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Name: Wilmette Chop House
Address: 1162 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091
Telephone: (847) 278-2462
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.54

Wilmette Chop House

1162 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091

(847) 278-2462
Store is closed

Wilmette Chop House Menu

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g

Big Buford® 230g

Bacon Buford® 255g

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g

Checkerburger® 170g

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g

Cheese Double Cheese 190g

Chili Cheeseburger 135g

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g

Double Decker 215g

Rallyburger® 170g

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g

Smokehouse Buford® 265g

Triple Cheeseburger 250g

Healthy Meal suggestions for

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 570, Saturated Fat (ms) : 6, Calories: 280, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 9, Calories: 370, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 1340, Saturated Fat (ms) : 20, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 6 ]

Big Buford® 230g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1090, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 570, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Buford® 255g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1510, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 680, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 1310, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 660, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 490, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 930, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 580, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 35, Sodium (s): 1230, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 630, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 1030, Saturated Fat (ms) : 25, Calories: 740, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 34, Sodium (s): 1360, Saturated Fat (ms) : 28, Calories: 790, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Checkerburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Cheese Double Cheese 190g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1140, Saturated Fat (ms) : 17, Calories: 510, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Chili Cheeseburger 135g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 620, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 760, Saturated Fat (ms) : 14, Calories: 460, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Decker 215g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 720, Saturated Fat (ms) : 13, Calories: 480, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Rallyburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Triple Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 1450, Saturated Fat (ms) : 23, Calories: 690, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Healthy Meal suggestions for CheckersRally

Burgers

Smokehouse Buford® 265g [ Sodium (s): 1610, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 15 ]

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Diane S.

We always wanted to try this place but never got around to it until last night. Very small place, almost feels like you are in someones living room. Very nice atmosphere. Upon talking with the Chef/Owner we were informed that he just purchased the restaurant and opened 7 weeks ago. The drinks were nice pours and the "blue cheese stuffed olives" were unique. Instead of being "stuffed" they put a hunk of delicious blue cheese in the martini with olives on a stick. Although they were out of bone-in rib eye, which is really what I had a fast for, everything was yummy! We will definitely be back!
(5)
David S.

If I could give a negative star I would From the moment we walked in I should have left. I called to ask if they could take a walk in for 3 and if the groupon could be used on Sat night. Said great, all ok! Walked in and despite empty table , initially said not sure about seating us until I said they had by phone 5 min earlier they would let us be seated This was our second the there. The first time shortly after opening the food was at best fair and overpriced. Thought we would try our local restaurant another try and order 3 different items I have had better steak at Ponderossa. The skirt steak went back as it was all fat and gristle and they said they were being kind not to charge for it, essentially since they charged for the most expensive steak that was given as an alternative. The breaded fish had little taste and the chicken Vesuvio was not very flavorful. Mainly peas and potatoes. The chef initially blamed the steak on a rare quirky price of meat. I though never saw a skirt steak sliced like long flat pancakes which was likely part of the problem. Her later said to us when he came out that you can expect this when you order a cheap cot of meat. They charged for each glass if ice tea which was mainly Ice. Offered pepper on the salads to only two of us (out of three) and just walked away. At time if payment, they said they were gracious about not charging for the returned steak. They refused initially to take any of the Groupon including the cash value (as they agreed to). They also had me pay by signing on an IPOD with a card swipe cube with the waiter looking over my shoulder while considering the tip. I have never done this for a sit down restaurant. Very expensive (similar to a very high end steak house) even with $30 off for the groupon. Save your money. No need to pay someone so you can be talked down to by all if the staff. Also no paper towels in bathroom.
(1)
Stephen L.

After several months under new ownership, we decided to give the Wilmette Chop House another try. We were so pleased. Excellent appropriately priced menu with a wonderful wine list. My chicken was delicious and the cauliflower gratin side dish was the perfect accompaniment. My wife had the fish and our guests had pasta and vegetables. Everyone was raving. Interestingly no one ordered steaks, but they looked perfect as they were being delivered to others. One dessert for the table...bread pudding which was some of the best I have ever enjoyed, and that is saying something since I order this often. We highly recommended this new found gem and will certainly be back in the near future.
(5)
Gerry T.

Easy street parking in downtown Wilmette. The place has classy decor with a baby grand piano with a wrap around table for drinks and romance. We both had rib eye steaks, carrots with mashed potatoes. The steaks were fine, however, a little bland for our taste palate. Perhaps we're addicted to salt? The service was great and the chef also came out to visit. They were also nice enough to let me claim my Yelp dessert offer ahead of schedule.
(3)
Susan L.

Restaurant is under new ownership and has a new cook. They kept the same name. HUUUUUGE difference! We thoroughly enjoyed our steaks, salads and dessert. Service was a bit slow because they were short on staff. We didn't notice; though, because the wine and conversation were so good (not to mention they kept checking in with us). We will be going back and are thrilled that we will now have another regular spot (aside from Depot Nuevo) that we frequent in downtown Wilmette.
(5)
Samantha S.

Wow, amazing restaurant, our food was amazing, don't get me started on the mouth watering pork chop! Our appetizer was the warm goat cheese, yum! and the flourless chocolate cake!!!! Thank you again Robert and Madonna for a wonderful evening we truly enjoyed!
(5)
Melissa K.

The Wilmette Chop House is a fantastic restaurant. Great food, friendly staff, and romantic! My husband and I went for our anniversary both had the filet which was cook to perfection. I don't like green beans but they had the best tasting ones! What I liked the most is the chef stop at every table to his guests. I love to support local a restaurant with great food, great service all in Wilmette!
(5)
Daniel L.

After moving to Chicago three months ago, my wife and I were looking for somewhere unique and local for our anniversary, and we were incredibly happy we went to Wilmette Chop House. The dining room is very small (we counted 10 tables) and the location does not immediately catch the eye inside the small downtown block. But the service, food, decor, ambiance, and staff were incredible. Our anniversary was on a Tuesday, so we ended up having the whole place to our selves most of our night. Sometimes when a small place is slow I get afraid that the staff will hover since you're the only one there, but that did not happened in this case. The Chop House staff gave us just the right amount of pleasant attention and never over did anything. We loved the Roy Lichtenstein-inspired modern art with the romantic lighting, and jazz and standard music. Our only real negative was no two chair tables in the small location, and the four chair table they gave us was so wide across that we felt very far from each other on our anniversary evening. But the big tables made a little bit more sense when we saw the huge portions. My wife's lobster bisque and my wedge salad were huge. I had a wedge salad the next week at a major steakhouse chain and was disappointed because of the standard Wilmette Chop House set for me. Our steaks (an NY Strip and Filet Mignon) were cooked perfectly, incredibly tender and with a substantial layer of spices crushed around the edges. For our anniversary they gave us an outstanding bite size peanut butter torte and two cannolis, as well as two chocolate martinis. My wife said she has never felt so pleasantly full. I left them the biggest tip I ever have (percentage-wise). We ended up recommending this place to my wife's parents for their anniversary and we will definitely be back.
(5)
rick c.

Dined at the Wilmette Chop House last Saturday night. The food was very good. But what happened to great service? When you have to wait 15 minutes after ordering your second bottle of wine, something is really wrong. Never checked on us after the any course was served. And had to stand up to get noticed for the waiters attention. Yes, most tables were filled. So add more waitstaff. At these prices, great service should be a no-brainer!
(2)
Katherine G.

This place has brought the wonderful food, service, and swank from Chicago to the village of Wilmette. Hands down the best meal I have ever had in Wilmette. This is a wonderful place to go for any celebration, and they even have entertainment on the weekends! If you live anywhere on the North Shore, get yourself to the Wilmette Chop House!
(5)
Sheila K.

Went with 6 people using a groupon. One table near us asked to be moved. Any noise in there is too much. Small, uncomfortable, and unpleasant seating choices. Ordered a burger medium rare and was informed that they prefer to cook to medium. I said no thanks but was still served a well done burger. Another guest ordered the filet medium rare, specifying a cool center. Steak came out overdone and both the server and the chef came out to argue. It was insane. Our server was not great, our food was super salty, and waaaaaay overpriced for sitting in Wilmette. Never again.
(1)
Brian H.

Cool but cozy setting (live piano), great service, drinks and of course steaks make for a terrific dinner. Be sure to order the vesuvio meatballs!
(5)
Emi C.

I hate to see any restaurant struggle or fail. It's an amazing thing to open a restaurant and wish for its success with all your heart. That's why it kills me to give a bad review but I feel I owe it to my fellow diners to be honest about what to expect. My boyfriend said the ambiance felt like a north shore brothel and I agree. There are only about 15 tables and there's a huge piano with a singer in the front window. It makes for a very awkward dining set up. They also have the piano and singer on a microphone which is ridiculous. The place is the size of a shoebox and the loud "entertainment" makes intimate, much less any, conversation nearly impossible. Plus the walls are red and there's neon in the window. NEON. They're charging $49 for a steak and they have a neon heart and martini glass in the window? No. Please. Just no. We had a good laugh playing a game of "how long will it take someone to get to our table?" 12 minutes later we were greeted by our server. We placed the order and the food came out quickly. Too quickly. The meal wasn't paced for fine dining. They shouldn't be clearing the appetizers and serving the entree at the same time. It just isn't right. Boyfriend got the filets and I got the lamb chops. We were underwhelmed. He asked for medium rare and got mostly medium. When we said something to the waiter instead of taking it away he suggested we cut into the middle and since the middle looked ok then we should be satisfied. My lamb chops were cooked well inside but were so charred on the outside it was extremely difficult to eat. I didn't enjoy them but didn't complain because the waiter made us feel that wasn't an option. The broccoli was great and the fries were good too. They were out of the mussels which we really wanted. We had shrimp cocktail instead which was fine. Cold boiled shrimp. Hard to mess that up. We didn't stay for coffee and dessert. What was the point? We used a groupon and I still feel we paid too much. Giving 3 stars because I'm a nice person. I would not recommend. At all.
(3)
Thomas K.

My wife and I had a groupon for this restaurant and like to try new places.First we ordered the rob salad the lettuce was warm the dressing was over powering with balsamic vinegar.I ordered the 10oz filet with mashed potatoes and broccoli .The 44.00 steak was ok but had so much salt that I took my napkin and wiped the salt off.The broccoli was plain no sauce no butter nothing.The chef didn't even come out when I told the waitress about the salt on the steak. Save your money eat somewhere else
(1)
Chowhound C.

After about one year of business, this place is definitely doing something right! My husband and I went in response to the Groupon that was offered and our expectations were highly exceeded as we indulged in some of the best food, drinks, and service that is to be found in the North Shore....and beyond. Even the water glasses added a special touch that made our dining experience unique and more pleasurable. The "team service" was appropriate and professional, but not stuffy. As a "steak person," I was not expecting to have this little unassuming chop house deliver me one of my top 5 best steaks of all time (better than the Del Frisco's meal I had downtown last weekend). The seafood special of the night (rainbow trout) was done perfectly and paired with a delicate and comforting tarter (potato and veggies as well). We also enjoyed the shrimp cocktail and chef rob salad which were both something I would do again. Rob himself came out of the kitchen and approached different guests inquiring about their meal. I would have gone for the bread pudding, but it was gone by the time I made up my mind...maybe next time :) -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.â€¦
(5)
Brian W.

Great food atmosphere and new owner too! The pork chop is huge and very delicately smoked to perfection. Very succulent. Starting out with the seasonal pumpkin soup that was delicious. Highly recommend.
(5)
Michele S.

After having a so-so meal a year ago, my husband and I were thrilled at what the new owner has done with the Wilmette Chop House. Every aspect of our dinner was perfect. The Vesuvio meatball appetizer was huge and perfectly spiced. The lobster corn chowder so creamy and flavorful. Our fish dishes were fresh, light, tasty. Warm, fresh bread, great wine, the service was great--we loved it! Congrats to Chef Lawrence!
(5)
Andres F.

The Chop House serves a solid meal but isn't exceptionally memorable. They cook good food, but they're priced as though they cook great food. I think the best way to describe the place is that the menu and ambiance are similar to a restaurant at a nice hotel - very good, but predictable and somewhat generic. We started with appetizers - meatballs for her and "Rob's Special" salad for me. The meatballs were spiced and cooked perfectly, but my salad was just weird. To summarize, don't order the "Rob's Special" salad. Our steaks (filet for her, ribeye for me) were cooked nearly perfectly and came with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes. We had a delicious plate of plantains foster of dessert. My only complaint about the meal itself is that wine was a little pricier than I think it should have been - glasses of red started at $12 which seems a little steep to me. I found the service to be a little weak - I ate two thirds of my 22oz steak with empty wine and water glasses that were begging to be refilled. Perhaps due to the fact that we are younger than the average Wilmette couple they thought we were Grouponers (we weren't) ... the wait staff is probably getting tired of cheapskate Grouponers who don't tip appropriately. Our meal was certainly solid, but I couldn't find anything on my plate that was exceptional. If dinner and drinks would have run a tab of $100 or so I would have given them four stars, but the tab wound up closer to $150 for the two of us. They need to work a little harder to make themselves stand out. As it sits right now, the Wilmette Chop House could be the house restaurant in any Marriott worldwide.
(3)
Brandon B.

