BlackStone
503 Westbury Dr,Ste 1, Iowa City, IA, 52245
BlackStone Menu
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Address :
503 Westbury Dr,Ste 1
Iowa City, IA, 52245 - Phone (319) 338-1770
- Website https://blackstone-ic.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch, Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Kristy S.
This is a great restaurant! I've only been here twice but both times I went it was packed! My group and I shared two appetizers, the famous one where they fire it up in front of you was one and a kabob for the other and it was just amazing, I didn't want to be greedy with the food since it was split between 5 of us but I would eat it myself if I could. I ordered the bubbly Mac and cheese (I wish I had a picture it not only tasted good but it looked good too) with a side of fries and it was fantastic. I know you can't really mess up a Mac and cheese but this Mac had different cheeses on top that I could taste, as well as bacon incorporated within. 3 people ordered burgers and all three had nothing but great things to say about it, and one of my group members had a salad (3 berries) that the waitress recommended and she liked it a lot. I would recommend this place for any occasion, it's classy, casual, and all the workers were professional and caring. I already cannot wait to go back here because I know it'll be a good time. Tip: reserve a seat in advanced if you go on a weekend!
(5)Jaquel S.
I have been waiting for over a year to go to BlackStone and the wait was worth it! They were taking down their Sunday Brunch when we arrived and I have to be honest in saying, I was slightly sad I did not get to munch on that brunch, as it did look outstanding! Our waitress was fantastic, friendly and walked us through anything we needed to know about BlackStone. My love and I started with a cup of their delicious Chicken Tortilla soup and split a Turkey BALT and a Hawaiian Heat flatbread. We devoured everything and look forward to trying more of their menu.
(5)Liz S.
This is one of my favorite restaurants to frequent on the east side of Iowa City. You will always see a friendly face and get good food and drink. My favorite new addition is the Power Salad with quinoa clusters. I also enjoy their Three Berry Chicken Salad. My husband enjoys their burgers and varies the one he chooses every time we go and is never disappointed. Great place to catch an Iowa game. Loads of TV's and specialty craft beers on tap. Also they have game day specials that are excellent. Not a huge fan of their Sunday brunch but if I am invited I typically end up going.
(4)Zach S.
Despite being extremely busy we had great service and the food was out very quickly. Ordered the 1lb Chicago ribeye and over half of it was fat, was disappointed in the quality of the steak but was otherwise satisfied.
(3)Brice C.
So I went here for a beer...a simple thing. The bar surface that my Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale was placed on was acrylic shaved plywood. The soundtrack was like revisiting "The Big Chill". Not bad, just not what striked me at the time. Servers....efficient to the point of being indifferent. Henry Ford would admire the ambiance. Slow down would my advice. There is so much to experience in this world.
(3)J H.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars in because every time we order for pickup they mess up the order. Regardless, it's a place on the east side with great ambiance, fun drinks, good food, and courteous waitstaff. Bring the kids, have a date night, or enjoy a good time with friends. Definitely a place to check out!
(4)Chris R.
Went here for Father's Day. (Even thou my kids decided it was a good day to go to Adventureland). The bar area wasn't busy and since the U.S. open was on, we sat in the bar area. Immediately was greeted by the bartender, who took our drink order right away. Great drink selections and a pleasant atmosphere. Drinks came fast and we ordered the saganaki. (One of the main reasons why I choose this spot). It most certainly did NOT disappoint. It's like an appetizer and a show . Very tasty! As for our dinner, I got the buffalo chicken flatbread. Very tasty! My companion got the McMurray burger and said that it was extremely tasty!! Will definitely be back!!
(4)Jamie B.
This is my favorite place to eat! I sometimes consider moving to Iowa City simply to eat there. However, probably not good for the pocketbook because we tend to spend a lot when we go there. They have the best strawberry martini ever. That's probably why I have expensive checks,ha. Their seared tuna with mac and cheese is what I get every single time I go for dinner. It's delicious. The satay sampler is also fantastic. In the rare occasion I make it in for a lunch I've had the Big Kahuna burger and the McMurray burger sans mushrooms. I side either one of those with the mac in cheese. I want to try other stuff on the menu but I can't say no to my regular order because it is that good. My only wish is that they had a filet mignon because I just imagine it would be exquisite .Do yourself a favor and go to this establishment.
(5)Matthew O.
This place has good food with lots of taste. The service seems to be lacking. I would not recommend this place to any one who has kids.
(3)Jessica D.
Amazing food! Went here to celebrate my birthday me and my friends all had martins. The drinks were very nice and the food was delicious. I recommend the flaming cheese. I had the Chicago ribeye and it was cooked perfectly. Well worth the money spent.
(4)Dulcinea C.
Had lunch here on a nice, though slightly chilly day. I was surprised at the amount of options considered gluten free. They sounded very tasty. I have the Turkey Balt. The flavors were very nice, I enjoyed the avocado and aioli, but the turkey was a tad dry. My boyfriend doesn't eat red meat so it was nice to see the burgers also offered to be replaced with a chicken breast or black bean patty. He decided to have the Big Kahuna with the chicken and thought it was good, but that they slathered on a bit too much sauce. My boyfriends mother had the Chicken Tortilla soup and said it was pretty good. We all agreed the fries were very tasty, though I thought it was unfortunate that it was $1 extra to have them. Overall, good place to have a nice lunch. Very inviting and simple decor and a friendly staff. I haven't had their brunch, but currently there is a deal on BlendCard where you can buy one brunch and get another free.
(4)Mark G.
Way better second vist. Noticed a few changes here and there. Cuban sandwich was awesome. Which came with a side of choice. Only thing I would suggest is toasting the bun a little. But sandwich was great. The blackstone salad was very good with very delicious dressing. They did an amazing job bringing the salad to life. Fries were also a standout, they are top notch fries would get these again. My desert sweet spot the cookie dough was better than last time. Looks like they changed things for the better, really excited to return again. Will try a few more dishes.
(4)Chels I.
Absolutely love this place! Great atmosphere, great service, and excellent food. It is a neighborhood restaurant, I see many regular from around the east side. I have had pretty much their whole menu and would probably say that their buffalo flatbread, satay sampler, and the Saganaki being my favorite starters. Ahi tuna salad, fire mouth burger, or the seared tuna entree's are my favorite. Also, ask about their desserts! Can't go wrong there and they have small portions, just enough after a filling meal. Anddddd they have a great draft beer selection as well as their martinis!!! Also, great weekly specials on both!
