Everything about this restaurant is outstanding. Wonderfully decorated without being so stuffy looking, you are put at ease the minute you walk through the doors. Our waitress Rachel was beyond outstanding. She was very knowledgeable and extremely accommodating as we had a friend with dietary restrictions (gluten free). All the courses we had were delicious from the root vegetable salad to the tasty steaks which were cooked to perfection. Will definitely be returning ! read more

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Incredible food and drinks in a great atmosphere. Service was fantastic. Highly recommend

The Butcher & The Bear! The steaks were excellent, and the Wagyu tasting board was an absolute standout -- rich, tender, and full of flavor. But the real surprise? Wagyu fat + butter chocolate chip cookies served with vanilla ice cream and milk. Hands down one of the most simple, creative + delicious desserts I've ever had. read more

The food was absolutely amazing. We also appreciated us being compensated for our reservation being a little late. We were 10 minutes late and called them due to a traffic delay, but because of it. Our reaervation got pushed back 45 minutes, but they were great. The place is gorgeous and intimate. We had the porterhouse and split it. It was so good! The biscoff cheese cake was the creamiest the sauce tasted exactly like biscoff even without the cookie. Well worth it!!!! read more

Butcher & The Bear - Biscoff Cheesecake - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'll start with the service, which was really great! All the staff (not just our server) were so attentive and pleasant. It's a very dark and romantic kind of vibe in there. We were in the basement, I'm not sure if there's space other than that. It's a bit of close quarters but overall really nice. Now, the food was also so great! My filet was cooked perfectly and the potatoes were to die for. I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce that came with the broccolini, but it was cooked well. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Omar our server was FANTASTIC!!! Our dinner was made so fun by him and his recommendations we loved coming here and will be coming back soon. The steak tartare was amazing, the steak was a perfect medium rare and the chocolate cake was to die for. Doesn't hurt that the restaurant vibes are so cool, picturesque speakeasy vibes with mood lighting. read more

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I was brought here for dinner by a good friend. It was crowded. We had 7:15 reservations, but weren't seated until an HOUR later. There were 3 or 4 other parties waiting as well who had the same reservation time or close to it. The hostess (who was nice and trying her best) just kept saying we should be seated soon. Did they offer us a drink or anything due to the long wait? No. The table where they eventually sat us was right smack next to a table for 4, where they had awkwardly stuck 5 people. So it was like we were all having dinner together. There was a small space between where I sat and the next person sat at that table, so when the waiter came to service them, his butt was right in my face. They did bring us an appetizer (we didn't get to pick) as an apology for having to wait so long to be seated. But I don't eat red meat or pork, so I couldn't enjoy it. I ordered the salmon with green beans and my friend ordered the steak. The salmon (which was hot) was sitting on the green beans - that were cold. I asked for new green beans and they apologized and brought out a separate bowl. They were hot, but way too doused with soy for my taste and it was difficult to enjoy them. The salmon was good, but no way worth $47. $28 would have been applicable. My friend did enjoy his steak. After the meal, they brought us a dessert as another apology. It was good, but very, very sweet. During the meal, our water glasses were never refilled and we were never checked on to see how everything was. Then after my friend gave the waiter his credit card, he came back with the bill only to apologize because he charged someone else's $800 meal on the card. He said he canceled it and gave my friend the receipt "if he needed to prove it." After everything that happened, I expected the manager to come talk to us and apologize in person. Even to offer us another opportunity to try them again another night on the house wouldn't be unrealistic. But that didn't happen. Ironically, I really wanted to like the restaurant and I did like the atmosphere - it's somewhat romantic and very cute and warm - but it's too crammed with tables and too loud. The people who work there are nice. I just expected a lot more from the food and service at these prices. read more

The food was INCREDIBLE!! The beef tallow candle concept is super unique and amazing to dip your steak in! The focaccia, New York strip, whipped potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and rigatoni were all amazing. The ambiance is super dark and intimate, perfect for a special occasion. read more

