My friend's coworker recommended this place, so three of us decided to check it out for happy hour. We were surprised that such a pretty rooftop in such a prime location wasn't slammed on a beautiful night. The usual girls night protocol is a couple drinks and a few appetizers to share. At most places, we're stuffed with two or three apps. But here, although they were all quite tasty (particularly the truffle mac n cheese and lobster corn dogs), we had to order a fourth appetizer and a dessert to call it a meal since the portions were pretty small. The two main downfalls are the prices and the service. $14-$16 for a cocktail is pretty spendy, even for downtown Chicago, and all of the apps were in the $15-$20 range. It seemed like our server was also bartending, so we had to flag her down multiple times and have the food runner get her for us so we could order another round. This space definitely has potential, but for now it's just your standard hotel rooftop.
(3)
Edy R.
Good: This place has a nice ambiance and a beautiful view. SO much potential! Plus for a terrace in the city, easy enough to find seats. Bad: The food wasn't bad but ridiculously overpriced as hotels do. The service tho was by the far the slowest and worst both times I went. Especially since the place wasn't packed. If it wasn't for the outdoor movie played on Sunday nights I would have given this one less star. A pricey evening for some weak drinks.
(3)
Katrina H.
The location Excellent.. Our Waitress was very sweet and really worked our party of 4. The Pre Fix Christmas Meal was pretty good for $50 although a couple of items were barely at room temperature. I did get a little "salty" when the desk wouldn't validate our parking ticket because they said that we weren't staying guest.. causing us to have to pay $36 for Parking when all they had to do was stamp the freaking ticket. This is after our Tab was a mind blowing $500 ... For this I will probably not be going here again. There are too many restaurants in this economy who would kill for a $500 tab.. whats wrong with stamping the parking ticket ? Unreal !
(3)
Michelle S.
I love the fact that you can watch a movie on the Terrace. It's beautiful too. Prices are very high!!!! Portions for the pric of food isn't good either. Service is nothing outstanding. But not bad either.
(3)
Thao N.
Nice views, pretty cool location, descent food but bad service, and unapologetic management. I'll probably never come back to this place. My sister in-law choose this place for her birthday dinner and when I checked out their website I thought the location was great. When we arrived they had reserved 3 tables for our large party but they did not reconfigure the furniture to accommodate. We were awkwardly placed and to top it off, the servers actually never asked me if I wanted to order a drink. When the hors d'oeuvres were served, they didn't tell us what was on the dish. I had to guess what the dishes were. Surprisingly, the food was good but over salted. (Took a little effort to take my ring off when I got home.) On top of the hors d'oeuvres, I had ordered the filet mignon as an entree. 5 mins after I had placed the order, another server came to ask if medium well, was okay. 15-20 mins had gone by before I saw another server to ask where my food was. She replied with "That wasn't brought out yet?". Seriously, at that point I would have settled for fast food. It was a very forgettable piece of meat. When my brother got the bill, the server made it a point to say gratuity was not added. How rude? I work in the service industry myself, and I can never imagine ever asking for a tip. That really sealed the deal for me. Unless, The Terrace at Conrad gets a major overhaul in service, I won't be recommending this place to anyone and they shouldn't expect to see me anytime soon.
(2)
Sarah S.
The Terrace at the Conrad has a great atmosphere and is wonderful for sitting outside for a drink after work. The furniture is very comfortable and relaxing. We didn't try any of the food, but i'm sure it's good. The drinks are pricey, but that's to be expected. Our server was very attentive and willing to help. I can't afford to go here too often, but it's definitely a splurge when I get the chance to!
(4)
C M P.
What a fantastic roof top lounge. It's like you're own special get away tucked away among the skyscrapers. I had vodka lemonade which was refreshing. Tasted the won-tons, very good for a 'tizer. The South Beach atmosphere makes the place relaxing. You can sit at a table or on a sofa. If you see me with a cute girl pretend you don't know me
(4)
Brett F.
5 stars for lovely atmosphere + 4 stars for solid eye candy efforts + 3 stars for totally mediocre food + 2 stars for weaksauce service + 0 stars for poor, inept management = ___________________________________ 2 total stars for The Terrace at Conrad Eh. It was a bit of a let down. I love some fabulous outdoor loungin', eatin' and drinkin' more than the next guy... but when charging these kinds of prices (ahem, $14-18 glasses of tempranillo) you must bring it wholeheartedly with the service, and simply, the folks at the Conrad do NOT. A post-work meet up here started off fine enough... the vibe here is to-die-for!! Umbrellas, day beds, terracotta tile floor, trickling fountains, gorgeous people.... can you say "Welcome to Miami" in your best latina accent? This is the perfect setting for a romantic date or group outing, the energy is sexy and electric. Unfortunately, that's about all The Terrace will offer. Our food was boring; the haute teppan (a grill-it-yourself en table dish) that proved to be meager in portion while overbearing in size was both cumbersome and tasteless. The "grill" took up most of our table top leaving us with no choice but to put sauces and accompaniments on our lap or - gasp - on the floor. Ew. Follow up dishes of coconut shrimp (weird aftertaste) and grilled spicy wings (undercooked) were left almost untouched and were a total waste of $30 for some of priciest apps around - ouch! The Terrace staff seriously lacks in efficiently and expediency - no bussers mean that your waitress is guaranteed to be sufficiently overwhelmed and dirty plates are left sitting - and stinking - in front of you while water glasses chirp empty yearning to be filled. The piece de resistance though came from the manager who approached our table at the end of the evening asking 'how everything was'? When we told her not so good and explained a few of our disappointments she just nodded, smiled and walked away looking totally vacant. WTF was that? Why ask if you don't plan to make things right or, at a minimum, offer some constructive feedback? Grrr! $107 later I had managed to consume 3 glasses of retail priced wine, 1 raw chicken drumstick, 1/2 a coconut shrimp and a few chicken strips with hummus from the gargantuan teppan thing all the while dying for a glass of water. If this is what Miami life is really like, I think I'm content sticking to the Midwest. The Terrace... good for cocktails and atmosphere... Bad for everything else.
(2)
Natalie C.
TERRIBLE. The only thing positive this place has going for it is the semi decent view. Service was slow and unfriendly. A service charge was included for our party of 8 so it was apparent that there was no motivation to provide efficient service, at all. The waiter said he couldn't split our check more than 3 ways, but after a little debate he was magically able to do 4. Food was small, overpriced and took forever. Front desk would not validate or discount parking for non hotel guests and they were rude about it. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Plenty of other places with better service and views of the city. So disappointed!
(1)
nicole h.
Wow. Impressive! Posh! Where are we--Miami?! Vegas?! You go here for the scene. When I went it was the highlight of a bachelorette party. Not a penis-straw bachelorette party, but a Sex and the City sort of bachelorette party. And this was the perfect spot for just that sort of thing. If it's a gorgeous night, dress the part. Lounge on the rooftop sofa sipping champagne while roasting your own orange infused marshmallows for your super fancy (ahem--overpriced) s'mores. You're paying for the experience. Memories are made on The Terrace. Your bank account will likely feel the pinch but, again, you're making memories...
(4)
Andrea H.
I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars on this one. My friend saw an ad for the Movies on the Terrace and we decided it would be the perfect setting for a girls' night out. Let's start with the atmosphere. It is a really nice patio. I was thinking it would have a few more beds and areas to lounge rather than tables, but I guess beds aren't very conducive to eating so probably for the best. I'm sure the umbrellas come in handy during the day, but I kept thinking that we should put ours down so we could enjoy the evening skyline. I guess we probably could have asked...and probably should have. Drinks. My champagne cocktail got an A for effort, but a C for execution. I think they made the same mistake that I've made in the past and stirred it. Pretty sure it fizzed over and they topped it off with champagne. It was ok, but not great for $15. They did have a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, though, and I enjoyed a few of them. Food. Contrary to the drinks, the food is actually pretty reasonably priced. Four of us decided to try the Mexicana Teppan and the Trilogy appetizer selection: coconut shrimp, calamari and steamed won tons. The calamari and won tons were tasty, but that coconut shrimp was delicious. Not at all greasy, but crisp and flavorful. The teppan came with several toppings and all in all was very good. I will definitely take the advice of the server and split it with no more than 2 people next time. As it was, I only had one shrimp, one strip of beef and one piece of chicken. Now, to the movie part, kind of hilarious. The movie had constant problems with the sound. It cut out throughout the whole showing and the DVD even stopped completely towards the end of the movie. The servers were basically positioned by the system trying to fix it all night. Add that to the fact that the screen kept blowing over (even though it was not even the slightest bit windy) and you've got some good laughs (probably more funny because of all the drinks). Seriously, my friend was in the middle of ordering when our server took off running to save the screen. Awesome. Three of us at the table run events and work quite frequently with hotels. We all know that there are usually AV people in house. My question is why couldn't they have a tech there to save the poor servers from having to deal with this? We were also thinking that they might be better off with a spandex screen or a pull down attached to one of the windows. The fast fold doesn't work so well outdoors, especially if it's windy. So they have a few kinks to work out. A-OK for now, but I'd definitely give it another shot. The service is friendly, food is good, and their heart is in the right place. Props to the Conrad for doing something like this. I wish some of the other hotels I stay in would do something similar.
(3)
Carolyn L.
I like the crowd and the overall location of this place. However, if you're looking for a great view, there are lots of other places you can go to in Chicago. Not only that, but a pitcher of margaritas/mojitos here costs $50. That's beyond ridiculous, if you ask me. I guess it's about the same as what you'd pay elsewhere, but it didn't feel like it had enough alcohol to merit those prices. Anyway, good location but I'd rather go somewhere else to pay those kind of prices.
(3)
Tita P.
Beautiful Summer day in Chicago....Check Out with some fab ladies....Check Beautiful view....Check MARTINI FLIGHTS....Check Check CHECKKKK!! What more can I say?
(4)
Saira K.
My most beautiful memory of Chicago - a summer night with my lovely girlfriends - laughing, joking, flirting with the guys. :) And cooking. We grilled meats and seafood and laughed over drinks. Gorgeous place.
(5)
Christopher K.
Oh boy. Nice view above the city, but it was a terrible service management experience. On a slow night, they managed to take forever with the order -- the server was embarrassed, and he and the manager were comping us drinks and appetizers while other people on in the place came and left having eaten. The rib nachos, when they arrived, were a nicely done surprise, as was the crab wrap. The evening was salvageable, but there was too much anxiety about the order to make it a relaxing night out.
(2)
Cassandra F.
I went here for dinner my first night in Chicago and really enjoyed it. I was traveling alone so I wanted to find a place where I wouldn't feel awkward eating by myself. This worked out perfectly. It has a great view of the city since it's 5 stories up, and it's a very relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the Terrace Margarita ($15, but really good) and the crab cake sliders. Three sliders with a side order of fries, just the right size. The server was really friendly and helpful, and like I said the atmosphere is great. A little pricey overall, $30 for a drink and dinner.....but I felt that combined with the view it was worth it.
(4)
Tom J.
DONT GET THE NACHOS! We went here for a quick bite to eat and a couple of drinks which were on par with most other fancy places in Chicago... $7 for any beer other than a miller lite. Our mistake came when we ordered the $18 pulled pork nachos. For $18 we were expecting something impressive and something that would feed us both. But what we got was a tiny strip of pulled pork in a skillet drenched in liquid cheese with a couple of chopped up peppers and a few tortilla strips balanced on top. It was a fancy take on nachos that I wasn't expecting and I definitely didn't enjoy.
(2)
Elina S.
This place was pretty fun. Went here for lunch and had some yummy comfort food. Nice scene, good food, decent prices and did I mention a killer view. Will definitely be back here at night for some loungin time w/ the friends. But on a beautiful Chicago day, this totally works. You have to try their sliders and garlic fries. Comfort food with a tapas edge, works for me :)
(4)
Mahsa T.
I really wanted to like this place based on the other reviews, but I was disappointed with the lack of service from everyone during our entire 3 hours there. My friend and I went on a Thursday around 6:30 and there were two small work groups there having happy hour drinks. They had reserved a section in the middle for the two groups and had used every chair in the place for them to sit on. Within half an hour of us standing at the bar (still waiting to get to the front of the bar to order drinks!) half of one of the parties left, but the wait staff refused to take those empty chairs and put them at three tables that were sitting empty right in front of the bar! We were quoted 45 minutes for a table and ended up waiting over an hour! The management here is non-existant and completely inept. The host insisted he didn't have extra chairs for us to sit at one of the 3 empty tables but then went and fetched guess what!? 2 empty chairs and brought them to another table to seat a party of 6 who were behind us on the wait list. So then after we got our table, we had a server who took half an hour to show up to take our order, we ordered their specialty, which is kind of like Korean BBQ, where they bring you raw meat and you cook it yourself on a burner on your table. When they brought the burner to our table and turned it on, I thought FINALLY I'm going to get some food. NOPE. We sat there for yet another half an hour while the grease on the burner burned and smoked right in our faces. When we flagged down our waitress and asked if our food would be coming soon because the burner was starting to smoke, she looked at us with indifference, shrugged her shoulders, and said the food should be on its way. Because it took so long to get our food, everything had a funny aftertaste from the burnt grease on the burner. The view wasn't even that great, this place is on the fifth floor so you're basically staring into the buildings around you, the only view is of Rush Street. All in all, this was a horrible experience and I will NEVER go back, the place is run by a bunch of teenagers, they don't have enough staff, and they get flustered with 2 small parties. Totally over-priced and underwhelming-- and to think, we didn't go to the Roof at the Wit because there was an hour wait to get in, little did we know we would end up waiting 3 hours for service at the Conrad. There is NO SERVICE here whatsoever!
(1)
Jeremy W.
Well I can tell you I will not go back even if I stay at The Conrad. For a night where there were a lot of empty tables it took well over 10 minutes to get a bottled beer. Our server did not even take our order a bar back did. The sever dropped the check then asked if we wanted another drink at last call, is that not backwards? Not worth my time or money to come back with that kind of service.
(1)
Brooke O.
The views here are spectacular! I went on a week night with a couple girlfriends and it was surprisingly not very busy even though the weather was perfect for an evening on the rooftop. We ordered about 5 small plates including sushi, and a few salads. All of the food was wonderful. The reason for 1 less star is the price. We each had a couple glasses of wine and the small plates and our bill was BIG. I may go back for the view but will stick to one drink and eat elsewhere so that my wallet is happier with me =)
(4)
Cassandra K.
Was here this past Saturday afternoon 5/26/2012 and I must say, this place is WONDERFUL. The views are spectacular and the staff was great. I already had dinner plans for the later in the night, so I was only browsing at the appetizer section of the menu. After downing a few Stellas, which was served in a nice tall ICE cold glass, I came across the crab cakes which featured roasted corn relish and shrimp remoulade. I LOVE crab cakes, but the past few times I have had them at other establishments, they haven't really been TOO great, just "eh". So naturally, I was a bit skeptical. My parents were with me this day and they had already had them a couple hours before I had arrived and they SWORE by them. I decided to take their word for it and after I ordered my next beer, I asked for the crab cakes. About 10 minutes later, heaven on a plate is brought to me. Two thick crab cakes adorned with arugula and other leafy greens and a very thick remoulade sauce, which resembles a bit like tartar sauce, but trust me, VERY different. I took my first bite and I must say....WOW. The sauce was kick-y, but nothing in the range of spicy or hot. Just an extra boost of flavor. As far as the service goes, the staff is VERY attentive. Our server was a very nice young man who checked up on us quite a bit. The minute we had about two sips of beer left, he was checking up to see if we wanted another drink, and would return in less than a minute. Outstanding. One thing I will say that stood out however, happened when my parents and I left for our next destination. About an hour (AN HOUR) after we had left, I had realized that my parents had forgotten their shopping bag with hundreds of dollars of merchandise at the Terrace. I Googled the telephone number for them, called immediately, and a nice woman answered the phone to tell me that our waiter had noticed it, but not soon enough to flag us down before we entered the elevator to leave. She then told me that I could come pick it up at the hostess stand where our nice waiter had left it. I got into a cab, went back to the Terrace, and they had the bags waiting for me. I was so relieved and I commended them on keeping an eye out. Now, unless money is NO object to you, this isn't one of those "come-here-everyday-for-after-work-drinks" places. It's more of a once a month treat to yourself, your family or your friends type of establishment. Or if you DO happen to be staying at the hotel itself, whether you're from Naperville, Illinois or Napa, Caifornia, you should definitely give this place a visit.
(5)
Colleen F.
In accordance with my new resolution to live life like it's a vacation, I came with my husband to The Terrace at Conrad. As far as atmosphere it doesn't get much better than this. Lounge chairs, couches and the city skyline make for a sexy, urban vibe. I would not consider this a place to eat, so I am not surprised that the food reviews are less than spectacular. This place for me, is the sort of place you go to sip a bright glass of white and soak up the late afternoon rays. I will say that they lose a star for service. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't what it should have been. We also got kicked out at 5:30 which I thought was a little strange. Especially considering they had just started filling up when they threw us all out. I would still go back to this place if I was in the area but I won't be making any special trips.
(3)
Donavin S.
AWFUL bartenders, REALLY high prices! My friend and I ordered Old Fashioneds. We dine out a lot and from our experience, very few bartenders can make a good Old Fashion. So we asked the bartender if he made a purist, traditional version of the cocktail - he said yes. What came back was KOOL AID - too much syrup, a fat ass orange slice... he did not stir it and he forgot the bitters!!! We asked for a little more bourbon to kill the sweetness and make the drinks somewhat palatable. The drinks were so bad, we could not finish them. The check came...The check for those 2 awful drinks was $40 and HE CHARGED US $12 FOR THE EXTRA BOURBON. Hey Conrad, take a page from your friends at Sable and Violet Hour on the recipe for a great Old Fashioned. Never going back!
(1)
Kelly W.
Went here for a work happy hour. Nice spot to be outside and enjoy the summer weather. We had a really great waiter who looked like Robert Pattinson so we called him Edward. Anyway, Edward was great. Three of us, including myself, order the red sangria and something was definitely off about it. Not tasty at all so our waiter happily took them back and got us other drinks. We also ordered some tapas including the chicken dumplings, the ahi tuna, and tomato and mozzarella salad.. all very good. We easily racked up a heafty bill and all had an enjoyable time.. 3 stars it is.
(3)
Jessica B.
It was my birthday, and i wanted to go all out. I decided on The Terrace because it was outdoors, and looked posh. I went to ROOF last year, and was not impressed. I understand they just opened, but come on, the drinks weren't that great and it was all cougars. Other yelpers are right about the atmosphere here, think Miami. If you want to reserve a table/couch, you need a minimum of 10 people, and they wont split the bill. It was for these reasons i said "screw it," I'm just going to show up with my birthday posse and see what happens.. Lucky for us, a group cancelled their reservations last minute, so we got a large couch. It was perfect. I started out with a raspberry champagne drink but then switched to a sort of pear martini after trying my friend's. It was AHHH-Mazing. 5 martini's later, Service was great and attentive. From the minute i walked in the Hotel, the staff was phenomenal. We never had an empty drink in our hand. Host staff was awesome as well. Kudos to the young guy working the door that night. He was super nice all night and he let me bring in a cake my friend baked for me, even though we couldn't eat it without paying $7 a person. Regardless, i came back from the bathroom and my cake was gone. Apparently our server was super awesome and decided that he would snatch it to surprise me by bringing it back with a lit candle so i could be super embarrassed that the whole bar knew it was my birthday... It was a small gesture, but meant a lot. This place is amazing. Perfect place for a few drinks on a summer night. Negative: Closes at midnight! Management- Stay open later! Midnight was way too early to close such a beautiful place! Bonus: They play movies here on Sunday nights... cant wait to check this out soon!
(5)
Fred E.
Went here for our anniversary. I arrived about 4:45pm on Monday and it wasn't crowded. I picked a table by the edge. The table had not been wiped down from the previous customers and there were some spills that had dried and should have been wiped down, even though a waiter and the hostess wiped down several tables around me, they never cleaned mine. I had a martini that was acceptable, but nothing special. I prefer Bombay Sapphire and asked for it, but I'm not sure they didn't substitute. When my wife arrived she had a fresh squeezed lemonade which she said was excellent. Since our table was never cleaned, we stopped with the drinks and decided to dine elsewhere. Some other reviewers mentioned the great views. I was thinking they wouldn't be that great on the fifth floor, and my hunch was right. But I live in a high rise in the city, so maybe my perspective is skewed as to what a good city view is. Won't be back. Good for tourists only.
(2)
Kelly K.
Outside deck is nice on a sunny day. Decent prices for good food.
(4)
Dan M.
We visited this restaurant for lunch due to its outdoor roof location. Therefore, all comments apply only to lunch. However, based on our experience, it is unlikely we'll visit the restaurant again. We ordered three small dishes- the fish taco, the BLT sandwich and corn on the cob. Then we waited... And waited... And waited. Almost an hour. When we arrived there was only one couple sitting, so really, no excuse. When finally the food arrived there was a new revelation- during all this time they forgot to set the table. As for the food itself, only the Corn was OK. The fish taco (the server's "favorite") had absolutely no seasoning. The BLT was sub par compared to several street vendors in Chicago. Although the Corn was the "best" of the three, it had too much cheese. It's a shame, because the roof location has great potential. There where other issues, but I think I have made my point.
(1)
Aurore L.
Really?!? No review for the Terrace? Well it is my pleasure to fix that for you guys then! Seriously - this place is amazing. A nice oasis in the urban jungle of downtown Chicago. So just imagine: you exit the elevator, walk a mere 20 yards and you are totally transported in - let's say - South Beach. I said "imagine". Yes it requires a little bit of good will but you can do it. Come on. Luscious sofas, high chairs and tables, galore of pillows and cushions in cool blues and sunny yellows, DAY BEDS. You read me right. An amazing three-tiered water feature to soothe you and perfect the illusion. Tropical plants. Spectacular city views (with direct access to Nordstrom shoe-paradise - just saying ladies). A fantastic layout that protects you from the wind. Word - I was there on a very breezy Sunday afternoon and had to take off my jacket. You need more?!? Wonderful cocktails, an innovative Haute Teppan menu where you grill your own tapas and Sunday nights "Movies on the Terrace". The love is flowing every day from 11:30 to 11:00 (midnight on weekends) Just run there. I will be waiting nonchalantly waiting for you, laying on my wicker bed, soaking up the sun.
(5)
Jennifer B.
This place is definitely a best-kept secret..... This space is just beautiful. You feel transported. The Terrace at the Conrad rivals roof-top bars anywhere! There are couches and even beds to lay on...kind of reminded me of the cool pools in Las Vegas. So the space is incredible, and the people are very chill. You won't be smashed in between a bunch of people; you'll be able to breath and pretty much always get a seat. The drinks are fabulous, but whoa are they expensive. That is why I took the review down 1 star. It's kind of fun to see how high prices can go (look! $20 for a martini!) but in comparison to prices at similar hotel terraces, the Terrace at the Conrad is the most expensive. But...you get what you pay for, and if paying an extra $5 per drink keeps away the crazies, I guess it's worth it! The Terrace at the Conrad is romantic, so it might be a nice way to end the evening after a date (or begin it???) and it's also a nice place to meet after work.
(4)
nikki s.
