The food was amazing but the service was off putting to say the least. We came in and within 10 minutes of our reservation start time our server asked if we were ready to order and we said we needed more time for entrees but have already ordered apps and he CHECKED HIS WATCH?!? Not the biggest of deals and the rest of the meal went well except for the fact it was extremely clear they needed our table through out the entire meal. We were there for less then 2 hours as a party of 5 and the host thought it was necessary to drop check prior to asking for dessert and it felt extremely rude. We were celebrating a special event, and we weren't even given the time turn time for a 4 top let alone the party of our size. I'm extremely disappointed by the service tonight. I work in the industry and recommended this place for my friend's special event and I feel stupid to do so based on the way we were treated. Great food but the staff is clearly here to maximize turn times and not cater to guest experience and it fully shows. Will not be coming back sadly because of this. As a fellow industry employee, I was absolutely appalled by the behavior I saw tonight. read more

Nice ambiance, great service and great food. Top pork for date night but not a quiet place.

One of the best meals we've had in Chicago. Better than most steakhouses in the city with a cozy, relaxing, upscale neighborhood vibe. Food and drinks were phenomenal. Ask for Wally. He was great, the perfect mixture of professionalism and charm. read more

Came for my sister's birthday over the weekend. Had high hopes for this place but was extremely disappointed. The establishment is in a basement and the tables are crammed in. Our server made us feel rushed and the price point was ridiculous. Martinis are $25 each - I've had better at a corner bar. Our meals were lukewarm at best by the time they got to our tables and our waiter was no where to be found. The NY Strip had a huge vein in it at $64 I would expect a center cut. And the Ribeye was way too much grizzle. I get a Ribeye has fat but shouldn't have grizzle. The mushrooms lacked any type of flavor I would have preferred canned mushrooms. I don't see how this place will make it very far they have way too much competition in Chicago. read more

A new favorite in the city! The filet with truffle butter was incredible and the wagyu board was unreal. I loved the aesthetic of the restaurant as well. read more

I dined here for a birthday recently and it didnt go well - I'm only writing this review because I tried sharing feedback privately and no one responded. While the service was decent, our server rushed us to order all at once, stating that this was the restaurant policy. We followed the process and ultimately ended up eating $300 of cold food. The next day I was ill, so bad I saw my dr, learned my symptoms were potentially due to cross contamination and undercooked meat, with the recommendation to contact the restaurant directly just in case, I ended up contacting them to report, followed up 3 separate times via email and no one responded to me. They also overcharged me by a large amount and continue to fight the claim I filed with my bank, yet still haven't responded to my 3 emails. I read other reviews similar to mine but only afterwards which was an even bigger disappointment. I won't be back but hopefully they make improvements! read more

I will preface this by saying it just opened. If you are going to say you are a steak restaurant it better be good. The steaks were fair at best. Steak tartare was brown and full of way too many cornichons; should have sent it back. My husband was so excited to see a Vesper on the menu under specialty cocktail. A vesper is made with orange twist not lemon; glass should be cold. Been to Dukes bar in London the originator of the Vesper. Skip the octopus appetizer very dry. The pasta was very good sad since it markets itself as a steak restaurant. Cholate cake was good but very pricey. read more

Amazing hostess very sweet our server Oscar was great! Food absolutely incredible best steak in the city

Absolutely amazing! Such wonderful food, service and Ambiance. This restaurant is the best new addition to Lincoln Park.

It's nice to have a new more upscale option in the neighborhood but honestly, it's nothing that special. Our servers were overzealous and uninformed. It's a very small dark space albeit lovely with no windows downstairs. I found it cozy but I heard others feeling cramped depending on how you view it. Upstairs is more just a bar area. We enjoyed an appetizer of oysters, 2 mains; Chilean sea bass, a steak and 2 glasses of wine. I doubt I'd return unless they offered local price fix nights or happy hours. It's tough to justify when you have a great chef at home! I'd much prefer Moni Mi Gabi if one were to compare. Price point is way off for what it is. $300 for two. read more

Halsted's restaurant row just got a new gem to try. The Butcher and the Bear is a swanky dinner destination with a feel of prohibition era upperclass stylish supper club, with tin ceilings, red velvet drapes, gold centerpiece lights (that could be changed to brighter setting to read menu easier) and a staff that is already gelled like veteran pros. We were greeted by every member on our way past the decorative bar lounge to our table on the mezzanine level. Kat was our server and she quickly ran through the menu pointing out the nuances the chef has chosen to showcase all the great meats and seafood we can to try. From Veal to octopus, oysters and salads, but the stars of the show were the steaks. Our table ordered the rib-eye, NY strip and filet. All came out at perfect temperature. The assorted mushrooms and beans and kale were perfect sides to max out the flavors of the meal. Desert if bananas foster gelato and a 1/4 slice of a huge chocolate cake with gold flakes in the frosting. One could serve the whole table. Priced fair for the highest quality selections. Got a $75 coupon for using the InKind app to make Rsvp and pay the bill. Perfect place to impress a date, or business clients or with a group of foodie friends. read more

