Cherry Circle Room Reviews

Good food, good service, excellent atmosphere. The menu is relatively limited but contains something for everyone's taste. There's a heavy presence of mixed drinks and wine. The small plates offer a lot of variety and are excellent too. If you go during a busy time it can be a bit loud, but we highly recommend this place. In a city of overpriced dinners, this was relatively reasonable. We will definitely return.

It was originally a Speak Easy- and if the walls could talk, what a story they would have. If staying at the hotel, come down in the morning for a fresh cup of coffee. The menu offers a wide variety of options with good wine list. I have had several dishes and was not disappointed in any of them.

Took my grown daughter on Sunday morning for brunch. Our server, Tom, was knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and deferential. His recommendations were though through, and described in great detail. I chose the fried egg sandwich based on his input. The meal was a wonderful way to end a lovely trip. The atmosphere, service, and food came together and brought this event home.

Nice, high-ceilinged space, unfortunately windowless. Simple green salad was very fresh w/ flavorful vinaigrette. Burger was very good with substitution of actual cheese (absurd that a fine dining establishment serves their burger with American "cheese"), fried chicken sandwich was overdone, but still tasty. Carrot cake was excellent, good espresso. Service good/friendly at first, then nosedived as we apparently overstayed our welcome.

An excellent restaurant. Went early before a play. Solid cocktail menu, imaginative and well executed menu that didn't disappoint any one at our table. Food is straightforward, but the key thing was each dish exceeded expectations. Particular note of a long, well-constructed wine list loaded with surprising choices and reasonable prices.

The food is very good but the atmosphere is wonderful! Ask the servers for stories about what took place in this room when it was still the club. This is the only resturant in the Athlectic Club Hotel and there isn't a large variety on the menu for breakfast. If you go for a drink, sit at the bar and enjoy a story or two from the bar tenders. Great fun!

We had a light dinner before a show, and every dish was spectacularly good! This place is in the Chicago Athletic Association, and the atmosphere is really cool - like an old-time, high end club. The service is impeccable - it doesn't get any better. The highlight dishes included the tuna tartar with a truly amazing verjus, and the dark chocolate creme brulee. That dessert was among the best we've ever had in quite a few years of culinary experience!

Excellent tenderloin filet steak. Milk bread was super dry and the quark, a cold cheese, was not good. Cool vibe. Experience somewhat marred by extremely loud large group that shone their phone flashlights at the menu, and our eyes, for 15 minutes. Not an exaggeration. When we needed light, the staff gave us flashlights, but not the large groups.

A step back (actually the dining room is way back in the Chicago Athletic Hotel) in time to the heyday of style and quality dining. A dimly lit cherrywood paneled room sets the ambiance for a relaxed evening of fine dining, cocktails mixed from a table-side cart or wine from their extensive list. Sommelier Michael helped us choose a delectable bottle of wine based on our taste preferences and entree selections. We gave him a price, and he even came in a bit below, which we appreciated! One in our party previously had dined at CCR and ordered the mosaic of beets, risotto and focaccia as appetizers. My spouse, who isn’t partial to beets, even enjoyed several types of the beets. The risotto was very creamy with a strong Parmesan cheese flavor. The focaccia was freshly baked with a crispy crust. Two of us had the Chateaubriand, which was tender and perfectly prepared (per the meat scientist and food scientist diners). The pork shoulder was deemed “very good.” Our sides included a surprise standout: the Brussels sprout slaw. I don’t care for Brussels sprouts, but somehow it was delicious! The roasted garlic mashed potatoes had good flavor, but the texture was too thin. We had very good service, especially the person refilling water and the aforementioned sommelier. Our waiter was fine, but he must’ve been busy as we had multiple other staff serve food, so it did not feel like the attentive personal service other reviewers describe. We hope to return and next time save room for dessert!

This is one of my favorite spots because of its great atmosphere, fantastic food, and tasty cocktails. We sometimes do our own thing cocktail-wise and don't order from the ever-changing menu of seasonal and classic cocktails. But during last night's visit, we were informed by our waitress that the bartender will not muddle drinks, despite our request for old fashioneds with muddled orange. I realize that the bartender and others might prefer their drinks without muddled fruit, but shouldn't they defer to what the customer prefers? Other than the bossy bartender, this spot is perfection.

Classic restaurant bar located on the back of the Athletic Club hotel. I needed the security guard to lead me to the elevator way in back. I guess the name is because the room is circle shaped and is a classic old bar with cherry wood bar, tables, wall, furnishings, etc. It's like a step back to Al Capones days. Food was good and they have a wine selection from all over the world. Service was also friendly and attentive.

Having made no reservations, we sat at the bar. The restaurant, almost empty when we entered quietly filled as we dined. The wood lined room was cozy and inviting. The Cesar salad fresh with crispy smelt added. My cavatelli toothsome with layers of herbs and seasonings; my partner’s beef tartar was likewise. Drinks were perfectly prepared.

One of the many great places to enjoy a wonderful filling breakfast. Located in the Old Chicago Athletics Club you will find this fine dinning establishment. The atmosphere present an award experience for Breakfast, as the beautiful dark woods, racks of wine give more of private club dinning. The service was excellent, and waitress provide the history of the establishment providing information on questions I ask about the establishment. We order Mimosas, The Van Doozer: 2 Eggs (To Order) 2 Pieces Toast 2 Pieces of Bacon 2 Hash Browns $12.00 I was being a little more adventurous and order the Shrimp and Grits: A delightful combination of Large Shrimps, Grits, Andoville sausage, tomato confit, slow placed egg with a shallot cream. The food was excellent, would recommend.

We were looking for a restaurant near the University Club on Monroe, and one of my friends suggested this place in the Athletic club. First of all a spectacular setting and building, and a wonderful dining experience all around. If there was a six rating would probably have used it on this place. Impeccable service, small and intimate old Chicago supper clubby feel. Incredibly creative and special menu where each one better than the last. Just loved this place. Must tries are the French onion soup, the shrimp cocktail like nothing you have had before, and the foie gras. The pork with apples, chestnuts and sauerkraut was perfection,as was the sturgeon. And the pear Bavarian cake was great to share and perfection times ten. Great wine list, great service.......all around great place. My new favorite in chicago.

My family loved this restaurant. We went on a Saturday between lunch and breakfast. It took us a while to find it because it is tucked in the back of a lovely old hotel. Once we walked in, though, we felt like we had been invited to an old private club. We had a great time looking at the collection of items displayed around the bar. The food was fantastic and well priced for brunch. I had the baked eggs. Each bite had a different flavor because of all of the other ingredients and the way they were arranged. My children had the Belgian waffles and really enjoyed the marscarpone. We found the service to be very attentive. Our waiter answered not only our questions about the menu but also our questions about the banners that were hanging on the walls. It turns out they were designed by the owners of the restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed this unique restaurant!!

Just had a wonderful experience at the Cherry Circle Restaurant. The wait staff was absolutely wonderful. Nicholas our waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable about the food, about the wine, about the drinks. The food was incredible. Had to duck this evening. Very good and the wine pairing with the French Pinot Noir was incredible. Definitely a place to go back to.

We had dinner here with family. They squeezed us in when Cindy's could not, even though we thought we had a reservation there. The front of the house at Cherry was superb. Very first class treatment. Everything on the menu looked divine so it was hard to decide even though it is tightly edited. In the end, I had the grilled octopus and Caesar salad and both were excellent. Others had the pasta, chicken and duck. Everyone loved their dishes and the chef accommodated a non-dairy request. The original wine we ordered was not available so the wine steward arrived with something which was not cold for a white and not that good but expensive. The second recommendation/bottle we had was better. Food and service is superb and there are a few fun aspects like the tiny flashlights to read your menu. Be sure to check out the historic building including the room that used to have a swimming pool. Very cool experience. I recommend!

Excellent Food. Overwhelmed by the many different servers. You have to know where you are going. It's tucked back behind another establishment on the second floor. Beautiful setting but very low light level.

I already reviewed this last year but I went back because I love their wine list. I think it is the best if not one of the best winelists in Chicago in terms of variety, quality, price. I wrote hidden gem because it is not easy to find, you have to know to find it at the back of the noisy game room. For dinner for groups of 2 or more, you need a reservation it gets booked up quickly. I have not eaten every item on the menu but there are plates big and small I would love to go back and try. For me CCR hits all the marks, each plate is thoughtfully put together and tasty, there is a variety of large and small, share and single items for all budgets. It does have the hipster vibe but in a good way to give it a little edge. The staff is very friendly but not overtly, the dining room is relatively small but a large bar where you can sit and order a cocktail, wine BTG or bottle. It gets hopping but not overwhelmingly so. So if you are a foodie, or a winester, or want an edgy but not overly so place that has quiet spaces to talk. I think it fits many occasions. The CAA in itself is as I have said before is a very cool building to checkout if you are visiting Chicago. But the CCR is great if you want a good place to dine solo but want good food because you can expense account it or a place to bring a client or a place to get caught up with old friends. It fits all categories. This is a place I will continue to go back to. But again, I will end with, there are so many interesting bottles on the wine list, my grower Champagne friends love it but it is diverse but not overly Californian or Italian which is what you will find in most restaurants in Chicago.FInally, the staff are trained well and are authentically friendly.