Shhhhhh...don't tell too many people about this one! This is definitely one of downtown's hidden gems! So "joie de vivre" and sophisticated. Gotta find more rooftop, open-air dining to bring it down a notch. Me likey the vibe--only for the grown and sexy, though. Had been there before, but just yesterday, celebrated my birthday with a few friends. nothing like some cocktails and some snacks to kick off the evening. Would've danced to the salsa piped in if it weren't so hot. Didn't want to make it to my next destination wilted. In a nutshell.. service - absolutely pleasant and very attentive; everyone leaves the pretense at the door. prices- mid range. think $14 for three sliders. i don't mind paying if it's good food menu- so good! my favorites were the sexxay fries w/truffle oil (just love saying it), the crab and lobster cake sliders, a yummy chocolate bundt cake (happy birthday to me!), gi-normous coconut shrimp that actually had a good flavor and the best sangria i've ever had. view - think sippin' a cocktail at some happenin south beach rooftop--except instead of the oceanview, you're surrounded by the monstrous architecture of downtown chicago. This is a perfect place for after a date, cocktails with the girls...you get my drift.
(5)
Mihir P.
Quite possibly the best roof bar in the city. It is spacious and has elegant "outdoor" furniture. The food is decent as well but is pricey. The staff is polite and the bartenders are social - at least mine was. The only problem I really have with The Terrace is that is closes at midnight. Dang sleeping guests.
(4)
Carolyn B.
Hugely overpriced tapas. Snooty staff. Don't bother - the location doesn't justify the experience
(1)
Steve C.
Had a few after dinner drinks at this place and really enjoyed it. They have some pretty decent views of the city and its a nice area to enjoy the summer weather. Drink selection wasn't great but there was enough to get by.
(3)
Courtney B.
I am hesitant to let anyone know about this place because I'd hate to see it become one of those OTHER places (we won't name names) that has the line to get in and a cover charge. OMG- simply amazing. It is gorgeous first of all! And it really does feel like you are on a friend's patio. The layout lends itself to giving each group a ton of space. And I also liked that there are different areas to choose from- like a table for 4 under an umbrella, a hightop for 2, a couch which is more loungy.... different moods sort of all over. My dirty martini was divine and the presentation of the food was too cute! Each order came out in small bamboo steamers and they were all stacked on top each other. It kept everything we ordered warm and wonderful. I would definitely order the pot stickers again along with the coconut shrimp. I am not sure what the 3 different dipping sauces were exactly, I would have liked to have been told, so be sure to ask- but they were all yummy. The "orange" one was some sort of a chili sauce & tasted great w the steamy stickers. The vibe up there was totally relaxed and chill. Mind you this was a Tuesday at 6pm. But, it's a busy area (attached to Nordstoms) and could potentially be super busy. But it kind of felt like no one knew it was there! Great view, great service. Perfect for a romantic date or meeting up with girls for drinks. To top off our experience we had.... brace yourselves..... FONDUE!! Did you happen to see what my "last meal on earth" was in my profile? That's right! I can't get enough of it's oohey gooey goodness. The usual dippers... strawberries, pretzels, etc but also included were these small pieces of toasted angel food cake (yum!) and dried apricots. Bonus points for adding something new and creative to dip into melted chocolate!! This was truly lovely place and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Pamela L.
We went here one night to grab a drink before dinner. I'd read the reviews and was excited to check it out...I was not disappointed! It was a drizzly night, but the rain had stopped so we thought "what the hell, why not?" There are large umbrellas all over the roof, so we ducked under one of them and were one of only 3 or 4 other tables there. The waiter couldn't have been nicer, and was incredibly helpful. We ordered the french fry appetizer and it was delicious! For a crappy night weather-wise, this place was great. I can't wait to go back on a nicer evening and spend some more time!
(4)
Kaio B.
giving it 4 stars since it was a unique concept and a fun place to hang out. went there on a movie night . dont remember the movie and doubt i watched it :) . Food was good. The service was ok.
(4)
Monica J.
I love me some outdoor patio...esp in Chicago....esp when we actually experience greater than 60s weather. Even after hearing mixed (mostly negative) things about The Terrace, I dared to visit on a Monday night and actually enjoyed myself. The place is pretty fun, with sofas and cabana-like areas--great for larger parties. The food and drink are good but unnecessarily expensive. I would definitely suggest hitting this place up on a weeknight when not crowded. Also, I would opt for a beer instead of one of those pricey mixed drinks... Go, sit, enjoy, relax....that's what this place is good for.
(3)
Jon J.
only down fall the conrad hotel has is the roof top Terrace Bar, the drinks are weak, poorly made, overly expensive, poor service, uncomfortable seating, not really an inviting atmosphere over all
(1)
Nancy K.
My husband and I came here for a post-work cocktail on an early Wednesday evening (5 pm). It was a gorgeous warm summer day and I wanted to have a drink outside. The Terrace is lovely and very sophisticated. It seems to be populated mostly with Conrad guests, who appear to be mostly business travelers and a few well-heeled guests. Cocktails are expensive, as you would imagine. Mine was $18, my husband's was $13. Beers averaged $6-9, which isn't too bad. The views are nice, although this section of Rush St. is one of those "less travelled" streets that commuters tend to use since most tourists are wandering up and down Michigan Ave. or State St. I would not feel comfortable here in shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe nice shorts and a nice button-down shirt, but not a sports t-shirt (e.g. Cubs, Brewers, etc.). I wore a casual summer dress with sandals. We had our one drink and then headed for someplace cheaper. If you're on an expense account and the boss doesn't care what you spend, head here. If the boss does care, have one and then move on. If you get there right around 4:30/5pm, there are plenty of places to sit. I don't know how crowded it gets later in night.
(3)
Saba A.
It's like being in the SoHo area of NYC. Everyone looks like a model and is fashionable and you are treated like Derrick Rose up at the Terrace. Low key, very upscale type of rooftop. For a Saturday afternoon, it was not crowded at all. I was shocked, maybe everyone was at the beach. But an older crowd was enjoying a meal at the bar and a few other people were sippin' down their martini's. Inside the hotel there was a private brunch ceremony going on but either way, nice stop. It's one of Chicago's hidden gems but if you miss it, that's okay. I guess it all depends on the type of environment you are looking for. For me, it was a great cool down to get a drink and enjoy the view.
(3)
Melanie S.
An absolutely lovely place to have a cocktail outside, with a stellar view to boot. It's very "Miami" in its decor: sexy lighting and sofas and beds to sit on. There's a lot of space, so you won't feel cramped, although I was here on a Sunday evening, so maybe it's more crowded on prime evenings. Drink prices are on par with any downtown hotel lounge/bar. Bonus: they show Chicago movies on Sundays so you can sip a mojito (or whatever your fancy) while you recline and watch a film under the city lights. My mojito tasted even better while watching "Risky Business".
(4)
Alyssa C.
Nice little rooftop but no action... Drinks were ok, a bit on the sweet side. Food was good. I guess if you wanted a really quiet place to catch up with someone, this might be the spot. But i would suggest Zed 451 for a better atmosphere with a similar ambiance.
(2)
Tiffany L.
I heard great things about this place, but was slightly underwhelmed. It's a nice space, but since it's just a terrace on the 5th floor, the views are not amazing. The service and drinks were just okay, and of course overpriced, as expected for hotel lounges/bars. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, except for maybe their Sunday night movies. Also, they close early, at midnight, but at least are extremely polite in the way they kick you out. I have been literally shoved out the door of places like moving cattle and that is just not nice.
(3)
Jenny P.
Pretty good breakfast for a hotel! 2nd time here, only because we are staying here. But I would come again.. I ordered lobster roll, kind of bland but the bread and fries were delicious! My husband got the sope & that was so delicious! Must have! Nice and crispy sope with flavorful braised beef! && Good coffee! Good service! Next morning I tried to have something lighter and opted for the parfait & that was really good!! I would come back if I was staying here. But I don't think I would make a trip back if I wasn't staying here.
(3)
Brian S.
Poor customer service. The outdoor seating was relatively empty and we had to go to the bar inside to get drinks. Only one person able to make drinks so that took 10 minutes as well. Won't be back.
(2)
Maxxy C.
This was actually the shopping area. No complaints. Nice ambiance.
(4)
Rebecca M.
I went here on a Thursday night for drinks and had a great time! The Terrace wasn't too crowded and the weather was perfect, so a group of us sat out on the comfy lounge chairs/couches and chatted for an hour or so. Kelsey, our server, was funny and attentive, and always made sure we were good on drinks. And the drinks were good! I'd recommend the peach drink or the Lemon Drop, which were both sweet and refreshing.
Very nice rooftop lounging spot! I decided to stop by on a warm ass Friday afternoon after hearing about how cool this place is. Me and my drinking companion got a seat near one of the ledges in the corner so we could take in some awesome views while drinking. We ordered some strawberry infused cocktail that did not include alcohol, but they added some patron to the drinks for us..It was really good! I then decided to go for a strawberry mojito that included patron instead of rum and it was delicious as well...quite refreshing! As we left we noticed the nice lobby before you go outside. There were people there eating and drinking while enjoying the air conditioned interior. View isn't as good as the Roof @ The Wit or even Vertigo and some other joints nearby but it is really nice.
(4)
Kat D.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a quiet Monday night. We had a livingsocial deal that included 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees. We sat in the restaurant part of the establishment which is a little more intimate. We had the pork belly steamed buns for an appetizer and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend. For entrees we both had the salmon that came with polenta. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the sweetness of the polenta was a nice contrast to the amazing salmon. The service here was top notch! Every staff we encountered was pleasant and seemed genuinely interested in our opinions of the food. I would come back here again with or without a livingsocial deal. I'm looking forward to coming back here in the summer to hang out in their rooftop!
Wish I read reviews before I dined here for breakfast/brunch. Horrible service. Waitress had a bad attitude the entire time. The food was brought out to us at room temp and tasted mediocre at best. Totally overpriced. $19 for chillaquiles? Gross. Like a fellow reviewer said..this place is garbage. Major disappointment for being located in an upscale Hilton venue.
(2)
Alex A.
Very cute location for a quiet date night or drinks with close friends. Decent-sized, airy space with cushioned, wicker lounges and heating lamps scattered throughout. It's on the 5th floor of the Conrad near Nordstrom, so it doesn't have the best views, but it's a cozy outdoor environment for a casual night out (think Epic). It's also nice and quiet, so you can have an actual conversation! The drinks are on the pricey side ($14-18 cocktails), but they are STRONG and the service is great. The staff is extremely friendly and respectful. I only wish the outside area stayed open later.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Terrace was smaller than expected, view less spectacular than anticipated but we still had a good time when going there for a drink with hubby for his bday. Service was good, waiter recommended kale flatbread and he was right: it was very tasty! I recommend this place for a drink or small bite.
(3)
Tom M.
LOUSY service!! After making reservations on Open Table, we arrived and were greeted by the hostess who said we had a table but then gave it away to the next couple who walked in. After another couple was sat, we asked what our status was. The hostess was confused but apologized then sat us. The waitstaff was slow all night...they rarely came to our table and were very slow with food and drink orders. After we left we were contacted by Open Table, who said we no-showed on our reservation. The restaurant refused to acknowledge we were there. This is an expensive restaurant but the staff here act like amateurs. This experience was not worth anything close to the money we spent.
(1)
Darcy W.
I really enjoy this roof top bar. It's wonderful to sit outside on a warm Chicago evening, and it provides inviting seating arrangements. The bartenders are great! Eddie pours a nice glass of wine and makes a mean Manhattan. The food looks good... I may need to try one of these days.
(4)
Saul G.
Tried all three venues, the outdoor terrace, the indoor lobby lounge, and the restaurant at breakfast - all seem to co-exist under the name Terrace. The lobby lounge was very comfortable but could have used more separation from the lobby itself-guests walk past on their way to the rooms. I had a cocktail with blood orange vodka and pomegranate juice, and my wife a quartino of riesling - very generous. So I had another vodka and soda to keep her company. Good service, the waitstaff kept the snack bowl and our water glasses filled. The cocktail was delicious, but a little sweet to make a habit of them. Breakfast was excellent. Good coffee started us off. Egg dishes come with your choice of toast, or breakfast pastry. So I went for the hazlenut donut - light not greasy, while my wife chose the brioche sucree. The missus had the basic poached eggs and sausage. Both were perfectly cooked, the sausages of good size, and excellent flavor. I went for an omelet of chorizo and cheddar - fluffy, nicely rolled and nothing like the egg pancakes the buffet omelet bar chefs make. I was glad the Conrad did not offer a buffet. The outdoor Terrace is welcoming with umbrellas, tables and lounges more typical of a resort than an urban hotel. Service was prompt and friendly. The bloody Mary could have used a bit more seasoning and spice - two olives were the garnish. What is really needed is a small dip pool for the comfort of the guests and as a focal point for the space. Perhaps the architecture did not allow....
(4)
P B.
Very nice place with a phenomenal setting and groove. The staff couldn't have been better. Our first time there wasn't stellar but our second and third where great.
(4)
Deena H.
The food was not bad but it is the view and lounge that really made this an amazing experience. It was a great night to be there. Service was great. Dessert was amazing. It was not crowded which was great for a Friday night. It is a place I hope to throw parties at now.
(5)
Yvonne B.
I don't know where to begin with The Terrace. We would never have known it existed if we weren't shopping at Nordstrom and using my Open Table app to find a nearby restaurant for dinner. The Terrace is inside of the Conrad Hotel. We weren't familiar with the hotel either even though it's right smack dab next to Nordstrom. Reviews were all over the place but mostly revolved around breakfast. There were only 40-something Yelp reviews leading me to believe that this was a new spot (we later learned that it's been around for about 10 years). We didn't know what to expect. There was nobody to greet us when we arrived at the host station. We stood there awkwardly for some minutes while we watched some diners have a seemingly emotionally charged conversation. A lady walked up from behind us, reviewed the menu, and then left. M walked around the host station to the bar area and found an employee. He explained that they operate on a bare-bones staff (we saw only him and the bar tender the entire evening). Fortunately, there was only us, the fighting couple, and a group of folks who were staying at the hotel for some sort of conference or business trip. Eventually the fighters lulled into a sullen silence, ate (also in silence), and then left. The conference people worked on laptops and then also left. M and I were alone in the whole restaurant. The restaurant was decorated in old grandeur (see picture). We could see that the floor and bench along the wall were worn in spots, but still in decent condition. It's been a while since I've seen a restaurant decorated in that traditional fashion. M had two glasses of wine and I had a Hibiscus martini (see picture). All of our libations were delicious. My martini was made with high quality ingredients and was super strong. I liked it; however, I don't recommend it if you dislike the taste of alcohol. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the food. The bread that was brought to our table was small. There were two varieties: a mini Italian loaf and bread that had nuts and raisins in it. The menu was limited and surprising (as in, we didn't expect to see some of the menu items at such a fancy and hidden restaurant). M's Bourbon Chicken & Waffles were AMAZING (see picture). We could taste the sweet bourbon in the chicken and felt as if it was paired perfectly with the savory dark meat chicken and fluffy waffle. My Jibarito was really good as well. It wasn't your usual Puerto Rican jibarito but it did give me heart burn (which is normal for jibaritos). It had pulled chicken seasoned with curry. I appreciated the twist on a jibarito. Our whole dinner (with drinks) came to about $85. We thought that was reasonable. Also, besides the hiccup with being greeted when we arrived, our service was on point. The server was quick, responsive, checked often enough, and friendly. We'll probably go again after our next shopping trip at Nordstrom.
(4)
Steve S.
Great atmosphere. Terrible food. And somehow the service was even worse. Want cold entrees and stale desserts? Then this is the place for you.
(1)
Annie W.
Overpriced and boring food, mediocre drinks, and the inability to split our checks at the end of the meal definitely put a downer on my friend's birthday. So not worth it.
(2)
Riana Elizabeth E.
I've gotten on a ginger beer kick since I've discovered my love of the authentic "Dark & Stormy" (an authentic "Dark & Stormy" is made of Gosling's Dark Rum, Gosling's Ginger Beer, and fresh lime juice or a wedge of lime). What is ginger beer, you ask? It's ginger soda that exemplifies that ginger ale is just a bland, pale, wallflower cousin. Ginger beer...~good~ ginger beer, that is...has sweetness, aroma, character, and that sparking bite showing that real ginger had a had in its making. Now, the ginger beers I've been sampling, just like their misleadingly named ginger ale cousins, are not alcoholic. The rum is what gives the Dark & Stormy its potency. So imagine my surprise when I get to the Terrace and see on the menu, "Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer"! I'm in. I ordered the drink straight just to get a feel for it, though our server, Abel, said they could make a double-potency Dark & Stormy for me. He also recommended a drink made of half Crabbie's and half of their hard apple cider. I may have to try that on my next visit. The Crabbie's was a lot more subtle than I expected. Yes, there was the ginger bite, but the flavor was sweeter and blended more to a mellow feel. It did not taste alcoholic AT ALL. These could be dangerous. Atmosphere: Fantastic. Great place to hang and chat with friends, especially if you can get one of the oh, so comfortable center couches. The outside terrace was spacious and, though they weren't needed on our visit, I saw several heat lamps that could be utilized at the corner of the roof. Service: Abel was friendly and handy whenever we had questions. Food & Drink: The appetizers were pricey, but it's a rooftop bar in Chicago (What do you expect?), and the drink prices weren't exorbitant. I liked the fact that the craft beer menu listed the locales that the beers hailed from, but it only listed for some of the beers? We ordered the cheese plate, lobster roll, and potstickers - all were good, but portion sizes could have been larger & there was nothing outstanding that grabbed us.
(4)
Ashley W.
Okay, first things first, this is my very first time writing a Yelp review so that should tell you how disappointed I was with my experience here. I went here for my surprise birthday party about a few weeks ago. We were a party of about 15 people on a Friday night. Any of you that have been here know that it is a pretty pricey restaurant. With that being said, you would think that when a party of 15 people come for dinner and drinks you would be pretty attentive because you know that you'll be making the majority of your money from that group. There were about 4 other occupied tables, it was not busy at all. The entire night we experienced TERRIBLE service. Our waiter would come and take our order for drinks and food and would come back 15 minutes later with only 2 drinks when 5 people ordered drinks. Then when the 3 other people asked if their drinks were on the way he would rudely say "YES!" The hostess had a terrible attitude the whole night. At one point she literally "shooed" my grandma and rolled her eyes at her because she didn't move out of the way fast enough. I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in my life. The food was okay, I would recommend the mac and cheese. The drinks were tasty but not strong at all. All in all, its safe to say me and my guests will NEVER go back to The Terrace at Conrad again.
(2)
Tamer A.
Food was really good, four stars. Service and view made it five. View is not a Signature Room style birdview. Rather, you feel you are in the midst of the concrete jungle-quite nice, actually. Different, delicious take on southern food. Shrimp and grits were delicious, so were chicken and waffles. Deviled egg just okay. Burger was good (but not Medium as I ordered), and Catfish tacos were darn diddly-icious. Staff was wonderful. Thinking about throwing a private party there. It rained lightly, and they spread their huge umbrellas fairly quickly. I liked that it was not too crowded with people more worried about who is looking at them than about having a good time. Yes, I am looking at YOU, ZED451, and many other rooftops.
(5)
Michael N.
I went here on a beautiful evening; there was a slight breeze winding its way through the buildings and the high rise windows shone brightly from the suns golden rays.....then I saw the drink prices. I don't know why, but beer just tastes better when its price has been tripled. You know your credit card is in for a long night when the menu doesn't have dollar signs by the prices. Beautiful views, modern-chic furniture, and a very friendly wait staff. I will definitely be back, probably on pay day.
(4)
AV G.
We have an industry organization that hosts summer networking receptions at all the rooftop venues around town. The price at this place was about 33.33% more than other have charged--not really on par with the others (best was Zed for food, best was the Wit for the scene and view, best over all is Trump 16) Unless you are a hotel guest, i would not bother
(2)
Yuna D.
Definitely paying for the ambience, but I thought it was definitely worth it. I can't comment on the food because I didn't eat here but the mixed drinks here are nice! I can understand why service is slow; the place was very busy when I went (near dinnertime). However, I thought the people who worked there were super friendly and apologetic towards my friend and they were also very welcoming when I told them I was from out of town. Great experience, would love to come here again.
(4)
Bj C.
This place is a joke. Great view but nothing else. Service is extremely slow. Drinks take forever to get. Food, even longer. Plan to spend 4 hours getting a simple dinner. They include gratuity despite the slow service. They claim to not split a bill more than 4 ways, but complain enough they will. Lastly, they claim not to validate parking unless you are a hotel guest. If your looking for a gorgeous view of the city, there are plenty better places to go with much better service and food.
(1)
Nelson M.
Restaurant Review Romantic, fine dining, and excellent service! This is close to a 4 star restaurant unfortunately there were a couple of things that knocked it down one level. I went here for Valentine's day with my wife for the pre-fixe menu of $50 dollars w/ champagne or $45 without. Luckily not too many people know about this restaurant and reservations were still available for 6 pm. This restaurant has great ambiance for romantic dates, with dimmed lights and very attentive wait staff. They were super accomodating with the pre-fixe menu with adjusting the salad to the house salad as my wife could not eat goat cheese. Now on to the food: Complimentary bread basket- always great Champagne- normal 12 dollars a glass, it was not too dry and had the perfect balance of sweetness Shrimp bisque- this was heavenly, not salty at all with healthy chunks of tender shrimp bits Parmesan crisp with goat cheese mousse, mache and truffle honey- this was another stellar offering that doesn't quite resemble a salad however the pungeness of the parmesan crisp with the light mousse of goat cheese and sweatness of the honey created a unbelievable combination of flavors. Grilled filet mignon with shipped yukon potatoes and french beans- top grade filet comparable to any other in chicago. The meat was so tender that it felt like you were slicing through butter with your knife. The only detraction was a slight burnt taste to my medium rare filet which is likely from the grill marks that tasted a bit off Pastry "fondue"- this was a big let down at the end of the meal. This is clearly not a fondue, but rather a plate of marshmallows, pineapple, short cake, and strawberries dipped into a iron casket of chocolate sauce. Someone how the chocolate was not fondue "quality" and reminiscent of hersey syrup and the offering of pastries/fruit was weak. A FEW ISSUES 1. No one answers the phones- they called ahead of time to "verify" my reservation from open table and after calling back multiple times and leaving a message to confirm no one ever got back with me 2. Fondue dessert- terrible idea as this is not really a "fondue" that you would expect with a fire keep the chocolate hot. Also it was a rather weak end to the valentine's menu 3. Odd burnt taste to the beef, excellent fillet but somehow there was something wrong that day with the grill Pro- fine dining, great wait staff that was accommodating, grade A filet quality, romantic dining Con- the above issues, answer or return the calls of your patrons. Revamp the dessert option next year for valentine's Hidden deal- Keep your eyes peeled for special prefixe menus which are creative and delicious for a set price. Also in the summer time there is a Terrance rooftop bar as well for great drinks and a view of the city!
(3)
Andre W.
Very nice rooftop lounging spot! I decided to stop by on a warm ass Friday afternoon after hearing about how cool this place is. Me and my drinking companion got a seat near one of the ledges in the corner so we could take in some awesome views while drinking. We ordered some strawberry infused cocktail that did not include alcohol, but they added some patron to the drinks for us..It was really good! I then decided to go for a strawberry mojito that included patron instead of rum and it was delicious as well...quite refreshing! As we left we noticed the nice lobby before you go outside. There were people there eating and drinking while enjoying the air conditioned interior. View isn't as good as the Roof @ The Wit or even Vertigo and some other joints nearby but it is really nice.
