It was a nice little restaurant in appearance. The first was good, the food was... OK. They over cooked my Pork Chop and the accompanying sauce (apple and cream sauce) tasted like plastic. I don't know if it's just what they stored in or if was just me being picky but it did detract from the dish. The Apple Fritter served alongside was amazing though. Can't say it was anything special, desserts were way over priced, the menu was also a little overpriced given what you got.
Review Source:I always give a restaurant at least TWO chances before writing a review. A great experience the first time has me excited to return. A mediocre experience has me hoping thatnit was a fluke and I caught them on an off day. Well, Dish was given three opportunities to impress, and failed miserably. Why three chances? Â I was ready to write them off after two, but a friend had read the reviews on Yelp and wanted to go, so we went. On two of my dining occasions, We had servers who appeared as if they would have preferred to be undergoing a root canal as opposed to working. Â We were served our meals and left to our own devices. Â No refills on beverages. No "how is everything."
I had fish on one occasion, and it was not cooked right. On another occasion, I had poultry, and it was way overpriced for what was served. Â
I have only dined here at dinner, so people's lunch experiences are going to be different. I paid $20 for an entree, $10 for appetizers, etc. I expect stellar service and food for those prices. Had I paid $8.50 as one five star reviewer did, then my review would be completely different.
Bottom line: Â service and food were lacking. I would look elsewhere.
We returned to Dish last night having been away for a couple of years due to a bad experience. Pleasantly surprised! It wasn't a perfect dining experience but, this is what was good. Â Appetizer was good... Asian lettuce wraps. Dinner was good... sesame chicken & salmon special of the night. Dessert was good.... lemon pot de creme & bread pudding. Â Our waitress observed everything and even caught that the lemon dessert was a bit lacking and brought out another portion. Â Had to send my chicken dish back due to it being cold and she stood on the line and watched it being reheated in a pan... no microwaves. Â The chicken faux pas didn't bother me cause the dish was yummy! We were tended to well (water, bread etc). Â This is a much much better choice than Bistro 157 in Valparaiso. We are now sold again on Dish, bravo!
Review Source:Where else can you receive fresh soup, salad, sandwich and dessert for $8.50 and let us not forget fresh, warm baked bread with honey butter? Â The box lunch special at Dish is truly a culinary delight. Today's soup of sausage and squash along with a spinach salad hardly left room for the ham and Swiss cheese sandwich and then there was the piece of lemon cheese cake. Â The portions are just great for lunch.
Dinner is also delightful as is the very helpful and friendly staff.
I was thinking about 4 stars because I felt the menu selections were a little lacking, but I realize that having a smaller menu allows the staff to be more focused on quality. I'm glad that's the case because quality is what we got!
I also agree it's offensive to refer to this restaurant as good "for Valparaiso." There are plenty of great restaurants in this town, maybe that analogy applied in the past, but it doesn't apply anymore.
First off, if your party is four or less, reserve a table in the bar area. The main dining room is nice, but it's a little cafeteria-ish. The bar area is very small, only about two or three tables fit (technically four) but it makes for a much more intimate environment, which I prefer to the wide open main dining area. Another cool thing about the bar tables is one side is couch style seating.
The service was great; the bartender was our waitress, She took all four of our drink orders, appetizers, and entrees all at the same time without writing a thing down! Our fault, but she didn't mess anything up and only had to confirm if one of us ordered a dirty martini. Very impressive.
Our table had the Gorgonzola Chips and Crab Cake appetizers. The chips were homemade potato chips with melted blue cheese and gorgonzola on top. If you like stinky cheese, this one is for you. They're awesome. The crab cake was good. I could probably eat a giant crab cake as my entree.
I had the 8 oz Filet, it was $36 and came on top of roasted potatoes, asparagus, a red wine reduction style sauce (I think), with a bit of blue cheese butter on top. It tasted as good as it looked, I wanted to take a picture of it but I think that's kind of tacky. Easily in the top three Filets I've ever  had. Seriously. Far better than an expensive steakhouse I was at recently... which is a whole other review *wink wink*
For two of us, our bill was $83 before tip. That's one $11 glass of wine, one $5 beer, $12 appetizer, $36 steak, and a $16 chicken dish. Everything was worth the money.
I went to Valpo to visits some relatives & they suggested eating at the Disk. The food was spectacular.  Every thing we tried was fresh, presented well, cooked to perfection and tasted superb. In addition the owner, Linda ,made sure that all the dishes and beverages were served in a timely matter and with a little flourish. What a delightful lunch !  I now rave about  my meal to all my friends. I just wish the place was closer to Ann Arbor , Michigan.  I ended my meal by sharing an order of carrot cake that could have been served to The Queen of England as the cake most worthy of  eating to celebrate her 50 year reign, it was that good!
