4 to 5 stars for the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. 4 stars overall because...FCB is overpriced. I don't usually factor cost into my ratings. After all, the prices are marked on the menu and nobody is forcing me to eat there...but, when it's in my face... 25 bucks for 2 links of Andoulli with a, fairly large, "shot glass" of coleslaw and another, smaller, shot glass of pickled onions, and, a tablespoon of brown mustard. I saw the price but I still ordered it. After dinner my wife was laughing her ass off: "That anduoilli could have been from Kroger, you know?" I'm sure she was right. If the sausage was homemade, I'll issue a retraction...and eat my hat. That said it tasted great. For 15 bucks, it would have been a good deal. 90 bucks for a dozen oysters and a few prawns, AND 5 tasty scallops. We saw the prices but still ordered it. The oysters and sauces were excellent, so were the scallops. But that ain't "market price." The beignets for dessert were more than ok. Almost, but not quite there. The atmosphere of the establishment, including the patio, is top notch. I like the look and the feel. The service was also great. The waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and took great care of us. Drinks: I've been drinking a lot less as of late (I like being cut more than I like being buzzed), but last night, I did have an excellent cocktail, or two. In this category, FCB gives you what you pay for! Overall, Farnsworth Cocktail Bar is an excellent establishment. Them prices tho... read more

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The place is so cool and has history. It was a bank and the vault is still there, behind the bar actually! How neat?! Limited number of tables but spacious - you aren't sit on top of the other tables. I always enjoy sitting at the bar. Service is always friendly and great. My husband enjoyed a couple different cocktail from the menu and I always find a good wine! I've only come in for apps & drinks so far. Due to the size, I'd recommend a reservation. We have been turned away when trying to pop in due to no availability. So dinner must be great! read more

Farnsworth Cocktail Bar - Seafood Near Me - Waterville, Ohio

Came here on a Friday night. Not much seating and reservations for the night were full but seating at the bar is first come first serve. Probably waited about 20min, so worth it. The kitchen is an open concept and since we were waiting for a while for a spot to open up, the chef brought us some cracker bites which was such a sweet gesture to thank us for waiting. I would say the highlights of the food were the soup (seriously incredible), the snapper with tomatoes and lemon sauce and the oysters (WA variety they had named Shaguki(?) ). My whiskey sour (Afterwork sour) drink was impeccable also. The potatoes fell kinda flat for me, not much flavour. And the shrimp was well cooked but the sauce was too salty. Overall, a great spot for oysters, amazing service. No place like it in Toledo. Bravo. read more

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Building is really neat. It's an old bank and they used the vault in the bar area. We made reservations per other reviews that's the way to go. It's a small seating area and big bar. We got cocktails to start. A martini and their old fashioned. Both delicious and well made. Started with oysters and they were delicious. They charge extra for sauce and horseradish. For entrees we got the steak and lobster pasta. 5 star for the lobster pasta. Devoured it. Wish the steak came with a veggie side or frites. Felt like it was missing something. Little pricey meal but it was worth it. Everything was very good. read more

Farnsworth Cocktail Bar - Seafood Near Me - Waterville, Ohio

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Everything from food to service to hospitality. The vibe was welcoming from the start as being new to the area and from a bigger metropolitan area (Detroit) this was a welcome dining experience. I had the Pimento Cheese Spread to start wonderful serving size and texture I went into have the Hokkaido Scallops which did not disappoint as an entree they were smooth and light with a buttery finish. The drinks were well balanced. The atmosphere was inviting for a newcomer and a single female I was delighted to find this gem worth visiting and bringing guests as well as a cool event space read more

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First time dining here and brought my 13 year old niece for her birthday. It was amazing. We started with the crab dip which was excellent. We both got burgers which were the best burgers we've ever had. Prices were very reasonable for the service and ambiance. We plan to make this her yearly birthday dinner. Couldn't recommend Farnsworth enough! read more

Farnsworth Cocktail Bar - Crab dip - Seafood Near Me - Waterville, Ohio

Excellent vibe !Wonderfull staff & magnificent bartender "officiado." Makes superb cocktails and if you don't want a full meal, the apps & tapas come highly recommended as well. The history of the bank and their vault used for housing wines & bourbons, guarantee a good time & great conversations. You wont be disappointed! read more

