Tonight makes our 2nd visit to The Dawson and I can say with confidence that there will be a 3rd. The service is always friendly and everything we ordered was tasty and fresh. Sit outside when the weather is nice and enjoy the nice ambiance. Both times we orders the fish tacos and burger. The fish today was baha striped bass. It's a huge filet that is grilled and served with flour tortillas, citrus/vinegar slaw, habanero salsa and pico. It's large enough to share and make at least 6 full tacos. We also started with the chicken fried lobster and it was definitely worth it. It comes with 3 half tails and it's a good sharing appetizer. Just a heads up with parking. We parked about half a block down in a side street and our car window was broken into and my wife's bag stolen. read more

The Dawson - Baha striped sea bass, burger and Mac n Cheese. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been wanted to check this place out for about 2.5 years and finally my best friend and I decided to make dinner reservations after work on Thursday. Their patio looked beautiful and the weather was awesome all week. Then, of course, Thursday came and so did a huge thunder storm. BUT we made the best of it and it inside is also nice. My fiance tagged along hah. We had some burrata to start, pretty decent but not memorable. My fiance has the spanish octopus which he enjoyed on his own since my friend and I don't eat seafood. For entrees, my friend had the chicken which was massive! And she actually managed to eat a good portion of it. I had their tortellini which was really delicate and who my fiance had some other seafood dish which was also filling. I definately want to come back when we can enjoy their patio. read more

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Met a longtime friend for dinner on a Wednesday and was seated immediately on the patio. The server was quick to get our drink order in and bring them out to us. Then we took a while trying to figure out what to order, everything looked so good! We finally decided on splitting the fish taco dinner with the fish that night being bass. It was a massive amount of food with six tortillas, guac, and other garnish with the fish, but very tasty! Only took off a star because it is pricey and our server was a little slow to take our food order and bring the check. I wish I had taken photos but got too caught up in the night! read more

I am on an outdoor patio tour of my own doing in Chicago. This was the first stop of the season. The atmosphere and the patio is incredible and my server Stephanie was wonderful. The ONLY reason it isn't five stars is that the food is just average. And the desert menu is lacking and simple at best. However.. the frozen expresso martini was spot on!! read more

The Dawson - Frozen expresso martini. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been coming to The Dawson for years and just last week realized I had never reviewed it. I'll keep things brief: As a place to sit outdoors and/or drink fancy cocktails while people-watching at the fabulous upstairs bar, The Dawson is probably my favorite go-to pre-party spot to hit before walking or driving into the West Loop. Since it's just outside of that area, I can usually slide right in and get drinks; I love sitting at that bar, and even though the prices for the drinks might be $1-$2 too high, I have the West Loop frame of mind when I'm at The Dawson so I don't mind as much. As a place to eat a full meal? I have done this twice--once for a dinner date, and once for a corporate catered event--and I think the food is only OK, especially for the price. Nothing terrible happened during those meals, but nothing spectacular happened either. I just wouldn't choose to come eat here for anything more than appetizers, which is what I did when I visited two weeks ago. Looking forward to many more "stop by and have a drink" nights at this place! read more

Went to the Dawson for brunch and it was pretty decent, but probably not special enough for us to return. I got two drinks - something about Not a French Martini which was so sweet that it tasted like the kind of syrup you'd add to liquor and a mixer to make a good cocktail. The Tipperary Blond tasted kind of like lemon cleaner? Not in a bad way, weirdly, just kind of astringent. My biggest knock on this place was the breakfast poutine. It's set in front of me and there are no cheese curds on it. I asked our waitress if there was any cheese in it and she looked at me like I was crazy. I then ordered a cheese curds appetizer to accompany the poutine. They were fried so not ideal. Who has ever heard of a poutine without cheese curds!?! Our server (I think her name was Taylor) was lovely. Points for her. read more

