N9NE Steakhouse (Nine)

I have no problem paying for great food and great service. The menu on their website looked amazing and I was especially eager to try the caviar and vodka. Sadly, the food was suitable and not spectacular considering the bill came to close to $400 for 2 people.
We started the night with rock shrimp appetizer. It was served as popcorn shrimp. the serving was ample but soggy. I had the black cod miso, which was blah. Nobu version is far better. My husband had the filet mignon on the bone, which was very good.
Apparently the menu had been changed so no caviar for us :(
A very disappointing anniversary dinner.

Pros: Sexy Decor

Cons: Overpriced

Posted 10/13/09

I was wowed after dinner at N9ne with co-workers! We had dinner this past Monday night and were pleasantly surprised to learn that it was half-price bottle of wine night, that was a bonus! We ordered appetizers which came out almost immediately! The calamari and rock shrimp are delicious! Although we were at a steakhouse, for some reason everyone at the table had seafood. Presentation on the plate, as well as the taste of these dishes were perfect. N9ne offers a very unique dessert menu with items ranging from cotton candy to smores. This is my new favorite restaurant in the city and I can't wait to go back!

Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Waitstaff

Cons: Kind of hard to find if you haven't been there before

Posted 07/29/09

I am from a small town in Kentucky and a couple of friends and myself decided to make a trip to Chicago to celebrate my 21st birthday!!! After looking up different steakhouses on the internet, I ended up choosing n9ne. And I am so glad that I did. The service was incredible!! Our server was so nice and did everything he could to make sure my birthday celebration was perfect! The drinks were tasty and fun! The food was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the Filet and it was to die for!!!! I also tried a couple of my friends' entrees and was very impressed with those. The Black Cod Miso was so flavorful and tasty I wanted to order my own!!! For dessert, I was brought out a huge portion of bright blue cotton candy with candles in it!! It was a great night! And I am very thankful I spent it at N9ne!! I hope to make the same trip next year for my birthday!!!

Pros: food service atmosphere everything!!!

Posted 07/28/09

why don't you go there if you want steak but not if you like eating steak in your own home (and also you cook it)

Pros: food

Cons: you have to pay for it

Posted 05/12/09

Overall, a great place to go. Expect to spend 200-250 for two people at least if you are drinking 2 or more drinks a piece or wine. But large martinis, great, informative waiters and beautiful decor make this place a must visit. I have been to the Vegas/Palms Nine and I think the Chicago version is better. We asked for local club and bar venues (Ghost bar is right upstairs also) and the bartender came back with a list and detailed what to expect at each place and their closing times. Great job by him. Both our meals were very good, but they slighltly overcooked our ordered rare lamb chops. Not a big deal as there were still good. My bone-in Filet option was a staggering 68 bucks. Good, but on a return visit I would choose the standard filet or one of the cheaper steak versions and use the extra money on an appetizer or more drinks. The caesar salad very well could have been the best I have ever had (no anchovies per request). Some small flaws but worth the visit in Chicago's ultra-competitive high end dining market. Highly recommended.

Pros: Great service

Cons: Some selections not as good as their price

Posted 04/09/09

Mmmmmm, queeeee dicoooo.
De lo mejorcito de Chicago, despues de que el viento azote tu cara duranet todo el d?a lo mejor es recibir la caricia de un buen steak en tu boca...

Bye

Posted 03/31/09

The love of my life and I chose N9NE to celebrate Valentine's Day. Sometimes upscale restaurants can become a bit too pretentious for "us" but we immediately felt a warm, comfortable, sincere atmosphere. Our waiter, Adam, was a perfect match for our personalities... just enough humor and good spirit to be interesting but not intrusive.

We dined on lobster and filet mignon with sides of lobster mashed potatoes, mushrooms and creamed spinach. The filet I had was with bone, which I'd never had and was done to perfection. My spiritual wife had lobster and just watching her eat it was enough to know she loved it. A Syrah complimented our meals perfectly and put a glow on the evening. It was a wonderful date and we fell even deeper in love that night!