(5)Jirakate M.
I ordered duck confit on Valentine's day and my boyfriend ordered steak. Both are oily. We ordered spinach and artichoke dip, which was ok.
(3)Mark J.
Gluten-Free Review: Celiac or serious gluten-free concerns? This place _hands down_ #1 in IC. - Separate prep areas - Wait staff attentive, extremely friendly, and knowledgeable of cross-contamination concerns, even on crazy busy nights This on top of having excellent food and atmosphere. I recommend: Just piece together an embarrassing amount of sides and cocktails and pretend it's a meal - they are all excellent. #1 is their mashed potatoes. Very good GF flatbread as well.
(5)Vickie M.
We had a great experience at Blackstone. We ate here with a party of 5, one of whom has celiac disease (so unlike all of the poseurs right now who avoid gluten because it's the hip thing to do, she actually has to or she becomes violently ill). We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Our waiter was attentive and friendly, if not a little busy as it was a Saturday. night. The food was really good. Three of us had burgers, which were well cooked, well seasoned, and overall great. My guy had the pork chop, which was moist and perfectly prepared. I had the Mahi Mahi, which was great. Most of us had the Mac and cheese as a side, and I thought it was awesome. Our celiac friend was so grateful to be able to have a burger and fries without having to worry about getting ill she was in heaven (gluten free food is prepped and cooked in a separate area). The kitchen even cooked the bacon for her burger on the gluten free cooktop! The chocolate cake was an awesome finish for those of us who could have it. Sadly, our celiac friend couldn't have any dessert as there wasn't anything gluten-free. As we left, we saw how crowded it was and were glad we had made a reservation. It was a really good meal. I highly recommended Blackstone for anyone, but particularly for celiac folk.
(5)Carly M.
The food here is amazing!! I love the seared tuna!! They have really made the inside beautiful as well.. They also have a great back room where we held our sisters 40th birthday! They were very accommodating and helpful
(4)Connie C.
Great place...will come again. Broad menu selection. Happy hour 3-6. Staff was attentive.
(5)Dani O.
Amazing food, but the music in the bar was really loud so it was hard to have a conversation when our table was in the bar. But the food was great!!
(4)Lynn J.
Good food and drinks. A bit pricy, but nice place. They have great brunch on Sundays.
(4)Thao P.
Absolutely delicious brunch buffet! I went here on a Sunday to try their brunch buffet. Blackstone is a spacious and nice restaurant. Customer service was great and the hostess and waitress was attentive to our needs. They will give you anything you need. The buffet is about $15 which can fare cheaper than the $20-$25 brunch buffets at other places. FOOD: - Blue Cheese Pork - Seasoned Green Beans (seasoned Asian style!) - Mac and Cheese (YUMMY- best item!!) - Biscuits and Gravy - Chipotle Chicken - Roast Beef - Scrambled Eggs -French Toast -Berry Crepes -Party Potatos (Diced Potatoes lathered with cheese and green onions) Dessert: - An array of cheesecake bites, pound cake, tiramisu, cookies, etc As you can see, they serve a WONDERFUL selection of food. With the meat included, it can be quite a heavy brunch. My personal favorite was the Mac and Cheese. So delicious! The Dessert is a close second for me because I love sampling their cute little desserts. I loved the tiramisu and cheesecake bites.
(4)Ben R.
Had heard many good things about this place and visited on a Friday evening with a friend recently. It was very busy and we had to wait for a table for almost 40 minutes. This was ok as we were able to get drinks and find some temporary seats. Once we were seated service was mediocre. I had the Mac and Cheese which they are supposedly known for and while ok it was nothing special. My friend had the crab cakes which I was unimpressed with. Beer selection was pretty good. Unimpressed with the wine by the glass. Overall an ok option for East Side of Iowa City but if you are willing to go to down town IC or into Coralville there are better options.
(2)Holly M.
My son and I went for dinner for Mother's Day. I figured brunch would be busy so we opted for dinner and they were still busy. We had to wait about 25 minutes for a table, but we were able to find a spot in the bar area until then. I ordered a raspberry lemon drop martini, which was amazing. I was a little worried about taking a 7 year old to Blackstone but it turned out to be a good decision, my son loved it! He picked chips and salsa as an app, which was good. He saw a few tables get the saganaki and wished he had picked that instead. I know what we're getting for an app the next time I take him. I ordered the petite sirloin with garlic smashed potatoes. Both were delicious. My steak was cooked perfectly. I also ordered a side of the mac and cheese to split with my son. I think the mac and cheese was the best part of the meal. The kids meal portions are nice. My son got the burger slider and chips. I had to snag a few of the chips because they looked really good, nice and crunchy and they're made in house. Our server was attentive and didn't mind when my son whined about the wait for the food. It was busy and we didn't have to wait long but he was hungry. We skipped dessert, mostly because we were too full so next time I'm going to have to save room, the desserts sound amazing.
(5)Lianne N.
So glad I found this place!! Thank you, yelpers!! We were all staying at the nearby Clarion for a conference, and we really had no idea where to eat. The hotel staff recommended Bob's Your Uncle, which sounded fine until I read the reviews on here... Ummmm did we really want to risk it?? Well, I did my usual Yelp searches, and thank heavens for Yelp and its multitude of opinions. This place was only a couple of miles further. We called ahead, and they helped us out with seating, even though they said they usually do not do same-day reservations after 4 p.m., because we had a party of 11. The hostess who answered the phone was really friendly and helpful, telling me things about the menu, making recommendations, and giving me an idea if we really wanted to give it a shot. They promised to do their best for seating us promptly, saying we might have to wait a few. Well, when we got there, the table was ready. Excellent! The drink menu was impressive. So many martinis! So many other drinks! Wow... but really I digress, since we weren't really there to drink. Those of us who did order drinks seemed pretty satisfied with them! Now onto the food... Every one of us was quite happy with our meals. Absolutely mouth-watering, and very generous portions. Flatbreads, burgers (which the hostess informed me had won awards), pastas, salads, steaks... you name it! The french onion soup the person next to me had smelled amazing... The flaming cheese at the next table certainly made me curious to try some... Personally, being a huge bleu cheese lover, I highly recommend the Iowa Pork Chop (covered with blue cheese, over a bed of caramelized onions...) or the black and blue burger (we also ended up coming back the next day for lunch) Get the mac n cheese as your side. Baked and gooey, it was wonderful. Or try their homemade chips... Did I mention I had two chances to sample their amazing food?? I noticed a kids' menu, and I can't say if it's any good since we had no kids with us, but it seemed reasonably priced at $5, with a drink included. While you're there, be sure to check in on Yelp... I got a free dessert shot out of it! YUM! And, as you might have gotten from the review already, we came back the next day for lunch on our way out of town, taking with us another member of our group who had not had the great fortune to accompany us the night before. They were so cool... when they realized we had been there the night before, they even thanked us for our loyalty with some more of those dessert shots... Did I say YUM yet??? Everyone of us left raving like happy over-stuffed lunatics who had just been treated to the meal of a lifetime. The service was really good, really helpful, really friendly. Both times we went, the manager visited our table to check on us, and he was really friendly and seemed genuinely interested in making sure things were going well. Now, lest I sound insincere and too enthusiastic, I guess I should come up with something to bring us back to earth here. The place was fairly crowded, especially for a Thursday night. The ambiance was a touch on the loud side. They had several tv's, and each one was on the same baseball game. The food wasn't cheap (although, really the portions were generous, and the prices were hardly what one could consider obscene)... But with those as my only complaints (if you want to call them complaints), I can only state that I will eagerly return again (and again and again) if I'm ever in the area for a meal. Visit Bob some other time if you dare. Go to Blackstone first.