Service is excellent... very accommodating and aware, punctual and helpful without being overbearingor snobby, Drinks are amazing especially the Greenhouse Gimlet!! The food is very good but specifically the halibut is amazing. I think it may have been the best I've ever had and I ordered it knowing most places don't do it well but so happy I did. Perfectly seared, the corn "crema" was the perfect compliment to this dish. The only thing I would warn on is if you eat the peppers (which is my opinion are a fantastic and a very creative addition to this dish) you better love hot. That being said, the dish itself is not spicy, only if you eat the peppers (which i did bc they were delicious)I love spice but being white I sweat, and I did. That being said I held myself back from licking the plate bc I was in public. Clearly this restaurant has an incredibly talented staff both heart of house and front of house. Excellent place five stars all the way Oh also steak tartare! Very good. It was something of a blend of French and American. I love both so having it be (imo) q combination of both was awesome. read more

Outstanding brunch featuring boozy breakfast beverages, including the spicy Dawson Bloody Mary ($11). The trendy Avocado Toast ($15) is a real standout with roasted tomato, scrambled eggs and pesto. The Chorizo Hash ($14) is pleasantly spicy, with house made sausage, chihuahua cheese, a perfectly cooked egg and pickled jalapeno. The massive Breakfast Torta ($16) has a tender, properly pounded pork cutlet, spicy beans, avocado, lettuce and egg. Don't forget the Bacon Flight ($20) with designer bacon offerings like blackstrap molasses, allspice and glazed cinnamon bacon. For slightly lighter, but plentiful portion, try the locally smoked Forman & Son salmon ($16) on a sweetly caramelized onion bialy (Polish bagel) with marinated beets, cucumber ribbons, dill cream cheese and thinly sliced onions. The only thing missing at The Dawson is a place for your mid-morning nap! read more

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I went to The Dawson with family and friends today for brunch and we sat on the beautiful Christmas side! It was such a vibe! The food was outstanding and the service was fantastic! Jenna was our server and made our experience memorable! I'll definitely be back here. read more

My favorite brunch spot in Chicago. The atmosphere is aesthetically pleasing and the food and cocktails are phenomenal. After a long and fun filled girls weekend, we enjoyed brunch at The Dawson. I truly enjoyed the taste of authentic grits with the shrimp and grits as well as the chicken and waffles. Both being staple brunch items in the South, The Dawson didn't miss. They also have a nice refreshing option for brunch cocktails as well as mocktails, in which one of our friends truly enjoyed. If you are in the Chicago area, stop and check them out! read more

Wonderful all around! From entering the hostesses checked our vax cards and ids, we were seated on time with our reservation, treated to champagne from a friend as we were celebrating two occasions (bachelorette and birthday) enjoyed various cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and shared a dessert... the peanut butter fudge pie with an oreo crust (damn that was delicious)! Everything was outstanding, service was stellar, I already want to go back and indulge some more. read more

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I love The Dawson. A great spot for a date night, a celebratory dinner, or happy hour. The ambiance is City Chic and ultra grown and sexy (which translates to "see and be seen," so know that if it's not your jam). Food We started with the fried lobster (with spicy ranch sauce) and the queso (came with tortillas). Both appetizers were delicious. The lobster was a splurge and more of a one-person snack (or, I guess you could share if you wish). The queso was a generous portion that would work as a shared dish with 3-4 people. For the entrees, we ordered the burger and the steak frites (salmoriglio marinade, maître d'butter, garlic pecorino aioli). The steak was perfect as at medium rare and, the fries gave the dish the perfect crunch. The burger was delicious and cooked perfectly. We added the egg and the bacon and would have added the lobster, but you know- balance. Drinks We ordered the Foolish Wit( prairie gin, sherry, tea liqueur, yuzu, basil, lime, soda, mole; floral - lush - kinetic), and it was delicious. My husband also had an old fashioned, and he enjoyed it. They do offer a great beer and wine menu if you prefer that with your meal. We were celebrating and got a delicious dessert on the house. I believe that they have valet parking but I usually find parking on Grand ave. Go during the summer as they have a beautiful outdoor space. read more

