Easily the best food I've had in the Midwest. Their menu is excellent, the setting (both upstairs and downstairs) is well designed - small enough to feel private, large enough to be social. Their music is always great, the staff is friendly, and most importantly the chef and line cooks know what they're doing. Plus the prices are super reasonable for the quality you get. I've worked as a cook for many years in Canada (where I'm from) and Europe, I've traveled through a couple dozen countries, and had more or less resigned myself from finding good cuisine in the US outside of places like Manhattan, LA, and Seattle... I know southeastern Iowans cite Dodici as an example of quality dining in the area, but compared with other restaurants generally (and not just geographically) I'd give Dodici a 6.5/10 at best food-wise, whereas I wouldn't hesitate to give The Burning Oak a 9/10... My only concern is that Fairifeld might not give them the success they deserve as it's a town that seems to favour all-you-can-eat buffets for $7. The Burning Oak is an excellent restaurant - and would be any excellent restaurant anywhere.

I recently visited The Burning Oak and the food was out of this world! I am vegetarian and had the 3-bean salad (delicious!), cream of spinach soup and orzo with basil-almond pesto and Brussels sprouts - one of my favorite vegetables. I was totally over the moon with the spinach soup - what a fabulous soup! It was so well-spiced - I LOVED the fact that it had a kick to it. It was the best soup I've ever eaten at any restaurant. The orzo dish was stupendous and was beautifully spiced with just the right amount of garlic - love garlic - it was absolutely delicious! This is a GREAT restaurant and would be considered one of the best in the entire state. The restaurant design is also interesting as it replicates a Scottish pub on the first floor with ample seating as well as upstairs dining with 2 separate levels and seating available for large groups. And the chandelier is really beautiful! At times there is live jazz which also adds to the ambiance. The chef is professionally trained and hails from Manhattan and is really tops! Not only is the food fantastic but its presentation is also quite lovely. I wholeheartedly recommend The Burning Oak to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience!

This place never fails to impress me. It's clear so much attention goes into every detail.