I was taken here for a birthday brunch, somehow I'd never heard of Waterleaf! We've been back several times since, the food is always delicious and it's wonderful to be able to support such a wonderful program. The students we've interacted with on our visits always have been pleasant and helpful. The price is incredibly reasonable, and I feel like they could absolutely charge more than they do! The only downside, and it's a small one, is that I feel like some of the furnishings could be updated (new carpets, etc), as it feels a little dated. That said, it's a college restaurant, and it doesn't really make sense to update some of that stuff unless it's actually necessary. read more

This was our first time at Waterleaf. We have tried for reservations many times and by chance, it worked out. Everything was great- a very relaxing experience. The food was delicious. We both had the salmon which was perfectly prepared and played. Emmitt was our server and he was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about food and service! We hope to return often! So happy to have the opportunity to visit and dine at the Waterleaf! read more

Waterleaf Restaurant - Salad - New American Near Me - Glen Ellyn, Illinois

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We are regular Waterleaf patrons who witnessed a bizarre shift in standards under the culinary program's new leadership. Part One: Waterleaf often runs out of entrees and informs you halfway through your four course meal that you can't have the main entree you ordered at the beginning of your meal. We had this happen to us before at Waterleaf & graciously accepted the alternate entree. Like most restaurants, they also have a policy to accommodate diners with food allergies. On our last visit, they again switched the entree we ordered after we already ate the first two courses but this time we couldn't eat the other entree because one of us had a food allergy. We had made an early reservation to make sure we put our order in first and arrived on time. But the supervising manager did not seat the tables according to their reservation order & we were the next to last table to be seated. Our student server explained our allergy to the kitchen and they said we'd have to have the entree we were allergic to even though our server also told us that all four people at another table were being accommodated for the same food allergy & no one in the restaurant had yet been served the main entree. We were taken aback by the illogical double standard. Surely everyone there did not have the same allergy & they could have accommodated us. But we also know Waterleaf is run by students and we've had substandard experiences there in the past which we always accepted because they are learning. So we just politely asked for our check since we couldn't finish the meal. We even joked to each other that our waistlines could use a light meal of soup & salad. Without being asked, the supervising manager (who had seen us dine there many times before) got involved and came over to our table and started making a speech about how the restaurant is student run and they only have so much of each entree, etc. etc. etc. She would not let us get a word in edgewise to tell her we already knew all that and were leaving because of a food allergy. Surprisingly, she continued to interrupt us and talk over us assuming that we needed a lecture on how the restaurant works. Because the scene was drawing unwanted attention to our table and we weren't given the opportunity to explain, we calmly but firmly disengaged. We were relieved when she left. Our server came back and we let her know that our conversation with the manager was not productive because she would not let us explain so we would still need the check, please. Hoping it would soothe the unnecessary drama, we clarified that we were fine with paying for the whole meal to support the program. A few minutes later, the manager came over and said they were going to comp our entire meals but that she "didn't want to talk about this now" after she drew attention to the situation in the first place. We accepted their offer and again clarified that we tried to explain our concern but couldn't because she kept interrupting us. We were calm and speaking in a normal tone of voice throughout. We were glad to leave and put this unpleasant episode out of our minds. We had to admit to ourselves that the Waterleaf is no longer worth patronizing & reluctantly canceled our future reservations online. Part Two: Our instinct that this was not just the staff having an off night was confirmed when two weeks later the recently hired (2022) new Dean of Arts, Communication and Hospitality at the College of DuPage (whom we've never met) doubled down by sending us a formal letter of reprimand. Assuming he was writing to apologize, we were blindsided by the first sentence which read "you raised your voice and chastised a server because you didn't get the entree you wanted." Since his presumptions were entirely detached from reality, we did not read the rest of his full page letter (which we could see went on for several more paragraphs) or respond to it. But the little we did read helped solidify our decision to end our patronage. It's bizarrely contradictory for the dean of "communication" and "hospitality" to proactively alienate loyal patrons by insulting them in writing without first extending them the courtesy of requesting their side of the story. We only had two untenable choices: say yes to an entree we couldn't eat or be framed as misinformed, rude & demanding for politely saying "no, thank you." It was particularly distressing to observe this kind of leadership in a program responsible for training students because modeling the antithesis of hospitality is likely to degrade the industry on the whole. We do want to give the full five star rating to the memory of the recently deceased Professor Jim Mulyk (pictured at the Mardi Gras dinner), who carried the torch of old school hospitality & professionalism at Waterleaf. We will fondly remember his high standards, gracious manner, impeccable elegance & our treasured delicious meals under his expert stewardship. All good things must come to an end. read more

