The Lakely

Their live music is exceptional. Josh Gallagher and Jeremy Boettcher are top notch talents and we are lucky to have them providing live music in the Chippewa Valley. Unfortunately, the food and service are just ok. When we first moved to the Chippewa Valley, we would go out to eat elsewhere and then come for a few drinks and the live music because the food was not great. Then about 2 years ago, they updated their menu and we really liked it. About a year ago, they updated their menu again and it's back to going out to eat somewhere else and coming for just the music. If I'm spending $120 (before tip) on dinner, I expect tastier choices, better preparation, more attentive service, and my meals to arrive within a reasonable time of each other. (One member of our party got their meal and had completely finished it--eating slowly so as to try and wait for us-- before the other 3 people were served. ) Throughout the meal our water glasses sat empty and our server only came back to our table once in the hour it took to get our meal. Just really a mediocre dining experience with exceptional live music. We'll definitely be back...but only for the drinks and music. My son has really enjoyed their seasonal mocktails and I have enjoyed some of their house-special cocktails. We'll eat somewhere else before we come. Please fix your menu and service because we would like to come and enjoy your food. It's a lovely venue, your atmosphere is great and we enjoy your music.

Love the vibes here!! Honestly probably my favorite place to dine and work. Everything on the menu is superb. Small app to Entrées + Desserts!! Definitely upscale. Great for a first date or a reunion! Live music on Friday and Saturday! Come check us out!!

We stayed at the Oxbow and decided that we would try eating at the Lakely that evening. They had a jazz ensemble that that was a bonus. Unfortunately, it was not the experience that we were hoping for. Got there about 9:00 on a Saturday night. Plenty of open tables and we got seated right away. Then things went downhill from there. Our server took a while to acknowledge us, and get to our table. They took our drink order, and said they would be back with waters. 10 minutes laters she came for our food order. We ordered several different items. She came back in little while later and said that they were out of two items. So we changed our order. Then she came back again and said that they were out of those two items. So we changed our order again. Then we waited. No waters, no drinks. At that point I went to the bar and told someone else that we were waiting for our items, and that our server might be having difficulty. We then relocated outside where it was a little more quiet, and we could talk. The rest of the service was provided by both the original server and the additional one (thanks Caroline). The food was a mix of good, and okay. Since we ended up settling on items that they still had. Cheese Curds, Burger and Wings were good. The Chorizo Tacos were just okay. Seems like the servers need better training or more help. Not sure I would want to eat here in the future. ps - The stay at the Oxbow Hotel was nice.

Husband and I went here on a Tuesday night, on a whim, having had dinner elsewhere and wanting dessert and mocktails. We knew there may not be dessert, but we asked the waitress, and she had the courtesy to check with the chef. She came back and said they happened to have their pastry chef preparing to debut a dessert for that week and would we like to be the first to try it. We said yes, and the chef himself came out to serve it to us and explain it: a chocolate flourless tort with berry sauce, orange-infused whipped cream, and an Amish-style cashew and pistachio brittle with cayenne pepper. We started nibbling each component and then realized that this dessert was very well-contrived, as each element makes you seek the next. The salty sweet brittle leads to a smoky heat that is perfectly complimented by a bite of the dark chocolate and a swipe of the whipped cream. Lovely. Not too heavy, not too rich. The kind of dessert that is memorable and that you savor while you eat it. We were asked directly by the chef what we thought about it and we were able to give him our compliments. It was just a lovely experience. I would like to come back for dinner on a Friday or Saturday when they have live music.

We’ve never had hot or even warm food. Service is horribly slow regardless of how busy they seem. Menu items often not available or “sold out”. Decent place for drinks and live music. Don’t waste your time on the food, otherwise set a low bar/expectations.

This is our second time at The Lakely. We didn't have food, only drinks. They had a jazz band, and it was actually a very good band. All young, talented, promising musicians from Eau Claire. They do live music every Friday as well some other days, too. Would love to try again next time.

