Atmosphere review insights for Illinois, United States, Restaurants

Awful service, preferential treatment to other guests, got our order wrong multiple times, highly disorganized and unprofessional staff. Horrible, loud ambiance as well, with terrible seating. Every time someone opens the front door you get blasted with an arctic breeze.

Dated interior, standard out of the can soups and flavor.

First time staying in the Congress, and we were looking for a nice, quick bite before our show at the Auditorium Theatre. We ordered the hummus appetizer, a chicken Caesar salad, and the New York strip. The best part of the meal was the hummus appetizer. The Caesar dressing was “yucky” (real life quote), although the chicken itself was okay. The steak was cooked as ordered (medium), but was served with the most bland blanched broccoli I’ve ever gotten at a sit-down restaurant. The bottomless broccoli served at Red Robin is better. My steak was served with “au jus” that was a small, plastic ramekin filled with a grey, congealed mass—if that’s their au jus, I’d hate to have their Italian beef sandwich. The presentation of the tables was nice—red napkins with crystal wine glasses—but the atmosphere ended there. While there seemed to be speakers nested into the ceiling of the restaurant, the dining area was graveyard quiet.

'The Good Plate Hospitality presents... Petterino's, located just steps away from Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago's Loop and Theatre District. Petterino's has been a beloved downtown icon in the Chicago community for 20 years, continuing to offer the same spirit and tradition that diners know and love. Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality—it's the perfect local destination for tourists, business lunches or before the theatre. Dine where the rich and famous have dined—be sure to check out the caricatures of all the famous politicians, celebrities 'and influential Chicagoans who have eaten in the same booths that you will.' After reading this( copied from their website), what would be your expectations in eating at this establishment? On January 10, 2023, a colleague and I decided to have a good lunch. Petterino's was the pick for this day. Our server was friendly and engaging. His description of the shrimp and crab risotto sold me on trying it. The waiter described it as having shrimp, crab, saffron, tomatoes, and cheese. Waite staff instead served me chicken risotto. They apologized and went to prepare the correct dish. Though my dining companion could complete her meal before my meal arrived, good conversation lightened the mood. The free-fall decline of my expectation for this restaurant began when my food arrived. My risotto did not have saffron or cheese in it! The food was quite bland. When I questioned it with management, she told me that the server had described it wrong and that it was the Christmas special he had described. I then asked our waiter, who said the saffron was in there, followed by you don't put cheese on seafood. Really?! There wasn't even an attempt to ensure I was to "Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality' (your words from the website, not mine). I was beyond disappointed!

Admittedly I've not been to 100 steakhouses, I have however been to many and I wouldn't put Swift & Sons up there. Yes, the service was good. Yes the burger was good. However, none of it was top rating. I was also disappointed by the atmosphere, there wasn't a buzz (though obviously that is very subjective). The house red though is very good.

Average and no more. Food, service, atmosphere - all just average. For the price I wish I would’ve picked someplace less hyped up. I had shrimp scampi which was pretty bland with over cooked shrimp. My boyfriend had steak, which was fine, but honestly not great. We also had the charred broccoli which was sadly better than the main dishes. It also felt like our waiter was rushing us, which I found annoying as there were plenty of open tables. The table of drunk 20 year olds in the corner did provide some good dinner entertainment though. Lol. I would not go back.

Very Good food and very fast service before a show. Atmosphere a little corporate and seats close together. Manager specially came up to table next to us to check on a non-talking, on their phones all the time couple. Strange. Our server was so great.

Review rating: 4.0

We were seated upstairs this time around. It’s much quieter and no communal seating where you’re literally sitting next to other parties downstairs. The service is friendly and attentive. Marcos our server anticipated our needs, always checking in with us to see if we needed anything. The food pace was perfect, not rushed or too long of a wait for each course. We ordered through the restaurant week menu and also ordered the lamb sausage pizza. Everything was delicious and savory. The kale salad is big enough for two to share. The chorizo stuffed date wrapped in bacon was not overly spicy and savory. The paella was incredible, served hot in a mini cast iron pan so that the rice had yummy bits of crispy rice mixed in. Just wished that the shrimp was bigger. We loved the rice pudding…love the salt in the pistachio bits with the sweetness of the pudding. My only beef - The restaurant was not bashful to add the 3.5% hospitality fee. Why not just raise the prices??? Will return because the food and service is good. Atmosphere kind of bland. Nothing special.

Review rating: 5.0

Awful service, preferential treatment to other guests, got our order wrong multiple times, highly disorganized and unprofessional staff. Horrible, loud ambiance as well, with terrible seating. Every time someone opens the front door you get blasted with an arctic breeze.

Signal: 0.0%

Dated interior, standard out of the can soups and flavor.

Signal: 0.0%

First time staying in the Congress, and we were looking for a nice, quick bite before our show at the Auditorium Theatre. We ordered the hummus appetizer, a chicken Caesar salad, and the New York strip. The best part of the meal was the hummus appetizer. The Caesar dressing was “yucky” (real life quote), although the chicken itself was okay. The steak was cooked as ordered (medium), but was served with the most bland blanched broccoli I’ve ever gotten at a sit-down restaurant. The bottomless broccoli served at Red Robin is better. My steak was served with “au jus” that was a small, plastic ramekin filled with a grey, congealed mass—if that’s their au jus, I’d hate to have their Italian beef sandwich. The presentation of the tables was nice—red napkins with crystal wine glasses—but the atmosphere ended there. While there seemed to be speakers nested into the ceiling of the restaurant, the dining area was graveyard quiet.

Signal: 0.0%