Anxiety over Bourbon Steak

Victoriapeluso

Mouseketeer
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
248
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 ....
 
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!!
 
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 $$?
 

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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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…
 
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!
 
We dined there 2 weeks ago and went in with high expectations. There was nothing bad, but it was one of the least memorable meals we had that week. The steaks were good, not great. Everything is ala cart, so go in aware of the extra costs. It was VERY loud. For the price, I was not expecting that much noise.
 
We dined there 2 weeks ago and went in with high expectations. There was nothing bad, but it was one of the least memorable meals we had that week. The steaks were good, not great. Everything is ala cart, so go in aware of the extra costs. It was VERY loud. For the price, I was not expecting that much noise.
My husband is an active chef and I used to be. Approaching 40 with two children.... I feel like we can steak better at home, so why waste the money. Plus I think a hearty chunk of garlic bread sounds better... and I dont want to pay $100 for buttered noodles for my 5 years old haha
 
I would go to Trattoria, haven’t heard great things about Bourbon Steak and you haven’t had a great experience in the past, plus Steak places are way expensive these days !
 
Trattoria is fine - it's not high end, but perfectly serviceable. Not a bad plan to save the money if you're doing V&A next anyway. I eat at Trattoria a couple times a year, often when staying at Boardwalk villas, just for convenience (I like their lasagna).

I do find the comment on chicken parm funny - only because I'm so incredibly picky about chicken parm coming from a family that has a hand-down recipe for 3 generations...I tend to dislike more restaurant chicken parms than I like! Biggest disappointment for me is when the chicken parm is undersauced or undercheesed, but also when OVERcheesed especially if not a good, high qualify mozz. I also don't like when the chicken is just a big hunk of chicken breast an inch thick or more with the sauce and cheese draped over it - I like the chicken to be thin sliced breast, well pounded and tenderized, fully breaded with seasoning.

I haven't yet eaten at Bourbon in Disney, but I find it very surprising to hear any mediocre or poor reviews - the Bourbon Steak location near me is excellent, with top notch service, top grade meats and cuts, and all the sides and table compliments are perfectly cooked and prepared. It's been one of my very favorite steakhouses anywhere in the country. I would have expected the Disney location to be just as good - I will likely find out on a future trip soon, but hope the reviews are a fluke or maybe initial mistakes to be ironed out for a new location or new management.

I will say that noise would not be something I would personally worry about - my judgement and review would be entirely on food quality, seasoning, and preparation, as well as service.
 









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