Vault 232

It was my first time here. I was one of three valet guys for a wedding held in the very snowy evening. I sat at the bar just after 1:00pm on a Saturday afternoon and the lady bartender was very kind and attentive. I had the Chilean Bass 4oz blackened with scallops. You can choose your sauce for the fish, the portion size of the fish and the number of scallops. 4oz was the smallest I was told. I loved it. It is very hard to find a restaurant in chicagoland that sells the various fish they have here. Later in the evening, I tried the clam chowder soup. Unbelievably delicious, I highly recommend trying it. Every employee was very kind and accommodating. They said multiple times to let them know if I need anything.

Came here for the first time and I promise it will not be our last. Beautiful restaurant and great location and the seafood is so fresh and delicious. I had the oysters and the shrimp Po Boy. Everything was top tier! The oysters were so good I had a few more after my meal. This is a bit far from where we leave but I will gladly make the trip to eat here as much as I can! Shout out to Michelle behind the bar for taking great care of us!

Super fresh garden green salad, large enough to split. The fresh cut fish cooked to order grilled, fried, sautéed with your choice of sauces or crusts. The Chilean Sea Bass was to die for. Craft drinks totally worth it. Come here with someone you love and they will think you’re wonderful and the food is amazing, but best of all our server Katie was superb. We’ll definitely be back soon!

I rarely ever post about restaurant experiences but after last night, I feel I must. We’ve never been to Vault 232 but felt compelled to go after hearing many positive reviews. They did not disappoint. As another reviewer stated, it’s an industrial type of feel on the inside but it is not overly noisy like similarly designed places. For an appetizer, we started out with the trio of bruschetta which consist of one traditional, one mushroom and one squash. When our order arrived, we notice a large heaping serving on top of each toasted slice of bread. As we cut the generously sized portions in half to share, each one we tried was better than the previous one. Their menu approach is slightly unique. Sure, they have traditional menu items to order as well as sandwiches but what makes them unique is their 3 Step Fresh Catch items. You can select the type of fish and even the size of the item. Then you can select how to prepare the item and the spices and sauces desired. If you feel overwhelmed, just ask your server as they can help you decide how to best prepare and season your selection. The pricing is at market price either by the pound or the fillet. There is also a cooking fee added to your order. We were told that fresh fish arrives daily, and nothing sits around for more than a few days, so it is very reasonably priced for the quality and portion received. We shared an order of pan-sauteed 8 oz. Chilean Sea Bass with honey habanero in a white wine and butter sauce along with the fried Walleye with sauteed vegetables. The Chilean Sea bass is truly Chilean Sea Bass and not some type of imposter fish. The sea bass was cooked and seasoned so well it made us wish we had ordered a larger portion. The Walleye was also wonderfully prepared with a tasty side of vegetables. Each fresh catch item comes with a side of citrus risotto which was also excellent. Kudos to Frank, Kevin and the crew. We will be returning soon as I think they have something truly special here in Lake Zurich.

By far exceeded our expectations. This place blows most fine dining in downtown Chicago out of the water for half the price. Drinks were great and food was some of the freshest and tastiest seafood I have ever experienced. Highly recommend to anyone looking for quality.

Really cool local spot with some interesting Capone era history. Food was phenomenal, really fresh seafood, nice atmosphere and our server CJ was fantastic. Definitely going back!

In all my years of eating out I was never left speechless, until I came to Vault and had the Tequila Steak. A dish so good that it left me in tears. Everything about this place is fantastic from their fresh seafood options to their staff.

Loved this unexpected experience. We were in the area, noticed this place around the block, and decided to give it a go. The Chilean sea bass and risotto: delicious. The New England Clam Chowder: OMG. My partner said her Beet Salad was one of the best she'd ever had. And the flan... Already planning our next visit because there are so many entrees I need to taste.

Everything was delicious, nice atmosphere, great service, will definitely be back

ONGoodness! Yet another great experience with a new menu (attached). Reservations recommended especially on weekends. Daily fresh fish menu available. Has fish market inside as well with good selection. Wait staff is professional and wonderful. All food is fresh, hot and delicious. Highly recommend.