Confusing and frustrating experience for allergies. We had hoped that our meal would be easy to accommodate because the menu had a lot of clear labeling, however there was so much uncertainty and contradiction about was in the food or preparation. For example, normally aioli should not have dairy in it. Yet in describing the preparation the chef said that “today” it wasn’t made with dairy, but the preparation included a “ranch packet” — which has dairy!? The sauce for another meal had no gluten, except it was made with soy sauce — which typically has gluten. The chef explained that it was “cooked off”. It doesn’t work like that. They really wanted to be accommodating and their concern was genuine. We just lost all confidence because knowledge wasn’t there. They were also really slow — possibly understaffed

Started out with the bone marrow appetizer. Wonderful, my favorite part of the meal! Then we ordered the quinoa and garlic cakes with sprouts and lemon dijon sauce, and pheasant roasted garlic vegetables and black walnut cream sauce. Chased with Wisco ginger ale and a sour beer. EXCELLENT! Great service too.

Loved this spot! It's tough to get a good drink in eau Claire but if you want one this is it. Fantastic cocktails and service. When we went they had live jazz music and the band was fantastic! I would go back in a heartbeat!

Stopped for a cocktail, sat outside in the patio on a perfect night. Service was very slow even though the place was rather empty. Severs were more than polite, though, once they stopped. After ordering cocktails (which were all delicious-I had the Cosmo), we chatted for a bit but no staff came over to check on our party of six. No second round for us since we were already there for over an hour with no check-ins. Eventually had to go into bar to pay our bill with no apologies given. May stop again, not sure. Make sure you have LOTS of time if you go!

Pretty meh. Food and service one step up from Applebees. Tasteless steak and pasta (who puts cukes in pasta?? Decent fries and good drinks. Disinterested and not welll informed server asked another table what was in a dish.

Really love the vibe here! Was staying at the hotel so it was convenient to just come eat (plus they give you a BOGO drink token with your stay). It was only the restaurant week menu. Food was solid, I was most impressed with the drink and atmosphere though, which I loved! It was also open mic night!

The koldbordt was pretty amazing and the drinks were delicious. Their bartenders and runners were totally overwhelmed most of the night. But the real star is the outdoor space! Lots of different seating types, fire pits for late night, and a shady pergola. Live music inside was not my jam, but I wish there had been some music outside, too.

Best Sunday Brunch. The menu is unique and really great. Beautiful outdoor patio and nice atmosphere.

I came here on a Tuesday night for open mic. I had the best time with all my friends and seeing the comedians and musicians perform. I got an NA cocktail and it was delicious! I love how anybody from the community can sign up to play at the open mic. Some of the comedians were hit or miss but still it was fun to be there. I didn't try any of the food but when I go back, it's definitely something I plan to do.

Wonderful place for breakfast! Great atmosphere, food, and service. We didn't wait long till someone asked what we'd like to drink as well as food. Waitress was great to give recommendations on items they liked as well as other customers liked. Food came out quickly and was delicious! Looking forward to coming back on our next trip to Chippewa Falls!

Very cool little restaurant in the Oxbow Hotel. We had brunch this morning before leaving the hotel. Service was OK. Not great but not terrible. It was comfortable pace -- sometimes I like a faster pace in the morning. I had the Belgian waffle with blueberries. It was really good. I would get it again for sure. My wife the quiche with spinach, mushroom, and red pepper with potatoes. She liked it. Portion size was on the smaller size. My son had the omelet. Portion size was on the smaller size -- certainly smaller than we are used to in the Chicago area. We shared the biscuits and gravy -- which might have been the star of the breakfast. :) They were super good. I'd say that menu is a bit limited. Half of the menu was drinks, which we didn't have any prior to getting on the road for home. We'll be back.

Eau Claire, Wi. This place is located in the Ox Bow Hotel and has kind of an upscale vibe. We came for an early dinner so we were seated immediately. The simple salad was just that, small and simple with fresh greens and a very tasty vinaigrette. The asparagus soup was amazing with a dab of lemon garlic creme fraiche. The hamburger was on the small plates menu but it was a normal size burger. The burger was delicious but probably does not make my top ten. The puck was cooked a perfect medium well. The meat had a fine grind which gave it a very tender yet unusual texture. The taste of the 1/2 inch patty was excellent, probably premium beef. The brioche bun was not protected on the bottom by a leaf of lettuce so it got a bit soggy. The lettuce was shredded and piled above the puck and had very little function, taste or moisture control. The grilled mushrooms were a real plus, rich tasting and not mushy. Swiss cheese was ample but not overpowering, The chicken pot pie: So good. No it doesn't come out in an aluminum pie tin, but rather a very nice pastry shell. Featured really fresh veges and shredded chicken in a very light gravy. Again, an item from the small plates menu that was not at all small. Chocolate cake was dense but not too sweet. On top, a toasted creme anise chantilly. On the side a coffee simple syrup. A nice chocolate dessert experience. The waitress asked "How is everything tasting?" I really hate that. But she only asked once and was so sweet she gets a pass, even if she forgot my wife's coffee. This was good because the wife realized it would be unwise to have coffee at that hour. Upon return for Fathers Day brunch we both ordered quiches, meat and meatless versions. They were unlike any quiche I have ever tried, thick egg pie with no discernible cream or cheese that makes a typical quiche so good. Stephanie took both quiches and ate the topping off them. I summoned the waiter and ordered an omelette with smoked trout. The egg was thin and almost crepe like. Lots of spinach in there but not at all objectionable. I enjoyed it. I fully expected to pay for my quiche. However they deducted the cost of my quiche AND did not charge me for the omelette. A magnanimous gesture indeed.