Waterleaf Restaurant - New American Near Me - Glen Ellyn, Illinois

After reading some really convincing reviews from my yelp pals, I had this place on my radar. We had reservations on 2/12 and the experience did not disappoint! We were apparently the first dinner service of the term, so it took them a little bit to get ready, but it was so endearing how earnest/hardworking the students are. They really keep things going and provided great service. The food was awesome as well! The menu was 3 courses + a dessert. You got to select from two options for each course. I love a set up like this because it forces you to branch out. I tried the butternut squash apple soup, an arugula blue cheese salad, maple seared chicken on wheatberry/couscous salad (but I was so torn on this, the salmon looked AMAZING). The exotic fruit tarte was also so unexpected with its chocolate and fruit combo, but just great. All the flavors were so surprising and wonderful. I really feel like the menu was a "palate awakening" experience since the food was unexpectedly different. The restaurant itself had a cozy feel to it, and was only about half full. It was nice and relaxing since it remained calm in the dining room. The value itself was awesome too. $17/per person and it included that extra dessert that we weren't expected and our soft drinks. Wine (they had one red and one white) was $7 a glass, but the pours were big and seemingly topped off as people ate as well. I was jealous i had to miss out on that! Tax is also already included so our total was $34. Any tips are donated back to the program. In short, we loved it and will be back soon!! read more

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I'm so amazed that students made us such a wonderful meal!! Every bite was so delicious and full of flavor. The student servers were great at keeping their composure and customer service skills on point during a busy lunch service. The bread basket had 3 or 4 types of bread in it, and they were so fresh and soft and perfectly backed. If you ever get the chance to try a fruit/nut type bread, do not pass up the opportunity! The salad and soup starters were both wonderful. The salad had all fresh ingredients and the perfect amount of a light vinaigrette on it. Plus the fried goat cheese melted so wonderfully all over it. The soup was hot and tasted delightful. The buttermilk chicken breast with mashed potatoes and gravy was to die for! The chicken was so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The gravy was rich and buttery and complemented every bite of those dreamy mashed potatoes. Lastly, that heavenly dessert. If only that never had to end! The flavors of chocolate and caramel and hazelnut were simply irresistible, and every layer was pure delight. I could not recommend this dining experience more if I tried! It's supporting a great program and giving real-life experience to students who need it. Plus the food and service were such high quality, you can't go wrong! read more

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What a wonderful date! My husband and I had an adult only fantastic dinner which has happened maybe once a year after my first child was born. I went Through the hoops to reverse a table from Opentable App but found out we were the only guests there at 7pm. So we got the best table in the lobby where you could see the water/pond, trees with light lit, and geese roaming outside. It was my husband's first time here so he was pretty much in awe of the beautiful decoration, high quality silverware, and excellent services. We decided on the prix fixe for $48 to get a starter, an entree and a dessert. My husband added the wine pairing too. My pick was the Crab cake, Honey Vanilla Muscovy Duck, and Creme brulee. My husband got the Seared Scallop & Tea Smoked Duck Salad, Fillet Mignon, and Chocolate Trio. They served us the free appetizer - mushroom with goat cheese which was really good with the bread. The crab cake was perfectly grilled and topped with micro greens. Seared Scallop is really good but slightly on the salty side for me. I loved the tea smoked duck slices which has a beautiful pink color and just right amount of smokey flavor and salt. My husband thought the crab cake was the best among the starters. Fillet Mignon was grilled to tender moist perfection. It came with mashed potato and a glazed fennel. Both of us thought mashed potato was the best we have ever eaten. It was creamy with enough density and just right amount of salt. I didn't want to know how much butter they put it there. Never thought I would fight for more mashed potato with my husband. My duck dish was wonderful too. Red Wine Poached Pear went great with the duck meat however it was somehow over shadowed by the tea smoked duck. Both desert were heavenly. I liked the small Madeleine Cookies eating with Creme Brulee. Chocolate Trio came with Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Custard Tart, and Saffron Ice Cream. We were all stuffed in the end but could not stop eating. Then they gave us a small plate of complimentary cookies. And Yes, we ate those all. The service was impeccable. The waiters introduced the dishes in details when they served them. They were really attentive but leave the quite time for us to talk. It was just great. I am taking away one star just because the dinner was expensive. I don't think I could afford to come here very often with $150+ for two. It could only be reserved for the special occasion. They do have the designated parking space for the restaurant guests. Just follow the waterleaf sign. read more

My wife and I dined here on a Friday night. Based on the reviews here, my expectations were high. Overall, I would say the experience improved over the course of the evening, and I would probably repeat for a special event/date night/or if someone else was paying, but allow me to summarize. Negatives: Service was disjointed and slow. The check-in process was slow when we arrived - nobody at the desk despite the restaurant being fairly empty at 6 pm on Friday. Our waiter did not greet us for at least 10 minutes after seating and then it was the host who came over to take our drink order. We were informed that our waiter was really busy - but again, there were maybe 2 or 3 other tables seated at that point. When our order was taken, the waitstaff bobbled getting the right courses in front of the right person who had ordered the item. The price point was unbelievably high. We both had a glass of wine, appetizer, entree and desert. The total bill was $150. In my mind, if this is the price range this restaurant wants to play in, then they need to up their game. Positives: The entrees were both solid. My wife had the filet and I had the sea trout. Excellent execution on both. Flavorful, delicious, expertly prepared for both. The other positive is the room/environment. Beautiful venue and nicely decorated. (NB: There seemed to be a dearth of tables for two in favor of four tops. I ended up sitting next to my wife on the banquette because the table was too large to sit across from her) Desserts were excellent - bread pudding and chocolate trio. Other observations: The "amuse bouche" was a fairly dry meatball. Flavoring was nice, but needed water to swallow it down Skip the wheat dinner roll (which I found to be pretty lacking with a freezer-burn type flavoring) and go for the focaccia bread which was moist and flavorful For appetizer, go with the crab cake which was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and filled with crab meat. Avoid the scallop salad which I found to be over-dressed with oil and with less-than-fresh scallops. read more

