Crofton on Wells

The Scene – Decorated with stylish restraint by Crofton herself, the space is simple and modern. The candlelit room's walls are bare, save for a wavy symmetrical mirror. There's no excess, no flash--nothing to distract you from the restaurant's exceptional, seasonal American cuisine. – – The Food – Crofton's touch is restrained but confident, from the playful zing of a vodka-spiked oyster shot with mango, to the earthy, dark flavor of sauteed wild mushrooms in a basket of fried leek. One scrumptious salad combines duck leg confit, warm fingerling potatoes and a hint of…

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Editor's Tips

Save Money:: A four-course prix fixe menu is offered from 5pm to 6:30pm Monday through Saturday, including appetizer, salad, entree and dessert for $45 including tax ($65 with two glasses of wine).
Know Before You Go:: Vegan or vegetarian? Funky allergies? Inform your server of any special dietary needs, and the kitchen will be happy to oblige with meat-, dairy- or allergen-free dishes.
The Extras:: Crofton's signature smoked apple chutney is available for sale in eight-ounce jars for $8.95 at the restaurant and online at the Crofton on Wells website.

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User Reviews (25)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Comfortable, friendly atmosphere.” “We had the pleasure of walking about 1/2 mile from the theater, which was just perfect in terms of location!” “The ambience is wonderful and quite romantic.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“highly recommend the crab cakes and the Chicken.” “have had crab cakes all over the world and Suzy's remain the best.” “Appetizers were very good, the crab cake is superb and the salmon is excellent (I missed the crackers, sauce and capers).”
drinks	100.0% positive	“Excellent service, great wine list at all price ranges, heavy on domestics but a very impressive Pinot Noir list.” “crofton on wells is an excellent restaurant with amazing food, great wine list and service.”
food quality	86.21000289916992% positive	“The signature appetizer, crabcake with creole mustard sauce was good but not spectacular.” “great food” “Be prepared for a very impressive meal but don't expect to be wowed by anything too experimental.” “The food was excellent.” “great staff, great food, just a great place.” “The food was good but portions are small so eat a snack before heading out.” “crofton on wells is an excellent restaurant with amazing food, great wine list and service.” “Service was excellent, the food was some of the best we've ever had.” “food was just bad.” “The food was awful, overpriced, and the service was nothing to speak of.” “Overall, amazing food in a simple neighboorhood type setting with very friendly service.” “wasn't too fond of the pear-greens salad (but only because I don't like blu cheese) I ordered the Guinie Hen which melted in my mouth.” “Generally, the food is somewhat overrated in reviews.” “really wanted to show my mother to a nice, delicious, special meal and it was was far from that.” “I've loved every meal I've had here over the (many) years, and though I waited too long to come back since my last visit, I hope to always have the option.” “The signature Bbq Pork Tenderloin with smoked apple chutney was delicious, but the other entrees were below expectations.” “Great food, great service for business lunches.” “Appetizers were very good, the crab cake is superb and the salmon is excellent (I missed the crackers, sauce and capers).” “highly recommend the crab cakes and the Chicken.” “Even though I was expecting great food.” “Suzy Crofton does an excellent job preparing some of the best food in the Chicago area!” “The food was FABULOUS - definitely for the gourmet taste buds.” “have had consistently great food that fills me up without feeling like I'm on overload.” “The food was extremely well prepared and included some very unique updates on more traditional preparation of many dishes.” “have dined at Crofton many times and have NEVER had anything but a memorable meal.” “have had crab cakes all over the world and Suzy's remain the best.” “Nice variety of entrees, including vegetarian, poultry, fish, and red meats.” “From the smaller intimate space to the focus on amazing food this place is now one of my favorites in Chicago.” “What is the point of serving good food if your customers are still hungry when they are done?”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Nice variety of entrees, including vegetarian, poultry, fish, and red meats.”
overall	100.0% positive	“My husband and I scoured the internet to find a nice downtown restaurant to go to on our second anniversary.” “great staff, great food, just a great place.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“I've loved every meal I've had here over the (many) years, and though I waited too long to come back since my last visit, I hope to always have the option.”
service	90.0% positive	“Wonderful combination of flavors and impecable service” “The food was awful, overpriced, and the service was nothing to speak of.” “Excellent service, great wine list at all price ranges, heavy on domestics but a very impressive Pinot Noir list.” “great staff, great food, just a great place.” “crofton on wells is an excellent restaurant with amazing food, great wine list and service.” “Overall, amazing food in a simple neighboorhood type setting with very friendly service.” “Comfortable, friendly atmosphere.” “It was very intimate, the service was great and they even called us by name when we got there.” “Great service on packed Saturday night!” “Great food, great service for business lunches.”
value	75.0% positive	“The food was good but portions are small so eat a snack before heading out.” “The food was awful, overpriced, and the service was nothing to speak of.” “Excellent service, great wine list at all price ranges, heavy on domestics but a very impressive Pinot Noir list.” “Food is good, however the whole dining experience is underwhelming & pretty pricey for what you get.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“I've loved every meal I've had here over the (many) years, and though I waited too long to come back since my last visit, I hope to always have the option.” “Crofton on Wells was by far one of the best dining experiences I have had in Chicago in a long time.”