Posted 02/16/09

I was in to N9NE Steakhouse last week for dinner and had a great meal. We sat in a comfortable booth and ordered up tasty appetizers: rock shrimp with two dipping sauces, lobster bisque, and perfectly fried calamari. For an entree we had a filet, cooked to perfection, and a deliciously prepared halibut filet. For dessert we shared a fluffy and decadent chocolate bread pudding. Chef Michael does it right and our service was excellent. Fantastic wine list with several wonderful selections that won't break the bank. Overall, a delicious dinner experience, and we will certainly return again. Fun, upbeat atmosphere, and stop up to the ghost bar lounge upstairs for an elegant nightcap. Highly recommend for others to try. Peter R.

Pros: Food

Posted 02/02/09

I recently went to N9NE Steakhouse on Saturday with my boyfriend, and I was very impressed. I loved the decor, atmosphere, and vibe! The appetizers were great...rock shrimp, calamari, and stuffed mushroom caps. I ordered the lobster mashed potatoes and fillet, medium rare. My meal was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend really enjoyed the lobster bisque too. We shared the bread pudding for dessert, and we definitely cleaned the plate. The service was fabulous, and overall it was a wonderful experience. I?m definitely going to suggest it for Valentine?s Day! P.s. for an after-dinner drink, go upstairs to their cozy lounge called the ghost bar.

Pros: Service, Decor, Ambience, Menu options, Cocktails

Posted 01/20/09

My dinner at N9NE was quite a different story. I was there last night, just in time for their new menu to be debuted! The restaurant was hoppin and the wait staff was very prompt and efficient, considering how busy it was! I started with the parma prosciutto appetizer which was very flavorful and was just right before my main course. For my entree I had the veal chop which was perfectly cooked, tender and moist. This place is a hot spot for a reason ? the food and service is always great and the decor is breathtaking. Accidents happen, big deal your girlfriends foot got stepped on. I sure wouldn?t let that ruin my night.

Pros: Awesome setting, decor, and food!!

Posted 07/10/08

My husband and myself had gone for dinner once before and had a memorable experience. In hopes of replicating it, we made reservations for Valentine's Day. We arrived on time and were immediately led to a back room with make shift tables and uncomfortable hard chairs. The service was great, but atmosphere is half of what you pay for. We are both in the design profession and I couldn't get over the loud small room and the stiff seats. Meanwhile, a double story height lounge is a few feet away. I felt like a second class citizen and won't go back because of it. Although the service was good, the food wasn't enough to salvage it. Shame on Nine for packing in all those couples looking for a special night out into a back room.

Pros: Good service

Cons: Not a reliable experience

Posted 02/13/08

My compliants to the chef of this resturant, the food is really good, the upstairs bar is a little tight but what better way to meet new people the downstairs bar is great and the service is fabulous if your not from Chicago you have to go to the nine.

Pros: ambience, service

Cons: parking

Posted 02/07/08

I took my girlfriend out for her birthday to this restaurant since we heard that it had a nice/interesting atmosphere to it. It had a very clubish feel to it. It was dimly lit, accented with blue lights, and the tables were far apart so privacy wasn't an issue. The only knock-your-socks-off dish that we ordered was the miso black cod. It is honestly THE best fish I've had so far and I would go back just for that. It was cooked to perfection, buttery soft and it melted in your mouth. So why the 3 star average rating? Read on. We also ordered the calamari which was sub par. Giordano's makes better calamari. We had to order the steak since it's their specialty right? We were pretty disappointed. It was cooked the way we wanted it, medium rare, but it had some sort of burnt juice it was sitting in. I don't know if it was a mistake or if that's the sauce that they normally use to flavor their steaks. If they were going for the charbroiled taste, they missed the mark. If it's in the name of the restaurant, it should at least be good right? I've had better steaks at places that charge half what they charge for their steaks. The 2 cocktails we ordered weren't very good either. If you don't mind the clubish atmosphere and you love miso cod, you HAVE to try this place out. If it's a great steak you're looking for, you're better off trying someplace else.

Pros: Miso cod was the best I've had so far...

