Gaslamp

We drove about 40 minutes from town to celebrate a friend's birthday after hearing so many positive reviews about this restaurant. Since none of us had been here before, our expectations were high. To start with the positives, the food was generally good. The cocktails were enjoyable, especially the Foreclosure of a Dream. The cream topping was sweet, unique, and memorable. When in Rome was also well made. The Caesar Salad, Lobster Crostini, and Garlic Truffle Fries were all very good. In fact, we enjoyed the truffle fries enough to order a second serving. The King Arthur seafood platter was another highlight. The buttery sauce was rich and addictive, and we even ordered extra crostini just to soak up the remaining sauce. The Truffle Risotto was easily the best dish of the evening and had everyone at the table saying "wow." The Ribeye & Lobster was also excellent, with a juicy steak and perfectly cooked lobster. Unfortunately, the Beef Wellington was disappointing. The filet was noticeably overcooked and dry, and the pastry completely separated from the beef, forcing us to eat the components separately rather than as one cohesive dish. The bigger issue, however, was the service. Our table was placed directly in a high-traffic area near the bar. Throughout the meal, staff constantly had to squeeze past us, repeatedly saying "excuse me," and my brother had to move his chair multiple times. For a birthday dinner, it made the experience feel uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. The lighting was also extremely dark. While we understand the restaurant may be aiming for a lounge or jazz-bar atmosphere, it was difficult to even see the food at times. The overall concept felt confusing: fine-dining prices and menu items paired with a cocktail-bar atmosphere. Another thing that puzzled us was the dress code policy. One member of our group, who is bald and regularly wears hats as part of his personal style, was asked to remove his hat. We respected the request and complied. However, it was difficult not to notice that some staff members were dressed extremely casually, almost as if they had just come from the gym. If a restaurant chooses to enforce a dress code for guests, it should also maintain a similar level of professionalism among its staff. The most disappointing part of the evening was the attitude of certain employees. One tall male bartender in particular came across as rude whenever we requested additional napkins, utensils, or other basic items. The frustrating part is that some of the food was genuinely very good. However, great food alone does not create a great dining experience. At the end of the night, all six of us came to the same conclusion: "The food was decent, but we would not come back." The food was good. The service was not. For a restaurant charging fine-dining prices, the service, seating arrangements, and overall guest experience simply did not meet expectations. For us, this was a 2-star experience.

Absolutely amazing experience. If you’re looking for a great evening with perfect ambiance, amazing food and personal service from a professional wait staff that truly wants you to enjoy your evening this is the place. The prices are high but the quality of the food and small speak easy vibes are worth it. The hanging tomahawk was beyond delicious and the sides and appetizers were remarkable. The drinks were beyond unique and brought together blends that will have you struggling between reordering a second or trying something new and exciting.

If you are looking for a fantastic intimate dining experience this is a great choice. Our group has some major foodies that have eaten at Michelin star restaurants all over the world. We attended on and with a recommendation from a local and were not disappointed. I understand some people may not like the intimate, jazzy speakeasy vibe but the experience of it all makes it more fun. The staff were all very attentive. Any drinks I tried were top notch and delicious. The divers sea scallops were fantastic. My wife and I shared the French laundry which was also incredible. Every dish was fantastic and our table had the full spectrum of food dishes. That is when a restaurant has a good chef/culinary team. Sure, you *may* be able to get a steak for slightly cheaper and close to or equal price. But being able to get a wide variety of food and drinks that are all top notch in a unique venue is not an easy find. I would highly recommend, my only moderate suggestion/complaint is you will end up ordering so much food you run out of table space lol.