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Ballantine Reviews List
Ballantine
Our goal is to present you with an experience unlike any other restaurant or bar in Cleveland. We'll strive to bring you the highest quality ingredients, the greatest beers available to the market, & great service that you can come to expect every single visit.
Whether you're looking to sit down and enjoy a great meal or just a few drinks with friends and family, Ballantine is the place you've been looking for. We'll make your time with us worth every minute.
We represent New American cuisine and American & Belgian craft beer brought to you in a non-traditional surrounding. We are not just a restaurant or simply a bar with food, we are a fusion of a steakhouse, stone-oven pizza place, beer bar, & eccentric cocktail lounge.
See more Ballantine details
Whether you're looking to sit down and enjoy a great meal or just a few drinks with friends and family, Ballantine is the place you've been looking for. We'll make your time with us worth every minute.
We represent New American cuisine and American & Belgian craft beer brought to you in a non-traditional surrounding. We are not just a restaurant or simply a bar with food, we are a fusion of a steakhouse, stone-oven pizza place, beer bar, & eccentric cocktail lounge.
43 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 43 reviews
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(26)
- vibrant bar scene(15)
- good for groups(13)
- hot spot(12)
- fit for foodies(10)
- romantic(8)
Ballantine Reviews List
Review 1 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great as always!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great as always! a DTW favorite."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mother's Day Dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Liked your "Mothers eat free" promotion and it is close to our home. The filets that we ordered were outstanding--the best we've had in a long time. We brought some home along with the asparagus and had it for dinner last night--still great. Glad we were able to try it out. A little pricey for everyday dinners, but with the promo we felt it was great."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 3 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
FABULOUS food !
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food and the atmosphere were absolutely the best. Our server was always checking on our drinks. The appetizers were startling, they were so good. And the steaks were possibly the best that I have had anywhere in Lake County."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
pizza are amazing
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"i only give a total of 4 stars on this one due to the recent menu change they did, while some things most likely the less selling items were removed some names were changed and other items removed completely oh also they've added a 40 dollar steak , they've stayed with all the pizza's and most of the apps they did have but other items were taken off a few which my wife liked. thats a personal thing i guess. overall the food and the service were very good and I will be returning but one note, valet parking was free at one point then went to 5 dollars ?, also for this level of pricing it should be free for dinners at this place all the time dtw is a headache to park in on a friday or saturday night"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, hot spot
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Review 5 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
great ambiance
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Invited my long term girlfriends to dinner and drinks. Requested larger table in the back by the fireplace. It was a cold night, so the FP was awesome! Was seated immediately and service was great. My scallops were really good, and everyone liked what the had ordered. Thanks!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 6 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always a pleasure to dine
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always a pleasure to dine at Ballantine's. The staff is friendly. The food is excellent quality with consistent preparation. Highly recommend."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Casual with great food and drinks
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Ballantine's was recommended by a fellow employee. I was looking for a palce to take a customer that wanted a casual atmosphere. It was a great call. The food was good, the beer selection tremendous and the service was equally great. It is not near my home but I will be taking my wife to experience this great neighborhood location."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
My Burger was over cooked
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My Burger was over cooked and brussel spouts were under cooked."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
We were seated at small table
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were seated at small table at the bar even though we made reservations when we asked to be moved when we noticed open table the waitress informed us those were tables for customers that called in their reservations.
Didn't have drinks that were listed on menu
Waitress didn't get our order correct
Waitress didn't check on our table after received meal and
We have visited this restaurant many times before and enjoyed it and do not plan on visiting after this past experience"
Didn't have drinks that were listed on menu
Waitress didn't get our order correct
Waitress didn't check on our table after received meal and
We have visited this restaurant many times before and enjoyed it and do not plan on visiting after this past experience"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2008
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Review 10 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
noise level and rowdyness
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"noise level and rowdyness at the bar was quite overwhelming at 8 pm while there for a dinner with friends. hard to have conversation, hard to hear the waitress. had seared scallop appitizer with corn panceta hash. the corn hash was delicious, scallops were average. portion was small. ribs were not that great, not my kind of sauce, but portion was adequate. sea bass with lobster risoto was good, little light on flavor but the risoto had a good portion of lobster meat. Crabcake appitizer was very good. Beer selection is great and call liquor price was more than reasonable. Great for a fun night out, but ambiance is not supportive of a evening out for conversation and dinner."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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Review 11 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Absolutely delicious filet!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Absolutely delicious filet! My friend ordered the aged New York Strip and it was perfect. This was my first dining experience at Ballantine and I would absolutely go back. Lee was a very pleasant and attentive server."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2006
Special Features: hot spot
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Review 12 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
one of the best restaurants
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"one of the best restaurants that i have been too in a while.. food was fantastic service was amazing it was my wife birthday and we had a blast"
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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Review 13 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
We went here for dinner with
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went here for dinner with 4 other people. The server was excellent and she was able to answer all of our food and beer questions. The food was expensive and the quality of what everyone ordered was fair to average. It took quite a while for our food to come
but that wasn't the servers fault."
