Montarra continues to prove why great restaurants earn repeat visits. The food remains exceptional, the drinks are thoughtful, the ambiance polished without feeling stiff -- and somehow the service may be even better than all of it. A special nod to Ben behind the bar, who elevates the experience from excellent to memorable. Personable, kind, and genuinely welcoming, he embodies the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back. Another flawless night at a place that continues to deliver. read more

Montarra - Smoked Manhattan - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

Montarra is the kind of restaurant that doesn't just serve a meal, it creates a moment. If you're looking for an elevated, upscale experience without heading into Chicago, Schaumburg, Oak Brook, or Naperville, this is the place. Period. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance with dim, intimate lighting and a clean, modern presentation. It feels polished without being stiff, refined but still welcoming. Most importantly, it delivers where it counts, on the plate. We started with the lamb lollipops, cooked precisely to temperature and finished with crushed pistachios, pomegranate, and a rich demi-glace. Each bite delivered depth, brightness, and texture. The Dungeness crab croquettes were equally impressive, crispy on the outside with a delicate, herbaceous interior. Rich, but never heavy. The French onion soup is an experience in itself, served in a hollowed onion. Bold, deeply savory, and incredibly comforting. Service elevated the night even further. Our server, Karra, asked if we'd sharing and had the kitchen split our entrées into individual portions, a thoughtful touch. The steak arrived perfectly cooked, and exactly as ordered. We finished with the English sticky toffee pudding, warm, gooey, and unapologetically decadent. Montarra doesn't chase trends. It executes upscale dining with precision, care, and genuine hospitality. That is exactly why it stands out, and why I'll keep coming back. Go experience it for yourself. read more

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Saturday 4:00pm opening. Reservations definitely needed and a must. Sara our waitress amazing and attentive (deserving a big raise!) Lived in the area over 20 years and never have gone there. What a big loss for us!!!! Romantic! Great wine & drinks. Food in the menu was superior from appetizers to desserts! read more

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We were celebrating a 90th birthday. The food and service were excellent. On our menu, at the top was a "Happy 90th Birthday Helen" wish, she felt so special. Thank you to Casey our server and Andria the manager creating a memorable celebration. read more

This is my new favorite place. The food was amazing! The only negative is it is way too close to my home which will make it hard to resist.

Staff very friendly and attentive. Food was absolutely outstanding and beautiful dine in experience.

Amazing yet again for a birthday evening. 10/10 recommend the specials. Crab Rangoon salmon is a delicate balance of flavors and textures. Creamy crust is evened out by the salty bite of the pork fried rice. Tortilla soup was rich, creamy and bursting with each bite. Make sure to add in any special occasions, as the staff is so thoughtful and adds in a celebratory note at the top of the menu! read more

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Food was excellently prepared. Our server was fresh, informative and unobtrusive. Service was excellent and not overbearing. Nice relaxed atmosphere - clean and elegant and not over the top. Wine was good, but I think the petit sirah was a bit past its prime. Apple galette for dessert was perfect. Bavette steak was perfectly done. We will return. read more

Montarra isn't content being just another upscale steakhouse -- it pushes the envelope. The kitchen shows a confident hand, delivering impeccably prepared steaks alongside dishes that take thoughtful culinary risks. More often than not, those risks pay off in a big way. Prices are unapologetically on the higher side, but the quality backs it up. Montarra feels like a place where the chef is willing to gamble a little with flavor and technique -- and for diners, that makes the experience all the more rewarding. read more

