I visited Puck's after a long day for a bite to eat and time to relax. Â Though I walked in in basically jeans and a sweatshirt, they showed me to a lovely window table where I promptly ordered some bubbly and the signature pizza (smoked salmon). Â
Everything was great. Â I enjoyed the pizza, the view and the service. Â The bread showed up a little slowly...and things were (in general) a tad slow, but everything was high quality and fresh. Â
Food - 5
Service - 4
Bathrooms - 3 (update these please!)
Value - 3
Atmosphere - 5
Once you enter through the glass doors (which looked more like a wall), the place is split into a Puck's Express and restaurant side.
I had this place bookmarked for a while in hopes to visiting for a nice weekend buffet. Attention Yelpers: NO MORE BRUNCH BUFFET!!!
The menu was pretty simplistic with some out-of-the-box options as well as the usual omelettes, benedicts, and pancakes. Once we ordered, our server came out with a basket of baked items for us to each choose one: madelines and pound cake. Decent, but I was immediately comparing them to my brunches at Balsan. Sadly, there were no complementing spreads.
My fried green tomatoes and cheddar grits were A-OK, a little dry. Came with poached eggs that were in a disarray and undercooked. The whites were still transluscent. Â His omelette of the day: goat cheese, peppers, and crab meat was off-tasting and flat... literally. We left with a big "meh" and hightailed it outta there in search of more food.
Be advised: there is no longer a buffet brunch- just sit down ala cart.
Which now makes it a very overpriced egg and pancake place. It's 14.00 - 20.00
for the king of mediocre's outdated salmon pizza (no wood burning oven) and the ubiquitous " angus burger." of course if you have a faux new England accent
( ala Thurston Howell III), you'll love it. All ala carte even toast. Many better options.
Kind of a weird setup in the "back" of the MCA, but it's definitely a cool space with a nice view.
Menu items are a bit overpriced - I get that this is supposed to be a sort-of "fancy" place, but it's insane to charge this much for food that is cooked in the back of an art museum.
Our server was mediocre. She looked like she had better things to do than take our order (probably true, but if you're a waitress, just be a waitress).
I had the chickpea fritters and it was okay. The black kale was tasty but weird with the fritters. My guests ordered the chicken plate and the burger plate, and they definitely looked and tasted better than my dish.
Meh. Wasn't a total loss, but it was still not as delicious as I expected.
At this point, Wolfgang Puck should put his name on scratchy toilet paper. I've gone to MCA First Fridays a couple of times a year for 3 years. The buffet started bad and has gotten worse. Greasy and soggy spring rolls, popcorn with food coloring was the last spread. I predict the next will be a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving menu.
Review Source:Ate the buffet here since we were at Museum and friend was starving and really wanted to eat here. I would have rather ate at any other restaurant in Chicago and try something different, but ended up here after friend begged me too. Just looking at the food I knew it would not be good. The food was cold, tasteless, I hardly ate. Also, it was expensive. I think $35, what a waste.
Review Source:The fact that Pucks is inside the MCA makes it appealing. Â I didn't know this place existed until my chairman took the office out to eat here. Â The food is okay, not much of a selection during lunch (sandwiches, pizza, salad, etc.) Â It's the view at the restaurant that keeps me coming back on a nice spring/summer day. Â The space is bright with large windows which allow some nice natural lighting. Â I would recommend this place if you're already at the MCA or in the area and need a quick bite to eat.
Review Source:A nice, quiet relaxing place to go for Sunday brunch. Saw several people sitting alone reading the Sunday paper, enjoying the sunny space.
The food itself was a mixed bag. The best of it, in my opinion, were the omelets--light and fluffy and made to order.
While it's no culinary adventure, it's a nice way to spend a Sunday morning, followed by a stroll through the museum.
Went here for lunch on a rainy Tuesday (free art at the MCA--which is about the only way I can stand contemporary art). Â Anyhow, Puck's has a restaurant part and a quick cafe part. Â I dined in the restaurant part. Â The menu was interesting in a good way and I ordered the pork sandwich. Â This was one of the best pork sandwiches ever! Â The view is great and the service is attentive (the hostess would notice as people were leaving and go to open the doors for them). Â Oh, and the bread at the start of the meal was nicely presented and delicious.
Review Source:I tried a few different Puck's restaurants before, the food was always pretty bad.
We went to the Museum of Contemporary Arts one morning in Chicago, we didn't have enough time for breakfast, we decided to go to the museum for brunch.