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This spot is beautiful, as everyone who passes knows, and I am so glad I finally tried it for its famous brunch atmosphere and dining. Especially on such a beautiful sunny day, this was quite the experience. Our waiter was very quick and accommodating as well. I had the brussel sprout hash with chicken sausage. Even though I didn't originally order the chicken sausage with the dish, it was still a delicious touch. I loved the flavors of the brussel sprouts with the sweet potatoes. This went down nicely with a refreshing aperol spritz. Overall, this is a perfect brunch or lunch spot on a nice sunny day, and the food and service won't disappoint! read more

Stopped by here because missed a table in our favorite restaurant It was a positive surprise The duck is really good Excellent service Nice experience read more

A great brunch spot. We sampled a bunch of different items. The chicken fried lobster was delicious, but we wish there had been more lobster. There were 5 of us, but only enough lobster for 2. The zucchini bread was sweet and moist. I had the chicken and waffles with some country gravy, and it was phenomenal. The pancakes were light and fluffy. My husband got the shrimp and grits and he loved it as well. read more

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I love the atmosphere and vibe! The music was awesome and the patio is one of Chicago's best. Drinks solid. Fish tacos were good. It's definitely a place to visit; good for groups! read more

The Dawson - Some Like it Hot - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chorizo hash - very oily and heavy. Recommend splitting with someone to balance with something lighter. Very delicious, but I could t eat more than one taco. Staff was really great as they sat us an hour early before our friend arrived! Venue is very beautiful. There was a wedding going on upstairs when we went. read more

Great spot in the Fulton River District featuring globally-inspired American cuisine and libations. They have a great patio space (perfect during Chicago summers ) but also a beautiful indoor space with an upstairs bar. We decided to get a mixture of starter plates because we couldn't decide on just one. Everything was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend if you're out and about in the West Loop! read more

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Super cute atmosphere, incredible food and EXCELLENT service!! We came here to celebrate our anniversary and was given complimentary champagne upon being seated. All the hosts and waiters took the time to come by and congratulate us. Everyone was so sweet and amazing!! read more

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Pretty decent food. I ordered the whole grilled chicken. It was lightly seasoned with a tomato based seasoning. It had sort of an Indian tandoori chicken taste to it. I loved the Greek salad that came with it. Also ordered the cheesecake which I thought was fantastic. Lastly, The summer blueberry corn sundae was unique and I'd recommend it to try it. The atmosphere is great. We sat outside. The staff was friendly. Would love to go again and try more dishes. read more

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Upscale bistro with creative cocktails and appetizers. Have been a couple of times during different times of the day. Today we went in for brunch and I must say that their brunch is not my favorite. Regardless, The Dawson is a solid place to meet friends for cocktails. Another thing, service here is amazing. We have never had a reservation and everyone has always been super kind and accommodating. read more

Overall: The ambiance and drinks shine brightly at The Dawson. The good: The drinks are spot on, no matter what you're in the mood for. Our larger table got a healthy mixture of wine, beer, cocktails, and everyone seemed happy with their decisions. My personal choice, The Buddy System, was unique and robust in flavor. The patio was a highlight as well, with a varied mixture of greenery to go along with the "suburban deck" vibe. The elotes were incredible and the tuna ceviche was also a standout food-wise. The not-so-good: Some of the food was great but others were misses. The famous chicken fried lobster was disappointing due to being surprisingly too fried and chicken-y, with not enough emphasis on the lobster side of it. Plus it was far too small, with each person only get a bite or two if you split with 4 people. Also, the meatballs were bland and the broth they were served in wasn't very flavorful or spicy. Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 7.5/10 read more

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The Dawson has a nice selection of shareable plates and one of the best spirits lists in town. We started with ceviche and the bacon wrapped figs. Both were excellent. Buratta was less impressive and seemed a bit flavorless, although the grilled peaches accompanying it were good. For mains we had the fried chicken and the bacon burger. Both of these were also excellent. We also had mac and cheese, and grilled asparagus as sides. These were both tepid, but the manager happily replaced them and the hot versions were excellent. The outside dining area is one of the most pleasant in town, and I can imagine it being lovely to sit by the fireplace on a cool night. read more