Setting, service, and food here were perfect. Our best dining experience during our four days in Chicago. Love the atmosphere as you enter through the dark paneled walls of the athletic club with it’s old world feel and beautifully carved fittings and then enter the almost hidden Cherry Circle Room. It feels like you’re entering a classy speakeasy that has a cool mid-century vibe. Everything the four of us ate here was delicious and service was spot on. We particularly loved the Belgian Waffle and the Open faced Fried Egg and Ham Brioche. I highly recommend. The colorful history of the place was an added bonus.

I enjoyed my time here. The servers were very friendly and knowledgeable. A table-side cocktail is a MUST, though one for the table will suffice. The food was very good. I got duck in a coffee sauce, which was delightful and unique. Don’t get it if you don’t like coffee. The menu is quite pricey for what you get, but nothing out of line from what you would expect in this area.

Went for our anniversary. Everyone on the staff came by our table to wish us Happy Anniversary. The cover page of the menu said "Happy Anniversary." It was a wonderful experience. The food was exceptional. The person who took care of us, Jaime, was incredibly knowledgeable about the food, drinks, and wine, and she took amazing care of us. Can't say enough good things about this place.

There are amazing things on the menu, but we almost always opt for the burgers. They are delicious and go great with a martini ;)

While the Cherry Circle can be a great place for dinner or taking a date, we experienced some service issues that, while not serious, might be worth taking note of. I was in a party of four for dinner. When we were taken to our booth, the hostess said, "Wait just a moment, I need to adjust the table." So we stood there waiting. And waiting...as the hostess conferred with two waitresses in the back. What were we supposed to do? We didn't know. Finally, after three or four minutes of standing there, we were joined once again by the hostess, who had brought two more place settings. This was what she meant by "adjusting the table." So we finally sat down - which we would have done earlier had we known. When our waitressed arrived, she first asked if any of us was heading out to the theatre or other event later that evening. She said that this was so the kitchen could prepare our food in time. This was a nice touch, and I told her that while none of us had an engagement later, I had to be gone by 7:30. This was because my car was parked a block away and the meter would run out at 7:40. She acknowledged this, and we ordered dinner and drinks. The time was roughly 6:50. Then we waited and waited again. Our salads arrived, as well as our drinks. (One of us had ordered a gin martini and got a vermouth martini instead.) But no main course. Finally, at 7:25 our dinners arrived. I rushed out at 7:35. As I put on my jacket at the hostesses' station, the waitress came over and asked, "Are you going to work?" I said no, but I didn't want my car ticketed. The food was enjoyable, but didn't justify the price; part of what you're paying for here is the atmosphere. And the service issues we experienced just shouldn't happen at a restaurant of this calibre and price range.

This establishment is simply classy. Right from the greeting from the staff when you walk in to when you walk out again. The food, wine, spirts and conversation with the staff and customers simply outstanding. If you are in Chicago this is a must got to place. Dinner is divine and breakfast the next morning perfect. We had steak tartare, prepared right in front of you. The OG Steak, braised pork shoulder and the mashed roasted potatoes.

We were really impressed with the food and the service. The soft lighting and leather booth were pleasant and the meals came in a timely manner. The Spanish octopus was perfectly cooked and the foie gras pate was very flavorful. The OG, a 30 day dry-aged primed 20 oz bone-in ribeye was indeed the best medium rare steak I have ever tasted. There was no blood pooling on the plate even though the meat was super tender and melted in my mouth. The Miller farm chicken was also delish but the portion was quite small. The chocolate and mint dessert was good too. We will most certainly revisit this gem again!

While challenging to find, every step was worth it! The table side Cocktail cart was entertaining, and all cocktails well crafted. Our party started with oysters and beef tartare, which was the best I’ve ever tried. For our entree we had Chateaubriand, Pork, and Duck and all were wonderful as we split side of mashed potatoes. Caesar salad also very well made. And dessert was the dark chocolate crepe brûlée: UNBELIEVABLY GOOD.

Had a wonderful dinner here. It was my husband’s birthday and I’d pre booked online and asked for a special table. Unfortunately they didn’t provide that. However, after a quiet word and a free glass of champagne, we were moved to a cozy booth. After that, the evening was perfect. Food, ambience and service - 5 star. Plus, it’s in the gorgeous Chicago Athletics Association. Book a booth and go.

Friends treated us to dinner at the Cherry Circle Room within the Chicago Athletic Association Building. SUPER COOL experience!!!!! Dimly lit speakeasy feel, bottles of whiskey line the walls, table side cocktails shaken, to order ... DELICIOUS food, attentive service ... it all added-up to a GREAT meal and dining experience! I don't remember the names of the various cocktails, but put your faith in the staff to guide you well! For entrees, we enjoyed Pasta with beef tongue, the house Signature Burger and fries, Mussels, and French Onion Soup. All lip-smacking good!

The Cherry Circle Room within the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel complex has a Logan Square hipster/retro vibe. It is somewhat hidden within the huge complex that is the CAA hotel. The restaurant group that owns the restaurant started with Longman and Eagle in Logan Square. This complex is an excellent place for any visiting the city. The views from Cindy's the Rooftop Beergardesque restaurant is an iconic, must take picture of the city at night. Make reservations for Cherry Circle, it fills up quickly. It is hidden in the far right hand corner of the huge game room. One angle is to hangout for drinks in the gameroom and then head into the CCR for dinner. The food is fantastic and this is one of the best approachable yet high quality wine lists in the city. The room is dark and clubby feeling, it is good for a group of 4 or more so you can take advantage and by a bottle or 2 from the excellent wine list. The food is creative, uses midwest ingredients, is a good variety of light and hearty so everyone will be happy. I think it is expressful of modern midwest food utilizing locally sourced ingredients where possible. The CAA itself is my new favorite "bring friends who are visiting the city to". I mentioned Cindy's view, which is an absolute must see, the building has a lot of nooks and crannies, the tiny Milk Bar which seats 8 people, a must is a reservation and serves cocktails using vintage ingredients. CIndy's is great for a gathering place and during the day, the second floor which looks like a library is a coffee and light bite venue. It is confusing coming in, the entrance can be loud and crowded but head up the marble stairs to the right and that will take you to the second floor. I hope they change the name on Trip Advisor to Cherry Circle Room because that is what it goes by or the initials, CRR. If you are visiting the city and want a relaxed fine dining, midwest with the hipster feel which is subtle, you can ignore it, this is the place to go. The building is vintage and beautiful, the food is delicious, but make, make a reservation, The bar which is long, still gets crowded.

If you are interested in excellent service, nice cocktails, really tasty food and a bit different atmosphere, Cherry Circle Room is your choice! The price level is high, but it was worth it.

I can't decide whether I like breakfast or dinner better in the Cherry Circle room. Both are outstanding.

The place was very historic and cool, the wait staff was outstanding, but the pork belly was way too salty and tough, the Seabass was good but unfortunately not much flavor.

This place is really neat because of it's history. It's inside the Chicago Athletic Club and used to be a speak easy. The drinks are classic recipes and some fun twists and the bartenders are all awesome. Sit at the bar and watch them make drinks. The food is a little pricey, so I have only ever had drinks here.

Perfect from start to finish! From the Old Fashioned cocktail expertly made tableside, to the beef tartare (servers recommendation and it was spot-on,) to my 8oz filet topped with a giant hand battered onion ring, broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, perfect Pinot Noir, and the excellent service and atmosphere, you simply cannot go wrong with Cherry Circle Room!

Tucked away in a back corner. Phenominal food and friendly service. Has an almost speakeasy feel to it. Here in Chicago on business, just happened by and found this place. Old school, wood paneling, great bartender. Had to come back the next day. Cozy, romantic, and very good food and service

A very nice restaurant overlooking the park (The Bean) and out to lake Michigan. Goof Food, Great view.

This place is Old Time Fine Dining ! Luv the Whisky Cart or any other Carts they were wheeling around. The Foie Gras platter was delicious ! The Duck and Branzino are Outstanding ! Finish off with a Port or a Grasshopper !

You sit in saloon without window, and feel like you are part of a secret meeting. I had an aged beef sandwich and it is one of the best food I have ever had, very juicy delicious aged beef with poivre sauce and onions in a crispy fresh bread corner. Felt like heaven

CCR (pun intended) in the Chicago Athletic Association hotel provides an original experience. The room is a throwback to a club and the circular bar is impressive and fun. Service is extremely friendly. We had lunch there in a party of five and the booth was comfortable. The food was good but not 100% on par with the surrounding (few things would be) in both taste and originality. The menu has a farm-to-table orientation but could push easily dial in a bit more originality and subtlety. Still the overall experience was enchanting and rather unique in Chicago. This would be a great place for drinks and a light dinner and dining as a couple at the bar would also be an excellent adventure. The surroundings provided by the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel are impressive and make a visit to the Cherry Circle Room that much more enjoyable.