(5)Alex s.
My new mission in life is to figure out the recipe to the mac and cheese. Go for the brunch and just eat that mac. The steak is pretty good and the flat bread is not too bad. It's a good slice of something you would find in Chicago in Iowa. Just as the terminator was sent back in time to find John Connor....I have been sent back in time to find this mac and cheese recipe.
(4)Leslie S.
I then took my boyfriend here for his birthday in January. I didn't make a reservation, and it seemed busy and I was nervous we wouldn't get in (it was a Wednesday, so I was shocked) but we were seated immediately. The service was just impressive from start to finish. Something about it was SO EXCELLENT I ended up writing a nice note on the receipt to my waitress and of course gave an excellent tip. She was just very accommodating to questions and requests (we had a question/issue with our Blendcard). And then apparently we were told that first time visitors get a free appetizer and then later we were offered a dessert shot and told that those were also free to first time visitors. So we were just impressed from start to finish in the food and service; very professional. The food was amazing. I got the tuna salad which I was scared wouldn't fill me up, the description wasn't that good, but I got it anyway for some reason, and the description DID NOT DO THIS PLATE JUSTICE! I received it and was just so impressed; I received a nice helping of sliced tuna, and it was just beautifully decorated. And filled me up. We got the sliders for the appetizer and that was a HUGE helping, very tasty. My boyfriend got the french dip and he said it was probably the BEST FRENCH DIP he has ever had. And french dip is his favorite food (which is why I took him here because I saw it on the menu, and most restaurants do not carry french dip unless it's a sandwich place). And of course, as I said, the dessert shot was really good and just the right amount. We loved this place so much, we ended up coming 15 days later (on Valentines Day). The service wasn't as amazing, waiter was a little awkward, and the tuna salad didn't taste as fresh, but I gave them some slack as it was Valentines Day so I know they were swamped. Summary: I love this place a lot, and I plan on coming back many times and I highly recommend it.
(5)Ben B.
Went here for the Sunday morning breakfast buffet. I love the look of the place. It's big and well-deocrated. Not quite "fancy restaurant," but definitely upscale. At the buffet, you'll encounter potatoes, French toast, bacon, sausage, mac n cheese(?) and other breakfast staples. None of it was really mind-blowing, but it did the job. As with any buffet, you'll walk away plenty stuffed. There's also a dessert table included. Because no breakfast is complete without dessert. Our server was slow on refills and such, but the place was totally packed. Wouldn't surprise me if they were understaffed. I'm not sure how Blackstone fares as a regular restaurant, but as a breakfast buffet place, it's solid.
(3)Angela D.
My boyfriend and I just ate here for the first time. We had a great experience. Our server, Ian, was amazing and super helpful. He put up with our endless questions and drink orders while waiting on a table full of screaming children. The drinks were delicious and my seared tuna and his burger were perfect. But the mac and cheese and green beans(Ian's suggestion) were amazing. We will definitely be back.
(5)Heidi S.
Good steak and french onion soup. Their "onion strings" appetizer was less than good. We only ate a little and told the staff we didn't care for it. What was excellent is that they took the price of them off our bill. Good service, nice "ambiance."
(4)Katie K.
Amazing food, great prices, and beautiful ambiance! Love this place. I highly recommend the black and bleu burger, all of the flatbreads, and the Miaggi beans.
(5)J Todd L.
Wow. Awesome food. Awesome service. While driving cross country, we stopped in and mentioned we had a big dog with us. They set up a stand alone table outside for us. The entire staff came out to meet the dog. Sam, our server, was so nice and friendly and appropriately attentive. The food was gourmet and delicious. Their beer menu is one of the best I've seen (and I live in Seattle). Outstanding restaurant on every front.
(5)Matt U.
We've been hearing about Blackstone for quite some time and finally made it for dinner. I'm goint to have to disagree with some of my compatriots here who've had less than good experiences as ours was pretty legit. We arrived and while we found it to be quite busy, we found a booth in the bar quickly. The servers were very attentive and made some solid drink recommendations including a delicious dark belgian beer and, for me lady, the half price martinis! The appetizers were solid ranging from the standard calamari and sliders to the one tried - The Saganaki. A spectacular piece of kasseri cheese flamed with brandy! It was not only awesome to watch them flambe', but was one of the better appetizers we've had in the area. Prices were $5-12. The variety of entree's was impressive. They had everything from burgers and flatbreads to pastas and steaks. Very reminiscent of Mondo's with a more extensive selection of sandwiches. We shared a burger and it was a 8 of 10 burger. The true magic however was the side of chips that came with it. Seriously, they figured out how to infuse them with cocaine - they were radness in chip form! Finally, for dessert we had a couple sweet shots - one cherry cheesecake and one brownie. They were awesome little shot glasses with the aforementioned cakes, some custard and some delicious sauce on top. Just the right size to end the night with some sweet, but not get overly full. Overall, Blackstone was a solid 4 of 5. Good food, friendly service and they did well even when really busy. Food is on par with Red's or Mondo's as a good spot to get a mix of things that range from cheap to pricey and where the quality is solid. The beer selection in the top quarter of places and the martini selection is excellent for the ladies. The bar was loud, but there was ample seating for groups and couples alike. It doesn't quite get the 5 star nod, but it's a solid 4 and a good place to go when you're in the mood for something a few steps up from TGI Fridays and a beer you can't buy at 7-11.
