Richard B.
Yelp
Extreme Disappointment at Larkin's Greenville on New Year's Eve
I had high expectations for our visit to Larkin's on New Year's Eve, which also happened to be my wife's birthday. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of what one should expect from a restaurant with a reputation for fine dining and a price range of $50-$100 per plate.
We made our 5:15 PM reservations well in advance and were surprised to find no valet parking or dedicated parking lot. We had to use a $20 pay-to-park lot across the street. Upon entering, we were seated promptly, and things started on a positive note with the she-crab soup, which was flavorful and packed with crab. While I prefer a touch of sherry in mine, it was still enjoyable. Unfortunately, that was the only highlight of our visit.
Our waiter lacked attentiveness and professionalism. For a restaurant of this caliber, I expected much more. Despite noting in our reservation that we were celebrating my wife's birthday, he seemed indifferent when I mentioned it, responding with a simple "oh."
When it came to the entrees, the experience only worsened. I ordered a Prime Ribeye, but was served the Prime Rib special instead. Given the delay and the fact that it was the evening's special, I decided to try it anyway--a mistake. The cut was overly fatty (50% fat) and completely flavorless. My wife ordered the Cajun Shrimp and Grits, but there was nothing remotely Cajun about them--they were dry and bland.
My daughter and her friend chose the Pork Tenderloin with sweet potato purée. While the purée was surprisingly good, the tenderloin was overly dry. They also ordered a family-sized side of mashed sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and loaded mashed potatoes. The sweet potatoes were extremely bitter and inedible, the mac and cheese was just passable, and the loaded mashed potatoes were a disappointment: a bowl of plain potatoes topped with a dollop of sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheese, and scallions--even though we had specifically requested no scallions.
The service did nothing to redeem the poor food quality. The waiter never checked back with us after the kitchen staff delivered our meals. There were no offers of refills or any inquiries about how we were enjoying the food. When he finally returned with the check and asked if we needed boxes, we explained that the sweet potatoes were bitter and barely touched. His response? A dismissive "oh." He forgot to bring the boxes and had someone else deliver them later.
This was not my first visit to Larkin's. When they were located by the river, they demanded and delivered excellence in both service and food. It's disappointing that they failed so miserably on such an important occasion as my wife's birthday.
At $350 for this experience, I would strongly recommend considering one of the other upscale restaurants in the area just a few blocks away. These establishments have consistently delivered excellence over the years and are far more deserving of your special occasions.