(4)
Kat D.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a quiet Monday night. We had a livingsocial deal that included 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees. We sat in the restaurant part of the establishment which is a little more intimate. We had the pork belly steamed buns for an appetizer and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend. For entrees we both had the salmon that came with polenta. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the sweetness of the polenta was a nice contrast to the amazing salmon. The service here was top notch! Every staff we encountered was pleasant and seemed genuinely interested in our opinions of the food. I would come back here again with or without a livingsocial deal. I'm looking forward to coming back here in the summer to hang out in their rooftop!
Wish I read reviews before I dined here for breakfast/brunch. Horrible service. Waitress had a bad attitude the entire time. The food was brought out to us at room temp and tasted mediocre at best. Totally overpriced. $19 for chillaquiles? Gross. Like a fellow reviewer said..this place is garbage. Major disappointment for being located in an upscale Hilton venue.
(2)
Alex A.
Very cute location for a quiet date night or drinks with close friends. Decent-sized, airy space with cushioned, wicker lounges and heating lamps scattered throughout. It's on the 5th floor of the Conrad near Nordstrom, so it doesn't have the best views, but it's a cozy outdoor environment for a casual night out (think Epic). It's also nice and quiet, so you can have an actual conversation! The drinks are on the pricey side ($14-18 cocktails), but they are STRONG and the service is great. The staff is extremely friendly and respectful. I only wish the outside area stayed open later.
(4)
nicole h.
Wow. Impressive! Posh! Where are we--Miami?! Vegas?! You go here for the scene. When I went it was the highlight of a bachelorette party. Not a penis-straw bachelorette party, but a Sex and the City sort of bachelorette party. And this was the perfect spot for just that sort of thing. If it's a gorgeous night, dress the part. Lounge on the rooftop sofa sipping champagne while roasting your own orange infused marshmallows for your super fancy (ahem--overpriced) s'mores. You're paying for the experience. Memories are made on The Terrace. Your bank account will likely feel the pinch but, again, you're making memories...
(4)
Saba A.
It's like being in the SoHo area of NYC. Everyone looks like a model and is fashionable and you are treated like Derrick Rose up at the Terrace. Low key, very upscale type of rooftop. For a Saturday afternoon, it was not crowded at all. I was shocked, maybe everyone was at the beach. But an older crowd was enjoying a meal at the bar and a few other people were sippin' down their martini's. Inside the hotel there was a private brunch ceremony going on but either way, nice stop. It's one of Chicago's hidden gems but if you miss it, that's okay. I guess it all depends on the type of environment you are looking for. For me, it was a great cool down to get a drink and enjoy the view.
(3)
Melanie S.
An absolutely lovely place to have a cocktail outside, with a stellar view to boot. It's very "Miami" in its decor: sexy lighting and sofas and beds to sit on. There's a lot of space, so you won't feel cramped, although I was here on a Sunday evening, so maybe it's more crowded on prime evenings. Drink prices are on par with any downtown hotel lounge/bar. Bonus: they show Chicago movies on Sundays so you can sip a mojito (or whatever your fancy) while you recline and watch a film under the city lights. My mojito tasted even better while watching "Risky Business".
(4)
Fred E.
Went here for our anniversary. I arrived about 4:45pm on Monday and it wasn't crowded. I picked a table by the edge. The table had not been wiped down from the previous customers and there were some spills that had dried and should have been wiped down, even though a waiter and the hostess wiped down several tables around me, they never cleaned mine. I had a martini that was acceptable, but nothing special. I prefer Bombay Sapphire and asked for it, but I'm not sure they didn't substitute. When my wife arrived she had a fresh squeezed lemonade which she said was excellent. Since our table was never cleaned, we stopped with the drinks and decided to dine elsewhere. Some other reviewers mentioned the great views. I was thinking they wouldn't be that great on the fifth floor, and my hunch was right. But I live in a high rise in the city, so maybe my perspective is skewed as to what a good city view is. Won't be back. Good for tourists only.
(2)
Kelly K.
Outside deck is nice on a sunny day. Decent prices for good food.
(4)
Dan M.
We visited this restaurant for lunch due to its outdoor roof location. Therefore, all comments apply only to lunch. However, based on our experience, it is unlikely we'll visit the restaurant again. We ordered three small dishes- the fish taco, the BLT sandwich and corn on the cob. Then we waited... And waited... And waited. Almost an hour. When we arrived there was only one couple sitting, so really, no excuse. When finally the food arrived there was a new revelation- during all this time they forgot to set the table. As for the food itself, only the Corn was OK. The fish taco (the server's "favorite") had absolutely no seasoning. The BLT was sub par compared to several street vendors in Chicago. Although the Corn was the "best" of the three, it had too much cheese. It's a shame, because the roof location has great potential. There where other issues, but I think I have made my point.
(1)
Aurore L.
Really?!? No review for the Terrace? Well it is my pleasure to fix that for you guys then! Seriously - this place is amazing. A nice oasis in the urban jungle of downtown Chicago. So just imagine: you exit the elevator, walk a mere 20 yards and you are totally transported in - let's say - South Beach. I said "imagine". Yes it requires a little bit of good will but you can do it. Come on. Luscious sofas, high chairs and tables, galore of pillows and cushions in cool blues and sunny yellows, DAY BEDS. You read me right. An amazing three-tiered water feature to soothe you and perfect the illusion. Tropical plants. Spectacular city views (with direct access to Nordstrom shoe-paradise - just saying ladies). A fantastic layout that protects you from the wind. Word - I was there on a very breezy Sunday afternoon and had to take off my jacket. You need more?!? Wonderful cocktails, an innovative Haute Teppan menu where you grill your own tapas and Sunday nights "Movies on the Terrace". The love is flowing every day from 11:30 to 11:00 (midnight on weekends) Just run there. I will be waiting nonchalantly waiting for you, laying on my wicker bed, soaking up the sun.
(5)
Brooke O.
The views here are spectacular! I went on a week night with a couple girlfriends and it was surprisingly not very busy even though the weather was perfect for an evening on the rooftop. We ordered about 5 small plates including sushi, and a few salads. All of the food was wonderful. The reason for 1 less star is the price. We each had a couple glasses of wine and the small plates and our bill was BIG. I may go back for the view but will stick to one drink and eat elsewhere so that my wallet is happier with me =)
(4)
Nancy K.
My husband and I came here for a post-work cocktail on an early Wednesday evening (5 pm). It was a gorgeous warm summer day and I wanted to have a drink outside. The Terrace is lovely and very sophisticated. It seems to be populated mostly with Conrad guests, who appear to be mostly business travelers and a few well-heeled guests. Cocktails are expensive, as you would imagine. Mine was $18, my husband's was $13. Beers averaged $6-9, which isn't too bad. The views are nice, although this section of Rush St. is one of those "less travelled" streets that commuters tend to use since most tourists are wandering up and down Michigan Ave. or State St. I would not feel comfortable here in shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe nice shorts and a nice button-down shirt, but not a sports t-shirt (e.g. Cubs, Brewers, etc.). I wore a casual summer dress with sandals. We had our one drink and then headed for someplace cheaper. If you're on an expense account and the boss doesn't care what you spend, head here. If the boss does care, have one and then move on. If you get there right around 4:30/5pm, there are plenty of places to sit. I don't know how crowded it gets later in night.
(3)
Jenny P.
Pretty good breakfast for a hotel! 2nd time here, only because we are staying here. But I would come again.. I ordered lobster roll, kind of bland but the bread and fries were delicious! My husband got the sope & that was so delicious! Must have! Nice and crispy sope with flavorful braised beef! && Good coffee! Good service! Next morning I tried to have something lighter and opted for the parfait & that was really good!! I would come back if I was staying here. But I don't think I would make a trip back if I wasn't staying here.
(3)
Brian S.
Poor customer service. The outdoor seating was relatively empty and we had to go to the bar inside to get drinks. Only one person able to make drinks so that took 10 minutes as well. Won't be back.
(2)
Maxxy C.
This was actually the shopping area. No complaints. Nice ambiance.
(4)
Rebecca M.
I went here on a Thursday night for drinks and had a great time! The Terrace wasn't too crowded and the weather was perfect, so a group of us sat out on the comfy lounge chairs/couches and chatted for an hour or so. Kelsey, our server, was funny and attentive, and always made sure we were good on drinks. And the drinks were good! I'd recommend the peach drink or the Lemon Drop, which were both sweet and refreshing.
Terrace was smaller than expected, view less spectacular than anticipated but we still had a good time when going there for a drink with hubby for his bday. Service was good, waiter recommended kale flatbread and he was right: it was very tasty! I recommend this place for a drink or small bite.
(3)
Tom M.
LOUSY service!! After making reservations on Open Table, we arrived and were greeted by the hostess who said we had a table but then gave it away to the next couple who walked in. After another couple was sat, we asked what our status was. The hostess was confused but apologized then sat us. The waitstaff was slow all night...they rarely came to our table and were very slow with food and drink orders. After we left we were contacted by Open Table, who said we no-showed on our reservation. The restaurant refused to acknowledge we were there. This is an expensive restaurant but the staff here act like amateurs. This experience was not worth anything close to the money we spent.
(1)
Darcy W.
I really enjoy this roof top bar. It's wonderful to sit outside on a warm Chicago evening, and it provides inviting seating arrangements. The bartenders are great! Eddie pours a nice glass of wine and makes a mean Manhattan. The food looks good... I may need to try one of these days.
(4)
Saul G.
Tried all three venues, the outdoor terrace, the indoor lobby lounge, and the restaurant at breakfast - all seem to co-exist under the name Terrace. The lobby lounge was very comfortable but could have used more separation from the lobby itself-guests walk past on their way to the rooms. I had a cocktail with blood orange vodka and pomegranate juice, and my wife a quartino of riesling - very generous. So I had another vodka and soda to keep her company. Good service, the waitstaff kept the snack bowl and our water glasses filled. The cocktail was delicious, but a little sweet to make a habit of them. Breakfast was excellent. Good coffee started us off. Egg dishes come with your choice of toast, or breakfast pastry. So I went for the hazlenut donut - light not greasy, while my wife chose the brioche sucree. The missus had the basic poached eggs and sausage. Both were perfectly cooked, the sausages of good size, and excellent flavor. I went for an omelet of chorizo and cheddar - fluffy, nicely rolled and nothing like the egg pancakes the buffet omelet bar chefs make. I was glad the Conrad did not offer a buffet. The outdoor Terrace is welcoming with umbrellas, tables and lounges more typical of a resort than an urban hotel. Service was prompt and friendly. The bloody Mary could have used a bit more seasoning and spice - two olives were the garnish. What is really needed is a small dip pool for the comfort of the guests and as a focal point for the space. Perhaps the architecture did not allow....
(4)
P B.
Very nice place with a phenomenal setting and groove. The staff couldn't have been better. Our first time there wasn't stellar but our second and third where great.
(4)
Deena H.
The food was not bad but it is the view and lounge that really made this an amazing experience. It was a great night to be there. Service was great. Dessert was amazing. It was not crowded which was great for a Friday night. It is a place I hope to throw parties at now.
(5)
Yvonne B.
I don't know where to begin with The Terrace. We would never have known it existed if we weren't shopping at Nordstrom and using my Open Table app to find a nearby restaurant for dinner. The Terrace is inside of the Conrad Hotel. We weren't familiar with the hotel either even though it's right smack dab next to Nordstrom. Reviews were all over the place but mostly revolved around breakfast. There were only 40-something Yelp reviews leading me to believe that this was a new spot (we later learned that it's been around for about 10 years). We didn't know what to expect. There was nobody to greet us when we arrived at the host station. We stood there awkwardly for some minutes while we watched some diners have a seemingly emotionally charged conversation. A lady walked up from behind us, reviewed the menu, and then left. M walked around the host station to the bar area and found an employee. He explained that they operate on a bare-bones staff (we saw only him and the bar tender the entire evening). Fortunately, there was only us, the fighting couple, and a group of folks who were staying at the hotel for some sort of conference or business trip. Eventually the fighters lulled into a sullen silence, ate (also in silence), and then left. The conference people worked on laptops and then also left. M and I were alone in the whole restaurant. The restaurant was decorated in old grandeur (see picture). We could see that the floor and bench along the wall were worn in spots, but still in decent condition. It's been a while since I've seen a restaurant decorated in that traditional fashion. M had two glasses of wine and I had a Hibiscus martini (see picture). All of our libations were delicious. My martini was made with high quality ingredients and was super strong. I liked it; however, I don't recommend it if you dislike the taste of alcohol. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the food. The bread that was brought to our table was small. There were two varieties: a mini Italian loaf and bread that had nuts and raisins in it. The menu was limited and surprising (as in, we didn't expect to see some of the menu items at such a fancy and hidden restaurant). M's Bourbon Chicken & Waffles were AMAZING (see picture). We could taste the sweet bourbon in the chicken and felt as if it was paired perfectly with the savory dark meat chicken and fluffy waffle. My Jibarito was really good as well. It wasn't your usual Puerto Rican jibarito but it did give me heart burn (which is normal for jibaritos). It had pulled chicken seasoned with curry. I appreciated the twist on a jibarito. Our whole dinner (with drinks) came to about $85. We thought that was reasonable. Also, besides the hiccup with being greeted when we arrived, our service was on point. The server was quick, responsive, checked often enough, and friendly. We'll probably go again after our next shopping trip at Nordstrom.
(4)
Steve S.
Great atmosphere. Terrible food. And somehow the service was even worse. Want cold entrees and stale desserts? Then this is the place for you.
(1)
Annie W.
Overpriced and boring food, mediocre drinks, and the inability to split our checks at the end of the meal definitely put a downer on my friend's birthday. So not worth it.
(2)
Riana Elizabeth E.
I've gotten on a ginger beer kick since I've discovered my love of the authentic "Dark & Stormy" (an authentic "Dark & Stormy" is made of Gosling's Dark Rum, Gosling's Ginger Beer, and fresh lime juice or a wedge of lime). What is ginger beer, you ask? It's ginger soda that exemplifies that ginger ale is just a bland, pale, wallflower cousin. Ginger beer...~good~ ginger beer, that is...has sweetness, aroma, character, and that sparking bite showing that real ginger had a had in its making. Now, the ginger beers I've been sampling, just like their misleadingly named ginger ale cousins, are not alcoholic. The rum is what gives the Dark & Stormy its potency. So imagine my surprise when I get to the Terrace and see on the menu, "Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer"! I'm in. I ordered the drink straight just to get a feel for it, though our server, Abel, said they could make a double-potency Dark & Stormy for me. He also recommended a drink made of half Crabbie's and half of their hard apple cider. I may have to try that on my next visit. The Crabbie's was a lot more subtle than I expected. Yes, there was the ginger bite, but the flavor was sweeter and blended more to a mellow feel. It did not taste alcoholic AT ALL. These could be dangerous. Atmosphere: Fantastic. Great place to hang and chat with friends, especially if you can get one of the oh, so comfortable center couches. The outside terrace was spacious and, though they weren't needed on our visit, I saw several heat lamps that could be utilized at the corner of the roof. Service: Abel was friendly and handy whenever we had questions. Food & Drink: The appetizers were pricey, but it's a rooftop bar in Chicago (What do you expect?), and the drink prices weren't exorbitant. I liked the fact that the craft beer menu listed the locales that the beers hailed from, but it only listed for some of the beers? We ordered the cheese plate, lobster roll, and potstickers - all were good, but portion sizes could have been larger & there was nothing outstanding that grabbed us.
(4)
Ashley W.
Okay, first things first, this is my very first time writing a Yelp review so that should tell you how disappointed I was with my experience here. I went here for my surprise birthday party about a few weeks ago. We were a party of about 15 people on a Friday night. Any of you that have been here know that it is a pretty pricey restaurant. With that being said, you would think that when a party of 15 people come for dinner and drinks you would be pretty attentive because you know that you'll be making the majority of your money from that group. There were about 4 other occupied tables, it was not busy at all. The entire night we experienced TERRIBLE service. Our waiter would come and take our order for drinks and food and would come back 15 minutes later with only 2 drinks when 5 people ordered drinks. Then when the 3 other people asked if their drinks were on the way he would rudely say "YES!" The hostess had a terrible attitude the whole night. At one point she literally "shooed" my grandma and rolled her eyes at her because she didn't move out of the way fast enough. I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in my life. The food was okay, I would recommend the mac and cheese. The drinks were tasty but not strong at all. All in all, its safe to say me and my guests will NEVER go back to The Terrace at Conrad again.
(2)
Tamer A.
Food was really good, four stars. Service and view made it five. View is not a Signature Room style birdview. Rather, you feel you are in the midst of the concrete jungle-quite nice, actually. Different, delicious take on southern food. Shrimp and grits were delicious, so were chicken and waffles. Deviled egg just okay. Burger was good (but not Medium as I ordered), and Catfish tacos were darn diddly-icious. Staff was wonderful. Thinking about throwing a private party there. It rained lightly, and they spread their huge umbrellas fairly quickly. I liked that it was not too crowded with people more worried about who is looking at them than about having a good time. Yes, I am looking at YOU, ZED451, and many other rooftops.
(5)
Michael N.
I went here on a beautiful evening; there was a slight breeze winding its way through the buildings and the high rise windows shone brightly from the suns golden rays.....then I saw the drink prices. I don't know why, but beer just tastes better when its price has been tripled. You know your credit card is in for a long night when the menu doesn't have dollar signs by the prices. Beautiful views, modern-chic furniture, and a very friendly wait staff. I will definitely be back, probably on pay day.
(4)
AV G.
We have an industry organization that hosts summer networking receptions at all the rooftop venues around town. The price at this place was about 33.33% more than other have charged--not really on par with the others (best was Zed for food, best was the Wit for the scene and view, best over all is Trump 16) Unless you are a hotel guest, i would not bother
(2)
Yuna D.
Definitely paying for the ambience, but I thought it was definitely worth it. I can't comment on the food because I didn't eat here but the mixed drinks here are nice! I can understand why service is slow; the place was very busy when I went (near dinnertime). However, I thought the people who worked there were super friendly and apologetic towards my friend and they were also very welcoming when I told them I was from out of town. Great experience, would love to come here again.
(4)
Bj C.
This place is a joke. Great view but nothing else. Service is extremely slow. Drinks take forever to get. Food, even longer. Plan to spend 4 hours getting a simple dinner. They include gratuity despite the slow service. They claim to not split a bill more than 4 ways, but complain enough they will. Lastly, they claim not to validate parking unless you are a hotel guest. If your looking for a gorgeous view of the city, there are plenty better places to go with much better service and food.
(1)
Tiffany L.
I heard great things about this place, but was slightly underwhelmed. It's a nice space, but since it's just a terrace on the 5th floor, the views are not amazing. The service and drinks were just okay, and of course overpriced, as expected for hotel lounges/bars. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, except for maybe their Sunday night movies. Also, they close early, at midnight, but at least are extremely polite in the way they kick you out. I have been literally shoved out the door of places like moving cattle and that is just not nice.
(3)
Nelson M.
Restaurant Review Romantic, fine dining, and excellent service! This is close to a 4 star restaurant unfortunately there were a couple of things that knocked it down one level. I went here for Valentine's day with my wife for the pre-fixe menu of $50 dollars w/ champagne or $45 without. Luckily not too many people know about this restaurant and reservations were still available for 6 pm. This restaurant has great ambiance for romantic dates, with dimmed lights and very attentive wait staff. They were super accomodating with the pre-fixe menu with adjusting the salad to the house salad as my wife could not eat goat cheese. Now on to the food: Complimentary bread basket- always great Champagne- normal 12 dollars a glass, it was not too dry and had the perfect balance of sweetness Shrimp bisque- this was heavenly, not salty at all with healthy chunks of tender shrimp bits Parmesan crisp with goat cheese mousse, mache and truffle honey- this was another stellar offering that doesn't quite resemble a salad however the pungeness of the parmesan crisp with the light mousse of goat cheese and sweatness of the honey created a unbelievable combination of flavors. Grilled filet mignon with shipped yukon potatoes and french beans- top grade filet comparable to any other in chicago. The meat was so tender that it felt like you were slicing through butter with your knife. The only detraction was a slight burnt taste to my medium rare filet which is likely from the grill marks that tasted a bit off Pastry "fondue"- this was a big let down at the end of the meal. This is clearly not a fondue, but rather a plate of marshmallows, pineapple, short cake, and strawberries dipped into a iron casket of chocolate sauce. Someone how the chocolate was not fondue "quality" and reminiscent of hersey syrup and the offering of pastries/fruit was weak. A FEW ISSUES 1. No one answers the phones- they called ahead of time to "verify" my reservation from open table and after calling back multiple times and leaving a message to confirm no one ever got back with me 2. Fondue dessert- terrible idea as this is not really a "fondue" that you would expect with a fire keep the chocolate hot. Also it was a rather weak end to the valentine's menu 3. Odd burnt taste to the beef, excellent fillet but somehow there was something wrong that day with the grill Pro- fine dining, great wait staff that was accommodating, grade A filet quality, romantic dining Con- the above issues, answer or return the calls of your patrons. Revamp the dessert option next year for valentine's Hidden deal- Keep your eyes peeled for special prefixe menus which are creative and delicious for a set price. Also in the summer time there is a Terrance rooftop bar as well for great drinks and a view of the city!
(3)
Brett F.
5 stars for lovely atmosphere + 4 stars for solid eye candy efforts + 3 stars for totally mediocre food + 2 stars for weaksauce service + 0 stars for poor, inept management = ___________________________________ 2 total stars for The Terrace at Conrad Eh. It was a bit of a let down. I love some fabulous outdoor loungin', eatin' and drinkin' more than the next guy... but when charging these kinds of prices (ahem, $14-18 glasses of tempranillo) you must bring it wholeheartedly with the service, and simply, the folks at the Conrad do NOT. A post-work meet up here started off fine enough... the vibe here is to-die-for!! Umbrellas, day beds, terracotta tile floor, trickling fountains, gorgeous people.... can you say "Welcome to Miami" in your best latina accent? This is the perfect setting for a romantic date or group outing, the energy is sexy and electric. Unfortunately, that's about all The Terrace will offer. Our food was boring; the haute teppan (a grill-it-yourself en table dish) that proved to be meager in portion while overbearing in size was both cumbersome and tasteless. The "grill" took up most of our table top leaving us with no choice but to put sauces and accompaniments on our lap or - gasp - on the floor. Ew. Follow up dishes of coconut shrimp (weird aftertaste) and grilled spicy wings (undercooked) were left almost untouched and were a total waste of $30 for some of priciest apps around - ouch! The Terrace staff seriously lacks in efficiently and expediency - no bussers mean that your waitress is guaranteed to be sufficiently overwhelmed and dirty plates are left sitting - and stinking - in front of you while water glasses chirp empty yearning to be filled. The piece de resistance though came from the manager who approached our table at the end of the evening asking 'how everything was'? When we told her not so good and explained a few of our disappointments she just nodded, smiled and walked away looking totally vacant. WTF was that? Why ask if you don't plan to make things right or, at a minimum, offer some constructive feedback? Grrr! $107 later I had managed to consume 3 glasses of retail priced wine, 1 raw chicken drumstick, 1/2 a coconut shrimp and a few chicken strips with hummus from the gargantuan teppan thing all the while dying for a glass of water. If this is what Miami life is really like, I think I'm content sticking to the Midwest. The Terrace... good for cocktails and atmosphere... Bad for everything else.
