Chuck M.
Yelp
When we arrived, the restaurant was packed. We were greeted by a team of hostesses warmly and with smiles. What a great way to start our visit. We're very happy we had made reservations. My wife and I arrived first and were shown to our table immediately. Shortly our two friends were shown to our table which was on the 2nd floor.
We were all excited because we learned that DFW Restaurant Week was still on and there was a special prix fixe menu for the month of August. The $49 charge was for a 3-course meal with a part of the cost going to a worthy cause. The three courses were "Starter," "Entree," and "Dessert." What a deal!
Warren, our server, greeted us and took our drink orders. Warren let us know that there was the last day of his training as a server at Del Frisco's Grille. He was stoked. Throughout our meal, Warren was phenomenal, 4-star worth service. But there were other issues we experienced beyond his control resulting in a low 3-star, almost 2-stars, "Just OK" overall. I ordered an "Old Fashion," (my cocktail of choice), and my wife ordered a bourbon and coke. The "Old Fashion" was perfect, and good.
Looking over the menus, my wife decided on the fried chicken sandwich accompanied with French fries off the regular restaurant menu. I opted for one of the $49 prix fixe meals on the DFW Restaurant Week menu. For my starter, I decided on the "Thai Pork Meatball, entree "Baby Back Ribs" and for dessert, "Nutella Bread Pudding." One of our friends ordered off DFW menu, and opted for the "Roasted Chicken" entree, starter, "Cheesesteak Eggrolls," and, for dessert, "Nutella Bread Pudding." His wife, who wasn't too hungry, decided on the "Cheesecurds" starter for her meal.
The restaurant's decor is very upbeat and jazzy. But it is a very noisy atmosphere, but we were still able to carry on meaningful conversations. Around 15-minutes after ordering our starters were delivered to our table by one of the kitchen's expeditors.
The "Thai Pork Meatballs" served with a peanut sauce, Asian slaw, lime and ginger, were picture perfect. The starter had three huge meatballs, enough to share with our table. The "Cheesesteak Eggrolls" were also presented beautifully. As we tried each starter, we discovered the meatballs, along with the sauce, were extremely salty, almost to a point of not being able to enjoy them. The "Cheesesteak Eggrolls" were good but didn't really hit any high notes with any of the members of our party. And yes, we did mention the oversaltiness to Warren. He said he'd tell the kitchen and have them check the meatballs.
As a long-time former restaurant manager, I always wanted to hear about diner's problems immediately so they could be corrected and then and not at a later time and date.
Since our starters arrived quickly, we knew our entrees were right round the corner. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. In fact, it took over an hour, yes over an hour for our entrees to arrive at our table. In Warren's defense, he came many times and said he'd check on our orders. It was around an hour and 15 minutes before we were served. I did ask Warren to ask one of the managers to stop by and talk with us.
Our entrees were good. My wife loved her fried chicken sandwich. My baby back ribs were "fall off the bone" but one side was very overdone to the point of being crispy and chewy. The Cole Slaw and Southern Potato Salad were OK, but nothing to write home about. The barbeque sauce was sweet and smokey. Our friend's entrees were good as well. Yes, the restaurant was slammed, but I feel it was unacceptable. Our entrees took so long to come out of the kitchen.
One of the managers did stop by. She had been informed by Warren what had been going on. She said she'd been stuck on the first floor and hadn't had time to check the service level on the 2nd floor. She apologized and offered additional desserts. I guess that was better than nothing. In addition to "Nutella Bread Pudding" we ordered, we also ordered the 6-layer lemon cake and seasonal "Summer Berry Cobbler" topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
On to the desserts! All were picture-perfect on the plates and presented beautifully. The "Nutella Bread Pudding" was overbaked, crusty and very chewy, unlike a traditional bread pudding which is "pillowy" and nice and moist. The lemon cake, although very delicious, had hardly any lemon flavor at all. The frosting had a hint of lemon, but none in the cake. The winner in the dessert category was the "Summer Berry" cobbler.
I guess we dined at Del Frisco's Grille on an "off-night." Warren performed wonderfully, it's the kitchen that let him down. I just wonder how many other diners experienced a long wait for their entrees. I hate giving three-star reviews but want to be honest.