Everest

Reviews 3

GR

Grant Lee

This restaurants touts its “breathtaking views of Chicago” – that is misleading. While there are great views of the city from the restaurant not every table in the restaurant has a view as I sadly discovered. My wife and I recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary there and I was extremely disappointed with the overall experience. I had called ahead and requested a table by the window and informed the hostess that it was our 10th anniversary. She told me that all requests cannot be accommodated but would see what she could do. I didn’t think I had to ask for a table with a view because Everest’s website touts the city views in words and in the pictures. We arrived for our 8 pm reservations a little early. We were promptly escorted to our table. Once seated, I was dismayed to see that we had absolutely no view of the city – none. Instead, I could only see the other patrons (most of whom had views), the bar, and the hostess stand (right next to the entrance/exit). When I asked about the lack of the view, I was told there was nothing the hostess could do about it. When I said I didn’t want to dine here if there was no view (that was a major reason why we chose Everest), I was told I could cancel my reservation but would have to pay a $150 cancellation fee (they require your credit card when you make the reservation and the fee is $75 per person). Okay, disappointed but if there are no open tables, then what could we do and I wasn’t about to throw away $150 for nothing. 10 minutes after we were seated, another couple walked in and was seated at a table with a view. 10 minutes after that, another couple was likewise accommodated. I have no idea what criteria Everest uses to determine who gets a view and who gets the shaft but clearly I was upset that two other couples got a view and we didn’t (and no, it’s not because the tables opened up after we were seated or because someone slipped the hostess some $ - remember, I could see the hostess stand and was watching because I expected these couples to be seated next to us in the section without a view and be similarly disappointed). Now on to the “service”. We sat for about 15 minutes before anyone approached our table. The waitress (Nicole – who was very nice but I don’t know who is to blame for the slow service) wished us a happy 10th anniversary (the only recognition we received). The pacing was very slow and my water glass sat empty for long periods of time. All told, we were at the restaurant for 3.5 hours, which would’ve been okay maybe for the 7 course meal but way too long for a 4 course meal, especially when we didn’t have any city views to enjoy. Add to that the fact that the benches we were seated on aren’t that comfortable (my wife had to stand up to stretch a few times because her legs were hurting and butt falling asleep) and it makes for a long night. In the end, 3.5 hours and $700 later, we left the restaurant. While the food somewhat made up for the lack of view and slow service for my wife (thus the 2 stars), I definitely couldn’t say the same given the shells in the lobster, the over salted side to the duck entrée, and the mismatched dessert. I definitely won’t be going back to Everest. Sadly, this is the second Lettuce Entertain You restaurant that has failed to live up to expectations on an anniversary. I don’t think I can trust another Lettuce restaurant for any future important anniversaries given how they’re already 0 for 2.

CH

Chirag Bansal

Ive been to the best Michelin starred restaurants in the world and this doesnt really compare. Me and a friend went to eat here today and for the most part the experience left me in particular unimpressed. Ive been in the fine foods industry for about 5 years now and Ive been hired to review tasting menus for other restaurants around the world. Everest though in a beautiful location leaves much to be desired and has me wondering if the Michelin Guide was misplaced when awarding this place a star. Although the food was creatively prepared which is normally the case in these types of places it was by no means astounding or even remotely memorable. There werent any particular dishes that really stood out and made me say yes this reminds me of France. The cheese was never more than 4 months old and the zinfandel we ordered had a misprinted date on the menu. The zinfandel being from 2012 should have not even been on the menu as it was quite young on the palate and most definitely should have been aged at least another 2-3 years. Dishes overall were so so in flavor and even after making specific requests to the dishes they were not met. The sugar in the desert was abnormally high for a French restaurant and the bread was not served fresh. The salmon was fresh and tasted good as well as the farm fresh eggs but again nothing that said hey come back here again to try this! The duck was very raw and hard to chew, surprising because thats what they were known for. Phil Patel a food critic in Chicago gave raving reviews about this place but I think the high praise shows a true lack of understanding for a true Michelin dining experience. Especially as my own waiter said "excuse us were having a sloppy day." Almost unheard of in a Michelin starred restaurant and yet he seemed to be comfortable with saying such a obscure thing. Our waitress and chefs knew nothing of the origin of the ingredients and after $400+ Bill for 2 people I can hardly say its justified. Mediocrity that was on display tonight should never be seen at this level of supposed mastery. I for one will never come back here again unless some dramatic changes are made. As I explore other places in Chicago I worry the city is not up to par to NY standards. Despite this my love for food forces me to try the best available. That doesnt mean it will always be at a Michelin star restaurant but my disappointment tonight is a stark reminder of how labels dont necessarily represent the expected quality.

ST

Stephanie Leopold

Ugh, this might be the most disappointing restaurant that I have ate at in awhile. So I was really excited to check out the "hidden gem" of Chicago. First, the place is almost impossible to find unless you have looked up exactly where to go to park and get to the restaurant. Its free valet in the one financial place building and then you take an elevator to first floor, then an elevator to the 39th floor and then a separate elevator to the 40th...walk down a hallway and finally you have arrived. We stood at the front for about 5 minutes before anyone greeted us. Not starting off well. The host brought us to our table and finally offered to take my coat...I guess we missed the coat check on the way up to the restaurant that was on the other side of the elevators??? The restaurant was not at all what I expected. It was really bright, loud, not romantic at all and we definitely didnt see the view that everyone else boasts about. Moreover, it was an older crowd...much older...which is fine, except that I felt that we were looked at funny and everyone seemed super pretentious?!?!?!???? The service was horrible. We sat and waited for about 15 minutes for our server. Finally got our drink order. Then another person gave us menus but never explained anything. Drinks came and mine was wrong. I requested a lemon and they put a lime. I asked for a straw and it took about 4 minutes for someone to bring me one. Now, I know this all sounds a bit crazy, but when you are dropping $400 on dinner, you expect excellent service...nope, not by a long shot. Oh and at the end of the night, we sat with dirty dishes, empty glasses for about 15-20 minutes. It was so bad that my husband actually got up and had to ask someone to bring the check??? The food was meh at best. Maine lobster and the first amuse bouche was amazing. Everything else fell way short. Sole was cold and flavorless. NY strip steak was tasteless, cooked improperly and they sliced it prior to bringing it to us??? Gnocchi was fried and tasted a notch above tater tots. Dessert left much to be desired. Oh and when I picked up my coat at the coat check, we received a free book all in French about wines. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. Shotty service, mediocre food, ridiculous prices...dont waste your time here. Probably the worst "fine dining" establishment I have been to.