This place has great food although the service is sketchy. Not very welcoming bartenders as I sat at the bar. Had a few drinks and the salmon. It was very good. I have been back once since then, same result, great food, but the bartenders..........
(4)
Sean G.
First the view is amazing!!! I flew in for the weekend to go to the Tri-State rodeo this weekend with my brother and his best friend. On Saturday night I wanted to treat them to a great steak dinner and was told that Martini's was the place for that. We showed up when they first opened, had a drink at the bar and was seated with a spectacular view of the Mississippi river and the bridge. Our server immediatly greets us and tells us what a great meal we were about to have. She also told us that the manager had hired this great steak chef. I was very excited about dinner as my last experience at this establishment was in 2004 and was awesome. All three of us ordered steak. I ordered the 10 oz filet med.-rare, my brother the same but med., and his friend the sirloin med.-well. The sirloin was perfect. My brothers steak was med.-rare instead of med. and my steak was rare, cold in the middle rare. Totally disappointing!!!!! My brother was happy with his as he ordered hotter than he wanted on purpose and got what he really wanted...med.-rare. I sent mine back, which was a mistake as it got microwaved and sent back still barely warm. I should have made them cook me another steak. But I ate around the rare, again totally dissappointed. I travel for a living and eat out a lot. And this meal was no where near what it should have been for what I paid for it. If you like your steak under seasoned, if seasoned at all and improperly cooked then Martini's is your place!!!! The service on the other hand was exceptional. We never wanted for anything. But what a shame that such a great venue puts out marginal food. Should have got a corndog at the rodeo!!!!!!!
Martini's is overpriced and has a pretentious vibe to it. My boyfriend and I visited for a date night. I asked our waitress if there were any specials that night and she scoffed and told us that they didn't do specials. Their martinis are fantastic - the bubbling ones are really cool. But the food was unimpressive and relatively bland. You pay for the beautiful view - the restaurant overlooks the Mississippi and the walls are all glass. Unfortunately, the experience is ruined by the bad attitudes of the employees and the so-so food. I won't be back.
(2)
Keith Y.
This is the best spot to eat in Burlington. This place has a great atmosphere! Great view of the river and downtown. The service and food is top notch. It is not inexpensive but worth every cent!
Fresh seafood that taste amazing! Big variety for martinis! The view is incredible. You do get what you pay for! Don't be scared off by the prices because it is so worth it !
(5)
Ellie R.
Awesome atmosphere, great view, eclectic mixture of Midwesterners as clientele. I didn't drink when I came here but my parents are both a fan of their cocktails. Personally, I found the food to be a little meh, especially for the price. I know it's American food, but it just seemed kinda tasteless to me. I'm not a big fan on spending a lot of money eating out, and this place one where I just kinda felt guilty for spending so much money on an entree that wasn't particularly delicious.
(3)
LeAnn G.
My husband and I went to Martini's to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It had been a few years since we last made the 90 minute trip. What a difference a few years can make. It was an extremely disappointing evening. The waitress was not very attentive, she never even asked if we would like an appetizer. The steak I ordered medium was barely warm all the way through and the salmon my husband had was undercooked. Our waitress never once came to ask about our meal. We used to recommend the place but no longer. Don't waste your money.
(1)
Trinity S.
Happy hour is extended on Thursdays until 9pm. Half price martinis and 2 dollars off their delicious pizzas. $2 chicken lips. This is the best time to go for drinks since they usually run $12 for martinis. Fresh juices, puree, and handmade specialty martinis are very good! No blended drinks, two tap beers, lots of bottled beer and wine. Tuesdays and Wednesdays they have dinner specials which are reasonably priced. Great view, very classy and quiet. Hours are mon-thur 5pm-9pm fri-sat 5pm-10pm
(4)
Christine V.
New management again, which ups the star rating for me, although its the atmosphere and view which are by far the best feature. The wine list was incredible during Martini's early days, but its kind of average now. I hear the steaks of very good, if you eat red meat. Service is a crapshoot. Some servers are seasoned, some should be serving draughts at the tavern (and even that might be beyond them.)
(4)
Kate R.