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Recently visited Chicago and my cousin took us to this wonderful place! We were seated as soon as we got there. We started our meal with the chicken fried lobster that was super yummy! I ordered an old fashioned that was extremely well prepared. We ordered the chicken and waffle that we split which was extremely good! I would highly recommend this spot for brunch! The server was well informed about the menu and gave great recommendations! read more

The Dawson - Chicken & Waffle - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Dawson was good but not GREAT. It's very loud, which is fine, but you wouldn't really know that upon entering. The food was good, but not memorable. The service was extremely slow, but she was really nice and attentive when she did show up. read more

The Dawson - Snap pea pisco Mezcal - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really beautiful space and awesome brunch food. One of my new favorite brunches in Chicago. Went on a Saturday at 11am with a group of 5. We had a reservation but it did not seem that one was needed, it was not crowded at all. To start we ordered from their brunch cocktail list (though all the cocktails from their HUGE cocktail menu are available). The Chandon 'Sweet Star' was a nice refreshing light drink. The service was good, our water glasses were never empty. We ordered one of the Cinnamon Raisin Sticky Buns to share. I was huge and omg, so good! Our table ordered the yogurt & granola, chorizo hash, avocado toast, brussel sprout hash, and kale & farro salad. Everything was super good! My favorite was the brussel sprout hash, it had lots of good veggies. For how good this place was, I cannot believe how empty it was. read more

Pssssst .... I have to tell you something about The Dawson! (whispers) They have the whole customer service, and customer first thing nailed down in ways other restaurants in the area do not! First, we ate on the patio which considering it was a little chilly out I thought it would be uncomfortable but it was not. They have a high enough fence that blocks the majority of the wind then they have a large outdoor fireplace which made it quite comfortable and cozy. I love the stoned patio, wood burning fireplace, lantern strung lights, and the placement of the outdoor bar, I give it an A+. The food was impeccable. The mix drinks were stellar as well. What tips this place over the edge to make it a 5-star experience is the staff. I don't know who's running this place but I have to acknowledge it is definitely the work of an excellent manager to select the appropriate staff. The host Stephanie who answers the phone, resolves customer concerns and takes reservations does so with great empathy. I was terribly impressed with her and every staff member I encountered. They were polite, genuine, and knowledgeable. A lot of places hire staff that are forced to smile, and it comes across as not authentic, this this is not the case with the staff at The Dawson. They talked to everyone like they really wanted to make them happy. They went above and beyond to expect my needs before I even asked. I attended a birthday dinner here and I felt so cared for and respected, lol and it wasn't even my birthday so I can imagine the host of the party felt great. Thank you very much for reading this review. I hope you will try this place, because I know I will be back! read more

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Our party of four came here for a Memorial Day dinner, and we ate in the patio area on this beautiful evening. The food, beer menu, and vibe were all excellent at this trendy space. The desserts were also excellent and we learned that they have their own pastry chef. The only real ratings knock is that the place is on the somewhat pricey side. Our party shared the following family style: - Vegan salad - Bacon wrapped dates - Halibut entree - Crispy fried chicken entrée - Pork ragu cavatelli - Chocolate peanut butter crunch dessert - Couple of scoops of their homemade ice cream (bourbon caramel and triple vanilla bean) The wife even had a summertime self-treat of Stiegl Radler grapefruit beer (2.5% ABV), and I had a couple of draft servings of Revolution Galaxy Hero IPA (7.0% ABV). Service was excellent and they leave a carafe of ice cold water. Overall, a nice choice for that special city center dinner outing. read more

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This place is overrated and a little overpriced. Not terrible. Food was ok, atmosphere nice.

