We dined at The Sawdust Corner Steakhouse for New Year's Eve dinner with a large group of 20…read morepeople. Our group booked months in advance and responsibly kept the restaurant updated as our party size changed, which the staff appreciated. We were eager to attend and had been looking forward to the evening, especially once the special holiday menu was released.
Unfortunately, the prix fixe menu was not published until just days before New Year's Eve. It was a six-course, classic French-style menu with wine pairings at $150 per person. While the menu sounded interesting, nearly every course was meat-based, with the exception of the salad and dessert. We had one vegetarian in our group, so I immediately called to ask about accommodations. I left multiple messages (including on the private number provided for event coordination), but never received a callback prior to the holiday. Given the cost and formality of the meal, this lack of communication felt unprofessional and disappointing.
On the night of dinner, our table was ready, and we were seated promptly. Service overall was attentive and friendly, though not without flaws. Despite asking for water multiple times throughout the evening, I never received any and ultimately had to get my own from the Delta Saloon bar next door.
As for the food, the quality was mixed and the portions were extremely large--so much so that most of us could not finish courses four through six and took food home. While generous portions aren't a bad thing, the overall heaviness of the meal made it difficult to enjoy the full experience.
Highlights included the Niçoise salad, which was beautifully plated and delicious, and the bone marrow, which was rich and well-served as a shared dish. The foie gras was tasty but overwhelmed by an excessive amount of fig jam, throwing off the balance and making an already rich dish even heavier.
The sole with hollandaise was a major disappointment. The fish was mushy and completely drowned in an unusually spicy hollandaise that overpowered the dish. I barely touched it. By the time the beef bourguignon arrived, I was already uncomfortably full, though what I did taste was good. Dessert was crêpes suzette, which I had never had before. While interesting, it was extremely sweet and saturated in butter--two bites were more than enough.
One particularly baffling moment was the bread service: butter was served with olive oil poured directly over it. This combination was unnecessary and unappealing--one or the other would have sufficed.
Financial transparency was another major issue. During wine service, our server continued refilling glasses. When one of the paired wines ran out, she casually replaced it with another Sauvignon Blanc without mentioning that it would be an additional charge. When the bill arrived, we were shocked to see $20 per glass added for this wine. This was never communicated, and given the menu advertised the dinner as "all inclusive," this felt inappropriate.
Additionally, gratuity was added automatically, which is fine--but should have been clearly stated upfront. To make matters worse, a 3% credit card processing fee was added without any prior notice. For a table of 20 at this price point, it's unreasonable to expect guests to pay in cash or be surprised by hidden fees.
By the end of the night, each guest paid $210 or more, depending on extra wine charges. Our vegetarian guest was charged $75 for three simple dishes and unlimited beer (since she doesn't drink wine), plus gratuity--an amount that felt excessive for what was provided.
Ultimately, while some dishes were enjoyable, the meal was overwhelmingly rich, poorly communicated, and riddled with unexpected charges. I ended up with a stomachache severe enough to leave the New Year's Eve festivities early.
Our group visits Virginia City every New Year's Eve. Last year we dined at the Gold Hill Hotel and had a wonderful meal with clear pricing and no surprises. Next year, we'll be returning there--or opting for a more casual, reliable spot like Red Dog or the Palace.
I would strongly recommend The Sawdust Corner improve transparency around pricing and fees, publish special menus earlier, and consider offering a regular menu alongside prix fixe options. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not return.
