545 North: An underwhelming dining experience

One of the online descriptions of 545 North Bar and Grill in Libertyville describes it as a "Chic eatery & bar for modern American dining in an intimate, upscale room or patio with fireplace."

Another reason you can't believe stuff you read online.

545 North Bar and Grill,  545 N Milwaukee Ave, in Libertyville, may offer a  "chic" bar, but in terms of providing a "upscale" dining experience, it falls short. 

Our recent dinner there was, as all four members of our party said was average at best.

The menu offers a modest selection with some items that may be of interest, but overall, the bill of fare is, well, average at best.  Perhaps what may contribute to this blahness are the descriptions that fail to shout uniqueness about a menu item.  It would be going into a Rolls Royce showroom and having Rolls described as "Made in England.  Includes wheels, seats and a dashboard."  The menu break things down by "small plates," "big plates," "off the grill" and, of course, sandwiches.  I have no idea what the difference is between "big plates" and "off the grill" and sense nothing struck my fancy, I left well enough alone.

Our table had the Scottish Salmon, Harrison's Poultry BBQ chicken (which is named after a poultry supplier in Glenview) and a seared Ahi Tuna salad (which was my dinner).  Presentation is pleasant, but like the rest of the experience, nothing special.  I also had the tortilla soup.  My salad was good, although it included only three pieces of tuna, which looked a bit lost on the salad.  The soup was good and provided a good compliment to the salad.

We did not have dessert, opting for only coffee.  The dessert menu, like the entrees, has a decent variety, but nothing to entice you to order anything.

Our wait staff was attentive and a couple other people came by to see how things were.  We had no idea who they were.

Wine prices seem high, but expect the usual restaurant mark-up.  For example, a bottle of Andrew Murray Syrah (2015) tips the scales at a hefty $48 a bottle, which seems high for a bottle of wine you can buy at Binny's for  $15.99.

We settled for a bottle of Esbelt Old Vines Garnacha from Spain ($36), which was fine.  The server graciously offered a sample to one person as she was not sure if she'd like it, which she did.  A few notes may be in order for wine service:  the first is once a red wine is opened and poured, leave it open to breathe.  Our serve recorked it.  Secondly, it's generally a common practice to pour additional wine during the course of the dinner -- something else our server neglected to do.  Both minor points, but it shows a lack of refinement by 545  North.

The atmosphere is pleasant, but far from being warm and "chic."  Most of the dining appeared to be toward the back, which would not be an issue had it been for the incessant cold draft coming through the doors that lead to the patio.   The staff is apparently aware of the issue and offered to turn up the heat, which they did.  While it eased the draft, it was discerning that once we were the last table there, the heat was apparently turned off sending perhaps inadvertent message to "hurry up and leave." 

Overall, an average dining experience.  545 North may be a nice place for a sandwich a drink, but in terms of "chic" dining experience, I found it underwhelming.

* * 1/2 / 5