We were fortunate to have gotten reservations for the first seating of the new term - Valentine's Day! The menu was perfect- a steak entree or a pasta with pork entree. My husband had the pasta which he loved and I had the steak which was delicious! The Waldorf salad was beautiful and the creamy lemon salad dressing was the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, which brought out all the other ingredients' taste so well. Our server was attentive but not intrusive. My absolute favorite was the 'liquid cheesecake' that reminded me of a tasty parfait! The dining room is very cozy and gives you the feel of fine dining. The students and faculty in cod's culinary arts program have a great thing going on at Waterleaf! Very much looking forward to our next meal there. read more

Interesting concept with an interesting menu. The atmosphere and decor of the restaurant is wonderful with nicely presented food both visually and texturally. The flavors could be more refined and items can be a bit too sweet or salty at times. read more

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Shhh. I've got a secret... I know a wonderful fine dining restaurant right in your west suburban neighborhood. I bet you drive by it all the time and don't realize it's there. This restaurant offers seasonal meat, fish, fowl, and vegetable dishes such as Citrus Scented Veal Tenderloin with crispy radish, beets, English pea puree, & veal jus or Cocoa Crusted Duck Breast with carrot-vanilla puree, seasonal vegetables, & smoked shallot sauce. It employs a talented pastry chef who creates delights such as pavé of dark chocolate, caramel corn & peanut butter ice cream or reinterprets the iconic banana split. Wine Spectator has discovered this hidden gem and given it their Award of Excellence two years running. Service is flawless and friendly. It is intimate, elegant, and a perfect place for romance or conversation. As if that isn't enough, there's a beautiful manicured waterfront view which you may enjoy from any seat in the house or from their well-appointed patio! Can you imagine where this fine dining restaurant might be? Would you believe me if I told you it is on the campus of the College of DuPage? It is Waterleaf, located in the Culinary & Hospitality Center adjacent to the MAC (MacAninch Arts Center). Waterleaf is one of the facilities for the Culinary and Hospitality Management program at COD. During public business hours -- Wednesday lunch through Sunday brunch -- Waterleaf is run by professional restaurant staff. On Mondays and Tuesdays it is a teaching facility for culinary and hospitality students. I understand special student-run dinners are periodically offered to the public too. See this link for details: http://www.cod.edu/programs/culinary/dine.aspx. Our experiences at Waterleaf have been exceptional. On both occasions we were treated to a complimentary amuse bouche and a complimentary one-bite dessert, all of which evoked oohs and ahhs. The cocoa crusted duck was perhaps the best duck dish I have eaten. The cocoa crust brought out an earthy dimension to the duck that I had not previously experienced. The interior of the duck was perfectly cooked, succulent, mouth-watering. The waitstaff helped us pair great wines with our dishes. We felt relaxed, unhurried, and extraordinarily comfortable at Waterleaf. I highly recommend it, though I'm tempted to maintain the secret to keep the crowds away! Entrée prices are comparable to nearby PARKERS' Restaurant & Bar or Holy Mackerel. A little more expensive than LEYE's Antico Posto or Mon Ami Gabi. Though I would guess you could dine come-as-you-are at Waterleaf and be treated with the same excellent service, you'd probably feel more appropriate in business casual attire. Parking is easy despite the location on the COD campus. Follow the sign from Fawell Blvd. then the blue signs in the parking lot near the MAC to the designated parking area for Waterleaf and Inn at Water's Edge. read more

So, who knew that such a fine dining experience could be located in a college? That, in a nut shell is Waterleaf. Yelp and I are BFFs, and when you search for restaurants, Waterleaf is at the top of the list. It is situated on the College of Dupage campus alongside their Culinary and Hospitality Center. You literally can't tell that it's there, unless you know it is. My husband and I recently celebrated our five-year anniversary there. While we pulled into the parking lot, we realized there is also an Inn with 6 rooms on the property as well. When we asked about it, our waitress said it's really nice , and the price usually includes dinner at Waterleaf. Here are some thoughts: Relaxing. All courses are slowly brought out, so you don 't feel rushed. Presentation. A+ Service. Excellent. Food. Delicious. I had the pork tenderloin special. I don't eat seafood, despite trying to many times. There were not many non seafood options. The pork was cooked perfectly and had a great sauce. The sweet potato puree was fabulous. Honestly, those potatoes were the main reason for my  choice. I love me some sweet potatoes. Price. Just right. We spent $150, which was lower than we expected given the amount and quality of food. This included 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, a shared dessert and a bottle of wine. They also threw in a free starter ( something seafood related- but I don't touch that stuff) and some chocolate macaroons at the end of the meal. I like when restaurants do this; it's a nice touch. They also have a pre fixe menu which is a good deal. Decor. While some might like the decor, this is the one area I think could use some work. It kind of had the look of a hotel restaurant. Maybe I am just being picky, but I've been to many restaurants that excel in this area. It doesn't matter though, the food makes up for it. Recommendation. Go. read more