(2)
Natalie C.
TERRIBLE. The only thing positive this place has going for it is the semi decent view. Service was slow and unfriendly. A service charge was included for our party of 8 so it was apparent that there was no motivation to provide efficient service, at all. The waiter said he couldn't split our check more than 3 ways, but after a little debate he was magically able to do 4. Food was small, overpriced and took forever. Front desk would not validate or discount parking for non hotel guests and they were rude about it. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Plenty of other places with better service and views of the city. So disappointed!
(1)
Alyssa C.
Nice little rooftop but no action... Drinks were ok, a bit on the sweet side. Food was good. I guess if you wanted a really quiet place to catch up with someone, this might be the spot. But i would suggest Zed 451 for a better atmosphere with a similar ambiance.
(2)
Erica W.
My friend's coworker recommended this place, so three of us decided to check it out for happy hour. We were surprised that such a pretty rooftop in such a prime location wasn't slammed on a beautiful night. The usual girls night protocol is a couple drinks and a few appetizers to share. At most places, we're stuffed with two or three apps. But here, although they were all quite tasty (particularly the truffle mac n cheese and lobster corn dogs), we had to order a fourth appetizer and a dessert to call it a meal since the portions were pretty small. The two main downfalls are the prices and the service. $14-$16 for a cocktail is pretty spendy, even for downtown Chicago, and all of the apps were in the $15-$20 range. It seemed like our server was also bartending, so we had to flag her down multiple times and have the food runner get her for us so we could order another round. This space definitely has potential, but for now it's just your standard hotel rooftop.
(3)
Edy R.
Good: This place has a nice ambiance and a beautiful view. SO much potential! Plus for a terrace in the city, easy enough to find seats. Bad: The food wasn't bad but ridiculously overpriced as hotels do. The service tho was by the far the slowest and worst both times I went. Especially since the place wasn't packed. If it wasn't for the outdoor movie played on Sunday nights I would have given this one less star. A pricey evening for some weak drinks.
(3)
Andrea H.
I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars on this one. My friend saw an ad for the Movies on the Terrace and we decided it would be the perfect setting for a girls' night out. Let's start with the atmosphere. It is a really nice patio. I was thinking it would have a few more beds and areas to lounge rather than tables, but I guess beds aren't very conducive to eating so probably for the best. I'm sure the umbrellas come in handy during the day, but I kept thinking that we should put ours down so we could enjoy the evening skyline. I guess we probably could have asked...and probably should have. Drinks. My champagne cocktail got an A for effort, but a C for execution. I think they made the same mistake that I've made in the past and stirred it. Pretty sure it fizzed over and they topped it off with champagne. It was ok, but not great for $15. They did have a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, though, and I enjoyed a few of them. Food. Contrary to the drinks, the food is actually pretty reasonably priced. Four of us decided to try the Mexicana Teppan and the Trilogy appetizer selection: coconut shrimp, calamari and steamed won tons. The calamari and won tons were tasty, but that coconut shrimp was delicious. Not at all greasy, but crisp and flavorful. The teppan came with several toppings and all in all was very good. I will definitely take the advice of the server and split it with no more than 2 people next time. As it was, I only had one shrimp, one strip of beef and one piece of chicken. Now, to the movie part, kind of hilarious. The movie had constant problems with the sound. It cut out throughout the whole showing and the DVD even stopped completely towards the end of the movie. The servers were basically positioned by the system trying to fix it all night. Add that to the fact that the screen kept blowing over (even though it was not even the slightest bit windy) and you've got some good laughs (probably more funny because of all the drinks). Seriously, my friend was in the middle of ordering when our server took off running to save the screen. Awesome. Three of us at the table run events and work quite frequently with hotels. We all know that there are usually AV people in house. My question is why couldn't they have a tech there to save the poor servers from having to deal with this? We were also thinking that they might be better off with a spandex screen or a pull down attached to one of the windows. The fast fold doesn't work so well outdoors, especially if it's windy. So they have a few kinks to work out. A-OK for now, but I'd definitely give it another shot. The service is friendly, food is good, and their heart is in the right place. Props to the Conrad for doing something like this. I wish some of the other hotels I stay in would do something similar.
(3)
Carolyn L.
I like the crowd and the overall location of this place. However, if you're looking for a great view, there are lots of other places you can go to in Chicago. Not only that, but a pitcher of margaritas/mojitos here costs $50. That's beyond ridiculous, if you ask me. I guess it's about the same as what you'd pay elsewhere, but it didn't feel like it had enough alcohol to merit those prices. Anyway, good location but I'd rather go somewhere else to pay those kind of prices.
(3)
Tita P.
Beautiful Summer day in Chicago....Check Out with some fab ladies....Check Beautiful view....Check MARTINI FLIGHTS....Check Check CHECKKKK!! What more can I say?
(4)
Saira K.
My most beautiful memory of Chicago - a summer night with my lovely girlfriends - laughing, joking, flirting with the guys. :) And cooking. We grilled meats and seafood and laughed over drinks. Gorgeous place.
(5)
Christopher K.
Oh boy. Nice view above the city, but it was a terrible service management experience. On a slow night, they managed to take forever with the order -- the server was embarrassed, and he and the manager were comping us drinks and appetizers while other people on in the place came and left having eaten. The rib nachos, when they arrived, were a nicely done surprise, as was the crab wrap. The evening was salvageable, but there was too much anxiety about the order to make it a relaxing night out.
(2)
Cassandra F.
I went here for dinner my first night in Chicago and really enjoyed it. I was traveling alone so I wanted to find a place where I wouldn't feel awkward eating by myself. This worked out perfectly. It has a great view of the city since it's 5 stories up, and it's a very relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the Terrace Margarita ($15, but really good) and the crab cake sliders. Three sliders with a side order of fries, just the right size. The server was really friendly and helpful, and like I said the atmosphere is great. A little pricey overall, $30 for a drink and dinner.....but I felt that combined with the view it was worth it.
(4)
Donavin S.
AWFUL bartenders, REALLY high prices! My friend and I ordered Old Fashioneds. We dine out a lot and from our experience, very few bartenders can make a good Old Fashion. So we asked the bartender if he made a purist, traditional version of the cocktail - he said yes. What came back was KOOL AID - too much syrup, a fat ass orange slice... he did not stir it and he forgot the bitters!!! We asked for a little more bourbon to kill the sweetness and make the drinks somewhat palatable. The drinks were so bad, we could not finish them. The check came...The check for those 2 awful drinks was $40 and HE CHARGED US $12 FOR THE EXTRA BOURBON. Hey Conrad, take a page from your friends at Sable and Violet Hour on the recipe for a great Old Fashioned. Never going back!
(1)
Kelly W.
Went here for a work happy hour. Nice spot to be outside and enjoy the summer weather. We had a really great waiter who looked like Robert Pattinson so we called him Edward. Anyway, Edward was great. Three of us, including myself, order the red sangria and something was definitely off about it. Not tasty at all so our waiter happily took them back and got us other drinks. We also ordered some tapas including the chicken dumplings, the ahi tuna, and tomato and mozzarella salad.. all very good. We easily racked up a heafty bill and all had an enjoyable time.. 3 stars it is.
(3)
Mahsa T.
I really wanted to like this place based on the other reviews, but I was disappointed with the lack of service from everyone during our entire 3 hours there. My friend and I went on a Thursday around 6:30 and there were two small work groups there having happy hour drinks. They had reserved a section in the middle for the two groups and had used every chair in the place for them to sit on. Within half an hour of us standing at the bar (still waiting to get to the front of the bar to order drinks!) half of one of the parties left, but the wait staff refused to take those empty chairs and put them at three tables that were sitting empty right in front of the bar! We were quoted 45 minutes for a table and ended up waiting over an hour! The management here is non-existant and completely inept. The host insisted he didn't have extra chairs for us to sit at one of the 3 empty tables but then went and fetched guess what!? 2 empty chairs and brought them to another table to seat a party of 6 who were behind us on the wait list. So then after we got our table, we had a server who took half an hour to show up to take our order, we ordered their specialty, which is kind of like Korean BBQ, where they bring you raw meat and you cook it yourself on a burner on your table. When they brought the burner to our table and turned it on, I thought FINALLY I'm going to get some food. NOPE. We sat there for yet another half an hour while the grease on the burner burned and smoked right in our faces. When we flagged down our waitress and asked if our food would be coming soon because the burner was starting to smoke, she looked at us with indifference, shrugged her shoulders, and said the food should be on its way. Because it took so long to get our food, everything had a funny aftertaste from the burnt grease on the burner. The view wasn't even that great, this place is on the fifth floor so you're basically staring into the buildings around you, the only view is of Rush Street. All in all, this was a horrible experience and I will NEVER go back, the place is run by a bunch of teenagers, they don't have enough staff, and they get flustered with 2 small parties. Totally over-priced and underwhelming-- and to think, we didn't go to the Roof at the Wit because there was an hour wait to get in, little did we know we would end up waiting 3 hours for service at the Conrad. There is NO SERVICE here whatsoever!
(1)
Cassandra K.
Was here this past Saturday afternoon 5/26/2012 and I must say, this place is WONDERFUL. The views are spectacular and the staff was great. I already had dinner plans for the later in the night, so I was only browsing at the appetizer section of the menu. After downing a few Stellas, which was served in a nice tall ICE cold glass, I came across the crab cakes which featured roasted corn relish and shrimp remoulade. I LOVE crab cakes, but the past few times I have had them at other establishments, they haven't really been TOO great, just "eh". So naturally, I was a bit skeptical. My parents were with me this day and they had already had them a couple hours before I had arrived and they SWORE by them. I decided to take their word for it and after I ordered my next beer, I asked for the crab cakes. About 10 minutes later, heaven on a plate is brought to me. Two thick crab cakes adorned with arugula and other leafy greens and a very thick remoulade sauce, which resembles a bit like tartar sauce, but trust me, VERY different. I took my first bite and I must say....WOW. The sauce was kick-y, but nothing in the range of spicy or hot. Just an extra boost of flavor. As far as the service goes, the staff is VERY attentive. Our server was a very nice young man who checked up on us quite a bit. The minute we had about two sips of beer left, he was checking up to see if we wanted another drink, and would return in less than a minute. Outstanding. One thing I will say that stood out however, happened when my parents and I left for our next destination. About an hour (AN HOUR) after we had left, I had realized that my parents had forgotten their shopping bag with hundreds of dollars of merchandise at the Terrace. I Googled the telephone number for them, called immediately, and a nice woman answered the phone to tell me that our waiter had noticed it, but not soon enough to flag us down before we entered the elevator to leave. She then told me that I could come pick it up at the hostess stand where our nice waiter had left it. I got into a cab, went back to the Terrace, and they had the bags waiting for me. I was so relieved and I commended them on keeping an eye out. Now, unless money is NO object to you, this isn't one of those "come-here-everyday-for-after-work-drinks" places. It's more of a once a month treat to yourself, your family or your friends type of establishment. Or if you DO happen to be staying at the hotel itself, whether you're from Naperville, Illinois or Napa, Caifornia, you should definitely give this place a visit.
(5)
Colleen F.
In accordance with my new resolution to live life like it's a vacation, I came with my husband to The Terrace at Conrad. As far as atmosphere it doesn't get much better than this. Lounge chairs, couches and the city skyline make for a sexy, urban vibe. I would not consider this a place to eat, so I am not surprised that the food reviews are less than spectacular. This place for me, is the sort of place you go to sip a bright glass of white and soak up the late afternoon rays. I will say that they lose a star for service. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't what it should have been. We also got kicked out at 5:30 which I thought was a little strange. Especially considering they had just started filling up when they threw us all out. I would still go back to this place if I was in the area but I won't be making any special trips.
(3)
Jessica B.
It was my birthday, and i wanted to go all out. I decided on The Terrace because it was outdoors, and looked posh. I went to ROOF last year, and was not impressed. I understand they just opened, but come on, the drinks weren't that great and it was all cougars. Other yelpers are right about the atmosphere here, think Miami. If you want to reserve a table/couch, you need a minimum of 10 people, and they wont split the bill. It was for these reasons i said "screw it," I'm just going to show up with my birthday posse and see what happens.. Lucky for us, a group cancelled their reservations last minute, so we got a large couch. It was perfect. I started out with a raspberry champagne drink but then switched to a sort of pear martini after trying my friend's. It was AHHH-Mazing. 5 martini's later, Service was great and attentive. From the minute i walked in the Hotel, the staff was phenomenal. We never had an empty drink in our hand. Host staff was awesome as well. Kudos to the young guy working the door that night. He was super nice all night and he let me bring in a cake my friend baked for me, even though we couldn't eat it without paying $7 a person. Regardless, i came back from the bathroom and my cake was gone. Apparently our server was super awesome and decided that he would snatch it to surprise me by bringing it back with a lit candle so i could be super embarrassed that the whole bar knew it was my birthday... It was a small gesture, but meant a lot. This place is amazing. Perfect place for a few drinks on a summer night. Negative: Closes at midnight! Management- Stay open later! Midnight was way too early to close such a beautiful place! Bonus: They play movies here on Sunday nights... cant wait to check this out soon!
(5)
Tom J.
DONT GET THE NACHOS! We went here for a quick bite to eat and a couple of drinks which were on par with most other fancy places in Chicago... $7 for any beer other than a miller lite. Our mistake came when we ordered the $18 pulled pork nachos. For $18 we were expecting something impressive and something that would feed us both. But what we got was a tiny strip of pulled pork in a skillet drenched in liquid cheese with a couple of chopped up peppers and a few tortilla strips balanced on top. It was a fancy take on nachos that I wasn't expecting and I definitely didn't enjoy.
(2)
Elina S.
This place was pretty fun. Went here for lunch and had some yummy comfort food. Nice scene, good food, decent prices and did I mention a killer view. Will definitely be back here at night for some loungin time w/ the friends. But on a beautiful Chicago day, this totally works. You have to try their sliders and garlic fries. Comfort food with a tapas edge, works for me :)
(4)
Jeremy W.
Well I can tell you I will not go back even if I stay at The Conrad. For a night where there were a lot of empty tables it took well over 10 minutes to get a bottled beer. Our server did not even take our order a bar back did. The sever dropped the check then asked if we wanted another drink at last call, is that not backwards? Not worth my time or money to come back with that kind of service.
(1)
Jennifer B.
This place is definitely a best-kept secret..... This space is just beautiful. You feel transported. The Terrace at the Conrad rivals roof-top bars anywhere! There are couches and even beds to lay on...kind of reminded me of the cool pools in Las Vegas. So the space is incredible, and the people are very chill. You won't be smashed in between a bunch of people; you'll be able to breath and pretty much always get a seat. The drinks are fabulous, but whoa are they expensive. That is why I took the review down 1 star. It's kind of fun to see how high prices can go (look! $20 for a martini!) but in comparison to prices at similar hotel terraces, the Terrace at the Conrad is the most expensive. But...you get what you pay for, and if paying an extra $5 per drink keeps away the crazies, I guess it's worth it! The Terrace at the Conrad is romantic, so it might be a nice way to end the evening after a date (or begin it???) and it's also a nice place to meet after work.
(4)
nikki s.
Shhhhhh...don't tell too many people about this one! This is definitely one of downtown's hidden gems! So "joie de vivre" and sophisticated. Gotta find more rooftop, open-air dining to bring it down a notch. Me likey the vibe--only for the grown and sexy, though. Had been there before, but just yesterday, celebrated my birthday with a few friends. nothing like some cocktails and some snacks to kick off the evening. Would've danced to the salsa piped in if it weren't so hot. Didn't want to make it to my next destination wilted. In a nutshell.. service - absolutely pleasant and very attentive; everyone leaves the pretense at the door. prices- mid range. think $14 for three sliders. i don't mind paying if it's good food menu- so good! my favorites were the sexxay fries w/truffle oil (just love saying it), the crab and lobster cake sliders, a yummy chocolate bundt cake (happy birthday to me!), gi-normous coconut shrimp that actually had a good flavor and the best sangria i've ever had. view - think sippin' a cocktail at some happenin south beach rooftop--except instead of the oceanview, you're surrounded by the monstrous architecture of downtown chicago. This is a perfect place for after a date, cocktails with the girls...you get my drift.
(5)
Mihir P.
Quite possibly the best roof bar in the city. It is spacious and has elegant "outdoor" furniture. The food is decent as well but is pricey. The staff is polite and the bartenders are social - at least mine was. The only problem I really have with The Terrace is that is closes at midnight. Dang sleeping guests.
(4)
Carolyn B.
Hugely overpriced tapas. Snooty staff. Don't bother - the location doesn't justify the experience
(1)
Steve C.
Had a few after dinner drinks at this place and really enjoyed it. They have some pretty decent views of the city and its a nice area to enjoy the summer weather. Drink selection wasn't great but there was enough to get by.
(3)
Courtney B.
I am hesitant to let anyone know about this place because I'd hate to see it become one of those OTHER places (we won't name names) that has the line to get in and a cover charge. OMG- simply amazing. It is gorgeous first of all! And it really does feel like you are on a friend's patio. The layout lends itself to giving each group a ton of space. And I also liked that there are different areas to choose from- like a table for 4 under an umbrella, a hightop for 2, a couch which is more loungy.... different moods sort of all over. My dirty martini was divine and the presentation of the food was too cute! Each order came out in small bamboo steamers and they were all stacked on top each other. It kept everything we ordered warm and wonderful. I would definitely order the pot stickers again along with the coconut shrimp. I am not sure what the 3 different dipping sauces were exactly, I would have liked to have been told, so be sure to ask- but they were all yummy. The "orange" one was some sort of a chili sauce & tasted great w the steamy stickers. The vibe up there was totally relaxed and chill. Mind you this was a Tuesday at 6pm. But, it's a busy area (attached to Nordstoms) and could potentially be super busy. But it kind of felt like no one knew it was there! Great view, great service. Perfect for a romantic date or meeting up with girls for drinks. To top off our experience we had.... brace yourselves..... FONDUE!! Did you happen to see what my "last meal on earth" was in my profile? That's right! I can't get enough of it's oohey gooey goodness. The usual dippers... strawberries, pretzels, etc but also included were these small pieces of toasted angel food cake (yum!) and dried apricots. Bonus points for adding something new and creative to dip into melted chocolate!! This was truly lovely place and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Pamela L.
We went here one night to grab a drink before dinner. I'd read the reviews and was excited to check it out...I was not disappointed! It was a drizzly night, but the rain had stopped so we thought "what the hell, why not?" There are large umbrellas all over the roof, so we ducked under one of them and were one of only 3 or 4 other tables there. The waiter couldn't have been nicer, and was incredibly helpful. We ordered the french fry appetizer and it was delicious! For a crappy night weather-wise, this place was great. I can't wait to go back on a nicer evening and spend some more time!
(4)
Katrina H.
The location Excellent.. Our Waitress was very sweet and really worked our party of 4. The Pre Fix Christmas Meal was pretty good for $50 although a couple of items were barely at room temperature. I did get a little "salty" when the desk wouldn't validate our parking ticket because they said that we weren't staying guest.. causing us to have to pay $36 for Parking when all they had to do was stamp the freaking ticket. This is after our Tab was a mind blowing $500 ... For this I will probably not be going here again. There are too many restaurants in this economy who would kill for a $500 tab.. whats wrong with stamping the parking ticket ? Unreal !
(3)
Michelle S.
I love the fact that you can watch a movie on the Terrace. It's beautiful too. Prices are very high!!!! Portions for the pric of food isn't good either. Service is nothing outstanding. But not bad either.
(3)
Thao N.
Nice views, pretty cool location, descent food but bad service, and unapologetic management. I'll probably never come back to this place. My sister in-law choose this place for her birthday dinner and when I checked out their website I thought the location was great. When we arrived they had reserved 3 tables for our large party but they did not reconfigure the furniture to accommodate. We were awkwardly placed and to top it off, the servers actually never asked me if I wanted to order a drink. When the hors d'oeuvres were served, they didn't tell us what was on the dish. I had to guess what the dishes were. Surprisingly, the food was good but over salted. (Took a little effort to take my ring off when I got home.) On top of the hors d'oeuvres, I had ordered the filet mignon as an entree. 5 mins after I had placed the order, another server came to ask if medium well, was okay. 15-20 mins had gone by before I saw another server to ask where my food was. She replied with "That wasn't brought out yet?". Seriously, at that point I would have settled for fast food. It was a very forgettable piece of meat. When my brother got the bill, the server made it a point to say gratuity was not added. How rude? I work in the service industry myself, and I can never imagine ever asking for a tip. That really sealed the deal for me. Unless, The Terrace at Conrad gets a major overhaul in service, I won't be recommending this place to anyone and they shouldn't expect to see me anytime soon.
(2)
Sarah S.
The Terrace at the Conrad has a great atmosphere and is wonderful for sitting outside for a drink after work. The furniture is very comfortable and relaxing. We didn't try any of the food, but i'm sure it's good. The drinks are pricey, but that's to be expected. Our server was very attentive and willing to help. I can't afford to go here too often, but it's definitely a splurge when I get the chance to!
(4)
C M P.
What a fantastic roof top lounge. It's like you're own special get away tucked away among the skyscrapers. I had vodka lemonade which was refreshing. Tasted the won-tons, very good for a 'tizer. The South Beach atmosphere makes the place relaxing. You can sit at a table or on a sofa. If you see me with a cute girl pretend you don't know me
(4)
Kaio B.
giving it 4 stars since it was a unique concept and a fun place to hang out. went there on a movie night . dont remember the movie and doubt i watched it :) . Food was good. The service was ok.
(4)
Monica J.
I love me some outdoor patio...esp in Chicago....esp when we actually experience greater than 60s weather. Even after hearing mixed (mostly negative) things about The Terrace, I dared to visit on a Monday night and actually enjoyed myself. The place is pretty fun, with sofas and cabana-like areas--great for larger parties. The food and drink are good but unnecessarily expensive. I would definitely suggest hitting this place up on a weeknight when not crowded. Also, I would opt for a beer instead of one of those pricey mixed drinks... Go, sit, enjoy, relax....that's what this place is good for.
(3)
Jon J.
only down fall the conrad hotel has is the roof top Terrace Bar, the drinks are weak, poorly made, overly expensive, poor service, uncomfortable seating, not really an inviting atmosphere over all
(1)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :Conrad Hotel,521 N Rush St, 5th Fl
Chicago, IL, 60611
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Erica W.
My friend's coworker recommended this place, so three of us decided to check it out for happy hour. We were surprised that such a pretty rooftop in such a prime location wasn't slammed on a beautiful night. The usual girls night protocol is a couple drinks and a few appetizers to share. At most places, we're stuffed with two or three apps. But here, although they were all quite tasty (particularly the truffle mac n cheese and lobster corn dogs), we had to order a fourth appetizer and a dessert to call it a meal since the portions were pretty small. The two main downfalls are the prices and the service. $14-$16 for a cocktail is pretty spendy, even for downtown Chicago, and all of the apps were in the $15-$20 range. It seemed like our server was also bartending, so we had to flag her down multiple times and have the food runner get her for us so we could order another round. This space definitely has potential, but for now it's just your standard hotel rooftop.
(3)Edy R.
