Charlie Trotter's
3.9
- Neighborhood: Sheffield/De Paul
- 816 W. Armitage Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60614
- 773-248-6228
Regarded by many as the pinnacle of American cooking, Charlie Trotter's enjoys as much international renown as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Bulls basketball team. The chef's aim is to synthesize European traditionalism with Asian minimalism and American ingenuity. Trotter--named 1999 James Beard Foundation Chef of the Year--expresses this most effectively in his degustation menus. Degustation menus range from $125-$200 per person, excluding tax and service charge. These showcase tasting-portions of a multitude of foods, playing up seasonal freshness and dizzying variety. The farm-raised meats, line-caught fish, organic vegetables and herbs combine with Trotter's own creativity for truly memorable dining. The elegant dining room is in a Lincoln Park brownstone built circa 1900 and renovated in the Viennese Biedermeier style--clean lines, crisp angles and understated colors. Adjacent to the restaurant is a 1,500-square-foot test kitchen where Trotter's PBS television program, "The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter," is filmed, and where Trotter conducts occasional cooking classes.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Halsted St. and Armitage Ave.
- Parking:
- Street Parking Difficult and Valet
- Public Transportation:
- CTA Bus: 8-Halsted, 73-Armitage. Brown Line Train: Armitage.
- Wheelchair Access:
- Yes. Entrance and first floor accessible, as are the restrooms.
The Basics
- Hours:
-
First seating: 6-6:30 p.m.; Second seating: 9-9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday
First seating 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Second seating: 8:30-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Closed Sunday and Monday.
- Cuisine:
- American Contemporary
- Meals Served:
- Dinner
- Price Range:
- $$$$ ($26-$30)
- Reservations:
- Accepted. Required, with confirmation.
- Dress Code:
- Not black tie; jackets are required and tie is optional.
- Alcohol:
-
Beer and Wine.
Wine cellar earned the Wine Spectator's Grand Award and James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Wine Service Award; note display of wine on second floor wall; wine is served in Riedel crystal glasses
Limited beer, aperitif and digestif selection.
- Smoking:
- No
- Audience:
- Families
Features
- Carryout:
- Yes. Through Trotter's To Go and Trotter's Express only.
- ATM:
- Bridgeview National Bank on Armitage Ave. and Halsted St.
- Live Music:
- No
- Features:
- Catering and On-site Merchandise. Through Trotter's To Go only. No dancing. Trotter is the author of several cookbooks, all for sale at the restaurant. His latest limited edition cookbook Spa Cuisine, which was released in the fall of 2006, is now available at the restaurant. No children's menu. Event planning, menu planning, flower selection services. No buffet. Trotter hosts occasional cooking classes.
- Facilities:
-
Private Party and Banquet Facilities.
Capacity: 20
The kitchen table seats 4-6 and offers offers 12-14 courses for a fixed price.
- Worth Noting:
- Critic's choice. 4-star. Chicago classic. Chicago's choice winner. Recommended.
- Specialties:
- The "Grand Degustation," a seven-course meal featuring seasonal offerings.
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Seating :
-
First floor dining room seats 32, second floor
balcony area seats 36, second floor salon and dining area seat 36
Write a review
Rate Charlie Trotter's
"Oh what a food experience"
foodlady from lake view - March 14, 2008
Every foodie in the world needs to experience this! A wonderful experience overall.
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"The Best of the Best"
Foodie from Westmont - December 28, 2007
My wife and I have been to some of the best restaurant's in the country. From St. Martin to Toronto, from New York to San Francisco. There is no ne...
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"worst meal of my life"
nanyac from gold coast - November 9, 2007
My husband and I just had one of the worst meals ever. What makes Charlie Trotter's so popular is beyond me. We eat out alot and I have never been ...
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