We figured a restaurant in the museum might not be too bad, since a few museum restaurants in San Francisco we've been to are pretty decent.
Once we saw the museum restaurant was Pucks', I cringed. However, we were in a hurry so that we made the hasty decision to go with Puck's, hoping miracle might happen.
We were wrong. We ordered some omelet with salad and some noodle. They were so BAD. There was no flavor in the omelet, the noodles had a terrible taste, on top of it, it was overcooked so much that noodle become mushy and soggy. I wondered what kind of people were actually hired to cook in Puck's kitchens.
I would not hesitate to avoid any Puck's restaurant like a plague going forward. I am stunned how a reputable (maybe not so much after all) chef can have so many bad restaurants under his name all over the country.
The Chinese chicken salad was fantastic. Â A great balance of lettuce to chicken to cashew, dressing ratio.
However: The salmon was over cooked, dry and the coating was salty. Hard to fork. Huge disaster. Â Flavorless. Â BLICK. Â I couldn't even finish it. Â
If it wasn't for the bread and the salad, this would be a one star.
The service was friendly but on their own time.
This time I'm reconsidering my Redemption Visit. Â I don't think I can take the disappointment.
Still a highly recommended place for a summer lunch.
Yesterday we hosted a dozen friends for a late lunch. Â As before, the menu is limited. Â But we had some good Spanish and South American wines, several pizzas as appetizers, then everyone ordered off the menu. Â They have nice fresh selections with interesting flavors. Â
We ate outside on the patio, enjoying the beautiful weather. Â When we're at a table away from everyone else I get nervous that the waiter will find his way to us as often as we would like. Â Ours was great - he gave us 5-star service throughout. Â Management also threw in some good attitude and helpful suggestions, helping to make it a great experience. Â
Not quite five star food, but definitely a unique five star experience for lunch. Â They're not open for dinner.
Puck's is an amazing venue if you're looking for a small group for Sunday brunch. Â We took family from out of town here and requested reservations for 16 people. Â They were great in setting things up - the wine connoisseur of us enjoyed their wine list and the food was great. Â They also have a fantastic made to order menu which not only includes omelettes but Belgian waffles and fruit pancakes, too.
We came here for our post-wedding brunch years ago and our guests, family and friends raved about how great the food and service was. Â It's nice to see four years later, things are just as great if not better!
Service was friendly and very helpful. Â Thank you again!!
This place offers a brunch buffet on Sundays for $28. Â I wasn't in the mood for such a huge meal, so I ordered from the Express line. Â I was a little disappointed that their menu was limited to a few pizza choices, sandwiches, and salads. Â The Wolfgang puck express in Honolulu had a lot more choices. Â The outdoor seating was very nice though. Prices here are very expensive. I paid $10 for a sandwich (no drinks, no sides!).
Review Source:A quiet place at the back of MCA Chicago.
It was the perfect place to stop in and get a quick bite to eat while avoiding the crowds on Michigan Ave. It looks to be a bit of a secret as not too many people were there on a Saturday. The museum is a slightly hidden a few blocks off of Michigan Ave, but worth the short walk if you are looking for something different than chain fare.
We split a pizza and salad for lunch and were pleased. The chinese chicken salad was very tasty. The cashews added a nice touch. We also tried the mushroom and spinach pizza which was good. It needed a little more flavor.
The host and server were pleasant and attentive. Definitely eat there again next time we were at MCA.
Took my boo here for Valentine's Day Sunday brunch. It was a bit romantic. The buffet was great. There was enough variety and the quality of food was top-notch. The staff was super nice and made me feel as if I was the most important person in the world. The mimosas were good enough to order a second.
I wouldn't mind going here every weekend for Sunday brunch.
The V-Day Sunday brunch was awesome.
The buffet offerings are delicious and extensive - salads, breakfast meats, smoked salmon, home fries, french toast, variety of cheeses, Â fresh fruit, Â assortment of sweets, etc. The refreshing and tangy Asian chicken salad was my damage control from my typical brunch gluttony. Â Along with the amazing mimosas, bellinis, and other drinks, you can also special order omelets, benedicts, waffles, and pancakes through your server. We shared the pineapple pancake (light, fluffy waffle underneath airy cream and chunky pineapple sauce...drool) . Washed it all down with an excellent bellini and water, and staved off the food coma with some coffee.