Super fresh and tasty fish and seafood, props to the chef, amazing people work at this place, the owner came up to us twice himself to see how we're doing. This is the level of service every restaurant should be looking up to.

Amazing food; first time trying oysters and they were fantastic. Beef tartar was super flavorful and had nice additional sauces/dips that paired well. Atmosphere was casual for lunch but definitely could more romantic at night.

We held a wedding industry meet-up at Vault 232 recently and we loved it. Frank, the owner, could not have been more gracious giving us a private tour of the historic building. Everyone enjoyed their respective apps and entrees. Thumbs up.

Wonderful experience tonight at Vault 232! Lured in by the InKind app, but will return because of the fantastic food and experience. Very fresh fish offered in a variety of preparations in addition to a great daily menu. Dessert and the dessert wine were a fantastic finish. Big thanks to the owner Frank for spending time with us offering recommendations and sharing about the establishment. We will be back!

Fantastic setting in a cool, recently renewed town of Lake Zurich. Vault 232 may be the best kept secret of fine dining at a reasonable price in the NW Suburbs. Certainly the finest fish. A stylish modern renovation of a bank that adds to the character of this modern place. We will be back many times with loads of friends!

Unique location in an old, converted bank building. As someone who was at one time a practicing locksmith for a number of years, I especially enjoyed seeing the old vault doors and the intact display behind the host desk at the entrance. The uniqueness of the property aside, the food, staff, and my overall experience was top-notch! I was there as part of a group to celebrate a special occasion and had a great time. I'll definitely be coming back - great job by the entire team and keep up the great work! 👍👍

We have been coming here since they opened, the food is always fantastic, and the service is great as well. The owner, Frank is always very friendly and loves to come up with creative dishes. You will not be disappointed!

Excellent dinner experience! The decor, which is set in a former bank facility, is well-done and very warm and inviting. Our pre-dinner cocktails were crafted with care and the wine we had with dinner was excellent. Food was outstanding - the bread appetizer and dips were very tasty, the lobster bisque soup was fantastic, and the fish was very fresh and can be prepared with in a number of styles (I chose Italian and it was delicious). Highly recommended!

Food was fantastic. Rated it lower because the crab cake appetizer is deceiving. They aren’t “mini crab cakes” but instead are 1-1.5 inch Balls, And there’s only 6 of them. Essentially an appetizer that’s only 6 bites. Karaoke was a bit odd for the atmosphere.

Excellent meal. The fire roasted branzino was a real delight. The lobster pasta is also excellent. We will definitely be back

Fantastic! Food,service and atmosphere are great. The owner and staff make you feel like family. We will be going back. Our new favorite spot.

Absolutely phenomenal! The service, food, atmosphere and all the kind staff. I got to celebrate my 27th birthday there with my husband and I’m still so impressed with everything we got. We started with the calamari (so fresh!) and of course had to try their clam chowder soup which was amazing. Generous amount of clam. Do yourself a favor and order a bowl! I had the lobster roll which had a generous amount of lobster with a side of fries and it was easily a 9.7/10. My husband had their steak & potatoes which was also amazing. The steak was so tender and melted in your mouth. The chef was going table to table multiple times over the night which I appreciated so much and he was so kind and personable! Everything is made fresh daily, nothing pre packaged and we COULD TELL. We will definitely be back very soon 💕

A Perfect Anniversary Dinner! My wife and I had the privilege of dining with the fine individuals at Vault 232 for our one-year anniversary dinner. The atmosphere was incredible—vintage, chill, and very historic. Our waitress, Katie, could not have been a better host. After receiving some refreshing complimentary champagne to celebrate, our orders were delivered in a timely manner. The Dutch bread was very authentic and perfect for soaking up my Clam Chowder. We also ordered the catfish and cod, both of which practically melted in our mouths with a sensational lemon flavor. Thank you to all the staff who made our dining experience so memorable. We will be back!

The best food I've had in a long time! We had the Chilean sea bass & the scallops on bacon. Seasonings were delish. There was a phenomenal apple crisp that I could have eaten much more of! The atmosphere inside an old bank was fun & beautifully decorated. This is a hidden gem in the heart of Lake Zurich. GO there everybody!

