A libertyville staple! Progressive, classic, elegant and great service.
(5)
Jim E.
Two words, Wagyu Strip!! Pricey but so worth it.
(5)
Yana N.
Super cozy for a date night. Very unique decor a mix between Antique shop and Irish pub. Great selection of meats with gourmet toppings like foie gras and truffle oil however execution was mediocre as far as steak is concerned. Will be back if in the area but would not make this a desitnatoion spot.
(3)
Amy K.
The Tavern is a hidden gem in downtown Libertyville. We came to hang out the night before Thanksgiving, and we were pleased to find a chill, cozy place to have some nice drinks. I ordered the North Shore Mule, which was a really nice rendition of the Moscow Mule using local vodka (I think?). The waiter was a bit spotty in that our glasses went empty (both alcoholic and water) quite a few times for too long. The menu's descriptions of items was so vague, but the waiter knew them backwards and forwards if you ask. I'd come back! I can't wait to try the food menu next time, also. The kitchen was closed when we came.
(4)
Philip M.
There are two parts of The Tavern and both parts are 5-star! The upstairs is a high quality steakhouse with amazing food and sommelier to help you with the huge wine selection. For added fun move your wine bottle and cork and you can make under/over bets on how long it will take the sommelier to come over and rearrange everything back to where he likes it. :) You will not be disappointed in anything on the menu! The downstairs lounge has high quality sharing dishes with a great drink menu and great service. With The Tavern sharing owners with Firkin next door you are able to put your name down at Firkin and come have a drink at The Tavern while you wait. If you aren't done with your drink when you're table is ready, that's ok, they let you just bring it over to Firkin. Great food and a great atmosphere!
(5)
Carl F.
This review is only for the bar & lounge area. The decor of this place is really nice and lends itself extremely well for a special night out with your significant other. I wouldn't say this is ideal for a boy's night out, but I could see it working well as a girls night out. This is a good stop if you're doing a bar-hopping type of night, but use caution, as the seats are very comfortable and if you're not careful you could end up staying here the entire night. It's very cozy, warm, inviting, and the staff are super friendly. My wife and I are planning another night on the town and we've marked this place for the last stop. First to enjoy the bar, lounge area and then for dinner, and we are really looking forward to the time.
(4)
Wendy L.
Wow, I'm impressed! As soon as I found out that I would be in Great Lakes for my brother's Navy graduation, I knew I had to scope out a good restaurant even if it meant driving out of the area. I searched for a decent steakhouse and the closest was The Tavern in Libertyville. I quickly made a reservation a month and a half in advance for a party of 5, for the evening of 12/5/14 at 5pm (5-5-5! LOL). Making the reservations was easy and I received a confirmation email right away. The Tavern phoned me on 12/5/14 to confirm my reservation. It was an easy drive from Great Lakes to Libertyville and, thankfully for Yelp, I knew to park behind the restaurant to get to the "entrance". As we made our way through The Tavern, we walked through a bar on the first floor, then up a flight of stairs. I quickly observed my surroundings and, at first glance, it looked like an established lounge with regulars hovering over the bar area. Everyone looked like they were having a good time so that was a good sign. When we got to the second floor, we were greeted by the restaurant staff, who also took our coats. The restaurant looked eclectic yet was very cozy. We were welcomed by our server and sat in a large table in the corner which had a great vantage point of the entire restaurant. So far, the evening was wonderful. We placed our orders and we were ready to eat. LENTIL DIP This dip was brought over to our table by the wait staff. It was so good! It had the texture of hummus but the flavors from the lentils along with the basil and red pepper make it a unique appetizer. I really enjoyed this! WILD MUSHROOM SOUP (Portabella, Shiitake, ...) This was the Soup of the Day. I was hoping to get chunks of mushroom because I love chunky soups. Although it was more of a "watery puree", the flavor was actually there; so it wasn't bad. It's just my own personal preference to have a chunkier soup especially since I love mushrooms. It was good and hearty but not too heavy. The cup size was perfect. CAVIAR POTATO CHIPS The Caviar Potato Chips were a good appetizer, specifically the "Hot Chili" flavor, which I enjoyed. Basically, this appetizer was a plate of kettle fried sliced potatoes topped with 3 flavors of tobiko, crème fraîche, and sweet onions. The 3 flavors were Ginger (yellow), Wasabi (green), and "Hot Chili" (red). It was texturally appealing because, at first bite, you get the crunch from the potato chip, the pop from the tobiko, and then the burst of flavor from the ginger, wasabi, or hot chili, with the cooling flavor from the crème fraiche. The Wasabi caviar oozed with a punch of spice while the Ginger gave off a subtle flavor. SIRLOIN SASHIMI Thick slices of New York Strip Steak cooked medium rare and laid over a silky bed of horseradish sauce. I absolutely loved this paired with the side of salad! CHILLED BLOCK FOR FOIE GRAS The block of foie gras was like butter on top of the crostini. A splash of balsamic vinegar gave it a good flavor. GRILLED VEGGIES I love grilled veggies and The Tavern cooked it just right. Simple, crunchy veggies. GRILLED ASPARAGUS I would have loved the asparagus to have more crunch; it was too "flexible" at the point when I tried it---definitely needed the crunch factor. I did, however, like the overall flavor of the grilled asparagus. WILD RICE I've always liked wild rice and this was a great side. The rice had both fluffy and hard textures. GARLIC PUREE POTATOES I have a weakness for starches especially garlic mash! This was exceptional to say the least. The fluffy pureed potatoes came out piping hot to our table and had a beautiful crispy crust on top. The flavors of the garlic was phenomenal. I love garlic! It's HHHHH-eavenly! HHHHa HHHHa HHHHa 8 oz. USDA PRIME NEW YORK STRIP Medium Rare with added Button Mushrooms was great but it wasn't as savory as the Delmonico. 8 oz. DELMONICO Absolutely delicious! Flavorful even as medium rare! I would be back just for this! THE BELGIAN DELIGHT Mussels with a side of Truffle Fries. I love seafood but the mussels were a bit dry and chewy. It was slightly overdone by the time it reached our table; however, the flavor was there. It was indeed delightful. 24 oz. USDA PRIME BONE-IN RIB EYE This is made for someone with a huge appetite. You can never go wrong with bone-in rib eye. Meaty yet delicious. Perfect for sharing! 24 oz. USDA PRIME PORTERHOUSE Similar to the bone-in rib eye but bolder in flavor. Definitely for the carnivores. Delicious! VANILLA BEAN GELATO WITH STRAWBERRIES AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR Ahh, the dessert. Gelato was silky-smooth and the strawberries were a great way to break up all the meaty entrees. The balsamic vinegar brought out the sweetness of the strawberries and the vanilla bean was a great balance to a sweet-tart fruit with creamy-milk flavors. Overall, it was a wonderful evening and I'm glad we decided to dine at The Tavern. Excellent service, hospitality, food, and dining experience! Thank you!
(4)
K B.
This place is one of my most favorite for many years. The food, the drinks, the atmosphere is always on point . Even though I don't live near by I still like to make plans to get here once or twice a year.
(5)
Susan S.
Adorable inside. Same owner as firkin. Love the decor. Fun to come and chill and sip on drinks and eat yummy appetizers.
(5)
Lien D.
Best rib eye steak... Aged to perfection. Mac and cheese? AMAZING. And the decor is on point.
(5)
Morris N.
Decor is old fashion and dimly lit. It would be good for either a date night or a business dinner. Reservations are recommended as even on a Tuesday evening it was crowded during the dinner rush. There is a dining room upstairs. On the first level there is a dining room and also a bar area. One of the servers told us that the menus are slightly different upstairs vs downstairs. We ate upstairs. The chilled shrimp cocktail and mussels were good. The wagyu strip steak was excellent. Sides were ok. The carrot cake was delicious. Wine list was pretty decent by the glass or bottle. Service was good. Street parking was easy. There is also a parking lot in the rear where there is also an entrance. I would recommend this place and will probably go back when in the area.
(4)
Sally M.
Good food. Good Wine. Good Service. Eclectic Ambiance. I ordered the Atlantic Bass that was the special of the night. It was delicious, though I wish it weren't so fried/breaded/greasy, perhaps. It also had a bit of a fishy taste. Just a bit. Chocolate cake was - surprisingly - not as good as Jimmy's Charhouse: yelp.com/biz/jimmys-char…
(4)
Kat M.
I like the decor - it's like a 1920's brothel; kind of dark, cozy and over the top. The service has been excellent the times I have gone. The food is very good but can be a little bland. I've had steaks and a couple of different sides. BUT...the soft-shelled crab is really, really fantastic! I think it is some of the best prepared soft-shelled crab I have ever had. So, get that when it's in season.
I recently ate in the lounge area with a friend. It was a Tuesday night and we didn't have a reservation and the dining room was booked solid so we headed downstairs. This is a cozy atmosphere with a delicious menu and huge servings. We chose the 1 pound steak to share and ordered the tomato and basil salad with olive tapenade to accompany it. Delish! Steak cooked perfectly and too much meat for 2! We had the grilled asparagus to start and it was lovely too. GF options available and average service. Definitely recommend this spot!
(4)
Kevin N.
It's been over five years since I enjoyed a dinner at The Tavern. I visit their sister more casual pub next door Firkin quite a bit more. However, my visit last night reminded me of what a wonderful gem of a place The Tavern is. The decor is similar but the ambiance is quieter and a bit more upscale. Whereas Firkin focuses more on beer, the Tavern has an award winning wine list. Most importantly, however, the Tavern now has transformed the main floor into a quieter lounge for drinks and small plates. It's super cozy, quiet and very inviting. The full restaurant is upstairs with the standard high end steaks and chops. The downstairs has more of a private club feel with warm woods and fabrics. The happy hour menu is a bargain with 11 small plates ranging in price from $2.75 - $4.75 during the happy hour Monday - Friday from 4:30-6:30. This is a great date night place if you want something special but not formal white tablecloth service like they offer upstairs. I'm going back!
(4)
Mad I.
Cannot beat the decor of this place, really wild and eclectic, very cool! I always stroll in here just for drinks, yet to try the food. Drinks are okay, fancy cutsie names, around $10 a pop.
(4)
Duke P.
Fantastic steak house. Really unique setting. cocktails, liquor selection and beers are OK, decent wine list. The real gem here is the food. The steaks are perfect, been coming here for years and tried a number of their steaks, although I always go back to the filet with fois gras. All of them have been cooked perfectly and are of great quality. All the side dishes are great, the creamed spinach has a bit of a kick but its good. The only negative I have is that their calamari was sub-par, the rest of the seafood including the clams and mussels were excellent. As to the service and atmosphere, it is hit or miss. I suppose it depends on the staff. I have been treated both poorly, with sarcastic and condescending bartenders and waiters and then I have had excellent service. This mainly relates to the downstairs, the steakhouse upstairs has always been excellent. It also helps to make reservations on the weekends, otherwise youll be waiting for a while. Great date night or client orientated place.
Horrible, hostile environment. Stayed we'd never been there before but treated like alley drunks. Very hostile at first about Gander, service dog. Won't be back. Would rather tattoo my eyeballs.
(1)
Russell D.
Best Filet I've ever had, and I've been to many of the top steak joints (ie New York, London, Chicago etc). Great wine selection too with a very knowledgable sommelier.
(5)
Bill M.
Great food...great service...always a great nite!
(5)
Stacy O.
Disclaimer: My only experience here was on New Year's Eve, with a limited menu. Why have I waited so long to come here? I regularly go to Firkin, The Tavern's sister restaurant right next door, but have never been in here until tonight. Their NYE special was a four course meal -- appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert -- with varying prices depending on the entree. I started with the sea scallops in a lobster mayonnaise. They were good. The lobster mayonnaise wasn't particularly interesting, but the scallops were flavorful and prepared well. The Tavern salad was a nice mix of dried cranberries, roquefort cheese, walnuts, onions, and greens. My husband said he would have preferred it with better greens; I was content with the salad just how it was. We both had the filet, which was perfectly cooked medium rare. It was seasoned well. And though it was listed as 8 ounces, I have to assume it was on the larger side of eight ounces. I didn't finish it, but my husband finished his own and mine. And, oh my goodness, dessert. I ordered the lemon tartuffo after asking what a tartuffo is (it sounds like a Dr. Seuss thing, no?). It was a scoop of lemon gelato with a limoncello center and covered in crumb of lemon meringue, served over sliced strawberries with raspberry syrup. I died and went to heaven. And in heaven, I found out I have the best husband ever because he ordered the creme brulee, one of my typical dessert orders, and he let me sneak a few bites. It was also lovely, but the tartuffo is certainly more rare and special. If you like lemon, go for it. Service was excellent.
(4)
Stephen S.
No close second in Libertyville.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Had the fois gras, it was good. More pate than anything but yummy! The smoked salmon appetizer was horrible! Way too salty! Had a bite and left it.garlic shrimp appetizer was delicious and garlicky! The New York steak was perfect medium rare. The mashed potatoes needed salt but the bites with cheese and bacon were to die for! Will come again! But leave the smoked salmon behind
(5)
Melissa K.
We love this place! Delicious food drinks wine, we've been here so much their steak is prob the best I've ever had. They have great french onion soup, salads, my husband likes the cave aged cheddar. The bartenders and servers are so great! It's definitely a pricier restaurant but you get what you pay for here their lounge/bar area is awesome I would definitely recommend!!
(5)
Steve B.
If you're looking for that special night out The tavern is the place to go. My wife and I eat here for most of our special occasion dining nights. The food is amazing and service is impeccable. We love the Decour very warm and family oriented settings. Reservations are required and fill fairly quickly so it's good to call a day or two in advance to get a table.
(5)
Ravi R.
Overall, the food at the Tavern was fantastic. The steak was exquisitely crafted and they had appetizers to make your mouth water. The service was good and the ambiance was great. While the tavern was impressive, it was lacking in one major department. It didn't have lava cake. The overall performance warranted 5 stars, but the presence of lava cake can make or break a restaurant's status.
(4)
Andrew T.
I think I wanted this to be better than it was, but it was still pretty good. After nearly 18 months of going to Firkin and wallowing in the amazingness that is their spicy pork loin sandwich, I finally found a reason to come to Tavern. The decor is great, it feels very warm and cozy, with a dark decor and kind of eclectic wall coverings and lighting hanging from the ceiling. There's a fireplace (although the fire is fake) and overall, it's a nice room. They have varying chairs, if that makes sense? Ours were wicker, and were fine, but other tables had some really nice leather jobs that we were kind of coveting. The bar downstairs is also nice looking, with that same dark, cozy feel. I had the cream of asparagus soup, with mushrooms, which was good. light flavor, and very rich and smooth. Probably could have eaten even more of this. My steak was a bone in ribeye, which was tender and well marbled, but didn't really have exceptional flavor, even though it was touted as being USDA Prime. I did not opt for any of their optional crusts - a parmiggiano and a bleu cheese, which both sounded good, but I was trying to be a steak purist. Someday I will learn. I know how variable beef can be, so I wouldn't rule out another visit to try again. We also tried their special "hunter gathered mushrooms", which had good mushroom flavor, but I think were sauteed with some onion or garlic that they just didn't need. What will bring me back are suburban prices - you don't pay the downtown premium that you might at a place like III Forks and Chicago Cut, so I'm willing to make another attempt, as it won't hurt the wallet quite as bad. It's just too bad Libertyville is an hour from my house. The service was friendly and prompt, no complaints there. Like I said, worth another try someday to see if I can chalk things up to the variability in the beef.