Review Source:Dish is pretty dang good.
Ayinger Hefeweizen 22oz. to start! So good. Started with the Gorgonzola chips. They're amazingly delicious.
I had the grilled lamb chops. I am a lamb lover, so it was heaven for me. The sauce that it's served in is divine. The girlfriend had the beef short ribs and they were tender and had a very good flavor. The balsamic strawberry salad is different, and didn't disappoint.
I don't think we've ever had anything that wasn't excellent from dish. Will be back again and again.
Pleasant, simple decor with simple, elegant offerings. We visited at lunch and tried their box lunch. It's a clever little new American twist on a bento box or one of those "conference-special" box lunches. They day we were there it was a small turkey sandwich, pasta salad, parmesan egg drop soup, and peach cobbler. Everything was delicious, and while some might complain about the portion size or cost, both seemed about to me for lunch.
Review Source:I haven't been to Dish in nearly ten years because of poor ambiance and awful service. I decided today to go because after all these years they are still in business, however, they are in the business of disappointment. Our server did not even greet the table for 15 minutes, when she did she didn't even stay more than a second so we could order our meal. The entire duration of my dining experience was a continual downward spiral of increasingly slow service. Never again will I give this place a chance for redemption.
Review Source:Service was the only special missing from the menu at Dish last night as bartendress Danielle's shallow apologies were offered up as unsuccessful offerings to quell the needs of thirsty & hungry bar patrons (including myself) like a broken record playing all evening. Â I looked on as the same awkward & emotionless apology was delivered upon questioning any anspect of the negligible service.
What was even more irritating above and beyond the sub-par service was that she audibly comp'd a bottle of Cakebread Cellars Sauv Blanc for the pretentious twosome seated next to me just because their complaints were more obtrusive. I guess the squeaky wheel gets the oil at this establishment. Don't complain, pay full price. Complain, get comp's!
Mixed response. Â The food was good, but the atmosphere was noisy and a little chaotic. Â We were seated near the entry to the service area which contributed, but the waitstaff seemed harried and rushed, and sometimes reached across the table to pour. Â The chicken I had was tasty, but the sauce was a little salty. Â The salad was excellent, and the sides (potatoes and asparagus) were well prepared and complemented the meal. Â My companion had "short ribs" which appeared to really be pot roast. Â Again the salad and sides were very good.
Review Source:Quite good. Â Small menu, with interesting options. Â Food was delicious, service was just OK. Â I sat with an empty water glass for awhile. Â We went toward the end of the night, so it was not busy - the busboy walked by us a few times with my glass empty and even seemed to try to ignore me. Â
Wine list is below average for food this good.
Dish restaurant is amazing! Their service is impeccable. They always come quickly and refill your drink. They check back on you to see if you need anything. Their food is great! They have a wonderful outdoor area as well which is perfect for a nice, breezy day! Â I always get the Penne Pasta which is mushrooms, chicken, and peas in a light lemon sauce. The vegetarian sandwich is amazing as well. The food is high quality and you receive nice size portions. If you are looking for amazing food, great service, and a beautiful place to eat at this is it. There is no other restaurant in Valpo that comes close!
Review Source:Over the years, I have eaten at Dish too many times to count and they catered my wedding. Â Needless to say, I love Dish. Â I am in Chicago a lot and the food easily stand up to an upscale restaurant in the city. Â The food is worth the price...don't expect to pay "bar & grill chain" prices, because this is not a "bar & grill chain". Â This is an upscale high quality/taste restaurant. Â My number one entree pick is the Sesame Crusted Chicken Breast. Â Also delish is the Penne with peas, pancetta, mushrooms and a light lemony cream sauce. Â During lunch you will be pleased with any of the sandwiches and they even have a different "box lunch" for $6 every day that includes a small soup, salad, sandwich and dessert. Â I can honestly say that I love everything that I have ever eaten here.
Review Source:This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Â The food is really delicious. Â Yes, it is pricey for the area, but you get what you pay for. Â The service is great and decor is great. Â A little bit on the bright side, but that's really the only complaint I have. Â Been here a handful of times and everything I have tried has been really delicious.
Review Source:This place is always our first choice for dinner in Valpo. The food is great--the specials are always fabulous. The staff is wonderful. And their specialty drinks are yummy.
I don't normally like carrot cake, but theirs is to die for. Plus, you can get a nice "box" lunch (soup, sandwich, salad and dessert) for around $8. You'd spend almost that much getting a sub combo at Subway.
