The Dining Room at Kendall College Reviews

Dining at culinary schools is a particularly delightful experience for anyone who wants to get a taste and a glimpse of the menus of tomorrow. The dining experience at Kendall College is particularly impressive. The menu is enticing and the execution is flawless. The location and welcoming ambiance set the set for a lovely dining experience. It is particularly fun to have an opportunity to see the student chefs, bartenders and servers in action.

Great experience. Sam and Skel, thank you for the service, education and company. Spicy mule was a tasty surprise on the sweet side which I prefer. Cognac rather than vodka right? Yum. Both the shrimp/broccoli appetizer and the salad were hits - best items of the night. Salmon was perfectly cooked with an appealing seared very light skin. Gnocchi was overly rich for my taste but could be due to the sweet potato base? Would have loved more flavor in the dessert plate, especially the pandan. Didn’t want to share the apple pie or ice cream. Thank you again for the evening - Instructor Phil and Chef Jeffrey, too. Would highly recommend.

We have brought friends on several occasions to experience the Kendall students in training and every single one has enjoyed themselves. The culinary students, under expert guidance, do a very good job preparing four-star appetizers, entries and deserts while the hospitality students miticulously attend to its service and guest's request. In my experience, only the bar tending is bush league here. The Kendall dinning room is a very good meal while you are helping the next great chefs and hospitality managers consummate their studies.

You can't do any better than this gourmet lunch or dinner. Go with the price fixe as it is so worth it. You get three courses (including dessert) and while you don't get a ton of food, what you do get is by far filling and delicious. Your taste buds will thank you. Breads are made in-house and the citrus butter is absolutely a meal in itself.

Very interesting experience - sitting the fancy dining hall and watching the students for culinary arts preparing my orders. The dishes is Fusion style, very tasty! and the service is friendly!

Ate here recently at a private event. Thought the meal and service was first-rate. A little difficult to reach but worth the effort.

Enjoyed the pre-fixe menu, which was a bargain. Creative menu, delicious food, beautiful presentation. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Dining room is attractive and spacious. A great experience.

The vibrant dining room was very aesthetic. I enjoyed the entree of the scallops, as well as the grilled New York strip loin. Finishing off with the choux au craquelin. The atmosphere was amazing and our server Jose was amazing and very handsome.

This was a top notch dining experience. We were welcomed on our arrival with a taste of the cocktail of the moment—it was refreshing and different. After being seated, we were offered water and drinks. The view of Millenium Park and Lake Michigan was amazing from the 7th floor dining room. It was hard to choose from the excellent choices on the menu, so we all ordered different items for us to try a little bit of everything. An amuse bouche was served as a starter—perfect first bite. For the first course, we had scallop carpaccio, the zucchini salad and the duck tamal. All three were presented beautifully and were excellent. For the main, we had the steak and pomme frites, maple chicken and black cod. Again, excellent presentation and phenomenal taste. Last but not least was dessert. A great way to finish was smores, pavlova and the ube ube. All three were incredible. Service was impeccable and the food was amazing. It’s an incredible experience and a great way to help train the students of Kendall College. Would definitely recommend and we will definitely go again next time we are in Chicago.

The food here was first rate. Service was a wee bit ropey but the staff were very nice with it. Nothing ropey about the quality of the food

Wonderful! Everything - from start to finish!! Fine dining experience for the whole family. It was really fun and they took great care of us. 💗

What I like most about lunch at the Dining Room at Kendall College at 900 N. North Branch Street--besides the $18 pre-fixe price, of course--is the menu. It is changed periodically during the school year but it never, ever disappoints. It always includes five or six items in each of three categories--appetizer, entree, dessert. And whoever makes the choices always seems to hit the target. We like to select as many items as possible, never the same one twice. On our most recent visit--this is my sixth review--we brought along a friend. For each serving, our friend chose first, then my wife, then me. Three diners, nine different selections. Nobody was heard to say: "Oh, that's what I wanted. Can't I have that?" There was enough for everyone. For appetizers, we chose Egg & Black Pepper Fettuccini, Charred Greens & Calamari Insalata and Parsnip & Potato soup.. For entrees, the selections were Grilled Wild Pacific Salmon, Grilled Pork Tenderloin and seared Beef Strip Steak "Pot Roast." For dessert, we enjoyed Berry Rhubarb Oat Crisp, Tiramisu and Raisin Pound Cake. What did we pass up? Such items as Spring Greens & Tuscan Kale "Caesar" and Grilled Chicken Breast and Herb Crusted Wild Bass and Peanut Brittle Cheese Cake. The fresh bread was an added bonus. As always, our waiter Bryan and the other students did a wonderful job of preparing and serving our meals. Wherever they go to continue their culinary careers, they will be well-trained for the next level. The Dining Room at Kendall College is an unappreciated and under-publicized gem of a restaurant that, deservedly, seems to be attracting more attention. You can't get a better meal for a better price, lunch ($18) or dinner ($29).

If you live in Chicago and haven't had lunch or dinner at the Dining Room at Kendall College, you are missing a real treat. My wife and I discovered this gem of a restaurant a few years ago and we are addicted. It's part of the culinary program at Kendall College at National Louis University. Students get experience as waiters and cooks and pastry chefs and all manner of what it takes to be a success in the restaurant business. They do a very professional job. The presentations are comparable to Spiaggia and Alinea and any five-star restaurant. On our most recent visit, we joined two friends for lunch, $18 for appetizer, main course and dessert. Our waiters, Jason and Dennis, were friendly, attentive and knowledgable. On this occasion, three of us chose lobster bisque for an appetizer and halibut for our main course. The bisque, with chucks of lobster and a rich, creamy broth, was served in a manner unlike anything I've ever experienced at any restaurant. The pan seared halibut, with clams and onions, was tender and virtually melted in your mouth. For dessert, my wife had flourless chocolate cake with caramel and vanilla ice cream, I had Maple triffle with almond galette and canella ice cream while our friends each chose Pavlova, a shortbread with cherry foam, chantilly and tarragon ice cream. How good is the dining room at Kendall College? It was recommended in the Michelin Guide in 2013. Obviously, Michelin knows a good thing when it tastes it.

