TRU vs Everest

It is my bf birthday in 2 weeks and i have a reservation at TRU but was wondering if anyone has any comments on what their experience was like there. We were at Nomi last year and were less than satisfied. We love everest but I wanted to try something new.

I love both Tru and Everest -- you can't go wrong with either. Tru's dining room is very contemporary and quite impressive. The food and service are excellent and Gale Gand's desserts worth over-indulging. I particularly like the assortment of miniature sweets brought by after dessert, and they also have excellent cheese service.

You can't go wrong at either as far as food goes.

However, the dining room and service at Tru struck me as rather cold and stand-offish. Not so much rude as formal taken a step too far.

For that reason, Tru isn't on my list of places to return to.

In that same food quality league, my first choice would be Spiaggia.

It really depends on what kind of food and atmosphere you're looking for.

Tru is contemporary American. The food is Rick Tramonto's invention and the dining room is white-walled and filled with modern art. Tramonto is fond of witty creations like cappuccino of carrot with orange, a soup served in a coffee cup and topped with foamed milk; "Mirror Image of Tartars," made with tuna, salmon and yellowtail; or "Surf and Turf" of ahi tuna and sauteed foie gras in a pinot noir reduction.

I have not found the service at all stuffy (especially not in comparison to that of Tramonto's foie-gras eschewing rival).

At Everest, Jean Joho bases his food on Old World French and Alsatian traditions, not always traditional, but certainly his take on classics: foie gras terrine with marinated figs; salmon soufflé; pot au feu of beef tenderloin with horseradish cream. The dining room is a bit rococo and there's that wonderful view.

Either would make a terrific birthday destination. However, if you want something completely different, try Matsumoto ... but you won't get Frequent Diner points there.

Tru
312/202-0001
www.trurestaurant.com
676 N. St. Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611

Everest
312/663-8920
www.everestrestaurant.com
One Financial Plaza, 440 S. LaSalle St., 40th Floor
Chicago, IL 60605

Matsumoto
773/267-1555
3800 W. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

I've eaten at Tru, Trotter's, Spiaggia, Seasons and Everest and the first one I would return to is Tru. Why? Because it is the complete experience. The food is exquisite, the room refined and the service over-the-top. They never miss a beat there. I liked Everest, but found the room dated. I think Spiaggia's prices are in the realm of the absurd -- you have to order three courses or risk going hungry. And Trotter's is a bit too much of an experience as opposed to a pleasurable night out for the diner. That's why when my in-laws aksed me to recommend a place for their fortieth anniversary, I picked Tru.

All that being said, I'm going to Avenues for my birthday dinner and I can't wait!

I've heard several remarks about the Tru dining room... You might consider trying to get in to the private dining room upstairs... its more secluded, so to me seems more "special" .. the one room has only 4 tables, so if you're feeling like it is too stuffy, at least you're almost alone and can have conversation with your partner and even your waitstaff... :O