Although booths were available, we were shown to a ridiculously tiny table for two. When we demurred, they finally led us to a booth. The fish entree was quite good. The risotto was inedible. They did not charge for it. The cheese plate was good. The worst part was the hideous playlist of music, half of which was great and the other half that was designed to make you lose your appetite. The volume and noise in the room combined to make a conversation-unfriendly place. It seems directed to tourists and business people.

Have been here for both a romantic evening with the wife and for a Sunday afternoon family dinner. Was not disappointed in the food and service for either. For the romantic night, be sure and try the many, many, many wonderful cocktails!

...how good this place is or no one will be able to get in! This dark paneled, quiet, windowless dining room with large bar has a fantastic, clubby ambiance and is the perfect getaway from the hustle of the outside world. The menu is small but has an exceptional choice of meat and fish dinners. I was in a rare mood for chicken "out" and the Green Circle Chicken was unique and fantastic. Other diners out with us that night had mussels (fantastic in a curry broth); pork shoulder (outstanding) and the French onion soup (wonderful). The bar also puts out fantastic craft cocktails.

We came in for an early dinner on a week night. The food (fish, duck, onion soup, dessert) was all very good; the service was outstanding. We were in a booth next to a table set for 10; the table was in between our booth and the bar. 3 corporate types stood near the table and then gradually moved over by our booth talking; one of the restaurant employees shooed them over to the bar. About 10 minutes later a few more salary men crept in and oozed towards our booth along with the original bunch; again an employee stepped in to redirect the corporats to the bar. The intervention was quiet, effective and much appreciated.

Visited Cherry Circle room on a Friday; was in town for a bachelorette party. Our group was a party of 7. Our waiter started out nice enough, but things went downhill pretty quickly. When I asked about a bottle of wine he simply stated he didn't know, as there are like 1,000 wines in the list. I had to keep asking the same thing in different ways until finally he offered to bring the sommelier. That should have been the response from the start! Then he forgot one of our appetizers; blamed it on us saying we wanted it with the entree. Forgot to tell us 2nd bottle was chilling and we were waiting for it for like 20 minutes. After manager stepped in, waiter then stopped coming to our table and when he brought out the food he refused to make eye contact or say anything. The manager was great and we were compensated for all this, so we were grateful for that. But if you go, just steer clear of Alan.

Part of the enjoyment was the environment. Right on Michigan Avenue across from the park, the Chicago Athletic Association used to be a members only club. Now the building, built in about 1893 is home to a restaurant, Cherry Circle, and other venues. We loved looking around the building. The food itself was delicious. The sommelier was excellent. Only disappointment, there was loud music piped in from the bar area. At first the intense beat of the music was extremely disturbing and made it difficult to relax. But once that song ended, the music choice was much better.

Superb atmosphere and amazing food. There is incredible attention to detail with a very knowledgeable staff that can advise you into making your selection. Additionally, the bartenders are equally knowledge and helpful. An absolute treat!

Went back to Cherry Circle Room recently and enjoyed their lunch menu for restaurant week. In the past I've stuck to cocktails here but the food is can't miss too. The French Onion Soup is without a doubt the best I've ever tried.

Went in for lunch. They put the 3 of us in a nice large booth. The waiter was super helpful and friendly. Each of us just loved our lunch. The chips on the fish and chips were so unusual and delicious. The wait staff was so attentive. They served an excellent rose. What a beautiful room. I'm not sure why but the ratings section below would not let me click on excellent but it was

"Finishing" my review from last fall, 2019. Atmosphere was great. Love how everything looks so original, and it's a trip back in time. The service was back in time too since it was prompt, great and elegant. Food choices were just as good. Would have gone again, but my spring of 2020 trips were cancelled.

I have visited Cherry Circle Room on 2 separate Saturdays after Theatre matinees. The location is ideal for most Chicago Theatres. The cocktails are out of this world - but pricey. The "make your own Manhattan" is fantastic, but I can only handle one / visit. I had the steamed clams both visits. Broth is really flavorful. The Parker Rolls are a MUST. I haven't ordered any entrees due to price but I'm sure they are fantastic. The atmosphere is very 60's Mad Men. Small facility but service is terrific and most who come are super fancy in dress. Very entertaining. This is buried in the back of a touristy location on Michigan ave and you pass through a game room / pool room facility on the 2nd floor to get to the posh dining room. I love the place but others may be put off by the college style bar / gameroom that occupies much of the space.

Cool dark wood old school vibe, a quiet oasis off the noisy, crowded game room in the revamped Chicago Athletic Club. Bummer there aren't any windows. Good wine list, good food, good service.

...Is an incredible gem hidden inside the Chicago Athletic Association building. The food is delicious, signature cocktails are thoughfully prepared, standards are prepared table-side from a cart with curated liquors. The menu changes with the seasons, complimented by drinks. The room is very low-light but very 60's chic. Perfect for a date with a vintage flair.

Great cocktails. Tasty beef tartar. Great service. Occasional celebrity spotting. Very cozy atmosphere.

Very good restaurant right on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. Hard to find. Food was very good but the service was slow. Waiter was not that knowledgeable about the food or the wine.

I ate here during a recent stay at CAA. It's a gorgeous space, with great food and excellent, attentive service. It's definitely a splurge, but you're paying for a trip back in time to a more elegant age. I'm sad they the are no longer open for lunch, and are closed on Monday and Tuesday, but I'm hopeful normal hours will resume when it becomes safer to travel. Until then, enjoy the moment, the amazing space, and the wonderful food. Thank you, CAA!!

One of the few original speakeasies still operating in Chicago. You’d never find it on the second floor of the Chicago athletic club behind the pool tables. But swing open the 100 yr old doors and youre back in time with all the gangsters. Must do: order a cocktail from the retro cocktail cart. Your drink is made in front of your table by a knowledgeable mixologist. ask questions. You’ll be floored by what they know. Ask for a booth. Reserve ideally. It’s busy. Food is excellent too but the drink cart is the highlight.

Pros - Cool dark "speakeasy" vibe & ambiance - CAA building is also very cool to walk through - Food is good and nice wine list - Service - mixed - sometimes excellent, sometimes lacked Areas of Improvement - Service - at times our waitress was excellent, very friendly and on top of ensuring we got out in time for the U2 concert, but then other times she disappeared and seemed aloof. For an upscale restaurant, I would expect more. Everyone else was consistently friendly. - A server accidentally dropped my daughter's ketchup ramekin on her - and she and I (who was sitting next to her) both were wearing white. Thankfully my daughter was wearing shorts as only part of the ketchup got on her shorts and the rest on her skin. And some got on my purse. They were very apologetic and came right away with a cloth and soda water. I understand it was an accident, but would have been nice if they did something for us such as comping my daughter's $16 burger or my $24 glass of champagne. - Expensive - it's a Chicago restaurant prices - plan on spending money. Halibut $40, Chateaubriand $42, Mashed potatoes $8, Olives $8, Burger $16. I'm ok spending money on good food, but don't like when everything is a la carte. - A bit tricky finding the restaurant in the CAA, but believe they mention this on their website - or I read from other TA reviewers. - Lighting - the darkness added to the speakeasy vibe, but was a bit too dark and hard to read the menu. Overall, I would recommend for a special evening as the food is pricey, but good and it is a cool environment - and hopefully great consistent service.

We didn't want to cook a Christmas Dinner. We live in Chicago. Ordering in isn't in any way festive. Let's find somewhere that is serving.... I had no part in the choosing and went along, trusting in the chooser who heard about this restaurant from a friend. Before I talk about the experience I will give a spoiler-alert....by the end of the meal we made a booking for our next special occasion-my birthday in February. So this covers both experiences. Read on. It's in a cool-looking hotel (based on the website pics) and you may pass through a noisy and vibrant game room with people playing pool. Once through the doors of the CCR you are in a dimly lit but atmospheric room which has much behind the bar to amuse the eye. People are sitting at the bar no doubt drinking craft cocktails. Thickly padded booths help dull the sound of chatter and so we always insist on one of these. We have gotten one on each occasion.We don't like din with our dinner. Service is....what's the word? As good as it gets? More than one word so let's say Stellar and I say that over two visits. No matter who visits your table (and there will be more than one individual who does) they know the menu and the preparation down pat. Methinks they like working here and have tasted the food and paid attention at the pre-service reveal by the chef. Menu. Mini flashlights provided (just turn up the dimmer!). Drinks orders taken. Damn! Way too many delights even though the menu isn't huge. Foie gras? Whether Xmas or Birthday I want me some. Chateaubriand? Hell yes to the ditto! The music keeps changing, an eclectic mix. There's music from the 1930s all the way up to whatever day this is. Nice. People have their heads down tucking into their vittles. I'm relaxed. It's relaxed in CCR. I feel like we are in good hands from the service standpoint at least. What will come out of the kitchen? Can it live up to the vibe and the service? I can say that the Foie Gras blew my socks off which is why I am writing this barefoot. A feast for the eyes and the palate. There's fig, mustard seed and hazelnut to add POP to the flavors of this delicacy. My toes are tapping and my heart is singing with each slathering of the buttery toast points with this nectar of the Gods. I am told the dish is from 1906 and I had never given a thought to what restaurants may have served way back then. My Weihenstephaner Weissbier (from one of my favorite German restaurants/breweries in Bayreuth) was a perfect accompaniment. The plating serves to please the eye. My constant dining companion enjoyed her beets salad as did I when offered a forkful of flavor. Between courses we were able to talk in the shelter of the booth walls and the talk was mainly of the food just savored. There's good cooking or preparation at play-nothing fancy or envelope pushing, just care taken in the kitchen. Portions are not huge but satisfying. We are more interested in quality rather than quantity. We can see a $200 bill coming a mile off. Chateaubriand is 8 oz of superior beef cooked medium, cut into two slices and served at $42 with creamy silky garlic mashed potatoes with a big onion ring on top. Tender, nicely seasoned meat means the plate will be cleaned and even mopped with some of the house-made bread, in this case Focaccia with some herbed butter. Happy with my choice! Across the table there was a blur of knife and fork as a sliced Berkshire pork loin was being dispatched along with its garnish of cabbage, chestnut and blood orange. Glasses were filled before they became empty as waiters watched from a distance rather than hover. The sane portion sizes meant we had room in our stomachs for dessert and "check, please!" would have to wait one more course. I will probably always order the "chocolate and mint" dish for $12 as both those words waft a warm breeze through the wind chimes of my mind. It even has whipped caramel in it for heaven's sake.I may order a double helping next time. Across the table a vanilla bean creme brûlée in a deconstructed form I guess (see the photo) with ginger bread slices, pumpkin sherbet and cranberry was enjoyed with many cries of yummy and "you've got to try this" (which I did and I think I confirmed its yum factor) Gracious hosts, impeccable service and delicious food-what we hope to find when we dine out in a good restaurant. CCR delivered on all counts and we'll be back.

