Tru Restaurant   

I have eaten in many fine restaurants throughout the U.S. and Europe. Friends had said they weren't impressed with Tru due to the "uptight" service. I found the service to be flawless but not cold or uptight. The degustation menu rivals that of French Laundry (in my opinion). All this in my hometown! Tru is a must for those who appreciate fine dining.

This restaurant can boast that it uniquely delivers top marks in all the areas that a restaurant strives to excel. The first achievement is the elegant and classy decor which is highlighted by a tasteful array of fine contemporary art by the best artists (Klein, Ruscha, Warhol, Judd, etc.) from their best period of work. The interior design, lighting fixtures, surrounding drapes, and table linens are chosen and crafted to precisely provide a comfortable atmosphere that invites you to enjoy the food without distraction. The second trophy is Tru's service - a perfectly synchronized ballet executed by employees who plainly enjoy the opportunity to work in one of the world's greatest dining experiences. Finally, the purpose for being at Tru is the menu fare which is an artfully crafted array of flavors, textures, amusement (poprocks candy stimulate your senses in the final amuse bouche) and presentation. Appetizers meet every expectation and prepare you for the entrees which are deliciously diverse. Dessert is a romp through a candy-store kaleidoscope of flavors and colors. The Tru dining is experience is nothing short of perfect from all angles. For those fortunate enough to be a Tru guest, it is the highlight of any visit to Chicago .

Tru has a wonderful menu, dazzling presentation and a definite air of grandeur. But we found the space cold and sterile, and the service was hyper-efficient and impersonal to a fault. If you want a similar dining experience and can forego coordinated table-side entree placement for a server that might actually smile and talk to you, try Nomi instead.

I've dined at Tru three times, taking the degustation menu and some of the most wonderful 3 hours of my life each time. I will say that the last visit was not as "wow!" as the first two times--some of the flavors were off or not as clear or explosive on the palette. I hope that is not a trend. But I would go back again, if only to support Rick Tramanto's stand on the stupid anti-Foie Gras vote in the City Council (and for which I will boycott Charlie Trotter's, just on principle). One warning though..leaver enough space to enjoy the desserts and incredible cheese boaard at the end. Gail Gand is a confectionary genius.