So this place got a new owner in August 2014. I wish yelp would get rid of all the reviews before that - they would have 5 stars!! The menu was upgraded and the prices are greatly reduced. This is by far the best place in Wilmette to go for dinner. Highly recommend the lollipop lamb chops as appetizer, the rib eye or the smoked pork chop as entrÃ©es. And everything else. Burgers are 12 dollars and the BEST in town. They actually can cook them medium. I am getting hungry thinking about the food there. Need to go there right now. You should too!
(5)
Rita M.

One star deducted because I got the garlic shrimp. Way too salty!!! One star for the super romantic set up with a piano player! Second star for the attentive service Third star for my hubby loving his steak (I can cook just about anything except for his love for medium rare steak) Fourth star for their LOBSTER BISQUE SOUP!!!!! I literally almost licked my bowl clean. YUMMY!!!!!! Will definitely be back! I would definitely recommend!
(4)
Alison Y.

Make reservations in advance as it's a small restaurant. It was packed on a Tuesday night when I came with a friend to use a Groupon. We shared the lobster bisque and escargot appetizers. The lobster bisque was nice and creamy with the delicious taste of lobster in every bite - not really too much tomato flavor overpowering it which is AWESOME! The escargot was also delicious and my friend loved it! The snails were a good size and it had a great butter flavor! We both ordered the Delmonico steak (boneless ribeye steak) which came with a scoop of mashed potatoes and string beans. The steak itself was only meh. I've definitely had better - the seasoning was not all that flavorful and I thought the steak was prepared a little past medium rare. The mashed potatoes tasted very natural and fresh - though again, not very flavorful. If you like your mashed potatoes without a lot of butter or seasoning, you will probably enjoy this. The stringed beans had not been de-stringed well or at all so it was kind of hard to eat. The best part of the meal was the live piano player who played beautifully a mix of classic piano with his own flair! It makes the ambiance of the restaurant 5 stars! Overall, 2 stars for food, 4 stars for ambiance and 4 stars for service!
(3)
Elle S.

Strengths: 1. Piano player 2. I liked the ambiance; yes, small room. But, it felt quaint to me and romantic. 3. Server was helpful - pleasant - not intrusive. 4. Nicely seasoned appetizer fries. Areas of Needed Improvement: 1. Pasta shrimp entree was so salty it was inedible. I had to take the food back and I NEVER do this. The entree was unexceptional. No diced tomatoes or pine nuts or seasonings. A mess of salty pasta with shrimp that had an odd texture - almost chewy. Anytime a meal is sent back, there should be an apology from the chef - or a complimentary something. Instead, I had to wait another 20 minutes with the same flat meal - with less salt. 2. My boyfriend's steak was "meh." Not super flavorful. We would have been okay with this had the prices been cheaper. Unmemorable for the price. 3. Wine was mediocre and pricey ($12 a glass) given quality of wine. With a groupon, this meal was $120. Way too expensive for such an average to below average meal.
(2)
Ieshia C.

Bought a Groupon for this place...glad I did because I would've been upset if I didnt have one. The hostess was nice and seated us promptly. Bread was awesome! Both my boyfriend and I asked that our steaks be well done, however, they were medium rare but our mashed potatoes n beans were delish. After receiving our plates, we weren't checked on not even ONCE. Big no no in my book when it comes to customer service. Two stars are for the mashed potatoes n beans.
(2)
E H.

Good solid place who knows meat. The ribeye is wonderful. We enjoyed it so much. Prices are on the high side, atmosphere is wonderful. They run specials with Groupon often.
(4)
Nan C.

Older as in old crowd and way too loud. Wasn't offered bread. Ordered coffee...never received it. Food OK. Service just OK. Won't go back.
(2)
Lisa A.

My first visit here for New Year's Eve and I really enjoyed the dinner. My husband & I ordered the pre fixe menu, which I think was only for tonight and so glad we did. I would have given it a 5 star rating if the presentation of the food was as tasteful as the meal itself. The plates lacked luster and appeal, but surprisingly the food was FANTASTIC!! We started with the Shrimp Dijon as an appetizer which was perfectly done and not overcooked. The caprese salad was good, but I have had better. The Beef Wilmette (Wellington) was scrumptiously done medium rare, just how I like it and melted in my mouth. I savored every bite. Mashed potatoes were good, but the broccoli although fresh was bland. For dessert, they were kind enough to substitute the peanut buttery concoction with the bread pudding which was a huge serving that needed just a little more caramel sauce to go with it. I had some bubbly champagne and did not order wine. The coffee was perfectly rich and smooth and not bitter at all. I took a look at their regular menu and will definitely come back and try the smoked pork chop and my husband wants to try the rib eye steak. All in all a very reasonable priced menu as their entrees include a fresh vegetable with potato which can definitely add up ala carte. Did I mention their prompt and courteous staff? I really really like having it so close to home, far better choice than EJ's Steakhouse in west Wilmette.
(4)
Lee C.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at Wilmette Chop House. I started with tomato basil soup and my wife had a beet salad. For entrees I had a filet with potatoes and onions, while my wife had the rack of lamb. They even changed to seasoning to suit her preferences. We shared an asparagus side dish and a lava cake with Homer's ice cream for dessert. Both the food and the service were excellent. We hope that the restaurant becomes a staple of the community for many years to come.
(5)
louis S.

The best smoked pork chop and plantains ever. More like a sweet ham but Wow. Great live music, a very nice local night out. Steaks were yummy too.
(5)
Michael V.

This place is under new management and completely re-conceptualized. The food is not just steaks and chops although their double pork chop is excellent. The food is elegant, approachable, familiar, and tastes wonderful. The grilled octopus appetizer is incredibly tender and has a perfect char on it. The mini lamb chop appetizer, the beet salad, and the miso-soy glazed tuna are all great. The chef is trying out what he calls a corn creme brulee that really. isn't sweet like you might expect but more like an amped up corn pudding. Be sure to ask if it on the menu. Wines are few in number but all work perfectly with the menu items. And don't miss this place--it is so unlike the old Chop House that it really needs a new name. Best new restaurant in Wilmette in a very long time.
(4)
DAWN A.

Recently under new ownership, this place is a gem. Wonderful food, great service, the new owner stops by every table to see how things are. Double cut pork chop is to die for. This new owner really makes you feel like family!
(5)
Don P.

My bride and I went here to celebrate our anniversary (thanks to Groupon :-), and we had a wonderful experience. Bread: nicely sized, freshky baked, and very crusty. Could have used a steak knife to cut the slices off the loaf, but worth the effort :-) Lobster bisque: my wife reported finding plenty of lobster therein, as opposed to the usual practice of preparing this dish using a shredded xerox copy of a lobster boat. Wedge salad: this was not a wedge of iceberg lettuce, this was an entire hemisphere, generously drizzled with bleu cheese dressing and lots of crumbled bacon. (It also comes with sundried tomatoes, but myself not being a tomato person, those were omitted.) This was a plateful of yum. Delmonico ribeye steak: outside of isolated chunks of gristle (according to my wife), prepared exactly as ordered with sauteed mushrooms on the side. Green beans on the side were very nicely prepared and seasoned. Smoked pork chop: You know the rack of dinosaur ribs during the closing credits of the Flintstones? This pork chop is slightly smaller. It's a double-cut bone-in chop that looked to be a couple inches thick; it's glazed with brandy, brown sugar, and plantains and the smoke and glaze give the meat almost a ham consistency. Staff: Top-notch. Friendly waitstaff welcomed us, went into detail about the off-menu specials as well as the signature porkchop, and made sure we had a top-notch experience. Chef Rob regularly made the rounds, making sure our food was up to spec, and generally adding the personal touch to the evening. And we have to mention Ester, who provided excellent piano accompaniment to our evening. Her arrangements blend into the general ambiance, but should you lend an ear to her, there's always something to enjoy about how she performs. Overall: This place isn't inexpensive; if it wasn't for a Groupon I might not have brought my wife here. But the food and the dining experience is absolutely worth it, and we'd absolutely come back here for a special dinner or a "let's splurge" night out. And you'll certainly get food enough to take some back home with you and enjoy the next evening.
(4)
Bob B.

Went to this place on a Groupon. Atmosphere = 4 Service = 4 Food = 3 Pricing = 1 Overall = 2.5 Meal details: Four (4) glasses of Cabernet @ $12 each One (1) 40 oz Rib Eye @ $75 (split by me and my GF) One (1) Meatball Appetizer @ $9 Total bill with tip and $30 Groupon Applied = $133, without Groupon it would of been $166. Rib Eye wasn't cooked evenly, one side was Red and couldn't eat when ordered at Medium. Was bone in, so the 40 oz was more like 30 oz. Meatball Appetizer was very tasty, however the potatoes dominated the entire plate and very few meatballs. To save money? Wine was good, but was measured in a glass before pouring at the table. For a restaurant at this class, should fill it to the rim? Pricing was like "Rush Street pricing", but you do get some potatoes/rice and a veggie with your dish, versus a la carte downtown. So, that was good. There was a piano player that contributed to pricing of the menu. *** At the end the bus boy took our left over foods to package it up. Forgot to give it to us when we left. *** I think I would of been happier going to Mortons on Skokie Blvd.
(1)
Shari S.

On their busiest and coldest day of the year, they came through with amazing service, great food and a warm ambiance. Meatball was okay, but the scallop appetizer (the right combo of tart, sweet and bright flavors), awesome! Chef/owner came out when he had a million other things to do and took he time to ask us about our meal. His son works there and the waiters, waitress and host all checked on us several times - it wasn't too much, seriously. Loved it and can't wait to go back. This is a don't miss for the suburbs!
(4)
Mary D.

AMAZING. The duck was fantastic. The french onion soup was delicious. The pork chop to die for. The veal porterhouse was the best. Too good to leave room for desert. The service was very quick and courteous. Great list of great beers and a good list of good wines. Would recommend.
(5)
Laura S.

Excellent service. Food was outstanding. Love it!! Will come back for sure. Such a nice quiet atmosphere. Very romantic. Amazing owner!
(5)
Ron Ron J.

We only went here due to the Groupon we were given. First of all the decor needs some major work; the paint around the large mirror behind our table was not even finished, and the paintings on the walls were absolutely atrocious. I'm sure the owners wife is responsible for the shoddy artwork on the walls. The overall look of the place was dated and awkward. The food was way overpriced for the quality and presentation. The "chef rob" salad was over dressed and very wilty while lacking flavor. Both of our rib-eyes were ordered to be medium rare, but were close to well done-at that price they should be spot on and again, have flavor. Dinner came with 6 green beans and a small spoon of mashed potatoes which were nothing special either. Then an 8 yr old child decided to play "piano man" on the piano and sing in his high pitch voice, followed by a 3 year old banging on the piano while sitting on his father's lap-WTF?! Clearly other tables were irritated by this yet the owners watched and cheered them on. Major mistake. Finally, my chocolate lava cake was like a cake from an Easy Bake oven with Hershey's chocolate sauce poured over the top-gross. Best thing about this meal was the free bottle of wine. I give this place 6 months unless they have Chef Ramsey come through and fix it.
(1)
Ed O.

Best food I have had at a restaurant in years. Lawrence the owner/chief/waiter/bartender was great. He's like a big happy Teddy Bear. He recommended a few things and they were great. The lolly pop lamb chops were out of this world as was the white fish. The blue cheese olives for my martini were better than Francesca's have, and that is saying something. Try this place and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Darlene K.

We've been here twice since the new owner has taken over. Definitely will go again. The menu is varied and creative. The atmosphere cozy with great music and still an easy place to have a quiet conversation. We met the owner who could not have been nicer. Would highly recommend now.
(5)
K K.

This was my first time here. They have new ownership, new management, and a new chef. My overall impression is great. The interior is charming and intimate. I had the lamb chop appetizer and a French onion soup with blue cheese topping rather than the stars Swiss. Both awesome. Halibut for dinner. GREAT! I tasted my friend's Double Cut Pork Chop and I loved it. Fantastic. I will be back.
(5)
M. Frank M.