This place was unexpected in Burlington, Iowa. You'd never know Martini's is in this building unless you alread knew it was here. It's on the top floor of a used-to-be-hospital and current business-type building and has AMAZING views of the Mississippi River. There were 12 of us, and the east side of the restaurant (the one that faces the Mississippi) only has booths, so we had to break up into 2 groups of 6 for dinner. It all worked out on who was sitting where, so it was okay with us. There were a couple of large round tables in the corners that might have accommodated our party if we squished in and got real close to our neighbors. Honestly, this was probably a 3-star restaurant... but with the view and considering it's in Burlington, Iowa, I bumped it up to a 4. Five out of six people at our booth ordered filets, and one ordered the salmon. The dishes all came out at really weird times. They didn't deliver bread until the soups/salads, and one filet wasn't delivered until a couple of us were actually done eating ours. Drink service was slow, but some of the drinks were quite tasty: I had a sip of a Pear martini, and it was really excellent. Maybe a little too sweet and not enough boozey, but overall it was good. Two of the girls at our table ordered the Ace Pear Cider, and only when the other drinks were delivered did the waitress tell them that they were out. I'd probably stick to the namesake Martini drinks here, and don't expect super quick bar service on the weekend. Our waitress was nice, but rather than just apologizing for the one steak coming out so so so so late, she apologized AND blamed the computer/kitchen. I get it, it probably WAS the kitchen or computer's fault that it wasn't prepared with the rest of the table's meals, but just apologize. That's what I always did. To her credit, she did offer a free dessert (we went with the Chocolate Mousse cake) to compensate and it was EXCELLENT (and I'm not even a chocolate fan). The other table in our party also had some issues: cold food, food delivered late, etc. They were also offered a free dessert but declined. I ordered, of course, the filet mignon with a twice-baked potato. It was served with broccoli and soup/salad. The filet itself was quite good: cooked to medium rare like I asked and was nice and tender. It was clearly a good cut of meat. The twice-baked potato was alright. Nothing extraordinary and the top of the potato was quite hard. The broccoli was the biggest disappointment of my meal... there's a difference between "al dente" and "raw". It looked like it had been steamed or boiled for maybe 30 seconds to give it some color and that was it. It wasn't even warm to the touch. Salad was good (a mix of field greens), but again, nothing extraordinary. Overall, this is probably one of the best places you'll find to eat in Burlington, Iowa.... but to me it was really just a 2 or 3 star place compared to what I'm used to, especially if it's trying to be "fine dining". But seriously, the view is awesome. Sit in one of the booths that faces the windows or in one of the booths right along the window. Order a Martini and a dessert for sure. Oh, and a quick tip: you can't call to make a reservation until 3pm, so try to call the day before (at least). Casual attire is just fine: no jacket required. You won't be out of place in flip flops OR a blazer (just please, not both).
(4)
Jen K.
A more scenic, stylish restaurant doesn't exist in the area. The design is beautiful, situated at the top of a historic local building, and three of the four dining room walls are glass, providing a view up and down the river on a clear day. Come here for a winter holiday or valentine's dinner, when it's snowing! It doesn't get much more romantic than this! You can't go wrong with the steak in this restaurant. The food choices are pretty typical of the area - steak, chicken, fish and pasta entrees - but it's the quality and originality of the preparation that makes Martini's just a little bit better than the other fine dining options in the area. Most important - if you're a fan of original cocktails or fine wine, this is the place for you. The bar staff is friendly and knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions you have about the drinks. I spent ten minutes chatting with the bar manager about different kinds of scotch, and the bartender who made my zentini not only explained the ingredients, but she also proudly talked up how she'd refined the recipe from its original! I've dealt with bartenders that were all over the map as far as service, and this is the best place in town for someone interested in more than just beer or the nightly shot special. I'm definitely coming back. They have a fantastic late-night happy hour, I left really happy, and she got a great tip.
(3)
Melissa S.
We came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. The atmosphere is great, with the highlight being a beautiful view of the city and the river. And food was terrific. I think we were given the Grazing meal--bacon and white cheddar pizza, spinach dip, chicken lips, caesar salad, bread, option between steak and salmon (kids were given chicken fingers which were just the chicken lips without the sauce), smashed potatoes, green beans, and the ice cream pie. It was A LOT of food. I don't know anyone capable of eating all of that food in one sitting. Almost all of the dishes were amazing--the chicken lips stood out (first time trying them--my fellow Kansas City Yelpers have been singing the praises of chicken lips for a while, and I have to admit they are delicious!) as well as the juicy, succulent filet mignon, creamy smashed potatoes, and flavorful and crisp--though a bit-out-of-place--Dim Sum green beans. The pie was great, too, but I was way into a food coma by then to really enjoy it. Some misses--after originally ordering wine, I changed my mind and ordered a Pink Lemonadini. It took around 10-15 minutes for me to get it, but it was dangerously delicious and smooth once it did arrive. Also, the caesar salad didn't have much flavor. Plus, I don't know if they have a private room and it was already booked, but it would have been nice to have the rehearsal dinner somewhere private and easier to mingle with other people from the rehearsal. As it was, we all sat at different tables and just interacted with the people at our table. And, and I can't stress this enough, even though we were give A LOT of food (and if it was the Grazing meal then it was only $39 a person), I would have preferred slightly less food for a slightly lower price (for the sake of our friends who paid). Besides those very minor problems, we had a wonderful time at Martini's Grille. We had no idea what to expect at a restaurant in Burlington, and I'm happy to say that we were very pleasantly surprised and, in fact, quite impressed with the food and our experience at Martini's. If we lived in Burlington we'd probably be regulars (and probably be a lot heavier, too).
