Brazen Open Kitchen Bar

So I have heard a lot of talk about this restaurant about how the food was incredible and they made a damn good old fashioned! So I checked it out last Saturday and I did not try the food but the bartender her name was tiffany made me an old fashioned and I am here to tell you it was the best old fashioned I have had in years ! Not only that she was very friendly and polite ! I would highly recommend brazen to anyone! And a special thanks to the bartender tiffany!

This is an amazing restaurant. This was our first experience and it blew me away. We had their special Valentine’s dinner and a bottle of wine. Incredible. It was fairly expensive, but well worth it. Our waiter, Chris, was very responsive, knowledgeable about the menu, and very nice. There were three of us, so six thumbs, way up!

So I wanted to love this place but I can’t say that I did. Dont get me wrong the set up of the restaurant is very nice. Open kitchen, hardwood floors, warm environment with nice friendly staff… but the food was hit or miss. We had the duck tacos which were meh… duck meat was salty and the toppings were nothing special. The kale salad was good but the dressing was overdone and had no seasoning. The salmon and risotto however was great! Overall 3.5stars, good not great. If in the area Id go back… the salmon was good enough to reel me back!

Awesome food, pretty good drinks and a very nice atmosphere.
Only downside is its expensive but you’re paying for a great experience so it’s worth it.

Great service and atmosphere. Chicken was excellent and my friend said the his pork shank was wonderful.

I’ve been to Brazen three times now and was very happy with the food and the service. I really enjoy the atmosphere and décor as well. The beet salad is now one of my all time favorite things to eat! And the Pasta Bolognese is something I should only eat a half portion but end up finishing the plate.

Excellent all around experience. I selected Brazen based on other Unilocal reviews. We are in town for business and I wanted a higher end, yet relaxed place, to take my team. Couldn’t be happier with my choice. Food standouts included Beet salad, Pork Shank and Goat Cheese Ravioli. While the Pizza was good, I encourage you to indulge in the other entrees to fully experience the fresh and creative flavors. Service was impeccable (Chris). In fact, it was so good, we’re going back tonight.

We ordered the crabcake and chicken pâté for our appetizers. Both were very good, but the crostinis with the pâté were burned instead of browned. As our entrees, my husband had the pork chop special and I had the ox-​tail special. The chop was still raw near the bone and half of my ox-​tails were fat that needed to be trimmed away. I’m aware that ox-​tails are a fatty meat, so considering that the kitchen would be able to see that too, there should have been more on the plate. If we hadn’t had the appetizers, we’d have left hungry. There are better pork chops at The Log Cabin in Galena and all around better food at Timmermans in East Dubuque. All you’d be missing is the «vibe» at Brazen, but I’ll take food over vibe anytime.

Leek fondue is amazing! Steak was called led to perfection, chicken pâté was moderate

Multiple reviewers talk about how this is a great place for Dubuque. I agree, but would also go further by saying the food here would do well in any city. The menu has its staples, but also has dishes full of creativity and flavor. I have been to Brazen multiple times and have not been disappointed. Some reviews have mentioned the price of the food here being high, but in my opinion it is comparable, if not cheaper, to other restaurants of similar quality in larger cities.

Dinner was delicious, drinks were fun and the staff was attentive and did a great job covering the menu. Love the atmosphere!

Visiting Dubuque from the Twin Cities and had the most excellent meal at Brazen. The service from Chris was superior. He was attentive and really knew the menu inside and out, and made some great recommendations.
Everything we ordered from cocktails to small plates to entrees was perfect. We had three generations of diners at the table and we enjoyed every single thing we ordered, but the highlights were the Brussels sprouts, crab cake, short rib and burgers with potato wedges. I am still thinking about the classic Old Fashioned as well. Even the starter bread and butter was just phenomenal. Chris told us that everything is scratch made-​no freezers in the whole place-​and you will really taste the homemade quality.
The atmosphere was very warm and inviting with the beautiful brick walls and wooden tables. Already looking forward to my next visit!

This is one of my favorite restaurants they always have a fresh menu with a great concept. I definitely recommend to anyone that is visiting or lives in this area

Great atmosphere, food was spot on. Ordered the ribeye med rare. Delicious. Leek fondue was great appetizer. My wife got the tomato spinach pizza which she said was good as well. Not to mention the drinks are fantastic. Better make reservations. This place is hoppin

Wide variety of food choices. Fresh farm to table. Well selected wines. Full bar. Hip space in Warehouse District. Upscale addition to Dubuque dining scene.

Let me start with WOW! I travel a lot and eat all over the USA. This was one of the freshest and most home/​house made places I have been to. Everything was amazing including the service! My girlfriend and I sampled a few food and drink items and all surpassed our expectations! If you are in the area, this is the place to go for a great dining atmosphere, enjoyable servers, and amazing fresh food!

Don’t forget to make a reservation.
This is one of my favorite Restaurants here in Dubuque, love love love that now you can sit outside. A medium size restaurant, with a well done interior design. Open kitchen, very cozy and chic at the same time.
Food is amazing, my husband and I have been there 4 times already, and everything we have order has been good, my favorite has been the Salmon had it twice and I don’t regret it. also the crab cake its yummy or the friend cheese, just be ready the cheese its huge… for desserts my fav has been Crème Brûlée it coming in a jar very cute but the texture its absolutely creamy and delicious.

WARNING: Not your typical Dubuque or «Galena tourist» eatery!
Location: Reminiscent of the River North /​Randolph Street loft areas of Chicago as well as Milwaukee’s 3^rd Ward (my old stomping grounds) BUT with actual street parking space!
Ambiance: «Hipster /​trendy cool» open and airy. Good attention to detail.
Wait staff: Friendly, well informed, and professional.
Drinks: Adequate selection. Wines and Margaritas could stand to have a few more ounces added.
Presentation: Carrot soup; bread and butter; salmon, scallop, and pizza entrees; and the cheese cake were Impeccably prepared and all a visual delight.
Quality and taste: To die for.
Value: A quandary here… Would slightly larger portions actually add to the value (and ratings)? Depends on the age bracket of the diner.
Suggestion: Better enjoy the broths (with certain entrees) by asking for more bread or crostini.
Scallops with leek and dried cherries as well as the salmon with broth and mushrooms were incredible.
We’ll all definitely be back.

4 piece chicken dinner… very light crust… Excellent. Included small salad of watermelon, feta, mint & jalapeño. Very good Wedge & Caesar Salads.
Husband had med-​rare rib eye. First one was med to med-​well. The waitress agreed it was not med-​rare & replaced it. They also comped our deserts.
We’re from Chicago, so we should have known better than to order a steak, but the reviews were good.
Definitely one of the top meals we have had in the Galena/​Dubuque area in the 20+ years we’ve been coming here.
Prices were good. but we’re from Chicago.
Overall, we’ll be back & recommend our friends do too.

If you are visiting Dubuque and want great food, amazing drinks and great service — this is the place!