Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

dinahwashington

Joined 6 years ago

used to be better. We have been going to the Dakota for many years (plus 10) and the service and food quality has gone downhill while the prices have increased markedly. Since we dine there so often we are in a position to really know the menu and the prices and the prices have gone up and the portions keep getting smaller and the quality worse. The cheeseburger with fries used to be a good deal at $10, the fries were handcut and there was enough food to share, now the price is $11, the cheeseburger is smaller, the fries are frozen instead of fresh, and you get 1/4 the fries that you used to. The $19 steak deal is gone, now it is $26. The soup is always pricey and you get about a shallow 1/2 inch in a large bowl, if you pored it out you would get about a cup, maybe. The wine and liquor pours are stingy, get the beer, at least it is 12 ounces. You used to be able to order a small or large salad for about $4.50 and $9 respectively. Now, there is only once size salad and the price is about $7 to $9, and the server said that the salad is now medium sized. No, it's not, it is the small salad for a higher price. The Dakota prices are now as high as Vincents down the street but without the service, quality, or quantity.

Doesn't Recommend

skittybean

Joined 6 years ago

Worst Customer Service. After a waiter dropped a tray full of drinks right next to our table, shattering glass and fluid all over us we carried on with a positive attitude about the dining experience we thought we were about to have. Then we waited one hour and ten minutes for our food while other tables came and ate in front of us. The server offered no explanation or consolation so we asked the person who appeared to be a manager why we did not have our food. Within 5 minutes the food was on our table, unfortunately it was not hot. After all this we waited again at the end of our meal for our check and our missing in action server for over 20 minutes. Three hours later we left unsatisfied (the food was not good enough to mention) and completely annoyed about the amount of money we just wasted.

Recommends

laurahealey

Joined 6 years ago

Verry good lunch, want to go back for dinner and jazz. First time there for lunch today and was very pleasantly surprised. The rooms are very nice; high ceilings, nice banquettes lining a good portion, very warm hues and nicely done artwork displayed. I ordered the butternut squash bisque, and my husband ordered the smoked chicken chowder. Both were excellent! The chowder had the perfect amount of spice, and my bisque tasted like simply-pureed squash with a dollop of tiny maple croutons, all which led to a great combination. We both ordered the cobb burger. I had read a couple of rave reviews and wanted to try. My husband doesn't get as excited about food as I, but he loved both of his choices. I did enjoy the burger very much. The burger is served on a thin slice of toast with a small amount of diced avocado and an onion ring on top, surrounded by the makings of a cobb salad--diced hard-boiled egg, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and blue cheese. The burger was perfectly done, and I enjoyed the flavors of everything else along with the burger. The only downer was the onion ring. I love a good onion ring, but this one had a cornmeal breading, which I found too sweet for the onion and not a good combo. We ordered a side of fries (because the burger comes alone), and I thought they were great. Fries are a debatable thing, though, and very much subject to personal preference. These were perfectly cut and just the right amount of texture--not crispy and not limp. Because we were on a roll, we split a flourless chocolate cake with orange mousse for dessert. I'm not one to combine chocolate with fruit, but separately, each of these was great. The orange mousse had great flavor and texture. We are looking forward to experiencing a dinner there!

Recommends

bcsat

Joined 8 years ago

go for the music. Have dined at The Dakota (dining room, not bar) a handful of times and The Dakota never disappoints for atmosphere and music. Food has been slightly above average at best. Seems as though the chef is overly-ambitious with flavors, and seems to be just a half a beat off of being great. Beet and apple salad, great concept with truffled pecorino, was wrecked with the taste of too much raw fennel. Dessert of apple dumpling with cheese - good concept - ruined by too much oozing cheese, when just a dab would do nicely. Entrees are not memorable and overpriced - 3 scallops for $24?

Will go again for the entertainment - but may opt for dining in the bar the next time.

Recommends

gourmandess

Joined 7 years ago

Great food, Soul-satisfying entertainment. Dinner in the jazz lounge area is highly recommended and is great for couples (a booth is highly recommended) or a small group of friends. The cover is $5 and well worth the price--as it is not as overpacked like other Jazz clubs that have decent dining options.

Two menus were available--"Bar food" and a dinner menu offering innovative American cuisine. We opted for the regular dinner menu. In lieu of the mains, we ordered a handful of first courses (Beet salad, Beef carpaccio, Quail, and Crabcakes) and a sinful desert, a gourmet apple pocket with fromage. The portions were generous, given the high quality of the food. The beef carpaccio was amazingly spicy and flavorful and highly recommended. The quail and crabcakes were excellent as well. The beet salad was good, but not on par as with the other dishes.

Parking at the local lot for $4 was a bargain, in comparison to other big cities, and right across the street.

This restaurant is highly recommended for those looking for good food an entertainment in one spot

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

The Twin Cities' premier jazz club brings in a steady crowd with a deep wine list and a refined Midwestern menu.. In Short
Decor is smoothly understated--a hallway latticework punctuated by wine bottles and scattered musician posters on the walls. A retractable curtain separates the jazz club from the dining room. Besides great jazz, the emphasis is on Chef Ken Goff's creative renditions of refined Midwestern specialties. Signature starters feature creamy Brie-and-apple soup or duck-filled wontons, steam-fried and subtly spiced with cranberry-maple sauce. Comfort-food classics range from rustic beef stew to smoky grilled bison.

Recommends

kayce8113

Joined 7 years ago

My new favorite!. My boyfriend and I went to the Dakota Jazz Bar as an assignment for one of his classes. I had never been to a jazz bar before, but I was delightfully surprised. This was one of my favorite restaurant experiences. The staff was very respectful and the band that night was amazing! The food was delicious also. We reserved seats on the website, which was really hassle-free. Perfect date spot, except a little spendy (expecially on a college budget), but totally worth every penny!

Recommends

benmusic

Joined 7 years ago

Outstanding!. Went this weekend with friends and everything from the music, to the wine, to the food was excellent. The live music started out a little loud, but was slightly dial back enough to allow for conversation. Recommended!

Recommends

cubie948

Joined 8 years ago

awesome time.... Went there for the first time on Saturday night, made a reservation, got our table right on time. Greeted with water and drinks right away, tasty bread to snack on while we wait for food. Meanwhile a jazz band was whaling away on upbeat toons, impressing the crowd. The Overall has a great time, great food, and unbelievable music! Awesome time!

Doesn't Recommend

derpot1

Joined 10 years ago

dj. 15 min wait at table, no service. Had to finally ask.

Food was average at best. Bread came after we had finished our meal. Good timing huh? Manager acted like he had to go to the mens room and couldn't find it! End results..... NEVER AGAIN!