Will never go back. My Prime Rib came out over cooked. They did ask to take it back, I had to have them take it back. New piece comes out under cook with no seasonings. Manager never came over to check on it. Something I would expect. The place was empty. Probably because the place is a ripe off. For what they charge, everything should be prefect. Not the case, just average food at best.
Joseph P.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Buffalo Grove, IL
Closed?
Daniel S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
I shared the tomahawk with my father and it didn’t disappoint. That was a great piece of beef. The sides were great too. It was a very good experience.
Lloyd M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Isle of Man, Isle of Man
Great steak experience on Saturday. I had been dying to go for months to try the Tomahawk ribeye and finally was able to partake. It lived up to my expectations. The server made me very comfortable ordering what should be a steak for two for one(he does the same) and the service overall was great. There when I need it, offering advice, but not too chummy or aggressive. The steak lived up to my expectations. As good as any other steak from a top notch steak house and I felt it had more flavor and complexity than most. Not sure if it came from the aging or garlic butter but it was not just another steak. Also loved the brussel sprouts side. How can you go wrong when the chunks of bacon are as large as the brussel spouts. The only slight disappointment was dessert, a trio of three crème brulees(normal, chocolate and mango). They were in what looked like shot glasses and the small amount of service area meant it was more like pudding than crème brûlée. Not bad but not Woohoo. Overall, the steak and side more than made up for the dessert and earned the 5 star review.
Mish G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Boston, MA
Restaurant attached to the Westin and by far the best restaurant the hotel has to offer. I stayed at the Westin for 3 weeks and dined here 6 times. The tuna tartare and the salad’s are good starters. The petite filet is outstanding and the prime rib special on thurs, fri and sat night isn’t bad. Everything is a la care, so for 1 person, I was spending 50 – 70 dollars to eat there, including beverages. I would recommend.
Eileen Z.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
4-star steak and sides. 3.5-star appetizers, shellfish and service. Can I add toppers(enhancements) this easily to all aspects of life? Some blue cheese here or a little foie gras there… theoretically within-reach Staples red easy button accessible. That’d be lovely. If you can’t tell, I enjoy the toppers. I’ve only had the filet though, so I can’t speak to the other cuts but I will say I’m interested in the prime bone-in ribeye and the wagyu. I got a whiff of ‘em headed to another table and played the«should I change what I ordered?» dance in my head for a good minute. (Surprised not to see a porterhouse on the menu though!) Squirt in your face juicy forest mushrooms. Literally.
Tim E.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Round Lake, IL
Friends and readers will begin to think all I do is dine at fine dining steak houses but in fact they are a favorite and Tramonto’s was a treat! We dined on a Wednesday and it was a rare outing for my wife who is recovering from surgery. We also had my oldest granddaughter in tow. Tramanto’s is attached to the Westin Hotel in Wheeling and, while hotel based restaurants can bitterly disappoint, Tramonto’s did not. We had a great Tempura shrimp appetizer coupled with a wonderful wine selection. My wife and I both ordered steaks and we were more than pleased. As detailed in other reviews my wife’s disdain for rare meat is only eclipsed by her intolerance of my smart mouth! We both enjoyed our steaks. My granddaughter dined on crab cakes and reported a «thumbs up» rating. FYI This girl knows food. She’s been traveling with her«foodie» grandfather long enough to ferret out quality food from intolerable crap. I’ve created a monster! Side dishes lived up to a great steakhouse expectations with a variety of mashed potatoes(with truffles… yeah baby) and the ubiquitous creamed spinach that tasted better than most I’ve had. I held off a fifth star because the service was a little disjointed and I thought the price point, while the food was good, was a little too steep. That could be a function of its attachment to the Westin. Captive audiences pay whatever the going rate is without question… except from the people that audit their expense accounts! It was a nice surprise and we will return.