(3)
William R.
Well worth the extra money. If you want higher end food in downtown libertyville, the tavern or firkin is the way to go.
(5)
Chet M.
The Waygu strip sucked for $65. It was ala carte too. A total rip. Should have gotten the 24 oz porterhouse prime steak for $49. But anything else on the menu is decent. Espcecially the flat iron steak w/shrimp special. Dining room is cute, roomy and comfortable. Service is friendly and accomdating. Parking in back is great.
(3)
Sue S.
Evening started terribly... No service, no eye contact.... Kelsey saved the day by personally taking care of us after our assigned wait staff was busy attending to a party of 20... Redemption through Kelsey!! Two appetizers and the wine were perfect!! Miss turned into a hit!! Shiitake mushroom appetizer was splendid!!
(4)
John O.
Expensive and really only a once in awhile, special kind of thing place like a college graduation or a mother's 70th birthday. Really good food and great location!
(4)
Elaine C.
Decor is amazing! I really like the lounge area and the whiskey and wine drink menu. Food at the dining area was bit overpriced for the food. Food still tastes good but not for the price. The waiter we got at dining room seem new. He doesn't explain anything or unsure what restaurant has on the menu. The lounge waiter was very knowledgeable and suggest few drinks to try. I would go back to lounge for drinks!
(4)
Pamela D.
My husband and I met here after work early on a Wednesday evening. We ended up having the dining room to ourselves for most of the meal. The ambiance in the Tavern dining room is hard to describe--it's colorful with soft lighting and candles everywhere. It feels like you're dining in someone's living room--or more accurately, someone's parlor. Service was excellent all around. Our server gave us ample time to examine the menu and extensive wine list. While we expected to pay a lot, the Tavern does seem a little overpriced. Our bill for 2 people easily surpassed $200 although it was largely due to 2 items: the bottle of wine and the wagyu steak my husband ordered. As for the latter, he was a little disappointed. The steak was recommended medium rare but came out more rare than medium. It was still tasty but not worth the steep price tag, in our opinion. We split a couple side dishes and in the process fell victim to some deceptive advertising. We ordered the "spicy corkscrew potatoes" thinking they would be some variation on a twice-baked potato. It turned out to be a plate of plain old curly fries that were salty but not spicy by any means. Shame on us, I guess, for not asking questions before we ordered. On the positive side, the halibut I ordered ranks as some of the best fish I've ever eaten. We also enjoyed the salads we ate in lieu of appetizers. Desserts were also good, although I prefer a little more "lava" in my chocolate lava cake. All in all, our Tavern experience was positive. We will keep it in mind for special occasions...not to mention be a little more careful about what we order.
WOW was I not expecting this. Awesome restaurant. Had the mushrooms app special and cajun shrimp - delicious. Fresh warm bread, French onion soup - fantastic. Then...the 12oz filet medium rare. I mean PERFECTLY cooked beautiful, amazingly flavored and high quality. Honestly, better than the vast majority of downtown steakhouses and I've been to them all. And price aside...but $39 for a 12oz perfect fitet? My gf and her friends had the halibut and salmon. Everyone loved it.
(5)
Cynthia B.
Nice lounge. Food is creative and wonderful. Only downside...w ine pours are miniscule for $10 a glass.
(3)
Jenifer W.
We finally stopped here on our way home one evening, to see what the fuss was about. ATMOSPHERE: Lush, borderline extravagant. It very much reminds me of being inside an eccentric mansion from the Victorian era. Red plush walls, crystal (like) chandeliers, mis-matched chairs around tables, you get the picture. In either the lounge area or the formal dining upstairs, you'll feel like you're having dinner at the Queen's cottage - not sure if I like this stuffiness or not. FOOD: As steaks go, these are pretty good. We decided to split an appetizer and entree and chose the Shrimp De Jonghe and Wyagu Strip. Shrimp De Jonghe: While the flavors were good, the dish was a little dry (not nearly enough wine / baking liquid, leaving the baked shrimp and breading a little hard to swallow. It was also not served with lemon slices (traditionally it should be), which would have given it acidity and the moisture it lacked. Wyagu Strip: Decidely better than the Shrimp, the steak was prepared very well, with the perfect amount of pink, but lacked seasoning. For the cost ($65), I expected a masterpiece, and although good this steak fell short. SERVICE: POOR - Even though the dining room was not busy (we arrived past 8:30 pm), the server seemed too busy with something else to help us. It was 5 to 10 minutes before he came to take the drink orders, and each time we needed something (lemons, napkin, so on), I found myself needing to go on a hunt for him. Also, we ordered a bottle of wine, and he did some weird sniff thing with the cork, where he physically pressed the cork to his mustache (EW!!!) and took a HUGE, snorting sniff... then he proceeded to put the now-tainted cork in the middle of our table - kind of grossed me out. VALUE: POOR. The quality of food does not merit these huge prices. I know steak, and would easily pay more than these prices for a really good one, and I was sorely let down - you are definitely not getting what you pay for here. NOTE THIS AS WELL: They are ripping you off in more ways than one - example: The Shrimp De Jonghe upstairs is $10, and in the lounge is $12 - most food is this way. They are the exact same dishes, and there is NO reason why the prices should change - shame on you! In all, prices, service, and food quality (at this price point) make Tavern a place we will not be going back to.
(2)
A A.
Really good meal. Simple but elegant presentation of all of the dishes as well as attentive service that wasn't too attentive. We started off with cocktails in the lounge area. The drinks were really good and the lounge area was a nice area to relax prior to our meal. It was nice to see them support a local vodka as well. We headed up to dinner and had a salad as well as an appetizer. I appreciate when the Cesar salad includes anchovies and this did not disappoint. Our entrees were really good. The only thing that gave is pause was the side dish selection. My husband and I are both steak/potato people. He prefers mashed and I preferred baked. Neither were an option. Otherwise a perfect meal.
(5)
Dan P.
Good lawd... This place is better than any steakhouse in Chicago and I've been to both Gibson's locations, Maestro's Steakhouse, Chicago Cut and others... I mean, if I were convicted of murder, The Tavern's Wagyu steak with a glass of Carter wine is what I would have as my final meal! The atmosphere is eclectic to say the least, the staff is attentive and it's a great time. While the food is admittedly pricey, it isn't nearly as bad as the other steakhouses I've mentioned. It's by far the best steakhouse in the 'burbs and I have yet to find on in Chicago that I like more. Besides, this place actually has parking so you don't have to worry about parking attendants burning out your car!
(5)
H R.
Attendees - My husband, myself and another couple (all of us moved into the apartments down the street in the same week so we are new to the area) Server - Shoulder length blond haired woman Location - We had to go to the Lounge area because the restaurant only took reservations and the last available table had been given away. Pretty cool and groovy atmosphere in the Lounge. What we ordered - Drinks - After being hounded for our order, we got our drinks. No issue with the drinks, but then it was another 30 minutes before our server decided to take our food order. They hound you for drinks, but not food. Odd particularly when you advise your server you are getting dinner too. Cheesebread - Don't bother. Nothing special. The delivery pizza place down the street makes better. This did arrive to our table as an appetizer and at the appropriate time during the meal though vs. the other food. Calamari - Never arrived and about an hour after ordering when our waitress finally follow up on it despite our asking the Runners and her about it several times, The Tavern was "out" of it. Dinner Salad - Never arrived so by the time the sliders came out my friend told the waitress to cancel the order. 20 minutes later the Runner came out with one and was totally confused because he didn't understand English that she didn't want it. Two orders of sliders - One order was the only thing besides the Cheesebread that arrived on time. It was my order and I ate it. Good, but nothing special. Our friends who ordered the other order of sliders - theirs arrived cold and had to be sent back to the kitchen. The second hot order did finally arrive successfully. 1 Steak - This was the only thing my husband was going to eat. It took an hour to arrive to the table, well after the sliders arrived, and several inquiries to our waitress that he hadn't received it to get her to bring one to the table. Notes on the experience - The waitress put far too much faith in the runners to do their jobs and didn't do a good job of checking on everything to make sure we got our food. She apologized profusely saying the kitchen was "backed up." Um, well it was a Friday night. I would assume they get this type of crowd EVERY Friday night. Not sure how the kitchen being backed up is my problem. Sounds like more of a management issue to me. She offered us another round of drinks or dessert for free which we ordered, but then she came back and recinded the offer because the manager was going to comp the food portion so we would just have to pay for the drinks we had already ordered. Wow. How nice of them. God forbid they try to save new customers and have us consider coming back for a better experience. We spent 2 hours at dinner and left hungry and pissed off. Ruined evening out. Place has a cool environment, but we will never be back and neither will our friends. FYI - This place is owned by the same owners as Firken. The kitchens are separate, but that explained to me why both places are so overpriced.
(1)
Mike L.
First off this is the best steak house in Lake County by far. Tons of unique fresh items. Calamari and old school shrimp dejonge were solid. Calamari tasted like the advertised day boat title. Wedge salad was perfect. Light, tasty, and the pine nut accent was outstanding. Friends had Wyagu Strip, Bone in Ribeye, and sea bass special. I had the 8 oz. filet with foi gras and truffle butter. I tasted all the items and by far the Wyagu beef was the best, then the prime ribeye, sea bass, and sadly last my filet with foi. My filet was a bit over done for mid rare, the foi was fine but there was hardly a trace of truffle butter. Kinda a let down honestly but I blame myself because the other steaks were fabulous and I should have ordered them. Sides were great. Wildmushroom from Washington, creamed spinach with a twist, and potatos. All were well done. Desert was different as I'd never had balsamic and ice cream. very interesting. Atmosphere was great. Victorian meets bayou mardi gras. Very cool. Service was solid but unremarkable. Very nice place, can't go wrong. Just make sure you order the prime steaks!
(4)
Pete Z.
Dinner for three; Chicken, fish, steak and desert. Good food good service. Look forward to our next meal there.
(5)
Jen Z.
This was a TREMENDOUS meal and experience for us! It was quiet, intimate, cozy, and with lovely decorations -- just what my husband and I needed and wanted for a long-awaited "parents-night-out" treat. We ordered off the specials list and were not disappointed. The food was tremendous, the service divine, and it was overall a superb experience. And an experience it was...
(5)
Cheska F.
Edited.
(4)
Chris C.
Love the lounge. We had the mussels and Kobe Sliders both were good. Had Manchego cheese , would prefer it sliced instead of cubed. The lounge is comfy and not noisy . We have had excellent service both times here! Going to try the upstairs soon!
(4)
Christine V.
I love when restaurants have a certain charm about them. Right when you walk in you are greeted by a beautiful bar. I would go to the Tavern just to sit at the bar it was that pretty. Dark wood, large mirrors behind the bottles, a well dressed bartender, its right up my alley. PLUS, they knew what a champagne cocktail was (sugar cube, bitters and champagne) which scored them high marks right there. Once we were seated we were handed the menus. The specials sounded great and the menu is easy to read and they don't offer so many options that it takes you forever to get through it. We ordered the NY Strip and had them prepare as the chef wanted and it was cooked to a perfect medium, nice crust on the outside and so juicy and pink inside. They do offer a number of "crusts" that you can get for your steak like "parm crusted" or "blue cheese" crusted but we just had it as is. The creamed spinach was the right choice for side, as I didn't want to get too full for desert. We ordered the Chocolate Decadence cake with a raspberry sauce and it was rich and chocolately, the best way to end a meal, and 2nd anniversary with my husband! :) We will be back!
(4)
Jonathan K.
Service was great. Meat and seafood were top quality, but overpriced. I had the grilled shrimp with broccoli, wife had the seafood fettucini. Mine was better than hers, but again - great quality seafood on both. It's an acceptable "fancy occasion" restaurant - but only because there are no other real options in the area. For a regular dinner, their sister Firkin next door is far better.
(3)
Jim H.
We took friends looking for a fine dining experience that would repay a very special favor. The Tavern was perfect. We arrived early for a drink in the actual tavern; excellent service though a little noisy. Once upstairs for dinner; service, atmosphere and food was outstanding.
(5)
John H.
Me and my wife celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary here and lived the decor, food, service, and wine. I would have gave them a 5 but they forgot it was our anniversary. A must visit :)
(4)
Matthew C.
Decent slabs of beef here, but don't expect anything to accompany them. The salads are very sub-par for this type of establishment, but hey, I'm from San Francisco.
(3)
Heather R.
Yum...great bar, good food.
(5)
Tim E.
I have been here a couple of times before and previous experiences were ... the food was good......but not high end good and I was never blown away by the service ...it was just OK. We went out for my birthday last night and we could not have been more pleased. Our reservation was at seven and we wanted to have a glass of wine at the bar before dining and I checked in with the Maître D and he could not have been more cordial and accommodating. We ate in the upstairs dining area and the menu was much more interesting than the memory I had from my last visit. I immediately was impressed when our waitress cautioned that the Halibut was not available because it is not in season and that the chef is maintaining fresh seasonal menu items with an eye on sustainability. Striped Sea Bass was the seasonal substitute. Our appetizer was great, our steaks were perfect (not an easy feat with my wife's need for not rare but not burnt steak....they hit it perfect) and the service was as good as I have ever had. The three waiters that took care of us were always right there with whatever we needed usually before we even knew we needed it. I do not remember the service being this exemplary in past visits. Bread was fantastic, side dishes maybe a little weak in the creativity department but tasty, and the deserts were fantastic. I would have given it 5 stars for a little better wine selection and fancier sides but if 4.75 was available I would have rated it that. Parking, as in all Libertyville eateries can be dicey but I recommend Tavern for a special night out anytime.... Caution: Tavern is not a "mid-priced menu"...We dropped 240.00 tip included...but worth it ....I've spent over 350.00 (too many times to admit) for far less of a culinary experience.
(4)
David F.
Wow. Very impressed. Outstanding food in an extremely cool atmosphere. A New Orleans kind of feel to the decor, certainly big city. Huge wine list with an expert and down to earth sommelier. As enjoyable a dining experience as I have ever had.
This is a magical place. I was here about a year and a half ago with my husband. We had this wonderful waitress who just had the most fun, but laid back personality. We opted for a variety of appetizers and then we shared a meal. Everything was delicious! The drinks were exotic and intoxicating. The decor is something out of a European fairytale with all of the wood, lights and colored glass. It is not cheap. So go when you are celebrating something special, unless you are rich, then just go all the time! We looooooooove this place. I'm dying to go back.
(5)
Daniel S.
Great steak! I am a steak snob for lack of a better term. I really only like a high quality steak else I'd rather have chicken, pork, or something else. This was that high quality steak and they offer good crusting options. Sides were solid as well. My wife had lamb which she said was great too. Salad was fine- soup was great. Certainly a great suburban spot for steak. Expect to pay for the quality- but it is worth it.
(5)
Marci B.
We went to The Tavern last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. What a wonderful dinner. The food was outstanding and the service was plentiful and very attentive. We shared a the Gulf Shrimp Cocktail and a Caesar Salad, both were delicious. I had the sea scallops, amazing. And my husband had the porterhouse - he found it very flavorful and tasty. Cooked to perfection. The garlic potatoes and creamed spinach we yummy, too. I am pregnant and wanted something other than water - they have a drink called "Pregnancy Punch" which was delicious and made me feel like I was drinking an adult beverage as it came in a shaker and was served in a martini glass. And, since we noted it was our anniversary all of our drinks were comped. The only drawback is that there is only 1 ladies room (literally, one toilet) and it is downstairs. Aside from that this place was a great treat and we will definitely go back again.