I ordered the chicken breast with a creamy poblano sauce on pasta. Just the perfect amount of cilantro, poblano, and other spices -- not too spicy but full of flavor. The pasta was cooked exactly right. Some fresh chopped red tomato on top added not only taste, but also eye appeal and a nice contrast of cool with the heat. For desert the cheesecake was unbeatable--tasting just made and silky smooth, rich but not overwhelmingly so--with an artful cross-cross of warm caramel and a strawberry that actually tasted as sumptuous as it looked. The service was prompt, friendly, and professional. It was conversation friendly.
(5)
Jaylee A.

This place was excellent. The food was amazing and fairly priced. The staff was great and Chef Lawrence came out to talk to us personally. I'd recommend all the food, everything we tried was so good!
(5)
Jeanne W.

If you haven't been here in awhile, it is worth it to try it again. The new decor, arrangement of tables, food and prices make it a really nice addition to the Wilmette dining options!
(4)
Roland J.

We are very disappointed. We had received a very nice gift card to Wilmette Chop House and, when we finished dinner, the restaurant refused to honor it, even after we spoke to the owner. The excuse was the gift card was purchased while under prior ownership. Imagine that, they buy the brand, the restaurant's customer base and accumulated goodwill, yet refuse to honor obligations that go with it. We spent over $400 for dinner and were unable to use a gift card for half that amount. The four of us are unlikely to go back.To survive in a local neighborhood like Wilmette, owners need to care about their customers.
(1)
Melissa K.

The Wilmette Chop House is a fantastic restaurant. Great food, friendly staff, and romantic! My husband and I went for our anniversary both had the filet which was cook to perfection. I don't like green beans but they had the best tasting ones! What I liked the most is the chef stop at every table to his guests. I love to support local a restaurant with great food, great service all in Wilmette!
(5)
Jeff R.

We tried the Wilmette Chop House with a Groupon. Nice addition to North Shore dining, and the piano player was a nice touch. Cozy and slightly loud, the appetizers were pretty good and the bone in double cut smoked pork chop was excellent. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Otto A.

Reservations at 7:30 arrived a tad early. Hostess greeted us and took our jackets. Seated immediately although not to crowded. Waiter delivered great martinis....now 7:35 and I might have another. Hostess at small bar surfing web with screen turned toward diners the entire time. Bread loaf very nice crisp on outside, tastie dough. Chef salad- to much balsamic, artichokes from a can, can do at home. Lobster bisque a tad fishy. Chicken parmesan...order order order..awesome twist I won't reveal. Sea bass special, again, great cut yet a little fishy. Owner-chef visits table and cares. Desert. SERIOUS, the best bread pudding ever....cherries, raisins, and don't forget adding vanilla ice cream. Mmmm the couch awaits. Overall could be a five star if not for fishy fish. I would suggest paring down the number of specials, maybe just two. Having so many specials may put stress on the finances of an emerging restaurant and if not done well a first timer may not return. I will try again in a month and hope to boost my rating to at least 4 stars.
(3)
carla w.

Though the overall service was outstanding (we were the only table when we arrived), our waiter was rather flip and insincere. I believe he used the same two adjectives to describe everything from the entrees and sides to the women in our party. While we were ordering, a second party walked into the nearly empty restaurant and they must have been his regular customers because his attention shifted entirely to them...he kept waving at them telling them he'd be right over. Waiter failed to mention prices when telling us about specials. The $8 Chef's salad was boring and overpowered by very tart balsamic vinegar (was there any olive oil?). All entrees were served with plain old steamed broccoli; something we have at home every night, though the slightly yellowing broccoli we were served was not as fresh as what we make at home. On a positive note, the portions were gigantic - clearly enough to share or bring home for a second meal. Chef was great about checking in to make sure everything was tasting good, and quick to offer to remake a Chicken Vesuvio that tasted over salted (though it seemed his second attempt was deep fried instead of pan fried) . The piano bar was the highlight - lovely background music created a cozy ambience to offset the room's harsh red walls and modern art. We were glad we had a Groupon because we could have had the same meal for half the tab at L'Woods.
(2)
David M.

Went here because of the Groupon. Was hoping for the best because it's nice to see downtown Wilmette being revitalized. The best, however was not what we received. This place would be perfect on Kitchen Nightmares. PROS: -The server was very nice and attentive and I tipped him well; even though we weren't happy with the meal. -Courses were timed well -All of the staff were very nice. CONS: -Way overpriced for the location and quality. Downtown prices for just average food. People on the North Shore would be happy to pay a higher prices for good quality food, especially if they could save themselves the trip downtown, but this place only got the higher prices part of that equation. For a place to be able to average about $100 per person, it must be top-notch and exciting, particularly if it's located in a sleepy suburb. -Decor was out of the 80s and not in a kitschy-cool way. The paint was unfinished in some places. There were ugly amateur paintings EVERYWHERE, which were all signed "Madonna" who on further investigation turns out to be one of the owners. This is one of the reasons why I say this would be perfect on Kitchen Nightmares. -Lots of families with small children, which would be find if the menu had chicken fingers rather than expensive steaks. Not sure why this place attracts families with kids at all?!? The kids wouldn't have inherently been the problem, but we were there on a Saturday night and the staff, including the chefs / owner, just stood by doing nothing while a genuinely inconsiderate customer allowed his 3 year old to bang on the piano for an extended period of time. Other people's kids are not cute when the parents allow and encourage them to behave like that in a restaurant, particularly an expensive one on a Saturday night. Somebody on the staff should have handled that situation immediately, especially at a place that already has some pretty negative Yelp reviews. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, we went because of the Groupon. The point of offering a Groupon is to encourage people to try your new place and hopefully convert them into return customers. This circus with the little kids achieved exactly the opposite effect. This was supposed to be a fancy restaurant, not a daycare. -Boring menu. Basic meat and fish, which would be fine if those simple dishes were of outstanding quality, but they were not. -Food: Salad was wilted and overdressed and with one piece each of artichoke, red pepper, and heart of palm, which I'm positive were out of a can, rather than house made. Again, not a huge problem if this was an inexpensive place, but at that price point, I would expect everything to house made. Steak was OK. Ordered it mid-rare and got more like mid-well, even in the center. The quality of the meat was just OK, but for a $36 steak, I would expect prime or close to it. Tiny dollop of mashed potatoes, which actually tasted pretty good, although they a bit gluteny from being over-mixed. Green beans were just plain 'ol green beans and there were maybe 7 little ones on the plate. Presentation was pretty much nonexistent: put 3 things on the plate and put the plate on the table. People eat first with their eyes and for a fancy meal, there should be some wow factor, something that makes everybody at the table excited about what's just been put in front of them. Dessert was actually inedible. I had the Plantains Foster which was a brown bowl of completely melted ice cream and disgustingly sweet caramel sauce soup and the plantains were a gross texture like potatoes that have been previously frozen. My girlfriend had the lava cake which was just boring chocolate cake with some uninteresting chocolate sauce on top. Lava cake is supposed to be filled with hot chocolate ganache. This was just a blah dessert. I probably wouldn't have written this review at all if I wasn't infuriated by the callous responses from the owners to the Yelp reviewers that also gave them bad reviews, but I'm really offended that they would address their customers in the way they did here. When people who spend their hard earned money try your business, you should address any issues they have in a more constructive way and NEVER berate them in a public forum. This restaurant was just not very good, but the attitude of the leadership is really disappointing. Maybe some of the world's top chefs have earned the right to have an attitude towards their customers (although I don't think they should behave that way either), but that's because they put out and extraordinary product and have built unbreakable reputations. However, anybody opening a new little place in a sleepy suburb should be humble and welcome criticism. The food business is ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER, but these folks, much like most of the owners featured on Kitchen Nightmares, have more ego than talent. If customers tell you they don't like your place, figure out why and fix it ASAP or you're not going to make it.
(1)
Tony C.

The Wilmette dining scene has improved dramatically in the past year, so we decided to try The Chop House. The atmosphere is elegant and more intimate than that of most of the other restaurants in the area. Having a piano player is a nice touch and gives a 'downtown' feel to a suburban eatery. Service staff were top notch and friendly, not the usual high school kids you expect at suburban places. The menu is not extensive, but has a good variety of offerings. I had the highly recommended pork chop which was OUTSTANDING. Be warned, it's enough for a small family. We also had the duck, which was only ok. We just prefer a crisper skin and an citrus sauce that's less 'muddy'. Overall, loved the experience and we will be back.
(4)
Maria S.

Overpriced and horrible food. The filet was over cooked , the salad was drenched in balsamic dressing, someone needs to inform the chef how to make lobster bisque soup. Anyone who left a good review for this restaurant must be related to the owner. I would not eat there if the food was free !!
(1)
Jessica N.

Overpriced..but thankfully we had a groupon. But even so, still not worth it. Service was sad..felt degraded. Place is small so you can't really talk or else everyone could hear you. On top of that, we were seated far from one another, on each side of a rectangular shaped table. My boyfriend on one end and me on the other. Couldn't hear him speak especially being seated next to the piano. Food was decent. Nothing to brag about. Anyway, I will not be going back. Groupon or not....no thanks!
(2)
Dean S.

Wilmette Steak Nazi! I would give this place 0 stars if possible, because they refused to serve me and my wife. I bought a Groupon that was only good on Tues-Thurs, and their website lists hours as Tues-Sunday from 5pm til 10pm. I called to try to make a reservation, no one answered. I dropped by (I don't live far) and the restaurant had many people in there, but I was told the kitchen was closed (it was 9 pm). When I pointed this out the website said 5pm-10pm, the manager became hostile, and berated me for not knowing the hours, even though the only place the "hours" were listed were on a piece of paper taped to the door. I played the phone message that said the restaurant was open from 5pm-"Close" and showed him the website which said 5pm -10pm. In other words, they took my money, gave me a narrow window to use the Groupon, lied about their hours and on top of it were rude and condescending. They didn't even bother answering the phone and I called twice. So glad I didn't bother eating the food. How good could it be? I can go to EJs Place, Pete Millers, Charcoal Oven, Jameson's, etc. and be treated fairly and with respect so no need to deal with the Wilmette Steak Nazi.
(1)
Rick R.

This place is superb! Their burgers are the best and steaks are deeeeelish! Tasted the eggplant parm and it was awesome! Donna the mixologist makes great martinis! Ok my last review was not the best so as I always give places a fair shot by trying it again, I must say I probably went on an off night my first shot because my next visit was spot on! This place has gotten its opening bugs out and the food and service are what dining out should be. Go!
(4)
Malinda M.

First time to try Chop House - had the wedge salad and double cut pork chop. Both are huge portions. Suggest you share /split the wedge salad since it's a full half of lettuce. Pork chop is also huge Both are winners. Definitely worth the trip for the smoked pork chop with plantains and a maple brown sugar glaze. Grilled / smoked perfectly. Nice atmosphere with piano and good service. Place was packed with patrons on a Saturday night - good energy.
(5)
Bill M.

Went here for our Anniversary dinner instead of Ruth Chris and thought the food and the service was fantatstic. They had a 32oz bone in Ribeye and the waiter said we could split in two since it was so big. Ordered it medium as that is the way my wife likes it. It was excellent. I think it would been even better medium rare. We had the meatballs for an appetizer it was also great. The dining room while on the small side is very cool also. We we very pleased with our dinner at the Chop house.
(5)
Jackie K.

This is a great local place for dinner. We went once with another couple and once with our kids, and both times had wonderful dinners. The staff is great - from Madonna who greeted us at the door (and whose art adorns the walls), to our server who provided attentive but not obtrusive service, to Rob the chef, who comes out to say hello and makes you feel like a regular. The pork chop is their specialty, and with good reason. It is smoked with a brown sugar glaze and plantains - it tasted like ham. The chicken parmesan was also great. They happily accommodated my vegetarian daughter by providing that evening's vegetables in an entree size. Portions are huge. And save room for the ice cream float desserts - we went with the orange, which tasted like a dreamsicle.
(5)
N W.

First visit to Wilmette Chop House and a very nice experience. Good service from the staff. Delicious food. Nice wine. I think my favorite dish was the meatball starter that was topped with peas, garlic and delicious wedges of potatoes on the side. Madonna, the owner, stopped by the table to make sure all was well with our meal. We would return.
(4)
Patricia W.