Although I don't want to share this gem, for fear it will get too busy, I simply must. Why would you want to go to a school, when there are so many great restaurants in Chicago? Because you will not get a better meal, especially for the price, interact with more personable staff or find the ambiance Kendall has anywhere else. We have been coming here for years, ever since it moved to this location from Evanston. What I like most of all is that diners are helping culinary students learn the trade. I have been to high end restaurants where the staff makes you feel as though they are better than you are, even though you are paying a princely sum for your meal and tips...and possibly these very same people could not afford to eat at the restaurants that employ them. I do want high end meals, but I don't necessarily always want all the uppityness, for lack of a better word. Kendall College Dining room has a wonderfully varied menu, with students who try so hard to do a good job to please us. There are price fixed menus for lunch and for some evenings, to entice you to try many items. Are there glitches from time to time? Yes, most certainly. There have been nervous servers on their first day with ever so slightly shaking hands. Shy waiters who have to work the dining room - from their hesitant communication, you know they would rather cook. Every once in a while, as on this last visit, an entree might be underdone. We feared the student would get a bad grade, so we debated whether to say anything. They could not have been nicer, or tried harder to make it right. This turned into a 'make lemonade out of lemons' situation. In the end, picture those lemons becoming a gorgeous lemon tart with fresh whipped cream topping. The glitches were part of the unique experience and made the meal particularly memorable. The food is first rate - fresh ingredients, beautifully presented. The room itself is open and airy, with a glassed in kitchen where you can see your meal being made. Your meal will be leisurely, for a great meal takes time to prepare. Also, the instructor must check the food before it is served. Bread is served with a wonderful pesto butter - no one will pass out from hunger here while waiting for their meals! If you are a business person, this is an ideal place for lunch. While I hope my review increases their diners, I hope I won't ever be turned away on a day I want to go! We have many favorite restaurants in Chicago. However, there is none that is more fun to go to, nor more satisfying in making us feel we not only had a stellar meal, but have helped students on their way. If you have ample time to spare on your travels, make the trip to this location, even if you are unsure it will suit you. You will not be sorry. Enjoy!

Have been waiting to try this ace since theyoved to Chicago It's a lovely dining room well spaced tables and service was delightful tonight Their dinner special is great deal for the quality of the food. Nice assortment if appetizers,excellent rack of lamb Maybe avoid the steak Desserts were all terrific The presentation of all the dishes Was excellent. Good wine selection, delicious coffee Hope to return soon for another wonderful evening

I've written it before and I'll write it again: The Dining Room at Kendall College, lunch or dinner, is as good as any four-star restaurant in Chicago or anywhere else. You don't believe me? Make a reservation and make your own evaluation. See for yourself. Trust me, you'll be convinced. This is my sixth review of the student-run operation and I've never been disappointed. Each time, Kendall has offered a new menu at a prix fixe price of $18 for a three-course lunch and a pre fixe price of $29 for a three-course dinner. As I've written in the past, the fun of it all is sitting in the dining room and watching the student trainees prepare all aspects of the meal only a few feet away, in a huge kitchen behind a large wall of glass. The service, presentation and quality is everything you would expect at Spiagga or Tru or Everest or Sixteen, Chicago's more celebrated and internationally recognized restaurants. Once you have experienced the occasion, from drinks to appetizers to entrees to desserts and some surprising treats in between, you'll know what I mean. On our most recent visit, I chose Charmoula roasted Pacific halibut over grilled beef strip steak and egg and seared Arctic Char. My wife opted for grilled Midwest pork loin over grilled chicken breast and egg and Semolina fettucine. For an appetizer, I picked Tuscan bean soup over citrus cured wild salmon and BBQ duck rangoons. My wife chose the winter greens salad over the roasted root vegetable Agnolotti and black pepper and buttermilk calamari. For dessert, I ordered roasted pear cheesecake while my wife chose orange pound cake. We passed up chocolate decadence cake, warm sweet polenta cake and candied fruit panettone. Whenever we dine at Kendall, we have one rule that cannot be broken: We can't order the same item. It's interesting to talk to the student trainees to learn about their ambitions, where they hope to be working in the next year or two. Our waiter, Chris, who spent six years in the Navy, will intern at a Lake View restaurant in the fall, then look forward to moving elsewhere. A background at Kendall certainly makes for a good resume.

We've dined multiple times at the Dining Room at Kendall College, most recently last weekend, on the second day of its Fall 2019 menu. The menu choices were excellent and very well-prepared. There were 4 of us and we each had a different starter and main course. The duck breast entree and the scallop appetizer were probably the strongest. Also a delicious amuse bouche of deep-fried stuffed zucchini blossoms. Most of us got the sticky toffee pudding dessert, which was also very good. Good wine list at modest prices. This was the second day of the Fall menu so the students in the front of the house were very obviously newbies and awkward. But, of course, the educational function of this restaurant is why you can get a 3-course prix fixe dinner for $29. In prior visits that happen to coincide with later in the term, the student-servers had clearly mastered their lessons, and were much more professional. This review would not be complete without also noting that this is a great room for diners who are looking for a relatively quiet, conversation-friendly restaurant. Tables are generously sized and well-spaced. Also free parking, which is another budget-friendly aspect of this restaurant compared to most fine-dining choices downtown. We will be back.

Wonderful culinary experience with unique & superb dishes. Courteous and knowledgeable culinary students running the front & back of the house. Thoroughly enjoyed all the courses. Beautiful views from the dining room. Definitely worth a visit. Fine dining at an amazingly affordable price.

My wife was tipped off to the Dining room at Kendall College in Chicago by a friend. What a discovery. We have been to lunch on three occasions and took friends for dinner on another. It is part of the college's culinary school and the students, servers or cooks, do a magnificent job of turning a campus restaurant into a 4-star attraction--and it doesn't cost nearly as much as Chicago's more celebrated Spiaggia, Tru, Everest, Sixteen or Alinea. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with the food or the service. The presentation is what you'd expect at a 4-star restaurant. And there is a large glass window so diners can look into the cleanest kitchen you ever saw in your life to see the student chefs prepare the meals. Osso Buco for lunch! Would you believe it? There is bar seating, too, everything you'd expect of a big-time restaurant.

The menu's ceativity, quality, presentation, and platinum service of Andy & Adam during my dinner on Nov. 5th was outstanding! You'll be hard pressed to find another comparable fine dining 3-course meal for the same value Can't wait to return!