(4)
William M.
I took a date to Martini's on a Wednesday night. We were given a beautiful booth looking out over the Mississippi River. It was as beautiful a non-ocean view as I've ever had in an establishment. My date had Steak and Lobster while I had the seafood extravaganza. Both were excellent. BTW we started off with Chicken Lips as our appetizer because she didn't believe! The care with which they remove and then cook the lips is only to be experienced!
(5)
Christine L.
We went here for my daughters birthday, and won't be going back. There was seven of us at 6 PM so early, and our waiter was a mess. He mixed up our wine orders, messed up on rib order, forgot a sprite all together, and our desert which was free, and their signature for birthdays, had a staple in it. (already been stapled) and the soup was cold. The prices are high which i wouldn't mind if the food was good. He apologized for forgetting the sprite, but seemed like he was overwhelmed ! I tipped him well because he can't help what comes out of the kitchen.
(1)
Meg L.
This establishment did not honor their Yelp coupon for FIVE dollars off (and our meal was nearly $300, mind you!) and the manager was clueless and accusatory. Customer service, anyone!?
(1)
Anna H.
This place has the potential to be the best place in Burlington but its missing a few things. Highlights: a great view. Seriously. I'd say its the best river view in town. The cocktail list is extensive and delicious. I had three (I wasn't driving, why not) and they were all great! The ambiance is nice too. It just feels special. My boyfriend and I had dinner there and loved the entrees! Good quality food, so tasty. Pitfalls: The service. When you're paying a decent amount of money (our tab came out to over $100) you expect a little something more than average service. We ordered calamari as an appetizer and it is one of my favorites. I should've been concerned when it came out extremely fast, like within minutes of ordering. It was ice cold, greasy and flavorless. I understand mistakes and trying to save an order if you have one coming up soon but the kitchen really made a mistake with this one. Its the quality control issue. Overall, it was a good meal and a great time but mistakes like that need to be fixed.
(4)
Bobbie M.
We were visiting from California, and some friends took us to dinner at Martini's. First off, our waitress did not know the price of the special, nor did she offer to go back and find out - but we all ordered the special anyway (the other items on the menu were extremely overpriced). At the end of the meal, our waitress PICKED UP A FORK THAT MY FRIEND HAD EATEN DINNER WITH and proceeded to scrape my leftovers into a to-go box! My friend said, "I ATE off of that fork" and the waitress looked at me and replied, "Oh I don't think you mind, do you?" If that had happened in the town where I live, she would have been fired on the spot.
(2)
Steven S.
Hitting up a classy and cool restaurant in Iowa is really a diamond in the rough. My parents suggested here for a night out with the wife and I. We sat outside on the roof that had a view of the Mississippi river. I had prime rib and peanut butter ice cream for dessert, which was good, but certainly not the best meal ever. Why should you go? This place is called Martini's and they are no joke, amazing martinis. I had a Ketel One and the wife had a Lemon Drop that we both absolutely loved. They give you the shaker with enough to almost fill your glass twice, so you really get your money's worth too. When I go back to Iowa to visit family, I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Wendy and Andrew B.
We went to Martini's fully expecting to be underwhelmed but instead were pleasantly surprised. It's a great space, part of a former hospital, with great views over the Mississippi River. We went on a Thursday night and there were a good amount of people there, especially people hanging out at the bar, but seemed more upscale, like this is where the people with office jobs go after work. We had a bottle of wine as it was half price bottle of wine night! The wine was nice and we ordered our meals. HUGE! We had leftovers for lunch the next day. It was good food, nothing out of this world, but it was good. The best part was the drunk lady who, for some reason, started smashing plates and knocking over dishes by the bar. Then someone yelled "call the police" while a waiter restrained the woman and led her towards the exit. I don't know if they do this every night but it was great entertainment! But seriously, wonderful service and atmosphere. We had to make room for dessert when they had creme brulee and it was good. Appartently the chicken lips are great but we honestly would not have had enough room in our bellies. Guess we'll have to go back!
(4)
Kim J.
For the area, this place is great. The atmosphere feels like you are in Chicago. I love taking out of town guests here because it feels super classy. I recommend sitting at the bar and ordering a Martini from O.J.. He makes the best dirty martinis. As for food, its very rich! Make sure you come hungry. My favorites at Martinis include the chicken lips for an appetizer and the martini cheesecake for dessert.
(4)
Tony K.
I just had an FDR Martini, but it was good, the view is amazing and the staff was friendly.
(3)
Ashley B.
Always get the chicken lips with blue cheese, always. What an amazing place. View is awesome, service is so-so, drinks and food are AWESOME, this place is located in an old hospital, so morbid and great.
(4)
Mark L.
Went for happy hour on May 1 and while the drinks were good, the service was terrible. They overcharged me by 100%, couldn't figure out how to reconcile the bill, and then told me they wouldn't take my gift certificate because their computer wouldn't allow it. I spoke to the manager who was extremely rude and initially refused to figure out what was wrong. She finally adjusted the bill. This whole event wasted 20 minutes of my time. There was never an apology or acknowledgement of their error. I would never return with such poor treatment of their customers.
(1)
Cali S.
Yum, I am going back tonight and can't wait. Hands down the best food in Burlington IA. I love the wedge and the creamed spinach. You must order the FRIES. They are so good. And they have a great martini menu and wine list.
(5)
Sandy T.
3.5 stars The Martini list - excellent and refreshing. I think we tried the top 5 suggested Wine list - awesome and well priced, great range of selection. The menu - I don't know why but it struck me as it was trying too hard to conceptualize many things. They have a "grazing" menu for 4 or more people. Why not switch to a "tapas" style menu so everyone can enjoy tasters? We tried the beef lettuce wraps which were great and flavorful. Next we ordered the super duper shrimp - interesting & unique presentation but the sauce inside of them was a bit excessive. We also go the Island Chicken sliders - yummy and spicy. For dessert we had the chocolate fondue... let me just say if I could eat those little cookies all day long and not gain a pound, I would never leave Martini's. Interesting clientle and no dress code really. Great view of the river. It appears there is a cooking school across the hall along with the gift store of the "Food Guru." I guess he has a show on local channels.
(3)
Rick H.
I went there with some friends. Very disappointing! We had reservations but still had to wait another 45 minutes. When we were finally seated and the waiter came we ordered the drinks which were fine. Upon ordering our dinners four of the six of us were told our choices were no longer available. I had to change my order four times because they were either out of the item or "no longer carried it". I ended up just ordering a burger but the sweet potatoe fries they were out of. I substituted regular fries which arrived BLACK!. When someone asked for ketchup they had none. We asked for bread twice and were finally told they were out. Other than the veiw I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Rylee S.
A fun place for, yes you guessed it martini's! We also got some appetizers. Yes it is pricey for the area, but cheap compared to Scottsdale. The outdoor patio had beautiful views of the river. Would go back!
(4)
Jeremy M.
Very expensive for what you get. The martini's are very good. We had a good time tring a bunch of them. Food is good.
(3)
Jim J.
Had problems before and made the proper complaints to management. They sent us a free dinner for four and said the new management was working the issues with service. Our faith was tested as we waited almost four months after the offer before we brought some family for dinner on a Saturday night. We ordered appetizers which were fast, hot and perfect tasting. Much better than before. Our hopes were up for dinner and we were not let down. The filets were superb, the meat tender and very flavorful, my ribeye was one of the best I've had outside of a Flemings or Ruth Chris. The final chicken entree was very large and extremely flavorful. The sides were good, not spectacular like the entrees but good. Finally we decided on two desserts to split between the four of us and found them to be great and fought to get the last bites. The wine we had was very good for the low price and the martini, lemon drop, was raved about. I fully expected to pay for everything but the entrees since it was a free dinner but the Management paid for all of it. Service was 100% better than every other visit, fast, courteous, and professional. A complete transformation. Our visitors couldn't get over the fantastic view or the wonderful meal. We've been back five times since and haven't changed our high opinion yet
(5)
Chris R.
A new chef has totally benefitted this place foodwise. Wine list has tanked, but the food is less precious. Fewer things with goofy affected name and better light meals (with the hearty stuff like steak and pork still available.)
(4)
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Address :610 N 4th St,Ste 400
Burlington, IA, 52601
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Chawn W.
This place has great food although the service is sketchy. Not very welcoming bartenders as I sat at the bar. Had a few drinks and the salmon. It was very good. I have been back once since then, same result, great food, but the bartenders..........
(4)Sean G.