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I could care less about "Foie Gras in the Western suburbs". What I DO care about is value for my money. I'm not convinced that Waterleaf offers the value for the money. A good friend was celebrating a milestone birthday and I thought it warranted a special birthday lunch. We both ordered soup; she went with the onion soup and I chose the daily soup special - oxtails and vegetable. The Waterleaf preparation is unlike oxtail soups that I have had before which tend to be robust, stew-like concoctions. This preparation had an ample quantity of oxtails that were quite tender but there was very little broth in the bowl, perhaps 3/4 of a cup. It was served with a rolled, flaked pastry that was delicious. My dining partner thoroughly enjoyed her French onion soup. I ordered the Cubano sandwich and found the ham very fatty and not particularly appealing. The melted cheese was good but the sandwich as a whole didn't "Wow" me. It was served with shoestring french fries served in a paper cone. The round, over-sized roll that the Cubano was served on was very good. As a matter-of-fact, all of Waterleaf's baked goods are excellent! My friend ordered the vegetable strudel which included a blend of roasted vegetables in a flaky strudel. She said that she enjoyed it. For dessert, we shared two cookies that were filled with a berry jam and topped with basil ice cream. For both of us, this was THE highlight of the meal. Our server ended our dining experience by treating us to two different petits fours. Service, as mentioned by other reviewers, was outstanding. For this special lunch, we had 2 soups, 1 sandwich, 1 entree, 2 iced teas, one shared dessert and one cup of coffee. Total bill, not including tip = $61.70 I don't mind spending the bucks for a special occasion. I expected the food to "blow us away", but frankly it didn't. Maybe I had set my expectations too high... read more

I was very hopeful and optimistic about Waterleaf after reading a few reviews. I don't understand how anyone could see this place as something special. This place is below average at best. Had the $9 scallop . One,single, rubbery Scallop. (Strike one.) Uninformed community college kids serving and servicing. Cute idea but noticeably less than expected for these prices. Then the crab risotto. A tiny portion of room temperature mediocre mush. (Strike Two). Next was the French onion soup. Basic, run of the mill stuff. (This is not Le Bouchon). My entree was the bone in pork chop. Improperly butchered, this tough chunk of pork had several pieces of bone and grizzle. Absolutely awful. The bacon covering the cornbread bite was little more than undercooked fat. ("You're outa there!") Nice wine list. Nice architecture. Overpriced blah food. Amateur service. $360 for four of us. There are many many better places to go for this price and less. I will absolutely not go back. Sorry College of DuPage, I expected an A, would have been fine with a B. I give you a C- after applying the curve. read more

Maybe it was an off night... Don't get me wrong, the ambiance and wine list are great, and the service is decent, but all of our dishes were bland. We ordered: Shrimp risotto: seafood was cooked appropriately but the risotto itself lacked any real flavor; Greens salad: I was going to let this dish slide given that my flavor expectations for a "greens" salad was low/I was just looking for some veggies, but even my wife (who loves raw veggies) agreed that it was boring; Bass: slightly over cooked and zero seasoning. It came on a bed of pasta that was unintentionally crispy (not sure if the dish was sitting under a heat lamp?). Not sure how everything wasn't fresh given that there were only 4 other people in the restaurant at 7pm on a Friday; and, Apple crisp bread pudding: not bad, but nothing special. I really wanted to like this place given its proximity to our home and overall ambiance, but the food just wasn't up to par. Again, maybe it was an off night given the other reviewers positive feedback, but I'm willing to bet otherwise. I'd check out Adelle's in Wheaton for nearby/high quality dining. read more

This place is new and I like the idea of it, so I'm going to do a more formal review. 1) Ambiance and Accoutrements We we pulled up - I told my wife that I didn't think we were in the right place because there were no cars in the parking lot....and it was 6:30pm on a Thursday. Lo and behold, we were in the right place, there was simply no one there. We walked into a COMPLETELY empty dining room and our party of 4 had the entire restaurant to ourselves. At first it was a little weird, but by the end of the night we all appreciated the fact that we were able to dine at a leisurely pace and that we were able to converse across the table using normal voices - no yelling required. The chairs, silverware, tables, etc are all top-notch, very upscale stuff. You can tell that a lot of money was spent to make this a nice restaurant - everything from the carpet to the unique lighting overhead is very, very nice. They even had a cool looking wine cellar you can look into. 2) The Service When you walk in someone is there to take your coat which was really nice. Our waitress was attentive without being overbearing. We had a separate waiter who was bringing us water and bread and he was actually in the EMT school, just working for the extra money. I can't speak to the nights when the students run the show because this wasn't one of those nights, but I thought the service was good - not great, but good. 3) The Food The menu isn't expansive so if you're looking to have a lot of options, this place might not be for you. On nights where the students are in-charge, the menu is unique to the type of food they are currently learning about - on the other night's they have a set menu. Two in our party had the filet mignon which got rave reviews. I had a pasta dish that I wasn't crazy about and another in our party had the chicken which, as he put it, "looked better than it tasted." For appetizers we had the crab cakes and the beef carpaccio, both of which were very good. As far as the food goes, my recommendation would be this - more options, more variety. I think part of the reason that this place isn't more popular (aside from the fact that they haven't done much in the way of marketing up to this point) is that not everyone wants to go and spend $30-$40 per person on a place that is new. Perhaps if they made it a little more affordable for regular people, they might draw a bigger crowd. Just a thought. 4) Everything Else Overall we had a great time here - I loved that we were able to have a lazy meal, just talking and enjoying one another's company without feeling like we were a part of another table's conversation as well. The service was good, the food was good and I would love to come back on a night when the students are preparing and serving the meal, I think it's such a cool idea to give the students real-world experience. read more