My son & I had dinner here tonight & we do not understand the low ratings & reviews they have recieved. Here is our experience. Wednesday, we had reservations at 7:30' were greeted and seated right away. Our waiter brought water hot, delicious bread & butter to our table immediately. We decided to try both the smoked pork chops that we had heard so much about as well as the Walleye the our waiter suggested. The fish came w mashed potatoes & sautÃ©ed green beans, both very good, The chops hadI believe the same & fabulous plantains. We split the meats & though neither of us ever order pork chops, these were incredibly good, loved the smoky taste as well as the sauce. The Walleye was tender & very flavorful. It did have a couple of small bones. We ended with the Lava cake which was okay. Service and server were just terrific. We had a Groupon, but thought we had a lovely meal & experience. My only somewhat negative thought is that they appear to only serve broccoli or green beans as vegetables as well as mashed potatos. These were spot on however, a bit more diversity would be nice, one more thing we had the Caprese Tower salad & the shrimp cocktail as well. Both good, shrimp was awesome! Try it.
(5)
Cathy B.

We took my 88 year old mother there for a special occasion. The food was fine, if somewhat overpriced. The service was fine and the decor was very nice. We had two problems. First the shrimp de jonghe arrived with the tails on and my mother had to wade through the wet breadcrumbs to get the tails off. Messy and unpleasant. Then the bill was miscalculated and we were overcharged by almost $50 (on a $150 bill). We caught it though and the waiter was very apologetic. Still we won't go there again and cannot recommend it. It's just not worth it when there are so many good alternatives.
(2)
sir arthur c.

They dont take reservations over the phone, dont return phone calls, dont take walk-ins even if the restaurant is half empty. Then, when you finally get a table the food sucks. I honestly believe they buy some pre-cooked food from costco and serve it up as "gourmet" to people who dont know any better.
(1)
Emi C.

I hate to see any restaurant struggle or fail. It's an amazing thing to open a restaurant and wish for its success with all your heart. That's why it kills me to give a bad review but I feel I owe it to my fellow diners to be honest about what to expect. My boyfriend said the ambiance felt like a north shore brothel and I agree. There are only about 15 tables and there's a huge piano with a singer in the front window. It makes for a very awkward dining set up. They also have the piano and singer on a microphone which is ridiculous. The place is the size of a shoebox and the loud "entertainment" makes intimate, much less any, conversation nearly impossible. Plus the walls are red and there's neon in the window. NEON. They're charging $49 for a steak and they have a neon heart and martini glass in the window? No. Please. Just no. We had a good laugh playing a game of "how long will it take someone to get to our table?" 12 minutes later we were greeted by our server. We placed the order and the food came out quickly. Too quickly. The meal wasn't paced for fine dining. They shouldn't be clearing the appetizers and serving the entree at the same time. It just isn't right. Boyfriend got the filets and I got the lamb chops. We were underwhelmed. He asked for medium rare and got mostly medium. When we said something to the waiter instead of taking it away he suggested we cut into the middle and since the middle looked ok then we should be satisfied. My lamb chops were cooked well inside but were so charred on the outside it was extremely difficult to eat. I didn't enjoy them but didn't complain because the waiter made us feel that wasn't an option. The broccoli was great and the fries were good too. They were out of the mussels which we really wanted. We had shrimp cocktail instead which was fine. Cold boiled shrimp. Hard to mess that up. We didn't stay for coffee and dessert. What was the point? We used a groupon and I still feel we paid too much. Giving 3 stars because I'm a nice person. I would not recommend. At all.
(3)
Thomas K.

My wife and I had a groupon for this restaurant and like to try new places.First we ordered the rob salad the lettuce was warm the dressing was over powering with balsamic vinegar.I ordered the 10oz filet with mashed potatoes and broccoli .The 44.00 steak was ok but had so much salt that I took my napkin and wiped the salt off.The broccoli was plain no sauce no butter nothing.The chef didn't even come out when I told the waitress about the salt on the steak. Save your money eat somewhere else
(1)
Samantha S.

Wow, amazing restaurant, our food was amazing, don't get me started on the mouth watering pork chop! Our appetizer was the warm goat cheese, yum! and the flourless chocolate cake!!!! Thank you again Robert and Madonna for a wonderful evening we truly enjoyed!
(5)
Barry L.

Place was too noisy even BEFORE the piano player started, and the food was poor under any circumstances, especially at those prices (over $200 for two). Tables are covered with vinyl which would be OK if it weren't for a baby girl sitting on the table next to us in her diaper directly on the vinyl that was not changed for the next party at that table. Our friends who picked the restaurant felt so bad that they bought us a nice bottle of wine AFTER diner to make up for the poor choice, Wilmette needs a nice restaurant that we can eat at more than once. Fuel and the Wilmette Chop House sure don't fit that bill.
(1)
Daniel L.

After moving to Chicago three months ago, my wife and I were looking for somewhere unique and local for our anniversary, and we were incredibly happy we went to Wilmette Chop House. The dining room is very small (we counted 10 tables) and the location does not immediately catch the eye inside the small downtown block. But the service, food, decor, ambiance, and staff were incredible. Our anniversary was on a Tuesday, so we ended up having the whole place to our selves most of our night. Sometimes when a small place is slow I get afraid that the staff will hover since you're the only one there, but that did not happened in this case. The Chop House staff gave us just the right amount of pleasant attention and never over did anything. We loved the Roy Lichtenstein-inspired modern art with the romantic lighting, and jazz and standard music. Our only real negative was no two chair tables in the small location, and the four chair table they gave us was so wide across that we felt very far from each other on our anniversary evening. But the big tables made a little bit more sense when we saw the huge portions. My wife's lobster bisque and my wedge salad were huge. I had a wedge salad the next week at a major steakhouse chain and was disappointed because of the standard Wilmette Chop House set for me. Our steaks (an NY Strip and Filet Mignon) were cooked perfectly, incredibly tender and with a substantial layer of spices crushed around the edges. For our anniversary they gave us an outstanding bite size peanut butter torte and two cannolis, as well as two chocolate martinis. My wife said she has never felt so pleasantly full. I left them the biggest tip I ever have (percentage-wise). We ended up recommending this place to my wife's parents for their anniversary and we will definitely be back.
(5)
rick c.

Dined at the Wilmette Chop House last Saturday night. The food was very good. But what happened to great service? When you have to wait 15 minutes after ordering your second bottle of wine, something is really wrong. Never checked on us after the any course was served. And had to stand up to get noticed for the waiters attention. Yes, most tables were filled. So add more waitstaff. At these prices, great service should be a no-brainer!
(2)
Katherine G.

This place has brought the wonderful food, service, and swank from Chicago to the village of Wilmette. Hands down the best meal I have ever had in Wilmette. This is a wonderful place to go for any celebration, and they even have entertainment on the weekends! If you live anywhere on the North Shore, get yourself to the Wilmette Chop House!
(5)
Sheila K.

Went with 6 people using a groupon. One table near us asked to be moved. Any noise in there is too much. Small, uncomfortable, and unpleasant seating choices. Ordered a burger medium rare and was informed that they prefer to cook to medium. I said no thanks but was still served a well done burger. Another guest ordered the filet medium rare, specifying a cool center. Steak came out overdone and both the server and the chef came out to argue. It was insane. Our server was not great, our food was super salty, and waaaaaay overpriced for sitting in Wilmette. Never again.
(1)
Brian H.

Cool but cozy setting (live piano), great service, drinks and of course steaks make for a terrific dinner. Be sure to order the vesuvio meatballs!
(5)
Erika J.

A charming little steak house with interesting decor and lively atmosphere. My husband and I celebrated our anniversary there and overall thought the food and service were good. It was nice to see the chef do a meet and greet with each guest. Very personalized experience! Definitely a special occasion place.
(4)
Oh K.

Heard this place had a piano bar, which is so hard to find these days. Was in the mood for some jazz and a martini, so stopped by with a friend last night. Tiny, cramped looking and, what, no bar? Really? A piano, but no bar. Disappointed. We left.
(1)
David G.

I regret that this restaurant will not be on our short list for another dinner anytime soon. We were excited to try this place and hoped that it would become a standby for date night because it is in our neighborhood, but this will not be the case. Let's start with the decor: it is innovative in a "scarface meets mafioso retirement home" kind of way. This is appropriate however, because I think that we were the only clients in the place who don't actually reside in a retirement home. The prices are outrageous, which might explain the 'mafioso' theme of the decor - think $9 beer, $44 ribeye. The food quality is very average, and the preparation is amateurish for this price point. My wife and I ordered the exact same entree prepared the same way. Hers was medium, but mine was medium well. The mashed potatoes were bland, and the green beans were overcooked. All in, we paid over $200 for two beers, two salads, two mediocre fillets, and one bottle of mediocre cabernet blend (the waiter was not even familiar enough with it that he knew what part of the world it came from, and it was the house special...). The service was attentive, but it could not compensate for the other shortcomings of the whole experience.
(1)
Susan I.

My husband and I have been here twice and have had a wonderful experience each time. Great service from the staff and excellent food. My husband and I both prefer our meat medium rare, and both times our steaks were cooked that way; almost more on the rare side, but that's really the way I prefer it. We were also told at our first visit that they purchase their meat from the butcher right across the street so it sure seems fresh. I had the fillet minon both times and the meat just melted in my mouth. Tuesday is $5 martini night and they don't skimp on the vodka just because its cheaper that night. The chef came out to make sure all was well with our meal. We will return again and again and I will definitely recommend it to everyone.
(5)
carla w.

Though the overall service was outstanding (we were the only table when we arrived), our waiter was rather flip and insincere. I believe he used the same two adjectives to describe everything from the entrees and sides to the women in our party. While we were ordering, a second party walked into the nearly empty restaurant and they must have been his regular customers because his attention shifted entirely to them...he kept waving at them telling them he'd be right over. Waiter failed to mention prices when telling us about specials. The $8 Chef's salad was boring and overpowered by very tart balsamic vinegar (was there any olive oil?). All entrees were served with plain old steamed broccoli; something we have at home every night, though the slightly yellowing broccoli we were served was not as fresh as what we make at home. On a positive note, the portions were gigantic - clearly enough to share or bring home for a second meal. Chef was great about checking in to make sure everything was tasting good, and quick to offer to remake a Chicken Vesuvio that tasted over salted (though it seemed his second attempt was deep fried instead of pan fried) . The piano bar was the highlight - lovely background music created a cozy ambience to offset the room's harsh red walls and modern art. We were glad we had a Groupon because we could have had the same meal for half the tab at L'Woods.
(2)
Jenny F.

I bought a Groupon, called them up for reservations the next day, and had a wonderful experience! AMBIANCE: You walk in, and immediately you're transported to a swanky piano bar from a bygone era. Like most restaurants in downtown Wilmette, it's a converted house, so it's very intimate, with a white baby grand piano, dim lighting, and candles on the tables. There aren't many tables, so it feels almost as if you are one if the few who had the password to get into this joint. The live singing with piano accompaniment was unexpected and impressive. I loved it. As someone who missed out on Frank Sinatra days, this was as close as I'm gonna get! The decor is cheesy, but compared to the piano (and red walls), you barely notice them. They literally had reserved our table with a little sign, which I thought was nice touch--made me feel very VIP. The hostess also offered to take our jackets, which really made us feel like celebrities! FOOD: GET THE PORKCHOPS. It's their specialty, and it's a little mindblowing. They're smoked, and glazed, so they taste more like ham, and they are so tender and delicious. It's HUGE, a double cut, and it comes with the fresh veggies of the day (in this case beans), caramelized plantains, and the starch of the day (puff pastry wrapped mashed potatoes). We also got the special of the day, braised shortribs. a HUGE portion that was fall off the bone tender, that was seasoned simply with salt and pepper so you could really taste it. It was served with fresh asparagus and the starch of the day. It was delicious. In comparison to the porkchops, it didn't have a lot of pizzazz, but the flavors were humble, simple, and solid, and it was cooked perfectly. The veggies are super fresh, and the starch was delicious! SERVICE: The only reason I took a star away. Service was very slow, and we essentially were waving down waiters all night long for every step of the process. We weren't in a rush, we were leisurely enjoying a good meal, but our waiter never really came to check in on us. Or should I say, we had a about 4 waiters that switched off between taking our orders, seating us, filling our waters, bringing our bread, giving us our check, etc. And therefore there wasn't really one waiter who catered to our table (the one who took our orders went into the back and disappeared for half the meal). So I was pretty much waving down whoever I could. They were very nice, very professional and polite, just unavailable. I would definitely come back here though, with a groupon for sure ($60 groupon paid for two courses and a side of spinach), and without a groupon for a special occasion!
(4)
Mary M.

I booked a reservation here for my husbands 65 th birthday. Wanted something really great We were both Very unhappy. My NYStrip was Tough. The knives are horrible. They saw and rip I cook a lot of steaks and I've never made one this bad. So after paying $125. For a poor meal you can be sure we won't return The flourless choc cake was like a brick of fudge
(1)
J K.

