Wissota Chophouse - Ottumwa — Restaurant in Ottumwa

Took my wife and my parents here for a double-date on Valentine's Day. Overall, we were very pleased with the meal. However, for the price, there were several things that came up a little short.

They ran out of mashed potatoes prior to 6:30pm. Being that there were plenty of empty tables that night, they shouldn't have been so busy that they ran out of one of their staple side dishes. However, the mushroom risotto was VERY good, so we still had a great side dish there.

The bacon truffle mac & cheese was very good, but the pasta was more al dente than you typically get in an Italian restaurant. Our entire table thought the mac & cheese was underdone.

Our server wasn't terrible, but for this caliber of restaurant, I would have expected the server to be just a little more on top of things. Drinks ran out a couple of times, and she didn't seem to have the "polish" that you would expect.

The decor of the restaurant is nice. However, our silverware had spots on the knives, which is not world-ending. But again, you don't expect that at this price. The main entrance door to the restaurant has a problem with the door closer. It makes 3-4 loud banging sounds whenever it closes. Kind of annoying when you're trying to enjoy a nice, expensive, romantic dinner.

Our steaks tasted great! However, my wife ordered a filet mignon medium well, and it was less than medium. She didn't send it back, but I probably would have if I had ordered it.

I ordered prawns with my ribeye. The ribeye and prawns were all VERY good! I wouldn't change a thing there. The crab cake appetizer was also VERY good.

The entire meal (no alcohol) cost $323 before tip for the 4 of us. Living in Naples, FL, I've eaten at a lot of fancy expensive restaurants. Wissota Chophouse had a LOT of good things going for it, but for the price, it was missing some polish and a few other things. It was very good, but for this price, you should expect near perfect. That's why I'm...

This experience was perfect from walking in to walking out!

The hostess greeted us warmly and seated us on the patio upon our request. The patio has a cozy feel without being crowded. It is beautifully lit and has heat lamps and a fireplace to relax and unwind.

Our waitress met us with cold water and menus and was very helpful in answering our questions. We ultimately decided on the steak flatbread, "airline" chicken, jumbo prawns, and parmesan crusted brussel sprouts. Our flatbread came out with a baguette, butter, and artisan salts. Both the flavor and texture of each was fantastic! The bread was crusty and made a satisfying crunch when bitten. The butter was creamy and easy to spread or dip with the salts adding that extra punch of flavor. The flatbread was savory and satisfying with a crisp edge and neopolitan center. The steak, veggies, and sauce were just the right proportions to give a creamy, umami mouth feel and flavor. Upon delivery of our mains, Jordan offered freshly cracked pepper. The chicken was served with cheesy crustini and caramelized onion. The chicken was cooked to perfection having a crisp skin while avoiding the rubbery texture typical of restaurant chicken. My boyfriend says the prawns were delicious. His only regret was not also getting some freshly cracked pepper. The brussel sprouts were also delicious and perfectly cooked. Caramelized in some spots but not burned, warm all the way through, and firm enough to have an intact texture.

And then Jordan offered us desert, and the crem brulee sounded amazing, so we ordered that. Oh. My. God. Perhaps the best desert I've ever put in my mouth. My compliments to the chef!

Every bit of food, service, atmosphere cannot be matched by any place else within driving distance. We can't wait to go back and, hopefully, try the goat cheese honey fig appetizer.

Pricey? Maybe, but worth...

My husband and I went here on a whim. We didn’t realize until we got there, but we felt underdressed for this type of restaurant! It really didn’t matter though, it was a judgment free place and very welcoming. 😊

We had buffalo fried alligator for an appetizer, lobster tail (him), jumbo prawns (me), and a shareable side of truffle fries. Also, a raspberry tiramisu for dessert. Aside from the lobster tail (it was a little bit on the smaller side), the portion sizes are very generous.

The food was great! I had never been a fan of bleu cheese dressing before, but I absolutely love the house bleu cheese they serve with the fried alligator. I also love the à la carte entrée and shareable sides to choose from to customize your meal. It makes it feel a little more cozy, like you’re sitting down to a family meal.

Our waiter (Dylan) was amazing. Very attentive and very friendly. The manager was amazing too. She made personal appearances at every table to say hello and to make sure the dining experience was enjoyable.

There were a few cons. We think the atmosphere could be improved by dimming the lights a little bit. Also, while nice that we never had to worry about running out of something to drink, we think the host came by a little too frequently to ask if we needed more water. Small cons in our book, more like personal preferences. 😊

The food and fine dining experience here are worth it, and we will absolutely...