I am remiss in not reviewing Waterleaf sooner. This is a true gem in the most unexpected of places (CoD). I attended an event here first, which showcased the French restaurant known as Waterleaf. Pay attention to which day you book - the restaurant is run by students two weeknights (also a fantastic experience but not French cuisine). We had foie gras, tea smoked duck salad, snapper, filet mignon, cheese plate, sorbet, and bread pudding. Portioned perfectly. The snapper was excellent, and myo husband's steak was literally the best I've ever tasted. Next time, trying the duck... Contemporary (but warm) interior. I'd love to go back in the summer - the patio looks beautiful. read more

I celebrated my graduation brunch here and my party enjoyed the ambiance and classy dishes. Dishes were artfully presented, made with real, homemade ingredients, and were plentiful portions.Everything was delicious and we certainly left very satisfied. We had the place to pretty much ourselves which meant unbelievable service although, I imagine even when this place has a crowd the service is impeccable since its run by professional staff. For about $32/person the brunch had a cocktail which was a choice between mimosas, a black currant and champagne cocktail (very delicious), and something else I can't recall. Then, the first course was centered around breakfast with waffles, poached eggs, and pork belly hash as a few of the choices. I got the poached eggs and the portion was quite large and very, very good. I also sampled the waffles which were nutty and buttery. They also gave us samples of scones, muffins, and breads made in house which were very tasty. The second course were more lunch oriented. Everyone in my party enjoyed what they ate and commented on how delicious it was. I had a crusted halibut with tomato compote. The only thing I did not like on my plate was a parsley flan, but i'm not a huge flan person anyway. My boyfriend had an infused chicken which was amazing. His mashed potatoes were possibly the best I ever had, melt in your mouth delicious. My dad's filet mignon was gone in about 30 seconds which means only good things. The last course was a dessert, I had a chocolate lava cake (good, not great) with mint ice cream- you could tell it was made from scratch and it was outstanding. My brother and a few others got the Waterleaf's signature dessert- the Floating Island which looked impressive. The taste was interesting, almost like a light and fluffy marshmallow floating in melted ice cream or soupy custard. Not really my cup of tea, but they liked it. The server also brought petit fours to round out the meal and by that point none of us really had any room to try them. I nibbled on the baklava and it was very airy and nutty. All in all, I think it was a perfect way to celebrate my graduation. I am a classy lady and this was a classy place. I felt we were the center of attention since the staff was very attentive, just the way it should be on my big day! :) And of course, as a foodie, I thought the food looked and tasted great and my guests left with happy bellies. Who knew COD had such a great spot? I'd wish the students had more of a role there however, since that's the whole point of it. Next big occasion that deserves a 5 star dinner I'll be sure to check it out when the students are serving/cooking the meal. read more

This was the best surprise we've encountered in the burbs in a very long time. Yes I know the location is off-putting, but get over it! As soon as you enter and are greeted by very professional gentlemen and escorted to your seat your surprises begin. The decor is clean simple and comforting. This is a restaurant not a cafeteria. Really. The service was exceptional. Wine list was large and very affordable with many bottles in the mid range. The food? Stellar. If you are into fine dining the options are there. I had a sweetbread appetizer served with a sweet potato flan and pomegranate sauce that was likely the best I've ever had. Husband had a pork shoulder ravioli that was like a pillow. I followed with a butternut squash/coconut soup that managed to walk the line between sweet and savory. My husband had the rabbit loin that was so tasty and I had the bouillabasse filled with lobster, scallop, shrimp and fish in a delicious saffron broth. The saffron garlic aoli toast with it was so good. The portions were large and affordable. Desserts were equally good and we favored the butter cake with lemongrass ice cream. We tend to head into downtown every weekend because great options in the burbs are scarce. Finding this restaurant will keep us closer to home. All I can say is GO and give it a try. read more

Went there for our 28th Anniversary. Food was fantastic.. Service above reproach excellent. Appetizer Crab cake Good but I have had better down south. Entree Short ribs melt in your mouth. Beautiful presentation. Filet very good Dessert Chocolate trio delish Pricey check over $150 not including tip. So wont be going there too often even though loved it. read more

Wow -- honored to get Review Of The Day with my previous review of Waterleaf. Unfortunately, it came 3 days after this place went out of business. lol. Oh well, with about 500 reviews, that was probably bound to happen. Here's hoping these folks land on their feet somewhere else. In the meantime, I've got plenty of other places to check out... Thanks Yelp! read more

