Post #483181 by hazmania on Sun, Sep 13, 2009 10:41 AM

Dallas Trader Vic's death rattle heard 8:42pm 9/12.

Went to TV last night for my birthday dinner with a party of six ( or at least tried.) This was the worst experience I have had at any TV. Had fun at the bar once we were able to maneuver away from the USC - Ohio State game. Bar was moderately full with NOBODY paying attention to the television. Why they do this on a Saturday night is beyond me. Drinks were fine. Only a few coconut mugs visible but a WHOLE lot of 75th mai tai glasses. Inventory management anyone?

The nightmare started when we moved to the dining room. They were first sold out of a couple of menu items (at 8pm Saturday?) We each ordered appetizers. Our poke was fine but one couple complained that their lobster spring roll dipping sauce had an "off" taste to it. They requested a different sauce and everything was fine. The entrees came in waves: fish first, 2 mu shu duck about five minutes later, and my new york strip MIA. They shred the duck tableside. The three with fish watched patiently for 5- 10 minutes while the server shredded the duck and their entrees cooled. I requested the others in my party to start without me. My entree arrived about 5 minutes after he was done carving the duck. I was unfortunately presented with six 1/4" disks of steak on the raw side of rare. They couldn't have spent more than 15 seconds per side on the grill. In fact, I don't even think it was the right entree. It looked like a butterflied filet. The waiter assured me that it was the new york strip and took it back to be corrected. After another 5 -10 minutes, the waiter returned with a plate of the same disks cooked to a solid gray (well done?) with the sides and presentation gone. The meat was so tough at this point it was difficult to cut with the steak knife. The rest of the party had finished their entrees by this time. To his credit, the floor manager spotted the presentation as he walked by our table, insisting he take the plate away and offered to give me a "quick" stir fry as replacement. He said, "at least you will have something to eat." Not a lot of fun having 5 people finished with their meal watching you eat yours. I rushed to eat some of it before the desserts arrived. (The waiter had taken orders before the stir fry.) My sister-in-law's brownie was so hard that she couldn't cut it with a knife and fork. Google Dallas Trader Vic's and you will find a similar comment on Tripadvisor from August.

What happened? I have always had good experiences in the twenty or so times I have dined here in the past. Is it cost cutting? Most restaurants are on their A game Saturday nights. The dining room was maybe half full. I wonder how many other diners will never go back because of a similar experience. The bar is fine - stay there and stick with the appetizers. I don't know how this place can survive. The kitchen is killing it. I can't in good conscience recommend this place anymore.