As an Italian-American native to the Chicago area, I came in with relatively high expectations as I heard about the reputation. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the Waterloo Brown Bottle. We've now been to both this location and the Cedar Falls location, but strongly prefer the environment of the Waterloo location.I had a wonderful glass of Riunite Lambrusco, imported from Emilia, Italy, to go with a chicken marsala for dinner. The food portion size seemed a bit small for the price, but I did very much enjoy the food. We will most definitely be back again, possibly making our dates here a regular occasion.I can confidently say this is the best fine-dining and Italian food experience I've found in the area.Parking: Parking was a challenge at this establishment. We had to circle the block 3-4 times and eventually found someone leaving, so we waited for them. It's possible I missed it because it was a Saturday night and traffic was relatively hectic, but I don't believe the building has its own dedicated parking lot. There is a free lot across the street, but the first two times we drove through, there was not a single free spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
Jennifer Vagelatos
I tried to call the restaurant twice, before posting this review. I am a resident here at Russell Lamson. Tonight, there was a very large crowd of people in the lobby after 9p. They were also very loud. I would politely ask, that when there is a large crowd like that in the lobby, that they be reminded that people live here, especially right above them, on the second floor. It’s very disrespectful, and inconsiderate to those of us who live here. This is not the first time this has happened. I will be sharing my concerns with our management team here, as well as, the corporate office.
Anton Adams
Who knew the best tiramisu in Iowa would be located in a fine dining establishment located on the ground floor of a fantastic old hotel building converted to low income housing smelling of tobacco and weed? Now you know!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Open Faced Prime Rib
Chris Weber
We go to Brown Bottle all the time. It's a little pricey but you get a good amount of food for what you pay. Wait staff is always great and food is delicious!
Johnny Roberts
$30 chicken fettucine alfredo!? They are out of their minds. I've been to over 40+ italian restaurants, and most don't break $20. What a joke.
Tom Kuhlman
You would think that the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Brown Bottles would be the same, quality wise, when it comes to their food and pizza, but they ARE NOT!! The CF Brown Bottles food, and especially pizza, are vastly superior to the Waterloos BB.
ryan mahoney
Online reservation does not work
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Tiffany Grandstaff
Great atmosphere, and the servers try extra hard to help make up for the lackluster dining experience. Tip well. That said, the menu is large and there's a little something for everybody, but does ham really belong in everything? And why call it a salad when it's just an appetizer plate of wilted iceberg lettuce and a half-frozen tomato I have chase around the table to cut? Do better. Meanwhile, most dishes are served in piping hot gravy boats you can't touch without getting 3rd degree burns, and the edges of the pasta are ALWAYS hardened. Come expecting a fine dining experience, leave wishing you had gone to Olive Garden instead.Parking: Parking isn't convenient. You might need change for the meter or good walking shoes. Arrive early in the winter, or you'll freeze to death.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sauce
Sara Hoffman
Has not changed in the 11 years I was in CO, still a very good Italian restaurant & about the same prices as some chains. LOVE this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Mason
We’ve been going to brown bottle Waterloo for more than 25 years. Last meal with group of 8 was simply not good. It was busy, and servers were stretched but that said food was not good.
The Brown Bottle is an enduring gem of Waterloo, much like the Russel Lamson building in which it sits. They have a great menu of Italian American dishes and their barman Clay went out of his way to accommodate a solo diner. The shrimp was scrumptious and the chianti a perfect companion. The recent up fit of the restaurant was seamless and it's done nothing but enhance the comfy atmosphere. It's great for any occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread
Joe Beadle
Very good food. Wonderful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jemsmom04
My boyfriend and I eat here at least twice a month. The atmosphere and food are great and we absolutely love the before dinner salad they serve! Hopefully you will be lucky enough to get Dee as your waitress!We tried Cedar falls Brown Bottle once and it was the complete opposite of Waterloo’s. I don’t know how it’s the same restaurant a town away and can be so different. All I can say is if you want an amazing experience, go to the Waterlo Brown Bottle, you won’t be disappointed.Vegetarian options: Great vegetation options!