I struggled between 3-4 and would give a 3.5 if I could. Personally, I found the dishes a bit lacking in flavor-- as in the seafood just tasted blah and one-note tomato. The caesar salad looked impressive, but its flavors did not blend. Disappointing. The drinks were nicely done. They had a good variety of options. The atmosphere is okay. Nice, chill vibe, but the jazz is hit or miss. One night was great, the next was just some mediocre trumpet player that sounded like he was doing technique exercises over a loop. Puke. I am not sure if I would return.. I definitely would not spend my money on the "meh" food, but I would have a cocktail.

We went here for dinner and I had the best walleye I have ever had. My wife had the sampler plate and it was delicious.

Very lovely, went here for an anniversary dinner. Cleaner and neat. Servers are attentive and friendly. Food is contemporary American with a nice twist. I enjoy the appetizers and the beer is cheap! The only problem I have is they book out their stage quite frequently, and sometimes the people who are performing aren't on par for what I consider to be a upscale venue. However, they have had multiple high profile guest so this evens out. Great food, excellent service.

So I went back. It is still terrible. I asked for an alteration on a menu item to suite my taste and was told that the "chef" doesn't like to do that. FAIL I ordered one of their new "craft" cocktails and watched the guy make it. I asked the server if it was going to be good and she said "oh yeah, our bar manger knows what he's doing" I took one sip and almost threw up in my mouth. FAIL It took me 40 minutes to get my food and when it came it was room temp at best. FAIL Zero out of ten, would not recommend

Totally enjoyed this restaurant! Service, ambiance, quality of food, and entertainment.

Meh. Not bad. Little pricey for what you get. Good taste. Would eat here again. Live music was a good touch. Enjoyable atmosphere We only had brunch here, but the server was raving about the supper.

We were looking for an "upscale" dinner for a special weekend, and we found it! Limited menu (we were disappointed that pasta entrée was sold out,) but that meant that each choice was carefully chosen and prepared. Great customer care by our server, Morgan. Craft cocktails were unique (Getaway Car, Miles Away, Toast). Appetizers were devoured (Lakely Fries & Chickpea Fritters). Entrees were delicious (Klatt Farm Burger, Cedar Bee Chicken Breast, Local Beef Selection=roast with fingerling mashed potatoes). We didn't stay for the live jazz music, but setup look promising. Restaurant was very upfront in masking policy and in tipping policy. Yes, menu prices were high, but owners are committed to paying well above minimum wage without tips. We tipped 10% even though not required.

Went to the lakely and felt like it's gone downhill. Sat at bar for drinks and service was great. Counter service ordering makes it seem like a coffee shop not a dining restaurant. Food was good. I don't appreciate telling me tipping is optional because employees are paid a living wage. I doubt staff are paid much more than McDonalds which is not a "livable" wage. Let customers decide if tipping is optional. Also, by forcing payment upfront, staff can't be rewarded for great service. I hate to describe people to give compliments but reddish beard bartender and girl with dark hair, pony tails, big smile and big glasses both gave great customer service. I hope they got their share of tips we left! Food was good but menu pretty limited.

Had dinner with colleagues Thursday night. Sat inside for dinner. Delicious choices in draft ales and wines by the glass. Great table service. Really enjoyed the fresh garden salad and the short ribs. The white fish looked delicious as did the burger. Returned later to sit outside, enjoy the deejay's music, and have a cocktail. Delicious old-fashioned called a Grandpa or something or other. Great ambience. Everyone there seemed to really be enjoying the night. Look forward to returning to this very charming restaurant and bar.