Cons: Steak was subpar

Posted 12/28/07

Awesome location. Nice atmosphere. Superior staff. I would highly recommend this as one of the better fine dining experiences in Chicago. The food was served in unique ways and was delicious. Definitely order the appetizers as each one has its own flair. I would suggest having the fish over the steak though. I have had better steak elsewhere in the city, but the fish is superb.

Pros: Great food, Wonderful Staff

Cons: Gets rather loud late night, So so steak

Posted 11/23/07

My husband and I have been big fan of Nine since they opened. Love love love their Miso Black Cod. When Nine advertised they have free happy hour appetizers from 5pm-6:30pm. We went there last night, their free appetizers mean free cheese and crackers. What a disappointment!

Posted 11/14/07

When we arrived the place was like a ghost town. Maybe 25% of the tables were filled on a Friday night. When we left an hour later, the place was even more empty. The extremely loud house\techno music was a big turn off and encouraged us to leave as soon as possible. This place is trying so hard to be cool, but missed the mark by about 6 years. Think "night at the Roxbury". My wife and I are late twenties and very familiar with the excellent high class dining and nightlife Chicago has to offer. This is not one of those places.
My wife's risotto was so salty she couldn't finish it. We would have sent it back however by the time we had received the entree after our appetizer, we just wanted to leave, sending the risotto back would only have prolonged our visit. Dessert? No thanks, check please!

Pros: Surf and turf was pretty good.

Cons: Dining in an empty restaurant with annoying music - officially not cool.

Posted 10/14/07

Everything we ordered was delicious...seafood highly recommended! Tuna was melt in your mouth. Steaks were cooked to perfection. The tomato salad was delicious. The server was great and recommended delicious wines that complimented our meals very well. We would recommend this restaurant for couples or a group...a lively place and a great time!

Posted 07/17/07

I highly reccomend this restaurant! The service and food was absolutely fabulous! I would go there again and again. The Rock Shrimp appetizer was delicious and the steak was wonderful. Great martini's too.

Pros: Excellent Parking Service

Cons: Upstairs was very cold.

Posted 06/02/07

Very good service. Food was tastey but not memorable. the ambiance was cool, but decor was a little too cold in their attempt to be trendy.

Pros: service

Cons: pricey

Posted 01/27/07

Nothing but good things to say. The Steak and cocktails were incredible, expensive but worth every penny. We bring everyone who visits me from out of town.

Pros: Simply the Best

Posted 11/23/06

Great menu, very diverse, perfect place for a business lunch. Their specials are great and they have fantastic soups!

Posted 11/15/06

Dined here July 28 and came away quite pleased. Every facet of the service was excellent as were the steaks. I had a Porterhouse which was perfect and my wife liked the filet. The decor is interesting, if a bit cool in tone. "Trendy" definitely describes the restaurant. The service was most impresive, especially for a trendy place. Sides and deserts were OK. Wine list was a bit pricey. Would return for the service and steaks.

Pros: Service and Steaks

Cons: Deserts billed as "best you've tasted" but were barely average.

Posted 08/07/06

I was there on Valentine's Day and had a marvelous time. Best steak I've had so far. Our server was very helpful, he suggested a wine that was absolutely perfect and is now my new favorite. All in all a great experience. Needless to say, I will be back.

Pros: romantic, great wine, great service

Posted 05/15/06

I was apprehensive about this restaurant as a serious steak place, due to their emphasis on trendy looks. For the most part the consternation was unneeded.
I had no qualms with the service, as referenced by some other reviews. I went with a group of 8, and the overall consensus was positive; I had the Ribeye and I thought it was extraordinary.
If you come here, I'm sure you are expecting to shell out a good amount - your expectations will not be disappointed. My group paid more in mandatory 20% tip than I usually spend in a week.
My food critic friend had the filet - he said that the outside of his was a little too burned. Try the Chop House, he says.
All in all, I came for the atmosphere and was pleasantly surprised in the quality of my steak.
The bathrooms also have mini-tv's.

