| rev:text
| - For a while now, I have been craving a fine dining experience like non other. The kind of fine dining experience that drew me to this industry when I was 7 years old. The kind of place where you're not allowed to enter if you are dressed casually and a reservation is definitely required. I wanted to not just eat, but DINE at the kind of place where the waiter knew what side to pour my beverage, and wouldn't dare "stack" my plates. I don't know WHY I thought this would be close to it.
I'm not going to talk about the food so much because there are plenty of reviews here highlighting that. I want to focus on the ambiance and dining experience.
When I arrived for my 4:30pm reservation I was surprised at how many people were actually in the restaurant at the time of opening. The hostesses were friendly and gave me a quick tour of the establishment. I couldn't hear anything she was saying because of the blaring loud music and loud chatter. Quickly I realized that I had gotten my hopes up. With so much noise like traffic, media, slot machines, and music I wanted to hear nothing but elevator music, and light chatter amongst the guest. Ohhhh, how opposite it was!
I decided to dine alone this evening because although I love eating all types of food, I wanted to dine somewhere tonight without boyfriends/friends complaining about portion sizes or prices. When dining alone, servers usually try and seat you at a bar or cramped in between parties. They sat me near a table of four who seemed to be looking at the menu in frustration. Within minutes they each got up and left. LOL...
After resetting the table they sat four male diners next to me. They were talking about Gordon Ramsey's background in a foreign language so loud I couldn't hear myself think! I didn't really fault them because I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't hear each other over the loud music. Rather than ruin my own night, I politely asked to be moved to the very opposite side of them. They could chat it up to their hearts content I could dine in solace. Everyone happy!
My server was this good looking guy with a Dapper Dan slicked hairstyle and a side part. I was disappointed in his service. I don't like when someone doesn't make eye contact when you speak to him or her, and although he wasn't rude, he just wasn't in the moment. I've received better service from Denny's and I expected GR to be just as passionate about front of the house operations as his food.
THE FOOD. Yes, I enjoyed every bite of the signature Roasted Beef Wellington that could have used a ladle more sauce, and the heavenly Mac and Cheese that was thankfully saturated in truffle flavor. I managed to make it half way through my sticky toffee pudding before my stomach put on boxing gloves and said---"YOU WANT A PIECE A ME?!" So I decided my Mac and Cheese and dessert needed a to go container.
My server brought the check and not surprisingly he chose that particular time to make eye contact, smile and be engaging. I asked him what the delicious flavor was on the six pieces of glazed vegetables that accompanied the Beef Wellington. He didn't seem to understand so I rephrased it and he said, "OH...Parsnip." I didn't want to press the issue anymore because I realized he didn't know, but this is what I mean. An awesome server will be honest and say they don't know and will go in the kitchen and ask! In 2015, the average diner has a vast culinary knowledge and you can't underestimate them like the food industry did in the 1980's. I know a parsnip is a type of root vegetable, but there was obviously a glaze and herb seasoning that complimented it. Sighhhhh. I still gave him a very good tip. He probably was banking on his good looks instead of his brain to get tips, but he's lucky I acknowledge he must make a living as well.
Maybe it's a generational thing where fine dining is a lost art. Perhaps people feel fine dining has a way of segregating and dividing amongst the "classes". Establishments now want the money of as many as they can get--EVEN if it means you show up in flip-flops.
Aside from the loud club like music, acceptable underdressed attire, and non-engaging servers, I managed to befriend 4 people at two different tables. I even passed my Mac and Cheese over so they could try it. Why not? I might as well keep the trend going.
They even invited me to get some drinks with them. I passed and continued my solo date night with a comedy show.
Overall, GR is worth returning---for the food of course!
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