the Webster

In town for a Gopher Hawkeye game. We ended up picking Webster from the best restaurants list. It was a solid pick!! Why? Food was fantastic michelin star quality. Oysters with an apple mignonette, chicken so tender and flavorful, and a short rib style pasta. Biscuits and fried rice were awesome. Sommelier picked a perfect wine for us. Our server Riley was wonderful. Great suggestions and timely service. Overall…so happy we picked The Webster!,

We had a great dinner at The Webster and especially loved the cast iron cornbread, the hiramasa crudo, and the orecchiette! The sakura pork chop and fioretto were also very good. Special shoutout to the amaro cocktail; it was bold and thoughtful, and made even better by the head mixologist stopping by our table to introduce it. That kind of attention really elevated the experience. The only downside was the portion sizes. They were too large for a date night with just two people. It felt like we had to over-order and take too much home. A little more à la carte flexibility or smaller portion options would go a long way, and help make the experience more approachable price-wise.

This review pertains specifically to the Chef's Counter experience offered by The Webster, but generally speaking if you like really good food and drinks in an upscale atmosphere, you owe it to yourself to try this place. Even a couple of small plates (I can't recommend the potato salad and beef tartare enough) and a couple cocktails at the bar can be a really wonderful experience. On to the (probably lengthy) review... The Chef's Counter experience had been a bucket list item for my wife and I after several years of enjoying outings to The Webster. It was easily set up by contacting the restaurant via email. I was given a rundown of the cost and process and asked about any allergies. There was an option wine pairing to add, which we declined. For the meal, you are sat literally at the counter of the restaurant overlooking the kitchen. That in and of itself was a really cool experience as you get to see dishes prepared, kitchen staff interacting, etc. If you've ever watched The Bear it was like that, minus the yelling and chaos. It was very cool. Sitting there also meant we had a direct interaction with the sous chef who was preparing our meals. Each dish came with an explanation of what we were being served and the source of the ingredients. The attention to detail and the commitment to quality ingredients really showed throughout these interactions. Now, for the food itself: simply incredible. Every bite was phenomenal. All told, we had 12 dishes, mostly small plates. We didn't order any of the items and didn't see our menu beforehand, which I fully support. We were treated to dishes that I might not have otherwise ordered. The chef told us the menu was based on what ingredients were available. Everything is fresh and the things that could logically be sourced locally (produce, beef, chicken) were. In our case, we seemed to be in a transition from sort of a summer menu to a fall menu. We were getting the last of the peaches, but also the first taste of some other items that were just coming into season. Our menu was seafood heavy (in a great way) with items including the best oyster I've ever had in my life, hamachi crudo, seared tuna, and rock shrimp. The main dish was a haub pork chop, which was delicious. The standout items were a fresh tomato salad and a wagyu beef tartare. The dishes come out in the order that you would expect for a dinner - appetizers, salad, soup, main course(s), and desserts. Between each dish, you get a fresh set of silverware and the staff comes by to wipe down the counter. It was a nice touch. On top of the food, we had phenomenal cocktails throughout the night. All in all, this is a truly phenomenal experience. The food itself is incredible, but the level of service elevates the experience even more. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, conversant, and clearly passionate about the food. This experience does not come cheap, nor should it. If you're asking "Is it worth it?" I can't answer that for you. For us, the answer was wholeheartedly, "Yes!" After enjoying other meals at The Webster, this was an experience we had been anticipating for a long time and it delivered in every single way.

Big expectations. Some met, others not so much. We gladly paid the corkage on a ten year old special Napa Cab we brought with us. We did get it decanted properly. A+ to the waitstaff. Started with Sourdough and shrimp cocktail. $15 Sourdough was dry and sent to the bin. Shrimp was fresh and crisp and poached well to that special cool crispness. Pea soup was amazing with great presentation. Duck egg pasta house made was also a highlight. Needed some peas and bacon in the pasta, but then that's a pasta carbonara right? Hint to the chef. Scallops were done to perfection and vegetables were fresh. We wanted red meat to go with the wine, but the only offering was a 52oz aged Waygu for $365. Not very couple friendly. We would have loved to order a sharable filet or smaller bone in ribeye. None were offered. Would have liked to see a whole fish option or at least something like Seabass or black cod offered. You won't find white tablecloths here, nor black or white table linen offered even though you would expect that at this price level. We lingered and did not feel rushed. Crowd was typical college town vibe. Parking is on the street, be prepared to walk.

Been here three times so far since they've opened, and I will say this is a gem! The quality of food and presentation is worth the price! Not to mention the service and experience alone makes me wanting to come back for more- I will always recommend this place to anyone local who's never been, or anyone out of town! Definitely a one of a kind restaurant in downtown Iowa City

Fantastic place, creative and plays on humble ingredients executed with precision. Ask the sommelier for a recommendation, it's going to be good. Look for the upcoming "carrot cake" it's to die for.

An outstanding, understated culinary experience. We absolutely loved the food and drinks. 10/10 would dine again. A welcome addition to the Iowa City food scene. Update 6/28/2024 - returned with my parents and had a fabulous time. We ordered the asparagus, chicken thigh, beef rib, and potato salad. Some of the best food I’ve ever had. They take such good care with presentation and ingredients. They are also mindful of allergies. I love that they wipe your table in between courses and check in frequently. It does get very loud in there and is usually packed so we did find we were talking very loud to communicate at our table.

I did not know what most items on the menu were let alone how to pronounce them (don't let that scare you away)but our waiter, Zach, went through the menu and explained all the dishes, answered any of our questions, and gave great recommendations. Zach was very attentive and professional. The food was amazing! Savory, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. The portions are perfect for sharing. It can get a little loud inside and the tables are close together but it is well worth the visit. The menu changes frequently so we will be back to try out the chef's other creations. It is pricey but you are paying for the freshness and quality of their wonderful food.