First the view is amazing!!! I flew in for the weekend to go to the Tri-State rodeo this weekend with my brother and his best friend. On Saturday night I wanted to treat them to a great steak dinner and was told that Martini's was the place for that. We showed up when they first opened, had a drink at the bar and was seated with a spectacular view of the Mississippi river and the bridge. Our server immediatly greets us and tells us what a great meal we were about to have. She also told us that the manager had hired this great steak chef. I was very excited about dinner as my last experience at this establishment was in 2004 and was awesome. All three of us ordered steak. I ordered the 10 oz filet med.-rare, my brother the same but med., and his friend the sirloin med.-well. The sirloin was perfect. My brothers steak was med.-rare instead of med. and my steak was rare, cold in the middle rare. Totally disappointing!!!!! My brother was happy with his as he ordered hotter than he wanted on purpose and got what he really wanted...med.-rare. I sent mine back, which was a mistake as it got microwaved and sent back still barely warm. I should have made them cook me another steak. But I ate around the rare, again totally dissappointed. I travel for a living and eat out a lot. And this meal was no where near what it should have been for what I paid for it. If you like your steak under seasoned, if seasoned at all and improperly cooked then Martini's is your place!!!! The service on the other hand was exceptional. We never wanted for anything. But what a shame that such a great venue puts out marginal food. Should have got a corndog at the rodeo!!!!!!!
(2)Nathan W.
It's hard for us to find any faults in such an unexpected find. My wife and I were just passing thru and we found a great view and great service and an amazing meal. I'm very happy that we found this place in the forth floor of 610 north 4th. Try the seared tuna my wife highly recommends. The martini menu was impressive and the wine list had a wide price range. Something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to sit and graze or indulge on seafood and brûlée as we did. Thank you Martini's grill and Emily for such a great evening
(5)Taylor R.
Martini's is overpriced and has a pretentious vibe to it. My boyfriend and I visited for a date night. I asked our waitress if there were any specials that night and she scoffed and told us that they didn't do specials. Their martinis are fantastic - the bubbling ones are really cool. But the food was unimpressive and relatively bland. You pay for the beautiful view - the restaurant overlooks the Mississippi and the walls are all glass. Unfortunately, the experience is ruined by the bad attitudes of the employees and the so-so food. I won't be back.
(2)Keith Y.
This is the best spot to eat in Burlington. This place has a great atmosphere! Great view of the river and downtown. The service and food is top notch. It is not inexpensive but worth every cent!
(5)Christian H.
We come to try the various martinis and have yet to find a bad point. We also enjoy the lobster roll since it's the best sushi in town. Every time we got an appetizer or entrée we have not been disappointed. Martinez is by far the best martini bar in Burlington.
(5)Devin K.
Fresh seafood that taste amazing! Big variety for martinis! The view is incredible. You do get what you pay for! Don't be scared off by the prices because it is so worth it !
(5)Ellie R.
Awesome atmosphere, great view, eclectic mixture of Midwesterners as clientele. I didn't drink when I came here but my parents are both a fan of their cocktails. Personally, I found the food to be a little meh, especially for the price. I know it's American food, but it just seemed kinda tasteless to me. I'm not a big fan on spending a lot of money eating out, and this place one where I just kinda felt guilty for spending so much money on an entree that wasn't particularly delicious.
(3)LeAnn G.
My husband and I went to Martini's to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It had been a few years since we last made the 90 minute trip. What a difference a few years can make. It was an extremely disappointing evening. The waitress was not very attentive, she never even asked if we would like an appetizer. The steak I ordered medium was barely warm all the way through and the salmon my husband had was undercooked. Our waitress never once came to ask about our meal. We used to recommend the place but no longer. Don't waste your money.
(1)Trinity S.
Happy hour is extended on Thursdays until 9pm. Half price martinis and 2 dollars off their delicious pizzas. $2 chicken lips. This is the best time to go for drinks since they usually run $12 for martinis. Fresh juices, puree, and handmade specialty martinis are very good! No blended drinks, two tap beers, lots of bottled beer and wine. Tuesdays and Wednesdays they have dinner specials which are reasonably priced. Great view, very classy and quiet. Hours are mon-thur 5pm-9pm fri-sat 5pm-10pm
(4)Christine V.
New management again, which ups the star rating for me, although its the atmosphere and view which are by far the best feature. The wine list was incredible during Martini's early days, but its kind of average now. I hear the steaks of very good, if you eat red meat. Service is a crapshoot. Some servers are seasoned, some should be serving draughts at the tavern (and even that might be beyond them.)
(4)Kate R.
