It was about a year ago we were there, but I still get a sour taste in my mouth from my experience at Tru. The service was the absolute Pits. It took three hours for a three course meal. And most of that time was spent looking for our waiter or signalling over the bread guy, because we were starving. Not only that, but they sized us up immediately as "riff raff," I guess, because we were seated at a tiny table right in front of the door leading to the kitchen, waiters slamming in and out constantly -- not ours, of course. He must have been on his three-hour break. And then at one point they brought us one of those "special" appetizers that the chef was trying out. It was these frozen popsicle things that were meat-flavored or veggie-flavored or something like that. I just remember us looking at each other in disbelief that anyone could possibly find these tasty. And to tell you the truth, the meal was nothing special -- but it certainly was priced as if it was. We'll stick with Everest, Mon Ami Gabi, Le Titi, and Lou Malnati's, thanks.

Three waiters poured water from carafs into our glasses precisely in unison and repeated the motion for the remaining three in our party. That was only the beginning. The meal was beyond anything I had ever experienced. A cross between theater and dining I couldn't possibly have asked for better service. Each dish brought new, bizarre, and tantalizing flavors, which can not be communicated in words. If you are ever given the opportunity to dine at Tru drop all other plans, put your life on hold and savor the moment!

The service, ambiance, food are all better than Trotters. I felt like Trotters was stuffy and the service arrogant, very "old world" service. Not so with Tru. It's a much more modern elegant place and the food was phenominal. Try the caviar staircase, with champagne, it is awesome.

We visited Chicago's Tru restaurant in June 2006 as part of a family vacation. We are a little jaded with respect to restaurants, being from the SF Bay Area. I was a bit worried that my son and husband would balk at wearing a jacket on what was supposed to be a casual, relaxing summer trip. But, this was a special occasion restaurant for my husband, myself and our two teenage kids, who appreciate good food, and they packed accordingly. (We had booked ahead online).
We were absolutely blown away by the service and quality of the food. Though we dine out regularly at good (mostly smaller chef-owned) restaurants, a fancy, quiet restaurant wihere there are few children could have been intimidating. The staff at Tru made us very comfortable from the beginning. We couldn't decide between the three or the five course meal, but were more than satisfied with the three course, which actually turned into nearly twelve courses including all the extra bread, dessert and amuse bouche offerings. I picked this place because I enjoy watching Gale Gand, one of the owners, on the Food Network channel.
The mini-root beer floats and cookie and chocolate "courses" AFTER dessert were just amazing. They even gave our kids four bottles of private label root beer to take home. Being a "foodie" and accomplished home cook myself, I was very excited and honored to be asked if we wanted to see the kitchen as we were leaving.