An amazing experience, cooked for and served by the amazing and talented students of Kendall College. Absolutely worth a Michelin star, it was seriously that good. And thanks to Gabbie and Ty in particular - you were awesome!

I've been raving about The Dining Room at Kendall College at 900 North Branch Street in Chicago for months. In fact, this is my sixth review. The student trainees prepare and serve lunch and dinner. The food and service is as good as you'll get at a 4-star restaurant--and that's not an exaggeration--and you have an opportunity to observe the students as they prepare the meals in the adjacent kitchen. And the price? Eighteen dollars for a three-course meal at lunch. And what do you get? Well, the current menu offers appetizers like spiced carrot soup, farm egg and semolina fettuccine and charred calamari, entrees like grilled chicken breast, sauteed striped Bass, grilled wild Pacific salmon and grass fed beef Hanger steak and desserts like Stone fruit cobbler, bittersweet chocolate brownie with walnut ice cream and sour cream cheesecake. What's not to like? I chose the fettuccine, salmon and cobbler. My wife opted for the summer greens, grilled Midwest pork chop and Honey Sage and walnut ice cream. The presentation is as good as anything you'll get this side of the Inn at Little Washington. These student trainees are out to make a name for themselves--and they're doing it. We've never been disappointed. The ever-changing menu always includes a wide variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts sure to please every palate.

EVERY THING WAS AMAZING!! Highly recommend. The students did such a good job. Presentation was excellent. Food was excellent. Even the things that needed to be corrected was done graciously. I have nothing bad to say! Will definitely be back.

Off the island and on S Michigan Avenue. Three course seasonal menu makes it hard to choose. Beverage service for any desire. Staff anxious to please, plus a great view. One of the best values in town.

Ever had perfectly cooked shrimp? Everything was cooked perfectly. Impeccable service. What else can you ask for? We will be back!

We have raved about the Dining Room at Kendall College in Chicago ever since we discovered it more than a year ago. We compared Kendall's student-operated dining room to any of the more publicized five-star restaurants in Chicago. And we weren't exaggerating. Now others agree with us. No less a critic than the Chicago Reader said: "with a prix fixe option ($29 for a three-course dinner Tuesday through Friday, $18 for lunch Monday through Friday), the Dining Room at Kendall College is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in town!" We recommend Kendall to friends and we never get complaints, only compliments. Sure, it isn't located on the Magnificent Mile or on the 16th floor of Trump Tower or the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel. But if you are interested in quality food at low prices, this is the place. The presentation and service is impeccable. One day, these student servers/chefs will be working (or owning) those more celebrated five-star venues. As I've written before, the kitchen is adjacent to the dining room so diners can view the food preparation through a large window. It's all part of the experience. What's different? The menu. Kendall recently introduced an entirely different menu for lunch and dinner...appetizers, entrees and desserts. We love to go for lunch. On this trip, I ordered the crisp potato cakes, house smoked salmon, creme fraiche, chives and red onion pickle, the grilled grass fed hangar steak with chestnut puree, Brussels sprouts, bacon and sherry vinegar emulsion and the citrus salad, pineapple sorbet with coconut rum sabayon. My wife chose the chestnut and porcini mushroom soup with Les Freres cheese beignet, veal osso buco, blake kale, soft polenta, braising sauce and bone marrow gremolata and lemon curd ice cream, toasted meringue, semolina shortbread and black currant sauce. Sounds like a five-star restaurant, right? There are lots of delicious options. How about charred octopus with crushed Scarlet Runner beans, onion marmeliata, capers and preserved lemon beurre blanc? With grilled wild striped bass, spiced tomato onion sauce, cinnamon and black pepper scented couscous and harissa aioli? And finish with warm sticky date pudding, buttered toffee sauce and vanilla bean cream? And that's only for lunch. Dinner entrees include veal tenderloin, pheasant, lamb loin, duck breast and sweet potato agnolotti. Some people may have trouble getting past the idea of a restaurant located in a college building and run by students. Trust me, trust the endorsement of anyone who has been there, you won't be disappointed.

This restaurant is a hidden gem. You get an excellent meal at a fixed price. You choose a meal with house wine and without. Meals include a starter, main course and dessert. I began with the Parisienne Gnocchi. I chose Crispy Pressed Pork for the main course and Carrot, Coconut & Pistachio cake.

Prior to visiting Chicago, I checked online reviews and booked dinner reservations at various highly rated restaurants during our week. This place is a must do and you must have a reservation. Tables are limited with lots of space between tables. At the address, you enter the door and are greeted by security who confirm your reservation and then take the elevator to the 7th floor. You are warmly greeted by a student and given a small complimentary special cocktail. It was so good I ordered a full glass later as well as other cocktail offerings from their menu. I want to say there were about 6-7 large round tables in the restaurant. This is a proper restaurant. You could wear nice casual everyday clothes or business casual and not be out of place here. The servers introduced themselves to us and were eager and attentive and very kind. We placed our orders of food and drinks. I ordered items I would not have normally tried only because I did not know what they were or what an ingredient was. But here and while in Chicago, I wanted to venture out of my routine. This menu, to me, was so fancy, I had to ask what some of them were. They even provided us with some small plates of items on the menu we did not select. Very kind and everything, I mean everything prepared was excellent! Oh I I loved my different cocktails! What an experience. We would definitely recommend anyone to make reservations here. If we ever return to Chicago, we will definitely come back here. Now that we are home, we will now have to try our local culinary school restaurant thanks to the wonderful experience at eh Dining Room at Kendall College

My friend and I had a delicious dinner at the Kendall College Dining Room tonight. We had made reservations for 6:15 PM and got free parking in the lot in front of the building. The restaurant has high ceilings and soft lighting that allowed easy reading of the menus. The tables were spaced far enough apart that it was easy to hear each other. We ordered the $29 fixed price meal which included an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. A glass of the good house wine was $4. I had tasty pumpkin soup, nut crusted haddock, and a rich chocolate tart. My friend had potato cakes with smoked salmon, which I found too salty, striped bass, and a pumpkin souffle. Our servers, all students at Kendall College, were attentive and knowledgeable. Good quality food and service at an affordable price.