This place was unexpected in Burlington, Iowa. You'd never know Martini's is in this building unless you alread knew it was here. It's on the top floor of a used-to-be-hospital and current business-type building and has AMAZING views of the Mississippi River. There were 12 of us, and the east side of the restaurant (the one that faces the Mississippi) only has booths, so we had to break up into 2 groups of 6 for dinner. It all worked out on who was sitting where, so it was okay with us. There were a couple of large round tables in the corners that might have accommodated our party if we squished in and got real close to our neighbors. Honestly, this was probably a 3-star restaurant... but with the view and considering it's in Burlington, Iowa, I bumped it up to a 4. Five out of six people at our booth ordered filets, and one ordered the salmon. The dishes all came out at really weird times. They didn't deliver bread until the soups/salads, and one filet wasn't delivered until a couple of us were actually done eating ours. Drink service was slow, but some of the drinks were quite tasty: I had a sip of a Pear martini, and it was really excellent. Maybe a little too sweet and not enough boozey, but overall it was good. Two of the girls at our table ordered the Ace Pear Cider, and only when the other drinks were delivered did the waitress tell them that they were out. I'd probably stick to the namesake Martini drinks here, and don't expect super quick bar service on the weekend. Our waitress was nice, but rather than just apologizing for the one steak coming out so so so so late, she apologized AND blamed the computer/kitchen. I get it, it probably WAS the kitchen or computer's fault that it wasn't prepared with the rest of the table's meals, but just apologize. That's what I always did. To her credit, she did offer a free dessert (we went with the Chocolate Mousse cake) to compensate and it was EXCELLENT (and I'm not even a chocolate fan). The other table in our party also had some issues: cold food, food delivered late, etc. They were also offered a free dessert but declined. I ordered, of course, the filet mignon with a twice-baked potato. It was served with broccoli and soup/salad. The filet itself was quite good: cooked to medium rare like I asked and was nice and tender. It was clearly a good cut of meat. The twice-baked potato was alright. Nothing extraordinary and the top of the potato was quite hard. The broccoli was the biggest disappointment of my meal... there's a difference between "al dente" and "raw". It looked like it had been steamed or boiled for maybe 30 seconds to give it some color and that was it. It wasn't even warm to the touch. Salad was good (a mix of field greens), but again, nothing extraordinary. Overall, this is probably one of the best places you'll find to eat in Burlington, Iowa.... but to me it was really just a 2 or 3 star place compared to what I'm used to, especially if it's trying to be "fine dining". But seriously, the view is awesome. Sit in one of the booths that faces the windows or in one of the booths right along the window. Order a Martini and a dessert for sure. Oh, and a quick tip: you can't call to make a reservation until 3pm, so try to call the day before (at least). Casual attire is just fine: no jacket required. You won't be out of place in flip flops OR a blazer (just please, not both).
(4)Jen K.
A more scenic, stylish restaurant doesn't exist in the area. The design is beautiful, situated at the top of a historic local building, and three of the four dining room walls are glass, providing a view up and down the river on a clear day. Come here for a winter holiday or valentine's dinner, when it's snowing! It doesn't get much more romantic than this! You can't go wrong with the steak in this restaurant. The food choices are pretty typical of the area - steak, chicken, fish and pasta entrees - but it's the quality and originality of the preparation that makes Martini's just a little bit better than the other fine dining options in the area. Most important - if you're a fan of original cocktails or fine wine, this is the place for you. The bar staff is friendly and knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions you have about the drinks. I spent ten minutes chatting with the bar manager about different kinds of scotch, and the bartender who made my zentini not only explained the ingredients, but she also proudly talked up how she'd refined the recipe from its original! I've dealt with bartenders that were all over the map as far as service, and this is the best place in town for someone interested in more than just beer or the nightly shot special. I'm definitely coming back. They have a fantastic late-night happy hour, I left really happy, and she got a great tip.
(3)Melissa S.