As an Italian-American native to the Chicago area, I came in with relatively high expectations as I heard about the reputation. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the Waterloo Brown Bottle. We've now been to both this location and the Cedar Falls location, but strongly prefer the environment of the Waterloo location.I had a wonderful glass of Riunite Lambrusco, imported from Emilia, Italy, to go with a chicken marsala for dinner. The food portion size seemed a bit small for the price, but I did very much enjoy the food. We will most definitely be back again, possibly making our dates here a regular occasion.I can confidently say this is the best fine-dining and Italian food experience I've found in the area.Parking: Parking was a challenge at this establishment. We had to circle the block 3-4 times and eventually found someone leaving, so we waited for them. It's possible I missed it because it was a Saturday night and traffic was relatively hectic, but I don't believe the building has its own dedicated parking lot. There is a free lot across the street, but the first two times we drove through, there was not a single free spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
I tried to call the restaurant twice, before posting this review. I am a resident here at Russell Lamson. Tonight, there was a very large crowd of people in the lobby after 9p. They were also very loud. I would politely ask, that when there is a large crowd like that in the lobby, that they be reminded that people live here, especially right above them, on the second floor. It’s very disrespectful, and inconsiderate to those of us who live here. This is not the first time this has happened. I will be sharing my concerns with our management team here, as well as, the corporate office.
Who knew the best tiramisu in Iowa would be located in a fine dining establishment located on the ground floor of a fantastic old hotel building converted to low income housing smelling of tobacco and weed? Now you know!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Open Faced Prime Rib
We go to Brown Bottle all the time. It's a little pricey but you get a good amount of food for what you pay. Wait staff is always great and food is delicious!
$30 chicken fettucine alfredo!? They are out of their minds. I've been to over 40+ italian restaurants, and most don't break $20. What a joke.
You would think that the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Brown Bottles would be the same, quality wise, when it comes to their food and pizza, but they ARE NOT!! The CF Brown Bottles food, and especially pizza, are vastly superior to the Waterloos BB.
Online reservation does not work
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Great atmosphere, and the servers try extra hard to help make up for the lackluster dining experience. Tip well. That said, the menu is large and there's a little something for everybody, but does ham really belong in everything? And why call it a salad when it's just an appetizer plate of wilted iceberg lettuce and a half-frozen tomato I have chase around the table to cut? Do better. Meanwhile, most dishes are served in piping hot gravy boats you can't touch without getting 3rd degree burns, and the edges of the pasta are ALWAYS hardened. Come expecting a fine dining experience, leave wishing you had gone to Olive Garden instead.Parking: Parking isn't convenient. You might need change for the meter or good walking shoes. Arrive early in the winter, or you'll freeze to death.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sauce
Has not changed in the 11 years I was in CO, still a very good Italian restaurant & about the same prices as some chains. LOVE this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We’ve been going to brown bottle Waterloo for more than 25 years. Last meal with group of 8 was simply not good. It was busy, and servers were stretched but that said food was not good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
The Brown Bottle is an enduring gem of Waterloo, much like the Russel Lamson building in which it sits. They have a great menu of Italian American dishes and their barman Clay went out of his way to accommodate a solo diner. The shrimp was scrumptious and the chianti a perfect companion. The recent up fit of the restaurant was seamless and it's done nothing but enhance the comfy atmosphere. It's great for any occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread
Very good food. Wonderful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My boyfriend and I eat here at least twice a month. The atmosphere and food are great and we absolutely love the before dinner salad they serve! Hopefully you will be lucky enough to get Dee as your waitress!We tried Cedar falls Brown Bottle once and it was the complete opposite of Waterloo’s. I don’t know how it’s the same restaurant a town away and can be so different. All I can say is if you want an amazing experience, go to the Waterlo Brown Bottle, you won’t be disappointed.Vegetarian options: Great vegetation options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Prosciutto Mushroom Pasta, Vegetarian Lasagna
Just a small birthday gathering. They did a fantastic job. Prompt. Courteous, Exceptional service, the wait staff are very diligent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread, Sauce, Chicken Parmesan