Just had a excellent meal, with wonderful service at a very reasonable price ($18). Took our out of town daughter to the Kendall College restaurant for lunch. There were four of us and everything was wonderfully prepared. I had 2 appetizers (you can get 2 instead of one appetizer and one desert.). I had squash bloosoms and the scallop, which was one of the best I have had. Two of us ate loin of venison for main with pureed parsnip and carrots. It was very well prepared. Husband had whitefish and daughter had plank steak, Both were very very good. Presentation is lovely on all dishes. Can get a glass of house wine for $4.00. They have special dinners, which sound very reasonable and I am sure are just as good. Definitely a place to try.

This 'virtual restaurant' emulates high-end bastions of haute cuisine so well, you'll forget you're in a classroom situation. Occasionally, though, service may falter or the kitchen might botch a dish or two. That's understandable because making mistakes is part of learning. The student chefs are so talented, we felt like standing up and applauding at the end of our meal. Many of them will go on to successful careers with 4-star restaurants. One of our servers must've been a newbie. Timid and awkward, he was closely monitored by his instructors and peers. The fried calamari appetizer was so badly executed, it should never have left the kitchen. Apart from those glitches, though, all other aspects of our lunch were superlative. Our group sampled several entrees - striped bass, Arctic char, grilled strip steak, and grilled pork chop. All items including sides, sauces and garnishes, were uniformly top quality. Preparations were creative and dishes were beautifully presented. Desserts, particularly the orange pound cake and chocolate decadence cake, garnered accolades from everyone at our table. The prix fixe 3-course lunch is a phenomenal value. $4 for a glass of wine? Unbelievable! (some places charge $4 just for coffee). Expect to pay at least double for comparable chow in Chicago's finest restaurants. Portions aren't super-size, but a few of us did take home leftovers. You'd better believe we're going back here for lunch ... and soon.

We had lunch here with friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food is all prepared and served by the students at Kendall College. Lunch was extremely reasonably priced for a fixed price 3 course meal. You had the choice of various selections for each course. The setting was also nice overlooking Chicago. Service was also stellar. Great time was had by all of us! Note - check their schedule since they only serve when classes are in session.

We went to the Dining Room at Kendall College for the first time last Saturday evening to celebrate my husband's birthday. From start to finish it was a wonderful dining experience. There is free parking and the dining room itself is beautiful with large windows providing a city view as well as a clear view of the kitchen staff's preparations. The tables are spaced far apart for privacy and the background music added to the atmosphere without overpowering it --providing for good conversations. We had the pre-fixe dinner which is 3 courses for $29--there were many choices for each course and it was hard to decide which to pick! I had the salmon entree and the prawn/lobster appetizer which were both very good. The service, food and setting were outstanding and I would highly recommend it for an excellent meal without the snobbiness and pretension that some other high-end serve up.

When was the last time you paid $18 for a three-course meal? What did you have? Double cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake? Spaghetti and meatballs? Meatloaf and mashed potatoes? For the fixed price of $18, you can enjoy a complete three-course meal at the Dining Room at Kendall College at 900 North Branch Street. The menu offers six appetizers to choose from, six entrees and five desserts. You can't beat it. And we're not talking burgers, sandwiches, soup and salad. This is my seventh review of the restaurant and I've never been disappointed. The meals are prepared professionally by skillful student-trainees who someday likely will be working in the kitchen at Spiaggia, Tru, Alinea or the Inn at Little Washington. At our most recent visit, I started with grilled Gulf prawns, then ordered pan roasted halibut with crabmeat risotto, broccoli rabe, poached garlic nage and crispy carrot and parsnip for my entree and finished with an ice cream duet featuring cinnamon raisin pound cake and fruit Coulis. My wife chose the pear pecan salad, grilled Midwest pork with stone ground pumpkin grits and brandied caramel apple sauce, then finished with the apple pear oat crisp with local honey ice cream. Along the way, we passed up butternut squash soup, Rosemary egg fettuccine, Hoisin vegetable spring roll, herbed chicken and bacon foccaccia sandwich, fall greens, squash polenta cakes, grilled wild Pacific salmon, roasted lamb chops, grass fed beef Hangar steak, bittersweet chocolate brownie, three milk cake and pumpkin cheesecake. How's that for a menu? I've written it before and I'll write it again: The experience of dining at Kendall College is enhanced by observing the young students take orders, prepare the meals (you can observe the cooks in action on the other side of a window that separates the kitchen from the dining room), deliver plates to the tables and handle all of the responsibilities that you are accustomed to at more celebrated and publicized restaurants. At Kendall College, they don't miss a beat.

Had an excellent 3 course lunch and a blueberry lavender martini to boot! Haven't been here to dine in years and am so sorry to say that because I will return for the next season of dining. The food, drink and service were superb!! Highly recommended!

Kendall students cook, serve, bar tend, and manage the restaurant. The food was very good, and we were provided amuse bouche plates between courses. The service was very attentive (they're students being taught!). The view form this dining room is special--you get a full, long view of the city across the river. The meal would cost a lot more for this quality if this weren't a teaching kitchen. Check their site for hours, though, since they are only open during the semester.

You'd never know this "restaurant" is actually staffed by students at the Kendall College Culinary School --- not only is the food amazing (comparable to Michelin star restaurants and guided by the school's top chefs) but service is excellent (a result of being closely managed by the school's professors). Although the menu is limited, there are still enough choices to make your mouth water and want to order them all! Certain nights are devoted to students' original dish creations and they are all wonderful and delicious! The price fix of $45 includes 3 courses and the quality of the food is comparable to top restaurants charging 4x or more. There are only a few tables so reservations far in advance are a must, and it's definitely worth the wait. I'd give 10 stars if I could --- the food and service is that good! I've been there dozens of times and love impressing my out-of-town guests with this culinary experience. I've never been disappointed.