but that wasn't the servers fault."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2012
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Review 14 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Drinks,steak and fries very
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Drinks,steak and fries very good. other food just okay. Very slow Kitchen."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best pizza in the world!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The wood fired pizza's are fabulous! The beer and wine offerings are broad, meeting a wide range of tastes and preferances. The bar staff is talented and the wait staff is knowledgable, prompt and friendly; both make you feel welcome ... even if your first visit. Ballantine's is a gem."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 16 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Horrible service! Did not
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Horrible service! Did not stay long enough to even try the food."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
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Review 17 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
very nice dinning experince
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"very nice dinning experince the food was excellent well prepared and presented ,the service ws outstanding knowlegable friendly staff and reasonably priced parking is at apremium so if you don't have time or want to find a parking place i'd use the valet parking it's well worth it."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 18 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good Food & Lively Bar scene.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"First time visited. A very lively bar scene.
Extensive Bar selection--30 beers on draft. Moderate wine list.
Food and service was very good.
Will return."
Extensive Bar selection--30 beers on draft. Moderate wine list.
Food and service was very good.
Will return."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
There for an early dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"There for an early dinner on a Saturday night and got seated right away. Place was not that crowded, but the main dining area around the bar was beginning to fill up. In fact, two people walked in and just sat down at a table and the staff had to move them for another reservation. Had a table right near the window overlooking the main drag of downtown Willoughby - only downside was that it was a little drafty in February.
Server was attentive and efficient. I was excited for the special IPA fest they had going on with a number of additional IPAs in their rotating tap handles. Food was excellent - we had the Herb Crusted Chicken and the Veal Tortellini. Definitely recommend it."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We've been to Ballantine's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We've been to Ballantine's on several occasions and they've always been happy to work with out dietary requests. This year Valentine's day dinner was perfect."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fun night at Ballantine...
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Fun night at Ballantine... Love the beer samplers. They have a lot of choices on draft & the small pours were a nice way to try something new. The Belgium fries were very good, especially with the sauces. Pizzas were just ok... a little overcooked which made the crusts hard to bite into. The burger was great, cooked to order and very tasty. Service was excellent. Nice cozy neighborhood spot that we will definitely return to."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great location in Willoughby
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Although the Monday evening was not particularly crowded, the service staff were very attentive which along with very good, fresh food, provided for an enjoyable first visit to this well located restaurant in downtown Willoughby. The draft and bottled beer and wine lists are quite large and fairly priced. The menu and daily specials offered a variety of small plates, pizzas, sandwiches, and entrees. We dined from the regular menu and chose the house burger and fries and a veal tortellini entree. The burger was very generously portioned; almost too difficult to handle and of high quality and well worth the price. The pasta was portioned adequately, and accompanied by a generous salad which provided good value for the price."
Dined on 01/28/2013
2009
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Review 23 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice bar, good beer selection,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice bar, good beer selection, good food and service."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2013
Special Features: hot spot
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Review 24 for Ballantine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Busy Saturday night.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The valet parking in front of their door (whether it is theirs or not - its front of their door) needs to be a little tighter. There was no one there when we got there, nor was he there when we were ready to leave.
They really should not be seating people against the window along the street with the cold breeze coming through that window. Although they did come up with an alternative in a hurry which was good.
The service was attentive and good. The steak, on the other hand, was a little dry (over cooked). The polenta needs seasoning. Regardless, it was a fine experience."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2005
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Ballantine
Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
2 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic