401 OAK
401 Harvest Salad. Diced Kale tossed in Garlic, Fresh lemon and olive oil, shaved brussel sprouts, dried cherries, goat cheese, toasted pecans and apples.
Susan319
We came here for dinner after passing by and liking the looks of the restaurant. The atmosphere is awesome and very inviting. Loved the house music. The cocktails were excellent and the food was delicious. The salmon, hunter’s chicken, and kale salad were all incredible. The portions were generous and the prices very reasonable. The service was not fast but we were not in a hurry. This could be our new favorite restaurant in Iowa City.
… moreMiranda Victor
Visited with friends for the first time. It’s a hidden gem. Was warmly welcomed and seated by the manager. Lovely and cozy atmosphere. Depending on seating, you can watch the cooks prepare the meals through their open kitchen. The food was delicious and elegant presentation! For the appetizers, ordered the Glazed Brussel Sprouts and Baked Brie. They were the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Entrees were Penne A La Vodka, Lobster & Shrimp Ravioli, and the Grilled Salmon Filet. All fresh ingredients and cooked perfectly with great portion size. Our server, Kevin, was wonderful. Ask for his recommendations. He gave great recommendations to our appetizers and entree, which didn’t disappoint. Was treated with some sweet treats. The coffee, lemon, and vanilla ice cream were creamy and flavorful. The homemade cheese cake was phenomenal. Great experience and would be visiting again soon!
… moreJordan Nudd
Allow me to draw your attention to a true gem nestled in the heart of Iowa City: 401 Oak. This establishment is not merely a restaurant; it is an experience, and one that I feel compelled to share with you.
From the moment one steps through the doors, the commitment to exceptional service is palpable. The staff exudes warmth and professionalism, ensuring that every guest feels not only welcomed but genuinely valued. Our server demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the menu, offering insightful recommendations and attending to our needs with remarkable attentiveness. It is evident that the team at 401 Oak is deeply passionate about their craft, and this dedication is reflected in every interaction.
Now, let us turn to the pièce de résistance: the cuisine. The menu is a testament to culinary artistry, boasting a diverse array of dishes that are as visually captivating as they are delectable. Each plate is a carefully composed masterpiece, showcasing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The flavors are nothing short of extraordinary, each bite a symphony of taste that leaves one yearning for more. Whether you seek a swift repast while enjoying a game or are planning a significant event, 401 Oak is superbly equipped to meet your needs. The ambiance is vibrant and inviting, rendering it an ideal venue for gatherings with friends and family. In truth, Iowa City has long awaited an establishment of this caliber.
… moreHannah Fadrowski
Cannot recommend it enough!!!!!! Planned a large private event with my sorority at 401 Oak! The Venue is gorgeous with lots of room. There’s an upstairs and a lounge area which is so cozy! Very accommodating owners and staff willing to help with anything! I simply cannot say enough about how great their staff was and how personable the owners are. I met with Whitney to plan food, decorating and logistics of the event! Communication was amazing as well! On the day of the event both Server and Whitney check in with me throughout! They both served drinks as well- connect with their customers! Great people and will definitely be returning to 401 Oak for a date night! As for the food, it was so good! The little sliders were great! They accommodated our large sized group well and had an amazing array and display of food! If you’re looking for a unique night out in Iowa City or a venue to host your next company event you should definitely consider 401 Oak! You’ll be greeted by some of the most welcoming people and enjoy a top notch menu of both drinks and eats! Go check it out!
… moreMegan Tuite
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Our first experience here was incredible. My husband & I love trying new spots in Iowa City and this will definitely be one of our new favorites. Our food was delicious, wine selection was wonderful. Highly recommend saving room for dessert. Can’t wait to bring friends and family!
