I would have to agree with a lot of reviews. The place is lacking service. The food is mediocre at best. Very nice drink list, with many option. Nice patio in the back that I have enjoyed many times. Besides a good spot to stop for a cocktail, (if you have all day) I would head to one of the many other great spots around.
Review Source:I heard 545 has live music and a few friends had been there in the past, so I thought I would check it out. Â I read the reviews prior to coming so I know that they were mixed, but I usually like to make my own determination about places. Â Unfortunately I experienced much of what others had commented on. Â On a positive note, the place is nicely decorated and the live music was great, but everything else went downhill. Â The service was unfriendly and inattentive at best. Â I felt like I must have been invisible, it was getting comical to try to make eye contact with any server. Â A man who I assume was the owner because he was standing at the bar all night talking with servers and appeared to be supervising or maybe it was more socializing. Â I finally got a servers attention after what must have been easily 20 minutes. Â I will say that the bar area was crowded when I got there, but still. Â The table next to mine had four people eating dinner and even that server ignored me. Â The prices are not cheap. Â I don't mind paying good money for good food and service but unfortunately I got neither. Â My first drink was pretty stiff once I got it. Â I ordered the mussels and a half portion of Asian chicken salad - which is usually a pretty flavorful, straightforward item. Â Both were disappointing to say the least. Â I had to add salt to the mussels, Â being from New England, I have never had to add salt to seafood, the salad was bland. Â I was never checked on, and was never told that the servers were leaving for the evening. Â When I went to the bar to order another drink the bartender was unfriendly and the drink was noticeably weaker than the first .I only stayed because the band was so good, but at one point a very intoxicated patron came in with some others and he was dancing and being obnoxious and loud. Â He even grabbed the microphone from the band on a few occasions and the owner did nothing. Â A lot of people left when he started doing somersaults on the floor in front of the band... not kidding. Â I was surprised no one was hurt. Â Needless to say I won't be back.
Review Source:I was ignored for over 10 minutes. Approached the hostess who was apologetic and a waiter apologized, gave me a drink on the house and never saw him again as I walked out 20 minutes after being ignored for the second and last time.
Who the hell runs that place? I was sitting in front of the bar, not like I was in a corner. Smh.
This place is a little expensive for what it is... 4 drinks and two apps 50 bucks...whoa thats what i pay for dinner most of the time. However the drinks were good. The Hummus app was actually very delicous served with a little greek salad in the middle for dipping. The cheese tomato and bacon slider things...i would pass next time. I thought this place would have happy hour special or something but alas no. I probably wont come back.
Review Source:I would like to like this place. Been here several times but tonight convinced me that it would be my last time. Had the ahi tuna salad - full portion. Three small of tuna for $16. Â Drinks were expensive and for the price, there are other better places in Libertyville to go. The owner or manager was inattentive. The Tavern is better for what you'd pay here. Low value.
Review Source:We went there for a Mother's Day brunch for which we had a reservation so it wasn't like we were a walk in from the street.  When we arrived, they were already out of 3 of the 6 entrees to choose from and the buffet was nearly empty and they didn't restock it (there were others in the restaurant too) The cook that was to do made to order omelets and man the carving station looked annoyed that we wanted something and forgot to make one of our omelets all together.  The  drink and food orders were extremely slow and some were wrong.  When we got the French toast, it was burnt and made with normal bread because they had run out of the French toast bread.  The staff was standing in the bar area eating, while we continued to wait for our food. They packed up the dessert table before even offering us anything.  So many things wrong. The owner was there and never once came over to apologize. We love supporting Libertyville businesses but will not be going back here.
Review Source:I have been to this place many times and never had a bad meal! And, the rolls are fabulous. The owner always makes an effort to get us a table even though we never have a reservation. In fact, the last time we were there, we were able to sit immediately on a Saturday outside in the covered patio which was cozy and warm despite the winter weather. Wine selection is nice, too. The only reason I don't give this restaurant a higher rating is that I had SEVERAL bad experiences with a nasty little French waiter who had a pompous attitude and was downright rude.
Review Source:I finally had a chance to stop by for a late lunch after shopping.  There were 3 other people in the restaurant finishing their meal.  I sat down at the bar and waited for a menu and drink.  I waited, and waited and waited....  while one waitress stood at the corner of the bar and talked to a friend and while the other waitress waited on ''her'' table and managed to totally ignore me even after coming around to the bar and making eye contact with me.  After 20 minutes  I left.  If they want return customers this isn't the way to get them.
Review Source:We stopped in last night after doing some window shopping and it took us around five minutes to be acknowledged that we were waiting for a table. Â Our server was nice enough, but our drink order (martini and manhattan) took roughly 15 minutes. Â I had to send my drink back because - for the record - a dry martini has very little vermouth, not a ton of it! And the apple fritters we split for dessert were slightly burned and quite bitter, probably cooked in bad oil. Â We don't plan on returning. Â
By the way, the others were right: this is definitely Cougar Central.
