Chocolate Bar at The Peninsula: User Reviews

Well first the price has changed... It's $33 per person!!! Seriously, who can eat $33 worth of chocolate that is really just average. I went with 6 other friends and five of us had one cocktail each, our bill was $387! I realize its The Peninsula but geezzz, I can get a fabulous meal AND dessert for this price elsewhere in Chicago! I'd just think twice.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

Was at the Choc Bar a couple of Saturdays back and it was great.. Right from the Chrsitmas tree to the band and of course the well presented Choc Bar. A lot of selcetions and to top it our service staff were very warm and friendly. There seem to be many regulars and they were having a good time. Overall, we will goback soon...

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

I was not at all impressed with the Chocolate Buffet. I expected a lot out of it (hey, it's the Peninsula!!!), but my hopes were quashed. We waited 20 minutes at the host stand to finally be asked if we wanted a seat (and there were plenty of empty tables, and we did have a reservation too). The buffet was only half full (it's not like they were too busy to restock it or anything), and the items weren't really all that great. I don't know how many of them actually are made from scratch, but some did have that "store bought" kind of taste. I'd rather go down the street to the Hershey Store or the Ghirardelli place.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

I dragged my fiancee to the chocolate bar last weekend and was blown away. It was a little full, but I can understand why as we approached the chocolate bar buffet.
The display was impressive with chocolate trees and truffles hanging from them. Beautifully arranged chocolate tarts, cakes and creme brulees with different flavors in little dishes, chocolate cherry bark, pineapple (!) truffles, and so much more. There were too many items to remember. My fiancee loved the white hot chocolate with lemongrass.
I was told the hotel has a new pastry chef and that the selection changes week to week.We'll definately be back for more!

Report This Review

An all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet sounded too good to be true. I was taken there by surprise for my birthday a few nights ago. It was delicious. Great live jazz, great service, all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet? GREAT IDEA! I ate decadent amounts of cholate: chocolate creme brulee, chocolate-covered ganache lollipops, a variety of moist and tasty chocolate cakes, delicious dark hot chocolate, chocolate cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, the list goes on. I spent 2 hours eating just chocolate. I can't wait to go back.

Report This Review

Ridiculously overpriced and completely unimpressed...I do not recommend this experience. I went here on Saturday with another couple following the Symphony and walked away wishing that we had to gone to nice restaurant (rather than a hotel) for dessert instead. Not only does it cost $28/person for nothing more than average dessert, the ambience was very hotel-y (there were a couple people dining solo around us obviously avoiding room service), there was no table light (the wicks in all the candles were down) and the wine list was outrageous - their cheapest red by the glass (Protocolo) was $9/glass, which retails for $5.99/bottle at Binny's! It was the worst $100 dessert experience that my boyfriend and I have ever had... I will not return.

Report This Review

We stopped in to see Stephanie Browning sing. She and her combo are WONDERFUL!!!

Room: beautiful. Staff: warm and attentive. Appetizers: great.

We had been wanting to try the Chocolate Buffet. Was it good? NO!

We were terribily disappointed, especially at $28.00 per person! It was, in one word, BLAH! Nothing exciting. Nothing that screamed 'gotta have it'. With all the hype about it, I would expect unbelieveable to-die-for concoctions. I've had better chocolate at Outback.

Forget the chocolate buffet and go for the appetizers. We enjoyed the mini burgers, cheese plate, and lobster quesidillas.

Save your chocolate calories for Vosges Haut-Chocolat at The Shops of North Bridge. Much more satisfying!

Do not get the chocolate buffet! You can buy lots of great chocolate for 28 bucks elsewhere.

Report This Review

We went for my friend's bachelorette party after dinner. We had reservations, the hostess was friendly, but the wait staff was pretty rude. Overall, the price was a little high for the quality of food, but it was a good experience for a special occasion. I would expect a little more variety for the price you pay.

Report This Review

In a word....underwhelmed, and I hope the folks from the hotel read this. The room was indeed beautiful, so atmosphere was great. The jazz was good and after diner at another nearby restaurant, the chocolate bar was a great romantic way to wind up a date with my wife. Atmosphere aside, I was very disappointed with what I ultimately brought her there for which was the chocolate. At 26.00 per person, I suppose I expected more in the way of selection and well...chocolate. Frankly the quality was not what I had expected as well. All in all, I think a 2 is about right. If you still go, one thing that was to par was the White Chocolate & lavender hot chocolate. It was THE bright spot as far as quality and originality goes. Listen up guys, either right size your price so as to not disappoint or pick up the pace in regards to what you offer. preferably the latter.

Report This Review

While I haven't eaten here yet, I took a look at it while I was at the "Pen" for dinner at Shanghai Terrace. I approached one of the waitstaff to take a look at the buffet. He was very accomodating and gave me a small tour of the stand and made note of the hot-chocolate add on's in colder weather. I think this will be a great place to take my sister for her birthday. I've heard from 2 or 3 other people that they like this place much better than other dessert-specialty restaurants.

Report This Review