I would actually rank this place as kid-friendly, but my daughter is great dining out, so I am biased.
I phoned early in the day to make sure they could accomodate a vegan diner and was assured they could. I specifically stated that I didn't want the same old tired salad or pasta dish. I was assured they could prepare a good meal without meat or dairy. When we arrived to celebrate my birthday, I was told I would need to tell the chef what to cook! Don't these cooks in expensive restaurants go to school for this? What I wound up with was an unappetizing salad that was only slightly altered from the menu. Obviously, the chef is not used to working off the menu. Our party of four spent big bucks, and I didn't even eat (to be fair, the three meat-eaters enjoyed their meals and that's why I gave it two stars instead of only one). This place promotes its "hand crafted" dishes, but that apparently does not include plant-based dishes. Extremely disappointing.
Review Source:We have been going to the Dish for Many years. Â They have the best Mac N Cheese dish I have ever had. Â They offer amazing bread for free as you wait for your meal. Â Yes it is on the expensive side but you will not taste this kind of food at your local town restaurants. Â We love the dish and will always recommend it. Â In fact, we take all of our out of town guest to the dish because it is known as our favorite little restaurant. Â I will add we only go during lunch times. Â We have never been at the dinner hour. Â We love the dish and the owner is very personable and is ALWAYS there:)
Review Source:Had a family party here, and the banquet room was great! Â The food was pretty typical, and not really worth the money, but the atmosphere was far better than most back-of-the-restaurant options in the area. Â
Also, they are closed during most of the day on Saturday, which makes it perfect to have the entire restaurant to yourself for a party or shower. Â
I haven't dined in since, but if I had a shower or party to plan, I'd probably be back.
One star you ask?
Maybe we ordered all the wrong things. Or perhaps we're spoiled from our time in Chicago, but I don't think we'll be going back to the Dish.
We actually almost left when first looking at the menu. If you are going to charge $15-$25 for an entree it better be something interesting. Â Additionally, my wife has a vegetarian inclination and there was nothing outside of an appetizer for a vegetarian.
Still, we made the decision to stay. We got some wine (which ended up being the best part of the meal). I ordered a beef tenderloin pasta and my wife had a house salad and an order of shrimp (she will eat some seafood).
Basically everything was over the top. My pasta was ALL cream sauce. It was like a Hamburger Helper dish my mom would make when I was a kid...except that costs $4. My wife's meal was about the same. All the emphasis was in the sauces, overpowering the favor of the meat/vegetables rather than complimenting them.
Finally, as we were trying to wash the taste from our mouths, the wait staff filled my wife's water glass with what we guessed was flat sprite. It tasted like when you finish a soda from McDonalds and leave the cup/ice in the car, only to drink it three hours later giving you a mouthful of water with a slight soda taste. Awesome.
Bottom line: Not bad for a classy truck-stop, but if I'm gonna spend a good amount of money on dinner, I expect a lot more.
Dish is a wonderful place a little off the beaten path. Â It is nestled in a strip mall on the outskirts of Valparaiso but totally worth the trip.
I have only been for lunches as I keep forgetting about it when deciding where to go for dinner however would go in a second if suggested. Â Their menu changes, but they always have a boxed lunch which consists of your choice of a sandwich, soup and salad. Â All of which are very appetizing, wild mushroom bisque anyone? Â Their baked mac and cheese is also very delicious.
I'd suggest this to anyone looking for a fine ding experience in a nice environment with good service.
It's a little offensive to read "for Valparaiso" this restaurant is great. Â This IS an incredibly fabulous restaurant for anywhere. Â The chef, Eric, is so creative and friendly, I can't say enough. Â The food is outstanding, to say the least, better than any place else I've eaten. Â He can take a turnip and make it into something wonderful. Â The Dish is highly recommended as a place to take a date or just to go for a weeknight special. Â It isn't quiet though. Â As to the expense, the food is worth it.
Review Source:I kid you not. This place is awesome. I did not expect something like this anywhere near Gary IN off the I-80. My sister's best friend took us there and I ordered the Braised Beef Rib. I was in awe. Never had a non-Chinese restaurant achieved the depth of taste of a braised dish before (in my experience). The red wine and vinegar was reduced like there's no tomorrow and the sauce penetrated deep into the meat.
I went back to this restaurant again a few years after the first tasting and it was still good! Granted it's in a strip mall in semi rural Indiana country, it's decor is quite stylish and not overdone.
I would strongly recommend that you try this place out if you drive by I-80 from Michigan to Illinois or vice versa.
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