Only two stars because it is too expensive for what you get here. I really like their appetizers, especially their warmed goat cheese and tuna ceviche. It is nice that they have a little patio in the back that has nice ambiance for a date in the summer, but that plus the locale doesn't make up for the prices. What should be a $60ish dinner pre-tip (2 entrees, a drink or three, an app or dessert) can go north of a hundo really quick. This would be a great place to go for an 'appy hour' when appetizers are 1/2 off, but as is, the only time I am going is when you're buying.
Also, the word on the street is that this is where the Libertyville cougars stalk their prey, so if you are collar-poppin' Lothario or an innocent-eyed Benjamin Braddock in the market for dry-aged meat, you could do worse than 545.
After our mildly disappointing dinner at The Tavern, we walked up the block to one of our other favorite places, 545 North. Â Totally different atmosphere -- much more crisp and contemporary -- than Firkin or the Tavern, but warm and welcoming as well. Â The outdoor seating looks very inviting, with candlelit tables but we were just seeking an after dinner drink so we sat up near the bar. Â This was a Monday night, so no entertainment, but it was still pleasant. Â I had a very enjoyable glass of Wente Sandstone Merlot. Â It was quite rich tasting and smooth. Â The highlight was Anita's Espressotini. Â Vodka, Kalua and espresso, shaken and served ice cold in a martini glass. Â Anita's not a coffee drinker, so I was surprised when she ordered it, but she loves Kalua and once she got to the second sip (I mistyped Zip at first, which may have been Freudian as you will see) she became a fan. Â She very much enjoyed it. Â Except for the after effects. Â We were home by 10 p.m., I was in bed and asleep by 11. Â I found out this morning that Anita was wide awake until 1 a.m. Â Methinks that inexperienced espresso drinkers have severe caffein reactions! Â So while we highly recommend 545 North, beware the late night caffein in the Espressotini!
Review Source:Love coming to 545 on a Friday or Saturday night to the bar, but we came on a Wednesday night for a nice quiet dinner. Â It was anything but. Â The tables were so close together you could hear conversations. Â Not only that at 8pm loud music started. Â We couldn't even hear the waiter or talk without shouting. Â If this had been our first time we would never go back. Â Will still come on a weekend for a drink at the bar but never again during the week for dinner.
Review Source:I can't really consider any place trendy with a bunch of cougars sitting at the bar getting sloppy on martini's. Â That should have probably been my first clue to jump ship. Â
We arrived after 8 and the the hostess said it would be about a 30 to 45 min wait. Â No big deal we'll sit at the bar and have a cocktail. Â After an hour we inquired about weather or not they were going to have a table for us. Â They said they were hoping to, but that customers who had paid their bills over an hour ago just weren't leaving. Â Not my issue if they don't know how to turn tables. Â They promised to clear one of the tables out and have us seated in 5 minutes, which they did.
We started out with the grilled calamari, which was tender but charred and burnt tasting. Â Couldn't struggle through it even though we were starving. Â I ordered the braised short rib and my boyfriend got the tenderloin. Â Both the short-rib and tenderloin were tender, but there was nothing spectacular about the dishes for the price. Â I have to admit I also have a hang up about paying downtown dinner prices in the suburbs. Â
The food just wasn't enough of a wow factor to deal with the hassles.
Met up with a group of people here for a birthday celebration. Â The owner was really nice in accommodating us by rearranging tables so we could all sit together. Â
I loved the atmosphere - small intimate space, warm colors, wood floors and soft lighting. Â There was live music and the guy was excellent. Â We sang and danced (although dancing garnered a few stares). Â
545 offers a nice selection of beers, which is what we were all drinking. Â Staff was efficient and friendly. Â Definitely, would come back here again.
Fab.U.Lous!
My husband and I dined here on a Saturday night with another couple and had the most terrific time. The environment - warm, inviting, romantic. The food - delectable. The service - top notch. The price - just right! What more could we ask for?
545 North Bar & Grill isn't a very big place, but it doesn't need to be. When we first walked in, I immediately noticed the exposed brick walls, low lighting and warm colors. It made me think of a trendy bistro you would find in Lincoln Park or another hip Chicago neighborhood. But by my experience, it's less expensive for better food! We were seated a few tables in from the door - not quite in the bar area where the TV's had football on, but not right by the bathrooms either where there tends to be more traffic. The noise level was just right.
Our server, unfortunately I didn't catch his name, had a French accent and was delightful. He was friendly and attentive, yet patient and unintrusive, just the right mix! We ordered a bottle of wine, the Hob Nob Pinot Noir, which was incredible. I will be looking for it at Binny's! The girls ordered a couple martinis, the pomegranate and the French Connection, both were exquisite. We had the tuna tartar and spinach/artichoke dip as appetizers - the tuna tartar was seasoned perfectly and so tender, it just melted in our mouths! Some of the best tuna I've had. The bread was warm and fresh. For dinner, I had the beef tenderloin with asparagus and my husband had the pork tenderloin with sweet potato fries. The beef was incredible, and just the right portion. My husband really enjoyed his pork, although he's not a big fan of sweet potato. That cannot be held against the restaurant however!