(5)
Kiera D.
Came here to celebrate my middle school graduation. (LOL) I love it though! So cozy and cute. Yummy!
(5)
Adrian M.
Wow. So good. 24 oz bone in ribeye is magical.
(5)
Kathryn H.
Interesting place. Love the funky festive ambiance ... we ended up here for dinner because Firkin next door was packed with a 45 minute wait. They never told us dinner upstairs was an option but directed us to the lounge area, where there's a more tapas sort of menu. We didn't know a more extensive menu was available until I read it here a few days later. Since everyone else has covered a lot of the high points, I'd say these guys still have a long way to go when it comes to food allergies. I've got problems with milk/cheese and gluten. The waitress kept giving me these blank looks that evolved to exasperated looks like "why do you have to make my job so difficult" when I tried to ask what on the menu didn't include milk or 'wheat'. She had to try a few times to bring out one dish ... she had the chef make the asparagus without the cream sauce ... but he covered it with cheese instead. The final result was dry and burned spears of plain asparagus. Although we made a blanket request for 'no milk products', things came out doused with cheese or cream sauce, even if it didn't describe it as such on the menu ... eh... If you've got serious food allergy issues, stay away until they figure it out.
(3)
Jori C.
Just a beautiful place. The lounge is great to sit and have a drink, and the upstairs restaurant is stunning. Food is top notch also.
(5)
Elyse C.
Very, Very, very nice place. Not to mention the food is A-Maz-Ing. We ventured here one night as my dad likes to take us to Steakhouses. We didn't want to drive to the city so we ended up in this joint. We made reservations on a Tuesday night but it was clear we didn't need them...however I get the feeling you should anyway. We started off with the Oysters...they were actually my least favorite of the meal...Not bad but not knock you socks off. They brought around bread...five different kinds...I asked the guy serving which was the best and he pointed gave me a seeded loaf it was tasty. He only came once though...had he come more time i would have sample much more bread. I had the french onion soup next...and it was perfect. For dinner I had the special of the evening which was an 8oz Japanese fillet Mignon. I think it was supposed to be a step below the Wagyu. It was awesome. My Dad and husband both had the Waygu and it was the best steak i ever tasted. We shared the creamed spinach and that was also on point..a little garlicky a little creamy. Dessert I had the chocolate cake with a scoop of gelato SO good. My husband had gelato and my dad had mango sorbetto all were very yummy. I would totally come here for a special occasion...howver it is very expensive for a weekly meal.
(4)
K B.
Always have a great time downstairs in the lounge. Servers and bartenders are knowledgeable and welcoming. Vibe and atmosphere is great. Wine and beer selection is always changing and staff is always able to offer recommendations. Lounge menu is delicious (if a bit pricier than appetizers at nearby establishments). Would highly recommend.
(4)
Al M.
This is one of our favorites The nice part is you can choose between eating small plates in he recently redesigned lounge (which can be a bit loud) or heading up stairs and having a quite romantic meal. The have one of, if not the most extensive wine list in Central/Northern Lake County. Everything from reasonable priced boutique wines to the dig deep in your pockets celebratory bottles for once in a life time wines. I think still my favorite thing go do at Tavern is belly up to the bar, order amazing mussels an heirloom tomato salad and a bottle of Sancerre or White Chateauneuf Du Pape., and chat with the bartenders or Rick the owner. This night we ate upstairs my wife had an amazing piece of halibut with a light lemon buerre blanc and I had a beautifully cooked soft shell crabs. A nice glass of 18 year old tawny port with my creme brule' and we were set. We go back often not just because there are not many other choices but becase they are really good!
(5)
Sean M.
Overall very good restaurant with a good menu. It was a little pricey but a pretty good value.
(4)
Mary T.
Disappointed. My husband and I have been here several times in the past and great food/wine. However, the last two times we visited food quality has declined. Cesar salad was bland and my husband stated his steak while cooked well, needed seasoning. Doubt we will return for dinner, maybe just a glass of wine.
(3)
Elliott H.
I've had drinks in the lounge at The Tavern several times and plan on visiting regularly. The atmosphere has an eclectic mix of dark European cafes and urban hipster dives. The lounge is populated with various different sofas, tables and loungers and the music is kept in the background making for a nice comfortable sitting room to enjoy with a friend or a group. They offer a decent selection of craft and imported beers as well as a nice list of house cocktails and variations on classics. The quality of service I've experienced is good barring an incident when my server assumed a lot by telling me I wouldn't like the Sazerac that I ordered based on my age instead of simply saying that they were out of a key ingredient. Overall, its a great place to share conversation and indulge in some fine libations.
(4)
Megan T.
This is a biased review as I did not have the pleasure of actually eating at The Tavern... I did not have the pleasure of eating at the Tavern because the staff made me feel so unwelcomed the second I stepped in the door. No one approached me or said a word to me, I approached a waiter and asked him where I go to get a table. He explained this over complicated split dining situation and walked away. At no point was I offered a table, a wait time or useful instructions. Not pleasant. Sounds like the food is great though!!
(1)
Kimberly K.
I met a friend at the Tavern after work for wine & appetizers. The room is so comfortable and charming, Unfortunately, the food didn't match. Honestly, it seems as if the chef has never ventured out to sample competitive menus and the overall effect was quite unsophisticated. For example, I ordered the 10 year cheddar to accompany our wine and of course the cheese was fabulous but it was just cheese in a little bowl. There was no tasteful presentation and no accompaniments: No dried fruit, no nuts, not even crackers. Odd. The stuffed artichoke was good, but it was breaded & fried like bar food. The chef was extremely stingy with the truffle oil & salt on the truffle fries and they ought to be served in a cone to keep them warm as they were spread on a plate which cooled before we could eat them. The last item we ordered was the best, a seared beef sashimi. I'd also like to mention that the wine by the glass, while selected nicely but scarcely, was entirely overpriced. The Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc & the Zinfandel were both about $16 per glass. It was not really commensurate with the food. The wait staff was attentive but seemed flustered when we wanted to linger over the plates. I had the distinct impression that the staff thought they may be reprimanded if there were plates left on the table. Overall, I'd give the Tavern a C-.
(2)
Christopher S.
The lounge and bar downstairs were fair. But given the prices upstairs, you're better off making the drive to Wildfire or Cooper's Hawk. Not worth the money and the food is just OK.
(1)
B D.
I really wanted to like this place. As a recent transplant from downtown Chicago (due to the continued economic depression) we were making our first venture into the suburban world of restaurants. The atmosphere was great. It was conversation friendly, and the service was attentive. But the food was lacking. The French Onion Soup lacked taste, and my Berkshire Pork Chop was not from a Berkshire pig. It was a typical white meat store bought chop that was dried out and encrusted with rough chopped half raw garlic. I wanted to send it back, but didn't. Instead, I took most of it home and repurposed it into a much better Pork and Thai Peanust Sauce over Noodles. We will probably go back at another point to see if we just hit an off night, but will probably stick to appetizers instead and play it safe.
(2)
Jenn H.
Love everything about this place!! Great bartenders great severs!! Service is top notch. I always enjoy myself here :)
(5)
Forrest K.
Let me begin by saying this was our first trip to The Tavern having wanted to try it for sometime. We were excited and had read some stellar reviews. There were four in our party and we were celebrating two birthdays and wanted to go somewhere special and above average. Rather than a story, here are bullet points of the highs and lows. * Making a reservation on-line was easy but I should have been nervous when we walked in at 7:30 on a Saturday night and they were accommodating walk-ins with NO WAIT. * The Lounge decor and Dining Room decor were really cool! 5 stars on the atmosphere! * We were greeted and seated warmly and promptly. * Pricing on the menu and wine list was EXPENSIVE however, we expected it and hoped it was justified. * Bread served to the table by a steward on a tray was excellent. The black olive bread is delicious. * House Pinot Grigio at $8.00 per glass was what you would expect. * The menu was diverse in scope and everything is Ala carte but easy to make your selections. There was also quite a list of specials as well. * Caesar salad was an extremely small portion and the dressing was unimpressive and lacking in flavor. The white anchovies were a nice touch but only two fillets were given. A bit stingy in my opinion. * Strangely, everyone in our party ordered seafood. No one in our party was in the mood for a heavy beef diner. Now I know that this place is known for steaks but any restaurant charging $29.00 for a 6 oz. portion of fish better know how to prepare it and it better be delicious. It wasn't * Two orders of Marine Scallops arrived at the table overcooked and dry. They were almost mealy. The server was quick to respond but when asked if they were FROZEN there was a deer in the headlights look momentarily followed by an "errr-ummm I'm not sure" BREAK- Unacceptable. As a server, you had better know what is on your menu and how it is prepared or you do not belong on the floor until you are fully trained. This is not Chili's this is a very upscale and certainly priced like a fine dining establishment. If you put it on your menu, prepare it well or leave it off. * The scallops were taken away while the two others in our party consumed our meals. One Roasted Salmon (regular menu item) and one Halibut (daily special item). At close to $30 each these meals were just OK. * 10 minutes later the 2 new scallop entrees arrived back at the table. This time they were clearly prepared differently as there were now criss cross grill marks on each. Dry on the outside, almost burnt but now undercooked on the inside. Yuk! * The server was very nice and offered to get something else but at this point our two unfortunate companions decided to call it quits . * The manager came by next and was very apologetic. He too offered up another entree instead. It was handled extremely well overall. We were just ready to move on. * Throughout the meal water glasses were constantly kept full as was iced tea. Bread was offered with fresh plates of butter each time. * Next came the desert course and I have to tell you that all three of the deserts were very good. A cheesecake, a chocolate cake and a lemoncelo desert with fresh sliced strawberries was the clear favorite at the table. * When the bill came to the table, we were not surprised that the two uneaten Scallop entrees were removed from the bill. We were surprised that one round of drinks and all three of the deserts were also comped. ( Not once did we ever ask for anything to be taken off) This was done solely at the discretion of the dining room manager. A class move that was appreciated. SUMMARY- Overall we were disappointed with the quality of the food. The atmosphere and service were quite good with the exception of our server either not knowing about the scallops being frozen or not wanting to spill the beans. On a Saturday evening at 7:30 it should have been packed. It was not only the opposite but never got full all night. This restaurant has tremendous eye appeal but did not live up to its potential on this visit. If I were to return one more time, I would give the steaks a try. Stay away from the seafood. This just is not their thing. I suggest that they limit their seafood selections to those that they can prepare as well as the beef that patrons rave about. Deserts were above average and this would be a great spot to stop for after dinner drinks and or desert.
(2)
Meinhard G.
The Tavern Lounge! Went there for small plates or appetizers and drinks. Pleasant - fun place to sit, enjoy food and drinks and yes watch people. Great service, polite and professional! Cost - a bit high priced. Food (in the Lounge) many items BUT too many of them on bread and much of it (bread). Don't get me wrong we like bread it was great tasting but I had to ask for oil to finish the bread. The asparagus came on a big piece of bread and a few pieces of asparagus on top. Calamari and the two pieces of Cheese we ordered were great. Will go back but not a weekly visit, special occasion. Very nice selection of draft beer (in small glasses) and also wine.
(4)
Keith F.
great destination dining for the Burbs. The duck was as good as the hype. The decor is a bit off (trying way too hard for some kind of paris by way of gypsy caravan vibe upstairs) but the service was great
(4)
George K.
Went to the restaurant after going to Firkin many times and loving it. The decor, especially for Christmas, was very nice. I got the lobster ravioli while my counterpart Dragon got a shrimp penne pasta dish. My portion was a bit small but it did make me feel like a big man when I finished it all. Food overall was really good and I would definitely come back again. Be forewarned, place can be pricey depending on your tastes. Recommend.
(4)
Steven M.
Had a recent dining experience at The Tavern the other evening for my GF's birthday. I can't echo the five star reviews (c'mon, 5 stars? It's not Alinea, Charlie Trotter's, Spiaggia or MK.), but it was okay and we had a pretty good time. The dining room decor is certainly eclectic. Not sure what look they going for, English Pub meets Roman Cathedral perhaps? Not a complete turnoff, but kind of dated to say the least. At least it was somewhat cozy. The service was okay. Kind of a rocky start with the waitress pouncing on us for a drink order but no wine list. And after we received the wine list, I had to ask for menus to get an idea of what we wanted. After that everything went well in terms of attentiveness and pace. They do have a fantabulous wine list! Great selections from all the big regions and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. I was particularly impressed with the depth of their California Cabs and Oregon Pinots. They kind of have a cluttered menu; there's a very straighforward Steak Menu, but the rest of the offerings are kind of all over the map. We stuck with the steak just because that was what we heard they were known for. The food was solid, if not spectacular. Good steaks, grilled close to request but not perfectly so and the seasoning was nice. They did do some pretty nice side dishes. I will say, my GF and I thought their creamed spinach was uniquely prepared and quite delicious. Sad that was the high point of the food. I can't quite put my finger on what was missing for me. It was good, it just didn't feel like a memorable enough meal for the $300+ price tag in terms of decor, service or cuisine. If we hadn't been fortunate to have had a transcendent bottle of wine (1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvingon....mmmmmmmmm!), it would have likely been a much bigger disappointment. I may go back strictly to have some more great wine, but likely won't spring for dinner here again unless someone else is paying....
(3)
Bonnie G.
This is my favorite go-to place in Libertyville. I usually eat at the bar downstairs. The bartenders and wait staff are all super friendly. The wine list is as thick as a karaoke book. The best thing I've eaten there is the pork chop. Mmmm...so juicy! I'm a bit of an interior design nut, and I love the wallpaper with the crazy drunk circus animals.
(4)
Jane P.
menu items have been tweaked .... can't recommend the chicken sandwich any longer. it's just ok. my bigger issue was that our waiter (in the lounge) didn't know the wine list well enough to make recommendations, nor did he know the menu. a big downgrade in service. hopefully they'll get the newer hires up to speed soon.
(3)
Mike J.
We went here for our 14th anniversary and made our reservations through Open Table. All worked out well! We had French Onion Soup (after 14 years married and 17 years together you can do this). The soup was good and was a bit spicy which we both liked. I had a salmon special along with asparagus. It was cooked perfectly and had the right amount of flavor. We also had the broccoli de jonghe, that was very good. My wife had a chicken dish off of the menu. It was good, but could have used more flavor. The service was good and attentive. It is slightly on the pricy side, but not too bad. Also, I had added in the notes when making the reservations that it was our anniversary. After we opted not to have desert, our waiter brought us some deserts to go as an anniversary gift. Quite nice! We will be back.
(4)
Sarah L.
AHHHHHHH WAGYU!!!!!! Also, there was only one waitress but she was servicing the shit out of the entire restaurant, and even managed to maintain a happy face when some old lady at the table next to mine started giving her (what I assume was totally psychosomatic) crap about the shrimp. Also also, a dude comes around with a big tray with a sheet on top of it. Under the sheet: five types of freshly baked bread!
(5)
Emma C.