We wanted a date night for our anniversary and so began my quest to find the right place for me and the wife. There was no budget for this dinner but the only restraint was that it had with be within a reasonable driving distance. I was looking for some fine dinning options. Immediately 1776 restaurant popped up in my head and we tried to make reservations but they were closed on this particular day, darn. This is the second time now where we tried making reservations at this place and they were closed but not to be deterred because every time we couldn't get there the backup restaurant has always been fantastic and this was no difference. We arrive at Montarra for our reservation time at 7:30 pm and I'd be lying to you when I tell you that I've driven by this restaurant at least a thousand if not 10,000 times before and it's NEVER caught my eye. I just always assumed it was just chain restaurant even through I've never heard of Montarra before. But I digress. I went on my trusty YELP app to find some more information about Montarra and right away the excellent rating and plating caught my attention. This was the spot we're going to celebrate our anniversary. Once we get in I tell the hostess that I made reservations and she replied with, "happy anniversary" and my wife was pleasantly surprised already. Was this a sign of things to come as to how outstanding the service is at this place? We will see. We get placed in a dimly lit dinning room, which sets the mood nicely. Right away as we sit down my wife mentions how cold she is. And to her credit, the table they sat us at had a draft but it wasn't too bad for me but for her she kept her jacket on. We were greeted and I went with a beer and my wife got wine. We started our meal with the bacon wrapped scallops and french onion soup and the soup of the day which was chicken with wild rice. The service was excellent, like a wise seasoned vet playing in his 15th season. He was a smooth talker and just made the night extremely relaxed and enjoyable. The bacon wrapped scallops arrived and under it was a bed of perfectly cooked Spanish with pecan maple butter. Believe me when I tell you this, the Spanish was the best thing I ate all night. It was again cooked perfectly and paired with the pecan maple butter, I could have just ate a plate of that buy itself. Oh man. I didn't even touch upon the bread rolls and butter that they serve you before the meal. That was delightful in itself but I didn't want to fill up on that! After that was their world famous french onion soup. And I'm a french onion soup snob. I like it only a certain way and that's with the cheese melted on top of it, just like how Around the Clock does it. But again, the presentation and soup itself is amazing and a must-have if you like FOS. I tried some of my wife's chicken and wild rice soup and that was delicious as well, creamy and deep with flavor. For dinner I went with the Waygu Bavette Steak over potatoes and green beans which was off their special menu. My wife went with the Lump Crab & Artichoke Stuffed Jumbo Mushrooms and Creamy Truffled Cauliflower. For me the Waygu steak was OK. I wasn't a fan of the puree they used but to each their own, it was still good. My wife enjoyed her meal as well. Overall, Montarra is a HIDDEN GEM and I'm mad at myself for not going here sooner or having any of my friends or neighbors tell me about this place. But now I will make it my duty to tell every single friend, neighbor, family member about this special place. Executive Chef, Joshua Lynn has created a downtown Chicago dining experience right here in the Algonquin area and I thank him for it. The wife and I will be back to try a bunch of other things on the menu and thank you again for making our anniversary special. read more

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I have not been to Montarra's in a really long time because it is not close to my house. I met a friend for her birthday. So glad we met at Montarra's! The bar and restaurant is decorated simple yet a cool vibe. I love the dim lighting. It feels more intimate. We sat at the bar. The bartender Ben was very friendly and made suggestions for drinks and appetizers. The dirty martini was so good. Ice cold with blue cheese olives. We had the crispy coconut shrimp with sticky rice. We also had the pork belly with cheddar grits. Both appetizers were delicious. The chef really knows how to combine food, flavors, sauces and textures. I finished with an expresso martini. So yummy! I'll be back for sure. read more

Montarra - Yummy expresso martini - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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We returned to Montarra many years later and we're even more impressed than on our first visit. The service was excellent, the vibes lovely, and the food delicious. I enjoyed the Ciao Bella and Apple Pie Old Fashioned- delicious! We had the stuffed mushroom, bulgogi eggroll, and foie grass appetizers and all 3 we would get again. The bread service was also delicious. For our mains my husband and I had the short rib and really enjoyed it. Finally, we ended with the sticky toffee pudding and the lemon tiramisu. Fantastic Valentine's meal- we'll be back for a special occasion again in the future! read more

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We came here to celebrate a family birthday and they were excellent for both group outings and a romantic date night! It may be nice to make a reservation as they can get quite busy on the weekends. Service was extremely friendly and accommodating. We recommend the dates appetizer! Everything they brought out was outstanding. We had two vegans in our group and they were very impressed by the chef's vegan option meal. Looking forward to returning! read more

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We were here celebrating my husband's birthday. The food was exquisite, and the service was superb. The ambiance was is pretty and elegant. What we had: Drinks: Glass or red wine and an Old Fashioned. Dinner: I had the Scallops bucatini- the scallops were cooked to perfection and the pasta was a perfect al dente. My husband had the surf and turf with sides of brussel sprouts, mushrooms and a baked potato. Dessert: Espresso martinis with a flourless chocolate cake, it was decadent!! Our server Michelle was amazing!! read more