… moreKay Johnson
NOT WORTH IT!! The handwritten sign on the front door stating they were fully booked and only taking reservations should have been my first clue that this restaurant was not a nice, upscale place. Service was friendly, except for when I was charged for a refill on my soda and told “sorry you were confused about that”…she did take it off the bill though. I ordered the side salad, which was nothing more than literally ONE cup of brown romaine lettuce, a couple of over chilled tomatoes and a few brown croutons with the dressing in a plastic to-go ramekin…that cost $9!! I wish I had taken a photo of the salad, but I think I was in shock of what was served. I also ordered the filet mignon, though cooked as I requested, there was NO taste and I had to add so much salt and pepper to make it somewhat decent. Also, there was actually fat in it…I have never had fat in any filet mignon prior to this. The menu stated this entree was served with “Truffle Whipped Potatoes”…but as you can see I was served frozen French Fries that they fried. I think I was so numb to the actual food served vs the food described that I was not phased by anything anymore and came to see this place has a fake front of a nice restaurant when in fact it is nothing of the sort. The decor had potential. However, the columns were not completely painted at the top of them, one was even missing a light fixture, and there were several boxes in plain sight on the second floor. Oh, and to top everything off…there were several dogs using the lawn outside of our view as their potty. Lovely. The 5 Star reviews have to be employees, friends or family of 401 Oak, it is nothing but a 1 Star restaurant…I will never be back.
… moreJeffrey Quinlan
Had 5:45 reservations. Sat by 5:47. Group of servers and bar staff were huddled at the end of the bar. Only three other occupied tables when we were seated.
Took almost 20 minutes for our server to come to our table – I think she only came because my wife stared them down at the bar.
Ordered appetizer, dinner and a bottle of wine. Wine and appetizer came out promptly. Both were very good.
55 minutes later, no one had checked on us, no bread at the table (as opposed to those who came in after us), no water refilled, etc. watched tables that came in significantly after us get more prompt service and their meals.
Flagged the waitress down to let her know that we needed to leave as we had show tickets. Never saw her again.
Watched lively conversation at the kitchen. Another server brought our check. They comped the appetizer which was a good gesture.
Was asked to give them a second chance – unfortunately, this was the second chance. Had reservations for my wife’s birthday two weeks ago received an email saying they were cancelled. No phone call. No explanation. Turns out they closed down to work out some bugs. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
Left 1:20 minutes after our initial reservation as hungry as we arrived. Unlikely to give them a third chance!!
I did talk to one of the two people in the kitchen. She seemed appropriately concerned about our experience. At least that was a positive.
… moreWilliam Baker
I really want to like this restaurant. The space is just pretty cool. And I will give it another chance at some point, but it is not like it opened yesterday. The server told us they opened in September, with new mgt in December, so they should have the “kinks” worked out. But they don’t.
I think it is a good menu and some of the food or parts of the food were good. Some not so much and the service was pretty slow.
Buratta was very good.
The Gnocchi and the sauce was very good. Both the Salmon and especially the Chicken on different dishes was dry and overcooked. It was a Saturday night and the were out of the penne pasta (they subbed gnocchi).
As stated on other reviews, it took a long time for us to get mixed drinks and for the food to come to the table (both the apps and the mains). The server brought our wine almost right away. So I would say, there is a definite kitchen and maybe bartender problem and not a server issue regarding what appears to be slow service. We will try it again, but at this point it is an average to below average restaurant experience.
… moreMissLisBby
Amazing food, service & beautiful setting. Customer service was outstanding! Food quality and presentation was excellent. Definitely will be going back for a great time! Recommend checking it out!
… moreBecky Halsch
We enjoyed an absolutely fabulous dinner last night at 401 Oak. The ambience in the restaurant is very cozy, intimate and warm. The service from start to finish was superb. I had the cauliflower steak and my husband had penne pasta with vodka sauce, and grilled chicken. Our food was absolutely fantastic! The owner spoke with us a couple of times to ensure we were having a good experience and that we were enjoying our food, that was a nice touch. We will definitely be going back soon! If you’ve not been there yet, I encourage you to give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
… more