Valencia W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Fairfax, VA
I actually went here on a mission to not try their steak. I was here on business and stayed at the nearby hotel and wanted to see what they had. The place is a bit pricey for what you get and because they mentioned that they had«Maryland style Crab Cakes» I had to see what they were talking about. You have to deliver if you throw«Maryland» with crab cakes. The crabcakes were okay, edible, but certainly not the best. I might remove«maryland» from them as well. Just a thought. When I go back I’ll try the main entrée — the steak. Decent place
Princess D.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
I took my mom here for her birthday a couple of years ago. What I thought was going to be an exceptional dining experience was quite the opposite. The interior is pleasing to the eye, but the food itself is very distasteful. Our server basically brought out a big piece of raw steak with blood all over the plate enthusiastically telling us how it was the special of the day. My poor mom was turned off by that presentation so much so that her appetite quickly dissipated. We all ordered steaks and they were just okay. They were not worth the price. I have not been back since and do not plan on ever going back. Save your money, appetite and time and go somewhere better.
Mark F.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Gurnee, IL
A delicious 28-day, expensive, dry-aged steak can only give a restaurant so many stars before other factors begin to bring it on down. The overall emotion I left with was a feeling of being incredibly underwhelmed. Hear me out — out server was great. Church mouse quiet but knowledgeable and incredibly friendly. Everything came out on time and without any sense of rush. But when I kindly ask you to show me a big wine to go with the expensive main course, I meant something big in taste not the most expensive wine on the menu. The biggest disappointment were the à la carte side dishes. Every one of them lacked. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meaty entrees, which is wonderful. I enjoyed the dry-aged steak but it didn’t taste like it warranted its exuberant price tag(but that’s just me). All in all, it was ok. For the same tab I’ve had better elsewhere. It was missing that little something special that fancy chocolate cursive happy-birthday-lettering-on-my-dessert couldn’t quite make up for. Maybe next time :)
Valerie W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Deerfield, IL
When the BF pulled into the Tramonto’s parking lot on Friday night, I was shocked. First, I thought we were going to Ram(which I was dressed appropriately for) or maybe Cooper’s Hawk. But, he keeps going, straight up to the Tramonto’s valet. I instantly feel underdressed and intimidated, but he tells me not to worry about it. In we go. Inside the lounge, restaurant, and upstairs sushi area are gorgeous. It reminded me of Vegas, complete with the spa style music and«career servers.» We were seated promptly and without a reservation. The server was quick to give us wine recommendations and walk us through the menu, pointing out his favorite items. What we ate: french onion soup. Extremely rich and flavorful. Consistency was more of a consommé than a soup. I would’ve appreciated a tad more cheese. We each had prime rib, medium rare. It was cooked perfectly and flavorful. G appreciated the spice rub they served it with, while I’m a sucker for horseradish sauce. Prime rib is served with unlimited popovers. I should’ve gorged myself on those suckers and brought extras home. I’ve already started researching recipes so I can make my own. Does anyone want to buy me a popover pan? We also had the grilled asparagus and au gratin potatoes. Both of which were just okay. I prefer fatter stalks of asparagus, and these were the skinny kind(possibly due to current draught conditions?) The au gratin’s were dry and overwhelmingly thyme-y. I was disappointed in them and had wished we’d gotten some sort of mashed potato instead(they have 5 or 6 different«types.») The service was spot on. Wine and water glasses never went dry, and our server(as well as others) were friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and not overbearing. They asked if we were celebrating, and I think the next time we return, we should be! We were both stuffed by the time we’d finished(I took about ½ of my plate home, plus the side dishes, plus his popover which went untouched) so we decided against dessert, although the choices looked delicious. When we were presented with the bill, the server gave us a few small sugar cookies, which I thought was a nice touch. For what we enjoyed, the price was not outrageous, but we did opt for prime rib instead of steaks(which were larger if not the same size, and less $). Before tip, a bottle of wine, 2 prime rib, 2 side dishes came to ~$ 130. I will definitely be returning to Tramonto’s, when I’m a little bit more nicely dressed, and maybe celebrating a special occasion.
