We made anniversary reservations for two earlier in the week. Since we arrived early and the…read morerestaurant was nearly empty, we were initially seated at a table in the middle of the dining room. We asked to move to a more secluded booth, and the staff kindly accommodated us. The first booth was next to the kitchen door, so we asked again and were eventually moved to a quiet booth in the back. The willingness to accommodate our requests was definitely a plus.
The staff appeared to be young and relatively inexperienced, which may explain some of the service issues. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip, which was a generous portion, along with drinks. When we tried to place our entrée order, there was some confusion about timing, so we waited and ordered our main courses after our drinks and appetizer arrived.
Unfortunately, we did not see our server again until after our entrées were delivered. I ordered the filet mignon, which was overcooked. The person who delivered it did ask me to cut into it, and she promptly took it back for a replacement. The second steak came out quickly and was cooked to the right color, but the texture was firmer and beefier than the soft, buttery texture I would expect from a filet. The flavor, however, was good.
One detail that stood out from an upscale-dining perspective was that, when a steak is returned and prepared again, it is often brought back by the chef or kitchen manager as part of the recovery experience. That did not happen here. I understand that 1846 is a new restaurant and that the staff is still developing its service standards, but this kind of personal follow-up could make a meaningful difference in a high-end dining environment.
My wife ordered the blackened salmon, which had delicious seasoning and flavor, but it was also overcooked. She decided to eat it anyway. The mixed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes were both good. The Old Fashioned was enjoyable, though nothing particularly memorable. Drink and water refills were slow; I was nearly finished with my meal before they arrived.
The atmosphere was clean and quiet, with comfortable lighting. Since 1846 is a new restaurant, I think it deserves some patience while the staff gains experience and the kitchen finds its consistency. It is clearly aiming to be a high-quality, upscale restaurant, and it has potential. I would encourage people to give it a try and provide honest, constructive feedback so the owners can continue improving. Greenville could use a great steakhouse, and 1846 may eventually become one.