I am a huge fan of the Chicago Athletic Club renovation and complex. The cherry circle room is a hidden gem off of the billiard area. The aesthetics are superb upon entry. The staff is warm, attentive, and excellent. The food was fantastic. I had the baked egg dish and my mother had their take on Eggs Benedict. Both dishes were delicious. This place is a must eat and the club is a must see.

Went here for my husband's 40th birthday. Fantastic. From service to the food. Definitely worth the price. Best pumpernickel bread I've ever tasted. They even included a chocolate dipped icecream pop for the birthday.

Exclusive location and atmosphere is private and not noisy - perfect for a business meeting. Food is good and service is friendly. Convenient location to Art Institute.

It was meh. We really looked forward to it, we’d been a year earlier and had reason to anticipate a great meal. First the positives. Excellent slaw with the ribs, imaginative and light; steak was perfectly done, MR. The accompanying bordelaise was nondescript. And pretty much average across the board. The fries we fine, but we’d also had them at the Game room and in room dining and they were better! The steak was… just not tasty. I’ve had better at 1/2 dozen places off the top of my head, and for much less. Wine was good choice, a decent Serbian cab. I also had a mocktail, the Barnes, again imaginative take on a bloody. The staff were affable and attentive. We will be exploring other options on our next Chicago visit.

Don't get lost in this beautiful building or finding the restroom. The restaurant is located at the back of the Chicago athletic club. Ask for directions. You still may miss it. Nice space. Good looking room. Food is good, not great. Service is attentive and friendly. They did miss the fact they were almost out of the branzino. The manager made up for it by comping one of our entrees and offering the skate. Interesting drink menu. Eclectic music choices ranging from jazz to the clash. My only complaint is I could barely pick out some of the songs. As I said, this is a quirky downtown spot. Popular, however.

I definitely agree with reviews about the service. I live in Chicago. They are part of the trend of encouraging locals to come here in order to offer hotel guests a more authentic experience of the city. Great! Except it is tough for anyone to get service in a reasonable amount of time. This is also true for the cafe in the former library. Given the cost of the room, I think they could train the service staff to understand what the word "service" means. The food is generally above average in quality and sometimes excellent. I have stopped taking out of town guests here because of the service, which has created some stress. Not to mention that they book photo shoots for weddings in the adjoining area which was a nightmare for everyone. Staff had a right to be cranky that afternoon because the tables were removed and no tips were made.

It was cool to have brunch in this historic venue. The server was very good, and the pastries excellent. The rest was pretty average. Worth a visit if you’re a Cubs fan.

This is a very nice place hidden away in the Chicago Athletic Club. I would highly recommend. The duck filet on Turnips greens was great! Helpful vote please!

We visited Chicago from the corn and soybean fields of Iowa for a Splurge Weekend. Our dinner was wonderful and the service was very considerate and attentive. If you want a big city fine dining experience the Cherry Circle Room will not disappoint. Easy walking distance to the Chicago Symphony Hall.

We were here for brunch on a Saturday afternoon and it was simply delicious. The place is a classic American place with lots of wood, high ceilings and beautifully decorated walls. It's cozy and very welcoming. Food and service were great! And the best part was dessert, we ordered the carrot cake that was a deconstructed version and it was UNBELIEVABLE! It was just perfect. I'm looking forward to be back for dinner or lunch!

This used to be my favorite place for a before concert meal. Maybe too much expectation after such a long time since last visit. Unfortunately that was a disappointing trip. The menu is nothing like before, just not the same level as we had expected. The waiter was fine, but the kitchen was very slow, took more than 1 hour to have some simple dishes out. Do not plan to go hack there again in near future.

The atmosphere is incredible - straight out of a movie scene! Big round booths, a beautiful bar, and impeccable service all lend their hand to creat a wonderful dining experience. I highly recommend the Open Face Fried Egg & Ham sandwich. Absolutely delicious!

This was my fourth visit to Cherry Circle Room and it was fine but ultimately fell short of earning a $215 bill for two people before tip. Pros: — refined and discreet service. Helpful but not brashly in your face — Table side cocktail service is fun even if the drinks are nothing too special — Parker House rolls are life changing — simple green salad was amazingly crisp if not a bit too vinegary with the dressing — excellent wines Cons: — I had the $40 duck breast and was underwhelmed. Tough and fatty. Similar on the mashed potato side - too salty and nothing amazing — the candles they use on the table are small oil-based containers that give off a faint odor of kerosene during the entire meal - odd that no one has noticed or corrected this — our drink cart menu was left on the table for the entire meal, long after the cocktails had been cleared and we’d moved onto wine. A tiny detail, but nonetheless sloppy

Have eaten at the Cherry Circle two times. Both times were good, but the first visit was far better. Try to get a booth because the tables are very crowded together. The pork chop ranks among the best that I've had. The duck was average. The mussels are also good.

We dined for lunch yesterday at the Cherry Circle room at the Chicago Athletic Club. Great food and service experience. Beautiful, nostalgic that will have your eyes and palette intrigued. Would highly recommend The Circle Cherry Room for a special occasion lunch or brunch.

Visited the CCR during a short CHICAGO staycation and were pleasantly surprised by the great food, attentive service, and overall atmosphere. Table side bar cart was a fun add, and all staff was extremely knowledgeable about the food, ingredients, and beverage pairings. Extensive wine and cocktail list. A great hidden gem inside a wonderful hotel.

This restaurant inside the Chicago Athletic Association is a vision of a 20's speakeasy - interesting decor. Service and cocktails are excellent; food upscale OK but nothing to write home about for the price charged.

We went for lunch before a matinee show on a Saturday and we all loved our meals! We especially loved the Brussels sprouts slaw - but should have ordered 2 servings to share 4 ways! We all had something different, but mostly followed our server's recommendations.

Dining at CCR was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had. The original plan was to dine upstairs at Cindys, but without a reservation the wait was going to be epic. My friends and I opted to grab a drink downstairs in the Game Room. We had no idea CCR was tucked in the corner of the Game Room and wow, were we surprised! It's got a very old school/supper club vibe that delivered a lot of style points right off the bat. My friends and I ordered cocktails which were delicious and focused on the vegetarian options on the menu. I enjoyed a delightful risotto that was cooked to perfection. The experience was equal parts great food and amazing ambiance. It still amazes me that we were able to be seated, without a reservation, on a Friday evening. overall incredible dining and will absolutely return.

Great food in an elegant setting, impeccable service it makes it a great experience. Eggs Benedict and hash browns were delicious!

From the sturgeon and the oysters to the outstanding Burger the food offerings are well composed and solidly done. Well food at this level in Chicago is always expensive the $16 Burger is frankly a bargain. Also if you're a bourbon fan, take advantage of the reserve Barrel Makers Mark and four roses choices.

We decided to celebrate our 32nd Wedding Anniversary here. It's a nice place, but very dark. The waiter had to give us flashlights so we could read the menu. We were greeted with a glass of Champagne in honour of our Anniversary, which was a nice touch. The food was very good, but very expensive. My husband ordered the shrimp cocktail and I ordered the French onion soup as our appetizers. My husband's shrimp portion was very small and he thought that the soup looked good, so he ordered one for himself. Because the steak sizes were too large for each of us, we decided to order one steak and split it between us and then we ordered two sides (which were very small portions). All in all, the meal was very good and the service was very good as well. If you want to celebrate your Anniversary in style, I would recommend Cherry Circle.