Visited on a "Check, Please!" recommendation. Three stars for decor and service, food was two. We ate in the dining room, the lounge might be another experience. Pros: Romantic and quirky. Waitstaff couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive; the atmosphere and decor is brave with color and downright sparkly; warm and eclectic with a touch of elegance. The dip (lentils? hummus?) on the table before the meal was divine. Yes, the crowd was older as noted in other reviews, but fun R&B music was piped in so it didn't feel stodgy. Cons: Way overpriced, I mean WAY overpriced. Don't go here for dinner expecting to drop anything less than a Benjamin before drinks. Everything is a la carte. Menu didn't offer much choice, same foods prepared different ways (steak this way or that, shrimp this way or that), and all very expensive. The creamed spinach was yummy, but the Caesar salad was very fishy-tasting (ever for a Caesar salad), calamari was disappointingly soggy, potatoes were unremarkable in spite of the promise of truffle oil, and dessert really tore it, $7 for a piece of cake not much bigger than a Hostess Twinkie. Come on, people, desserts are for sharing! Widen that cutting angle! If you are actually going to shlep out here from the Chicago city proper, I suggest going with a date you really like, to compensate for the fact that you will be paying twice as much for food that is probably half as good as what you'd find closer to home. If you're in love, you probably won't notice. Until dessert comes.
(3)
Joe B.
I've only been in the lounge for a drink, so I can't give a full review, but what I experienced was enjoyable. I'm a pretty simple-minded person, so it was probably the bright lights and comfy chairs that excited me, but our waitress was also really cool, and our drinks only added to the pleasure. I wouldn't want to spend an entire night hanging out here, but it's certainly worth stopping in for a casual drink.
(4)
Heather H.
This restaurant is truly unique and out of this world. Food is fabulous, fresh and fancy and the atmosphere is very romantic. Love the decor... Fun gypsy vibe up top, classic architectural details throughout. A great place to sit and relax all night long.
(5)
Doug G.
This review is limited to the downstairs lounge area and the bar menu. We have not taken the plunge into the more expensive dining room option yet. I've eaten at the bar alone a couple of times, with my daughter when she visited and with my wife once. Last night we were just looking for a tapas style dinner so decided to walk up and try out the lounge. First off, we absolutely adore the atmosphere of this place. It is eclectic and I can't imagine the mind of the person who designed and decorated it, it is so warm and inviting. Some sofa seating, tables for two, tables for four or six, they all just feel right. The rest of our experience was mixed. Our waiter was prompt and attentive throughout. But we both agreed that his demeanor was "I wish I had tonight off." We ordered three items and specifically asked that the shrimp remoulade be served first and please hold back the veggie panini and sirloin sashimi until we had finished the shrimp. Naturally it was all dropped at the same time. A small irritation, I know, but geez, how hard could it be. Our waiter's reply when we pointed this out was that he had written it up correctly but he guessed that the kitchen was just trying to "save time??" Huh? There were like 4 other small groups in the entire lounge -- what were they going to do with all that time they "saved" - play poker? Anyhow. We had tried the Acapulco Shrimp before and it was excellent so we tried the Shrimp Remoulade last night. The shrimp themselves were large, tender and fresh. But the sauce was really very bland. I asked for salt and pepper so I could actually give it some flavor, any flavor. We would not order it again. The steak sashimi was excellent. It was cooked a tiny bit more than previous times when it was really cold, blood rare in the center and I liked it a little better that way. Rare, but not blood rare. The horseradish sauce added a mild but tasty flavor. Now, the Artichoke and Portabella Panini was pretty much the opposite. Back to the drawing board on that one, chef. Two pieces of regular looking wheat toast, between which there was literally two small slices of portabella, one half of an artichoke heart cut in half, what looked to be half of a green bell pepper, sliced and (these are the waiter's words) "a bunch of other vegetables they just throw in." You couldn't eat it as a sandwich, it was so chunky and clunky so you had to eat it open face as what amounted to a very sparse vegetable salad without much flavor. I mean bell peppers are cheap, I know, but do they add anything to a vegetable sandwich other than bulk and a bad aftertaste? And maybe I'm wrong, but when I hear the word "panini" I think of a hot sandwich that has been pressed and grilled with enough heat and force to hold it together nice and tight. This was the opposite. In their defense, I remind you that we have had several wonderful light meals at the Tavern before -- just be careful what you order. I think we had pretty much tried everything else on the menu before, so were the victims last night of ordering the wrong stuff. But should the "wrong stuff" stay on the menu very long? And I'm sure our waiter is talented and nice enough that he was just having an off night. By the way, their wine list is huge and the wines by the glass are excellent and not run of the mill (with maybe one exception.)
(3)
Renato P.
Have you ever stopped into a restaurant on a whim and was completely unprepared for what you got there? That was my experience for The Tavern. I was roaming Downtown Libertyville with my date and we were just enjoying the town. We walk past The Tavern and it seems like a nice place to have dinner. Once we stepped inside though, it was was classier than I ever expected from the outside. What, me with my Silver Surfer t-shirt, eating at a restaurant with a $65 Wagyu steak, oops. This was perhaps the most visually interesting restaurant I've even eaten in, it had great date night ambiance. So we sat down and saw what seemed to be a really interesting selection of menu items, from seafood to the previously mentioned Wagyu. The waitstaff couldn't have been nicer, all very friendly and helpful. We ordered the fried calamari and the heirloom tomato salad to start with. The tomato salad was very good, fresh flavorful tomato's, basil, and fresh mozzarella, delicious. The calamari was very good as well, one of the better fried calamari I've eaten. I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce they drizzled over it, I would have preferred a cup of it on the side. I ordered the rotisserie duck with wild rice. This was one of the best duck dishes I ever ordered, I even happily ate the mushrooms in the wild rice, even though I usually don't dig on mushrooms. My date ordered the tavern chicken, which was breaded and covered with avocado and cheese, she seemed to enjoy it alot. All in all this was a great place, I would readily go back. The only real gripe is that the prices are so high here, that it is almost in the realm of special occasion restaurant. While this is a great place, there are plenty of places I've been to that I would want to go to more than this place. Still, if you are in the area, and want someplace really nice to go to for dinner, you can do worse than this place.
(4)
Boones K.
I wasn't amazed by the food, but the wine list was impressive. A great variety of Spanish and Italian wines, along with an in-depth selection of California and French wines. I had the Filet which was tender, but under seasoned. The side dishes, assorted mushrooms and garlic potatoes, were good and provided more flavor than the main course. In general the menu prices seemed a bit high for what you get. I don't think that I would come back for dinner, but I would definitely come back to have drinks in the lounge.
(3)
Lisa M.
We went to The Tavern last night for the 3rd time. The recently turned the 1st floor into a lounge that serves cocktails and small plates. The 2nd floor is now the restaurant. We had some small plates and we also ordered off of the main dining room menu as well. The sirloin sashimi was awesome! I wish there were more lounge type seating though. There are only 2 lounge areas with couches/comfy seats....and the rest are tables. But the decor is so pretty and fun, I love being there for that and the food. As far as the main dining room is concerned, I would highly recommend it to anyone in the suburbs...u MUST have the waygu beef because it is so AMAZING!
(5)
M J.
So I admit. I am a truffle junkie!!! When I saw the menu I was ecstatic. Every other thing on the menu had TRUFFLE oil, butter etc... included in the description. I went for it!!! I'm not sure how to rate Tavern because our experience was sooo mixed! We arrived without reservations on a Saturday night, and I should have known better, but it was kind of a spontaneous dinner out. The girl at the counter walked up and told us we would have to wait 1.5 hours!!! She was followed by whom I presume to be the owner. He was very peculiar at the least. I'm not sure what he was trying to say, but if I didn't know better I would think he was trying to tell us to go somewhere else... I stopped listening to his ramblings after the first ten seconds and decided I wanna stay so we told them we would wait downstairs at the lounge. That's where our dinner should have ended! I'm not sure how to describe the decor... European cafe meets the new world tacky, but still cute... you just have to see it. Definitely one of the weirdest decors I have seen --- in a good way though.... I think. The lounge was fabulous. We were way too hungry to wait for another 1.5 hours for any food so we ordered two appetizers: the shitake mushroom crostini and the asparagus bruschetta. I have to say that even though the bruschetta was served on an enormous piece of bread, both of the appetizers were simply amazing. The best I have had in a long time... seriously five star appetizers!!! We weren't that hungry anymore, but decided to wait because since the appetizers were amazing what could dinner be? I do have to say that our waiter was a bit standoffish. I did not like the service. After waiting for over and hour and a half we finally asked him to check on our table. As soon as he came down he said it's ready. I believe that they simply forgot about us, because when we went upstairs there were four tables empty and since it was already after nine I'm sure they were not reserved. Either way upstairs the dinner turned out to be the opposite of the lounge: service was impeccable, but food was just so so . We had the onion soup --- I'm very picky when it comes to my baked onion soup and I believe the broth was too sweet - it's supposed to be salty and unhealthy! I believe I've had better at Fridays. We only ate the cheese and left the rest. Next the special - assortment of fungi in..... truffle oil.. it was ok. I believe the mushrooms were undercooked as they were still quite hard. The potato wedges (i think that's what they were) that we ordered in... truffle oil were actually bad --- they were hard with a mushy inside and tasted like they were reheated and not fresh. Overall: Downstairs service sucks but appetizers are amazing. upstairs service is great, but food is so so (keeping in mind that we only had the vegetarian dishes). I think I would go back just not for dinner.
(3)
Tim F.
I met a high school friend for a good meal and catch up. He picked this place. Very interesting place with downstairs wine bar and upstairs dining room. While we arrived early and there were only a few people, it filled fast. The interesting menue included many beef choices (my desire that night). Additionally, they had several salads that were excellent. We started with this signature caviar chips (very unusual). All in all, a good meal at a neat place north of Chi town.
(4)
Jim P.
Absolutely outstanding meal. The Wagyu was amazing and the wine list is fantastic. The decor upstairs was very warm and unique. I look forward to finding time to hang out in the beautiful lounge too. As far as the north shore goes, this place is great.
(5)
Philip P.
My wife and I came here for Valentine's day and it was a fixed price dinner with choices ranging from chicken to steak to lobster tails. My wife and I were overwhelmed by their wine selection (a gigantic binder!) but the manager, Tom, came up personally and helped us pick one out. Service was exceptional and they came around frequently with a large selection of deliciously fresh-baked breads along with a lentil dipping sauce. Our appetizers were the smoked salmon rolls which were delicious (perhaps a bit too heavy on the wasabi, though). The salad hit the spot and our 12 oz. NY Strip steaks were exceptional. We were so full we had to take our desserts home but they were more than happy to wrap those up nicely for us. Very pricey but a nice treat and ridiculous wine selection!
(5)
Kate F.
My best friend had her rehearsal dinner here, and it was excellent. The service was prompt and unobtrusive. The servers were always around offering more wine or additional beverages. All three entrees were sampled at my table: steak, chicken and salmon. Everyone was pleased with their selections. Dessert was good as well. This time I tried all three selections. The tiramisu was tasty, the raspberry cheesecake creamy and the chambord chocolate cake was outrageously decadent. I couldn't even finish half my slice. I really think the best part of this location is is the decor. It's fun and eclectic and perfect for a celebration.
(4)
Annie C.
one word... GREAT! yummy lobster! great wine's remodeling of this elegant, funky place is beautiful! its fun for drinks and apps downstairs and elegant (you can wear jeans) upstairs.. it is my favorite place! it's worth every penny,,,,,, if you haven't been there it's a Must go... I would put its food up against any downtown fancy joint!!!
(5)
Andrew K.
The food is excellent (both the seafood and the steaks) the atmosphere is upscale eclectic, and the wait staff is friendly and efficient. I ordered the 8oz fillet medium rare, my wife ordered the salmon. My steak melted in my mouth and my wife loved her fish. This is one of the best restaurants we've found since moving to the burbs.
(5)
Sara P.
This was a really cool place with great character. As busy as it was, my friends and I could still hear each other talk. We had a good server and all received the correct beverages. I will def go back.
(4)
ML C.
I hate to say anything bad because the restaurant had such great ambience but my experience was less than satisfying. For the cost of the meal one can do much better.........though not in Libertyville. We arrived early although one other table was seated; the music was great.....then we got to hear the upstairs manager chew out the staff (demeaning); we are not hoity toity into wine so my wife proceded to order a Miller Lite which was disgusting, either a bad keg or dirty lines; guess Miller Lite isn't ordered too much. French onion soup was too sweet for our taste; mussel appetizer was well cooked but under-sauced. My wife ordered the chicken breast with cheese and spinach..... for 39 bucks one can do much better at Jimmy's Charhouse for 1/3 the price. I had the big prime cut NY strip which was well cooked perfectly rare; I asked for the Foie Gras on top (16 bucks extra) which kinda sucked.....having just been to France maybe I was expecting too much. We were a little taken aback that the menu was a la carte......can't even get a potato with the steak? We didn't stay for dessert............won't go back.
(2)
Joel H.
Love the Tavern. Haven't been able to afford eating here quite as much as I used to, but we get here whenever we can. If not for a full meal, I love sitting at one of the most charming bars around and sipping a tasty beverage. The wait staff and bartenders always treat us right. The food is extremely high quality and the wine list is top notch. Bottle prices are also very reasonable. Atmosphere is excellent. The same things that make Firkin a 5-star establishment carry over to the Tavern, which is no surprise since they are owned by the same couple. The passion for running a restaurant properly shown by the owners and employees is obvious. Turnover is very low in these restaurants because, I'm assuming, the people there love what they do. When I worked for a fine dining restaurant years ago, the management would go to the Tavern for special occasions over any other establishment in the area, hands down.
(5)
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Address :519 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL, 60048
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Vishal B.
A libertyville staple! Progressive, classic, elegant and great service.
(5)Jim E.
Two words, Wagyu Strip!! Pricey but so worth it.
(5)Yana N.
Super cozy for a date night. Very unique decor a mix between Antique shop and Irish pub. Great selection of meats with gourmet toppings like foie gras and truffle oil however execution was mediocre as far as steak is concerned. Will be back if in the area but would not make this a desitnatoion spot.
(3)Amy K.
The Tavern is a hidden gem in downtown Libertyville. We came to hang out the night before Thanksgiving, and we were pleased to find a chill, cozy place to have some nice drinks. I ordered the North Shore Mule, which was a really nice rendition of the Moscow Mule using local vodka (I think?). The waiter was a bit spotty in that our glasses went empty (both alcoholic and water) quite a few times for too long. The menu's descriptions of items was so vague, but the waiter knew them backwards and forwards if you ask. I'd come back! I can't wait to try the food menu next time, also. The kitchen was closed when we came.
(4)Philip M.
There are two parts of The Tavern and both parts are 5-star! The upstairs is a high quality steakhouse with amazing food and sommelier to help you with the huge wine selection. For added fun move your wine bottle and cork and you can make under/over bets on how long it will take the sommelier to come over and rearrange everything back to where he likes it. :) You will not be disappointed in anything on the menu! The downstairs lounge has high quality sharing dishes with a great drink menu and great service. With The Tavern sharing owners with Firkin next door you are able to put your name down at Firkin and come have a drink at The Tavern while you wait. If you aren't done with your drink when you're table is ready, that's ok, they let you just bring it over to Firkin. Great food and a great atmosphere!
(5)Carl F.
