B.J. Wentker’s Historic Fine Dining

We visited here while running errands in Burlington. The atmosphere is classic steakhouse with many historic photos on the wall. Wait staff was great, welcoming and cordial from start to finish. We had our heart set on fish fry and were not disappointed. Ordered a combo of baked and fried cod and both were delicious– served with drawn butter, tartar sauce and lemon wedge. Came with fries or potato pancake, coleslaw and a slice of rye bread. Everything was great and will definitely return.

We went for fish fry last night and were sadly disappointed. Have been wanting to go here for years and never made a
couldn’t get in as they are very busy. When we walked in the host/(maybe part owner) told us he thought we were coming in at 5:00 not 6:00… So somehow our reservation got messed up. He let us know that service may be slow as there were some larger tables. Our waitress took our drink order and it took at least a full 10 min to get them and then she only brought 3 drinks (there were 4 of us) but she didn’t even realize that I had no drink. I asked her if my wine was coming… She said, «what?» I asked again & then she realized, went and got it and blamed it on the bartender. She ignored us after that… and just kept walking by us tending to her larger table. I had to flag her down to get another round. Someone else (food runner?) brought our food and was very personable. Food was delicious. We had 2 cod fry meals and one baked cod and one grass fed burger. They were all very good although the temp on our burger was supposed to be med and it was totally well done. Luckily it tasted so good we were ok with it. Our server never once came and asked if our meal was ok or if we needed anything… Total server faux pas. We flagged down a bus boy to get us more tarter. All in all don’t know if we will go back. Too many other cool restaurants to check out before heading back to pay decent money for such poor service. If for some reason it was her first day she should have told us, but she barely said anything to us… Until she saw us writing the review lol… Then she asked us if anything was wrong. Little late

I took my daughter there to enjoy a quite and unique atmosphere to enjoy some quality time and buy her a nice lunch for her birtday .
We both loved it, and the polite waiter had no problem asking the chef if he could make me a steak, even though it was a lunch menu .
I loved the steak, the service and the ambiance. I’ll be back … only hope they’ve got some XXXL t — shirts (the only thing missing .) =(: — D

This place was a very nice surprise. My sisters and I took Mom up to Lake Geneva and on a Saturday night the restaurants were packed. We Unilocaled surrounding towns and found this a short drive away.
It’s in a beautiful old building that’s been run under the same name (though different owners) for decades. The food and service was excellent. The selection was an interesting mix of standbys and unique dishes. I tried the Chorizo stuffed chicken which came in a corn chowder. It was very good though, frankly, I wished I’d gone for the crab stuffed filet which everyone else got and was falling over themselves saying how great it tasted.
Desserts were all great, too. Try the Mango Cheesecake (take a few bites without the crust to really taste the mango) or the Strawberry Foster (like bananas foster with strawberries). Ask for a knife on that last one as the pastry can’t be cut with a fork.
Go to Lake Geneva for the lake but go here for the food and atmosphere.

Went again under the new owners. Ask for a blackend tuna sandwich for lunch. It is to die for. Not on menu but they will make it for you if they have the tuna steaks. Call in advance to be sure but WORTH IT! Great people, great service.

We ate here last night with a group of 8. Excellent food and drink. Hubby had drunken ribeye… very tender, delicious. I had grilled salmon… absolutely delicious! Everyone in group had wonderful meal. Drinks great. Waitress was awesome. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Price is on higher end, but worth it!

Have been going to restaurant for years. Went several months ago and was disappointed. Thought we would give it another try. Ordered bruschetta, it was soggy. My wife ordered pasta primavera and I ordered lamb salad. Salad was ok. Pasta was a bag of frozen veggies and noodles. Tasted ok but $ 20 for a dish that came out of the freezer? I expect fresh from this place. Quality has taken a steep downturn. When we told the manager about it, he told us it was the first night of the new menu and would pass along the concern. Oh, well, it used to be better.

Food was excellent, as was the service. And the décor and history inside rounded it out perfectly.
Jennifer our waitress and Jessica our bartender kept up going too. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for fine dining, or a good bar, in Burlington, Wis.