Good: This place has a nice ambiance and a beautiful view. SO much potential! Plus for a terrace in the city, easy enough to find seats. Bad: The food wasn't bad but ridiculously overpriced as hotels do. The service tho was by the far the slowest and worst both times I went. Especially since the place wasn't packed. If it wasn't for the outdoor movie played on Sunday nights I would have given this one less star. A pricey evening for some weak drinks.
(3)Katrina H.
The location Excellent.. Our Waitress was very sweet and really worked our party of 4. The Pre Fix Christmas Meal was pretty good for $50 although a couple of items were barely at room temperature. I did get a little "salty" when the desk wouldn't validate our parking ticket because they said that we weren't staying guest.. causing us to have to pay $36 for Parking when all they had to do was stamp the freaking ticket. This is after our Tab was a mind blowing $500 ... For this I will probably not be going here again. There are too many restaurants in this economy who would kill for a $500 tab.. whats wrong with stamping the parking ticket ? Unreal !
(3)Michelle S.
I love the fact that you can watch a movie on the Terrace. It's beautiful too. Prices are very high!!!! Portions for the pric of food isn't good either. Service is nothing outstanding. But not bad either.
(3)Thao N.
Nice views, pretty cool location, descent food but bad service, and unapologetic management. I'll probably never come back to this place. My sister in-law choose this place for her birthday dinner and when I checked out their website I thought the location was great. When we arrived they had reserved 3 tables for our large party but they did not reconfigure the furniture to accommodate. We were awkwardly placed and to top it off, the servers actually never asked me if I wanted to order a drink. When the hors d'oeuvres were served, they didn't tell us what was on the dish. I had to guess what the dishes were. Surprisingly, the food was good but over salted. (Took a little effort to take my ring off when I got home.) On top of the hors d'oeuvres, I had ordered the filet mignon as an entree. 5 mins after I had placed the order, another server came to ask if medium well, was okay. 15-20 mins had gone by before I saw another server to ask where my food was. She replied with "That wasn't brought out yet?". Seriously, at that point I would have settled for fast food. It was a very forgettable piece of meat. When my brother got the bill, the server made it a point to say gratuity was not added. How rude? I work in the service industry myself, and I can never imagine ever asking for a tip. That really sealed the deal for me. Unless, The Terrace at Conrad gets a major overhaul in service, I won't be recommending this place to anyone and they shouldn't expect to see me anytime soon.
(2)Sarah S.
The Terrace at the Conrad has a great atmosphere and is wonderful for sitting outside for a drink after work. The furniture is very comfortable and relaxing. We didn't try any of the food, but i'm sure it's good. The drinks are pricey, but that's to be expected. Our server was very attentive and willing to help. I can't afford to go here too often, but it's definitely a splurge when I get the chance to!
(4)C M P.
What a fantastic roof top lounge. It's like you're own special get away tucked away among the skyscrapers. I had vodka lemonade which was refreshing. Tasted the won-tons, very good for a 'tizer. The South Beach atmosphere makes the place relaxing. You can sit at a table or on a sofa. If you see me with a cute girl pretend you don't know me
(4)Brett F.
5 stars for lovely atmosphere + 4 stars for solid eye candy efforts + 3 stars for totally mediocre food + 2 stars for weaksauce service + 0 stars for poor, inept management = ___________________________________ 2 total stars for The Terrace at Conrad Eh. It was a bit of a let down. I love some fabulous outdoor loungin', eatin' and drinkin' more than the next guy... but when charging these kinds of prices (ahem, $14-18 glasses of tempranillo) you must bring it wholeheartedly with the service, and simply, the folks at the Conrad do NOT. A post-work meet up here started off fine enough... the vibe here is to-die-for!! Umbrellas, day beds, terracotta tile floor, trickling fountains, gorgeous people.... can you say "Welcome to Miami" in your best latina accent? This is the perfect setting for a romantic date or group outing, the energy is sexy and electric. Unfortunately, that's about all The Terrace will offer. Our food was boring; the haute teppan (a grill-it-yourself en table dish) that proved to be meager in portion while overbearing in size was both cumbersome and tasteless. The "grill" took up most of our table top leaving us with no choice but to put sauces and accompaniments on our lap or - gasp - on the floor. Ew. Follow up dishes of coconut shrimp (weird aftertaste) and grilled spicy wings (undercooked) were left almost untouched and were a total waste of $30 for some of priciest apps around - ouch! The Terrace staff seriously lacks in efficiently and expediency - no bussers mean that your waitress is guaranteed to be sufficiently overwhelmed and dirty plates are left sitting - and stinking - in front of you while water glasses chirp empty yearning to be filled. The piece de resistance though came from the manager who approached our table at the end of the evening asking 'how everything was'? When we told her not so good and explained a few of our disappointments she just nodded, smiled and walked away looking totally vacant. WTF was that? Why ask if you don't plan to make things right or, at a minimum, offer some constructive feedback? Grrr! $107 later I had managed to consume 3 glasses of retail priced wine, 1 raw chicken drumstick, 1/2 a coconut shrimp and a few chicken strips with hummus from the gargantuan teppan thing all the while dying for a glass of water. If this is what Miami life is really like, I think I'm content sticking to the Midwest. The Terrace... good for cocktails and atmosphere... Bad for everything else.
(2)Natalie C.
TERRIBLE. The only thing positive this place has going for it is the semi decent view. Service was slow and unfriendly. A service charge was included for our party of 8 so it was apparent that there was no motivation to provide efficient service, at all. The waiter said he couldn't split our check more than 3 ways, but after a little debate he was magically able to do 4. Food was small, overpriced and took forever. Front desk would not validate or discount parking for non hotel guests and they were rude about it. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Plenty of other places with better service and views of the city. So disappointed!
(1)nicole h.
Wow. Impressive! Posh! Where are we--Miami?! Vegas?! You go here for the scene. When I went it was the highlight of a bachelorette party. Not a penis-straw bachelorette party, but a Sex and the City sort of bachelorette party. And this was the perfect spot for just that sort of thing. If it's a gorgeous night, dress the part. Lounge on the rooftop sofa sipping champagne while roasting your own orange infused marshmallows for your super fancy (ahem--overpriced) s'mores. You're paying for the experience. Memories are made on The Terrace. Your bank account will likely feel the pinch but, again, you're making memories...
(4)Andrea H.
I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars on this one. My friend saw an ad for the Movies on the Terrace and we decided it would be the perfect setting for a girls' night out. Let's start with the atmosphere. It is a really nice patio. I was thinking it would have a few more beds and areas to lounge rather than tables, but I guess beds aren't very conducive to eating so probably for the best. I'm sure the umbrellas come in handy during the day, but I kept thinking that we should put ours down so we could enjoy the evening skyline. I guess we probably could have asked...and probably should have. Drinks. My champagne cocktail got an A for effort, but a C for execution. I think they made the same mistake that I've made in the past and stirred it. Pretty sure it fizzed over and they topped it off with champagne. It was ok, but not great for $15. They did have a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, though, and I enjoyed a few of them. Food. Contrary to the drinks, the food is actually pretty reasonably priced. Four of us decided to try the Mexicana Teppan and the Trilogy appetizer selection: coconut shrimp, calamari and steamed won tons. The calamari and won tons were tasty, but that coconut shrimp was delicious. Not at all greasy, but crisp and flavorful. The teppan came with several toppings and all in all was very good. I will definitely take the advice of the server and split it with no more than 2 people next time. As it was, I only had one shrimp, one strip of beef and one piece of chicken. Now, to the movie part, kind of hilarious. The movie had constant problems with the sound. It cut out throughout the whole showing and the DVD even stopped completely towards the end of the movie. The servers were basically positioned by the system trying to fix it all night. Add that to the fact that the screen kept blowing over (even though it was not even the slightest bit windy) and you've got some good laughs (probably more funny because of all the drinks). Seriously, my friend was in the middle of ordering when our server took off running to save the screen. Awesome. Three of us at the table run events and work quite frequently with hotels. We all know that there are usually AV people in house. My question is why couldn't they have a tech there to save the poor servers from having to deal with this? We were also thinking that they might be better off with a spandex screen or a pull down attached to one of the windows. The fast fold doesn't work so well outdoors, especially if it's windy. So they have a few kinks to work out. A-OK for now, but I'd definitely give it another shot. The service is friendly, food is good, and their heart is in the right place. Props to the Conrad for doing something like this. I wish some of the other hotels I stay in would do something similar.
(3)Carolyn L.
I like the crowd and the overall location of this place. However, if you're looking for a great view, there are lots of other places you can go to in Chicago. Not only that, but a pitcher of margaritas/mojitos here costs $50. That's beyond ridiculous, if you ask me. I guess it's about the same as what you'd pay elsewhere, but it didn't feel like it had enough alcohol to merit those prices. Anyway, good location but I'd rather go somewhere else to pay those kind of prices.
(3)Tita P.
Beautiful Summer day in Chicago....Check Out with some fab ladies....Check Beautiful view....Check MARTINI FLIGHTS....Check Check CHECKKKK!! What more can I say?
(4)Saira K.
My most beautiful memory of Chicago - a summer night with my lovely girlfriends - laughing, joking, flirting with the guys. :) And cooking. We grilled meats and seafood and laughed over drinks. Gorgeous place.
(5)Christopher K.
Oh boy. Nice view above the city, but it was a terrible service management experience. On a slow night, they managed to take forever with the order -- the server was embarrassed, and he and the manager were comping us drinks and appetizers while other people on in the place came and left having eaten. The rib nachos, when they arrived, were a nicely done surprise, as was the crab wrap. The evening was salvageable, but there was too much anxiety about the order to make it a relaxing night out.
(2)Cassandra F.
I went here for dinner my first night in Chicago and really enjoyed it. I was traveling alone so I wanted to find a place where I wouldn't feel awkward eating by myself. This worked out perfectly. It has a great view of the city since it's 5 stories up, and it's a very relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the Terrace Margarita ($15, but really good) and the crab cake sliders. Three sliders with a side order of fries, just the right size. The server was really friendly and helpful, and like I said the atmosphere is great. A little pricey overall, $30 for a drink and dinner.....but I felt that combined with the view it was worth it.
(4)Tom J.
DONT GET THE NACHOS! We went here for a quick bite to eat and a couple of drinks which were on par with most other fancy places in Chicago... $7 for any beer other than a miller lite. Our mistake came when we ordered the $18 pulled pork nachos. For $18 we were expecting something impressive and something that would feed us both. But what we got was a tiny strip of pulled pork in a skillet drenched in liquid cheese with a couple of chopped up peppers and a few tortilla strips balanced on top. It was a fancy take on nachos that I wasn't expecting and I definitely didn't enjoy.
(2)Elina S.
This place was pretty fun. Went here for lunch and had some yummy comfort food. Nice scene, good food, decent prices and did I mention a killer view. Will definitely be back here at night for some loungin time w/ the friends. But on a beautiful Chicago day, this totally works. You have to try their sliders and garlic fries. Comfort food with a tapas edge, works for me :)
(4)Mahsa T.
I really wanted to like this place based on the other reviews, but I was disappointed with the lack of service from everyone during our entire 3 hours there. My friend and I went on a Thursday around 6:30 and there were two small work groups there having happy hour drinks. They had reserved a section in the middle for the two groups and had used every chair in the place for them to sit on. Within half an hour of us standing at the bar (still waiting to get to the front of the bar to order drinks!) half of one of the parties left, but the wait staff refused to take those empty chairs and put them at three tables that were sitting empty right in front of the bar! We were quoted 45 minutes for a table and ended up waiting over an hour! The management here is non-existant and completely inept. The host insisted he didn't have extra chairs for us to sit at one of the 3 empty tables but then went and fetched guess what!? 2 empty chairs and brought them to another table to seat a party of 6 who were behind us on the wait list. So then after we got our table, we had a server who took half an hour to show up to take our order, we ordered their specialty, which is kind of like Korean BBQ, where they bring you raw meat and you cook it yourself on a burner on your table. When they brought the burner to our table and turned it on, I thought FINALLY I'm going to get some food. NOPE. We sat there for yet another half an hour while the grease on the burner burned and smoked right in our faces. When we flagged down our waitress and asked if our food would be coming soon because the burner was starting to smoke, she looked at us with indifference, shrugged her shoulders, and said the food should be on its way. Because it took so long to get our food, everything had a funny aftertaste from the burnt grease on the burner. The view wasn't even that great, this place is on the fifth floor so you're basically staring into the buildings around you, the only view is of Rush Street. All in all, this was a horrible experience and I will NEVER go back, the place is run by a bunch of teenagers, they don't have enough staff, and they get flustered with 2 small parties. Totally over-priced and underwhelming-- and to think, we didn't go to the Roof at the Wit because there was an hour wait to get in, little did we know we would end up waiting 3 hours for service at the Conrad. There is NO SERVICE here whatsoever!
(1)Jeremy W.
Well I can tell you I will not go back even if I stay at The Conrad. For a night where there were a lot of empty tables it took well over 10 minutes to get a bottled beer. Our server did not even take our order a bar back did. The sever dropped the check then asked if we wanted another drink at last call, is that not backwards? Not worth my time or money to come back with that kind of service.
(1)Brooke O.
The views here are spectacular! I went on a week night with a couple girlfriends and it was surprisingly not very busy even though the weather was perfect for an evening on the rooftop. We ordered about 5 small plates including sushi, and a few salads. All of the food was wonderful. The reason for 1 less star is the price. We each had a couple glasses of wine and the small plates and our bill was BIG. I may go back for the view but will stick to one drink and eat elsewhere so that my wallet is happier with me =)
(4)Cassandra K.
Was here this past Saturday afternoon 5/26/2012 and I must say, this place is WONDERFUL. The views are spectacular and the staff was great. I already had dinner plans for the later in the night, so I was only browsing at the appetizer section of the menu. After downing a few Stellas, which was served in a nice tall ICE cold glass, I came across the crab cakes which featured roasted corn relish and shrimp remoulade. I LOVE crab cakes, but the past few times I have had them at other establishments, they haven't really been TOO great, just "eh". So naturally, I was a bit skeptical. My parents were with me this day and they had already had them a couple hours before I had arrived and they SWORE by them. I decided to take their word for it and after I ordered my next beer, I asked for the crab cakes. About 10 minutes later, heaven on a plate is brought to me. Two thick crab cakes adorned with arugula and other leafy greens and a very thick remoulade sauce, which resembles a bit like tartar sauce, but trust me, VERY different. I took my first bite and I must say....WOW. The sauce was kick-y, but nothing in the range of spicy or hot. Just an extra boost of flavor. As far as the service goes, the staff is VERY attentive. Our server was a very nice young man who checked up on us quite a bit. The minute we had about two sips of beer left, he was checking up to see if we wanted another drink, and would return in less than a minute. Outstanding. One thing I will say that stood out however, happened when my parents and I left for our next destination. About an hour (AN HOUR) after we had left, I had realized that my parents had forgotten their shopping bag with hundreds of dollars of merchandise at the Terrace. I Googled the telephone number for them, called immediately, and a nice woman answered the phone to tell me that our waiter had noticed it, but not soon enough to flag us down before we entered the elevator to leave. She then told me that I could come pick it up at the hostess stand where our nice waiter had left it. I got into a cab, went back to the Terrace, and they had the bags waiting for me. I was so relieved and I commended them on keeping an eye out. Now, unless money is NO object to you, this isn't one of those "come-here-everyday-for-after-work-drinks" places. It's more of a once a month treat to yourself, your family or your friends type of establishment. Or if you DO happen to be staying at the hotel itself, whether you're from Naperville, Illinois or Napa, Caifornia, you should definitely give this place a visit.
(5)Colleen F.
In accordance with my new resolution to live life like it's a vacation, I came with my husband to The Terrace at Conrad. As far as atmosphere it doesn't get much better than this. Lounge chairs, couches and the city skyline make for a sexy, urban vibe. I would not consider this a place to eat, so I am not surprised that the food reviews are less than spectacular. This place for me, is the sort of place you go to sip a bright glass of white and soak up the late afternoon rays. I will say that they lose a star for service. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't what it should have been. We also got kicked out at 5:30 which I thought was a little strange. Especially considering they had just started filling up when they threw us all out. I would still go back to this place if I was in the area but I won't be making any special trips.
(3)Donavin S.
AWFUL bartenders, REALLY high prices! My friend and I ordered Old Fashioneds. We dine out a lot and from our experience, very few bartenders can make a good Old Fashion. So we asked the bartender if he made a purist, traditional version of the cocktail - he said yes. What came back was KOOL AID - too much syrup, a fat ass orange slice... he did not stir it and he forgot the bitters!!! We asked for a little more bourbon to kill the sweetness and make the drinks somewhat palatable. The drinks were so bad, we could not finish them. The check came...The check for those 2 awful drinks was $40 and HE CHARGED US $12 FOR THE EXTRA BOURBON. Hey Conrad, take a page from your friends at Sable and Violet Hour on the recipe for a great Old Fashioned. Never going back!
(1)Kelly W.
Went here for a work happy hour. Nice spot to be outside and enjoy the summer weather. We had a really great waiter who looked like Robert Pattinson so we called him Edward. Anyway, Edward was great. Three of us, including myself, order the red sangria and something was definitely off about it. Not tasty at all so our waiter happily took them back and got us other drinks. We also ordered some tapas including the chicken dumplings, the ahi tuna, and tomato and mozzarella salad.. all very good. We easily racked up a heafty bill and all had an enjoyable time.. 3 stars it is.
(3)Jessica B.
It was my birthday, and i wanted to go all out. I decided on The Terrace because it was outdoors, and looked posh. I went to ROOF last year, and was not impressed. I understand they just opened, but come on, the drinks weren't that great and it was all cougars. Other yelpers are right about the atmosphere here, think Miami. If you want to reserve a table/couch, you need a minimum of 10 people, and they wont split the bill. It was for these reasons i said "screw it," I'm just going to show up with my birthday posse and see what happens.. Lucky for us, a group cancelled their reservations last minute, so we got a large couch. It was perfect. I started out with a raspberry champagne drink but then switched to a sort of pear martini after trying my friend's. It was AHHH-Mazing. 5 martini's later, Service was great and attentive. From the minute i walked in the Hotel, the staff was phenomenal. We never had an empty drink in our hand. Host staff was awesome as well. Kudos to the young guy working the door that night. He was super nice all night and he let me bring in a cake my friend baked for me, even though we couldn't eat it without paying $7 a person. Regardless, i came back from the bathroom and my cake was gone. Apparently our server was super awesome and decided that he would snatch it to surprise me by bringing it back with a lit candle so i could be super embarrassed that the whole bar knew it was my birthday... It was a small gesture, but meant a lot. This place is amazing. Perfect place for a few drinks on a summer night. Negative: Closes at midnight! Management- Stay open later! Midnight was way too early to close such a beautiful place! Bonus: They play movies here on Sunday nights... cant wait to check this out soon!
(5)Fred E.
Went here for our anniversary. I arrived about 4:45pm on Monday and it wasn't crowded. I picked a table by the edge. The table had not been wiped down from the previous customers and there were some spills that had dried and should have been wiped down, even though a waiter and the hostess wiped down several tables around me, they never cleaned mine. I had a martini that was acceptable, but nothing special. I prefer Bombay Sapphire and asked for it, but I'm not sure they didn't substitute. When my wife arrived she had a fresh squeezed lemonade which she said was excellent. Since our table was never cleaned, we stopped with the drinks and decided to dine elsewhere. Some other reviewers mentioned the great views. I was thinking they wouldn't be that great on the fifth floor, and my hunch was right. But I live in a high rise in the city, so maybe my perspective is skewed as to what a good city view is. Won't be back. Good for tourists only.
(2)Kelly K.
Outside deck is nice on a sunny day. Decent prices for good food.
(4)Dan M.
We visited this restaurant for lunch due to its outdoor roof location. Therefore, all comments apply only to lunch. However, based on our experience, it is unlikely we'll visit the restaurant again. We ordered three small dishes- the fish taco, the BLT sandwich and corn on the cob. Then we waited... And waited... And waited. Almost an hour. When we arrived there was only one couple sitting, so really, no excuse. When finally the food arrived there was a new revelation- during all this time they forgot to set the table. As for the food itself, only the Corn was OK. The fish taco (the server's "favorite") had absolutely no seasoning. The BLT was sub par compared to several street vendors in Chicago. Although the Corn was the "best" of the three, it had too much cheese. It's a shame, because the roof location has great potential. There where other issues, but I think I have made my point.
(1)Aurore L.
Really?!? No review for the Terrace? Well it is my pleasure to fix that for you guys then! Seriously - this place is amazing. A nice oasis in the urban jungle of downtown Chicago. So just imagine: you exit the elevator, walk a mere 20 yards and you are totally transported in - let's say - South Beach. I said "imagine". Yes it requires a little bit of good will but you can do it. Come on. Luscious sofas, high chairs and tables, galore of pillows and cushions in cool blues and sunny yellows, DAY BEDS. You read me right. An amazing three-tiered water feature to soothe you and perfect the illusion. Tropical plants. Spectacular city views (with direct access to Nordstrom shoe-paradise - just saying ladies). A fantastic layout that protects you from the wind. Word - I was there on a very breezy Sunday afternoon and had to take off my jacket. You need more?!? Wonderful cocktails, an innovative Haute Teppan menu where you grill your own tapas and Sunday nights "Movies on the Terrace". The love is flowing every day from 11:30 to 11:00 (midnight on weekends) Just run there. I will be waiting nonchalantly waiting for you, laying on my wicker bed, soaking up the sun.
(5)Jennifer B.
This place is definitely a best-kept secret..... This space is just beautiful. You feel transported. The Terrace at the Conrad rivals roof-top bars anywhere! There are couches and even beds to lay on...kind of reminded me of the cool pools in Las Vegas. So the space is incredible, and the people are very chill. You won't be smashed in between a bunch of people; you'll be able to breath and pretty much always get a seat. The drinks are fabulous, but whoa are they expensive. That is why I took the review down 1 star. It's kind of fun to see how high prices can go (look! $20 for a martini!) but in comparison to prices at similar hotel terraces, the Terrace at the Conrad is the most expensive. But...you get what you pay for, and if paying an extra $5 per drink keeps away the crazies, I guess it's worth it! The Terrace at the Conrad is romantic, so it might be a nice way to end the evening after a date (or begin it???) and it's also a nice place to meet after work.
(4)nikki s.
Shhhhhh...don't tell too many people about this one! This is definitely one of downtown's hidden gems! So "joie de vivre" and sophisticated. Gotta find more rooftop, open-air dining to bring it down a notch. Me likey the vibe--only for the grown and sexy, though. Had been there before, but just yesterday, celebrated my birthday with a few friends. nothing like some cocktails and some snacks to kick off the evening. Would've danced to the salsa piped in if it weren't so hot. Didn't want to make it to my next destination wilted. In a nutshell.. service - absolutely pleasant and very attentive; everyone leaves the pretense at the door. prices- mid range. think $14 for three sliders. i don't mind paying if it's good food menu- so good! my favorites were the sexxay fries w/truffle oil (just love saying it), the crab and lobster cake sliders, a yummy chocolate bundt cake (happy birthday to me!), gi-normous coconut shrimp that actually had a good flavor and the best sangria i've ever had. view - think sippin' a cocktail at some happenin south beach rooftop--except instead of the oceanview, you're surrounded by the monstrous architecture of downtown chicago. This is a perfect place for after a date, cocktails with the girls...you get my drift.