Went on Valentine's Day. Yeah, atmosphere was electric. Absolutely stunning. Food was pretty good. It was a limited menu for Valentine's Day. The only issue we had was a service. The waitress was very nice and pleasant. Just took a while when she shouldn't have. I think we waited 25 minutes before we placed our order. One of our orders was missing something. Definitely planning to go again to try their chicken Parm.

Excellent atmosphere, delicious food and drink! Service was a bit off on the night we were there, short staffed and disjointed. But food will bring us back in the furture

It was Mother's Day, so expectations were lower. The bar is extraordinary, these guys are five stars on top of it. Drinks, knowledgeable and good, friendly and attentive. If you can dine at bar go there. My wife and I looked at menu for 20 minutes and when we went to order the waitress said we are out of lobster. Oh, ok we'll change our order. 20 minutes later she came back for our order. Blackened grouper was great. Sirloin was great but price high compared to other steak houses. The waitress added an extra drink order to our menu. We asked that it be removed and she did. While at bar we ordered drinks the same identical drinks were $2 more each. We showed her the receipt from the bar and she took the extra charge off. Yes, they fixed a couple of things but why should I have to be involved. If you don't have the food, let me know right away. If the drinks are more in the restaurant section, let me know. But NEVER charge me for someone else's drink.

Enjoyed lunch at Franco’s. Fresh fish and seafood is served in a delightful venue. There is a small retail counter up front for those who wish to carry out and cook at home. I’ve had dinner there one time so far and enjoyed my dinner. The venue is small but quaint with nice pictures and artifacts about. Tap on the thumbs up 👍 below 👇 before you leave.

Wow! This place is bigger than it looks. There's a fish counter, bar area, banquet room, patio and restaurant area. The deco is modern with some older bank items. Seating is simple yet comfortable. We had a table of 8 people, everyone enjoyed their food and drinks. Good service.

The best dirty martini I’ve ever had! This was my first restaurant outing after having my baby, and I was looking for a place with great dirty martinis, oysters, and excellent service. I got all three and couldn’t have been happier as a new mom. My only caveat is that the pricing is a bit on the high side, but the quality of the food and experience makes it worth it. I’d absolutely come back!

This was our first time to Vault 232. The food was delicious and there was a nice variety of dishes and appetizers on the menu. The crab cake bites and the lobster bisque stood out as exceptional. The service was wonderful, and our waitress was very attentive. Drinks were well made, and the wine selection was decent. The only reason I am not giving the entire dining experience a 5-star rating is that the ambience was terrible. As my wife and I walked in, we were confronted with blaring violin music from the speaker. It was so loud, the hostess couldn't even hear my wife give our name. She literally had to shout!! I asked if it could be turned down and it seems that it was slightly but, at times, on certain songs, the loud music was blaring again. It really took away from the experience. We were expecting a nice quiet dinner, and it was very disappointing to have to deal with this unwanted intrusion all evening long.

Very nice ambiance and the owner was super helpful and nice. We had a mishap with the branzino where our waitress didn’t inform us that it had bones in it and didn’t ask one of us if she wanted the head cut off. Although this happened, we were given another dish in a timely manner and the owner assisted us, ensuring our experience was not tainted. Mistakes happen and the restaurant industry can be hard at times. Would absolutely be willing to change this to a five star next time we go which we will be going back because the food was absolutely delicious!

Great atmosphere. Our server was quite slow at meeting our needs. Food was just ok. Baked oysters were decent! Lobster bisque was very watery. Beef tips dry. The salmon, Italian style was good. Ahi tuna, seared, but cold on the inside. Presentation of food was good!

Average food. Great customer service. For myself, I didn’t care for the atmosphere, a bit warehouse like. Went there Friday night with friends and ordered the Stromboli. It took forever since they were making it into a flatbread. Took forever, very king of the manager to comp them for us. The taste was not good :( dough was gummy. Very expensive menu as they charge you for the fish and them additional amount to prepare it and then for seasoning. It was freezing in there!!