(4)Burger Guide D.
The Bacon Cheddar Burger at Blackstone is an American Classic with a touch of bacon. A sesame seed bun, seasoned beef, applewood smoked bacon, melted cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and red onion make up this burger. I added some ketchup and mustard to keep this burger a classic. Although I enjoyed the burger nothing stood out. With a gourmet bun or beef I believe the burger would be on the next level of taste. However, given its reasonable pricetag it's a value if you are in Iowa City and looking for a good bite. The fries on the side and the atmosphere of the bar are also an added bonus that make Blackstone definitely worth a visit.
(4)Jessica W.
Good experience from the minute walking into Blackstone until we left for the evening. Hostesses were sweet, server was attentive but not overly so, the menu had just enough on it to provide some variety but didn't overwhelm you. The atmosphere was great too! It was really nice without being stuffy/fancy. I thought their drink menu was pretty impressive also - lots of signature cocktails and some good beers/wines. We split a couple apps - the satay and the Monterey flatbread. The skewers (chicken, steak and shrimp) were perfectly seasoned and prepared and the sauces that come with were sooooooo good! There was a sweet hoisin sauce, a creamy horseradish and what I would describe as a thick chipolte ranch. The flatbread was REALLY good. This was a perfect combination for a light meal. I would totally come back here anytime!
(4)Katie M.
Such a great place to eat! I love that they give you a free appetizer for your birthday when you sign up for their newsletter. It is one of my favorite places to go on date night or even just for a few drinks. Staff is always super nice! Can't wait to go back again!
(5)Scott S.
BlackStone is pretty solid. My favorites are the Saganaki, and their Satay appetizer. Their Miaggi beans with sesame oil and seeds are an excellent side dish, and while they don't have as many beers as Red's Alehouse, they usually have something great on tap. Happy hour for beer is on Mondays, Tuesdays is half price "Martinis."
(4)Deva C.
Came for the brunch, not realizing it was a buffet. I'm not usually a fan of buffets but all the food is fresh and delicious. A bit expensive for breakfast ($16.99) but it's good food. The fruit is fresh and ripe. The brunch buffet has breakfast items and lunch items, with a nice balance of each. The biscuits and gravy were good enough to satisfy this southern girl who makes her own from scratch. Nice atmosphere. Quality food. Friendly staff. We will definitely be back.
(5)Jason F.
Delicious. Hands down. I've eaten here multiple times and I live 25 miles away. Great service great food.
(4)Anonymous O.
Best burgers in the Iowa City area!
(5)Felicia S.
I love, love, love this restaurant. My roommate and I come here twice a year, at the end of each semester to celebrate our making it through the semester. The drinks are good and all the food is a good choice, I have not had a bad thing yet. Although I would highly suggest the baked Mac and cheese side or as a meal, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. The staff has always been pleasant and helpful, will be back
(4)Seth M.
Terrible service. Over priced cheap cuts of meat. Cooks have no idea what they are doing and have never had any type of meal that we ordered that came out what we actually ordered or how we wanted it cooked. Blackstone is so overrated and over priced. I will never go back to that place, I have been there numerous times and somehow it always gets f'd up. I would never recommend anyone to eat there. EVER! "Putting more on the table". What a joke. Ask to check out the kitchen. Not ok at all.
(1)Tracey F.
Sunday Brunch was great! Good variety and a couple Blackstone specialties including their party potatoes and Mac and cheese! Mango bread pudding closed the sweet experience. Till next time in Iowa City!
(4)Daniel P.
Wow, what an amazing place! Tucked away in a new area of town, this restaurant delivers great service, amazing food and an awesome vibe. My brother recently got married and decided to hold a very intimate celebration at BlackStone and the entire staff made sure everything went smoothly and beautifully. Despite our delays in coming up with a final menu for the gathering, we got to choose everything we wanted and then some. Stacy, the banquet manager, was very flexible (we made a couple of substitutions in their offerings) and allowed us to bring in our own music and cake. Our very attentive waitress made sure drinks kept flowing, plates promptly cleared and even brought everything we needed for the cake... and all of this with a pleasant smile on her face. The food items we picked were amazing as well. The salmon was fresh and grilled to tender and flaky perfection, the chicken was juicy and full of flavor, and the sirloin was expertly grilled and deliciously topped with a delicate demi-glace. Their salads were full of fresh tomatoes and greens and came accompanied with a chipotle style smoky ranch...absolutely scrumptious! Their drinks menu was just as diverse and unique as their food menu. Specializing in martinis, BlackStone offers anything from your regular classic martini to the creative mint chocolate chip cake and the balsamic berry bliss... just pick any martini from their menu and you will love it. The entire staff at BlackStone made this wedding an event to remember. We cannot thank you enough the awesome service and for making us feel at home!!! My tip for this restaurant: Happy hour special- half off Martinis and $2.75 drafts! Make sure to check it out!
(5)Rene V.
If you like coco's and food that tastes processed then this is your place. Sorry but it sucks. Caesar salad with bottled dressing and pre cooked (and probably packaged) chicken, the flat bread was doughy, not crisp at all. It was drowning in cheese. My friend had a burger and finished it because he was so hungry. It was dry, not seasoned with an average bar. On the cocktail list they had all these 'specialty drinks' like the Capone Manhattan. When it asked for just a regular manhattan, the waiter said they didn't have one. Ha! Train your staff so they don't look like fools. Oh and it was hands down the worst manhattan I've ever had. I don't even know how you could make the combination of whiskey vermouth and bitters taste so bad. AMENDMENT. I got a message from the restaurant assuring me that the dressing and chicken is fresh. I appreciate the message and have amended my rating. It does show they care, and perhaps I just went on a bad night.
(2)Dani C.
Went here for dinner one evening, right before it became really busy so that was good. Had one issue with our appetizers being served to another table, but they were quick to take care of us and comp us appropriately. Also free dessert! The food was pretty good, and the pomegranate martini was excellent.
(4)Nicole K.
Smallish menu, but the best Saganaki in Iowa City!!! French Onion soup is pretty heavy on the onions and not a lot of broth, but I can't complain about the rest of the food. Always looks and smells really yummy! I have to admit though, if they didn't have Saganaki, I wouldn't go...nothing really remarkable but a nice casual go-to place.