We had our wedding at the Dawson and were absolutely THRILLED with our experience! The space looked absolutely beautiful (elegant, simple, rustic), the food and wine were to die for (our guests are still raving about how delicious everything was!) and the team that worked our event took every possible step and went to great lengths to make sure every my husband and I had everything we needed before we even thought to ask! Shout out to Sheena and Branko for taking such good care of us and making our wedding so special and memorable. From top to bottom, this place is TOP Notch! You won't be disappointed!! read more

Went here for the Scotch egg Club event from Dewar's scotch. We were in the event room which was on the second floor, it has a nice big beautiful bar in the middle of the room and comfortable seating around it. Had drinks that were made from Dewars Scotch, of course, since they were the sponsor and we had Scotch eggs made by fabulous Chef Michael Voltaggio. We even got to play chicken Bingo for prizes! What a fun night! This was on a Thursday night and the restaurant was packed with a line outside waiting to get in. They have a really nice outside patio, but it is only partially covered in case of rain. The twinkling lights is a nice touch and adds to the cozy atmosphere of the patio. This looks like a nice place to come to for a special occasion not for an everyday meal. The menu is displayed outside the restaurant so you can see the many dishes that they offer. I did not get to sample any of the regular restaurant menu as we were at a private event. But from what I saw it looks like delicious food a little bit on the pricey side. read more

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Came here for a birthday Brunch this past sunday, and had a wonderful time! Love their outside patio, the food was delicious, favorite was the chicken and waffle, cheesy hash! And we all enjoyed their cocktails! Our server gave us a round of sparkling for my birthday which we all appreciated, he was also hilarious and enjoyable to talk to! They also were able to accommodate for seperate checks, Highly recommend for big groups! read more

The Dawson - Perfect summer drinks to sip on their patio! Pomegranate Mule With vodka! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been walking by the Dawson for so long now, always curious and envious of the lights and laughter coming from behind the tall fence that surrounds the porch. Well, I finally had the opportunity to come here for dinner over the weekend and it is really pleasant. The ambiance on the porch is wonderful on a summer night. It was not too loud even when full. The service was really great and the food and cocktails came out in a timely fashion. I got the mushroom pappardelle which was really good. The reason for the 4 stars is the food was a little bit pricey (the mushroom pappardelle was $23 for just a regular pasta) but the burger and other dishes may have been a better deal. The portions are big. The cocktails were also expensive for what tasted like regular premixed cocktails. There are definitely better spots for just cocktails in the city that have more ingenuity. But overall this was a great spot and I'd be back again. read more

The Dawson - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very cute place! Came here on a Friday night for a nice dinner and really enjoyed this place. We were seated closer to the bar, a little disappointing since there is such a nice patio and vibe in the other seating area, but still, we could see out the windows. The food was really good, my favorites were the Duck Wings and Tuna Ceviche, the meat from the wings was so tender and tasty. We also ordered the chicken fried lobster and the catalpa pork chop, which were both very good. The breading on the lobster was perfect, not overwhelming, and the chunks were big, so you could definitely taste the lobster. The pork chop was good, a little fatty on the ends, so we had to trim that off, but still a good size with a nice flavor. Would have loved some mashed potatoes or some sort of starch with it to soak up the sauce. Overall though very good! read more

I've had the Dawson in my bookmarks for a while now, and was especially looking forward to sitting outside on the patio, which I heard has a great atmosphere. We were seated right under the overhang, and there was a nice pleasant breeze the whole time. My friend and I chose to share the chicken fried lobster, brussel sprouts and pork chops, which was more than enough food for two people. All the food was good, but the chicken fried lobster in particular was a delicious love child between shellfish and poultry. The fried chicken breading was crisp while retaining the lobster flavor beneath. Will be coming back in the future to check out their brunch menu, which I heard was also amazing. read more

