Arun's: User Reviews

For the price I paid, I expect exceptional, unique food, attention to detail and excellent service. I also expect to be served all my courses. I arrived with a group of 4 and asked for a menu so we would know what would be served to us. I was told by a waiter that they would verbal describe it when they serve each dish. The set $85 price includes 6 appetizers, 4 entrees (served family style) and 2 deserts. Unfortunately the staff at Arun’s is unable to count up to 12 and missed serving us one of the courses all together. The service was disorganized. We didn’t have a primary waiter but different people bringing out each course. There were times when the food would come out but we had no utensils or plates. When I initially was seated, there are these beautiful plates set out. The staff promptly remove them sine they were just for show and never came back with any plates or utensil. Our first course came out and we had nothing to eat it on or with.
The portions were small and what was served was good but it wasn’t anything exceptional. I could have found it at any typical Thai restaurant. I was excepting Thai food that I can’t get anywhere else. I got served basil Thai chicken as an entrée!?

Appetizer 1 – One bite salad: The description explains it
Appetizer 2 – Rolled chicken stuff with mushrooms: It was soy chicken! You can get this in any Thai or Chinese restaurants
Appetizer 3 – Single Dumpling in broth: reminds me of the glutinous crepe you get at dim sum
Appetizer 4 – Noodles with a Single shrimp: It was a deconstructed Pad Thai!
Appetizer 5 – Spicy pork soup
Entrée 1 – Seared Scallop on a bed of asparagus – how is this unique Thai dish?
Entrée 2 – Fried fish with sweet & sour source – also served at my neighborhood thai restaurant. .
Entrée 3 – Basil Thai Chicken – I can get this at any typical Thai restaurant
Entrée 4 – Braised beef curry – by far the best dish
Desert 1 - Baby pear with a small crepe – extremely small dish, it was a single bite
Desert 2 – Lycee sorbet – again a single bite dish

There were suppose to be 12 courses but as I mentioned above, only served us 11. I did contact Arun’s regarding the service and the missed dish. I supposedly talked a manager who was going to check with the staff regarding the missed course and would get back to me. When I did hear back, it was not a manager and I made sure to tell the poor girl my constructed criticism of the service. I won’t go back or recommend it to anyone that I know.
For the price, I highly suggest you go elsewhere. If you want a good typical Thai restaurant, I suggest you find a place that doesn’t cost over $150 per person for food, drinks and taxes.

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I have been going to Arun's for 23 years, and his food, service & ambiance has never failed to impress me. Everything they do is topnotch, and yes, you do have to pay for it. It's still cheaper than going to a lot of the other expensive Chicago restaurants. What they do with spices and garnishes can not be outdone, & the service is impeccable!
I have eaten Thai food in restaurants all over (including Thailand) and nothing has ever compared!

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I've been meaning to try Arun's for years now and finally had the chance last night. It wasn't terrible, but the food wasn't any different nor any better from other Thai restaurants. I definitely like the appetizers but I wasn't a fan of Massuman Beef entree and that is actually my favorite Thai dish. The sauce was good, but the cut of the meat was basically a pot roast, so it had a dry after taste.

It was a good experience, I do like the tasting portions and the "introductions" given to each dish. Service was wonderful and so was the ambiance. It might suit other people's tastes, but I have had way to much Thai food in Chicago to call Arun's great. However, I don't regret spending that much because the experience itself was worth a try.

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Quite simply, this was the best meal my wife and I have had in this century. From the presentation to the taste of the food, this is truly a dining experience. Some of the appetizers and entrees seem like they are almost time released so the customer can taste & enjoy each ingredient. Truly amazing. Some may not like the lack of choice and the wine list is not too impressive and overpriced, but you will never forget the food and ambience of Arun's. Quite frankly, one of the best restaurants in Chicago bar none.

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We went to Arun's a few days ago for my birthday and I was stunned. Out of the ten or so dishes on the chef's tasting menu, there was one standout -- course two, a bitter leaf with lime rind, toasted coconut and tamarind. The rest was bland, gloppy takeout fare. My companion was treated to wooden sea bass and flavorless lobster. I (I'm a vegan; we called ahead, not a problem) got a lot of unseasoned fried tofu, piles of julienned veg and lots of rolls. I estimate that it might have been seven bucks worth of food. Plated beautifully, yes. But not very tasty.

One saving grace was the paired wines. All were winners and worked hard to bring some highlights out in the food.

Arun's is so expensive that my companion, especially after the experience we had, wouldn't even tell me what it cost. For that price (or therabouts) we could have gone to Trotter's and received more elegant ingredients, excellent service (another Arun's plus), and fellow diners who did not wear jeans to a four-star place.

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We were excited to try Arun's after all the hype. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the experience, decor, and originality of the food. None of the 12 courses were that tasty, and we weren't left wanting more of any dish. The main courses were similar to take-out meals. We could not understand how so many people love this place and think it's worth the price.

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My girlfriend and I went to Arun's Saturday night and LOVED it! I read the other reviews and have to say I totally disagree. We had white linen table clothes (no plastic) and they had a valet so parking wasn't even an issue.
The service was incredible, the food was both unique and delicious and the decor was unmatched in Chicago. I will be returning in the near future!

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Food was decent - and I would have been happy with the whole expereinceif our tab had come in 50% under the finalprice. Just a terriblyexpensive place for decent food.

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Sadly, we were very disappointed in our meal. Very bland flavors, coupled with so-so ambiance did not add up to the reputation that this restaurant has established. I would not recommend Arun's to anyone.

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No, no, no, no! We could have had 3 fabulous meals in Chicago for the cost of one positively mediocre dinner at Arun's. Food is ridiculously mediocre. The atmosphere is terrible (too bright, and plastic table covers!!!?)
Save your money for better restaurants!

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