I set out to have a delicious meal tonight with thoughtfully prepared fresh ingredients, and my wish was granted at the WCH. I'll jump right in and share that the Moroccan rack of lamb, the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and the bananas foster were fantastic. The chef/owner was delightful, and picked out some nice wine for us. We dined al fresco which was lovely. It was a perfect evening for outdoor dining. Highly recommend.
(5)
Trish C.

Thank you to Lawrence and all who made last nights dinner fabulous The cocktails ,beet salad, all entrees plus dessert were awesome We loved every bite and excited to come back!!!!!! Thank you we loved our dinner
(5)
David M.

Went here because of the Groupon. Was hoping for the best because it's nice to see downtown Wilmette being revitalized. The best, however was not what we received. This place would be perfect on Kitchen Nightmares. PROS: -The server was very nice and attentive and I tipped him well; even though we weren't happy with the meal. -Courses were timed well -All of the staff were very nice. CONS: -Way overpriced for the location and quality. Downtown prices for just average food. People on the North Shore would be happy to pay a higher prices for good quality food, especially if they could save themselves the trip downtown, but this place only got the higher prices part of that equation. For a place to be able to average about $100 per person, it must be top-notch and exciting, particularly if it's located in a sleepy suburb. -Decor was out of the 80s and not in a kitschy-cool way. The paint was unfinished in some places. There were ugly amateur paintings EVERYWHERE, which were all signed "Madonna" who on further investigation turns out to be one of the owners. This is one of the reasons why I say this would be perfect on Kitchen Nightmares. -Lots of families with small children, which would be find if the menu had chicken fingers rather than expensive steaks. Not sure why this place attracts families with kids at all?!? The kids wouldn't have inherently been the problem, but we were there on a Saturday night and the staff, including the chefs / owner, just stood by doing nothing while a genuinely inconsiderate customer allowed his 3 year old to bang on the piano for an extended period of time. Other people's kids are not cute when the parents allow and encourage them to behave like that in a restaurant, particularly an expensive one on a Saturday night. Somebody on the staff should have handled that situation immediately, especially at a place that already has some pretty negative Yelp reviews. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, we went because of the Groupon. The point of offering a Groupon is to encourage people to try your new place and hopefully convert them into return customers. This circus with the little kids achieved exactly the opposite effect. This was supposed to be a fancy restaurant, not a daycare. -Boring menu. Basic meat and fish, which would be fine if those simple dishes were of outstanding quality, but they were not. -Food: Salad was wilted and overdressed and with one piece each of artichoke, red pepper, and heart of palm, which I'm positive were out of a can, rather than house made. Again, not a huge problem if this was an inexpensive place, but at that price point, I would expect everything to house made. Steak was OK. Ordered it mid-rare and got more like mid-well, even in the center. The quality of the meat was just OK, but for a $36 steak, I would expect prime or close to it. Tiny dollop of mashed potatoes, which actually tasted pretty good, although they a bit gluteny from being over-mixed. Green beans were just plain 'ol green beans and there were maybe 7 little ones on the plate. Presentation was pretty much nonexistent: put 3 things on the plate and put the plate on the table. People eat first with their eyes and for a fancy meal, there should be some wow factor, something that makes everybody at the table excited about what's just been put in front of them. Dessert was actually inedible. I had the Plantains Foster which was a brown bowl of completely melted ice cream and disgustingly sweet caramel sauce soup and the plantains were a gross texture like potatoes that have been previously frozen. My girlfriend had the lava cake which was just boring chocolate cake with some uninteresting chocolate sauce on top. Lava cake is supposed to be filled with hot chocolate ganache. This was just a blah dessert. I probably wouldn't have written this review at all if I wasn't infuriated by the callous responses from the owners to the Yelp reviewers that also gave them bad reviews, but I'm really offended that they would address their customers in the way they did here. When people who spend their hard earned money try your business, you should address any issues they have in a more constructive way and NEVER berate them in a public forum. This restaurant was just not very good, but the attitude of the leadership is really disappointing. Maybe some of the world's top chefs have earned the right to have an attitude towards their customers (although I don't think they should behave that way either), but that's because they put out and extraordinary product and have built unbreakable reputations. However, anybody opening a new little place in a sleepy suburb should be humble and welcome criticism. The food business is ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER, but these folks, much like most of the owners featured on Kitchen Nightmares, have more ego than talent. If customers tell you they don't like your place, figure out why and fix it ASAP or you're not going to make it.
(1)
Richard B.

I've been aware of the Wilmette Chop House for a good long time but, to be honest, I avoided the place for three simple reasons :: 1) exorbitant Chicago prices 2) lame decor and 3) more appealing and plentiful downtown Wilmette restaurants. My bad!!! A good friend suggested a 'redo of my opinions' on the place was well advised!! -/ His reasoning - "new owners, new menu, realistic prices". I make a Yelp-online reservation at 3pm for same-day (Sat) 7pm dinner for two (me and da Mrs) and was made slightly uncomfortable by the ease of winning so easily such an assumed PrimeTime dinner slot. The place has perhaps a dozen tables in a trapezoid-shaped floor plan more akin to a generic chain of opticians than a place of fine dining but ... some red paint, a few fancy-hung curtains and subdued lighting et voila ... a mediocre ambience ... but ... c'est la vie. Cocktails ordered - Hendrick's Gin of course! - and we were stoked by their full and plush bar ... including blue-cheese stuffed olives for 'er dirty martini; straight-up ... One other table was occupied in an otherwise deserted joint. I expected rolling tumble weed to pass the table between the very frequent / super attentive visits of the (no other distracts for the poor lass!!) waitress (who possessed some spectacular 'made-for-radio set of lungs!) ... Having eaten red meat throughout the Christmas season I felt somewhat cheeky ordering a roast chicken with mash and greens but my colon squeaked a barely audible but well-appreciative thank you my direction! The wife unabashedly took delivery of an enormous veal chop drizzled in a rich sauce and she happily acclimatized to some mild guilt derived from a badly-slaughtered baby calf. Both dishes were delicious, well portioned and piping hot ... flavorful ... and sexily priced ... (I'm no Rockefeller and wallet-sensitive post the Kids' Christmas extravaganza! :-) ) A bottle of Napa Duckhorn Merlot (also $ sensibly priced!) was well drained and much enjoyed ... Here is my only slight complaint -- which was actually balanced by a total understanding of both reason and execution re the complete lack of patrons on a Saturday night!) -- the maitre'd (the owner) -- was perhaps reminiscing on a prior life as an insurance salesman (?) or a North-Shore heroin dealer ... as he heavily pressed us with suggestions of appetizers, deserts, fine wines, cocktails, after-dinner aperitifs, uppers / downers / and all-rounders (ha! kidding on last ones!) ... Again -- only as bothersome (as we did do a fair job of emptying his bar and pantry anyhow but) as it was obvious to understand a restaurant owner's obligation to make a profit! so good for his diligence and very-polite tenacity!! Wifey and I concluded we would certainly return to the Wilmette Chop House and we'd pour extravagant / lavish word-of-mouth to those interested in a lovely restaurant, cost sensible, that competed easily against likeminded Evanston or Wilmette-based food spots!! Great service only helped further their cause! Excellent evening all round.
(5)
AJ K.

The only reason I opted to give this restaurant a 2nd star is for the service - the staff is very pleasant. Other than that, this restaurant really has not grasped the concept of fine food, which is what they are trying to go for. Moreover, the value you receive for what they charge is quite poor. Here are the details of our visit: We were pleasantly greeted and seated at our table. The house bread they brought out - a farmers loaf or some variation of sourdough - was incredible dry... to a degree of inedible. We waited at least 10 minutes before our server first came by our table. Through the night, we did realize that they may be a tad bit understaffed. My wife and I both ordered the crusted filet mignon entree for $32 each, which was served with mashed potatoes and green beans. The presentation was what one would expect out of a hospital cafeteria: a white plate with 2 filet medallions to one side and a rather small dollop of mash potatoes. The potatoes and beans were average to taste, so I will stay away from critiquing them. The steaks however, were coated with an awfully salty rub, which truly made it impossible to taste the meat (which is a shame because the quality of the meat was rather decent). Moreover, the blue cheese crust was not a crust at all, but in fact a melted dollop of blue cheese on the meat. My wife was 8 months pregnant, and we specifically requested a well done steak for her (repeating the request twice and citing her pregnancy). Sure enough, her medallions came out medium rare, like mine. We had to send them back to the kitchen, also requesting that her parmesan crust be taken off, and rub be scraped off (otherwise it would be too salty to eat). Alas, even after they scraped off some of the rub, removed her Parmesan crust, and cooked it more, her steaks still came back cooked medium and too salty. She ended up leaving the center of the steaks uneaten, due to the unsafe doneness for her condition. The restaurant did not offer to take her entree off the check, but instead offered a free dessert of their own choosing. We requested that we be allowed to order a different dessert (of our choosing) off the menu, and they agreed. The flourless chocolate cake we ordered was in fact excellent - really enjoyable. Unfortunately, they had drizzled a waxy, artificial fruit tasting raspberry sauce over it which took away some of the cake's success. Overall, our 2 steaks cost is $85 with tax and tip, which to me is a rather poor value, since we did not have drinks, appetizers, or salads. Also, this did not include the cost of dessert, which was not charged for. As for the decor of the place, it was a failed attempt at being tacky in a chic way. The silverware is certainly not fitting of a high end restaurant, and the tapestry is out of an old English grandmother's "drawing room". However, they did have a small piano bar with love music, that was enjoyable.
(2)
Jeff R.

We tried the Wilmette Chop House with a Groupon. Nice addition to North Shore dining, and the piano player was a nice touch. Cozy and slightly loud, the appetizers were pretty good and the bone in double cut smoked pork chop was excellent. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Barry L.

Place was too noisy even BEFORE the piano player started, and the food was poor under any circumstances, especially at those prices (over $200 for two). Tables are covered with vinyl which would be OK if it weren't for a baby girl sitting on the table next to us in her diaper directly on the vinyl that was not changed for the next party at that table. Our friends who picked the restaurant felt so bad that they bought us a nice bottle of wine AFTER diner to make up for the poor choice, Wilmette needs a nice restaurant that we can eat at more than once. Fuel and the Wilmette Chop House sure don't fit that bill.
(1)
Cathy B.

We took my 88 year old mother there for a special occasion. The food was fine, if somewhat overpriced. The service was fine and the decor was very nice. We had two problems. First the shrimp de jonghe arrived with the tails on and my mother had to wade through the wet breadcrumbs to get the tails off. Messy and unpleasant. Then the bill was miscalculated and we were overcharged by almost $50 (on a $150 bill). We caught it though and the waiter was very apologetic. Still we won't go there again and cannot recommend it. It's just not worth it when there are so many good alternatives.
(2)
sir arthur c.

They dont take reservations over the phone, dont return phone calls, dont take walk-ins even if the restaurant is half empty. Then, when you finally get a table the food sucks. I honestly believe they buy some pre-cooked food from costco and serve it up as "gourmet" to people who dont know any better.
(1)
Malinda M.

First time to try Chop House - had the wedge salad and double cut pork chop. Both are huge portions. Suggest you share /split the wedge salad since it's a full half of lettuce. Pork chop is also huge Both are winners. Definitely worth the trip for the smoked pork chop with plantains and a maple brown sugar glaze. Grilled / smoked perfectly. Nice atmosphere with piano and good service. Place was packed with patrons on a Saturday night - good energy.
(5)
Bill M.

Went here for our Anniversary dinner instead of Ruth Chris and thought the food and the service was fantatstic. They had a 32oz bone in Ribeye and the waiter said we could split in two since it was so big. Ordered it medium as that is the way my wife likes it. It was excellent. I think it would been even better medium rare. We had the meatballs for an appetizer it was also great. The dining room while on the small side is very cool also. We we very pleased with our dinner at the Chop house.
(5)
Jackie K.

This is a great local place for dinner. We went once with another couple and once with our kids, and both times had wonderful dinners. The staff is great - from Madonna who greeted us at the door (and whose art adorns the walls), to our server who provided attentive but not obtrusive service, to Rob the chef, who comes out to say hello and makes you feel like a regular. The pork chop is their specialty, and with good reason. It is smoked with a brown sugar glaze and plantains - it tasted like ham. The chicken parmesan was also great. They happily accommodated my vegetarian daughter by providing that evening's vegetables in an entree size. Portions are huge. And save room for the ice cream float desserts - we went with the orange, which tasted like a dreamsicle.
(5)
N W.