Pros: Steak, Atmosphere

Cons: Price, Price

Posted 04/26/06

This restaurant must have it's employees write reviews for this restaurant b/c this place is terrible! Me and my boyfriend went here for dinner one time and it was like a ghost town in there. The place was practically EMPTY except for a small group of business men sitting by the bar area. I don't think I have ever encountered such stuck-up people in my life! Me and my boyfriend were so uncomfortable and disappointed with the service and the atmosphere that we walked out of there with in less than 7 minutes of being here. Maybe if the service and staff here weren't so awful they'd actually get some service and actaully have people in it. . It's a shame to see such a fabulous and hip looking place like that go to waiste b/c of bad service. They seriously need to step it up!

Pros: Amazing interior.

Cons: Unoccupied., Rude staff., Bad Service.

Posted 06/06/05

A group of us took our secretary out to lunch today. Bottom line: embarrassing. We had to ask three busboys for our server and once he finally showed up after 30 minutes he was irritable and abrupt. I even tried to flag down a hostess who was standing two tables away but she completely ignored us (after clearly making eye contact), opting instead to trade smooches with one of the waiters! Our waiter only returned one other time to try to look down my blouse while unintelligibly asking us if we wanted coffee. I ordered the halibut which was the saltiest meal I've ever had. I think I've had my sodium quota for the year!

Pros: nearby

Cons: non-existent service, salty or bland food, SLOW

Posted 04/26/05

I have visited the Nine Steakhouse in Vegas and in Chicago and I have never had a complaint! The food is amazing, the service is wonderful, and the restaurant is beautiful. In Vegas we told the waiter we were on our honeymoon, and they moved us to a huge private booth, gave us a bottle of champagne, and were extra sweet to us. The Chicago staff were also very nice and the fondue is to die for!

Pros: Worth the money, Trendy place, Great food

Posted 07/04/04

Nine has steaks. Nine has REALLY good steaks. The space has a somewhat akward feel to it, particularly when the caviar/champagne bar is empty. (To be fair we were eating late.) Our server had to stand on stairs to fill our water at one point. The prosciuto app was very good and surprisingly delicate. The wine list was substancial if a bit overpriced. But the steak...oh man. My bone-in ribeye was absolutely perfect. Dry aged and seared with a dry rub so perfectly it had the crunch and give that makes your mouth water. The yukon golds were fantastic as was the spinach. Desert was very good, berries sweetened with honey. Next time we are in town, we will definately we dining here.

Pros: Food

Posted 03/29/04

Really nice restaurant with a really hip decor. We had reservations and were seated promptly. The services were really good from the start until the end. The food were all great and so were the desserts. Although the restaurant was crowded, there were spaces between tables so we did not overhear each others conversations.We went to the lounge after dinner and it was nice. Nobody dared to dance, it's more like a place to sit and drink.

Pros: Hip, Good food , Great cust service

Posted 02/07/04

My husband and I went to Nine during our honeymoon in Chicago. We wanted an upscale dinner with great service, ambiance, and food. His steak was wonderful, but the sauce on my fish was too sweet for my taste. The lobster bisque I had to start was fantastic, though. I highly recommend it.

Pros: Great Atmosphere, Great Service

Posted 10/12/03

Absolutely splendid...I do think that the portions are small, but that helps us beautiful keep our curves in the right places, right?! If you are not in to mood to gratify your tummy, they also provide a wonderfully relaxing area to sit, drink, and socialize. Comfy Faux Suede chairs and dim lighting create a romantic ambiance.

Posted 06/01/03

The space wasn't very exciting. some flash, but not very fun when the place is empty. Food was subpar, and there really aren't too many steak selections on the menu. As a planner for corporate events, I like my executives happy. There was very unhappy with Nine.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Food, Service

Posted 04/26/03

Food was not well cooked. on top of that, the place was empty...i thought this place was supposed to be hip and cool, but it was not a good time. our server got our order mixed up with the table next to us as well.

Pros: decor

Cons: food, service

Posted 04/12/03

What happend here. This place used to be great. Although service was never that good. But there used to always be a scene. We were there after a long time last Friday and the place was a ghost town. The food was not good at all and the service was poor. I guess these guys have truly moved on to Vegas.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Food, Service, Sound System

Posted 03/09/03

Went there for dinner with my wife and my parents. Everything we ordered was very good. The Sashimi N9ne was excellent. A bit pricey, but we liked it so much that we ordered a second round. Don't miss the two cones appetizer. Delicious. All entrees were very good. We had whitefish, salmon, black cod miso, and fire chicken. Desserts were good, but overpriced. $8.00 for a root beer float or for s'mores. Service was great. Will definitely go back.