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Butcher and the Bear delivered an incredible dining experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely outstanding, we started with incredibly fresh oysters, then moved on to the wagyu tallow candle, which was rich, aromatic, and such a unique, memorable touch. The wagyu tasting board was phenomenal, with every cut cooked perfectly and bursting with deep, buttery flavor. The lamb was equally impressive, tender, juicy, and expertly seasoned. We ended with the dessert flight, which was as beautiful as it was delicious. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and full of creativity. They also have octopus, tartare, ribeye, rigatoni, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, and many more. The whole team and staff were so kind and attentive. They were so energetic and always asking all the customers if they need something. The overall atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. I can't wait to return and try even more from their menu! Thank you, Butcher and The Bear! read more

This was a wonderful birthday celebration for my wife and I. I'm not always a fan of steakhouses but Butcher and the Bear does well to push the boundaries to give good variety. Everything we ate was delicious and I'd happily return to try more of their offerings. The ambiance makes for a nice date night and the service was spot on and attentive. Thanks to Katherine for helping make it a great night! read more

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Fabulous experience. Ambiance was classy and charming, there was gorgeous woodwork, and low lighting so bring those readers. Perfect date spot though there were small friend groups too Food amazing- Our steak was fantastic, and blue cheese crusted. Focaccia was delicious but the two butter options were out of this world. To die for mashed potatoes. Service- very attentive server staff, excellent service all around. We had a reservation and were seated right away. Very pricey but nothing more than what I would expect from a high quality steakhouse I highly recommend a visit. read more

This place is definitely a hidden gem in LP/Lakeview. Our server was super friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is fantastic inside even though it can get a little dark, but you can adjust the light at the table to like a cooler/warmer tone depending on how you're feeling. My partner and I took our parents here and had a blast! Bavettes is usually my go to place for steak, but we wanted to try something different that is outside of the Loop which is how we ended up here. I felt like the price was super reasonable for the quality of the meat you're getting. My mom took one bite and immediately said she loves it more than Bavettes! We ordered a few ribeye to share and my partner did the filet mignon. For the sides, we did whipped potatoes, brussels sprouts, broccolini, and mushrooms. The mushrooms did not look appetizing when they first served it because it looked shredded/chopped up but it was the highlight of the night! I thought the broccolini was slightly undercooked but the seasoning spot on. Whipped potatoes and brussels sprouts, I feel like you can't really mess these up. Overall, our families had a great time and I can't wait to be back when I'm feeling steak again. Plenty of street parking outside and honestly it's a good area to walk around after dinner because you're in LP/Lakeview. Sorry I didn't take a ton of pictures because it was so dark! read more

Butcher & The Bear - Ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Where to start? Walking in, the decor was upscale, warm and inviting with a strong speakeasy vibe. Front desk and wait staff was friendly and welcoming. And the food!!!! We were a large group and we tried several things on the menu. Every time I would try something I thought it was my favorite until I tried the next thing!! So basically I couldn't pick a favorite- every thing I've tried was delicious with spectacular and innovative presentation-focaccia with tallow candle, salmon with the potato nest -just to name a few. Then, moving on to dessert...never in my life did I have something so delicious as the panna cotta served in a beautiful glass garnished with edible flowers. And the carrot cake with crunchy bits of fried carrot was out of this world! I cannot wait to go again!! read more

I had an okay experience. I was actually a bit underwhelmed. I've seen so many raving reviews online but the experience felt flat for me. The place is really nice and mood, very intimate which I loved. Service was fine and the food was just okay. Nothing was amazing, especially when it comparing it to other steak spots in Chicago. The focaccia bread had a nice presentation, but the bread wasn't as soft. NY strip was fine, mac and cheese lacked flavor, fries were very tasty and crispy. The 20k chocolate cake was massive but also just okay. read more

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Went to Butcher and the Bear for a girls' night and it did not disappoint. The vibe was fun and lively but still perfect for catching up. We shared a few steaks and sides -- everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The cocktails were great too! Totally worth it for a fun night out in Chicago. Would definitely go back. read more