Came here for a date night with my husband and we both had a great time. We loved the dark ambiance. We really enjoyed their grilled octopus and scallops. The wagyu cheek was very flavorful but a little too salty for us. read more

The decor was very well done and tables are comfortably spaced; the service was excellent providing attention - but not overwhelming - more anticipation of our needs with good knowledge of the menu. Food was so good we started to share everything and we all agreed ours was the best with tastes and felt the quality of ingredients was there and we found a nice wine that we all liked congratulations B/B read more

The line a picture is worth a thousand words is definitely not true for Butcher and the Bear. You can see pictures of their amazing food, have ideas, thoughts and your taste buds can dance from miles away. Until you are actually at the restaurant, feel the vibe and receive service that is second to none. You realize you are a masterclass restaurant eating food that once eaten will leave those pictures in the dust. The owners of this restaurant have put their hearts and souls into this restaurant, so nothing is left to question. Enjoy your dinner because the pictures are nice, but the real thing is a must for everyone. Cheers !!!! read more

In general, the food was delicious, they put us at the worst table, even though the place was empty. The service could have been better. low light, intimate place, cozy ambiance. read more

Our server was so sweet and helped guide us to pick items I wouldn't normally try and was blown away by the beet salad and carrots which were both sensational. We both loved our steaks and felt like the ambiance was really fun. Feels really sexy and smoky inside - perfect for a date night! There is also great bar seating if you are dining solo or want to walk in and dine. read more

Everything is perfect from the food to the service. Recommend very highly . Great atmosphere

An amazing new restaurant! There with my family for Mother's Day and the food was spectacular. My husband and I shared the Tomahawk steak for two and my daughter and son-in-law shared the Porterhouse steak for two. Steaks cooked to perfection and sides complemented everything. Had the oyster and octopus for appetizer, highly recommend. Can't wait to be back... hats off to the Butcher and the Bear! read more

5 stars across the board! Best spot in town! Food, service, and ambiance is incredible!!

Really great experience all around. Beautiful decor, cozy and chic. The food was outstanding, some of the most spectacular meat offerings in the city. And our server Stefanie was top-notch, clearly a pro! So glad to have a cozy, cool place like this in the neighborhood. We will most certainly be back again soon! read more

Love the vibes and food/drinks are phenomenal! New favorite spot in LP, can't wait to come back!

I had high hopes as it's in our neighborhood and we really wanted to support. As soon as I sat down, the experience was rushed and frustrating. I didn't even have my coat off (and was still waiting for my husband to come in) when the waiter wanted a water preference. Ok not a big deal. We looked over the menu and I asked the waiter if he needed the whole order. He said yes so we gave him the full order. We started with the octopus which was tasty but the smallest portion I've ever had for the cost. Somewhat disappointing, but we were still hopeful it wouldn't matter. Then onto the salad which was actually pretty good but mid-way through, waiter is standing there with the entrees. Awkward and rushed but if the food was ready, let's keep going I guess. Both steak and fish were lukewarm. Why rush the salad when the food is already cold? He was either incompetent and ordered everything at same time or did it on purpose to try to quickly turn our table. I think he was more concerned about his tip rather than our experience TBH. Super sucky. We should have canceled the fish and sent the steak back to be warmed but my husband was trying to be chill (and was hungry) so he hung onto the steak and I asked for the fish to be warned up. The "warm-up" made zero difference but by this point I was so pissed. The lousy pours of wine didn't help matters. I tried to be understanding, but he could tell we were ready to wrap it up...or maybe he didn't b/c he tried making up for it with a comped dessert...but it was too little too late. Ironic that now he wasn't trying to rush us out... honestly though, for $350, I would have liked to have enjoyed the actual food I ordered including my salad and the $50 sea bass I was looking forward to. We are used to paying top dollar for a quality experience/food, but this missed the mark so bad. The whole experience felt like a trap and a complete waste of time and resources. This is sadly NOT the high-end steakhouse they're trying to portray. read more

best service , However very very cozy and intimate so keep that in mind when booking . The food was amazing though, my favorite was the carrot cake one of the best I've had in the city! read more