They seem to be rather inflexible with their menu. Were out of things and that had an impact when the menu is short to begin with, and they won't do any substitutions. Bar offerings was the same. "We're out" It's a cool vibe with the decor, but the repetitive music sounds like a CD is skipping, and it's way too loud. If you look at the clientele there, no one would have desired to listen to it. I guess they aren't certain who their target market is. When we asked if they could change it because of its annoyance, they merely turned it down. It was still a dramatic improvement though. It's shame however. Neat place for dining. No need for club music.

Good food. Good service. Hard to hold a conversation. Ambient noise makes it difficult. Could you some better sound dampening. Other than that. Give it a try.

Food is good. Service is terrible. For an upscale dinner the service staff is lacking on the service. Had reservation for two. Host tried to sit us in the bar on a high top table, next to loud group with young kids. Yes, kids in bar area. Asked for a regular table not in bar and was told no by a hostess that did not know what she was doing. She just walked away after I asked her to regular table. Went back to hostess stand while calling Lago to see if they had a table. I was on hold (with Lago) waiting to talk when I talked to another host and he sat us down in dinning room. Order some wine, one of the glass of wine clearly had lots of cork floating on top. Had to return for second glass. Food is good, however on first attempt my partner was brought the wrong dish. So, now my food is hot and ready but no dish for partner. A few minutes later new dish showed up, it was good. Last but not least, dessert was good, apple pie dish. For after dinner drinks no decaf coffee available. Regular coffee was ordered, came in coffee mug that had many chip and pealing paint on the mug. Then bottom line is this place is suppose to be upscale restaurant with prices to match. Service was average on scale of a Denny's. Attention to detail is missing.

Service was absolutely horrible at this place. This was a bunch of us giving this restaurant a 2nd try after bad experiences years ago and it was just as bad. The food was decent but was served cold and didn’t get some of the orders right. Waitress got a little put out about pointing out order mistakes and then we never saw her again. We were never asked if our food was ok, if we wanted a 2nd drink, coffee or dessert. Also had to chase someone down to get the check and even to come back and run the credit cards through. Horrible, horrible service and will not ho back. Lost 6 customers last night and restaurant didn’t seem to care.

My first experience here was super solid from the service to the food, so I’m disappointed to report that my second visit has me questioning whether or not I’d return a 3rd time. My husband and I ordered food for pickup: the ribs and lobster Mac and cheese. Ribs were good and solid portion size. The lobster Mac and cheese, however, is where things go very wrong. For starters, the pasta to lobster ratio imparted feelings of highway robbery, given that the dish is almost $30. Secondly, what lobster meat there was to enjoy had only one note of flavor associated: brine. Given that I ordered this same dish last time we visited and it was nothing but delicious with a generous helping of lobster meat, I’m left questioning the consistency of product associated with this establishment. In this economy, you have to be a bit more selective for who you give your business to, and I’d prefer to support businesses that aren’t hit or miss. *For additional context, picking up the product couldn’t have been a contributing factor since we live quite literally 2 minutes walking distance away.

Oh man where do I begin. Found this place on tik tok. It looked great and i was super excited to try it. I will list everything that went wrong. 1.) Tiny table, hardly enough room for food. Put us in a small table in the corner when there were plenty of open spots. 2.) Had a reservation we had online, girl at the front couldn’t find it. 3.) Ate our appetizer before we even got to order our entrees. We finally had to flag down someone and ask if our waiter was ever going to come back and take our order. Service here was awful. Never even got a refill on water. Had to flag him down on that. 4.) The food looked great but everything honestly was atrocious. I got fish and chips and man was it the worst i’ve ever had. Zero seasoning or flavor and it tasted so fishy and was extremely overcooked. They also forgot the tartar sauce. Had to flag him down again. My wife got the bolognese and honestly tasted like marinara sauce from the can with noodles that were clearly from a box not freshly made. I got the lobster bisque and it wasn’t horrible but it’s sad red lobster is significantly better. Also, no homemade ranch? They’re literally serving hidden valley from the jar. I feel awful leaving this review because I love supporting local businesses but I feel like I just got scammed out of $90 for possibly the worst food and service I’ve had in a while.