(5)Mihir P.
Quite possibly the best roof bar in the city. It is spacious and has elegant "outdoor" furniture. The food is decent as well but is pricey. The staff is polite and the bartenders are social - at least mine was. The only problem I really have with The Terrace is that is closes at midnight. Dang sleeping guests.
(4)Carolyn B.
Hugely overpriced tapas. Snooty staff. Don't bother - the location doesn't justify the experience
(1)Steve C.
Had a few after dinner drinks at this place and really enjoyed it. They have some pretty decent views of the city and its a nice area to enjoy the summer weather. Drink selection wasn't great but there was enough to get by.
(3)Courtney B.
I am hesitant to let anyone know about this place because I'd hate to see it become one of those OTHER places (we won't name names) that has the line to get in and a cover charge. OMG- simply amazing. It is gorgeous first of all! And it really does feel like you are on a friend's patio. The layout lends itself to giving each group a ton of space. And I also liked that there are different areas to choose from- like a table for 4 under an umbrella, a hightop for 2, a couch which is more loungy.... different moods sort of all over. My dirty martini was divine and the presentation of the food was too cute! Each order came out in small bamboo steamers and they were all stacked on top each other. It kept everything we ordered warm and wonderful. I would definitely order the pot stickers again along with the coconut shrimp. I am not sure what the 3 different dipping sauces were exactly, I would have liked to have been told, so be sure to ask- but they were all yummy. The "orange" one was some sort of a chili sauce & tasted great w the steamy stickers. The vibe up there was totally relaxed and chill. Mind you this was a Tuesday at 6pm. But, it's a busy area (attached to Nordstoms) and could potentially be super busy. But it kind of felt like no one knew it was there! Great view, great service. Perfect for a romantic date or meeting up with girls for drinks. To top off our experience we had.... brace yourselves..... FONDUE!! Did you happen to see what my "last meal on earth" was in my profile? That's right! I can't get enough of it's oohey gooey goodness. The usual dippers... strawberries, pretzels, etc but also included were these small pieces of toasted angel food cake (yum!) and dried apricots. Bonus points for adding something new and creative to dip into melted chocolate!! This was truly lovely place and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Pamela L.
We went here one night to grab a drink before dinner. I'd read the reviews and was excited to check it out...I was not disappointed! It was a drizzly night, but the rain had stopped so we thought "what the hell, why not?" There are large umbrellas all over the roof, so we ducked under one of them and were one of only 3 or 4 other tables there. The waiter couldn't have been nicer, and was incredibly helpful. We ordered the french fry appetizer and it was delicious! For a crappy night weather-wise, this place was great. I can't wait to go back on a nicer evening and spend some more time!
(4)Kaio B.
giving it 4 stars since it was a unique concept and a fun place to hang out. went there on a movie night . dont remember the movie and doubt i watched it :) . Food was good. The service was ok.
(4)Monica J.
I love me some outdoor patio...esp in Chicago....esp when we actually experience greater than 60s weather. Even after hearing mixed (mostly negative) things about The Terrace, I dared to visit on a Monday night and actually enjoyed myself. The place is pretty fun, with sofas and cabana-like areas--great for larger parties. The food and drink are good but unnecessarily expensive. I would definitely suggest hitting this place up on a weeknight when not crowded. Also, I would opt for a beer instead of one of those pricey mixed drinks... Go, sit, enjoy, relax....that's what this place is good for.
(3)Jon J.
only down fall the conrad hotel has is the roof top Terrace Bar, the drinks are weak, poorly made, overly expensive, poor service, uncomfortable seating, not really an inviting atmosphere over all
(1)Nancy K.
My husband and I came here for a post-work cocktail on an early Wednesday evening (5 pm). It was a gorgeous warm summer day and I wanted to have a drink outside. The Terrace is lovely and very sophisticated. It seems to be populated mostly with Conrad guests, who appear to be mostly business travelers and a few well-heeled guests. Cocktails are expensive, as you would imagine. Mine was $18, my husband's was $13. Beers averaged $6-9, which isn't too bad. The views are nice, although this section of Rush St. is one of those "less travelled" streets that commuters tend to use since most tourists are wandering up and down Michigan Ave. or State St. I would not feel comfortable here in shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe nice shorts and a nice button-down shirt, but not a sports t-shirt (e.g. Cubs, Brewers, etc.). I wore a casual summer dress with sandals. We had our one drink and then headed for someplace cheaper. If you're on an expense account and the boss doesn't care what you spend, head here. If the boss does care, have one and then move on. If you get there right around 4:30/5pm, there are plenty of places to sit. I don't know how crowded it gets later in night.
(3)Saba A.
It's like being in the SoHo area of NYC. Everyone looks like a model and is fashionable and you are treated like Derrick Rose up at the Terrace. Low key, very upscale type of rooftop. For a Saturday afternoon, it was not crowded at all. I was shocked, maybe everyone was at the beach. But an older crowd was enjoying a meal at the bar and a few other people were sippin' down their martini's. Inside the hotel there was a private brunch ceremony going on but either way, nice stop. It's one of Chicago's hidden gems but if you miss it, that's okay. I guess it all depends on the type of environment you are looking for. For me, it was a great cool down to get a drink and enjoy the view.
(3)Melanie S.
An absolutely lovely place to have a cocktail outside, with a stellar view to boot. It's very "Miami" in its decor: sexy lighting and sofas and beds to sit on. There's a lot of space, so you won't feel cramped, although I was here on a Sunday evening, so maybe it's more crowded on prime evenings. Drink prices are on par with any downtown hotel lounge/bar. Bonus: they show Chicago movies on Sundays so you can sip a mojito (or whatever your fancy) while you recline and watch a film under the city lights. My mojito tasted even better while watching "Risky Business".
(4)Alyssa C.
Nice little rooftop but no action... Drinks were ok, a bit on the sweet side. Food was good. I guess if you wanted a really quiet place to catch up with someone, this might be the spot. But i would suggest Zed 451 for a better atmosphere with a similar ambiance.
(2)Tiffany L.
I heard great things about this place, but was slightly underwhelmed. It's a nice space, but since it's just a terrace on the 5th floor, the views are not amazing. The service and drinks were just okay, and of course overpriced, as expected for hotel lounges/bars. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, except for maybe their Sunday night movies. Also, they close early, at midnight, but at least are extremely polite in the way they kick you out. I have been literally shoved out the door of places like moving cattle and that is just not nice.
(3)Jenny P.
Pretty good breakfast for a hotel! 2nd time here, only because we are staying here. But I would come again.. I ordered lobster roll, kind of bland but the bread and fries were delicious! My husband got the sope & that was so delicious! Must have! Nice and crispy sope with flavorful braised beef! && Good coffee! Good service! Next morning I tried to have something lighter and opted for the parfait & that was really good!! I would come back if I was staying here. But I don't think I would make a trip back if I wasn't staying here.
(3)Brian S.
Poor customer service. The outdoor seating was relatively empty and we had to go to the bar inside to get drinks. Only one person able to make drinks so that took 10 minutes as well. Won't be back.
(2)Maxxy C.
This was actually the shopping area. No complaints. Nice ambiance.
(4)Rebecca M.
I went here on a Thursday night for drinks and had a great time! The Terrace wasn't too crowded and the weather was perfect, so a group of us sat out on the comfy lounge chairs/couches and chatted for an hour or so. Kelsey, our server, was funny and attentive, and always made sure we were good on drinks. And the drinks were good! I'd recommend the peach drink or the Lemon Drop, which were both sweet and refreshing.
(4)Marcus F.
I went there for my fiancée birthday and we had a good experience. I had the Blood Orange Chicken and it was cooked perfectly along with the wild rice. The view was great and as it cooled down during the night our waiter bought the heaters closer to us which made us stay longer. The reason why I give this restaurant 4 stars was due to our drinks. Our party order the same drinks over the night and a few times the drinks taste different each time. Besides the inconsistency of the drinks this is a great establishment and I see myself dining there again.
(4)Andre W.
Very nice rooftop lounging spot! I decided to stop by on a warm ass Friday afternoon after hearing about how cool this place is. Me and my drinking companion got a seat near one of the ledges in the corner so we could take in some awesome views while drinking. We ordered some strawberry infused cocktail that did not include alcohol, but they added some patron to the drinks for us..It was really good! I then decided to go for a strawberry mojito that included patron instead of rum and it was delicious as well...quite refreshing! As we left we noticed the nice lobby before you go outside. There were people there eating and drinking while enjoying the air conditioned interior. View isn't as good as the Roof @ The Wit or even Vertigo and some other joints nearby but it is really nice.
(4)Kat D.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a quiet Monday night. We had a livingsocial deal that included 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees. We sat in the restaurant part of the establishment which is a little more intimate. We had the pork belly steamed buns for an appetizer and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend. For entrees we both had the salmon that came with polenta. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the sweetness of the polenta was a nice contrast to the amazing salmon. The service here was top notch! Every staff we encountered was pleasant and seemed genuinely interested in our opinions of the food. I would come back here again with or without a livingsocial deal. I'm looking forward to coming back here in the summer to hang out in their rooftop!
(4)Akber S.
What is this garbage? How can the Conrad have such a horrendous restaurant inside of it? The food was absolutely horrific. And the service even worse. It took over an hour to get the first course of the Chef's taster menu. And it sucked. Yes the wall art is cool, but the tables are out a breakfast restaurant. OMG DESSERT WAS A MAJOR FAIL. The creme brûlée literally tasted like it has a coating of cheap yellow lollipop on it. Avoid this horrible restaurant at all costs. If I can compliment anything I would say their lobster rolls are good. But yeah. I was so ticked the entire meal
(1)Theresa F.
Wish I read reviews before I dined here for breakfast/brunch. Horrible service. Waitress had a bad attitude the entire time. The food was brought out to us at room temp and tasted mediocre at best. Totally overpriced. $19 for chillaquiles? Gross. Like a fellow reviewer said..this place is garbage. Major disappointment for being located in an upscale Hilton venue.
(2)Alex A.
Very cute location for a quiet date night or drinks with close friends. Decent-sized, airy space with cushioned, wicker lounges and heating lamps scattered throughout. It's on the 5th floor of the Conrad near Nordstrom, so it doesn't have the best views, but it's a cozy outdoor environment for a casual night out (think Epic). It's also nice and quiet, so you can have an actual conversation! The drinks are on the pricey side ($14-18 cocktails), but they are STRONG and the service is great. The staff is extremely friendly and respectful. I only wish the outside area stayed open later.
(4)Stephanie C.
Terrace was smaller than expected, view less spectacular than anticipated but we still had a good time when going there for a drink with hubby for his bday. Service was good, waiter recommended kale flatbread and he was right: it was very tasty! I recommend this place for a drink or small bite.
(3)Tom M.
LOUSY service!! After making reservations on Open Table, we arrived and were greeted by the hostess who said we had a table but then gave it away to the next couple who walked in. After another couple was sat, we asked what our status was. The hostess was confused but apologized then sat us. The waitstaff was slow all night...they rarely came to our table and were very slow with food and drink orders. After we left we were contacted by Open Table, who said we no-showed on our reservation. The restaurant refused to acknowledge we were there. This is an expensive restaurant but the staff here act like amateurs. This experience was not worth anything close to the money we spent.
(1)Darcy W.
I really enjoy this roof top bar. It's wonderful to sit outside on a warm Chicago evening, and it provides inviting seating arrangements. The bartenders are great! Eddie pours a nice glass of wine and makes a mean Manhattan. The food looks good... I may need to try one of these days.
(4)Saul G.
Tried all three venues, the outdoor terrace, the indoor lobby lounge, and the restaurant at breakfast - all seem to co-exist under the name Terrace. The lobby lounge was very comfortable but could have used more separation from the lobby itself-guests walk past on their way to the rooms. I had a cocktail with blood orange vodka and pomegranate juice, and my wife a quartino of riesling - very generous. So I had another vodka and soda to keep her company. Good service, the waitstaff kept the snack bowl and our water glasses filled. The cocktail was delicious, but a little sweet to make a habit of them. Breakfast was excellent. Good coffee started us off. Egg dishes come with your choice of toast, or breakfast pastry. So I went for the hazlenut donut - light not greasy, while my wife chose the brioche sucree. The missus had the basic poached eggs and sausage. Both were perfectly cooked, the sausages of good size, and excellent flavor. I went for an omelet of chorizo and cheddar - fluffy, nicely rolled and nothing like the egg pancakes the buffet omelet bar chefs make. I was glad the Conrad did not offer a buffet. The outdoor Terrace is welcoming with umbrellas, tables and lounges more typical of a resort than an urban hotel. Service was prompt and friendly. The bloody Mary could have used a bit more seasoning and spice - two olives were the garnish. What is really needed is a small dip pool for the comfort of the guests and as a focal point for the space. Perhaps the architecture did not allow....
(4)P B.
Very nice place with a phenomenal setting and groove. The staff couldn't have been better. Our first time there wasn't stellar but our second and third where great.
(4)Deena H.
The food was not bad but it is the view and lounge that really made this an amazing experience. It was a great night to be there. Service was great. Dessert was amazing. It was not crowded which was great for a Friday night. It is a place I hope to throw parties at now.
(5)Yvonne B.
I don't know where to begin with The Terrace. We would never have known it existed if we weren't shopping at Nordstrom and using my Open Table app to find a nearby restaurant for dinner. The Terrace is inside of the Conrad Hotel. We weren't familiar with the hotel either even though it's right smack dab next to Nordstrom. Reviews were all over the place but mostly revolved around breakfast. There were only 40-something Yelp reviews leading me to believe that this was a new spot (we later learned that it's been around for about 10 years). We didn't know what to expect. There was nobody to greet us when we arrived at the host station. We stood there awkwardly for some minutes while we watched some diners have a seemingly emotionally charged conversation. A lady walked up from behind us, reviewed the menu, and then left. M walked around the host station to the bar area and found an employee. He explained that they operate on a bare-bones staff (we saw only him and the bar tender the entire evening). Fortunately, there was only us, the fighting couple, and a group of folks who were staying at the hotel for some sort of conference or business trip. Eventually the fighters lulled into a sullen silence, ate (also in silence), and then left. The conference people worked on laptops and then also left. M and I were alone in the whole restaurant. The restaurant was decorated in old grandeur (see picture). We could see that the floor and bench along the wall were worn in spots, but still in decent condition. It's been a while since I've seen a restaurant decorated in that traditional fashion. M had two glasses of wine and I had a Hibiscus martini (see picture). All of our libations were delicious. My martini was made with high quality ingredients and was super strong. I liked it; however, I don't recommend it if you dislike the taste of alcohol. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the food. The bread that was brought to our table was small. There were two varieties: a mini Italian loaf and bread that had nuts and raisins in it. The menu was limited and surprising (as in, we didn't expect to see some of the menu items at such a fancy and hidden restaurant). M's Bourbon Chicken & Waffles were AMAZING (see picture). We could taste the sweet bourbon in the chicken and felt as if it was paired perfectly with the savory dark meat chicken and fluffy waffle. My Jibarito was really good as well. It wasn't your usual Puerto Rican jibarito but it did give me heart burn (which is normal for jibaritos). It had pulled chicken seasoned with curry. I appreciated the twist on a jibarito. Our whole dinner (with drinks) came to about $85. We thought that was reasonable. Also, besides the hiccup with being greeted when we arrived, our service was on point. The server was quick, responsive, checked often enough, and friendly. We'll probably go again after our next shopping trip at Nordstrom.
(4)Steve S.
Great atmosphere. Terrible food. And somehow the service was even worse. Want cold entrees and stale desserts? Then this is the place for you.
(1)Annie W.
Overpriced and boring food, mediocre drinks, and the inability to split our checks at the end of the meal definitely put a downer on my friend's birthday. So not worth it.
(2)Riana Elizabeth E.
I've gotten on a ginger beer kick since I've discovered my love of the authentic "Dark & Stormy" (an authentic "Dark & Stormy" is made of Gosling's Dark Rum, Gosling's Ginger Beer, and fresh lime juice or a wedge of lime). What is ginger beer, you ask? It's ginger soda that exemplifies that ginger ale is just a bland, pale, wallflower cousin. Ginger beer...~good~ ginger beer, that is...has sweetness, aroma, character, and that sparking bite showing that real ginger had a had in its making. Now, the ginger beers I've been sampling, just like their misleadingly named ginger ale cousins, are not alcoholic. The rum is what gives the Dark & Stormy its potency. So imagine my surprise when I get to the Terrace and see on the menu, "Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer"! I'm in. I ordered the drink straight just to get a feel for it, though our server, Abel, said they could make a double-potency Dark & Stormy for me. He also recommended a drink made of half Crabbie's and half of their hard apple cider. I may have to try that on my next visit. The Crabbie's was a lot more subtle than I expected. Yes, there was the ginger bite, but the flavor was sweeter and blended more to a mellow feel. It did not taste alcoholic AT ALL. These could be dangerous. Atmosphere: Fantastic. Great place to hang and chat with friends, especially if you can get one of the oh, so comfortable center couches. The outside terrace was spacious and, though they weren't needed on our visit, I saw several heat lamps that could be utilized at the corner of the roof. Service: Abel was friendly and handy whenever we had questions. Food & Drink: The appetizers were pricey, but it's a rooftop bar in Chicago (What do you expect?), and the drink prices weren't exorbitant. I liked the fact that the craft beer menu listed the locales that the beers hailed from, but it only listed for some of the beers? We ordered the cheese plate, lobster roll, and potstickers - all were good, but portion sizes could have been larger & there was nothing outstanding that grabbed us.
(4)Ashley W.
Okay, first things first, this is my very first time writing a Yelp review so that should tell you how disappointed I was with my experience here. I went here for my surprise birthday party about a few weeks ago. We were a party of about 15 people on a Friday night. Any of you that have been here know that it is a pretty pricey restaurant. With that being said, you would think that when a party of 15 people come for dinner and drinks you would be pretty attentive because you know that you'll be making the majority of your money from that group. There were about 4 other occupied tables, it was not busy at all. The entire night we experienced TERRIBLE service. Our waiter would come and take our order for drinks and food and would come back 15 minutes later with only 2 drinks when 5 people ordered drinks. Then when the 3 other people asked if their drinks were on the way he would rudely say "YES!" The hostess had a terrible attitude the whole night. At one point she literally "shooed" my grandma and rolled her eyes at her because she didn't move out of the way fast enough. I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in my life. The food was okay, I would recommend the mac and cheese. The drinks were tasty but not strong at all. All in all, its safe to say me and my guests will NEVER go back to The Terrace at Conrad again.
(2)Tamer A.
Food was really good, four stars. Service and view made it five. View is not a Signature Room style birdview. Rather, you feel you are in the midst of the concrete jungle-quite nice, actually. Different, delicious take on southern food. Shrimp and grits were delicious, so were chicken and waffles. Deviled egg just okay. Burger was good (but not Medium as I ordered), and Catfish tacos were darn diddly-icious. Staff was wonderful. Thinking about throwing a private party there. It rained lightly, and they spread their huge umbrellas fairly quickly. I liked that it was not too crowded with people more worried about who is looking at them than about having a good time. Yes, I am looking at YOU, ZED451, and many other rooftops.
(5)Michael N.
I went here on a beautiful evening; there was a slight breeze winding its way through the buildings and the high rise windows shone brightly from the suns golden rays.....then I saw the drink prices. I don't know why, but beer just tastes better when its price has been tripled. You know your credit card is in for a long night when the menu doesn't have dollar signs by the prices. Beautiful views, modern-chic furniture, and a very friendly wait staff. I will definitely be back, probably on pay day.
(4)AV G.
We have an industry organization that hosts summer networking receptions at all the rooftop venues around town. The price at this place was about 33.33% more than other have charged--not really on par with the others (best was Zed for food, best was the Wit for the scene and view, best over all is Trump 16) Unless you are a hotel guest, i would not bother
(2)Yuna D.
Definitely paying for the ambience, but I thought it was definitely worth it. I can't comment on the food because I didn't eat here but the mixed drinks here are nice! I can understand why service is slow; the place was very busy when I went (near dinnertime). However, I thought the people who worked there were super friendly and apologetic towards my friend and they were also very welcoming when I told them I was from out of town. Great experience, would love to come here again.
(4)Bj C.
This place is a joke. Great view but nothing else. Service is extremely slow. Drinks take forever to get. Food, even longer. Plan to spend 4 hours getting a simple dinner. They include gratuity despite the slow service. They claim to not split a bill more than 4 ways, but complain enough they will. Lastly, they claim not to validate parking unless you are a hotel guest. If your looking for a gorgeous view of the city, there are plenty better places to go with much better service and food.
(1)Nelson M.
Restaurant Review Romantic, fine dining, and excellent service! This is close to a 4 star restaurant unfortunately there were a couple of things that knocked it down one level. I went here for Valentine's day with my wife for the pre-fixe menu of $50 dollars w/ champagne or $45 without. Luckily not too many people know about this restaurant and reservations were still available for 6 pm. This restaurant has great ambiance for romantic dates, with dimmed lights and very attentive wait staff. They were super accomodating with the pre-fixe menu with adjusting the salad to the house salad as my wife could not eat goat cheese. Now on to the food: Complimentary bread basket- always great Champagne- normal 12 dollars a glass, it was not too dry and had the perfect balance of sweetness Shrimp bisque- this was heavenly, not salty at all with healthy chunks of tender shrimp bits Parmesan crisp with goat cheese mousse, mache and truffle honey- this was another stellar offering that doesn't quite resemble a salad however the pungeness of the parmesan crisp with the light mousse of goat cheese and sweatness of the honey created a unbelievable combination of flavors. Grilled filet mignon with shipped yukon potatoes and french beans- top grade filet comparable to any other in chicago. The meat was so tender that it felt like you were slicing through butter with your knife. The only detraction was a slight burnt taste to my medium rare filet which is likely from the grill marks that tasted a bit off Pastry "fondue"- this was a big let down at the end of the meal. This is clearly not a fondue, but rather a plate of marshmallows, pineapple, short cake, and strawberries dipped into a iron casket of chocolate sauce. Someone how the chocolate was not fondue "quality" and reminiscent of hersey syrup and the offering of pastries/fruit was weak. A FEW ISSUES 1. No one answers the phones- they called ahead of time to "verify" my reservation from open table and after calling back multiple times and leaving a message to confirm no one ever got back with me 2. Fondue dessert- terrible idea as this is not really a "fondue" that you would expect with a fire keep the chocolate hot. Also it was a rather weak end to the valentine's menu 3. Odd burnt taste to the beef, excellent fillet but somehow there was something wrong that day with the grill Pro- fine dining, great wait staff that was accommodating, grade A filet quality, romantic dining Con- the above issues, answer or return the calls of your patrons. Revamp the dessert option next year for valentine's Hidden deal- Keep your eyes peeled for special prefixe menus which are creative and delicious for a set price. Also in the summer time there is a Terrance rooftop bar as well for great drinks and a view of the city!
(3)Andre W.
Very nice rooftop lounging spot! I decided to stop by on a warm ass Friday afternoon after hearing about how cool this place is. Me and my drinking companion got a seat near one of the ledges in the corner so we could take in some awesome views while drinking. We ordered some strawberry infused cocktail that did not include alcohol, but they added some patron to the drinks for us..It was really good! I then decided to go for a strawberry mojito that included patron instead of rum and it was delicious as well...quite refreshing! As we left we noticed the nice lobby before you go outside. There were people there eating and drinking while enjoying the air conditioned interior. View isn't as good as the Roof @ The Wit or even Vertigo and some other joints nearby but it is really nice.
