From the moment we walked in, we were immediately whisked into a cozy, beautifully lit space that…read morefelt like the perfect setting for a fancy night out. Our server had one of those delightful accents that makes you picture a gentleman sipping tea and eating crumpets by a fireplace. Darling, I was absolutely charmed! Somebody get this man a teacup and a tiny biscuit! Now, I do have a little table etiquette note. Wine glasses were left at the table for guests who weren't drinking wine, and they were never removed. I know it sounds minor, but when you're trying to enjoy a meal, unnecessary glassware starts taking up precious real estate. We came to eat, not host a wineglass convention! The appetizers were enjoyable overall, although the bacon was a bit chewier than I would have liked. Dinner, however, is where the plot thickened. Five out of our six steaks arrived at room temperature! The steaks themselves were tender and flavorful, so the kitchen clearly had some things going for it, but we ordered dinner, not a steak that had already clocked out for the evening. I wish they could have used the same technique they used to light up our appetizer for that fabulous presentation to help keep the steaks warm. The theatrics were there, honey, but the temperature was giving forgotten in the dressing room. One of our sides was the carrots, those vegetables had a whole identity crisis going on. Some were good, but others were so burnt that I genuinely thought they were purple carrots at first. I was ready to congratulate the kitchen on bringing some colorful variety to the table, only to realize those carrots had apparently been through a dramatic fire and brimstone experience. I love a little char, but I did not order vegetables with a backstory! Thankfully, my burger was a highlight. It was rich, flavorful, and the cheese practically melted in my mouth. Now THAT is how you make an entrance! The tiramisu was also quite good, providing a sweet little finale to a meal that had more ups and downs than a season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Our server was pleasant, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive overall, which definitely helped the experience. The atmosphere was lovely, and there were several things we genuinely enjoyed. However, between the room temperature steaks, the confused carrots, and the unnecessary wineglass real estate, a few details needed some serious attention. Overall, we had a good experience, but there is room for improvement. Get those steaks served at the proper temperature, give those carrots a little less time in the sun, and clear the table of things guests aren't using. The restaurant has the potential to deliver a fabulous evening, but darling, potential can only take you so far. Even the best performers need a little rehearsal! A good experience with a few burnt out moments. And as always, Ted Samson is here to give credit where it's due and read the kitchen just a little bit.