My wife and I have been two of the biggest booster of the Dining Room at Kendall College in Chicago. we have called it a "hidden gem" among Chicago restaurants, urged the city's major restaurant critics to take it seriously and insisted it has five-star quality, that it is very underrated and every bit as good as the more publicized and more expensive and elite dining establishments such as Spiaggia, believe it or not. If you don't, try it for yourself, lunch or dinner. The pre-fixe ($18 per person) lunch is unbeatable. And the truth is Kendall keeps getting better and bettr. we went this week to sample Kendall's new menu. The student staff has produced another winner. The thing you like about Kendall is the professionalism and enthusiasm and energy you experience from the time you pick up the phone to make a reservation to the minute you walk in the door to the second you leave the room after enjoying a three-course meal. We got an added treat, our waitress Jena. Her family owns one of the top restaurants in Chicago, Gene and Georgetti's, and she is preparing to join the family business. Like the other students in the program, Jena is learning all aspects of the restaurant trade...cooking, serving, bartending, managing. As patrons, we enjoy watching the process evolve. The new menu of eight appetizers, eight entrees and five desserts gives diners a wide range of choices and tastes, something for everybody. My wife chose Parisienne gnocchi/pan roasted spring mushrooms/fiddlehead ferns/toasted almonds/green garlic pesto for an appetizer, pan roasted Indiana shrimp/pistachio pesto/pickled green salad/browned artichokes/polenta for an entree and bittersweet chocolate and peanut tart/peanut butter ice cream/cocoa nib nougat/sea salt caramel sauce for dessert. I opted for smoked Great Lakes trout/beets/mache/preserved lemon creme fraiche/olive oil cracker for an appetizer, grilled hangar stead/red wine, bacon and mushroom sauce/wilted arugula/celery root puree for an entree and sour cream sorbet/brown sugar toffee sauce/fresh strawberries/snickerdoodle for dessert. Looking for something else? Maybe roasted lamb meatball or La Quercia prosciutto or Quenelle of Alaskan wild salmon or English pea soup or crispy fried calamari for an appetizer. Or spinach ravioli with artichokes and mascarpone cheese or pan seared Alaskan wile halibut or pan roasted duck breast or grilled lamb chops or crispy pressed pork for an entree. Or carrot, coconut and pistachio cake for dessert. All for $36 for two. Jena may not agree. But you'd be pressed to get a better bargain at Gene and Georgetti's.

We made a reservation in honor of my sister's and husband's birthdays. It was our first dining experience here and it will not be the last! What tremendously good service and food! The experience is an awakening of all the senses, from artistic presentations, to the stimulating aroma of smelling the tea leaves before brewing, to the taste on the tongue of each dish. Wow! Everything was super including our beverages. I had an alcohol free cocktail which was marvelous. We were not rushed through dinner or dessert but the staff appeared when needed and oh so friendly. I had mentioned that we were celebrating 2 birthdays and we certainly did not expect the delightful treats that were brought to the table at the end of the meal. i ordered the vegetarian plate that evening and I long for another one! So sooo good. My husband had the hangar steak which was cooked perfectly. The more adventurous one, my sister, chose a special for the evening, wild boar. Every presentation was exceptional. It was quite interesting to see how the same food could be used in many preparations that evening. I am speaking of the macaroon which was used in the amuse-bouche, entrees, and dessert, in varying sizes. Good thing, it was delectable! Great job in all respects.

This is my eighth review of The Dining Room at Kendall College. I've written it before and I'm writing it again. It is the best four-star restaurant in Chicago that many people haven't heard about. Why? I guess they think it's just a training facility for college kids to learn how to boil water and fry chicken and mix drinks. It deserves so much more respect. I would encourage critics and skeptics to make a reservation for lunch. Trust me, for $18, you'll get the best three-course meal you've had at any restaurant. No burgers and fries here. The other day, during the week that my wife and I were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary, we brought a friend along to experience what Kendall is all about. There was a party of 18 in the room. The atmosphere was lively, the service was friendly, the adjacent kitchen was humming, the third-floor view of Chicago's skyline was captivating and the food...well, the food was what you would expect at a four-star restaurant. This is my seventh review of the Dining Room at Kendall College and I've just about run out of fawning adjectives to describe each experience. Lunch or dinner, the menu is diversified, the food is delicious, the presentation is highly professional and the bill is less than you'd expect at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Trust me, it deserves your attention. On our most recent visit, we took advantage of the latest menu. Everybody chose something different--appetizer, entree and dessert. Our guest chose grilled calamari, herb crusted Barramundi, an Australian fish that is just beginning to attract notice in the United States, and berry rhubarb oat crisp with burnt honey ice cream. My wife opted for egg and black pepper fettuccine, grilled Midwest pork tenderloin and praline cheese cake with Bourbon caramel sauce. I was the last to choose. Surprisingly, I got what I wanted...spring greens and Tuscan kale "Caesar" salad, Thyme grilled Wild Pacific salmon and tiramisu. Our student waiter, Zachary, was knowledgeable and friendly and swift afoot. He is being well prepared to take his next step in the dining experience.

We had a wonderful business meeting and enjoyed the most fabulous meal. The service was great and the view extraordinary.

We love coming to Kendall College for birthdays and special occasions. The atmosphere is inviting and not too loud. Our food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful as always. They accommodated my daughter who had gluten and dairy allergies. Our waitress Summayya made the evening extra pleasant.

Friends turned us on the the Dining Room at Kendall College a few months ago, and when a cousin from Phoenix visited we had to take her along with my brother-in-law and his wife to this wonderful venue. The student-wait staff were charming and gave us top notch service . . . with a smile throughout dinner. We could watch their classmates cooking and preparing our dinners through the window-wall between the kitchen and dining room. Each course was presented like a work of art, but of course, any restaurant is about the food: the 3-course price-fixe dinner was delicious! They always give diners a little pre-appetizer, this time stuffed cucumber roll-ups garnished with edible flowers from the school's garden. Then there was the selection of 5 different breads, including the best tasting croissant (should be plural because I asked for another) that I have ever eaten. Appetizers were a perfectly seared scallop with pork belly and a cashew gazpacho with garlic and pepper sauces (the latter a bit too spicy for my wife). For our main courses 3 of us had succulent rack of lamb, beautifully rubbed with a spice mix and grilled to the desired doneness. Two of us had the swordfish, prepared to perfection. Desserts were beautiful, but alas the combinations of ingredients were a bit more eclectic than we could appreciate. A 3-course dinner costs $29, and a glass of French wine is an additional $4. We plan to return soon!

I was and still impressed with Kendall College's The Dining Room. The Culinary and Hospitality students who study here are interning at the DR and are knowledgeable with their service skills, menu understanding along with food pairing. The Food is marvelous along with the choices of drink available but if there is anything that beats all of this, it is their dessert section- its to die for.

Amazing dinner. Love the story of this great university. We’ll have to support this unique place. This is the future of a new Michelin generation. We already booked our next dinner.

Definitely a food destination if you are in Chicago. Kendall College is educating some of the best and brightest in the culinary world. If you are looking for an amazing meal for an amazing price this should be on your list. Run by the students at the school, and you are part of a living classroom.