So, we went back a few weeks ago for dinner. I was really looking forward to it because the 1st experience was so great. I misspoke in my last review by saying the floors in the restaurant were terrazzo. They're actually a highly polished, ceramic tile that's spotless. The chairs easily glide on the tile but not so much that it feels like they're going to kick out from under you. Did I mention that this place is really clean!!!??? So, overall, this experience wasn't as great as the first one. Some things really disappointed me, others were kind of head scratching "WTF" kinds of things. I'll start with their lack of a gin selection. The first visit, I was able to get a GREAT Boodles Martini. My favorite gin, mixed perfectly by a bartender that knows how to make a great cocktail. This visit, I ordered the same thing only to be told, "we don't have Boodles." "No problem, make it a Beefeater Martini. We don't have Beefeater." "Well then, Tanqueray. We don't have Tanqueray." "Hendricks???" "We don't have Hendricks." They have Sipsmith... I don't care for Sipsmith and I find it absurd that they don't have any of the "classics" in their bar. I'm not a child and I definitely have my preferences. Please respect them and have a bottle of Beefeater (or some other standard) behind the bar. It's $30 a liter. I'll experiment with other gins on my dime, at my leisure, not when the experiment is going to cost me $15 bucks to find out the bartender and I have different versions of what's acceptable. They have 20 or 30 bourbons, but none of the classic gins that most gin drinkers would prefer. At the end, I got a Manhattan... The Manhattan was very well made, and it was fine, but I really wanted a Martini. Strike one... The next issue was with the hamburger. They cooked it well done. Nobody should ever assume their customer wants well cooked beef. Never. The first time I ordered a burger, it was rare to medium rare. For me, it was perfect. I really love my beef cooked this way. I wasn't asked how I wanted my burger, it just came that way. Same as this time. I wasn't asked how I wanted my burger, so I assumed it would be prepared the same way as the last time. I was wrong and very disappointed. Strike two. I ordered maque choux as my side. For those not familiar, Maque Choux is a corn-based dish with bell pepper, onion, bacon, butter and cream. It's an excellent side dish to say the least. Unfortunately, this was made with frozen or canned corn. Now, those that are thinking, "what did you expect in March/April in Ohio," I have seen corn on the cob in some stores at this time. It pretty much comes up from Florida or Mexico and is generally pretty good. Not as good as the corn we get here in August, but not bad. The choux really wasn't seasoned (if it was, I couldn't taste it), so it was really bland and pretty much a waste. Anything else would have been better (especially for the price). Strike three. We ordered the cream/berry filled croissant for dessert and coffee for everyone. They don't have coffee. I couldn't believe they didn't have coffee. Seriously, I was just blown away by this. The only other place I can recall that didn't serve coffee was Andre's on Summit. They don't have tea either. Strike four. The positives were the oysters. Delicious. Fresh. Clean. The waitress was very nice. Our table was ready when we arrived. Will I go back? Probably. I love the look and feel of the place. That said, I really hope they stop taking liberties with things. This place isn't cheap, and competition is everywhere. I'm thinking that between the 3 of us, we dropped $250.00+++. 3 cocktails, 3 burgers, a dozen oysters, an order of maque choux and some pimento cheese. The oysters and pimento cheese were good, but the rest of it left a lot to be desired. read more

Founded by people with DEEP roots in the area's food scene, Farnsworth will have you *completely* rethinking Waterville. With its home inside a century-old bank building that has been lovingly reimagined, it brings approachable luxury to this quaint Riverside community. The small menu emphasizes a clear love and passion for seafood, and the oysters are as fresh and delicious as you could ever hope for. Farnsworth is a great option for a date night, but also just a really cool new experience in a part of NW Ohio I suspect many of you have never explored. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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My wife and I have had the pleasure of dining at Farnsworth Cocktail Bar a number of times. The cocktails are always excellent and they always have a good variety of beer available as well as wine. The oysters are always excellent and are expertly shucked. (No grit or shell fragments) Although the restaurant specializes in seafood, they make the best burger I have ever had. The steak is top five for me as well. Seating is limited, so do yourself a favor by getting reservations and enjoy one of the best dining experiences in Northwest Ohio. read more

Best oysters of anywhere around here. I know it's known for the seafood but it legitimately has the best cheeseburger I've ever had. Highly recommend! read more

The food is delicious, and the presentation, stunning. The server was efficient and attentive. Will definitely patronize this restaurant again. read more

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It was 7 pm Friday night and 4 out of 6 diners did not get their initial order. No Chowder. No Lobster Roll. Scallops crossed off the menu- classy Forgot my Mac and cheese ... There was another table of 2 dining all other tables were empty-anyone else was at the bar having cocktails. So if you are going to have a limited menu have the food available!!! Ladies- no Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio BY THE GLASS. Horse radish was offered by the waitress but unlike Chipolte who offers guacamole & reminds that "guacamole is extra" Farnsworth just charged us. The waitress confirmed the manager/owner was aware of our lack of dinner situation but declined to come out and talk to us -how many of us have had a bad dinner situation and the manager had the courage to talk to you maybe comp a drink or desert? Because of the review we put on Farnsworth website we were called liars and told not to come back -NO PROBlEM! Plenty of good restaurants in Toledo area that deliver the food on the menu and care about their customers- read more