This is the ultimate hidden gem! The service is amazing (thanks Kat!). The food is absolutely out of this world. The whipped potatoes and crème brûlée gelato sell this place enough. Will definitely recommend and return! read more

Butcher & The Bear - Wagyu tasting with lobster tail and whipped potatoes. - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sorry but this is not it. It's cute inside but we spent about 1000 for 4 people. We love steak tartar but this has to be the worst I've had. Soggy salad. Gross tartar. Foie gras on toast was actually foie gras on white bread. Oysters Rockefeller were good. Unfortunately most of the appetizers were poorly executed. The steak was decent but not worth the price. The dessert was good nothing great. Service was ok. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Soggy salad. Gross tartar. Foie gras on toast was actually foie gras on white bread. - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Friendly staff. And the staff truly look and feel like they enjoy each others company. Great drinks and service at the bar. Good food. Nice player. Will be back for sure. read more

I love it when a new steak spot opens in the neighborhood and this one didn't disappoint. A nice cozy atmosphere and on this visit we ate at the bar. My wife has the seafood salad to start and said it was excellent. I skipped the apps and went straight for the steak - which was excellent. A perfectly cooked filet mignon with truffle butter. I had the double baked potato which was good but not great. A shout-out to the bartender Omar who was super friendly, made great recommendations and shared a few jokes. Glad we tried and will be back! read more

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Chicago Restaurant Week outdid themselves at this spot. Wagyu toast, Steak & Frites, and a Chocolate Chip Sundae - what an excellent trio and what an exceptional restaurant. The service is spot on and the food is savory. read more

I'm so happy there is now an excellent steakhouse nearby, that doesn't require going downtown. While I love Gibsons Italia, most times I don't have the energy to go downtown. Butcher and the Bear impressed me. I am very picky steak eater...I often make tomahawks and rib eyes at home and most restaurants don't cook as well as I do. My husband and I came for happy hour and sat at the bar chatting with the bartender. The bartender, I think his name is Omar...Anyway he was so fun and personable. We went downstairs for dinner. The restaurant is cozy and romantic. Our server Natalia was very attentive and had a welcoming disposition. I failed to get photos of the Caesar salad which was very good (RPM makes the best Caesar ). The steak was seasoned and cooked to perfection, and dessert 5Stars. We would definitely come back. It is very pricey, however worth the cost of very good food. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Delicious cheesecake - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely love this dark, sexy , hidden gem (in Lincoln Park of all places!). We went for happy hour - which kindly runs until 7:00 PM The bartender Patrick was super friendly and helpful. He made an amazing drink for me and even subbed gin for vodka in their Salty Bear drink (delicious) We had the shrimp cocktail, oysters and the caviar & chips. Really enjoyed everything - and the space is so unexpected and cool. Dimly lit and cool design - felt like a little speakeasy Will definitely go back for dinner and encourage you to try it! read more

The food was top tier! Definitely pricier restaurant but makes sense - the steak was incredible! Service was fast & excellent & lots of attention. The ambiance was sort of like a speak easy vibe. read more

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I've only been to the bar, but it's fab!! The aesthetic is very moody and dark. The service is phenomenal, the bartender was extremely knowledgeable and friendly! We had a few drinks that were great along with the burger that you can only get at the bar (massive pile of fries) and to finish we did the cheesecake which was quite large and delish!! read more

Butcher & The Bear - Cocktail - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service was great! Food was all explained very well and was all great! Only thing I would say is the tempo was a little fast.. I would have liked the food to come out a little slower between courses read more

Butcher & The Bear - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The beef tallow candle is a must try and the service was amazing! The steak was also cooked to perfection!

we had a wonderful dinner here! we really enjoyed the steak and salmon. The ambience was nice and we already want to go back and try more dishes. read more

