They sat us reluctantly in the same space with 9.they offered to have us wait longer for a table bigger. The table ended up being only for 8 when it was reserved for 10. So we arrived with 9 great girlfriends to a crowded restaurant and waited 45 min for our 8:30pm reservation. So a rather less but more elegant dining option. Will be back for more.and from all the restaurants we tried, staff was equally good dressed as the guests. So overall and fantastic experience with great food, fantastic service and amazing atmosphere. Yes you pay, BUT, you get what you pay for. Less can be more, as long as the flavour and quality is right, the meat, the vegetables and all the sides, nothing was disappointing. All the food items we tried were great in flavour, portion size and good in presentation for a steak house. Everybody knows what he / she is suppose to do: one is dropping the bread, one serves the wine, one takes the order and one pours the water, your main waiter comes back and checks, the chef brings the food when necessary, cutlery gets changed before your food, glasses never empty, they know how to make money, and again: great atmosphere. Lots going on around you, so not romantic per say but great, seriously. Big rooms, some with high ceilings but still intimidate and cosy at the same time, big chandeliers and tables with white table cloth and staff members with plates and bottles of expensive wines, a buzzing place which can handle volume. Like I said, a good place to see what Chicago has to offer. Great place for good cocktails and good entertainment at the same time, busy and full of people dressed up and ready for the evening. My recommendation, come a bit earlier and enjoy a cocktail at the bar. Make sure you have a reservation! When you arrive at the restaurant, a second line of defence with more smiling personalities welcome you and ask you for your reservation. You are welcomed by a great team of smiling personalities who will tell you where you need to go, it seems the whole building somehow is the restaurant with lounge and bar and restaurant and restrooms on various levels, reach by elevator and stairs. You arrive at a rather less spectacular building before you enter. Definitely consider Maple and Ash for your special event or just to feel special. A marvelous meal mixed with engaging ambiance and superb service made 13 a very lucky number. The very tasty Wagyu Filet definitely pleased my husband. My Whole Roasted Dover Sole was heavenly and a welcome retreat from the usual sauteed method. We were curious what red pepper ragout included with the octopus was, as you normally see octopus with oil and vinegar. But the flavors were so well balanced, I wanted the recipe. I believe the server said the dressing on the salad was just a vinaigrette. We shared the King Crab & Butter Lettuce Salad and Wood Grilled Spanish Octopus. For a little drama, the wood fired hearth can be seen from the open kitchen. Even though there are other tables nearby, you don’t feel crowded and conversations can actually be heard. The room has dark walls with large beautifully paned windows admitting plenty of light. The complimentary cocktail of vodka, peach & lime was so good, I ordered another instead of a second wine. A nice touch to the evening was the copy of the menu with “Happy Anniversary G. D., offering to take our picture, attending to the water glasses or cocktails are the signs of a well trained staff. Although we could have immediately sat at our table, we first enjoyed the ambiance of the bar. A well dressed staff (suits for the men, dresses or nice slacks for the ladies) and tables set with candles and white tablecloths spelled dining event. Celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary at Maple & Ash was one of the best evenings of my life.
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