The Dawson

I went here twice in the last week for dinner. Once with colleagues and once with my husband for their holiday burlesque experience. The food is 10/10! The spicy rigatoni is phenomenal! The mushrooms are a must-try and the ceviche and brussel sprouts were also favorites. Don’t sleep on the rabbit pasta, I had never had rabbit before and was afraid it would taste gamey but it did not at all, it was very good and I would liken it to ham. I had both the wagyu and the filet, I would actually say I liked the filet better, the wagyu was very salty and too well done for my liking (I order my steak medium rare for reference). The Mac and cheese side was not good, it’s very bacon forward but the cheese tastes like gross fake cheese. The dessert menu did not look appealing but we tried the peanut butter pie and it was not good, it was not flavorful at all. The Some like it Hot cocktail was very good, the wine list was good but they were out of the Barbera both nights when I went. Finished the night with a cappuccino. The burlesque experience was weird and we wouldn’t go to it again. First off, the reservation was for 8pm so naturally we assumed that we should arrive the customary 10-15 minutes early in case it was a hard and fast show start time. They would not seat anyone until after 8pm so we were waiting in their main entrance with everyone else that had booked the experience and it got quite crowded while we waited to be taken upstairs. Then as you can imagine they took everyone up at the same time so that was also very chaotic because then everyone was ordering at the exact same time and took a while to get drinks. The burlesque show itself was odd, it felt more like a drag brunch than burlesque. It was also set to holiday music which made for a weird / bad vibe and I wish they would have made it clear in the promos because we probably would not have booked it. The DJ was good between performers though. I would rate it very low quality burlesque.

Highly recommend this place. Great ambiance, excellent food and our server Daniel was awesome. Very knowledge and checked on us regularly. They also have some fantastic craft cocktails and an extensive whiskey collection. I wound have given Dawson 5 out of 5 for all of the above reasons. But the highlight was the owner Branko stopping over. Very cool of him to check on us and fun and interesting dude. Then he surprised with complimentary bubbly. And that my friends is how you build loyalty. I'll definitely be back!

We chose The Dawson as our wedding venue for our intimate, 70-person wedding where we wanted to display one of our favorite neighborhood spots, that would highlight incredible food and a memorable night for us and our guests. The Dawson surpassed any and all of our expectations and delivered an incredibly high-quality event in every scope. Sheena, the Dawson’s event coordinator, is perhaps the most incredible person we could have worked with. Her ability to understand our needs and respond went above and beyond anything we could have imagined. Her ability to go the second mile along with her superior ability to anticipate and react creatively was extremely appreciated. The atmosphere created by the Dawson’s staff during our event, the impeccable food and talented bartenders really made our night better than we could have imagined. The Dawson, their team, and Sheena specifically deserve 10 out of 5 stars for their meticulous attention to detail, planning, and execution. Do yourself a favor by going with The Dawson for your next event, you truly will be in the best hands!

A Brunch Adventure at The Dawson The Dawson's brunch menu is a symphony of creativity and flavors, offering a range of dishes that promise a delightful journey through taste. Guests can enjoy a fresh Fruit Plate or opt for the Berry Parfait's berry and yogurt medley. The Super Green Salad and Wisconsin Cheese Curds provide diverse options for different tastes. Those seeking unique indulgence can try the Brunch Empanada or the Chicken Fried Lobster for a spicy twist. The Smoked Salmon Paris-Brest and Khachapuri offer innovative combinations, while the Crab Cake Benedict caters to seafood lovers. Sweet options include the Nutella Stuffed French Toast, and the Chicken & Waffle provides a comforting experience. The Dawson Burger adds a classic touch to the menu, while satisfying sides like Mac & Cheese and Twice Fried Potatoes complement the offerings. The Satyr Scrambles, a blend of flavors, conclude the main menu offerings. The Dawson's brunch menu is a testament to creativity, offering a variety of dishes that cater to different tastes. With unique twists on classic brunch items and a commitment to quality, The Dawson promises an unforgettable brunch experience. 5-stars and highly recommended!!!

Stumbled on this wonderful restaurant while walking in the area, during our visit to Chicago. It’s now on our list to come to every time we’re in the city!! Fabulous food, staff and atmosphere. Our server and support staff were over the top outstanding. And who knew a simple salad could be so delicious!! Thank you Dawson for a wonderful start to our Chicago visit.