My boyfriend and I came into this establishment on Sunday because we had both heard good things about it. Unfortunately, all our expectations were smashed, and I can undoubtedly say that this was the worst dining experience that I have had since moving to Dallas in 2015, which says a lot, because we go out very frequently.
I called at approximately 4PM to see if there was availability for a last-minute reservation. The hostess merely said, we have availability, you don't need a reservation and she hung up. She didn't say goodbye. Nothing! Okay...well I had another question. So, I called back to inquire about the dress code. Her reply, "Just don't wear sandals and you're fine." CLICK. Hung up on again.
Okay...so maybe she was just extremely busy. Whatever. Off we went and we arrive shortly before 5PM. We were greeted by a hostess which escorted us to a booth. We sat and she left. We had no drink or wine menu. We didn't even have a food menu. Approximately 5 minutes later our server (who was very sweet but not extremely professional) ran up to the table and said, "Okay...what would you like to drink?"
"Geee...that's a great question. I know we are thirsty. Perhaps the drink menu and a wine list?"
When we finally get the wine menu, we selected a bottle of rather pricy champagne to start the meal. The server retrieved the bottle and presented it properly. However, after he poured the first glasses, he walked off toward the server area with our bottle of champagne. I suspect that he was taking it back so that all the servers could try the bottle that we had purchased. I called him back and insisted that he bring a wine bucket and leave the bottle, which he did, but it was plopped on the table like a bucket of beer.
Well then...the next order of business was appetizers. We selected the escargot because my boyfriend has never tried snails. Whoever prepared them needs to go back to culinary school! They were extremely overcooked, and the butter sauce had so much garlic that the snails were nearly inedible. What would one normally do if a dish were prepared in a way that is unpleasing? They would tell their server, correct? Well...that is what I did. Do you want to know what he did? He frowned and said, "well they aren't for everyone."
And we continue onward. I inquired about caviar. I love caviar but I am very particular about how it is prepared and where it comes from. The caviar that was presented would have been edible, but it is far from the best. I asked how much, and the waiter told me $200 per person. My mouth almost dropped open. The caviar that I was presented I can buy online for $160 for 5oz., and here this schmuck wants to charge me $200 a person for a 1 oz. serving? No thank you. We will pass on the caviar.
We then ordered our entrée's. My boyfriend ordered a medium-rare filet minion, and I ordered the Osso Buco. Let me first say that my Osso Buco was absolute perfection! It was perfectly prepared, and it melted off the bone. BRAVO TO THE CHEF THAT PREPARED MY DISH. My boyfriend was not so lucky. His medium-rare filet was literally charred to the point that the outside of the steak was crispy. The inside was very overcooked and had the appearance of meat that had been microwaved to heat it before placing it on the grill. He also ordered two sides (asparagus and mashed potatoes). The asparagus was so undercooked that most of it were inedible. The mashed potatoes were fine, but then again it is hard to screw up mashed potatoes. AGAIN...we informed the server that the steak and asparagus were not prepared correctly. Do you think that they offered to correct the issue and have the kitchen prepare one to the specifications that my boyfriend would have liked? NOPE. Again...just an apology and a curt, "may I go ahead and clear your plate?"
As you can imagine I am frustrated by this point. We both ordered shots after the snail incident. I ordered Jameson and he ordered Casamigos Blanco (dressed and chilled). My shot was Jameson. His shot was not Casamigos Blanco, nor was it dressed and chilled. I tasted the shot and my pallet it sophisticated enough that I was easily able to verify that it was not Casamigos Blanco. The bartender apparently thought he could pass a less refined tequila off to the homosexuals at the window booth, because he definitely attempted to do so. That is theft. If I order something and I am given a lesser quality product in place of what I ordered in an attempt to deceive me, that is not only unethical, but also illegal. THIS TIME THOUGH...our server took the shot that he delivered originally, and he had them remake it with the correct tequila.
I am extremely disappointed in this entire experience. I expected more. I do not recommend this restaurant if you are looking for any sibilance of elegance, fine dining, or even rudimentary service. You might as well go to Saltgrass. At least I know that Tillman requires excellence in service standards. read more