The brunch buffet is $28, but an MCA membership will get you a 10%. We're not members, but I guess our server had a little extra love in his heart, so he gave us the discount. There was an interesting mix of people - art lovers, mature Streeterville crowd, families, young couples. Will see how this holds up for a girl's Sunday fun day.
We had the Sunday brunch and were very satisfied with the experience. It is $28 per person and is a great deal at that price. The brunch includes both the buffet and one or more prepared items of your choice (we chose the Tuscan eggs benedict).
The wait staff were very attentive and professional during our visit. There was nothing in the brunch buffet cold or anything other than fresh. The coffee was excellent. The experience was friendlier and more personable than the Art Institute's Terzo Piano (though the latter has always been a pleasant experience as well).
Why isn't this a 5 star review? Only because the Puck's space has somewhat of an institutional museum air to it. I'm not sure I like the high glass facade with no fabric or softening influence. The tables and chairs are just a little better than cafeteria style furniture. The ambience of the Art Institute's Terzo Piano is much better. If they can match the interior design to the food they will have a great dining establishment.
Would I be a horrible person if I said that Puck's has excellent  hangover food?  The bread basket was amazing, with a variety of interesting flatbreads and artisanal bread.  The 'shroom and spinach white pizza was light, delicious, fresh and suitably starchy.  My less hungover companion had the Italian panini and found it excessively pepperoni laden, but otherwise good.
The service was a bit spacy, or perhaps, given that it its the MCA, arty? Â Still, I didn't have to wait too terribly long for much needed iced tea refills.
All in all, rather good for a gallery restaurant.
Should be two and half stars.  Came in for Sunday brunch, and while not completely knocked out by this place, will come back because it's so  damn convenient.  The buffet was the best part of my experience, as my omelet while nice and fluffy was way over stuffed, and my pancakes underdone and a bit cold.  The service is not what it should be.  There's a certain  lack of focus and professionalism here, so I would  probably do the Wolfgang Express next time.
Review Source:When we went to the MCA today, intending to have a meal at the restaurant before browsing the galleries, we had no idea we would be sitting down to a delicious brunch buffet. Â but the buffet table was prominently displayed in front of the restaurant door and was simply irresistible.
For about $25 dollars (with the 10% member discount), we could eat our fill from a buffet of salads, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and roast beef for the meat-eaters, mini quiche, bagels and lox, fruit, cheese, yogurt with granola, mini pastries and dessert. Â In addition, the buffet came with one free juice and coffee and one's choice of eggs, an omelet, or eggs benedict made to order. Â our favorite things were the mini quiches (super creamy center with the flakiest pastry crust I've ever had), the bagel and lox, and the croissants, though the potatoes and the desserts were good too. Â Neither of us had any of the meat. Â The omelette was good and had quality ingredients (ours had veggies and goat cheese), but I realized afterwards that I don't really like omelets very much in general and should have gotten a vegetarian eggs benedict instead.
We had a terrific time and both felt that the selections were much nicer than your typical hotel buffet brunch. Â The atmosphere was also much preferable and less stuffy than brunch at a hotel. Â Plus the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Â It was a nice splurge, and totally worth it.
Disclaimer: I didn't have the table service (it wasn't available mid-afternoon), just the little "to go" counter. Would consider trying the table service.
Overpriced prepared sandwiches and salads like you'd find in an airport terminal. A fine option if you're at MCA and want a quick snack or cup of coffee, but unless you're totally trapped and can't bear to walk 3 blocks, go to the food court at Water Tower or to any number of nearby restaurants for better food.
The view is lovely though.
My friend called me early one Sunday morning and told me to wake my ass up so that we could go to Brunch. Â Oh yeah--and I had to pick a place for us to go, too. Â Mind you, I didn't really want to wake up in the first place. Â Alas, I settled on Pucks and got dressed up and ready to go. Â
It was pretty empty for a Sunday morning brunch, but we didn't care. Â The food was excellent and the service was great. Â For about $25, you had an all-you-can-eat buffet of some truly decadent food. Â The only thing that was extra were the mimosas, but that was fine. Â
Another plus is that the waitress gave us 10% off of our bill as well!
I arrived with pretty low expectations -- gallery restaurants and cafes are often crappy because they have a captive audience, so to speak.
But Pucks was pleasantly surprising! The food is prepared carefully and quite fresh, and the appetizers are on the low end of the cost spectrum, and just as good (and almost as filling) as a full entree.