This review is only for the bar & lounge area. The decor of this place is really nice and lends itself extremely well for a special night out with your significant other. I wouldn't say this is ideal for a boy's night out, but I could see it working well as a girls night out. This is a good stop if you're doing a bar-hopping type of night, but use caution, as the seats are very comfortable and if you're not careful you could end up staying here the entire night. It's very cozy, warm, inviting, and the staff are super friendly. My wife and I are planning another night on the town and we've marked this place for the last stop. First to enjoy the bar, lounge area and then for dinner, and we are really looking forward to the time.
(4)Wendy L.
Wow, I'm impressed! As soon as I found out that I would be in Great Lakes for my brother's Navy graduation, I knew I had to scope out a good restaurant even if it meant driving out of the area. I searched for a decent steakhouse and the closest was The Tavern in Libertyville. I quickly made a reservation a month and a half in advance for a party of 5, for the evening of 12/5/14 at 5pm (5-5-5! LOL). Making the reservations was easy and I received a confirmation email right away. The Tavern phoned me on 12/5/14 to confirm my reservation. It was an easy drive from Great Lakes to Libertyville and, thankfully for Yelp, I knew to park behind the restaurant to get to the "entrance". As we made our way through The Tavern, we walked through a bar on the first floor, then up a flight of stairs. I quickly observed my surroundings and, at first glance, it looked like an established lounge with regulars hovering over the bar area. Everyone looked like they were having a good time so that was a good sign. When we got to the second floor, we were greeted by the restaurant staff, who also took our coats. The restaurant looked eclectic yet was very cozy. We were welcomed by our server and sat in a large table in the corner which had a great vantage point of the entire restaurant. So far, the evening was wonderful. We placed our orders and we were ready to eat. LENTIL DIP This dip was brought over to our table by the wait staff. It was so good! It had the texture of hummus but the flavors from the lentils along with the basil and red pepper make it a unique appetizer. I really enjoyed this! WILD MUSHROOM SOUP (Portabella, Shiitake, ...) This was the Soup of the Day. I was hoping to get chunks of mushroom because I love chunky soups. Although it was more of a "watery puree", the flavor was actually there; so it wasn't bad. It's just my own personal preference to have a chunkier soup especially since I love mushrooms. It was good and hearty but not too heavy. The cup size was perfect. CAVIAR POTATO CHIPS The Caviar Potato Chips were a good appetizer, specifically the "Hot Chili" flavor, which I enjoyed. Basically, this appetizer was a plate of kettle fried sliced potatoes topped with 3 flavors of tobiko, crème fraîche, and sweet onions. The 3 flavors were Ginger (yellow), Wasabi (green), and "Hot Chili" (red). It was texturally appealing because, at first bite, you get the crunch from the potato chip, the pop from the tobiko, and then the burst of flavor from the ginger, wasabi, or hot chili, with the cooling flavor from the crème fraiche. The Wasabi caviar oozed with a punch of spice while the Ginger gave off a subtle flavor. SIRLOIN SASHIMI Thick slices of New York Strip Steak cooked medium rare and laid over a silky bed of horseradish sauce. I absolutely loved this paired with the side of salad! CHILLED BLOCK FOR FOIE GRAS The block of foie gras was like butter on top of the crostini. A splash of balsamic vinegar gave it a good flavor. GRILLED VEGGIES I love grilled veggies and The Tavern cooked it just right. Simple, crunchy veggies. GRILLED ASPARAGUS I would have loved the asparagus to have more crunch; it was too "flexible" at the point when I tried it---definitely needed the crunch factor. I did, however, like the overall flavor of the grilled asparagus. WILD RICE I've always liked wild rice and this was a great side. The rice had both fluffy and hard textures. GARLIC PUREE POTATOES I have a weakness for starches especially garlic mash! This was exceptional to say the least. The fluffy pureed potatoes came out piping hot to our table and had a beautiful crispy crust on top. The flavors of the garlic was phenomenal. I love garlic! It's HHHHH-eavenly! HHHHa HHHHa HHHHa 8 oz. USDA PRIME NEW YORK STRIP Medium Rare with added Button Mushrooms was great but it wasn't as savory as the Delmonico. 8 oz. DELMONICO Absolutely delicious! Flavorful even as medium rare! I would be back just for this! THE BELGIAN DELIGHT Mussels with a side of Truffle Fries. I love seafood but the mussels were a bit dry and chewy. It was slightly overdone by the time it reached our table; however, the flavor was there. It was indeed delightful. 24 oz. USDA PRIME BONE-IN RIB EYE This is made for someone with a huge appetite. You can never go wrong with bone-in rib eye. Meaty yet delicious. Perfect for sharing! 24 oz. USDA PRIME PORTERHOUSE Similar to the bone-in rib eye but bolder in flavor. Definitely for the carnivores. Delicious! VANILLA BEAN GELATO WITH STRAWBERRIES AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR Ahh, the dessert. Gelato was silky-smooth and the strawberries were a great way to break up all the meaty entrees. The balsamic vinegar brought out the sweetness of the strawberries and the vanilla bean was a great balance to a sweet-tart fruit with creamy-milk flavors. Overall, it was a wonderful evening and I'm glad we decided to dine at The Tavern. Excellent service, hospitality, food, and dining experience! Thank you!
(4)K B.
This place is one of my most favorite for many years. The food, the drinks, the atmosphere is always on point . Even though I don't live near by I still like to make plans to get here once or twice a year.
(5)Susan S.
Adorable inside. Same owner as firkin. Love the decor. Fun to come and chill and sip on drinks and eat yummy appetizers.
(5)Lien D.
Best rib eye steak... Aged to perfection. Mac and cheese? AMAZING. And the decor is on point.
(5)Morris N.
Decor is old fashion and dimly lit. It would be good for either a date night or a business dinner. Reservations are recommended as even on a Tuesday evening it was crowded during the dinner rush. There is a dining room upstairs. On the first level there is a dining room and also a bar area. One of the servers told us that the menus are slightly different upstairs vs downstairs. We ate upstairs. The chilled shrimp cocktail and mussels were good. The wagyu strip steak was excellent. Sides were ok. The carrot cake was delicious. Wine list was pretty decent by the glass or bottle. Service was good. Street parking was easy. There is also a parking lot in the rear where there is also an entrance. I would recommend this place and will probably go back when in the area.
(4)Sally M.
Good food. Good Wine. Good Service. Eclectic Ambiance. I ordered the Atlantic Bass that was the special of the night. It was delicious, though I wish it weren't so fried/breaded/greasy, perhaps. It also had a bit of a fishy taste. Just a bit. Chocolate cake was - surprisingly - not as good as Jimmy's Charhouse: yelp.com/biz/jimmys-char…
(4)Kat M.
I like the decor - it's like a 1920's brothel; kind of dark, cozy and over the top. The service has been excellent the times I have gone. The food is very good but can be a little bland. I've had steaks and a couple of different sides. BUT...the soft-shelled crab is really, really fantastic! I think it is some of the best prepared soft-shelled crab I have ever had. So, get that when it's in season.
(3)Valerie W.
I had dinner at Tavern with a girlfriend of mine earlier this week because she had a gift certificate she wanted to use. She had $60 and wanted to not have anything leftover. She made a reservation for the dining room (upstairs) and we met at 5:30 on Tuesday. The first thing to mention is that the entrance is in the back, and there is also a large parking lot back there. If you can't find street parking on Milwaukee, might be a better idea to end up parking in the lot or garage behind Tavern/Firkin instead, since the entrance is back there anyway. Bathrooms are on the first floor, which is where the bar/lounge is. Main dining is upstairs. The whole vibe of the place is very eclectic. It's like... Morocco meets.... I don't know. Lots of bright colors, fun rugs, etc. The food though, I don't really feel matches the vibe. It was good, don't get me wrong, just didn't go with the décor. We are 29/30 years old and felt like we were WAY TOO YOUNG to be hanging out here for dinner. Because she wanted to use the whole gift certificate, we ordered a lot of things to share: We began with the Grilled Asparagus Bruschetta appetizer, which is garnished with truffle oil and reggiano shavings. This was really good. I'm not normally a fan of skinny asparagus, but because it was piled on top of toast with parm and truffle, it was delightful. The order included 4 pieces, for $9 We then split the Tavern Salad: baby lettuces with arugula and sweet onions, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and Papillon Roquefort cheese. I do not know how this was dressed, but I enjoyed it very much. All of the flavors went very well together. We then each had a French onion soup, which was huge, and had so much cheese and was so filling that once we finished the soups, we were too full for our dinners. There was about as much cheese as broth, which blew my diet, but I really liked. The flavors were great, I am curious what type of cheese they use though, it didn't taste quite like gruyere. Lastly, we split the grilled organic free-range chicken breast "Nelle," which is served with creamed spinach, tomato, and melted cheese. Not going to lie, I ate one bite. I was so full! My counter part didn't like it, so she gave me hers to take home too. I'm sure the BF will eat it if I don't get to it. Service was impeccable, people. Just perfect. Waters were always full and the timing of each of our course was really on-point. At no point were we rushed, nor were we ignored. This was SPOT ON and the reason that Tavern gets 4 stars instead of 3. I feel like Tavern is the type of place I can bring my Yia Yia for a very special occasion and she will love it. I'm not rushing bad, but I'n not counting it out either.
(4)Neen J.
I recently ate in the lounge area with a friend. It was a Tuesday night and we didn't have a reservation and the dining room was booked solid so we headed downstairs. This is a cozy atmosphere with a delicious menu and huge servings. We chose the 1 pound steak to share and ordered the tomato and basil salad with olive tapenade to accompany it. Delish! Steak cooked perfectly and too much meat for 2! We had the grilled asparagus to start and it was lovely too. GF options available and average service. Definitely recommend this spot!
(4)Kevin N.
It's been over five years since I enjoyed a dinner at The Tavern. I visit their sister more casual pub next door Firkin quite a bit more. However, my visit last night reminded me of what a wonderful gem of a place The Tavern is. The decor is similar but the ambiance is quieter and a bit more upscale. Whereas Firkin focuses more on beer, the Tavern has an award winning wine list. Most importantly, however, the Tavern now has transformed the main floor into a quieter lounge for drinks and small plates. It's super cozy, quiet and very inviting. The full restaurant is upstairs with the standard high end steaks and chops. The downstairs has more of a private club feel with warm woods and fabrics. The happy hour menu is a bargain with 11 small plates ranging in price from $2.75 - $4.75 during the happy hour Monday - Friday from 4:30-6:30. This is a great date night place if you want something special but not formal white tablecloth service like they offer upstairs. I'm going back!
(4)Mad I.
Cannot beat the decor of this place, really wild and eclectic, very cool! I always stroll in here just for drinks, yet to try the food. Drinks are okay, fancy cutsie names, around $10 a pop.
(4)Duke P.
Fantastic steak house. Really unique setting. cocktails, liquor selection and beers are OK, decent wine list. The real gem here is the food. The steaks are perfect, been coming here for years and tried a number of their steaks, although I always go back to the filet with fois gras. All of them have been cooked perfectly and are of great quality. All the side dishes are great, the creamed spinach has a bit of a kick but its good. The only negative I have is that their calamari was sub-par, the rest of the seafood including the clams and mussels were excellent. As to the service and atmosphere, it is hit or miss. I suppose it depends on the staff. I have been treated both poorly, with sarcastic and condescending bartenders and waiters and then I have had excellent service. This mainly relates to the downstairs, the steakhouse upstairs has always been excellent. It also helps to make reservations on the weekends, otherwise youll be waiting for a while. Great date night or client orientated place.
(5)Suzy L.
Excellent food and above and beyond type of service! Our server knew just when we needed something and when to let us be. Food was amazing! We had the filet and the strip with Tavern salad, wild rice and garlic purée potatoes. The filet had this amazing butter sauce that just melted in your mouth! Strip had a lot of flavor too. Both meats were cooked to perfection. Sides were very flavorful and delicious as well! Will definitely be returning!
(5)Veteran T.
Horrible, hostile environment. Stayed we'd never been there before but treated like alley drunks. Very hostile at first about Gander, service dog. Won't be back. Would rather tattoo my eyeballs.
(1)Russell D.
Best Filet I've ever had, and I've been to many of the top steak joints (ie New York, London, Chicago etc). Great wine selection too with a very knowledgable sommelier.
(5)Bill M.
Great food...great service...always a great nite!
(5)Stacy O.
Disclaimer: My only experience here was on New Year's Eve, with a limited menu. Why have I waited so long to come here? I regularly go to Firkin, The Tavern's sister restaurant right next door, but have never been in here until tonight. Their NYE special was a four course meal -- appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert -- with varying prices depending on the entree. I started with the sea scallops in a lobster mayonnaise. They were good. The lobster mayonnaise wasn't particularly interesting, but the scallops were flavorful and prepared well. The Tavern salad was a nice mix of dried cranberries, roquefort cheese, walnuts, onions, and greens. My husband said he would have preferred it with better greens; I was content with the salad just how it was. We both had the filet, which was perfectly cooked medium rare. It was seasoned well. And though it was listed as 8 ounces, I have to assume it was on the larger side of eight ounces. I didn't finish it, but my husband finished his own and mine. And, oh my goodness, dessert. I ordered the lemon tartuffo after asking what a tartuffo is (it sounds like a Dr. Seuss thing, no?). It was a scoop of lemon gelato with a limoncello center and covered in crumb of lemon meringue, served over sliced strawberries with raspberry syrup. I died and went to heaven. And in heaven, I found out I have the best husband ever because he ordered the creme brulee, one of my typical dessert orders, and he let me sneak a few bites. It was also lovely, but the tartuffo is certainly more rare and special. If you like lemon, go for it. Service was excellent.
(4)Stephen S.
No close second in Libertyville.
(5)Jennifer L.
Had the fois gras, it was good. More pate than anything but yummy! The smoked salmon appetizer was horrible! Way too salty! Had a bite and left it.garlic shrimp appetizer was delicious and garlicky! The New York steak was perfect medium rare. The mashed potatoes needed salt but the bites with cheese and bacon were to die for! Will come again! But leave the smoked salmon behind
(5)Melissa K.
We love this place! Delicious food drinks wine, we've been here so much their steak is prob the best I've ever had. They have great french onion soup, salads, my husband likes the cave aged cheddar. The bartenders and servers are so great! It's definitely a pricier restaurant but you get what you pay for here their lounge/bar area is awesome I would definitely recommend!!
(5)Steve B.
If you're looking for that special night out The tavern is the place to go. My wife and I eat here for most of our special occasion dining nights. The food is amazing and service is impeccable. We love the Decour very warm and family oriented settings. Reservations are required and fill fairly quickly so it's good to call a day or two in advance to get a table.
(5)Ravi R.
Overall, the food at the Tavern was fantastic. The steak was exquisitely crafted and they had appetizers to make your mouth water. The service was good and the ambiance was great. While the tavern was impressive, it was lacking in one major department. It didn't have lava cake. The overall performance warranted 5 stars, but the presence of lava cake can make or break a restaurant's status.
(4)Andrew T.
