The Walnut Room at Field's

The Walnut Room is on the 7th floor at Macy's (Marshall Field's) on State Street. It's a terrific deal for folks seeing the shows. On the menu they even note to mention your show time to your server and they'll get you in and out in 45 minutes in time for your show. Sweet Charity in this instance.

It must be a secret because it's always nearly empty at dinner (not empty around X-Mas). The view from the desolate 7th floor white-tablecloth dining room is terrific. The menu is incredibly reasonable, entrees hover around $10-12 dollars (Steak will run you $16) and the service is fantastic. It's really old school. You even get "Walnut Cookies" with your check. You feel like your grandmother would stoically approve of the formality and the price. And the warm roll they give you promptly.

The food is straightforward and somewhat reminds me of catering tastings. Everything is done right. But nothing truly amazing. This being the 2nd time there, I'll give you the quick laundry list.

Evening #1:
Stacy ordered the chicken pot pie, a soupy affair with a flaky crust. I picked the steak salad. It was huge and tasty but rather plain.

Evening #2:
Stacy ordered the lobster bisque. After a "lobster bisque" at Charlie's Ale House (BIG Mistake) I was reticent to try it. It was a bit salty and very lobstery. I ordered the special, Louisiana pepper shrimp with whipped potatos and zucchini. It wasn't peppery so much as it was vinegary. Very Louisiana hot saucy. The veggie side was somewhat out of place and contributed to the catering-impression. Stacy ordered the Papaya, Avocado chicken salad. She enjoyed it but I thought it was really ordinary. Desert was a split of "the world's smallest banana-split."

Bottom line: great price, nice environment, great service, and above-average food but not that far above average.

Comments

[Josh]

NOTE: The world's smallest banana split was how it was listed on the menu... $2.95.

It wasn't a "cheap little" banana split.

[josh]

After not getting any of the open seats at 312 we went back to 'The Nut' as I've dubbed it (just now). The kobe beef brisket texturally reminded me more of ribs than brisket. It needed about 34 more hours I guess. It was tasty either way. The butternut squash raviloi was uber-creamy but also good. The Field's Cabernet was a good table cab. We passed on a decent buffet at Trattoria No.10 as well. Maybe next time...

[R.A.Pena]

What is the spice in the Chicken Pot pie at the Walnut Room?
I thought I saw it noted on the menu but forgot to check it out before leaving.
It gave the dish a very nice, distinctive taste.
Great Chicken Pot Pie.
Thank you

[Judy]

When the Walnut Room was still owned and run by Marshall Fields, the menu prices were affordable, even at Christmas. However, our group went to sign in at noon for a 2'1/2 hour wait yesterday, 12/17, and were astounded when we saw the prices on the menu; all in the $20 something range or higher. What's happening here? We ate elsewhere a really enjoyed it.

[Josh]

I had friends go Saturday, 12/16 and they said it was a madhouse. They had reservations so they were seated promptly. I didn't hear that the prices went up they said entrees were in the $11-$15 range still. I'm still not a huge fan of this Macy's takeover.

If you're going to go to 'the nut' with a group the weekend or two before Christmas I'd expect that wait. I could hardly walk down State Street this weekend compared to what seemed to be a smaller crowd on N. Michigan.

Judy, where did you eat instead and what about it did you enjoy?