Had breakfast here during four night stay. Food was tasty but choices were minimal, prices on high side and service needs work. Staff that busses table were fine but waitress showed little to no emotion/personality any time she came to table. Very robotic in her approach to waitressing. Friends of ours eating at another table had to get up to ask where their coffee was. Ran into same "lack of personality" with other staff within hotel so this appears to be a wider issue than just this restaurant.

My family and I had brunch at the Cherry Circle Bar on Sunday, August 26, 2018. The service was prompt and extremely professional. Our dishes were excellent and prepared with the greatest care. We shared the Belgian Blueberry waffle as our desert and it was heavenly. Their selection of teas (served loose in high quality glass kettles) is a must if you are a tea lover. Try their honey if you need a sweetener it is also divine! Only downside: charging a supplement for toasts & poor lightening (I realize it is dimmed for the sake of the ambiance but it felt like it was way too dark on a Sunday morning)

Great vibe and very cool location. Nice that you can slip into the lounge for drinks straight after. I found the menu expensive but I guess that’s chicago! (40 usd for a mini salmon filet) Excellent wine list.

This is a classic example of high expectations not being met. I chose this restaurant because it came recommended by the hotel where I was staying while at Chicago. I was looking for something memorable, not too formal, good food and atmosphere and quiet so as to celebrate in family my son’s graduation from College. I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in all counts. In addition, we asked for a wine recommendation, a good wine from California (US wine) and we got a wonderful wine-most probably the only thing we loved in this dinner -but the price went over the roof! 200$! Are you kidding me?! I attach photo of the wine bottle. Had to record it for prosperity! And so sorry the quality of the food was not in the same standard as the wine. Also, it was rather noisy and too informal a setting for the circumstance. The images on the website showing a wood paneled room so reminiscent of a gents’ club don’t correspond to the actual reality. Finally the service was rather slow. And last but not least, even though they were aware of the celebration and we spent a fortune on the wine we got not a single perk to acknowledge the event, nothing but a mere”congratulations “ from the waiter. Really? It is a pity, really. I believe they could do so much better.

The room has a clubby feel -- leather booths, coat of arms, lots of wood, no natural light. Very long bar that would likely be fun to sit at. We split a lamb merguez breakfast offering that was still available for lunch, along with a gem salad and brussel sprouts slaw. I have been drinking French roses for two decades. I learned something new (!) from our helpful server about the soignee method and "winter" roses. I am glad she volunteered that information, when I ordered the rose by the glass. Kitchen closed for lunch today at 2:30 PM; we arrived at 2 PM for a very relaxing, late lunch. The Chicago Athletic Association is worth visiting in its own right, with its clubby game room and library -- both en route to the Cherry Circle Room, which is hidden in the back.

Second time being there, for a late lunch. Remembering last time for a preconcert light diner. The place had been packed. This time it was almost empty. The room was very nice, at the back of an old building, passing the lobby of some kind of hotel. It is very charming, with the wood wall panels, etc. The dishes are extremely nice. Last time we had some interesting fusion dishes. The hamburgers this time was also very nice. Definitely a good place for a light meals or some place to have some quiet conversations. A jewel in old style Chicago.

This place has a good ambience and a great service! The cocktails here were amazing as well as the food! A must try when in Chicago!

Birthday Girl wanted to eat here and I was definitely "down with that" (odd expression), having dined here before and considering it a Special Occasion splurge, figuring $100 pp without cocktails which are not my jam (another odd expression). It's dark, so dark that waiters carry little flashlights (available upon request) or you can use your phone flashlight app. Lights focused down on the table would help (Trulucks do it right-dark room, spotlit table). We always ask for a booth as the padding seems to soak up some sound-we don't mind the electing music spanning the 1930's to the recent past-but chatter from people using their outdoor canyon-yodeling voice gets wearing. I see reviews mentioning sub-par service but have never experienced it. The waiter or busboy is always there without any finger snapping or napkin waving. We lick our lips after each course. It's not a foodie place for the adventurous or trendy. Some of the recipes are from the good old days at the beginning of the 20th Century and people had similar taste buds and stomachs back then I imagine. ON TO THE FOOD I have yet to order anything other than the Foie Gras for my appetizer ($18). It features a perfect combination of crunchy hazelnuts, pickled mustard seed and soft buttery toast points and it's the bomb. You can take that to the bank(odd expression) and get me a roll of quarters while you are there. Tonight it is paired with a Weihenstaphan Weissebier ($7) from my favorite restaurant/brewery in Bayreuth, Germany. Otherwise it would have been one of their Malbecs by the glass. She sips a ginger beer with a good ginger-kick, with an appetizer of beet mosaic ($18) featuring roasted, pickled and raw beets, ricotta cheese and Sicilian pistachio nuts. Divine dish! The essence of beets that any Beet Poet from the 60's could wax lyrical about. Entree-wise we are both Jonesing for the Chateaubriand with mashed creamy chive -laden potatoes and a huge crispy onion ring. Simple grub done right! Medium temperature and fork-tender. A plate licker at $45. Spuds are an extra $7. A Brussels sprout slaw was shared. Crisp and tangy. All is going well. Another beer sir? Why, yes! Attentive service when you need it. Watchful. Ask any of the staff (except maybe the hostess) and they can tell you all about the dish and its preparation. Dessert? Affogato leapt off the page and what a good choice! Ice cream with piping hot espresso poured on top. Viva Italia! We are always hopeful of finding a new reliable restaurant when we dine out and we found one in Cherry Circle Room. It may be pricey but we can't fault it other than the ultra-dim lighting. It's that "Speakeasy" vibe. The bar area is a photo opportunity.... We left a couple of hundred dollars poorer but our tummies did a happy dance as we went down in the elevator and all the way home. A return visit is assured. Maybe next time I will try the halibut which was sold out that night. Or the pork shoulder...decisions, decisions.

While the food was generally well prepared, there seemed more emphasis on presentation than anything else. The beet salad was beautifully composed, but the flavors were underdeveloped. The pork shoulder was tender, but salty. Tables are close together, the room is fairly noisy, making conversation harder than it should be. Two glasses of wine were mediocre, over-priced and portions meagre.

The ambiance of the place is kind of 60s or post-modern. It lacks a single window and has a lot of dark tones with attempts at brightening via the lighter tones of the wooden shelves behind the bar. The china, the napkins and some of wall decor banners feature masonic emblems while the shelves behind the bar have odd collections of antique hats, a large plastic sheep, pottery, etc It is a bit off from my perspective and just didn’t flow. The brunch menu, however, is solid with combinations of standard breakfast favorites, burgers, sandwiches and a great french onion soup. The pressed fresh juices were wonderful and refreshing. Service was attentive and friendly. They were very helpful with wine selections. It was a very good meal and I will definitely consider returning.

Had dinner here before seeing Six. Location was ideal, very close to the theater. While the food was good, the service was EXCEPTIONAL!! The waitstaff, Sam especially, we’re very helpful making suggestions and pleasant to chat with (I especially appreciated the flashlight Sam gave me when she saw I was trying to read from a book with my cell phone flashlight!!). Highly recommend! Cheers!!

Got into Chicago and was heading to the Art Institute and chose to eat nearby and found the Cherry Circle room. It is tucked into a back room on the second floor of the Athletic Club and has the distinct vibe of being a former gentleman's club. The brunch menu has very interesting options. I chose the Maple Rosemary ham sandwich with a side of hashbrowns & my daughter had the Cherries Jubilee Belgium waffle with a side of breakfast sausage. Neither option disappointed. The sandwich kept the crunch of the toasted bread under a layer of cheese & more at sauce. The waffles were the perfect ba li ance of tart with the cherries & sweet with the vanilla cream. The hashbrowns were interesting, not your typical hashbrown. They were more like little squares of mashed potatoes that were deep fried. They weren't horrible but were a little dry. I definitely enjoyed the meal and would recommend Cherry Circle Room.

Staying at the hotel, we ate at CCR twice over a three-night stay. The restaurant is tucked away in the back corner of the Game Room and has an unobtrusive little CCR neon sign and very unassuming swinging doors. You feel like you're walking into a room straight out of The Sting (for those of us old enough to remember that gem of a movie), that other reviewers have gone on at length about. Over our two visits, we sampled the beef tartare, caesar salad, big eye tuna, branzino for two, pork shop and halibut. All of them were delicious and I can't pick one highlight. Just consistently superb. Service was great and the room is unbelievably quiet, given its proximity to the Game Room. Highly recommended.

I had a fantastic meal at CCR last weekend. Waiter Nick S.was amazing. Appropriately attentive and made great suggestions for courses and wine to accompany. Loved the cocktail cart also. Very informative and also good table entertainment. I would definitely recommend CCR.