First visit to Wilmette Chop House and a very nice experience. Good service from the staff. Delicious food. Nice wine. I think my favorite dish was the meatball starter that was topped with peas, garlic and delicious wedges of potatoes on the side. Madonna, the owner, stopped by the table to make sure all was well with our meal. We would return.
(4)
Patricia W.

My son & I had dinner here tonight & we do not understand the low ratings & reviews they have recieved. Here is our experience. Wednesday, we had reservations at 7:30' were greeted and seated right away. Our waiter brought water hot, delicious bread & butter to our table immediately. We decided to try both the smoked pork chops that we had heard so much about as well as the Walleye the our waiter suggested. The fish came w mashed potatoes & sautÃ©ed green beans, both very good, The chops hadI believe the same & fabulous plantains. We split the meats & though neither of us ever order pork chops, these were incredibly good, loved the smoky taste as well as the sauce. The Walleye was tender & very flavorful. It did have a couple of small bones. We ended with the Lava cake which was okay. Service and server were just terrific. We had a Groupon, but thought we had a lovely meal & experience. My only somewhat negative thought is that they appear to only serve broccoli or green beans as vegetables as well as mashed potatos. These were spot on however, a bit more diversity would be nice, one more thing we had the Caprese Tower salad & the shrimp cocktail as well. Both good, shrimp was awesome! Try it.
(5)
Erika J.

A charming little steak house with interesting decor and lively atmosphere. My husband and I celebrated our anniversary there and overall thought the food and service were good. It was nice to see the chef do a meet and greet with each guest. Very personalized experience! Definitely a special occasion place.
(4)
Oh K.

Heard this place had a piano bar, which is so hard to find these days. Was in the mood for some jazz and a martini, so stopped by with a friend last night. Tiny, cramped looking and, what, no bar? Really? A piano, but no bar. Disappointed. We left.
(1)
David G.

I regret that this restaurant will not be on our short list for another dinner anytime soon. We were excited to try this place and hoped that it would become a standby for date night because it is in our neighborhood, but this will not be the case. Let's start with the decor: it is innovative in a "scarface meets mafioso retirement home" kind of way. This is appropriate however, because I think that we were the only clients in the place who don't actually reside in a retirement home. The prices are outrageous, which might explain the 'mafioso' theme of the decor - think $9 beer, $44 ribeye. The food quality is very average, and the preparation is amateurish for this price point. My wife and I ordered the exact same entree prepared the same way. Hers was medium, but mine was medium well. The mashed potatoes were bland, and the green beans were overcooked. All in, we paid over $200 for two beers, two salads, two mediocre fillets, and one bottle of mediocre cabernet blend (the waiter was not even familiar enough with it that he knew what part of the world it came from, and it was the house special...). The service was attentive, but it could not compensate for the other shortcomings of the whole experience.
(1)
Susan I.

My husband and I have been here twice and have had a wonderful experience each time. Great service from the staff and excellent food. My husband and I both prefer our meat medium rare, and both times our steaks were cooked that way; almost more on the rare side, but that's really the way I prefer it. We were also told at our first visit that they purchase their meat from the butcher right across the street so it sure seems fresh. I had the fillet minon both times and the meat just melted in my mouth. Tuesday is $5 martini night and they don't skimp on the vodka just because its cheaper that night. The chef came out to make sure all was well with our meal. We will return again and again and I will definitely recommend it to everyone.
(5)
J K.

I set out to have a delicious meal tonight with thoughtfully prepared fresh ingredients, and my wish was granted at the WCH. I'll jump right in and share that the Moroccan rack of lamb, the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and the bananas foster were fantastic. The chef/owner was delightful, and picked out some nice wine for us. We dined al fresco which was lovely. It was a perfect evening for outdoor dining. Highly recommend.
(5)
Trish C.

Thank you to Lawrence and all who made last nights dinner fabulous The cocktails ,beet salad, all entrees plus dessert were awesome We loved every bite and excited to come back!!!!!! Thank you we loved our dinner
(5)
Mary M.

I booked a reservation here for my husbands 65 th birthday. Wanted something really great We were both Very unhappy. My NYStrip was Tough. The knives are horrible. They saw and rip I cook a lot of steaks and I've never made one this bad. So after paying $125. For a poor meal you can be sure we won't return The flourless choc cake was like a brick of fudge
(1)
Jenny F.

I bought a Groupon, called them up for reservations the next day, and had a wonderful experience! AMBIANCE: You walk in, and immediately you're transported to a swanky piano bar from a bygone era. Like most restaurants in downtown Wilmette, it's a converted house, so it's very intimate, with a white baby grand piano, dim lighting, and candles on the tables. There aren't many tables, so it feels almost as if you are one if the few who had the password to get into this joint. The live singing with piano accompaniment was unexpected and impressive. I loved it. As someone who missed out on Frank Sinatra days, this was as close as I'm gonna get! The decor is cheesy, but compared to the piano (and red walls), you barely notice them. They literally had reserved our table with a little sign, which I thought was nice touch--made me feel very VIP. The hostess also offered to take our jackets, which really made us feel like celebrities! FOOD: GET THE PORKCHOPS. It's their specialty, and it's a little mindblowing. They're smoked, and glazed, so they taste more like ham, and they are so tender and delicious. It's HUGE, a double cut, and it comes with the fresh veggies of the day (in this case beans), caramelized plantains, and the starch of the day (puff pastry wrapped mashed potatoes). We also got the special of the day, braised shortribs. a HUGE portion that was fall off the bone tender, that was seasoned simply with salt and pepper so you could really taste it. It was served with fresh asparagus and the starch of the day. It was delicious. In comparison to the porkchops, it didn't have a lot of pizzazz, but the flavors were humble, simple, and solid, and it was cooked perfectly. The veggies are super fresh, and the starch was delicious! SERVICE: The only reason I took a star away. Service was very slow, and we essentially were waving down waiters all night long for every step of the process. We weren't in a rush, we were leisurely enjoying a good meal, but our waiter never really came to check in on us. Or should I say, we had a about 4 waiters that switched off between taking our orders, seating us, filling our waters, bringing our bread, giving us our check, etc. And therefore there wasn't really one waiter who catered to our table (the one who took our orders went into the back and disappeared for half the meal). So I was pretty much waving down whoever I could. They were very nice, very professional and polite, just unavailable. I would definitely come back here though, with a groupon for sure ($60 groupon paid for two courses and a side of spinach), and without a groupon for a special occasion!
(4)
Richard B.

I've been aware of the Wilmette Chop House for a good long time but, to be honest, I avoided the place for three simple reasons :: 1) exorbitant Chicago prices 2) lame decor and 3) more appealing and plentiful downtown Wilmette restaurants. My bad!!! A good friend suggested a 'redo of my opinions' on the place was well advised!! -/ His reasoning - "new owners, new menu, realistic prices". I make a Yelp-online reservation at 3pm for same-day (Sat) 7pm dinner for two (me and da Mrs) and was made slightly uncomfortable by the ease of winning so easily such an assumed PrimeTime dinner slot. The place has perhaps a dozen tables in a trapezoid-shaped floor plan more akin to a generic chain of opticians than a place of fine dining but ... some red paint, a few fancy-hung curtains and subdued lighting et voila ... a mediocre ambience ... but ... c'est la vie. Cocktails ordered - Hendrick's Gin of course! - and we were stoked by their full and plush bar ... including blue-cheese stuffed olives for 'er dirty martini; straight-up ... One other table was occupied in an otherwise deserted joint. I expected rolling tumble weed to pass the table between the very frequent / super attentive visits of the (no other distracts for the poor lass!!) waitress (who possessed some spectacular 'made-for-radio set of lungs!) ... Having eaten red meat throughout the Christmas season I felt somewhat cheeky ordering a roast chicken with mash and greens but my colon squeaked a barely audible but well-appreciative thank you my direction! The wife unabashedly took delivery of an enormous veal chop drizzled in a rich sauce and she happily acclimatized to some mild guilt derived from a badly-slaughtered baby calf. Both dishes were delicious, well portioned and piping hot ... flavorful ... and sexily priced ... (I'm no Rockefeller and wallet-sensitive post the Kids' Christmas extravaganza! :-) ) A bottle of Napa Duckhorn Merlot (also $ sensibly priced!) was well drained and much enjoyed ... Here is my only slight complaint -- which was actually balanced by a total understanding of both reason and execution re the complete lack of patrons on a Saturday night!) -- the maitre'd (the owner) -- was perhaps reminiscing on a prior life as an insurance salesman (?) or a North-Shore heroin dealer ... as he heavily pressed us with suggestions of appetizers, deserts, fine wines, cocktails, after-dinner aperitifs, uppers / downers / and all-rounders (ha! kidding on last ones!) ... Again -- only as bothersome (as we did do a fair job of emptying his bar and pantry anyhow but) as it was obvious to understand a restaurant owner's obligation to make a profit! so good for his diligence and very-polite tenacity!! Wifey and I concluded we would certainly return to the Wilmette Chop House and we'd pour extravagant / lavish word-of-mouth to those interested in a lovely restaurant, cost sensible, that competed easily against likeminded Evanston or Wilmette-based food spots!! Great service only helped further their cause! Excellent evening all round.
(5)
Susan L.

Restaurant is under new ownership and has a new cook. They kept the same name. HUUUUUGE difference! We thoroughly enjoyed our steaks, salads and dessert. Service was a bit slow because they were short on staff. We didn't notice; though, because the wine and conversation were so good (not to mention they kept checking in with us). We will be going back and are thrilled that we will now have another regular spot (aside from Depot Nuevo) that we frequent in downtown Wilmette.
(5)
AJ K.

The only reason I opted to give this restaurant a 2nd star is for the service - the staff is very pleasant. Other than that, this restaurant really has not grasped the concept of fine food, which is what they are trying to go for. Moreover, the value you receive for what they charge is quite poor. Here are the details of our visit: We were pleasantly greeted and seated at our table. The house bread they brought out - a farmers loaf or some variation of sourdough - was incredible dry... to a degree of inedible. We waited at least 10 minutes before our server first came by our table. Through the night, we did realize that they may be a tad bit understaffed. My wife and I both ordered the crusted filet mignon entree for $32 each, which was served with mashed potatoes and green beans. The presentation was what one would expect out of a hospital cafeteria: a white plate with 2 filet medallions to one side and a rather small dollop of mash potatoes. The potatoes and beans were average to taste, so I will stay away from critiquing them. The steaks however, were coated with an awfully salty rub, which truly made it impossible to taste the meat (which is a shame because the quality of the meat was rather decent). Moreover, the blue cheese crust was not a crust at all, but in fact a melted dollop of blue cheese on the meat. My wife was 8 months pregnant, and we specifically requested a well done steak for her (repeating the request twice and citing her pregnancy). Sure enough, her medallions came out medium rare, like mine. We had to send them back to the kitchen, also requesting that her parmesan crust be taken off, and rub be scraped off (otherwise it would be too salty to eat). Alas, even after they scraped off some of the rub, removed her Parmesan crust, and cooked it more, her steaks still came back cooked medium and too salty. She ended up leaving the center of the steaks uneaten, due to the unsafe doneness for her condition. The restaurant did not offer to take her entree off the check, but instead offered a free dessert of their own choosing. We requested that we be allowed to order a different dessert (of our choosing) off the menu, and they agreed. The flourless chocolate cake we ordered was in fact excellent - really enjoyable. Unfortunately, they had drizzled a waxy, artificial fruit tasting raspberry sauce over it which took away some of the cake's success. Overall, our 2 steaks cost is $85 with tax and tip, which to me is a rather poor value, since we did not have drinks, appetizers, or salads. Also, this did not include the cost of dessert, which was not charged for. As for the decor of the place, it was a failed attempt at being tacky in a chic way. The silverware is certainly not fitting of a high end restaurant, and the tapestry is out of an old English grandmother's "drawing room". However, they did have a small piano bar with love music, that was enjoyable.
(2)
Charlotte I.

This place is definitely just okay. We went here because we had a groupon, but boyfriend accidentally bought the one 'for 4' and we were a party of 2. Unfortunately, (but I guess understandably) our server said she couldn't honor it, but we could use the face value we paid as credit to the meal (just like any expired groupon). So starting out on that foot when we got there wasn't the best, but not a dealbreaker. The atmosphere was kind of strange, and I sort of felt watched by the servers since it's so small. The decor felt a little bit unprofessional, like they should have hired someone to do it but did it themselves instead. The say 'Piano Bar' on the window, but there isn't a piano to be seen - they just play piano music. Our specific server was very nice and I don't have any real complaints, it just felt like she memorized everything she said to us, and didn't feel natural at all. We order the massive 32 oz steak to share, medium cooked, and most of it was medium-well to well. Normally I wouldn't care too much, but for a steak house (and a $50 plate) I expect exactly what I ordered. We let the server know and she offered to replace it, but that just felt wasteful and over the top, so we kept it and it was still really good. But again, not exactly what we ordered. We both walked out saying yeah it was okay/good but we wouldn't come back.
(3)
Christine M.

