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Roe91517 t1_j5rnv24 wrote

I was very underwhelmed by the Dabney the time I went. Maybe I’ll need to try it again

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Ill_be_the_calm t1_j5rpywh wrote

We were pretty disappointed with the Dabney. We weren’t really impressed with L’Ardente either.

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Snow_source t1_j5rrf7k wrote

L'Ardente was great when I had a business dinner and it was all comped by my job. Big spender tables get great attention.

It was significantly less great a month later when I went with my GF. (to the point where they gave the drink she ordered to the table next to us and didn't bother to realize until we pointed it out about 10 min later)

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rsc99 t1_j5tfc8k wrote

My issue with L’Ardente is that all their dishes are built for Instagram. So there are some hits (the spendy but delicious lasagna comes to mind…) but also some misses (gold leaf on scallops…)

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mr_grission t1_j5tk2hd wrote

The "don't do coke in our bathroom" neon sign they have by the bathroom gives me the same annoying Instagram vibes. Trying too hard to wind up on someone's IG story.

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anewcliche t1_j5wj5iv wrote

My waiter steered me away from the pasta dish I originally asked for to try the (more expensive) lasagna… and all those layers were distinctly burnt on my slice.

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priyarainelle OP t1_j5rpfbf wrote

I personally prefer when they were a la carte vs the tasting menu situation they have decided to go with, but it is still my favorite restaurant. I’ve heard people describe it as underwhelming on multiple occasions, though. What didn’t you like?

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Roe91517 t1_j5rqtt0 wrote

Short answer: got a bunch of small plates to share with family. Nothing was bad but didn’t wow either. Didn’t feel as if the food quality matched the hype and price point

So I’m not a fine dining expert by any means. But my brother in law co-owns a few finer dining/trendier restaurants in Chicago. None Michelin rated but that’s the goal.

Him and his wife visited us in 2019 and he wanted to check out the Dabney. Whenever they visit, he wants to check out a new diner spot which we also really enjoy doing. None of us were overly impressed by the plates we shared. The one plate I didn’t try was the fois gras, which my BIL believed was over prepared.

Atmosphere was awesome though.

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priyarainelle OP t1_j5sd488 wrote

I think that’s totally valid. If a place doesn’t “wow” when you visit, it’s hard to understand the acclaim!

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