We came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. The atmosphere is great, with the highlight being a beautiful view of the city and the river. And food was terrific. I think we were given the Grazing meal--bacon and white cheddar pizza, spinach dip, chicken lips, caesar salad, bread, option between steak and salmon (kids were given chicken fingers which were just the chicken lips without the sauce), smashed potatoes, green beans, and the ice cream pie. It was A LOT of food. I don't know anyone capable of eating all of that food in one sitting. Almost all of the dishes were amazing--the chicken lips stood out (first time trying them--my fellow Kansas City Yelpers have been singing the praises of chicken lips for a while, and I have to admit they are delicious!) as well as the juicy, succulent filet mignon, creamy smashed potatoes, and flavorful and crisp--though a bit-out-of-place--Dim Sum green beans. The pie was great, too, but I was way into a food coma by then to really enjoy it. Some misses--after originally ordering wine, I changed my mind and ordered a Pink Lemonadini. It took around 10-15 minutes for me to get it, but it was dangerously delicious and smooth once it did arrive. Also, the caesar salad didn't have much flavor. Plus, I don't know if they have a private room and it was already booked, but it would have been nice to have the rehearsal dinner somewhere private and easier to mingle with other people from the rehearsal. As it was, we all sat at different tables and just interacted with the people at our table. And, and I can't stress this enough, even though we were give A LOT of food (and if it was the Grazing meal then it was only $39 a person), I would have preferred slightly less food for a slightly lower price (for the sake of our friends who paid). Besides those very minor problems, we had a wonderful time at Martini's Grille. We had no idea what to expect at a restaurant in Burlington, and I'm happy to say that we were very pleasantly surprised and, in fact, quite impressed with the food and our experience at Martini's. If we lived in Burlington we'd probably be regulars (and probably be a lot heavier, too).
(4)William M.
I took a date to Martini's on a Wednesday night. We were given a beautiful booth looking out over the Mississippi River. It was as beautiful a non-ocean view as I've ever had in an establishment. My date had Steak and Lobster while I had the seafood extravaganza. Both were excellent. BTW we started off with Chicken Lips as our appetizer because she didn't believe! The care with which they remove and then cook the lips is only to be experienced!
(5)Christine L.
We went here for my daughters birthday, and won't be going back. There was seven of us at 6 PM so early, and our waiter was a mess. He mixed up our wine orders, messed up on rib order, forgot a sprite all together, and our desert which was free, and their signature for birthdays, had a staple in it. (already been stapled) and the soup was cold. The prices are high which i wouldn't mind if the food was good. He apologized for forgetting the sprite, but seemed like he was overwhelmed ! I tipped him well because he can't help what comes out of the kitchen.
(1)Meg L.
This establishment did not honor their Yelp coupon for FIVE dollars off (and our meal was nearly $300, mind you!) and the manager was clueless and accusatory. Customer service, anyone!?
(1)Anna H.
This place has the potential to be the best place in Burlington but its missing a few things. Highlights: a great view. Seriously. I'd say its the best river view in town. The cocktail list is extensive and delicious. I had three (I wasn't driving, why not) and they were all great! The ambiance is nice too. It just feels special. My boyfriend and I had dinner there and loved the entrees! Good quality food, so tasty. Pitfalls: The service. When you're paying a decent amount of money (our tab came out to over $100) you expect a little something more than average service. We ordered calamari as an appetizer and it is one of my favorites. I should've been concerned when it came out extremely fast, like within minutes of ordering. It was ice cold, greasy and flavorless. I understand mistakes and trying to save an order if you have one coming up soon but the kitchen really made a mistake with this one. Its the quality control issue. Overall, it was a good meal and a great time but mistakes like that need to be fixed.
(4)Bobbie M.
We were visiting from California, and some friends took us to dinner at Martini's. First off, our waitress did not know the price of the special, nor did she offer to go back and find out - but we all ordered the special anyway (the other items on the menu were extremely overpriced). At the end of the meal, our waitress PICKED UP A FORK THAT MY FRIEND HAD EATEN DINNER WITH and proceeded to scrape my leftovers into a to-go box! My friend said, "I ATE off of that fork" and the waitress looked at me and replied, "Oh I don't think you mind, do you?" If that had happened in the town where I live, she would have been fired on the spot.
(2)Steven S.
Hitting up a classy and cool restaurant in Iowa is really a diamond in the rough. My parents suggested here for a night out with the wife and I. We sat outside on the roof that had a view of the Mississippi river. I had prime rib and peanut butter ice cream for dessert, which was good, but certainly not the best meal ever. Why should you go? This place is called Martini's and they are no joke, amazing martinis. I had a Ketel One and the wife had a Lemon Drop that we both absolutely loved. They give you the shaker with enough to almost fill your glass twice, so you really get your money's worth too. When I go back to Iowa to visit family, I'll definitely go back.
(4)Wendy and Andrew B.
We went to Martini's fully expecting to be underwhelmed but instead were pleasantly surprised. It's a great space, part of a former hospital, with great views over the Mississippi River. We went on a Thursday night and there were a good amount of people there, especially people hanging out at the bar, but seemed more upscale, like this is where the people with office jobs go after work. We had a bottle of wine as it was half price bottle of wine night! The wine was nice and we ordered our meals. HUGE! We had leftovers for lunch the next day. It was good food, nothing out of this world, but it was good. The best part was the drunk lady who, for some reason, started smashing plates and knocking over dishes by the bar. Then someone yelled "call the police" while a waiter restrained the woman and led her towards the exit. I don't know if they do this every night but it was great entertainment! But seriously, wonderful service and atmosphere. We had to make room for dessert when they had creme brulee and it was good. Appartently the chicken lips are great but we honestly would not have had enough room in our bellies. Guess we'll have to go back!