Peter G.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Lake Forest, IL
Went to Tramontos on a hot Saturday night at 8:30. The place was nearly empty. The wife and i were looking for seafood, but didn’t want to goto bob chinns. We ordered: Veal cheeks app. braised pieces of meat in a nice salty mir pioux reduction. good. Lobster bisque. the bisque was very good, lots of lobster chunks. The only complaint was that it was way, way too much. the bowl must have been 20 ounces. The seafood options seemed weak to me so i went with the prime rib. it was pretty good, but not the best. the meat was tougher than expected, and there was not the requisite aujus, it was served to me dry. The wife had the pre shelled 8oz «premium» king crab. Meh. not great. not nearly as good as chinns. Service was very good, but it had better be if we are the only ones in the restaurant. All in all the food was ok. The price however, was ridiculous. We had a $ 45 bottle of malbec, but our bill was over $ 250. Next time ill just drive downtown.
Jacob J.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
My review is dated as the first experience I had dining with them was some months back. We came in to celebrate a good friends birthday and decided to go with the prix fix menu offered. We paid roughly $ 80 per person for 3 courses plus booze and all of us went with the prime rib 16 or 22 oz cuts. The meat and trimmings with it was amazing. Presentation, table service, coat service, servers, bartenders and the etc, it was all amazing. The food was perfect, the meat sung to us, my only gripe was the dessert. It was a triple layer chocolate something that was a bit too chilled and not very pleasing. Sweet enough, decadent to the max, just didn’t hit the right notes for me. The venue is something a bit too ritzy for the area, maybe. I mean I could see a place like this in Highland Park, maybe outskirts of Deerfield but it takes Wheeling to a new height, if that makes any sense. Makes more sense though that its adjoined by the Westin hotel. Another reviewer said basic ambiance. The night we dined it was lively, though they had a very light piano type music in the background. I could hear the droplets of water from a second story waterfall in the background. The booth we sat in was deluxe, über comfortable seating. I immediately thought, great place to bring a date on a special night. Dinner and a hotel room, check! Now that I remember more details my second gripe was the server failed to show us their signature steak. «Chef Tramonto’s Signature Tomahawk — 38 oz.» bone in mind you. They are supposed to bring it out on a silver platter to every guest but he didn’t.(Who knows why.) Supposedly you get a sort of exit prize if they don’t mention it. He did a good job serving us when he was around and serving his other guests, his«regulars». One thing we didn’t appreciate about him, hard to get his attention when it was clearly focused on his regulars.
Nick L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Mateo, CA
This was a complimentary meal as we used the Westin for the wedding reception. But looking at the lunch prices it cannot get 5 stars based on value alone. I remember the calamari specifically and it was excellent, the attack on the palette was exactly how it should be. The sandwiches we had were also top quality. Service is hard to judge as we were with the Westin rep. so servers no doubt on best behavior. Food good but pricey.
Renee B.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Highland Park, IL
I only give if two stars because the atomosphere and service was very good. However the food was just ok. My NY Strip and my husband Ribeye were ordered Medium and Medium RARE. The kitchen was slow and BOTHSTEAKSWEROVERDONE — GROSS. Don’t bother going — they are many other Excellent steak houses in the area! Go across the street to Cooper’s Hawk order the CowboyRib Eye thereOR Pete Millers… ANY Steak! Spend your money at a place that is worth it! I was very disappointed! September 2011
Betty L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Wheeling, IL
The bone-in filet with seared foie gras is amazingly delicious. The meat is tender and juicy. Their sushi rolls, calamari, and crab cakes were great appetizers. Skip the shrimp cocktail. Molten chocolate cake is subpar. If you are counting calories and dollars, skip it. Their Tomahawk has a weird taste to it. Go with the bone-in filet! Servers are a little odd but attentive. Décor is delightful and very good for company dinners.
Carl F.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Effingham, IL
For the amount you pay, and for the blandness of the food, along with a relatively basic ambiance, I’ll give this place a two. If they lowered their prices, the place would then deserve a 3 star rating. In my view, the prices they are charging are right up there with Ruth Chris and other such places and Tramonto’s just does not compare. Ambiance: Nice and pleasant, but overall basic. The only cool thing was the waterfall which fell along a glass panel which separates the bar to the main dinning area. Food: On this visit, I got the 22oz Prime Rib. It came out a little more charred that I like a prime rib to be on the outside, but the inside was to what I ordered. The meat overall was somewhat bland and I really needed to depend upon a small serving of horseradish dip, which was also disappointingly weak. On the bright side, the garlic mash potatoes were really good. Service: The service was good. Drinks kept full and continually checked back to ensure all was okay. In conclusion, I don’t think you’ll be seeing me check into this place again… not when there are dozens of other untried places.