(4)Alison S.
I'm not wild about Blackstone. Their food is okay. Not bad or amazing, but good and something different if you want a place with some atmosphere. They do have a really good beer selection and their homemade chips are SUPER good. Very very good! The kale and artichoke dip is a little salty.
(3)Ashley M.
Really good food, and a really great deal. You can get a drink and dinner for only around $15. The only downside is the staff can be a little rude, which as a waitress myself I feel is a little offensive. But an overall good experience!
(3)Denise M.
Love the seared tuna :) every time I'm here... I always leave happy but am not exactly raving. Good place to grab a cool dinner once in a while
(3)Kevin H.
Family and I ate there three or four times. The place is always busy. I don't remember what we ate but my impression was good and prices were reasonable. It is located off Scott Blvd close to Rochester Street. They also provided the food for my kids school during Carnival of 2014. We think BlackStone Restaurant is becoming a gem to the Iowa City community. We recommend that you try it once and see if you like it. Parking is limited and it is kind of tight to get in and out.
(5)Ron S.
Beer selection is good but they seem to be a gastro pub, in Iowa? Service is iffy, too short on servers for the crowd, and they tend to get grumpy as well. Don't do anything in the tuna family, but we should know better it is Iowa. The ahi was warm, the sauce was crap! Also dont make a negative comment or your waitron will forget you exist. At this point if you stick to meat and taters you may do okay. I will let you know since I am going carnivore for my main. Pork is the recommendation, must be an Iowa thing! I know of better places, more to follow!
(1)Nathan F.
This place is so hit or miss. It is definitely not a fancy place, although they like to try to be a fancy. I always have something wrong with the food. The last time I ate there I had a bone in my pasta. My fiancé had gotten a salad with ranch on the side and she got that plus vinaigrette all over the salad...does that make any sense? The server was great that night, but that is also very hit or miss. It will be great one time and the worst that Iowa City has to offer the next time. If you are a gambling man, go and give it a shot.
(2)Loni B.
Blackstone is my FAVORITE restaurant in Iowa City. The food is amazing, especially their Sunday brunch, and everyone on staff has always been friendly with great service and hospitality. Their steaks, seafood, and appetizers are delicious. And they have a yummy desert menu if you still have room (which is rare!) Totally right on point with the price point.
(5)Matt B.
I went with my wife and mother-in-law on a weekday night. We've been several times and it's decent every time, but not great. Service can be a little spotty and the portions a little inconsistent. For example - the flatbreads have shrunk considerably since they first opened. Still very tasty, but not worth what they charge. Burgers and sandwiches are very good and the bar area is fun for a night out. Brunch is ok - I must have high standards for brunch compared to these other reviewers. I'd eat it if we were meeting friends there, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)Tyler R.
The Sunday brunch was quite amazing. The setup was attractive. As a meat and potato guy--I went straight for the good stuff: Roast beef with a really strong but delicious horseradish sauce, mac n cheese (swiss/gruyere cheese was good--but did not have the nice salty sharp flavor at the end), Blackstone potatoes (deep fried breakfast potatoes with loaded sour cream, cheese and bacon), miagi beans (they were okay/trying to emulate Graze, but not as good--overcooked with not enough asian/teriyaki flavor). My girlfriend was a big fan of the sweets and fruit selection. The bread pudding was pretty good--blueberry pancake like. For $14.99 that includes NA drinks is a pretty good deal!
(4)Walker D.
We went to BlackStone for Sunday brunch yesterday (and my rating is for the buffet bunch only). For $15, you get quite the buffet spread. By buffet standards the food was very, very good. Typical brunch fair, and it's listed on their website, so I won't waste either of our times writing it out here. They get very busy so calling ahead and putting your name in is recommended. The serving staff seemed to be in the weeds most of the time and drink refills were few and far between. My biggest complaint would be that this seems to be a mecca for new parents that don't have the sensibility or the thoughtfulness towards others to take their screaming baby out of the dining area until they've calmed down. Sorry, I'd like to enjoy my brunch free from the screams of infant banshees. I doubt I'd ever go here for their lunch or dinner services, (the comments of this being a glorified Applebees don't seem far off), but for Sunday brunch this may be the best that IC has to offer.
(4)Kayla M.
Calamari appetizer was pretty good. The sauce that came with it was tasty but I didn't think it went well with the calamari. Burger was sizeable and looked great but was on the dry side. I thought it was strange that it came with chips or fruit... fries are an extra $1. Also tried the mac n cheese but was not really impressed. Overall, I thought everything was overpriced... nothing was bad but I probably won't be back.
(3)Luke K.
My wife an I hit up Blackstone about once a month and overall have only good things to say about it. I actually really like Blackstone's decor - I think it's one of the better looking restaurants in town after dark. They've done a great job with the lighting and the bar is excellent. Their menu is pretty varied and our personal favorites are the bacon cheddar burger or chicken with some BBQ sauce (the old Kenny's Cadillac Chicken I believe). We also get the flat bread dishes quite often with the BBQ chicken being one of our go to's. The other item I'll regularly add is the macaroni and cheese side instead of the fries. Bacon on top of mac and cheese? Yeah, no brainer. They have a good beer selection and my wife likes the martinis. The two hefeweizens they currently have on tap are a nice touch and where my beer allocation goes. Service can be somewhat hit or miss but most of the time - it's pretty good. I think when they have problems it's with new staff or when they're too busy for the staff they have. When they added more table service in the backroom, it really helped for people like me that bring kids sometimes. You can get back there and not feel like you're bothering people. Also, it's great that they're partnering with other people in town like John's to do beer tasting / food pairings. The only thing I don't go there for is drinks on the weekends after about 8:00PM. I'm not sure if it's like this all the time, but the times I have been there at that time it seems like it's the 30's-40's / divorcee / hook-up crowd. Nothing wrong with that, just not what I'm looking for. Overall, I like Blackstone and plan to continue to patron them in the future.
(4)Rob D.
I don't get all the hype. Just because it's the only place on the far East side (unless you want barbeque in a pole building) doesn't make it good. Atmosphere is pretty nice. Waiting time sucks. Some of the food is awesome - satay sampler and mac and cheese come to mind. Most of the food is overpriced and mediocre. I got a pasta dish that tasted like a bad Wigatoni (see Wig and Pen) for about 33% more.
(3)Rojith P.