(4)Kim J.
For the area, this place is great. The atmosphere feels like you are in Chicago. I love taking out of town guests here because it feels super classy. I recommend sitting at the bar and ordering a Martini from O.J.. He makes the best dirty martinis. As for food, its very rich! Make sure you come hungry. My favorites at Martinis include the chicken lips for an appetizer and the martini cheesecake for dessert.
(4)Tony K.
I just had an FDR Martini, but it was good, the view is amazing and the staff was friendly.
(3)Ashley B.
Always get the chicken lips with blue cheese, always. What an amazing place. View is awesome, service is so-so, drinks and food are AWESOME, this place is located in an old hospital, so morbid and great.
(4)Mark L.
Went for happy hour on May 1 and while the drinks were good, the service was terrible. They overcharged me by 100%, couldn't figure out how to reconcile the bill, and then told me they wouldn't take my gift certificate because their computer wouldn't allow it. I spoke to the manager who was extremely rude and initially refused to figure out what was wrong. She finally adjusted the bill. This whole event wasted 20 minutes of my time. There was never an apology or acknowledgement of their error. I would never return with such poor treatment of their customers.
(1)Cali S.
Yum, I am going back tonight and can't wait. Hands down the best food in Burlington IA. I love the wedge and the creamed spinach. You must order the FRIES. They are so good. And they have a great martini menu and wine list.
(5)Sandy T.
3.5 stars The Martini list - excellent and refreshing. I think we tried the top 5 suggested Wine list - awesome and well priced, great range of selection. The menu - I don't know why but it struck me as it was trying too hard to conceptualize many things. They have a "grazing" menu for 4 or more people. Why not switch to a "tapas" style menu so everyone can enjoy tasters? We tried the beef lettuce wraps which were great and flavorful. Next we ordered the super duper shrimp - interesting & unique presentation but the sauce inside of them was a bit excessive. We also go the Island Chicken sliders - yummy and spicy. For dessert we had the chocolate fondue... let me just say if I could eat those little cookies all day long and not gain a pound, I would never leave Martini's. Interesting clientle and no dress code really. Great view of the river. It appears there is a cooking school across the hall along with the gift store of the "Food Guru." I guess he has a show on local channels.
(3)Rick H.
I went there with some friends. Very disappointing! We had reservations but still had to wait another 45 minutes. When we were finally seated and the waiter came we ordered the drinks which were fine. Upon ordering our dinners four of the six of us were told our choices were no longer available. I had to change my order four times because they were either out of the item or "no longer carried it". I ended up just ordering a burger but the sweet potatoe fries they were out of. I substituted regular fries which arrived BLACK!. When someone asked for ketchup they had none. We asked for bread twice and were finally told they were out. Other than the veiw I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Rylee S.
A fun place for, yes you guessed it martini's! We also got some appetizers. Yes it is pricey for the area, but cheap compared to Scottsdale. The outdoor patio had beautiful views of the river. Would go back!
(4)Jeremy M.
Very expensive for what you get. The martini's are very good. We had a good time tring a bunch of them. Food is good.
(3)Jim J.
Had problems before and made the proper complaints to management. They sent us a free dinner for four and said the new management was working the issues with service. Our faith was tested as we waited almost four months after the offer before we brought some family for dinner on a Saturday night. We ordered appetizers which were fast, hot and perfect tasting. Much better than before. Our hopes were up for dinner and we were not let down. The filets were superb, the meat tender and very flavorful, my ribeye was one of the best I've had outside of a Flemings or Ruth Chris. The final chicken entree was very large and extremely flavorful. The sides were good, not spectacular like the entrees but good. Finally we decided on two desserts to split between the four of us and found them to be great and fought to get the last bites. The wine we had was very good for the low price and the martini, lemon drop, was raved about. I fully expected to pay for everything but the entrees since it was a free dinner but the Management paid for all of it. Service was 100% better than every other visit, fast, courteous, and professional. A complete transformation. Our visitors couldn't get over the fantastic view or the wonderful meal. We've been back five times since and haven't changed our high opinion yet
(5)Chris R.
A new chef has totally benefitted this place foodwise. Wine list has tanked, but the food is less precious. Fewer things with goofy affected name and better light meals (with the hearty stuff like steak and pork still available.)
(4)