Hanks has gone downhill. It was the absolute best at one time. The phenomenon they are experiencing is called resting on your laurels. Management is at fault but the gradual dwindling of their business is happening because the staff is rude and gradually people are doing what I'm doing and finding other places to pay $60 for a steak. Food is still good. The hearts of palm salad was always a favorite. The truffle tater tots used to be amazing but the last few times I have eaten there, they just are not the same. To give you an example of what I mean by the staff is rude...if they were to be told they were rude, without question they would retort that it is because the patron is a jerk. They are confrontational and righteous versus polite and helpful and friendly.
The bartenders in this town all have a difficult job. There are so many rude, drunk and otherwise unpleasant people that over time I could see a tendency to lump all customers in to that category and treat them accordingly. I watch people very closely. These people have much more interest in talking crap on the customers with each other than they do in doing their jobs. It's the unspoken disregard for the customer experience, the inattentive service, and the overall perspective that coming to work is a social outing for the employee and having to deal with these bothersome customers who want us to pretend like we are glad they are here is an effort. I will suffer through mediocre service at Denny's, but when I am paying for $16 martinis, I want to be served with a sincere smile. I could go on. Bottom line is this. After my last two visits there, it doesn't surprise me that it seems way slower.