(4)Kat D.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a quiet Monday night. We had a livingsocial deal that included 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees. We sat in the restaurant part of the establishment which is a little more intimate. We had the pork belly steamed buns for an appetizer and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend. For entrees we both had the salmon that came with polenta. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the sweetness of the polenta was a nice contrast to the amazing salmon. The service here was top notch! Every staff we encountered was pleasant and seemed genuinely interested in our opinions of the food. I would come back here again with or without a livingsocial deal. I'm looking forward to coming back here in the summer to hang out in their rooftop!
(4)Akber S.
What is this garbage? How can the Conrad have such a horrendous restaurant inside of it? The food was absolutely horrific. And the service even worse. It took over an hour to get the first course of the Chef's taster menu. And it sucked. Yes the wall art is cool, but the tables are out a breakfast restaurant. OMG DESSERT WAS A MAJOR FAIL. The creme brûlée literally tasted like it has a coating of cheap yellow lollipop on it. Avoid this horrible restaurant at all costs. If I can compliment anything I would say their lobster rolls are good. But yeah. I was so ticked the entire meal
(1)Theresa F.
Wish I read reviews before I dined here for breakfast/brunch. Horrible service. Waitress had a bad attitude the entire time. The food was brought out to us at room temp and tasted mediocre at best. Totally overpriced. $19 for chillaquiles? Gross. Like a fellow reviewer said..this place is garbage. Major disappointment for being located in an upscale Hilton venue.
(2)Alex A.
Very cute location for a quiet date night or drinks with close friends. Decent-sized, airy space with cushioned, wicker lounges and heating lamps scattered throughout. It's on the 5th floor of the Conrad near Nordstrom, so it doesn't have the best views, but it's a cozy outdoor environment for a casual night out (think Epic). It's also nice and quiet, so you can have an actual conversation! The drinks are on the pricey side ($14-18 cocktails), but they are STRONG and the service is great. The staff is extremely friendly and respectful. I only wish the outside area stayed open later.
(4)nicole h.
Wow. Impressive! Posh! Where are we--Miami?! Vegas?! You go here for the scene. When I went it was the highlight of a bachelorette party. Not a penis-straw bachelorette party, but a Sex and the City sort of bachelorette party. And this was the perfect spot for just that sort of thing. If it's a gorgeous night, dress the part. Lounge on the rooftop sofa sipping champagne while roasting your own orange infused marshmallows for your super fancy (ahem--overpriced) s'mores. You're paying for the experience. Memories are made on The Terrace. Your bank account will likely feel the pinch but, again, you're making memories...
(4)Saba A.
It's like being in the SoHo area of NYC. Everyone looks like a model and is fashionable and you are treated like Derrick Rose up at the Terrace. Low key, very upscale type of rooftop. For a Saturday afternoon, it was not crowded at all. I was shocked, maybe everyone was at the beach. But an older crowd was enjoying a meal at the bar and a few other people were sippin' down their martini's. Inside the hotel there was a private brunch ceremony going on but either way, nice stop. It's one of Chicago's hidden gems but if you miss it, that's okay. I guess it all depends on the type of environment you are looking for. For me, it was a great cool down to get a drink and enjoy the view.
(3)Melanie S.
An absolutely lovely place to have a cocktail outside, with a stellar view to boot. It's very "Miami" in its decor: sexy lighting and sofas and beds to sit on. There's a lot of space, so you won't feel cramped, although I was here on a Sunday evening, so maybe it's more crowded on prime evenings. Drink prices are on par with any downtown hotel lounge/bar. Bonus: they show Chicago movies on Sundays so you can sip a mojito (or whatever your fancy) while you recline and watch a film under the city lights. My mojito tasted even better while watching "Risky Business".
(4)Fred E.
Went here for our anniversary. I arrived about 4:45pm on Monday and it wasn't crowded. I picked a table by the edge. The table had not been wiped down from the previous customers and there were some spills that had dried and should have been wiped down, even though a waiter and the hostess wiped down several tables around me, they never cleaned mine. I had a martini that was acceptable, but nothing special. I prefer Bombay Sapphire and asked for it, but I'm not sure they didn't substitute. When my wife arrived she had a fresh squeezed lemonade which she said was excellent. Since our table was never cleaned, we stopped with the drinks and decided to dine elsewhere. Some other reviewers mentioned the great views. I was thinking they wouldn't be that great on the fifth floor, and my hunch was right. But I live in a high rise in the city, so maybe my perspective is skewed as to what a good city view is. Won't be back. Good for tourists only.
(2)Kelly K.
Outside deck is nice on a sunny day. Decent prices for good food.
(4)Dan M.
We visited this restaurant for lunch due to its outdoor roof location. Therefore, all comments apply only to lunch. However, based on our experience, it is unlikely we'll visit the restaurant again. We ordered three small dishes- the fish taco, the BLT sandwich and corn on the cob. Then we waited... And waited... And waited. Almost an hour. When we arrived there was only one couple sitting, so really, no excuse. When finally the food arrived there was a new revelation- during all this time they forgot to set the table. As for the food itself, only the Corn was OK. The fish taco (the server's "favorite") had absolutely no seasoning. The BLT was sub par compared to several street vendors in Chicago. Although the Corn was the "best" of the three, it had too much cheese. It's a shame, because the roof location has great potential. There where other issues, but I think I have made my point.
(1)Aurore L.
Really?!? No review for the Terrace? Well it is my pleasure to fix that for you guys then! Seriously - this place is amazing. A nice oasis in the urban jungle of downtown Chicago. So just imagine: you exit the elevator, walk a mere 20 yards and you are totally transported in - let's say - South Beach. I said "imagine". Yes it requires a little bit of good will but you can do it. Come on. Luscious sofas, high chairs and tables, galore of pillows and cushions in cool blues and sunny yellows, DAY BEDS. You read me right. An amazing three-tiered water feature to soothe you and perfect the illusion. Tropical plants. Spectacular city views (with direct access to Nordstrom shoe-paradise - just saying ladies). A fantastic layout that protects you from the wind. Word - I was there on a very breezy Sunday afternoon and had to take off my jacket. You need more?!? Wonderful cocktails, an innovative Haute Teppan menu where you grill your own tapas and Sunday nights "Movies on the Terrace". The love is flowing every day from 11:30 to 11:00 (midnight on weekends) Just run there. I will be waiting nonchalantly waiting for you, laying on my wicker bed, soaking up the sun.
(5)Brooke O.
The views here are spectacular! I went on a week night with a couple girlfriends and it was surprisingly not very busy even though the weather was perfect for an evening on the rooftop. We ordered about 5 small plates including sushi, and a few salads. All of the food was wonderful. The reason for 1 less star is the price. We each had a couple glasses of wine and the small plates and our bill was BIG. I may go back for the view but will stick to one drink and eat elsewhere so that my wallet is happier with me =)
(4)Nancy K.
My husband and I came here for a post-work cocktail on an early Wednesday evening (5 pm). It was a gorgeous warm summer day and I wanted to have a drink outside. The Terrace is lovely and very sophisticated. It seems to be populated mostly with Conrad guests, who appear to be mostly business travelers and a few well-heeled guests. Cocktails are expensive, as you would imagine. Mine was $18, my husband's was $13. Beers averaged $6-9, which isn't too bad. The views are nice, although this section of Rush St. is one of those "less travelled" streets that commuters tend to use since most tourists are wandering up and down Michigan Ave. or State St. I would not feel comfortable here in shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe nice shorts and a nice button-down shirt, but not a sports t-shirt (e.g. Cubs, Brewers, etc.). I wore a casual summer dress with sandals. We had our one drink and then headed for someplace cheaper. If you're on an expense account and the boss doesn't care what you spend, head here. If the boss does care, have one and then move on. If you get there right around 4:30/5pm, there are plenty of places to sit. I don't know how crowded it gets later in night.
(3)Jenny P.
Pretty good breakfast for a hotel! 2nd time here, only because we are staying here. But I would come again.. I ordered lobster roll, kind of bland but the bread and fries were delicious! My husband got the sope & that was so delicious! Must have! Nice and crispy sope with flavorful braised beef! && Good coffee! Good service! Next morning I tried to have something lighter and opted for the parfait & that was really good!! I would come back if I was staying here. But I don't think I would make a trip back if I wasn't staying here.
(3)Brian S.
Poor customer service. The outdoor seating was relatively empty and we had to go to the bar inside to get drinks. Only one person able to make drinks so that took 10 minutes as well. Won't be back.
(2)Maxxy C.
This was actually the shopping area. No complaints. Nice ambiance.
(4)Rebecca M.
I went here on a Thursday night for drinks and had a great time! The Terrace wasn't too crowded and the weather was perfect, so a group of us sat out on the comfy lounge chairs/couches and chatted for an hour or so. Kelsey, our server, was funny and attentive, and always made sure we were good on drinks. And the drinks were good! I'd recommend the peach drink or the Lemon Drop, which were both sweet and refreshing.
(4)Marcus F.
I went there for my fiancée birthday and we had a good experience. I had the Blood Orange Chicken and it was cooked perfectly along with the wild rice. The view was great and as it cooled down during the night our waiter bought the heaters closer to us which made us stay longer. The reason why I give this restaurant 4 stars was due to our drinks. Our party order the same drinks over the night and a few times the drinks taste different each time. Besides the inconsistency of the drinks this is a great establishment and I see myself dining there again.
(4)Stephanie C.
Terrace was smaller than expected, view less spectacular than anticipated but we still had a good time when going there for a drink with hubby for his bday. Service was good, waiter recommended kale flatbread and he was right: it was very tasty! I recommend this place for a drink or small bite.
(3)Tom M.
LOUSY service!! After making reservations on Open Table, we arrived and were greeted by the hostess who said we had a table but then gave it away to the next couple who walked in. After another couple was sat, we asked what our status was. The hostess was confused but apologized then sat us. The waitstaff was slow all night...they rarely came to our table and were very slow with food and drink orders. After we left we were contacted by Open Table, who said we no-showed on our reservation. The restaurant refused to acknowledge we were there. This is an expensive restaurant but the staff here act like amateurs. This experience was not worth anything close to the money we spent.
(1)Darcy W.
I really enjoy this roof top bar. It's wonderful to sit outside on a warm Chicago evening, and it provides inviting seating arrangements. The bartenders are great! Eddie pours a nice glass of wine and makes a mean Manhattan. The food looks good... I may need to try one of these days.
(4)Saul G.
Tried all three venues, the outdoor terrace, the indoor lobby lounge, and the restaurant at breakfast - all seem to co-exist under the name Terrace. The lobby lounge was very comfortable but could have used more separation from the lobby itself-guests walk past on their way to the rooms. I had a cocktail with blood orange vodka and pomegranate juice, and my wife a quartino of riesling - very generous. So I had another vodka and soda to keep her company. Good service, the waitstaff kept the snack bowl and our water glasses filled. The cocktail was delicious, but a little sweet to make a habit of them. Breakfast was excellent. Good coffee started us off. Egg dishes come with your choice of toast, or breakfast pastry. So I went for the hazlenut donut - light not greasy, while my wife chose the brioche sucree. The missus had the basic poached eggs and sausage. Both were perfectly cooked, the sausages of good size, and excellent flavor. I went for an omelet of chorizo and cheddar - fluffy, nicely rolled and nothing like the egg pancakes the buffet omelet bar chefs make. I was glad the Conrad did not offer a buffet. The outdoor Terrace is welcoming with umbrellas, tables and lounges more typical of a resort than an urban hotel. Service was prompt and friendly. The bloody Mary could have used a bit more seasoning and spice - two olives were the garnish. What is really needed is a small dip pool for the comfort of the guests and as a focal point for the space. Perhaps the architecture did not allow....
(4)P B.
Very nice place with a phenomenal setting and groove. The staff couldn't have been better. Our first time there wasn't stellar but our second and third where great.
(4)Deena H.
The food was not bad but it is the view and lounge that really made this an amazing experience. It was a great night to be there. Service was great. Dessert was amazing. It was not crowded which was great for a Friday night. It is a place I hope to throw parties at now.
(5)Yvonne B.
I don't know where to begin with The Terrace. We would never have known it existed if we weren't shopping at Nordstrom and using my Open Table app to find a nearby restaurant for dinner. The Terrace is inside of the Conrad Hotel. We weren't familiar with the hotel either even though it's right smack dab next to Nordstrom. Reviews were all over the place but mostly revolved around breakfast. There were only 40-something Yelp reviews leading me to believe that this was a new spot (we later learned that it's been around for about 10 years). We didn't know what to expect. There was nobody to greet us when we arrived at the host station. We stood there awkwardly for some minutes while we watched some diners have a seemingly emotionally charged conversation. A lady walked up from behind us, reviewed the menu, and then left. M walked around the host station to the bar area and found an employee. He explained that they operate on a bare-bones staff (we saw only him and the bar tender the entire evening). Fortunately, there was only us, the fighting couple, and a group of folks who were staying at the hotel for some sort of conference or business trip. Eventually the fighters lulled into a sullen silence, ate (also in silence), and then left. The conference people worked on laptops and then also left. M and I were alone in the whole restaurant. The restaurant was decorated in old grandeur (see picture). We could see that the floor and bench along the wall were worn in spots, but still in decent condition. It's been a while since I've seen a restaurant decorated in that traditional fashion. M had two glasses of wine and I had a Hibiscus martini (see picture). All of our libations were delicious. My martini was made with high quality ingredients and was super strong. I liked it; however, I don't recommend it if you dislike the taste of alcohol. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the food. The bread that was brought to our table was small. There were two varieties: a mini Italian loaf and bread that had nuts and raisins in it. The menu was limited and surprising (as in, we didn't expect to see some of the menu items at such a fancy and hidden restaurant). M's Bourbon Chicken & Waffles were AMAZING (see picture). We could taste the sweet bourbon in the chicken and felt as if it was paired perfectly with the savory dark meat chicken and fluffy waffle. My Jibarito was really good as well. It wasn't your usual Puerto Rican jibarito but it did give me heart burn (which is normal for jibaritos). It had pulled chicken seasoned with curry. I appreciated the twist on a jibarito. Our whole dinner (with drinks) came to about $85. We thought that was reasonable. Also, besides the hiccup with being greeted when we arrived, our service was on point. The server was quick, responsive, checked often enough, and friendly. We'll probably go again after our next shopping trip at Nordstrom.
(4)Steve S.
Great atmosphere. Terrible food. And somehow the service was even worse. Want cold entrees and stale desserts? Then this is the place for you.
(1)Annie W.
Overpriced and boring food, mediocre drinks, and the inability to split our checks at the end of the meal definitely put a downer on my friend's birthday. So not worth it.
(2)Riana Elizabeth E.
I've gotten on a ginger beer kick since I've discovered my love of the authentic "Dark & Stormy" (an authentic "Dark & Stormy" is made of Gosling's Dark Rum, Gosling's Ginger Beer, and fresh lime juice or a wedge of lime). What is ginger beer, you ask? It's ginger soda that exemplifies that ginger ale is just a bland, pale, wallflower cousin. Ginger beer...~good~ ginger beer, that is...has sweetness, aroma, character, and that sparking bite showing that real ginger had a had in its making. Now, the ginger beers I've been sampling, just like their misleadingly named ginger ale cousins, are not alcoholic. The rum is what gives the Dark & Stormy its potency. So imagine my surprise when I get to the Terrace and see on the menu, "Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer"! I'm in. I ordered the drink straight just to get a feel for it, though our server, Abel, said they could make a double-potency Dark & Stormy for me. He also recommended a drink made of half Crabbie's and half of their hard apple cider. I may have to try that on my next visit. The Crabbie's was a lot more subtle than I expected. Yes, there was the ginger bite, but the flavor was sweeter and blended more to a mellow feel. It did not taste alcoholic AT ALL. These could be dangerous. Atmosphere: Fantastic. Great place to hang and chat with friends, especially if you can get one of the oh, so comfortable center couches. The outside terrace was spacious and, though they weren't needed on our visit, I saw several heat lamps that could be utilized at the corner of the roof. Service: Abel was friendly and handy whenever we had questions. Food & Drink: The appetizers were pricey, but it's a rooftop bar in Chicago (What do you expect?), and the drink prices weren't exorbitant. I liked the fact that the craft beer menu listed the locales that the beers hailed from, but it only listed for some of the beers? We ordered the cheese plate, lobster roll, and potstickers - all were good, but portion sizes could have been larger & there was nothing outstanding that grabbed us.
(4)Ashley W.
Okay, first things first, this is my very first time writing a Yelp review so that should tell you how disappointed I was with my experience here. I went here for my surprise birthday party about a few weeks ago. We were a party of about 15 people on a Friday night. Any of you that have been here know that it is a pretty pricey restaurant. With that being said, you would think that when a party of 15 people come for dinner and drinks you would be pretty attentive because you know that you'll be making the majority of your money from that group. There were about 4 other occupied tables, it was not busy at all. The entire night we experienced TERRIBLE service. Our waiter would come and take our order for drinks and food and would come back 15 minutes later with only 2 drinks when 5 people ordered drinks. Then when the 3 other people asked if their drinks were on the way he would rudely say "YES!" The hostess had a terrible attitude the whole night. At one point she literally "shooed" my grandma and rolled her eyes at her because she didn't move out of the way fast enough. I have never been so disappointed with a restaurant in my life. The food was okay, I would recommend the mac and cheese. The drinks were tasty but not strong at all. All in all, its safe to say me and my guests will NEVER go back to The Terrace at Conrad again.
(2)Tamer A.
Food was really good, four stars. Service and view made it five. View is not a Signature Room style birdview. Rather, you feel you are in the midst of the concrete jungle-quite nice, actually. Different, delicious take on southern food. Shrimp and grits were delicious, so were chicken and waffles. Deviled egg just okay. Burger was good (but not Medium as I ordered), and Catfish tacos were darn diddly-icious. Staff was wonderful. Thinking about throwing a private party there. It rained lightly, and they spread their huge umbrellas fairly quickly. I liked that it was not too crowded with people more worried about who is looking at them than about having a good time. Yes, I am looking at YOU, ZED451, and many other rooftops.
(5)Michael N.
I went here on a beautiful evening; there was a slight breeze winding its way through the buildings and the high rise windows shone brightly from the suns golden rays.....then I saw the drink prices. I don't know why, but beer just tastes better when its price has been tripled. You know your credit card is in for a long night when the menu doesn't have dollar signs by the prices. Beautiful views, modern-chic furniture, and a very friendly wait staff. I will definitely be back, probably on pay day.
(4)AV G.
We have an industry organization that hosts summer networking receptions at all the rooftop venues around town. The price at this place was about 33.33% more than other have charged--not really on par with the others (best was Zed for food, best was the Wit for the scene and view, best over all is Trump 16) Unless you are a hotel guest, i would not bother
(2)Yuna D.
Definitely paying for the ambience, but I thought it was definitely worth it. I can't comment on the food because I didn't eat here but the mixed drinks here are nice! I can understand why service is slow; the place was very busy when I went (near dinnertime). However, I thought the people who worked there were super friendly and apologetic towards my friend and they were also very welcoming when I told them I was from out of town. Great experience, would love to come here again.
(4)Bj C.
This place is a joke. Great view but nothing else. Service is extremely slow. Drinks take forever to get. Food, even longer. Plan to spend 4 hours getting a simple dinner. They include gratuity despite the slow service. They claim to not split a bill more than 4 ways, but complain enough they will. Lastly, they claim not to validate parking unless you are a hotel guest. If your looking for a gorgeous view of the city, there are plenty better places to go with much better service and food.
(1)Tiffany L.
I heard great things about this place, but was slightly underwhelmed. It's a nice space, but since it's just a terrace on the 5th floor, the views are not amazing. The service and drinks were just okay, and of course overpriced, as expected for hotel lounges/bars. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, except for maybe their Sunday night movies. Also, they close early, at midnight, but at least are extremely polite in the way they kick you out. I have been literally shoved out the door of places like moving cattle and that is just not nice.
(3)Nelson M.
Restaurant Review Romantic, fine dining, and excellent service! This is close to a 4 star restaurant unfortunately there were a couple of things that knocked it down one level. I went here for Valentine's day with my wife for the pre-fixe menu of $50 dollars w/ champagne or $45 without. Luckily not too many people know about this restaurant and reservations were still available for 6 pm. This restaurant has great ambiance for romantic dates, with dimmed lights and very attentive wait staff. They were super accomodating with the pre-fixe menu with adjusting the salad to the house salad as my wife could not eat goat cheese. Now on to the food: Complimentary bread basket- always great Champagne- normal 12 dollars a glass, it was not too dry and had the perfect balance of sweetness Shrimp bisque- this was heavenly, not salty at all with healthy chunks of tender shrimp bits Parmesan crisp with goat cheese mousse, mache and truffle honey- this was another stellar offering that doesn't quite resemble a salad however the pungeness of the parmesan crisp with the light mousse of goat cheese and sweatness of the honey created a unbelievable combination of flavors. Grilled filet mignon with shipped yukon potatoes and french beans- top grade filet comparable to any other in chicago. The meat was so tender that it felt like you were slicing through butter with your knife. The only detraction was a slight burnt taste to my medium rare filet which is likely from the grill marks that tasted a bit off Pastry "fondue"- this was a big let down at the end of the meal. This is clearly not a fondue, but rather a plate of marshmallows, pineapple, short cake, and strawberries dipped into a iron casket of chocolate sauce. Someone how the chocolate was not fondue "quality" and reminiscent of hersey syrup and the offering of pastries/fruit was weak. A FEW ISSUES 1. No one answers the phones- they called ahead of time to "verify" my reservation from open table and after calling back multiple times and leaving a message to confirm no one ever got back with me 2. Fondue dessert- terrible idea as this is not really a "fondue" that you would expect with a fire keep the chocolate hot. Also it was a rather weak end to the valentine's menu 3. Odd burnt taste to the beef, excellent fillet but somehow there was something wrong that day with the grill Pro- fine dining, great wait staff that was accommodating, grade A filet quality, romantic dining Con- the above issues, answer or return the calls of your patrons. Revamp the dessert option next year for valentine's Hidden deal- Keep your eyes peeled for special prefixe menus which are creative and delicious for a set price. Also in the summer time there is a Terrance rooftop bar as well for great drinks and a view of the city!
(3)Brett F.
