building...a nice piece of history.

Their website is www.charlietrotters.com, which also has information on Trotter’s To Go, a take-out restaurant in Lincoln Park, and his line of gourmet food gifts. Close

From journal More Chicago Dining

Charlie Trotter's

by ext212

New York, New York

December 22, 2005

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo We were an hour late for our dinner at Charlie Trotter’s because it started to snow, and cabs were hard to come by. The staff nonetheless was very accommodating and seated us with no problems when we finally arrived. They told us to sit down and ...Read more

From journal Trottin' Chicago with a Full Stomach

IgoUgo

Charlie Trotter's

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

Great Meal at One of Chicago's Top Restaurants

It Doesn't Get Any Better

Charlie Trotter's Menu

Charlie Trotter's

Charlie Trotter's

Charlie Trotter's

What's Nearby?

Nearby Restaurants

Popular Chicago Hotels

Chicago American Restaurants

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

Great Meal at One of Chicago's Top Restaurants

It Doesn't Get Any Better

Charlie Trotter's Menu

Charlie Trotter's

Charlie Trotter's