Blog post #2- Jaeyun Moon

Tavern at the park

By Jaeyun Moon

Tavern at the Park: Ambitious and crowd-pleasing restaurant

Nowadays, it seems like more and more restaurants, cafés, and bars are forming as time goes by. There are many cuisines to choose from when you go out with your friends and have special occasions like birthday parties, and it is difficult to find a decent restaurant as if you are looking for a needle in a haystack. There are thousands of restaurants in Chicago, the third largest city in the US, and it is renowned for its variety in cuisine. Among these restaurants, Tavern at the Park across the street from Millennium Park is a must-go.

It was raining hard in gloomy Chicago that day. My jacket was soaking wet and I did not want to be embarrassed when I entered Tavern at the Park. I also hoped that they would not kick me out for having soaking wet clothes. When I went in through Sprungli dark chocolate colored spinning door, I met the hostess who greeted me, introduced herself, and offered to take my jacket. Although it was during peak hours and I was alone, she guided me to a table on the second floor by the window.

The hostess was not the only one who offered good service. My waiter introduced himself, and informed me what kind of food I might want to try. Also, he was willing to answer my questions about Chicago and suggested some places to visit in Chicago. Waiters here work enthusiastically, wishing all their costumers enjoyed food. Waiters come by every ten minutes to make sure everything is perfect. They are always ready to serve and assist you so that you have a fine dining experience.

Although it opened in 2007 and there is a significant competition among fine restaurants, Tavern at the Park is ambitious. A seat on the first floor opposite the bar will give you an overhead view of Wrigley Arch. A seat on the second floor dining room will give you the entire view of Millennium Park. Wherever you decide to sit, it will be comfortable. Blessed with its exceptional location, Tavern at the Park will offer you a pleasant dish with a beautiful view of Millennium Park.

When you first look at Tavern at the Park next to the tall and brilliant-looking Prudential building, you may be disappointed; no fancy and catchy appearance will charm you. On the other hand, when you go inside the restaurant, its mahogany and luxurious interior will stagger you. You will feel like Lucy as she goes inside the dusty wardrobe and opens the backdoor to the new world of Narnia. The interiors are stylish and modern: all dark brown wood furnishings, light brown floors with some dark spots here and there, dark leather wrapped tabletops, and some pictures hanging on the wall depicting Chicago in old times.

There are two floors with 280 seats inside the restaurant. The first floor, where the entrance is, has a bit of a bustle. There are some regular dining tables, a long bar made of gleaming white marble, and two big Samsung HD TVs showing some football games. However, as you walk up to the stairs, it is surprisingly calm. It almost seems that you are in a different restaurant. Private dining is also available in separate rooms on the second floor.

Unfortunately, after asking my waiter, Russell, where the restrooms were, I discovered that they were only on the second floor. The interior of the restrooms was as luxurious as all the other rooms in the restaurant, as I had expected. It had two mirrors with three bright yellow bulbs on each of them, reminding me of the back stage of a concert. The furnishings were also made with the same dark brown wood as the interior of the restaurant.

The restaurant is very elegant; it is not a place suitable for children and formal attire is recommended. Food at Tavern at the Park is generally expensive. For dinner, filet mignon is $31 for 9 ounces and $37 for 12 ounces, and aged New York strip is $37. This restaurant serves lunch as well. Seared ahi tuna is $28, and lobster ravioli is $27.

However, Tavern at the Park doesn’t scare customers away. You can order sandwiches for around $15 depending on which sandwich you choose, and the prices on pub menu range from 12 to 19 dollars. If you happen to order cheap food, you will still get full service, making you feel comfortable in this luxurious restaurant.

The entrées here are unforgettable. When you order any entrée, four different kinds of breads are served: white, wheat, brown, and baguette. Just thinking about that braised lamb shank in a red wine demi-glace still makes my mouth water. The lamb shank is served with mashed potatoes. I was surprised by the thickness of the lamb shank: three to four inches thick. However, still the lamb is as tender and soft as a cheesecake so that you do not need a knife to cut it in pieces. As you poke it with your fork, the lamb breaks down into small pieces. With your first bite you just want to savor the moment.

Lobster ravioli is amazingly delicious as well. Lobster meat is on top of each piece of ravioli. Rich, juicy, and flavorful sauce made of lobster and mascarpone cheese fills the pieces. The smell of basil and asparagus is so refreshing and stimulating that it gives you smile on your face, just thinking that you made the right choice.

Desserts exhilarate you with sweetness. The chocolate chip ice cream sandwich is delectable. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is layered in between homemade chocolate chip cookies, and topped with hot fudge. The ice cream sandwich there is surely in a completely different league from the typical, average Oreo ice cream sandwich. It dissolves in a second when you take a bite. Despite being full, you will still find yourself able to devour this tasty dessert. Another great option is the apple crisp, which is layered with a caramel sauce that adds flavor to the cinnamon taste of softly spiced apples.

The hostess topped off my great dining experience. After I signed my check and was on my way out, there she is, standing at the door with my jacket, and she says, “Here is your jacket, sir. I dried it for you. I wish you a pleasant evening”

My expectation by glimpses of Tavern at the Park from Millennium Park and my experience I had there are completely different. Tavern at the Park is a kind of restaurant, which makes you think that you should come back soon in the future. The exterior appearance of the restaurant should be more luxurious and sensual than it is now. However, concerning the service you receive and the food you have, the outside look is only a small matter.

A fine restaurant is like a Ferrari F430; service is as fast as a colossal V8 engine pumping at 300Km per an hour, and food is like the ride; it exhilarates your pulse to 200 beats per minute. Tavern at the Park is one of those kinds.

Tavern at the Park

★★★★