When you see the phrase "hotel restaurant" as part of a restaurant review, it is almost always in the context of something like, "... but it's not bad for a hotel restaurant." Hotel restaurants bring to mind prepackaged food sold at an exorbitant mark up because the owners know they have a captive audience. You know, the kind of place that serves fast-food quality hamburgers for $15. So when we heard that The Oxbow was going to have its own restaurant, we quietly hoped that they would not become another example of the "hotel restaurant" stereotype. The Lakely, the new restaurant in the Oxbow, clearly throws that stereotype out the window. Helmed by renowned local chef Nathan Berg, The Lakely offers an innovative yet compact menu that should satisfy the needs of any diner in the Chippewa Valley. We decided, being the adventurous eaters that we are, that we would visit The Lakely on opening night. Obviously, the first night a restaurant is open is always an adventure, but we were remarkably surprised at how smoothly the service went over the course of the evening. Jimmy, our server, did an excellent job of making sure that the pace of our meal perfect, and his attentiveness to our table should be commended. We were also impressed with the speed of the bar service under lead bartender Jorja. Our beverages were promptly refilled despite the complexities of some of the cocktails on the menu. As a group, we sampled virtually the entire menu and we were, to say the least, impressed. While we could wax poetic about essentially everything we ordered, four menu items truly stood out. On the starter list, the roasted squash soup had an amazingly smooth texture and intensely rich flavor. Another starter of note was Berg's take on traditional Canadian comfort food, poutine. The substitution of thinly sliced potatoes for fries and the savory mushroom gravy turned this appetizer into a clear winner. Among the main courses, the clear consensus of the group was that the Hot Dish Au Canard was one we would definitely order again. The perfectly cooked duck combined with wilted greens, wild rice, and sarvecchio cream sauce was a wonderful, savory feature on the menu. Another star on the menu was the Wild Rice Kofta, an outstanding vegetarian option with a spiced tomato cranberry sauce. The Kofta was an eye-opening revelation, and proof that not all restaurants in Eau Claire force vegetarians to eat piles of steamed vegetables. Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention the cocktail menu at The Lakely. Under the creative direction of lead bartender Jorja, there are several innovative beverages on the menu worthy of your attention. Two that stood out for us were the gin-based Corpse Reviver and the Maple Bourbon Sour, both of which became fast favorites among the group. The clear consensus of the group was that The Lakely was offering a menu that is truly unique in the Chippewa Valley. Nathan Berg's innovative food and his commitment to local producers, combined with a fun and creative cocktail menu, as instantly turned The Lakely into one of our go-to spots.

This is a very interesting restaurant inside a hotel. The atmosphere is great for dinner and drinks. There is also an outdoor area that has vibe. I order a few drinks and a beef tenderloin. Food was great and the servers where on top on their service.

Great place to grab some drinks and food, nice dining inside and outside. It's priced higher than other restaurants but you're also getting higher quality ingredients and they pay their staff a living wage, which also means that a tip isn't required for the bill. The wait time for our drinks was longer than a normal wait. Also, wait until you see the bathroom sink, it's kind of trippy.

Arrived at 11am for breakfast to be welcomed with live music and a whole restaurant to ourselves. The musician played on his guitar and violin as we ate our delicious breakfast on this cold and sunny morning. Our wives had the Norwegian breakfast while my friend had the breakfast burger and I had the wild rice porridge. All washed down with mimosas and bloody Mary's. It was a wonderful breakfast with great music and great service. Prices are decent and decor is nice. There is street parking nearby and the place looks to seat about 30 including seats at the bar. We are eager to come back during warmer times on their porch!

This is our second time staying at the Ox Bow and eating at the Lakely. First time was great and we recommended it to friends. This time not so much, both hotel and restaurant staff were arrogant and rude and gave us the impression that they were doing us a favor for letting us stay there and visit there restaurant. There will not be a third visit! If I could give them a negative star I would.