Went for the burger. I'm all about a smash burger. I wish the bun were warmed but otherwise enjoyed it. FYI: there are no fries to be seen on the menu. Or onion rings. Or tator tots. So we split a salad. Nothing else on the menu really excited me entree-wise. Also tried the baked oysters which I liked (they were covered in cheese) but maybe a more oyster purist would say was just cheese with maybe an oyster in there somewhere. I had a whiskey sour which was pretty solid. Food came out quickly. The place is pretty tiny with more seating than you'd expect. I found the lighting to be a big weird but otherwise, I'd go back. read more

Last minute decision to check this place out. Arrived shortly after they opened. Asked if we had reservations. We did not. Waited while the waitress "checked". We were eventually seated. Nice atmosphere except the bartender was loud and dressed like he worked at a bowling alley. Waitress poured us very warm water. She explained the oysters to us then walked away without taking a cocktail order. This review is about our experience, not the food. We left after sipping the warm water and went next door to Cocina de Carlos. Also, not sure the AC was working. read more

2-28-2024 Had the burger & simple salad & bean bacon soup. Enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service, altho she checked on us a little too often for my taste. The food was good, just nothing outstanding. read more

We desperately needed a spot like this in the area. Elevated, smaller menu, trendier vibe but still welcoming to all. The food is always fresh, the staff is helpful, and it's a great place to bring friends or just sit at the bar by yourself. Menu staples like the burger or the NOLA shrimp are always good, I love the rotating oysters, and my husband and I agreed they have the best cocktails in town. The menu changes often - some of my recent favorites are the springtime gnocchi, scallops, the caviar and chips app. Thankfully you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Even their little side salad is a favorite of mine! I've made it a habit to come once a week, but if you haven't been before - get there early! Because the food is fresh, sometimes they run out later in the evening. read more

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Staff is amazing. Food was amazing. And they also donated to a local veteran charity event with a gift card. The place is super cute. We don't eat seafood but the pickled vegetables were on point and the drinks even better!! read more

Farnsworth Cocktail Bar - Pickled veg - Seafood Near Me - Waterville, Ohio

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Best restaurant in Toledo and surrounding areas. Nobody comes close. Food is fantastic. The bank is super cool and really nice. We love it there and will go often! read more

Excellent service, ambiance, and food! Fabulous craft cocktails, excellent oysters, and an awesome atmosphere with so much history! 10/10 recommend and it's awesome you can make a reservation online. Recommend making a reservation because it's not huge inside and fills up fast. Not a huge dinner menu, but a fun place to stop for cocktails and appetizers or a snack before going out. Will definitely be going back in the future! read more

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Great service. Great patio. Fresh oysters!! My old fashioned was spot on! Get the shrimp!! The place has a great feel, an old refurbished bank. Legit bank vault with the original 14,000# door still functional. The place really feels like it belongs in a big city. Josh, the owner is very friendly and engaging. Props to Jordan (our server). Ambiance is classy yet accessible. Would love to see a couple more bourbons at the bar. Sincere congratulations to Josh on a great place. read more

Beautiful atmosphere in a old band in Waterville Ohio. There is not a lot of seating, but adds to the charm. Staff was welcoming and inviting. We ordered two martinis. I didn't time it but it took awhile before getting the drinks. When receiving the drink orders it was wrong. I am not sure it was the bartender or waitress fault. They were willing to correct, but yet again it took awhile to get the correct drink. Food is as delicious and came up quickly. Oysters and shrimp was amazing. Bread and butter was okay. Butter could have been softer and bread was lightly burnt. I am in on the fence on returning. read more

Amazing decor inside, you must call for a reservation because it's very small inside. Staff and drinks are amazing. Yet to get food

Went for the first time for a birthday dinner. Food and cocktails were amazing....had the oysters, scallops and blueberry pecan salad. I could have licked my plate! Portions were perfect! Atmosphere excellent! Don't forget to make reservations....way ahead of time! read more

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We tried three versions of oysters: raw, Rockefeller garlic butter & onion and torched bacon! The quality of the oyster is excellent and the inventive toppings were delicious! The steak - in addition to being well priced - had a perfect sear with a bourbon sauce so flavorful, we could tell the chef knows and loves flavors! The sauce was inspired by a fusion of the many cultures and regions. A little Cajun; a little Asian; with an aftertaste of heat. Let's just say, I am envious of the people who live in this neighborhood and can come whenever they want. This is a beautiful and well-executed concept for Northwest Ohio! Highly recommend! read more

Farnsworth Cocktail Bar - oysters on a wooden tray - Seafood Near Me - Waterville, Ohio

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Great food and great drinks. I've been a couple times now and it is always a great experience. They do change their menu every so often so if you are craving something specific, check their socials or website before. Most recently went with my buddy and girlfriend. Ordered the burger, unfortunately our sever came back and said they ran out but would give us the steak for the price of the burger ($40 vs $12). They did not need to do that, I understand but it was much appreciated and the steak was great! Will definitely be back. read more