Christmas Dinner - hugely disappointing food. Probably the worst meal I’ve had in a long time. Service lovely and tbh we weren’t expecting the best, and even though the room is amazing food was way below par for $140 pp. Onion soup was the best bit, bread was stale (listed as artisan 🙄) - overcooked steak and lobster of which mine didn’t have any meat in the tail… covered with chip-sticks and served with a depressing baked potato all of which tasted and looked as though it had been sitting around for a while. Final bill of over €400 - we had a nice evening but wouldn’t recommend anyone eat there for Christmas. Should have stuck with Rosebud - at least the steak would have been freshly cooked. Should have known it wouldn’t be good as we weren’t even asked how we wanted our steak…

We had dinner at the Chrerry Circle to celebrate a friends 70th birthday, then to see the play Hamilton. The only thing I did not like was trying to access the place and the crowds, pool halls, etc to get to the establishment. Bathrooms were in a weird place, well away from the restaurant. Other than that, the service was 5 star. I compliment the assistant manager and the rest of the staff for fabulous service. The food was very expensive, but marvelous. The total experience was so well worth it. And, yes, I would go there again. A bit loud as the place was buzzing, but it added to the ambiance.

Talk about a hidden gem! Went here today for a late lunch based on the recommendation of another avid traveller and explorer. Hard to find without assistance, but very much worth the hunt! Top shelf gin, bourbon and scotch selection( but only one vodka)! House made syrups and craft gommes, and shrubs! An extensive selection of liqueurs. The menu held a favorite of duck confit. This version served over fresh lentils, carrots and celery. Awesome!! Service is very polished!

We ate at all three restaurants in this building. Each has a different specialty to offer, Cindy's for the view, Cherry Circle Room for the eleclent food, and Shake Shack for the quality hamburger.

A friend recommended and I just loved. I sat at the bar and the staff was very attentive. Food was fantastic and the wine selection was very good. It may get a bit loud at times, but the ambience is fun and the architectural details beautiful. Look at the original counters and bar. The tuna tartare was better than any other I had. Often I would not order chicken breast, but this was moist and so delicious with a foie gras sauce. Also, try the chocolate, banana creme brulee. Amazing.

This did not end up to be the experience we were hoping for. It took 30+ minutes to get a cocktail after we were seated on a Sunday evening. The menu just didn't have anything on it that sounded very appetizing, and I didn't want a steak that night. We are not picky eaters and I'm generally quite open to trying different things but the menu when we were there was tough with most everything having a miso or other Asian spin to it. I ended up with the Seabass which I thought was super boney, bland and inedible and my husband had the pasta which he thought was ok. We never got to a glass of wine and we didn't even look at the dessert menu, we were just ready to leave. The dining room was lovely and quiet, however we were hoping for a much more palatable dining experience for our anniversary.

This was suggested by the CAA's wonderful Concierge Joyce.We're a mixed bunch from England and Chicago and went for Brunch on a Sunday morning. This hidden gem in the historic Chicago Athletic Association is wonderful. Let's start with our waiter Tom. He was extremely friendly, personable and knowledgeable, not only about the food but the room in which we're were sitting, down to where the leather seating came from in Chicago. Tom gave us a great history lesson of the room and his recommendations were spot on. I had the open faced egg sandwich,,delicious. My niece had a great fish and chips and my sister in law a delightful smoked salmon Benedict. The other two in our party each opted for the salmon platter..basically a lox and bagel...but the twist is they use a toasted bread with house made dill cream cheese. No rush to finish and we thoroughly enjoyed our morning. Can't wait to go back for dinner.

One statement says it all: 3 tries and 20 minutes to get coffee at breakfast. With glowing reviews on multiple sites for the breakfast and brunch, we were very excited to try this perfectly situated spot near the Chicago Art Institute. By the time we left my mood had shifted from anticipation...to disappointment...to anger. AVOID at all costs.

Food ok, but poor service. It took a long time to get drinks, wine came after we had finished the starter and several other problems with the service.

We were a party of 5 and stopped here for lunch. We were close to the closing time but the staff could not have been more accomodating and seated us immediately. The restaurant was not crowded but the service was wonderful. The salad nicoise was delicious and the fish and chips were also a big hit.

I went here with a friend from out-of-town - and I didn't know what to expect. The location inside the athletic club makes it standout as a unique experience that feels more like a speakeasy. The waitstaff, the ambiance, and the cuisine were all top-notch and very well done. From the drink selection to the food options - this restaurant has everything you want for an exquisite night out in Chicago.

Had Christmas dinner at the Cherry Circle Room. In fourteen years of dining in Chicago this was by a mile the worst meal I've eaten, limp salad, a repulsive cheese soup, mass catering style shortribs, a stack of horribly sweet cookies, all served by a sullen waitress. And $150! (That's before drinks and tips of course.) I expect to pay a premium for Christmas Day but not to be insultingly overcharged for terrible food. On the positive side, the room is attractive, the cocktails were good and so was the wine. Nothing though could compensate for the awful food.

This place was the Chicago Tribune's best bar room award and it's for good reason. You walk into the room after making your way through the game room and you feel like you stumbled into an entirely new place. The room is welcoming and the wood is incredible. I HIGHLY suggest taking a seat at the bar and ordering a cocktail, every bartender will put on a show for you while they mix or stir your drink. From there the food is nearly just as good. You will never regret stumbling into this bar.

Located in the Chicago Athletic Association, the renovated Cherry Circle Room is a handsome restaurant. Dark and masculine, intimate dining booths and tables for two. It reminded us of an old-school speakeasy or supper club. One could imagine business deals discussed and made back in the day. There were four of us, a half business/half social dinner. We did not have reservations, but it was relatively early for dinner so we were seated immediately in a booth. With the low lighting the dining room leans toward being romantic, but we had to use our phones as a torch to read the menu. After a round of cocktails, we ordered a couple of Caesar salads and steamed mussels to share. For our mains we had two smoked sablefish, confit Berkshire pork shoulder and the duck breast. Portion servings are ample. The steamed mussels in a coconut and red curry lobster broth was delicious and we playfully fought for bread slices to finish the broth. The Caesar was well dressed and the deep fried smelts were tasty on their own, but I like my anchovies and they did not use them, so it fell a bit flat for me. The sablefish was plated beautifully but too smokey for my taste. My husband's pork shoulder was tasty but was a large portion that the two of us could have easily split the entree. The duck breast was well prepared and delicious. We were too full for dessert, so our server treated us to some after dinner "mints". It was a nice way to end the evening. Would like to revisit again.

We stopped in for breakfast before heading over to the Art Institute. Based on the suggestions from other reviewers I tried the cinnamon waffle. It was fabulous. The waffle came with a maple whip that was very tasty. The service was very good with multiple refills on our water and coffee. Ambiance is also nice.

We went with friends and were all very impressed with the service. The food was good. I especially enjoyed the pasta and American Beauty cocktail. Our friend said the burger had a sauce on it that made it a little soggy but that the flavor was good. My husband said his filet mignon was fine. We enjoyed the experience although it is pricey. The restaurant itself is a little hard to find inside the Athletic club.

The food was very good and the restaurant was decorated tastefully for the holidays. We enjoyed all of our dishes. Service was ok orders taken and food served (by food runners) in good time but the waitress struggled with getting drinks and refills in between despite the restaurant not being full. One note for anyone seeking a meal here-check on reservations no matter what time of day it is. This hotel runs lots of events throughout the week so that even if the hotel is not full, there may not be tables available for your meal.

We have little to add to the other positive reviews of this place. It's every bit as wonderful as others have said. The service is friendly without being overbearing, the ambience is old-world classy, and the food is beyond reproach. We had the leg of lamb for two and it simply could not have been better. My wife had the creamed kale side and said it was the best kale she'd ever had, hands down. I had the garlic mashed potatoes and they were equally excellent. We also had the foccacia loaf as an appetizer and it, too, was astonishingly good. I'd also recommend the house amari as a digestive; the mix their own using different labels and the night we had it, it was stunning: a remarkable mix of bitter and slightly floral. We will definitely be back. P.S.: the recommendation for a booth is a sound one. The ambience can be a bit lively but the heavily padded booths do a nice job of damping it down so you can have a civilized conversation.

I loved the burger, so juicy and well-cooked - my friend the vegetarian was delighted with her food and the waiter, Cory, helped us find something on the menu for her dog, who was made very welcome. We loved it here.

Great for special occasion - but very disappointed with slow wait service. We loved the place and the food was wonderful. Even though only one-third of tables were occupied, we definitely felt “ghosted” by our waiter. Delays in taking order, barely checking if we needed anything else, and we sat at our completely cleared off table for a while awaiting his return so we could get our bill. Would have rated five stars except for the unexplainable breach of service at this high end, lovely restaurant.

Took my wife and our daughter for a superb meal with excellent service. An amazing place inside the Chicago Athletic Club. You may need help to find it. We entered through the largest singles bar in the world. the restaurant itself is plush, subdued lighting, lots of leather and wood, amazing wine list, all kinds of drinks, and the food! Oh the food! Not to be missed.

