I was walking around Brier Creek on Wednesday and spotted this new restaurant where Braza used to be, so I walked in to check it out. It seemed nice, and I looked at the menu, then decided it would be a good spot to come back to later.
I made a reservation for Saturday at 4:45 PM, so we wouldn't be eating too late. As we were on time for the reservation, and the restaurant opened at 4 pm, there were less than 10 tables seated with people. When we arrived there was another party in from of us, one with 12 people, 2 tables of 6 they were saying. The hostess & manager were saying that their reservation was cancelled, yet the people were saying that they did not receive anything saying the reservation was cancelled. in the meantime a host showed us to a table. We were walked all the way to the back of the restaurant against the back wall and directed to a 2-top. I asked the host if we could have a bigger table. The host we and told the manager that we wanted a bigger table.
The manager paid us a visit, and had a very interesting conversation. Manager Greg came over and stated that he had 360 reservation, and it wasn't possible to move us to a bigger table. If he moved us it would screw up his whole reservation system because he had 400 reservations, and walk-ins to contend with. (Yes, the number went up from 360 to 400) So he said it just wasn't possible to accommodate us. Then he left.
I told the host that was still there that the manager was full of BS. Because the restaurant was empty, and we would be done eating before the dinner crowd, so we had enough time to sit at a larger table. Plus I pointed out that the manager contradicted himself. Since he said he had to plan for walk-ins then he could plan for us to sit at a larger table, so he was full of BS. The host did go straight to the manager and I am assuming told him what we said because the manager came running straight back saying he just had a cancellation so he could sit us at a larger table. He moved us to the 4-top in the far back corner of the restaurant by the emergency exit.
As we were sitting in the back corner of the restaurant we were able to see almost everybody that came in, and where they were seated. There were numerous couples that came in and seated at 4-tops with plenty of 2-tops open. But none of them had to request a larger table when they were shown to their seats. Maybe it it was just an off night, and not typical behavior in the restaurant, but why were most of the non-white people sitting along the outer edge, and back of the restaurant. I mean, there were less than 10 tables in the restaurant when we arrived, and we were put in the far back corner by the exit. The only worse location is sitting right next to the bathroom. We were both pointing that out all night long as we saw people come in, and where they were seated. Yes, there was an occasional exception, but not really.
The reason why I wanted a larger table was not because I am too good to sit at a 2-top, but I really only prefer to sit at one with I am alone due to the constraints when you have several plates on the table. Before we visited I already knew what I wanted, I planned to order the tomahawk steak. I have ordered them at other restaurants, and if you have you already know that a tomahawk steak takes up a whole 2-top by itself. And with it served family style with the sides in their own separate dish you need a lot of table space, and then each person needed to have their own dining place. Why, because we are civilized and don't eat from the serving dish like cave people.
Not sure if we were just put off and disgusted with the way Greg treated us, but the food was not that tasty. We all know how out mood can affect perception, but not impressed. We ordered the tomahawk cooked medium-well. Normally I get all my steaks medium, but with the massive two feet of bone on this, I could have ordered it well-done, and still had half come out medium. The half close to the bone was rare, while the out edge from the bone was just medium-well. The steak did have a great sear to it I will say. The sautéed green beans were crisp with a snap to them. The mashed potatoes were decent. I will say for a tomahawk, it should come with at least two sides instead of just one. Plus the sides were tiny, almost the sizes you were get at normal southern restaurant. At $9 per side, they were 1/4 the size of Ruths' Chris and Fleming, for 2/3 the price, so no value.
We did have an amazing server by the name of Brandy. She stating the tomahawk is normally cut in the kitchen, but I requested it cut tableside, and she was happy to accommodate me. Thank you Brandy, you were really nice.
If you do decide to dine here, make reservations and ask to be seated in Brandy's area. If you see Greg, be prepared to be walked past every empty table and placed out of the way in the back corner where nobody will notice you are there.
By the way, I really did like the nice table lamps.
2025-25
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