We were really disappointed with our entrées during my birthday dinner at Bonefish Grill in…read moreSchaumburg. I made a 5:30 p.m. Friday reservation, which was easy enough, and when we arrived the restaurant was about 75% full. The hostess greeted us but never asked for our reservation, though we were seated right away.
John was our server, and he was great--attentive, friendly, and always on top of refills. Warm bread with olive oil and water arrived promptly, and he gave us time to look over the menu.
We ordered a Fresh Margarita, a Dirty Martini, and the crispy cauliflower. The cauliflower was delicious, but the Margarita tasted pre‑made rather than freshly mixed.
For dinner, we chose the Fish & Chips and the Scallops & Shrimp Scampi Pasta. Unfortunately, both dishes fell short. The most common causes they lose their crispiness falls into three categories: too much moisture, incorrect oil temperature, and overcrowding. The breading on the fish and the fries were not crispy at all--see photo below. I ate the first piece, but ended up removing the coating from the second and took the third home. The pasta needed much more of the white wine garlic lemon sauce; it just wasn't as flavorful as expected.
We finished with the Bourbon Brownie--the only chocolate dessert on the menu--and that did deliver. Rich, warm, and satisfying.
Despite the food misses, John truly elevated the experience. He checked in often, kept our water glasses full, and made sure we had everything we needed.
The restaurant had great energy, and the décor was tastefully done. Servers were dressed in white button‑down jackets and black slacks, adding a nice touch of professionalism. By the time we got up to leave, the place was absolutely hopping.
Great service, great appetizer and dessert--but the entrées didn't meet expectations.