I had the warm roasted vegetables, they were very tasty and satisfying, and only $7. The sampling of different breads (crusty white, corn bread, olive, foccacia) with a square dish of olive oil, goats cheese and sun-dried tomatoes was a nice way to dress up a complimentary bread serving.
The service isn't fabulous but it's ok - they seemed a little under staffed.
I really love pucks...I should probably mention that I worked for the catering side for 3 years but I still think Pucks is one of the hidden gems in this city.
The patio is by far my favorite place to eat. Â Tuesday's on the terrace rocks my world. Â I usually get the soup of the day and the chinois salad-- you just cant go wrong. Â They actually have a pretty good veggie burger as well!
I've never had bad service there--- even tho i havent worked for the company in several years and most of the servers dont know me. Â I still go once every month or so to get my fix.
If this place was not in the glamorous MCA, it would go out of business. Went there for lunch today. The hostess was completely dizzy and scattered. We waited a long time despite many open tables. Slow service. Â Waitress didn't listen.
The two stars is for the food, which was good, but for the prices there, I expect a more facile waitstaff.
I like eating outdoors, but don't like inhaling fumes from passing traffic and smokers on the sidewalk. Â So the deck behind the MCA is a great spot for alfresco eating, since none of that is nearby. Â The food was pretty darn good, too. Â I had the chinois chicken salad, which had a refreshing garnish of ginger and some spiced toasted cashews. Â Hubby's chicken panini with carmelized onions and roasted peppers was good too. Â Lunch entrees are mostly in the $10 -14 range. Â Service was a little slow, but it was such a lovely day, who wanted to rush?
Review Source:My husband and I went to Puck's Cafe for Sunday Brunch. Glass doors enclose the airy, white space; while one wall is filled with funky pink, eyeball wallpaper. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. For brunch, we had our choice of eggs, potatoes, fruit, parfaits, raspberry French toast, two meat stations and tons of other goodies. For dessert, they had tiny swans filled with mocha and coffee mouse filling, which as you can guess not only looked fantastic, but was also incredibly tasty. They also had eclairs, croissants, and tiny bagels with three different kinds of cream cheese. That being said, I would definitely go back, but only if it were a special occasion. Sure, it's all you can eat, but it's also very expensive. We spent $60.00 for two buffet plates, two cups of coffee and one cup of orange juice and this was without tip! All in all, it was a good experience.
Review Source:I had a wonderful experience at Puck's. I was going to the museum and decided to stop in for a lunch. I was able to be seated right away and my server was wonderful. The bread and butter/oil in the beginning is delicious!!! That fact made me like the place right away. I got the chicken salad and Shrimp BLT, both of which were amazing and HUGE! I also had some wine, which made the lunch devine!!
The set-up of the restaurant is also interesting and I think it is a great place for any occasion. I can't wait to go back in the summer because the view out of the windows has to be amazing!
I've been to Puck's only for the Sunday brunch buffet, I think the overall experience could be best summed up as "pleasant but pricey". Â The brunch buffet was $23.50 per adult, food selections were OK and I guess you could get your money's worth if you ate a lot, but the overall buffet selection was pretty limited for that price level. Â The service however was very good and the outdoor patio is a very pleasant place to dine. Â Be cautious about the uncooked buffet selections if you are dining during the later brunch hours, a friend of mine was nearly sickened by a piece of salmon that looked & smelled like it had been sitting out all morning. Â The cooked selections & omelet bar were fine.
Review Source:Nice setting and good food at a reasonable price (around $15 per main entree). Â There's a menu online at the MCA web site, but it was different from the menu that I received when I was actually at Puck's At the MCA. Â I don't know why, but food at Puck's at O'Hare airport tasted better than the food at the MCA; even the free bread. Â (But at least you get metal utensils at the MCA.)
Review Source:If your name is Wolfgang and you are not involved in the arts...
Do you believe this guy sells canned soups now available at Jewel.
This cafe is in one of the city's coolest settings.
That's what it is really about, not the food or coffe which isn't bad, but it's all about the ambience.
Wolfgang Puck may no longer have a Spago in Chicago, but he still has a presence here at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Puck's at the MCA offers some light and tasty lunch treats, but the Sunday brunch is what I prefer. There is a buffet with a reasonably good amount of selections. To end things, the server will bring over a beautiful and delicious tray of sweet treats to each table.
Review Source:
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