Took a friend visiting Iowa City out for dinner here, and it proved to be a great choice! Tuesday nights has half-priced martinis, and an excellent selection at that! BlackStone also has some great service and the place looks amazing! The servers make some good recommendations, and they were pretty attentive throughout the evening. Was also impressed with the menu. Didn't think I could wrong with my selection! Their Mac n Cheese, and Sunday brunch is known to be amazing, so a second visit is in the works!
(4)Sam B.
Loved it! Food was excellent... atmosphere was nice & our service couldn't have been better... I am very pleased & will definitely revisit : )
(4)Chilly R.
They had my review removed the first time, so I'm reviewing them again. This place is a tricked out Applebees and the dishes are too pricey for what you get. Everything about it screams ripoff. Sliders and glorified chicken fingers and bland flatbreads are as lame as it gets. Place is lukewarm garbage.
(1)Scott K.
We went to Blackstone after having a very good experience last year and wanted to give it another try since we were in Iowa City during the lunch hour. Unfortuneatly, the experience was not as good as our previous visit. We arrived and sat in the bar area, the atmosphere is nice with an upscale feel. I ordered an IPA, my wife and daughter ordered a soda. The server notified me they just ran out of my beer and offered an alternative. The beer was good and we were pleased so far. All three of us ordered burgers, my wife the blue cheese, daughter the bacon cheddar and I ordered the fire burger. They asked how we wanted them cooked which is a pleasant surprise in this day so we all ordered them medium rare. The food took a while to come which is ok if the server would come around to refill beverages but this was not to be. The food came out and looked delicious, very nice presentation. However, given we all ordered the same temperature meat, the outcome was curious. Mine was perfectly cooked, very juicy and delicious, my daughters was med well and wife's well done and dry. The buns on all three were dry, stale and crumbly. All of us commented that the taste was very good and were sad that the experience was ruined by amateur mistakes. Nobody ever came back to see how the food was or to refill our drinks so didn't have a chance to offer feedback. I had to go to the bar to get my check and the bartender comped our drinks since we had no service Maybe it was a bad day but the service and quality was definitely lower than our previous visit.
(3)Erica H.
I was here with my mother, in town for a baby shower. The decor was nice, and the menu looked promising. We were seated right away, and started looking things over. After a little while, we started to wonder if our waiter was ever going to make it over. A little while longer and we wondered if anyone knew we were here! Eventually a young man came over, apologizing profusely because no one told him he had a table. I figure (as a former waitress myself) that it's the server's job to know this, but whatever...no big deal... He took our drink orders, and we ordered an appetizer. He offered to take our meal orders, but we said we could wait a minute, that we weren't in a big hurry. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. My mother ordered coffee. It was awful - like it had been sitting on the burner since they opened 7 hours ago. Someone else brought our appetizer out for us - a Greek flaming cheese dish (fun!). It was pretty good, though a little heavy on the lemon juice squeezed on top. While we enjoyed it, we watched our waiter walk back and forth several times. Any time would have been a good time to place our order for our meal...any...time... After our appetizer was gone and we'd been sitting for a good 10 minutes, he came back to take our order for our meal. I had the Thai Cobb salad, and my mother ordered a chicken Tuscan sandwich (with prosciutto, yum!). I also started with a cup of Alehouse Cheddar Soup - it tasted like Beef-a-roni. Again, someone else brought our food out. The food was good enough, which was great, because our server never did come back to check on us. Good thing we didn't need anything! My salad greens and tomatoes looked a little wilty, but not bad overall. We finished our meals, and really needed to get on the road to drive back to Des Moines - so eventually we flagged down the hostess because we hadn't seen our waiter since we placed our order. He came over, mumbled that he was sorry for "everything", and said, "You've had bad service". I was just very "meh" about the whole thing. Food could have been okay, but the service from our waiter really brought the experience down. I could be talked into giving it another shot, but I certainly won't suggest it.
(2)Claire M.
Living on the far east side of Iowa City doesn't give a person a lot of nearby dining options, but even if this were across town, it'd be among my favorites ~ if only for their burgers. I prefer the Fire Mouth burger without the Asian sauce. It's 1/4 lb., rubbed in a Cajun spice and topped with Pepperjack, jalapenos and your standard lettuce-tomato-onion combo. It's delicious, and you can choose to either go healthy (fruit) or hungover-hungry (brew city fries) with your side. Hubs almost always gets the Bacon Cheddar burger. Other amazing noshes: Eric's Bubbly Mac and Cheese, Roasted Salmon, Greek Flatbread, Satay Sampler, Housemade Chicken Fingers. They took off one of my favorite salads in their most recent menu change. Happy Hours are also great here - they have Martini Tuesdays on which you receive the martini of your choice of an extensive list for half price, and on Wednesdays, they've got half-priced wine. I love Blackstone, but as their menu is a bit small, I'm ready for another change already.
(4)Pam H.
Brunch buffet offers a good variety. The roast beef was really tender. Potatoes, mac and cheese, crepes, salmon and bagels, biscuits and gravy, and much more. We will return for lunch but prefer Lou Henri or Bluebird Cafe for originality.
(4)Kay S.
I went to Blackstone on a Sunday evening and really enjoyed it. I must say, though, that the food ordered by the members in my party looked better than what I had myself. My fiance ordered the andouille sausage soup to start, and it was so good that we ordered more to eat later that night. My fiance also said that his burger was quite possibly the best he's ever had (and that's quite a compliment, coming from him). What I ordered was, I'm sure, good for other people. I ordered the baked pasta, and it was full of meat, cheese, and grease. If you like that sort of thing, I have no doubt that you will find it very tasty. I, though, am just not a fan of lots of cheese and lots of grease, but that's just me. I obviously ordered incorrectly, so it just means that I will have to go back and try something else, which I totally plan to do.
(4)Kelly M.
Pros: Mac and cheese as a side for an extra $1 (best deal EVER!) Half price martinis on Tuesdays Saganaki Ambiance Ahi tuna appetizer (kind of) Cons: Not the best food in the world, but it's always decent and consistent. On the east side so it seems like it takes forever to get to!
(4)Anna H.
The king of mac and cheese.
(4)John P.
came here with friends to celebrate a birthday at the bar area, but didn't try any of the food. the ambiance is decent, but what is up with charging for 2 drinks when you order a black velvet (kinda like a black & tan). total came up to $9.50 for one drink. hmmm. there was also a reservation for our group, but they seated another group who claimed to be us. weird.
(2)Annie M.
Great gluten free menu. Delicious burgers, steaks, salads, ahi tuna. Pleasant atmosphere and service as well.