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The ambiance of this place is absolutely incredible. The lighting is dim (which I'm always craving!) and the place feels almost like a spa. Serene color palette, curtains from the ceiling to the floor, windows are blacked out to hide outside visual noise, waterfall walls... it truly is incredible. The service is also impeccable. When making the reservation on the website, there was a spot to put in if you're celebrating something special. My husband just got a new job so I selected that option and we were so surprised by the attention that got. Upon checking in, the hostess congratulated him as did our waitress when she came to the table. The menu insert also said "congratulations on your new job" Attention to detail every step of the way. Not something most suburban restaurants are good at. I also made a note in the reservation that a booth next to the waterfall wall would be appreciated. Our reservation was for 7:15 and we showed up closer to 7, prepared to wait a little bit for our table. To our surprise, our table was already ready with the personalized menus waiting for us on the table. We felt very taken care of. We both got french onion soups and both agreed it is one of the best we've ever had. The presentation was also incredible as the soup itself came in an actual onion!!! They also provided a silver gravy boat with additional soup to pour in. The filets were amazing. I ordered medium rare and it was cooked to absolute perfection. We ordered one of their shareable sides as well... the Bacon Braised Brussel sprouts and they were to die for. I highly recommend this place if you're wanting a special dinner you're willing to splurge on. The prices are definitely up there (adding in 3 cocktails, our total came out to $194 pre-tip) but it was absolutely worth it. You definitely get what you pay for. And everything was so luxurious. The service, the ambience, the drinks, and the food... read more

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This is truly a special occasion restaurant in the far northwest suburbs. Restaurant lighting is so beautiful with chihuly chandeliers and intimate seating. Service was impeccable. Food was 10/10. Easy access from I-90. Convenient parking lot. read more

Montarra - Boulabaise broth was so delicious. - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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I had the duck, which was amazing , also the double espresso martini was fantastic!!! We will definitely coming back and trying all the amazing items on the menu!!! Loved the atmosphere and the waterfall wall and decor was great. read more

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First time trying Indian food in legit restaurant . Very tasty, excellent fresh bread even ordered to go to take home. Generous portions, brought home lots of leftovers. Nicely decorated, helpful and patient staff. Much bigger inside than it looks from outside Definitely worth checking out read more

The food is very good love the French onion soup! Lemon drop martinis delicious and cool waterfall!! Enjoyed our dinner immensely. :)

The two-star rating is definitely appropriate since two stars means - "Could've Been Better". We went during the weekend at 4pm. There were about 6-10 other people there spread out so it was very quiet and the setting was very comfortable. Our server was OK but very rushed for a place about 95% empty with other servers, but the real service came from the two bussers (male and female) who brought us water, cleared plates, etc who were extremely friends and not rushed. Those are the positive things. The two-star review is really based on the value vs the quality. For the prices they charge, we expected great food quality and didn't mind spending money on a nice meal for a good steak. Unfortunately, we both agreed that our steaks were not consistently cooked with some areas medium and others well done, not to mention they were not all that tender for the price. They were definitely not prime steaks. We ordered baked French onion soup that came in a hollowed out onion with an uncovered ladle of soup on the side. The presentation was interesting, but order baked French onion soup since I like it extra hot like it comes in a crock. The soup in the onion was minimal and hot, but by the time I ate the onion portion, the soup in the ladle was only warm. My suggestion to the chef is to find some nice decorative crocks to serve the soup piping hot. The rolls were good, but again my wife and I agreed that they were not made at the restaurant - they were definitely store/retail provided. Just not what you would expect for a nice restaurant. My wife didn't like the special butter for the rolls (I did though) so she asked for regular butter and the server brought two cubes of very hard butter like it was cut from a stick of butter - not whipped or softened. The topper was when she asked for a baked potato instead of the whipped potatoes that came with the meal. The server said she could get one, but there would be a few dollar up-charge. When it came, she tasted it and it was a boiled potato and when the bill came they charged $6 to replace whipped potatoes with a boiled potato. So overall, we weren't impressed and for the $200 we spent on food, tax and tip - we frequent other places that provide much better quality steaks and have real baked potatoes. read more

Downtown Chicago experience in Algonquin for sure! Made reservations for our anniversary and when greeted they congratulated us! Felt so welcome and the waitress was so friendly!!! The food was amazing !!!! And they are so careful with me being gluten free. The place is very nice as well. We will be going back for sure! 10 out of 10!!! read more

