The Tasting Room-what to taste?

Am going with a group of friends to The Tasting Room on West Randolph. Any recommendations or comments on food/wine. Thanks.

Keeler wrote:Am going with a group of friends to The Tasting Room on West Randolph. Any recommendations or comments on food/wine. Thanks.

The wine list is nice, but I'd recommend sticking to cheese and other stuff that the kitchen doesn't have to do anything with. Everything I've eaten at the Tasting Room has been overcooked and underseasoned. This is especially true for meat dishes.

I know it's winter, but from my past visits, I've always thought that The Tasting Room had a good selection of whites.

Bacon wrapped dates!

Stopped here last week for a few bites before the "So You Think You Can Dance" show at the United Center (yeah, I know). I'd agree with the bacon-wrapped dates recommendation - loved the slightly spicy pepper sauce they came with. The other small plates we had, however, were somewhat disappointing.

First was an heirloom tomato caprese with a tomato that was far from flavorful. We're no tomato experts, but it certainly didn't look like anything more than a standard Jewel hothouse. I will say that our waitress was very nice and offered to replace it with something else (hence the dates).

We also had a bacon chicken mole flatbread (I think it was called the Wild West on the menu) that was fine and had a nice kick to it, but felt a little too close to one of those Lean Cuisine-style frozen flatbreads. Not great for $15.

That said, the wine list was impressive and the Tuesday-night half-price bottle special (on anything under $100) is a great deal (and something that definitely helped get me through the show). And the space is really nice and comfortable, with a good view of the Sears Tower from the second floor. I'd definitely go back there for drinks, just maybe choose somewhere else in the area for a meal.

I think I'm meeting a friend here this weekend - has anyone been there lately? I just ordered a YouSwoop coupon and I'm in a pig out mode, so help me narrow down this menu. What's good lately?

Pie Lady wrote:I think I'm meeting a friend here this weekend - has anyone been there lately? I just ordered a YouSwoop coupon and I'm in a pig out mode, so help me narrow down this menu. What's good lately?

I go here fairly often . . . mostly for the wine. Food is not the emphasis, although some of the appetizers, like the bacon-wrapped dates, the hummus, the bread and butter flight (especially the bread and butter flight), and the flatbread are quite satisfying. But to only eat, and not have an eclectic glass of wine or a wine flight, would be to miss the entire point of The Tasting Room, I'm afraid.

I'll be drinking plenty. But unless I want to fall asleep within the first 5 minutes, I have to pair the wine with something. That bread and butter flight does sound delicious.