We arrived on Saturday for our overnight and were hopeful of getting into Cindy's, on the top floor. At first we were told no, my wife had tried unsuccessfully to get in for weeks, so we tried getting in to Cherry Circle, which one of the staff members said he actually liked more than Cindy's. They were full. As it turned out, we stopped at the desk for Cindy's and got in. On Sunday morning, we went around 8:30 AM and found the Cherry Circle Room pretty empty. We had a wonderful breakfast. I had a delicious cinnamon waffle with cinnamon butter (which meant I didn't even need the maple syrup). It was one of the best waffles I have ever had, the last one in that league a few weeks ago at Multnomah Falls in Oregon. The bacon I had was also really good, crispy and devoid of grease. Coffee and service was impeccable. This site in Chicago seems to be loaded with perfect food and service.

The service was excellent followed by great food but the table drink cart was like a scene out of the TV show Mad Men. A wonderful and entertaining throwback of cocktailing in the 1940's with Manhattan, Martini and Old Fashion made by hand at your table while mixologist gave the history of each cocktail. Great fun!

I made my way into the back of the hotel. The ambiance is un-captured by any picture. It is dim without seeming dark, and the wood lined walls are great. I ate alone at the bar. Fantastic Manhattans.

The Chicago Athletic Association hotel has a great location on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. It has a Shake Shack on first floor and very lovely second floor reception, sitting, and game rooms. The second floor also had several Bar areas and in the far corner a separate Cherry Circle Room. At night it’s very dark and atmospheric. During lunch this restaurant is well lit and has attentive servers and a quiet noise level. I had a tuna salad with a minuscule piece of tuna. My companion had a egg dish which had a piece of plastic embedded in it. I pulled out the yellow plastic and examined it for a minute. We informed the waitress, she took the egg dish away, brought another on and removed it from the bill . She informed us the chef said the piece of yellow cellophane was a piece of cooked egg. I wouldn’t go there again for food , but maybe for drinks. The rest of second floor is lovely. The restaurant on the top floor - Cindy’s is lovely , is extremely popular in good weather and has a great park view. I have never personally eaten or drank there however.

very interesting restaurant in the Chicago Athletic Association building. everything was prepared to perfection. service was attentive. the place was very noisy and energetic. Our entire group enjoyed the meals and cocktails.

Attractive but dim, windowless space. Decent but basically overpriced hotel food. Attitudinal staff.

I am staying at the Chicago Athletic Association, a surprise in and of itself. The restaurant is on the lobby level. It's a gem!! Great ambiance, excellent food, and very nice service. I absolutely loved everything I ordered.

This amazing restaurant is a little hard to find in the awesome Chicago Athletic Association. It's absolutely beautiful with a huge rounded bar wrapping around one side and cozy booths on the other. Feels like an old dinner club. The food is fantastic and service is on-point. We will be back!

We were at the front of the line on a Sat night at 5 on the dot to get unreserved seats at the bar. The room was a speakeasy in the 20s we heard, and the cherry wood paneling and bar are wonderful. I found nothing on the entrees menu interesting so ordered 2 appetizers and a side. The mussels cooked in a curry broth were great with a little kick, and there was enough to share with 3 others. It comes with a crunchy, warm small bread loaf for soaking up the broth. Very good. Next was French onion soup which was OK. Along with the squash side. The squash was cold - wouldn’t you expect it to be warm? It had a Medjool sauce on it along with apples. Not good at all. The other 3 had duck - 1 liked it, 1 strongly disliked it, the other ?. My husband also had the mashed potatoes - nothing special. While it was an interesting visit and expensive, we would not return! The service at the bar was wonderful! Only wait was for the food.

Cherry Circle is a great occasion restaurant. Special food, great atmosphere (NO televisions!). Our two cocktails, two glasses of wine, appetizer and two entrees tipped the scale at $200 before tip, so this isn't a place (at least in my world) that you just pick at random. The restaurant is VERY dimly lit (I saw servers offer some diners mini flashlights to read menus, and others had their phones out to do the same), but that's part of the allure, I suppose. Less alluring was the NYC style row of two tops that we were shuttled to. The first option was going to be right by the hostess stand, but we were seated towards the middle of the room after asking. One nice thing was that we could chat with the folks on either side, as they were two feet away. Social, but it didn't lend to a feeling of a special evening, especially when vividly confronted with the backside of a busser who was removing plates from one neighbor or the other. We ordered martinis to start, and I was pleased to see that the bartenders stir cocktails, rather than shaking them (take that, Mr. Bond). We didn't opt for the tableside cocktail cart at $18 a pop, but we did get to enjoy the show when another table went for it. They lose their chance at an Excellent rating because I felt like we were being moved along to make our food choices, and plates were whisked away a little too promptly. Again, if you are going to charge me upwards of $40 for 8 oz of a la carte beef, I want to take my time to enjoy it. The food, however, was pretty brilliant. I am sure the next time I visit the city, I will go there, sit at the bar, order a glass of wine and the incredible beef tartare, and be very happy. The duck and the chateaubriand were also very, very good, though the sauce for the duck, poured over in its entirety by our server, became a little overwhelming. We ordered a side of mashed potatoes, because you can't just have meat for dinner (or can you?), but they were nothing special. Save that $ and the calories for dessert, if you go that route. We did not go that route, as the courses we had were modest, but pretty filling (even after a light lunch). There were a couple of tempting choices on that menu. So, put this on your list for a birthday, a promotion, or another special occasion, so yo won't feel compelled to split a burger for dinner.

Went for restaurant week last weekend. The hotel it is in is really nicely, a great place to see. Good was up several notches from normal planes. Everything was done perfectly. Lobster bisque, fish and chips, and a dessert that was a work of art!!! If you are in Chicago you should definitely check out out!!

Great wait staff, knowledgeable of this history of the place, great menu and great food. would go back.

This was a fun place for lunch and the food was great! I had the beef sandwich and my husband enjoyed the fish & chips.

It is difficult to imagine a more perfect end to a stay in Chicago than the Cherry Circle Room's Chocolate Crème Brûlée. My partner and I were staying at the Athtelic Association and made a reservation downstairs just for dessert and tea/coffee to mark the end of our stay. What could not have anticipated the treat we were in for. We agreed that it was one of the nicest desserts that either of us had ever eaten. Every aspect of the dish hung in perfect balance, with the textures playing off each other while still offering the delicate crack of a more typical crème brûlée. The meal was Michelin star quality, but the price was totally reasonable. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, private and intimate. The service staff were very friendly. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to treat their loved one to a special night out!

We enjoyed an excellent confit of pork shoulder with wild rice — accompanied by an unusual side of kabocha squash with smoked dates and pumpkin seeds. Pity that we couldn’t appreciate it visually. The light level was so low that our waiter had to supply us with flashlights to read the menu.

Amazing hamburgers and very complete wine list but service is unique. Hard to describe service but it is ok not great. Salad had not much taste. French “pommes frites” are cold and not tasty. Steak sandwich was very good but fairly small for price. I hope management gets better because no TVs and food quality are reasons I go here.

This is a must visit place! The food is delicious, there's a long wine and cocktail list and the staff is very friendly. But most of all is the atmosphere, is like going back to the 1930s!

A lovely treat in the chaos of the Chicago Athletic Association. I walked in and fell in love. The ambiance can bring you to a variety of places. For me, it would be the perfect date place...a hint of vintage, romance, and mafia. I know that description is insane, but it is seriously what traveled through my mind as I stood at the check in desk. I also loved that it was past the meat market chaos of the pool hall. Maybe I'm getting old...I don't know. Every time I go into a downtown Chicago bar I feel like if you are past 30, you are so not fitting in. And since I am past 40, I felt ancient in that place. I came here with a friend and we were in a bit of a rush due to a show we were going to at the Chicago Theater. I could have spent hours here. The drink menu is fabulous. As a tequila lover, I highly recommend the white tornado. I am not a fan of the "smoky" taste unless it is a beef brisket, but after the first sip, the light smoky flavor was gone and the almond flavor won over. I could have had another, for sure. You can also have drinks mixed at the table. Unique and very cool. I ate the octopus and brussels sprouts for dinner. Octopus was divine, even with the refried bean base (not my first choice because I do not care for them, and the texture of the octopus and bean together was weird). Brussels sprouts were a stab for me; I'm not a fan of dijonnaise either, but I did enjoy them regardless. I guess I was inspired to branch out and I was not disappointed!! Excellent service. A must do and I can't wait to go back!!

The food, ambience, drinks and service were all excellent at the Cherry Circle Room resturant. The noise level is high though, so not the best place for dinner with conversation. The lighting is dim, but the waitstaff have mini flashlights available for use in reading the menu if needed. The food preparations were truely creative. I loved the unexpected taste combinations. I highly recommend the steak tartare, the beet salad, and the burrata salad. All of these were exceptional.

Best dark chocolate creme brulee I ever had. Best crispy duck breast I've ever had. The Chateaubriand steak was excellent the French couldn't have done it better. It was uber busy but well worth it if you want great tasting food that you don't get wherever you're from. It deserves a 5-star rating make it a must see if you're around downtown.

Our celebratory dinner was very exceptional, dining prior to attending the theatre. The food was very good with unique flavors and textures. The service was also exceptional. A specific 'shout out' to maitre d - Marilyn who coordinated every detail for a very special birthday celebration for my daughter as she officially became a teenager. We have dined previously at this restaurant and it has been consistently very good. I would highly recommend.

