Veerasway: User Reviews

We dined at Veerasway to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were informed several days after making the reservation that for a group of 6 on a weekend night we would either need to do the Chef's Tour (a fixed menu paired with wine or beer), or spend a minimum dollar amount per person. This was my first time hearing of a policy like this at a Chicago restaurant. We started at the bar where it took at least 10 minutes for our drinks to be prepared because there was only 1 bartender. We had a nice table in the corner away from the bar area which was very crowded.. and quite close to the other tables. The menu included approximately 10 courses, with each one 'growing' in size as we neared the end. The menu did finish with a great selection - a perfectly prepared beef tenderloin on a bed of mashed potatoes with mustard seed and cilantro (probably micro cilantro - that seemed to be on everything!). So tasty. Dessert wasn't great - we had a trio of coconut treats, the best of which was the coconut and passion fruit ice cream. Wine pairings went really well with each course. All in all, the food was good - but if you want to get naan, or the usual curries I would stay away from the fixed menu if you can. The service was pretty good - we were served by the managing partner who is also the sommelier, so each dished was explained in detail as it arrived. There were a few hiccups regarding forgotten silverware, but that was easily overlooked. Definitely a good spot and I would consider going back to sample the rest of the menu.

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Wow. This may be one of the best restaurant experiences I have had in Chicago. The food was INCREDIBLE, the drinks were inventive and the service was amazing. I do not have a single complaint about my experience and am looking forward to my next dinner at Veerasway!

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LONNNNNG wait for nothing. Portions were too small for the price. Tables were sitting on top of one another. I would NOT return for anything. Spend your money elsewhere in this economy!!!!

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We went here for the first time last weekend and were very impressed. We ordered the bindi chaat for appetizer, which is super thin slices of okra that get fried to a dark brown crisp and tossed with tomatoes and onions...really great! We also ordered a couple of samosas, which were also very good. This takes me to the cocktail my wife ordered...the shankar sangria...it was unbelievable. I'm not one for fruity drinks, but I tried a sip of hers and was pleasantly surprised. She loved it. Let me also say that I am not the Indian food lover of the two of us...so I ordered a non-traditional item, which was the grilled salmon. It was the best salmon I've ever had...it is served in a slightly spicy broth with cucumbers, dill, and turmeric...again, very happy with the food. My wife ordered the mutter paneer and really enjoyed it as well. Our service was very smooth and enjoyable. The only drawback to the place is that it is very small and can get a little loud...I was very thankful we made a reservation. We will definitely be back soon.

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When I make an 8pm reservation on a Friday night, I expect to be seated in a reasonable amount of time. Not the case at Veerasway! We arrived at exactly 8pm, only to be escorted to the bar. After two glasses of wine at the bar, the host said that she would comp an appetizer for us while we waited. A round of drinks would have been a better gesture, since we were starting to get annoyed. We accepted the comped appetizer, to only find out that the food takes forever too. Finally, I took a look around the restaurant, only to find that there were SEVERAL tables open. I asked the host to seat us, as there were so many tables open, and she looked around and was shocked to see the open tables. I think stupidity is a requirement to work at this place! The stupidity came out again when our waitress asked us what we wanted to do when a wrong dish came out to our table.....How about get the order right by writing it down, moron!
I will say that the food is very good, but the service is just horrendous. I am just shocked that this restaurant has anything to do with Sushi Wabi next door. I've always had great service there. PS....This is my second time at Veerasway and the first time was the same experience. This was the second and last chance.

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More like Veers Away. That is, this place veers away (sharply) from decent service and value. And, I don't care who designed the dining room; it's loud -- very poor for conversation. The service was maddeningly slow and lacking. It was ten minutes before anybody came by for drinks. Also, I know it's petty, but my menu didn't have the specials, and the table didn't have water for about an hour (the caraffe is standard); when spice is standard, so is water. The second beer I ordered took a while to arrive.

The food was mediocre (lamb undercooked for my taste). The check for two people (two drinks each, one appetizer shared, one entree each) was $73; this is not a good value for what you get here. There's nothing wrong with small portions, but one expects the taste to be sensational. In particular, I was looking forward to the sauce that would accompany the lamb; rather than being nuanced, it was a muddle. The rice (which is critical) was sticky and clumped. The naan was very good, though.

With about 12 tables, it seems the owner need not include the "Comments to the Owner" card; just come in and watch.

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Many people had told us about this place for indian food. It was awful!! Not true indian food. If your looking for real good, traditional indian food this is NOT the place.

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Apparently, this place is hit or miss!! For me it was a total miss!! From service to food nothing seemed to be that good. I want this place to succeed because I love Indian food but I truly don't think it will. With all the other Indian restaurants in this city serving much, much better food, Veerasway will have to try something to make the diner happy. I am not the only one that feels this way because I read the other reviews and it looks like the majority feel the same as I do. Good Luck!!

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My husband and I recently ate dinner at Veerasway and we had a very nice experience and plan to return. The staff was friendly and the waitress was particularly helpful with our selections. The interior is sleek, but comfortable. The green papaya and ripe mango salad was light, and refreshing and the tandoor roasted chicken was flavorful. We received complimentary crackers (made with lentil flour) served with three different chutneys while we waited for our entrée which helped quiet our stomachs. I had lunch there this summer and was also impressed with the freshness of the ingredients and the creative combination of flavors.

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My husband and I were staying at the Hotel Sofitel last weekend when we asked the concierge to recommend an Indian Rest. She suggested Veerasway, though she had never been, she assumed it to be good because the owners are the same as a very good sushi rest that she had been to. Well, she needs to try it for herself and see that just because one place is good does not make everything else as good. Luckily, my husband and I were on expense account because it was tres expensive. The cocktails were $12.00 each!! The meal was OK but lacked in true Indian flavours. We did tell the concierge when we saw her the next day that her recommendation was not the best and that other diners who were across the street from Veerasway, dining in an Indian Rest as well, that we approached, said 'that they loved their meal and will be going back frequently'. LIVE AND LEARN

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