The Lakely won a place in my heart tonight as it is one of the coolest places in. Eau Claire if not NW Wisconsin. The restaurant within the hotel in this wonderful little area of EC screaming "rebirth" leaves me inspired and hopeful. At the same time I left a little disappointed. But just a little. The place is really nice. I may even stay in the hotel next time. Granted we visited on UWEC parent weekend, we had no serious or glam expectations for this little carve out of an area of Eau Claire that is "back" and offering tremendous value and attraction. If not for an inexplicable delay between our salads, an oddly timed delivery of a side of potatoes "because they were ready" and our main courses, I may have rated the place a 4. We waited no less than 35 minutes from salad to arrival of the entree. The potatoes arrived half way in between. We started with two salads - the simple and the beet. I preferred the simple salad - the vinaigrette won me over. The beet salad was good but the crouton sized beet chunks were too small unless my salad sharing spouse and daughter grabbed more than their share. Note to kitchen - I prefer sliced versus cubed beet for a salad. Our table enjoyed two lamb and one NY. Both entrees were delicious. I'd add a tiny side veggie to each dish. The small plates and salads are good for a starter. I just prefer when I know in advance no side is served with the entree. It's a timing thing. The lamb was tender and served in medallion sizes. I'd have the lamb again in a second. My daughter devoured the steak. I look forward to returning to the Lakely soon. I know my critique may read a little harsh. I'm not down on The Lakely. My hope is they get the timing worked out. Shouldn't happen with an established place. And next time I'd like to visit when the outdoor patio is open.

A breathe of fresh air from the standard bar and grill you'll find all over Eau Claire or Wisconsin. The Lakely gives locals a chance to try something new and exciting without having to travel far or to a big city but also gives people from out of town or state an authentic taste of Eau Claire. The drink menu is amazing, you can try a highly innovative cocktail, an old classic that you're probably familiar with, or a great craft beer selection. The food is top notch, using local farms to create healthy portions of full flavored yet simple dishes by some amazing chefs. And if you're not super hungry and don't want to spend too much, get a koldtboard - it's so good! You can tell the staff behind this place really cares about what they're putting out there. Everyone is full of passion and genuinely cares about the food, the drinks, and the ingredients being used. If you don't know what something is or have questions, just ask. Everyone is super friendly and eager to help or answer any questions you might have. Can't suggest The Lakely enough. Proud to have the place in my town.

Stayed at the Oxbow Hotel which is connected to this restuarant. We decided to have a few drinks at the bar prior to going out.for the evening. My wife and I were impressed by the drink menu. They had so many amazing craft beers, specialty cocktails, wine and even martinis. The UW band was playing live Jazz music so we decided to stay and have dinner. We had a steak the dinner that was out of this world. Cooked perfectly! This place was very modern, classy, clean, friendly staff, clean bathrooms, and just an all around great place. We would stop back if in town. Prices were very fair! More of an adult style lounge bar and restuarant. Perfect for a date night!

Stopped in for a couple drinks around 5 pm. The bartenders were very educated on their alcohols and how to make drinks. They have a great list of many original drinks they have created. I tried one and I am sorry I forgot the name, but it was a list of ingredients you would not think would taste good, but actually, was a very refreshing drink. A nice place to go for unique drinks and nice atmosphere. The drinks shown were a brandy old fashioned sweet and a dirty martini.

I mostly come for breakfast. The omelettes are very good. My favorite is The Fallon...mushroom, cheese, optional ham. Nothing seasonal about this so I would assume it would be on the menu all year long but noooooooo. Why? It's now gone and replaced with something with apples in it. I don't want apples in my omelette. I want mushrooms and cheese....and sometimes ham. I eat breakfast here 2-3 times a week...when they have The Fallon. Farm to fork and organic is important to me so I choose restaurants by that criteria. I'll now wait for The Fallon Omelette to return before eating breakfast here again. I'm local and have several friends..one a chef...who won't come here anymore for similar reasons. A shame. P.s. how about some gluten free bread!

Stopped in during a vinyl night and had a wonderful time! Pearl was our server and she was kind and knowledgeable of the menu. Will be returning!!

While visiting for brunch during the Eau Claire Music Festival, it took 2 hours to get food with a restaurant that was not filled. When we entered there were a number of empty tables, but the hostess did not seat us. We went to the bar where we had the best service, getting a great blood mary. That was the only highlight of the visit. After checking in two times with the hostess while at the bar, we found she crossed off our name and finally seated us. After seated, not one server acknowledged us for about 20 mins until I went over to what seemed like the manager and asked if we had a server. Ten minutes later our server came over telling us he wasn't comfortable with how many tables he was given. It was uncomfortable for us and him. The food; when it arrived lacked taste (eggs w bread pudding). Overall total miss

My wife and I went last night. We arrived before dinner and started with a couple drinks. The atmosphere is great and the place was very clean. Staff had a professional appearance. As for the food we were very dissatisfied. We had poutine as a starter the dish was unevenly heated and the gravy was at least day old. I had the steak which was over done and under seasoned. My wife had the veggie plate and was dissatisfied with the seasoning as well. The band was great and we were in love with the atmosphere. We may not return for dinner, but may enjoy drinks some other time. Expected more.