Wow. What a lovely hidden gem in the suburbs. I'm glad I picked this place for my birthday dinner with the bf. From the service to the food, Waterleaf is on par with the city's fine dining establishments plus one added bonus: FREE PARKING. We were greeted warmly at the door and led to our table. The dining room is well-lit and comfortable, with a view of a small lake. It wasn't packed but every table was spaced out enough that you can have a nice, quiet conversation with your dining partners. The service was prompt and friendly, and I never once felt out of place like I do at other places that I've been to. The food was delicious. For appetizers, we shared the lobster risotto, bf had the pear salad, and I had the French onion soup. The risotto was creamy, full of bite-sized lobster pieces and very yummy. The soup was really good and full of cheese. I loved it! When I order French onion, I always look forward to the gooey, melted Gruyere and get disappointed when there's a very miniscule amount. I was not disappointed here. The soup was full of flavor but not incredibly salty like other restaurants. For entrees, he had the filet and I had the duck breast. The filet had a nice charred crust on it and my duck breast was so tender and juicy. It had a slight smoky flavor to it and I'm glad I picked that over the pork chop, which I was also eying. The portions were just right. They have a prix fixe menu too but we both didn't see an entree we wanted to try on there. Maybe next time. We shared a coffee panna cotta for dessert. It was a nice way to end the dinner. The sweet and rich chocolate gelee on top matched nicely with the smooth and very lightly sweetened coffee panna cotta. This is a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. I would definitely like to come back and try their prix fixe menu. read more

College of DuPage will close Waterleaf restaurant at the end of the month, shutting the door on the upscale establishment that came to symbolize questionable spending by the school's embattled president. College trustees voted 5-1 Thursday night to shutter Waterleaf as a commercial restaurant and instead turn it over to students and faculty in the school's culinary program. The hope is that by next year, Waterleaf will reopen as a student-run restaurant supervised by faculty. Trustee Joseph C. Wozniak was the lone opposing vote, while Trustee Erin Birt was absent from the meeting Http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-college-of-dupage-waterleaf-restaurant-20150306-story.html read more

Had a nice lunch. Limited menu, but a good variety and very tasty. Extensive wine list with some nice selections by the glass. Service was very good. Lunch might be a good time to go as it was not busy. My only complaint was the fact that the entree special (scallops) did not have a price listed. I assuming (I know, I know) that since the MOST expensive entree on the menu was $17, the special would not be much different. When the bill came the special was $28. Really? My fault for not asking, but come on man! To clear this up a bit: This is a professionally run restaurant. The cafe next door is operated by students. read more

Great food and service ! I would go back again only next time I would dress better! A nice place like this calls for it. read more

I dined there for the first time and it was a really neat experience. I was a bit put off by the fact that there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant at 6:00 on a Thursday - and there was a Jazz night at the Pavilion so I would have expected the place to be busier. I almost changed my mind about going but I'm so glad I didn't! The service was attentive and I have no complaints. I dined outside and it was a very lovely peaceful setting overlooking the pond and watching the bunnies play. I considered the prix fixe menu but honestly it didn't seem like that great a deal so I just ordered a la carte. The opening amuse-bouche was substandard but things got better from there. I started with squash blossoms filled with a tomato mousse, they were perfectly fried and crunchy and the mousse had a nice depth of flavor. My one complaint is they went too heavy on the aioli, I left most of it on the plate. My entrée was the Amish ginger glazed chicken breast which was incredible. So soft and tender and very flavorful. The glaze was terrific. It was served with baby bok choy (fine), oyster mushrooms (weird), and a goofy little deep-fried rice cake. They should re-think that, it wasn't that great and reminded me very strongly of a McDonald's hash brown patty. Then came dessert - yum! I had a dense coconut butter cake, topped with a delicate and subtle lemongrass ice cream. It was served with two syrups, a green one that I never could identify, and a tart/sweet lemon syrup. All these elements hit the right notes and together they were heavenly. I have to share a weird incident that happened though. I had been listening to this bird in the tree next to me for quite some time. Toward the end of the meal it decided to fly away and made a beeline right for the restaurant's plate glass window. SMACK - thump... so ended his little birdie life. The other diners and I stare at one another in shock and dismay, and it was quite an unsettling moment. So the server, thinking on his feet, makes some joke about how fresh squab is on the menu tonight. Poor taste? Maybe but it made everyone laugh and kind of diffused the tension. They cleaned up the bird quickly. He came over to me to collect my check and I said with a very serious expression, "You're going to have to take some money off my bill." And immediately he starts nodding thinking it's because of the bird incident. Then I relaxed into a smile as I explained I had been billed twice for my dessert. He fixed it no problem. All in all it was a good experience and I look forward to going back sometime. read more

Went here last weekend with my boyfriend and we both loved it!! The service was terrific and we didn't have to wait for anything. Also, the food was really quite delicious! As appetizers, my boyfriend got the french onion soup (great!) and I got the tomato bisque (amazing!) as well as smoked salmon (fantastic!). For the main meal, I ordered the bacon wrapped trout and my boyfriend got the duck breast. Both of us were really blown away by the flavors. There are some negatives with our experience as well. It is really pricey and the portions are small. Additionally, you get the main meal and although the menu states that there are some accompaniments to the dish, we both struggled to find these accompaniments. Like my Peruvian potatoes were cut into teeny weeny square and if there were 5 on my plate, I would be surprised. The food was super good though and we will be returning soon!! read more