03/21/08

Neighboorhood feel in the big city

by tbclark at Citysearch

Crofton on Wells has not fallen into the "trendy" trap that so many other River North restaurants have. From the smaller intimate space to the focus on amazing food this place is now one of my favorites in Chicago. When we entered the hostess warned us that they had been cooking all day in the kitchen so be prepared to eat. She did not lie and we did not disappoint. Each course - johnnycakes, short ribs; texas "snapper", venison; provided great flavors that were not overly done for the sake of style and what is currently hot and trendy. Overall, amazing food in a simple neighboorhood type setting with very friendly service.

Pros: Service, Food, Low Key feel
Cons: none

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11/09/06

Best Crabcake in the WORLD!

by sunshinefoodie at Citysearch

For every bad review there is always a good one. Crofton on Wells was by far one of the best dining experiences I have had in Chicago in a long time. It was very intimate, the service was great and they even called us by name when we got there. I highly recommend the crab cakes and the Chicken.

Pros: Service, location, intimate dining atmosphere

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08/08/06

They serve appetizers for the main course

by mikeinchicago at Citysearch

What is the point of serving good food if your customers are still hungry when they are done?

Seriously, I had an appetizer, 2 main courses (salmon and steak), dessert and a bottle of wine. I was still hungry.

I like how one reviewer suggesting eating a snack before going to Crofton's

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03/25/06

Not Worth the Money

by jlh67 at Citysearch

This was our 2nd time dining at Crofton's & unfortunately it will most likely be our last. Food is good, however the whole dining experience is underwhelming & pretty pricey for what you get. This is not a place to go if you have a large appetite as the portions are very small. When you pay $200 for dinner for two you'd expect a more memorable dining experience. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired and the food while good is quite forgetable. There was not one stand out thing that we had during our meal that would make it worth $200 to go back again. Dessert for $11?? It was so small we could barely share. Mixed green salad for $9.75? Barely a handful of lettuce... could you spare it Suzy? Fish with beans for $30.00??? Barely the size of a Perch, beans weren't cooked entirely and $30.00!!!

Pros: Vegetarian Options, Good for Dieters
Cons: Expensive, Small Portions, Lack of "Life"

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02/13/06

Great experience

by carlson_b at Citysearch

Top notch dining experience. Excellent service, great wine list at all price ranges, heavy on domestics but a very impressive Pinot Noir list. The food was extremely well prepared and included some very unique updates on more traditional preparation of many dishes. The prices are probably 10-20% higher than I would expect for similar dishes elsewhere but you also won't get this attention to detail at many places so it is worth it overall. Be prepared for a very impressive meal but don't expect to be wowed by anything too experimental.

Crofton on Wells

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What People Are Saying About Crofton on Wells

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Editor's Tips

03/21/08

Neighboorhood feel in the big city

by tbclark at Citysearch

11/09/06

Best Crabcake in the WORLD!

by sunshinefoodie at Citysearch

08/08/06

They serve appetizers for the main course

by mikeinchicago at Citysearch

03/25/06

Not Worth the Money

by jlh67 at Citysearch

02/13/06

Great experience

by carlson_b at Citysearch

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