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Brass Tack
Master Critic Review
Brass Tack
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Brunch Bliss Spots
Brass Tack, the Waldorf Astoria’s brasserie, leans into seasonal, Midwestern-inflected American cooking and uses Chicago Restaurant Week and holiday prix fixe dinners to showcase multi-course menus built around dishes like porterhouse steak, citrus-brined chicken, and refined desserts. It’s less formal than a traditional tasting temple but offers structured, multi-course experiences in a polished hotel setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Porterhouse Steak for Two, Citrus-Brined Half Chicken, French Onion Tartine
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: An American brasserie inside the Waldorf that uses prix fixe and seasonal menus to deliver tasting-style experiences.
Who should go: Groups wanting structured multi-course meals without ultra-formal fine dining.
When to visit: Holiday dinners and Restaurant Week slots for the sharpest prix fixe value.
What to order: Look for menus featuring Porterhouse Steak, citrus-brined chicken, and a composed dessert course.
Insider tip: Check for special-event or Restaurant Week menus—those lineups most closely mirror a classic tasting progression.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available at the Waldorf Astoria (premium pricing; validation policies vary), with nearby paid garages; street parking is limited in the Gold Coast, especially evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room, but polished denim is generally acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable at most tables, though larger groups and peak periods can raise the volume.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended; walk-ins are limited and may face 30–60 minutes or be waitlisted during peak evenings.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; most daytime visits are seated promptly unless tied to a special event or holiday menu.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — tasting and prix fixe menus can typically accommodate vegetarian substitutions with advance notice.
Vegan options: Limited — vegan options are not standard; request in advance to confirm whether the kitchen can modify courses.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many courses can be adapted gluten-free with notice, but cross-contact controls may be limited in a hotel kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a polished, celebratory first date — the room feels refined without being overly formal, and the structured menus help pace the evening. If you prefer a quieter, more intimate chef’s counter, consider elsewhere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the lounge and off-peak periods offer the best chance, but special menus (holidays, Restaurant Week) often book out. Call ahead or join the waitlist if you’re nearby.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens at brunch or earlier seatings; dinner tasting-style menus and pricing are better geared toward adults and special occasions.
Best For
Better for: Structured, multi-course prix fixe dining in an elegant hotel setting with group-friendly pacing and celebratory energy.
Skip if: You want an experimental, chef-counter omakase, a quiet minimalist tasting room, or a strictly vegan/plant-based progression.