A fabulous meal for my wife's birthday in College of Dupage campus. We had cheese tray appetizer...absolutely excellent selection served with Tamarind chutney. wonderful taste assortment. Our onion soup was the best we have ever had, with sherry and lots of high grade Gruyere cheese in rich beef broth, virtually a meal in itself. Our main courses were short ribs (simmered for 22 hrs) and Filet steak. Both were outstanding, no knife needed as easily cut with fork, perfectly done each. We then pigged out on Bread Pudding in caramel sauce for dessert....yummmm. The restaurant is elegant, waiter was most helpful and attentive. For special occasions this is a neighborhood gem. read more

Waterleaf is really two distinct restaurants The first has the students prepare the meals under the supervision of the staff usually on the weekdays and the second has the professional staff prepare the food, usually on the weekends. The restaurant also offers several dining experiences. Some evenings are dedicated to specific cuisines, I was there when they highlighted the cuisine of Spain, and other evenings a more traditional French menu. I've been to the restaurant twice and find the food to be well prepared with very good presentation, i.e. the food looks appetizing. In coming to a teaching restaurant you should not expect, dramatic, creative food. This is not a place for foodies. You should expect professional cooking with professional service and that the restaurant delivers. The student staff is enthusiastic and freindly. Yes they sometimes lack a degree of refinement but that's to be expected, after all they are there to learn. Sometimes they forget to bring silverware and sometimes they don't always use common sense, as when they place a bowl that is to be shared in a way that makes it difficult to reach, However, you can tell that they genuinely want you have a good experience and that more than compensates for rare lapses in service. What is stricking about the restaurant is the value it represents. Tips are not acccepted or expected. Wine, that they select to accompany the meal, is included in the price and you get two choices a white and a red. Coffee or tea is alos included in the price. The combination of very well prepared food, above average service and reasonable price makes for a winning experience. There are two suggestions I would like to make to the school however. The first is to dim the lighting a bit in the evening. I found the light to be a bit harsh and institutional. The room is very well designed and softer lighting would complement it. The second suggestion is the school should give diners an opportunity to comment on their experience. Afterall the students are there to learn and I find the best way to learn is by receiving feedback. They need only ask two questions; what did they do well and what could they have done better. read more

Waterleaf is a wonderful upscale restaurant, hidden within the College of DuPage campus. We've eaten dinner at Waterleaf twice and have thoroughly enjoyed our food, the ambiance and the overall experience each time. It's primarily a French restaurant, but not always 100% traditional. For example, we enjoyed a wonderful, tender Osso Buco as an entrée during one visit. Their veal was expertly cooked, but I found my beef filet slightly overcooked during one visit. I did not feel it was "off" enough to send it back, although I'm certain it would have been handled very professionally and courteously. The scallops in the salad were wonderful and the amount of meat in the tenderloin salad was enough for a meal. You will not leave this restaurant hungry. When was the last time you found decent Foie Gras in the Western suburbs? The Foie Gras at Waterleaf is not to be missed! If I didn't care about making a spectacle of myself, I would ask for two orders. They offer a cheese plate, but it is best suited for someone unfamiliar with quality cheeses. The three cheese selections were very high quality (a goat, a sheep, a cow), but the portions were small and the cheese was not so unusual from what we often have at home. Enjoyable, nonetheless...and the tomato sorbet was fantastic! The only disappointing food I ate was the brioche, served with the Fois Gras. Waterleaf's brioche was poor on both visits and not worth adding to the plate. Very dry, lacking in butter(!!), and over-baked. Fortunately, the brioche is simply an accoutrement to the Fois Gras and did not spoil the meal or experience. The three breads offered at the beginning of the evening were good. The wine list offered some terrific Rhone selections and some lovely Burgundys. Their Bordeauxs are still a bit young, but reasonably priced. The atmosphere is elegantly handsome. Although you park your car in a large lot at the College of DuPage, you walk into an elegant, warm entrance and immediately transition into the beautiful, upscale restaurant. The seating chairs are particularly comfortable and quite suitable for larger individuals. The restaurant is hushed but the servers are jovial, friendly and charming - nothing stuffy about the place. We didn't feel inhibited to talk and laugh. It's a perfect location for a romantic dinner or a relaxed epicurean evening with good friends. read more

This was our second time at Waterleaf, we were a bit disappointed. Went there for dinner last Saturday. The service was severely lacking and we noticed that there was a couple that was being paid special attention. They arrived 30 minutes after us yet they received everything faster, drinks, appetizers, etc and many of the staff checked on them. Meanwhile we had to wait about half an hour for our cocktails, in that time we just had water on our table, no bread was brought out nor were we appraised of the situation. We felt ignored while the French gentleman and his companion were fawned over. The food and wine were on par but the bad service left a bad taste in our mouths. read more

