SA Restaurant Rumors (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: oil, Walmart, health)

[lemonfresh]

Is Shiraz good?

[Eleanor Rigby]

Shiraz is FANTASTIC. I like Turquoise a lot, but I think Shiraz is better.

Valentino's is a lovely building, but boy the food and service are lousy. I thought for sure it would crater, but when I drive by them seem to be doing decent-to-good business, so what do I know?

I haven't tried the Lighthouse yet, but I never get a consensus about the place. Some people say go for lunch and avoid dinner, some say go for dinner and avoid lunch, and some say it's godawful and to avoid at all costs.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by cr1039

Fat Burger
Eclipse Cafe
Bourbon Street Cafe

Also, a Panera just closed in Dallas near the Galleria - now that is suprising.

Are you talking about the Bourbon Street on 1604?

[Ripshin]

Lighthouse is "meh"...food OK, but I've had some REALLY bad service. I called the owners, and they weren't very responsive. If THEY don't care, then they can FORGET my patronage, especially in this economy. I have NO idea how Valentino's stays open. EVERYONE I know, who has gone there, HATES it. It's always the service. I complained to the manager, and you know his response???!!!!! "Come back in a few weeks, and we'll have it all worked out." WHAT????!!!!!!!! What-in-the-world kind of answer is THAT???? How about, "I'm sorry you have had such a bad experience, what can we do to make it a better experience next time?" UNBELIEVABLE. It's sad when Joe's Crab Shack (Quarry) blows these places out of the water, in terms of service. I EXPECT smiling faces, prompt service and good food, especially when a lunch can total $65!!!!!!!!!

[Ripshin]

I've wanted to try the Italian place at Lincoln Heights - the one that moved from the Medical Center. However, I've heard that the chef is not very nice, and if you have a special health-related substitution request, he raises @#**. (I don't have any special needs, but when a friend told me that, I was totally turned off.) All I have to say, is that these businesses need to get their acts together. I'm a loyal customer, and actually NOT as demanding as I sound, but I'm SICK AND TIRED of these places expecting me to spend hard-earned (and increasingly absent) cash to get treated like a Walmart shopper.

[Eleanor Rigby]

Is that Grissini? I drive by, but have never tried it. For Italian, I tend to break my "nothing outside the Loop" rule and just go to Aldo's.

I tell you where I had really mediocre service was at J. Alexanders. It was two in the afternoon, so it wasn't like they were slammed, and the waiter would just disappear for long periods of time. The food is very good for a chain, but for the prices they charge I expect at least to get my drink refilled when it gets low.

[NeedCoffee]

It's interesting that several people have had a bad experience at Valentino's. I went with my wife in October and had pretty good food with good service. We had the mussels as an appetizer and they were really great.

The restaurant was fairly dead (especially for a Saturday night), so that may have played a part, but I hope it doesn't close. The owner even came over and talked to us for a bit.

[luckygreeniii]

Originally Posted by Eleanor Rigby

Is that Grissini? I drive by, but have never tried it. For Italian, I tend to break my "nothing outside the Loop" rule and just go to Aldo's.

I tell you where I had really mediocre service was at J. Alexanders. It was two in the afternoon, so it wasn't like they were slammed, and the waiter would just disappear for long periods of time. The food is very good for a chain, but for the prices they charge I expect at least to get my drink refilled when it gets low.

I have always had great service there

[pr57001]

Originally Posted by Eleanor Rigby

I tell you where I had really mediocre service was at J. Alexanders. It was two in the afternoon, so it wasn't like they were slammed, and the waiter would just disappear for long periods of time. The food is very good for a chain, but for the prices they charge I expect at least to get my drink refilled when it gets low.

I have usually had good service at J. Alexanders. The food I thought had gone down hill a bit my past few visits. Still a good spot!

[Ripshin]

Service at J. Alexanders is OK, but they use all those HORRIBLE phrases that servers should be taught NEVER to say....."Still workin' on that?"....."Leave room for dessert?"......"Do you need change?" ALL in bad form, and not expected when I pay nearly $100 for a good dinner for two. I also HATE it when servers grab your plate when the other person is still eating, especially when I haven't yet placed the utensils in the "finished" mode. I literally played tug-of-war with my plate there, and asked them to leave it, until my guest had finished. Good grief. It's not Denny's.

Again, Valentino's is probably one of the worst experiences I have ever had - and I gave it two shots. I think they cater to an older crowd, and one with low expectations. I live in the area, and none of my fellow Monte Vistians will set foot in the place. Shiraz is usually very quiet, unfortunately - I hope they make it. Of, course there are Bistro Vatel and Ciao L. La Fonda on Main is kinda AH gringo city, with screaming kids - I think La Fonda Sunset Ridge is pretty bad. Paloma Blanca has had REALLY BAD SERVICE for quite some time, and the management is clueless. I have a story there, that would curl your hair. Great venue, but man, some horrendous experiences in the bar area.