The meal was better than any michelin star I have visited. Every dish was perfect. The students really put a great effort in the quality and presentation of the food.

If you are in Chicago you must try The Dining Room. It may be the training ground for catering and hospitality students but the standard of the food is superb. We had the fixed price three course dinner but there were lots of extras as well during the course of the meal. The presentation was top class and the service was also excellent.

We made reservations for the Summer Monday night series. While waiting to go to the dining room, met some local couples who were very friendly and gave great advice about things to do in Chicago for the rest of our trip. We were seated at the kitchen window, so could see the students preparing the dinner. I don't think we have ever had so much fun at a restaurant. The service was done by the baking students, and they were all instructed by the teachers on the floor. It was a marvelous meal and experience. Highly recommend that you try to snag a reservation.

This restaurant is perfect. Although in close proximity to downtown Chicago, it felt more like a quiet and remote location. A free parking lot in front of the school/restaurant is a great bonus. The food and service were exquisite and the ambience was so quiet that our party was able to converse without a problem. A very relaxing and satisfying evening. Will return often.

I had one of the best meals I've ever had here. The $29 prix fixe is an unbelievable value. Each appetizer and entree was superbly prepared and presented. The waitstaff are students and are sometimes somewhat awkward and inexperienced, but they more than make up for it with their enthusiasm. The dining room boasts an unrivaled view of the Chicago skyline. The meal was somewhat trendy (heavy on "smoked" ingredients, for example) and overly complicated, but universally delicious. You cannot go wrong here and you are supporting the next generation of Top Chefs. The cost of the prix fixe meal would barely pay for parking at one of the more well-known restaurants on Restaurant Row, but the food was similar to any I have had at a Michelin starred restaurant.

The food was great and so was the service. They really did an amazing layout. Definitely recommend coming for a great bonding time

From the minute you walk in its perfect. Everyone was polite, view was great, atmosphere was inviting and semi elegant. We were seated right next to the kitchen so we could see everything going on and all the meals from start to finish. I really dont believe you can beat the price for everything you get. I had mushroom risotto, chicken, and tiramisu. All delicious. My husband had salmon, and some peanut butter dessert special. We also enjoyed a few specialty cocktails that we delicious. Great dinner!

I've gone here for lunch several times but this was my first experience for dinner and it was one of the best dinners I've had. This is the restaurant of a college culinary program so understand that some of the staff is learning the business. The wait staff was a little hesitant at times but the food was spectacular. The evening we were there everything was available as part of a three course prix fixe menu, a real bargain since the price was only a little more than the price of an entree. From the complimentary hors d'oeuvres on, each course was an interesting combination of tastes and textures, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. If you're on a diet, hold back for a few days so you can make room for dessert. There were four of us; we all ordered something different and shared. They were all wonderful! The restaurant is located in an area of light industry, so the location is a little off-putting, but don't let that deter you. Once in the room it's charming, with nice city views or a view into the kitchen. If you're not driving you can cab there and the restaurant will pre-arrange a car service to take you home or to your hotel. The only caution I offer is that the restaurant closes early. We had a 7:00 reservation and by the time we finished two hours later they were obviously closing. Go a little earlier.

Best kept secret in Chicago! Five stars all the way from start to finish! Gourmet dining, but not the price!

We were seated beside a glass wall looking into the kitchen to watch the chiefs working their magic. If that wasnt great enough...we were given cards to rate the service and the food we were tasting. As i have a background in catering and wine I enjoyed the critiquing imensely. I had so much fun that the chief complained when I didnt order desert and he came out to talk to us about the food he had prepared and then sent over a sampling of all the deserts he had prepared for us to critique. I admit though that desert is not my forte .

The food was amazing, the aguachiles were made so perfect by chef Bianca!! Our server Poojan was so nice and very helpful recommending dishes!! Wonderful experience!

This must be one of the best kept secrets in Chicago. Not only is the food and service wonderful , but the price is hard to beat - under $20 for a 3 course gourmet lunch. A beautiful dining room with a great view , the service and food were sublime and add $3 for a delightful glass of wine. The best meal we had in Chicago!

$30 for a three course meal. You can't get better quality than that. Of course, everything is done by students still in training and sometimes it shows. Sometimes the waitstaff are a bit clumsy or nervous, but they are always unfailingly polite and friendly. The food itself is mostly excellent and you can tell they use top quality ingredients. The menu is full of things that not only sound delicious but also intriguing. The desserts in particular were amazing - not just sickly sweet like many desserts tend to be, but really interesting and well presented. The tips go towards scholarships, which is a great cause to be contributing to.

I dinning room at Kendall College is a great chance to have a good meal at a fair price. The three course prix fixe menu is a great way to try it all. Reservations are available for lunch mon-fri and dinner tues-saturday.

The setting is nice as you see the Chicago skyline. The tables are spaced far enough apart that you can have personal conversations - and not hear personal conversations. The service is excellent. And the food is always delicious and interesting. Interesting in a good way...prepared unusually, sourced locally, different types of sauces, cheeses, etc. The price is reasonable for the calibre meal you are served.

We have visited The dining room at Kendall College with my friends. All I can say there is excellence in service!! Quality food is prepared by Culinary Arts students, restaurant itself run by hospitality management students so practically perfect in every way. You are not just having a dinner! By watching all these students, you also learn how the excellence is achieved with perfection.

A remarkable surprise with sophisticated menu. The atmosphere is lovely, tastefully decorated. Bar seating and tables - full service liquor license for cocktails, beers, wines, etc. Widows for city viewing and one glass window looking into the kitchen to view student chefs at work. Service was attentive. Price is reasonable. Free parking in Kendall College lot (which is a plus in the city). For a culinary college dining facility, The Dining Room was professional and delicious. I would highly recommend a visit. We will be back. One note - not a spot for small children. Wait time can vary because this is still a student training facility.

