Everest   

Last evening, my wife and I dined at Everest for our 25th anniversary, having made a reservation several weeks ago. I had made it known that it was our anniversary. As we entered the restaurant, we noted that a large business was having a function at the restaurant as well. We were seated at a two person table on the far side of the dining room against the wall. Our waiter greeted us with a wine menu and asked if we would like something to drink. We demurred, and indicated that we would order wine to have with our dinner. He brought us menus after a period of time, but did not remove the champagne glasses on our table. When he next appeared, we indicated that we would each like the chef’s tasting and he asked if we wanted the wine pairings. I said no, but again indicated that I would like to order two half bottles. He quickly took our menus (depriving me of the menus to refer to while choosing the wine), said he would get the sommelier, and left. At about this time, a young lady was seated immediately behind us against the wall at the other two person table. She was quite loud and asked for “a glass of Chardonnay, but not too sweet.” I tried to get a server’s attention to retrieve a menu, to no avail. Finally, he reappeared and said he would get us printed versions of the menu (which he never did). I asked him about the sommelier, to be told he was “tied up” (we later learned he was lecturing at the business function), and so after some discussion our waiter helped us select two half bottles. The champagne glasses eventually went away before the amuse bouche was served, but we started another series of long, unexplained absences by the waiter and relative inattention by the balance of the wait staff. We had to fill our own wine glasses throughout the evening, our water glasses were unfilled for most of it, and we never saw our waiter again until immediately before dessert. During the entire meal, the aforementioned young lady (who later loudly announced she was from Oklahoma) was joined by a colleague. Given the volume of the voices, the amount of paperwork they continued to shuffle through at the table, and the constant coming and going to “check on things,” it was clear that they were the event coordinators for the business function. Their constant activity and loud voices were entirely out of place and significantly reduced our enjoyment of our meal. In addition, although our food was quite good, service and the pacing of the meal were absolutely unacceptable. As a final straw, after our cheese course, we had to wait an additional 15-20 minutes until a sorbet finally appeared. At this point I flagged someone down to see if we could get the balance of our meal within some reasonable timeframe. The manager spoke with us and offered his apologies and complimentary dessert wines (which we did not desire, having drunk as much wine as we desired). When our check arrived, the manager had charged us only for the wine, giving us the meals as a compliment of the house. While this was appreciated, my wife and I were already quite upset by the commotion at the adjacent table and the continual poor service. I feel it is only appropriate to bring these failures to your attention, so that other unfortunate diners don’t experience the same problems. My wife and I frequently dine at the finest restaurants in Chicago and elsewhere (Spiaggia, Blue Ginger, Alinea, and L’Atelier Joel Robuchon in Paris, among the most recent), so are very familiar with the level of attention and service that is appropriate for restaurants of Everest’s caliber, and this was unacceptable. Especially, for our 25th anniversary. We had decided to return to Everest based on current reviews, but obviously made a mistake. As an additional point of reference, we dine at Michael in Winnetka, which is quite near our home, on a regular basis and the service there is spectacular in comparison (maybe due to the fact that they are managed by Marcello, the former sommelier at Carlos, and several former Le Francais waiter work there), although the cost of a meal is a fraction of Everest. I cannot in good conscience give Everest even an average recommendation based on this experience and will, out of consideration for my friends and colleagues, many of whom consult with me for restaurant recommendations on a regular basis, make sure that they are aware of the current situation at Everest. Finally, particularly given that your staff was aware that this was our 25th wedding anniversary dinner, I am dumbfounded by the experience. If the faults were due to the business function, that is unfortunate and I hope that for future guests you choose to staff accordingly so that they do not suffer the same treatment and resulting disappointment.

Everest was most disappointing. We celebrated my Birthday there and I felt that most of the food was fair at best. I don't mind paying the price if something is a wonderful experience. It may have been special at one time but I do not believe this restauant is anymore at all. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Over rated and overpriced save your money.

I MADE RESERVATIONS FOR MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION. I ASKED FOR A TABLE NEXT TO THE WIDOW WITH A CITY VIEW, AND I WAS PROMISED ONE. THE CONFIRMATION WAS MADE IN A FEW DAYS AND, AGAIN, I WAS ASSURED ABOUT THE WINDOW TABLE (THE ONLY REASON WE CHOSE THIS RESTAURANT). HOWEVER, WHEN WE ARRIVED TO THE RESTAURANT WE DID NOT GET THE TABLE I WAS PROMISED. INTEAD, WE WERE INFORMED IN A RUDE MANNER THAT IT DID NOT MATTER THAT WE WERE PROMISED A TABLE BY THE WINDOW BECAUSE WE WERE NOT GOING TO GET IT ANYHOW. THE SERVICE WAS COLD AND THE FOOD (FISH) UNDERCOOKED. BOTH ME AND MY FRIENDS FELT SICK NEXT DAY. WHAT WAS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL OCCASION OUTING, TURNED TO BE A DISAPPOINTING ONE. i WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT TO ANYONE.

We think this is the best restaurant in Chicago. The food, the view and the service were all impeccable! It is expensieve, but worth it.