(4)Mark H.
In my experience the food at Blackstone is acceptable but the cocktails and wine servings are woefully small, about half the size you get at a Mondanaro restaurant. I never go to Blackstone of my own volition any more, just when circumstances require it.
(3)Mike O.
Over the week end I made my first return trip to the Blackstone in Iowa City, (one of the very few places to earn a perfect 5 on my grading scale. The atmosphere hadn't changed which is good but the food and the service was even better than I remembered. After my fist trip I said I wanted to have an main entrée on my next so I was looking that one of the streaks. But they also had a Rueben special that looked wonderful (pictured below). I asked the waitress and without hesitation she said get the Rueben, you can get the steak anytime. Later I said to her you know I was impressed because the steak was about double the price and it would affect your tip. Her reply I just care about the customer and good food. Needless to say I tipped at the steak price. For me the Blackstone is the perfect combination of a fine dining experience at an affordable price. You should try it just not on the nights I want to go so I can get in. The best place to eat in all of Iowa City.
(5)Melissa T.
Blackstone if your typical mid-level American bistro. My first dining experience was decent and I would go back if in the mood for done-up bar food. The decor of the restaurant and bar area is nice- the mood lighting, random lit sculptures and expresso wood dining tables and chairs are nice. The staff was friendly and mildly attentive. (I had to flag our waitstaff more than once for just the initial glasses of water.) Instead of a sandwich or burger (majority of the menu), I went for the petite fillet and multiple sides. (I'm a sampler, which my boyfriend enjoys because he gets what I don't eat.) The meat was done to my request, though the side of soy-sesame greenbeans were incredibly OILY. The waitress insisted that we try the Mac n Cheese...it was good, but nothing to write home about. I've deff had better at pit-stop BBQ places before. I loved the idea that their desserts come in small, taste size dessert glasses. We sampled the carrot cake and the caramel cheesecake. Both of which were OK. Again, nothing new and I've had far better. All in all, the experience was OK. I would return if I had guests that had a generic American palette. Lots of choices for the not too picky.
(3)Anthony R.
Blackstone Categories: American (New), Breakfast & Brunch 503 Westbury Dr Ste 1 Iowa City IA 52245 (319) 338-1770 blackstone- ... "Mr. Crude Restaurant Reviews" Rating: 4.9 out of 5.0: Ace/Doesn't get much better Facilities: Located on the outer fringes of suburban North East Iowa City, Blackstone is a great break from the bustle of pedestrians and students in downtown Iowa City. Upon arriving at the Blackstone, it was easy to tell that it was a popular spot based on the full parking lots surrounding the remote strip mall. The location is roughly 3 miles from exit 246 (North Dodge Street) off of I-80. I must admit the atmosphere was excellent. It had an urban contemporary feel complemented with a nightlife buzz in the air. The decor was modern, the furniture rich looking and the fireplaces made for a warm comfortable setting. A lot of thought went into the layout of the restaurant. The bar area is completely separate from the main dining area which helps keep the noise from the bar patrons minimized. Also there is room that can be sectioned off for private parties. The only thing it lacks is an area to wait which leaves you standing in the main hallway but I thought they maximized the usage of the space. Cleanliness was maintained despite the packed environment (good table bussers). Menu/Cost: The menu is themed around stylish American dishes with Asian and Mediterranean influences. The layout is a simple yet easy to read two sided laminated menu which keeps the dishes high in quality, consistent and speedier. The front side consists of entrees, appetizers, sides and a small kids menu. The backside of the menu has a list of the drinks to include high quality beers wines and mixed drinks. SPOT ON!!! Costs are rated as moderate with a little more than half of the dishes in the $9-$14 range and the higher end in the $17-$24 range. A down-loadable menu is available off of their website. Total bill for two adults to include an appetizer, 2 entrees and 2 alcoholic beverages was $60 . Food: Appetizer: Saganaki: Kasseri cheese flamed with brandy table side (served with bread). If it is your first time going to Blackstone to eat please do yourself a favor and order this appetizer. Aside from the fun spectacle of watching your kasseri cheese engulf into a giant f@%!ing flame seen at a good metal show who would have thought an appetizer could taste as good as it is presented! The flavors of the kasseri cheese are extremely rich, salty and cheddar-like. Only better. There seemed to be an underlying smokiness you'd expect from bacon and was very delectable when spread on their house bread. Absolutely delicious! Entree: Mediterranean Chicken: Charbroiled chicken breasts with cucumbers, kalamata olives and a side of scratch made mashed potatoes. This is not your average/boring chicken. The food came out hot and fresh. The chicken was extremely juicy and tender. This was due to an obvious Italian dressing based marinade. The sauce it was sitting on added even more flavor and the touches of charring it on the grill slightly put the chicken over the top. The salad on the plate was extremely fresh and you can tell they use high quality suppliers. The olives and sliced cherry tomatoes really balanced the dish out like it was meant to be. The mashed potatoes were just right in that they weren't overpowered with garlic like most other places. You could taste everything in there. The butter, the milk/cream and the herbs. Not one ingredient over powering the other. All in all, this is the best dinner I've had in a very long time (since last summer). It's like the Woodfire Grill on steroids. Service: Having called in 40 minutes ahead of time the place was packed and the wait time was still 20 minutes! But it was WELL worth it. Service was prompt and professional. No real complaints. Recommend: Its going to be very hard to go anywhere else in the Iowa City area for dinner knowing how good of a meal I had at Blackstone because it is definitely a standout restaurant. I urge you to go there if you are in IC and give both the appetizer and entree reviewed a try.
(5)Kelly K.
Went in for my husband's birthday and we were treated like good old friends coming over for dinner. Waiter even brought me an ice pack for my aching back. Got a cheerful visit from the kitchen to see what sort of dessert we'd like. Food was excellent!
(5)Kat H.
Great happy hour! asian Flatbread was decent. And martinis were strong. Good fast service during happy hour.
(4)Kat F.
Hands down the best Sunday morning brunch buffet in Iowa City.
(4)Karen K.
Absolutely awesome. Went after a Hawkeye game. We had reservations and saw that the game was running late. I called about 30 minutes before the reservation time and they offered to seat us even though we would be 30 minutes late. All five of us loved the food, from the appetizer through dessert. Good service, nice atmosphere, great beer, great food. We will definitely be back!
(5)Lori C.
Awesome salad. Great service and the owners are tri-athletes. Score!