Walking into the restaurant is very welcoming. We were seated right away at a great table and loved the ambiance of the restaurant. We ordered steaks and were not disappointed! The Filet with the stuffed crab was so fantastic, and the Drunken Ribeye Steak and potatoes, wonderful. Great service and the new owners of this restaurant even checked in with us during our dinner. We have great leftovers we took home and will definitely dine here again.

Food and service was great ! Don’t pass on the bacon wrapped shrimp for an appetizer! I had the rack of lame, it was amazing. The owner was there and checked on us 3 – 4 times. If your from out of town looking for a classy place for a nice cocktail, steak or seafood with a great wine selection this is your place!

They are under new ownership but I have been here many times and have found the food to be excellent as is the historic environment. They have a large bar with many beers on tap, provide good service and very tasty food.

I had the penne bolognese which was just okay. It seemed to be smothered in sauce but not bolognese sauce. The service was just mediocre and they didn’t have a lot of beers that my party wanted to drink. For the price I don’t think it’s worth it, you’d be better off going downtown Lake Geneva for a better experience for the same price.

Went to lunch last Saturday with my niece (foodie) from Madison. The food was excellent, service was professional and courteous. Chef Eric greeted and seated us and checked in with us after the meal. Starting with the appetizers through the amazing desserts this restaurant never fails to be an outstanding destination. My niece is bringing a gang back from Madison in the near future; stating it is as good as the upscale places in Madison if not better.

Whenever I get a chance to eat at this location I take it. Lobster sandwich for lunch was a nice surprise one day. The fish fry is to die for. The chefs do everything with a personal flair. The wait staff is attentive and very friendly. You will not make a mistake going out to dinner at this establishment.

We walked into this restaurant before 8pm and was eventually greeted by a hostess who welcomed us by asking what time it was. Seemed like she was hoping that it was past dinner hours.
Went on Friday for the fish fry. They had run out of the baked cod, though they still had the deep fried cod… how is that possible? Fish cooks quickly. We opted for the salmon that was on the regular menu. It was overlooked, dry and yet, still tasted extremely fishy. The gnocchi that came with it was mushy and tasteless.
We went there with four star expectations. The only four star thing at this place was our waitress, Jennifer. She took the salmon off of our check and was understanding and very personable.

I have returned! Two years later… Much better experience. Food was great. Apple cider was cold. I was happy!
Most entrees are over priced. But my blackened salmon salad at $ 16 was terrific. And the size of the fish was excellent.
7 pm on a Saturday night there were only three other tables. They are no longer busy. I feel bad, but the service was better tonight and my entrée was a decent size. Maybe if the rest of the menu was tweaked, they could fill the place up.
My first review:
July 2013
I’m only giving two stars, because the last time I was there I felt the service was horrible. I felt like I was in visible or not as important of a customer as a couple at the table next to me, as I was a single. It made me angry. You shouldn’t be angry when you’re given good food to eat.
My entrée was great. Salmon!
My Angry Orchard Cider was cold!
I should have been happy. Yet, I was not happy. I just wanted to get out of there! I was angry and knew what being discriminated against feels like.

This is a great place to dine or meet friends for a cocktail. The atmosphere, unlike other restaurants and bars in the area is quaint and quiet. We’ve frequented BJ’s for happy hour, appetizers, and the Friday fish fry– and have never been disappointed. One of the best restaurants in the area.

Maybe this place gets better reviews from people who haven’t had their fish fry. The fish was HARD —could barely cut it with a knife! — and it was fishy tasting. Slow service too. I don’t know that I’d care to go back here.

How does this place not have 5 stars? AMAZING. Bacon wrapped shrimp were incredible. Steak? Amazing. Lobster? Rocking. Apple tart with caramel sauce desert? Whoa now. Even the coffee was awesome.
Neat place, very historic. Friendly staff. But forget all that for a minute. The food was AWESOME.
I wish i lived closer.
Note: it’s a little pricey, as in, it’s not cheap because its not crappy food. Steak was 32 bucks, lobster tail was 20, appetizer was 9, desert was 6 — so, you’re not paying podunk town prices, which is fine, because the food is worth every penny. If you’re from the city, you’re used to paying these prices for food thats half as good. This was really good.

Still loving it. They have Saint Germaine elderflower spirit, yummy! Stellar clam chowder served with fresh bread and roasted garlic. All the menu options are good, my only complaint is that it is hard to choose only one entrée! Salmon served with gnocchi was heaven!