Budget examples for two
The menu is $175 per guest. The beer pairings are Classic at $75, Reserve at $115 and Grand Reserve at $145. Moody Tongue adds a 22% service charge, which includes the tip, and 10.75% sales tax. Two menus come to $427 with service. With tax on the food only, that's $464.63. If tax also applies to the service charge, it's $472.90. The FAQ doesn't say which, so we show both.
Two Classic pairings take the total to $663.75, or $675.58 with the service charge taxed. Two Grand Reserve pairings take it to $849.60, or $864.74. Couples have a cheaper option. The FAQ lets two guests split one pairing for $25. We read that as $25 on top of the pairing, so a shared Classic costs $100 and two menus come to $597.38, or $608.02. Confirm the split price when you book. A shared pairing may suit guests who want less beer. Confirm the portions and charges before choosing it.
Book at least a day ahead
The official reservations page now links to SevenRooms for Chicago's Dining Room. The FAQ still says OpenTable; the former OpenTable listing confirms bookings moved. The FAQ gives a 42-day window, midnight Chicago time and a 24-hour booking cutoff. Confirm those rules on SevenRooms; we could not verify its calendar or checkout. The Dining Room seats at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Dinner usually takes two to two and a half hours. An 8:30 seating may run until about 11 p.m.; confirm timing before making plans afterward. If nothing's open, email your name, phone number and preferred dates to contact@moodytongue.com for the Dining Room waitlist.
Cancellations and party-size changes need at least a week's notice. Inside that week there are no refunds, and any refund leaves out Stripe's card processing fees. That wording suggests you pay when you book. The FAQ doesn't say whether you can transfer a booking to someone else. Seatings start on time, and late arrivals may miss part of the meal, so call 312-600-5111 if you're running behind. The Bar has its own rules, including a $25 per guest fee for cancelling within 6 hours and a 3.5% surcharge you can ask to remove.
FAQ with booking, seating and cancellation terms
For five or more in the Dining Room, enquire directly; the Bar's seven-or-more rule is for another service. Initial payment, deposit credit and transfers remain unverified.
Give dietary notice a week ahead
Email contact@moodytongue.com about allergies and aversions at least a week before dinner. The FAQ says "some restrictions unfortunately cannot be accommodated" and doesn't list which ones. Beer carries this meal, so if someone at your table avoids alcohol or gluten, ask what they'd drink instead. The site doesn't describe a non-alcoholic pairing.
There's no dress code. The FAQ says most Dining Room guests wear cocktail or business formal, "or, as we often hear it called, 'date ready'," and asks guests to skip strong perfume or cologne. There's no valet. Free street parking is on Wabash Avenue and 25th Street right outside, and 26th Street has meters. The restaurant suggests a rideshare, taxi or transit instead. The accessibility page on the site covers only the website, so ask about step-free access if you need it.
FAQ with dietary, dress and parking details
Age rules and BYOB terms remain unverified.
Compare before booking
EL Ideas is BYOB without corkage according to its OpenTable description, with $390 for two menus before tax and unverified service. Moody Tongue is $427 with its 22% service before tax and drinks, and sells beer pairings. Your shop purchase versus the pairing is part of the budget difference.
Galit has vegan options in every course. Moody Tongue asks for a week's dietary notice without listing the restrictions it can handle. If a guest avoids gluten or alcohol, confirm both food and pairing arrangements before buying this beer-focused dinner.
Sources and editorial approach
This is a researched planning guide, not a review of a firsthand meal. Prices and policies are those available when checked. Cost examples are our calculations with exclusions stated. Confirm the details for your date with the restaurant.
- FAQ with prices, booking terms, dietary and parking details
- Dining Room menu
- Dining Room location page with phone and seat count
- Moody Tongue locations
Checked September 28, 2026. Send a correction with the detail and a supporting source.
FAQ and official booking route checked September 30, 2026. SevenRooms returned a shell without calendar or checkout details. The menu and other sources retain their September 28 check.