Montarra - Pesto salmon - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Been here multiple times and it's always freaking awesome! And such an affordable wine list! Last trip was to toast a friend about to have major surgery and once again everything was Devine! Food, service, drinks, atmosphere, fantastic! Some of the clientele were a bit pushy and rude, but the staff dealt with them quite effectively. This is a must go restaurant! read more

This is a hidden gem of a restaurant located in the suburbs. The ambiance is amazing. It is beautifully decorated with Chiluly light fixtures and a cool downtown vibe. The food and ingredients are top notch. My favorite salad is the Salted Beet. The combination of flavors is outstanding. Sometimes my husband and I will split the wedge. The portions are ample and the price is very reasonable. My favorite thing on the menu is the Bouillabaisse. It has shrimp, scallops, fish and mussels and the broth is so flavorful that you will definitely want to soak it us with the garlic toast. I have had many of the seafood large plates and they are always prepared to perfection. The small plates are another option and we live the Filet Crisps. You could a mm so make a meal out of the Signature Tacos which are some of the best I have had. My husband enjoys the steak or other meat dishes. For dessert we usually enjoy whatever cheesecake is available. We had the turtle caramel cheesecake and the recipe must have changed beer dud not like that one at all. We still give them 5 stars though because usually everything is anazing and delicious. The food selection is more unique than others and the combination of ingredients and effort put into all the details from the fresh greens, salad dressing, and presentation makes it a special experience. read more

Montarra - Filet Crisps Appetizer - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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We came here pre-pandemic, and finally return for another nice dinner. The restaurant has warm and welcoming ambiance. It is good for date night, celebration and gathering. The staffs are attentive. We specified that one of us has gluten allergy, and the staff is knowledgeable to explain the option. We definitely ordered more than we need. We had the bacon wrapped dates as the starter - it was prepared well - the bacon was no overly cooked and had a good balance of savory and sweetness from the dates. For the main course, we had scallop (gluten free). There were generous of portion of the scallop and cooked just right. One criticism was that the scallops were on the salty side. The other set of main course was soup and pork belly with steamed bao. The soup (cream of cauliflower) was smooth, and not overly creamy. The pork belly had just enough acidity from the topping to balance the fattiness. We did not leave room for desserts. We will have to come back in the future. read more

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We went last year Valentine's Day and it was packed with people. First time here and food was good , drinks great, ambiance was terrific...only dish that needed work was the seafood one, but overall good. read more

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Here for the first time on a weekend for dinner with friends who are regulars here. They absolutely raved about the place and so I thought this would be worth the long drive. Fortunate that this restaurant is pretty understated from the exterior especially since it is in a strip mall, but great because there was ample parking. Upon entering, it is a very eclectic, modern decor. The place was bustling and full too, especially right after the new year. Service was very nice very patient and luckily had a sense of humor as well. The menu is modern American food, with some slight influences and fusions from Latin and Asian perspectives. The portions were moderately fair and pricing a little bit on the higher end, but expected based off of the ambience. If I am ever out here this far again, I would definitely consider coming here as it was an overall pleasant experience. read more

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As always - excellent food. The shrimp appetizer was super tasty with a savory dipping sauce. The wedge salad was fresh and cold with just the right balance of toppings. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection and the beef stroganoff was a different take on a midwest staple. The English Sticky Toffee Pudding was sublime. read more

Montarra can be pricey and a bit on the loud side but well worth the visit. The waterfall wall is a nice highlight. Our dinner was awesome! Deducting one star because our server was not good. A shout out to the person who kept our water glasses full as she couldn't do enough for us. I wish she would have received all of our tip. Can't wait to go back with hopefully a different server. read more

This restaurant checks all the boxes. Good service and ambience are only 2nd to the wonderful food. Make sure you order the bacon wrapped scallop appetizer, it is awesome. The experience is moderately pricey, but in my opinion, so worth it. read more

Another amazing review from me for Montarra. It's always a great experience at Montarra. We always choose to sit at the bar (not just IN the bar area, but at the bar, itself), for our meal because we love the experience that the Bartender, Ben, provides. He's just awesome. We had another enjoyable meal last evening and were SO glad we ordered the Creamy Truffled Cauliflower side dish. While it's a side dish, it was the HIGHLIGHT of our meal. Unbelievably good! I can't say enough about it. read more