What a great venue and culinary experience! A beautiful view of the loop with an open kitchen that is glassed, so you can see all your food being prepared. Parking was easy, big parking lot with plenty of space. It's right down the street from the theater district, which is great for a full evening out. As for the food, it was very good. The menu was seasonal, creative and fun. We started with an order of PEI Mussels braised in beer and fresh herbs served with micro greens and bread for dipping, yummy. We then ordered the three course pre-fix menu. It came with three course; appetizer, entree and a dessert for about $30. This was a great value, considering the quality of ingredients and the professional classic French preparation. For my appetizer, I had the New York Strip Steak with Asparagus and Bernaise Sauce, which was awesome. My son had the sautéed scallops with a carrot purée and balsamic glaze, which was also very good. For my entree, I had the Sea Bass with a wild mushroom broth that was incredible. I really enjoyed the fish. My son had the Salmon with a Thai Basil Pesto with candied carrots etc.. He's dinner was also very good, but I liked my Sea Bass better. As for dessert, I had the chocolate cake with pickled fennel and chocolate mousse. My son had the carrot cake, I think? It was also tasty... All and all, just a great evening with a nice bottle of wine, great food with a fun venue. I will be back!

I had always wanted to go there. And one eye, the opportunity arose and I have to tell you it was excellent. Beautiful environment with a view of Lake Michigan. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

We returned to Kendall for a fixed price dinner with an excellent range of choices for each course ( 3 courses -- appetizer, entree and dessert-- for $29) after a previous marvelous experience with a fixed price luncheon (3 courses for $18.00). Both times we all found every bite delicious. Although the student wait staff made one error on the order of entrees they more than made up for it with their attention (and compensating appetizer and extra dessert). Full range of liquors/cocktails. On Tuesdays, wine is half price. Tables are far enough apart to hear easily. The culinary students and master chef working in the impressive kitchen are visible. Located just east of the Kennedy, just south of Division, it is easily reached, and parking is always free (easier at night). Evening serving time is early. Check to be sure school (and dining room) is in session.

What an amazing way to spend a night in Chicago - overlooking Michigan Avenue, Grant Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, while receiving an exceptional meal with outstanding service provided by students!

5 Star dining at a very affordable price. If you crave an upscale dining experience even if your budget doesn’t allow it, this is the place to go. The staff are student-chefs; they are very attentive and want you to have the best dining experience. I’ve been there several times & am always impressed by the food & the presentation. They have a lovely 3 course lunch menu for around $18 not including drinks. From the well appointed dining room you can observe the kitchen & watch the chefs at work. Reservations are a must as they limit the number of tables so that every patron as well as the students get the best possible experience. They also have a ‘final exam’ night which is not to be missed. You get to sample the fruits of their exams which have different themes depending on when you go.

I tried the dining at Kendall prior to its move to Goose Island and it was great then. The "Dining Room" has an upscale taste and look without the price. During lunch you are given the option of three courses for only $18. My lunch was excellent and I feel guilty complaining that my steak was delivered well-done when I ordered it medium. Also, the rude and unaccommodating front desk person made my lunch (Hint: on Friday, August 4th) less than an excellent experience. I would highly recommend allowing 2 hours if you choose the three-course option. One, because the servers tend to take their time (as they should in an upscale restaurant). Second, because you should really take the time to enjoy the excellent taste and presentation of your lunch.

Last night I had the privilege of dining in the Kendall College Culinary School dining room. They use the restaurant to train and hone the skills of student chefs in both savory and pastry areas. On Tuesdays they offer a prefix menu of an appetizer, entree and dessert for $29.00. The wine is also 1/2 price. What's not to like, excellent attentive service, a selection of food that offers something for everyone: meat, seafood, and at least one vegan choice in the appetizer and entree choices. There is an excellent selection of wines. Desserts are divine as well. They offer the prefix on other nights, but there are more limited selections and wine is full price. Gratuities help fund their scholarship program. The dining room is first class with a total glass encased view of the kitchen and the young chefs plying their craft under the careful supervision of master chef instructors. In all it was a great evening.

It's a really nice place. As I'm a cook I always enjoy to see the future professional learning the job. The place is really wonderful and student are really welcoming and hard worker Their spring menu is really good

My wife and I celebrated Valentine's Day at one of our favorite local restaurants, the Dining Room at Kendall College, perhaps the best restaurant you've never heard of, a hidden gem if there ever was one. Located at 900 North Branch Street, off North Halsted Street, between Chicago Avenue and Division Street, across the street from the old Greyhound Bus terminal, it is part of Kendall College's extraordinary culinary school. Joined by two friends, we had a reservation in the third-floor dining room overlooking the Chicago skyline with a view of the open kitchen where students prepare all three courses of lunch and dinner. For $18, you can't beat the quality of the appetizer, main course and dessert--and the presentation is what you'd expect at Spiaggia or Alinea. Our waiters, Jesse and Adam, were friendly, attentive and knowledgable. For appetizers, we chose roast beet salad with goat cheese, arugula and radish, saffron mushrooms risotto with peas, capellini carbonara with seared scallops, scallion, bacon and roasted garlic and tomato salad with greens, onion, sprouts and cucumber. For the main course, we had sauteed halibut with sweet pea puree, smoked Okra King salmon with tarragon and tomato and grilled Strauss Farms strip loin with brussels sprouts, pommes puree and horseradish creme. Dessert? How about chocolate cake, raspberry souffle with chocolate chip cookie, vanilla ice cream and Grand Marnier sauce, chocolate brownie with ice cream and vanilla creme brulee with cocoa crumb, blueberry, roasted apple and raspberry sauce. The spacious dining room was crowded, a good indication that more and more people are becoming aware of Kendall College's culinary excellence.

Three courses for $29 and Nikki provided excellent service. She and Leonard the dining room manager and Pam the instructor answered all our questions. They were very accommodating. I asked if they would double the appetizer and make it an entrée and they said yes they could. This was our second visit. We try to go there every time we visit Chicago

Many people have a misconception about the Dining Room at Kendall College. For one thing, some don't even know it exists. For another, some believe it is merely a training ground for college students who aspire to be professionals in the restaurant industry. In fact, it really is the only quality restaurant in Chicago that offers a truly outstanding three-course lunch for only $18 or an equally enjoyable three-course dinner for $29. What bang do you get for your buck? At our most recent visit, my wife and I entertained two friends, one of whom had joined us previously and the other who had visited Kendall College but had no idea it offered a culinary education and featured a restaurant. Located at 900 North North Branch Street off Halsted between Chicago and Division, Kendall College's dining room offers ample free parking and is situated on the third floor with large windows that provide a panoramic view of downtown Chicago. The large dining space has a grand view of the entire kitchen with chefs and workers and waiters going about doing their appointed duties. It's akin to people-watching on Michigan Avenue. But the food is the star attraction and the menu changes every month or so. Diners have a choice among six items in each category--appetizers, entrees and desserts. So what did our group choose? For appetizers, we selected lentil soup, roasted carrot salad, foraged mushrooms and pan browned sea scallop. For entrees, we ordered grilled wild striped bass, grass-fed beef tenderloin, grilled chicken and backed shrimp and scallops. For dessert, the choices were chocolate mousse, coconut mandarin sorbet and carrot cake. No complaints. Instead, when do we come back for more? Sometimes overlooked when dining at upscale restaurants is the presentation of each course. At Kendall, the presentation was Spiagga-like quality. Kudos to our waiter Edward, who will be working at a restaurant at Disney World in Orlando next fall, and the staff for providing a memorable dining experience. For $18, you can't beat the service, presentation and food.

