Highly disappointed in the change in the menu. Less selection than what there was 4 years ago. Sat at the bar since I was by myself. The bar tender (Robert) was less than attentive and doesn't remember an order. Doesn't know the menu either, when asked what is in one of the menu items, he couldn't recall. As a professional bartender one of the BIGGEST skills needed is the ability to mingle with the clientele, to start and carry on conversations to help pass the time and also entertain a little. For some reason the ART of suggestive selling to help guide the guest through an experience has been lost.
I ordered the Hells Kitchen burger Medium Rare (The only way to order a burger)at 17:45(according to the time on the ticket) delivered at 18:19 (time on my phone when it arrived)wow what a long time. It was cooked to Medium Rare+ (just on the outside cusp of Medium Rare edging towards Medium). The flavor profile was somewhat bland with the exception of the mild heat from the roasted jalapeƱo and roasted tomato. The beef had absolutely no flavor. The fries were warm (not hot) and quickly cooled to a spongy soft potato.
The flavor of salt and herb quickly disbursed. No follow up to insure the meal was prepared to satisfaction nor was a follow performed for either of the two guest sitting next to me.
The 2 guest sitting next to me were also displeased with their experience as we entered into a conversation about their experience after I spoke up and mentioned an incident to a bartender (explained below). I informed a bartender that the guest to my left burger was over cooked and the bartender seemed dumbfounded and when I explained what a medium temperature should look like the bartenders response was "I don't know, I'm just a bartender". Wow - that really sealed it for me. My experience was ruined.. A moment later the guest was asked if they wanted to have the manager come by.(WOW really!! There should be NO question there a manager should have been informed immediately without asking anyone)
To add insult to injury, when a different bartender uses a bar towel to wipe his head and then leave the towel for future use on the bar that kind of turns my stomach. When I confronted that bartender his reply was (I wasn't using it) then I explained that he had JUST wiped down the back bar top with that very same towel he just turned, shook his head in disapproval and said OK and took the towel and put it away.
Overall, this experience was disappointing and only confirmed by the disappointment with 2 other guests dinning at the same time. It is obvious that Mr. Ramsey no longer is involved in this concept and the company that now owns the restaurant is milking the name for all they can. Overpriced drinks ($15 for a cocktail), poor quality of product and execution along with a poor service level brings this experience to a close.
I was SO looking for a great experience like the one I remembered from years past. Unfortunately that didn't happen. It causes concern for my next experience coming up Ramsey's Prime Steak House (I have reservations in a couple of days)..