Anxiety over Bourbon Steak

[Victoriapeluso]

Hey Fam-
I booked Trattoria Al Forno AND Bourbon Steak for my birthday dinner. I went to the bourbon steak in NYC and it wasn't good- great service but not good. I have heard mixed things about it... and I love Italian so I know trattoria will be fun... should I do Bourbon or trattoria? It's my 40th ....

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

Without knowing anything about you - - including your taste bud preferences- - but knowing about proclivity for Italian, and the lackluster experience at Bourbon’s other location, if it was me, I’d lean Italian and celebrate with a nice super Tuscan.

Congrats on 40!!

 

[Victoriapeluso]

Without knowing anything about you - - including your taste bud preferences- - but knowing about proclivity for Italian, and the lackluster experience at Bourbon’s other location, if it was me, I’d lean Italian and celebrate with a nice super Tuscan.

Congrats on 40!!

we are both recovering chefs. But I mean, can anyone really F*** up a chicken parm? Plus I'll have my kids with me and we are doing Victoria and alberts the next day.... so maybe save the $$?

 

[OKW Lover]

We dined at Bourbon Steak here a few weeks ago in thought it was really, really good. Almost on a par with our favorite, Bull & Bear.

 

[fla4fun]

We have eaten at Trattoria al Forno several times and never been disappointed. We have not tried Bourbon Steak yet, but we have looked at the menu. I think that the menu is ambitious and may raise expectations higher than they should be. Also, it takes time for a restaurant to work all the issues out, so I would be giving people who reviewed it right after it opened less credence than people who have visited recently.

I have seen some good Bourbon Steak reviews and some not so good. I will probably give them a little more time before dining there myself. If you know you like Trattoria al Forno, it might be worth sticking with what you know since it’s a special occasion.

But I mean, can anyone really F*** up a chicken parm?

All I can say here is Tony’s Town Square (for many years, although they are working on it).

 

[Aaryana]

I’ve had several great meals at Trattoria. Go with that one! It sounds more like what you’re wanting.

 

[VAtink]

We ate at Bourbon Steak in September and it was just ok. The appetizers were much better than the entrees, but our biggest issue was how loud it was, we had to yell across the table to hear each other. We were in a smaller dining room off of the main, so guessing that's why it was so bad, but definitely put a damper on the meal. We'll try it again at some point, but for a special dinner we'd go elsewhere.

 

[toesmom]

We ate at Bourbon Steak in September and it was just ok. The appetizers were much better than the entrees, but our biggest issue was how loud it was, we had to yell across the table to hear each other. We were in a smaller dining room off of the main, so guessing that's why it was so bad, but definitely put a damper on the meal. We'll try it again at some point, but for a special dinner we'd go elsewhere.

I appreciate this feedback, a loud restaurant isn't ideal if you actually want to talk to your family.

 

[Threehearts]

Bourbon Steak has also been on the decline in DC. Six months ago we had a very marginal meal and made the restaurant a never again . It was wonderful when it first opened.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hey Fam-
I booked Trattoria Al Forno AND Bourbon Steak for my birthday dinner. I went to the bourbon steak in NYC and it wasn't good- great service but not good. I have heard mixed things about it... and I love Italian so I know trattoria will be fun... should I do Bourbon or trattoria? It's my 40th ....

I would do Trattoria in this case…

 

[Victoriapeluso]

We have eaten at Trattoria al Forno several times and never been disappointed. We have not tried Bourbon Steak yet, but we have looked at the menu. I think that the menu is ambitious and may raise expectations higher than they should be. Also, it takes time for a restaurant to work all the issues out, so I would be giving people who reviewed it right after it opened less credence than people who have visited recently.

I have seen some good Bourbon Steak reviews and some not so good. I will probably give them a little more time before dining there myself. If you know you like Trattoria al Forno, it might be worth sticking with what you know since it’s a special occasion.


All I can say here is Tony’s Town Square (for many years, although they are working on it).

Tonys is way better these days! hahah we love a come back story!

 

[Victoriapeluso]

Gonna go with Trattoria! Thanks y'all!