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Branch 27 Reviews List
Branch 27
Located in the old 27th Ward library branch in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, Branch 27 is an American bistro owned by Cary Michael (formerly of Rockit Bar and Grill and Lettuce Entertain You) and Howard Natinsky (of Five Star, Fat Cat, and Empire Liquors). Opened in mid-February 2009, this casual, neighborhood spot will feature a simple, hearty menu, craft beers, and an extensive wine list, as well as wines by the glass.
The partners have focused on creating a comfortable, value-oriented concept, with top-notch food and a friendly, modern atmosphere. Located within an early 1900s brick and terra cotta building that once contained Chicago’s 27th ward Library, Branch 27 creatively combines a rustic setting with stylized, handcrafted furnishings and details. A 20’ x 20’ glass atrium anchors the rear of the dining room, creating a year round garden experience. The menu will showcase an extensive selection of shareable appetizers, entrée salads, and familiar main courses
See more Branch 27 details
The partners have focused on creating a comfortable, value-oriented concept, with top-notch food and a friendly, modern atmosphere. Located within an early 1900s brick and terra cotta building that once contained Chicago’s 27th ward Library, Branch 27 creatively combines a rustic setting with stylized, handcrafted furnishings and details. A 20’ x 20’ glass atrium anchors the rear of the dining room, creating a year round garden experience. The menu will showcase an extensive selection of shareable appetizers, entrée salads, and familiar main courses
59 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 59 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(33)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(35)
- good for groups(25)
- fit for foodies(21)
- great for brunch(16)
- vibrant bar scene(12)
- kid-friendly(8)
Branch 27 Reviews List
Review 1 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Timing needs perfecting...
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I find it hard to believe that the kitchen staff couldn't bring out all four dishes at the appropriate time in a very slow restaurant. My husband waited 7 minutes before his French Toast came out... the other dishes were definitely more complicated than French Toast.... no apologies from the waitress nor the manager. I will NOT dine here again. I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 20 years and I promise to never recommend this place to any of my fellow neighbors or friends."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 2 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome Neighborhood spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My wife and I love this place. We have been going here since it opened. Recently moved up north but still have come visit when we can. We had a great Mother's Day Brunch this past weekend!!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
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Review 3 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Burger Tuesday
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had to go back for the burgers, now have to go back for the other burgers. And mussel Monday. Ask for Lavette, she's awesome, as is the entire staff!!"
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We have only been to Branch
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We have only been to Branch 27 two times and each time has been great. My husband and I have been looking for a casual neighborhood place since one of our favorite places suddenly closed several years ago and Branch did the trick. The place is cozy yet has an air of sophistication. Service attentive but not over bearing and last the food we have tried has been outstanding!! We missed the steak tartar on the menu on our last visit. Looking forward to introducing our friends to this place!!"
Dined on 04/22/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Love the Gin Blossom, the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love the Gin Blossom, the flatbreads, beet salad and pork sliders...."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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Review 6 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Chef Week Special
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We happened to go during Chef's week and ordered the special. Everything was great. They have a notable craft beer selection which will keep me coming back if not for the Steak Frites!"
Dined on 03/20/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good Food and Nice atmosphere.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good Food and Nice atmosphere. Staff was very pleasant, service was great!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very Good, try to please & succeed!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went here for Easter Brunch after church on Sunday.
All staff were friendly & consciousness and our waitress Brooke was exceptionally so.
(Management had also been very prompt, courteous, co-operative and responsive during
the week both by phone & email when making & changing the reservations.)
Our party of three had 'breakfast' entrees: One omelet, one Eggs Benedict, and one
scrambled with sausage. We all enjoyed our meals and thought the food very fresh, good quality, and well prepared.
My husband doesn't normally like pan roasted potatoes, but he kept eating mine from off my plate.
It's a little noisy, but the tables are comfortably spaced. It was a good choice!
The Branch 27 team clearly want to please their customers. Ve"
All staff were friendly & consciousness and our waitress Brooke was exceptionally so.
(Management had also been very prompt, courteous, co-operative and responsive during
the week both by phone & email when making & changing the reservations.)
Our party of three had 'breakfast' entrees: One omelet, one Eggs Benedict, and one
scrambled with sausage. We all enjoyed our meals and thought the food very fresh, good quality, and well prepared.
My husband doesn't normally like pan roasted potatoes, but he kept eating mine from off my plate.
It's a little noisy, but the tables are comfortably spaced. It was a good choice!
The Branch 27 team clearly want to please their customers. Ve"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch
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Review 9 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Reviews said mussels were
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Reviews said mussels were good. Mine were not even heated uniformly! Would not bother going again."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2007
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Review 10 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The staff was great! We were trying to through our friend a surprise birthday party and the staff was very helpful and accommodating."
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Review 11 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We had the restaurant week
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had the restaurant week pre-fix menu. Our appetizers and desserts were unremarkable, the entres were very good and the service was outstanding."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Must ....
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went for restaurant week. It was simply amazing. Food was delicious and the service was perfect. Our server, and when I find out her name and write a letter, was perfect in every way. Never felt rushed and definitely left more than full."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We did the restaurant week
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We did the restaurant week menu, so it was good, not great but definitely enjoyable. The waitress was very scatterbrained and not very attentive, but she seemed new, so hopefully she'll learn the ropes soon."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2009
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Review 14 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went there for restaurant
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went there for restaurant week and thought the menu looked great. We enjoyed the decor of the restaurant as well. I enjoyed the pairings of beer to the food. It really complimented the taste. I would like to go back and try other items on the menu."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We went to Branch 27 during
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went to Branch 27 during Restaurant Week and had a fantasticmeal. I would highly recommend the scallops and bacon appetizer and the mahi mahi entree. The scallops melted in my mouth and the mahi mahi had just enough heat behind them. The service was on-point and the staff was available, if needed, but we never felt pestered. Everything was excellent and I'm contemplating going back before Restaurant Week 2013 is over ..."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Give your review a title (optional)
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our meal was uneven. Some things were stunningly well prepared and absolutely delicious, such as the beet salad and the white beans with pork. On the other hand, the soup was much to salty, and the server kindly removed it from our bill. With so much great food on Chicago Ave., I probably won't go back soon."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
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Review 17 for Branch 27
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pleasant surprisse
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband ordered lamb stew and raved about it. All our dinners were great."
Dined on 01/13/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Branch 27
Based on the average of (42) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic