reserved a table for 14 for fathers' day brunch. everyone enjoyed their meals. service was good. my only suggestion for improvement would be to make the bloody mary bar larger or more accessible to more than one person at a time. i wouldn't hesitate to have another large party for brunch at north star, shorewood.
-----30 jan, 2011-----
bad brunch experience = no longer a favorite. north star bistro's newlocation(across the street from its previous home) is a vast improvement in decor and parking. however, i have to confess, i recently moved this off my favorites list due to a couple of recent disappointing meals here. in particular my most recent brunch experience was bordering on awful. there were only five tables of diners, yet it took nearly 30 minutes to get our food after ordering. at one point i had to flag down our waitress to ask how much longer we would have to wait. she was pleasant enough but didn't seem to know what to do other than apologize profusely. (checking on our food or offering another beverage before we have to flag you down would be a good start.) when our food arrived, my crabcakes benedict were overcooked and everyone's potatoes were so over-garlicky they were inedible. most of my previous experiences have been exemplary but this was so bad, it will be a long time before i return. i'm guessing this is a (mis)management issue, as no manager seemed to be in attendance that day. i'm leaving it on my "likes it" list for now but it's no longer a favorite - and it will be a while before i'm willing to risk such an unpleasant experience when seeking what should be a relaxing brunch. hopefully, they can remedy the problem quickly.
-----09 nov, 2009-----
upscale, neighborhood jewel. tantalizing menu, clean modern decor, good service and excellent food. surprisingly kid-friendly with a separate room for families while the main dining room is casually elegant. this is our go-to place when we want to relax and enjoy a wonderful meal and a nice glass of wine, without any pretense. love it.