I think I wanted this to be better than it was, but it was still pretty good. After nearly 18 months of going to Firkin and wallowing in the amazingness that is their spicy pork loin sandwich, I finally found a reason to come to Tavern. The decor is great, it feels very warm and cozy, with a dark decor and kind of eclectic wall coverings and lighting hanging from the ceiling. There's a fireplace (although the fire is fake) and overall, it's a nice room. They have varying chairs, if that makes sense? Ours were wicker, and were fine, but other tables had some really nice leather jobs that we were kind of coveting. The bar downstairs is also nice looking, with that same dark, cozy feel. I had the cream of asparagus soup, with mushrooms, which was good. light flavor, and very rich and smooth. Probably could have eaten even more of this. My steak was a bone in ribeye, which was tender and well marbled, but didn't really have exceptional flavor, even though it was touted as being USDA Prime. I did not opt for any of their optional crusts - a parmiggiano and a bleu cheese, which both sounded good, but I was trying to be a steak purist. Someday I will learn. I know how variable beef can be, so I wouldn't rule out another visit to try again. We also tried their special "hunter gathered mushrooms", which had good mushroom flavor, but I think were sauteed with some onion or garlic that they just didn't need. What will bring me back are suburban prices - you don't pay the downtown premium that you might at a place like III Forks and Chicago Cut, so I'm willing to make another attempt, as it won't hurt the wallet quite as bad. It's just too bad Libertyville is an hour from my house. The service was friendly and prompt, no complaints there. Like I said, worth another try someday to see if I can chalk things up to the variability in the beef.
(3)William R.
Well worth the extra money. If you want higher end food in downtown libertyville, the tavern or firkin is the way to go.
(5)Chet M.
The Waygu strip sucked for $65. It was ala carte too. A total rip. Should have gotten the 24 oz porterhouse prime steak for $49. But anything else on the menu is decent. Espcecially the flat iron steak w/shrimp special. Dining room is cute, roomy and comfortable. Service is friendly and accomdating. Parking in back is great.
(3)Sue S.
Evening started terribly... No service, no eye contact.... Kelsey saved the day by personally taking care of us after our assigned wait staff was busy attending to a party of 20... Redemption through Kelsey!! Two appetizers and the wine were perfect!! Miss turned into a hit!! Shiitake mushroom appetizer was splendid!!
(4)John O.
Expensive and really only a once in awhile, special kind of thing place like a college graduation or a mother's 70th birthday. Really good food and great location!
(4)Elaine C.
Decor is amazing! I really like the lounge area and the whiskey and wine drink menu. Food at the dining area was bit overpriced for the food. Food still tastes good but not for the price. The waiter we got at dining room seem new. He doesn't explain anything or unsure what restaurant has on the menu. The lounge waiter was very knowledgeable and suggest few drinks to try. I would go back to lounge for drinks!
(4)Pamela D.
My husband and I met here after work early on a Wednesday evening. We ended up having the dining room to ourselves for most of the meal. The ambiance in the Tavern dining room is hard to describe--it's colorful with soft lighting and candles everywhere. It feels like you're dining in someone's living room--or more accurately, someone's parlor. Service was excellent all around. Our server gave us ample time to examine the menu and extensive wine list. While we expected to pay a lot, the Tavern does seem a little overpriced. Our bill for 2 people easily surpassed $200 although it was largely due to 2 items: the bottle of wine and the wagyu steak my husband ordered. As for the latter, he was a little disappointed. The steak was recommended medium rare but came out more rare than medium. It was still tasty but not worth the steep price tag, in our opinion. We split a couple side dishes and in the process fell victim to some deceptive advertising. We ordered the "spicy corkscrew potatoes" thinking they would be some variation on a twice-baked potato. It turned out to be a plate of plain old curly fries that were salty but not spicy by any means. Shame on us, I guess, for not asking questions before we ordered. On the positive side, the halibut I ordered ranks as some of the best fish I've ever eaten. We also enjoyed the salads we ate in lieu of appetizers. Desserts were also good, although I prefer a little more "lava" in my chocolate lava cake. All in all, our Tavern experience was positive. We will keep it in mind for special occasions...not to mention be a little more careful about what we order.
(4)Laurence K.
Good wine list great food
(4)Jared K.
This was an amazing food experience. The décor is fantastic and the food seems like it should be at a 5 star restaurant in downtown Chicago. We ate upstairs and I ordered the Filet and Lobster because my heart doctor suggests I should eat more red meat. The wait staff was spot on and made our night even more memorable. From now on if I want a high end dinner I will just stay in Libertyville vs. going downtown Chicago.
(4)Michael L.
WOW was I not expecting this. Awesome restaurant. Had the mushrooms app special and cajun shrimp - delicious. Fresh warm bread, French onion soup - fantastic. Then...the 12oz filet medium rare. I mean PERFECTLY cooked beautiful, amazingly flavored and high quality. Honestly, better than the vast majority of downtown steakhouses and I've been to them all. And price aside...but $39 for a 12oz perfect fitet? My gf and her friends had the halibut and salmon. Everyone loved it.
(5)Cynthia B.
Nice lounge. Food is creative and wonderful. Only downside...w ine pours are miniscule for $10 a glass.
(3)Jenifer W.
We finally stopped here on our way home one evening, to see what the fuss was about. ATMOSPHERE: Lush, borderline extravagant. It very much reminds me of being inside an eccentric mansion from the Victorian era. Red plush walls, crystal (like) chandeliers, mis-matched chairs around tables, you get the picture. In either the lounge area or the formal dining upstairs, you'll feel like you're having dinner at the Queen's cottage - not sure if I like this stuffiness or not. FOOD: As steaks go, these are pretty good. We decided to split an appetizer and entree and chose the Shrimp De Jonghe and Wyagu Strip. Shrimp De Jonghe: While the flavors were good, the dish was a little dry (not nearly enough wine / baking liquid, leaving the baked shrimp and breading a little hard to swallow. It was also not served with lemon slices (traditionally it should be), which would have given it acidity and the moisture it lacked. Wyagu Strip: Decidely better than the Shrimp, the steak was prepared very well, with the perfect amount of pink, but lacked seasoning. For the cost ($65), I expected a masterpiece, and although good this steak fell short. SERVICE: POOR - Even though the dining room was not busy (we arrived past 8:30 pm), the server seemed too busy with something else to help us. It was 5 to 10 minutes before he came to take the drink orders, and each time we needed something (lemons, napkin, so on), I found myself needing to go on a hunt for him. Also, we ordered a bottle of wine, and he did some weird sniff thing with the cork, where he physically pressed the cork to his mustache (EW!!!) and took a HUGE, snorting sniff... then he proceeded to put the now-tainted cork in the middle of our table - kind of grossed me out. VALUE: POOR. The quality of food does not merit these huge prices. I know steak, and would easily pay more than these prices for a really good one, and I was sorely let down - you are definitely not getting what you pay for here. NOTE THIS AS WELL: They are ripping you off in more ways than one - example: The Shrimp De Jonghe upstairs is $10, and in the lounge is $12 - most food is this way. They are the exact same dishes, and there is NO reason why the prices should change - shame on you! In all, prices, service, and food quality (at this price point) make Tavern a place we will not be going back to.
(2)A A.
Really good meal. Simple but elegant presentation of all of the dishes as well as attentive service that wasn't too attentive. We started off with cocktails in the lounge area. The drinks were really good and the lounge area was a nice area to relax prior to our meal. It was nice to see them support a local vodka as well. We headed up to dinner and had a salad as well as an appetizer. I appreciate when the Cesar salad includes anchovies and this did not disappoint. Our entrees were really good. The only thing that gave is pause was the side dish selection. My husband and I are both steak/potato people. He prefers mashed and I preferred baked. Neither were an option. Otherwise a perfect meal.
(5)Dan P.
Good lawd... This place is better than any steakhouse in Chicago and I've been to both Gibson's locations, Maestro's Steakhouse, Chicago Cut and others... I mean, if I were convicted of murder, The Tavern's Wagyu steak with a glass of Carter wine is what I would have as my final meal! The atmosphere is eclectic to say the least, the staff is attentive and it's a great time. While the food is admittedly pricey, it isn't nearly as bad as the other steakhouses I've mentioned. It's by far the best steakhouse in the 'burbs and I have yet to find on in Chicago that I like more. Besides, this place actually has parking so you don't have to worry about parking attendants burning out your car!
(5)H R.
Attendees - My husband, myself and another couple (all of us moved into the apartments down the street in the same week so we are new to the area) Server - Shoulder length blond haired woman Location - We had to go to the Lounge area because the restaurant only took reservations and the last available table had been given away. Pretty cool and groovy atmosphere in the Lounge. What we ordered - Drinks - After being hounded for our order, we got our drinks. No issue with the drinks, but then it was another 30 minutes before our server decided to take our food order. They hound you for drinks, but not food. Odd particularly when you advise your server you are getting dinner too. Cheesebread - Don't bother. Nothing special. The delivery pizza place down the street makes better. This did arrive to our table as an appetizer and at the appropriate time during the meal though vs. the other food. Calamari - Never arrived and about an hour after ordering when our waitress finally follow up on it despite our asking the Runners and her about it several times, The Tavern was "out" of it. Dinner Salad - Never arrived so by the time the sliders came out my friend told the waitress to cancel the order. 20 minutes later the Runner came out with one and was totally confused because he didn't understand English that she didn't want it. Two orders of sliders - One order was the only thing besides the Cheesebread that arrived on time. It was my order and I ate it. Good, but nothing special. Our friends who ordered the other order of sliders - theirs arrived cold and had to be sent back to the kitchen. The second hot order did finally arrive successfully. 1 Steak - This was the only thing my husband was going to eat. It took an hour to arrive to the table, well after the sliders arrived, and several inquiries to our waitress that he hadn't received it to get her to bring one to the table. Notes on the experience - The waitress put far too much faith in the runners to do their jobs and didn't do a good job of checking on everything to make sure we got our food. She apologized profusely saying the kitchen was "backed up." Um, well it was a Friday night. I would assume they get this type of crowd EVERY Friday night. Not sure how the kitchen being backed up is my problem. Sounds like more of a management issue to me. She offered us another round of drinks or dessert for free which we ordered, but then she came back and recinded the offer because the manager was going to comp the food portion so we would just have to pay for the drinks we had already ordered. Wow. How nice of them. God forbid they try to save new customers and have us consider coming back for a better experience. We spent 2 hours at dinner and left hungry and pissed off. Ruined evening out. Place has a cool environment, but we will never be back and neither will our friends. FYI - This place is owned by the same owners as Firken. The kitchens are separate, but that explained to me why both places are so overpriced.
(1)Mike L.
First off this is the best steak house in Lake County by far. Tons of unique fresh items. Calamari and old school shrimp dejonge were solid. Calamari tasted like the advertised day boat title. Wedge salad was perfect. Light, tasty, and the pine nut accent was outstanding. Friends had Wyagu Strip, Bone in Ribeye, and sea bass special. I had the 8 oz. filet with foi gras and truffle butter. I tasted all the items and by far the Wyagu beef was the best, then the prime ribeye, sea bass, and sadly last my filet with foi. My filet was a bit over done for mid rare, the foi was fine but there was hardly a trace of truffle butter. Kinda a let down honestly but I blame myself because the other steaks were fabulous and I should have ordered them. Sides were great. Wildmushroom from Washington, creamed spinach with a twist, and potatos. All were well done. Desert was different as I'd never had balsamic and ice cream. very interesting. Atmosphere was great. Victorian meets bayou mardi gras. Very cool. Service was solid but unremarkable. Very nice place, can't go wrong. Just make sure you order the prime steaks!
(4)Pete Z.
Dinner for three; Chicken, fish, steak and desert. Good food good service. Look forward to our next meal there.
(5)Jen Z.
This was a TREMENDOUS meal and experience for us! It was quiet, intimate, cozy, and with lovely decorations -- just what my husband and I needed and wanted for a long-awaited "parents-night-out" treat. We ordered off the specials list and were not disappointed. The food was tremendous, the service divine, and it was overall a superb experience. And an experience it was...
(5)Cheska F.
Edited.
(4)Chris C.
Love the lounge. We had the mussels and Kobe Sliders both were good. Had Manchego cheese , would prefer it sliced instead of cubed. The lounge is comfy and not noisy . We have had excellent service both times here! Going to try the upstairs soon!
(4)Christine V.
I love when restaurants have a certain charm about them. Right when you walk in you are greeted by a beautiful bar. I would go to the Tavern just to sit at the bar it was that pretty. Dark wood, large mirrors behind the bottles, a well dressed bartender, its right up my alley. PLUS, they knew what a champagne cocktail was (sugar cube, bitters and champagne) which scored them high marks right there. Once we were seated we were handed the menus. The specials sounded great and the menu is easy to read and they don't offer so many options that it takes you forever to get through it. We ordered the NY Strip and had them prepare as the chef wanted and it was cooked to a perfect medium, nice crust on the outside and so juicy and pink inside. They do offer a number of "crusts" that you can get for your steak like "parm crusted" or "blue cheese" crusted but we just had it as is. The creamed spinach was the right choice for side, as I didn't want to get too full for desert. We ordered the Chocolate Decadence cake with a raspberry sauce and it was rich and chocolately, the best way to end a meal, and 2nd anniversary with my husband! :) We will be back!
(4)Jonathan K.
Service was great. Meat and seafood were top quality, but overpriced. I had the grilled shrimp with broccoli, wife had the seafood fettucini. Mine was better than hers, but again - great quality seafood on both. It's an acceptable "fancy occasion" restaurant - but only because there are no other real options in the area. For a regular dinner, their sister Firkin next door is far better.
(3)Jim H.
We took friends looking for a fine dining experience that would repay a very special favor. The Tavern was perfect. We arrived early for a drink in the actual tavern; excellent service though a little noisy. Once upstairs for dinner; service, atmosphere and food was outstanding.
(5)John H.
Me and my wife celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary here and lived the decor, food, service, and wine. I would have gave them a 5 but they forgot it was our anniversary. A must visit :)
(4)Matthew C.
Decent slabs of beef here, but don't expect anything to accompany them. The salads are very sub-par for this type of establishment, but hey, I'm from San Francisco.
(3)Heather R.
Yum...great bar, good food.
(5)Tim E.
I have been here a couple of times before and previous experiences were ... the food was good......but not high end good and I was never blown away by the service ...it was just OK. We went out for my birthday last night and we could not have been more pleased. Our reservation was at seven and we wanted to have a glass of wine at the bar before dining and I checked in with the Maître D and he could not have been more cordial and accommodating. We ate in the upstairs dining area and the menu was much more interesting than the memory I had from my last visit. I immediately was impressed when our waitress cautioned that the Halibut was not available because it is not in season and that the chef is maintaining fresh seasonal menu items with an eye on sustainability. Striped Sea Bass was the seasonal substitute. Our appetizer was great, our steaks were perfect (not an easy feat with my wife's need for not rare but not burnt steak....they hit it perfect) and the service was as good as I have ever had. The three waiters that took care of us were always right there with whatever we needed usually before we even knew we needed it. I do not remember the service being this exemplary in past visits. Bread was fantastic, side dishes maybe a little weak in the creativity department but tasty, and the deserts were fantastic. I would have given it 5 stars for a little better wine selection and fancier sides but if 4.75 was available I would have rated it that. Parking, as in all Libertyville eateries can be dicey but I recommend Tavern for a special night out anytime.... Caution: Tavern is not a "mid-priced menu"...We dropped 240.00 tip included...but worth it ....I've spent over 350.00 (too many times to admit) for far less of a culinary experience.
(4)David F.
Wow. Very impressed. Outstanding food in an extremely cool atmosphere. A New Orleans kind of feel to the decor, certainly big city. Huge wine list with an expert and down to earth sommelier. As enjoyable a dining experience as I have ever had.