My husband and I ate here before attending the musical Hamilton on June 22nd. I had reserved a seat at the bar. Our server was great! She recommended food and drinks and was great at her job and her recommendations were spot on! I had the sturgeon and my husband the halibut. We also ordered the lobster bisque and watermelon as our side. Loved it all! Would love to come back! Highly recommend!

Nice place, comfortable booths. They need to put in a bathroom instead of making clients go to another floor. Food is typically good, though the eggs Benedict wasn't quite par with arugula overwhelming the delicate egg flavor, and Hollandaise on the bland side. Chocolate almond dessert pretty good. Excellent Champagne by the glass.

A perfect place for a before concert light dinner. The place is next to Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The food is fantastic, try the duck and foi grais starter, The service is faultless, and the place is just amazing. It is buried deep in the Athletics Club, second floor, with all the marble, the old mosaic, you have to love the place.

The room is so Charming and Cosy. The Service by JJ was professional and so friendly He is definitely a great asset for your restaurant . The food was so fresh and tasty. The juicy burger was amazing, the sea bass lightly crisp was delicious and the truffle pasta was perfect. The wine list offers a large selection of international and California wines at a very good price The cocktails are very sophisticated using some fine craft spirits. Do not mis the old fashion bourbon option. Do not miss the dessert, a warm lava cake with delicious chocolate and a vanilla scoop with butterscotch caramel.. divine. Because this place is very popular …do not hesitate to book in advance. A Gem ❤️

Went here for a late lunch during the week. The surrounding were gorgeous with dark wood everywhere, low lighting and a relaxed atmosphere. We got cocktails and food. The croque monsieur was great and my friend had the hamburger which was very good. I would definitely recommend it and plan on coming again.

Arrived at nearby hotel well in advance of check-in time checked baggage -(9:30 AM) had a reservation for 10:00 AM - called to see if they could accommodate early arrival - replied come on!! A CCR Old-Fashioned at 9:45 AM is unbeatable!! Breakfast was as described above. Service was admirable and the accommodations matchless.

Our work group of 5 loved this funky, but slightly hard to find, retro restaurant located on the second floor, behind the pool tables, at the back of the Chicago Athletic Club across from Millenium Park. But persevere. It is worth it. Sit in the cool 1950s style leather booths and be sure to order a signature cocktail - they deliver it on a retro cocktail cart and make it in front of you. It's conveniently located close to the theatre if you are going to Hamilton.

You won't regret it. I don't often spend this much for dinner but it was worth every penny we paid. Our server, Anthony, was great. Every item was perfectly prepared. The atmosphere is dim lighting and plush furnishings. Feels fancy and romantic. Another plus is that its located in a cool building right across from the park

My wife and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary here. Upon entering they congratulated us and upon seating were offered champagne. The beet salad with panna cotta was an outstanding starter. The halibut was cooked perfectly and the carrot cake for desert finished an outstanding meal. We normally go to Everest, but this was better. It was the best meal ever with service to match. Will we go back? Definitely

Everything was a plus. Dark room, great and quiet mood music. Great bread, fantastic soup, delightful halibut, everything is perfect.

My wife and I love the food at Cherry Circle. The server did an amazing job of pairing what we ordered into three delectable courses. Could not have been more impressed with the quality of the food and were amazed at the price in the end - expected a meal of that caliber to cost much more.

Wonderful room with a large sweeping bar. The wall are all (I'm assuming cherry) wood. with the room packed with people the conversation noise is loud, but the room and ambience is still very nice. We had a sampling of several plates and a main course. Everything was well prepared a very tasty. Will go back again to try the rest of the menu.

Cherry Circle Room is a very good restaurant in the "core" of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. The hotel is busy, busy, busy, but if you make your way through the lobby and the game room, you will be pleasantly surprised by this tastefully decorated and comfortable space. The menu is not at all broad, but the food is very good. Be aware that beer portions are very small (server said that was because the beer one of us selected had a higher ABV) and wine is expensive-ish. The beet salad is beautiful and delicious. Sous vide chicken breast is very tasty. Berkshire pork was also very good.

I met up with friends I hadn't seen in ages and so we had lots of catching up to do. We took a long time to order and the waitress was really relaxed about it. The food choices are good and diverse and we actually ordered no main courses but rather lots of starters and sides. Everything was really well presented, tasty and some things actually pretty hearty. It's a beautiful venue with great service.

Had Sunday Brunch at the Cherry Circle Room in January. Great menu with some very good fresh squeezed juice options. Our party had both breakfast and lunch items and they were all outstanding. Delicious cinnamon waffles, plus the aged beef sandwich was to die for! Service was great, food was delicious, would definitely try dinner next time we are in the area.

Lots of history when you walk in from the street and up the stairs (or elevator) to this historic restaurant on the lobby level of this hotel. Unique bar, apparently an original redo. Nice, cozy booth. Friendly server, thanks Hilary. Good cold brew coffee. Really tasty eggplant and white beans. Tried some tuna niscious, tasty dressing/salad. Really enjoyable meal and the surroundings (inside the building) are a definite experience enhancer!

This place is fantastic! Great adventure and made for a very memorable dinner with a great customer. If you are looking to enjoy a quiet (small group) business dinner with a special client... this will certainly not disappoint. Excellent wine list, superb cocktails and amazing food. Food for every taste or diet. Must order at least one cocktail prepared table side. Informative, fun and tasty. We had salads, beef tartar, duck and haddock. Everything was excellent and presented beautifully. Definitely a place to go again when I visit Chicago.

The setting, service and food was absolutely faultless. In particular we appreciated the thought that went in to coursing our small plates and the sense of theatre in their delivery! I cannot recommend highly enough.

Great atmosphere with excellent food and service. Very dark, but the waiter will provide you with a torch to read the menu.

Let it be said right away, the food is not gourmet and the service not outstanding but a visit to the Cherry Circle Room and the small private bars (that you can reserve) in Chicago Athletics is a fantastic experience. You are immediately transported a hundred years back in time and can’t help smile as the evening passes by. This is recommended for every one visiting Chicago.

Excellent evening, good food and good service (we were looked after very well by Alec?). Fascinating building, no idea that such a fab place existed behind the building front.

The atmosphere is great...completely takes you back in time! The food was wonderful...we had the tuna tartare with carrot chips, best octopus I’ve ever had and the chateaubriand with cauliflower. One of the best meals I’ve ever had in Chicago!!

This space is incredible and full of history. It feels like stepping into a movie set. We asked the server about the history of the space and got some vague answers but wish she’d had the same insights to share as most staff in other parts of the hotel. Food was good not great, and our order wasn’t quite right (we received and we’re charged for more food than we asked for.) Note portions are huge - a side of bacon was 8 pieces!

How can you hide from anybody on Michigan Avenue in Chicago's Loop? The Cherry Circle Room can best be described as a "hidden gem" that calls for sherpas to find the restaurant. Located inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel at 12 South Michigan Avenue, between Madison and Monroe, across from Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cherry Circle Room is hard to find but easy to like. Go to the second floor and keep walking "way, way back" past another restaurant or bar or two and, hopefully, you're there. It is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch from 7:30 to 2:30 daily. It is open for dinner from 5 to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 5 to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The menu is inspired by dishes served in this exclusive club dating to the 1890s. Start with a Parker roll and house-marinated olives, then a crock of French onion soup, shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad. It really gets you in the right mood for an elegant evening. For entrees, my wife and I chose halibut and an eight-ounce chateaubriand with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and brussels sprout slaw. For dessert, we shared portions of dark chocolate creme brulee and peanut butter mousse with whole milk sherbet. It all tasted as good as it sounds. You don't get a view of Millennium Park or Lake Michigan but the rich, dark wood paneling give you the feeling that you are in a corporate boardroom, which is cushy and luxurious and very comfortable. With food and service to match.

There were high points and low points of the meal. Wine list was excellent and staff were great and attentive. Very cool atmosphere. It was a family style meal — so different than we usually eat and didn’t get to pick things we necessarily wanted — it all came out. Half of it was very good. Some things just weren’t. I suppose that’s because they didn’t really get to perfect things since they made a special meal for the day. Overall enjoyed the experience!

We recently had a family lunch here (pre-boat ride) to celebrate my mom’s birthday, and I still can’t get over how great everything was. From the service, to the ambiance, to the delicious food and cocktails, it was the perfect start to our weekend downtown. I will definitely be back!

We stayed in the Chicago Athletic Association for a few nights and enjoyed the breakfast each morning. The room ambiance is in keeping with the hotel and is a perfect step back in time. The food was traditional and delicious. There are many good hotels in the area. The Cherry Circle Room breakfast may be the factor that brings us back to the Chicago Athletic Association the next time we're in Chicago.

We really enjoyed our dinner and the drinks were over the top. The menu is varied and everything we tried was wonderful....esp the risotto and French onion soup My one complaint is how dark it was. They provide everyone flashlights to read the menu but it’s a little too dark to order a “refill “. Just a little more light would be helpful