I seldom get a chance to go out for lunch with my good friends.I am also often disapointed with restaurants......except this time ! Water Leaf is a beautiful elegant restaurant where you can actually relax and enjoy your meal. Our server was Kevin and he was welcoming, knew the food and had perfect timing serving us. The three of us each ordered a different entree and each one was picture perfect and a big thank you to the chef for the unique and delicious flavors. We had a wonderful meal ! We ordered one dessert ( tough choices ) and shared a yummy chocolate mousse presented with an almond studded lace cookie and chocolate coin taht said congratulations ! Just perfect since one of my guests just graduated from Wheaton College ! I will be going back many times.Thank you,thank you ! It is so good to see quality when everything else seems mediocre ! read more

When my husband recommend the Waterleaf, I didn't know if I wanted to waste a treasured date night here but I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised. Great date night spot and the food was delicious! I would recommend the salmon tartar (YUMMY) and the Veal. The skirt steak was good but not amazing. However our desserts were amazing! Everyone was really friendly and we were surprised it wasn't run by the college students. It might be slightly over priced but we will defiantly come back (especially for the tartar). read more

I'm giving this a 4 star rating as the culinary school is doing a fine job. Some observations which should be noted. - The smoked salmon sandwich was fair to poor. For some godforsaken reason the chef decided on his own to change the recipe. I'm allergic to onions and the sandwich was plastered with them. I was with a client and would not want to make a scene. After the meal the waiter came and called the tables attention to the chefs choice. Bizarre - The corn chowder's flavor was incredible. Not really sure why we only received a 1/2 cup portion of warm soup. A full hot cup would have been awesome. - last item ... Iced tea needs sweetener that melts, really !!! Brown sugar??? The service was incredible read more

One of my favorite chefs, Nadia former owner of Majean, is executive chef at Waterleaf and we were very excited to have her wonderful delectable creations again. The amuse bouche was a delightful bruschetta with crab. My husband and I had the special porcini mushroom soup, which was to die for. Each bite was better than the last. Unfortunately, it was missing the wonderful mini brie grilled cheese sandwich floating on top as Chef Nadia used to do at her own restaurant, which would have really elevated this dish and made it unique. I had the cocoa dusted duck breast with the blackberry sauce, which was cooked to perfection and very tasty. I loved it! My husband had the pork chop with beans, applesauce and cabbage, which he really enjoyed. Both of us did miss the steak and frites, as well as the liver, not offered on this menu. We ended our meal with dessert, sticky toffee pudding with praline ice cream for my husband and coffee panna cotta for me. I have to say the sticky toffee pudding won out over my panna cotta. The pudding was so full of flavor and rich, and the praline ice cream was the perfect addition to this dessert. We were also served complimentary cookies, which was a nice touch. Waterleaf is on the campus of the College of DuPage but is fully staffed with professionals and separate from the culinary cafe. Don't let the location fool you, though. The service is spot on and, of course, we love Nadia's food. This is definitely a wonderful dining experience and Chef Nadia is great at what she does. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that although she is the executive chef, Nadia may not have license to create as she did at Majean as evidence by the missing little grilled brie sandwich in the soup and some of her wonderful and tasty dishes. I hope whoever owns and runs Waterleaf knows the treasure they have with this chef and allows her to do her thing and create the dishes we enjoyed at Majean! Therefore, a 4-star review...it would be 5 stars if I had my little brie sandwich in my soup! read more

Beautiful restaurant. Impeccable service. Food was heavenly. I was there for Sunday brunch. I had the duck pate appetizer, filet mignon, and almond semifreddo. Everything cooked to perfection. Made ala minute. Fresh ingredients and pleasantly plated. Our meal also included your choice of drink. I chose a mimosa. I was thrilled with everything I ordered. While it is on the pricey side, it's a wonderful treat. Wish I could dine like this every day! read more

An excellent meal and dining experience. A few very minor glitches. Mushroom risotto without mushrooms but they brought out a small bowl full of sautéed mushrooms just for me. One of the best manhattans I've had in a long time. Our server Josh was attentive but not overbearing. Great view from the dining area. We will definitely be back with friends. read more

Just a tip, MAKE A RESERVATION. We stopped in for lunch. They were having a private event for dinner and were also closed for lunch. I will update this review when we finally get in. read more

Let's get one thing out of the way, it's expensive. Taking the food and price by themselves, it's somewhat over priced. If ambience, atmosphere and service are factored in, it's a good deal. Stumbled in shortly after they had opened for the day, without reservations and were seated immediately (yah, we were lucky). Everyone on the wait staff, from top to bottom, provided all the service we could ask for and then some. Food was served at proper intervals (not too fast, not too slow). My wife and I had a chance to talk (didn't have to shout) between courses and really enjoyed the eating experience. There was no sense of being rushed with out meal. The quality and quantity of food was right on. Check out their menu online. There is something there for most anyone. It's not an every day restaurant but we definitely will be going back. read more

FL - Had an excellent wine dinner at Waterleaf, each course matched with wines from Beckman Winery of Sabta Barbara. Eaten here 4 times now and had excellent meals and good service. Highly recommended. read more

It shocks me to no end that I've never done a review of Waterleaf, the exquisite restaurant run as part of the College of Dupage's Hospitality school. I've eaten here at least a dozen times and have yet to have a poor experience or a poor meal. I've also attended multiple tastings (the Round Pond Winery dinner last week being the most recent), and the chef's pairings are superb. It's a little pricier than most of the other options in the area, but absolutely worth it. read more