Rick C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Morton Grove, IL
Came here with the wife not too long ago for a special occasion. First impression is that this is a nice looking place. Pretty swank. We were also seated immediately. So far so good. We started with the crab cake appetizer which was probably one of the better crab cakes I’ve had. I love crab cakes, so that’s saying something. Also, the sommelier was very cool. Very unpretentious and helpful. Sometimes these guys can be dopes. For our entrees, we had the 40oz bone in ribeye for two with a side of their bordelaise sauce which was awesome. The steak itself was pre-cut which I wasn’t a fan of. I like to cut it myself, but it was cooked and seasoned well. Very tasty. The sauce made it for me. We also went with a side of the truffle mac and cheese which I could do without. Mac and cheese is always good in my book, but this was just ok. Overall, I’d come back. Not often though, as with most steak houses, it’s not cheap eats.
Subtitles F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
This is a five star review, but I have to caution people who go, that even though I think this place is fantastic and the food is absolutely sublime, I don’t necessarily love every aspect of the place. But while there are certainly things I would improve on(more below), these pale in comparison to the one thing — the main thing — Tramonto’s advertises and does best: steak. If you love steak, this place is absolutely heaven. I’ve eaten at Craftsteak, Tom Colicchio’s restaurant(admittedly in Las Vegas, rather than New York), and I have to say that experience paled in comparison to Tramonto’s. If you’re going to come here, go for the best, and the best here is the Ribeye. It comes out perfectly cooked, it’s a sublime piece of meat, and you start to wonder where this meat has been all your life. You would hug it to sleep at night, if you weren’t so busy cutting it up and eating it. If you’re on a budget, and are saving up for the Ribeye next time, I’d say go for the Skirt Steak/Steak Frites — just a nicely cooked moderately priced steak doused in a happy sauce with a side of very good fries. My girlfriend swears by the Kobe beef sliders, which are a lot of fun. We’ve also had very nice salads here — no hesitation at all in recommending those. The bread is also pretty good. If you order sides, the mushrooms are absolutely to die for, as is the truffled mac and cheese. All that said, I wouldn’t order the wine here. After a couple of tries, I just gave up and surrendered to the fact that their selection is just awful and that I just shouldn’t do that to myself. I’ve had port that wasn’t bad, but none of the wines I’ve had here have left any positive impression at all. Personally, I’m also not all that impressed by their high end«Tomahawk» cut steak. Stick to the Ribeye — it’s a better experience for less money. I’ve had cuts in between, like the prime rib — nice but I’d rather pay a bit more for the Ribeye, or just slum it with the skirt steak. Like I said, I love this place, and the décor isn’t bad, neither is the service. But I go here mainly as a place to have a nice meal based around large hunks of meat. I know what to order and what not to order, which is why I have perfect experiences here that don’t necessarily have to cost the earth(unless I feel like it). So some caveats, but really — there’s a reason I drive all the way from Chicago to Wheeling, because if you’re looking for great steak in Chicago or its suburbs, you probably can’t do better than Tramonto’s.
Marie N.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Villa Park, IL
This was the 2nd visit for my husband and my first visit. We sat at the bar. The bartender was great. We absolutely loved my husband’s selection of the upside tuna melt sandwich. It was basically mozzarella cheese between 2 grilled flatbreads topped with the most delicious tuna salad either one of us has ever had. Seriously, I would never order tuna salad and I couldn’t stop taking ‘just a bite’ of my husband’s sandwich. Husband always orders tuna salad at restaurants and he agreed that this was the best he ever had. I was not as lucky for my entrée. I ordered the ½ pound Angus burger cooked medium with fruit. I was served a ½ pound very well done Angus burger with fries. I mentioned the fruit and was promptly brought out the fruit. I thought I could muster through the well done burger so I didn’t say anything. But it was so dry and over cooked I did not enjoy it. I should have complained but I didn’t want to spend the time waiting for another hamburger. I should mention that the place was just about completely empty when we ordered so the order mistake was not caused because they were very busy.