Butcher and the Bear

Review summary

1. M

   Marisol

   VIP

   Chicago

   17 reviews

   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great date night place, the food was delicious, the service was great, cocktails and drinks also great, desert was yum! Can’t wait to go back, parking is not great but they do offer valet.
   

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2. D

   Daniel

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on February 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The food and cocktails were great; gimlet and French 75’s were spot on. We had such great service. Ribeye and sea bass were incredibly flavourful. We are definitely returning.
   

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3. D

   Darcy

   New Orleans

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I love dining here!! We’ve been twice - once for a birthday and once for Valentine’s Day - and both times have been excellent. The staff is so attentive and engaging, but not too much where you feel like your dinner is being intruded on. The drinks are always great, and the steaks are always perfect.
   

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4. A

   Alexa

   Chicago

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was a fantastic Valentine's date spot. The food was divine and the service was equally great.
   

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5. R

   Rockie

   Nashville

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We dined here for an early valentine celebration and could not be more happy with our choice. The food was amazing and had great options. Our service, Wally K, was so personable and knowledgable of the wine and food. The ambience was not overwhelming and even with a packed restaurant the noise level was not bothersome at all. Would highly recommend for a date night!
   

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6. k

   kenisha

   VIP

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   I had an incredibly disappointing experience at Butcher and the Bear, largely due to the rude behavior of the waiter. Not only was he inattentive and dismissive, but he also had the audacity to snatch my husband’s food away without even asking why he didn’t like it. My husband simply wasn’t satisfied with the dish, and instead of offering a solution or an apology, the waiter took the food with an attitude as if it was a personal offense. It felt completely unprofessional and disrespectful, especially for a restaurant that’s supposed to offer a high-end experience. Overall, the poor service completely overshadowed any potential enjoyment of the meal, and we won’t be returning.
   

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7. W

   Wanda

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on February 13, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   The food was delicious. I loved the steak. I was tender and flavorful. The macaroni and cheese was so creamy and cheesy. We had the big meatball as an appetizer, and it was good too. The only thing I did not like was the server. She was not very tentative. It was my birthday, which I indicated when I made the reservation. The hostess acknowledged it. However, the server didn't. I'm accustomed to receiving a dessert, card, something to recognize my special. However, that didn't happen. I will recommend this restaurant to others. Just don't go on your birthday.
   

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8. T

   Taylor

   VIP

   Chicago

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on February 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was great and so were the drinks! Our server was also super nice and knowledgeable. He suggested the porterhouse and we were happy we went with that! The steak tartare was to die for!
   

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9. K

   Kevin

   Chicago

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 9, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was perfect. Service was spectacular. If you love steak, you must go
   

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10. G

    Greg

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2

    We were both very curious and looking forward to trying the Butcher and the Bear. When we walked in we were both a bit disappointed. The photos and suggestion of the restaurant is that it is a steak house. However, the vibe and look are very much a bar. The food was very good. The steak was very good...tender and tasty. We went for restaurant week and were a bit disappointed with the menu. I realize prices and costs have increased...the menu did not include a side, which was not terrible, but not really a deal then. The dining area was very loud...like people at a bar yelling to talk. I really enjoy a louder, vibrant restaurant...just not screeching and yelling at dinner. Later during dinner I noticed my water had a different taste and smell. I did not think about it since there are many fused waters. Then I looked closer and saw an oily film on the top...a lot of film. It also had an odor like maybe herbs or something strong like cooking oil. I mentioned something to the person who handled the water and they shocked me by saying it could be a dirty glass and residue from the soap or something. Then I called a waitress over who tried to avoid the topic then the manager or hostess came over and asked if we had the brussel sprouts...which we did...and she said it had to be the oil from the brussel sprouts. I know the difference. The water had a strong smell and a heavy film. Very different than when you eat something and it shows in the surface of the water glass. Anyway, very disappointed with the service and response to the water. It was as if I was being blamed or like I was trying to get something from the situation. A simple acknowledgement and a simple apology or surprise that something like this was not typical or expected would have been enough to handle things. Too bad.
    

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