Food was great and it was so vibey inside. We split oysters to start, half west coast half east coast. Then got the brick chicken and filet mignon steak. Both were great and I'll be dreaming about the steak. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Oysters - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was hesitant to try after a while of living nearby and WOWWW it delivered. great drinks. super cool cozy environment like a Gilt or Trivoli. And the food delivered!! We got wedge salad, steak frites & ribeye and it was all truly AMAZING. locally sourced meat/fish. and incredible dessert. wait staff was 10/10. we're sad we didn't try sooner for special occasions ($$$$). Amazing give it a try read more

One of the best in Chicago. Everything is legit perfection. If you have the luxury of having Cat (Kat?) as a server then you are a blessed human. Treat that treasure right. read more

Dimly lit classic Chicago speakeasy vibes with delicious cocktails and a wide selection of not only steaks but chef curated dishes. Perfect date night spot with attentive front staff that are knowledgeable about the menu and unique wines. read more

Very welcoming staff, excellent streak and mushrooms, great wine by the glass for solo diners. Will be back!

Great upscale steakhouse added to the Lincoln park neighborhood. You can get the same experience here without going to River North or the West Loop. I visited during restaurant week and the service was prompt and the food and drink orders came out shortly right after placing the orders. The menu is a bit minimal I would say. Steak was cooked perfectly with the char. Don't skip out on the desserts, they taste homemade in house. read more

Incredible food! This is my go-to spot for any special occasion or celebration. I brought my mother here for Mother's Day months ago and she still talks about the food to this day. Everything is delicious and stunning. The service is wonderful and we really enjoyed the intimate ambiance. Would recommend for anyone! read more

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So this is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to in my life. Everything was so on point and service was five star perfect with zero 'hovering'. Well worth the splurge for such a great meal. Food highlights were the wagyu steak, great oysters, and a dessert that I can only describe as a donut with ice cream. But it was next level. This place has such a cozy vibe, just go you'll love it. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Wagyu steak tasting board with lobster - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had the pleasure of experiencing this restaurant recently, and I would gladly return! The server was extremely helpful and provided excellent recommendations! She also was very friendly and added a hint of comedy here and there. The food was excellent. I tried the oysters rockefeller, squash salad, broccolini, NY strip, mac & cheese (awesome cheese pull) and the 20K chocolate cake! I enjoyed each of them! The ambiance is perfect for a date night or a nice night out with friends or family! read more

The service was very basic at the host stand, decent with clearing the table and/or providing water refills. It was a great service from our server. She was truly a pro. Knew the menu in and out, with a nice tone of voice and engaging just the right amount. The food was good - not exceptional. No crust on a fillet, slightly cold meat. And the presentation felt lonely...but most importantly it took so long. A solid 1.5 hours until we got food. Personally I found the environment of this restaurant to be just "trying too hard". Very dark inside but loud both from the echo of conversation and from the music. It was not comfortable to speak amongst the table unless you raised your voice. I was hoping for more of a cozy place to dine and host and I might have had to done better research. read more

Butcher & The Bear - Lonely steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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All was good until the entrees were recieved...I ordered Scallops with poblano cream sauce, corn hash $40.00. As the server placed the plate in front of me I exclaimed I ordered the entree NOT the appetizer as there was only 3 scallops on the plate and some corn hash spread between. The sever assured me that what was in front of me was the entree...I was shocked. The food was good but definitely NOT worth $13.33 per scallop. Please stop describing your dressing as Green Goddess when it's definitely a more herbaceous pesto based. read more

We had an incredible experience here. The service is unmatched. I've never experienced this level of service even at a nice steak restaurant. We felt so taken care of by our server and the sommelier. Their attention to detail, personal recommendations, and their conversations with us were outstanding. The food, as expected, was wonderful. No notes. I don't think you can make a wrong choice. The vibe/decor is really cool. The restaurant was a lot smaller than I thought but it felt so cozy and kind of exclusive. I'd really like to come back for happy hour at the bar! They have both food and drinks deals that look great. Edited to add: GET THE CARROT CAKE. Omg it was amazing read more

This is true culinary excellence. The menu is refined and elevated. The speakeasy atmosphere is alluring. And the food is delicious. I want to keep coming back as nearly every item on the menu seemed mouthwatering. read more