I was recently in Chicago for meetings and the timing of this trip was perfect. One, it was the week of my birthday and two, the Michelin star ratings for Chicago had come out a couple of weeks before. I decided that I would treat myself to a dinner at one of the restaurants that received the rating. After researching long and hard, I landed on Tru which is touted as one of the finest restaurants in the city. Generally it could take some time to get a reservation, but I feel that Open Table took pity on my party of one and I got the time I wanted. And so begins my experience...
When I arrived, I was whisked into the open and airy dining room which was certainly designed for elegance, dates and special occasions. I was seated at a table along the side, facing the entire restaurant. Good for people watching, but it also meant people could see me. Generally when I dine alone, my BlackBerry or book is my best friend and ensures that I don't have to look up and meet the awkward stares that can come with dining alone. At Tru, no BlackBerry allowed and it didn't seem the right place to whip out my book either. Eyes up and open. Fortunately I had about 19 servers at my beck and call who ensured I wasn't alone for very long.
Here is a more detailed look at what I had:
Wine:
I perused the wine list and settled on one of their proprietary blends from Napa (Cristom Sommers Reserve Willamette Valley 2006). It was fantastic from the first sip and got better as my meal went on.
Menu:
Since I was alone, I opted for the quicker three course menu rather than the full tasting. I think to really experience Tru (or any restaurant for that matter), the tasting menu is the way to go. But, the three courses I had were more than enough and there were plenty of bonuses added in that I had a fantastic experience anyway.
For my first course, I had the Nantucket bay scallops, organic polenta, winter truffle, crispy bacon. The first bite may have been one of the best things I have ever tasted. The polenta was perfect and the way that the flavours of everything else melded together really blew me away. The portion size was perfect as well.
Based on one of my 19 servers' recommendations, I had the spiced cervena venison, savoy cabbage tart, pear chutney as my main. When I saw the cabbage on the menu, it threw me a bit, but in the end I'm glad I ordered it. I'm generally not a big venison person, but this was incredible. I will always remember it. I could have done without the cabbage, but everything else on the plate made up for it.
Tru is known for their desserts. I had the milk chocolate + cherry bitter almond cake, vanilla custard. It was very good, but not as memorable as the preceding courses I have to say. At the end, they also brought me some truffles which were amazing and a caramel exploding chocolate that was unreal. The caramel was pure and liquid and captured in a square of dark chocolate that was perfect. How they did that, I will never know and I don't care to know as I like the mystery of it all.
Service:
The service was by far the most professional I have seen anywhere. They weren't afraid to make recommendations and if I dropped a crumb, they would sweep it up. This much attention can be annoying, but they were professionals of the highest order so I just felt looked after and not annoyed in any way. Also, as I left one of the servers walked me out, got my coat and held an umbrella for me out to my cab as it was raining. Brilliant and perfect.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience even as a lone diner. The crowd was an interesting mix...many dates, some significant work dinners, some groups of friends out celebrating. I'm glad I went and I would jump at the opportunity to go again and do the full tasting menu to get that experience as well.
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