A lovely restaurant and bar in a converted bank complete with a vault. Good looking bar, very pleasant and efficient wait staff. Food interesting and tasty. Good portions. read more

I was anxiously awaiting a chance to try this new place. Sadly it did not meet expectations. Drink service was exceptionally slow though food service was much better. Food was good but not exceptional. Unique atmosphere, but it is not enough to draw me in to return on a regular basis. read more

I rarely write negative reviews, especially for a local establishment, but was just so incredibly disappointed with our experience there. We had stopped in several times previously to find it so busy we were unable to stay, even for just a drink at the bar. Wanted to take my sister there so made a reservation for us well in advance of her visit to town. Arrived for our long awaited reservation to find that they had over booked. We waited (patiently) for quite awhile for a table but they made us feel awful about insisting we keep our reservation as it appeared others were arriving with reservations & no tables as well. Food was good but did not enjoy under the circumstances. Will not be back. read more

We had dinner at Farnsworth last night and indulged in their wonderful oysters. OMG, amazing! The food, drink, and service was incredible. The building was an old bank in the day, converted to a beautiful restaurant/ bar. If oysters and great wine/cocktails are a favorite, you MUST give Farnsworth a try. They also have other items such as salads, shrimp, and burgers on the menu. read more

Walked by on the way into the cigar bar, saw the sign and stopped in for a drink. Everyone was amazing. We stopped by the bar for a cocktail and Josh told us the history of the restaurant and the building. It is a unique restaurant with plenty of history. Already planing our next visit to explore the menu but will be back to for sure! 100% recommend. read more

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Great cocktails, oysters, and service in Waterville. Gnocchi was excellent as was the sea bass. Renee was attentive, informative and personable. Would love to have had some greens included with the sea bass. Cute set-up, small, bar was hopping! Menu is limited. read more

The. Best. Oysters. And. Shrimp. In. Toledo. We were recommended this place by a close friend and it honestly surpassed our expectations. The head chef, Jacob, is amazing and his cooking never disappoints. My fiancé and I were never big oyster people but this place really turned us around! Now I can't go one week without craving oysters from Farnsworth. Not only were the oysters fresh and delicious, their shrimp is absolutely to die for!!! The flavors that are melded into them is just indescribable and beyond yummy. Literally everything on the menu was so delicious. We even had the steak and oh my goodness me... the sauce that's made with it is so sweet and savory it's perfect. Only bad thing is I wish the mini salad that was on top of the steak could have been more because the salad was so good! Haha. Great spot with amazing food and a wonderful atmosphere. If you haven't been here before you gotta try it. It's a little pricy but honestly I think it's worth every single penny - especially with the level of quality of their foods. read more

This place has so much character, as previously a bank. The original vault is still in working condition and gorgeous accent to the restaurant. The the oysters are a great addition to the Waterville area with great presentation either raw or baked. I ordered multiple dishes since I've been here multiple times and did not disappoint. The service is exceptional and all of your questions will be answered. Please stop by and try out this new restaurant! read more

This definitely a step up from all of my experiences in the 419 and love the Nawlins menu. Cocktails are out of this world. And the staff and owner gave great service as well. read more

This place is awesome, From the tremendous staff to the fantastic food normally found only in 5 star restaurants on both west an east coasts. So fortunate to have such a place in Northwest Ohio. Everything is so unique. read more

Staff was very pleasant and food was excellent. I had a sampler of oysters and the scallop special, which were excellent. I can't wait to come back. The old bank building has a historic feel to the restaurant. read more

Oysters were alright. Cocktails were very good and service was great as well! We had the steak and it was delicious! Recommend going early because it is pretty small. read more

we have been here a couple of times and decided to come for Valentine's Day. We sat at the bar. The service was amazing. The food was exceptional. It's really a one of a kind place. The scallops and steak are to die for and we will definitely be back. We also love the personal attention of the owner/chef. read more

We gathered with some friends for a first time visit to Farnsworth Cocktail Bar on a Friday evening. Made a reservation for 8:30 pm (the only time slot available). We were so impressed with the ambiance and welcome! First sat at the bar to have a drink. Super nice bartenders gave us their thoughts on some drinks to start with... we loved our choices (old fashioned, long g&t, whiskey sour, happy blossom) ! We had an amazing waitress who also was informative on the menu and made great suggestions! As a table of 4 we decided to share all of our dishes (so we could taste everything) !! We shared and devoured The Silver Vault Combo Appetizer, Blueberry Pecan Salad, Maple Bourbon Gnocchi, New Orleans Bbq Shrimp, and Scallops... highly recommend them all... delicious flavors and fresh ingredients :) Everything was quality!! We will definitely come back.. and tell friends and family!! It's a great place to hang out ... and the town is super cute!!! read more