(4)Kathy R.
Go there at least once a week, sometimes more. The food is great and we have always had great service even on the busiest days. Favorites are French Onion Soup, Ahi Tuna Salad, Black and Blue Burger and Asian Flatbread. Well relally we like almost everything. Great Lemon Drop Martini also.
(4)Jean R.
I'm onboard with others that the mac and cheese is the big draw here, and for Iowa City, I have to give points for lighting, ambience and service. It's no wonder this remains a hotspot for local singles looking to mingle at the bar. That said, the food is weirdly inconsistent in quality. Recently stopped for dessert and coffee after a movie. Coffee was old, lukewarm and served with Coffeemate. What? A dessert sampler in little wine cups was a nice concept, but tasted like the walk-in. How do you have Coffeemate in the same establishment that flambees kaseri cheese and squeezes fresh lemon over it at table side? That's what I'm struggling to understand.
(3)Chris V.
Delicious! The menu has many options. I didn't get a drink, but it looked like the martinis were good, as evidenced by how many the table next to ours ordered. Staff was friendly. Overall a great experience and would go back if I was visiting Iowa City again.
(5)Chris V.
GREAT Sunday buffet- there's a chicken with red peppers and a creamy sauce I can't get enough of. Also- they have these AMAZING asian style green beans. Another fun thing is these little dessert bites. Great cocktails. Fun with a group or on a date.
(4)Kale L.
Probably would rate it higher if I didn't prefer vegetarian entrees (which there are few of--stay away if you're vegan). Had a good time on half-price martini night (Tuesdays) with the flaming kasseri. Wait staff is pretty nice and attentive. Had the seared tuna on salad and the greens were wilted. I doubt that was the intention. Tasty sides: garlicky mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.
(3)Jim B.
All in all a decent dining experience. I went there for an early lunch and didn't find the place to be incredibly busy. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and funny. The food was good. If you are up for comfort, then try the mac and cheese (with bacon!) it comes with the house chips. Both were quite tasty, though I might have preferred my mac and cheese to be a little creamier. I'll probably go back sometime when I'm in Iowa City to give it another try.
(3)tembi b.
This place only gets four stars because it has a darn good and really affordable brunch. It's a buffet, which is nice when you have hungry kiddos, and it's only $15 bucks. Because it's a buffet, the eggs suffer. But everything else was really tasty. They have more fresh options (fruits and salads) than a lot of brunches around here. As for lunch and dinner, I'd probably give this place a three. I've been for lunch twice and dinner twice and while I wasn't blown away, I've never been disappointed. The vegetarian pasta was really good, and my son loved the Mac and Cheese. I like that there is a decent place that doesn't have a t.v. (at least not in the dining area) is okay for kids and isn't downtown.
(4)Mark M.
My wife and I treated our son and his girlfriend to dinner. Our food was well prepared. They have a menu of gluten free selections - nice, 'cause my wife is sensitive. Good food, good service. We liked it.
(4)S B.
Ok food, nothing exceptionally good.
(3)Kellee F.
Great place for a stunning martini. Excellent appetizers include the HUGE chicken fingers (maple is yummy) and the flambe cheese. Kids can come with during the early day, but evenings are for the grownups. Nice pick for an small informal party. Had my 30th b'day there (approx. 20 people) with catered buffet. Was pricey, but great food was worth it!
(4)Chris C.
Nice ambiance but really mediocre food and service.
(2)S J.
I have been to BlackStone 3 times now and have always enjoyed the food. The menu has a wide selection of entres to choose from. I highly recommend the Stonegrinder sandwhich which is an Italian sausage sandwhich slathered with roasted red peppers. The waitstaff has always been attentive and cheerful. The complaints I have are the same ones that several other reviewers have hit upon. This restaurant does not seem to know what it wants to be. Is it a martini bar? A sports bar? A mid-level fine dining experience. It's really hard to tell. Also, the TV's everywhere can be really distracting. The TV's above the bar are always on (which doesn't really bother me) but they seem to turn the TV's around the restaurant on for specific sporting events and then sometimes don't have them on at all. If you are looking for quiet dining with friends and family, DO NOT go here during a Hawkeye football game. I learned this lesson the hard way as I had several conversations rudely interrupted by the yelling and cheering of the restaurant's patrons who were watching the football game that was just over my shoulder. Unfortunately, this seems to be a growing trend with many restaurants. They evidently feel that the art of conversation is dead and we all need an idiot box spewing at us 24/7. Finally, this place is a tad more pricey than other establishments in the area, but you're not going to break the bank eating here.
(3)Rob S.
A bit of a drive out of downtown Iowa City, but well worth it! I went with a large group of people with extremely discriminate tastes. I chose Blackstone as the eatery for the group as they have an extensive menu with many options. Before going, I read the reviews on here and saw that the food was good and service was par. For my experience, our group of 12 was seated immediately upon arrival for our reservation. We were immediately greeted by our waitress who took our drink orders (the only part of the meal that was difficult was the drinkmixups, which were no big deal). As for the meal, people ordered the flat bread and soups for appetizers, both of which were all excellent. Flat bread would be a good appetizer when sharing with a larger group as it is quite big (like 12 inch diameter). The aspect that made this meal excellent was the main course: I myself had the Seared Tuna with a Mac n' cheese side. This was colorfully served with along side a seaweed salad, a eel-sauce/spicy mayo mixture, and pickled ginger. The tuna was A+++ and was perfectly seared on the outside and freshly raw on the inside. The baked mac n' cheese side was also excellent! The entire portion was huge and I had left overs on my plate. Others had the Iowa Pork Chop which was said to be awesome, the Pork Cordone Blue which also was said to bequite good, a salad with rare steak on it which was also liked, and main entree mac n' cheese which like I said was awesome! Service was alright and I wont hold it against the restaurant if it is a little bit off. Great ambience with nice dining rooms, excellent menu and food. I don't give 5 stars to restaurants with major menus like this but Blackstone "brings more to the table."
(5)John G.
I was impressed with the decor, the seating and the food. What else is there. I went for lunch and had a great chicken sandwich. The dessert selections were nice and we tried a few of the sample-sized ones. Overall I thought this was a nice place, and I am sure that I will be back for lunch or dinner.
(4)Todd M.
The service is still kind of spotty, but I have eaten here a dozen or so times now and I have to admit, I have never had a bad meal. That is worth better than a three I'd say.
(4)John J.
Excellent good, they have a Sunday brunch that rocks.
(4)