Maple & Ash - Chicago

“Maple & Ash takes the classic steakhouse formula and pushes it into something louder, glossier, and more theatrical, the kind of restaurant built for celebrations and special occasions rather than a quiet weeknight dinner. The Gold Coast location has a sleek, modern interior with an open kitchen and a real buzz to the room, music playing, servers moving with energy, the whole place feeling more like an event than a typical meal out. Everything here is meant for sharing, and we leaned into that fully. The wood-fired steaks are the centerpiece, and we went with a bone-in ribeye that came out with a deep char on the outside and a perfectly cooked interior, sliced and presented in a way that made it feel like a small spectacle on its own. We also had a seafood tower to start, oysters, shrimp, and crab piled high on ice, fresh and well-presented, a good way to ease into such a heavy meal. The shepherd's pie surprised us, rich and comforting, not something you'd expect from a steakhouse menu but it ended up being a quiet favorite at the table. Sides came family-style, and the mac and cheese in particular disappeared fast, creamy with a good crust on top. Cocktails were handcrafted and well balanced, the kind of drinks that feel worth the price even before the food arrives. It's expensive, unapologetically so, and the atmosphere leans into the spectacle of fine dining rather than subtlety, but for a special night out it delivers exactly that experience.”

“When in Chicago this is a MUST visit!A 5 star experience from start to finish! We arrived early and they accommodated us at a bar table for a drink where we met Scott, their Sommelier, and had engaging conversation. Then we were guided upstairs to their dining area. I was blown away with the ambiance! Not your ordinary restaurant. Kevin was in charge of our service team. Service to our table was immediate and VERY attentive throughout the duration of our meal. The food pics only give an impression but don’t tell the whole story of how off the charts delicious their food was prepared to perfection. The place was totally packed on a Sunday night! Hats off to Maple & Ash on an incredible dining experience:)”

“We had a fantastic brunch experience! The complimentary drinks and black caviar treats were a lovely surprise. The poached eggs with crab meat were absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. We ended with French toast for dessert, which was the perfect sweet finish. Great food, amazing ambience, and our server was attentive and friendly throughout. Definitely a place we’ll come back to!”

“I expected a better experience from Maple & Ash, especially since we chose it to celebrate our anniversary and had seen so much positive attention about it on social media. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with my filet mignon. I ordered it medium, but it arrived quite rare—I could see blue when I cut into the steak. Our server promptly took it back to be cooked further, but when it returned a few minutes later, it had a charred top and wasn't very appetizing. The server kindly offered to have a new steak prepared, which I appreciated, but we had other plans afterward and didn't have enough time to wait for another replacement.That said, the rest of the food was very good, and our server handled the situation professionally. While I appreciate the effort to correct the issue, the steak ultimately fell short of my expectations. I've had better steaks at other restaurants, especially considering the reputation and price point of this establishment.”

“Maple & Ash is the perfect steakhouse embodiment of the neighborhood its in. And if you know about the reputation of Gold Coast, you'll understand that this is not exactly a compliment. At the time of its opening, Maple & Ash was a fresh concept, merging the glitz and glamor of an old school steakhouse with the more playful, modern vibe of a new steakhouse. Now, with Chicago’s steakhouse scene more crowded than ever, I’m not sure it still holds the same edge. The dimly lit main dining room upstairs was filled with plush velvet chairs, tables graced with single candlesticks or candelabras for larger groups, and wood-paneled ceilings. The space was undeniably opulent, dripping with deliberate grandeur. Maple & Ash sure knows how to stage lavish presentation. There was nothing effortless about the experience. Instead, the atmosphere was theatrical and orchestrated. Clubby music was playing loud enough to make conversation across the table difficult. Service was, as expected, fantastic though I wish I could say the same about the food. The meal got off to a wonderfully welcoming start with a complimentary cocktail and a small plate of crudités. They also had complimentary bread though you would have to ask for it. The steak tartare was a strong appetizer. Blended with smoked egg yolk and white soy, it came in a generous portion with a side of delicious grilled sourdough. Familiar, classic flavors with a touch of smokiness. Now onto the main event: the steaks. What caught my attention immediately was that my filet mignon didn't boast the gorgeous crust I'd expected from being cooked directly over live wood fire, something they so proudly advertise. The steak, requested rare, was cooked unevenly. The exterior was slightly tough and stringy, suggesting either excess moisture or insufficient heat. Inside, it ranged from red-pink rare on one side to grey medium on the other. Flavor-wise, it seriously could have used more salt. The steak au poivre fared better though it could also have used a touch more salt. Potatoes au gratin was good. Might be a suitable venture if you’re on a company card and not looking to talk to your coworkers. Otherwise, there are many better steakhouses in Chicago to choose from.”