Here on business. Was pleasantly surprised there was a restaurant in the hotel. Even more pleased by the delightful staff. And better yet when I learned it was a farm to table restaurant. The food and craft cocktails are delicious and I feel like I've been spoiled since I checked in. Thank you! I will definitely be back!

My husband and I stayed at The Ox Bow for a week while recovering from surgery at a nearby hospital. Since our hotel room wasn't equipped with a kitchenette and our mobility was restricted, we ate at The Lakely a lot, which turned out to be such a blessing! The service was lovely and the food was always fresh and delicious. My favorite dish was the piping hot, peppery Chicken Pot Pie!

Chef Eric's new menu is amazing. Such attention to detail, high quality ingredients and beautiful presentation. Check out the music offerings - this place is doing great stuff and I hope everyone can stop by to support local food and local artists.

For big city prices, I'd expect to go home with a doggy bag. Food sucks too. Fish was over cooked, brussel sprouts were salted to the point of nastiness and dessert conisted of a 3 day old muffin top. Unedible. The best thing about this place is the bathroom sink and the live jazz. left the place feeling swindled and hungry.

Fun night to hang at the bar for a couple of unusual cocktails. Jorja was awesome and we learned a lot about the different cocktails and ingredients. A true professional bartender!

Coming from California I wasn't sure what EC would have in store for me. I like sustainable, humane certified, organic. I do and will pay for that. The Lakely has it and the food is wonderful. There's mellow live music playing this night that I'm here. A jazz ensemble on a cool and rainy November Thursday. I am biased in that we fell in love while Bon Iver songs misted in the background during morning French pressed coffees and evening buttery red blends...if you're looking for an evening from a magazine then come here; it won't disappoint. Oh...one last tip for The Lakely...hooks for jackets and purses at the bar and a brass foot bar would be nice. :-)

If you want a Craft Cocktail this is the place to go. Absolutely amazing talent & in little old Eau Claire. Shared small bites they were very good & affordable.

Quaint romantic setting excellent for dates. Food is a little pricey, but good. We went when they had live music, which was top notch. Great place to try.

This is the type of restaurant Eau Claire has been in need of for a long time. I had dinner here on the Friday after Thanksgiving and overall it was a great experience. The atmosphere and lighting were spot on with candles at every table. The live jazz added a nice touch. One slight modification they should make is to the door on the men's restroom. When it opens, diners can see into the restroom and it throws off the vibe of the dining area. It should swing in to the right so diners cannot see into the restroom. The cocktail list offered many options if you like gin, bourbon, and whiskey, but it could benefit from adding a tequila and vodka cocktail or two. I applaud them for emphasizing fresh, local ingredients on the menu, and I understand this lends itself to a more limited offering, but I think they could diversity a bit here while still keeping the menu small. I was shocked there was no chicken or beef entrees on the menu. Those seem like staples that can't be left off a menu for any restaurant expecting to survive in Eau Claire. I had the perch and it was tasty, but it wasn't a dish I would run back to have specifically. If they are going to only have 5 mains on the menu, the menu needs to rotate much more frequently and they should add a few signature items including a burger to allow them to play to a larger audience while still offering unique, seasonal fare.

Awesome service and food, and the drink list is quirky without being pretentious. Extensive beer list, with lots of local representation, but I didn't check out the wine list (I know, right?!) I can't remember what they call their small plates/antipasti style menu, but I had that and it was delightful. Sister had the polenta (she's veg and still had a few options to choose from--a rarity!) and her husband the pulled pork sandwich--both were pleased. The menu is small but well-curated, so there's something for all palates and philosophies.