In general, we had a terrific experience and I would come back in a heartbeat. The food was done to perfection, the right portion, the right seasoning, and the right price. And the atmosphere just added to our night. Definitely go, and enjoy. And visit Mickey Finn's Brewery when you are done - the Amber Room upstairs has the same type of vibe and warmth for you to continue your night out!
The beautiful weather this weekend begged for us to find a place where we could sit out side on "date night" . Â About 7:00 pm I called 545 to see if they had tables available outside. The hostess told us they had lots of tables getting up now that there would not be a problem. We showed up 30 minutes later, to find the patio packed and people waiting. Come to find out later that evening the hostess was new and she did not quite understand all that was happening.
We had seat at the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. One of the classiest moves I have seen in while, the bar tender poured both my wife and I a taste of the bottle we ordered. Â This was very respectful and did not assume I was the one choosing the wine. Â We waited 20 min for a our table outside.
The waiter was slow to get to us, slow to get our order, the food was very slow coming out. What did come out was just so-so. The tuna tartare was over spiced to the point you could not even taste the tuna. My braised short rib was dry and the sauce was over reduced. The waiter did come back and took $10.00 of our bill.
I did have a chance to speak to Dierdre, the manager/owner as I was leaving. When someone asks me how my meal was, I will always tell them about my experience. She explained that last night was much busier than expected, they had new bus and host staff. She was very apologetic and was very genuine in her response.
Like in any relationship, whether it is husband and wife or waiter and customer, communication is one of the most important things. When you are busy tell me, when you have new staff tell me, when the kitchen is slow tell me. This allows me to adjust my expectations and be a little more patient and understanding.
We will go back because of Deidre, and the bar tender.
First off, I've only ever come here with vendors so my review disregards pricing. Â That being said, I think the hummus appetizer is a must. Â I've tried a few of the salads there (Ahi Tuna, Chicken Ceasar & Chopped Cobb) and thought all were really good. Â The servings for the salads were rather large if you ask me. Â But their distribution of tuna & chicken never seem to be even. Â When I had the tuna and the cobb, there was barely any tuna or chicken, respectively, but with the ceasar, there was too much chicken haha.
Review Source:Came here for lunch with a vendor (translation: it was FREE), it was lunchtime and totally dead, which was a little weird since most of the places in this area get packed. Â We sat outside on their awesome patio which seemed much more Chicago-y than Libertyville-y. Â In other words - it was pretty hip.
The food was good and I didn't pay too much attention to the prices, but the ones I did notice seemed steep. Â I had the Ahi Tuna Salad ($15.99) and it was good, but small. Â I was still kinda hungry when I left (and nearly ravenous several hours later), and had I actually been paying with my hard earned money I would have been pissed. Â But, since I wasn't, it was fine. Â There were lots of other things on the menu that seemed yummy (pitas and hummus, quesadilla club).
I will definitely go back to 545 North... if someone else is paying!
I'd give it 4 stars except that I'd agree with the first review that it's overpriced. The food is actually very good and props for presentation, but I can't get over the prices, even for appetizers.
Never crowded the couple times we went (probably off-times), but the place looks pretty packed at night with live entertainment...I might try it then and have a different experience.
The atmosphere is what first drew me to 545 and the service. Â The food is good, not great. Â There is an appetizer of beef skewers and each time I have tried them, the meat is full of grizzle. Â The tuna appetizer - outstanding. Â The ceasar salad dressing needs to be a bit creamier and less of a dusting of spice and please stop toasting the bread - you can break a tooth. Why did they ever change the menu to stop serving that wonderful lobster pasta dish??? What were they thinking?? Â
On New Year's Eve, the place was dead as a door nail after 9 and if that is supposed to be a bar's big night, I suggest that the owners re-think their long-term strategy the menu, for the entertainment who frankly, did not even play or sing on NYE, and for 545's continued patronage.
The food is good, but not worth the price. Thank God we came here on a cold/rainy night bc the place was not crowded like the other reviews I have read. The patio was totally empty and the bar was at half capacity so it was a nice dining experience. The appetizers were good: the humus ($8) and artichoke/spinach dip ($9) went well with the bread they provide before dinner is served. I had the BBQ hangar steak with caramelized onions - excellent but pricey at $26. My wife got the tenderloin salad for $18 - that's right, $18 for a salad. She said it was below par and did not finish it. Around 10pm things stared getting loud as the bar crowd came in and a solo guitarist who could not play or sing well started his show. The bar crowd is fun to watch - old folks trying to be young again by acting stupid to the bad entertainment. Overall, this place is OK. I would go for dinner and leave before the show starts if you want a good dining experience.
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