(5)L F.
Very disappointed! Service was slow in restaurant, bar waitress was rude. Caesar Salad the lettuce was brown throughout and the creme brûlée was so bad it was soupy pudding in a bowl. All the entrees were good that we ordered, there were 6 of us. Wine prices are way too high and they blatantly advertise at the top of their wine menu, 5 OUNCE POURS. What restaurant does that, most want to encourage wine sales. Let's just say I was able to call in Thursday for a 7:39 reservation for 6 and get in, that should of been my first clue! Don't waste your money on the restaurant.
(2)Natasha N.
This is a magical place. I was here about a year and a half ago with my husband. We had this wonderful waitress who just had the most fun, but laid back personality. We opted for a variety of appetizers and then we shared a meal. Everything was delicious! The drinks were exotic and intoxicating. The decor is something out of a European fairytale with all of the wood, lights and colored glass. It is not cheap. So go when you are celebrating something special, unless you are rich, then just go all the time! We looooooooove this place. I'm dying to go back.
(5)Daniel S.
Great steak! I am a steak snob for lack of a better term. I really only like a high quality steak else I'd rather have chicken, pork, or something else. This was that high quality steak and they offer good crusting options. Sides were solid as well. My wife had lamb which she said was great too. Salad was fine- soup was great. Certainly a great suburban spot for steak. Expect to pay for the quality- but it is worth it.
(5)Marci B.
We went to The Tavern last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. What a wonderful dinner. The food was outstanding and the service was plentiful and very attentive. We shared a the Gulf Shrimp Cocktail and a Caesar Salad, both were delicious. I had the sea scallops, amazing. And my husband had the porterhouse - he found it very flavorful and tasty. Cooked to perfection. The garlic potatoes and creamed spinach we yummy, too. I am pregnant and wanted something other than water - they have a drink called "Pregnancy Punch" which was delicious and made me feel like I was drinking an adult beverage as it came in a shaker and was served in a martini glass. And, since we noted it was our anniversary all of our drinks were comped. The only drawback is that there is only 1 ladies room (literally, one toilet) and it is downstairs. Aside from that this place was a great treat and we will definitely go back again.
(5)Kiera D.
Came here to celebrate my middle school graduation. (LOL) I love it though! So cozy and cute. Yummy!
(5)Adrian M.
Wow. So good. 24 oz bone in ribeye is magical.
(5)Kathryn H.
Interesting place. Love the funky festive ambiance ... we ended up here for dinner because Firkin next door was packed with a 45 minute wait. They never told us dinner upstairs was an option but directed us to the lounge area, where there's a more tapas sort of menu. We didn't know a more extensive menu was available until I read it here a few days later. Since everyone else has covered a lot of the high points, I'd say these guys still have a long way to go when it comes to food allergies. I've got problems with milk/cheese and gluten. The waitress kept giving me these blank looks that evolved to exasperated looks like "why do you have to make my job so difficult" when I tried to ask what on the menu didn't include milk or 'wheat'. She had to try a few times to bring out one dish ... she had the chef make the asparagus without the cream sauce ... but he covered it with cheese instead. The final result was dry and burned spears of plain asparagus. Although we made a blanket request for 'no milk products', things came out doused with cheese or cream sauce, even if it didn't describe it as such on the menu ... eh... If you've got serious food allergy issues, stay away until they figure it out.
(3)Jori C.
Just a beautiful place. The lounge is great to sit and have a drink, and the upstairs restaurant is stunning. Food is top notch also.
(5)Elyse C.
Very, Very, very nice place. Not to mention the food is A-Maz-Ing. We ventured here one night as my dad likes to take us to Steakhouses. We didn't want to drive to the city so we ended up in this joint. We made reservations on a Tuesday night but it was clear we didn't need them...however I get the feeling you should anyway. We started off with the Oysters...they were actually my least favorite of the meal...Not bad but not knock you socks off. They brought around bread...five different kinds...I asked the guy serving which was the best and he pointed gave me a seeded loaf it was tasty. He only came once though...had he come more time i would have sample much more bread. I had the french onion soup next...and it was perfect. For dinner I had the special of the evening which was an 8oz Japanese fillet Mignon. I think it was supposed to be a step below the Wagyu. It was awesome. My Dad and husband both had the Waygu and it was the best steak i ever tasted. We shared the creamed spinach and that was also on point..a little garlicky a little creamy. Dessert I had the chocolate cake with a scoop of gelato SO good. My husband had gelato and my dad had mango sorbetto all were very yummy. I would totally come here for a special occasion...howver it is very expensive for a weekly meal.
(4)K B.
Always have a great time downstairs in the lounge. Servers and bartenders are knowledgeable and welcoming. Vibe and atmosphere is great. Wine and beer selection is always changing and staff is always able to offer recommendations. Lounge menu is delicious (if a bit pricier than appetizers at nearby establishments). Would highly recommend.
(4)Al M.
This is one of our favorites The nice part is you can choose between eating small plates in he recently redesigned lounge (which can be a bit loud) or heading up stairs and having a quite romantic meal. The have one of, if not the most extensive wine list in Central/Northern Lake County. Everything from reasonable priced boutique wines to the dig deep in your pockets celebratory bottles for once in a life time wines. I think still my favorite thing go do at Tavern is belly up to the bar, order amazing mussels an heirloom tomato salad and a bottle of Sancerre or White Chateauneuf Du Pape., and chat with the bartenders or Rick the owner. This night we ate upstairs my wife had an amazing piece of halibut with a light lemon buerre blanc and I had a beautifully cooked soft shell crabs. A nice glass of 18 year old tawny port with my creme brule' and we were set. We go back often not just because there are not many other choices but becase they are really good!
(5)Sean M.
Overall very good restaurant with a good menu. It was a little pricey but a pretty good value.
(4)Mary T.
Disappointed. My husband and I have been here several times in the past and great food/wine. However, the last two times we visited food quality has declined. Cesar salad was bland and my husband stated his steak while cooked well, needed seasoning. Doubt we will return for dinner, maybe just a glass of wine.
(3)Elliott H.
I've had drinks in the lounge at The Tavern several times and plan on visiting regularly. The atmosphere has an eclectic mix of dark European cafes and urban hipster dives. The lounge is populated with various different sofas, tables and loungers and the music is kept in the background making for a nice comfortable sitting room to enjoy with a friend or a group. They offer a decent selection of craft and imported beers as well as a nice list of house cocktails and variations on classics. The quality of service I've experienced is good barring an incident when my server assumed a lot by telling me I wouldn't like the Sazerac that I ordered based on my age instead of simply saying that they were out of a key ingredient. Overall, its a great place to share conversation and indulge in some fine libations.
(4)Megan T.
This is a biased review as I did not have the pleasure of actually eating at The Tavern... I did not have the pleasure of eating at the Tavern because the staff made me feel so unwelcomed the second I stepped in the door. No one approached me or said a word to me, I approached a waiter and asked him where I go to get a table. He explained this over complicated split dining situation and walked away. At no point was I offered a table, a wait time or useful instructions. Not pleasant. Sounds like the food is great though!!
(1)Kimberly K.
I met a friend at the Tavern after work for wine & appetizers. The room is so comfortable and charming, Unfortunately, the food didn't match. Honestly, it seems as if the chef has never ventured out to sample competitive menus and the overall effect was quite unsophisticated. For example, I ordered the 10 year cheddar to accompany our wine and of course the cheese was fabulous but it was just cheese in a little bowl. There was no tasteful presentation and no accompaniments: No dried fruit, no nuts, not even crackers. Odd. The stuffed artichoke was good, but it was breaded & fried like bar food. The chef was extremely stingy with the truffle oil & salt on the truffle fries and they ought to be served in a cone to keep them warm as they were spread on a plate which cooled before we could eat them. The last item we ordered was the best, a seared beef sashimi. I'd also like to mention that the wine by the glass, while selected nicely but scarcely, was entirely overpriced. The Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc & the Zinfandel were both about $16 per glass. It was not really commensurate with the food. The wait staff was attentive but seemed flustered when we wanted to linger over the plates. I had the distinct impression that the staff thought they may be reprimanded if there were plates left on the table. Overall, I'd give the Tavern a C-.
(2)Christopher S.
The lounge and bar downstairs were fair. But given the prices upstairs, you're better off making the drive to Wildfire or Cooper's Hawk. Not worth the money and the food is just OK.
(1)B D.
I really wanted to like this place. As a recent transplant from downtown Chicago (due to the continued economic depression) we were making our first venture into the suburban world of restaurants. The atmosphere was great. It was conversation friendly, and the service was attentive. But the food was lacking. The French Onion Soup lacked taste, and my Berkshire Pork Chop was not from a Berkshire pig. It was a typical white meat store bought chop that was dried out and encrusted with rough chopped half raw garlic. I wanted to send it back, but didn't. Instead, I took most of it home and repurposed it into a much better Pork and Thai Peanust Sauce over Noodles. We will probably go back at another point to see if we just hit an off night, but will probably stick to appetizers instead and play it safe.
(2)Jenn H.
Love everything about this place!! Great bartenders great severs!! Service is top notch. I always enjoy myself here :)
(5)Forrest K.
Let me begin by saying this was our first trip to The Tavern having wanted to try it for sometime. We were excited and had read some stellar reviews. There were four in our party and we were celebrating two birthdays and wanted to go somewhere special and above average. Rather than a story, here are bullet points of the highs and lows. * Making a reservation on-line was easy but I should have been nervous when we walked in at 7:30 on a Saturday night and they were accommodating walk-ins with NO WAIT. * The Lounge decor and Dining Room decor were really cool! 5 stars on the atmosphere! * We were greeted and seated warmly and promptly. * Pricing on the menu and wine list was EXPENSIVE however, we expected it and hoped it was justified. * Bread served to the table by a steward on a tray was excellent. The black olive bread is delicious. * House Pinot Grigio at $8.00 per glass was what you would expect. * The menu was diverse in scope and everything is Ala carte but easy to make your selections. There was also quite a list of specials as well. * Caesar salad was an extremely small portion and the dressing was unimpressive and lacking in flavor. The white anchovies were a nice touch but only two fillets were given. A bit stingy in my opinion. * Strangely, everyone in our party ordered seafood. No one in our party was in the mood for a heavy beef diner. Now I know that this place is known for steaks but any restaurant charging $29.00 for a 6 oz. portion of fish better know how to prepare it and it better be delicious. It wasn't * Two orders of Marine Scallops arrived at the table overcooked and dry. They were almost mealy. The server was quick to respond but when asked if they were FROZEN there was a deer in the headlights look momentarily followed by an "errr-ummm I'm not sure" BREAK- Unacceptable. As a server, you had better know what is on your menu and how it is prepared or you do not belong on the floor until you are fully trained. This is not Chili's this is a very upscale and certainly priced like a fine dining establishment. If you put it on your menu, prepare it well or leave it off. * The scallops were taken away while the two others in our party consumed our meals. One Roasted Salmon (regular menu item) and one Halibut (daily special item). At close to $30 each these meals were just OK. * 10 minutes later the 2 new scallop entrees arrived back at the table. This time they were clearly prepared differently as there were now criss cross grill marks on each. Dry on the outside, almost burnt but now undercooked on the inside. Yuk! * The server was very nice and offered to get something else but at this point our two unfortunate companions decided to call it quits . * The manager came by next and was very apologetic. He too offered up another entree instead. It was handled extremely well overall. We were just ready to move on. * Throughout the meal water glasses were constantly kept full as was iced tea. Bread was offered with fresh plates of butter each time. * Next came the desert course and I have to tell you that all three of the deserts were very good. A cheesecake, a chocolate cake and a lemoncelo desert with fresh sliced strawberries was the clear favorite at the table. * When the bill came to the table, we were not surprised that the two uneaten Scallop entrees were removed from the bill. We were surprised that one round of drinks and all three of the deserts were also comped. ( Not once did we ever ask for anything to be taken off) This was done solely at the discretion of the dining room manager. A class move that was appreciated. SUMMARY- Overall we were disappointed with the quality of the food. The atmosphere and service were quite good with the exception of our server either not knowing about the scallops being frozen or not wanting to spill the beans. On a Saturday evening at 7:30 it should have been packed. It was not only the opposite but never got full all night. This restaurant has tremendous eye appeal but did not live up to its potential on this visit. If I were to return one more time, I would give the steaks a try. Stay away from the seafood. This just is not their thing. I suggest that they limit their seafood selections to those that they can prepare as well as the beef that patrons rave about. Deserts were above average and this would be a great spot to stop for after dinner drinks and or desert.
(2)Meinhard G.
The Tavern Lounge! Went there for small plates or appetizers and drinks. Pleasant - fun place to sit, enjoy food and drinks and yes watch people. Great service, polite and professional! Cost - a bit high priced. Food (in the Lounge) many items BUT too many of them on bread and much of it (bread). Don't get me wrong we like bread it was great tasting but I had to ask for oil to finish the bread. The asparagus came on a big piece of bread and a few pieces of asparagus on top. Calamari and the two pieces of Cheese we ordered were great. Will go back but not a weekly visit, special occasion. Very nice selection of draft beer (in small glasses) and also wine.
(4)Keith F.
great destination dining for the Burbs. The duck was as good as the hype. The decor is a bit off (trying way too hard for some kind of paris by way of gypsy caravan vibe upstairs) but the service was great
(4)George K.
Went to the restaurant after going to Firkin many times and loving it. The decor, especially for Christmas, was very nice. I got the lobster ravioli while my counterpart Dragon got a shrimp penne pasta dish. My portion was a bit small but it did make me feel like a big man when I finished it all. Food overall was really good and I would definitely come back again. Be forewarned, place can be pricey depending on your tastes. Recommend.
(4)Steven M.
Had a recent dining experience at The Tavern the other evening for my GF's birthday. I can't echo the five star reviews (c'mon, 5 stars? It's not Alinea, Charlie Trotter's, Spiaggia or MK.), but it was okay and we had a pretty good time. The dining room decor is certainly eclectic. Not sure what look they going for, English Pub meets Roman Cathedral perhaps? Not a complete turnoff, but kind of dated to say the least. At least it was somewhat cozy. The service was okay. Kind of a rocky start with the waitress pouncing on us for a drink order but no wine list. And after we received the wine list, I had to ask for menus to get an idea of what we wanted. After that everything went well in terms of attentiveness and pace. They do have a fantabulous wine list! Great selections from all the big regions and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. I was particularly impressed with the depth of their California Cabs and Oregon Pinots. They kind of have a cluttered menu; there's a very straighforward Steak Menu, but the rest of the offerings are kind of all over the map. We stuck with the steak just because that was what we heard they were known for. The food was solid, if not spectacular. Good steaks, grilled close to request but not perfectly so and the seasoning was nice. They did do some pretty nice side dishes. I will say, my GF and I thought their creamed spinach was uniquely prepared and quite delicious. Sad that was the high point of the food. I can't quite put my finger on what was missing for me. It was good, it just didn't feel like a memorable enough meal for the $300+ price tag in terms of decor, service or cuisine. If we hadn't been fortunate to have had a transcendent bottle of wine (1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvingon....mmmmmmmmm!), it would have likely been a much bigger disappointment. I may go back strictly to have some more great wine, but likely won't spring for dinner here again unless someone else is paying....