We celebrated our anniversary here. The service was excellent, giving us just the right amount of attention and privacy. The chef recommended a great wine in our price range and the food was amazing. The shared the tuna appetizer which was out of this world followed by a steak and halibut which were both done to perfection. The chef was very accommodating with making slight changes to our preferences and we were surprised with decadent molten chocolate cake for dessert. We will definitely return.
(4)
Laura S.

Excellent service. Food was outstanding. Love it!! Will come back for sure. Such a nice quiet atmosphere. Very romantic. Amazing owner!
(5)
Rita M.

One star deducted because I got the garlic shrimp. Way too salty!!! One star for the super romantic set up with a piano player! Second star for the attentive service Third star for my hubby loving his steak (I can cook just about anything except for his love for medium rare steak) Fourth star for their LOBSTER BISQUE SOUP!!!!! I literally almost licked my bowl clean. YUMMY!!!!!! Will definitely be back! I would definitely recommend!
(4)
Brandon B.

So this place got a new owner in August 2014. I wish yelp would get rid of all the reviews before that - they would have 5 stars!! The menu was upgraded and the prices are greatly reduced. This is by far the best place in Wilmette to go for dinner. Highly recommend the lollipop lamb chops as appetizer, the rib eye or the smoked pork chop as entrÃ©es. And everything else. Burgers are 12 dollars and the BEST in town. They actually can cook them medium. I am getting hungry thinking about the food there. Need to go there right now. You should too!
(5)
David S.

If I could give a negative star I would From the moment we walked in I should have left. I called to ask if they could take a walk in for 3 and if the groupon could be used on Sat night. Said great, all ok! Walked in and despite empty table , initially said not sure about seating us until I said they had by phone 5 min earlier they would let us be seated This was our second the there. The first time shortly after opening the food was at best fair and overpriced. Thought we would try our local restaurant another try and order 3 different items I have had better steak at Ponderossa. The skirt steak went back as it was all fat and gristle and they said they were being kind not to charge for it, essentially since they charged for the most expensive steak that was given as an alternative. The breaded fish had little taste and the chicken Vesuvio was not very flavorful. Mainly peas and potatoes. The chef initially blamed the steak on a rare quirky price of meat. I though never saw a skirt steak sliced like long flat pancakes which was likely part of the problem. Her later said to us when he came out that you can expect this when you order a cheap cot of meat. They charged for each glass if ice tea which was mainly Ice. Offered pepper on the salads to only two of us (out of three) and just walked away. At time if payment, they said they were gracious about not charging for the returned steak. They refused initially to take any of the Groupon including the cash value (as they agreed to). They also had me pay by signing on an IPOD with a card swipe cube with the waiter looking over my shoulder while considering the tip. I have never done this for a sit down restaurant. Very expensive (similar to a very high end steak house) even with $30 off for the groupon. Save your money. No need to pay someone so you can be talked down to by all if the staff. Also no paper towels in bathroom.
(1)
Stephen L.

After several months under new ownership, we decided to give the Wilmette Chop House another try. We were so pleased. Excellent appropriately priced menu with a wonderful wine list. My chicken was delicious and the cauliflower gratin side dish was the perfect accompaniment. My wife had the fish and our guests had pasta and vegetables. Everyone was raving. Interestingly no one ordered steaks, but they looked perfect as they were being delivered to others. One dessert for the table...bread pudding which was some of the best I have ever enjoyed, and that is saying something since I order this often. We highly recommended this new found gem and will certainly be back in the near future.
(5)
K K.

This was my first time here. They have new ownership, new management, and a new chef. My overall impression is great. The interior is charming and intimate. I had the lamb chop appetizer and a French onion soup with blue cheese topping rather than the stars Swiss. Both awesome. Halibut for dinner. GREAT! I tasted my friend's Double Cut Pork Chop and I loved it. Fantastic. I will be back.
(5)
Bob B.

Went to this place on a Groupon. Atmosphere = 4 Service = 4 Food = 3 Pricing = 1 Overall = 2.5 Meal details: Four (4) glasses of Cabernet @ $12 each One (1) 40 oz Rib Eye @ $75 (split by me and my GF) One (1) Meatball Appetizer @ $9 Total bill with tip and $30 Groupon Applied = $133, without Groupon it would of been $166. Rib Eye wasn't cooked evenly, one side was Red and couldn't eat when ordered at Medium. Was bone in, so the 40 oz was more like 30 oz. Meatball Appetizer was very tasty, however the potatoes dominated the entire plate and very few meatballs. To save money? Wine was good, but was measured in a glass before pouring at the table. For a restaurant at this class, should fill it to the rim? Pricing was like "Rush Street pricing", but you do get some potatoes/rice and a veggie with your dish, versus a la carte downtown. So, that was good. There was a piano player that contributed to pricing of the menu. *** At the end the bus boy took our left over foods to package it up. Forgot to give it to us when we left. *** I think I would of been happier going to Mortons on Skokie Blvd.
(1)
Chowhound C.

After about one year of business, this place is definitely doing something right! My husband and I went in response to the Groupon that was offered and our expectations were highly exceeded as we indulged in some of the best food, drinks, and service that is to be found in the North Shore....and beyond. Even the water glasses added a special touch that made our dining experience unique and more pleasurable. The "team service" was appropriate and professional, but not stuffy. As a "steak person," I was not expecting to have this little unassuming chop house deliver me one of my top 5 best steaks of all time (better than the Del Frisco's meal I had downtown last weekend). The seafood special of the night (rainbow trout) was done perfectly and paired with a delicate and comforting tarter (potato and veggies as well). We also enjoyed the shrimp cocktail and chef rob salad which were both something I would do again. Rob himself came out of the kitchen and approached different guests inquiring about their meal. I would have gone for the bread pudding, but it was gone by the time I made up my mind...maybe next time :) -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.â€¦
(5)
Brian W.

Great food atmosphere and new owner too! The pork chop is huge and very delicately smoked to perfection. Very succulent. Starting out with the seasonal pumpkin soup that was delicious. Highly recommend.
(5)
Michele S.

After having a so-so meal a year ago, my husband and I were thrilled at what the new owner has done with the Wilmette Chop House. Every aspect of our dinner was perfect. The Vesuvio meatball appetizer was huge and perfectly spiced. The lobster corn chowder so creamy and flavorful. Our fish dishes were fresh, light, tasty. Warm, fresh bread, great wine, the service was great--we loved it! Congrats to Chef Lawrence!
(5)
Shari S.

On their busiest and coldest day of the year, they came through with amazing service, great food and a warm ambiance. Meatball was okay, but the scallop appetizer (the right combo of tart, sweet and bright flavors), awesome! Chef/owner came out when he had a million other things to do and took he time to ask us about our meal. His son works there and the waiters, waitress and host all checked on us several times - it wasn't too much, seriously. Loved it and can't wait to go back. This is a don't miss for the suburbs!
(4)
Mary D.

AMAZING. The duck was fantastic. The french onion soup was delicious. The pork chop to die for. The veal porterhouse was the best. Too good to leave room for desert. The service was very quick and courteous. Great list of great beers and a good list of good wines. Would recommend.
(5)
Christine M.

We celebrated our anniversary here. The service was excellent, giving us just the right amount of attention and privacy. The chef recommended a great wine in our price range and the food was amazing. The shared the tuna appetizer which was out of this world followed by a steak and halibut which were both done to perfection. The chef was very accommodating with making slight changes to our preferences and we were surprised with decadent molten chocolate cake for dessert. We will definitely return.
(4)
Charlotte I.

This place is definitely just okay. We went here because we had a groupon, but boyfriend accidentally bought the one 'for 4' and we were a party of 2. Unfortunately, (but I guess understandably) our server said she couldn't honor it, but we could use the face value we paid as credit to the meal (just like any expired groupon). So starting out on that foot when we got there wasn't the best, but not a dealbreaker. The atmosphere was kind of strange, and I sort of felt watched by the servers since it's so small. The decor felt a little bit unprofessional, like they should have hired someone to do it but did it themselves instead. The say 'Piano Bar' on the window, but there isn't a piano to be seen - they just play piano music. Our specific server was very nice and I don't have any real complaints, it just felt like she memorized everything she said to us, and didn't feel natural at all. We order the massive 32 oz steak to share, medium cooked, and most of it was medium-well to well. Normally I wouldn't care too much, but for a steak house (and a $50 plate) I expect exactly what I ordered. We let the server know and she offered to replace it, but that just felt wasteful and over the top, so we kept it and it was still really good. But again, not exactly what we ordered. We both walked out saying yeah it was okay/good but we wouldn't come back.
(3)
Gerry T.

Easy street parking in downtown Wilmette. The place has classy decor with a baby grand piano with a wrap around table for drinks and romance. We both had rib eye steaks, carrots with mashed potatoes. The steaks were fine, however, a little bland for our taste palate. Perhaps we're addicted to salt? The service was great and the chef also came out to visit. They were also nice enough to let me claim my Yelp dessert offer ahead of schedule.
(3)
Ron Ron J.

We only went here due to the Groupon we were given. First of all the decor needs some major work; the paint around the large mirror behind our table was not even finished, and the paintings on the walls were absolutely atrocious. I'm sure the owners wife is responsible for the shoddy artwork on the walls. The overall look of the place was dated and awkward. The food was way overpriced for the quality and presentation. The "chef rob" salad was over dressed and very wilty while lacking flavor. Both of our rib-eyes were ordered to be medium rare, but were close to well done-at that price they should be spot on and again, have flavor. Dinner came with 6 green beans and a small spoon of mashed potatoes which were nothing special either. Then an 8 yr old child decided to play "piano man" on the piano and sing in his high pitch voice, followed by a 3 year old banging on the piano while sitting on his father's lap-WTF?! Clearly other tables were irritated by this yet the owners watched and cheered them on. Major mistake. Finally, my chocolate lava cake was like a cake from an Easy Bake oven with Hershey's chocolate sauce poured over the top-gross. Best thing about this meal was the free bottle of wine. I give this place 6 months unless they have Chef Ramsey come through and fix it.
(1)
Ed O.

Best food I have had at a restaurant in years. Lawrence the owner/chief/waiter/bartender was great. He's like a big happy Teddy Bear. He recommended a few things and they were great. The lolly pop lamb chops were out of this world as was the white fish. The blue cheese olives for my martini were better than Francesca's have, and that is saying something. Try this place and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Darlene K.

We've been here twice since the new owner has taken over. Definitely will go again. The menu is varied and creative. The atmosphere cozy with great music and still an easy place to have a quiet conversation. We met the owner who could not have been nicer. Would highly recommend now.
(5)
Diane S.

We always wanted to try this place but never got around to it until last night. Very small place, almost feels like you are in someones living room. Very nice atmosphere. Upon talking with the Chef/Owner we were informed that he just purchased the restaurant and opened 7 weeks ago. The drinks were nice pours and the "blue cheese stuffed olives" were unique. Instead of being "stuffed" they put a hunk of delicious blue cheese in the martini with olives on a stick. Although they were out of bone-in rib eye, which is really what I had a fast for, everything was yummy! We will definitely be back!
(5)
M. Frank M.

I ordered the chicken breast with a creamy poblano sauce on pasta. Just the perfect amount of cilantro, poblano, and other spices -- not too spicy but full of flavor. The pasta was cooked exactly right. Some fresh chopped red tomato on top added not only taste, but also eye appeal and a nice contrast of cool with the heat. For desert the cheesecake was unbeatable--tasting just made and silky smooth, rich but not overwhelmingly so--with an artful cross-cross of warm caramel and a strawberry that actually tasted as sumptuous as it looked. The service was prompt, friendly, and professional. It was conversation friendly.
(5)
Jaylee A.

This place was excellent. The food was amazing and fairly priced. The staff was great and Chef Lawrence came out to talk to us personally. I'd recommend all the food, everything we tried was so good!
(5)
Jeanne W.

If you haven't been here in awhile, it is worth it to try it again. The new decor, arrangement of tables, food and prices make it a really nice addition to the Wilmette dining options!
(4)
Roland J.

