Latest Reviews
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If you enjoy a pretentious restaurant with a bare and minimalist setting, this is the place for you. Classic example of an establishment that has been…
Famous T
Boltwood
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From the start our waiter had an attitude that said he didn't care about us or the food he was serving us. The appetizers were good but my entree was …
Scott Wilkerson
Boltwood
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We had to wait awhile for our table even though we had a reservation. They gave us complimentary Fries. The best. They make really good cocktails. Din…
Teri L. Barton
Boltwood
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Boltwood is open for Casual Dining. Boltwood serves New American dishes. Incorrect or missing information? Make a report, or claim the restaurant if you own it!Details
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9 Reviews on “Boltwood”
We had to wait awhile for our table even though we had a reservation. They gave us complimentary Fries. The best. They make really good cocktails. Dinner was worth the wait. I stepped outside my comfort zone and ordered the pork belly. I was not disappointed. It was an overall enjoyable evening. The staff and service were great!
Boltwood is a great restaurant that excels. They have a creative menu, that changes daily, using locally sourced food. We’ve been to Boltwood about a dozen times since their opening last year. The food has been phenomenal, from the appetizers to the main course, everything was great. Chef Brian Huston is a very talented chef, and the Boltwood staff is extremely friendly and attentive. Yes, it can a little loud when it’s full, but many improvements in acoustics have been made and the difference is noticable. Without a doubt the best food in Evanston.
This Little Piggie. Boltwood has a very creative menu using locally produced food and the sides are really good BUT we had porchetta that was tough and almost inedible. When brussels sprouts taste better than the meat, you know there’s a problem. I would go back but not order pork! It was a tough little piggy. Also the place is a bit noisy, the music too loud.
Almost There…… Food and staff get top marks. Spare Ribs and Tri-tip were cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. Crispy Potatoes are annoyingly addicting! (yum!!) Noise, as others have noted, is a real issue. We were seated earlier in the evening and the noise level was already high with the restaurant only 1/2 full. By the time we left, the only way to communicate was via texting, with no hope of understanding a word our patient server was saying. (Be prepared to use sign-language) Also, wine selection (by glass) is a bit underwhelming, but just like a good wine I expect that this will only improve with the age of the restaurant.We really want to go again, but my husband is very reluctant until the noise issue is addressed. Keeping my fingers crossed….
Terrific. Can’t wait to try this place again. The food and the service were exceptional. John Kim does a great job with front of the house and Chef Huston is amazing. I’m told they are fixing the noise level that some are talking about. I didn’t have a problem with the volume. I was too impressed with the food.
Phenomenal. The food here is unbelievable. From the appetizers to the main course, everything was great. Chef Brian Huston is a genius. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. It’s also just a beautiful space. It is a little bit loud but they are working on that. Without a doubt the bes food in Evanston.
I so wanted to love this place…. Being a neighborhood resident, a foodie, and one concerned with where my food comes from. Alas, the cons outweigh the pros and I don’t think we’ll be back. Here’s why:1 – The Dealbreaker: The noise level is so unbearable we couldn’t wait to get out of there. There is not a shred of anything textile that could possibly absorb sound. It’s so pretentious to think working people will suffer through the trying-too-hard-to-be-a hipster-place noise level to eat the food here.1a – Decor: Or lack thereof. Hard wood benches at a right angle and the kind of hard wood chairs you’d see at a coffee shop. And putting diners with their backs to the window is really bad feng shui; I don’t think a pro designed this place. Exposed ductwork and nothing at all to absorb sound. On top of that, there is some pop music thudding away (all you can hear is the bass, it’s that loud in here) that people have to yell over. I could not hear my husband right across from me. So stressful. Why do restaurants have to play music at all? Can’t people enjoy the food in peace? I felt the same way about the Publican – great food, but put it on the D.N.R. list because of the noise level. 2 – Not Sure About the FoodI ordered the lake perch. It tasted and looked like a jerky treat i would give my pet. The portion was painfully small and overcooked. The fried green tomatoes were encased in a breading so hard, I cut into one and it shot off my plate. The remoulade had merit, but there was not enough of it to save this dish. I sent it back and ordered the market salad after that, which was tasty if unremarkable. My husband enjoyed the mussels and the bread and butter is good. I’d give the food another try if it wasn’t so loud. BUT IT IS SO SO LOUD.3 – Puzzling MenuThere is no clear grouping of appetizers, sides, mains or salads. It’s hard to figure out what is a small plate and what isn’t. Very challenging to find flavor pairings as well. And with the noise, you really cannot have a conversation with your server.4 – Communal BathroomsI do not want to share a bathroom that men use, and especially not in a restaurant.The Pros: The restaurant was gracious enough to comp the salad and remove the perch from our check. The food did come out hot and promptly, and we were seated on time with our reservation. The cocktail my husband ordered was well mixed. The candle on the table was nice. And I like that they brought a carafe of water without ice so we didn’t have to deal with the annoyance of constant water refilling that we experience in so many restaurants. Hence the second star.