We were seated immediately, and our server came right over. We ordered our drinks which were promptly served. Dining room was dimly lit which added a nice feeling of warmth and relaxation which I always enjoy at this type of restaurant It was an amazing dinner. Everything from my martini to my salmon. I had the chefs special and it was prepared perfectly. It was a peach and mango covered salmon with squash purée, fresh apple slices and new potato's. Excellent! Service was professional and attentive. We are coming back! read more

The food was creative and delicious. I had the strip steak and the "chef's whimsy" risotto. My wife had the "lamb lollipops" appetizer and a wonderful soup. We finished with a bread pudding with ice cream and caramel. All fabulous, and the service was impeccable. They even customized the menu to say "Happy Anniversary!" It's become our go-to spot for such occasions. read more

Montarra - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

The restaurant is located in a strip mall which threw my husband off a little but when you walk in, you forget that is the case. It's decorated beautifully and there lights are dim. Alex took care of us on our anniversary and he was attentive and gave great recommendations. We had the lamb lollipops and bacon wrapped dates to start which were both fantastic. For dinner we split the Chilean sea bass and the 10 ounce Montarra style filet and both were delicious! My were definitely happy about all of our selections and will return. read more

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Best kept secret in the northwest suburbs. City Foodie-lover level quality with excellent portions and vast array of options. The cocktails always impress Always worth the drive from Palatine. I put it up there with Region, and possibly higher. read more

Out in the suburbs of Chicago, Montarra serves delicious cuisine. The restaurant is modern and very clean. Their service is excellent. I had their ribeye steak and Caesar salad. The marbling of the ribeye made the taste so much better. It was served over sautéed spinach. What a perfect green light, Thinsulin approved dish! The Ceasar salad was delicious as well. It was a simple meal and nothing fancy, but the place is quite fancy for any occasions. read more

Montarra - New American Near Me - Algonquin, Illinois

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Mountain of praise for Montarra The experience was very pleasant. This was our second time here and, to be honest, we only returned because we had a gift certificate. But we were pleasantly surprised and delighted. Service: Excellent. Both wait staff and hostess team seemed very engaged, from when I made the reservation to when we stepped into the restaurant and even when we left. Our waitperson was efficient, polite, and knowledgable. Food: was really outstanding (we had bouillabaisse and a special risotto dish with scallops). The menu was varied and interesting - I often gauge a restaurant by looking at the menu and having a difficult time making a selection because many items looked good. I liked that they had a quality menu with several selections that seemed creative. The quantity of items was also just right. Not too many, not too few. Other: When they took my reservation, they asked if it was a special occasion. I said it was for my husband's birthday. They asked his name - I didn't really know why but told them. When we were seated, I realized why. They had printed a special version of the menu with a happy birthday note to my husband. It was a very inexpensive, clever, and simple, yet meaningful step. We were impressed. We would definitely return - even without the gift certificate. read more

The ribeye was tough and didn't have a lot of fat/tenderness. The asparagus was great. The French onion soup was good too. I didn't complain about the ribeye to give them a chance to correct it. The creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were good. The service was slightly above average. I'm giving them three stars because of the steak. $68 for a ribeye should be a premium, delicious, tender and fatty ribeye. I would try something else on the menu here (if I ever come back).. which is not likely since I don't live here (and there's so many other better options). Oh, and I forgot to mention that I asked for the demiglaze for the steak on the side and they ended up putting it on top of the steak (and adding an additional side portion of it). I lowered my review from three stars to two because it's just not acceptable to serve such a tough steak for such a price. I vow to never make the mistake again of not letting management know. read more

Ways an amazing experience. Great menu and great staff! The salmon was probably the best I've ever had and my friends filet was crusted with Parmesan and so tender! Highly recommend read more

Amazing wait staff and food. Not inexpensive but WELL worth the cost. One of the best "burb" restaurants around. Don't let the strip mall location stop you from trying this top notch restaurant that can stand up against some of the best downtown places . read more

Montarra is an elegant upscale restaurant so we're not getting here super often. They've got an outstanding wine, whiskey and cocktail list too. We started with their Petite Filet Mignon Crisps, an excellent appetizer. Dinner was Duet of Beef Tenderloin Tips & Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Scallops and the Caramelized Jumbo Maine Sea Scallops. All of the food was cooked perfectly, well-presented and tasted great. The table service here was above average. Reservations recommended and you'll need about $250 for two. read more

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