We are very disappointed. We had received a very nice gift card to Wilmette Chop House and, when we finished dinner, the restaurant refused to honor it, even after we spoke to the owner. The excuse was the gift card was purchased while under prior ownership. Imagine that, they buy the brand, the restaurant's customer base and accumulated goodwill, yet refuse to honor obligations that go with it. We spent over $400 for dinner and were unable to use a gift card for half that amount. The four of us are unlikely to go back.To survive in a local neighborhood like Wilmette, owners need to care about their customers.
(1)
Alison Y.

Make reservations in advance as it's a small restaurant. It was packed on a Tuesday night when I came with a friend to use a Groupon. We shared the lobster bisque and escargot appetizers. The lobster bisque was nice and creamy with the delicious taste of lobster in every bite - not really too much tomato flavor overpowering it which is AWESOME! The escargot was also delicious and my friend loved it! The snails were a good size and it had a great butter flavor! We both ordered the Delmonico steak (boneless ribeye steak) which came with a scoop of mashed potatoes and string beans. The steak itself was only meh. I've definitely had better - the seasoning was not all that flavorful and I thought the steak was prepared a little past medium rare. The mashed potatoes tasted very natural and fresh - though again, not very flavorful. If you like your mashed potatoes without a lot of butter or seasoning, you will probably enjoy this. The stringed beans had not been de-stringed well or at all so it was kind of hard to eat. The best part of the meal was the live piano player who played beautifully a mix of classic piano with his own flair! It makes the ambiance of the restaurant 5 stars! Overall, 2 stars for food, 4 stars for ambiance and 4 stars for service!
(3)
Elle S.

Strengths: 1. Piano player 2. I liked the ambiance; yes, small room. But, it felt quaint to me and romantic. 3. Server was helpful - pleasant - not intrusive. 4. Nicely seasoned appetizer fries. Areas of Needed Improvement: 1. Pasta shrimp entree was so salty it was inedible. I had to take the food back and I NEVER do this. The entree was unexceptional. No diced tomatoes or pine nuts or seasonings. A mess of salty pasta with shrimp that had an odd texture - almost chewy. Anytime a meal is sent back, there should be an apology from the chef - or a complimentary something. Instead, I had to wait another 20 minutes with the same flat meal - with less salt. 2. My boyfriend's steak was "meh." Not super flavorful. We would have been okay with this had the prices been cheaper. Unmemorable for the price. 3. Wine was mediocre and pricey ($12 a glass) given quality of wine. With a groupon, this meal was $120. Way too expensive for such an average to below average meal.
(2)
Lisa A.

My first visit here for New Year's Eve and I really enjoyed the dinner. My husband & I ordered the pre fixe menu, which I think was only for tonight and so glad we did. I would have given it a 5 star rating if the presentation of the food was as tasteful as the meal itself. The plates lacked luster and appeal, but surprisingly the food was FANTASTIC!! We started with the Shrimp Dijon as an appetizer which was perfectly done and not overcooked. The caprese salad was good, but I have had better. The Beef Wilmette (Wellington) was scrumptiously done medium rare, just how I like it and melted in my mouth. I savored every bite. Mashed potatoes were good, but the broccoli although fresh was bland. For dessert, they were kind enough to substitute the peanut buttery concoction with the bread pudding which was a huge serving that needed just a little more caramel sauce to go with it. I had some bubbly champagne and did not order wine. The coffee was perfectly rich and smooth and not bitter at all. I took a look at their regular menu and will definitely come back and try the smoked pork chop and my husband wants to try the rib eye steak. All in all a very reasonable priced menu as their entrees include a fresh vegetable with potato which can definitely add up ala carte. Did I mention their prompt and courteous staff? I really really like having it so close to home, far better choice than EJ's Steakhouse in west Wilmette.
(4)
Lee C.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at Wilmette Chop House. I started with tomato basil soup and my wife had a beet salad. For entrees I had a filet with potatoes and onions, while my wife had the rack of lamb. They even changed to seasoning to suit her preferences. We shared an asparagus side dish and a lava cake with Homer's ice cream for dessert. Both the food and the service were excellent. We hope that the restaurant becomes a staple of the community for many years to come.
(5)
louis S.

The best smoked pork chop and plantains ever. More like a sweet ham but Wow. Great live music, a very nice local night out. Steaks were yummy too.
(5)
Michael V.

This place is under new management and completely re-conceptualized. The food is not just steaks and chops although their double pork chop is excellent. The food is elegant, approachable, familiar, and tastes wonderful. The grilled octopus appetizer is incredibly tender and has a perfect char on it. The mini lamb chop appetizer, the beet salad, and the miso-soy glazed tuna are all great. The chef is trying out what he calls a corn creme brulee that really. isn't sweet like you might expect but more like an amped up corn pudding. Be sure to ask if it on the menu. Wines are few in number but all work perfectly with the menu items. And don't miss this place--it is so unlike the old Chop House that it really needs a new name. Best new restaurant in Wilmette in a very long time.
(4)
DAWN A.

Recently under new ownership, this place is a gem. Wonderful food, great service, the new owner stops by every table to see how things are. Double cut pork chop is to die for. This new owner really makes you feel like family!
(5)
Don P.

My bride and I went here to celebrate our anniversary (thanks to Groupon :-), and we had a wonderful experience. Bread: nicely sized, freshky baked, and very crusty. Could have used a steak knife to cut the slices off the loaf, but worth the effort :-) Lobster bisque: my wife reported finding plenty of lobster therein, as opposed to the usual practice of preparing this dish using a shredded xerox copy of a lobster boat. Wedge salad: this was not a wedge of iceberg lettuce, this was an entire hemisphere, generously drizzled with bleu cheese dressing and lots of crumbled bacon. (It also comes with sundried tomatoes, but myself not being a tomato person, those were omitted.) This was a plateful of yum. Delmonico ribeye steak: outside of isolated chunks of gristle (according to my wife), prepared exactly as ordered with sauteed mushrooms on the side. Green beans on the side were very nicely prepared and seasoned. Smoked pork chop: You know the rack of dinosaur ribs during the closing credits of the Flintstones? This pork chop is slightly smaller. It's a double-cut bone-in chop that looked to be a couple inches thick; it's glazed with brandy, brown sugar, and plantains and the smoke and glaze give the meat almost a ham consistency. Staff: Top-notch. Friendly waitstaff welcomed us, went into detail about the off-menu specials as well as the signature porkchop, and made sure we had a top-notch experience. Chef Rob regularly made the rounds, making sure our food was up to spec, and generally adding the personal touch to the evening. And we have to mention Ester, who provided excellent piano accompaniment to our evening. Her arrangements blend into the general ambiance, but should you lend an ear to her, there's always something to enjoy about how she performs. Overall: This place isn't inexpensive; if it wasn't for a Groupon I might not have brought my wife here. But the food and the dining experience is absolutely worth it, and we'd absolutely come back here for a special dinner or a "let's splurge" night out. And you'll certainly get food enough to take some back home with you and enjoy the next evening.
(4)
Maria S.

Overpriced and horrible food. The filet was over cooked , the salad was drenched in balsamic dressing, someone needs to inform the chef how to make lobster bisque soup. Anyone who left a good review for this restaurant must be related to the owner. I would not eat there if the food was free !!
(1)
Jessica N.

Overpriced..but thankfully we had a groupon. But even so, still not worth it. Service was sad..felt degraded. Place is small so you can't really talk or else everyone could hear you. On top of that, we were seated far from one another, on each side of a rectangular shaped table. My boyfriend on one end and me on the other. Couldn't hear him speak especially being seated next to the piano. Food was decent. Nothing to brag about. Anyway, I will not be going back. Groupon or not....no thanks!
(2)
Andres F.

The Chop House serves a solid meal but isn't exceptionally memorable. They cook good food, but they're priced as though they cook great food. I think the best way to describe the place is that the menu and ambiance are similar to a restaurant at a nice hotel - very good, but predictable and somewhat generic. We started with appetizers - meatballs for her and "Rob's Special" salad for me. The meatballs were spiced and cooked perfectly, but my salad was just weird. To summarize, don't order the "Rob's Special" salad. Our steaks (filet for her, ribeye for me) were cooked nearly perfectly and came with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes. We had a delicious plate of plantains foster of dessert. My only complaint about the meal itself is that wine was a little pricier than I think it should have been - glasses of red started at $12 which seems a little steep to me. I found the service to be a little weak - I ate two thirds of my 22oz steak with empty wine and water glasses that were begging to be refilled. Perhaps due to the fact that we are younger than the average Wilmette couple they thought we were Grouponers (we weren't) ... the wait staff is probably getting tired of cheapskate Grouponers who don't tip appropriately. Our meal was certainly solid, but I couldn't find anything on my plate that was exceptional. If dinner and drinks would have run a tab of $100 or so I would have given them four stars, but the tab wound up closer to $150 for the two of us. They need to work a little harder to make themselves stand out. As it sits right now, the Wilmette Chop House could be the house restaurant in any Marriott worldwide.
(3)
Ieshia C.

Bought a Groupon for this place...glad I did because I would've been upset if I didnt have one. The hostess was nice and seated us promptly. Bread was awesome! Both my boyfriend and I asked that our steaks be well done, however, they were medium rare but our mashed potatoes n beans were delish. After receiving our plates, we weren't checked on not even ONCE. Big no no in my book when it comes to customer service. Two stars are for the mashed potatoes n beans.
(2)
E H.

Good solid place who knows meat. The ribeye is wonderful. We enjoyed it so much. Prices are on the high side, atmosphere is wonderful. They run specials with Groupon often.
(4)
Nan C.

Older as in old crowd and way too loud. Wasn't offered bread. Ordered coffee...never received it. Food OK. Service just OK. Won't go back.
(2)
Tony C.

The Wilmette dining scene has improved dramatically in the past year, so we decided to try The Chop House. The atmosphere is elegant and more intimate than that of most of the other restaurants in the area. Having a piano player is a nice touch and gives a 'downtown' feel to a suburban eatery. Service staff were top notch and friendly, not the usual high school kids you expect at suburban places. The menu is not extensive, but has a good variety of offerings. I had the highly recommended pork chop which was OUTSTANDING. Be warned, it's enough for a small family. We also had the duck, which was only ok. We just prefer a crisper skin and an citrus sauce that's less 'muddy'. Overall, loved the experience and we will be back.
(4)
Dean S.

Wilmette Steak Nazi! I would give this place 0 stars if possible, because they refused to serve me and my wife. I bought a Groupon that was only good on Tues-Thurs, and their website lists hours as Tues-Sunday from 5pm til 10pm. I called to try to make a reservation, no one answered. I dropped by (I don't live far) and the restaurant had many people in there, but I was told the kitchen was closed (it was 9 pm). When I pointed this out the website said 5pm-10pm, the manager became hostile, and berated me for not knowing the hours, even though the only place the "hours" were listed were on a piece of paper taped to the door. I played the phone message that said the restaurant was open from 5pm-"Close" and showed him the website which said 5pm -10pm. In other words, they took my money, gave me a narrow window to use the Groupon, lied about their hours and on top of it were rude and condescending. They didn't even bother answering the phone and I called twice. So glad I didn't bother eating the food. How good could it be? I can go to EJs Place, Pete Millers, Charcoal Oven, Jameson's, etc. and be treated fairly and with respect so no need to deal with the Wilmette Steak Nazi.
(1)
Rick R.

This place is superb! Their burgers are the best and steaks are deeeeelish! Tasted the eggplant parm and it was awesome! Donna the mixologist makes great martinis! Ok my last review was not the best so as I always give places a fair shot by trying it again, I must say I probably went on an off night my first shot because my next visit was spot on! This place has gotten its opening bugs out and the food and service are what dining out should be. Go!
(4)
Otto A.

Reservations at 7:30 arrived a tad early. Hostess greeted us and took our jackets. Seated immediately although not to crowded. Waiter delivered great martinis....now 7:35 and I might have another. Hostess at small bar surfing web with screen turned toward diners the entire time. Bread loaf very nice crisp on outside, tastie dough. Chef salad- to much balsamic, artichokes from a can, can do at home. Lobster bisque a tad fishy. Chicken parmesan...order order order..awesome twist I won't reveal. Sea bass special, again, great cut yet a little fishy. Owner-chef visits table and cares. Desert. SERIOUS, the best bread pudding ever....cherries, raisins, and don't forget adding vanilla ice cream. Mmmm the couch awaits. Overall could be a five star if not for fishy fish. I would suggest paring down the number of specials, maybe just two. Having so many specials may put stress on the finances of an emerging restaurant and if not done well a first timer may not return. I will try again in a month and hope to boost my rating to at least 4 stars.
(3)

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Address : 1162 Wilmette Ave
Wilmette, IL, 60091
Phone (847) 278-2462
Website https://wilmettechophouse.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Wilmette Chop House

1162 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL, 60091

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