The Lakely is easily one of the best dining experience in Eau Claire. -No, the prices are not cheap--go to a chain if you want that. -The food is unique, fresh, local and AMAZING. I've eaten there twice in the last month. The menu is concise--not a ton of options--but that is really best case scenario for a restaurant! Anytime I see a 5 page menu I worry that I'm eating something that has sat in the back of a freezer for 6 months... Anyways, I ordered the veggie stew both times because it is really THAT GOOD--fresh local veggies with a local sharp cheddar sauce that is out of this world! The poutine was a perfect appetizer for the 4 of us. -The drinks: Be prepared to be impressed. -Staff/atmosphere: Last time we went, the hostess (Delilah) was so friendly and really made us feel at home even though there was a bit of a wait. But that gave us time to get a drink from the very speedy bar staff, and then walk around and look at the art gallery and there were plenty of comfy places to sit with our drinks even though it was busy as heck. The hostess came and got us very quickly and sat us right next to the stage where live jazz music was being played. AMAZING live jazz music. Even though we were right next to the stage, we could still converse without shouting. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a local, fresh dining experience.

We went to the Lakely in a bit of a rush to get to a performance at the Pablo Center at the Confluence (2 blocks away) so plan to go back for a fuller experience. I had the Boulevardier cocktail (bourbon, sweet vermouth, campari, lemon) and my wife had Lovin' Bobby Burns (scotch, sweet vermouth, drambuie, bitters, lemon). Both were very good and at $8 a bargain compared to the Twin Cities or either coast. They describe their food at "MIDWEST MODERN COMFORT FOOD", I would add 'chef driven', seasonal, innovative. We had the BEET SALAD (Roasted Square Roots Farm red & gold beets, caramelized onion, Cedar Grove chevre and microgreens in a roasted orange citronette ) and the THE KOLDTBORD, which I would consider as a Scandinavian lunch board; (A customizable, sharable tour of the land w/ artisan meats, cheeses, proteins, vegetables, crackers and more for one or for a group. Use the checklist koldtbord menu on your table to order and set your price.) It was very good, liked the selection and the ability to customize it to your level of hunger and/or the number of people you are going to share with. Overall, very good first impression. We will be back!

Best craft cocktails in town - love the Robert Burns. Farm to Table menu and I had lightly breaded Perch with a great rice dish and yellow squash. Very nice

We were visiting family and stopped in last wednesday based on recommendations. We were seated right away. Drink menu was unique. I found it disappointing that the menu was small and midwestern comfort food is far from what is described on their menu. (Quinoa is not a comfort food) We started with drinks which took a while, I understand they are more complicated but not that long. Server was ok but not familiar with the drink menu. We ordered salads, soup, appetizer and dinner. Their timing was off with the food - 20 minutes until we had salad and soup, another 20-30 minutes for our meal. Disappointed that our other appetizers showed up with the meal. We were there for literally 2hrs and the food was bland at best. I had the meatloaf sandwich and it had zero taste. Looks like a great place for a drink and live music but not for dinner.

I've been here several times now, definitely my new favorite spot in Eau Claire. The food is phenomenal and the quality is consistent. Do the six-course meal, all courses were absolutely delicious!

The atmosphere is north woods mixed with hipster. They have a nice patio and courtyard. We stayed at the Oxbow so this was a convenient place to get food. We arrived around 3pm. No food whatsoever until 5pm. Not even bar snacks. We were told we could order a Koltboard but as soon as we figured out what we wanted, they said no, not until 5pm. There was another incident where we arrived for lunch and checked in at hostess stand. We were told pick a table outside and he would send a server right out. Well, we sat for more than 20 minutes while everyone else had a server but not one stopped at our table. We had to go to the bar to get our own drinks. We had to ask the bartender to get us a server because 30 minutes passed and we were ignored the entire time. That is crappy service. The food was okay but really pricey for what it was. The live jazz music in the evening was nice. The music over brunch was awful. It was supposed to be folk and bluegrass. It was just awful, loud and obnoxious. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Two stars for really good cocktails. The rest needs improvement for sure.

Hands down my favourite bar in Eau Claire. The bartenders are knowledgable on all the classics and have created their own personal craft cocktails and variations of existing ones. A little pricey, to be sure, but well worth the money. If you enjoy watching the art of bartending, this is the place for you. Add in some sweet smooth stylings of live local jazz musicians and you have *the* classiest bar in Eau Claire. Every time I walk in I'm transported to a different time, back when bars were more than just hooch hustlers and beer slingers. These guys and gals know what they're doing, and if you let them, they'll give you the experience of a lifetime!