03/21/08

Neighboorhood feel in the big city

by tbclark

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

11/09/06

Best Crabcake in the WORLD!

by sunshinefoodie

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

08/08/06

They serve appetizers for the main course

by mikeinchicago

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

03/25/06

Not Worth the Money

by jlh67

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"

02/13/06

Great experience

by carlson_b

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.

• Pros: Excellent preparation, Top wine list, Attention to detail
• Cons: A bit pricey, Small menu

10/15/04

Romantic but pricey

by pachecb

Visited the first week of October and had no problem getting a table. Excellent service all around.

The ambience is wonderful and quite romantic. The fact that we were seated at a corner table helped as well. A little on the noisy side but this is a small restaurant so that can't be avoided.

The food was good but portions are small so eat a snack before heading out. Not impressed with the quail we had even though the pork and veal entrees were sumptuous. Generally, the food is somewhat overrated in reviews. The wine recommendation was spot on and enhanced the meal. As for the bill - plan on spending a bit more than average $$$ but the benefits far outweigh the cost.

• Pros: Ambience, Service
• Cons: , Portion size

04/05/04

Suzy Crofton's namesake restaurant has quietly become one of the best in the city.

by Contributor

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 tangy goat cheese with mixed greens and a mild sherry garlic vinaigrette. And barbecued pork tenderloin is a dinner standout, two chunks of perfectly cooked meat glazed with sauce and drizzled with zesty poblano cream with corn pudding on the side. For dessert, extra-bittersweet chocolate cake is so intense it'll give you a head rush. For something milder, dip into the delicious, orange-zesty creme brulee Jean Banchet (an homage to Crofton's former mentor).

• Pros: Suzy Crofton's fab foodcomfortable
• Cons: very quiet

01/19/04

Excellence!

by pipsquek

We went to Crofton's for dinner before the theater and we couldn't have been more pleased. When making reservations I asked for a private, secluded table for two and we got exactly what we asked for. It was very romantic and quiet. The food was really a treat. I had the buttersquash soup (the best I've EVER had) and my partner had the mixed greens (very yummy!) I 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. My parter had the venision (which was cooked very rare) only complaint. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSEST! The apple tart is to die for, just mouth watering. Overall it was just a great experience for us.

11/03/03

Well worth it.

by poquote

I have had crab cakes all over the world and Suzy's remain the best. I even think they have gotten better over the years.

I was the host of a recent weekday business dinner for some well traveled associates and I couldn't have chosen a more appropriate spot. The food was excellent. I had the guinea fowl (hen I think). The wait staff was helpful and well informed. I suggest diners pay attention to the specials and venture beyond the signature BBQ pork tenderloin. My associates appreciated the wide selection of wines by the glass, many of which you will not normally find.

Overall the quality remains high and well worth a visit.

• Pros: sesonal specials , vegan menu choices, crabcakes!!!
• Cons: prompt valet parking

08/15/03

Dissapointed is an understatment !

by mweinstein

This place was one of the worst dining expereinces that I have had in Chicago. My mother was in town for the weekend and I wanted to take her to a special place. I do not have one good thing to say about this place. The food was awful, overpriced, and the service was nothing to speak of. I had the scallops and my mother had the pork tenderloin. THe scallops were $25 for 4 scallops and nothing else to the plate and the pork tenderloin my mother could not even eat because it was so tough and not at all what the server had explained to her. This evening was horrible for me. I really wanted to show my mother to a nice, delicious, special meal and it was was far from that. I was really unhappy and the check could not come fast enough.

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: Bad Food, Expensive for nothing, Bad Service