The Dawson - Chicken fried lobster, brussel sprouts, pork chop - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First of all the service here is so great. We were waiting for 30 minutes on our table because the previous party was sitting with the check and the managers stayed communicative with us, apologizing and sent us some free apps and drinks for our wait. Vibes: Very romantic rustic vibes here. They use real candles on each table that gives a sexy feel. Would be a great date spot or a good spot for a group of people to go. Food: I was really surprised by how good the food was, I had always known this place to be good for drinks but didn't expect the amazing cuisine. Heres what we got for 7 girls and when it was split 6 ways the price was only 43 a person (including wine we ordered!) Burrata and Brussels: Really good portion, loved the crispy brussels that were glazed in balsamic. Avocado hummus: This was so light and refreshing, comes with warm pita bread and is another great starter to share. Loved the lemon taste that comes through in the spiraled sugar snap peas. Texas Redfish Tacos: This was a great dish to order for a group because it makes about 7-8 tacos. The fish was cooked beautiful, super tender and flavorful. The salsa's they served it with went amazing with the fish, I am not a huge fish person but I loved this and would order it again. Wood-Fired Oysters: I was so excited to see this because its not common unless you are in New Orleans! Even my non oyster eating friends had some and loved it. They were super creamy and flavorful, perfect on a small piece of bread served with it. These are a must try if you have never had cooked oysters, trust me!!! Lamb Ragu: Great dish, not the best for sharing but you should forsure get yourself a plate of your own because it is delicious. Lamb is super tender and the noodles are also very fresh. Spanish Octopus: A lot of places have this but they over cook it and its super chewy but here it was cook perfectly!! Super tender and melted in your mouth, also loved the sauce it was served with. Side of Mac and cheese: can't go wrong with mac and cheese especially with its with thick cuts of bacon. Empanadas: These were good don't get me wrong but I could have done with out, probably the least favorite thing I had. A lot of spices going on with the chorizo and the sauce it was paired with but still they were good just not my favorite thing we had. Overall we all left full and satisfied which can be hard with a big group! I was also shocked that when the bill was split it was so reasonable for how much food we ordered. 10/10 would recommend this place for any occasion and I will definitely be back. read more

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We had a group of 10 to celebrate a friend completing the Chicago Marathon sunday evening, and our meal was absolutely fantastic! The restaurant is beautiful with dark wood and upscale ambiance, dim lighting and candles on the table. The cocktails and wine were superb, i had the "Some Like It Hot" tequila drink and while it had some spice to it, it was very pleasant, and the tajin rim was the perfect accompaniment. The salted Focaccia bread served with butter and oil was tremendous, we ended up ordering another loaf! Everything on the menu was creative and well thought out. We shared the fish tacos, and the fish of the night was a stunning whole red snapper. they came with shaved jicama, crema and spicy fresh-made guacamole. I also had the elote which while we were passing plates, was so delicious i did not want to share with anyone! the corn had been fire-roasted as well as the peppers in it. The carrots were also divine, with the turmeric yoghurt and lemon creating such a unique flavor profile. We shared the fried oyster mushrooms, which were served with a lemon truffle aioli that several of my group dreamed about that night! the twice fried potatoes were perfectly crunchy, the chicken fried lobster was delectable, and the fire-roasted tomato pimento broth with the mussels i could have sopped up every last drop with the accompanying bread. The service was wonderful, and i know that a group of ten is always a difficult task. I cant wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu! read more

Food is delicious, drinks are good. Service is great. Cute ambiance Just wish they had more menu items read more

Being slightly exhausted & hungover from a long weekend of entertaining... a quick order of Oysters + an order of in-house made Sausages & chips HIT The Spot! NO JOKE. *If you're looking for flavorless, and boring because you can't handle actual seasonings - do not eat here...enjoy your crappy oyster bah.* I can not over emphasize enough GET BUSY using their Oyster vinegar-sauce!!! Jesus. Christ. All-Mighty...Spectacular IS an understatement. I neglected to even mention the flipping Superbly Crafted Cocktail that also was on Point. I know zero people that work here, and no need to hype this place up... but I'm ready to be their new Mascot...just say'n. Hell's Bell's RUN Do Not Walk! You are all welcome. read more

Love the Dawson! This was my first time here for dinner and it did not disappoint. We started with the meatballs and the Buffalo cauliflower- both were so delicious! For my meal I got an amazing pasta. It was so good. They were out of the drink I wanted to order, but the server provided good alternatives. The overall atmosphere was so cozy and fun. Can't wait to be back! read more