Posted 01/19/03

I absolutely love this place. My boyfriend and I went here one night on his birthday and had a blast. Definently need to dress nice, has a lot of style. We will definently go back. Fills up quickly on a Friday or Saturday night by 12ish

Cons: Can Get Exspensive

Posted 12/28/02

Good food and drink. Nice place for a long dinner with friends. Nice mix of funk and class. Service is very good. If you do it right, it will cost $150-200 a head. Bar upstairs is good if you want to keep it going after dinner.

Posted 12/24/02

Nine is one of my favorite place to go have a nice meal and enjoy an excellent crowd. The after hours Ghost Bar is one Chicago best kept secrets.

Posted 12/17/02

Hip yet classy. This "modern bistro" is anything but passe. We were there for business and marveled at the cool pink lighting....so I was surprised when the food was OUTSTANDING. Each course was classic yet unique. I travel incessantly for business and this was the best food experience I'd had in months. Not to be missed.

Pros: Fantastic food, Cool scene

Cons: Not quiet

Posted 12/13/02

I had the best time. The food was real good the servise too.

Posted 12/07/02

This place is the best. If you have friends in from out of town, this is the only place to take them.

Pros: Great Service, Broad menu, Hot scene

Posted 11/21/02

Apparently, your new found admiration for Nine after it's opening is unwarrented. I don't know who you sent to retaste the food, but it is wholely overrated. The blini was bland and swimming in a pool of oil, it was disgusting. The cones had no flavor what-so-ever. I had the grouper was over cooked and not to mention bland. The food was so bad I refused my friends' invitation to sample theirs. No thanks!!!

Posted 10/27/02

Recently ate at Nine. It had been one of my favorites because of the food, ambience and attentive service. Unfortunately, the service has really gone down. Our waiter was very slow and needed to be reminded numerous times on various items. In addition, other restaurant employees didn't seem to understand the concept of customer service. The food is still solid, but I won't go back for a while. Hopefully management will straighten out the service problems.

Posted 10/16/02

We had an office dinner here and everyone had a terrific time. Splurge on the massive seafood plate as an appetizer and you won't regret it -- everything from a whole lobster to giant king crab legs to oysters and clams and shrimp. Lamb chops for my entree were tender and cooked perfectly. Watch out for the martinis -- they'll knock you for a loop (in a good way).

Pros: Mod atmosphere

Posted 09/20/02

Nine has held its own for some time and made more than a name for itself. Sexy, yet subtle atmosphere, not to mention wonderful food. If not dining, the bar is always the perfect spot for meeting old friends or making new ones!

Pros: Great location

Posted 09/03/02

What a place! The food, the food, the food, oh and the ambience....the bar upstairs was pretty nice as well. I recommend steak! Best steak I have ever had. A little on the pricy side, but it was worth it.

Posted 08/23/02

Yes..this place is slick. One of the most sharpest places I've dined in. Very unfortuneately, the service is not polished and the main menu food is not outstanding. Granted, the service and the entrees were good....slightly better than suburban but for all the hype and price I would not return. Were this place did shine was it's desserts...now that's a true "nine"

Pros: slick, beautiful

Cons: expensive, noisey

Posted 08/12/02

In a city that is known for the best steak, Nine Steak House is defineately at the top. The service is always excellent no matter how small or large the group. The Nine's lamb is also an excellent alternative to steaks, and is probably the best chops in the city. It may be called "Nine" , but I give it a perfect 10.

Pros: excellent lamb chops, excellent appetizers

Posted 07/21/02

Dinner at Nine an event. They serve as good a steak as I've had anywhere in Chicago. The place itself is very very cool. I had heard negative things about the service, but the three times I've been there, the service has always been first rate.

Pros: food, service, atmosphere

Cons: expensive

Posted 06/26/02