This experience is the best. Food is great and the service is superb!! Would recommend this to anyone coming to Chicago for a unique dining experience.

The food was excellent. My first course was the octopus dish. The sauce and vegetables went very well with the octopus. But I must mention that the preparation of the octopus was absolutely splendid! The tenderness was perfect. The second course was Alaskan Halibut. This was wonderful as well. The fish was wonderfully cooked and the meat was tender and flavorful. It was a tad salty for my taste, though. Even the sauce and corn could not compliment the Halibut enough because of the saltiness. The icing on the cake was the staff. The warm concern and honesty of those who took care of our table put me at ease immediately. I enjoyed the food even more because of them! Well done and thank you!

Great service from pankash and Nathan from the bar. Love the 3 variety bread. Favorite thing I got was the tiramisu and the presentation of it.

A year ago, a friend tipped us off about Kendall College's Dining Room in Chicago and we have been making it a must-stop among our culinary trips ever since. You haven't experienced anything like it, college students learning their trade while preparing five-star appetizers, meals and desserts for lunch and dinner. You can get a great view of the chefs and cooks and pastry chefs at work as the large kitchen is adjacent to the dining room with only a large window in separating the two. We celebrated my wife's 73rd birthday at lunch the other day. For an $18 prix fixe, my wife had a scallop, tenderloin and an ice cream dessert, plus a surprise gingerbread cake with birthday candle. I had a bacon-wrapped sausage appetizer, whitefish and a chocolate toffee pudding dessert. It was as good as it sounds. Our waitress, Stephani, was knowledgeable and attentive and friendly. So was the entire staff. "Help students pursue their dreams" is the motto of the Kendall College Charitable Trust, which sponsors student scholarships. I asked one student if we might see him at Patrick O'Connell's five-star Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia, one day. "I hope so," he said. All of these Kendall students are obtaining a wonderful education in the culinary arts. Kendall's Dining Room is one of the best-kept secrets in Chicago but it is obvious from our recent trips that more and more people are becoming acquainted with it. From the outset, I've insisted that Kendall is every bit in a class with the best restaurants in Chicago for service, meals, presentation, atmosphere. And the prices, $18 for lunch and $29 for dinner, are so much more reasonable. Trust me, you won't regret a trip to Kendall.

The food was very good but the service and the whole concept (and the view!) are great! Love having been part of this working classroom.

Great spot for fine dining food without the fine dining bill. Amazing views of the kitchen and lake michigan. Watch students cook in a professional setting

Memo to Chicago newspaper critics Phil Vettel and Michael Nagrant: You owe it to yourselves and your readers to review dinner at the dining room at Kendall College. I am not exaggerating when I write it is a four-star experience, every bit as good or better in terms of quality, taste, presentation and service as the more celebrated Spiaggia, Tru, Everest, Alinea and Sixteen. My wife and I have had lunch at Kendall College on three occasions. I reviewed the experience in glowing terms. But this was our first time for dinner. Our friends, who dine out more frequently than we do, enjoyed it just as much. Each had a different appetizer and entree--swordfish, striped bass, beef short rib and New York strip steak. Everything was what you would expect at a 4-star restaurant. These college kids, who will be working at some of the nation's finest restaurants someday, get a great culinary education at Kendall. And the diners are the beneficiaries. I hope Phil and Michael will review Kendall's dining room soon.

Three of us were stunned last night as we enjoyed one of the best meals we have had in many fine dining experiences…and wondered why we had never been here before. The student servers/chefs (we ordered table side Bananas Foster) were polite, helpful, gracious to the point of being so remarkable, we can't wait to return. A beautiful room/easy parking/inexpensive cost…what is not to love??

The whole staff and ambience was outstanding. The personal attention was amazing and to say the least the menu was incredible.

The Dining Room at Kendall College is a training ground for students of the college's Culinary Arts School that is rated No. 1 in the country by Chicago Michelin Restaurants. My wife and I have enjoyed lunch at the restaurant on several occasions and we've never been disappointed. The quality of the service, the presentation and the food is exceptional, worthy of a 4-star restaurant. That's not an exaggeration. See for yourself. Located at 900 North Branch Street, off Halsted, between Chicago and Division, the Dining Room at Kendall College offers new menus on a quarterly basis. The menu for April 13 to June 1 is better than ever. The room was crowded with a large group of senior citizens but our waiter, Junsen, took everything in stride. For appetizers, we chose Parissienne gnocchi, smoked Great Lakes trout and lamb ragu. For entrees, we had a salad of grilled salmon, lamb chops and pan seared Great Lakes halibut. For dessert, we opted for strawberry sorbet, bittersweet chocolate and peanut butter tart and carrot, coconut and pistachio cake with pineapple sorbet. Where can you get a three-course meal like this for $18? It's so much fun to sit in front of a glass wall and observe the students prepare the meals in a spotless kitchen, then watch as Junsen and other students wait on tables and deliver the courses and drinks in such a professional manner. It's a first-class operation from bread to dessert, as if you were dining at Spiaggia or Tru or Sixteen or any of the more celebrated restaurants in Chicago. One day, many of these students will be working at places like that. It figures because they are being well prepared.

Short Summary, outstanding. As the other reviewers have noted, the quality which you get for the price can`t be beaten, at least in Chicago. We got the three course menu for 29$ and every single item was perfectly prepared. Please note, as this is a college, people are getting trained here. That means that sometimes there happens a mistake or service take longer than usual. But they do a great job and I have not been disappointed.