5 stars for lovely atmosphere + 4 stars for solid eye candy efforts + 3 stars for totally mediocre food + 2 stars for weaksauce service + 0 stars for poor, inept management = ___________________________________ 2 total stars for The Terrace at Conrad Eh. It was a bit of a let down. I love some fabulous outdoor loungin', eatin' and drinkin' more than the next guy... but when charging these kinds of prices (ahem, $14-18 glasses of tempranillo) you must bring it wholeheartedly with the service, and simply, the folks at the Conrad do NOT. A post-work meet up here started off fine enough... the vibe here is to-die-for!! Umbrellas, day beds, terracotta tile floor, trickling fountains, gorgeous people.... can you say "Welcome to Miami" in your best latina accent? This is the perfect setting for a romantic date or group outing, the energy is sexy and electric. Unfortunately, that's about all The Terrace will offer. Our food was boring; the haute teppan (a grill-it-yourself en table dish) that proved to be meager in portion while overbearing in size was both cumbersome and tasteless. The "grill" took up most of our table top leaving us with no choice but to put sauces and accompaniments on our lap or - gasp - on the floor. Ew. Follow up dishes of coconut shrimp (weird aftertaste) and grilled spicy wings (undercooked) were left almost untouched and were a total waste of $30 for some of priciest apps around - ouch! The Terrace staff seriously lacks in efficiently and expediency - no bussers mean that your waitress is guaranteed to be sufficiently overwhelmed and dirty plates are left sitting - and stinking - in front of you while water glasses chirp empty yearning to be filled. The piece de resistance though came from the manager who approached our table at the end of the evening asking 'how everything was'? When we told her not so good and explained a few of our disappointments she just nodded, smiled and walked away looking totally vacant. WTF was that? Why ask if you don't plan to make things right or, at a minimum, offer some constructive feedback? Grrr! $107 later I had managed to consume 3 glasses of retail priced wine, 1 raw chicken drumstick, 1/2 a coconut shrimp and a few chicken strips with hummus from the gargantuan teppan thing all the while dying for a glass of water. If this is what Miami life is really like, I think I'm content sticking to the Midwest. The Terrace... good for cocktails and atmosphere... Bad for everything else.
(2)Natalie C.
TERRIBLE. The only thing positive this place has going for it is the semi decent view. Service was slow and unfriendly. A service charge was included for our party of 8 so it was apparent that there was no motivation to provide efficient service, at all. The waiter said he couldn't split our check more than 3 ways, but after a little debate he was magically able to do 4. Food was small, overpriced and took forever. Front desk would not validate or discount parking for non hotel guests and they were rude about it. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Plenty of other places with better service and views of the city. So disappointed!
(1)Alyssa C.
Nice little rooftop but no action... Drinks were ok, a bit on the sweet side. Food was good. I guess if you wanted a really quiet place to catch up with someone, this might be the spot. But i would suggest Zed 451 for a better atmosphere with a similar ambiance.
(2)Erica W.
My friend's coworker recommended this place, so three of us decided to check it out for happy hour. We were surprised that such a pretty rooftop in such a prime location wasn't slammed on a beautiful night. The usual girls night protocol is a couple drinks and a few appetizers to share. At most places, we're stuffed with two or three apps. But here, although they were all quite tasty (particularly the truffle mac n cheese and lobster corn dogs), we had to order a fourth appetizer and a dessert to call it a meal since the portions were pretty small. The two main downfalls are the prices and the service. $14-$16 for a cocktail is pretty spendy, even for downtown Chicago, and all of the apps were in the $15-$20 range. It seemed like our server was also bartending, so we had to flag her down multiple times and have the food runner get her for us so we could order another round. This space definitely has potential, but for now it's just your standard hotel rooftop.
(3)Edy R.
Good: This place has a nice ambiance and a beautiful view. SO much potential! Plus for a terrace in the city, easy enough to find seats. Bad: The food wasn't bad but ridiculously overpriced as hotels do. The service tho was by the far the slowest and worst both times I went. Especially since the place wasn't packed. If it wasn't for the outdoor movie played on Sunday nights I would have given this one less star. A pricey evening for some weak drinks.
(3)Andrea H.
I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars on this one. My friend saw an ad for the Movies on the Terrace and we decided it would be the perfect setting for a girls' night out. Let's start with the atmosphere. It is a really nice patio. I was thinking it would have a few more beds and areas to lounge rather than tables, but I guess beds aren't very conducive to eating so probably for the best. I'm sure the umbrellas come in handy during the day, but I kept thinking that we should put ours down so we could enjoy the evening skyline. I guess we probably could have asked...and probably should have. Drinks. My champagne cocktail got an A for effort, but a C for execution. I think they made the same mistake that I've made in the past and stirred it. Pretty sure it fizzed over and they topped it off with champagne. It was ok, but not great for $15. They did have a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, though, and I enjoyed a few of them. Food. Contrary to the drinks, the food is actually pretty reasonably priced. Four of us decided to try the Mexicana Teppan and the Trilogy appetizer selection: coconut shrimp, calamari and steamed won tons. The calamari and won tons were tasty, but that coconut shrimp was delicious. Not at all greasy, but crisp and flavorful. The teppan came with several toppings and all in all was very good. I will definitely take the advice of the server and split it with no more than 2 people next time. As it was, I only had one shrimp, one strip of beef and one piece of chicken. Now, to the movie part, kind of hilarious. The movie had constant problems with the sound. It cut out throughout the whole showing and the DVD even stopped completely towards the end of the movie. The servers were basically positioned by the system trying to fix it all night. Add that to the fact that the screen kept blowing over (even though it was not even the slightest bit windy) and you've got some good laughs (probably more funny because of all the drinks). Seriously, my friend was in the middle of ordering when our server took off running to save the screen. Awesome. Three of us at the table run events and work quite frequently with hotels. We all know that there are usually AV people in house. My question is why couldn't they have a tech there to save the poor servers from having to deal with this? We were also thinking that they might be better off with a spandex screen or a pull down attached to one of the windows. The fast fold doesn't work so well outdoors, especially if it's windy. So they have a few kinks to work out. A-OK for now, but I'd definitely give it another shot. The service is friendly, food is good, and their heart is in the right place. Props to the Conrad for doing something like this. I wish some of the other hotels I stay in would do something similar.
(3)Carolyn L.
I like the crowd and the overall location of this place. However, if you're looking for a great view, there are lots of other places you can go to in Chicago. Not only that, but a pitcher of margaritas/mojitos here costs $50. That's beyond ridiculous, if you ask me. I guess it's about the same as what you'd pay elsewhere, but it didn't feel like it had enough alcohol to merit those prices. Anyway, good location but I'd rather go somewhere else to pay those kind of prices.
(3)Tita P.
Beautiful Summer day in Chicago....Check Out with some fab ladies....Check Beautiful view....Check MARTINI FLIGHTS....Check Check CHECKKKK!! What more can I say?
(4)Saira K.
My most beautiful memory of Chicago - a summer night with my lovely girlfriends - laughing, joking, flirting with the guys. :) And cooking. We grilled meats and seafood and laughed over drinks. Gorgeous place.
(5)Christopher K.
Oh boy. Nice view above the city, but it was a terrible service management experience. On a slow night, they managed to take forever with the order -- the server was embarrassed, and he and the manager were comping us drinks and appetizers while other people on in the place came and left having eaten. The rib nachos, when they arrived, were a nicely done surprise, as was the crab wrap. The evening was salvageable, but there was too much anxiety about the order to make it a relaxing night out.
(2)Cassandra F.
I went here for dinner my first night in Chicago and really enjoyed it. I was traveling alone so I wanted to find a place where I wouldn't feel awkward eating by myself. This worked out perfectly. It has a great view of the city since it's 5 stories up, and it's a very relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the Terrace Margarita ($15, but really good) and the crab cake sliders. Three sliders with a side order of fries, just the right size. The server was really friendly and helpful, and like I said the atmosphere is great. A little pricey overall, $30 for a drink and dinner.....but I felt that combined with the view it was worth it.
(4)Donavin S.
AWFUL bartenders, REALLY high prices! My friend and I ordered Old Fashioneds. We dine out a lot and from our experience, very few bartenders can make a good Old Fashion. So we asked the bartender if he made a purist, traditional version of the cocktail - he said yes. What came back was KOOL AID - too much syrup, a fat ass orange slice... he did not stir it and he forgot the bitters!!! We asked for a little more bourbon to kill the sweetness and make the drinks somewhat palatable. The drinks were so bad, we could not finish them. The check came...The check for those 2 awful drinks was $40 and HE CHARGED US $12 FOR THE EXTRA BOURBON. Hey Conrad, take a page from your friends at Sable and Violet Hour on the recipe for a great Old Fashioned. Never going back!
(1)Kelly W.
Went here for a work happy hour. Nice spot to be outside and enjoy the summer weather. We had a really great waiter who looked like Robert Pattinson so we called him Edward. Anyway, Edward was great. Three of us, including myself, order the red sangria and something was definitely off about it. Not tasty at all so our waiter happily took them back and got us other drinks. We also ordered some tapas including the chicken dumplings, the ahi tuna, and tomato and mozzarella salad.. all very good. We easily racked up a heafty bill and all had an enjoyable time.. 3 stars it is.
(3)Mahsa T.
I really wanted to like this place based on the other reviews, but I was disappointed with the lack of service from everyone during our entire 3 hours there. My friend and I went on a Thursday around 6:30 and there were two small work groups there having happy hour drinks. They had reserved a section in the middle for the two groups and had used every chair in the place for them to sit on. Within half an hour of us standing at the bar (still waiting to get to the front of the bar to order drinks!) half of one of the parties left, but the wait staff refused to take those empty chairs and put them at three tables that were sitting empty right in front of the bar! We were quoted 45 minutes for a table and ended up waiting over an hour! The management here is non-existant and completely inept. The host insisted he didn't have extra chairs for us to sit at one of the 3 empty tables but then went and fetched guess what!? 2 empty chairs and brought them to another table to seat a party of 6 who were behind us on the wait list. So then after we got our table, we had a server who took half an hour to show up to take our order, we ordered their specialty, which is kind of like Korean BBQ, where they bring you raw meat and you cook it yourself on a burner on your table. When they brought the burner to our table and turned it on, I thought FINALLY I'm going to get some food. NOPE. We sat there for yet another half an hour while the grease on the burner burned and smoked right in our faces. When we flagged down our waitress and asked if our food would be coming soon because the burner was starting to smoke, she looked at us with indifference, shrugged her shoulders, and said the food should be on its way. Because it took so long to get our food, everything had a funny aftertaste from the burnt grease on the burner. The view wasn't even that great, this place is on the fifth floor so you're basically staring into the buildings around you, the only view is of Rush Street. All in all, this was a horrible experience and I will NEVER go back, the place is run by a bunch of teenagers, they don't have enough staff, and they get flustered with 2 small parties. Totally over-priced and underwhelming-- and to think, we didn't go to the Roof at the Wit because there was an hour wait to get in, little did we know we would end up waiting 3 hours for service at the Conrad. There is NO SERVICE here whatsoever!
(1)Cassandra K.
Was here this past Saturday afternoon 5/26/2012 and I must say, this place is WONDERFUL. The views are spectacular and the staff was great. I already had dinner plans for the later in the night, so I was only browsing at the appetizer section of the menu. After downing a few Stellas, which was served in a nice tall ICE cold glass, I came across the crab cakes which featured roasted corn relish and shrimp remoulade. I LOVE crab cakes, but the past few times I have had them at other establishments, they haven't really been TOO great, just "eh". So naturally, I was a bit skeptical. My parents were with me this day and they had already had them a couple hours before I had arrived and they SWORE by them. I decided to take their word for it and after I ordered my next beer, I asked for the crab cakes. About 10 minutes later, heaven on a plate is brought to me. Two thick crab cakes adorned with arugula and other leafy greens and a very thick remoulade sauce, which resembles a bit like tartar sauce, but trust me, VERY different. I took my first bite and I must say....WOW. The sauce was kick-y, but nothing in the range of spicy or hot. Just an extra boost of flavor. As far as the service goes, the staff is VERY attentive. Our server was a very nice young man who checked up on us quite a bit. The minute we had about two sips of beer left, he was checking up to see if we wanted another drink, and would return in less than a minute. Outstanding. One thing I will say that stood out however, happened when my parents and I left for our next destination. About an hour (AN HOUR) after we had left, I had realized that my parents had forgotten their shopping bag with hundreds of dollars of merchandise at the Terrace. I Googled the telephone number for them, called immediately, and a nice woman answered the phone to tell me that our waiter had noticed it, but not soon enough to flag us down before we entered the elevator to leave. She then told me that I could come pick it up at the hostess stand where our nice waiter had left it. I got into a cab, went back to the Terrace, and they had the bags waiting for me. I was so relieved and I commended them on keeping an eye out. Now, unless money is NO object to you, this isn't one of those "come-here-everyday-for-after-work-drinks" places. It's more of a once a month treat to yourself, your family or your friends type of establishment. Or if you DO happen to be staying at the hotel itself, whether you're from Naperville, Illinois or Napa, Caifornia, you should definitely give this place a visit.
(5)Colleen F.
In accordance with my new resolution to live life like it's a vacation, I came with my husband to The Terrace at Conrad. As far as atmosphere it doesn't get much better than this. Lounge chairs, couches and the city skyline make for a sexy, urban vibe. I would not consider this a place to eat, so I am not surprised that the food reviews are less than spectacular. This place for me, is the sort of place you go to sip a bright glass of white and soak up the late afternoon rays. I will say that they lose a star for service. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't what it should have been. We also got kicked out at 5:30 which I thought was a little strange. Especially considering they had just started filling up when they threw us all out. I would still go back to this place if I was in the area but I won't be making any special trips.
(3)Jessica B.
It was my birthday, and i wanted to go all out. I decided on The Terrace because it was outdoors, and looked posh. I went to ROOF last year, and was not impressed. I understand they just opened, but come on, the drinks weren't that great and it was all cougars. Other yelpers are right about the atmosphere here, think Miami. If you want to reserve a table/couch, you need a minimum of 10 people, and they wont split the bill. It was for these reasons i said "screw it," I'm just going to show up with my birthday posse and see what happens.. Lucky for us, a group cancelled their reservations last minute, so we got a large couch. It was perfect. I started out with a raspberry champagne drink but then switched to a sort of pear martini after trying my friend's. It was AHHH-Mazing. 5 martini's later, Service was great and attentive. From the minute i walked in the Hotel, the staff was phenomenal. We never had an empty drink in our hand. Host staff was awesome as well. Kudos to the young guy working the door that night. He was super nice all night and he let me bring in a cake my friend baked for me, even though we couldn't eat it without paying $7 a person. Regardless, i came back from the bathroom and my cake was gone. Apparently our server was super awesome and decided that he would snatch it to surprise me by bringing it back with a lit candle so i could be super embarrassed that the whole bar knew it was my birthday... It was a small gesture, but meant a lot. This place is amazing. Perfect place for a few drinks on a summer night. Negative: Closes at midnight! Management- Stay open later! Midnight was way too early to close such a beautiful place! Bonus: They play movies here on Sunday nights... cant wait to check this out soon!
(5)Tom J.
DONT GET THE NACHOS! We went here for a quick bite to eat and a couple of drinks which were on par with most other fancy places in Chicago... $7 for any beer other than a miller lite. Our mistake came when we ordered the $18 pulled pork nachos. For $18 we were expecting something impressive and something that would feed us both. But what we got was a tiny strip of pulled pork in a skillet drenched in liquid cheese with a couple of chopped up peppers and a few tortilla strips balanced on top. It was a fancy take on nachos that I wasn't expecting and I definitely didn't enjoy.
(2)Elina S.
This place was pretty fun. Went here for lunch and had some yummy comfort food. Nice scene, good food, decent prices and did I mention a killer view. Will definitely be back here at night for some loungin time w/ the friends. But on a beautiful Chicago day, this totally works. You have to try their sliders and garlic fries. Comfort food with a tapas edge, works for me :)
(4)Jeremy W.
Well I can tell you I will not go back even if I stay at The Conrad. For a night where there were a lot of empty tables it took well over 10 minutes to get a bottled beer. Our server did not even take our order a bar back did. The sever dropped the check then asked if we wanted another drink at last call, is that not backwards? Not worth my time or money to come back with that kind of service.
(1)Jennifer B.
This place is definitely a best-kept secret..... This space is just beautiful. You feel transported. The Terrace at the Conrad rivals roof-top bars anywhere! There are couches and even beds to lay on...kind of reminded me of the cool pools in Las Vegas. So the space is incredible, and the people are very chill. You won't be smashed in between a bunch of people; you'll be able to breath and pretty much always get a seat. The drinks are fabulous, but whoa are they expensive. That is why I took the review down 1 star. It's kind of fun to see how high prices can go (look! $20 for a martini!) but in comparison to prices at similar hotel terraces, the Terrace at the Conrad is the most expensive. But...you get what you pay for, and if paying an extra $5 per drink keeps away the crazies, I guess it's worth it! The Terrace at the Conrad is romantic, so it might be a nice way to end the evening after a date (or begin it???) and it's also a nice place to meet after work.
(4)nikki s.
Shhhhhh...don't tell too many people about this one! This is definitely one of downtown's hidden gems! So "joie de vivre" and sophisticated. Gotta find more rooftop, open-air dining to bring it down a notch. Me likey the vibe--only for the grown and sexy, though. Had been there before, but just yesterday, celebrated my birthday with a few friends. nothing like some cocktails and some snacks to kick off the evening. Would've danced to the salsa piped in if it weren't so hot. Didn't want to make it to my next destination wilted. In a nutshell.. service - absolutely pleasant and very attentive; everyone leaves the pretense at the door. prices- mid range. think $14 for three sliders. i don't mind paying if it's good food menu- so good! my favorites were the sexxay fries w/truffle oil (just love saying it), the crab and lobster cake sliders, a yummy chocolate bundt cake (happy birthday to me!), gi-normous coconut shrimp that actually had a good flavor and the best sangria i've ever had. view - think sippin' a cocktail at some happenin south beach rooftop--except instead of the oceanview, you're surrounded by the monstrous architecture of downtown chicago. This is a perfect place for after a date, cocktails with the girls...you get my drift.
(5)Mihir P.
Quite possibly the best roof bar in the city. It is spacious and has elegant "outdoor" furniture. The food is decent as well but is pricey. The staff is polite and the bartenders are social - at least mine was. The only problem I really have with The Terrace is that is closes at midnight. Dang sleeping guests.
(4)Carolyn B.
Hugely overpriced tapas. Snooty staff. Don't bother - the location doesn't justify the experience
(1)Steve C.
Had a few after dinner drinks at this place and really enjoyed it. They have some pretty decent views of the city and its a nice area to enjoy the summer weather. Drink selection wasn't great but there was enough to get by.
(3)Courtney B.
I am hesitant to let anyone know about this place because I'd hate to see it become one of those OTHER places (we won't name names) that has the line to get in and a cover charge. OMG- simply amazing. It is gorgeous first of all! And it really does feel like you are on a friend's patio. The layout lends itself to giving each group a ton of space. And I also liked that there are different areas to choose from- like a table for 4 under an umbrella, a hightop for 2, a couch which is more loungy.... different moods sort of all over. My dirty martini was divine and the presentation of the food was too cute! Each order came out in small bamboo steamers and they were all stacked on top each other. It kept everything we ordered warm and wonderful. I would definitely order the pot stickers again along with the coconut shrimp. I am not sure what the 3 different dipping sauces were exactly, I would have liked to have been told, so be sure to ask- but they were all yummy. The "orange" one was some sort of a chili sauce & tasted great w the steamy stickers. The vibe up there was totally relaxed and chill. Mind you this was a Tuesday at 6pm. But, it's a busy area (attached to Nordstoms) and could potentially be super busy. But it kind of felt like no one knew it was there! Great view, great service. Perfect for a romantic date or meeting up with girls for drinks. To top off our experience we had.... brace yourselves..... FONDUE!! Did you happen to see what my "last meal on earth" was in my profile? That's right! I can't get enough of it's oohey gooey goodness. The usual dippers... strawberries, pretzels, etc but also included were these small pieces of toasted angel food cake (yum!) and dried apricots. Bonus points for adding something new and creative to dip into melted chocolate!! This was truly lovely place and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Pamela L.
We went here one night to grab a drink before dinner. I'd read the reviews and was excited to check it out...I was not disappointed! It was a drizzly night, but the rain had stopped so we thought "what the hell, why not?" There are large umbrellas all over the roof, so we ducked under one of them and were one of only 3 or 4 other tables there. The waiter couldn't have been nicer, and was incredibly helpful. We ordered the french fry appetizer and it was delicious! For a crappy night weather-wise, this place was great. I can't wait to go back on a nicer evening and spend some more time!
(4)Katrina H.
The location Excellent.. Our Waitress was very sweet and really worked our party of 4. The Pre Fix Christmas Meal was pretty good for $50 although a couple of items were barely at room temperature. I did get a little "salty" when the desk wouldn't validate our parking ticket because they said that we weren't staying guest.. causing us to have to pay $36 for Parking when all they had to do was stamp the freaking ticket. This is after our Tab was a mind blowing $500 ... For this I will probably not be going here again. There are too many restaurants in this economy who would kill for a $500 tab.. whats wrong with stamping the parking ticket ? Unreal !
(3)Michelle S.
I love the fact that you can watch a movie on the Terrace. It's beautiful too. Prices are very high!!!! Portions for the pric of food isn't good either. Service is nothing outstanding. But not bad either.
(3)Thao N.
Nice views, pretty cool location, descent food but bad service, and unapologetic management. I'll probably never come back to this place. My sister in-law choose this place for her birthday dinner and when I checked out their website I thought the location was great. When we arrived they had reserved 3 tables for our large party but they did not reconfigure the furniture to accommodate. We were awkwardly placed and to top it off, the servers actually never asked me if I wanted to order a drink. When the hors d'oeuvres were served, they didn't tell us what was on the dish. I had to guess what the dishes were. Surprisingly, the food was good but over salted. (Took a little effort to take my ring off when I got home.) On top of the hors d'oeuvres, I had ordered the filet mignon as an entree. 5 mins after I had placed the order, another server came to ask if medium well, was okay. 15-20 mins had gone by before I saw another server to ask where my food was. She replied with "That wasn't brought out yet?". Seriously, at that point I would have settled for fast food. It was a very forgettable piece of meat. When my brother got the bill, the server made it a point to say gratuity was not added. How rude? I work in the service industry myself, and I can never imagine ever asking for a tip. That really sealed the deal for me. Unless, The Terrace at Conrad gets a major overhaul in service, I won't be recommending this place to anyone and they shouldn't expect to see me anytime soon.
(2)Sarah S.
The Terrace at the Conrad has a great atmosphere and is wonderful for sitting outside for a drink after work. The furniture is very comfortable and relaxing. We didn't try any of the food, but i'm sure it's good. The drinks are pricey, but that's to be expected. Our server was very attentive and willing to help. I can't afford to go here too often, but it's definitely a splurge when I get the chance to!
(4)C M P.
What a fantastic roof top lounge. It's like you're own special get away tucked away among the skyscrapers. I had vodka lemonade which was refreshing. Tasted the won-tons, very good for a 'tizer. The South Beach atmosphere makes the place relaxing. You can sit at a table or on a sofa. If you see me with a cute girl pretend you don't know me
(4)Kaio B.
giving it 4 stars since it was a unique concept and a fun place to hang out. went there on a movie night . dont remember the movie and doubt i watched it :) . Food was good. The service was ok.
(4)Monica J.
I love me some outdoor patio...esp in Chicago....esp when we actually experience greater than 60s weather. Even after hearing mixed (mostly negative) things about The Terrace, I dared to visit on a Monday night and actually enjoyed myself. The place is pretty fun, with sofas and cabana-like areas--great for larger parties. The food and drink are good but unnecessarily expensive. I would definitely suggest hitting this place up on a weeknight when not crowded. Also, I would opt for a beer instead of one of those pricey mixed drinks... Go, sit, enjoy, relax....that's what this place is good for.
(3)Jon J.
only down fall the conrad hotel has is the roof top Terrace Bar, the drinks are weak, poorly made, overly expensive, poor service, uncomfortable seating, not really an inviting atmosphere over all
(1)