(3)Bonnie G.
This is my favorite go-to place in Libertyville. I usually eat at the bar downstairs. The bartenders and wait staff are all super friendly. The wine list is as thick as a karaoke book. The best thing I've eaten there is the pork chop. Mmmm...so juicy! I'm a bit of an interior design nut, and I love the wallpaper with the crazy drunk circus animals.
(4)Jane P.
menu items have been tweaked .... can't recommend the chicken sandwich any longer. it's just ok. my bigger issue was that our waiter (in the lounge) didn't know the wine list well enough to make recommendations, nor did he know the menu. a big downgrade in service. hopefully they'll get the newer hires up to speed soon.
(3)Mike J.
We went here for our 14th anniversary and made our reservations through Open Table. All worked out well! We had French Onion Soup (after 14 years married and 17 years together you can do this). The soup was good and was a bit spicy which we both liked. I had a salmon special along with asparagus. It was cooked perfectly and had the right amount of flavor. We also had the broccoli de jonghe, that was very good. My wife had a chicken dish off of the menu. It was good, but could have used more flavor. The service was good and attentive. It is slightly on the pricy side, but not too bad. Also, I had added in the notes when making the reservations that it was our anniversary. After we opted not to have desert, our waiter brought us some deserts to go as an anniversary gift. Quite nice! We will be back.
(4)Sarah L.
AHHHHHHH WAGYU!!!!!! Also, there was only one waitress but she was servicing the shit out of the entire restaurant, and even managed to maintain a happy face when some old lady at the table next to mine started giving her (what I assume was totally psychosomatic) crap about the shrimp. Also also, a dude comes around with a big tray with a sheet on top of it. Under the sheet: five types of freshly baked bread!
(5)Emma C.
Visited on a "Check, Please!" recommendation. Three stars for decor and service, food was two. We ate in the dining room, the lounge might be another experience. Pros: Romantic and quirky. Waitstaff couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive; the atmosphere and decor is brave with color and downright sparkly; warm and eclectic with a touch of elegance. The dip (lentils? hummus?) on the table before the meal was divine. Yes, the crowd was older as noted in other reviews, but fun R&B music was piped in so it didn't feel stodgy. Cons: Way overpriced, I mean WAY overpriced. Don't go here for dinner expecting to drop anything less than a Benjamin before drinks. Everything is a la carte. Menu didn't offer much choice, same foods prepared different ways (steak this way or that, shrimp this way or that), and all very expensive. The creamed spinach was yummy, but the Caesar salad was very fishy-tasting (ever for a Caesar salad), calamari was disappointingly soggy, potatoes were unremarkable in spite of the promise of truffle oil, and dessert really tore it, $7 for a piece of cake not much bigger than a Hostess Twinkie. Come on, people, desserts are for sharing! Widen that cutting angle! If you are actually going to shlep out here from the Chicago city proper, I suggest going with a date you really like, to compensate for the fact that you will be paying twice as much for food that is probably half as good as what you'd find closer to home. If you're in love, you probably won't notice. Until dessert comes.
(3)Joe B.
I've only been in the lounge for a drink, so I can't give a full review, but what I experienced was enjoyable. I'm a pretty simple-minded person, so it was probably the bright lights and comfy chairs that excited me, but our waitress was also really cool, and our drinks only added to the pleasure. I wouldn't want to spend an entire night hanging out here, but it's certainly worth stopping in for a casual drink.
(4)Heather H.
This restaurant is truly unique and out of this world. Food is fabulous, fresh and fancy and the atmosphere is very romantic. Love the decor... Fun gypsy vibe up top, classic architectural details throughout. A great place to sit and relax all night long.
(5)Doug G.
This review is limited to the downstairs lounge area and the bar menu. We have not taken the plunge into the more expensive dining room option yet. I've eaten at the bar alone a couple of times, with my daughter when she visited and with my wife once. Last night we were just looking for a tapas style dinner so decided to walk up and try out the lounge. First off, we absolutely adore the atmosphere of this place. It is eclectic and I can't imagine the mind of the person who designed and decorated it, it is so warm and inviting. Some sofa seating, tables for two, tables for four or six, they all just feel right. The rest of our experience was mixed. Our waiter was prompt and attentive throughout. But we both agreed that his demeanor was "I wish I had tonight off." We ordered three items and specifically asked that the shrimp remoulade be served first and please hold back the veggie panini and sirloin sashimi until we had finished the shrimp. Naturally it was all dropped at the same time. A small irritation, I know, but geez, how hard could it be. Our waiter's reply when we pointed this out was that he had written it up correctly but he guessed that the kitchen was just trying to "save time??" Huh? There were like 4 other small groups in the entire lounge -- what were they going to do with all that time they "saved" - play poker? Anyhow. We had tried the Acapulco Shrimp before and it was excellent so we tried the Shrimp Remoulade last night. The shrimp themselves were large, tender and fresh. But the sauce was really very bland. I asked for salt and pepper so I could actually give it some flavor, any flavor. We would not order it again. The steak sashimi was excellent. It was cooked a tiny bit more than previous times when it was really cold, blood rare in the center and I liked it a little better that way. Rare, but not blood rare. The horseradish sauce added a mild but tasty flavor. Now, the Artichoke and Portabella Panini was pretty much the opposite. Back to the drawing board on that one, chef. Two pieces of regular looking wheat toast, between which there was literally two small slices of portabella, one half of an artichoke heart cut in half, what looked to be half of a green bell pepper, sliced and (these are the waiter's words) "a bunch of other vegetables they just throw in." You couldn't eat it as a sandwich, it was so chunky and clunky so you had to eat it open face as what amounted to a very sparse vegetable salad without much flavor. I mean bell peppers are cheap, I know, but do they add anything to a vegetable sandwich other than bulk and a bad aftertaste? And maybe I'm wrong, but when I hear the word "panini" I think of a hot sandwich that has been pressed and grilled with enough heat and force to hold it together nice and tight. This was the opposite. In their defense, I remind you that we have had several wonderful light meals at the Tavern before -- just be careful what you order. I think we had pretty much tried everything else on the menu before, so were the victims last night of ordering the wrong stuff. But should the "wrong stuff" stay on the menu very long? And I'm sure our waiter is talented and nice enough that he was just having an off night. By the way, their wine list is huge and the wines by the glass are excellent and not run of the mill (with maybe one exception.)
(3)Renato P.
Have you ever stopped into a restaurant on a whim and was completely unprepared for what you got there? That was my experience for The Tavern. I was roaming Downtown Libertyville with my date and we were just enjoying the town. We walk past The Tavern and it seems like a nice place to have dinner. Once we stepped inside though, it was was classier than I ever expected from the outside. What, me with my Silver Surfer t-shirt, eating at a restaurant with a $65 Wagyu steak, oops. This was perhaps the most visually interesting restaurant I've even eaten in, it had great date night ambiance. So we sat down and saw what seemed to be a really interesting selection of menu items, from seafood to the previously mentioned Wagyu. The waitstaff couldn't have been nicer, all very friendly and helpful. We ordered the fried calamari and the heirloom tomato salad to start with. The tomato salad was very good, fresh flavorful tomato's, basil, and fresh mozzarella, delicious. The calamari was very good as well, one of the better fried calamari I've eaten. I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce they drizzled over it, I would have preferred a cup of it on the side. I ordered the rotisserie duck with wild rice. This was one of the best duck dishes I ever ordered, I even happily ate the mushrooms in the wild rice, even though I usually don't dig on mushrooms. My date ordered the tavern chicken, which was breaded and covered with avocado and cheese, she seemed to enjoy it alot. All in all this was a great place, I would readily go back. The only real gripe is that the prices are so high here, that it is almost in the realm of special occasion restaurant. While this is a great place, there are plenty of places I've been to that I would want to go to more than this place. Still, if you are in the area, and want someplace really nice to go to for dinner, you can do worse than this place.
(4)Boones K.
I wasn't amazed by the food, but the wine list was impressive. A great variety of Spanish and Italian wines, along with an in-depth selection of California and French wines. I had the Filet which was tender, but under seasoned. The side dishes, assorted mushrooms and garlic potatoes, were good and provided more flavor than the main course. In general the menu prices seemed a bit high for what you get. I don't think that I would come back for dinner, but I would definitely come back to have drinks in the lounge.
(3)Lisa M.
We went to The Tavern last night for the 3rd time. The recently turned the 1st floor into a lounge that serves cocktails and small plates. The 2nd floor is now the restaurant. We had some small plates and we also ordered off of the main dining room menu as well. The sirloin sashimi was awesome! I wish there were more lounge type seating though. There are only 2 lounge areas with couches/comfy seats....and the rest are tables. But the decor is so pretty and fun, I love being there for that and the food. As far as the main dining room is concerned, I would highly recommend it to anyone in the suburbs...u MUST have the waygu beef because it is so AMAZING!
(5)M J.
So I admit. I am a truffle junkie!!! When I saw the menu I was ecstatic. Every other thing on the menu had TRUFFLE oil, butter etc... included in the description. I went for it!!! I'm not sure how to rate Tavern because our experience was sooo mixed! We arrived without reservations on a Saturday night, and I should have known better, but it was kind of a spontaneous dinner out. The girl at the counter walked up and told us we would have to wait 1.5 hours!!! She was followed by whom I presume to be the owner. He was very peculiar at the least. I'm not sure what he was trying to say, but if I didn't know better I would think he was trying to tell us to go somewhere else... I stopped listening to his ramblings after the first ten seconds and decided I wanna stay so we told them we would wait downstairs at the lounge. That's where our dinner should have ended! I'm not sure how to describe the decor... European cafe meets the new world tacky, but still cute... you just have to see it. Definitely one of the weirdest decors I have seen --- in a good way though.... I think. The lounge was fabulous. We were way too hungry to wait for another 1.5 hours for any food so we ordered two appetizers: the shitake mushroom crostini and the asparagus bruschetta. I have to say that even though the bruschetta was served on an enormous piece of bread, both of the appetizers were simply amazing. The best I have had in a long time... seriously five star appetizers!!! We weren't that hungry anymore, but decided to wait because since the appetizers were amazing what could dinner be? I do have to say that our waiter was a bit standoffish. I did not like the service. After waiting for over and hour and a half we finally asked him to check on our table. As soon as he came down he said it's ready. I believe that they simply forgot about us, because when we went upstairs there were four tables empty and since it was already after nine I'm sure they were not reserved. Either way upstairs the dinner turned out to be the opposite of the lounge: service was impeccable, but food was just so so . We had the onion soup --- I'm very picky when it comes to my baked onion soup and I believe the broth was too sweet - it's supposed to be salty and unhealthy! I believe I've had better at Fridays. We only ate the cheese and left the rest. Next the special - assortment of fungi in..... truffle oil.. it was ok. I believe the mushrooms were undercooked as they were still quite hard. The potato wedges (i think that's what they were) that we ordered in... truffle oil were actually bad --- they were hard with a mushy inside and tasted like they were reheated and not fresh. Overall: Downstairs service sucks but appetizers are amazing. upstairs service is great, but food is so so (keeping in mind that we only had the vegetarian dishes). I think I would go back just not for dinner.
(3)Tim F.
I met a high school friend for a good meal and catch up. He picked this place. Very interesting place with downstairs wine bar and upstairs dining room. While we arrived early and there were only a few people, it filled fast. The interesting menue included many beef choices (my desire that night). Additionally, they had several salads that were excellent. We started with this signature caviar chips (very unusual). All in all, a good meal at a neat place north of Chi town.
(4)Jim P.
Absolutely outstanding meal. The Wagyu was amazing and the wine list is fantastic. The decor upstairs was very warm and unique. I look forward to finding time to hang out in the beautiful lounge too. As far as the north shore goes, this place is great.
(5)Philip P.
My wife and I came here for Valentine's day and it was a fixed price dinner with choices ranging from chicken to steak to lobster tails. My wife and I were overwhelmed by their wine selection (a gigantic binder!) but the manager, Tom, came up personally and helped us pick one out. Service was exceptional and they came around frequently with a large selection of deliciously fresh-baked breads along with a lentil dipping sauce. Our appetizers were the smoked salmon rolls which were delicious (perhaps a bit too heavy on the wasabi, though). The salad hit the spot and our 12 oz. NY Strip steaks were exceptional. We were so full we had to take our desserts home but they were more than happy to wrap those up nicely for us. Very pricey but a nice treat and ridiculous wine selection!
(5)Kate F.
My best friend had her rehearsal dinner here, and it was excellent. The service was prompt and unobtrusive. The servers were always around offering more wine or additional beverages. All three entrees were sampled at my table: steak, chicken and salmon. Everyone was pleased with their selections. Dessert was good as well. This time I tried all three selections. The tiramisu was tasty, the raspberry cheesecake creamy and the chambord chocolate cake was outrageously decadent. I couldn't even finish half my slice. I really think the best part of this location is is the decor. It's fun and eclectic and perfect for a celebration.
(4)Annie C.
one word... GREAT! yummy lobster! great wine's remodeling of this elegant, funky place is beautiful! its fun for drinks and apps downstairs and elegant (you can wear jeans) upstairs.. it is my favorite place! it's worth every penny,,,,,, if you haven't been there it's a Must go... I would put its food up against any downtown fancy joint!!!
(5)Andrew K.
The food is excellent (both the seafood and the steaks) the atmosphere is upscale eclectic, and the wait staff is friendly and efficient. I ordered the 8oz fillet medium rare, my wife ordered the salmon. My steak melted in my mouth and my wife loved her fish. This is one of the best restaurants we've found since moving to the burbs.
(5)Sara P.
This was a really cool place with great character. As busy as it was, my friends and I could still hear each other talk. We had a good server and all received the correct beverages. I will def go back.
(4)ML C.
I hate to say anything bad because the restaurant had such great ambience but my experience was less than satisfying. For the cost of the meal one can do much better.........though not in Libertyville. We arrived early although one other table was seated; the music was great.....then we got to hear the upstairs manager chew out the staff (demeaning); we are not hoity toity into wine so my wife proceded to order a Miller Lite which was disgusting, either a bad keg or dirty lines; guess Miller Lite isn't ordered too much. French onion soup was too sweet for our taste; mussel appetizer was well cooked but under-sauced. My wife ordered the chicken breast with cheese and spinach..... for 39 bucks one can do much better at Jimmy's Charhouse for 1/3 the price. I had the big prime cut NY strip which was well cooked perfectly rare; I asked for the Foie Gras on top (16 bucks extra) which kinda sucked.....having just been to France maybe I was expecting too much. We were a little taken aback that the menu was a la carte......can't even get a potato with the steak? We didn't stay for dessert............won't go back.
(2)Joel H.
Love the Tavern. Haven't been able to afford eating here quite as much as I used to, but we get here whenever we can. If not for a full meal, I love sitting at one of the most charming bars around and sipping a tasty beverage. The wait staff and bartenders always treat us right. The food is extremely high quality and the wine list is top notch. Bottle prices are also very reasonable. Atmosphere is excellent. The same things that make Firkin a 5-star establishment carry over to the Tavern, which is no surprise since they are owned by the same couple. The passion for running a restaurant properly shown by the owners and employees is obvious. Turnover is very low in these restaurants because, I'm assuming, the people there love what they do. When I worked for a fine dining restaurant years ago, the management would go to the Tavern for special occasions over any other establishment in the area, hands down.
(5)